Predictions on Discontinuing Sets and their Secondary Market Value

prevere

^Yup. That's the one. I remember being oh so sure that TRU was going to cancel all the orders. But they let it ride. And it was only a week or two into the Super Heroes launch. You could get Star Wars 2011 Advent Calendars for around $5 with the discounts.

turtle1173

Oh that's right. I think that's when I picked up several road plates and switch track packs. Good times...

madforLEGO

^---same here. Got a lot of Road Plates with that glitch.

Also [US] Amazon.com now seems to have in its stocks (not 3rd party):
The Long Ranger sets, all about RRP.
and the Horizon express at 119

exciter1

Poochy said:

The mods are now classified as "Hard to Find" on the TRU website, and those are excluded from all promotions. The days of BOGO deal for mods are over :(.

Still worked for me when I bought a couple VW Vans from the TRU EBay store a few weeks ago at BOGO 50% off. Deals can still be had...

Poochy

TRU Ebay must not be enforcing the rules then since that doesn't work at the main TRU site. I will have to check TRU Ebay going forward. Thanks!

madforLEGO

exciter1 said:

Poochy said:

The mods are now classified as "Hard to Find" on the TRU website, and those are excluded from all promotions. The days of BOGO deal for mods are over :(.

Still worked for me when I bought a couple VW Vans from the TRU EBay store a few weeks ago at BOGO 50% off. Deals can still be had...

Occasionally eBay store can be checked, but the TRU site itself does not normally list 'Hard to find' sets as BOGO anything

DadsAFOL

Lego Games haven't generated much interest other than when on 75% off clearance. But now that they have been abruptly cancelled, what will that do to the aftermarket? The Hobbit, Hogwarts and Battle of Hoth are easy to identify. But I think there are some serious Heroica fans - a small but potentially passionate group. Does Heroica value go up? Any other sleepers in the Games line?

Legofanscott

LegoFanTexas said:

I wonder what the future holds for Technic. I've now built just over a dozen models, from large to small. I have the Unimog and 4x4 Crawler sitting on the shelf, along with a motorized excavator, but I can't find myself jumping up and down to build them.

Yea, they are indeed cool, but after while they are all sort of the same. Those darn Technic pins are a pain to remove, so I'm unlikely to ever take them apart, and at some point it is just 1-2 thousand small parts, gears, and pins going together to make another vehicle.

Friends was a nice improvement, it was "new", and the minifigs in general are much better in all series than they used to be. What "new" is coming for Technic?

Will LEGO do anything but vehicles for Technic?

regarding the future of Lego technic, i think 42009 will respark a few AFOL's interest in the theme.

Its the first technic set ive laid eyes on where im acutally excited to buy one and build it, it just looks so much more fun than the unimog, and a much better looking model for display purposes.

LegoFanTexas

That is exactly my point.

42009 is the third crane in five years. Big deal... it is exactly my point, another yellow construction crane, what is new or different about it?

How about a Technic Eiffel Tower? How about a Technic Golden Gate Bridge?

Those would be interesting...

Pitfall69

Yes, I would love ANY Lego bridge.

mathew

LegoFanTexas said:

That is exactly my point.

42009 is the third crane in five years. Big deal... it is exactly my point, another yellow construction crane, what is new or different about it?

How about a Technic Eiffel Tower? How about a Technic Golden Gate Bridge?

Those would be interesting...

I agree with you. Technic branded sets tend to be conservative in design. But, there are some hybrid sets out there that make great use of technic parts and building techniques. The best one that springs to mind is the Imperial Shuttle. Over half of that set is Technic. Makes for a sometimes tedious build, but the end result is a satisfying model with some neat engineering built in.

littlepuppi

My dad made an eiffel tower out of meccano, almost 2 meters high, it looks amazing.. Lego technical version of that would be fantastic, ditto GG.

TheLoneTensor

As much as I LOVE construction equipment and vehicles, I'd also like to see Technic branch out a bit more like bridges. Though I've always wanted them to branch out into more amusement park rides, especially a roller coaster. Also, a large scale Technic train engine would be very welcome.

prevere

^Those are all good ideas. When you say to yourself, "I hope they don't do another logging truck", it's time to expand the universe.

Bumblepants

^^a Technic steam locomotive would be really cool with all the moving parts and what not.

Legofanscott

LegoFanTexas said:

That is exactly my point.

42009 is the third crane in five years. Big deal... it is exactly my point, another yellow construction crane, what is new or different about it?

How about a Technic Eiffel Tower? How about a Technic Golden Gate Bridge?

Those would be interesting...

The thing with making a technic eiffel tower is : what exactly could be made technical on it?

Technic is all about moving parts pneumatics and motors and gears etc and yes it would certainly make a superb display piece but technic isnt really aimed at being that sort of thing.

Now a steam locomotive DOES sound exciting :)

prevere

Legofanscott said:

LegoFanTexas said:

That is exactly my point.

42009 is the third crane in five years. Big deal... it is exactly my point, another yellow construction crane, what is new or different about it?

How about a Technic Eiffel Tower? How about a Technic Golden Gate Bridge?

Those would be interesting...

The thing with making a technic eiffel tower is : what exactly could be made technical on it?

Technic is all about moving parts pneumatics and motors and gears etc and yes it would certainly make a superb display piece but technic isnt really aimed at being that sort of thing.

Now a steam locomotive DOES sound exciting :)

Doesn't the Eiffel Tower have an elevator...

Legofanscott

prevere said:

Legofanscott said:

LegoFanTexas said:

That is exactly my point.

42009 is the third crane in five years. Big deal... it is exactly my point, another yellow construction crane, what is new or different about it?

How about a Technic Eiffel Tower? How about a Technic Golden Gate Bridge?

Those would be interesting...

The thing with making a technic eiffel tower is : what exactly could be made technical on it?

Technic is all about moving parts pneumatics and motors and gears etc and yes it would certainly make a superb display piece but technic isnt really aimed at being that sort of thing.

Now a steam locomotive DOES sound exciting :)

Doesn't the Eiffel Tower have an elevator...

oh yeah, woops i guess i forgot about that :D

LegoFanTexas

I know they have mind storms, but what about more robots? Anyone remember The Sony Aibo robot dog?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIBO

How about that in Technic?

Maybe add on packs to mind storms?

LegoFanTexas

Speaking of retired sets, I was at Wally World today and they had 3 Vampire Castles at $69.99. Sadly two were damaged, they had reprinted the shelves and put them back, gluing them to the shelves, when I pulled them off, the bottom of the boxes was ripped off. :(


But I did pickup one, might keep, might not. Not sure how I feel about it yet. I sold all mine last year, so happy to have the one.


Everyone does know that Monster Fighters is retiring this Summer, right? It won't be around for a full year.

LegoFanTexas

How about one of these in Technic? :)



Honda's Asimo robot. 10 min video showing the new 2012 model doing lots of new things.

I want one!

Legofanscott

LegoFanTexas said:

How about one of these in Technic? :)



Honda's Asimo robot. 10 min video showing the new 2012 model doing lots of new things.

I want one!

it goes to show what the world might be like in 30 years time and that A.I and robots isnt as far away as we think it is, makes me think of bicentennial man and I Robot becoming a reality :)

monkeyhanger

In "an idiot abroad" Carl describes the Asimo as walking like had shat itself. The only barrier to an Asimo in every house is the price. The trouble with one of these is if they were commercially sold, you'd be quite peeved spending the kind of money that would buy a car on something that that would be superceded on a regular basis if all the big electronic firms were making them.

Legofanscott

monkeyhanger said:

In "an idiot abroad" Carl describes the Asimo as walking like had shat itself. The only barrier to an Asimo in every house is the price. The trouble with one of these is if they were commercially sold, you'd be quite peeved spending the kind of money that would buy a car on something that that would be superceded on a regular basis if all the big electronic firms were making them.

true, it does walk funny but im sure i read somewhere that the simple task of walking may seem simple to do but the motion behind it is extremely difficult to perfect in a robot

its certainly a remarkable feet in technology and you can't help but admire it

LegoFanTexas

It takes humans a year or two to get the hang of walking, and even then a few more to get good at it, :)

Asimo is top heavy and has no natural balance outside of gyros, so yea, I suspect walking is harder than it looks.

How many animals on Earth walk on two legs?

The real application for Asimo, before the home, is McDonalds. Once it gets to under $100K a copy and can flip burgers, there comes a point where the capital investment pays off to replace human labor with these.

When that tipping point is reached, we will have to find something new for everyone else to do. :)

Or maybe we don't need Asimo...

http://www.gizmag.com/hamburger-machine/25159/

sidersdd

tensor said:

As much as I LOVE construction equipment and vehicles, I'd also like to see Technic branch out a bit more like bridges. Though I've always wanted them to branch out into more amusement park rides, especially a roller coaster. Also, a large scale Technic train engine would be very welcome.

I predict we'll see some roller coaster sets surface this summer.

Legofanscott

sidersdd said:

tensor said:

As much as I LOVE construction equipment and vehicles, I'd also like to see Technic branch out a bit more like bridges. Though I've always wanted them to branch out into more amusement park rides, especially a roller coaster. Also, a large scale Technic train engine would be very welcome.

I predict we'll see some roller coaster sets surface this summer.

A big exclusive rollercoaster set, now THAT would be a set worth waiting for.

Plus if it was a successful release it could become a whole new theme *.*

Billybrown

It would go perfect with Grand Carousel and could be re-branded as a "Fairground" theme.

prevere

Don't get me started on the rollercoaster thing. I've been waiting patiently for the "Grand Brick Coaster Park" theme. Endless possibilities. Just need some newly designed track (and supports) that are a little more flexible in the vertical sense.

cardgenius

LegoFanTexas said:

Speaking of retired sets, I was at Wally World today and they had 3 Vampire Castles at $69.99. Sadly two were damaged, they had reprinted the shelves and put them back, gluing them to the shelves, when I pulled them off, the bottom of the boxes was ripped off. :(


But I did pickup one, might keep, might not. Not sure how I feel about it yet. I sold all mine last year, so happy to have the one.


Everyone does know that Monster Fighters is retiring this Summer, right? It won't be around for a full year.

I had a feeling this was gonna happen. Stock has been thining around here without being replaced. Do you think Lego will keep some sets online only or a full retirement?

LegoFanTexas

cardgenius said:

I had a feeling this was gonna happen. Stock has been thining around here without being replaced. Do you think Lego will keep some sets online only or a full retirement?

Decisions are subject to change at any time, but the latest information that I've seen says that June is the retirement date for the entire MF line, not including HH.

jasor

you know....Alien Conquest: fine. It was a mixed bag. I actually loved the theme, and thought it went well interspersed with City.

Seems like everyone I talk to absolutely adored MF. Even my parents that dont collect Lego for themselves bought some of the sets. I realize Lego has waves to keep it fresh, etc...it seems like potential lost with MF.

The pricing obviously had issues, but it had to have been somewhat profitable for Lego....right?

CCC

What are they going to do if they were to continue Monster Fighters though? Like many of the themes, it is the minifigs that sell the (smaller) sets, not the sets themselves. They have done most of the generic horror characters. So they'd either have to rehash existing ones, or base a new series on marginal monsters. Better to do one and done, and maybe refresh / similar theme in 3/4 years time.

prevere

I think MF certainly has enough options for another wave of sets without duplicating the 1st wave.

Staypuff Marshmellow guy would be my top choice; Godzilla vs. (pick one); King Kong; Gremlins; Jeeper Creepers guy; evil clown; the invisible man; wicked witch; the blob; etc. Each with a 75 to 450 piece set and fighters surrounding them.

These could be done easily without licensing (save maybe Staypuff).

CCC

> Godzilla vs. (pick one); King Kong; the blob

I'd imagine these would need to be large figures (like Hulk, Goblin King, etc)

> Gremlins; Jeeper Creepers guy; evil clown;

To me, these are more modern than the classic horror monsters in MF range. The MF range used cartoony / cute versions of them. I wonder how well this would work for modern horror. Possible license problems too, esp for gremlins.

> the invisible man;

Yeah, either bandaged head with sunglasses or clear head - easy to MOC with existing parts (I did one with clear head, with a filed down stud on torso so it didn't stick up too much into the head).

> wicked witch;

She was in CMF series 2 and last MF series (halloween accessory pack)

TheLoneTensor

prevere said:

I think MF certainly has enough options for another wave of sets without duplicating the 1st wave.

Staypuff Marshmellow guy would be my top choice; Godzilla vs. (pick one); King Kong; Gremlins; Jeeper Creepers guy; evil clown; the invisible man; wicked witch; the blob; etc. Each with a 75 to 450 piece set and fighters surrounding them.

These could be done easily without licensing (save maybe Staypuff).

For the record, half of what you mentioned there would definitely require a level of licensing. Not that I disagree that they would make cool sets, but when it comes to the Monster Fighters, they have only been using the classic "Universal movie monsters" which has seemed to work.

That said, there's enough potential for both newer character sets like like the invisible man (which you mentioned), Dr. Jekyll (Mr. Good & Evil), Bride of Frankenstein (along with a Gollum-ish Igor!), Dorian Gray, etc. Also, there's potential for bigger/different sets for the existing ones like a bigger swamp scene with boat, the vampyre's crypt, the mummy's tomb, etc.

Faedian7

Headless horseman would be an interesting minifig!

Hardrada

Okay, since the last time we discussed them there has been some change regarding the Winter Village sets:
http://search2.lego.com/?q=10216&lang=2057&cc=US

10216 Winter Village Bakery went from 'Sold out' to 'Retired product'
10222 Winter Village Post Office was and still is labelled 'Retired product'

So what does this tell us? Have both been retired together?

prevere

Faedian7 said:

Headless horseman would be an interesting minifig!

That would be great.

dougts

it would certainly seem that way.

CCC

Faedian7 said:

Headless horseman would be an interesting minifig!

Fairly easy with existing parts too. Just a black minifig with no head in a black cape on a black horse. And holding a pumpkin if you are that way inclined. You may want to trim the neck of the torso so it doesn't stick up too much, and use a round 1x1 plate to hold the cloak on.

I somehow doubt he would have the draw of the more classic monsters in MF though. He wouldn't really fit in with the kid-friendly, Munsters / Addams Family style MF.

prevere

^That there is the problem with MF. Lego is dancing around the cute/classic monsters. Doing the "Scooby-Doo" villian approach. Since the VC and HH have been popular, maybe we'll get another big set concept down the road, like a haunted village and hayride or something like that.

prevere

Top 25 sellers on [email protected] - couple of thoughts.
1) Minecraft continues to be #1 on the list. Been there a long time.
2) No Star Wars sets.

http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Top-Sellers

ColoradoBricks

In the original MF designer artwork (posted in this forum a while back), there was a haunted vessel/ship (labelled Ghost Boat). Would love to see that one on major scale..

Edit: Artwork

CCC

prevere said:

^That there is the problem with MF. Lego is dancing around the cute/classic monsters. Doing the "Scooby-Doo" villian approach.

Yes, but then perhaps that is why they have sold well to the more general public as well as lego fans.

tamamahm

prevere said:

Top 25 sellers on [email protected] - couple of thoughts.
1) Minecraft continues to be #1 on the list. Been there a long time.
2) No Star Wars sets.

http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Top-Sellers

I think it only tells us that it is April, and we are not in the midst of a typical toy buying season today.

Did you look at the top 25? The observation isn't that there are no Star Wars sets, it is that there really aren't much of any sets. The Lone Ranger sets are there, and Palace Cinema, and a few minor items. The majority are really bits and parts.

Remember also, the top 25 is based on just today's sales, so at this time of year that can be easily influenced by a few buyers.

madforLEGO

If May the 4th allows for non SW purchases to get the Han Hoth figure I'm going to finally get some of those Helicopter rescue (ie Hospital/clinic) sets. Since only Walmart has them in the US who knows how long they will last in production.

Bumblepants

^don't try to get more than 5!

The_Mack

Hardrada said:

Okay, since the last time we discussed them there has been some change regarding the Winter Village sets:
http://search2.lego.com/?q=10216&lang=2057&cc=US

10216 Winter Village Bakery went from 'Sold out' to 'Retired product'
10222 Winter Village Post Office was and still is labelled 'Retired product'

So what does this tell us? Have both been retired together?

It tells us that nobody knows, until the next Holiday season is upon us. I wouldn't worry about it until then. These Holiday sets were made to "Disappear" after the holiday season, only to reappear the next year. Come September/October if you don't see them. You can then see about trying to acquire them, or unload them for a profit if that's your thing.

Ma1234

June is the last date that Monster Fighters can be ordered by smaller retailers, along with most of the 2013 assortment that is being discontinued. Like everything else, the sets will be on the shelves through the holidays, subject to dwindling stock around Chritsmas.