Cost too much for people figures

[Anonymous]

Does anyone out there feel the same as I do that people figures are way over priced for "O" scale? My grandson is in to the army guys and you should see these army figures, they're painted, highly detailed, they are slightly bigger than "O" scale but not by much, he gets these at the local dollar store for a couple bucks for about ten figures. Why are they so expensive for "O" scale? I guess if you stick 6 - 10 figures in a bubble pack and mark them as "O" scale, you can charge 12.95 - 20.00 bucks. Does everyone out there pay these prices or can you fill me in on where you get yours cuz I sure need alot.....thx.....tom.

[FJ and G]

U can make Uer own from clay.

I've done it before.

UNFORTUNATELY, most of the little people sold in retail stores is G scale stuff.

Agree price is high (as it usually is from model train companies vice non train companies). Best bargain is unpainted bags of figures that you can paint yourself

[FJ and G]

oh, btw, I've used much less expensive HO figures (in a sort of forced perspective mode).

You can see a dude near the lower right portion of the meat packing plant:

[Anonymous]

My feeling is, you get what you pay for. Sure, I wi***he Arttista figures I buy were 10 cents each, but they are'nt. I always wonder what people mean when they say, "too much"....compared to what? Joe

[jonadel]

I do have lots of Artistta figures and they look good, but what I would like to have in the passenger cars are seated figures and I'm not concerned about fine detail. I have no desire to paint the figures and would love to find cheap figures if possible, so far I haven't found any. Anyone?
Jon

[Dave Farquhar]

It's the size of the market. Unfortunately there's a much bigger market for army men than there is for civilians standing around, and so that means higher prices.

Most of the dollar store figures are more appropriate for G scale than O. 54mm is the most common size, and I think that works out to about 1:35 scale. Too big. I see 45mm figures occasionally. They stand 1.75 inches tall. That's 7 feet in O scale, if you calculate 1:48. Next to a 1:43 car, they don't look all that oversized. At 1:43, 1.75 inches works out to 6'5" or 6'6". Taller than average, but believable. Stand those figures closer to your die-cast cars and further away from your buildings.

The Homies figures sold in the plastic bubbles in vending machines are the same size. So they look OK with 1:43 vehicles.

Some diecast cars and playsets are starting to come with vinyl figures. They're usually a little undersize for our purposes, but they're cheap. A $1 playset can yield a couple of usable figures, and often something else in the set is of use too. I hope this trend continues.

I've heard of people buying the current issue of the Clue board game for the figures and using them on a train layout, but I don't know what size they are. It's not particularly cheap, but if you can find one secondhand it's a good deal, and they're unlike most of the figures available from the usual suspects.

So it's possible to find figures for your train layout without paying several dollars per figure, but it usually takes some creative thinking and a lot of hunting. That could turn out to be part of the fun though.

[darianj]

QUOTE: Originally posted by sbnr466

Does anyone out there feel the same as I do that people figures are way over priced for "O" scale?

Yes, I feel the same way...I'm new to the hobby and probably don't know the whole story, but I think the people and many of the other accessories are way overprices. $20 for 5 or 6 figures. $40 - $60 for a piece of molded plastic with a light inside of it. These prices are crazy. How much can it cost to make these things?[:(!]

[Jumijo]

Model Power makes a set of 30 or 36 unpainted figures that sell for @ $10.00. I bought it and like them. They look great when painted. Scrounge around train shows too. You never know what you're gonna find.

Jim

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jonadel

I do have lots of Artistta figures and they look good, but what I would like to have in the passenger cars are seated figures and I'm not concerned about fine detail. I have no desire to paint the figures and would love to find cheap figures if possible, so far I haven't found any. Anyone?
Jon

I keep seeing posts, here and on OGR, about packs of seated/painted figures...20 for $20., but I've yet to find them. Don't remember if they were K-Line or MTH.
All 120 figures in my passenger cars are MTH. Perfect size, but I had to paint them, which was fun if you do a few at a time. The 120 were $29. Joe

[Jumijo]

I saw a set of 120 seated unpainted figures for $29 at a show last month. They were smaller than standard O sized people, most likely to fit in the seats. I passed. Can't devote that much time to painting and seating 120 passengers. Maybe someday.

Jim

[Jumijo]

The Aristta figures are nice for creating a specific scene. For adding that extra bit of detail. Buying a few to create such scenes adds a lot of character to a layout. You don't have to populate the entire layout with them.

Jim

[laz 57]

I feel the same way, way to much.
Wi***hey were only a buck a piece then everyone would have great populations in there layouts.
laz57

[Frank53]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jaabat

The Aristta figures are nice for creating a specific scene. For adding that extra bit of detail. Buying a few to create such scenes adds a lot of character to a layout. You don't have to populate the entire layout with them.

Jim

word up:





this little guy was $4.95 well spent.

[Jumijo]

Frank,

I can't see the images. Only the tops of each. Can you re-post them? What was only $4.95?

Jim

[Frank53]

try refreshing the page Jim, they look ok on my screen - or check em out in the link to my layout.

[Anonymous]

I use Homies alot on my layout , you can get good deals on e-bay. I also use plasticville.You can`t really cut corners with figures, they really make or break a layout.
I know it gets to be expensive but it well worth it when you are finished and the scenes you are making look really lifelike.[tup]

[tsgtbob]

I usally buy one or two a paycheck, that way the Finance Dept. (the wife) don't figure out that I'm buying figures
That figures.

[phillyreading]

Have you tried Life Like O gauge people or K-Line if available?
How about a train show near you?
Lee in West Palm Beach FL

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for your input, I guess I'll take the advice of tsgtbob and make sure the finance dept. (my wife) doesn't know....tom.

[Anonymous]

Worked for me for awhile before the Finance department added them all up in her head[B)] My advice learn how to cook for yourself !!.. you'll get the people for your layout and wont go hungry till she cools down[;)]

[tsgtbob]

That's why I hide the Scenic Express catalog[}:)]
Actually, many times I let her pick the figures for the layout. She has a much better eye for what looks best as far as the details on the layout.
But, I still sneak one home every payday[:D] Along with several cans of soup, raveolei (can't spell that dangit) and spray cheese!

[mickey4479]

I have had the same concerns about the cost for painted figures. I looked on e-bay for Homies and there were some interesting pieces but some might look out of place on a steam era layout because of the clothing. I goggled and found this site. I bought the set of 36 unpainted figures. $8.40 plus $6.95 shipping. That's about 48 cents/figure, but I still have to paint them. I will have several hours in them but it could be fun. Here is the site if anyone is interested.

www.discounttrainsonline.com/ O-Scale-Figures-Model-Power/O_FIG_490_1.html

[Anonymous]

How about individual figures for $6?

Yes MTH for example sells a little better detailed figure set than life like at $8 more. Give me a break, they cost pennies per figure in scrilanka or some where.

[Anonymous]

some of my most prized figures were found at train shows at a really good price. keep your eye out for these opportunities.

as my figure collection grew it became more sophisticated and some lesser figures get tossed. next time this happens, i'll give them to whoever wants them from the forums.

metal figures are higher quality because they cost more. on the layout, they look the same as the plasic ones.

game pieces: while most are dragons and wizards and other unusables, there is a small percentage of exactly what you're looking for to add to your trainset. they tend to exude character beyond anything so far. these manufacturers go out of business faster than train companies; so grab what you can when you can.

painted figures cost more than unpainted. what's your forte, time or money?

[mickey4479]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rick bonfiglio

painted figures cost more than unpainted. what's your forte, time or money?

Given my age and circumstances, I may not have a "forte". [(-D]

[Jumijo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mickey4479

I have had the same concerns about the cost for painted figures. I looked on e-bay for Homies and there were some interesting pieces but some might look out of place on a steam era layout because of the clothing. I goggled and found this site. I bought the set of 36 unpainted figures. $8.40 plus $6.95 shipping. That's about 48 cents/figure, but I still have to paint them. I will have several hours in them but it could be fun. Here is the site if anyone is interested.

www.discounttrainsonline.com/ O-Scale-Figures-Model-Power/O_FIG_490_1.html

That's the same set I bought. My only gripe is that there are 3 or 4 of every figure. 3 fat kids selling a paper. 3 fat guys waving their hands . . . you get the picture.

No offense intended towards fat kids with newspapers or fat guys waving their hands.

Jim

[Anonymous]

You may enjoy using Circus Crafts' "O Scale Sitting Figures". They come 100 to a box for around $20. They're a bit smaller than Artistta figures, and you must paint them yourself, but they offer a gret deal of flexibility in poses as you have to glue on their arms also, and have a choice of heads which may be added to the torsos. Good luck.

[mickey4479]

[Anonymous]

Mickey 4479, I think you must've misunderstood my message. The set of figures to which I made reference were a set of 100 O Scale figures, all of which were seated. All were unpainted pink plastic, and all had arms which must be attached to each torso, There were also some extra heads (some wearing hats, some without), but all were seated figures, which was what the original poster seemed to need. The set I bought were 100 seated female figures at a cost of $20, but there were no kids selling newspapers! Oddly enough, I was able to purchase the set of seated female figures, but am having difficulty finding a companion set of seated male figures, Argh!

[mickey4479]

buildingguy. I think we crossed over messages. My post was in response to jaabat's comment about 3 or 4 figures being the same in the set that he has and that I recently bought. Nonetheless, I appreciate your info. If I do a fair job painting the set of 36 I just bought, I may pop for the set of seated figures for my passenger cars. Any tips on painting? Any tips on how to disassemble an MTH passenger car to insert passengers? Thanks again.