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Modular theme collecting

landolando Member Posts: 108
in Collecting
I only really collect Star Wars Lego but recently found myself looking at the modular theme as in the buildings which do look very cool builds to do and display.. I've seen the tower bridge etc but proberly leave that and start collecting the street builds eg brick bank etc..
i guess I'm asking what is the theme like are they as good as they look before I start buying and your views on them really  
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Comments

  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    Have you read any of the reviews of them, or looked at any of the modular threads? They are good places to start.
  • landolando Member Posts: 108
    Ah yes ok I will have a proper look now.. 
  • kiki180703kiki180703 Member Posts: 1,063
    I think they are almost are as good as they look. Their builds are excellent are they look very nice. Just be ware that your wallet is going to hurt ;) Once you start collecting them, you won't be able to stop :)
  • BumblepantsBumblepants Member Posts: 7,624
    I took the plunge with the Fire Brigade right before it went EOL and am so glad I did. My entire collection has reformed around my modular city and has rejuvenated both my interest in Lego and my MOCing.
  • koshkakoshka Member Posts: 193
    Just prepare your wallet. We mistakenly let the Town Hall go "because it was boring". Two years later we managed to pick it up for 'just' £100 more than the original retail price. Bricklinking Green Grocer, Market Street and Cafe Corner hasn't been cheap either. The whole family has enjoyed building them but if I'm honest I've enjoyed the Temple of Airjitzu above all other sets.
    tallblocktookiki180703
  • Patrik78Patrik78 Member Posts: 142
    edited March 2016
    I would go for it. And I am glad I made this decision when GE, TH and FB were still available. Missed CC and GC though. For sure there are several great modulars coming following years, in my opinion it's never too late to start collecting modulars, even though you will stick to sets which are not EOL. I suggest to buy them all and simply omit those EOL with extreme prices, but some modulars are still available for quite a good price on the secondary market (GE e.g.), buy them asap.
  • piratemania7piratemania7 Member Posts: 2,146
    For me "modular collecting" has turned into also buying road plates, greenery, trains, etc...
    Bumblepantskiki180703koshkapharmjodAdeelZubairmldj77garethjedwardsPitfall69Jern92
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,229
    Don't forget sidewalk tiles!
    garethjedwardskoshkaryjaykiki180703gmonkey76
  • landolando Member Posts: 108
    ecmo47 said:
    Yes, they are as good as they look and they have this bad habit of looking very good when together like this:



    They will get expensive fast but there are many things you can do to make your collection unique. Add extra levels, Bricklink older models, buy plans of other designs or just dream up your own cool building.

    Here's some links that give you an idea of how big and popular the Modular theme is.

    http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showforum=9

    http://modularsbykristel.com/models-by-redcokid/

    https://www.brickcitydepot.com/

    Enjoy! 

    This looks bloody amazing :-) 

      
    ecmo47 said:
    Yes, they are as good as they look and they have this bad habit of looking very good when together like this:



    They will get expensive fast but there are many things you can do to make your collection unique. Add extra levels, Bricklink older models, buy plans of other designs or just dream up your own cool building.

    Here's some links that give you an idea of how big and popular the Modular theme is.

    http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showforum=9

    http://modularsbykristel.com/models-by-redcokid/

    https://www.brickcitydepot.com/

    Enjoy! 

      

  • ecmo47ecmo47 Member Posts: 2,101
    lando said:
    Thanks for the input guys really appreciate it.. Just got back from my toys r us and brought 4 of the modular sets so looks like I'm doing this 
    ??? Something isn't right here. I've never seen Modulars sold at TRU so I suspect that what you have bought are the simpler (though nice) Creator sets like these:
    #31050 Corner Deli
    #31026 Bike Shop and Cafe

    The Official Modulars are more robust and detailed:

    #10218 Petshop
    #10246 Detective's Office

    The price of the Modulars is about $160 each versus the Creator sets at $40.00-50.00 each.

    I hope this doesn't lead to disappointment.
  • landolando Member Posts: 108
  • landolando Member Posts: 108
    I just brought the cinema .. Pet shop and Parisian restaurant they also have the tie fighter UCS aswell some sets that you don't normally see in toys r us 
  • ecmo47ecmo47 Member Posts: 2,101
    edited March 2016
    Ahh...I incorrectly thought that you were in the USA. TRU does not stock the Modulars in the Birck and Mortar stores here.

    It may be different in your country but here are 2 ways to possibly save 10%. 

    Wait until 7 March for double VIP points at the Lego store or Lego.com. 

    In the US, you get 10% off if you use your TRU credit card on a Thursday. If you dont have one, you get 15% off when you first apply. With the amount you have spent on 4 modulars, you would be over 1/2 way to your next one with the savings/points.
  • landolando Member Posts: 108
    ecmo47 said:
    Ahh...I incorrectly thought that you were in the USA. TRU does not stock the Modulars in the Birck and Mortar stores here.

    It may be different in your country but here are 2 ways to possibly save 10%. 

    Wait until 7 March for double VIP points at the Lego store or Lego.com. 

    In the US, you get 10% off if you use your TRU credit card on a Thursday. If you dont have one, you get 15% off when you first apply. With the amount you have spent on 4 modulars, you would be over 1/2 way to your next one with the savings/points.

    ok looks like I'm ordering on the 7th then :-) thank you 

  • MattDawsonMattDawson Member Posts: 1,486
    I'd definitely say they were worth it, though some are more hit-and-miss than others. For example, in the Pet Shop the flat above the shop doesn't feature a bathroom or shower-room, and the house in the set is pretty much empty inside.

    I originally disliked the arrangement of the Detective's Office, but having watched Jang's review on YouTube I changed my mind. I'm currently waiting for funds (and a decent offer) to purchase both Brick Band and the Detective's office to add to the collection.
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    lando said:
    Thanks for the input guys really appreciate it.. Just got back from my toys r us and brought 4 of the modular sets so looks like I'm doing this 
    In for a penny ...!

    You've a fun few weeks ahead.
  • tallblocktootallblocktoo Member Posts: 497
    I've bought all five that are available retail in a 6 month period.  I wish they made more of these honestly like two a year but then maybe thats to much of a good thing.  
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,229
    ^  We would simultaneously have not enough and too much to speculate about.

    And it would probably kill off the theme much quicker.
    tallblocktookiki180703Werewolf_poo
  • Dtrimpi87Dtrimpi87 Member Posts: 56
    I can't wait to see what the 2017 building is. I bought all 5 current retail modulars but have only built the Cinema and Detectives Office. I was only a Star wars collector but decided to check these out and now I'm hooked.
  • mustang69mustang69 Member Posts: 544
    Just ordered the Pet Shop #10218 on [email protected] I went to the lego store hoping to pick it up today but they didnt have any in stock.  I plan on picking up the Palace Cinema #10232 next as that is the next oldest on the list.
    tallblocktookiki180703
  • Werewolf_pooWerewolf_poo Member Posts: 71
    I'm also a very recent adopter of the modular sets. Just spent over £700 last night on the Lego website. Bought the oldest 3 of the 5 available modulars so i don't miss any from now on.
  • oldtodd33oldtodd33 Member Posts: 2,694
    @mustang69  Which store was out?
  • mustang69mustang69 Member Posts: 544
    oldtodd33 said:
    @mustang69  Which store was out?
    The Park Meadows store. Its just a few minutes from where I work.
    oldtodd33kiki180703
  • legogallegogal Member Posts: 754
    The modulars were a real breakthrough for LEGO because they have interiors that are more heavily furnished than most of the earlier buildings and they tend to be of the same scale. So they look wonderful next too each other and much better inside than other random buildings offered in the past. Earlier Creator houses lacked interiors and did not look that good lined up on a table. It was a brilliant move to introduce the Modular line because they tend to attract well heeled adult buyers and collectors. 
  • chrisalddinchrisalddin Member Posts: 3,041
    modulars are cool.
    i am working on some MOC's to make my ones stand out.
    right now i have 2 pet shops set and i have 1 more on order, i also have 3 of the cinema set on order.
    modulars can and WILL eat up your money!
  • ArielaAriela Member Posts: 28
    I have a BNISB Fire Brigade for sale, wonder any of you interested. Please see here.

    http://bricksetforum.com/discussion/22974/uk-retired-discontinued-sets-for-sale-all-reasonable-offers-considered#latest

  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    ^You are like the "I made $1,000 working from home" guy.
    MattsWhatkiki180703pharmjodlandodougtsjosekalel
  • RecceRecce Member Posts: 923
    I like the Lego houses so I collected the modular sets (missed out first two) plus all other building sets from City, Creator and Friends etc.
  • mustang69mustang69 Member Posts: 544
    Couple things I noticed while building the modulars I got. First, anyone know why all of the minifigures are just the generic smiley faces? Was it just a cost thing, and those are cheaper to print?

    Second, when building my Pet Shop, I noticed that the black fence pieces are of the type that have the four studs on top but the instructions and the picture are the type with just the studs on the outside posts. Was this a change late in the run or are they all like mine?
  • oldtodd33oldtodd33 Member Posts: 2,694
    @Mustang69  My first set which I probably purchased very early in it's release has the old style fences but a more recent purchase has the four stud style like yours. Lego just didn't update the instructions. 
  • wardmwardm Member Posts: 886
    Is there anyone else who isn't keen on buying the Palace Cinema? I think it won't blend in with the other buildings... (I only own the currently available modulars excepy from PC and I have yet to purchase the brick bank, which I think will look fantastic next to the others)
  • tecjamtecjam Member Posts: 255
    It all comes down to personal opinion. I quite like the PC - more from the out than inside though.

    The only ones I'm missing after my 10 months back in Lego are the Cafe Corner and Green Grocer, and I also only started getting back into Lego because of the large SW UCS models.

    * awaits Market Street comment *
    Pitfall69GothamConstructionCocatwranglerkiki180703Jern92
  • BumblepantsBumblepants Member Posts: 7,624
    I really like the Palace Cinema. Has a great mix of dull coloring with tan/dark tan and just the right amount of color splash from the red roof and blue/yellow sign to keep it from being boring. Movie posters are excellent too. It is also the only modular I can think of that offers an activity other than live here/shop here/eat here.
    Pitfall69catwranglerkiki180703
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    You do not have to give the PC the "Chinese Theater" look. I do like the PC, but the interior is lacking. You can personalize any Modular to your liking ;)
    Bumblepantskiki180703madforLEGO
  • mustang69mustang69 Member Posts: 544
    @oldtodd33 Thanks for the info, I think I have enough of the old style fences that I think I will replace them to make it more accurate, because I am OCD like that ;)

    On the topic of the PC, that the was the first modular I built and I really like it but I can understand how some might not like the style.  I think the only thing that irks me is that the upper windows, the 2x3 curved window frames, dont have any inserts. I would have thought at the very least they would have gotten lattice or something similar.
  • Jern92Jern92 Member Posts: 890
    mustang69 said:
    On the topic of the PC, that the was the first modular I built and I really like it but I can understand how some might not like the style.  I think the only thing that irks me is that the upper windows, the 2x3 curved window frames, dont have any inserts. I would have thought at the very least they would have gotten lattice or something similar.
    The Pet Shop has the same problem, so I just bought a whole bunch of lattice pieces and popped them in.
    bgl_84kiki180703
  • catwranglercatwrangler Member Posts: 1,894
    mustang69 said:
    Couple things I noticed while building the modulars I got. First, anyone know why all of the minifigures are just the generic smiley faces? Was it just a cost thing, and those are cheaper to print?
    I think it's a nod to the likely age/tastes of buyers - people who grew up with the generic smiley faces and perhaps went, "Oo-er, is this going too far?" when the minifigs got eyebrows. I mean, I loved it when they started doing the beards when the Pirates line started, but I'm not a fan of the modern faces with the big grins, smirks and screams, and I suspect it's not just me...
    FollowsCloselykiki180703madforLEGOOldfanmustang69josekalel
  • wardmwardm Member Posts: 886
    I just saw the PC built in a lego store standing next to the detective's office.... And it looked quite good next to it. I might have to change my point of view on this topic and LEGO has done it again... Now I want it! 
  • TigerMothTigerMoth Member Posts: 2,343
    I suspect that it's much the same reason as why the early minifigs were that way.

    Part of the attraction of the modulars is that they have a degree of realism. That ought to mean various flesh tones, but that opens them to claims of prejudice. That's neatly avoided by using yellow heads, but yellow heads aren't realistic. By using the generic head they can turn them into a sort of hallmark and nobody tries to make a big deal out of it.

    Other sets usually aren't supposed to be realistic, have some sort of back-story, are part of a much bigger world, or have another excuse - although it still doesn't stop people commenting on perceived biases.
    josekalel
  • JudgeChuckJudgeChuck Member Posts: 1,581
    I like that they have the simple faces. Yes, I grew up with them, so they do have that nostalgic look for me. I think that they fit with the old-style theme that they are going with as well and, of course, people can easily customise the figures in any way that they see fit.
    madforLEGO
  • mustang69mustang69 Member Posts: 544
    The faces dont really bother me, I guess I had just assumed that TLG was moving towards the detailed faces.
  • Dtrimpi87Dtrimpi87 Member Posts: 56
    So I just finished building my third modular last night, the Pet Shop. While the finished product looks good, out of the three that I have built (pet shop, detectives office, and palace cinema), it has been my least favorite. I think it just feels kind of plain to me and lacks interior detail like the others. At some point I will go back and add stuff I think is missing. I have the Parisian Restaurant and Brick Bank left to build and I am quite excited for those as they look fantastic. Parisian will be next up on the build table.
    MrJ_NYkiki180703Jern92
  • msandersmsanders Member Posts: 1,017
    ^I think the Parisian Restaurant is my favourite build of all the modulars (I have all of them bar the market street which doesnt appeal to me)
  • chrisalddinchrisalddin Member Posts: 3,041
    Dtrimpi87 said:
    So I just finished building my third modular last night, the Pet Shop. While the finished product looks good, out of the three that I have built (pet shop, detectives office, and palace cinema), it has been my least favorite. I think it just feels kind of plain to me and lacks interior detail like the others. At some point I will go back and add stuff I think is missing. I have the Parisian Restaurant and Brick Bank left to build and I am quite excited for those as they look fantastic. Parisian will be next up on the build table.
    the older the modular is the less interior detail it has for house room's. the Pet Shop is the oldest set still being made by lego in the modular theme.
    it is now 2 months shy of a whopping 5 years old.
    FollowsCloselykiki180703
  • Dtrimpi87Dtrimpi87 Member Posts: 56
    msanders said:
    ^I think the Parisian Restaurant is my favourite build of all the modulars (I have all of them bar the market street which doesnt appeal to me)
    It does look really good. I will be building it this weekend.

    chrisalddin said:
    Dtrimpi87 said:
    So I just finished building my third modular last night, the Pet Shop. While the finished product looks good, out of the three that I have built (pet shop, detectives office, and palace cinema), it has been my least favorite. I think it just feels kind of plain to me and lacks interior detail like the others. At some point I will go back and add stuff I think is missing. I have the Parisian Restaurant and Brick Bank left to build and I am quite excited for those as they look fantastic. Parisian will be next up on the build table.
    the older the modular is the less interior detail it has for house room's. the Pet Shop is the oldest set still being made by lego in the modular theme.
    it is now 2 months shy of a whopping 5 years old.
    I figured that was the reason just from reading posts from you guys. I would love to get a hold of some of the older ones if I ever come up on any good deals, mainly town hall and fire brigade. I'm mainly a Star Wars collector but jumped into the modulars when I saw the Brick Bank in person at the Lego store. I love them so far and can't wait to see what the 2017 building will be.
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