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Predictions on Discontinuing Sets and their Secondary Market Value

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  • BastaBasta Member Posts: 1,259
    The Zombies were also a store exclusive in Australia (Big W). When you look at the online store avaliablity, most stores are listed as "Sold Out" or "Low Stock". I know all the stores around me went from LS to SO a few weeks ago ;)
  • wilburwilbur Member Posts: 49
    Thanks pitfall.
  • LegoFanTexasLegoFanTexas Member Posts: 8,404
    neomonkey said:

    Time Warner owns DC, not Disney.

    Ah? Hmm... Clearly my brain was out to lunch, I thought Marvel bought DC about 10 years ago.

    Must have been thinking of something else, since clearly you're right.

    So... How did LEGO get both DC and Marvel at the same time, along with permission to brand them both under "Super Heroes"?
  • y2joshy2josh Member Posts: 1,996
    edited March 2013
    ^WizKids holds licenses for both Marvel and DC properties under their HeroClix tabletop game and NECA holds licenses for both Marvel and DC in their bobbleheads and 1/4 scale figures. Fleer held both licenses in the 90's and early 2000's as well, so this isn't really unheard of.

    I'd be surprised if the companies themselves didn't recognize the synergistic potential of the brands or were opposed to sharing distributors in any way... especially given Amalgam Comics in the mid-90's.

    As to the LEGO branding, they are technically 'separate' brands of Marvel Super Heroes and DC Universe Super Heroes.
  • BanditBandit Member Posts: 889
    Well, when arguably the most respected toy company on the planet comes to me offering me cash to make toys based off my IP, I will accept that offer all day long. Especially if my biggest competitor just did the same thing.

    What is my other option? License it to a lego competitor making clearly inferior and crappy product and get my lunch handed to me in sales? Imagine if megabloks had DC while TLG had Marvel. DC would look like a joke. It would be pathetic. At least this way they're on a level playing field. I wouldn't be surprised if when one got word of the impending license, the other begged to get a license too.

    Also, Marvel is through Disney while DC is through Warner Bros., both of which already had assumedly good licensing relationships with TLG. So I would assume that helped.

    cloaked7
  • cloaked7cloaked7 Member Posts: 1,448
    edited March 2013
    Bandit said:

    Especially if my biggest competitor just did the same thing.

    What is my other option? License it to a lego competitor making clearly inferior and crappy product and get my lunch handed to me in sales? Imagine if megabloks had DC while TLG had Marvel. DC would look like a joke. It would be pathetic.

    Very astute observation. he he. LEGO the soap opera.

  • dragonhawkdragonhawk Member Posts: 633
    Megabloks has the licensing for the latest Spider-Man movie:
    http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=13080384
    Read the customer reviews for added chuckle
  • samiam391samiam391 Member Posts: 4,492
    1 star reviews on all their sets? Not many brands can have that poor of products.

    Color me impressed M***B****s.
  • jockosjunglejockosjungle Member Posts: 701
    When you pay a fortune for the licences, the quality suffers. Ever had a Kinnerton Easter Egg (UK only)?

    I suppose there is a limit on the number of licences Lego will produce, there is only finite space in shops after all. So if they release an extra five themes, stores will just reduce the lines they carry in other areas, and Lego will stop producing them.

    So more themes doesn;t increase the overall amount of lego available. where would the lego shops sell them?

  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    Diggydoes said:

    My first thought why they took it out of production was that it's somehow a "controversial"set (a graveyard with bride&groom jumping out of their coffins),maybe some parents complained about that?

    The bride doesn't jump out of the coffin. Due to the bad design, she doesn't fit.

    I'm not sure people would complain about that any way. I would imagine that most parents would have grown up knowing about The Munsters or The Addams Family. These sets have a feel similar to that (at least, to me) rather than Night of the Living Dead.
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    edited March 2013
    It's not the Zombies has the same detail as the McFarlane action figures. Besides, since my 2nd child was born (3 weeks ago) my 3.5 year old has seen her parents walk around like zombies because of lack of sleep 8/

    Oh, and when you ate in your 40's, you don't jump out of many things...you ease out or them.
    jasor
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    cloaked7 said:

    Speaking sets that quickly disappear... what happened with the last 3 Master Builder Academy kits (7-9). Lost Village, Forbidden Bridge, The Lair. You can still get sets 1-6 on lego.com, but not 7-9. Did they make fewer of 7-9 or were they a lot more popular, or both?

    My assumption was that they were merging them together like the other sets, since it had only been sold as a subscription. I do not think anyone knows for sure, though. There is a separate thread that discusses this that I just bumped yesterday morning, since someone had mentioned they were going to email Lego and ask. I think 10-12 is/was scheduled to come out on May, so I was thinking 7-9 would have to be out by then.

    As for fewer or more popular, who knows. I can say, though, 7-9 was definitely my son's favorite, and my favorite. I only wish there was any other Lego line like 7-9.

  • prevereprevere Member Posts: 2,923
    ^Were there any rare parts to 7-9 ... can these be easily duplicated with one's own inventory?
  • dragonhawkdragonhawk Member Posts: 633
    So, has #9465 the Zombies hit its price ceiling ? Right now it is comfortably hovering around $100 on eBay. Can it hit $160 (4x RRP) by September ? Has there been other $40 sets being sold for 4xRRP in the past (regardless of time after EOL) ?
  • BrickDancerBrickDancer Member Posts: 3,639
    ^Batman Tumbler #7888 RRP was $50 and current NISB price is around $500 - $600. I believe right now it holds the record for highest RRP multiple of any set for all time at 10x-12x.
  • prevereprevere Member Posts: 2,923
    edited March 2013
    ^That's a good one. Still in my dark days when that was out.

    Expanding your thought here, for any "sold in retail stores" Lego item, the Series 1 Zombie may be a candidate for recordholder. Retail $1.99. Current price $30. 15x.
  • cloaked7cloaked7 Member Posts: 1,448
    edited March 2013
    ^^ That's insane! What caused that to happen? Did LEGO only made 1,000 of them? And, with 3 exclusive minifigs? :-)

    I'd never heard of the set until your post, now I MUST have one! Why? You ask? Well, it's highly sought after, must be rare, and insanely overpriced. Hence, I simply MUST have one! I will not be denied! (just kidding)
  • prevereprevere Member Posts: 2,923
    edited March 2013
    Don't forget the sticker sheet at $100. Actually there isn't an unused one to be found on eBay or BL. So we'll say $150.
  • TheLoneTensorTheLoneTensor Member Posts: 3,937
    prevere said:

    Don't forget the sticker sheet at $100. Actually there isn't an unused one to be found on eBay or BL. So we'll say $150.

    Which sticker sheet?
  • RennyRenny Member Posts: 1,145
    I just brick linked the tumbler itself a few months back for about $75. No stickers though, which I think looks meaner without.
  • prevereprevere Member Posts: 2,923
    tensor said:

    prevere said:

    Don't forget the sticker sheet at $100. Actually there isn't an unused one to be found on eBay or BL. So we'll say $150.

    Which sticker sheet?
    Tumbler 7888.
  • dragonhawkdragonhawk Member Posts: 633
    That is crazy. What is so special about the sticker sheet, except for being part of a $500 set ?
  • jasorjasor Member Posts: 839
    Sticker sheets for
    http://www.brickset.com/detail/?set=7783-1
    are going for 25-35.00 right now. Discontinued sets people BL the parts to build their own.
  • prevereprevere Member Posts: 2,923
    New sticker sheets for old sets can be tough to get. If the box was opened, the stickers were stuck.
  • cloaked7cloaked7 Member Posts: 1,448
    edited March 2013
    dragonhawk said:

    That is crazy. What is so special about the sticker sheet, except for being part of a $500 set ?

    Crazy? Yes. But, no more crazy than paying $500 for a $50 LEGO set. :-) I think they just need to re-release the set. Then we can all get one for $50. :-) Then do the same for the UCS Millennium Falcon. Darned resellers making insane profits off of insane prices. It's all just insane! :-) Oh wait... I'm a reseller. Oops!

  • prevereprevere Member Posts: 2,923
    edited March 2013
    I don't want to rehash the re-release thing. Oh never mind, I will.

    Lego must care a tiny little bit about the value of "retired" sets if they practically never, ever re-release the exact same set. And retired sets relate to a "value" placed on the aftermarket considerations.

    The Tumbler is a perfect example of what we all crave, but yet remain deprived.

    And please don't mention the new Tumbler. It's not black and not anywhere as cool as the 7888 version.
  • BrickDancerBrickDancer Member Posts: 3,639
    ^Prices were slowly climbing leading up to the rumors of a new Tumbler. Then when pics were released of the tiny camo version, prices on ebay started exploding. It went from $250-$300 before summer and release of the movie, to where it is in 10 months. Amazing 2nd climb of prices for a set that was already at 5x-6x.
  • dragonhawkdragonhawk Member Posts: 633
    ^ Let's petition TLG to create an off white midi-scale version of Black Pearl in conjunction with the new movie. Imagine the price of #4184 once that comes out
  • BanditBandit Member Posts: 889
    BrickDancer said:

    ^Batman Tumbler #7888 RRP was $50 and current NISB price is around $500 - $600. I believe right now it holds the record for highest RRP multiple of any set for all time at 10x-12x.

    Other sets in the conversation (via eBay):

    #7255 sells for $200+ now, for a $20 msrp set (I sold one for $170 a year ago)
    #4767 $340, $30 msrp.
    #4766 $325, $30 msrp.

  • thorniethornie Member Posts: 245
    You can get all the Tumbler pieces on Lego's PAB site. I built the whole tumbler for like $80. Any one who pays $500 for it a lunatic IMHO.
  • cloaked7cloaked7 Member Posts: 1,448
    ^ @thornie The Tumbler looks like a great set. Having bought and built it, in your opinion is it worth $80?
  • Farmer_JohnFarmer_John Member Posts: 2,405
    edited March 2013
    @cloaked7 - My son and I purchased all the parts for the #7888 Tumbler from Lego and BL. You definitely cannot get all the #7888 Tumbler pieces directly from Lego. In fact, there's a windscreen piece - black - that is only in a total of 7 older Lego sets. The Tumbler requires three of them, and last I checked it was going for roughly $7/each on BL in new condition...and climbing. That's $21+ for just three pieces of the set, and that doesn't include shipping and handling. There are at least 15-20 other pieces that can't be POB'd from Lego. I also grabbed a new completed Joker vehicle from eBay for about $30 with shipping just to help complete the set.

    I think the Tumbler is worth $80 if you can piece it together for that much. It's a much nicer version than the newer, smaller one that's now on sale. In fact, my son and I liked his Black Tumbler so much we are building a MOC Tumbler for my daughter as a graduation gift. She's into Harley Quinn, so the Tumbler we are building is the same as the original...except it has red and black quarters just like Harley's suit. I noticed that black windscreens are going up quickly while I was trying to get them for Harley's tumbler.
  • Steve_J_OMSteve_J_OM Member Posts: 995
    I also Bricklinked the Tumbler on its own. Regardless of cost I had no interest in the stickers, it looks miles better without them. I made a spreadsheet of the pieces, I shared it here before but just in case anybody missed it:

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvqwZuVoToy9dDJOYldiQ1ZaNzlpWEllNzB5bG1HeHc#gid=0
  • Farmer_JohnFarmer_John Member Posts: 2,405
    ^I also did not do the stickers as I didn't recall seeing any stickers on the Tumbler in the movie either. ;-)

    Stickers are lame...
  • thorniethornie Member Posts: 245
    cloaked7 said:

    ^ @thornie The Tumbler looks like a great set. Having bought and built it, in your opinion is it worth $80?

    I actually managed to get 99% of the parts for the Tumbler using the Replacement part program. This was last spring, so I'm not sure if LEGO has since cracked down and stopped letting people use the program as a means to build old sets. Any way, I think the tumbler is a great set for 80 bucks. It's huge and it's definitely not minifig scale (neither is the new one IMO, way too small). I originally built it with the yellow pieces the instructions call for, but have since replaced those with dark grey and black for a more movie accurate version.

  • prevereprevere Member Posts: 2,923
    thornie said:

    ...so I'm not sure if LEGO has since cracked down and stopped letting people use the program as a means to build old sets.

    Has there been an indication that Lego has a problem with this?
  • thorniethornie Member Posts: 245
    prevere said:

    thornie said:

    ...so I'm not sure if LEGO has since cracked down and stopped letting people use the program as a means to build old sets.

    Has there been an indication that Lego has a problem with this?
    No. Not to my knowledge. I have seen more than a few people here complain that using the replacement program for rebuilding old sets was "abusing" the system. I've only used it twice, so I wouldn't know if TLG has an actual problem with it. I can tell you that when I called in to LEGO to complete my order, the customer rep on the phone said "Wow. You managed to lose every piece in this set!?" to which I replied "uhh.. yeah crazy huh?". :)
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    If they have a problem with it, then they can just refuse to sell the parts.
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,787
    Well with 7888 you are not just getting the tumbler, you are also getting the ice cream truck with the Joker as well.
    And there are die hard collectors that want that set. Supply and demand, while it was released I think it was part of the second line of Batman and I think too many people waited and one day it was gone..
    I think part of the issue if I am not mistaken was that the sets came out before the game. Once the game was put into Xbox 360 sets I think that is demand rose.
  • timinchicagotiminchicago Member Posts: 239
    I'm not sure about using the replacement part service, but I just used LEGO "Bricks and Pieces" to purchase the 254 fence pieces needed for #10181 Eiffel Tower. It was not at problem at all though the customer service rep did require a manager to authorized going over the 200 part limit. Furthermore I was able to get parts that were not showing up by using the "I can't find what I'm looking for?" link.
  • jasorjasor Member Posts: 839
    Speaking of Batman -- 78000. currently available. Three new minifigs, and I bet they arent repeated for a while. White Batman only sweetens that pot for later.

    The pricepoint is good, and they are selling well. Flying off the shelves here....
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    timinchicago said:

    I'm not sure about using the replacement part service, but I just used LEGO "Bricks and Pieces" to purchase the 254 fence pieces needed for #10181 Eiffel Tower. It was not at problem at all though the customer service rep did require a manager to authorized going over the 200 part limit. Furthermore I was able to get parts that were not showing up by using the "I can't find what I'm looking for?" link.

    as has been pointed out, you can get to the ordering system without ever clicking on anything that says "lost parts". Thus, I think it's silly to accuse those of using the service as "abusing the lost parts system". if lego didn't want people to order parts this way, they would either limit quantities to the amount that was in the set to begin with, limit total order quantity, or some other change. As it stands, while they clearly aren't going out of their way to promote the availability of this "extended pick a brick" ordering option, they are allowing it and know full well people are using it for a lot more than replacement parts. As we all know so well, they will have no problem discontinuing it if they see it as a problem. my guess is with the premium they are charging for the pieces, it's a nice profit center, even with manual picking involved.

    forumreadermadforLEGO
  • timinchicagotiminchicago Member Posts: 239
    One other difference about ordering from "Bricks and Pieces" (as opposed to "Pick-a-Brick"), you do not get VIP points.
  • cloaked7cloaked7 Member Posts: 1,448
    ^^^ @jasor You mean set #76000 ?
  • monkeyhangermonkeyhanger Member Posts: 3,169
    I ordered plenty of parts from the lost parts service for my UCS MF. Mainly these were parts that were disproportionately expensive via bricklink.

    Lego didn't care in the slightest I was using this service, they were charging me for its use. To abuse the missing parts from a new set scheme for which TLG supply parts for free is wrong, but to use a service that charges you is fine - it is likely that bitter bricklink sellers have most issue with us obtaining parts more cheaply form TLG than from them.

    TLG reps were very helpful in aquiring UCS MF parts, suggesting new variants rather than simply saying "that part does not exist anymore".
  • paul_mertonpaul_merton Member Posts: 2,967
    Is #21016 Sungnyemun already discontinued? Can't see it for sale anywhere in the UK.
  • JamesJTJamesJT Member Posts: 440
    edited March 2013
    21016 is long gone. It is still available from a few bricklink US suppliers. There are a few on ebay UK for 2x rrp.
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,787
    timinchicago said:

    One other difference about ordering from "Bricks and Pieces" (as opposed to "Pick-a-Brick"), you do not get VIP points.

    And sometimes pieces are more expensive than even PaB I believe. But you only pay 2.95 for shipping regardless of the order size if I am not mistaken.
    So there are pluses and minuses to it..
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,787
    paul_merton said:

    Is #21016 Sungnyemun already discontinued? Can't see it for sale anywhere in the UK.

    It was listed on LEGO [email protected] as 'retiring soon' about 30 days ago.
  • tategoitategoi Member Posts: 19
    Anyone read the article on Lego in Bloomberg published yesterday? Lego had toppled Mattel as the most valuable toymaker. It manufactured 45.7 billion bricks last year and enjoyed a healthy 71 pct gross margin.
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