-Apples-
Apple Imperialist
Like in 2002, I’ve been collecting Bionicles this year. However, here’s what’s different about getting them today than they were back then:
- The least surprising difference is that they’re more expensive now. Given that they were used sets from a long-discontinued Lego franchise, buying them now would cost a lot more money, and I’ll have to get them from another person rather than an official store.
- On the topic of pricing, sets that were equal to each other a long time ago are unevenly priced today. I can’t tell you how much I spent on these, but one example is that a Tahu set (one of the Toa) will always cost more than an Onua set (another Toa), given that they’re from the same store.
- Another thing that’s different to today is that when I buy a used set, they don’t come with a box (or canister in case of the Toa) or instructions, unless you choose to buy a set that specified that a box and instructions are present. But I don’t need a box or instructions anyway (unless if I’m building the bigger sets).
- While pricing and scarcity are the reasons why they’re more difficult to get now, they’re also easier to obtain or complete now than before. For example, the McDonald’s toys could only be obtained by Happy Meals (which each Happy Meal toy is limited edition). But if I can get a used one from BrickLink, I don’t need to go out to eat or worry about missing out.
- Going into the McDonald’s subject, BrickLink also sells parts, not just full sets. For this reason, not only can I get the Matoran sets that McDonald’s provided, but I can also have additional Matoran based on the McDonald’s toys that were never sold back then.
- Another thing that’s gotten easier to complete collection is masks. If you don’t mind spending on used Legos to complete your Bionicle mask collection, the thing here is that you’ll know which ones you’re getting, so you don’t have to worry about getting duplicates. You can also get the limited-time promotional masks and McDonald’s toy masks this way. Back in 2001-2003, if you’re interested into completing a mask collection, you’ll have to buy blind boxes, and each blind box contains two masks.
