TheLegoDr

My local Target had a few of the sets, only no prices and they were just thrown on the shelf haphazardly. Same goes with TMNT. It's as if they don't care if they sell them or not. The entire presentation was pretty dismal. I plan on waiting for a sale anyway so I wasn't going to buy them, but it was pretty disappointing. (I'm just the type of person that thinks appearances help sell).

I loved Thundercats as a kid. I didn't see the new series since I don't have cable. However, I'd love for LEGO to release Thundercats sets. Instead of they came up with Chima. There may be some similarities, but I wouldn't say the two are the same. But with that said, I don't plan on getting any of the Chima sets anyway. I do think that poster of Laval doesn't help matters, but is a pose of a humanoid lion holding a sword really copyrighted? That'd be like saying throwing a bomb and walking away slowly would be copyrighted (which is overdone in every single action movie). I doubt there is too much of a case here. But it'd be interesting to see if there was a case and if Thundercats won, what would happen to Chima since it is supposed to be the best thing since sliced things.

I think a lot of those earlier sets are fetching such a high price-tag because they were more of a first of its kind and people didn't know what to expect. Since investing became such a huge trend recently, you may not get as much for multiple sets now than you once did. Fire Brigade is a great example. It's been around for so long, I doubt the secondary market will have that high of a resale value mostly because it will be flooded with sets to resell. However, people are always coming out of their Dark Ages, so sets will always have an increase in value over time, but I doubt it will skyrocket like some of the earlier sets. Out of the three listed, I would suspect the VW van to have a good increase in value mostly because I don't think it was as sought after as a lot of the other sets. Obviously it is all speculation because I have no idea. I attribute my lack of interest in that set to cover everyone's interest, so there really is nothing to it.

I think they will wait on a second mini modular series until they have a few more sets to do. Unless they want to have a much lower price-tag on it. I'm not sure how they will incorporate two 16x16 into mini form, but that's for their Master Builders to figure out. But that brings 3 (with this next year's cinema), so probably in a few years they will have a new one. I agree about the feast and famine idea, although I wouldn't attribute it to TLG as a whole, but more theme specific. For a collector like myself, next year's SW range will be more famine, but Hobbit/LOTR will be a feast fit for a king. So it really depends on what you're looking at.

I think it is pretty random. I have some brand new pieces/figures that have cracks out of the box, and I have others from the early 90s that were extensively played with that still don't show any signs of wear. I've removed hands/arms/legs a lot to help customize figures and some become loose and others are as tight as can be. I think it is unfortunate, but we are dealing with plastic and plastic isn't necessarily the most durable of materials. At least (sometimes) LEGO will be able to replace the piece or figure.

I would assume Lone Ranger will be similar to POTC (I realize it is Disney either way), as in they would hope for a long running franchise. With that said, the sets may not be available indefinitely, but the theme itself would probably stick around for quite some time, just with breaks waiting for movie advertising. I think a lot of people are into the Western theme as an idea, but there isn't a lot out there to stimulate buyer's wants with the exception of a possible new hit movie. I agree with the sentiment that people who voted for one set may not be as interested in it down the road, or maybe just less interested, so shelving an idea isn't the best either. As far as CUUSOO in general, only time will tell how it works out. I think there are some great ideas on there and some will eventually get produced, but they still may not sell as well as expected. I understand the Minecraft set sold out right away, but I had no idea it even released yet, so hopefully they will have better press on that. Or maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention. As far as the BTTF set goes, I can make no guarantees that I will like it, so with every other LEGO set, I will wait until pictures or holding it in my hands because I've been uninterested in multiple sets until I bought them and built them and was far more pleased.

I really like the wasp. Great job there. I know nothing of that character, but that particular figure looks great. Hulk_Smash - have you considered NRG Kai for the head for flame-on Torch. I'm not sure if it would work, but maybe..

You never cease to amaze me. I'm always thoroughly impressed with your builds because they aren't too in-your-face. In fact, the main problem with all of your buildings are they look too good. They look really realistic, as in I could walk downtown and see this building, whereas I wouldn't be able to walk downtown and see Market Street or some of those. The color usage is great, even if it isn't eye popping color. I think that is my problem. I want to use colors, but in reality I want to do something more like this, but I can't figure out how to incorporate some of it. The real treat is the little details on the architecture. You've done an amazing job with the windows and even the grill brick to create visual stimulation without overdoing it. I especially love the upper level with the 1x1 at an angle to the brick and the I assume 1x2 jumper plate creating a half step of depth instead of a full stud. Brilliant, simply brilliant. I always look forward to seeing your builds.

That is impressive, to say the least. I almost feel overwhelmed with the size, so I'm glad it isn't in real bricks. But I do agree the middle section by itself would look great as a modular for a city layout. Keep up the great work.

The heater is brilliant. I hadn't thought of that, but since I've never really seen one I wouldn't even think to build one. Great job there. My favorite aspect is the baseplate being angular. It gives more depth to the build without having to create depth in the building itself. I hadn't thought of that. I tore down part of my building because it was way too big and square, but I like how you did that. And it fits in size wise with the rest of them. Best of luck to you for the contest. There is some really good competition this year.

I have yet to receive one, so I will have to contact them again to see. I'd love a long blue cape, even if it is that version. It would probably work better with the long hair.

I've used Brickpicker a few times. It is a neat idea. It won't let me export my brickset list to it, so I haven't used it consistently. I don't have the time to input over 600 sets by set number, when I already did that by clicking a box on brickset. Either way, I think investing is a good idea and LEGO being as popular as it is can be good. But the downside becomes when not every set is a hit in the resale market. One set may skyrocket in price, but then you could miss your selling point and the price could plummet the next day. I realize investing is a gamble, but it seems only a select few sets are really going to be worth anything. And with LEGO retaining some sets for longer periods than previously, the number of sets in the public's hands will increase, thus causing less scarcity. Death Star, Fire Brigade, and MMV are all prime examples. (Basically) Everyone that wanted one probably has one, short of the late comers to getting back into the hobby. So to own multiples for resale may not give you as much of an increase in value as expected. Then I think there are people like me who don't need the exact set in question, but will just use their own stock/bricklink the pieces and make modifications to suit. That's how I'm building CC and GG because I won't be paying upwards of $2000 for those two sets when I can build them for much less. The same goes for LEGO re-releasing not sets, but actual parts in future sets. If the dark blue arch ever became available again, then that would make CC MOCers much happier and the sellers would be sitting on a worthless part. And an addendum: I always referred to LEGO as legos as a child and I will forever call them legos. On here, I type LEGO, but I always refer to them as legos. It doesn't hurt my feelings like most people.

I think the trick is, how well known are a lot of these pages for newcomers and veterans. I've only been back into LEGO for 2 years, but I've never used brickshelf or mocpages. I'm sure I've heard of them, but I never go to them. I only use flickr. A long time ago I used to use photobucket, but I don't even know if that exists anymore. I probably lost a lot of photos, oh well. So with that said, I always prefer flickr, but that is only because that is the service I use and have used for quite a while now.

I think most of the Modulars are for a larger scaled city. I picture the official City sets as more of a small town setting. I don't know why, but that is how I look at it. However, I think the beauty of a lot of these buildings is you can see these in your city or a city near you, no matter what country you are in. However, the Palace doesn't fit that as well. That doesn't bother me because I think it is beautiful and can't wait to get it. But it has more of a distinct look than the previous releases. I think it fits in nicely with the line-up thanks to that photoshopped image and it looks great on its own.

Thanks for the clearer scan. The torso prints look beautiful. Some very useful torsos for other ideas. I'm a little saddened that the stagecoach looks normal red instead of dark red. But I still love the design overall. And some of the hats have hair attached, which is good and bad. I can't wait. I will definitely pick every set up in this wave.

My plans include wait for more sales. I was always worried I would miss out on a set, I'd get it right away, but as time went on I'd see how much cheaper they could be had. I'll wait until I see a price that I deem worthy and get sets then. If it goes down from that price, then so be it, but at least I won't feel like I overpaid for some sets (Jabba's Palace or Gungan Sub are the prime examples, although I did wait for a sale on Jabba's). I also think I will collect Star Wars less, especially since the new sets don't seem as interesting and I have basically all of the main characters I would want anyway. I'll see what this summer wave brings us though. Other plans include MOCing more. There are a lot of things I want to build, I just never have the time to do so. So 2013 will be the year to make time...maybe.

I don't think there is much merit to UV damage personally. There are a lot of other factors at play when looking at plastic. All of my bricks from my childhood were in totes away from the sun for 15 years and all of the whites/light grays were discolored, but the megablocks mixed in were still brilliantly white. I'd say it is the type of plastic used and maybe heat (or heat/cold cycles) that damage it more. With that said, all of my stuff is displayed out in the open free to gather dust or UV damage. I may purchase some type of plastic/glass screen to protect them, but I don't know yet.

For the people who only buy from LEGO directly (because of various reasons), I love VIP points. Yes, it isn't a huge savings like potential sales at stores or Amazon, but it is still a nice treat, especially for the big exclusives or double points month or when they have a polybag figure that isn't available anywhere else. I think long run, Amazon or somewhere will be cheaper, but the VIP is still a nice program. But back to the topic, as far as I know, they just need your name or email or phone number to look up your account. I didn't have my card (I can't find it) and I received all of my points no problem at my last visit. It's under my dad's name, but my phone number and they still let me use it without him present. But I did hear they have a 2 year expiration?? I don't know if that is true or not.

I agree about getting sets that look appealing to you. If you want crossover themes, then Prince of Persia is possible. I'd say the figures in Super Heroes are superb, but the builds haven't been that great. I only built the Batmobile set and the Joker Funhouse set. But the Funhouse is the set to get for Batman lovers (until Arkham that is). I would second the Winter Village line. Mostly because I'm using it as a Hogsmeade replacement. The buildings look similar to how I would picture that area. Plus, it being above the snow line permanently, it is always snowy there, thus making the Winter Village sets perfect. The Modulars are beautiful and if I ever have to cut out themes to make room in my budget, the modulars would be one of the few guaranteed sets to stay. They only come out once a year, but there is some back stock with a few of the previous sets. But if you want sets to tide you over until Spring for more LOTR sets, then there really isn't that much time left, so there isn't a ton to buy between now and then.

I just picked up my second Attack of the Wargs tonight. One of my local Targets had it on clearance for 30% off. I snatched it up right away even though I didn't want a second one originally. the same thing happened last year with POTC and being put on clearance immediately after they were released. I'm not complaining.

Those are really neat. I hadn't considered using some of those torsos before, but they work. Just add some elf hair on them and it works really well.

It is unfortunate and can be unfair, but there are a lot of factors that go into pricing. The US has a larger market base I believe, so they get better deals at times. The US doesn't always receive the exclusives though. I know I've seen some sets posted online that are/were not available here still. I stand by my statement. If I lived anywhere else, I would not buy LEGO due to not being able to afford it.

I guess I hadn't considered sorting by same color to be a hindrance. But it makes sense. Multiple colors stand out more with similar shapes instead of multiple shapes within the same color. Ever since I got back into LEGO I began sorting by color when I build and haven't noticed problems, but I may try a different way next time. But yes, I always sort before I build. It helps tremendously. Plus, I've had many issues where pieces were missing, so it is easier to make sure every piece is available before you start building, instead of trying to figure out if all of the pieces are accounted for after the fact. That's what happened with Fire Brigade. I had one of the defunct sets that needed extra bags, so I called and went through every piece to make sure I received what I needed.

I love this build. Thanks for photoshopping it in with the rest of the line-up. I don't love it next to the Town Hall, but I don't love how tall the Town Hall is anyway. But I do think it fits in quite well with the rest of the line-up. I was going to buy it either way, but I will definitely buy it after seeing the glimpse of the exterior. It is beautiful and might be my favorite of the series so far. That's a bold statement to make with so many great additions. I think it looks great as a corner building, but it may be a tad small on the interior because of it. I will wait and see how they used the space.

So if only LEGO would release a cool Lando like that one in the video. Maybe a May the 4th exclusive?? Just kidding. But speaking of that, when do we normally find out what the unique figure is during the May the Fourth celebration?? I have only followed LEGO SW in 2012, so I don't have past years knowledge. Thanks.