Sets End-Date

[AOW]

Does anyone have a source when specific sets have been end-dated ? For example, when 8850, which was introduced in 1990, was end-dated?

The 8865 I believed launched in 1988 remained at least till 1992 as I recall it in the store back in Portugal when I got my 8862 for X-mast.

With the current sets it is quite easy as "we are on the time" and usually set has 2 max 3 years cycle life, at least in the catalogues.

If anyone have such a source I would appreciate :) :)

Regards

[Blakbird]

The typical production run of a LEGO set is 2 years, but of course a store can have them indefinitely if they do not sell. I've seen 10+ year old sets at some stores.

[allanp]

I remember the test car being in stores as late as 1993. Of course Lego release far more sets per year now than back then so I guess they need the shelf space.

[nerdsforprez]

I think the op is asking about specific end of line (production). If that is the case..... The fact that some stores might still have something that has been retired (eol) by TLG would not matter.

I would try brickpicker.com. That type of info is really important for those investing in sets.....

[Technic Jim]

Bear in mind you can also buy them online at places such as Amazon and ebay

[AOW]

OK, thank you for your feedback and suggestions. In fact that now usually cycle life of a set by Lego is about 2 years. Some stores do hold the sets for few years even as long as Blakbird said. I will look at the suggested site to seek over the information I am looking for as well. Regards

[PicnicBasketSam]

Some Star Wars sets go off the shelves much faster than that... not especially surprising considering there are 3 waves a year now. Also, the 2015 Summer Ultra Agents sets lasted approximately 5 months... which is a travesty, because the biggest one is totally bad-megabloks.

[Carrera124]

Back in the 80ies, the selling periods of sets were longer than today. E.g. 8865 was released 1988 and was found in catalogs until 1992. I guess it was still sold in 1993 because it's successor 8880 was released in 1994.

The predecessor 8860 was sold from 1980 to 1987, nearly 8 years! Some other sets (854, 7824, 7866) also had a 8-yeat selling period.

Sets that were sold for 2 years or less (e.g. 8846 which was released 1982 and lasted only until 1983) were exceptions.