Predictions on Discontinuing Sets and their Secondary Market Value

Zacherano · July 2013

There seems to be wide agreement on various Lego sites that #9472 is one of the best sets in the entire Lord of the Rings line. Unfortunately, TLG seems to have retired it barely a year after its May 2012 release.

I invite my fellow Brickset forum users to speculate on the inauspicious disappearance of this set, which will likely be followed closely by the other 2012 LOTR sets. Two others are listed as retiring soon on the USA Lego shop site. #9472 is not even available directly from Amazon anymore. Even #9516 Jabba's Palace has retained the standard sale length for licensed themes - two years, despite the whole absurd Hagia Sophia fiasco.

For those who have the set, why do you like it (or not)?

I am looking for one myself, so if anyone has found a particularly good deal, please respond or PM me.

@rocao - corrected set number

hoyatables · July 2013

Check and see if Toys R us still has it.

EKSam · July 2013

Pointing him/her in the direction of the predictions thread should be enough, there's no need to say the other stuff. Just my opinion.:-)

Pitfall69 · July 2013

I have said this a million times. FB is much more than a stand alone set. The parts are awesome for MOC's. If you can get one on sale, it is a no brainer. I have a few and I'm going to pip open another one soon just for parts.

CircleK · July 2013

^^ I think most of the modulars fall in this category. $149.99 USD for 2K worth of parts is really a pretty good deal. Especially when you consider the types of blocks you get with these sets.

It's the kind of deal I'm afraid wont last much longer.

Legofanscott · July 2013

Its still pretty widely available in the UK at the moment

Renny · July 2013

TC, you can still find them for retail on the US Toys r Us website.

FollowsClosely · July 2013

^ That is the main reason I still have a huge stack of FB in my storage. If anything they will be parts packs soon.

CCC · July 2013

Zacherano said:
There seems to be wide agreement on various Lego sites that #9472 is one of the best sets in the entire Lord of the Rings line. Unfortunately, TLG seems to have retired it barely a year after its May 2012 release.

In my opinion, the popularity is down to the minifigs rather than the set as a whole. Well, not the minifigs, but just the Ringwraiths and their horses.

LeGeneGo · July 2013

Buyers in my region start stockpiling #10197 now

FollowsClosely · July 2013

LeGeneGo said:
Buyers in my region start stockpiling #10197 now

Buyers in my region have been stockpiling #10197 since 2010.

TheLoneTensor · July 2013

LeGeneGo said:
Buyers in my region start stockpiling #10197 now

Is this a decree you are laying out to the buyers in your region? Should this have instead been a personal message to the Lego cabal in your region? I need to know if I am in your region, if I am in your secret society and if I should start stockpiling #10197 now. I need to know!

graphite · July 2013

Maybe that statement was actually a code directed at only the people that are in the know. Could be a key phrase for some sort of cipher =)

LeGeneGo · July 2013

Apologize for misleading you. What I mean buyers = parallel goods traders/grey goods traders who get Lego cargo from Euro or US. They are local retail sellers in fact. I heard Euro traders refuse to accept #10197 order recently. Anyway, I cannot prove this is 100% true or if there are insiders already know production of FB is being ceased. You may consider this is another silly rumor but I was told by two individual shops today they are stopping to sell FB at this moment of time. Of course I can still get it in Toyrus or other big retailers but it will cost us 30% higher than what you buy the same in US.......

Pitfall69 · July 2013

I don't know about you guys, but I have enough FB's for now. The only way that I am going to buy anymore is if there is a HUGE sale or when Lego S@H is officially sold out and we see an Amazon countdown just like we did with the Imperial Shuttle.

prevere · July 2013

^I miss countdowns. It's been a long time since we've had a good one.

cloaked7 · July 2013

I miss Firefly. If they had only let that show run for several more seasons! I also miss romantic walks on the beach. Just don't tell my wife! :-)

Legofanscott · July 2013

Being tempted by the recent discount on 9398 on Amazon UK and with the upcoming release of 41999, which does everyone think is the better buy:

The IMO better looking, cheaper 9398 or the (supposedly) limited more expensive 41999?

:D

FollowsClosely · July 2013

I would rather have #41999, but the price of #9398 is a safer bet. I have my doubts about how exclusive #41999 really will be.

TheLoneTensor · July 2013

I don't think either are a safe bet for great return, mostly because regardless of the body, as an RC car, the functional model, well...sucks.

#9398 is a nice set, was a hell of a build, and I'm sure both it and the "exclusive" version will appreciate to some degree, but it isn't nearly as sexy as the other, highly-rated Technic flagships: Motorized Excavator #8043, Bulldozer #8275 or Unimog #8110. When the new Mobile Crane #42009 comes out, it'll be pounded into mediocrity. Heck, I even enjoyed the Logging Truck #9397 more than I did the Crawler.

FollowsClosely · July 2013

^ I very much enjoyed the build, but I played with it for a few minuets and got bored.

graphite · July 2013

^ same here. Build was great, but it is way too slow and isn't weighted well enough to "crawl" over much. It flipped over backwards trying to go up a small pile of laundry.

Gavin83 · July 2013

Legofanscott said:
Being tempted by the recent discount on 9398 on Amazon UK and with the upcoming release of 41999, which does everyone think is the better buy:

The IMO better looking, cheaper 9398 or the (supposedly) limited more expensive 41999?

:D

Depends. For the personal collection the 9398 due to the better price. For reselling the 41999 as it will likely be worth more in the long run for the limited numbers, especially as they both have the same RRP.

TheLoneTensor · July 2013

Gavin83 said:

Legofanscott said:
Being tempted by the recent discount on 9398 on Amazon UK and with the upcoming release of 41999, which does everyone think is the better buy:

The IMO better looking, cheaper 9398 or the (supposedly) limited more expensive 41999?

:D
Depends. For the personal collection the 9398 due to the better price. For reselling the 41999 as it will likely be worth more in the long run for the limited numbers, especially as they both have the same RRP.

The only thing I write about that is that #9398 again, is a crappy RC model. If you (anyone considering buying it) is content with an enjoyable build and a decent looking model, great. If you're expecting a really good car that you will have lots of fun operating, know that it isn't that. This is why I don't think it will appreciate all that well.

CupIsHalfEmpty · July 2013

#41999 also has LED headlights and a Winch for the same MSRP as #9398.

I want to build one of the models, and I currently have a sealed 9398 that I picked up from Amazon UK. But I'm thinking of selling it and buying #41999 to open and build. I can't decide which model will be better to buy/build/display/sell. Should I fork out the extra cash to buy #41999 and sell #9398?

Legofanscott · July 2013

tensor said:
I don't think either are a safe bet for great return, mostly because regardless of the body, as an RC car, the functional model, well...sucks.

#9398 is a nice set, was a hell of a build, and I'm sure both it and the "exclusive" version will appreciate to some degree, but it isn't nearly as sexy as the other, highly-rated Technic flagships: Motorized Excavator #8043, Bulldozer #8275 or Unimog #8110. When the new Mobile Crane #42009 comes out, it'll be pounded into mediocrity. Heck, I even enjoyed the Logging Truck #9397 more than I did the Crawler.

I love the bulldozer!, again i got into Lego too late to buy that one, i love the way that the dozer blade is made out of studded parts, its a shame lego wouldnt make more models with a mixture of technic parts and studded lego parts, looks alot nicer that way

cloaked7 · July 2013

The speed (or lack of) on the crawler. It is a crawler, so I don't suppose it should burn rubber, but I've seen individually built RC cars built with LEGOS that were fast! An individual can do it, so why doesn't LEGO?

Legofanscott · July 2013

Had it been as fast as an HPI savage i think it wouldve been a good model :P

JamesJT · July 2013

You can swap 2 cogged wheels on the crawler (you have to do the same to both ends) and it goes much faster but then doesn't have the torque to climb.

£99 is a great price for #9398, you could probably part it out on ebay and make a nice profit.

nkx1 · July 2013

cloaked7 said:
The speed (or lack of) on the crawler. It is a crawler, so I don't suppose it should burn rubber, but I've seen individually built RC cars built with LEGOS that were fast! An individual can do it, so why doesn't LEGO?

Maybe they like to set expectations low (such as with #9398), and then people will be really thrilled with an improved set. Lego may make twice as much money that way.

cloaked7 · July 2013

^ So true. A lot of the satisfication, or frustration, with life is with expectations. I'm working on publishing my 'zero expectation theory'. I'll let you know when I'm finished. But, you're forewarned - don't expect much! :-)

graphite · July 2013

JamesJT said:
You can swap 2 cogged wheels on the crawler (you have to do the same to both ends) and it goes much faster but then doesn't have the torque to climb.

Do you know which parts offhand need to be swapped? I did the same for the rescue helicopter because the rotor was too slow.

JamesJT · July 2013

Book 1 part 48. Swap the black one (on the end of the motor) with the tan one below.

Gavin83 · July 2013

tensor said:
The only thing I write about that is that #9398 again, is a crappy RC model. If you (anyone considering buying it) is content with an enjoyable build and a decent looking model, great. If you're expecting a really good car that you will have lots of fun operating, know that it isn't that. This is why I don't think it will appreciate all that well.

Personally for me I get enjoyment from building, I don't really play with my sets much so it's probably perfect for me.

Will it be successful in the aftermarket? Up for debate. It'll either go for a little above RRP or it'll sell out quickly, catch everyone out and go for mega money. I guess we'll need to wait a few months to see for sure. I doubt most would agree that the #41999 will command a higher price in the aftermarket of the two though. Most people seem to consider it a better looking version, it has some extra features, the same RRP and of course it's limited edition.

I'll be picking up a few. If they don't sell for much I'll just build one, I don't yet own a #9398 but I've been meaning to pick one up for a while.

In all honestly though it has nothing on the mobile crane.

Diggydoes · July 2013

I'm absolutely not into Technic at all but have you guys seen the Box from #41999? I guess thanks to this awesome box that make you feel you own something special it will command a nice aftermarket-price! The set also contains unique(?)silver pieces and each one is individually numbered (license plate)so i guess there is no doubt that the Limited Edition will fetch a better price than the original version!

TheLoneTensor · July 2013

Diggydoes said:
I'm absolutely not into Technic at all but have you guys seen the Box from #41999? I guess thanks to this awesome box that make you feel you own something special it will command a nice aftermarket-price! The set also contains unique(?)silver pieces and each one is individually numbered (license plate)so i guess there is no doubt that the Limited Edition will fetch a better price than the original version!

Yeah, there's no doubt that this version is better than #9398 in many ways. Unfortunately, unless they changed the gearing and added a second battery pack, there won't be much improvement in performance. In any event, kudos to Lego for offering it at the same RRP.

Dougout · July 2013

#41999 is extremely disappointing to me. TLG could have chosen from a number of models for their limited edition set, yet they chose to do a crumby RC truck when there is already a practically identical one available. Two thumbs down to TLG for this one. If it wasn't for the low price and large amount of resellers I would bet it sells far less than #10179.

Legofanscott · July 2013

Dougout said:
#41999 is extremely disappointing to me. TLG could have chosen from a number of models for their limited edition set, yet they chose to do a crumby RC truck when there is already a practically identical one available. Two thumbs down to TLG for this one. If it wasn't for the low price and large amount of resellers I would bet it sells far less than #10179.

Comparing it to 10179 in terms of price yes its low, but in the world of technic its an expensive set.

Its going to be the same price as the new crane here in the UK(i think) which has more parts, looks a million times better and its fuctions look way more fun.

If i was a kid again i know which one id want :)

Dougout · July 2013

^Yes, that's the main problem. I was in the lego store two days ago and checked out the #42008 and #42009. They are excellent models, especially the crane, and they blow #41999 out of the water.

#41999 will have 1600 pieces and #42009 has 2600, an extra 1,000 pieces for $20 (USD) more. I understand the power functions cost a bit of money, but like you said $200 is expensive for a technic set and you just don't get enough with #41999.

gmpirate · July 2013

^ Ugh, such a pain to have to constantly click links to know what you guys are talking about :P

Pitfall69 · July 2013

It's ok. Technic. I'm going back to the guidelines thread.

pvancil27 · July 2013

Pitfall69 said:
It's ok. Technic. I'm going back to the guidelines thread.

I think I killed it.

Pitfall69 · July 2013

I bumped another thread. Enjoy ;)

Legofanscott · July 2013

Pitfall69 said:
I bumped another thread. Enjoy ;)

You trying to annoy everyone like Jar Jar does?

:P

Pitfall69 · July 2013

No, I actually bumped a thread that was similar to a new thread that was posted today. This way we don't keep repeating the same conversations.

Legofanscott · July 2013

Pitfall69 said:
No, I actually bumped a thread that was similar to a new thread that was posted today. This way we don't keep repeating the same conversations.

Another free bump on the house :D

Renny · July 2013

I think this is the last thread that needs a bump :)

Gavin83 · July 2013

Dougout said:
#41999 is extremely disappointing to me. TLG could have chosen from a number of models for their limited edition set, yet they chose to do a crumby RC truck when there is already a practically identical one available. Two thumbs down to TLG for this one. If it wasn't for the low price and large amount of resellers I would bet it sells far less than #10179.

Lego didn't choose the model though, it was a public vote. If you dislike the choice of model you only have the general population to blame!