AFOL SF

Seriously, what do "YOU" think: Will we see more 'price hikes (or should I say 'spikes') in the future on popular sets or will TLC get their act together and price these sets correctly the first time around? I'm still contemplating whether to buy this set or not, to be honest. It is one great set but quite expensive, too. As a couple of you guys said, Lego IS an expensive hobby.

Years ago, a cousin of mine surprised me with a 'gift.' Knowing that I like Lego and could not afford to buy it, he gave me his favorite minifig. That's right, one minifig - my very first Lego (to own). The sad part is, someone took it from my parents' house and never saw it again.

I think so, too... considering the 'history' of the previous smaller chess sets of the past 2-3 years, all eventually went on sale (in the US). The first 2 chess sets went as much as 50% off retail but the 3rd was only about 25-30% off if memory serves me correctly before S@H and the Lego store near me sold out of the set. Although this new set is detailed, it's quite expensive.

I do not believe this is a store policy. It all depends on the employee what he/she wants to do (whether to inspect each return or not) and how far to go as far as checking is concerned. I was also surprised that she had to do that, considering it was a very nice box. That could also have triggered her suspicion.

I have not been a victim yet (knock on wood!) and I hope it won't happen but there is always that possibility. Here's a couple of experiences I've had at a Target store: (1) I had to return a StarWars Gungan Sub set one time because after paying full price, it went on sale a week later. Naturally, I want the difference of what I paid back. Guess what this Target employee helping me out did after asking me if there's anything wrong with the set? She ripped opened the box just to make sure that I was returning the real thing/with Legos inside. And where do you think that opened box of Lego will end up? In a trash bin no consumer will ever see (according to a friend of mine who works there). (2) Not Lego-related but here it is anyways... I bought an iPod at the same Target store. The box was 'sealed' and looks brand new. When I got home and opened it, surprise! It does contain an iPod that was an older model and used! How could that happen? Eventhough I went back to have it exchanged, talked to the manager about my experience, I was out of luck due to the fact that it's hard to convince that I didn't switch iPods... it's basically my word against theirs. The bottomline is, there are a lot of wicked people out there and most of the time (if not all the time), it's us who pays for this wickedness. There was this other guy who got caught 'stealing' Lego sets in several Target stores. His modus operandi was buy one set at a Target store, then go to a different Target store, with his receipt and the Target bag in his pocket. Pick up the same item and walk out the door. He has the receipt to show in case he gets checked in the door. You're probably wondering how this guy got away for a long time before being caught. It only took a security guy less than a minute to scrutinize the receipt, because in it shows the location of the store and time of purchase (date is always printed).

As far as the green tub is concerned, does the Lego stores sell them separately and how much? If so, does it have a lid/cover to go with? Anyone out there had the chance (last year or this year) to purchase without filling it up with PAB? Thanks in advance for your input.

I say, go for the Sandcrawler. This is the one on sale at the moment. Then start saving again and wait until the other 2 sets you mentioned goes on sale. There's that possibility.

I do wish TLC would release sets associated with the City theme which we haven't seen yet/produced or a re-make of sets that were made only once or twice during the past 10 years. Lots of people are asking for a bank, for example. What about a bus stop instead of another train station? A garage, maybe?

I'm not sure if this was an impulse set but I got mine from S@H about 2 years ago. A few weeks after it arrived, it went on sale - again at S@H - for half price. It went real fast, so some people have a gazillion of this at their homes. Never saw it at the Lego store or Toys R' Us.

Yesterday, I received my Summer catalog in the mail... the regular size one... just like the one online at S@H. Nothing new that we don't know about. Surprisingly this morning, I received a smaller version - 20 pages - of the same Summer catalog, listing just the newly released sets. Anybody knows why? All along some of us were thinking that TLC was cutting down on printing cost.

Search your inner self... what does it tells you? And then decide what brand to buy. All the brands you mentioned are great. If I have to choose, I would go with Indiana Jones because I'm into that kind of adventure/theme. Good luck!

I agree with LegoLyons... get both set. IMO, these are unique sets worth the price(s).

Sandcrawler is now on backorder (14 days wait) but can still be ordered. Unfortunately, the Clone Troopers BP is sold out. Geez, this went fast! Is everyone building a clone army?

Any chance you can show us a picture? Some of us are just bad with (mental) visualization. But this is GOOD news. Thank you.

To svelte_corps... thanks a bunch for posting and sharing these images.

Same here... I snatched the Star Justice set first time I saw it at the Downtown Disney Lego store. I was so excited, I just closed my eyes when I paid the full price which came up to almost $110 (sales tax included). Who would've known it'll go on sale in the US just after 3 months of being 'officially' released? Now I'm hesitating to buy the Space Skulls set, out of frustration. Honestly speaking, I don't mind TLC putting these exclusive sets on sale, but only after a while (say, a year or so after it's been released) when the time comes to move some overstock to make room for new exclusives, BUT not in just a short time! For me as an AFOLs, I think it comes down to this... to buy or not to buy... to miss an exclusive set or pay full price...

Here's what I found... an article by Ashley Glennon - BrickJournal #4. These are actually called "Promotional Bricks" which has been around for more than a decade. For those of you who're interested in these specialty bricks, the AFOL who's being interviewed was a certain Mark Papenfuss from Southern California. Mark's website is: www.promobricks.com and a forum... www.forum.PromoBricks.com Hope this helps!

I think it sold for US$40, that is- Retail. I never saw it on sale or discounted price. eBay could be a great place to find it if anyone missed it in the stores.

In one of the BrickJournal magazines, there was an article about this guy who collects Legoland Bricks. Maybe someone else who reads/buy the magazine can confirm? I will try and get back to you with a name or contact once I find my copy of that particular magazine. Hope this bit of information helps.

My local Lego store doesn't have the new Coast Guard sets in-stock yet but I saw at least a half dozen Dwarve's Mine with a price tag of US$59.95, so I went to TRU and found what I was looking for. It also have the Dwarve's Mine for US$49.95 (US$10 less than the Lego store). Good luck to those who're still looking to own a set. May you also find what you're looking for.

ImperialShadow- thanks for the link. This is exactly what I was talking about. I apologize for the double-post. Didn't know there was already one in existence. Can you pls leave my post 'active' for a couple of days until I get a chance to make a copy of those "promotional" sets listed? Thanks!

Another question out of curiosity... Once in a while, we all see (small) sets that are labeled "promotional" or "airline exclusives." Othertimes some Lego sets are sold on certain country/countries and not widely distributed. So my question is: How can an AFOL get to own such a set/sets without having to pay extravagant prices in such places at eBay and online stores? Has there been any trading or swapping done within the EB community? Or should the majority of us resign to the fact that we'll never be able to own such sets?

Thanks for letting me know. When the time comes, I'd appreciate it if you can tell me which website I can order the magazine. Good luck to all of you involved in the production of the magazine.

Hi there, I'd like to know if you will offer this magazine overseas once it's out on print and how much will the cost be to subscribe? Thanks for your time. AFOL SF

Thanks for the update!... this news is really helpful. It won't be long before the Lego store in my area stocks these sets...