Not to burst your bubble here, but have you looked at the company you partnered with for these minis? They do good sculpts, but their packaging strategy has been pretty much that since day one.
I don't understand why you are being rude to me when I'm just trying to add additional information.
As Robert has already posted, WizKids has numerous packaging methods, from single boosters to multi-figure blind boosters (in several different formats) to visible sets (in tubes, in flat packs, etc.). When we signed our license with them, the pack-out option on the minis had not been set, and was not a major part of our negotiations in any event.
No offense, but how could you not know that WizKids loves to use oil and murder trees? Okay, maybe not WizKids, but the people they contract with in China sure do. And probably charge more for it.
I agree that a less wasteful packaging solution would be ideal, but at a certain point little toy men made out of oil is already an extravagant waste in the eyes of a lot of people.
My primary concern is that the miniatures look cool, are fairly priced, and represent the Pathfinder brand well. Though they are certainly more expensive than many consumers would want, I think WizKids delivered ably on all three of those issues.
How they package their product, and what formats they use, is more an area of their expertise. It's important to know that it's a big turn-off for people, and it's something we'll be discussing as we move forward with the line, but our general business practice is to partner with established experts in the field, and trust them in their areas of expertise.
I know the long standing theory on pre-painted minis is Quality, Cheap, Non-Random, pick 2 but Paizo is a company based on figuring out new ways to do established business models. Maybe a new model is what this needs.
Frankly, selling these things one at a time IS a new model, at least for fantasy RPG miniatures. Whether or not it's the best model is for the consumers and the market to decide, and we're still REALLY early in that process to conclude anything definitive. Rest assured that we will always be trying to find better ways to do things, and push prepainted minis in new and exciting directions. The Frost Giant with swappable weapons is one example of this, and there will be plenty more as time goes on.
Have you considered semi-random, pre-painted, quality, and cheap? Each blister is packed random (of 2-3 minis, based on size) in a blister on a card. Odds are out of 2-3 minis, at least one in every pack would be one that someone wants.
I'm relatively certain WizKids has thought of all kinds of different distribution methods for miniatures. The product you propose would certainly have a higher price point than the current model, which might result in fewer impulse purchases. I know WizKids has had a lot of luck with the single-minis boosters for HeroClix and various licensed properties, so I assume their interest in using this method for the Pathfinder minis is based on practical market experience. In fact, I know this.
Or have you considered non-random, on a blister and card, and unpainted. Some of us still like to paint, and like plastic because it's less likely to break. I remember a lot of players in the LGS saying that they wished Wizards would offer the unpainted minis separate like in the Board Games, cause they could paint them themselves. Or even just use them unpainted and color them with imagination.
No, we haven't considered this. We have a great relationship with Reaper Miniatures, who make beautiful, finely detailed metal Pathfinder miniatures for those who prefer painting miniatures. I suspect the per-unit cost on an unpainted plastic mini would be comparable to an unpainted metal miniature, but the metal miniature would likely have much finer detail, and would appeal to a market segment that currently exists and is buying miniatures. Games Workshop aside, there is not a proven market for unpainted plastic miniatures to the extent that WizKids (and Paizo) is shooting for with Pathfinder Battles, so I'm afraid this idea is a non-starter.
Just some ideas. But if you want this to work, you have to challenge the established model, otherwise you are just doing DDM v2.0 at more cost. When many of us just don't have the money to do it.
Well, it's early yet, but I'd say that the line is already working. There are some details that require more fine-tuning (such as the waste issue discussed in Robert's review), but I'm pleased with the quality of the sculpts and the paint jobs, and I think future sets are only going to get better.
In the coming days, we'll be announcing details on the next set and the first Encounter Pack of nonrandom miniatures. The latter will likely appeal to gamers who feel the price on randoms is too expensive (though I also think those customers may be best served buying singles that they want from resellers or their FLGS).
We'll keep trying to improve Pathfinder Battles with every release. So far, while there is definitely room for improvement here and there, I think we're off to a remarkably good start.
--Erik Mona
Publisher
Paizo Publishing
in place of my words. I'm not a subtle guy. 
