View Full Version : Why do you 'Buy it by the Brick'?
Now that WizKids has announced that the ‘public’ price for Collectors sets will be the same as the Buy it by the Brick price, it made me wonder what entices people to buy bricks.
DrmngCelestial
09/26/2006, 10:58
Yeah, so far I'm trying to catch 'em all (he he) and purchased AW & SIN for the brick figure. Haven't gotten a Collector's set yet, but that will change with Supernova. So that was a vote for the brick figure.
I've never bought a brick. I probably would if I could find a store that gives a decent discount, but no stores around here will give you one. Plus I can spend a little over a $100 and split a case with my friend, and get a whole set minus a few figures which I can easily trade for on here. And if I'm going to spend the same amount for a brick at a local store to get half as many figures, it just doesn't seem worthwhile.
Of course I haven't really liked any of the Collector's sets enough to try and get them. Don't get me wrong each set has a couple of figures I like but in the end I just can't see spending $30 on a whole set, when I could pick up the figs I like off ebay for $5-$10 each.
stark's heir
09/26/2006, 11:19
I could only vote once, but have many reasons...
1) I like the idea of having a chance to get a "seen-nowhere-else" character (Krypto, Venom, etc).
2) I would buy that many boosters anyway.
3) I like supporting my local shop. Owner is very cool and he helps us consumers out by not charging outlandish prices...
I haven't been a fan of the collectors sets thus far and with Marvel 2099 coming, I'm not even sure if I'll get that one, even though I'm a Zombie at heart.
My real vote is because I am a fan of Marvel Comics and this is the easiest way to get a good assortment of characters that I like.
However, since this is not an option, I voted To Support My Local Retailer. He doesn't discount much (a brick costs me $130 and change Canadian), but if he wasn't there I would be forced to drive an hour to Ottawa for my heroclix.
HCannonFodder
09/26/2006, 11:33
There wasn't really a "option 1, 2 & 5" type selection, but here are my top reasons:
1) I like getting the collector's sets at a discounted price. (At least, I DID.)
2) The Mailaway LEs (so far) have all been good, playable pieces.
3) I like collecting the pieces, yet I don't want to spend the cash on a full case. I buy my brick with several other people, so we split a case. Everybody gets several Uniques, close to a full set, and some extras for trading purposes
Superfro
09/26/2006, 11:34
Wow....my answer would be all but the last option. Ultimately I had to go with supporting the local retailer though, as that is the single most important factor.
(And my wife being the local retailer doesn't provide any bias at all, I promise.) :cheeky:
samuraigrifter
09/26/2006, 11:38
I end up buying a lot of boosters, though in two or three booster increments a week. It makes sense to buy them in a brick, because at least I'm guaranteed to get SOME uniques or rares. Unlike buying single boosters, if you're really unlucky, you end up getting the #### boosters in each brick, and totally miss the good ones. At least that's how I see it.Of course there's the added benefit of the mail-away figures like Krypto and Venom.
I always buy boosters at my local comic shop anyway. I tend to get a better selection of figs than from the online stores.
Mr_Clicky
09/26/2006, 11:59
I buy my brick to support my local comics and games shop.
In fact, I buy my case to support my local comics and games shop. And I have been doing so since I got into clix 3 years ago. Each set, Marvel and DC :)
2 Gun Kid
09/26/2006, 12:03
I buy it by the brick to help fight terrorism!!!
GO AMERICA!!!
Psylockeslover
09/26/2006, 12:15
For me, it's mainly to support the local retailer. Without them, I wouldn't play HC at all right now.
Though the exclusive fig is nice, it wouldn't be enough on it's own to get me to buy from the local retailer....
torontcollectr
09/26/2006, 12:20
[QUOTE=HCannonFodder]There wasn't really a "option 1, 2 & 5" type selection, but here are my top reasons:
1) I like getting the collector's sets at a discounted price. (At least, I DID.)
2) The Mailaway LEs (so far) have all been good, playable pieces.
We agree with this logic. However if 1 will soon be ineffectual then what makes them "collectors sets"? The box? The overpricing we pay for them?
or just the fact that it says collectors set on the package?
We normally buy a case anyways (due to distribution internally) such that we get most of the figs (if not all we want) - even if we got hosed on the cards from our case (how many Maddox pogs u want?) yet no feats.
Plus we use the extras for sale or trade anyways.
Manchine
09/26/2006, 12:39
I think its a combo of a lot of the ones listed. I don't think there is any one is more then any other one.
Same as what everyone else said, many reasons... To the "I was going to buy them, anyway" option I would add "and this way I will (likely) get a better distribution of characters than if I bought boosters individually and am guaranteed 4 uniques."
Monkey Joe
09/26/2006, 12:54
I would say A-E, but I was only allowed to pick one.:ermm:
It is a combination of several of the options:
- I want the exclusive figure
- I want the discount on the collectors set
- I'm going to buy 12 boosters anyway (from my local store), might as well buy them at the same time.
- My store gives a pretty good discount for buying a brick versus buying single boosters. Since I don't buy boosters/cases online, I actually end up saving money.
The only time I buy boosters [the past two and half years] anymore is for Marquees, Pre-Releases and Convention BRs and Drafted Tourneys.
That's it. I usually only want 3-4 figures from each new expansion set and that in no way justifies buying a Brick. Trading and eBay allow me to get the figures I need if I can't pull them from the small amount of boosters I buy.
As for getting the Mailaways and Collector's Sets-- that's what Cons are for and eBay and Trading on 'Realms.
rwint1968
09/26/2006, 15:23
Like many of you, I wish I could have voted more than once. But since we couldn't, I voted for the exclusive fig, which is a part of why I buy by the brick.
But I also usually buy at least 12-24 boosters per set anyway, so that also plays into why I buy bricks.
Lastly, the place where I buy my bricks is awesome. The store owner give me great deals, including on the bricks I buy from him.
Cool survey, thanks.:cool:
I Am The Game
09/26/2006, 15:25
However, since this is not an option, I voted To Support My Local Retailer. He doesn't discount much (a brick costs me $130 and change Canadian), but if he wasn't there I would be forced to drive an hour to Ottawa for my heroclix.
That's flat out abuse. Where are you from? Montreal retailers have had a price war going for a while now because of a few morons who like working for free, so we're used to cheap gaming prices. Is anyone else paying this much for a brick?
Wolverine_Hulk
09/26/2006, 15:26
When I 'Buy it by the Brick' it is because I want to get the LE and/or I like the figures in the set.
I Am The Game
09/26/2006, 15:41
Oh, I forgot, I buy by the case, so the bricks are inconsequential to me.
In the old days, bricks would've been nice to help you find a unique among the loose boosters you were buying, but that's not much of an issue anymore. The incentive to buy a brick was the mailaway figure and the $10 discount. Now, one of those disappears, probably to help offset liscencing costs of upcoming properties. By the numbers, the discount doesn't seem to be the motivating factor for many people, but it definitely contributes to a person's decision to buy a brick. I know for a fact that the difference between $30 and $40 US is enough for some of my players to skip a property they don't know, like Invincibles.
If possible, I'd like to see someone keep track of the number of brick buyers for the next couple of sets. Supernova looks like a big seller, so that'll skew the results. Does anyone know when the next stinky set comes out? ;)
Well when I start buying bricks(Supernova) it will be because of the Give-Away figure.
Same as what everyone else said, many reasons... To the "I was going to buy them, anyway" option I would add "and this way I will (likely) get a better distribution of characters than if I bought boosters individually and am guaranteed 4 uniques."
Oh yeah, I forgot about the guaranteed 4 uniques. I like that too.
I buy bricks because it works out to be cheaper in order to get all the figures out of the set that I want. If I simply cherry-picked from Sinister it would've ended up costing me significantly more than buying a brick.
St. Cuthbert
09/26/2006, 17:28
I'm just going to buy that amount of boosters anyway, so might as well buy them all together. I'm not willing to spend so much to buy a case, so a brick is a nice way to buy in bulk moderately.
Plus the exclusive figure is really nice too!
SevenBlueSeven
09/26/2006, 17:38
1)Get the Brick mail away figure. (Venom, Krypto, etc.)
2)Get the Collectors Sets first!
3)Get a ‘discount’ on the collectors sets.
4)Support my local retailer.
5)I’m gonna buy that many boosters anyway, might as well buy a brick.
1) Yes, why not get a special mail in fig if I would normally buy that many boosters? But the Fig is not always a reason to mail in. I still haven't played Krypto or Venom yet and I kinda think they are overpriced or the stats are not competitive. I was unimpressed by Iron Man and did not even mail in for it. These figs are mostly a novelty to me.
2) Yep, there is some value to getting a collectors set early. But not a major reason for me.
3) Yes, If I put that much out in a bulk purchase, I'd dang well better get a discount!!! - Being a collector, I want that much of a reward. (now if only I can get my Mechwarrior discount.... *grumble*)
4 & 5) Yep, I'll buy the brick from the local retailer. But bricks are freaking expensive. I normally buy a brick and a few boosters for a sealed event. Then I trade those off, give them away or hold onto a few for mods. Then I buy a REV set from everyone's favorite online marketplace for about the same cash as I would get a brick for. (I don't chase U's all the time and can easily trade for the ones I want)
Plus, with the collation problem, I have been screwed every single time on U's for a brick. I averaged a U a brick. So much for this guarenteed 4 U's. (Sadly encourages me to spend my money online instead of at the local shop) So far, the brick idea has not worked for me. I'll hope that Supernova is better on collation and quality control issues.
tyroclix
09/26/2006, 18:21
This was a confusing poll. Was it asking why I USED to buy a brick or why I would currently buy a brick?
I went with why I would buy a brick now and went with the mail-away figure.
In reality, I only bought the Collatoral Damage Brick so I could get a discount and ensure I would get that Giants set.
I skipped Armor Wars since I had no interest in the Iron Man.
I skipped Sinister because I have no interest in Venom and I had a friend order the GL set for me.
I'll see how Doom sounds before deciding if I want to buy a brick of Supernova as I have no interest in 2099.
Since I split a case with a friend anyway, a brick is an additional big expenditure which no longer yields any value. I can get the mail-away for less than the cost of a brick and I'm not stuck with 12 boosters worth of dupes to chuck...
The Charlatan
09/26/2006, 18:35
Purely for the exclusive figure. The local store doesn't offer any discounts on bricks, and the Collector's sets don't matter to me for the most part. I've mildly considered buying an actual case of Supernova, depending on who's for certain in thexset, and how much it costs, but then I wouldn't get Dr Doom...
coyotejack
09/26/2006, 23:13
I do it to support the local venue. Sure I get the figure and collector's sets...but I could get those anyway.
My vote was "I don't buy bricks", but sometimes it is also "Because I'm buying that many anyways". Basically, if I plan on buying ten or more boosters of a set, I might as well buy a brick, but if I don't want that many boosters then I don't see any reason to buy a brick of it anyways.
Captain Beyond
09/27/2006, 05:37
The first two choices worked equally for me. I want the mailaway figure and the collector's sets. It doesn't bother about the price change. I think it's good thing people might be more inclined to buy the collector sets now.
TheDoctor
09/27/2006, 05:46
Unfortunately, these days there is only 1 store in the country that I know of that still orders and sells the latest Heroclix set. All the other stores that used to sell the game pretty much stopped stocking it claiming the novelty had worn off and it wasn't working for them any more.
This store is too far away to just visit on a lunch break and buy a couple of boosters every once in a while, which is really what I would prefer. So what happens these days is that I just drive down there on the day of the release, get 2 bricks, go home and try to trade for the rest. So that's why I'm buying bricks.
AlienFlanders
09/27/2006, 08:33
Like some of the earlier posters, I Buy bricks to get the LE figure and to Support my local store. And with the distribution of late, buying individual boosters is highly likely to get you identical figures.
flatmatt
09/27/2006, 18:02
I voted "I'm going to buy that many boosters anyway," though of course I wouldn't buy the brick were it not for the exclusive figure and the collectors' sets. That only applies to DC sets, though, since I don't buy enough Marvel to get a brick.
Darth Sabre
09/27/2006, 19:53
Other than the last one, all of them apply for me.
elfholme
09/27/2006, 20:17
Other than the second one and the last one, they all apply to me. I suppose the second one would apply if I thought there was a danger that not getting the sets early would prevent me from getting them at all, but I don't see that as a big concern.
I don't really think I can select an answer for the poll though...the answer for me is really a combination...there's no one answer that fits.
lusiphur
09/28/2006, 03:49
I could only vote once, but have many reasons...
1) I like the idea of having a chance to get a "seen-nowhere-else" character (Krypto, Venom, etc).
2) I would buy that many boosters anyway.
3) I like supporting my local shop. Owner is very cool and he helps us consumers out by not charging outlandish prices...
I haven't been a fan of the collectors sets thus far and with Marvel 2099 coming, I'm not even sure if I'll get that one, even though I'm a Zombie at heart.
i have th esame reasons, but i was goignto get a collectors set for the giant figures so it was cool getting them cheaper and first.
I don't buy bricks anymore. The last two I purchased were for Collateral damage, and, when I bought them, it was partly because I really wanted the Giants Collectors' Set and partly because I've always preferred buying in person at my local stores if I can rather than online.
But what with the distribution in recent sets and with all of the too low attack value figures, I no longer believe it's worth my money to buy HC bricks, or boosters for that matter. So with Sinister and beyond I'm moving to the singles only route for Heroclix. I'll trade for or purchase online the few I really want, and I'll do without in regards to the rest.
xXHushXx
09/29/2006, 01:20
To get the LE mostly....
But the other reasons are good too....
Kite-Man
09/29/2006, 16:07
I like to buy a couple boosters a week over a few weeks and spread the joy out.
My real vote is because I am a fan of Marvel Comics and this is the easiest way to get a good assortment of characters that I like.
However, since this is not an option, I voted To Support My Local Retailer. He doesn't discount much (a brick costs me $130 and change Canadian), but if he wasn't there I would be forced to drive an hour to Ottawa for my heroclix.
Yowza! It costs me $320 Canadian inclusive for a case!
I have yet to vote but I buy cases because I want 'em all!
(how many Maddox pogs u want?) yet no feats.
I have a friend who has 12 and is looking for more!
For Collateral damage it was Krypto and the Giants collector set... plus I like DC figs.
For Sinister it was only so i could get the GLC collectors set.
For Supernova? nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I'll go to the pre-release and purchase a few boosters periodically but mostly it will be singles for me for that one. Same thing for Armor wars.
Also my local retailer is mucho groovy so anytihng i can do to help him I will do.
Scott Neelan
10/05/2006, 01:31
I chose "Because I'd by that many packs anyway...", but really everything applies (and supporting the retailer was a very close second anyway). I'm lucky enough to have two really good venues in town (though I favor one over the other just slightly, for many various reasons that don't really amount to much, but oh well), and I like doing my part to keep said venues in business.
I'd say it was for the ClixBrix LE's, but so far I have yet to ever remember to send off for them (I'm still irritated, since I really REALLY wanted that Venom)...
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