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10245 Santa's Workshop

1235

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  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    Adzbadboy said:

    LEGO is all about building your own creations so what is all the fuss all about? Having a smaller set makes it more accessible to individuals.

    well, it used to be. Now, it's all about the minifigures

    youpunkgoshe7pharmjodPeteM
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    What are they supposed to say? In my view, nothing. No saying that they accept it is a little inadequate as they needed to reach a price point, no they couldn't afford to use new molds for reindeer, no buy extra bricks to extend it yourself.
  • BOBJACK_JACKBOBBOBJACK_JACKBOB Member Posts: 564
    Does the elf workshop set join on to the Santa workshop?
    I don't see any technic pins?
  • BrickDancerBrickDancer Member Posts: 3,639
    If they can release a Cottage & a hodge-podge Market Village at $99 USD price point, why shouldn't they have met or exceeded that for Santa's Workshop?

    In my own opinion, the pricing should have been flipped around with Santa's place as the most expensive set in the line. Considering it is the essential centerpiece of the theme, it should have been the grandest in size by principal. But instead, only the Toy shop and Bakery are cheaper, with the Post Office equal to it. Doesn't really make sense in that respect.

    But of course, I concede that economics, marketing and personal budgets certainly skew the pricing model and thus the design of the set.
  • binaryeyebinaryeye Member Posts: 1,831
    Adzbadboy said:

    LEGO is all about building your own creations so what is all the fuss all about?

    I won't go off-topic about the first part of that, but to me the fuss stems from the name. The set isn't Santa's Workshop, as advertised, it's the North Pole. The promo set #40106 better represents "Santa's Workshop" with an eighth of the pieces.
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,787
    binaryeye said:

    Adzbadboy said:

    LEGO is all about building your own creations so what is all the fuss all about?

    I won't go off-topic about the first part of that, but to me the fuss stems from the name. The set isn't Santa's Workshop, as advertised, it's the North Pole. The promo set #40106 better represents "Santa's Workshop" with an eighth of the pieces.
    I get what you are saying. LEGO should have called it Santa's house, or something like that. However, it is again only 69.99 USD and you see what you get before buying it, so I'm not sure how people can be railing against this set or surprised at the lack of scope.
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    Also Lego's business model is not centred around customers building their own models, it is all about sets. If a Lego rep says build your own, then there will be questions about why can I not buy parts packs in the right colours and style to extend it. Lego may do the odd bucket type set, but those tend to be primary colours.
  • goshe7goshe7 Member Posts: 515
    BrickDancer said:

    If they can release a Cottage & a hodge-podge Market Village at $99 USD price point, why shouldn't they have met or exceeded that for Santa's Workshop?

    Agreed on the characterization as a $99 hodge-podge.

    I don't know their sales numbers, but it would not be surprising at all if the sales of WVM were less than expected. So it would appear that LEGO chose to hear the "$99" portion of the statement more than "hodge-podge" and designed the next set according to that.

    dougtsBrickDancer
  • Farmer_JohnFarmer_John Member Posts: 2,405
    edited October 2014
    I went to the Lego store today and saw the display model for Santa's Workshop. I couldn't believe how small it was (compared to other WV themed sets including the Toy Shop). Then I looked at the other set display models...they all looked pretty small for the price. At a glance, the only display set that seemed to have a correlation between size with cost was the Fairground Mixer #10244.
    Legoboy
  • BumblepantsBumblepants Member Posts: 7,624
    "It should be a lot bigger and cost a lot less." - Every review ever.
    dougtsgoshe7ShibjadeireneAdeelZubairmadforLEGOemmtwosixMorkManiso3200
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,268
    sets always look smaller in the Lego store display than they do when you get them home... it's to do with perspective - the Lego store is much larger than most people's front rooms...
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    edited October 2014
    They went wrong with the cottage, it was so much bigger than what went before it now makes the Santas workshop feel small. Where as when I saw it in store it felt perfectly aligned to the early WV sets.
  • Farmer_JohnFarmer_John Member Posts: 2,405
    Paperballpark said:

    sets always look smaller in the Lego store display than they do when you get them home... it's to do with perspective - the Lego store is much larger than most people's front rooms...

    I was comparing the size of the sets to each other. The Mixer #10244 just looked like a purchaser got more Lego for the dollar. I actually want to purchase another Mixer set now...
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    That's funny because every time I see the mixer I can't help but think what a poor value it is
  • Farmer_JohnFarmer_John Member Posts: 2,405
    ^If we're being honest with each other, paying over $10 for a box of plastic is probably a poor value in the eyes of 99% of the developed world...
    pharmjod
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    Well sure. But I was talking in relation to other LEGO sets I thought that was kind of assumed as the common point of reference in regards to value discussions
  • ericbericb Member Posts: 110
    People must realize that a designer adheres to desired price and piece count requirements. If a designer fails to meet these requirements, she/he may be looking for another job elsewhere.
    TXLegoguyAdeelZubair
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    It is a valid point that the set is a bit lacking, irrespective of the price point. If it would have been better with a little more, then it should have cost a little more.

    Especially if lego agrees with reviews about the sets being a bit sub-standard, it makes them look foolish.


  • ShibShib Member Posts: 5,469
    ^Except that they probably moved the price point because of complaints about the VWM...TLG, like many other companies are left in the unwinnable situation of not being able to produce something both really good and really cheap - it just doesn't work but people will never be happy either way. I think for the price point on the VW line it's fine, it's not my favourite, but it's perfectly acceptable.
    BumblepantsTXLegoguy
  • luckie_reubsluckie_reubs Member Posts: 299
    Farmer_John said:

    I went to the Lego store today and saw the display model for Santa's Workshop. I couldn't believe how small it was (compared to other WV themed sets including the Toy Shop). Then I looked at the other set display models...they all looked pretty small for the price. At a glance, the only display set that seemed to have a correlation between size with cost was the Fairground Mixer #10244.

    Manufacturing and labor costs have gone up a lot lately; I bet Santa's licensing fees are through the roof this Christmas season! :)
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    Shib said:

    ^Except that they probably moved the price point because of complaints about the VWM...TLG, like many other companies are left in the unwinnable situation of not being able to produce something both really good and really cheap - it just doesn't work but people will never be happy either way. I think for the price point on the VW line it's fine, it's not my favourite, but it's perfectly acceptable.

    To be honest, I don't think this set is very good or really cheap. The reviews that lego responded too both said that it was a little underwhelming (or similar) and lego agreed. Having a Lego CS agreeing that something is not great or seeing that point of view doesn't inspire me much.

    Plus, as I said, the price point is a little irrelevant for the review of the set. If it is a workshop, it should be a workshop. If it doesn't really work as a set, then the reviewers should say it (and some have). Of course the reason that they have skimped on parts is to get it cheaper, but that doesn't mean the set should get better reviews. It may get better "value" marks in reviews, but if it is lacking, it is lacking. I think the sleigh is nice (and would have worked well as an independent set), the building is OK but tiny. Having the elves making stuff outside is just plain odd though.

  • ericbericb Member Posts: 110
    ^Maybe LEGO should begin to add a disclaimer to boxes stating "Imagination not included."

    LEGO is not an eBay seller. They're not going to respond to negative reviews with equally negative replies. They want their products to produce a positive experience. They also seem willing to right a negative experience, within reason.
  • MorkManMorkMan Member Posts: 913
    I just wish I knew what the Christmas set 2 of 2 will be. The #40106 is a nice add-on to#10245 - but what's next?
  • Farmer_JohnFarmer_John Member Posts: 2,405
    At the current trend, next year's WV-themed set will be a few hundred multi-colored round 1x1 plates with a couple minifigs thrown in for variety.

    If I have to choose between the quality of a set or its piece count/cost ratio, I would prefer quality. I don't think TLG agrees with me...at least on this particular set. Ironically, one has to pay almost $1/piece for the new Series 12 CMFs released by TLG. It's all so confusing... :-)
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,268
    ^ Winter Village Ballpit.

    I might as well throw my 2p worth in here. Everyone last year was complaining the set was too expensive. Everyone this year is complaining it should be more expensive.

    Personally, I think the only thing wrong with it is the name. If they'd called it "Santa's House" people wouldn't be moaning so much.
  • BrickDancerBrickDancer Member Posts: 3,639
    edited October 2014
    At this point, I'll just have to consider the Cottage as Santa's house and the Workshop is a little shed in the back where he keeps his indentured elves =)
  • crazycarlcrazycarl Member Posts: 392
    Personally I like the set and think it is priced right. We will be adding it to our village display this year.
  • ColoradoBricksColoradoBricks Member Posts: 1,659
    While I think it is price correctly for the size, what bother me with the Christmas set this year is that the complementary #40106 is only available if you buy something else.
    I would have rather have a bigger set for $99 than having to buying something else to get me to $99 and the free Elf Workshop.
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,268
    ^ It's the same as it was last year.
  • AdeelZubairAdeelZubair Member Posts: 2,703
    It looks like the Christmas promos were are part of the initial design stage for the winter village sets were all the ideas but didn't fit into the final set. The Elves' Workshop #40106 looks it was built during the design stage of the Winter Village Cottage #10229 due to the similar roof design or Marcos could have been inspired by the design.

    I personally think people are asking for a little too much. Yes the Santa's Workshop #10245 should be bigger than the Winter Village Cottage #10229 but really they give you parts of the workshop and the rest is left to your own imagination. It wouldn't be cool if we had sets with everything completely detailed and that cost heaps of money that would break the bank. I personally am happy with the sets LEGO has to offer the only thing I don't like about their sets are the minifigures driving the set it's not about the builds anymore. I'm happy that they respect the AFOL community and produce sets such as The Dark Knight Tumbler #76023 and Mini Cooper #10242, that's what LEGO is meant to be and I'm happy about that.
    emmtwosix
  • Farmer_JohnFarmer_John Member Posts: 2,405
    ^You had me at "The Dark Knight Tumbler."
    nychromastone
  • emmtwosixemmtwosix Member Posts: 80
    Just a theory, but maybe Lego has figured out that the demographic that will buy the Winter Village sets annually are the same ones that know to get them with 2-3x VIP points, so they are producing the rest of the workshop as exclusive giveaways to the hardcore, knowing that the casual Lego buyer would rather get a better deal than a fully rendered set.

    Meanwhile, the far more critical AFOLs will have to shell out a bit more to complete their set with the exclusives. It's kind of a middle ground if the exclusives actually end up fulfilling the voids (which seems somewhat unlikely.) Like I said, just a theory.
    AdeelZubair
  • Steve_J_OMSteve_J_OM Member Posts: 995
    ColoradoBricks said:

    While I think it is price correctly for the size, what bother me with the Christmas set this year is that the complementary #40106 is only available if you buy something else.
    I would have rather have a bigger set for $99 than having to buying something else to get me to $99 and the free Elf Workshop.

    Just on this - is the promo only in the US? I just went onto [email protected] (Europe) and there was no sign of it. According to Brickset it's an October giveaway.
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    Europe starts about the 15th October.
    Steve_J_OM
  • Steve_J_OMSteve_J_OM Member Posts: 995
    ^ Thanks. Also, damn it. I have a time-sensitive purchase to make so I might miss that. Oh well, to eBay with me.
  • piratemania7piratemania7 Member Posts: 2,146
    This is already showing as backordered with a ship date of October 20th on [email protected] USA. I guess reviews good or bad it's still a moving set!
    TXLegoguy
  • ShibShib Member Posts: 5,469
    After a bit of crappy week last week I decided to build a bit of this far earlier than planned. Only did the first bag (sleigh, reindeer, North Pole and Christmas tree) but I have to say I really like the reindeer. I get why people might have preferred moulded pieces for them, but I think they look really cute and charming. Plus that bag did have a convenient additional trans red 1x1 round stud to allow for a Rudolph, which in my set up is the baby one.

    This is the first year of doing a winter village set up for me, I've been really lucky and managed to acquire all but the post office and Market (which I intend to get soon) at RRP or less throughout the course of the year and a few of the previous promo sets at a good price and I can see this set working really nicely as a 'centre piece' for the village - as I'm still looking at it as a Santa's Grotto photo experience (Mall Santa type thing) rather than meaning to be the actual North Pole. Think about it, stick a couple of the Market stalls around it and it makes it a winter village hosting an event, then the 'half finished' look that a lot of people have complained about starts to look more right...it's a set/backdrop for the event rather than an actual workshop.
    nychromastoneevantylerpharmjodLostInTranslation
  • ColoradoBricksColoradoBricks Member Posts: 1,659
    I just build it yesterday, I don't think it is a coincidence that it has an extra Red Technic Ball Joint to create your own Rudolf... No other set with that part has an extra (I added the 2 red w/ clips seen on that picture)
    Johnnyfinlandiaemmtwosix
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,787
    There is being a red nosed reindeer and then there is being a drunk looking reindeer.
  • Bluefairy_56Bluefairy_56 Member Posts: 320
    Here in Australia, the price for the Santa's Workshop is $119, the WV Market is $149.
    I have been collecting the WV scenes and they are fantastic. This year will be my first winter display. I only have the Post Office, Market, Cottage, Santa's Workshop and the Toy Shop but I think they will look great together.

    I am not going to complain about the set or the price, I have bought bigger and more expensive sets, so this was nice to have. I also added another reindeer and a snowman to my set. Next month I will get the next part to add to it.

    The saying is always the same, if you don't like it, don't buy it. Some of us love it and are happy to have it.
    LegoKipklatu003
  • piratemania7piratemania7 Member Posts: 2,146
    Agreed @Bluefairy_56‌ I think it's a great set and in true LEGO fashion if you want to make it better dream it up and build it!
    nychromastoneklatu003
  • goshe7goshe7 Member Posts: 515
    With all the apparent inventory issues Lego is having this month (numerous Out of Stock), is anyone else nervous about waiting to pick this set up until Brick Friday?
  • Farmer_JohnFarmer_John Member Posts: 2,405
    ^It should be available; however, the WV theme is a strange one...very unpredictable. I thought I had it figured out after the first few were released and then TLG had to go and change it on me. I now tend to get the WV themed sets when they are available (for double VIP points) if I want them.
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    ^^ might depend on whether you have a store nearby or if you'll be relying on [email protected] I decided to get it early with the first freebie just in case.
  • Steve_J_OMSteve_J_OM Member Posts: 995
    edited October 2014
    Edit - wrong thread.
  • BrickDancerBrickDancer Member Posts: 3,639
    I didn't want to take a chance on Santa's Workshop being OOS by BF, so went ahead with it this month for Double VIP.
  • MojoestMojoest Member Posts: 476
    snap! Double VIP points and the 1st Christmas promo was too good an offer to miss. Now to wait a few weeks until the decorations go up and I can build it as part of Christmasing my house :-)
  • parsomparsom Member Posts: 46
    @goshe7‌
    I'm also waiting for BF. I wasn't planning buying Santa set, but I'm going to change my mind. However, I need some additional encouragement and I will wait for 2nd promo set (first one I already have).
  • goshe7goshe7 Member Posts: 515
    ^ Yeah, I already made a purchase this month and want to wait for 10245 until it can be used to get me close $ needed for the 2nd promo set.
  • jdylakjdylak Member Posts: 281
    I can over look the brick built reindeer. What just bugs me is the building of the toys is outside. Use yourr imagination and add on? It's "Santa's Workshop". Do they make a hospital and have the hospital beds outside? I don't get that part. And the last two years, the bonus set went with the WMV. Set #1 this year? It's a corner of a building. What do you do with that? Set #2 this year fits well. I'll get this years set just because I have all the others still sealed until my 2 year gets older but am not pleased with it.
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