Feeling Blind Bags Advantage

[ghostrye]

Totally fine to feel the bag....it's just humiliating when someone sees you do it!

[rjpophead]

Digital scales For. The. Win. Dunnys taught me many a trick long before funko.

[mikechickenhead]

i cant feel em out worth a damn....but i try.

[FunkoMeansFun]

I haven't bought these yet, (only have seen a fellow collector friends and liked them), but these are in a bag? I didn't know that.

I have seen people (and it is allowed with no issue) of a certain companies (name rhymes with Eggo) mini-figs. When I was at Comic Con in their store a really nice employee of the company was feeling baggies for customers so they could get the character they wanted. She literally spent like 45 min doing it for various people, especially the kids so they could get the mini fig character they wanted. Kind of sweet actually .

[keyese]

Totally fine to feel the bag....it's just humiliating when someone sees you do it!

I get funny looks sometimes

[ghostrye]

This happened to me a few months ago in a Walgreens with the last wave of dc imaginexts before I knew what the codes were on the bags. There was a stocker by me giving me the side eye.

[Geescube]

Digital scales For. The. Win. Dunnys taught me many a trick long before funko.

Dannnnng old skoo.

[dcooperfl]

If they didn’t want me to fee up PSH they would have put them in a box. Doesn’t matter though with the papers they have in the bags and the general similarities of the figures, I often fail at the advantage. Unless they have something obvious like an axe in the head.

[ShockWaveZ55]

The blind bag/mystery box game is rigged to get people to buy multiples. It’s a business. I don’t blame funko or any other company trying to maximize profits by making us, the consumer, buy multiples to get what we’re looking for. In turn I do not blame anyone trying to avoid spending more money than they have to to find what they’re looking for. Feel away or weight what you want for all I care. Unethical would be opening those blind bags or mystery boxes. I’ve seen that a lot lately at target, GameStop, and TRU. That’s not cool.

[TriFeckTa]

The blind bag/mystery box game is rigged to get people to buy multiples. It’s a business. I don’t blame funko or any other company trying to maximize profits by making us, the consumer, buy multiples to get what we’re looking for. In turn I do not blame anyone trying to avoid spending more money than they have to to find what they’re looking for. Feel away or weight what you want for all I care. Unethical would be opening those blind bags or mystery boxes. I’ve seen that a lot lately at target, GameStop, and TRU. That’s not cool.

I agree, there are a lot of psh in my area that are sealed with scotch tape.

[bakivali]

The blind bag/mystery box game is rigged to get people to buy multiples. It’s a business. I don’t blame funko or any other company trying to maximize profits by making us, the consumer, buy multiples to get what we’re looking for. In turn I do not blame anyone trying to avoid spending more money than they have to to find what they’re looking for. Feel away or weight what you want for all I care. Unethical would be opening those blind bags or mystery boxes. I’ve seen that a lot lately at target, GameStop, and TRU. That’s not cool.

I agree, there are a lot of psh in my area that are sealed with scotch tape.

Same When I bought some pints at TRU one time, the cashier was shocked I had found some that were still sealed.

[Shalee04]

I feel and feel and feel those blind bags .

[FunkoMeansFun]

At a few SDCC's ago, my girlfriend (at the time), tried to feel what was in her L*go mini fig bag (which L*go and collectors do and are fine with). She had no idea what was what, Lol. Other collectors knew what was in each bag. I guess it's a talent, like a Horse-whisperer. The Funko Mini Whisperer .

[Geescube]

Unethical would be opening those blind bags or mystery boxes. I’ve seen that a lot lately at target, GameStop, and TRU. That’s not cool.

Agree, straight trashy. I see it most often at TRU or Walmart -___-

[bakivali]

Unethical would be opening those blind bags or mystery boxes. I’ve seen that a lot lately at target, GameStop, and TRU. That’s not cool.

Agree, straight trashy. I see it most often at TRU or Walmart -___-

Target too. Pretty much anywhere where the PSH are off in an aisle somewhere, and in bigger stores where they don't have employees around the toys section as much. I don't see it as much in stores like Hot Topic or Gamestop, I think because they put them by the registers or because the space is smaller.

[badger]

No, I think it’s okay actually. I don’t think it gives me any advantage.

[ghostrye]

I swear that I will never recover if I see someone with a digital scale weighing boxes in a store.

[FredKruger]

I swear that I will never recover if I see someone with a digital scale weighing boxes in a store.

I weighed 48 star wars boxes at HT to find Vader.

[FunkoMeansFun]

This happened to me a few months ago in a Walgreens with the last wave of dc imaginexts before I knew what the codes were on the bags. There was a stocker by me giving me the side eye.

How did you learn what codes where which character? That doesn't seem to be an easy remember .

[HawkLord]

My biggest complaint coming from the Lego CNF side is people buying a whole box and then feeling it at home and returning the rest. It has happened and messed with inventory. I’d rather people take the time to feel them in store, so others at least have a shot.

Otherwise there’s nothing wrong with the feel method for bags or weight method for boxes. It’s how you work the system that’s never a guaranteed mystery in the first place.

[Vin phx]

Worst place to try it at is Barnes & noble so quiet then loud blind bag crunch going on you get dirty looks then.

[geekypeeples]

I'm a feeler myself great question really enjoying reading everyone's ideas on this subject thank you for posting

[ghostrye]

This happened to me a few months ago in a Walgreens with the last wave of dc imaginexts before I knew what the codes were on the bags. There was a stocker by me giving me the side eye.

How did you learn what codes where which character? That doesn't seem to be an easy remember .

It's actually super easy. There are two digit numbers embossed on the upper corner of the bags that reveal the character in the bag:

00 Hawkgirl
93 Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond)
94 Martian Manhunter (Phasing)
97 Vibe
98 Mr Miracle
99 Vixen

[ghostrye]

I swear that I will never recover if I see someone with a digital scale weighing boxes in a store.

I weighed 48 star wars boxes at HT to find Vader.

I applaud your diligence...but I would love to have been a fly on the wall as the Hot Topic employees watched you weigh those boxes!!!

[war2death]

For PSH feeling the bag help with getting a full set or not having to buy doubles except that the ones you need but some sets have the hole on the corner not sure if this was to release some of the bags from exploding from too much air added to the bags when packaged but not having to buy multiples is the number 1 factor to PSH and why i dont by Mystery minis as much

[noobie]

I'm not good with feeling for the figures. I'm impressed by the people who are.
I'm okay with buying a few and not having the full sets. Also, duplicates make good gifts.

[jagpop]

I'm not good with feeling for the figures. I'm impressed by the people who are.
I'm okay with buying a few and not having the full sets. Also, duplicates make good gifts.

I'm with you on this. I love gifting dupes.

[stl_ben]

Anyone have a recommended place to go to to find the weights of the boxes? I'm all for weighing boxes! Especially like right now that I only need one more R&M mini, I don't want to blindly buy if I can just scale and go on.

[MyLittleFunkos]

I'll be 100% honest, I'll feel those bad boys up as much as I can. I'm particular about pieces I buy so I'd be left sour if I got one (or two) figures I didn't want. That's why I usually go to eBay for Mini's. I've tried my luck a lot more recently, with Mini's, and have had success by just shaking the box to get a feel for the weight. If a store associate walks past me too many times I'll just grab a couple and hope for the best.

[GoldenYellowPup]

No shame in feeling for the one you want. Even better, recent PSH sets have expanded their molds for new characters (NBC, Horror) so it's significantly easier. Unfortunately some series has the most subtle differences or the same molds for two characters (I know it's gonna be hard differentiating Funtime Foxy and Lolbit )

[jagpop]

Great conversation everyone. Love it when we can come together as a community and discuss.

#CWYL #EIAC

[WildberryPOPtarts33]

I typically just grab a couple blind boxes and roll with it. I like the lottery aspect of it. Some of the heavier and larger pieces you can identify right away, but for others it's just too close to call.

[Gooker1]

My biggest complaint coming from the Lego CNF side is people buying a whole box and then feeling it at home and returning the rest. It has happened and messed with inventory. I’d rather people take the time to feel them in store, so others at least have a shot.

Otherwise there’s nothing wrong with the feel method for bags or weight method for boxes. It’s how you work the system that’s never a guaranteed mystery in the first place.

That seriously is the worst. I'll just stand there for 10-15 mins completing my set then just taking them all home and then returning em. Annoying

[Squird]

I only wish I'd learned about weight differences earlier. Wouldn't have gotten so many Harry and Ron in hats. No issue with reversing the odds that way. Where I do get off the bus is when people decide to open the Mystery boxes and/or the bags within. Sure, it helps either the doer or the next person get what (s)he wants (or avoid something unwanted), but that borders on shoplifting.

I feel the bags for Lego Mini's so, feeling the bag for other items isn't a big deal. You look like a weirdo, but it's better than bringing a scale to the store with you, which, I feel, makes you look like a loser. I can't stress enough how much I dislike this practice. When I have to explain to a family member or a friend that the 'No Scales' sticker in the window of a Hot Topic is because of Funko collectors, all I feel is shame.

Opening the boxes and the bags is worse than shoplifting, in my opinion. At least with shoplifting you've used your time productively, and you haven't left a whole bunch of damaged, unsellable goods in your wake.

[OtoriKohaku]

I always feel up Lego and Mega Bloks bags and I'd say I'm pretty darn good at that. Been doing that since CMF Series 2. I for one and kinda picky when it comes to PSH or blind bag sets. Some characters just appeal to me more. I'd prefer to get those characters and probably won't pick any up unless I'm able to find the one I'm looking for. That's partially why I tend to stray away from MM's as much as I like them. Just money wise, I find it hard to justify buying up 6 MM's or so in search for a certain one and dang those odds are deterring sometimes. If there is a way for me to confirm an item in a blind bag, I will do it granted it doesn't ruin the integrity of the packaging.

[Hqsdfan619]

I'm glad that the PSH sets aren't in boxes. That's why I don't buy many Mystery Minis. Could you please explain how feeling bags for stuff inside is unethical? It's not like I'm stealing anything, I'm just making sure I'm getting what I want.

I do the same thing. I do feel the bags to make sure it's the right one so I don't get stuck with the ones I don't want!

[saban]

I feel up bags all the time for everything. I only do this to complete my set or get extras for others. Blindboxes/blindbags get expensive very quickly. I will also spend a bunch of time lifting boxes to determine which ones are lighter or heavier and try to make my choice from that. I recently got a small digital scale that I'll use as long as the employees don't have an issue with it.

[Geescube]

I feel up bags all the time for everything. I only do this to complete my set or get extras for others. Blindboxes/blindbags get expensive very quickly. I will also spend a bunch of time lifting boxes to determine which ones are lighter or heavier and try to make my choice from that. I recently got a small digital scale that I'll use as long as the employees don't have an issue with it.

<3 <3 <3

[highlanderfil]

I feel the bags for Lego Mini's so, feeling the bag for other items isn't a big deal. You look like a weirdo, but it's better than bringing a scale to the store with you, which, I feel, makes you look like a loser.

I respect your right to your feelings, but I honestly couldn't care less what some cashier or some random shoppers I'll never see again think I look like. My self-worth isn't determined by them, nor (I feel) should anyone else's be.

I can't stress enough how much I dislike this practice. When I have to explain to a family member or a friend that the 'No Scales' sticker in the window of a Hot Topic is because of Funko collectors, all I feel is shame.

Why do you feel the need to explain it?

Opening the boxes and the bags is worse than shoplifting, in my opinion. At least with shoplifting you've used your time productively, and you haven't left a whole bunch of damaged, unsellable goods in your wake.

Not that I'm advocating for opening the boxes over shoplifting (or vice versa), but economically this isn't true. If you steal a box, the store is 100% unequivocally never getting that revenue. In the case of opening a box, you can have someone like me, who saw that one box open, saw it was a figure he actually needed and went and bought it. Not saying it will happen all the time or even often, but there's that chance. Plus, stores also may be able to return these boxes to Funko and recoup some of the $. In the case of shoplifting it will simply not happen.

[Shinfo13]

Not that I'm advocating for opening the boxes over shoplifting (or vice versa), but economically this isn't true. If you steal a box, the store is 100% unequivocally never getting that revenue. In the case of opening a box, you can have someone like me, who saw that one box open, saw it was a figure he actually needed and went and bought it. Not saying it will happen all the time or even often, but there's that chance. Plus, stores also may be able to return these boxes to Funko and recoup some of the $. In the case of shoplifting it will simply not happen.

I've been to plenty of Walmarts and TRUs where blind bags are just ripped open and left so I've totally done this on more than 1 occassion. I'd at least give them the sale because its something I want and don't have to figure out and they don't have to send it back for credit.

As for the main topic, I'm all for feeling bags. The paper inserts in PSH can sometimes make it more difficult, but I have a knack for figuring them out and have only pulled 2 dupes over the 13 lines I've gone after. I never feel bad because I'm buying what I want and I can avoid wasting cash on dupes. I even help any of my friends that ask so I'm using it for a good purpose. If I was going around to each store and wiping out every single exclusive to make a profit on then it would be a different story.