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This is the probably the most galling part of all three of your posts on this site. Just because I'm tired of hearing doomsday scenarios and conspiracy theories about the executives at Lego trying to find any hairbrained scheme they can to destroy all forms of investing doesn't mean I'm defensive about Monster Fighters or my purchases. I just find your wild speculation and "proof" of a conspiracy both absurd and unfounded like many previous threads that have speculated on other nefarious plots presumably hatched by Lego. How many discussion about TLG producing more than 20,000 41999's do we have to read? On top of that, you claim that investors "misplayed their hands" because you feel the theme isn't retiring, insinuating they all made bad decisions and throwing a "GOTCHA!" at them? Claiming I'm not being objective because I happen to disagree with you? Not only are these factually incorrect, but they're borderline insulting. Show me HARD, RELEVANT DATA that says Monster Fighters isn't retiring, and I'll believe you. Until then, please tone down the patronizing comments.

Please enlight me on how you know this. My guess is that you don't know this, but are making an assumption based on what you read in the forums, or what you've seen on Amazon. Just be careful not to fall victim to cognitive bias. Without sales data, there's no way you can reliably know this. I'm not saying your wrong to avoid the theme, I'm saying you don't really know. Besides, I would rather invest in a well selling theme than a poorly selling theme! 1. You are assuming that everyone is basing their purchasing decisions based on one criterion - EOL date. That couldn't be further from reality - most people are buying VCs now because people are speculating they are going EOL AND because they're cheap. An extra year of life will not tank the future value of these sets, especially if it has limited distribution in its final year. Yes, there's an opportunity cost to owning a set when no one knows its EOL, but that's part of the game - that doesn't make a purchase a bad decision. 2. Please provide proof of your "evidence". I haven't seen a new MF display case at any TRUs near me nor have I seen it reported anywhere except in your prior e-mail. Also, TRU advertised the 41999 as a TRU "Exclusive" but that doesn't seem to have any bearing on its EOL date. Then again, we're all just guessing at an EOL date anyway so why incorrect speculation of a retirement date is "badly playing your hand" is beyond me. 3. If you're saying that MF not being in the Lego catalog has no effect or bearing on whether it's retiring, you're probably right. But that's a much better indicator than either of your pieces of evidence. Lego will NEVER carry a set strictly through one retailer and not offer it on their own website and retail outlets UNLESS ITS RETIRING, and the retail outlet inventory sold slower than the Lego Store/S@H inventory. If investors bought any MF line at a good discount, another year of the line isn't going to kill their portfolios. That's not a "badly played hand", just like buying Pirate Ship Ambush, Coast Guard Patrol, or any number of recent releases now at a great discount isn't a bad decision.

Great, now I have to speculate about who speculates better.....damn you.

This is the same thing that happened last year with the Harry Potter Castle & The Diagon Alley, Black Pearl and Queen Revenge, there were plenty around still around at Christmas, and all these sets had being made until spring 2012, and were not on the 2013 Wholesale Catalog, so Lego made sure these sets would be available for people to buy for the Holidays, and don't forget about the Imperial Shuttle and the Space Shuttle both of these were still for sale at Christmas and then they retired. Like I said plenty of times before Lego was making these sets 24/7, so all you guys that are worried that The Helm's Deep and VC are not retiring well they are.

True. But they also (help) generate a lot of set purchases from TLC. I.E. they buy to invest, but suggest that others do so as well, meaning that TLC sells more sets. Same thing goes for their reviews. A positive review should theoretically result in more sales, provided enough interested people view the video. They`re great! I love Brick Show videos personally, and always enjoy seeing what they keep coming out with.

So they've announced the official release date of Star Wars VII. http://starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-vii-to-open-december-18-2015.html Two more years... not sure I can wait that long!

Booo! What happened? I thought it was coming next year... And what's up with the December release? This should be a summer movie.

Please enlighten us on how investors "played our hands very badly". Per your scenario, the worst that investors would face is holding these sets another year. The best case scenario is that they're gone and appreciating. If you feel this forum shouldn't exist because it broadcasts investor strategies to TLG, would you rather the forum close and no discussion occur? Besides, I doubt TRU would agree to do this for an entire theme. TRU would have to agree to carry a two year old theme for another year (at least), and guess what sets sell the slowest? Ones that have been available for 2+ years! Even if they suddenly become exclusives, they've still been out a long time. Additionally, TLC has never done this with sets from two different themes. Could they? Sure. Would they? I doubt TRU would ever agree to it. Seriously, people. Stop with the conspiracy theories. It's ridiculous that people lose their heads or "think they've been played" every time TLG brings something back from "Out of Stock". The term "Out of Stock" by its very nature indicates more will probably come. Eventually, all sets retire (yes even the Death Stare will eventually retire) - these are no different. Plenty of reputable investors have already shared with the forum that THIS IS THE WAY THINGS RETIRE. Get used to it.

Let's see, that would be $87.97 for the three where you would get all four turtles, Shredder, Krang, Splinter, a couple of foot soldiers, and the red ninja. Otherwise you could just get Shellraiser Chase and Turtle Lair for all four but then you would not have Shredder and Krang plus spent about $110. Another scenario could be to get Shellraiser Chase and then Baxter Robot Rampage for the turtles plus you would get April and Baxter but still miss out on Shredder and Krang for $100. Don't forget each of the turtles have two different expressions and Lego made a point of spreading those out so there is that to consider depending on your own preference.

You guys are missing something very important about the VC and the entire monster fighters line. Yes, we all know the wholesale catlog said spring only, but if these sets are staying as a TRU exclusive now, then they would not be in the retailer catalog anyway much like the Exclusives aren't in there. Other retailers can't order them in the same way then can't order the funhouse, another TRU exclusive. There is precident for this -- in December 2010 the 8038 Battle of Endor set was clearanced at all retailers, even LEGO Shop at Home, and leading into Christmas it vanished everywhere except TRU - even LEGO Shop at Home. In January 2011, TRU began marketing the set as a TRU exclusive and the set stayed in production and stocked there for another whole year before being wiped out during Christmas 2011 rush. Bottom line... if the VC or HD stay as TRU exclusives, you all played your hands very badly based on past trends that can change. LEGO reads these forums and I'm sure they know what you're "investing" in, and frankly, if I worked for them and didn't like investing, I'd totally mess with investors by doing something like this.

Ive got several side businesses and alternative investments and im just going to be honest and say investing in LEGO, is hands down the most lucrative of all of them. It does require a great deal of capital, storage space but most importantly patience. The first year or two is hard as you keep buying sets and nothing is retiring and even the ones that do retire dont instantly go up in value like we all hope they do. But give it time it will pay off in the end. Im just now starting tp make profit from this venture, my POTC ships, emerald nights, imperial flagships, imperial shuttles, etc... are all producing nice returns and their sales are funding additional LEGO investments, but 1 year ago i was still second guessing my decision to invest in LEGO, thats certainly not the case now, in fact im kicking my self for not having bought more of those earlier sets. As a result im going big on this second round of investing. Already numerous of my LOTR sets are seeing great returns, Orc Forge is probably the best out of all of them so far but im certain HD is going to be a winner, remember HD has been retired for about 1-2 month, in 1-2 years it will easily being selling for $200+, even after fees and shipping thats a 100% profit. Also, dont forget to diversify your collection, dont go all in on one set or series, you dont want to end up with 50 death stars.

Always like the post to help me feel better. Lol

Raise the gates, the Canadians are going to clean us out..... Again :P

Unless it was planned all along. When Target has BF sets, they aren't just sets they find laying around. They order huge amounts of them to stock their stores. If 9 months ago TRU ordered 10,000 of each MF set, I'm sure TLG would happily make those sets for them.

Sauromosis - You did well. That is so cheap for postage. I have no idea why they are going so low. If anyone is on the fence, I would buy. Never been that low on Amazon.co.uk ever (at east according to camel). All that spending put a dent on the CC, nearly 2k all up. Luckily I can sell some to family, for my kids present and make a little coin as well They get more lego, I offset costs. I call that good parenting

If you wouldn't buy UGs at 90% off, I'm afraid you might be allergic to money...

In hindsight, I should have bought electronics instead of legos! Also my wife is angry that I didn't order the $30 powerwheel lol

Keep the instructions, pitch the boxes.

Amazon Uk just had then for 53 pounds . Crazy price.

That line might earn you a spot in a movie someday....maybe even directed by Woody Allen.

These pretzels are making me THIRSTY!

The name of the thread should be changed to "You Know What Really Grinds My Gears"

Another member from New England, we're coming out of the woodwork now... Welcome to Brickpicker!

If R2D2 = R2S2, then I agree. B-Wing is also a personal favorite, both as a set and investment. Great choices. Aaand...Welcome to BrickPicker.

I was a dear and looked up the part out value as I do this with sets (but haven't touched any TMNT as of yet). Anyway, It look as worst case scenario you can pull in $45-50 that way. If you sold it to someone who would do that, you are looking at getting about 30$ out of it on Ebay. So, like I was saying, I think 30$ would be a good starting point. Honestly getting them for $25 a piece might be better if they really don't have a use to you. If you do, PM me - I part stuff out and wouldn't mind them. Lol.

Welcome, mrsmavrik.

Figure out what you need from him to be able to sell them to a parter-outer or someone who only cares about the contents (assuming the insides are okay). I'd say at least 30%, maybe half, or tell him you want him to provide a return address label and you'll send them back. I don't want you to be a jerk, either (and don't think you would be), but the only way sellers like this learn is if it hurts them in the wallet enough to change their wicked ways. I was looking for a set on eBay today and one seller, 1000+ feedback, says right in her freaking listing the box will be shipped "wrapped in brown paper". It's enough to make a frog cry.

This Jkjk I can totally put something together for the iphone app. Anyone out there want to take on the android half (im so apple i dont even know what an android is!)?

Coneil is a genius and I know she's written a long post or three about it. It would be FANTASTIC if she might consolidate all that into an up to date article... written with mentally challenged frogs in mind using no technical words and preferably words of two syllables or less...

Kind of informative to green horns. Doesn't touch on investing early if you find a good deal though. No harm in buying early if you can find it at a good discount. Back to the Future backfired and those short sells are almost thing of the past. We all learn our lessons in time.

I am working on building the SSD. Its humungous. You gotta get a R2S2 - pretty sweet set as well in terms of UCS.

Congrats. I'm excited nearing my 3,000th post sometime soon, too!

I think you did fine, Hollings. Addendum: It's a good idea to read for awhile on how to invest and/or resell Lego (tons of info on this very site) before purchasing much, but in this case no real harm done. If upon further research you find you don't want these after all, you can return them to Target. The first thing you have to determine is whether you're going to hold these for the long term or whether you're trying to find sets for "quick flips" on eBay or Amazon or elsewhere. Until you have an idea of your market and your goals, there's not much point loading up on inventory.

The Market Value new is based on what the set in question has recently been selling for on eBay. It doesn't take into account prices on Amazon, Target, Walmart websites. And it doesn't have anything to do with the MSRP. The MSRP is displayed below the set picture. I'm sure other members could explain it much better, but that's the general gist of the Market Value.

I had a delicious ham sandwich for lunch, but now it's gone.

I don't like hearing people discuss morals.

I think this is the first thread you have ever enjoyed.

Absolute comedy gold: "So you feel 'women and children first' in this day and age is somewhat of an antiquated notion." "To some degree." "So, basically, it's every man, woman, child and invalid for themselves." "In a manner of speaking." "Well, that's honest." "She should be commending me for treating everyone like equals." "Well, perhaps when she's released from the burn center she'll see things more clearly." - Jerry and George, in "The Fire"

It's too late, he went too far and thoroughly outed himself with a childish jab at Jared's Brickfolio. He had a good run going, but like most trolls he had to get greedy and wasn't bright enough to show... restraint. I'm sure he'll be back with a new i.d. some other Sunday afternoon when he gets bored eating Hot Pockets in his mom's basement.

I bought this at walmart for the iron patriot figure... If you like lego games and the marvel universe, you should enjoy this. The demo is pretty short.