Wodanis

I really wish I had the other winter sets, just have the winter village market but I would definitely like to pick up this one. I admit moulded reindeer would be awesome but I would use it like others mentioned as visiting Santa rather than the 'north pole'. I really hope it's not over the $100 price point as it doesn't look that complicated a build.

In answer to your question, yes I have, as I don't have a Lego shop near me I have been using BnP or PAB to make mini-figures. Made a riot squad with my Elite police and some more forest Fire Fighters. Bought a bunch of miners hat's as well. Keep in mind though the torso's aren't cheap. .84 cents CAD. Right now, I'm loving the fact that I can do this when I need to.

This looks like it was and still is a lot of fun to build/play with. Thank you for the photos!

Nor do they do it for Canada. Europe seems to be quite lucky in that regard. When I did receive an email with the initial order assessment it just had the total per part. I had to use excel and divide the totals with the amounts to find the price per piece. When I finalized my order I received an email without any total per piece. Rather frustrating. It still baffles me why they haven't adopted the same practice in the UK. It wouldn't take much to augment their system to reflect pricing.

Depends on the pieces you need. BnP prices vary, some will cost more than PAB some less. Would like to see some long awaited photos of everyone's creations.

Spoke to Customer Service again today. Found the new design ID for the brick w.bow 1x5x3 (76768) and they had all colours but white of course...I'm still hoping for a re-release. They had no information on file currently about this particular part. Usually they have some note on file that talks about how long a part will be around for (current production life). For instance brick yellow (tan) 1x5x3s are good till 2017. I would love access to there system haha. In the meantime my order should be shipped next week. Side note: updated my spreadsheet formulas so now it provides comparisons between PAB, BnP, and Bricklink and the amount of savings per method.

Quite interesting. I will have to factor those facts in. That may explain why Lego would revamp particular 'older' parts with newer moulds. Both to actually reduce overall cost and reduction of waste.

Really cute. You've done an excellent job with this. I don't think I would excel at micro towns.

Take a quickie photo for me to look at? Two heads are better than one.

That is pretty standard with BnPs. One addition to your list normally you can order up to 45 different types of parts and 200 in quantity. Mainly BnP is handy for those unique and proper coloured pieces that we want. I was speaking to customer service the other day and was asking if they could post the prices for BnP as it would make life so much easier for us and the reps. Certainly would reduce the amount of calls they receive from ppl like me. I know what I want but really need to assess the costs before placing an order vs PAB. Oh and in answer to the headline of the thread. YES! They definitely increased their pricing and in most cases significantly. I'm wondering if the increase is a combination of higher demand and because they can increase the prices. I find this topic fascinating considering they work very hard on their customer service and logistics yet still run into inefficiencies within those sections. I am referring to when they run out of stock with a particular set and lack of a pricing catalogue for BnP.

Any images to show us? I'm assuming the rail tunnel is the modular portion with three sides to connect it? I was designing a modular landscape for my mine sets that would be connected by three or four sides. All I did was just use the existing standard of modular layouts and included it on the third side. This way all the portions will be consistent. I also designed with Sin awhile back modular sections for an underground railway system. Check out my Flickr account and have a look.

Looking pretty good there Tra8cer. I think the drive through teller is a pretty good idea. I see these areas at banks all the time.

You may be right TheLegoDr. I can order most of the other parts over the next few months and with luck the white arches may be re-released. Actually that sounds sensible. I think the 1x5x4 bricks w.bows as ever green pieces. In fact it makes me wonder if TLG uses such a category for parts. I can't wait for my parts to arrive and start striking them off the list.

Thanks Faefrost, appreciate the advice. Funny that you should point that part out as I just used those pieces in the above images. It creates a different aesthetic but I was considering using them. I will try your and TheLegoDr advice about using smaller plates for roofing and flooring in the future. Sometimes I get lazy as well and use whatever part is simplest. I had the forethought of picking parts and colours that were available at least when I began designing them. I will try my best to attain the correct parts and colours. You never know after all is said and done with this I may do a revamp. For me its important that I just acquire what I need and build this in all its glory.

No worries TheLegoDr. Using the LDD update I managed to find the new number for the 1x5x4 bows. However they still don't list white! They are about $3 each on Bricklink...I want to stay away from Bricklink as much as possible. I also found that TLG did not have the 1x6x3 brick w.bows either in white. I tried to use a 1x8 brick w.bow but it doesn't look right. Not without major redesign of the upper floor. I supplemented the 1x6x3 bow with the shorter 1x6 bows and it creates a different look. I'm not sure I like it this way. What does everyone think? I may end up having to just bricklink those particular parts...

I really like this idea. Great job and lots of outside detail too!

When it comes to the modular line Lego likes to surprise us, their audience, with something new. The point about Lego telling a story with the modular is very apt. The next modular will be designed accordingly. I hope they don't do a police station modular as I am building one right now! :o However the idea of a museum I think is something Lego would actually do. You are absolutely right about kids and dinosaurs. Who doesn't love dinosaurs!? There could be lavish detail with the interior and lots of cool things like mummies, artifacts, exhibits and what not. The post office is a modular I think we could use too. However I think you are right as its a secondary idea considering how does one tell the story? Joe Brick goes to the post office to order a stamp? TLG could do it but I think it's not as likely. They would have to be far more inventive with the design and story. Right now as I am writing this I can envision a modular post office in my head with modern delivery vans. Here is a thought for everyone. TLG used to design sets about 18 months in advance of a release. We know that time has been reduced to about 8 months to a year. Therefore it's highly likely they will have a concrete modular idea for the next two modular buildings. In the process of releasing one they are already onto the next one.

When it comes to sets I am a perfectionist about getting the exact pieces, for the most part. However I do see your point. I suppose if I gave it some thought I would come up with an alternatives. In my MOC I give myself much more leeway in what I use. My logic was to use the parts necessary for each situation. For example using a 1x3 tile and not a 1x1 and 1x2 tiles in order to keep the part count and cost down. My constructions tend to be very solid as a result. I should show you the base of each floor. I'm learning with each creation how to arrange the floor panel structure each time I construct something new. I knew the 6x24s would be pricey. Some of the coloured tiles on the other hand I did not. I was wondering about the part you suggested but i think it is too long. I may experiment with a 1x8 bow although I really like what I've used. If i cant get these parts i will be rather buggered. I could not gain an answer from Lego customer service about why all the brick with bow 1x5x4s are out of stock. It's an 'evergreen piece' and in the course of the discussion I believe they are changing the design ID which may explain why they are 'out of stock'. I think I really should be working for Lego because at times I understand their system better than some of the operators do. What I would love to see is for them to post their catalogue of BnP pricing so I can make comparisons for price per part with PAB. Would save so much time for me and customer service.

Very unassuming building Krystal until one sees inside it! Really like the modern interiors. You've added quite a bit of detail, I may even use your idea with the glass wall. Very ingenious and simple. Love those types of ideas! I really liked your bar and the furniture upstairs. Completely true to life from what I've seen in trendy bars. Great work!

Well the first modular I bought was the Grand Emporium. I'm committed to attaining them all. Currently I have 6/9. BnP'd GG and CC, planning to do MS sometime. However I really need to pick up PR and PC. I'd love to have duplicates but I'm on a tight budget.

I got my base road plates all while I lived in the UK. John Lewis is good. Was there a few weeks ago and they had them on for £9 per pack. Amazon Uk or amazon Spain/Italy are good for deals as well. I bought 4 packs or plates from amazon Spain for £5 each. Canada sucks for competitiveness, they cost $20 dollars per pack...

I know right? Partly the higher cost is due to BnP and PaB prices have increased. Particular colours especially such as earth blue tiles or new dark red tiles. For instance trans blue cupboard doors are .39 cent each compared to white. The three 6x24 plates I used on the roofing are $2.14 each. It really adds up. The base plate wasn't that bad $8.21 for medium stone grey 32x32. $8.24 for green base plate at Wal Mart. Honestly if you are in the US I suspect you can make this cheaper. Parts are cheaper there. Canada is far too over priced for sets and what not. Similarly if I had a Lego store near me again it would be so much easier to fill a PaB cup with tiles/plates etc. since I don't I have to order each individually. Real pain when it comes to acquiring 1x1 plates or round pieces. When I finish my tweaks, I will in the future. For the moment I want to build it, then share :)

Thought I would do an update to my modular. I am having to do a bit of retooling as the parts I've used, while I tried to be thorough as possible for availability, have become unavailable. For instance the black tripartite frames have been discontinued. I'm also finding it difficult to acquire the arches (brick with bow 1x5x4) in white. Even the trans blue windows in all the sizes have been discontinued. I'm rethinking the second floor tiling and may remove the pattern in the centre of the floor to replace with more earth blue and sand yellow tiles. The windows may end up being clear colour though the trans blue gives it a better look. I will have to brick link the tripartite windows but only the front two. I want the look to stay the same. The rest of the windows will have to change to normal black window frames. I thought about using the white tripartite but it doesn't give the building the same pop factor that I like so much. I did my financial assessment as well and basic calculations put my piece count at 2899 with a cost overall of $600 CDN. The need to do a bit of tweaking is necessary to make it more cost effective. Thankfully I raided what I already owned in parts and saved myself $75 worth of parts. I've just started an initial BnP order and hopefully my project will be on track over the coming months. I can't wait to make this in the brick!

Excellent! I always thought that was how they were to be used.

Basically what I was saying. Personally I find the streets made entirely of bricks look amazing but its too brick intensive for my tastes. Below are how some of the Master Builders do it for the Lego commercials. It is not a bad technique as it allows a person to position minifigures on the 'pavement'. Too bad we can't have half plate straight roads eh? btw Tedbeard I do like how you've created a sewer entryway with the plates crossing overtop. Am I the only one as a kid who used the walkie talkies in the reverse fashion? With the studs facing towards the head?