Ktworld

Yes, it is very interesting that current models cost 30%+ in Taiwan, but retired ones sometimes are cheaper than secondary market price in US..... Since I live in Taiwan and have access to buying in US, I thought about buying to sell in Taiwan, but then realized that it doesn't work because on ruten.com.tw (a Taiwan equivalent of ebay), many people already do this on regular basis. I guess they have their own containers with spare shipping space or they fly very frequently, as international shipping (even just container shipment) is quite expensive....

The more I learn about the lego product lineup, the less likely I think think they will eol 10188 anytime soon... This set is considered a centerpiece playset in the starwars theme. And looking at popularity and sales, this is a successful business that lego has no reason to stop. The only time you should discontinue a successful product is when you have something new to take its place. There is no 10188 replacement in sight as far as I can tell. I could be wrong and maybe they actually will eol it soon...... but logic tells me this item still have some life in it...

I think a better analogy (and a more hopeful one) regarding lego investment would be to compare it to wine investment..... They both have the benefit of the product itself having "material" value at least at MSRP, not just perceived value, both takes effort and resources to store properly at large quantities, and both have fixed and diminishing quantities once the product becomes eol'ed..... just my .02

Just saw the TRU BOGO 50% deal... which comes up to be almost exactly the same as what I paid for the amazon price... placed the order, if these new sets come in good condition, then definitely sending back the creased set... I agree that if I am building the set myself, as long as the box is not crushed or ripped or has risk of missing component, damages to the box isn't a huge issue... but in the case of 4842 the sets are almost certainly kept for future resale. If we are expecting the sets to sell like hot cakes with buyers chasing you relentless, then probably not too big of a deal. But in a realistic world, we most likely will see swarms of resellers competing for a few interested buyers who will scrutinize any and all problems with the purchases and the items themselves. This is where I believe where a dented box will come at a huge disadvantage... special thanks to cbaker1974 on pointing out the cash back deals with discover card... another unexpected added benefit of asking fellow afol for help......

Thanks guys for your insightful responses and suggestions.... I believe I could argue to Amazon on this being damaged, as the dents/creases does lower it's perceived value... in this case, then I don't need to be responsible for return shipping... The damages are dents/creases, not rips.... Going to brick & mortar TRU is not an option because I am located across the "pond" in Taiwan.... I just order online and have them sent to my California office.... this is beside the point, but you WILL NOT believe the premium they mark up in the TRU stores here..... "market price" for a GE is roughly $200-$230 USD....... But the LEGO Shop at Home idea does sound good.... and yes, I do use Discover card on my orders, but I am not aware of how you save 10% by using that....... Problem is that from what I read here and my personal experience, damaged boxes will be a constant rather than exception in this type of hobby.... so yes, maybe even if I return these, I might end up with worse ones on the next batch..... Good thing is that I still have until the 28th to return these sets, so I will see what happens.... If equal or better deal pops up before then, I will return them, if not, I will leave the return dilemma till that time. However, I do believe that most likely I will return the sets. Trying to explain the dents on Ebay is not going to be any easier than the hassle processing returns...... Checking up on WM/Amazon prices daily won't be a problem, as "lego scavenger hunting" has become not only a hobby, but an addiction to me, at least for the next few months to come.... Anyway, thanks guys for your advices!

Guys, need your wisdom on this one.... I bought 2 4842 off a 3rd party Amazon reseller. Price is "ok", around $126 with shipping As I ship to California, sales tax is inevitable unless buy from 3rd party.... At current price, either from Amazon direct, or sites like Walmart or Target, lowest price include shipping & tax will come up roughly $136 each... So unless we can foresee another wave of future sales on these 4842 before they are gone, otherwise I am looking at either accepting these imperfections on the box, or give up the $10 savings each.... So basically 2 questions... 1. Likelihood of another wave of sales from major retailers on 4842, up to $10 or more, before end of this year? 2. If not, will these creases and dents "cost" me $10 on the aftermarket? Would you guys keep these sets or return them? Thanks!! Kenneth

Hi, my name is Kenneth, and I am from Taiwan. Had been playing with Lego since I was a little kid, but like many AFOL, went through a LONG period of Dark Age. My first adulthood encounter with Lego was about 10 years ago, when I was working in China. I saw the 7181 and 7191 sets in a Hong Kong Toys R Us store, and just had to get them simply because that was most awesome Lego I had seen.... ( and being a Star Wars fan also helped....) Not knowing the potential value I was getting, I tore up the boxes and threw them away right outside the store so I can travel easier.... Another 10 years passed by, various job changes, moved back to US, then back to China, then to Taiwan... running my own business, married, 2 kids..... you know how it goes... Lego became simply an easy gift choice for kids of friends and family, nothing more.... every time I visit toy stores, I would check out the Lego section, admiring at the numerous sets that I would love to have but can't... Not that I can't afford them, but saner mind told me that it just "doesn't make sense"..... Until a few months ago, my wife told me that she saw the Grand Emporium in a Taiwan store, and she actually loved it. We went to do a little research online, (I didn't discover this awesome site yet...) and discovered the whole world of Modular Sets... Because Lego sets are about 30% more expensive in Taiwan, we decided to buy a few Modulars from Amazon, and I would bring them back on my next business trip, in time for Christmas. It was at this time when I remembered about my old UCS sets, realized how ridiculous their value had gone up after I checked the prices, and got into collecting sets again.... One of the justification I gave myself is that I have a 3 year old son... even if the sets don't appreciate as much as I like, they will be more expensive anyway when my son reaches appropriate age for these toys... With this excuse in mind, my collection went up from 2 sets to 21 sets within one month.... DEFINITELY a sign of some problem if you ask me.... A new beginning for me at the age of 37, and we will have to wait and see how far this craziness will go.....