Karto

I've always found the 12V line the best ever made, basically because of its remote controlled accessories and the adult concept. Now, the 12V line was quite expensive at the time and as far as I remember, it was hard to find. It was only available at Christiaensens stores (in Belgium), which were already way more expensive for classic sets. The 7745 high speed train was near 10.000 BEF, which must be around 400 Euro today (including inflation). When the 9V line was introduced, it made trains and tracks affordable. That made me really happy I see the Metroliner and the other first sets from the 9V line a little like the first Pirates sets (Black Seas Barracuda, etc.) as the best they have made.

That's very wrong. Next time you travel, ask about it at the customs of your airport (US, CA, EU or whatever western country)... It's quite common to see people coming back from Turkey, Singapore or Hong Kong being held back with some Gucci, Armani, Rolex or Sony PlayStation stuff which they 'didn't know' they were copies while being bought at 3 bucks a piece... Authorities usually track producers and wholesalers of course, but buying the stuff is illegal by law... I don't want to be harsh but you seem a little naive. It's their brand. They do the design, the development and all the imaginable investments (that's the very basic purpose of patents and trademarks). Do you have any idea how much a company has to invest in safety and quality control? All basic materials, especially for toys, must be tested and approved by countless official entities. You can't give any kind of stuff to children knowing they'll probably put it in their mouth. I really doubt that a company which sells 1000 parts sets at 5$ pays attention to the quality of the basic materials they use. It's very common to find lead and mercury for example in chinese low quality goods... (even real brands may have problems with their Chinese production sites like Mattel and its countless recalls...) I even find it criminal to give such risky goods to kids, just to save a little money. What a shame! If TLC had ever done that with the Enlighten stuff, they would have been smashed to the ground. Note: I'm not saying all Chinese stuff is from low quality! They sure have very good production sites from foreign brands and from own high quality brands such as Lenovo. They also do more and more high level research & development, especially in medical research. That's true, but in this case, most industrialized countries are on the same line (USA, Canada, the EU, Japan, Australia...) and work together. This matter is discussed at WTO (World Trade Organization) and G8 level. You may buy them, that's not a problem to me personally . My point was about the fact it is openly promoted on a LEGO dedicated forum. I just found it strange that this was tolerated, nothing more. Now speaking about eBay... They have been condemned just one week ago to pay 38,83 Million Euro to LVMH (French luxury goods company) for the massive sale of brand copies on their platform and the lack of control on it. Basically, eBay doesn't really check every item put for sale for obvious financial reasons... they usually take action when complaints are coming in. This is no longer enough apparently

I think the problem is not on the quality of parts. It is not a 'clone brand' in the same way as Megablocks is. These sets are illegal copies. Selling them, promoting them and buying them is illegal. The fact that the line is no longer produced, doesn't mean that anyone can take it over. Besides the set desings, a lot of other patents such as mini-fig shape and design are put aside. Now, it doesn't really bother if you buy the stuff but I'm quite surprised that this is tolerated on the forum regarding the possible consequences... You can see HERE a few words about TLC and their way to enjoy the 'Enlighten' stuff. Note: I don't really think they do a lot of quality control on the production line nor in the labs when mixing A/H5N1 chicken wings, yellow glowing fish straight from Beijing's Yangtze blue-water-river and fresh K2-harvested Tibetan Monk skulls to make the mighty little parts you're twisting in your hands right now just before dinner. yummy :pir-skull:

It may be 299$-349$ in the US regarding the 199$ price of the Eiffel tower and its 3000+ parts. Which means 350-400 Euro at S@H's 'exclusive' exchange rates. Note: Someone said that there were no royalties to pay like on the Star Wars stuff. I thought that those kind of buildings like the Eiffel Tower were trademarks. Atleast, the unknown Atomium here in Brussels actually is and a very expensive one.

Selling thousands of F-16's all around the world is great, but ordering a few Airbus AAR planes (at lower cost and way more efficient) is seen as 'high treason' at the Congress. Now that's an example of an 'open market'. (you can find thousands of restrictions and protections like this one...). The USA is a fair open market, but not more than most of the other industrialized countries, including the EU. The European market has also plenty of cheap clones and other types of construction toys; Megablocks, Bestlock, KNex, Meccano, etc. Most of stores have more and sell more of these brands than Lego, just like in the US. So, it has definitely nothing to do with competition within the EU. Germany is the largest market for Lego in the world. The official prices are also on the higher hand compared to other EU members. The demand is high, the prices are high, it's that easy. I think that the price differences could be explained by the way the Lego toy is seen in Europe. Having a long tradition for about 50 years, it became a real traditional, luxury toy. Parents, who probably used to have Lego during their own youth, see this toy as the perfect way for their kids to enjoy and learn at the same time. Therefore, they're probably ready to spend more money on this ultimate quality toy than on any other type of entertainment. I would compare this to how wooden toys and metal scale cars were seen during my youth. I'm not sure that Lego is seen in the same way in the USA (I mean by most of the people, not just a few fans). To get a better idea: I don't know any guy who never had Lego during his youth.

I don't remember exactly but it must have been limited to the EU as worldwide shipping from Belgium is too expensive for heavy parcels (156 Euro for 10kg worldwide without any insurance possible...). I usually put only smaller sets available worldwide. The last Pirate sets I've put for sale on eBay were sold at a good price but these were MISB (6270 and 6251 a few months ago). I've seen several BSB's going for less than 50 Euro (even being complete, with shooting canons). On the other hand, the castle theme seems to have way more success. I've sold several 6080 castles for higher prices than on Bricklink.

Honestly, I've never seen used Pirate sets sell at a high price. Two years ago, I've put 7 sets at once on eBay: - 6285 Black Seas Barracuda, - 6276 Eldorado Fortress, - 6274 Carribean Clipper, - 6270 Forbidden Island, - 6257 Castaway Raft, - 6251 Pirate Minifigures, - 6245 Harbor Centry. All in mint condition, only build once for display. Start price: 99 Euro... never sold them. Two months ago, I've bought a MISB 6271 Imperial Flagship for 31 Euro (still on ebay.be). That says enough...

In other words; your finished work does give you a sense of accomplishment and pride. I don't see any other real purpose than that either. :pir-skull:

For Belgians: Colruyt has put its last 66193 super packs on sale at 49 Euro (MSRP was around 90 Euro for individual sets). Go to the Collishop website and click on "Last pieces" (Laatste stukken, Derni

You can find them on a regular base and very cheap on eBay.de (Germany). I'll probably buy some soon.

Normally, the displays are taken back by the representatives. Last time I asked for it in a store, they told me that the whole Lego shelves were managed by TLG (including promotion material). Now, I'm wondering what TLG does with these displays.

The Maersk Sealand was an exception. Most promotional items never make it to shops or to online stores including S@H. All the Airline promotionals, all the former Maersk promos (at least 4 trucks and 2 boats), the Velux House (which was sold on the Velux website though), the several Milk trucks and if you go a little back in time, it was even worse with the Dutch ANWB sets and the English Weetabix sets. Most of these were really nice and huge sets and could have been topsellers but none of them have been distributed. The 'hard to find' sets that are usually available on S@H are 'exclusives', exclusive to official Lego stores and / or exclusives to some toy stores such as TRU but not promotionals. I really doubt that if Vestas' answer is that this set is only meant to be distributed amongst the customers, we'll ever see it on S@H. Let's hope that Mr Torsten Erik Rasmussen, chairman of Vestas and one of TLC former's CEO's has a big AFOL heart and will reconsider the company's position... Comon' Torsten stop hiding, I know you're around. Show yourself, I promess I won't laugh at your MOCs

That means it will be distributed only to a few customers like the old Maersk trucks... But I found why they choosed for this type of promotional item on Vestas Homepage. It's one of us, an AFOL ordering a huge promotional set only for himself

I finally managed to see three pics of the box (wasn't easy as all Brickshelf folders have been removed). That's an impressive set! Basically it's a giant windmill with a small cottage at its base. It works on Power Functions. You can see on the back of the box that by triggering the motor (in the basement of the windmill) it starts to turn and two lights in front of the cottage starts to glow! Does this mean that Light Posts will come back with the upcoming Power Functions Train line? Now this is definitely a 100+ Euro set, probably around 130 (if it will ever be available of course)...

TLC usually avoids creating minifig design for only one set due to high production costs. Especially now that they're trying to reduce the quantity of different molds and colors. That's probably why you find quite a limited quantity of different minfigs in actual sets.

It may be sound strange but Ive always prefered stickers. For the sets I build, I try to always put them in place. I think the choice depends a lot of the way you're handling the parts as stated above. If you're more into MOCs, it would probably be better not to use them.

Germany has 19% VAT, Belgium has 21%... So, yes some sets are way cheaper in Belgium while the VAT is even higher

Just a little side note if I may: Denmark (Billund) is member of the European Union, and more importantly, from the Schengen zone. This means that there are no 'borders', no customs duties, no taxes at all. People and goods are free to move all over Europe excluding some countries such as the UK. The Czech republic, were you can find another major production plant (with 'cheap' production costs), is also part from the Schengen since 2007. Next to this, both countries are also member of the ERM II (European Exchange Rate Mechanism). This means that they are not currently member of the Eurozone, but their monetary system is linked to the Euro to avoid any changes in the rates. The exhange rates are fixed. If you take into account that shipping a parcel of 30kg across Europe costs less than 10 Euro for a major company such as TLG, without having to pay any duties or taxes to the country of destination, I might understand that people have some questions about TLG's price policy. I'm personally not against the pricing. TLG is a company and is there to make business. They know, for example, that the German market is by far the most important and the most 'interested' in Lego. Which explains easily that their prices are in some cases way higher as in mine (Belgium). But still, the price differences are a result of business choices ONLY and have nothing to do with third party costs. So it's totally in their control

Check out the new amazing Pirate cart on eBay HERE. With a brand new torso and very usefull headgear! Just kidding :pir-skull:

The "copyright" on the picture is a good one too...

Please note: - The pieces count are mostly wrong and differs a lot from the official counts and the online databases invetories. - The rareness is not based on official Lego sales... - The "special" tag which is used for promotional, exclusive and limited sets is missing for quite some sets. - The information (i) provided for some sets is fair but incomplete. - The information given on the release region (North America, Europe, Asia or Australia) is questionable... Some US exclusive sets are pointed to have been released in Europe... It's nice for images only. Don't rely on it for set details...

I've just checked the sales for Italy and Germany and some of the interesting sales are quite more expensive than for Belgium. The 6211 Imperial Star Destroyer is at 87,49 Euro for Belgium while the 'sale' price for Italy is 104,99 Euro (I bought it cheaper in a regular shop ). Same thing for the Boeing 787; here it's at 55,99 Euro, for Italy it's at 66,49. Strange.

The Lego sales page has been updated (Europe). There are about 120 items on sale including the Star Wars battle packs, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the city Airport, the Storage Tray Unit (which has been lowered), etc.

That's only 8,25 Euro I wish I could have these at that price instead of the usual 34,99. Straight 9V tracks are only at 4.98$ (3,16 Euro)!

That's exactly what I was thinking about after seeing the pics of the back of the ship and those glowing yellow parts... looks like coming from the wrong Chinese factory...