D&D Minis: What's missing most?

[freebfrost]

Appealing to ebay as a panacea for curing the ills posed by random packaging really doesn't get you very far. Leaving aside that for many people, ebay simply isn't a viable option (people without regular online access, or younger people who do not have credit cards or other viable means of buying items online), using ebay is, for many people, quite simply a headache. Finding a sale, bidding for the item, exchanging e-mails for shipping, waiting a couple of days to get your product on the faith that the dealer will be honest, and so on. It is so much easier, and satisfying in many ways, to simply pick an item up off a shelf, pay for it, and go home. Telling people "you can always use ebay" is a nonstarter. Most of them don't want to use ebay, or they would be using it already. They want to buy the product they want without having to go through extra hassle.

While some people may not have access to using eBay (a minor trying to purchase from a seller who requires credit cards), most of your point is that it is essentially inconvienient to use eBay, and that it's a "hassle."

First, why is being patient to complete a transaction considered such a hassle? Personally, I can wait the two weeks to bid, send emails, and receive my package so I can get that last mini I need at a fair price. What is the urgent need to get it RIGHT NOW? I don't get it.

Secondly, you can always try sites like Maxminis and trade with others for the minis you want.

Finally, if you are without online access, then you really have to resort to pre-Internet means like asking around at your local gaming store or talking to friends. That's really the only option to those without online access (and they won't be reading this advice anyways).

 

[Roger]

Gelatinous Cube

 

[Storm Raven]

The D&D miniatures are a game onto themselves.

They are not marketed directly at RPG players. They are marketed at those who like random, collectible products. Those that are using them for other markets are a secondary market. Those who will not buy them randmoly, are a third market and either make do with trade days at conventions, buy them through e-bay, or don't buy them at all.

Which is why they are all modeled directly on D&D monsters and characters drawn directly from D&D books.

 

[Storm Raven]

First, why is being patient to complete a transaction considered such a hassle? Personally, I can wait the two weeks to bid, send emails, and receive my package so I can get that last mini I need at a fair price. What is the urgent need to get it RIGHT NOW? I don't get it.

Because waiting two weeks to bid, send emails, arrange shipment, and receive a package is an inconvenience. Placing barriers between consumers and what they want makes acquiring the products in question inconvenient. Just because you don't mind the inconvenience does not mean it is not an issue worth complaining about for others.

Secondly, you can always try sites like Maxminis and trade with others for the minis you want.

Bartering is an even bigger hassle. There is a reason modern economies use currency instead.

Finally, if you are without online access, then you really have to resort to pre-Internet means like asking around at your local gaming store or talking to friends. That's really the only option to those without online access (and they won't be reading this advice anyways).

Which is an even bigger hassle and inconvenience.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Which is why they are all modeled directly on D&D monsters and characters drawn directly from D&D books.

Hence the secondary market part.

No one accused WoTC of not taking advantage of their IP.

I am surprised that WoTC hasn't done a Magic collectible miniature game. that would be fantastic. A colossal collection edition of the Weatherlight would be awesome.

 

[Kunimatyu]

Clearly, StormRaven, sir, you've never really looked at your options. Ebay has many, many Buy It Now stores for D&D Miniatures. When I wanted my Underdark stuff, I hopped on, placed orders on exactly the stuff I wanted, and it's now on its way. Reasonable prices for all -- even the rares -- especially when compared to pewter. Even my Balor, the most expensive figure in Underdark was 16.99, I think, not at all out of line for a large metal mini of a demon.

 

[National Acrobat]

4 words for you: Never going to happen.

Hmm, I didn't realize this was such a sore point. This is my first reading of any sort of thread like this, and I was only echoing the sentiments of my entire gaming group.

I am lucky, because my FLGS re-sells them individually and in packs of non-randoms, for a very minimal markup, and I'm just surprised others don't do this. They sell well there and I would figure that the actual manufacturer could take a cue from that.

I'm not into the politics of why they won't or will sell them non-random, nor do I get into discussions about that, I was just responding to the topic itself, what I'd like to see in minis.

 

[Riggs]

Furniture/Terrain (I love the stuff I bought a while ago...Mageknight was it?)

Make races consistent--I agree Hobgoblin Impaler was useless to me because the others were reddish-orange skinned ad he's yellowish. Could be legal, but cohesive is better to me.

Spell effect minis=good idea, but the basics will do fine. One snaring one, a Bigby hand, summoned elemental servent one per, etc.

I like game props and representations, but it's the little things I'd rather boost with effective props, like the environment, or situation...at least equal to the monster attacking.

But overall, I don't play the game so I don't mind the process so far, I only use them for D&D props and my FLGS sells open U/C ones.

 

[Storm Raven]

Clearly, StormRaven, sir, you've never really looked at your options. Ebay has many, many Buy It Now stores for D&D Miniatures. When I wanted my Underdark stuff, I hopped on, placed orders on exactly the stuff I wanted, and it's now on its way.

Yes it does. However, it is still a hassle, as are all online transactions. You have to seek out the product on ebay, purchase it, go through the process of paying online, arrange to have the product shipped, and then wait until it arrives. That is an inconvenience. You may not mind the inconvenience, but it doesn't mean that others share your opinion on that score.

 

[Henry]

I'm not into the politics of why they won't or will sell them non-random, nor do I get into discussions about that, I was just responding to the topic itself, what I'd like to see in minis.

Not politics, NA, just economics. Whoever quoted MerricB earlier said it best:

Cheap Figures, Wide Selection, or Non-Random: Pick two. In WotC's case, they opted for the first two.

Storm Raven: I can sympathize, but I think the other posters are just pointing out what the realities are for someone trying to get good-looking minis, and for the D&D minis, Ebay, trades, and local sources really are the only options. I'd love to be able to go the local store myself and get 12 warforged, 30 skeletons, and 2 beholders, all to go, but it's not available, unfortunately, and I'm also not willing to pay the price a manufacturer would ask (I gave up on metal minis long ago for practicality and price).