New Retiring soon tags at S@H

[TheLegoDr]

I didn't find anything in the search function, so I thought I would pose the question here.

I saw on toysnbricks that S@H now has a new search tag allowing you to see which sets will be retiring soon. Does anyone have any other information about that? As in, are all of the sets not on that list still okay to wait on, and any ideas as to how long until they will be retired officially?

I think it is a great idea to let the consumer know (even though most retail doesn't) when something will no longer be available so you can plan accordingly. I've been wanting a few sets that have been out for a while, but they aren't on that list, so I'm not sure about if I should wait to get them until they do pop up on that list or just get them. Obviously, money is the issue since they are more expensive sets.

Thanks for any information, comments, etc.

[Vindicare]

I just found out about this myself in the MMV EOL thread. I saw the new 3677 Red Cargo Train is in that category. I'm surprised to see it in there so soon. I was going to buy it, but there's many on my list to get before it. I'd also like to know how long before they are gone.

[HawkLord]

I like the idea of some notice on sets that are due to retire, but not anything specific about when unless it's a long enough window of time. I'd hate to see something posted about a set retiring in a couple months and then five minutes later find it sold out because a number of scalpers are hoarding it for when it does finally drop off. If Lego had something that indicated a six to twelve month window, that would be best and would probably motivate some to buy sets they were on the fence about.

[Artanis I]

I'd hate to see something posted about a set retiring in a couple months and then five minutes later find it sold out because a number of scalpers are hoarding it for when it does finally drop off.

That's a concern I have about this

[Redhead1982]

Here's a link to US S@H. In a way, it's a nice to set which sets should be prioritized to buy before being discountinues, but on the other hand, there could be a problem with resellers buying many extra sets, and selling them later for a much higher price.

[TheLegoDr]

I agree with that exactly. If people knew how many were left or how long until it is retired, it could artificially inflate the aftermarket prices. But for honest people like myself, it would be good to know when it will be retired so we can plan accordingly. I do think it would help move those products a little easier knowing they will be gone forever. A lot of people are on the fence with sets all the time. My other concern is if it isn't on the list, is it not planning on going away anytime soon. Even though logically you could follow the average timespan they were available for in the past. But in that situation, a lot of sets could be retired soon that aren't on that list, some of which I would be on the fence about.

Oh well, it's a nice idea. But I guess even if scalpers did stock up on them, it still puts the money in TLG's pockets. So it is win-win for them.

[AndyC]

I doubt TLG have much control over how long a "Retiring soon" set will be available. Presumably they'll tag it like that once production has stopped and there is some expectation of stocks running out shortly. Quite how long that will be though would be entirely determined by how sales actually go. And, to be honest, I can't imagine they're all that worried about scalpers buying up the last of the stock - from their point of view that's still sales and sales that didn't have to be discounted to clear at that.

[ShaydDeGrai]

I have to agree that it's smart marketing on TLG's part. If they know they're stopping production on something and let the AFOL community know that once existing inventories are gone, that's it, people end up buying those existing sets on TLG's schedule rather than their own. They want cash for their existing inventory, we don't want to miss out on our last chance to get something.

Yes, kit scalpers are going to use it as an excuse to stock up on things (like MMV) that will command great resale prices for years to come, but from TLG's perspective, a sale is a sale and it moves the kits out of their inventory and, in the case of kit scalpers, into someone else's precious storage space. At least by selling these kits, even to scalpers, it gives them more revenue to introduce NEW kits and design NEW molds.