Hi
I am an avid brag book scrapper. I don't always have time to scrap a real page, but I try to make something everday(a little treat that I give to myself for doing my work.....yes, I need to bribe myself. I am as bad as my kids!).
1) how many of you do or would buy an album for a kit previously released that maybe didn't come with a FWP or one you didn't have the chipboard album for. --Yes. Count me in here! But, I have to say that I often will buy a new kit the week it is released rather than wait because of the FWP.
2) Do you have the chipboard albums stocked up waiting for the right pages? If so, what do you have most of (circle, heart, etc). I have some... and have been known to ask the waiters for chipboard coaster at restaurants(shameless!). My husband has been trained now to ask without me prompting now and routinely collects them for me... heehee. They make great 3x3 square or circle albums. But, to answer your question: square(mini-accordian size-4x4), circles, and the rectangle(accordian-4x6 size). I don't use the more complex shaped ones simply because it is too much work to sand and ink! (like the bird, or house shapes or the abby album)
3)If you were willing to buy an album what would be the ideal price range? Depends on how many pages came in the kit. Probably around $5 for a standard 10-16 page kit. Probably $7-8 for a larger kit--like an alphabet one. It is also really nice to have journaling pages and plain back pages already made with stitching, or some sort of border.
More of my 2 cents! I make A LOT of 4x6 pages to put into the little slip in plastic albums for the kids and nicer albums for my parents too. This way, whenever I make a page, I can add them to the book, or send them to my Ps so that they can do the same. My little preschooler has one that he keeps in his cubbie for when he misses home and has one in his emergency kit. I would love to see more accordian book/brag book sized sets. (sorry, that this may not even be part of your question!).
It is aslo really nice how some of the designers have 2 versions of some of their pages included-one with a specific themed tag and one without. Most of the SSD designers do this--thanks, guys! It is MUCH appreciated and makes the kit more versatile. Or, if a mini element kit were included-one or two tags, a little word art, or other small embellies that match. Not nec more than 5 addditonal items, just to make it easy to personalize.
Oh, and I am making more of the little 2x3 pages that you slip into the plastic ID holders. Sorry that this response is long! And, sorry if my rambling took us to places that were not even part of the question!