Destroydacre Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I did a search for this topic and didn't come up with anything so if this has been discussed before, I apologize. But I was curious about some of the limited edition sets that Lego has released the last few years. I'm sure many of you have noticed that various sets have had "Limited Edition" prominently printed on the box. But what exactly does this mean? One thing I've noticed is that TRU seems to be the only non Lego store that carries the limited edition sets. But is that the only difference? Do the limited edition sets have smaller shelf lives than regular sets? The name would seem to indicate that, but I don't know if that's actually true. If anyone could clarify this at all, I would really appreciate it! Quote
Diamondback Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Typically, in the US market Toys R Us, Target and *gag*WalMart each get a few LE's where they're the exclusive Big Box retailer for 'em. (As in, you'll only find 'em through that store and LEGO.) Quote
Tereglith Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Indeed, there are usually limited for each of the stores Diamondback mentioned in some larger themes (For example, SW 2009 had the Mon Cal cruiser at TRU(?) the midi-falcon at Walmart, and the Pirate Tank at Target.) but smaller themes will usually only have one exclusive in a specific store (usually TRU, with Pirate's shipwreck hideout being an example). All limited edition sets are also available at LEGO chain stores, so the only thing that makes them "limited edition" is that they aren't sold in Walmart and Target (or WM and TRU or Target and TRU). Limited edition, in a Lego context, has about the same true meaning as the words "all-natural ingredients" in a food context. All that you can be sure it means is an extra ten dollars out of your wallet if you choose to buy it. Quote
Stauder Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 May I point out that more than once I've seen "Limited Edition" sets for sale in Tesco? Can anyone explain that? The set which I remember specifically was the Pontoon race boat. Stauder. Quote
TheMaster Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 In my experience limited edition sets are sets that are only available in a certain selection of retail stores such as the Home One star wars set is only available from Toys R Us and the Lego shop. Also limited edition sets can have the same life span as non limited edition sets. Quote
CDC Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 I was wondering the same, what defines a limited edition sets. Because for example i've seen pictures of boxes that had limited edition sign printed on them, funny thing though, that in europe the same set was sold pretty much in every store that sells LEGO. Obviously not that limited. But hey, maybe the same set could be one of the limited ones in America.. ? Quote
Big Cam Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 It's LEGO's way of showing their appreciation to their individual reatailers that carry LEGO. BY the theory that everyone will buy LEGO at (insert store here) becasue they want that exclusive set. Quote
YG-49 Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Hmm.. Not many exclusive's are actually exclusive here in Australia. For example, the Cave Crusher and Max Security Transport, which I believe are exclusive in the US, (correct me if I'm wrong) are sold without the "Limited Edition" sign printed on the box and sold at retails. Quote
Tereglith Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Hmm.. Not many exclusive's are actually exclusive here in Australia. For example, the Cave Crusher and Max Security Transport, which I believe are exclusive in the US, (correct me if I'm wrong) are sold without the "Limited Edition" sign printed on the box and sold at retails. They are limited edition, although I'm not certain at what stores. Quote
blueandwhite Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 "Limited" or "exclusive"? In the US there are a number of Toys R Us exlcusive sets but I'm not sure if these would qualify as being a limited edition. My understanding is that a limited edition is something that has a limited product run and is marketed accordingly. Essentially; as I understand things limited edition is really just a marketing strategy to target a smaller focus group enticing them with the knowledge that the general availability of the product may be limited (I say may because many limited edition products end up having a second or third wave essentially negating anything that would be limited about them). Quote
The Green Brick Giant Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 What makes a box limited? The printing on the box. Really, I mean LEGO just comes up with "limited" or "special" as a joke to sell more sets. X-Wings from 3-4 years ago is still being sold, yet some sets, like the Coast Guard "oil rig" (I can't remember the name) sold out in 2 months tops. Quote
JimBee Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 May I point out that more than once I've seen "Limited Edition" sets for sale in Tesco? Can anyone explain that? The set which I remember specifically was the Pontoon race boat. Stauder. The online store? Perhaps they were secondhand, or they had a special deal with TLG. Do you live in the U.S.? Limited Edition sets availability has been known to vary between countries. The way I see it, Limited Edition and Exclusive Edition sets are just a clever way of bringing in a little more profit each year. TLG markets them as rare items that you won't find anywhere else except the specified store (and online, of course) for a limited time (which is true). In return, they jack up the prices by quite a bit. For example, last year's Homing Spider Droid (SW) was a Toys R Us exclusive in the U.S. While it was about the size and value of a $20 set, I think it was sold at $35. Quote
Stauder Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 (edited) Not the online store, the actual store. And they were NOT second-hand. I do not live in the US, the store was in Central Europe. Edited October 24, 2009 by Stauder Quote
Diamondback Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 Also, it helps to bear in mind that LEGO markets a little differently between North America and "Rest of World"--over here, you could literally gold-plate a turd and market it as "Rare, Limited Edition, Exclusive" and slap an insane price on it and you'd get some stupid rube to buy it for top-dollar. (How else do you explain so-called "Modern Art"?lol) It's that whole "Limited Time Only Get It NOWNOWNOW!!! 'cause it might be your only chance!!!" thing... "A fool and his money are soon parted."--??? "There's a sucker born every minute."--P.T. Barnum ---------------- Now playing: James Horner - Second Hand Copter via FoxyTunes Quote
JimBee Posted October 25, 2009 Posted October 25, 2009 Not the online store, the actual store. And they were NOT second-hand. I do not live in the US, the store was in Central Europe. Oh, sorry, I'm only familiar with their online store. Like I said, different stores in different countries often get limited edition set deals with TLG. If this isn't the case, then I'm not sure what it is. Sorry. Quote
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