RichardGoring

I was 'about to move' for about two years, just as Barracuda Bay was launched, and then finally moved a year ago, but haven't yet managed to find time or space to build it. It will be a good time to build it and something from the Imperials to match at the same time, whatever it is.

Amazon shows the number of items sold in the last month under some of its listings. Disney 100 CMF six packs - 9000 Up House - 6000 Speed Champions GT-R - 3000 Indiana Jones Temple - 700 Rivendell - 100 Although for things released at the same time (so only a week and bit of sales data): Rivendell - 100 Friends Botanical Garden - 300 (Backordered on LEGO.com) Jurassic Park Brachiosaurus - 400 Not quite sure what to make of it. If the data is even accurate. But it feels like a decent showing for a set that is 6x more expensive than other newly released sets (and has been available from LEGO directly for a while). But it compares poorly to some others, albeit at a generally lower price point and having a full month of sales.

Same. It has a lot of potential. I hope they do it well.

I got the final few Disney 100 CMFs that I wanted the other day from the LEGO store. Then went onto a Walmart and they had a few packs there. Only packs. All ripped open. A few bits and pieces had fallen out on the shelves. There is going to be so much bother when they all come in boxes. Sad in so many ways. Really like the Sorcerer Mickey figure, although the head feels just a bit too big, especially now it has the hat on.

I wondered whether they'd have the option of either putting Gringotts on top of the minecart structure or on top of an alleyway baseplate, that might have an all tile base with a few jumpers. Doubling up of parts, but means it's more compatible with Diagon Alley.

ha ha! Yes, an L-shape might be interesting. There isn't one in the official line-up, although you can find a few on Rebrickable...

But if they have to redesign the Cafe Corner to accommodate the new door standard, and then maybe do a few other redesigns to incorporate newer parts or newer building techniques, then why not just create something brand new? Because the redesigned version isn't the same. If they just did a rerelease (which they won't), then all those people who have it already won't buy it (and may well be annoyed at having a 'valuable asset' devalued significantly, which is bad PR for LEGO). And quite a few of the more casual fans likely won't buy it, as they simply don't look as good as the modern designs. So it's really for a much smaller market than a new modular, where everyone will buy it. And if they did go down either route of straight rerelease or redesign, then they'd face backlash from the fans of either side, so again poor PR. And even more backlash from those who say they've used up a slot for something new. Oh, and where do they stop going back? What counts as old, and what should you already have? There's probably one person who wants a rerelease of the Corner Garage, or by next year, the soon to be retired ones. I just don't see them winning on this. However, there are some good sets on Rebrickable, where people have reengineered the older modulars using less expensive parts. That seems like a decent compromise to me.

I can easily imagine that with so many people involved in approvals, they all focus on a small part of it - aesthetics, stability, profitability, box size logistics etc. - and no one ever took a step back to ask whether they wanted to release it and if it fits the overall strategy. Until the last minute, when you see it, and then realize. Someone else will have looked at it, or I'll read the information in detail at the next stage, or it must have been approved already to have come to me, are all likely things to occur to those involved.

Love it! Nice work.

Neither can I.

Into the US (and I assume other non-European parts of the world), they send out lots of orders in a large batch to the destination country, and then from there it's split into local deliveries. The timing from when it leaves the LEGO warehouse (and you get the invoice) to arrival can be very variable. I choose to look at it as a nice surprise. Can be a bit painful sometimes when you're waiting for something for a MOC though!

Nice! Do share when it's complete, please.

And as it isn't tracked, it's actually a pretty exciting day when it arrives. Often further excitement when you open it and remember all the things you forgot you ordered!

Do you have anything similar? The UK has Quidco, for example.

At least it means that sites like Rakuten will give you full cashback, and not the much smaller amounts for Exclusive sets. They often have bonuses of 10% cashback on LEGO and recently it went up to 20%.

I think it's 41729 Organic Grocery Store, which has a sign at the front saying 'Fresh Market'. Organic Grocery Store 41729 | Friends | Buy online at the Official LEGO® Shop US

The Botanical Garden is on Backorder. When was the last time a Friends set went on Backorder? More and more people are coming round to them being such good sets.

I built the blue one just last night and loved it. Definitely going to get this. It looks great. Sort of scales, ish, with the BDP kakapo and they look great together.

I'll also look in BAM first, and then PAB online if needed.

Just looked at it again on a larger screen and it really does look brick-built. It's too blocky to be a moulded animal.

The new 2K Drive sets have a pirate monster truck with a new colour for the tricorn with hair (black and tan), and then a more modern pirate torso and some stickers. But the hat is interesting and again could be doubled up in the new set?

I was tempted by the City ski slope, but then, as usual, the Friends one is better. Also curious that they've done it. At the first LEGOCon they had an interview with two of the Friends designers - one was a designer, one was the manager/lead. The designer was asked what would you like to do, and she said something related to skiing, which was then immediately put down by the manager as something that had been done a few years ago. It amused me at the time that they clearly hadn't coordinated, and the manager was (unusually) dismissive. Clearly the designer won out! Very pleased that she did.

Solid Brix Studio has a review up of the Batcave shadowbox.

Ooh nice! Especially the dark orange chicken! (I know that's not the point, but I'd love to get a load of those).

Yes, brick-built definitely a possibility there. The antlers do look different, and component pieces would make sense. We'll definitely get clearer pictures before Christmas Just seen that @cacacolito has posted the new BAM figures and one of the accessories is the dark orange chicken! Might have to try and get a flock of them if they don't fly run away at high speed.