2018 advent Calendars available now at Argos- are they worth it?

Coyotelily

just having a quick browse and note that argos now have all 3 advent calendars on their site but wait for this...…..

the friends one is now £22.99 (last years £19.99) and has no mini dolls in at all

City one also now £22.99 I think that had 5 minifigures and the obligatory snowman

star wars £24.99 with 6 figures and 2 droids but nothing that smacks as a star wars character in Santa guise unless you count a snowman with a rebel helmet as seasonal!

don't think i'll bother with these this year- what does everyone else think?

LostInTranslation

The Friends one has no minidolls but (in my opinion) much more interesting and Christmassy models this year. I don't tend to buy anything at RRP unless I have vouchers of some kind but it's usually pretty easy to find things at least 20% off. I will probably try to pick up the Friends one if I see it with a reasonable discount.

Edit - Argos site says it's limited stock and currently unavailable. And looking at the models again, I actually think it's well worth £20. I may end up buying multiples for parts or for Christmas stocking fillers for family! 

Coyotelily

I agree that the mini builds are better than usual in the friends one but I always thought lego extremely tight to only include 2 mini dolls when the city one had so many more minifigs for the same price. to increase the price and not include any dolls is just a bit too cheeky imo.

LostInTranslation

Minidoll sets always include fewer figures in comparison to minifigure sets of comparable size (I don't agree with that practice but it no longer surprises me). Even the Lego magazine "free" gifts don't (ever?) include minidolls but regularly include minifigs.

In this case the models aren't minidoll size so it doesn't make sense to include any. I really like that they've got proper seasonal builds, most of which have a hook for hanging on a tree. I actually think this Friends Advent calendar might be a really big hit and as I know I want it, might pick it up early even if I can't find it discounted. (I do love Christmas anyway :-)) 

LostInTranslation

Sorry for double post, ran out of edit time.

Lego advent calendars have been in a rut for a while I think, and the Friends one is a welcome shake-up from the sameyness they've all suffered from over the last 5 years or so - we last had different themes in 2009/2010 with Pirates & Kingdoms.

It was this monotony of subject matter that led to the Alternative Advent Calendar Competition run by Brickset last year, or was it the year before? There were some brilliant ideas and well executed designs put forward there. 

Maybe TLG also got encouraging feedback from the 24 in 1 Build up calendars the last two years, and the AFOL survey on ideas for gifts with purchase. Also, maybe they've seen how many people love Chris McVeigh's Lego Christmas decorations and decided they need a piece of the market.

I hope it's a sign of things to come! Next year: advent calendars with Star Wars or Harry Potter tree decorations please! 

TheOriginalSimonB

^ Actually the magazines have had minidolls a few times.  I can think of two that just has a normal polybag as the freebie and one with Mia ans skateboard in a blister pack.

milamber

Last year Argos has them on 3 for 2 at some point nearer Christmas which made them slightly better value. The City one was quite good, but not worth anywhere near £22.99 in my opinion

Wookie2

The City & Friends prices must have been a recent increase as they were £19.99 each when the 3 for 2 offer started.

Brainslugged

Boots also had a 3 for 2 on their limited toy stock before Xmas last year. They had all the Lego calendars though.

truck730

When argos puts a decent price there'll be no stock