75827 - Ghostbusters HQ (Coming In January 2016?)

Paperballpark

Well there's all this negativity about it, but personally I can't wait for it! :)

HangedSanchez

Paperballpark said:

Well there's all this negativity about it, but personally I can't wait for it! :)

Assuming it does get released.... At the moment it's all rumour and speculation. I hope it's true though.

dougts

Chubbles said:

I love the Ghostbusters but there are dozens of things I'd rather see than a Ghostbusters HQ at that price point.  It's not an overly impressive building or anything.  Take the Slimer symbol off the front and it's a generic building.  They'd have to do something really cool with the interior, specifically the ghost chamber to catch my attention.

gotta agree here.  The more truthful this rumor seems to become, the more conflicted I am about it.  I am delighted that LEGO is willing to put out a town/city style set in 2015 that is 4600 pieces and $350, but I'm kind of frustrated that they are reserving it for a niche licensed IP from a 30 year old movie.

I am just thinking about what Jamie could do with a city/town type set with that kind of piece/price budget, and I feel sad that we won't know.  But I know it would be epic.

brickupdate

But what about the big question that no one is answering: how will this set do in the aftermarket? How much do you think the price will increase 6 months after it retires?! 

:)

pharmjod

If LEGO actually does this, I think we will see more stuff designed by Jamie and others at a higher price point. It's almost like they are probing to see what the ceiling is. Heck, if it sells even remotely well, the prospects of a bigger, bladder UCS  millennium falcon don't seem that unreasonable.

BrickDancer

^I didn't realize the Falcon had a leaky fluid problem to begin with? 

pharmjod

Yes, auto correct. Love it =)

dougts

pharmjod said:

If LEGO actually does this, I think we will see more stuff designed by Jamie and others at a higher price point. It's almost like they are probing to see what the ceiling is. Heck, if it sells even remotely well, the prospects of a bigger, bladder UCS  millennium falcon don't seem that unreasonable.

I'm not sure I share your optimism.  The long trend in non licensed Large D2C sets is ever shrinking piece count and size.  I believe LEGO is currently thinking that they *have* to have the outside IP tie in to make the $201+ market viable at all 

HangedSanchez

dougts said:

pharmjod said:

If LEGO actually does this, I think we will see more stuff designed by Jamie and others at a higher price point. It's almost like they are probing to see what the ceiling is. Heck, if it sells even remotely well, the prospects of a bigger, bladder UCS  millennium falcon don't seem that unreasonable.

I'm not sure I share your optimism.  The long trend in non licensed Large D2C sets is ever shrinking piece count and size.  I believe LEGO is currently thinking that they *have* to have the outside IP tie in to make the $201+ market viable at all 

It would be nice to have more variety in the $200+ sets. So far they have released 10 for Star Wars, 1 for Marvel and 1 for the Lego Movie, but only 4 unlicenced, and the most recent of those was in 2013.

TigerMoth

HangedSanchez said:

It would be nice to have more variety in the $200+ sets. So far they have released 10 for Star Wars, 1 for Marvel and 1 for the Lego Movie, but only 4 unlicenced, and the most recent of those was in 2013.

Part of the reason they are more expensive in the first place is because they are licensed, and not because of size or complexity.

CCC

Things don't really change that much if you put in an arbitrary piece count instead. Say 2000 pieces. You pick out mainly the same sets, plus the modulars.

HangedSanchez

I have been researching this all morning in-between actual work. Expect a long and probably dull post in a day or two. There may be graphs!

TigerMoth

CCC said:

Things don't really change that much if you put in an arbitrary piece count instead. Say 2000 pieces. You pick out mainly the same sets, plus the modulars.

It doesn't change much?

Except the complete reversal in that there are then more sets that are not licensed than those which are.

The weighting is also different. There's still a disproportionate number of Star Wars sets, but you could also say that about the modular buildings. However, a few other licensed themes creep in - Simpsons, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings. Then there are always the larger Technic flagships.

Star Wars is popular, and the film industry milk that for all it's worth. It should come as no surprise that it's reflected in the availability and popularity of LEGO sets. The theme also lends itself to such models.

legomatt

BrickDancer said:

^I didn't realize the Falcon had a leaky fluid problem to begin with? 

Yup, Reactor Leak.
Han got very used to them, just taking a few minutes to lock it down... Unless it's a large leak... very dangerous. ;o)

ARo2891

While I'm well aware of taking LBR employee information with a grain of salt, I just visited my local store to pick up a modular PR and got unsolicited confirmation of the ghostbusters HQ and the $350 price point. But she did not know anything specific about the piece count.  Just food for thought for y'all, but I know it got me substantially more excited...

Farmer_John

Wow! $350? I do like the look of it, but will have to really be impressed to part with our hard-earned cash.

Paperballpark

^ you've seen it?

ARo2891

Farmer_John said:

Wow! $350? I do like the look of it, but will have to really be impressed to part with our hard-earned cash.

I completely agree.  The inclusion of a car will be key for me honestly.  But I do have VIP points that I probably wouldn't have a hard time using on this to lower the cost to something more modular-esq

dragon114

$350 is to much 

Chubbles

I just can't justify that costing 350 unless the interiors are the best interiors we've ever seen...will probably end up grabbing a couple more cars though bc on the off chance it doesn't include the car then those things will be gold 

Paperballpark

Makes me laugh that people are saying it's too much, without even having seen it.

The same people will be kicking themselves in 10yrs time when it's retired and selling for 1.5k...

drdavewatford

Paperballpark said:

Makes me laugh that people are saying it's too much, without even having seen it.

....and it makes me laugh even more that some people have seen the picture of my Ghostbusters HQ MOC that @Huw used to illustrate his Brickset posting and they think it's the actual set!

SumoLego

^  That's not the set?

I saw it on the Internet.  The Internet said that is the set that's being produced.  The Internet is never wrong.

As an aside, wouldn't you like about 0.05% of the total sales as a royalty?  Let me know if you need some assistance with that...

Yodalicious

I will go ahead and say $350 is too much without ever having see it and stand by that, but here's why for me...

Ghostbusters just isn't a subject I'd spend $350 on at one time. I spent that much on the Death Star, but Star Wars is different to me. I also think $350 is too much for the Helicarrier. Not because it isn't worth it thanks to number of pieces, design, etc., but again because the subject isn't one I'd spend that much on in one shot. So, yes, $350 is too much for me for a Ghostbusters set...whether I've seen it or not. 

Rainstorm26

ARo2891 said:

While I'm well aware of taking LBR employee information with a grain of salt, I just visited my local store to pick up a modular PR and got unsolicited confirmation of the ghostbusters HQ and the $350 price point. But she did not know anything specific about the piece count.  Just food for thought for y'all, but I know it got me substantially more excited...

I bet that LBR employee has read this thread. 

Bumblepants

I heard it was going to be Ideas branded but I am guessing they were just speculating more than they were in the know. That would really tear the lid off the perceived limits to Ideas though.

SumoLego

^ Sounds like some Internet confusion.  The Ideas line has been draconian with the set releases and branding.

As I recall, the Helicarrier had a similar Ideas version.  I'm sure they don't want to pay the outside royalty.

dougts

Would it though ?

just because they brand it that way it doesn't change the fact that a set of that size and scale still wouldn't have been selected as part of the review process for sets getting 10,000 votes 

this set was made after a series of much smaller and less risky sets focused on movie/television/video game  IPs were market tested, including one from the same movie.  Just because they brand it Ideas doesn't tell us anything about their willingness to make a large set from an unproven thirds party IP, let alone an original creation.  

Bumblepants

^True, but until now everyone has put sets of this size and scale in the 'Never Going to Happen' category. Whenever Ideas sets are discussed comments like "It looks awesome but is way too big to ever be considered" are frequent. I am not suggesting that a 10,000 piece Rivendell suddenly seems plausible, just that the perceived cap of ~$50-60 would be greatly exceeded.

brickupdate

When it comes to Gen X nostalgia, I think the price ceiling is being removed. You have loads of 40-something people who loved Ghostbusters, The Goonies, Back the Future, and other one-off hits and would actually consider spending $300-$400 for "the ultimate" LEGO version of it. When you pair that with a "collectors after-market" mentality, nearly anything becomes possible. 

Look at how many $200+ action figures SideShow Collectibles and Hot Toys sells to the adult-fan market. 

Also, LEGO seems to be getting better at managing quantities of sets they produce w/ demand. EG: Tumblr's rollout, the fact that big sets such as Death Star & Orthanc go in and out of stock as they seem to produce more short runs. This seems to almost CREATE demand for them, as it gives them impression of "retirement" or limited access. 

Could a $350 Ghostbusters set work? Yep!

madforLEGO

brickupdate said:

When it comes to Gen X nostalgia, I think the price ceiling is being removed. You have loads of 40-something people who loved Ghostbusters, The Goonies, Back the Future, and other one-off hits and would actually consider spending $300-$400 for "the ultimate" LEGO version of it. When you pair that with a "collectors after-market" mentality, nearly anything becomes possible. 

Look at how many $200+ action figures SideShow Collectibles and Hot Toys sells to the adult-fan market. 

Also, LEGO seems to be getting better at managing quantities of sets they produce w/ demand. EG: Tumblr's rollout, the fact that big sets such as Death Star & Orthanc go in and out of stock as they seem to produce more short runs. This seems to almost CREATE demand for them, as it gives them impression of "retirement" or limited access. 

Could a $350 Ghostbusters set work? Yep!

I think it is safe to say that LEGO likely knows these are not going to sell as well as a mod for example (mostly due to that 350 USD hit to the wallet), so I'm guessing the numbers made, and numbers not bought by re-sellers are going to be somewhat low. Which may be perfectly fine to LEGO.
This set will either be a really quick set, running a production of like 6 months, or it will be like the DS and run at least for a few years, especially if the Ecto-1 is included.
Because if Ecto-1 and the figures are included (I would be a bit surprised if they were not) then technically it is more like a 300 USD set with an Ecto-1 thrown in. The set I'm guessing also likely has Janine and maybe Lewis and Slimer?

Chubbles

I would think you almost have to include the car, that'd be really strange if it didn't, I mean after all the thing is a garage.

CCC

brickupdate said:

When it comes to Gen X nostalgia, I think the price ceiling is being removed. You have loads of 40-something people who loved Ghostbusters, The Goonies, Back the Future, and other one-off hits and would actually consider spending $300-$400 for "the ultimate" LEGO version of it. When you pair that with a "collectors after-market" mentality, nearly anything becomes possible. 

What you really need at 40-somethings with cash but a lack of time. Look out for adverts "I'll pay you $100 to build my Legos GB HQ".

bluedragon

I think they may pair the HQ set with the car and encourage customers to buy both, perhaps offering a discount on the car if you buy the HQ, but it is unlikely they will just throw it in the same box.

DougTemplar

Just checking but has this been properly confirmed yet or is it still a rumour?

Chubbles

I would buy the heck out of that Goonies ship if they ever did it

drdavewatford

DougTemplar said:

Just checking but has this been properly confirmed yet or is it still a rumour?

Still a rumour.

Paperballpark

Albeit a rumour that has had some pretty hefty weight behind it...

Also, when considering the price/size element of it, and how many would sell, don't forget that any official announcement of such a set would undoubtedly get coverage on the more mainstream news sources, as well as media that caters for the 'geekier' element of society. That would in turn raise the profile of Lego even further. Especially, say, in the run up to Christmas. ;)

waynegg

Goldchains said:

Well, there is a new Ghostbusters movie coming out with all female ghostbusters soon. Is it possible that the minifigs might be these characters?  That the HQ would be a companion for the new movie to create buzz?  

Oooooooooo! Maybe it'll be a Friends style set with new mini dolls! 

yuffie

I would be surprised if the set included the car. I would have thought anyone who is interested in the set would have long since bought the car so wouldn't want two.

Captain_Eyebrow

Unless its the refit of the car from Ghostbusters 2?  The original Ecto-1 is the best in my book but I suppose its a possibility?

TigerMoth

Is there a demand for a expensive set - in pink?

Sethro3

There is another rumor from reputable sources on Eurobricks that said the Ecto-1 is NOT included...which I think is silly. Even if they mean to sell the car along side it, it still seems odd not to include it in the building.

But I know as much as Jon Snow does...

bluedragon

I don't understand why it would be silly or odd not to include the Ecto-1. I think it would be silly to include it.

I suspect most GB Lego fans have already purchased the car and might feel less inclined to buy the HQ if it came with an additional Ecto-1 as they might perceive that as a partial waste of money.

On the other hand, TLG may sell additional Ecto-1s to those buying the HQ. As I mentioned earlier, they could offer a discount if you buy both sets or some other marketing strategy to pair the two but have them as separate sets.

Including the Ecto-1, an Ideas set, might also complicate royalty calculations.

Just my opinion, of course.

TheLoneTensor

drdavewatford said:

DougTemplar said:

Just checking but has this been properly confirmed yet or is it still a rumour?

Still a rumour.

@drdavewatford could we possibly get a [rumor] tag put on this thread's title?  Please and thank you :)

Bobflip

bluedragon said:

I don't understand why it would be silly or odd not to include the Ecto-1. I think it would be silly to include it.

I suspect most GB Lego fans have already purchased the car and might feel less inclined to buy the HQ if it came with an additional Ecto-1 as they might perceive that as a partial waste of money.

On the other hand, TLG may sell additional Ecto-1s to those buying the HQ. As I mentioned earlier, they could offer a discount if you buy both sets or some other marketing strategy to pair the two but have them as separate sets.

Including the Ecto-1, an Ideas set, might also complicate royalty calculations.

Just my opinion, of course.

I can see it being slightly odd, but I prefer it this way around as well for the same reasons you've stated. Everyone has an option to be happy and buy only the bits they want. 

It *would* be odd if it didn't come with the main 4 Ghostbusters minifigs, though I'd guess they would have to be exclusives, as per the Simpsons House vs the CMFs. 

Did I read that the Staypuft Man might be included? They could have minifigs covered with molten marshmallow.

waynegg

TigerMoth said:

Is there a demand for a expensive set - in pink?

There's only one way to find out... It would definitely be a better troll than my post, apparently :P

CCC

Bobflip said:

It *would* be odd if it didn't come with the main 4 Ghostbusters minifigs, though I'd guess they would have to be exclusives, as per the Simpsons House vs the CMFs. 

Arm printing (and the new hair) would be a way of making them different to the Ecto-1 minifigs.

VorpalRyu

Bobflip said:

I can see it being slightly odd, but I prefer it this way around as well for the same reasons you've stated. Everyone has an option to be happy and buy only the bits they want. 

It *would* be odd if it didn't come with the main 4 Ghostbusters minifigs, though I'd guess they would have to be exclusives, as per the Simpsons House vs the CMFs. 

Did I read that the Staypuft Man might be included? They could have minifigs covered with molten marshmallow.

If that is from the same source as the rest of the rumour about this 4,600 piece, US$350 set... I would be filing this immediately in the circular file.

Paperballpark

^ you mean the rumour that was corroborated by Lego.com having a URL link that stated '75827 Firehouse Headquarters'? A URL that has since been removed, unsurprisingly.