So I was looking on the TRU page and it appears that the Ice Breaker has been removed again.  Even 4204 The Mine hasn't been removed yet!

 

Was last week's 20% off so that they could do a massive blowout of these?

The 20% was related to a City promotion and the Arctic sets are a City sub-theme.  The Icebreaker didn't last long during the sale.  

The 20% was related to a City promotion and the Arctic sets are a City sub-theme.  The Icebreaker didn't last long during the sale.  

That I am aware of, but they haven't removed other "sold out" sets.  Things like the Mine, town square, and cargo terminal are still listed on their web page, even though the last two have been sold out for months.  The Ice Breaker had been MIA from their page till just a couple weeks ago and it magically reappeared before last week's sale.  Their behavior around this set, bringing it out basically for this sale and then removing it, is quite interesting.

How much of a sure thing is the ice breaker?

How much of a sure thing is the ice breaker?

nothing is a sure thing but Icebreaker has proven success at holidays and 3.5 months later is still doing very well.  It has also had some strange patterns of availability as mentioned above.

 

Current ebay listings are 161-189 and Amazon is 152.  If you can get down in the $100 range it is a solid set.

 

I have been selling them off and on for $165.  They don't fly at that price but they do sell.  Pretty good seeing the set is available at shop at home for retail.

Awesome, thanks for the details. I saw a few of those at a B&M store of the weekend but wasn't sure about the current demand. With a couple of 10% coupons that apply to city sets with the current double VIP I'll have to head back to scoop them up.

This thing is still available at S @ H along with most of Arctic sub-theme

Aside from the oddness of the Cargo Supply Plane disappearing, I think it's highly unlikely that the Arctic subtheme would disappear early. City sets like these usually stick around for at least year and this one is a perfect candidate to stick around just long enough for a 2nd winter. Kids like boats and Lego likes to make them.

 

That said, I picked one up for ourselves (well, me ) during the last good sale at TRU. They do seem to sell despite being available in pretty large quantities up here.

An interesting clearance find on Brickset.  They walked out with it for $13.

 

Retired ? Could get it for 70,- 

3 hours ago, unholy said:

Retired ? Could get it for 70,- 

TRU exclusives never retire!

In europe its marked as retired...

Great spot. That and the little snowmobile this week so it seems the theme is done as some predicted.

This set often sells for RRP or more on German ebay. Is this only due to Christmas sales or does this set have long-term potential?

Can someone explain for such a small set why is it selling for 99.99$ in USA and 149.99$ in Canada .. ? 50$ ..this ain't a modular or a special set .. !

MSRP is $129.99 in the U.S.

17 hours ago, zskid00 said:

MSRP is $129.99 in the U.S.

ok thanks ,

 

Well info here on brickpicker data says 99$ in the US.

What are peoples thoughts on this set long term? I think with a distinctive colour and the huskies / polar bear this should always have some demand in future.

At more than 30% off you can´t go wrong. At full RRP, I wouldn´t entertain it, though.

On 12/8/2015 at 2:50 PM, gravtation said:

Can someone explain for such a small set why is it selling for 99.99$ in USA and 149.99$ in Canada .. ? 50$ ..this ain't a modular or a special set .. !

Probably due to the higher cost for boat hulls. Big pieces keep the total piece count low but probably cost more to manufacture. The new City Space Shuttle doesn't look like a $149.99 CAD set to me, either, but some of the larger pieces probably drive up the price.

Cargo planes are the same, low piece count due to the big wing and bulkhead which are single elements. Really these sets are more Playmobil than Lego but the punters seem to like them a lot.

This set might have potential. The "This ship floats"-note on the box looks promising. Personally, I feel the urge to open the box just to launch the ice breaker on the small pond in our backyard.

I only see flipping potential. Long-term I am not so sure.

As good as town square...

These look to be gone from Toys R us and shop at home