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10246 Detective Agency

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Comments

  • BumblepantsBumblepants Member Posts: 7,729
    ^ I think it makes sense. They want to sell all their current stuff for Christmas. New stuff is the only good way to drum up sales after the holidays.
    AanchirBrickDancerEKSamTXLegoguyAdeelZubaircheshirecat
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    david325 said:

    Launch of January 1st? Another great marketing tactic, completely miss the Christmas shopping season, wait until everyone has no money and boom, launch!

    Keep in mind also who their target audience is for the holidays. For Lego it is far more critical to stock sets that kids desperately want than to put out the next expensive modular for an older audience.

    There is only so much factory capacity.
  • piratemania7piratemania7 Member Posts: 2,146
    I could see January 1st. That's when the PR was released and overall its been great so maybe TLG has the business model down pretty well.
  • Ma1234Ma1234 Member Posts: 693
    david325 said:

    Launch of January 1st? Another great marketing tactic, completely miss the Christmas shopping season, wait until everyone has no money and boom, launch!

    Instead people have billions in gift cards to spend with no choice to use them on anything but consumer goods. It's actually brilliant.
    roxiocheshirecatAanchirmadforLEGO
  • david325david325 Member Posts: 138
    It's that brilliant every other company in the world launches their new season products on January 1st. Oh, no actually they don't, most retailers have SALES.
  • david325david325 Member Posts: 138
    TLG is so amazing if you think about it. They launch new products straight after the busiest shopping period of the year, they have random allocation of free gifts, they don't produce enough products so most popular sets are out of stock on the day of release, they have one major product for sale for Halloween but you can't buy it, oh and when they launch a new product with double VIP points and a new promo item, they send out a marketing email and a catalogue whilst at the same time taking the site down for scheduled maintenance.

    I'm blown away by their brilliance.
    TXLegoguyakunthita
  • maniacmaniac Member Posts: 867
    I don't see the problem. The first couple of months in a year are typically quiet for retailers. Doing a release which can be considered big on Jan 1st keeps the sales figures up.
  • XefanXefan Member Posts: 1,148
    david325 said:

    It's that brilliant every other company in the world launches their new season products on January 1st. Oh, no actually they don't, most retailers have SALES.

    Right, but retailers still make massive profits during those sales because the January sales are often the busiest trading periods for many shops - often more so than even the Christmas run up itself.

    So when you're Lego, who has new products out all the time, what better time to put out your expensive new set when there are more people passing by your shops than ever? Even better, as most people get paid towards the end of the month everyone's just had their December paycheck too.

    Don't discount the start of January as a bad time to release something - it's when most shopping happens, and it's when everyone's just been paid.
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    edited October 2014
    Add in to that the demographics - most AFOLs wont be busy buying clothes in January (although there wives and girlfriends may) so another good reason to make it available then. Also a new modular will sell itself when ever its released, no point adding competition to the usual Christmas present sets.

    Regarding the HH - would you have preferred it to sell out in July, or does it not really matter? The last ones sell when the last ones sell, if they had any reasonable number left after this halloween they'd probably only sell out just before the next halloween. There's an inevitability that (as you've shown yourself with your interest in HH as a 'halloween' set) HH would sell out in a run up to a halloween as thats when theres by far the most interest in the set. They could avoid that by putting it on sale - but really whats the point? either way it won't be around the following halloween, just either they sell them reduced in January or full price in September
    madforLEGO
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,556
    david325 said:

    they have one major product for sale for Halloween but you can't buy it

    They have loads of #40090 and #850936 available.

    Or are you complaining about a set from the Monster Fighters range that you have had over two years to buy?
    T_LarsAanchirmadforLEGObeemo
  • yuffieyuffie Member Posts: 92
    @david325 I am sure Lego would welcome your marketing expertise as they are really struggling at the moment.
    hoyatablesbeemo
  • david325david325 Member Posts: 138
    edited October 2014
    cheshirecat said:

    There's an inevitability that (as you've shown yourself with your interest in HH as a 'halloween' set) HH would sell out in a run up to a halloween as thats when theres by far the most interest in the set.

    If there's the most interest in the set around this time, surely that would be the optimum time to make more, to avoid them selling out, to keep customers happy and to make as much money as possible...or maybe not.
    CCC said:

    david325 said:

    they have one major product for sale for Halloween but you can't buy it

    They have loads of #40090 and #850936 available.

    Or are you complaining about a set from the Monster Fighters range that you have had over two years to buy?
    Yeah, they have loads of those, but they're nothing when compared to HH. I ain't complaining, I already have HH. I just think it's pretty poor business.
    yuffie said:

    @david325 I am sure Lego would welcome your marketing expertise as they are really struggling at the moment.

    They clearly are. At least someone else agrees their website, or lack of, their promotions, or lack of, and their attempt to control people selling their products on eBay is all getting a little too much.

  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    david325 said:

    cheshirecat said:

    There's an inevitability that (as you've shown yourself with your interest in HH as a 'halloween' set) HH would sell out in a run up to a halloween as thats when theres by far the most interest in the set.

    If there's the most interest in the set around this time, surely that would be the optimum time to make more, to avoid them selling out, to keep customers happy and to make as much money as possible...or maybe not.

    So what - they make enough to get through this halloween but then it runs out next summer - or do they make more to get through that halloween as well? It has to stop somewhen and its almost certain that it would sell out just prior to halloween.
    david325 said:



    They clearly are. At least someone else agrees their website, or lack of, their promotions, or lack of, and their attempt to control people selling their products on eBay is all getting a little too much.

    Oh dear.
    DadmadforLEGOGothamConstructionComdellemanRedbullgivesuwindLegoKip
  • david325david325 Member Posts: 138
    cheshirecat said:

    So what - they make enough to get through this halloween but then it runs out next summer - or do they make more to get through that halloween as well? It has to stop somewhen and its almost certain that it would sell out just prior to halloween.

    Did any of the Winter Village sets sell out just prior to Christmas? Oh no, I don't recall they did, did they....


  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    edited October 2014
    err yes they did. Quick look at brickset - so there may have been some left in stores, but from S@H

    Toy Shop #10199 US: 28th Nov UK: 9th Jan (iirc reduced after christmas)
    Bakery #10216 US: 2nd Dec UK: 3rd Dec
    Post Office #10222 US: 9th Dec UK: 26th Dec
    Winter Village #10229 US: 14th Dec UK: 18th Nov

    Although I also think that WV sets were withdrawn through the rest of the year.
    madforLEGO
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,556
    david325 said:



    Yeah, they have loads of those, but they're nothing when compared to HH. I ain't complaining, I already have HH. I just think it's pretty poor business.

    What should they stop production of to rush through these? Of course, they would have had to have done this a few months back, as there is a lead time to get new unique parts for this set made, sorted, new boxes printed, packaged, transported, ...

    Then it costs in storage / shelf space to keep the excess stock sitting around once sales drop off after halloween.
  • Cosworth3dCosworth3d Member Posts: 42
    cant wait !!
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,270
    edited October 2014
    I love that some people think they know TLG's market better than TLG themselves do. TLG will have all their sales info from years and years of selling and trying different things, and will be able to make informed decisions based on that.

    People complaining on here, on the other hand, merely have ignorance and an inflated sense of self-belief to rely on.

    I know which one I'd rather trust.
    madforLEGOLadder19JTKbeemo
  • yuffieyuffie Member Posts: 92
    It's like watching a particularly clueless contestant on The Apprentice.
    beemo
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    After Christmas sales and gift card spending is big business and is expected.
    Again, Lego is focused on their main driver for the Christmas holiday season which is kids. Who is going to be more upset? The parent that can't find stock for a present, or the AFOL that can not get a new set until January.
    Of yourself, Lego is going to be loading it's factories with what it predicts will be it's big sellers.
    Of course, they can also be wrong, and they can underestimate the influence of resellers.
    Why do you think they took such strong action after the Lloyd/Minecraft debacle?

    Honestly, it would be pretty stupid of Lego right now to use what manufacturing capacity it has on a new modular as opposed to the Holiday ramp-up. On the flip, it makes a ton of use to show it to consumers, so consumers that want it can request Christmas gift cards to get it after the holidays.

    BumblepantsprevereAdeelZubairdougtsRedbullgivesuwind
  • nicoyagomeznicoyagomez Member Posts: 24
    I like the previous comments referencing the Kodak and Polaroid business cases. OK...., Let's suppose TLG is making bad decisions. Who cares? Let's not lose perspective here. Are we TLG employees? Shareholders? No? Oh yeah, we're adult collectors of children's TOYS. Let that sink in for a bit...

    What TLG does, does not effect my life at all beyond whether or not I get another cool Super Heroes set to add to my shelf full of Super Heroes sets. I like this site because there are AFOLs with access to upcoming sets and its nice to get a heads up. But the rest of you guys, yikes!
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,556
    tamamahm said:

    Who is going to be more upset? The parent that can't find stock for a present, or the AFOL that can not get a new set until January.

    Probably the latter. :-)
    cheshirecatJenniLegoKip
  • mathewmathew Member Posts: 2,099
    CCC said:

    tamamahm said:

    Who is going to be more upset? The parent that can't find stock for a present, or the AFOL that can not get a new set until January.

    Probably the latter. :-)
    Uh, you don't have kids, right? Please correct me if I'm wrong. Parents go out of their way (and empty their wallets) in getting the gift that their kid wants for Christmas. Which is why people were flipping $35 Minecraft sets for $150 last Christmas.
  • hoyatableshoyatables Member Posts: 873
    mathew said:

    CCC said:

    tamamahm said:

    Who is going to be more upset? The parent that can't find stock for a present, or the AFOL that can not get a new set until January.

    Probably the latter. :-)
    Uh, you don't have kids, right? Please correct me if I'm wrong. Parents go out of their way (and empty their wallets) in getting the gift that their kid wants for Christmas. Which is why people were flipping $35 Minecraft sets for $150 last Christmas.
    I think CCC's comment was somewhat tongue in cheek given the hyperbole in the thread regarding the timing of the modular. :).
    cheshirecat
  • Sethro3Sethro3 Member Posts: 1,016
    ^I believe it was a joke. I interpreted it as most AFOLs are more childish than the children the toy is actually aimed at. Just look at most of the nitpicking on these websites! haha.
    matticus_brickscheshirecatpharmjodLegoKip
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    @mathew the :-) should have given it away!
  • oldtodd33oldtodd33 Member Posts: 2,728
    @Sethro3 It's not surprising that children don't nitpick, they aren't the ones who have to go to work and pay for all of this. It gives adults a sense of entitlement when they have to work to pay for things that everything should be perfect to THEIR liking. It doesn't always work out that way though. After all, when was the last time a child complained that all of the bricks of a certain color don't match/are different shades.
  • DougTemplarDougTemplar Member Posts: 638
    So just checking are their any solid clues or leads on this Detective Agency? It is just rumoured or vapourbricks?

  • oldtodd33oldtodd33 Member Posts: 2,728
    ^ Legoboy confirmed it on page 2 of this thread.
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    CCC said:

    tamamahm said:

    Who is going to be more upset? The parent that can't find stock for a present, or the AFOL that can not get a new set until January.

    Probably the latter. :-)
    LOL!!! Good one!


  • andyscouseandyscouse Member Posts: 365
    I like the idea of the central alleyway! Can't wait for this to come out - and a pool table would just be excellent too.
  • kezkez Member Posts: 831
    I personally would love it if Lego decided to make the pool table similar to the one as seen in the Winchester pub Shaun of the Dead MOC. image
  • koozkooz Member Posts: 158
    ^ Great MOC, and an atypical topic for a MOC too. Very well-done. @kez, is it yours?
    kez
  • roxioroxio Member Posts: 1,384
    kooz said:

    ^ Great MOC, and an atypical topic for a MOC too. Very well-done. @kez, is it yours?

    https://ideas.lego.com/projects/7451
    kez
  • kezkez Member Posts: 831
    kooz said:

    ^ Great MOC, and an atypical topic for a MOC too. Very well-done. @kez, is it yours?

    I wish, its such a shame that it never got approved by Lego as I think almost anyone would've loved one of these in their collection. :-D
  • Sethro3Sethro3 Member Posts: 1,016
    Shaun of the Dead zombies are not LEGO friendly, but Monster Fighters zombies are... see the difference?

    (I know, I know, it had something to do with the rest of the movie, but I'm sure more kids saw that than they did LOTR, no wonder sales were down).
  • akunthitaakunthita Member Posts: 1,038
    Still no update on this set? I have been sitting at the edge of my seat! :D
    Bumblepants
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    THe November calendar says on the 21st... follow us on Facebook to see the next exclusive.
    I was presuming they were going to do the reveal there and then, but that is pure speculation on my part.
  • AdeelZubairAdeelZubair Member Posts: 2,710
    They could possibility reveal it at AFOLCON on 26th November?
  • akunthitaakunthita Member Posts: 1,038
    Oh, am I gonna have to sit at the edge of my seat that long?! That's gonna really hurt! I want leaked images NOW! (*throwing tantrum icon goes here*)
    AndorAdeelZubairroostmanuvaGothamConstructionCo
  • jpczjpcz Member Posts: 95
    Saw this posted on another forum, so not my post. Thought I'd share, hopefully that's ok.




    User Diggydoes on Brickset has provided more info about #10246 Detective Agency:

    It's basically two buildings,the Agency and a Barbershop. The main colours for the Agency are light yellow (looks like it at least) and dark orange (masonry bricks!!!),the colours for the Barbershop are dark blue and medium blue!

    Apparently the (32x32) baseplate is Brown, although he's not sure if it's reddish brown or dark brown.

    Not sure how a pool table fits in with the above, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.
    DiggydoesThirdBuckEye
  • akunthitaakunthita Member Posts: 1,038
    OMG!!! Light yellow! I have been saying that the next modular should be light yellow! Such a nice color! :)

    So it looks like it is not a split building after all with an alleyway in between? And I'm also wondering what happened to the pool table. Maybe the detectives are playing pool, or the barbershop has a secret pool table room in the back where all the dodgy dealing are going on. Right next to the detective agency! That makes perfect sense! :D
  • ChgoMattChgoMatt Member Posts: 107
    Diggydoes also added:
    "split in the middle but seems to be on the same baseplate (divided by a small alley as has been said before by someone else)"
    Diggydoes
  • akunthitaakunthita Member Posts: 1,038
    ChgoMatt said:

    Diggydoes also added:
    "split in the middle but seems to be on the same baseplate (divided by a small alley as has been said before by someone else)"

    AWESOME! :D

  • matticus_bricksmatticus_bricks Member Posts: 651
    So if the second building is actually a barbershop, I wonder where the whole bar thing came from earlier. Could the Detective Agency be built above a bar? With all of the rumors we've been hearing about this set, this is shaping up to be one of the coolest, and most unusual, modulars yet!
  • BumblepantsBumblepants Member Posts: 7,729
    ^The Bar will be the upper floor and the Ber will be below.
    andheLegoKip
  • emilewskiemilewski Member Posts: 482
    I....MUST...SEE...PICTURES! So when will we expect to see this? Sometime this month, yes?
  • matticus_bricksmatticus_bricks Member Posts: 651
    Bumblepants said:

    ^The Bar will be the upper floor and the Ber will be below.

    Oh I see. You know what's totally coincidental about this is that I've actually been thinking about building a barbershop with an upstairs gentleman's club of sorts for awhile now. I guess I don't have to now!
  • DiggydoesDiggydoes Member Posts: 1,079
    The agency is on top of the bar!
    Bumblepants
  • zipsforbananaszipsforbananas Member Posts: 250
    The agency/bar is on an upper floor and the staircase to it is at the end of the alley?

    Maybe it's just me but the possibilities with this set seem pretty intuitive.
    An alley being part of the build in the middle of it is pretty obvious if the alley is part of the premise for the set. PS still being available after TH has gone shows the two building format is a success, and PR has already played with the expected footprint of the building. Access might be difficult - in a normal set where the upper floors and roof aren't designed to come off as standard!
    Of course the baseplate won't change size, plenty of buildings (like say detective agencies, barber shops and bars) are typically cramped and crammed into small spaces, and with a dark and dangerous alley a cramped building will add to the overall atmosphere.
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