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I didn't post the picture to brag or to make anyone feel bad. The truth is; I was very fortunate to grab a CC. I couldn't fathom paying that much for a Lego set, but I did and felt guilty about it for weeks and almost send it back.
But there were some interesting things in there:
- Town Hall had a retiring date of end of 2015. So probably it was decided to retire it early about half a year ago.
- Arkham Asylum and Winter Village Market had a retiring date of late 2015 and Horizon Express a retiring date of late 2016. I'm not sure what to think about these. There might be a chance that AA and HE are just sold out temporarily and will come back into production after Christmas.
- Death Star had a retiring date of late 2014 on this list but it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
To be honest I never saw anything like this with high profile sets but some fringe sets have already returned after a longer hiatus. The Brick Calendar for example was sold out on European [email protected] sites (and if I remember correctly in the US, too) for about half a year then it came back when I think everyone assumed it long gone.
Perhaps just some wishful thinking...
Its possible that other sets will be coming back but I'm not saying they definitely will. I think that Horizon express is gone because there is a two year cycle with the creator train sets.
There's a lot of chatter circulating that TLG will resume producing sets like the TB, GE, etc. again. Again, it's possible...but not probable.
"This is a very popular set and we’ve had a lot more orders than we expected. We’re sorry that we don’t have any in stock at the moment, and we’re working hard to make more. Check back soon!"
I say do not count a set out until it shows on [email protected] as 'retired product'
Architecture Studio is also a poor example. Unique set with limited initial release at just LEGO and one retailer (BN), and it was pulled after a short period of time.
When it comes to mainstream sets, once they are retired and sold out, they are sold out. I think there's a lot of wishful thinking going on here.
Part of the confusion may be LEGO [email protected]'s nomenclature. "Sold out" on the website doesn't necessarily mean "retired" or "not coming back." Perhaps someone more familiar with the details than me should post a list of the various statuses that LEGO uses and what they actually mean...
Also, I don't really get the term 'mainstream'? Sold in shops other than Lego shops? Popular demand? Appeal to the masses? Research institute was on 'mainstream' media sources, and other ideas (Cuusoo) sets are sold in 'mainstream' retailers. Are modulars and large exclusive sets 'mainstream'?
Anyways, don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing that some of these 'Sold out' sets will reappear like the examples that have been given, just that there have been examples. Clearly, the terms that Lego use are misleading and even when they give 'will ship on X date' may mean completely sold out.
Who told you this?
Lego told me Fire Brigade had retired - Turned out right
Lego told me Grand Emporium had retired - Turned out right
Lego told me Horizon Express had retired - Turned out right
Also why it Lego that this only applies, how come most other outlets can tell you with certainly, for instance my mother can tell you if Birds Eye fish fingers have retired from the frozen section in the Co-op.
Not being awkward, genuinely want to know.
HE is on "the list" to retire, so I am not surprised orders are being cancelled, although you are still able to order from US [email protected] So, again, please state where you are from instead of randomly throwing out "Sold Out at [email protected]"!!!
I believe #7939 Cargo Train was recently available after being sold out for several months. The same thing happened last year with #6858 Catwoman Catcycle City Chase. Those are "mainstream" sets, no?
It could be "sold out" or "out of stock" or even "available" in 5 minutes....
I'm not sure what to say about retailer exclusives like Architecture Studio. If they are widely available in LEGO stores as well, I'd say they are also mainstream. But I seem to remember that Architecture Studio had very limited availability, and was really only available at BN. Something like the TRU or Target exclusives are more clearly "mainstream" though note there is a history of wonky performance there too. The Funhouse lingered for months, but older exclusives sometimes disappeared very very quickly.
Continuing with the legal analogies, I think at some point you know a mainstream set when you see it, and the exceptions are usually easy to spot.
Lego's [email protected] website currently lists the following:
1440 total items (including sets) on their website.
227 are listed by TLG as "sold out."
492 are listed by TLG as "retired product."
98 are listed by TLG as "retiring soon."
That leaves roughly 721 items available for sale (including those that are "out of stock" and those that are "retiring soon.").
According to a quick check of Brickset's database a few minutes ago:
722 items were released in 2014
675 items were released in 2013
689 items were released in 2012
593 items were released in 2011
So, a cursory review of this data as found at [email protected] and Brickset indicates there are slightly less items available from [email protected] than were released in 2014 alone. It should be noted that these numbers likely contain a few errors as they are only as good as Brickset and [email protected] have available. However, any errors are not enough to skew the overwhelming conclusion that TLG essentially turns over their entire offering on a yearly basis (on average) to provide new sets. Those of us who read this thread tend to focus on the few that live longer than average because those tend to be the larger, more profitable sets.
My point is that TLG isn't in the business of looking backward to re-release sets that are "sold out"; they are constantly churning their sets and themes. The research institute is a special case because it is in the Ideas theme and TLG historically struggles to gauge interest in sets from this theme (see also Minecraft). The seasonal sets are...well...seasonal sets. Of course some will pop back up annually.
But the rule (not the exception) is that once a set is "sold out," then it's sold. So those holding out for the TH, GE, AA, HH, etc. to be re-released may have a long and disappointing wait.
JMO...
Unfortunately I did not get a screen capture but I did notice that the lowest mainstream set was #75020 Jabba's Sail Barge.
But the rule (not the exception) is that once a set is "sold out," then it's sold. So those holding out for the TH, GE, AA, HH, etc. to be re-released may have a long and disappointing wait.
These are probably the same people who belong to a special club that hope Lego will re release a UCS MF, Cafe Corner and hope Lego keeps LOTR alive. I can see them all huddled around a campfire telling scary Lego stories. "I had the UCS Millennium Falcon in my hands and I had buyers remorse at the last second and never purchased it (people gasping and storyteller sobbing). I did, however, purchased a Construct-A-Zurg because I thought it was cool".