AFOL SF

...speaking of the new 2012 City, Dino and Creator sets at TRU... I was there yesterday and was surprised to learn that they were running a 1-day BOGO of all themes; checked specifically the City and Dino sets if these were included in the BOGO sale and they were!... I didn't see any black box or Series 6 minifigs though...

...I finally got a chance to drop by the Hallmark store in one of the malls near where I live yesterday afternoon, intent of checking the Darth Vader ornament... the price is $14.99 but unfortunately, the store I went to was already sold out... I asked if it can be special ordered, so the helpful sales associate took my name and phone number, just in case one is located in another store (somewhere)... I was also informed that their store sold out of it as this is one of their most popular ornament this year... so cross my fingers, hoping I'd get one...

...hello everyone... now and then, I would come across sets that command high prices on the secondary market (same sets are already discontinued by TLC)... my curiosity is aroused whenever I see such a set... is it because of a special part, a rare minifig, etc-etc?... for example: 7890 - City Ambulance released in 2006, selling for over $125 on Amazon.Com? An open and used one is selling for almost $50 on eBay?... how come? What other sets have you encountered (or know) that demands such a high price and the reason behind it... please post it here... Moderators - if there is already an existing topic, please merge... thank you all...

...went to Target yesterday around 9.30am only to find the gift card pegs empty. I checked with two store associates and customer service staff but couldn't tell me if they have any left or what... with one last try, located the floor supervisor (in-charge of cashiers) and ask about it... he said people were just grabbing multiples so they decided to 'keep' a box open at a time in the area for anyone who asks... so my suggestion is, if you don't find it - go look for a floor supervisor... no harm in asking... good hunting, you guys...

...I can also confirm that I have seen this set in the lego store in northern California (SF/Bay Area) last Friday...

...oh-la-la... surprises, surprises... there goes my lunch money!...

...shucks!... does this mean I have to make four separate trips to TRU in October?... considering the high price of gasoline, I might have to pass this year... what a bummer!...

...does anybody know why big retailers like Target and Walmart doesn't carry this brand?... I mean, we have Hyundai and KIA from South Korea... we have MB and all those crappy clone brands... why not Oxford?...

...yes, I do... it's the box! Why can't TLC design a box that is appropriate to each set?... boxes takes too much space, especially the big sets...

...it all started for me when I was in my sophomore year in high school... that was my first encounter with Lego. I was walking in the mall one day and there was a display of classic space sets being held in one part of the mall. I was immediately attracted to these sets, especially the minifigs. Unfortunately then, I didn't have that much for an allowance (which I spent a big portion in buying books to read)... I tell you, Lego was expensive back then as it is now... Then came 1991, and finally got the chance to buy my first set from the Pirate theme. For the next ten years I'd buy a few sets here and there, especially when there's a sale and clearance, until I got serious with the hobby in the early 2000s. A few years back, my hobby became a passion (in moderation) which I'm proud of to this day...

Lego "is" a healthy hobby, at least for me... it kept me out of trouble: I don't drink, I don't smoke and I don't gamble... and yes, I do have a life, too, outside of my hobby. I keep it in moderation, checking myself not to over indulge from time to time; human nature dictates that anything good we must have a lot of, experience more of, which most often than not, becomes a bad thing/bad habit... A few years back, I realized that my hobby has become a passion and I'm very open with it. My office at work is decorated and is full of lego. All my relatives and friends know the passion I have for this hobby. No need to hide it, I say... I'm proud of it and will continue to do so...

...I, too, am holding in buying this set... not that I have the funds right now but I'm sure TLC will have some 'incentives' down the road to boost the sale of this set for the rest of us... not to mention, Black Friday discount cards at the Lego stores...

...thanks for the response... I was thinking more like the book Jonathan Bender wrote; somewhat like a narrative of his life with Lego. I've seen a handful of books on Brickshelf but couldn't quite make the titles since these were written in German. I'm sure there are also some European authors (Italians, Polish and French, to name a few)and Japanese (most likely) who've written something similar to Jonathan's book. I've started reading "Lego: A Love Story" and it's quite interesting, IMO. It would be nice to know how other nationalities deal with Lego in their lives... Maybe some people out there knows about a book or two (hopefully have an english version, too).

Hello everyone, I'm curious what are the titles of books (related to Lego) that are/were written by AFOLs regarding their experiences and the languages these books are/were published. It would be nice to have a small library of such books. Thanks in advance... AFOL SF

Pre-ordered my copy many moons ago through Amazon. Received it last week. I think I paid $19-something for it. No sales tax and free shipping (if you order $25 or more at the same time), so Amazon is the way to go if you're in the US.

...got the e-mail the other night... voted for the Spartan...

...same here; there are three Target stores near me and none of them ever stocked on this exclusive Target Practice... finally got one after ordering online... come to think of it, there was a small set that was released back in the early 90's (I think) that is similar to this set... anyone has that old set or remembers the set number?... it would be nice to have a comparison of the old and new sets...

...I'm also curious as I have friends who goes each year, but so far no word on any Lego exclusives at the SDCC... what gives?...

...it really depends on the sales clerk/Target employee you talk to (it boils down on a case-to-case basis)... these incidents only goes to show there's still some idiots who does not use that coconut on top of their heads when all it takes is common sense...

...because it's Lego, I'd buy a copy... no matter what the content of this book will be, I know you guys do a terrific job with Railbricks (I have each and every issue) that I'm pretty sure you'll do a good (if not better) job with the said book. I'm willing to pay between $30-40 for it...

I sympathize with you Big Cam because I do the same. I feel your pain. Funds that is suppose to go on new sets are being diverted to the minifigs... we all need a second job.

...I don't really do much MOC-ing but I do like Star Wars. Unfortunately as most of you have observed, these SW sets are a bit more expensive than other themed sets. It would've been easier to accept if only TLC would release new sets that has not yet been released before than having old (and popular ones) rehashed/re-released...

Hi, Chrono... and welcome! Lucky you, I've always wanted to visit South Korea. Hopefully someday... would you happen to know of a website that shares Oxford instruction booklets to the public? I've seen some of these sets online but never really got the chance to look at it firsthand. Some are really nice designs and would like to build using my extra Lego bricks I have at home. Thanks for your time.

I have the same dilemma for at least three years now. I was able to acquire around 8-10 big technic sets that are grimmy and dusty. Will the result be 'almost' the same if I don't disassemble the sets and just brush (using a toothbrush) the grime away and then submerge the sets for a period of time in water and oxyclean? I'm afraid of breaking the sets apart since I do not have the instruction booklets. Has anyone tried this method of cleaning before? Any input is appreciated.