TakeaBrick

£20 including the killer croc boat and the two minifigs? If so, it is a deal, it is a steal, it is the sale of the freaking century ,man... £20 even just for the batboat alone can already stain my pants. Lucky you, bro! You totally nailed it. I wish I could have deals like that.

How much did the used 7780 hovercraft cost? I got the used 7781 batmobile with all 3 minifigs at 100 USD (all costs included). I gotta say it is a freaking awesome batmobile. 7888 The tumbler still costs much, even a used one. I am not sure I will be able to get it in this lifetime. LOL. By the way, I am also a batman freak. Post some more lego-batman stuff in your flickr. Look forward to that.

Krikkit, it is cool man! It is nice to have the comparison of the three batboats including 7780. I just wonder if you happen to have other bat-vehicles from the 2006-2008 era. There seems to be none other than 7780 after searching through your flickr feed. Can you post more of those bat-vehicles or maybe even do the comparisons of them with the current DC line bat-vehicles? I think a lot of us here would like to see that.

In terms of mini-fig scale Batmobile: 7781 > 76035 > 6864 > 76012 After all these years, they still cannot out-design the legendary 7781 Batmobile. But I will get the Jokerland anyway. Can someone do the comparison of all four?

The news of its "mission debrief" was striking to me when it came out. I thought it would stay for at least a year or two but it turned out to be one of the most short-lived LEGO ideas sets. In my opinion, I think this set is worth every dollar. Great displayability and minifigs though the playability is not so. Amazing details to savour. How come it has come to such a tragic end? I still remember quite a lot of AFOLS were hyped when the set was officially released despite the barrel forearm. Or is it the other way round? LEGO intended it be a limited release as some said it so. Since it was popular, the inventory got quickly emptied and thus the early retirement. Does anyone happen to know why? I just wish LEGO didn't think sets like this are not popular and banned the following similar sets.

And I shall answer this with all due respect. I meant and will mean no offence in all of my posts. Please consider the following as the elaboration of my original post and the response to your post: A) The question “Do you say NO to used sets whatsoever because you just cannot stand the fact that the sets are already handled by someone other than yourself even though they seem to be in good conditions? “ refers to the state of the used sets after they are unboxed and not before they are packaged in a factory. I surely know and accept that the pieces of the sets are probably handled by LEGO staff in the packaging process. However, whether the handling of the unboxed sets by people other than LEGO staff is acceptable leave me and probably a lot others a big question mark. Because you will never know how those “people” handle those sets. They might put the sets in a very bad environment (e.g. exposing them to direct sunlight, leaving them to kids for chewing, touching them with body fluids still on the hands like mucus or saliva...etc). Nevertheless, I highly doubt that the LEGO staff will handle the sets as such in the packaging process. B) People buy MISB out of all sorts of reasons. It can simply be that they can simply afford them as you said. It can also be that they can afford them AND they have very high standards of the sets. They want the sets to be as of high quality as possible. So, my second question “Do you always have to buy sets MISB because you ,as a perfectionist, have to set the bar as high as possible?” refers to the second type of people. I would agree “Buying MISB doesn't NECESSARILY reflect 'perfection' in a collector - just the will (for whatever reason) to buy MISB. And, there are always some people who buy MISB out of the pursuit of perfection. “ So, my second question is asking if you happen to be one. C) I sincerely don’t think that my statement “The fact that different AFOLs have varying tolerance of used sets always interests me since I believe it is reflective of one's character.” Is ridiculous. Buying used sets or not is at least PARTIALLY a reflection of the level of one's disposable income and ALSO indicative of one’s preference. As with LEGO, as with all other material things, some people prefer them to be first-handed. Some are okay with them being second-handed. Some might happen to be under the economic strain and still insist on buying them first-handed because they don’t want to be worried about any problems of the products left by the previous owners or they don’t want to be looked down upon or many other reasons. In such cases, they indicate preferences and preferences indicate certain aspects of the characters.

But, for used sets, there are most likely some scratches or dirt on the pieces. Don't you find them pestering or bugging? I, for one, as sort of a semi-perfectionist, have struggled to deal with them mentally. I guess it is not really the case for you and you seem to be able to focus just on the building process of the used sets, which I think is a good thing. I still got much to 'learn'.

It seems that you are quite a guy in pursuit of perfection. When I received my used sets, I washed them up and then scrutinized every single piece in the process of building. Not that I don't give much attention to new pieces while building MISB sets, it is just that I will give extra efforts for used sets. I wonder if you were like me when you received your MF 10179, the Grand Carroussel and the Cafe Corner. Furthermore, I would like to ask if you happened to encounter some not so easily irreplacable defected pieces in the forementioned sets. If so, how did you deal with them? Ever consider changing them to some alternate pieces without losing the original spirits of the sets or you just simply sucked it up and "let it go" ?

I would like to hear your thoughts on buying used sets (Note, not parts). Do you say NO to used sets whatsoever because you just cannot stand the fact that the sets are already handled by someone other than yourself even though they seem to be in good conditions? Do you always have to buy sets MISB because you ,as a perfectionist, have to set the bar as high as possible? To be honest, I buy used sets only when I can trade face-to-face. Sometimes, there are bound to be some minor defects which I cannot easily replace that bug me somehow. I do think I should learn to accept it as is but I just can't seem to get around it totally. I wonder if any of you suffer the same thing and can overcome it.The fact that different AFOLs have varying tolerance of used sets always interests me since I believe it is reflective of one's character. And, I seriously need your insights to increase my tolerance of used sets (Trading used set face-to-face is a must for me and I am more concerned about how to deal with the defective parts mentally) Please share your experience, thanks.

To Deathleech: It is good to know that you want to stick to only one theme at a time. However, you probably know that LOTR/HOBBIT line seems to be retired soon. Seeing that you would still buy LEGO after the theme is retired, I think you will have to be patient for the new castle theme(though not everyone knows when it will come out) instead of channeling out your buying desires on STAR WARS. It is tempting, I know. But, don't fall prey to the dark side of the force. To Endriu: It seems that you are a little bit confused as to what to buy. I would suggest you asking yourself what you really like about LEGO. Is it building, MOCing, army-building or what? As with all things in life, you have to ask yourself what is the most significant part and follow it. If you don't have a code, you will keep buying aimlessly and impulsively. Then, there will be a surge of guilt and it sucks most of the fun out of LEGO. You will be off the wheels if you don't keep yourself in check.

Gospel for flippers. I am still pumped about the set though.

I would say the CODE is designed as a framework for my "survival" in the world of LEGO. You might say I am blowing things out of proportion a little bit. But, I would like you to ask yourself if it is really so. With LEGO flippers (or shall I say "Brick Investor" for the sake of "political correctness") rampant in the market and LEGO itself driving up the prices, it just gets harder and harder to get the sets at reasonable prices. Sometimes, if you are one minute/one click late, you are just gonna have to say goodbye to your favorite sets because the prices of the sets will be right on the rocket and soar up high to the sky. The CODE keeps me sharp and on the edge. In a sense, it gives me peace of mind because I don't need to be hesitated too long about buying certain sets as I know the CODE will help me pull the right trigger right at the right aim promptly. Some kid cried at a toy shop on spot over the set (If I recall right, it was 76031) he could not get because the hoarders already looted the shops. The availability problem is getting aggravated and I am sick of this kind of story. The world is fierce out there. No polybag on clearance shall be left behind and the kids can only leave in despair. At times like this, I need the CODE. The only problem is: Do you?

Article No. 3 of my CODE 3.Buy what I need or love. Say no to sets that I don’t like just because they are cheap.

With LEGO come desires. To channel my need for LEGO, I have been trying to come up with a set of guidelines so that I can prioritize my purchase in LEGO and avoid the irrational impulsive purchases. Hopefully, with that, I can enjoy the most out of LEGO. Here down below is my personal guideline and I call it “The CODE”. Needless to say, it varies from person to person. I believe that by putting down your own CODE in your own words, you can make the buying decisions clearly and easily. Focus on the current sets. Some of retired set are really interesting though. I should try to MOC them out first instead of buying them at God-forbidden prices. If not, I should be patient enough to wait for the better versions of them to come out. If the temptations are so great that I cannot resist, I shall only buy one to two of those retired sets. Focus on two to three themes. At the moment, I mainly buy Superheroes/Castle/Ideas. Buy what I need or love. Say no to sets that I don’t like just because they are cheap. I love Building and MOCing so I wouldn’t buy the collectible minifigures even though they look very adorable. The selling points of a set to me are in general its building process, its aesthetic, its MOCablity, its pieces and its price. Open an EXCEL file and mark down all the records of my purchase and want list. Try to control the expense as much as possible. Cut down all the unnecessary expenses like shoes or clothes. Enough is Enough. No need to buy extra. I am currently learning some skills which I think are useful for my career. In doing so, I can make more money for my LEGO. Try to be more accepting to used sets. I don’t need to always buy it MISB. Always remember the golden quote: You don’t need to own it to appreciate it.Sometimes, watching the review/building video on youtube can already do enough good. So, (6090,7783, and more…), you are always in my heart. Buying LEGO is not the only way to enjoy LEGO. My life is not all about LEGO. Be well-balanced and I find that it will help you enjoy more especially at the times of not being able to buy certain sets. So far, it is all my CODE and I will add more or edit some in the future. I am sure yours will be different from mine. Your sharing will be most welcomed.

Oh man ! I am so well-informed now. Thanks for your information, bricker. After reading that, now I don't know which one to blame, Marvel or Fox.....? However, the fact that LEGO doesn't really give much support to release sets of dark/edgy/gloomy/gritty superhero movies still bugs me. For example, the sets featuring the Dark Knight Trilogy, probably the greatest superhero trilogy of all times, are only THREE in number (7888, 76001 and 76023 excluding polybag stuff if they even exist). On the other hand , LEGO shells out sets for Marvel, especially Avengers, like the sets are made out of thin air. Why are the treatments so different? it just kind of freaks me out, man. The frustrations that I cannot get the Anne Hathaway 's Selina Kyle or Morgan Freeman's Lucius Fox or even more ...force me to rant the BRICKS out of myself. Sorry for my two cents. I think LEGO should really re-consider its stance when it comes to those types of movies. "Oh no, it is too dark/thought-provoking! The kids won't like it! So, we shall just pass." This mentality needs to be changed.

Let alone in movies(in comparison with other superhero movies), even in LEGO, it seems that Fantastic Four is not getting much attention. They don't even have a set of their own. I understand that the movie has a darker and less comical side to it when compared with other superhero movies and it is in turn less kids-friendly. But, from a business standpoint, it is surely lucrative for LEGO to at least release just two to three sets comprising one to two of the main characters in each set. So, why hasn't LEGO done that yet? Is it because Marvel doesn't want to help FOX promote the movie and thus bans such kinds of ideas? If not, I don't really see any other reasons of LEGO not releasing the Fantastic Four sets. They already did all the designs in LEGO video games. Why not just pull the trigger and let us all AFOLs be happy? Dude, I seriously need them minifigures. Superhero movies being dark/edgy/gloomy/gritty does not mean sets made of them being unpopular/not selling. LEGO, please wake up to the call of the fans or at least look at the monetary side of it. It is not like we are asking for a Breaking Bad/Dexter/ Saw Lego set. It is just a marvel superhero movie. Why all the snub? What do y'all think, Brickers?

I really can't tell if you are joking. But, anyway, go for her, bricker! YOLO man!

Desires are unbound yet budgets are finite. Given the money and space constraints(though I am sure there are other factors in play for others), we all brickers have to refrain ourselves from getting certain sets. Gradually, at least for me, the unfulfilled cravings turn into some extents of frustration even I have tried to come up with ways to tackle it, like MOCing out the retired dream sets (Yes, 2006-2008 Classic Batman, I am talking about you) instead of buying them at those unholy prices, prioritizing the sets I really want,... . Yet, I still find those measures to be not as effective as I thought. I simply just don't have enough bricks or money for me to have those beautiful sets. The moment I lay my eyes on those sets, all desires break loose.Excitement is pumping through my whole body along with the blood, but all of a sudden the thought of a shrinked wallet just put a hold on it all. All those repressions and frustrations are cooking up in my body. There seems to be an implosion coming up. So, my question is: how do you all brickers channel out all these negative feelings which are actually and ironically stemming from LEGO? I know some of you may even have wife/girlfriend issues. Feel free to share your opinion!