Want some advice before taking the plunge

[professorwelch]

After getting a look at some of the figures coming out in the Xplosion expansion, I'm considering plunking down the 'big bucks' and pre-ordering a case from ICON. I was interested in feedback from any of the 'hardcores' out there who have ordered by the case. Is it true that one can count on 8 uniques in a case? Are there other sources to buy by the case? Has ICON been a reliable retailer?
I'm fortunate to have several comic stores in my area that sell clix individually by color ring (.50-yellow, .99-blue, and 1.99-red) and have a pretty good selection so it is tempting to wait for a few weeks after Xplosion releases and pick up the ones I really want.
I'm looking forward to the 'big announcement' on the 17th - any gossip about what Wizkids will have to announce?

[jklass1]

I have ordered a case in the past from www.gatheringground.com and gotten what I think is a very fair case price. Around 200 with shipping. It was CT, and I split it with a friend. We did get 8 Uniques in the case.

I have also ordered a case of Xplosion, from the same place, to be split with a different friend.

I now am a strong advocate of getting a case, seeing what you all get, then supplementing or completeing your set by buying single figs.

[Funky Jett]

Originally posted by professorwelch
After getting a look at some of the figures coming out in the Xplosion expansion, I'm considering plunking down the 'big bucks' and pre-ordering a case from ICON. I was interested in feedback from any of the 'hardcores' out there who have ordered by the case. Is it true that one can count on 8 uniques in a case? Are there other sources to buy by the case? Has ICON been a reliable retailer?
I'm fortunate to have several comic stores in my area that sell clix individually by color ring (.50-yellow, .99-blue, and 1.99-red) and have a pretty good selection so it is tempting to wait for a few weeks after Xplosion releases and pick up the ones I really want.
I'm looking forward to the 'big announcement' on the 17th - any gossip about what Wizkids will have to announce?

The average is 8 uniques per case, but that doesn't mean you are guaranteed 8 in your case. You could get more, you could get less, who knows?

I have not bought from ICON, but I have heard mixed things about them at best. If you are buying an entire case, you should be ok. Just make sure it's sealed. That being said, do not ever buy anything less than a sealed case from ICON. There have been too many reports that the boosters people receive from them are suspiciously short on their uniques... like non-existent. I'm not sure if they tamper with the boosters or if they open a case until they pull 8 uniques then sell the remaining sealed boosters. Either way, it seems ICON is questionable when selling anything less than a full, sealed case. The interesting thing is, I haven't seen anyone from ICON ever stop by here and defend themselves.