I haven't seen much discussion of the new IDEAS Birds set (Jan, '15) yet...obvioulsy we don't have "hands-on" time, but I'd like to know what people think. I mean, it's smart of LEGO to try to corner the ornithologist/AFOL demographic (who wouldn't?!?), but curious to hear the community's thoughts for short and long term investment.

 

Personally, I'll buy it because it's IDEAS and I enjoy that line...I'm less certain of hoarding it for investment though.

@lazuli16 post from Daily LEGO Deals - USA/CANADA
dont know if this belongs in the DD thread of Complaints thread, but in any case:

21301 - LEGO Ideas Birds $34.86 (23% off)

[url=https://www.walmart.com/ip/LEGO-Ideas-Birds/42104288]https://www.walmart.com/ip/LEGO-Ideas-Birds/42104288

wow!  a retired set still in stock at walmart for MSRP!   sos errr bsb to some newb's. 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/LEGO-Ideas-Birds/42104288

 

this is what TBBT will look like.  

Edited November 26, 20169 yr by cladner

19 minutes ago, cladner said:

wow!  a retired set still in stock at walmart for MSRP!   sos errr bsb to some newb's. 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/LEGO-Ideas-Birds/42104288

 

this is what TBBT will look like.  

so u bought how many ?

8 minutes ago, Bold-Arrow said:

so u bought how many ?

i have 12 that are just collecting dust that i bought a long time ago.  

Just now, cladner said:

i have 12 that are just collecting dust that i bought a long time ago.  

i put mine in a time capsule along with the exo suits. 

i put mine in a time capsule along with the exo suits. 

I need one of those Comanche Camp capsules you used.

11 minutes ago, BrickLegacy said:

 

I need one of those Comanche Camp capsules you used.

 

 

FWIW looks like Walmart finally sold out.  Going for 69.98 3rd party seller

22 minutes ago, LegoBro said:

FWIW looks like Walmart finally sold out.  Going for 69.98 3rd party seller

$70 in the seller's dreams. If you check Amazon, everyone's favorite vendor Toy Planet has dumped over 350 units at RRP. This set is the poster child of Lego's hubris. 

Just now, pete411 said:

$70 in the seller's dreams. If you check Amazon, everyone's favorite vendor Toy Planet has dumped over 350 units at RRP. This set is the poster child of Lego's hubris. 

I never said it was selling at 69 lol  Maybe in a decade. Such a shame.  I think it's a really nice set though.

$70 in the seller's dreams. If you check Amazon, everyone's favorite vendor Toy Planet has dumped over 350 units at RRP. This set is the poster child of Lego's hubris. 

Um, can someone explain to me why it's simply LEGO's arrogance that TP bought 350+ units?

They are a business and they are supposed to turn down people buying their products? It wasn't like it was a hard set to buy from every retailer. And we have all heard about the ways people circumvent "limits".

Because they are supposed to care about reseller pricing? It is not an essential like food or fuel.

I have a feeling that plenty of people here would do the same thing if they could (aka buy enough to control pricing for a bit) especially since almost every review pretty much said it was a wonderful, one of a kind set that was going to be worth hundreds after retirement.

2 minutes ago, grackleflint said:

Um, can someone explain to me why it's simply LEGO's arrogance that TP bought 350+ units?

They are a business and they are supposed to turn down people buying their products? It wasn't like it was a hard set to buy from every retailer. And we have all heard about the ways people circumvent "limits".

Because they are supposed to care about reseller pricing? It is not an essential like food or fuel.

I have a feeling that plenty of people here would do the same thing if they could (aka buy enough to control pricing for a bit) especially since almost every review pretty much said it was a wonderful, one of a kind set that was going to be worth hundreds after retirement.

I think Lego plays a big part in their current brand devaluation. Their current market strategy is saturation and overproduction. Now we see 50% off Lego during the height of the Christmas holiday season and retailers still can't sell their stock. We see Lego Dimensions practically being given away. Lego doesn't sell anymore at RRP in stores anymore. I think that's a problem for Lego, not just resellers.

1 hour ago, pete411 said:

I think Lego plays a big part in their current brand devaluation. Their current market strategy is saturation and overproduction. Now we see 50% off Lego during the height of the Christmas holiday season and retailers still can't sell their stock. We see Lego Dimensions practically being given away. Lego doesn't sell anymore at RRP in stores anymore. I think that's a problem for Lego, not just resellers.

The only company that I am aware of that can consistently sell its products at MSRP is Apple (and really only their iPhone) and even that is hidden from buyers with monthly payment plans.

Before LEGO stopped exclusive discounts in the past couple of years (pre-2013), they were consistently on sale (the best example being 10179's being discounted for being slow sellers). For the past couple of years, you could say that stopping discounts were a way to slow down resellers and take advantage of the fact that they were the "hottest" toy company. 

No company has a realistic business plan that relies on selling everything at MSRP. Selling at MSRP equals obscene profits (see Apple's cash pile)

LEGO is no different from any other manufacturer. Their "ultimate" goal is to get their product into the household of every person on this planet, probably at the expense of their competition. If discounting gets someone to buy LEGO instead of Mega Bloks, they can and should do it. According to some sources, LEGO's cost of materials (ABS plastic) is like 3-4% of MSRP so they have plenty of ability to discount heavily.

That said, nothing that they do or did made TP buy 350+ units to try and resell. 

You want to teach LEGO a lesson, don't buy ANY.

Edited December 11, 20169 yr by grackleflint

On ‎12‎/‎11‎/‎2016 at 6:49 PM, grackleflint said:

The only company that I am aware of that can consistently sell its products at MSRP is Apple (and really only their iPhone) and even that is hidden from buyers with monthly payment plans.

I think you're onto something.  Lego needs to be bundled with something people have direct debited from their bank accounts each month with no thought, like health insurance.  I like it.  And since health insurance goes up 25% each year anyway, no one will notice the extra couple % to finance GhostDad's Retired Exclusive of the Month Club.  Well, until the Tower of Orthancs start arriving...

GREAT news everyone,

Cheapest price seller on Amazon only has 189 left.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 3, 20178 yr by mudcatsfan
humor

In my group of friends this set has become a huge hit on Mothers Day as a gift the kids made for mom/grandma.  

It will take time but I believe...