Shopkins
Economics forum
Posted on June 13, 2015, 8:38 a.m. by ChrisH
So my much younger sister (10) is into Shopkins and someone I know is saying that Shopkins will be worth WAY more than my fetches, shocks, Thoughtseizes, etc. They think Magic is a complete waste of money. Do you think that this is true? I feel as though duals and fetches will be worth more than Shopkins... What do you think?
Never heard of Shopkins like ever so I'm gonna presume it's not that big (in Australia btw)
June 13, 2015 8:51 a.m.
Honestly had no idea what these were until I searched them. Thought it must have been some different TCG at first. So for anyone else interested, they're basically little grocery store themed figurines. There are limited editions versions and some are rarer than others apparently. Prices for the packs on amazon range from 7 dollars to almost 50.
Just from a cursory glance, I'd say no, they will not overtake magic cards, and certainly won't be easy to convert to cash, at least for a long time. Saying Magic is a complete waste of money is a bit simple minded though. For many people, it is an investment. My cousin bought a bunch of Snapcaster Mages when he found out they weren't being reprinted in MM2. He made a ton of money after the recent spike and used it to invest in more stable cards like fetches that will only go up.
When I was visiting Japan, little figurines like these actually seemed to rival things like Magic. Heck, I even visited a store that had quite a large collection of cards, but that paled in comparison to their collection of figurines. Apparently getting rare figures out of those little coin crank machines is actually very popular there. They are literally everywhere, sometimes with lines out of the shop with people waiting to try and get rare keychains or whatever. Here in the United States? Not so much.
June 13, 2015 8:52 a.m. Edited.
lemmingllama says... #6
The only Shopkins that will retain their value are the limited edition ones from what I can tell through googling. However, I can't see Shopkins becoming popular enough to have staying power. In 10 years, basically all of them will be worthless except to addicted collectors.
June 13, 2015 8:52 a.m.
I know, thats whats so ridiculous, I laughed at first and then he was serious... they are plastic things shaped into things like food and other things...
June 13, 2015 8:56 a.m.
VampireArmy says... #9
To be fair the op said his sister was 10. Let's not be cruel about it.
I think your sister needs to be converted into one of us
One of us one of us one of us
June 13, 2015 9:20 a.m.
With the caveat that this kind of value speculating always has a certain degree of unpredictability, I would say no. That kind of product does not have a good track record of retaining value, whereas Magic has existed for over 2 decades and hasn't imploded yet. Magic's fundamental nature as a game that is enjoyable to play, with organised tournaments that have prizes is much better foundation for long-term value.
June 13, 2015 9:27 a.m.
SpartanCEL says... #11
If you're worried just get a couple rare ones
The claim looses a lot of credit for saying magic is a waste of money, it costs a lot of money, but certainly not a waste.
ONE OF US.
June 13, 2015 9:27 a.m.
Magic has both functional and financial incentives. It's both a game and has an economic side. Shopkins don't seem like they're a game? So what's to keep people buying more. Magic sort of 'forces' you because new cool cards do new things in the game. With Shopkins it's just about aesthetics. Right?
This is why magic has lasted so long. Its collectible but you can also do something with the cards you collect. You can't like play a game with stamps or rare coins. They just sit there. Doing nothing.
June 13, 2015 9:31 a.m.
Everything you guys have been saying is exactly what I've been telling this person (who is not my sister). I guess we can just agree to disagree. I also explained the reserved list as a way to invest more carefully and the person said they will just disrespect it, I guess they must not know too much about MTG.
June 13, 2015 9:35 a.m.
Servo_Token says... #15
Yes, I was just about to point out that these things, whatever the flibflab they are, are exactly like beanie Babies, and are highly likely to crash just as they did. There is no appeal to them aside from the "collect em all!" slogan, which can only carry you so far as a product.
June 13, 2015 9:51 a.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #16
Damn, I was about to mention Beanie Babies too... Flashback to that NPR segment from a few months ago?
Found that some of my originals were "misprinted" and actually worth something (anywhere from $750-1000 for each of two of them). Problem is finding someone who actually values them that highly.
June 13, 2015 10:14 a.m.
Named_Tawyny says... #17
Fundamentally, Magic cards (so long as you actually enjoy playing magic) can never be worthless - even if the market bottoms out, they will always have a use : you can play a (fun, structured) game with them.
Shopkins, OTOH, are valuable only as collectibles. There's nothing intrinsic to them that gives them any real worth.
June 13, 2015 10:32 a.m.
Coinman1863 says... #18
Exactly, I completely agree with what the OP said. Magic card have more value in them form the use you will get from them then the secondary market price. If you are having fun with a Fugitive Wizard, then is is worth more than the nothing it is worth otherwise.
Its all about the fun you have with the cards, and not the pricetag associated with them.
June 13, 2015 12:56 p.m.
canterlotguardian says... #20
Naw Schuesseled, Tamagotchi is where it's at now.
June 13, 2015 3:16 p.m.
Coinman1863 says... #21
No, you all missed the train, its warhammer figurines.
June 13, 2015 3:22 p.m.
Serendipitous_Hummingbird says... #23
obligatory link to the npr segment from april
http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/04/16/400140583/how-success-almost-killed-a-game-and-how-its-creators-saved-it
Epochalyptik says... #2
What the hell are Shopkins?
June 13, 2015 8:48 a.m.