10212 Imperial Shuttle - Mint box nearly impossible?

Comments

• LegoFanTexas Member Posts: 8,404

  September 2012

  I agree, this set was put into the wrong box. It is a rare case of an actually full box, and the box itself is way, way too thin.
  
  This set comes with 4 instruction manuals, but it deserves the DS and SSD manual treatment, a single spiral bound manual, with the parts in 3 white boxes, like the SSD is. It also deserves the SSD box size.
  
  I can tell you, since I've deboxed a SSD for overseas shipment, the contents of the SSD, including the manual, fit into a IS box. It is a tight fit, but fit they do. The actual volume of parts of the SSD is not that much greater than the IS.
  
  The IS is one of the most under appreciated current sets, it is a bargain for $259.

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• momof2boys99 Member Posts: 322

  September 2012

  cbaker1974 said:

  Rant time :)
  
  I love the #10212 Imperial Shuttle model, it may be my favorite UCS set (I always liked the Bad Guys better in Star Wars). I've ordered multiples of this set from Amazon, Target, and TRU and in all 9 cases the box has been beat to heck. The main problem is that the cardboard for this set is way too thin for the weight of the contents, such that it sags in the middle if you hold it out flat, or if you store it upright the contents put a lot of pressure on the end of the box (I've had a sealed box just spill open when lifting it). Even if I had a MISB set, I don't think I could guarantee it would make it out to someone still mint...even the packing materials potentially would press against the flimsy box and cause some damage.
  
  I'm just really surprised that Lego would use such flimsy material for one of the most expensive UCS sets...my #7066 Alien Conquest Earth Defense HQ is like a concrete vault in comparison!
  
  As a result, I'd say that mint sets are going to fetch a huge premium at EOL...so far buying direct at the Lego store is the only way I've been able to get one, and more often than not they have a damaged box one for sale at discount.

  You need to go to my box thread that I started. I have the same problem. This is one of my sets that never comes in mint condition. I feel your pain.

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• BrickEnvy Member Posts: 23

  September 2012

  Just give me time =)

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• Renny Member Posts: 1,145

  September 2012

  I have a few which I think are in pretty good condition so it is possible but I agree, that the box could definitely have been bigger (or just a little deeper like the Tower Bridge box) and made of a little thicker stock.

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• LegoFanTexas Member Posts: 8,404

  September 2012

  BrickEnvy said:

  Just give me time =)

  Of all the sets that actually could use those clear cases, this is indeed one of them...
  
  If I wanted to keep that set in mint condition for 10 years, it might well need to be sealed in a case.

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• AnthonyC173 Member Posts: 101

  September 2012

  that rare moment when the box is too small instead of too big

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• y2josh Member Posts: 1,996

  September 2012

  I pretty much gave up on getting a mint box on this set after about five rounds of returns with Amazon. Even in physical stores it's difficult to find a box in good shape. As others have said, it's a rare case of the box actually being full, and it's just too heavy for what the box can support. I have a couple very good looking boxes, but none of them are in perfect shape.

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• dougts Member Posts: 4,110

  September 2012

  ive gotten 3 never opened cases of these (2/case) hand picked up from the lego store. every box inside shows stress

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• DvE Member Posts: 6

  September 2012 edited September 2012

  I actually got one in mint condition from Amazon.it on sale (below 200 euro's) in a mint box about 2 months ago. It was packed just as S@H packs it: Thick box with lots of airbags.
  
  Since I'm a builder I did open the box but saved it neatly :)

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• mountebank Member Posts: 1,237

  September 2012

  Gosh, it looks like I've been lucky with the ones I've received although come to think of it, the boxes did seem to be bulging and inadequate (oo-er missus).
  
  This thread is a useful reminder not to store any of them on their sides or ends.

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• Godspeed Member Posts: 14

  September 2012

  Does anyone have a crushed/opened box 10212 they're interested in selling for a discount? Just thought I'd try my luck as I'm looking for one to build.

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• Gavin83 Member Posts: 251

  September 2012

  I ordered one in the recent Amazon.it sales and it's near perfect. As DvE said they used airbags and the Amazon box was thick and protective as always. Like DvE I also built mine but the box is still in amazing condition.

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• Legoboy Member Posts: 8,827

  September 2012

  My IS box is in great shape - came from S@H. It is stored on its side along with all of my other sets. However, to prevent bulging, the sets are packed tightly up against each other. I guess it simulates the same way they are shipped out from the factory to S@H or brand stores - in qualities of 2 or 3 sandwiched together in a sturdy box.

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• SirKevbags Member Posts: 4,027

  September 2012

  Mine is a bit shabby but I had no intention of encasing it in plastic.

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• bellybutton290 Member Posts: 453

  September 2012

  I "had" what I would consider a mint box. I then dented it while moving it into my loft. I was a little gutted about it before, but reading this thread I now feel a little worse as it seems I "was" fortunate to have had a rare excellent condition box.

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