I'm back with another My Thoughtful Spot article, this time comparing Vinylmation Chasers and Variants with Funko POP! Chase. Let me start by defining these terms for those who aren't familiar with them.
Vinylmation would be sold in "cases" of either 16 or 24 boxes, depending on whether there were 8 or 12 figures in a set. In each case, there would be 1 figure called a Chaser, which was more rare than all the other figures - either 1 in every 16 figures or 1 in every 24 figures. Typically Disney would share images of all the vinyls in the set, except for the Chaser, which would remain a mystery until a collector discovered what the vinyl was. And so the Chaser got its name, it was the one figure collectors would keep chasing after.
Every Vinylmation series had a Chaser, and many series (though not all) would have a Variant. A Variant was a duplicate of a figure already in the series, but with a twist. For example in one Marvel Vinylmation set there was a figure of Iron Man, as well as a variant of Iron Man with his mask off, revealing Tony Stark's face. Variants, unlike Chasers, were randomly seeded in cases and their exact quantities were never known. In a similar fashion to Chasers not being revealed, Variants were never advertised, they were a mystery to be discovered by collectors.
Funko POP! have a similar concept to the Vinylmation Variants, but their figures are known as the Chase. Chase figures are almost a duplicate of a POP! figure already in a series, but like Vinylmation Variants, the Chase vinyls have slight differences. For example in the Snow White Funko POP! set, there is a Chase of the Dopey figure without his hat, with a lipstick kiss on his bald head instead. Chase figures are also labelled with a circular yellow sticker saying "Chase". Again, like Vinylmation Variants, the frequency and quantity of the Chase POP! is not known. One store could receive 3 Chase vinyls, while another store receives none. However, unlike Vinylmation Variants, the Chase is announced by Funko so you know they're out there somewhere.
What's appealing about Vinylmation Chasers is that you know in every case there will be a Chaser. Where ever Vinylmation are sold, including online, you have a shot at getting the Chaser. If you were to buy two cases, you would know you're getting 2 Chasers. By comparison, you never know if a store will have a Funko Chase and if so, how many they'll have. But if you're buying individual Vinylmation blind boxes, you could still leave empty handed without a Chaser just like you could visit numerous stores searching for a Funko Chase and come up dry. With Vinylmation Variants, once you know they exist in a series, you're almost playing the same game as trying to acquire a Funko Chase. You never know when you'll come across either.
The main difference between the brands is how to identify a Chase, Chaser or Variant. If you're trying to get a Vinylmation Chaser or Variant, all you can do is try your luck, purchasing blind boxes at the risk of getting duplicate figures you don't want over the coveted Chaser or Variant you desire. Funko POP! are the opposite, they are sold in open window boxes so you can see instantly if the figure is a Chase and immediately purchase it if so, without wasting money on figures you don't want. The act of the "chase" doesn't exist in the same way for Funko as it does for Vinylmation. Sure you can run around to different stores looking for the Chase figure, but it's a little different to opening mystery boxes and seeing what you pulled.
The open window format definitely saves Funko collectors money when trying to hunt for Chase figures, but it also has a drawback for the collecting community at large. Vinylmation collectors were always taking a risk when they purchased blind boxes hoping to get a Chaser or Variant. They were putting money on the line. There is no deterrent for Funko flippers who could see multiple Chase figures on a store shelf - across several stores even - and buy them all as soon as they see them. There are always flippers when it comes to collectibles, but I think Vinylmation blind boxes make it a lot harder for flippers to do what they do. If they insist on flipping, they will be spending a lot of money to do so, which may not be worth it in the end. The open window format of Funko Chase figures only aids and encourages flippers because it's much cheaper and easier to flip Funko POP!
I do like that with Funko POP! you know if there's a Chase figure to chase after or not. It can be a while after a Vinylmation set is released before anyone knows there's a Variant to look for. It also seems that because Funko Chase figures are easier to acquire, they're not all outrageously priced on the secondary market like Vinylmation. Years after their release, many Vinylmation Chasers and Variants still sell for around $100 or more on the secondary market. While some Funko POP! are similarly priced (or even higher) there are still many Chase figures for purchase at more realistic prices in the $30-$50 range. Yeah that's still a lot for a plastic figure that may have retailed as low as $8.99, but it's not as out of reach for collectors as many Vinylmation figures are, some of which have been dubbed "holy grails" due to their elusiveness.
I know I seem to sit on the fence a lot, but it's really hard to say which I think is better: Vinylmation Chasers and Variants, or Funko POP! Chase figures. What I like most about the Funko Chase is that you know what you're looking for before you find it. However I think they're just as difficult to find as Vinylmation Variants. Vinylmation Chasers in theory are much easier, but in practicality are still very difficult to come across.
