Hobbun

Yes, I do understand reasoning on why it is being done. It is a business and they are trying to minimize costs as much as possible and in turn increase the profit margin. But whether it is the new ‘norm’ or not, I really don’t feel that is applicable. It’s almost like saying “You should just accept it is lesser quality and not say anything, because everything is not as good anymore.” I feel it is our right, and responsibility, to point out when we are not happy with product, or the lessening quality of it. If we (the consumer) don’t bring it up, no one else will. That said, if LEGO is going to lessen anything on their sets, it is better making the box slightly thinner, instead of using cheaper plastic for the pieces. As long as the thinning doesn’t affect the product ‘inside’ the box. But I will say I would rather pay a little bit more to keep a good, durable (and thicker) box.

Possibly. But my point still stands in it isn't something we should be happy with or be quiet about it when we are given lesser quality. If we never say anything, then nothing will definitely ever be done. And the manual for my GBHQ did come with the cardboard backing, btw.

Well, of course it does. Thinner or less quality product will always mean lower costs. But it doesn't mean it is something that should be done.

Just got home from the LEGO Store with mine. They gave away a Nexo Knight figure (meh...). The box is thinner than expected. I don't mean depth, but the thinness of the cardboard. For how heavy and big it is, the cardboard should have been more heavy duty. The bottom is a bit crushed in a few corners. Not REAL bad, more of pushed in and well creased. I doubt anything is damage at all. However, it wouldn't have happened if the box was thicker like it should have been.

Oh, looks like the photos are gone.

What is the giveaway polybag of the month?

I think I worded my reply a bit incorrectly. I do agree that TLG does look at the collectibility of their product, as with exclusives like you mentioned. However, I don't believe, if they felt they would make good money for a re-release of Cafe Corner, that it would prevent them from re-releasing it because it would lower the price of the current prices of third party sellers. TLG doesn't make money from those inflated prices on retired sets, but they would make money from a re-release. But like Pedilego made reference to, I could see TLG making updates to the re-release where it would possibly keep the price for the original set at a somewhat higher price. I'll be honest, though. The prices on these older sets get to ridiculous levels just because they are no longer made. Does someone really need to inflate the price of selling their set to $1000+ that they only paid $150? Heck, these sets aren't even new anymore, and I'm paying 8x the price? Sure, I understand the concept of supply and demand, but they are only increasing the price because they can, and I've always hated that. It's not like these items are being auctioned. And it's not like they are losing money if they sell it for $400. And this applies to anything older and ridiculously overpriced, not just LEGO. But this a discussion for another time and place.

I really doubt most LEGO fans/collectors purchase sets just so they can hold onto them sealed (or at least in NM condition) and sell them later at a higher price. I I know there are some that do this, but I don't consider those that buy extra sets, just so they can scalp them years later, as ALOF (stressing 'fan'). Some may disagree with me on this, and that's fine, but it's just my opinion on the matter. As for TLG themselves, I don't see them 'not' re-releasing a set later on just to avoid it from lowering the value of the older sets. TLG will look at it new profit for themselves if they feel there is a large enough userbase to purchase the re-released set. I doubt they would even think about how it would affect the price of the original sets. Myself, I would like to see a re-release of the older sets as I wouldn't mind being able to collect all of them. I would only buy CC and Market Street if they redid the insides, as I hear they are quite sparse comparatively to the newer sets. But I wouldn't mind seeing a re-release of at least GG, Fire Brigade or Town Hall.

Thanks all for your responses, especially from the reviewer and designer. To Marcos, I had planned to leave the roof on, it's just Cornelius had indicated in his review that it 'sags less' with the review. I guess I didn't want it to sag 'at all'. :) However, Cornelius assured the sag is barely noticeable, which is good. And thank you for reassuring the stability of the set and I shouldn't have any issue in moving it. And I'm not really worried about opening and closing it any longer as I will just be careful when I need to do so. I will be there day 1 to purchase the set, thanks for making a memorable one!

I wish there was some more info on it, like when it will be released and whether it will be a promotional polybag or something you can purchase. I just don't want it to be something that is there and gone (or hard to get a hold of) and the only way to buy it is via Ebay or something similar (at an inflated price).

I keep hearing the stability of the set, and how it "sags less" if you leave the roof on. I plan to leave the roof on, but honestly, I would rather it didn't 'sag' at all, so it's a bit distressing to hear that it does. But how well are you able to transport the Firehouse? I will be building it in my dining room, but will be transporting it to my bedroom for display. Will I be able to pick it up and carry it there just fine? There are no stairs involved at all.

Do you, or anyone else, have a link to an article (in English) showing what will be in the polybag? Is it something that is supposed to be released on January 1st, as well?

So any idea how we will get the fountain polybag? Is it something we will be able to purchase?

Talk about bringing back an old thread. But just to give you fair warning, but the Fire Brigade set is retired now and quite expensive. You can probably bricklink it at a cheaper price, but that can be very time consuming. Myself, I just don't have the patience for something like that.

Usually I've only seen the 1 set per customer come into effect for sets that getting to be really hard to find, like the Death Star (before it sold out). Normally I've seen a limit of 2 for most Hard to Find sets. But then I've never purchased a set on opening day before, so maybe it's different in regards to that.

Yes, I think we all can agree it is expensive. But it's one thing saying it's expensive, and too expensive. Saying something is "too expensive" is usually an indication an item is being priced at more than it should be for what you are receiving.

I had to go and look at the item again on S@H to confirm the price, but just an FYI, it is $350, not $400. At least a couple of people have mentioned that already, so just wanted to say it's not quite that much. I do think $50 is a big difference.

Yeah, not really sure why we are getting "too expensive" comments. Is $350 a lot of money? Yes. Is it an unreasonable amount of money for the set you are getting? No. The price comes out to less than 8 cents per brick. I'd be curious to hear what their expectations are on price for a massive set like this one. I mean the Death Star was $400 and it was less than 4000 pieces. How is this too expensive? Yes, it is an expensive set, but you have to adjust expectations. Just because it is a lot of money, doesn't mean it should be graded less. You have to look at what you are getting for that money. It's like me saying "Wow, that Ferrari is ridiculous, I mean it's $200,000, way too expensive." I would be told "Yeah, but it's a Ferrari, it's not priced for someone like yourself." And they are right, I am not their target audience. I'm not saying the Ghostbusters HQ is necessarily the Ferrari of LEGO sets, but it is targeted towards adult collectors (usually single) who want the more detailed sets and who also have the extra money to spend. But I am glad TLG hasn't stopped making the larger and more expensive sets (like this one) as I am one who enjoys them, and there are others who do, as well.

Ok, will keep that in mind in the future. Thanks.

Great review. I definitely will be purchasing this set. Not sure if it will be day 1, but I will be getting it eventually. Where I will agree with the back of the building (that looks pretty bad), the stickers are something that shouldn't be held against it as they are pretty much standard with large sets like this. Where I would prefer everything was printed, it just isn't going to happen. Not with a large set like this one. However, I do think the Ghostbusters sign (on the front of the building) should have been printed, that is a bit disappointing.

You already found it today? It's not supposed to be released until January 1st. Looks like someone broke street date.

Ok, thanks. Didn't know this was the general discussion thread that covered the Creator buildings.

Had to go back and look at his pictures, but yes, I see what you mean in regards to a hinge on the top of the building. Maybe the reviewer meant it was 'mainly' hinged on the 1st floor, which has three of them? This is the portion I was referring to from the review: "Another issue is that only the 1st floor is hinged. The upper floors have no hinged connection whatsoever between the main building and the two panel that open up. The end result is a lack of stability and more strain being put on the first floor hinges. All the weight is resting on them contributing to the catching issue mentioned previously when trying to close the walls. Had more hinge bricks or plates been used on the upper levels it would have alleviated some of the strain and sag. You can see the gap when it’s opened up. The lack of a hinged baseplate I mentioned earlier just exacerbates the issue even more. The sheer weight of it all makes those wall elements sag and look and feel more fragile. It could be that it was intentionally designed this way to make removing floors easier and that was a compromise the designers were willing to live with. Whatever the reasoning, the $350 model ends up feeling more delicate than it should be." Also, here is the portion where the reviewer did not like the base plate 'not' rotating out with the building, and having to lift it up (over the base plate): "Opening the set up can be done in two ways. The most familiar way that’s been shown is by opening the two sides converting the building into a dollhouse playset. Even though the sides of the building swing open, the baseplate is not similarly hinged. I can’t think of any reason why they didn’t construct the floor in such a way that the floor splits apart and swings out with the building parts as this would have been much more stable and easier to handle. Had this been a single-floor playset, it wouldn’t be an issue but on this three-story building when the walls are opened up, the weight of all the bricks causes some sag and pull and inevitably as you try and close the building, the bricks will catch on the baseplate. You’ll have to forcibly lift the sides of the building to get it to go over the tiled base. It’s incredibly annoying." However, when looking at the pictures again, I can see why the designer (was it Marcus?) did not have the base floor split apart as well. If it did so, you wouldn't be able to set up the inside office area(s) of the bottom floor as the base plate would be rotated out with the building. Or, your office furniture would be rotated out, as well. Either option would not a good one. Hopefully the issue the reviewer had with the bottom of the floor catching on the baseplate is more of a singular, or uncommon problem, than a problem that is innate with all sets.

I didn't see a general LEGO Creator thread (like I see for Friends or City), so going to add this here. But I ended up purchasing Pet Shop and Palace Cinema this morning. The guy at the LEGO Store seemed pretty knowledgeable of the sets and he thinks I am pretty safe, retirement-wise, for the other two still out there (Parisian Restaurant and Detective's Office) for awhile. I did also ask him about New Years Day (when the GBHQ and Brick Bank are released) and he indicated that there will definitely be a line. He added that last year it was really only the Detective's Office being released and it was crazy busy. I am debating if I want to go on New Years Day. He did indicate that neither of these would most likely be going anywhere for awhile.

Nice review. I don't like what I am hearing about how much an issue it is the open the firehouse. Where you basically need to lift it up to get it over the baseplate. As the reviewer noted, why couldn't the designer allow the baseplate to swing out as well? Also, it only has one hinge on the building, which makes it more unstable when trying to open or close it. Not too happy with this at all.