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Just a quick comment. I seriously doubt that a company as big and successful as LEGO is going to spend even 1 second playing child's games to "mess up" investors. I actually find that quite funny. Why do they change the S@H tags? it's all marketing, and I am 99% sure they don't take us into consideration AT ALL when doing that. Hell, maybe I'm wrong and the Tech team of the company is all together in a boardroom with a computer saying " Come on, let's have the Orc Forge as Sold Out for a couple weeks and then bring it back! That will teach those idiots at Brickpicker to not mess with us!!"

You're a smart guy, how can you continue to miss the forest for the trees here? Let me recap: Treme claimed he had 'proof' of a conspiracy, going as far as saying his little "story" wasn't a theory because HE HAD EVIDENCE. Then he went on to yap about some "new display" that no one else has seen, pointed to sets that were "Out of Stock" coming back, and gave us Battle of Endor set's retirement as a checklist that pointed to some vast TLG conspiracy. Through his little travel through conspiracy-land, he managed to make some patronizing comments. I called him out on both his claims of evidence and his comments I took exception to. The common consensus of VC (and the entire MF theme) and HD retirement is that they're going this year. This is backed by a number of actual, tried and true indicators including emazers wholesale report, EOL designations in NZ/Aus, and dwindling inventory at almost all retailers. Did I say it was guaranteed these were done? NO. Could it last another year? While anything is possible, it was Treme who claimed he had evidence to the contrary - that's why I asked for it. Why are you trying to defend this guy? Because some members not involved in this conversation took exception to a post you made four months ago that turned out to be right and that you've already gloated over? Get over it. For the record, I have never attacked you and I didn't attack Treme. I called him out on some unfounded proclamations and his patronizing comments. If you have an issue with other members of the "community", address it with them. Until then, I suggest you stop playing Robin Hood for members that don't need or deserve it.

I assume this was intended for me? Gonna try and respond to this in point form. 1) I don`t believe I said that HD was a poor investment. If I recall correctly, what I said was that the availability of HD will likely result in more time for it to gain value, if it is still readily available at retail. I own a few of these myself (5 to be exact), so it would be contradictory for me to say that it was a poor investment if I`ve happily purchased some. They will be a good investment in my opinion, so if something I wrote has been interpreted differently, then I`m sorry. Lord of the Rings will likely be very good, and HD & Orc Forge are probably going to be the front runners for the theme. 2) Also, I don`t believe said, and certainly did not intend to communicate that just because a set (specifically MF in this case) is still around that it would be a poor investment. What I was trying to say is that it will likely take more time to grow in value given the apparent concentration of sets. More time does not go to say it is bad. It just means what it says: more time. And also, I don`t believe sets (specifically VC) will grow to the value that many have claimed in the time many have suggested (I`m referring to people who have said they believe it to be a $200 by this time next near). That could very well happen, but all I was stating is that I don`t believe it to be the case at this point. I`m happy to have those who don`t agree say "I told you so" should this become a reality. Live and learn! 3) I looked back at my previous posts in this thread. Not sure where that idea came from? I never mentioned TRU having a display of any kind?? 4) Alright, I own that perhaps my wording was not what it could have/should have been. I am sincerely sorry if what I posted offended anyone or came across as "putting down" or just being a blatant a**hole. It`s a bit of a problem in more way then one when I care about something. Tend to push a bit too hard. That`s not always right, and I am sorry to anyone/everyone that this may have effected. All that I intended was to voice an opinion, respectfully at that, and not to look down on anyone`s choice of investment. I am very grateful for this forum and the community of like-minded (in terms of invests) individuals I`ve come to know here. Honestly, there is no way that I would know 90% of what I do without being a part here. So thank you everyone. It is a learning experience, and by no means do I claim to know more then any given member. Honestly, there`s tons of you guys/girls on here that know way more then me. MF may do very, very well, and I`ll be left eating my socks for not buying any Please forgive me. 5) No Monster fighters at this point. May change my mind, but everything I`ve said goes to state why I have not purchased any up until this point. HD, I mentioned in this post that I own 5. Wish I bought more to be honest, so may still. I don`t know where anyone got the idea that I disliked these (maybe that`s my poor wording that you mentioned). I don`t think that. They should do very well, and I`ve said it before, and will again: Buy Helm`s Deeps! This was not intended toward me I don`t believe, but would like to address a couple points from it. I do not agree with everything stated by Treme. Certainly, I did not intend my post(s) to be a "GOTCHA!! FOOLED YOU" sort of thing. I`ll apologize again if that was how it came across. No one deserves to have their choices of investment slammed in their face, and that is not what I sought out to do. I don`t believe it was what I wrote either, but will own the possibly that my wording was poor. Hopefully this addresses any ambiguity in my posts for this thread. Please let me know if I`ve missed something, and one last time, I am very sorry if anything I posted offended, angered, or appeared to belittle/criticize others investment in MF or any other theme. Please forgive me if this was the case, and I`m going to try and better word what I`m saying in the future so this does not happen again.

You have a tin foil hat too???

All I know is, soon as Brick Classifieds are open I'm gonna start listing my Super Secret Anti-TLG Spycatcher packages -- they'll come with a little battery operated "bug checker" that goes "whoo" periodically when you scan it over things; a can of anti-Lego-Employee silly string (it will only stick to REAL TLG employees! Test all your friends before you let them in the house!) and, of course, a tinfoil hat. I'm gonna be rich.

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.

There was a *reusable* 40% off one item coupon good for last week, at select stores (luckily 4 stores near me). That plus stacked 10% member, plus they have a buy a $75 gift card, get a free $10 card deal. So bought gift cards first to pay with. Crazy deal.

If you can even find some frickin silly string at retail!!!! @$#%in silly string resellers.

I know how to find out! lets ask a Lego employee!

@treme the only issue I really have is you saying that people chose poorly by stocking up on HDs or MF sets. Who cares if it's not retiring soon? That doesn't make it a poor choice. Sorry there is no book or website that states what day a set will retire. Also saying TRU has a new MF display isn't quite accurate. Yours might maybe but none of mine do. The part where you said lego reads this.......we all knew that a long long time ago so there is no news there. All in all the only thing wrong with your initial statement was a few poor choices in wording. I am guilty of doing that also so I'm not judging but just to let you know you are going to ruffle a few feathers when you just come out and say "hahaha you chose poorly, you got played"!!!! I'm a assuming you have no HDs or anything from the MF line?

About $700-800 each seems fair. This set will rival the 10179 soon I think. (Disclaimer: This information may be biased by the author having 18 of these sets sitting in his closet)

I have been researching on lego building techniques and I found this guide The Unofficial LEGO Advanced Building Techniques Guide http://photos.freelug.org/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=33732 I'd like to know more places where I can find information on building techniques, such as videos, books, tutorials, and more. Thanks.

Looking to buy around $700 worth of hard to find parts from Germany. Can anyone tell me what I can expect to pay in import duties for a shipment to New Jersey? I tried using some online tools but wanted to hear from people who have actually done it. Als, I don't want to pull any "gift" stuff or otherwise; I just want to be prepared and include it in my overall project budget.

I have not confirmed for myself yet but The Brick Fan has posted a report of someone finding in Target's Christmas (holiday) section three polybags. Ice Cream Stand (30106) Available at Target for a second time, so if for any reason you missed this before, here is your last chance. Seasonal Christmas Train (40034) Kraang's Laser Turret (30270) Can you give me a "Hell Yeah!" Now you can get Krang in exo-suit without buying the Shellraiser.

Well there goes another potential winner.

I went crazy buying these today :'( I have 44 coming my way, all with a very hefty discount.

Most likely the one marked retired is the set with glow in the dark stickers.

A sordid tail with a happy ending...gotta hand it to Amazon CS (eventually).

Yeah, pretty ticked about them re-releasing the 40034 train polys. I bought 20 from the LEGO store last year that I was saving to sell around Christmas this year. Before the re-release there were all the way up to $25-35! Now they're back down to just over retail, and that's swing of a several hundred dollars... score 1 for the LEGO ARTFSLU (anti-reseller task force, special logistics unit) lol!!! -PB p.s. Extra bummer is that I only got 1 each of the Rocking Horse and Santa's Sleigh because I saw way more potential in the Train and focused on that. Obviously, I wish I had done it the other way around.

Quacs, I don't know for sure, but for me I'd list it at a higher-than-average used price on fixed price for the next month -- you'll either get it sold as a Christmas gift or you'll be able to hang on to it like you're thinking, win-win. :-)

Welcome!

Typically no. In my experience, most people open the packaging and display the fig for their collection, so the printing on the envelope really doesn't make much difference.

Welcome to the site.

The VC is officially labeled as retired on the aussie/nz and 2nd tier euro LEGO Shop at Home sites. It does not get more concrete than that. Keep an eye on those sites as TLG always retires product there first and gives a nice big heads up to US investors. Once a set is labeled as retired it is done for good and whatever is left in the wild is it, no exceptions. Sold out means just that, temporarily sold out. Retiring soon means retiring sometime within the next 6 mos - 5 years lol. Until the label changes to "retired product" somewhere on the planet there is nothing concrete, although next years wholesale catalog is always a very good indicator.

Welcome!

Nogmaals welkom, Jeroen! Please tell how the quick-flipping strategy is working out for you. I myself have only bought sets with the intention of hanging on them until after retirement. I have yet to sell a single set, but I do have a couple that have risen in value rather nicely. From the Hague myself, by the way.

Way to miss the entire point of my posts. Does it surprise you that most of my post agrees with yours? I find it funny that you, of all members, are claiming I "attacked" another member when every other post you make is another velied attempt at being a jerk. I almost want to ask you to highlight the line where I "attacked" the earlier poster, but then it would get in the way of this thread mercifully ending.

Welcome to the site!!!

When it comes to parting out, the $20 sets with three minifigs are a great place to start, and well within your budget. It is super common for them to go on sale at Amazon for somewhere between $15-$17, and if you get the right ones, you can sell two of the minifigs and get all your money back. That leaves the third mini and all the parts as profit. It's not a huge gain, but if you do it enough times, the money starts to add up.

I was really dreading the loss of tax free shopping at amzn that happened a few days ago in my state...as we reliably have a monthly spend with them of 1.5k or so. We bought everything...even some foods and loved prices and prime. Well son wanted swap force...and we spoil him absurdly...so wanted to buy it for him now instead of Santa. Looked locally on phone as we were heading to stores and it was 75 everywhere...65 on amzn....but now with tax and 2 days. Went to tgt as I had 6 of those $10 cards from lego buys. Remembered someone mentioning price matching amzn at tgt....never price matched in my life but gave a shot. Went to customer service and asked for a price match to amzn. She asked how much it was there and I said 64. I started reaching for the iPhone, but she scanned the set, typed in 64 and rang it up. I asked if she needed to see the phone and she said no. I had it out anyways ans mentioned that it was 64.99 not 64 and she said it didn't matter? So.....I've heard mixed messages here.. some say they do it at register....they do not at mine. Some say they whip out ipads to check....not at mine. Register girl said to go to desk and have it on phone in case they want to see it. This was so easy....and with red card negating most of tax...and instant gratification.....tgt is going to put a hurt on amzn.

I think the process you go through can vary by store and employee. I had one girl at a Target tell me she had to see it on my phone. I don't have a cool phone like that (I'm cheap ok, I like my $30 month phone lol), but I did have a print out with me that I printed before I left the house. She said she couldn't use that it had to be an at the moment price. So I asked her why she couldn't use her own IPad at the customer service desk and she said that was for in store use and not for customers. So idk, I left a bit frustrated as I did not get my items price matched so I left them there for her to put away. 99% of the time it goes smoothly, some will use printout, some will look up the price. Some have told me I can only price match 1 item per visit and another lady did entire cart so depends on who you get! I had one employee that told me that they did an entire cart of food for a family once, so whatever works I guess

I hate it when I am right in the middle of something and then all of a sudden I really need to poop.

I agree DNIM. Plus here they tend to go over out retail. Not sure how they sell in US or at what price.

There is a LEGO Techniques group on Flickr with some great ideas. Someone on Eurobricks posted a Powerpoint on doing landscapes that I found helpful. I agree with others about the Medieval Village guide by Derfel Cadarn, the guy does amazing work. Also, the Lego Ideas books are very good for inspiration and techniques. The books are available on Amazon at a discount or check in a local library. Brick Journal is also full of building techniques. The latest issue shows lots of castle building.

When I snap together two bricks and some of my skin gets stuck between them.

It was a good deal at $80 a month back on amazon u.k....now it's just beastly. Strong sale. I'd get more if I hadn't bought 2 last month.

Hehe well I spent a crapload last night and the great thing out of 3 orders 1 has already shipped. Want me to tell you any more? SW? the AT-TE is goof at 46 pounds also.

Welcome to the site! Still looking for someone to go to lego vip sale in Braintree if you are interested! Beware to Boston robin hood on craigslist. You need to jump on any deals you see and drive right out to them! I thought he was gone...but burned me again yesterday!

Hollywood is broken, we need change! Yes we can! Yes we can!

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.

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.

Keep the instructions, pitch the boxes.

The market isn't what it was even a couple years ago. Sets are not going to continue to increase drastically in price right after they retire. There aren't too many sets out there that will make you a quick buck unless you can get them at a heavy discount.

I wouldn't invest in Lego for short-term money. I'd invest in a leaf-blower, a snow-blower (if applicable for your location) and a lawn-mower. With those three things and a little gumption you'll make a lot between now and June 21.

Name change: 10188 "Life" Star instead of 10188: Death Star

3 FREE Bricktober sets for $50.

LOL. I don't care if you care about anything I ever post about. Besides, I never said a thing about investing in this set in any way. I was referring to its value as a set to build, and Oldsmobile summed up my point beautifully. I won't be picking up this set to build because the only thing that interests me in this set for building is the manual/booklet (emphasis on the word ME. I'm voicing my opinion, of which I am fully entitled to do so). It sounds like you don't build too often, since by the looks of it, you only invest. I'd give it a try...might help you vent some of that hostility.

Hm. So long as it's still available online through so many vendors I wouldn't take it as meaning much. Not as exclusive as the Orc Forge.

Here are a few videos from the Lego channel to get things started. Panel Building http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs2AYCI2Mnw Combo Car: Highway Speedster & Mini Skyflyer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA4Evk5JDC0 Display Stand http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM3SG_EZdXo Windows http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1vGS6Xs1rc Building Details http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o2W76Q-C4E Sliding Doors http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E1oFMRX9J8