In an effort to better understand the collectable toy craze, I did some research and I’d like to share my thoughts. I was able to acquire samples of eight different toys currently available in the collectors’ market. All were acquired in a blind box (you don’t know what you’re getting).
I am going to write a bit about each piece, its packaging and presentation, its perceived value (IMO), and its retail price. I’ll go from least to most expensive as my only gauge, as I don’t know any better way to rate them.
1. Smorkin’ Mongers, Series 1, Kid Robot – This piece is a sausage smoking a cigarette. My initial reaction was, “my god, this is small.” The paint detail and molding are well done. Pose-able: no. The packaging was ok- the box was pretty average as far as design and materials. The foil packaging was a nice touch, with the Kid Robot logo patterned on it. It also came with a little foldout which had pictures of the other toys in the series. Perceived value: vending machine quality, 50 cents at most. Retail price: $4.95
2. Smorkin’ Labbits, Series 2, Kid Robot – This piece is a grey bunny smoking a cigarette. Same as above.
3. SketBots, Kid Robot – This piece is a pink and purple big-headed “bot” with gold stars on the body, and a wand. My initial reaction was, “what a piece of shit.” The head of the thing might actually pass for something of quality, but the body looks and feels cheaper than the cheapest LEGO knockoff from a barely industrialized nation. Flimsy is probably the best adjective I can come up with. The paint details are actually pretty good. Pose-able: yes, but the huge head made it nearly impossible to balance. The box itself is ugly, the materials felt average. Foil packaging and fold-out insert look ok. Perceived value: none. Retail price: $5.95
4. Dunny, Series 3, Kid Robot – This piece is a camouflage bunny with hot peppers on its ears. My initial reaction, “this is nice.” The size, weight and feel of the piece suggest quality, and the paint details back that up. Pose-able: arms and head are poseable. The box design is appealing, bright and well organized. The foil has a Dunny logo patterned on it. Came with a heavy-weight card printed with images of the Dunny series, and focusing on this piece, by TokiDoki. Perceived value: this is worth something, probably up to $5. Retail price: $5.95
5. Hong Kong Artists Series 1 Qee – Toy2R – This piece is an orange cat with the word Princess on its chest, and various wrist and leg bands painted on. My first reaction, “small but nice.” Judging from the size of the box, this thing was much smaller than I expected, but the packaging is well done and pretty intricate. The piece itself is actually pretty nice looking, with quality materials and paint details. Pose-able: yes, hands, arms, legs and head all rotate and are even quite easy to remove. It comes with an accessory to convert it into a keychain. About the packaging: the piece is cradled in molded plastic, with a plastic cover, and clam-shelled between two other plastic enclosures. Overkill? Perhaps, but it lends value to the piece that it is so well protected. The outer box is not as appealing, is rather confusing and doesn’t appear to have a front. Also included in the package were a fold out of other toys in this series and mini-catalog of Toy2R products. Perceived value: a few bucks, I can see paying $4.95. Retail price: $6.95
6. OXOOP Series 2B Qee – Toy2R – This piece is a white cat with pink and blue pills and skulls on it. Same as above. Also came with a sticker of the toy. Not sure why this one was a buck more than the other one? Perceived value: a few bucks. Retail price: $7.95
7. Trexi Plus Series – TokiDoki + DevilRobots – Play Imaginative – This piece is a large, round-headed, big handed toy. My first reaction was, “this thing is big.” The paint details are nice, depicting a suit, and the head has a smiling bullet on one side and empty shell on the other, top part of head can be turned to show either. Pose-able: yes, but limited, aside from head. This piece came in a clear mylar bag, with a nice printed card with TokiDoki graphics. The box itself was very nice, with heavy-weight cardboard and a nice satin finish. The packaging really helped to make the piece feel like something of worth. Perceived value: high, $5 easy. Retail price: $7.95
8. Blow-Up Dolls – Jamungo – This piece is a large, clear plastic toy. It also came with a clear plastic match accessory. My initial reaction was, “wow.” The modeling and paint details are really nice. This thing is very rich in detail while remaining simple and well made. Pose-able: yes, the arms are even on ball sockets. Easily taken apart and rebuilt. It seems a bit fragile, but maybe that’s just the clear plastic making it seem so. The piece came in a foil bag with the Jamungo logo patterned on it. The box itself is very nice, with eye-catching graphics and a nice finish similar to the Trexi box. Also included was a foldout of other available toys. Percieved value: high, up to $10. Retail price: $8.95
Ratings:
Toy Quality:
1. Blow-Up Dolls – Jamungo
2. Dunny – Kid Robot
3. Trexi Plus Series – Play Imaginative
4. Qee toys (tied) – Toy2R, Labbits, Mongers – Kid Robot
5.
6.
7.
8. SketBot – Kid Robot
Packaging, including box and contents:
1. Trexi Plus Series – Play Imaginative
2. Qee toys (tied) – Toy2R
3. Blow-Up Dolls – Jamungo
4. Dunny – Kid Robot
5. Labbits, Mongers – Kid Robot
6.
7.
8. SketBot – Kid Robot
Percieved value compared to cost:
1. Blow-Up Dolls – Jamungo
2. Dunny – Kid
3. RobotTrexi Plus Series – Play Imaginative
4.
5. Qee toys (tied) – Toy2R
6.
7. Labbits, Mongers – Kid Robot
8. SketBot – Kid Robot
Personal choice, if I were going to collect toys:
1. Dunny – Kid Robot
2. Blow-Up Dolls – Jamungo
3. Qee toys (tied) – Toy2R
4. Trexi Plus Series – Play Imaginative
5. Labbits, Mongers – Kid Robot
6.
7.
8. SketBot – Kid Robot
Durability, not that anyone would give these to kids:
1. Labbits, Mongers – Kid Robot
2. Dunny – Kid Robot
3. Qee toys (tied) – Toy2R
4. Trexi Plus Series – Play Imaginative
5.
6.
7. Blow-Up Dolls – Jamungo
8. SketBot – Kid Robot
Wrapping Up:
In most cases, the more expensive the item, the better quality the item seemed to be.
Packaging adds a lot to perceived value.The TokiDoki stuff seemed especially well put together. The Qees as well.
I found it surprising that Kid Robot would put out toys of such divergent quality in the same basic price category.
The Dunny seems like a natural choice for collecting, it is a nice size, shape, and weight, and is the only toy here made of soft vinyl, making it slightly bend and squeeze-able. It also seems like it would be the most fun to customize.
The Qee seems like a good choice for mixing and matching parts.
The Labbits and Mongers, I can only see these as a huge cash cow for Kid Robot and the designer, Kozik. They probably cost a penny to make, are worth a quarter at most, and cost $5. I need to get me that kind of action.