Anyone noticed the changed distribution in Series 4?

jarom_moroni

Series 4 cases are now coming with 4 Surfer Girls, 4 Skaters, 4 Soccer Players, 5 Punks, and only 2 Crazy Scientists. Previous distribution was 3 Surfer Girls, 3 Skaters, 5 Soccer Players, 4 Punks, and 4 Crazy Scientists. Why the change, and what might be in the works for Series 5 as far as pulling one over on the AFOL community?

kylejohnson11

I haven't noticed, then again I have not gone through a full box of series 4. Being a baseball card collector previously, I love not know what is going to be coming in the box. I think it adds a great element to the "Collectable" piece of the collectable minifigures.

It also gives someone the chance if they get the right box to get more of what they are looking for.

As far as pulling one over? I don't think they are. I don't recall seeing anything published by LEGO as far as what comes in a 60 count box. I do enjoy the element of suprise with them. Takes me back to my baseball card days :)

prof1515

As I recall, it's been documented that they began with only 2 mad scientists, not 4. I hadn't heard about any other assortment. Are you certain you were counting correctly before?

As for Series 5, the assortment appears to follow the 3, 4 and 5 only combination.

jwsmart

Ah, a return to sanity.

jarom_moroni

@prof1515 The Mad Scientists started at 2 in the pre-release, but moved up to 4 for the official release. The same thing happened with series 3 fishermen. I've been through 7 sealed cases so far, and the distribution just changed away from the official release distribution numbers. They have also been tinkering with the dot codes from the beginning. Just like series 3.

@kylejohnson11 When I mentioned "pulling one over" I was really meaning that they are keeping those of us who buy loads of them for resale on our toes. I misspoke when I made reference to the AFOL community.

PerryMakes

Quite frankly, I'm fine with them "keeping those who buy loads of them for resale on your toes" ... they aren't being sold for that purpose.

prof1515

Quite frankly, I'm fine with them "keeping those who buy loads of them for resale on your toes" ... they aren't being sold for that purpose.

They're sold for the sole purpose of being bought. What the buyer does with them afterwards is irrelevant to their "purpose" and buying them for later resale is just as legitimate a purpose as anything else.

The Mad Scientists started at 2 in the pre-release, but moved up to 4 for the official release. The same thing happened with series 3 fishermen.

So my case was a pre-release case? Hmmm, I wonder why that was. Good to hear though since I really dislike buying a case and only getting two of a mini-figure.

PerryMakes

Post Removed by Yellowcastle

prof1515

Post Removed by Yellowcastle

Buying and reselling is simple supply and demand. People want things and if those things are not plentiful it is reasonable to charge a price for them that reflects the scarcity in relation to the demand. Now, if you're proposing a socialist approach then Lego should be giving away their product. However, since they've chosen the capitalist approach and you've chosen to buy them at their price, it's hardly a reseller's fault that they are using such a system.

Mind you, I'm a socialist but I'm also a pragmatic realist. If you choose to participate in a capitalist approach when dealing with Lego it's hypocritical to complain when others do so as well.

Post Edited by Yellowcastle 7/22/11 - removed violent analogy

atkinsar

Please remember to keep it civil people, we're all here to have fun. In other words, disagree with each nicely :o)

PerryMakes

The analogy was made to show how INTENT has A LOT to do with whether the SAME situation can be viewed TWO ENTIRELY DIFFERENT WAYS.

It has NOTHING to do with socialism/capitalism ... you lost me there.

prof1515

It has everything to do with capitalism. There's nothing wrong with buying with the intent to resell as opposed to build. Toys R Us buys from Lego for less than they sell the product for in their stores. Every retailer does. Lego charges them more for the sets than the cost of production. It's no different and hence the "intent" is irrelevant. Lego is under no obligation to provide you with sets at cost. Toys R Us isn't either. Neither is a reseller dealing in discontinued sets. If you don't find something wrong with Lego, Toys R Us and every other retailer charging more than the cost of the raw materials themselves, the perception that a reseller is somehow engaged in behavior that can be viewed differently because of "intent" is hypocritical.

Matt_mason

I have bought the figures I have needed off eBay some at less than lego's £1.99 all brand new and sealed so I have no axe to grind with those who resell. I see it as a service.

jarom_moroni

Maybe this is a good time to mention that I am an Independent Toy Dealer for LEGO... Buying loads of LEGO supports my family. Probably would have been good to mention that earlier :)