We have lost HE and SC and both of them have about as much in common with the T1 as a Ferrari F40!

 

Seriously, though, I think this one will retire when TLG see that sales are dropping off and not recovering - the less investors go for it, the sooner that will be.

 

HE is a train, SC is a plane. T1, Mini and F40 are all cars. I did not relate the F40 release to HE or SC, because that would not make any sense in this regard. Having three CARS at the same time (not vehicles in general) seems too much at the same time, even more so as T1 is overdue to go.

once again show me the numbers you have to back your claim......you clearly state as fact that R2 was a poor seller, show us the numbers then, I'll wait

Never said R2 was a poor seller. I just don't think it was a great seller. It did not sell well enough for Lego to keep it in production at least until the new movie was released.

Never said R2 was a poor seller. I just don't think it was a great seller. It did not sell well enough for Lego to keep it in production at least until the new movie was released.

You stated it wasn't a "hot seller" which can easily be interpreted as being a bad, poor, etc... seller.

This isn't even the R2 thread. I know you tried referencing that set to make a point about the 10220 set.

Let it go please. If you respond / post again about your post exchanges with Stephen, a warning will be issued.

Actually nevermind I'd rather not derail this thread by arguing over business practices that neither one of us know about.

Thanks ;)

HE is a train, SC is a plane. T1, Mini and F40 are all cars. I did not relate the F40 release to HE or SC, because that would not make any sense in this regard. Having three CARS at the same time (not vehicles in general) seems too much at the same time, even more so as T1 is overdue to go.

Actually this argument makes sense and in economics it's called cannibalization. These cars are close substitutes in LEGO's palette, therefore it might be a reasonable assumption that the average consumer is almost indifferent between them. 

 

Imagine that T1 and F40 both sell very well, but most people only buy one of them. If the majority who face this choice would buy the F40 if there is no T1 (rather than not buying anything at all) then LEGO can do better with retiring the T1 so it could spare the production cost of multiple products (more parts). In this situation the T1 is devouring would-be sales of the F40, making it an in-house competitor.

 

Cannibalization might also (partly) explain the retirement of TH and R2 as well. It is not in the interest of LEGO to fragment demand too much across its products since it inflates costs and the benefits of cancelling production can outweigh the loss of some marginal sales.

Edited February 8, 201510 yr by inversion

Lego is not a normal, profit-seeking corporation, for better or for worse.  It would be run very differently if it were publicly traded and vulnerable to the power plays of activist investors.  If a set truly sells terribly, like 10227, Lego will end production early.  I don't think that was the case with town hall or R2.  The latter was essentially due for retirement, next in line after SSD.  TH is an interesting case, and I have no idea what they were thinking.  But if Lego bases lifespans on sales, then we are to believe that The Zombies was the worst selling Monster Fighters set, The Burrow was the worst selling Harry Potter set of the last run, and assorted other dubious ideas.

But if Lego bases lifespans on sales, then we are to believe that The Zombies was the worst selling Monster Fighters set, The Burrow was the worst selling Harry Potter set of the last run, and assorted other dubious ideas.

 

They obviously did not (really) base lifespans on sales in the past - that is what your examples show. However, some around here assume that TLG might do this significantly more often in the future.

Lego is not a normal, profit-seeking corporation, for better or for worse. It would be run very differently if it were publicly traded and vulnerable to the power plays of activist investors. If a set truly sells terribly, like 10227, Lego will end production early. I don't think that was the case with town hall or R2. The latter was essentially due for retirement, next in line after SSD. TH is an interesting case, and I have no idea what they were thinking. But if Lego bases lifespans on sales, then we are to believe that The Zombies was the worst selling Monster Fighters set, The Burrow was the worst selling Harry Potter set of the last run, and assorted other dubious ideas.

Retiring a set early is about more than sales and might not always be the same reason. It could be the cost of production of a particular set. Maybe some sets require rare or odd colored pieces that are not used in other sets. The cost to retool an entire production line to make a few bricks for one set is not worth the cost or trouble. Maybe it's about packaging. Maybe it's just time.

Retiring a set early is about more than sales and might not always be the same reason. It could be the cost of production of a particular set. Maybe some sets require rare or odd colored pieces that are not used in other sets. The cost to retool an entire production line to make a few bricks for one set is not worth the cost or trouble. Maybe it's about packaging. Maybe it's just time.

 

Oh to be a fly on the wall on the retirement decision on the Lego 60064 Arctic Supply Plane.  Was it one of the above issues or even something Legal.  I know sets can get retired early.  But 4 months after market availability.  That's the shortest availability I have seen in recent memory.  I'm going to hold on a few I found.

Retiring a set early is about more than sales and might not always be the same reason. It could be the cost of production of a particular set. Maybe some sets require rare or odd colored pieces that are not used in other sets. The cost to retool an entire production line to make a few bricks for one set is not worth the cost or trouble. Maybe it's about packaging. Maybe it's just time.

From what I recall about my 10220 build (over 2 years ago & not looking up the elements before typing this), not many unique elements here with exception of the Pearl Gold sink and brush items. The light blue tiles are included w/n the Double-Decker Couch. The VW emblem is a sticker. The box is the same size as the 10226 (and prob Mini Cooper - need to check).

There are prob many reasons this set is still available at retail.

Note : the curtains and orange fabric are def unique so this set is prob a good seller among other manufacturing things to keep around.

Oh to be a fly on the wall on the retirement decision on the Lego 60064 Arctic Supply Plane. Was it one of the above issues or even something Legal. I know sets can get retired early. But 4 months after market availability. That's the shortest availability I have seen in recent memory. I'm going to hold on a few I found.

Please post this comment in the Arctic thread. Then I'll delete it here. Just Trying to stay on-topic...

The T1 Camper still does not excite me.  I got out and am glad I did.  Maybe I'll F5 near the end but I do not even feel strong enough to have any concern for getting any even if there becomes a confirmed retirement.  I want to feel different but I do not...

Me neither Trek, but it's not about me (or you, or any of us).  There's a whole generation out there that loves these things (the real ones, and presumably some of those folks like the Lego version too).  If I had to choose, though, I'd pick the T1 over the MINI Cooper, or the previous VW Beetle Lego made.  The detailed interior is pretty cool.

Me neither Trek, but it's not about me (or you, or any of us).  There's a whole generation out there that loves these things (the real ones, and presumably some of those folks like the Lego version too).  If I had to choose, though, I'd pick the T1 over the MINI Cooper, or the previous VW Beetle Lego made.  The detailed interior is pretty cool.

 

Great point.  Seriously.

From what I recall about my 10220 build (over 2 years ago & not looking up the elements before typing this), not many unique elements here with exception of the Pearl Gold sink and brush items. The light blue tiles are included w/n the Double-Decker Couch. The VW emblem is a sticker. The box is the same size as the 10226 (and prob Mini Cooper - need to check).

There are prob many reasons this set is still available at retail.

Note : the curtains and orange fabric are def unique so this set is prob a good seller among other manufacturing things to keep around.

 

The mini cooper box looks smaller but by volume it is just a wee bit bigger.

T1 - 14.70 x 18.70 x 2.50 = 687 cubic inches

Mini - 14.72 x 13.78 x 3.50 = 710 cubic inches

 

For me it's the curtains that surprise me... There are 6 of them in the T1 and although they are teenie tiny, they must have a huge stock pile of them. I know the fabric is probably cheap to make in China, but it's a one-off for this set only.

I'm not a fan of the VW camper van/bus. It was before my time.

I am a Star Wars and I recognize that non Star Wars fans have a difficult time understanding the purchasing power and intensity of Star Wars fans.

Something tells me I should use this knowledge and apply it to my limited understanding and appreciation of the VW model. I have a couple and I plan to get more...I wonder how many are going "all-in" on this set.

Me neither Trek, but it's not about me (or you, or any of us).  There's a whole generation out there that loves these things (the real ones, and presumably some of those folks like the Lego version too).  If I had to choose, though, I'd pick the T1 over the MINI Cooper, or the previous VW Beetle Lego made.  The detailed interior is pretty cool.

 

But the Mini comes with a picnic basket and blanket?! How cool is that?

 

Hahaha, if we didn't own a Mini I probably wouldn't be so fond of it. It's a nice looking model, but just ever so slightly out of proportion with the real one whereas the T1 seems to capture it just about perfectly.

 

I'm still waiting for LEGO to make orange 2x2 plate hinges though so I can build my orange version... I've managed to make decent substitutions for all the other parts except that one that match the overall look of ours with the exception of door hinges. I went with black but it's for that reason alone I haven't been able to bring myself to build it.

But the Mini comes with a picnic basket and blanket?! How cool is that?

 

Hahaha, if we didn't own a Mini I probably wouldn't be so fond of it. It's a nice looking model, but just ever so slightly out of proportion with the real one whereas the T1 seems to capture it just about perfectly.

 

I'm still waiting for LEGO to make orange 2x2 plate hinges though so I can build my orange version... I've managed to make decent substitutions for all the other parts except that one that match the overall look of ours with the exception of door hinges. I went with black but it's for that reason alone I haven't been able to bring myself to build it.

It would be a mistake to pass on this set. It will perform above typical, way above.

It's a great model to build.

It's a iconic vehicle.

It has cloth (not easily bl).

It's a great dispay piece Ideal for even non lego fans.

Building one today. Opened the box and saw that the bags aren't numbered This will be my first large build that didn't have numbered bags.....wish me luck!

Building one today. Opened the box and saw that the bags aren't numbered This will be my first large build that didn't have numbered bags.....wish me luck!

This was the first exclusive set I ever built. Bought it used so the elements were mixed every which way. It's pretty cool how everything comes together.

Building one today. Opened the box and saw that the bags aren't numbered This will be my first large build that didn't have numbered bags.....wish me luck!

 

Spend a little time sorting out the big pieces beforehand and put the small pieces together too.  I've built several this way I bought on EBay.

 

I have the UCS AT-ST I'm starting soon.

That's what my kiddo is for! ;)

Aaaah building a set the old way. :)

Aaaah building a set the old way.

Ha. The best way to build