I thought I'd post this here, since it doesn't strictly apply to Star Wars. With the recent talk of possibly price increases on things like the Target UBPs (before they are even technically released), as well as other price hikes in various lines throughout this year - are there any action figure/toylines that you feel are still a good value these days? Many of us remember the days of $4.99 (or even $4.77) Star Wars figures (in modern collecting anyways), where now we are paying up to $8 each, depending on the retailer. Thankfully places like Target have come to their senses and are at least in the $7 range now, but that is still nearly double what we paid just a few years ago. Other lines (Marvel Legends, some DC lines, Joes, Indy, etc.) have seemed to see some price increases this year, some worse than others (and thankfully, some - like $15 Legends - have come back to reality).
I can remember picking up Marvel Legends figures for $6.88 when I was first collecting them, and now they run from $10 to $12 or so. I guess, with the price increases in the 3 3/4" lines like SW, Indy, and Joe the $10 DCUC or Legends figure doesn't seem that bad these days (although we're still often getting less for more). Its just a sign of the times I guess with the economy and all that, but are there any lines out there these days where you still feel like you're getting what you pay for? What is the ideal (realistic) price for a 3 3/4" or 6" action figure?
One line that seems like a decent value, but I know next to nobody here is interested in, is the JLU line. I don't necessarily actively collect these, but I do have a shoebox-sized rubbermaid full of them as I really enjoyed that show (and the rest of the DCAU for that matter). For some reason our daughter really likes to play with these, which works out ok since they don't necessarily have accessories (and we've taken them away if they do) and they are fairly simply built and sturdy. Anyways, we've picked up a couple packs this past year - and when you get the 3 or 6 packs, it comes to just over $3 a figure. I guess that I would consider a value. Granted, they are simplistic toys, and not nearly as complex as other lines out there - but I don't have a problem with $3 a figure for those. When the GI Joe line was first released and came in the $4-5 range at WM, that was also a good value I felt. Even the Indy line dropped to the mid $5 range doesn't seem bad right now, although I'm not looking for any of those at this point. I have to admit that I don't mind paying the current SW prices either, but I think that is also because $6-something seems so much better than $8. Anyways, long post for a short question, is there still a good value out there these days? What prices would make some of your favorite lines a good value?