WesternOutlaw Posted March 19, 2006 Posted March 19, 2006 I've noticed that lately, new sets no longer include Lego catalogues. Over the last few years, it seems that Lego has been transitioning to very small (1-2) page folded catalogues (even in large sets that always provided big catalogues). But now, larger sets only seem to include instructions. Has anyone noticed this? It's kind of disappointing. I've always enjoyed looking at set pictures. Maybe another strategy for Lego to reduce costs? Quote
Lost Viking Posted March 19, 2006 Posted March 19, 2006 Ya, I noticed that a while ago. Though I don't mind that much because I used to have hundreds lying around the house collecting dust... but it would be nice to still have them... Quote
snefroe Posted March 19, 2006 Posted March 19, 2006 yeah..; saw that also... it's a shame really. sometimes these smaller booklets showed you a different view of models you didn't have compared to the actual catalogue; i miss them, but i guess it's all about saving money... Quote
Kikuichimonji Posted March 19, 2006 Posted March 19, 2006 I don't really miss them. You can see all the pictures you need on the internet anyway... Quote
Starwars4J Posted March 19, 2006 Posted March 19, 2006 That's happened for a couple of years, actually. I think another topic about this was made awhile ago, but it was at least three or four years since they've included them in even the larger sets. I really miss them, some of my best memories as a child were thumbing through the pages of those catalogues, but I guess from an economic standpoint they were rather wasteful. Quote
Ickelpete Posted March 19, 2006 Posted March 19, 2006 I don't really miss them. You can see all the pictures you need on the internet anyway... I totally agree most of the sets I have bought recently advertise the web site either on a leaflet or on the back of the instructions this is far cheaper that printing catalogues. Quote
SuvieD Posted March 20, 2006 Posted March 20, 2006 It is impossible for LEGO to have them printed up. When they started including those in the 80's a set had a 1-4 year shelf life and it was entirely possible to find the set even after it had been printed years before. Today LEGO has a new series of sets out every six months and rarely does a set have more than a year on any shelf. Only hobby stores or stores with overpriced sets carry sets for more than a year. It makes the booklets almost worthless as if a set came out in July and you get it for Christmas. You only have until the following July to get it. The booklets would not be able to be printed until all the sets for the year get finalized. They would not have time to get them printed, packaged, shipped, unpackaged, separated, repackaged and sent in a timely manner. Quote
snefroe Posted March 20, 2006 Posted March 20, 2006 It is impossible for LEGO to have them printed up. When they started including those in the 80's a set had a 1-4 year shelf life and it was entirely possible to find the set even after it had been printed years before.Today LEGO has a new series of sets out every six months and rarely does a set have more than a year on any shelf. Only hobby stores or stores with overpriced sets carry sets for more than a year. It makes the booklets almost worthless as if a set came out in July and you get it for Christmas. You only have until the following July to get it. The booklets would not be able to be printed until all the sets for the year get finalized. They would not have time to get them printed, packaged, shipped, unpackaged, separated, repackaged and sent in a timely manner. hm... i guess you can print a booklet with only the sets for that particular period. they're doing that for the catalogues as well, so that wouldn't really be a problem, even if the lifespan of a set is very short. but i guess there's a problem with costs. several sets aren't available in certain countries, so you'd have to change your booklet depending on the country and that would make things more difficult and expensive.... besides, i don't think too many people care about it, so it probably was a very easy decision to get rid of it... Quote
Mithrandir Posted March 20, 2006 Posted March 20, 2006 Ever since I ordered something from Shop@Home, they just mail catalogues to me. Quote
Lego Amaryl Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 I've just bought the set 8286, which I found in a shop for only 35 Quote
snefroe Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 i believe they used to print "use box for storage" on the inside of the box, many years ago... at least you didn't have to damage them in order to get them open.... Quote
Hobbes Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 At the same time, I think that there are other methods to keep prices low, such as using existing pieces intead of molding new ones, less colours, and so on... Funny you say that. I think we all agree. Heck, even LEGO employees explain it that way! Yet, what does TLC do? They bring out 7344 (oddly enough at a reasonable price)... Quote
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