Technic Re-Issues - Why Not?

[DrJB]

In the past, TLG did re-issue few iconic sets. I'm thinking for example the crane-truck and wheel loaders ... Why is re-issuing sets nowadays a no-no ? Surely TLG has a lot to gain, and for those of us who missed out, may get a second chance. The 'collectors' and eBayers would not be too happy about it ... but it for sure is a win-win for TLG and the rest of us. As far as I know, none (or few) of the sets came with the label 'Limited Edition'.

So, why has TLG shined away from re-issuing some very nice sets? I'm thinking Technic as well as non-technic. Sets I'd like very much to see again are:

1. Technic Dozer

2. Some of the Ferrari/Technic Racers

3. Merry-Go-Round

4. Taj Mahal

IMHO, the above are all-time classics and would sell anytime ... Do we need a cusoo to bring those back to life?

What other sets would you like to see re-issued ? (41999 does not qualify)

Edited October 29, 2013 by DrJB

[1974]

They reissued, didn't sell. I've just finished a rather detailed book about the leadership and financial troubles that TLG went through in the last 15 years. It's pretty clear that they won't dable with things like "Legends" again

It's funny, because it's all about moving forward but still creating the same sets over and over. That IS the (current) strategy and they're not about to change that

Edit : And the current strategy runs until 2022. Of course TLG have ben wrong (VERY wrong!) several times in the last 15 years or so (they didn't even know (as knowing in the top level domain of TLG) about AFOLs until 7-8 years ago, but I think with Knudstorp they've finally gone in the right direction

It's a reall good, interesting read (allthough it's all about leadership/financial struggle and not gossip) and I think if you like to know what goes on at the very top of TLG it's a must read. It's called "Miraklet i LEGO" (The miracle in LEGO) by a well respected danish journalist. Not sure if it's been translated into english yet?

There where many surprising things in that book for me. I've been thinking about doing a post on that, if anyone is interested?

Cheers,

Ole

Edited October 29, 2013 by 1974

[D3K]

I'd like to see the dozer re-upped, just so I can get a hold of some pneumatic cylinder brackets!

[1974]

Yeah, those brackets We all know it costs as much as a small country's entire BNP to tool up a mould, so why the heck all these one-offs? Just use them again in some awesome pneumatic monster set, please

Oh, and I wouldn't want to see anything re-issued .. too boring. Missed the Taj? Bummer, bricklink it or buy a used set/MISB. I'd much rather see something new, I'm not too hung up on the sets I missed (I buy them anyway, sigh)

[JunkstyleGio]

What i would like to be re-issued is this part:

[Front]

Does nobody realise that a new set will sell much better than a reissued one ? Selling old stuff is bad business, introducing novelties are good business.

Does nobody realise that a mould has a limited life span ? That LEGO often need more than one mould just to produce the amount needed for a new part for the first year ? The cost of a mould is really not a big issue in the cost of parts, the amount of time it takes up at a moulding machine is a bigger factor.

Erland

Part Design

[DrJB]

Does nobody realise that a new set will sell much better than a reissued one ? Selling old stuff is bad business, introducing novelties are good business.

We all do realize that, but think about it. In few years, after they've done all the major landmarks (Eiffel tower, Burj Dubai, Taj Mahal, ...), there won't be any landmarks left. Sooner or later they may run out of ideas ... What do you think cusoo is about? In Technic, we've been seeing lately primarily variations on some central themes ... No need as this discussed in another thread. As you and I (afols) age and possibly move on ... Would the younger lego-ers look at museum copies of the Taj Mahal and ponder ... ?

Some re-issue is unavoidable ... Kids have been playing with cars for a century, and you and I are not here forever ...

Edited October 30, 2013 by DrJB

[vmln8r]

What do you think cusoo is about?

Some re-issue is unavoidable ... Kids have been playing with cars for a century, and you and I are not here forever ...

More than anything else, I think it's just brand promotion.

Looking backwards can't be a good look for a company, especially when it's so easy to rebuild pretty much anything Lego has ever made from Bricklink et al.

[DrJB]

More than anything else, I think it's just brand promotion.

Looking backwards can't be a good look for a company, especially when it's so easy to rebuild pretty much anything Lego has ever made from Bricklink et al.

Your point is surely debatable (about looking in the past) ... as many companies look in the past to learn from their successes and failures. Don't we all? As for Bricklink, I bet you a large percentage (95+) of people who buy Lego do not know about bricklink. Last, bricklinking as you call it is no guarantee you'll get all the parts you need ... but a guarantee you'll pay much more than the original set price. Edited October 30, 2013 by DrJB

[czl663]

They reissued, didn't sell. I've just finished a rather detailed book about the leadership and financial troubles that TLG went through in the last 15 years. It's pretty clear that they won't dable with things like "Legends" again

It's funny, because it's all about moving forward but still creating the same sets over and over. That IS the (current) strategy and they're not about to change that

Edit : And the current strategy runs until 2022. Of course TLG have ben wrong (VERY wrong!) several times in the last 15 years or so (they didn't even know (as knowing in the top level domain of TLG) about AFOLs until 7-8 years ago, but I think with Knudstorp they've finally gone in the right direction

It's a reall good, interesting read (allthough it's all about leadership/financial struggle and not gossip) and I think if you like to know what goes on at the very top of TLG it's a must read. It's called "Miraklet i LEGO" (The miracle in LEGO) by a well respected danish journalist. Not sure if it's been translated into english yet?

There where many surprising things in that book for me. I've been thinking about doing a post on that, if anyone is interested?

Cheers,

Ole

very much interested, please. Seems no english version available on the market.

[captainmib]

very much interested, please. Seems no english version available on the market.

Second that. Always nice to read about company's processes and succes/failure.

[TinkerBrick]

Re-releases have been common in the Technics genre: Front End Loader 8459 (1997), 8464 (2001) and 8439 (2004). The same goes for the Pneumatic Crane Truck 8438 of 2003, a re-release of the 8431 (2002) and the initial issue 8460 of 1995.

However, it seems to apply only to medium sized sets. In the StarWars theme we re-releases or makeovers of several set every other or third year (Millennium Falcon, X-Wing, Republic Gunship).

Personally, i'd love to see a re-release of the 8275 Dozer.

[Johnny P]

bringing old sets back to Life is stupid,in my eyes.

I would much rather see a dozer V2.new parts,new techniques.that would be more interesting.again in my eyes.

[1974]

Does nobody realise that a new set will sell much better than a reissued one ? Selling old stuff is bad business, introducing novelties are good business.

Does nobody realise that a mould has a limited life span ? That LEGO often need more than one mould just to produce the amount needed for a new part for the first year ? The cost of a mould is really not a big issue in the cost of parts, the amount of time it takes up at a moulding machine is a bigger factor.

Erland

Part Design

Yes, I think most of us know that by now as it's been discussed here many times since the forum's beginning. Too bad TLG didn't know that back in 2001 when they reintroduced The Guarded Inn

[Front]

@ 1974

But why do you then claim it cost a lot to make a mould ?

Another note:

Please consider that the information in the book mentioned in this thread might not be accurate, and in fact in some cases may be untrue. It's made by a journalist, not by TLG.

[gmshades]

I'd like to see the dozer re-upped, just so I can get a hold of some pneumatic cylinder brackets!

I don't think sets have to reappear, but certain parts like the cylinder brackets, or red 5 x 11 panels, should come back in new sets. That way people can have the parts they want without paying an arm and a leg for them.

[Freekysch]

I don't know what to say about reissues of some old sets, but i would like to see a new versions of some old Technic flagships like 8285, 8275.

[Carrera124]

As I don't like the modern studless technic sets, I'd buy 100% accurate re-releases of sets like 8868 and 8480.

[1974]

@ 1974

But why do you then claim it cost a lot to make a mould ?

Because it does?

[skriblez]

I wouldn't mind a re release of some sets that i "missed" during my dark ages. Now that i am working full time i wouldn't have any problems buying the sets either but i guess people like me ain't that big of a market share for TLG. I must say that i find Bricklink to be pretty expensive compared to other sources.

[Carrera124]

I wouldn't mind a re release of some sets that i "missed" during my dark ages. Now that i am working full time i wouldn't have any problems buying the sets either but i guess people like me ain't that big of a market share for TLG. I must say that i find Bricklink to be pretty expensive compared to other sources.

You're right, Bricklink prices are sometimes... special.

During the last 2 years, I bought lots of older Technic sets from the 80s and 90s in MISB state, and most of them had affordable prices. Only few sets reached €100 or more. So, a re-release of these sets wouldn't make any sense for TLG, as long as MISB originals are available and/or don't reach high prices. Maybe most of the fans buy used sets, which helps as lot to reduce the costs.

But some sets like 8868/8480 reach high prices even in used and/or incomplete state (and MISB ones are very very expensive).

These sets would be proper candidates to be re-released without TLG causing to loose money, but on the other hand this old stuff would collide with current TLG product strategy for techic sets.

[Lakop]

As much as I want 8258 at the same time I don't want it re-released if it wil hurt lego. They need to keep us hungry and by discontinuing sets and introducing new they do exactly that (keep us hungry). I'm also desperate for red panels (as in 8258) so hope they come back in a new set.

H

[DrJB]

EDIT - Removed, started in another thread ... to keep this one on-focus

Edited October 31, 2013 by DrJB

[allanp]

I don't want re-issues, I want re-imaginings! The only reason why I would want a re-issue of classic sets like 8880 is because IMHO they haven't released a better or more innovative (in terms of new parts leading to higher levels of complexity and authenticity) car in the 19 years since it's release. I would rather they gave use the next level of awesomeness and mechanical authenticity.

[Junpei]

I think ^allanp^ really has the right idea. It's been discussed so many times, just give us an 8880-level supercar with some new gearbox parts, Lego!