Production Time for a LEGO set

[JGW3000]

I noticed on Lego S&H site that the 42000 Grand Prix Racer, while accepting orders, is listed as "out of stock will ship in 30 days". So this begs the question, what is a typical production run and schedule for LEGO manufacturing? Probably the details are proprietary. From an overall perspective, when someone in sales says "go", how long does manufacturing take to delivery the product? I am curious as I finally thought I'd get one, but TRU is sold out as well, even though they have a shiny display of the set in their local store.

[Vee]

Whoa, that is a nice set!

You are lucky, at least the status on Lego site means that it is supposed to be back in stock. The important is not when you are going to get it but how much you are going to pay for it.

As for your question, I guess no one knows unless someone here is an insider, in which case s/he would not tell us anyway.

Edited December 18, 2013 by Vee

[1974]

It can actually change rapidly. Sometimes dealers are seen sets that won't it into production and are scrapped. Sometimes TLG makes a bad decision and are 'forced' into making sets rapidly (see current Ninjago)

TLG produces a shitload of parts, many of them stored. To make a set 'back in stock' means programming the right robots, making the boxes etc .. that could well happen within 30 days given TLGs rather smooth running machinery

Sometimes the sets are actually in stock but supposed to go to location X. X does not need them afterall = in stock at LEGO.com

Also, the 42000 is on sale everywhere in Denmark (like the Unimog)

Don't know if shops actually return them to TLG though if there's no sale?

[Vee]

They have been manufacturing Legos since I was born so they have a HUGE experience, today computers can help A LOT and do much of the dirty work, not to mention robotics that can replace us and do much better, etc., a once-designed-and-made set should be rather quickly to manufacture additional production, and also their product, being "just" plastic, is EXPENSIVE so they have the money too. I think they have just one word to guide their actions: "profit". Which, ultimately, is not wrong but can backfire.

http://www.heaven4kids.dk/Leget%C3%B8j/Byggeklodser/LEGO-Technic-Grandprixracer-42000-1

Is this a sale? ~US$137, more expensive than at Lego Store.

[1974]

They have many years of experience yes, but they also have many years of fvckking up. Multiple times. I'ts all public knowledge

Idealogy is STILL the core at TLG, but profit must me made surely

Edit: The 42000 is 700DKR at Bilka (danish wannabe Walmart) from officially 900DKR (LEGO S&H), so it's on sale

Edited December 18, 2013 by 1974

[Faefrost]

There is a big difference between "how long to manufacture a set", Which is probably at least 6 months once you factor in art, documentation, production scheduling, distribution, etc. versus "How long does it take to restock a set?" Which will vary wildly depending on what is required for the restock. is it just a matter of shifting product from one region or chjannel to another? is there any product already in the pipeline? Are the components of the set all already available in the warehouses and just need assembly? Is factory time required to run off any additional parts? Where are the molds if so? so many variables.

For new products that are just hitting the market, Out of Stock can often just mean a few days or a week or two, as the production and distribution chain catches up with the demand. (ie the current Ninjago sets). For something like the Grand Prix racer I would assume it to be highly unpredictable. It's been out on the shelf for awhile. So there is a ton of product out there. TLG may quickly shift some, they may make another run? It could be days weeks or months. We have no way of knowing.

Edited December 19, 2013 by Faefrost