Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 think4yerslf May 07, 2015 11:49:28	I just want to be very clear with a MAJOR complaint I have with WoTC and 5E:  There is one and only reason I dont buy a complete set of the (much desired) 5E miniatures - because they are randomized.   WHY WoTC does this is beyond my ability to comprehend.  I dont want to have to buy 50 boxes, and then have to locate and dealk with trading constantly, to get what 20 boxes of minis that I need and want.   I love D&D, I already have a complete set of most all 5E published books, I have nearly EVERY 4E published book and many adventures.   I own zero mini becase of the randomized aspect and the hassle and expense it requires.   Come on WoTC, I believe if you didnt randomize you would sell MORE.      There, rant done now.
#2 AaronOfBarbaria May 07, 2015 12:00:25	The reason why the minis are randomized is actually very simple: Keeps the price point for the customer at a reasonable point without cutting too much profit for the company.   If you don't want to buy randomly, I suggest buying singles in the aftermarket, such as at online sellers like miniature market or Auggie's.   And while you believe that going non-random would allow them to sell more, and might be right, they wouldn't be able to sell them pre-painted and at the pricing they currently do, considering that other non-random plastic minis are around $3 a figure for the smaller, more common stuff, and a view of the larger pieces I have from Reaper are more in the $50-$100 range.
#3 sandvirm May 07, 2015 12:18:08	The reality is that miniatures as a product line is only profitable with randomized booster boxes.  Were they not randomized, they would be more expensive.  I've seen this discussed many times before, and a quick search dug up this discussion from enworld.
#4 Zardnaar May 07, 2015 12:25:20	Basically you get a buzz looking for the one you really ant. Also the shops can't sell the less popular mini packs.
#5 MrHotter May 08, 2015 7:37:50	I like to buy a couple random packs just to hope I get one that would be expensive on the individual market.   Then I go to Miniature Market and buy the ones I want. It's nice when some of the ones I do want are very cheap individually.    I also like to take a weekly trip to the local store that has individual minatures behind the counter to see if there is anything new I'd like after having a look at it.
(Reply to #3) CCS	sandvirm wrote:
#7 CCS May 08, 2015 12:09:53	think4yerslf wrote:
#8 Orethalion May 08, 2015 13:00:05	CCS wrote:
#9 pukunui May 08, 2015 13:23:18	think4yerslf wrote:
#10 Rains May 08, 2015 13:27:34	http://gamemash.com/Catalog.aspx Ta-Da. Theyre not true miniatures but theyre way cheaper. Way, way cheaper.
#11 Wuzzard May 08, 2015 14:57:11	The minis are randomize to improve their flavor.
#12 warpiglet May 09, 2015 7:40:58	Money.  Profit.  Period.   I buy some boosters and then buy some after market to have more of a kind (eg goblins).    How much do u want them?  Pay or pay not, there is no whine.   I too have refused to buy some randomized products because I did not want them enough to buy enough.  I respect the op position...
#13 Coredump00 May 09, 2015 8:00:28	1) It forces you to buy the 'less wanted' minis in order to get the 'wanted' minis 2) It means they don't have to worry about which minis will/won't sell as well. 2a) They don't have to worry about 2nd and 3rd 'printings' of only certain minis 3) It helps their LGS partners by creating an aftermarket 4) It serves the customers that *like* the fun of randomly getting something 5) It allows them to have one product, with one price, and one SKU 6) It encourages you to have a wide selection of models, which makes playing the game go better.     IMO, the by-far-biggest reason, is 5).
#14 Orethalion May 09, 2015 8:41:50	Wuzzard wrote:
#15 Mirtek May 09, 2015 10:40:57	CCS wrote:
#16 Wuzzard May 09, 2015 10:52:43	Orethalion wrote:
#17 MechaPilot May 09, 2015 16:23:46	It's all about the money.  It's a business decision, pure and simple.
(Reply to #6) sandvirm	CCS wrote: