Feeling Blind Bags Advantage

[jagpop]

Wondering peoples thoughts on this. Is feeling up blind bags unethical? I personally do not do this, I like the mystery of what I'll get. But to the people that do, they are in most cases feeling the bag for the harder ratio figures and leaving the rest of us commons. Granted, someone that doesn't feel the bags can also take the "chase" figure and that still leaves us with the commons but at least they did it without an advantage.

[Gothamite]

[Classier]

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.

[Gothamite]

Thank you for your opinion.

Hey, you asked.

[jagpop]

Thank you for your opinion.

Hey, you asked. :lol:

Yup. It was a genuine thank you.

[lunarembrace]

I feel the bags, but...I'm incredibly bad at it. Haha. I think I just do it for the fun of it more than anything. It's still pretty much a surprise, but there are some who may only want/need certain pieces and will want to try to know what they may be getting. The only disadvantage is usually a super crinkly bag if someone didn't buy one they felt up quite a bit.

[Quazimoto]

I'm terrible at it. Like, if there's not a huge distinguishing feature, I can't tell anything.

That said, as long as it's for your own personal collection and not so you can find the rare ones and flip 'em, I see nothing wrong with feeling out packages or weighing boxes to try and judge before purchasing. Anything short of actually ripping it open and discarding the ones you don't want is fair game in my book. If Funko's gonna do things like 1/6 ratios or fifteen different exclusives at five different stores I find no reason why buyers shouldn't be savvy in how they purchase and use some tricks. Not everyone has the desire for twelve of the same figure or the budget to keep buying blind again and again.

[highlanderfil]

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.

[TriFeckTa]

I get straight to the point; no dinner, no movie, 100% feels...while playing rnb music in the background.

[Gothamite]

I get straight to the point; no dinner, no movie, 100% feels...while playing rnb music in the background.

[keyese]

I don't think it's unethical, since you aren't opening them. It does give you an advantage if you're able to pick out the ones you want, but with pints and minis it 100% comes down to being at the right place at the right time. If you are the first to a box, you're usually going to get the harder to find ones/exclusives one way or another. Feeling them up just means you don't have to spend a ton of money getting there.

[Soloontherocks]

I've quickly found that my sense of touch is not very good when it comes to the PSH. My kids really enjoy the PSH line and love the blind bag aspect of them. Their smaller fingers are much better at feeling out ones they have already so is it more unethical that I leave the job up to the kids? = )

[synergy56]

I totally feel up PSH bags to get the ones I want. There are generally 2 full sets in each case and I would really rather not have the dupes. The ratios for pints are kinda weird as well - or at least I have found them to be so. Usually there have even been 2 of the 1/24's in cases at least for the store exclusive ones. I am sure some people try to go through and cherry pick, but I think at least for the pints since they're currently not "worth" as much as mystery minis and not as rare that mostly collectors are just going through them to complete their sets and I don't think there is anything wrong with that personally. If an employee asked me not to do it I would stop, but so far I haven't had a problem at all, in fact I've had some employees actually help me!

[theraven00]

I think it's okay. That said, the few times I've done it have been with little success. I also think there's a difference between trying to finish a set, or get the one or two you really want, compared to people that only look for the valuable ones and buy them all up from all the stores in town.

I personally don't like the whole mystery box/bag game. I was excited for the Star Wars line and bought way too many boxes because I was trying to get the characters I really wanted. When I stopped to think about it, I would have been better off buying the 4-6 characters on ebay, even Vader, and saved a bunch of money and not wound up with so many dupes.

[edmomo]

i suck at it so gave up but on a similar note i have a friend who is extremely good at that with the lego blind bags.

[toro423]

I don't think its all that bad. I totally do it. I try to get most sets, so I need to find them all. I hate doubles, so I love having the option of being able to "guess" by feeling them. Still doesn't guarantee any.

[Chernabog]

Can't say I've had any luck feeling blind bags but my mom has! Got a 1/72 from dc once

[challwsu]

I feel the blind bags. I can't afford to keep getting the same ones over and over. I definitely do it on the Lego Minifigures too!

[joecolt]

I get straight to the point; no dinner, no movie, 100% feels...while playing rnb music in the background.

Hahahahahahaah EPIC

[FunkoETC]

I get straight to the point; no dinner, no movie, 100% feels...while playing rnb music in the background.

Perfection bro!!!!

[TriFeckTa]

Hahahahahahaah EPIC

Perfection bro!!!!

The SCFF laughter of approval

[jeffcrazy]

I don't feel up PSH because like others here I am sooooo horrible at it. When the Batman/DC ones were out I kept thinking for sure it was going to be a Batman, but it was a Joker every single time.

[FredKruger]

Wondering peoples thoughts on this. Is feeling up blind bags unethical? I personally do not do this, I like the mystery of what I'll get. But to the people that do, they are in most cases feeling the bag for the harder ratio figures and leaving the rest of us commons. Granted, someone that doesn't feel the bags can also take the "chase" figure and that still leaves us with the commons but at least they did it without an advantage.

Not only is it ethical, it is logical for a collector. Screw dupes, I'll leave those for the noobs. They have a peep hole in most bags anyway. The appeal is the figure, not the mystery. Scales are great for minis too. If it is all commons, you can easily go to another store to hunt.

It is unethical to expect someone to buy hundreds of dupes for the one figure they are missing.

[Jango_Fresh]

But is it ok if a flipper comes and cherry picks all the good ones and leaves commons using "guessing" methods?

[FredKruger]

But is it ok if a flipper comes and cherry picks all the good ones and leaves commons using "guessing" methods?

Well, no, but really no way to know unless you bought em all.

How do we know the previous person wasn't a collector trying to finish their collection, who only needed the exclusives?

With all collectibles it's a first come first serve system. No one wants to lose out to a flipper, but they will always be swimming around. I hate flippers as much as the next guy, anytime something I need drops I swarm the stores till I get it.

Any advantage over blind chance I will take. Have a box of 60 or so dupes before I went over to the dark/jedi side depending on opinion.

[beckysaurus]

I don't find it unethical at all. If you can get what you want that way and you have the time/patience to sit there for a while to figure it out, power to you. I'm not sure how I feel about scales, but if you can get what you want without destroying any packaging then you're good.

[Ar7]

I think it's okay. That said, the few times I've done it have been with little success. I also think there's a difference between trying to finish a set, or get the one or two you really want, compared to people that only look for the valuable ones and buy them all up from all the stores in town.

I personally don't like the whole mystery box/bag game. I was excited for the Star Wars line and bought way too many boxes because I was trying to get the characters I really wanted. When I stopped to think about it, I would have been better off buying the 4-6 characters on ebay, even Vader, and saved a bunch of money and not wound up with so many dupes.

Exactly this. (Virtual high-five)

[Jango_Fresh]

But is it ok if a flipper comes and cherry picks all the good ones and leaves commons using "guessing" methods?

Well, no, but really no way to know unless you bought em all.

How do we know the previous person wasn't a collector trying to finish their collection, who only needed the exclusives?

With all collectibles it's a first come first serve system. No one wants to lose out to a flipper, but they will always be swimming around. I hate flippers as much as the next guy, anytime something I need drops I swarm the stores till I get it.

Any advantage over blind chance I will take. Have a box of 60 or so dupes before I went over to the dark/jedi side depending on opinion.

Maybe I am reaching but I feel like this would apply for folks using apps or whatever on the shop to get in line faster. First come first serve.

Do I think shaking a box or feeling a blind bag is wrong? No I don't think so, but i feel like scales have no place in mystery hunting. Scales are same level as folks using apps online. In my opinion anyways.

[FredKruger]

But is it ok if a flipper comes and cherry picks all the good ones and leaves commons using "guessing" methods?

Well, no, but really no way to know unless you bought em all.

How do we know the previous person wasn't a collector trying to finish their collection, who only needed the exclusives?

With all collectibles it's a first come first serve system. No one wants to lose out to a flipper, but they will always be swimming around. I hate flippers as much as the next guy, anytime something I need drops I swarm the stores till I get it.

Any advantage over blind chance I will take. Have a box of 60 or so dupes before I went over to the dark/jedi side depending on opinion.

Maybe I am reaching but I feel like this would apply for folks using apps or whatever on the shop to get in line faster. First come first serve.

Do I think shaking a box or feeling a blind bag is wrong? No I don't think so, but i feel like scales have no place in mystery hunting. Scales are same level as folks using apps online. In my opinion anyways.

On the shop, you know what you are buying. On randomized minis you don't, without scale or layout. Cheating thru the shop is entirely different than using available information to get a better chance at a mini you want.

Blind chance vs. Carefully selecting a specific ticket.

Waiting in line vs. Just walking in

I think they are different things entirely.

[mel]

I don't think it's unethical. PSH have no chases or rare ones. Why not feel them up and get the ones you want or make sure you aren't doing doubles? I've been known to stand in Target feeling them up while smiling and nodding at the people walking past giving me the confused eye.

[Jade-Rex]

I think it's part of the fun to feel up the bags hoping you get it right. The only unethical aspect would be having the intent to find only rare ones so you can flip them. It's just a jerk move.

When I buy psh I'm usually looking for just 1 or 2 in the set. The rarity doesn't matter. I've been successful with all my feelies. I wish I could say the same with mystery boxes. I honestly think trading would be easier if I was a kid at school.

[cooldemigod]

If i'm starting a new PSH set then ill just grab and go with out feeling but If im getting down to the like last two of the set that I need then I start feeling them but usually they are so similar to other PSH in the set that feeling doesn't usually help me.

[Jango_Fresh]

Well, no, but really no way to know unless you bought em all.

How do we know the previous person wasn't a collector trying to finish their collection, who only needed the exclusives?

With all collectibles it's a first come first serve system. No one wants to lose out to a flipper, but they will always be swimming around. I hate flippers as much as the next guy, anytime something I need drops I swarm the stores till I get it.

Any advantage over blind chance I will take. Have a box of 60 or so dupes before I went over to the dark/jedi side depending on opinion.

Maybe I am reaching but I feel like this would apply for folks using apps or whatever on the shop to get in line faster. First come first serve.

Do I think shaking a box or feeling a blind bag is wrong? No I don't think so, but i feel like scales have no place in mystery hunting. Scales are same level as folks using apps online. In my opinion anyways.

On the shop, you know what you are buying. On randomized minis you don't, without scale or layout. Cheating thru the shop is entirely different than using available information to get a better chance at a mini you want.

Blind chance vs. Carefully selecting a specific ticket.

Waiting in line vs. Just walking in

I think they are different things entirely.

More simply, mystery minis and blind bags were not made to be weighed on a scale to cherry pick. Just like online systems were not meant to be bypassed by apps.

Everyone has same opportunity to buy a scale and get the same apps used to bypass a line system.

[Geescube]

On the shop, you know what you are buying. On randomized minis you don't, without scale or layout. Cheating thru the shop is entirely different than using available information to get a better chance at a mini you want.

Blind chance vs. Carefully selecting a specific ticket.

Waiting in line vs. Just walking in

I think they are different things entirely.

Dont waste your typing with him. I tried. You just lose time trying.

[skillawashere]

I find no problem feeling the bags. I am terrible at trying to figure them out but I love PSH so there you go

[FredKruger]

Maybe I am reaching but I feel like this would apply for folks using apps or whatever on the shop to get in line faster. First come first serve.

Do I think shaking a box or feeling a blind bag is wrong? No I don't think so, but i feel like scales have no place in mystery hunting. Scales are same level as folks using apps online. In my opinion anyways.

On the shop, you know what you are buying. On randomized minis you don't, without scale or layout. Cheating thru the shop is entirely different than using available information to get a better chance at a mini you want.

Blind chance vs. Carefully selecting a specific ticket.

Waiting in line vs. Just walking in

I think they are different things entirely.

More simply, mystery minis and blind bags were not made to be weighed on a scale to cherry pick. Just like online systems were not meant to be bypassed by apps.

Everyone has same opportunity to buy a scale and get the same apps used to bypass a line system.

So this would also apply to waiting for shop items at 9 am, and going to store when pop comes out as well? Cause didn't wait a few weeks for it to be fair to all to buy? Some people are prepared, some aren't, like showing up to buy pops on release day.

Using ad blocker to bypass a line, or using a scale to save $. I don't owe funko for dupes. A scale is like the forum, used to guide towards the best choice.


Minis/PSH would be gone without layouts/scales etc Imo. No one, especially new collectors will buy constant dupes for an extended period. I think one of reasons PSH have caught on is cause can get the one you want by "feels."

Its all good. I'll stay prepared and keep completing my sets without wasting $ on dupes. You can keep up the "good fight" with random pulls.

Also, if you sell any pop for more than you bought it, that would make you a flipper, and this includes protos. So by your logic, ANYONE, who has posted the sales section is only in it for profit?

Everyone has the chance to sell for cost, selling for more is flipping. Same as a bot/sneaker flipper?

[FredKruger]

On the shop, you know what you are buying. On randomized minis you don't, without scale or layout. Cheating thru the shop is entirely different than using available information to get a better chance at a mini you want.

Blind chance vs. Carefully selecting a specific ticket.

Waiting in line vs. Just walking in

I think they are different things entirely.

Dont waste your typing with him. I tried. You just lose time trying.

It's fine, i enjoy the discussion. Curious to see their opinion on flippers.

[FredKruger]

Also, is going to the headquarters unethical? Others have to deal with flipper bots, shipping costs and long delays. Is it fair others can just walk into a store and buy one?

The HQ allows one to swoop up exclusives, leaving commons, and less online stock for the rest of us. HQ=Scale=Ad blocker? I'd have to say no.

Skipping the queue line, is dirty, as is utilizing a programming glitch to buy items out of line.

Scales and shopping at HQ are different things entirely.

[Jango_Fresh]

Also, is going to the headquarters unethical? Others have to deal with flipper bots, shipping costs and long delays. Is it fair others can just walk into a store and buy one?

The HQ allows one to swoop up exclusives, leaving commons, and less online stock for the rest of us. HQ=Scale=Ad blocker? I'd have to say no.

Skipping the queue line, is dirty, as is utilizing a programming glitch to buy items out of line.

Scales and shopping at HQ are different things entirely.

Think you are looking too much into it.

Mystery Minis and blind bags were not meant to be weighed on a scale before purchase. We can agree on that correct?

The line system was not meant for people to by pass it with programs. We can agree on that correct?

As for HQ, it's fair if that person spends their time in line and not just cut the others waiting in line, or doesn't just show up to have a spot held for them in the front. Those people waiting in line too. Everyone has the same opportunity to wait in that line. Not everyone has the luxury of finding a way into the front of the line.

[FredKruger]

Also, is going to the headquarters unethical? Others have to deal with flipper bots, shipping costs and long delays. Is it fair others can just walk into a store and buy one?

The HQ allows one to swoop up exclusives, leaving commons, and less online stock for the rest of us. HQ=Scale=Ad blocker? I'd have to say no.

Skipping the queue line, is dirty, as is utilizing a programming glitch to buy items out of line.

Scales and shopping at HQ are different things entirely.

Think you are looking too much into it.

Mystery Minis and blind bags were not meant to be weighed on a scale before purchase. We can agree on that correct?

The line system was not meant for people to by pass it with programs. We can agree on that correct?

As for HQ, it's fair if that person spends their time in line and not just cut the others waiting in line, or doesn't just show up to have a spot held for them in the front. Those people waiting in line too. Everyone has the same opportunity to wait in that line. Not everyone has the luxury of finding a way into the front of the line.

Agree to disagree here, but HQ isn't in my state, so is technically "unfair" to me as a collector by this logic, to not get that "opportunity" others get. I'm using logic to obtain the figures to complete a set without dupes. You can compare anything to show some sort of advantage, has nothing to do with ethics.

Doesn't matter anyway, I'll keep getting the minis/psh I want, completing sets without dupes, and you can keep rolling the dice.