Predictions on Discontinuing Sets and their Secondary Market Value

Bandit

The fact I was going to have my sister who is a graphic designer do a mock up of the set with the figure should tell you something...lol. I just couldn't go through with it.

Hahaha oh that would have been great!

Renny

Reminds me of when I was into Decipher's Star Trek CCG (a very long time ago) and they released a special ship card "USS Jupiter" I think, in a new Star Trek PC game. The game had nothing to do with the card game yet that was the only way to get it. I wasn't about to buy a pc game for one promotional card.

Pitfall69

Yes it would, but I don't want to toy with getting banned. I only did it because Sam and I have been discussing a few things here and there in other threads and via messages :)

Pitfall69

Ok. Let's stay on topic. Although this is an interesting discussion. If someone wants to take it up in another thread so be it :)

Pitfall69

I would like to have the SDCC minifigures, but I can't justify spending the money on them. @Samiam is a minifigure collector, so I can see why he would want them and...ahem...want them to stay valuable :)

I placed an order for the IS from Target and the MMV from Lego. My IS arrived and I'm hoping I receive the MMV...ya know...the set that will never die

samiam391

Thread "Free heart attacks courtesy of Pitfall"... I'm willing to put up the first post if there are others willing to follow suit? ;-)

So now that we can forget the fact that the Shazam figure will be released in the upcoming DVD release, what do you all think is going to be the future value of these? I have my own opinions, but also love to hear others.

prevere

I love the fact the Lex Luthor fig came with the Batman 2 video game. Maybe we'll get an exclusive Riddler with a Super Friends video game?

madforLEGO

LEGO only said they will not be releasing that specific figure for that character outside of SDCC, but does not stop them from releasing a similar figure in a to be in a 'to be determined' set for that character.

Pitfall69

First the Brickset effect now the Pitfall effect

j0rdantay10r

Fellas,

Question regarding purchasing LEGO on international Amazon sites - are the product packaging/instructions universal for LEGO in that I will get the exact same item if I order from Amazon Germany as I order from US Amazon? Or, are there variations in the packaging and instructions to suit the local language?

The pictures on the listings appear to be identical to the US listings. I'm hoping to pick some things up at a slightly cheaper price but wouldn't want it if the packaging is foreign!

FatMatt

^Everything is identical.

nkx1

j0rdantay10r: I started a separate thread HERE a while back that may help answer some of your questions.

In addition to the info in that thread, I noticed that the shapes of some of the boxes are different. For instance, I bought a couple 7939 yellow cargo trains from Amazon.fr. The trains I received are packaged in a larger/flatter box than the 7939 sets sold in the US, which are packaged in a thicker/smaller box.

I actually prefer the European boxes to the US boxes, since they don't have all of the warnings and other writing on the front of the boxes that the US boxes have.

nkx1

^Forgot to mention, yes, there is English (but with British spelling) printed on the boxes, along with various other languages including what appears to be Italian, French, German and possibly others.

LegoFanTexas

j0rdantay10r said:

Fellas,

Question regarding purchasing LEGO on international Amazon sites - are the product packaging/instructions universal for LEGO in that I will get the exact same item if I order from Amazon Germany as I order from US Amazon? Or, are there variations in the packaging and instructions to suit the local language?

The pictures on the listings appear to be identical to the US listings. I'm hoping to pick some things up at a slightly cheaper price but wouldn't want it if the packaging is foreign!

The contents are generally the same, but the boxes are not, both in size and printing, the manuals also are sometimes different.

monkeyhanger

The main thing is there is no language barrier for the instructions - diagrams of construction steps are universally understood (or misunderstood - when dark bley is mistaken for black etc). Am I right in thinking that UCS plaque sticker language is always in English?

LegoFanTexas

I have never bought a UCS set from overseas, but everything has always had English printed on it somewhere.

You're also right about dark bley and black, they need to put something in the instructions to help with that one. :)

Sherlockbones

How much would the IS be after it's taking off? UCS falcon price perhaps?

Renny

^Doubtful anything will hit that kind of price tag again. Over time I can see it reaching the same price point of a sealed 10129 UCS Snowspeeder or 10143 Death Star II. It's a very cool looking ship, and it really stands out with it's stark white look among the other light/dark blue gray models.

hoyatables

Let's hope so. I have a couple as my first foray into reselling. Ship doesn't do it for me so I am focused on reselling. If I can net my death star I'll be thrilled, which basically means a 50% increase after I factor in all discounts.

Pitfall69

The UCS MF has so much going for it right now and that is what is driving the prices. This has been discussed in detail over several threads so I won't get into it again. The IS is a great set, but it will never command the high prices MF does right now.

BoiseState

I would think those minifigs should be there soon Sam..

madforLEGO

LegoFanTexas said:

I have never bought a UCS set from overseas, but everything has always had English printed on it somewhere.

You're also right about dark bley and black, they need to put something in the instructions to help with that one. :)

They really need to make the instructions have white backgrounds again.
Now I have not really opened many brand new, like just released, sets, but the EN manual I had was a pill to distinguish between dark gray and Black

Legofanscott

Pitfall69 said:

The UCS MF has so much going for it right now and that is what is driving the prices. This has been discussed in detail over several threads so I won't get into it again. The IS is a great set, but it will never command the high prices MF does right now.

Does anyone think there will be a set as big as MF come out in the near future with the rising cost of parts?

I don't mean a Star wars set, i just mean a similar part count and lengthy build as the MF?

BrickDancer

^I was thinking the same question other day. Since the biggest set in Lego history was Taj Mahal, best guess is it may be the next Sculpture set to be released that would replace Tower Bridge (which is #3 after the UCS MF). Out of the Top 10 Biggest Lego sets, 5 are Star Wars (MF, DS, DSII, SSD, ISD) and the other 5 are Sculpture (TM, TB, ET, GC, SoL).

Has there been any word on what the next Sculpture set will be?

samiam391

BoiseState said:

I would think those minifigs should be there soon Sam..

You got it! Got them yesterday. Here they are in all their glory. Thanks @BoiseState!

EDIT: Unfortunately, I can never seem to get pictures to attach... I received the Celebration Luke and Han Solo. Very fitting considering the circumstances ;-)

graphite

^ Just FYI based on your terminology the issue may be that it isn't "attaching" the image. You have to host it somewhere first and put the link. This site wont host your image.

BoiseState

I thought they fit the criteria well.. Somewhat unique but inexpensive. Enjoy!

LegoFanTexas

graphite said:

^ Just FYI based on your terminology the issue may be that it isn't "attaching" the image. You have to host it somewhere first and put the link. This site wont host your image.

Just FYI, you can host images here, just click on "attach a file" below the post.

samiam391

^,^^,^^^
Either way, it's not a big deal all. We know what the figures are, no picture needs to be attached. Thanks for your help. Thanks @BoiseState for the figures, they definitely fit the criteria perfectly ;-)

Pitfall69

Giddyup

richo

I am beginning to think that this 'golden age' for lego with better and better sets, means that there is so much quality choice now, that previous discontinued sets are unlikely to go up in value much. Just a school of thought.

Pitfall69

Maybe for the casual Lego buyer or a parent buying for their child, but a Lego fanatic/collector will want the discontinued sets. I am pretty sure Lego will not remake a lot if their sets, especially for the licensed themes. I don't think they will remake any of their UCS sets for Star Wars. There is always a chance however unlikely. I know they have remade the X wings and Tie fighters and all of that, but the first ones that came out were in desperate need for a makeover.

BoiseState

With the new sets coming out, I'm far more interested in those than the older ones. That's just me though.

Pitfall69

I know Lego is in a class if their own, but it is still a toy. Many people collect classic toys Star Wars, Transformers, G.I. Joe. The new options are vastly superior in almost every way, but collectors will still seek the older ones for their collection...and pay 100's

Pitfall69

BoiseState said:

With the new sets coming out, I'm far more interested in those than the older ones. That's just me though.

In a few years the UCS MF will be an "old" set. You wouldn't have any interest in owning one if you didn't have one already?

Pitfall69

We also need to include people that are just getting into Legos and/or are coming out of their "dark ages" and would want some of the sets they missed out on. Discontinued doesn't necessarily mean old either. People may have missed out in certain sets because of financial reasons. I did with IF because we were having a baby, yet I was still actively into Legos.

thornie

richo said:

I am beginning to think that this 'golden age' for lego with better and better sets, means that there is so much quality choice now, that previous discontinued sets are unlikely to go up in value much. Just a school of thought.

I agree wholeheartedly with this statement. The variety, quantity, and quality of all the new sets coming out are fantastic.

LegoFanTexas

thornie said:

I agree wholeheartedly with this statement. The variety, quantity, and quality of all the new sets coming out are fantastic.

I second that...

Still, this being said, there will be exceptions and those sets that are retired that a "superior" will command good money.

DS and FB are two good examples of this, those will never quite get an equal for a very long time, no matter what else new Lego puts out.

Tower Bridge is another good example. They may do bigger, grander, different, but that will be the only Tower Bridge in scale that Lego is ever likely to do, at least for a few decades.

LegoFanTexas

Thinking of already retired sets...

What about Taj Mahal? That is a classic that also won't ever get redone and will only go up and up in value. Some day, it will look "old" like 3450 Statue of Liberty does today, but does anyone really think TLG will redo 3450 any time soon?

I highly doubt it.

BoiseState

Some of the elite sets will be popular for years.. No doubt. But I think common mid level price range sets that normally accrued value quickly may not do so anymore with the fantastic new stuff coming out. Total guess though, certainly not fact.

richo

^ yes, I think this is roughly what I meant. I do think there are a handful of exceptions based on my own reading of the market, but I won't throw them out on here as its only my own opinion.

graphite

^ cause obviously the internet is no place for opinion

LegoFanTexas

The mid-level sets might not do as well over multiple years, but they should still do well in the short term.

2260 and 2521 anyone? :)

roxio

add 2509, I got em piled high at 60% off

LegoFanTexas

Yes, forgot about that one, it is the ugly duckling of the set, but I'll be happy to take that entire stack off your hands for FULL RETAIL PRICE! I'll even pay shipping!

Now isn't that a deal! :)

y2josh

madforLEGO said:

LegoFanTexas said:

I have never bought a UCS set from overseas, but everything has always had English printed on it somewhere.

You're also right about dark bley and black, they need to put something in the instructions to help with that one. :)

They really need to make the instructions have white backgrounds again.
Now I have not really opened many brand new, like just released, sets, but the EN manual I had was a pill to distinguish between dark gray and Black

Most of the more recent manuals I've seen have actually gone back to the 'black outlined in white' look for the black pieces. The Town Hall manual comes right to mind.

j0rdantay10r

Thanks, guys (re: international packaging). Sorry to get off topic.

Back on topic, I noticed 21000 got a huge discount from Amazon today and is currently listed at $15.55 which us about a 20% slash from where it was (mid $19s). In my short LEGO price observation life, this has typically been the best indication that a set is about to be EOL or at least provides the best opportunity to procure a large quantity at a good price before EOL.

Thoughts? Hancock was discontinued earlier this year and was originally released around the same time as the Sears/Willis.

LegoFanTexas

^ Thanks for the heads up, that isn't a set I was watching, but I agree that it should be going away at some point soon, as should the whole first wave, what with the new stuff that has been released this summer.

I think this series will do well in retirement. Not smashing well, but well... Good double over 12-18 months...

tategoi

Brickarmor said:

Out of the Top 10 Biggest Lego sets, 5 are Star Wars (MF, DS, DSII, SSD, ISD) and the other 5 are Sculpture (TM, TB, ET, GC, SoL)

What are ET, GC and SoL?

pharmjod

Eiffel Tower, Grand Carousel, Statue of Liberty