Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit - general discussion

[Huskers1236]

Don't see how you can lose on any of these at 60% off, but I would probably veer towards the Wargs and Mirkwood spider sets if it were me.

[Alcarin]

ye..... Wargs at 60% off is a winner....

[Quacs]

I was wondering what others thoughts were to the hobbit sets from last year.  I personally like them, but more so because of the book/movie and them falling into the fantasy genre.  I have some of each set tucked away, but am at a crossroads.  Our local Wallyworld has 79000 riddles, 79001 spiders, and 79002 wargs at 60% off.  Like I said I have some of each but am wondering if it is worth it to tie up more funds on these.  I personally feel that the wargs one will always hold retail if not a little more do to the fact of the selection.  The riddles I am thinking is great for a few, but not going to be a real winner since no exclusive figs in it.  It is the spider set I cant figure out.  Part of me thinks was real fun build when it was full retail and had 3 exclusive figures, plus the colors, and the two spiders.  I also think with the next movie it will be more appreciated then it is now.  I Guess I am looking for advice on what others would do.  I have 6 of these already and that is fine, but for $12 I could load up and wait.  Really not sure.

 

Deeker, I've seen that the Wargs set is NOT holding retail currently.  I've got a few listed on eBay under $40 (includes shipping!) and none have moved yet.  I get about 2 views per day, and no one is following the listing.  No one is buying this set at retail on eBay.

 

Now after it retires it may hit retail again, but I think the set is overproduced and overpriced, and outside of the figs/wargs, this set is really marginal - just a tree and two connecting rocks, and some fire clusters.  And what I thought would be the most appealing figure, Thorin Oakenshield, will now be available in one of the new Hobbit sets, Lake Town Chase.  I think the long term prospects for this set are shaky, but you never know. 

 

At 60% off, your best bet is probably to part it out, or save it.

[Alcarin]

Deeker, I've seen that the Wargs set is NOT holding retail currently.  I've got a few listed on eBay under $40 (includes shipping!) and none have moved yet.  I get about 2 views per day, and no one is following the listing.  No one is buying this set at retail on eBay.

 

Now after it retires it may hit retail again, but I think the set is overproduced and overpriced, and outside of the figs/wargs, this set is really marginal - just a tree and two connecting rocks, and some fire clusters.  And what I thought would be the most appealing figure, Thorin Oakenshield, will now be available in one of the new Hobbit sets, Lake Town Chase.  I think the long term prospects for this set are shaky, but you never know. 

 

At 60% off, your best bet is probably to part it out, or save it.

 

Funny... tree parts are my favorites..... I love making more trees....

[Quacs]

Funny... tree parts are my favorites..... I love making more trees....

 

I like trees, too.  This one just doesn't deliver value at retail right now.

[naf]

The riddles I am thinking is great for a few, but not going to be a real winner since no exclusive figs in it. 

 

This version of Gollum is exclusive to the set.  It has a (slightly) different printing than the one in Shelob Attacks.  I'm sure there are plenty of OCD collectors out there who will have to get both versions

[kenchu2000]

Not sure about Hobbit sets, but I had the same problem with Attack on Weathertop (not really a Hobbit set, but LOTR).  I put mine up on ebay at $59 shipped for several weeks and none got sold.  Personally I thought the price was pretty excellent.  Now I have taken the listing off ebay and I will hold them until I see some serious demands first.

[Deeker]

I agree on the warg set now with the one figure being produced again.  My only thought was after retires, that people may want to the orcs and wargs.  I know an expensive army builder, but I still think that the set will be retail at least once retired.  The tree is blah, but if parted out could be a win win for everyone at right price.  I have 8 on shelf and am fine with that.  For $18 worse case is I make my money back in a year after fees and shipping. Best case is i make a few bucks and move on to the next purchase.  

[TheOrcKing]

Riddles for the Ring is the only set with the narrow eyed Gollum.

And the Bilbo with red coat is only available in this set and the Toys R Us exclusive Barrel Escape.

He was in the recent Comic-Con Micro-scale Bag End but that one hardly counts.

[Deeker]

I think your Weathertop is a winner down the road.  Very nice build and great figures.  I personally think that set was overlooked and bashed for price.  But once retired and more people are exposed they will want to have this neat one up on a shelf for their collection.  

[Achilles]

If you don't want them, let me know what Wally World it is, I'll snag them

[Quacs]

I agree on the warg set now with the one figure being produced again.  My only thought was after retires, that people may want to the orcs and wargs.  I know an expensive army builder, but I still think that the set will be retail at least once retired.  The tree is blah, but if parted out could be a win win for everyone at right price.  I have 8 on shelf and am fine with that.  For $18 worse case is I make my money back in a year after fees and shipping. Best case is i make a few bucks and move on to the next purchase.  

 

To your point, the $18 price point will allow you to make money no matter what you do!  The few AoW I got were $18.50, so we're nearly in the same boat with these.  I parted one out and most of the figs have sold (only Yazneg and Bifur remain).  The tree/rocks also sold for cheap, but they sold.

 

I am thinking about parting more of these out - I have the listings ready to go, so it wouldn't be too hard.  Good luck with your selling!

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

Not sure about Hobbit sets, but I had the same problem with Attack on Weathertop (not really a Hobbit set, but LOTR).  I put mine up on ebay at $59 shipped for several weeks and none got sold.  Personally I thought the price was pretty excellent.  Now I have taken the listing off ebay and I will hold them until I see some serious demands first.

 

I believe that was its reatail. You can get them for $50 total easy on Ebay, so thats why.

 

A bunch of people got tons of them at $40 at walmarts. I bought 15.

[MartinP]

I would buy all of them at 60% off. It is really hard to lose money at that deep of a discount.

[@rtisan]

60% off makes my mouth water, considering that would be closer to 70% off Canadian. If you don`t want to tie up the cash, I`ll buy them from you 

[vincevaughn]

The mirkwood spiders set is one to keep an eye on. I am personally betting big on that one. It is a preview set from the second movie so I feel that once people see that scene it will cause alot of demand for it....either that or I am going to end up with an army of spiders lol.

As others have said....at 60% off you almost can't lose...especially with a theme as popular as LOTR....

[Spartikis]

at 60% off you cant loose. Once these sets retire they will go up in value, and the popularity of the theme will be on par with harry potter at bare minimum, keep in mind there is atleast 2 more hobbit movies left.

[Lmhelmick]

With some of The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit sets retiring, the opportunity to invest is getting smaller. Which sets would you put at the top of the "need to get list" and which sets would you put on the bottom based upon how you think they will do in the future?

[Bold-Arrow]

HD / tower of orthanc / pirate ship ambush should do pretty well

Goblin king for last place..lol

[@rtisan]

Both themes in their entirety should do decently well (possibly with the exeptions of Goblin King, Riddles of the Ring, and Gandalf Arrives). I`d bet the most on all 3 that Bold Arrow mentioned.

HD / tower of orthanc / pirate ship ambush should do pretty well

I`d go one step further and say that they will do quite well. All are large, highly attractive, highly desired, contain exclusive minifigures, and are part of a licensed theme. Two words: Cha-Ching!  Just a matter of time 

[Veegs]

I'm personally sticking to wave one sets at the moment - Orthanc will likely be around until the license is finished and the pirate ship will likely be around for the holidays in 2014, so no need to tie up $$ unless you get a really good deal.  I know some of the wave one sets are getting hard to find, but that means you just need to look harder

[Anakinisvader]

I'm waiting for the Frodo grows a foot taller set.

[TheDarkness]

I'm waiting for the Frodo grows a foot taller set.

 

That is Merry and Pippin

[Lmhelmick]

More like two feet

[seapotato]

I think HD will be a winner. I agree about waiting for Orthanc - I picked one up during 2x VIP points event this year though, couldn't help it! I'm waiting for sales on pirate ship ambush, but I did get a used set that I need to build