New Set Prices
JD writes:
Hello,
I recently read a Brother Brick post about your question blog and decided to e-mail you one that I have been thinking about concerning pricing..
Lego recently released two large sets in two different themes: the “Republic Dropship with AT-OT Walker” and the “Medieval Market Village” sets. Now the Village set includes 1601 pieces for 100$ whereas the Clone Wars set is more than double at 250$ for 1756 pieces – only one hundred pieces more! Is it the trademark costs with George Lucas that jacked up the price? Is it the theme? I know they have the same amount of minifigs, so is it the bigger pieces
Thanks for your time
Dear JD,
10193 Medieval Market Village has an excellent price per piece ratio of 6.24 cents (USD). Several factors likely led to this low price. First, the set contains a large quantity of small plate elements, which do not cost as much to produce as larger specialized elements. Second, this set has been sold primarily at LEGO Brand Stores and online at Shop at Home. Typically retailers take around one third of the final retail set cost. In this case, TLG is the middleman and can reduce the final price and keep a similar amount of profit.
10195 Republic Dropship is a set designed for the large Star Wars collector market. In my opinion the set is overpriced by at least $50. But as my father says: “An item is worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.” Clearly, Star Wars fans are still purchasing this set. Licensing fees are likely high from Lucas but the line has been very profitable for TLG.
Small Star Wars sets often have great price per piece ratios. This is because volume of sales more than makes up for the minimal profit per set for TLG. Exclusive sets, such as the dropship, will not sell as many copies as the latest SW battlepack. Lower sales could be a factor in the higher price.
Sincerely,
LFan
Collecting Classic Space
Justin writes:
I just got back into Lego, and have decided to go into space. The main problem I have is the fact that I want much more than I can afford anytime soon. I am under 16, so I don’t have that much money, but I don’t have any bills or anything to pay. My question is this: Are the older sets (not classic space, way too expensive) really worth paying the money for if I’m just going to play with them? Also, do you think that the sets out now going to drop in price over the years, or gain in price?
I do realize this is entirely based on opinion, but I would like to know your opinion.
Thanks
Dear Justin,
Collecting vintage sets of a classic theme such as Space can be very enjoyable. Plus, these sets have great pieces which can be incorporated into your Lego creations.
If you have a tight budget, I recommend purchasing sets on eBay instead of BrickLink.com. Research the set numbers and descriptions that you want. Try search results such as “Lego 1978”, “Lego 68**”, “Legoland”, and “Lego System.” By honing your search skills, you will be able to find poorly listed auctions. These auctions often end for a fraction of the regular secondary market prices.
Check out local yard sales and toys on craigslist for old Lego sets. Great deals have been found this way.
The majority of current Space Police sets will likely drop in price when the line is being replaced by a new line. One or two sets from the line may be “instant classics” and increase in value right away. Prices of less popular factions and themes are often very affordable for 10-15 years. Right now, it seems that anything released before 1993 has more value. Eventually the prices of late 1990’s sets will increase.
Good luck in your search for classic sets.
Sincerely,
LFan
LEGO Brand Store: Pick A Brick options
Brickopolis wrote:
Any insights into what happened to the large $99 green PAB bin that recently disappeared from stores.
In addition, what about that $150 white box that pops up here and there?
(I’ve heard people say that the bins were just lying around a warehouse and they decided to use them for PAB on a spur of the moment thing.)
Thanks so much!
Dear Brickopolis,
Tubs that are part of bulk brick sets contain a large amount of ABS and are expensive to produce. Many of these tub sets from several years ago were “loss leaders” used by TLG to drive store traffic. It is unlikely that we will see a return to plastic Pick-A-Brick (PAB) tubs at LEGO Brand Stores in the future.
Currently, bulk purchasing options at LEGO Brand Stores vary from one location to another. Some store managers only allow the standard two sizes of cups to be sold to the public. Other stores sell cardboard K2 size boxes of a single type of element to fans. This usually occurs during large fan conventions. We will research the $150 USD white box purchasing option to see where it is available.
Sincerely,
LFan
Questions Thread: August 16th-22nd, 2009
Greetings LEGO Fans!
Please post your Lego questions for this week here. You may also email questions to lfanquestions@gmail.com.
Thanks,
LFan
Replacement Stickers
Mr. A. wrote:
Definitely I am a lego fan who bought tons of lego toys at home. It is estimated hundred sets or more since my kid was 8. Now he is 21 and we still collect sets.
About 2 months ago, I wrote their customer service asking for replacement of stickers for my beloved container ship “MAERSK SEALAND” because they peeled off by itself. I never get a feedback from customer service about my problem. Now my question is: Does anyone know if they still carry this model which was launched 2-3 years ago heretofore? Their customer service is not willing to help out their fans (after-sales service).
Could you guys help!!
Thank you
Dear Mr. A.,
Please see the following links for online stores where you can purchase copies of the Maersk Sealand stickers:
http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=10152stk01
http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=10152stk02
http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=10152stk03
In defense of LEGO Customer Service, the model has been discontinued for a number of years and they likely do not have spare stickers from 2004 sets. Stickers and pieces from a large number of discontinued sets can be found at www.bricklink.com
Sincerely,
LFan
I want to give LEGO ideas for new sets
Mr. W. wrote:
I’ve made some pretty good lego creations. People say I’m a lego master (I can’t complain with that). Anyway, back to the creations. What if I want to give the lego company some ideas for new lego sets? Who can I contact to give the instructions to make the lego sets? If it all works out that I can do all that, do i get any of the profit if they sell it? Please contact me back as soon as you guys can. Hope to get your response soon.
Dear Mr. W.,
All LEGO sets are designed in Billund, Denmark by the LEGO Product Designers. Periodically they have job openings and post these here:
http://www.lego.com/eng/info/default.asp?page=jobs
If you are interested in becoming a product designer in the future, I would suggest taking many art and design classes. They are usually looking for designers in their mid 20’s to 30’s with degrees in product design, graphic design, or architecture.
One great way have your designs sold by LEGO is to use LEGO Factory: http://www.LEGOfactory.com This site will allow you to make virtual models with LEGO Digital Designer, create instructions, and purchase your own model. Others builders can also purchase your model. Currently fans who design LEGO Factory models are not compensated.
Sincerely,
LFan
Growing up to be a LEGO Designer
Mrs J. writes:
I am contacting you today on behalf of my 11 yr. old son.
He has an obsession with Lego’s. There you have it!!!!!!!!!! :o)
He is emphatic about being a Lego Designer when grows up. He’s a pretty sharp cookie that consistently comes up with his own unique LEGO/Bionicle designs and is constantly “tweaking” his creations for hours at a time.
I would like to help him in his quest. After perusing the LEGO site, I came across info on the Ambassador program and would like to know if this is the right area for him to experience, maybe to find a “mentor” who could guide my son on this path.
We reside in Florida & I’m curious to know if there is a local group in the area.
I’m just a mom trying to help my son pursue his current love of LEGO’s
Can you help me?
Thank you.
Dear Mrs. J.,
Most LEGO Product Designers have a degree in product design, art, architecture, or engineering. Your son should take many art classes so that he can sketch and render concepts before they are built with bricks. Each product line has several types of team members. Graphic artists design printed elements such as minifigure torsos. Others design box art and logos. Some team members sculpt new elements like a hair piece, Bionicle claw, etc. Others work on creating concepts and designs for a line of sets. There are many constraints such as time to design the line, price points of elements, retail input, and feedback from children. This job is very rewarding but it is difficult at the same time.
Almost all design of LEGO sets takes place in Billund, a small town in Denmark where LEGO was founded. Anyone wanting this job would have to move and live there. If it is within your budget, I would suggest taking the LEGO Inside Tour at Billund. This would let your son meet real LEGO designers, take a factory tour, etc http://www.lego.com/eng/info/?page=eventdetailed
Every other year or so, LEGO will post an opening for a LEGO designer on their Jobs section of LEGO.com . Another great way to meet LEGO employees is to attend a large fan event. Meeting designers or writing letters could possibly lead to an internship at LEGO in the future. Most designers are in the 25-45 year old range.
Florida has a LEGO Users Group (LUG) for Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOL’s):
Fan groups exist all around the United States and world. Some welcome children as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Please contact the Greater Florida lug to see what their policy is. They have an upcoming event, the Festival of the Masters, in Orlando.
Nationally, there are several large LEGO conventions held each year in the United States. These include BrickFair in Washington DC, BrickCon in Seattle, Washington and BrickWorld in Chicago, Illinois.
Attending these events are a great way to meet other fans, LEGO employees (sometimes including designers), and see thousands of fan creations. Most conventions have two days for the public to view the creations and talk to fans and a day for the adult fans to have seminars on various LEGO topics. I would highly suggest attending the Festival of the Masters and one of the larger Conventions.
I hope you have found this information helpful.
Sincerely,
LFan
Lego Birthday Party
Mrs R. writes:
I am throwing a birthday party for my son who will be 8 and our theme is LEGO’S–does anyone have any fun ideas — games or crafts using legos, food ideas that look like legos etc.
Dear Mrs R.,
Here are several links to birthday ideas that other parents have used:
http://parents.lego.com/Features/Birthday%20Party%20Ideas.aspx
http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/html/lego.html
http://familyfun.go.com/parties/birthday/feature/famf58birthday/famf58birthday8.html
http://www.partymerchant.com/lego_party.htm
If you live near a LEGO Brand Store, you can pay to have a party there.
http://www.lego.com/legostores/birthday.asp?x=x
http://www.lego.com/legostores/Default.asp?x=x
I hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely,
LFan
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