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Winter Village theme

Mr_PogleMr_Pogle Member Posts: 13
in Collecting
Whilst waiting for this years 10235 WV Market, I noticed that it is shown on TLG's website as being an 'Exclusive'. This got me thinking, were the first 4 WV sets 'Exclusives'? Now my reason for posting here, if the first 4 were Exclusives, which I believe means they are only available through TLG's website or retail stores, how can they now be available in other (non Lego) retail stores? If this is the case, I feel they've lost some of their 'Exclusiveness' and maybe they'd be more accurately advertised as 'Exclusive, unless TLG can't sell them all'. Or am I just seeing it differently to everyone else!
I also feel that Lego's 'Hard to Find' sets are wrongly advertised when they're available from Argos! I think Argos have about 60+ times the amount of retail stores more than TLG in the UK ...... and the sets are classified as 'Hard to Find'!
Like I said earlier, it's probably just me.... but i'm interested to know if anyone else thinks this way.

Mr Pogle
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Comments

  • Captain_EyebrowCaptain_Eyebrow Member Posts: 177
    I would tend to agree with you about sets being available elsewhere than just a Brand Store/TLG on-line or prevents them from being exclusive.

    My memory seems to recall that John Lewis were stocking the Winter Village Toy Shop the year after it was released. By that I mean the same year that the Bakery was the exclusive. I don't recall for sure if the patten was repeated after that but I suspect it was.

    I don't know how that makes things stand on the 'exclusive' front.
  • fitzyfitzfitzyfitz Member Posts: 94
    Exclusives are whatever TLG say they are. The modular buildings, for example, are all Exclusives but always end up being available through Amazon and high street stores eventually.
  • SPJSPJ Member Posts: 41
    edited August 2013
    ^^^I agree. Generally speaking I'm not that bothered about getting sets as soon as they're released, I'm happy to wait a while and get them when they're discounted elsewhere. If they are exclusives I'll wait until double points time or sometimes I'll jump in if there's a free gift that I want.

    My current wish list has 14 sets on it, 9 of which are currently exclusive. The tricky bit is trying to second guess what will remain exclusive and what will (after a period of time) appear for sale in other stores. I haven't been very successful with this second guessing so far, it would be good if I could improve my hit rate.
  • Mr_PogleMr_Pogle Member Posts: 13
    So realistically, TLG can say they're exclusive and then decide that they're not as and when it suits them! I'm guessing there's always going to be a certain 'clause' in the small print that gives them the right to change the rules or just move the goal posts whenever they decide to. I'm sure they're not the only large company to use this marketing 'ploy'!
    Anyway, that's my rant over, I now know to take the wording of 'exclusive' with a very large pinch of salt, something I suppose I knew deep down.

  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,270
    ^ I think they're exclusive until TLG says they're not!

    They're always exclusive to begin with.
  • sschmotzsschmotz Member Posts: 25
    Not on topic but I think it would be cool to see a WV train set next year. They could definitely make one in the price range of the other WV sets and do it up like the LR set with track, just with the winter look going on. It would really tie the buildings together well.
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,270
    ^ They've already done one. I for on wouldn't want a WV train.
  • prevereprevere Member Posts: 2,923
    Exclusive is just a marketing word.
  • sweetness34sweetness34 Member Posts: 417
    Paperballpark said:

    ^ They've already done one. I for on wouldn't want a WV train.

    It would be nice for those that missed it the first time around. Maybe in addition to a new WV set at the same time could work.
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    oh not the re-release debate again....
    Pitfall69
  • HardradaHardrada Member Posts: 439
    Paperballpark said:

    ^ They've already done one. I for on wouldn't want a WV train.

    It was not WV officially. Also it was available long before the AFOL (and general LEGO) boom. It's great they already did one but a huge majority of their customers collecting the WV series probably doesn't have it and can't buy it at affordable prices.

    I think a WW train is quite inevitable. It seems to be a common sentiment after all that a winter village needs a cutesy small station and a steamer. In my opinion it will come sooner or later. The main thing working against it is the need to hit a certain price point which would be hard with a station + train combo, especially if the train is motorised and/if a full circle of track is included.
    LegoMom1
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,270
    I don't think it's inevitable at all. I think there is a distinct 'market' for LEGO trains, which TLG probably take into account when releasing train sets.

    I absolutely do not think that market is the same as the market for the winter village sets, and I believe TLG would probably alienate at least half the WV market if they were to release a WV train set. Therefore I'd be very surprised if they did.

    As for the 'it wasn't a WV set' argument, that's just splitting hairs. It was very clearly a 'winter train', whether or not it was actually called a 'Winter Village Train'.
  • sweetness34sweetness34 Member Posts: 417
    I would buy the train and WV train station in two separate sets if they release them that way.
    LegoMom1
  • HardradaHardrada Member Posts: 439
    Paperballpark said:

    I don't think it's inevitable at all. I think there is a distinct 'market' for LEGO trains, which TLG probably take into account when releasing train sets.

    I absolutely do not think that market is the same as the market for the winter village sets, and I believe TLG would probably alienate at least half the WV market if they were to release a WV train set. Therefore I'd be very surprised if they did.

    As for the 'it wasn't a WV set' argument, that's just splitting hairs. It was very clearly a 'winter train', whether or not it was actually called a 'Winter Village Train'.

    Why would a train alienate WV fans? It's probably the most common wish / request. Lots of buyers seem to want to put a circle of track with a steam train on it around their Christmas tree or into their winter display. It's not the same market as the hardcore train fans. So I just don't get how that would 'offend' buyers.

    And TLG does release trains outside their Trains theme very often.
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    I have to agree with hardrada. I really have 0 interest in trains. On the flip, I felt strongly enough about my winter village needing a train that I bought 3 of the mini trains last year around the holiday, so I could make a larger train.
    (Then was very frustrated, because they messed up my order, and while I had one from the store, they only sent me one additional train, and not two.)
    I would buy a winter train in a heart beat.

    I do not think this is inevitable, though.

  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,270
    edited August 2013
    Hardrada said:

    Why would a train alienate WV fans? It's probably the most common wish / request.

    I agree with you, it's the most common request by AFOLs on forums such as this. However, that is not the same thing as being a common request from the general LEGO-buying public.

    I think we can get very insular here sometimes, thinking that our own little world is the be-all and end-all of what everyone wants. It isn't, there's a big wide world out there with a lot of LEGO buyers who don't frequent forums such as this.
    Hardrada said:

    Lots of buyers seem to want to put a circle of track with a steam train on it around their Christmas tree or into their winter display.

    Again, lots of buyers on here want that. It's absolutely not the same thing as a family going into the LEGO store and the mother saying "oh look at that cottage/bakery/post office, that would go well with our [non-LEGO] winter display." and then buying it. I can't see those kind of buyers saying the same thing about a train set, even if it was winter-themed.

    A train set is - like it or not - seen primarily as a male toy. Not a family toy. It'll be the same with LEGO trains - male set, not a family one. Therefore as a theme that LEGO obviously want to sell to families for the holidays, doing a train set as a Winter Village set would, I imagine, be a non-starter.
  • GrogallGrogall Member Posts: 159
    edited August 2013
    Actually it's like this, For the first three month it will be an exclusive to S@H and LEGO brand stores, then it will be a Hard to Find for walmart and TrU,
    then by October of next year it will be available to all other retailers.

    and since I just build it, I can only say its a great set!!!!

    image
    rocaoindigoboxcaperberryEKSamevantyler
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,270
    Thanks for the image @Grogall! :)

    Do you have any thoughts as to whether TLG are likely to do a Winter Village Train set or not?
  • margotmargot Member Posts: 2,308
    edited August 2013
    Paperballpark said:


    A train set is - like it or not - seen primarily as a male toy. Not a family toy. It'll be the same with LEGO trains - male set, not a family one. Therefore as a theme that LEGO obviously want to sell to families for the holidays, doing a train set as a Winter Village set would, I imagine, be a non-starter.

    As a female and someone who buys for a family, I would buy a WV train. Bought a Polar Express Train a few years ago for Christmas. Have purchased a Hogwart's Express and a Maersk Train (for myself) and I'm sure thousands of dollars of Thomas and Brio. I'm not sure that I agree with your assessment. Even if trains are preferred by males it's probably mostly moms that are buying them for the kiddos.... and trust me, a WV train would appeal to moms.
    LegoMom1
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    I don't dislike the set, but every time I look at it I find myself saying "That's a $100 set?!? Really!?!" Looks more like $70 or $80 to me.
  • GrogallGrogall Member Posts: 159
    Well, since 10173 Holiday Train never really sold well. I would doubt it. but you never know!?
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    ^ fair point, but a lot of things from that 2006/2007 era never really sold well at the time, but were kind of the "launch point" for a renewed AFOL interest and AFOL-targeted sets, which have taken off since that time.

    I suspect a new WV Train would sell better that the 10173 did at the time - likely a lot better. Enough to make it worth doing in place of some other WV structure? Who knows...
  • Mr_PogleMr_Pogle Member Posts: 13
    Forgive my ignorance here, but is 10173 the set that is the "is it, or isn't it"a WV set? Or was it a different set?
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,270
    @Mr_Pogle yes #10173 is the set that's being talked about.
  • sschmotzsschmotz Member Posts: 25
    dougts said:

    I don't dislike the set, but every time I look at it I find myself saying "That's a $100 set?!? Really!?!" Looks more like $70 or $80 to me.

    I think the same thing when I look at it. It doesn't feel like it has anything substantial enough to justify the price.

  • LegoFanTexasLegoFanTexas Member Posts: 8,404
    I agree the upcoming set doesn't look like a $100 set, but frankly the price point of LEGO has changed and we're all still getting used to it. :(

    Welcome to the new normal...
  • Steve_J_OMSteve_J_OM Member Posts: 999
    I genuinely laughed out loud upon seeing the box art posted by @grogall. Look at the guy giving the girl a present, there is a very jealous female in the background!
    dougts
  • LegoMom1LegoMom1 Member Posts: 651
    @Hardrada said- It was not WV officially. Also it was available long before the AFOL (and general LEGO) boom. It's great they already did one but a huge majority of their customers collecting the WV series probably doesn't have it and can't buy it at affordable prices.

    Do you have a ref # to look it up. I don't think I know which one it is. I'd love to see it. Thanks.
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,270
    edited August 2013
    @LegoMom1 it's #10173.

    @LegoFanTexas we're just getting old, that's all it is! Oh and inflation. I still look at Mars Bars and can't believe they're priced at 69p now - 12 years ago they were 28p! Same with Cadburys' Creme Eggs - 55p this year, back at the turn of the century you could buy them for 20 - 25p.

    I generally think it's a rip off, but it's not - it's just inflation. That doesn't stop me thinking "huh, I'm not paying THAT price" about them though, and I suspect it's the same with LEGO. It's probably roughly the same price now in relation to other goods as it ever was, we just think it's more expensive. Of course it doesn't help that we can easily compare new sets to older sets that came out 3 or 4 years ago (which haven't increased with inflation) - would Winter Village Bakery really be £50 if it came out this year? No, it would be £55 because of inflation.
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,270
    Remember when we were young and granddad said "it's a disgrace the price of stuff these days"? or when he reminisced about the price of something or other: "I remember when eggs were tuppence a pack!" and we all rolled our eyes and said "yes grandpa..."? That's us now. We're the ones who remember, and it's the same as it's always been. ;)
  • mountebankmountebank Member Posts: 1,237
    Mind you, they definitely are allowing children to wear uniforms and pretend to be policemen/women.
  • rchaddrchadd Member Posts: 187
    I remember 18p Mars bars! :(
  • HemelHemel Member Posts: 36
    I'm actually in the middle of Bricklinking 10173....need to motorize it (PF) and have it ready for Christmas!!

  • LegoMom1LegoMom1 Member Posts: 651
    Thanks @Paperballpark- Now I remember it. At the time, I did really want a Lego train for around the tree, but I was put off by the color of this one. The engine and caboose looked great, but those white cars! Why did they have to do them in white? It just didn't look right to me. Unfortunately, at that time I wasn't aware or thinking about changing out the color bricks I didn't like. :( If I had been, that train would now be a proud member of our annual Christmas display.
  • 12651265 Member Posts: 1,165
    Grogall said:

    Well, since 10173 Holiday Train never really sold well. I would doubt it. but you never know!?

    Agree..but the market has shifted since than. I bought five of those sets at $40 each online when TLG discounted them.

  • ColoradoBricksColoradoBricks Member Posts: 1,659
    I think I am sometimes dyslexic, for a few post, I though the WV Train would look great beside the Volkswagen Camper and the Beetle, oh well :)

    Anyhow, would love a train and/or station very much for the Winter display.
  • rchaddrchadd Member Posts: 187
    a WV Train and station would be great addition to the series.
  • rchaddrchadd Member Posts: 187
    This WV cuusoo project looks good!

    http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/16279
    indigobox
  • klatu003klatu003 Member Posts: 729
    @ColoradoBricks You weren't the only dyslexic looking at that WV as VW :-)
  • LegoMom1LegoMom1 Member Posts: 651
    @Paperballpark said:
    @LegoMom1 it's #10173.

    I see the ref # had already been posted 4 times when I asked for it. I hadn't read the complete thread prior to my question. As a WV fan, I just had to know what train was being discussed. Thanks for being a gentleman and providing the answer without rubbing my nose in it. :)
  • GrogallGrogall Member Posts: 159
    edited August 2013
    Although 10173 isn't part of the WV line it is still a nice add on for those who have the set, I'm glad I bought some when it was discounted back in 2007, although I wanted them just for the parts.

    image
    indigoboxYellowcastle
  • oldtodd33oldtodd33 Member Posts: 2,729
    ^ Even though it isn't officially part of the WV series, the box art follows the WV series well enough to make it look official. As a matter of fact it almost seems like WV was inspired by the train.

    I also bought several sets at $50 each when they went EOL and have now held on to them so long I can't use them for parts.
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,270
    It's almost a shame that the new Creator Expert line breaks from that style of box art.
  • LegoFanTexasLegoFanTexas Member Posts: 8,404
    I missed the last Holiday Train, if they did another one, it would be a must buy from me, it would go right around the tree in a heartbeat...
  • VenunderVenunder Member Posts: 2,668
    I have to say this set only looks like a £60 set to me. Or maybe the same as the Friends Dolphin Cruiser?
    So when/if lego make this £90 it is way over priced.
    I may have to wait for a sale to buy this one.
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,270
    @Venunder it'll be £80, not £90.
  • rchaddrchadd Member Posts: 187
    edited August 2013
    £89.99 for a train and a station like this would be a bargain imo

    http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/16279

    especially in october with double VIP points!

    as long as the train was minifig scale!
  • Peter1975Peter1975 Member Posts: 166
    Grogall said:

    Well, since 10173 Holiday Train never really sold well. I would doubt it. but you never know!?

    It maybe didn't sold well, but now, with the WV sets it became a really hard to find set. And if you find one, they're not cheap.
    I'm glad I got mine a long, long time ago.

  • Peter1975Peter1975 Member Posts: 166
    BrickDancer said:

    I thought the Holiday Train was a perfect fit for the Winter Village. When I showed my gf a picture of it (before we had it), she instantly said its a must have too. And when you get to see it in motion during Christmas, it really is magical. Here's footage:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/brickdancer/8319863367/

    I totally agree, here's mine:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xk6NeCMOvc&hd=1

    Can't wait till it's December, with all the new things I bought last year.
    vitreolumTheLoneTensorLegoMom1Johnnyfinlandiaflowerpotgirllittletoki
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