It apparently matters a whole lot to you how many figures I have. Should we always request your approval whenever we decide to purchase another piece for our collection?
You assume that’s all every army builder does with their figures? I enjoy doing much more with my (admittedly small) armies, such as equipping them, unequipping them, forming ranks and battalions, and giving each figure I own a purpose for their king. At least we're not bored enough to rant, complain, and resort to name calling.
You're also assuming that our army building takes up 100% of our time.
Dictionary definition: Play n. Exercise or activity for amusement or recreation. I believe army building is just that. I enjoy making armies, and that’s exactly what Lego allows me to do. Do you also assume that every single AFoL who does not make their tiny figures fight other tiny figures is using the product incorrectly? I can only imagine how offended model builders are at that statement, sir.
Again, why is that not right? Why do you have a cap of what is acceptable and what is not? Did some magic Lego Genie tell you that after he's what was left for you in the box? While I don't buy anything for resale personally, I understand that it happens, and I take it into account when I go to the store to buy figures when a new series hits. It's not that difficult to understand- people do it, and if you want to get figures before them, then do so. Just because it's morally wrong to you does not mean it is for them; as it isn't illegal in the slightest, it's something you're going to have to learn to deal with. It might be "wrong" to you (for whatever magical reason), but ultimately it isn't up to you to decide how they use what's available to them.
I can tell that you certainly sound sorry. I, for one, don't appreciate being called a "socially impaired adult," especially by someone who knows absolutely nothing about me. You can make a judgmental statement, certainly, but passing it off as a fact instead of an opinion is something that I see as rather immature. My troops are nothing that I resort to due to boredom, but rather it's an activity that I can fully enjoy doing when the opportunity arises, such as a new wave of sets or a new series of Collectable Minifigures.
Firstly, while I'm indeed giving my explanation, it seems as though one is required in order for you to accept that we actually enjoy some small aspect of Lego. Why does it matter to you what aspect that is, when all that really matters is that we enjoy it? Sure, some are used for wonderful MOCs, and some I purchase just because I appreciate the figure, but ultimately it's not up to you what I buy or why it is that I buy it. Just because you view something as "wrong" doesn't mean it is. We enjoy it, for whatever reason, and that's all that matters.
Now, on a lighter note, I personally view nothing wrong with feeling the packets. I've never been questioned about it at any toy store or even the Lego stores that I've visited. In fact, as some others have made mention of previously, some employees are even kind enough to assist in the searching. One local store near me even numbers the packs 1-16 to correlate to which minifigure is inside, but they do it discretely enough to not ruin it for those that wish to gamble. In addition, I found dozens of figures for people over the holiday season for their kids, which was a very delightful feeling.
Although I certainly approve of feeling the packages, almost nothing is more disappointing than seeing a package opened. If a package of anything is opened, to me, the product is ruined. Sure, every piece might still be in the package, but I can't imagine a store knowingly keeping it on the floor for sale while remaining opened.