DrWeevil

Great review and great photos! Just one suggestion with the photos (though I don't think anyone does this) - I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of photos with a ruler to give a scale of how big the box/model are...

Thanks guys. When I took the costs into consideration with the recent drop in the USD it seemed like too much hassle for an almost negligible saving. Think I'll wait it out until they're released in store over here and hold out for a sale :)

A question for the Aussies out there: I am um-ing and ah-ing about getting some sets from S@H US (VW camper, Pet Shop +/- Maersk train) whilst they still have free domestic shipping and just want to know how cheap people have able to secure parcel forwarding? I've had a bit of a look into a couple (Price USA, Carrie My Shopping) but it's hard to know how much you'll be out with the total cost? Haven't been able to bite the bullet as I'm not convinced it'll be cheaper than bricklink in spite of their above-rrp prices... Any thoughts?

Just received an email flyer from Target - they are having a three day sale, which includes 20% off Lego. Runs Saturday through Monday inclusively.

That is indeed correct.

Yes, it should be Aus-wide - here in Vic we don't have the long weekend but I received the same email.

Yup

It's probably somewhere in between those two scenarios. BigW can afford a lower margin due to bulk turnover and buying power enables a better wholesale price, obviously. In all likelihood they were offered a cheap deal on an old set that obviously didn't sell well and was sitting around in some warehouse - so they buy it as a catalogue deal and all parties are happy and most likely still all made a profit. Big W doesn't tend to be ruthless when moving older stock on - as evidenced by my local still trying to move Blizzard's Peak at full rrp. Also, sorry to be picky, but it's 'Woolworths' and 'Wesfarmers'.

I was lucky and managed to pick up the large fire boat and the chopper at $29 each at my not so local Big W whilst out and about today. Great value at that price! Nice work on the Fire Temple!

This afternoon BigW had the fire truck and boat set online with free shipping. Available until October, or until stocks run out. The other two sets aren't listed however. Yes this is the real deal. It's for the Father Bob Maguire charity. The guy in the picture is Father Bob (renegade religious 'dude' who features on a weekly radio show on JJJ with John Saffran). I read about this a few days ago in The Age.

A warning: My time has been wasted by this kid for a couple of weeks regarding this set. Mixed messages and poor communication. Personally I do not believe you should be inviting people to enter into contracts of sale / send you money when you don't even know what elements of the set you have or have already entered into an agreement with someone else. Bad etiquette.

It took about three months for me to receive my heavily discounted Queen Annes Revenge set from the hut, though a fair number of those weeks was waiting for it to 'come back into stock' - item was received in less than pristine condition but not as bad as Ang's on the last page...

Haha, I wouldn't have thought so!

Yeah, I wouldn't be worrying about missing out on that one dotmike, don't forget Myer is ever reliable for having a 20+% off Lego sale about once a month!

Thanks :)

Bit overrun with doctors hey? But yes, I must admit... I am quite the minifig transplant specialist I happen to hail from Ye Olde Melbourne Town... Yourself?

Thanks guys (and/or girls)!

+1 on occasional decent prices at Big W: they had the new Hogwarts Castle a couple of bucks cheaper in their everyday prices than Target's 20% off sale...

Thanks for that Hewman, you make a sound argument, I'm sure you'll be right. On the Pet Shop front - I just had a relo over in France, who tried to find a set for me in Paris - they went to the main place recommended on the boards here, but were told they weren't going to have any until October! I'll be joining the DJs queue somewhere down the track I think... I was lucky enough to get a GE for a really good price but I'll be happy with 25% off of this one!

Just wondering, was there any word on an Aussie retail stockist / date for the vw campervan?

Sorry for the delayed reply and thanks for the welcome :) I suppose the only theme I could say I collect 'as a theme' would be the modular buildings. I tend to decide what I like on a set by set basis, and as I like the complexity and involved-ness (new word!) of larger sets they tend to be the ones that take my fancy (and hold my wallet hostage!) - I'd rather shell out for one great, large set than 3-4 smaller ones. I'm also a bit of a Creator fan due to its grass roots feel and value for money (usually). Sometimes a theme will take my fancy (like Batman) but I've never felt the need to collect every set in the range (having missed out on Market Street at time of release I refuse to shell out for it at today's asking prices). Then again, sometimes I'll grab something because it's a great deal, or because I would like just one set from the range (eg Spogebob - don't judge me!)...

Scam. These have been run a couple of times over the last couple of weeks, at least once with the Death Star playset.

Isn't there a saying that you can't con those that aren't greedy? But on another note, I happen to have 2,000 units of set# 10179 sitting unused in my Nigerian warehouse that I need to move on to caring homes. Only $300 each including shipping. Each set comes with a free puppy. And a blind date with a Nigerian prince (or princess, for my gentlemen purchasers). If interested, PM me. Please note: Western Union payment only.

Do I get in trouble for saying it's cute? Liking the hammers!

Viking Boat for me. Then knew I was really back when I bought the UCS Death Star 2!