Lego friends retired sets price drops, or not holding value?

[Dunedain]

Hey all, I was wondering if anyone had any info on the costs of some older Lego Friends sets, or more specifically, why there costs seem to have gone down in price?

My daughter is getting a bit older, and she isnt interested as much in her Friends sets, any longer. My initial thought was to "break" them down, and incorporate them into my huge Lego collection. You can never have enough pieces, right. That being said, the colors of most of the sets pieces, and of course the mini-dolls, really wouldn't "fit" into my collection. Even if I parted them out, and sorted them, most of the pieces would be "wasted" in my collection, just sitting in bins.

This brought me to my next idea, which was to consider selling them. I am not a big fan of evil-bay, but to unload them quick and easily, it seems to be the best fit for me. My daughter started collecting the Friends sets from the very beginning, and she kept them complete, and in pristine condition. The ONLY things missing, in most cases, will be just some of the boxes, only. She has literally every set, up to about a year ago. This includes the original, retired sets, like Olivias house, and treehouse, the dog show, Butterfly beauty salon, Stephanies car, the Summer camp riding school, horse trailer, and many, many more.

About a year, or two ago, I had briefly went on Ebay and saw that most of the original sets, whether opened or. of course MIB, were very high in price. Needless to say, I couldn't believe how much some of those original sets were commanding. The Butterfly beauty shop was especially high in price, the City café, the 3188 Heartlake animal Vet, and many others were really up there in price. This was for MIB, and 100% complete sets in great condition. I even re-call that some of the smaller sets, like Olivias treehouse, and the Heartlake dog show, were pricey too. Now I get that these sets MIB, actually still do, in some cases get a slightly higher price, but back about 2 years ago, the prices were much higher, and even loose, complete sets, were much higher.

I looked at the prices now, and was kinda shocked at how cheap they are going for these days. I do not buy and sell Lego sets, or collect in any way to make money, but it is nice to know that most of MY sets, have gone up in value. I keep MY sets 100% complete, and in great condition too. I just assumed that the Friends sets would have been the same, especially since when I checked them awhile back, they WERE up there in price. Now these Friends sets, seemed to have taken a "beating", for some reason.

I am really wondering, why these sets are so cheap now. Does anyone know why? Or have any ideas why, or info on the Friends set prices going down? An idea I thought of, was maybe some newer versions, of the older sets, were released, like the Vet, or the newer light purple house, or newer cars, or a new Salon, and that made the older versions of them, not as sought after. However, that's usually NOT the case. Even if a new version of an older set is re-done, it still doesn't drop the value of the older sets. Look at Batman, for example. What I really think it is, though, is the mini-figures/mini-dolls, that are in Friends sets. Idk, but perhaps many of the mini-dolls that were in the older retired sets, are the same ones in the newer sets? This would make it easy to "create" complete sets from parts, AND mini-dolls on hand, and the "exclusivity" that many mini-figures have to a set, simply does not exist in Friends sets. Is that true, though, idk.

I know there are definitely some exclusive pieces, and of course, stickers that are exclusive to each Friends sets. Maybe that's not enough, or there isn't enough of that, and then not really having exclusive mini-figures, contributes in the prices for sets staying lower. I just don't get it, and don't get why they WERE more expensive a year or two back. Its almost like the "market" was flooded with sets, or something like that.

Does anybody have any thought on this? Its more of a curiosity thing for me, at this point. Is there something I missed about these sets, that for some reason, dropped them in price? Anybody have any info on this? Thanks in advance to any info, its appreciated.

[Vorkosigan]

My theory is that Friends drew a lot of new fans to LEGO, and that it did so not instantly but over the course of the first few years of the theme. Some of those new fans wanted to go back and "collect em all" and were driving up the prices of the old sets. But now that that theme is well established, there is less of a drive to try to collect all the back sets (and there are too many to make it practical for most), as well as more options. This is just my theory.

Another factor that I think is that there are no fans of Friends who had sets as a kid and are now a grown up fan collecting sets from their childhood. There just hasn't been enough time. Perhaps in another decade or so early Friends sets will gain value from future AFOLs buying sets from nostalgia (as certainly happens on the older boys themes). This phenomenon affects all retired sets because of the way AFOLs often come out of their dark ages and then want to buy sets that are retired which they missed during their dark ages (not just really old sets from when they were kids). Anyways just speculation on my part.

Edited August 14, 2016 by Vorkosigan

[LegoMyMamma]

My daughter is getting a bit older, and she isnt interested as much in her Friends sets, any longer.

Why not pack them away so that when she's in high school or college she could use them for a project; or build with them when she comes out of her dark ages. Plus, when she's even older, and perhaps has her own children, she can pull her Friends sets out to share with them! After all, they were her first LEGO sets.

[Dunedain]

Why not pack them away so that when she's in high school or college she could use them for a project; or build with them when she comes out of her dark ages. Plus, when she's even older, and perhaps has her own children, she can pull her Friends sets out to share with them! After all, they were her first LEGO sets.

Hey, maybe the sets could even PAY for college, when she goes, lol. Also, she will not be able to give them to her children, because she is NEVER allowed to date. Lol, seriously though, those are some good ideas. I do wonder how "sentimental" these sets will be to her in 12 years time. Idk if she will be like me, in that regard. I could see her being more sentimental to Shopkins, than Friends honestly, but ya never know.

My theory is that Friends drew a lot of new fans to LEGO, and that it did so not instantly but over the course of the first few years of the theme. Some of those new fans wanted to go back and "collect em all" and were driving up the prices of the old sets. But now that that theme is well established, there is less of a drive to try to collect all the back sets (and there are too many to make it practical for most), as well as more options. This is just my theory.

Another factor that I think is that there are no fans of Friends who had sets as a kid and are now a grown up fan collecting sets from their childhood. There just hasn't been enough time. Perhaps in another decade or so early Friends sets will gain value from future AFOLs buying sets from nostalgia (as certainly happens on the older boys themes). This phenomenon affects all retired sets because of the way AFOLs often come out of their dark ages and then want to buy sets that are retired which they missed during their dark ages (not just really old sets from when they were kids). Anyways just speculation on my part.

This actually makes a lot of sense. It is in a way, like the market was flooded, so to speak. Back in 2014, you COULD have gone back 2 years, and completed a Friends collection. If parents wanted to do that, they had to pay. Now, with the sheer amount of sets, it would be a daunting task to go back and complete EVERY set. Pretty much, they are there if someone wants them, and there is enough to keep price down. It was definitely the opposite about 2 years ago, though.

I guess there just aren't enough "must haves", in terms of special pieces, or exclusive mini-dolls, in those original sets, to warrant paying a high price. Can anyone confirm if any of the mini dolls in the first and second wave, are exclusive, or completely different, than mini dolls in later waves. I know there was the Mother, and Father, in the Olivias house, but they could have been released in later sets too, idk.

[Alpinemaps]

My own thought is that, while the originals were popular, and went up in price as they disappeared, the numerous remakes of the same type of sets have driven the values down. Why buy the vet clinic from two years ago, when you can get a brand new design today?

Friends collectors are not really Star Wars collectors. SW seems to be able to handle different remakes because the designs (for the most part) improve every few years. Or the minifigures change or get new designs. Friends is really centered on the five girls, and that's it. I get that they are a lot of other characters, but I couldn't name anyone other than the five characters (and my kids love to watch the Friends of Heartlake City cartoons).

[Foxw]

Dunedain. In moments like this, brickset is your friend.

[Legoboy22]

I has a theory that people are starting to realize that Lego friends are stereotyping girls and therefore do not want to buy them. His might be why their value is going down. Read this article for more information.

http://www.ravishly.com/2015/09/18/gendered-toy-debate-why-lego-friends-bad-boys-and-girls

It is my belief that lego friends will either drastically change for the better or be discontinued. So that is my opinion in why their value is so low.

[J_C]

Does anybody have any thought on this? Its more of a curiosity thing for me, at this point. Is there something I missed about these sets, that for some reason, dropped them in price? Anybody have any info on this? Thanks in advance to any info, its appreciated.

Pack it away, keep it! 20-30years down the line, your grandchildren will find real treasure when you bring it down from the attic. My children love, love, love (and so do I) my old sets and bricks from 80s. They are invaluable (not speaking about money now). And your daughter, one day, will kiss you on the forehead and say: "Thank you dad, for keeping my old LEGO 30y ago" .

[SirBlake]

I think part of the value is that there are just not legions of people collecting outside of whatever is available in retail. If you think about it, a black 2x4 brick is always going to be applicable to any aspect of the hobby, but a razzleberry (or whatever) slope is not. I would hazard a guess that most of the secondary market is AFOLs, and the vast majority of them are not chasing minidolls.

Pack it away, keep it! 20-30years down the line, your grandchildren will find real treasure when you bring it down from the attic. My children love, love, love (and so do I) my old sets and bricks from 80s. They are invaluable (not speaking about money now). And your daughter, one day, will kiss you on the forehead and say: "Thank you dad, for keeping my old LEGO 30y ago" .

This exactly. Even if she doesn't turn into an AFOL herself, she'll always cherish the time spent building with dad, and the possibility to pass them down to her kids is worth way more than whatever the secondary market will provide now.

[Bricknblue]

I have never bought a Friends set for MSRP, they have almost always been 30% off regularly at Target and then sometimes a sale on top of it. Friends sells well but 90% of the sets have no after market value, there is nothing special or unique that would keep the price steady.

[SweetiePie88]

The lack of decent post market prices probably has to do with a lot of the older friends stuff being mostly girl-sterotypical likes vs some of the more recent stuff, but not much, i.e. the amusement park, which seems to be kind of branching out. On top of that, the stuff is in that awkward stage of post market. Its too unpopular and "recently" EOL'd to have demand but not old enough to be in demand for being so lousy its actually good.

Sure i collect lego friends stuff sometimes but the problem i'm facing is that there's stuff i like to get but i don't really buy much of it since it looks kind of doofy next to my regular lego stuff.

However, i predict that the Elves sets are going to have more demand. The sets are mostly in beautiful neutral colors with many amazing parts. And the Elves Minidolls, unlike Friend dolls, could work in a normal lego set up b/c you could get away with saying "Hey, they're elves, they look weird"

[Japanbuilder]

My daughters are into friends as well, however, once they get all the minidolls for the five main girls I am sure they will feel their collection is complete.

It seems like they will outgrow them fast too. Their minds seem to race at a much faster pace with the princess line of dolls than the friends line. Sometimes I wonder if the popularity of Friends isn't on the wane.

[Lyichir]

My daughters are into friends as well, however, once they get all the minidolls for the five main girls I am sure they will feel their collection is complete.

It seems like they will outgrow them fast too. Their minds seem to race at a much faster pace with the princess line of dolls than the friends line. Sometimes I wonder if the popularity of Friends isn't on the wane.

I don't know if your daughters outgrowing the sets is a good indication that the theme's overall popularity is waning. Themes like Friends and City are basically designed with the knowledge that most kids will in fact grow out of them and move on to other interests, just as other kids will grow into them—it's the same reason there are new Police and Fire assortments in City each year that will be the "first" for a new generation of kids. Friends doesn't rely quite so heavily on staple subthemes but there's still a few categories that are somewhat consistent; models like "dollhouses" and farms/stables are common enough that a kid getting into Friends won't necessarily feel obligated to get the original Olivia's House or Sunshine Ranch when there are newer sets available for purchase.

[Isavarg]

I did get the animal themed ones and would have preferred the original vet clinic because it was bigger and seemed a more detailed build. I do not think that you can rule the pieces out - I had the Modular petshop and town house last year for Christmas and was disappointed with the house on two counts - the upstairs didn't have any furniture in it and the grey floor is a bit grim looking. I bought the Friends Advent Calendar and was able to make some nice bits out of it for the house and that made it more complete (though I don't know what I will do with the minidolls.) There are bits I like about the Friends line and bits I don't but if used creatively, I think they can brighten up the modular buildings and I can't help but think that some of the moaning about them stems from 'it's a girl's toy, with girly colours and items, so let's hate it!' rather than it being a bad theme in itself. I don't know what the other modular buildings are like, but if there are ones which have empty spaces in them with no accessories for furniture then it's a weakness.

[jlassen]

On 9/3/2016 at 8:54 AM, Lyichir said:

I don't know if your daughters outgrowing the sets is a good indication that the theme's overall popularity is waning. Themes like Friends and City are basically designed with the knowledge that most kids will in fact grow out of them and move on to other interests...

My daughter started gravitating on her own towards the elves sets a lot more then Friends sets... I worked hard to not show a preference  though Inside I  was cheering when she said "Daddy, i  think I  want the elves instead of the friends set."  My little sf/fantasy geek in the making! Now we have a lot of  dragons. We'll see where she goes net.  The Scooby Doo sets are getting mixed during her legotime adventures as well...

[Aanchir]

I'd guess it's a couple factors: a) these sets generated massive appeal among young kids and not nearly so much among adults, and b) as those kids move on from LEGO their used sets tend to flood the market, killing the sort of scarcity that tends to drive higher prices. Sort of the same thing we see with Bionicle — lots of sellers on BrickLink, not so many buyers.

By comparison, with sets that are either aimed at adults (like Creator Expert) or attract large numbers of adult collectors (like the licensed themes), once those sets are bought, they can remain off the market for years and years.