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Comments
Just my opinion
As many of you know; I have been around Lego all of my life. I got into Lego around the introduction of the Minifigure. Like most people; I went into a "Dark Age". When I came out of my "Dark Age" it was around the time Lego wasn't doing so well. Then Lego got the Star Wars license and things really started turning around for them. I used to look at my old catalogs and wished I could get my hands on some old Lego sets. Lego announced the "Legends" line and I got excited. When I saw Main Street; I was really disappointed and never purchased it because it wasn't what I remembered. I did buy the Black Seas Barracuda, Black Falcons Fortress, The Metroliner and passenger car. Lego also re released some other sets like Fort Legoredo and a couple of pirate ships. I also added those to my collection. What I missed most about the old sets were the classic box design. I also noticed that some parts were different than the originals. My point is that although I was excited about the Legends line and re releases; I probably should have just bought an original sealed copy instead. I was disappointed and I'm sure there were many people like myself.
JRR Tolkien has been gone over 40 years now, so I don't think he'll have any more books coming out anytime soon. On the other had, JK Rowling is alive and kicking, and can write a book if a pen and paper (and huge endorsement deals) are available. With no more LotR or Hobbit movies coming out, the LotR and Hobbit sets will be winners...especially the iconic sets like ToO. In fact, the Imperial Flagship comes to mind when I think about the ToO...a known obvious aftermarket winner when it was released.
I know a number of LOTR non-lego fans that have the fellowship minifigs, but nothing else.
This is funny. I recently saw a rerun of a "Friends" episode that involved Gandalf. Ross and Chandler were excited their friend "Gandalf" was coming into town and was trying to get Joey to come along when they go out. Joey didn't know who Gandalf was.
Could be that Argos used up all TLG's remaining stock during their recent 3 for 2. Hence why they are not currently available at TLG and Argos.
Right now I am considering what large sets are around and are any other must haves for us.
While there are many sets I really appreciate, looking at the list of current sets, Palace Cinema is on the top of my list. Maybe Death Star as a distant second. There are so many sets I wouldn't mind having, but just don't have the room for.
This is what I bring up every time, if Lego is doing a reissue of a set it needs to be well thought thru 1:1 reissue. A lot of people want interior, new (better) parts,… Though as you pointed it out I think it needs to be exactly as it was, otherwise buyers might be disappointed due to “it is not the set they remember” and with all the technical possibilities side we have now a days I do think it is doable – of course Lego would need to put some brain into it. Same is for the packing design, I think even this matters.
Concerning the price, I don’t know how much you would’ve to pay for a lets say original “Metro Liner” back in 2000, though I think it was nothing compared to today’s price gaps. As some of you mentioned Café Corner was 120-140 USD, now you won’t get a sealed one under 1200 USD. I highly doubt that a sealed (original) Metro Liner had a value of around 700USD back in 2000 prior of the “Legend Line”. As demand has an influence on the price I would conclude that the demand for those sets of 2009-2010 is significantly higher.
It may seem that it would be a good thing, kill off resellers and lego will be happy. But of course it means them never retiring a product and having every product available - which is fairly unrealistic. That is the continuous model.
The alternative - retire a product and re-release it five years later - is just as bad. Resellers will still purchase and have an amount of time to sell it before it gets re-released. And this one has the downside that to re-release a model presumably stops a new one being produced. How many people would be happy if they stopped doing the modulars now, and started re-releasing them from the start, one per year, and then cycle it again once they get to the end? It would help new-comers to catch up, but it would also kill off the line for long term fans. It would also lead to a new "reseller 2" thread - predictions when things will get re-released.
Pretty much any reason to reissue a set is raised and subsequently put to rest there.
Most importantly, I would read LEGO designer Jamie Berard's comment here: http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/comment/57672/#Comment_57672
Also noticed on my order it says "In warehouse", never noticed this status before?
I know there are numerous circumstances under which people obtained these for much cheaper than $432, but I was still a tad bit surprised at the comparatively meager profit that some people might be making from these despite the quick price appreciation.
"So I just received an email from a local guy who has a Lego seller license where he asked if we wanted some sets that won't be available after December and I have to say that I was surprised to see a particular set among the ones he listed, others we already had hints about them EOL-ing. Anyways, here are the ones he listed:
10221 SSD
10220 T1 Camper
10211 Grand Emporium
10225 R2-D2
10233 Horizon Express
10224 Town Hall
Obviously, I was surprised about the Town Hall, if that one goes before the Pet Shop that'll be a big surprise."
Pretty accurate so far!
It is all relative. Yes you can make a quick buck BUT you are also dealing with people that may try to scam you, you have to compete against others that may have a lower price because they have more of them to sell and they can afford the lower sell price. Also need to worry about it getting to its destination in one piece. If it does have an issue then you have to deal with getting insurance claims for a 680 dollar item (guessing shipping co may not just be so quick to pay out on those pricey items), and negative feedback driving others away from buying from you (or causing you to get booted), then the fees from eBay BL Paypal,Etc etc. There is BL but you are likely going to sit on them for longer whereas eBay is used by everyone, regardless how people feel about it.
Then you also have to consider if that set will be sought after or if interest will wain (or worse yet, set is redone by LEGO)
About 15-20% goes to eBay /paypal I believe. If you do free shipping you have to account for that (shipping on an SSD is pricey Im guessing) and you probably would want to insure. Pass that onto the buyer and they may not want to buy then, so you sit on it longer.
So a 'killing' or buying a set for 432 (assuming tax and shipping was included) and making 680, after fees it is more like 544 so about 112 dollars, maybe up to about 150, liekly profit? Still not bad, but look at everything you have as a potential pitfall or problem that requires attention. Heck ask yourself how much time you want to devote to it?
I'm not saying it is not worthwhile to many to do this, but I think that sometimes people just think buy the set and then in 6 months poof it magically disappears and you have a crisp new wad of 100's.
I have a funny feeling the local bank may not appreciate that kind of humor
Sounds like a plan I just wish it came with power functions! I have one already but would like a second to connect to the rear with an engine with motor on both sides. Thanks for the heads up hopefully they are available BF!