Action Figure high prices at retail?

[spockoda]

For those who collect modern figure lines, is there a limit to what you would pay for an indiviidual figure at retail? I am an original series Trek fan but I find the $15-$18 price range a bit prohibitive on some of the DST Trek figures but I will pay that if and when I have the money. Although the new MOTU line isn't technically at regular retail, the $20 per figure is above my ceiling for an action figure that isn't like a 12 inch doll. I had been considering collecting the line until I had heard how much the MOTU figures would go for.

[ludevig]

I wouldn't spend more than $10 for an action figure UNLESS it was for something spectacular. Either something i had been after for years or was a commemorative figure BUT not if there was a series of commemorative figures.
$15 and above i believe to just be ridiculous at this time. 2 things that tell me it is ridiculous.

1 - The economy is not doing well. People can't afford those prices and the companies that sell them need to realise this.

2 - The lines that have lasted a long time (Star Wars, Transformers, Marvel, Ninja Turtles etc) are generally in the $10 region, some stores a little more, others a little less. But they keep the prices affordable for the folk who buy them.

Just some thoughts to your post.

[spockoda]

Thank you for the post, Ludevig. I feel some of the costs for certain figures is getting a little out of hand. The 7 inch Art Asylum Trek figures individually sell for about $15 a piece. I realize they are sort of a speciality line and since they aren't sold at Wal-Mart,Target,etc. there isn't as many of them made but yeah in this economy and me with my wife currently unemployed again the prices do seem a bit much at times.

[ludevig]

Today i stopped at the Dollar General and picked up 2 Power Rangers and an Optimus Prime for my son. Total was just over $9 for the lot.
Some stores have jacked up prices, you can go to Target or Walmart and get a Star Wars figure for around $6 but the same figure at Hastings will cost you between $10-$12. Insane.
I actually stopped off at Hobby Lobby too today to get pricings for the materials for moulds and casting. I am looking to make my own figures, customizing figures i already have but making one of a kinds. If they come out good i will make more of the same figure and maybe sell them here.

[madmartigan37]

The cost of figures is the main reason that I dont collect certain lines, Like you said the new Star Trek line is just priced too high. I really like the 25 line but I find that 10.00 is just too much to spend on one figure unless I really like it or it comes with a "bonus" (Croc Master/Mutt) I buy alot of the multi packs though which average around 5-6 dollars a figure.

[turnbolt]

Yeah..prices on figures has gone through the roof. I rarely by any new stuff at retail. There is a plethora of DST star trek stuff on EBay right now for super cheap. I just got the last 3 of the DS9 figure MOC for 8 bucks a piece shipped. You gotta shop around so you don't get goughed in the "IT'S BRAND NEW" fury.

[beckley]

The only new figures I buy at retail are the Gi. Joe 25th anniversary line and the prices are killing me. I just collect Cobras, but I troop build so I was forking over $7- $8 a figure. I'm glad they're making the Resolute and Movie figures now because I don't collect those and it gives my wallet a chance to recover. The MOTU classics are pricey, but have you seen how much they're going for on ebay!? They seem to be a good investment.