Batman Figs Prices going down?

[Diggydoes]

Hi there,

quite not sure if it belongs here or in the general Forum,

but i´m asking myself if the (mostly) ridiculous after-market prices for the Batman Minifigs will go down when the ´12 line arrives? I´m asking especially regarding the Figs that will be updated (Batman; Poison Ivy...).

Any Experiences with other licensed Themes (Star Wars)?

[Commander Adama]

Hi there,

quite not sure if it belongs here or in the general Forum,

but i´m asking myself if the (mostly) ridiculous after-market prices for the Batman Minifigs will go down when the ´12 line arrives? I´m asking especially regarding the Figs that will be updated (Batman; Poison Ivy...).

Any Experiences with other licensed Themes (Star Wars)?

I'm afraid not. As they are not re-relasing them then they will go up in price

[Miss Kyle]

I don't think so either, as their designs are different from the new ones.

[Zeya]

I imagine the older figs might in fact become more valuable. If you've got an older batman who looks noticeably different than in the current sets, people will get hungry to buy all the different batman versions. Just like people might pay more for a C-3PO in the slightly different older pearl color, all else being equal.

And as for older ones that aren't in new sets (like Doc Ock maybe?), those will probably only increase in price.

Just my speculation. I could be wrong.

[Diggydoes]

I´m curious to see if/how the new Batman-line is gonna effect the prices of the old ones!

[brickswindler]

I don't think the prices of the old figures from the Batman line will go down, since the new figures are redesigned. If at all the prices may go up. Just look at cloud city Boba Fett for an example. Collectors want every version.

[Ceroknight]

The prices will go down alittle for sure but some might still stay high.

Such as the Two Face figure: the 2012 version has a original(orange and blue) torso so the black and white torso is still quite rare...

[Alywin]

For those minifigs which will have newer version to be released in 2012, I would guess the price will not go up, if not dropping, because normal people would just buy the more easily available and cheaper versions in order to grab one. For those older versions, initially price might not drop, but sales volume must dry up, which could eventually lead to price reduction. I know there are serious collectors, but the mass "normal" players who care price more drive the market more. Honestly, how many out of all the players are so eager to buy back every version to form a team of "batmen or spidermen" at ridiculously high price after all? The other thing is, even if the price of older versions remain high, it is still not meaningful if very few people buy them any more. Zero transaction with a sky-high price is nothing...

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

You've got to consider that one of the main reasons Batman minifigs are so expensive is because the market of Batman fans is huge. Among these, there are a lot of fans who collect figures (not just Lego), and many of them like to "collect them all". I think that time will tell. Whereas many will go after the new versions, the new line could attract new collectors who might get interested in the old figs. I don't know.

Either way, I'm not letting go my Batman minifigure collection.

[HAGGAR]

Although the new Bat figs could triggered interest on the old sets, but given the already high price and the recent economy situation, I guess only die hard fans could have afford the pricey figs?

Moreover, I would expected most of the Batman fans would have bought their favorite figs/ set by now - after all, there have been over 3 years since the last release - and demands for these old set are unlikely to rise all of a sudden again in the near future.

On the other hand, I hope the price of the Batman figs ain't fall down significantly (BTW, I don't have a single Bat figure on hand ) - cause this would be a signal implying how bad the economy is lying before us!

Edited October 13, 2011 by HAGGAR

[sharky]

Lego is one of those types of toylines where the older more vintage stuff still stays in demand even if a newer more superior one comes out. That is something I never understood personally. But, then again, I'm not really one to collect for rarity or to be a completest.

This does happen in other toy lines, but there is usually a much bigger time difference between the old and new. Typically a very old vintage toy that is a first release of a toy will still command a high price.

However, there are times that I can appreciate an older Lego set. I really am fond of the older sets that have printed bricks and no stickers. This is something that is becoming more and more rare these days. I guess everyone has there reasons for liking the old stuff even if the newer one is aesthetically better.

[lightningtiger]

'ceroknight' made the point about Two-Face being in orange & blue, and not in black & white as this was for the film version of Two-Face. These new DC figures are comic book based, so it might be a bit like the difference between Star Wars and Clone Wars figures...in design and popularity !

Time will only tell on what happens to price of the older and new figures.....and their sets too.

[Piranha]

well possibly some similar figs like the Dark Blue Batman maybe might drop a few dollars. but they might go up because some people want to expand like in the case of modular buildings just because we get new ones the old ones people want to complete their block.

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

well possibly some similar figs like the Dark Blue Batman maybe might drop a few dollars. but they might go up because some people want to expand like in the case of modular buildings just because we get new ones the old ones people want to complete their block.

Collectors... Always a picky bunch.

[happymark]

good discussion.

I would think it will drop.

as a dad of two boys. I was thinking to buy a $15 batman figure for them. but now I just need to wait the 2012 (not the end of the world..)

some kids are just starting into the super hero things. but the batman/spiderman minifigures were released even before they were born.

Hi there,

quite not sure if it belongs here or in the general Forum,

but i´m asking myself if the (mostly) ridiculous after-market prices for the Batman Minifigs will go down when the ´12 line arrives? I´m asking especially regarding the Figs that will be updated (Batman; Poison Ivy...).

Any Experiences with other licensed Themes (Star Wars)?

[Commander Adama]

good discussion.

I would think it will drop.

as a dad of two boys. I was thinking to buy a $15 batman figure for them. but now I just need to wait the 2012 (not the end of the world..)

some kids are just starting into the super hero things. but the batman/spiderman minifigures were released even before they were born.

Agreed and many AFOLS likes us might of been in their 'dark ages' (like me :/) so that is a reason why they might go down, they will see that people will be buying the newer figures and then they will drop. Imagine if LEGO re-released the cloud city with all the same figures, the sales would plummet! Now the same applies her or should do these new figures are coming out, the smart people ( like me) would rather buy the cheaper ones then the people who stupidly buy the older ones

[AndyC]

I suspect they'll come down, not necessarily to as cheap as all figs but probably a lot closer. Speaking personally, I missed Batman and have often been tempted to buy some of the figs even at ridiculously inflated prices (though good sense has kicked in and prevented me actually buying any). Now that I'll be able to get some, even if not the exact same design, at ordinary prices it's simply a no-brainer not to even think of getting the old figs.

Yes, they'll still have some appeal to completists and hardcore Batman fans who are after a specific look such as the old B&W two-face, however it's likely to be a lot less than the demand from fans who just want a Batman fig, for example.

[Gooker1]

I suspect they'll come down, not necessarily to as cheap as all figs but probably a lot closer. Speaking personally, I missed Batman and have often been tempted to buy some of the figs even at ridiculously inflated prices (though good sense has kicked in and prevented me actually buying any). Now that I'll be able to get some, even if not the exact same design, at ordinary prices it's simply a no-brainer not to even think of getting the old figs.

Yes, they'll still have some appeal to completists and hardcore Batman fans who are after a specific look such as the old B&W two-face, however it's likely to be a lot less than the demand from fans who just want a Batman fig, for example.

My guess is that they will go down. Using Star Wars as a reference, re-released sets hurt the value of older sets. 6209 ( the second version of the Slave 1) was a highly sought after set reaching near $200 for sealed sets, but once the latest itteration came out, 6209 is just about what it was at retail. Granted there have been a handful of Boba's, but the newest set has a better mold and a very similar Slave 1. The same can be said about the newest falcon versus the second version of the Falcon. The minifigs have changed a bit, but again the price of 4504 is just about at retail now loose.

Granted this doesn't apply to sealed sets as much, but the value of loose sets definitely go down with respect to Star Wars for re-released sets.

Now looking at the preliminary pictures, I would suspect the catwoman and batman/joker sets that were originally released to drop in value. Two-Face has a different body, so that might not drop too much. Once we get better photos, or actual release photos, then it will probably be easier to determine whether or not they will drop.

I'm in the camp that the prices will drop due to the Star Wars comparisons.

[Diggydoes]

My guess is that they will go down. Using Star Wars as a reference, re-released sets hurt the value of older sets. 6209 ( the second version of the Slave 1) was a highly sought after set reaching near $200 for sealed sets, but once the latest itteration came out, 6209 is just about what it was at retail. Granted there have been a handful of Boba's, but the newest set has a better mold and a very similar Slave 1. The same can be said about the newest falcon versus the second version of the Falcon. The minifigs have changed a bit, but again the price of 4504 is just about at retail now loose.

Granted this doesn't apply to sealed sets as much, but the value of loose sets definitely go down with respect to Star Wars for re-released sets.

Now looking at the preliminary pictures, I would suspect the catwoman and batman/joker sets that were originally released to drop in value. Two-Face has a different body, so that might not drop too much. Once we get better photos, or actual release photos, then it will probably be easier to determine whether or not they will drop.

I'm in the camp that the prices will drop due to the Star Wars comparisons.

That´s my guess too when i´ve opened the threat! When looking at reissued Star-Wars Minifigs i just discovered that the current Version always seems more appealing than the old one (for example General Grievous)! Maybe this is a bad Example since the latest Version is a completely new mold, maybe not...

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

Agreed and many AFOLS likes us might of been in their 'dark ages' (like me :/) so that is a reason why they might go down, they will see that people will be buying the newer figures and then they will drop. Imagine if LEGO re-released the cloud city with all the same figures, the sales would plummet! Now the same applies her or should do these new figures are coming out, the smart people ( like me) would rather buy the cheaper ones then the people who stupidly buy the older ones

I'm sorry, but I think that some people just like the old figs even if they have the new figs, so that's why we "stupidly" buy the older ones.

[JamesBenjamin]

The ones that have new counterparts will go down, but not by much, right away. The ones that dont will go up A LOT.

[BrickUpdate]

My family has been deeply involved in collector markets since the 1970s. For something like this, I can only envision one scenario: prices in general going down, because demand is going down. When LEGO releases new Batman sets, that wipes out big segments of the market who would have bought the older sets at higher prices. It also reduces the perceived level of scarcity of anything that says "Batman" and "LEGO" on it.

Of course, there are always the small segment of the aftermarket who are purists, collectors who want every variation. But that is a small portion of the aftermarket, which is already a small portion of the overall LEGO market.

The Batman sets are one of the few LEGO themes where prices went up 300% or more in the aftermarket. This is rare, even though we like to think any "retired" set is really valuable. Most aren't, you can find entire retired lines at or less than original retail on the aftermarket. The exceptions are Batman, some trains, UCS Millennium Falcon, modulars, and many others. But again - just a segment.

Think about this: if the pride and joy of your LEGO display is a retired Batman set, then you walk into any TRU, or go on Amazon, and there are TONS of similar sets, consider how that effects perceived value.

If they re-issued the UCS Millennium Falcon with 10% new parts, do you think people would pay $1000-$1800 for the now-retired version? How many people would? It's like any bubble, when perceived value goes down, the bottom drops out.

[Brickmamba]

Agreed and many AFOLS likes us might of been in their 'dark ages' (like me :/) so that is a reason why they might go down, they will see that people will be buying the newer figures and then they will drop. Imagine if LEGO re-released the cloud city with all the same figures, the sales would plummet! Now the same applies her or should do these new figures are coming out, the smart people ( like me) would rather buy the cheaper ones then the people who stupidly buy the older ones

ditto, i was in the 'dark ages' when batman was first released, now i look forward to getting brand new figs at not so ludicrous prices, sure the details maybe a lil different from the originals, not going to bother me

[backtothebatbrick]

I Dont think that the prices will go down for the villains. but for batman,he almost looks identical to he old ones so he might go down a little.

[Darth Hagrid]

I imagine the older figs might in fact become more valuable. If you've got an older batman who looks noticeably different than in the current sets, people will get hungry to buy all the different batman versions. Just like people might pay more for a C-3PO in the slightly different older pearl color, all else being equal.

And as for older ones that aren't in new sets (like Doc Ock maybe?), those will probably only increase in price.

Just my speculation. I could be wrong.

Actually, I've heard rumors the Doc Ock will appear, although admittedly I have no proof.