Odd Lego pricing

[Superkalle]

Hi Ambassadors,

There is a discussion over here on the the different pricing on Grand Emporium in various countries: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=39427

Is that something any ambassador could bring up with TLG, so that we can get a good picture on what the deal is (no pun intended )

[CopMike]

Question posted in the Ambassador forum, let´s see what we get back!

[willy_poodle]

Hi Ambassadors,

There is a discussion over here on the the different pricing on Grand Emporium in various countries: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=39427

Is that something any ambassador could bring up with TLG, so that we can get a good picture on what the deal is (no pun intended )

Are you complaining about prices in UK?

Here you go...

Lego prices in Polish Zloty from S@H and shops in Poland:

Medieval Market Village - price in GBP: £ 69.99 (334.27 PLN at the moment), price in PLN (Polish zloty) 499.95 PLN

Trolls' Mountain Fortress - price in GBP: £ 74.99 (358.15 PLN), price in PLN: 539.95 PLN

Battle Of Alamut - price in GBP: £ 69.99 (334.27 PLN), price in PLN: 399.95 PLN

Quest Against Time - price in GBP: £ 39.99 (191 PLN), price in PLN: 279.95 PLN

Green Grocer - price in GBP: £ 99.99 (477.56 PLN), price in PLN: 749.96 PLN

Fire Brigade - price in GBP: £ 99.99 (477.56 PLN), price in PLN: 749.95 PLN

Grand Emporium - price in GBP: £ 139.99 (668.60 PLN), price in PLN: 749.95 PLN

Imperial Flagship - price in GBP: £ 139.99 (668.60 PLN), price in PLN: 749.95 PLN

Typical wage in UK: £ 1000 - 1600 per month

Typical wage in Poland: 1200 - 2000 PLN (£ 251 - 419) per month

What do you say to that?!

Any reasonable explanation?

Is it the fault of greedy distributor and why TLG doesn't care?

This is one of the reasons I'm afraid to go back home - I would never be able to buy Lego anymore.

[mikey]

What do you say to that?!

Any reasonable explanation?

Is it the fault of greedy distributor and why TLG doesn't care?

...

I think this is a scandal. Fair enough that different regions have thier own pricing structure (US/ASIA/EUROPE?). But it is outragous that certain countries within Europe are ripped off in this manner. I understand Ireland, and the scandinavian countries pay a premium for thier Lego. I do not know the intricacies of Internal Tax Regulations, and i understand that delivery cost may be slightly higher to ship thier. But realisticly Poland is right next door to the central European warehouse, where as a UK buyer, my Lego is shipped from. I have every sympathy for the Polish Lego Fan, and am more than a bit sceptical that a question asked by the Lego Ambassodor in March, did not get a response 2 months later. At the end of the day as Europeans, we live in a so called 'Euro Zone', one of the key principles of this is the alledged benefit of free trade. Perhaps many Polish Lego Fans, cross the border into Germany and take advanatage of fair prices, perhaps others have thier Lego delivered to them from Germany.

But that is not the point here, it is not unreasonable that Lego prices in the Euro area are comparitive, given internal tax and delivery costs.

[Napoleon]

Quite frankly, I think Lego products should all have the same pricing universally.

For example, a set in America

X Lego set= $50 (USA)

X Lego set= £34.50(UK)

X Lego set= 40 Euro

(Currency rates as of today)

Edited May 22, 2010 by Napoleon

[mikey]

Quite frankly, I think Lego products should all have the same pricing universally.

...

I think you are missing the point here, whilst arguably unreasonable, the pricing on different 'markets' can be justified. What i think is a scandal, is that a 'market', ie: the 'Euro Zone', has wide discrepancy. I very much doubt it could be argued that countries within the 'Euro Zone' have particular internal dynamics, which would mean that pricing should be tiered.

[Norro]

Quite frankly, I think Lego products should all have the same pricing universally.

For example, a set in America

X Lego set= $50 (USA)

X Lego set= £34.50(UK)

X Lego set= 40 Euro

(Currency rates as of today)

You have to consider cost of living/average annual pay. If all sets were priced universally the US fans would probably be severely disadvantaged. What is unfair is the separate distribution within regions (i.e. within europe or north america)...

God Bless,

Nathan

[Ezechielle]

What I think is the more problematic for the prices in Poland (since it is our example) is not the internal VAT or any other particularity of the Polish market but the cost of life, as Norro pointed it. I can understand that TLC wants a minimum price (that could be a disadvantage for some countries) but I also think that there is something illogical in doubling prices in a country where the population cannot afford as much as in other ones...

And also, I am getting uptight with the strange LEGO money converter (1$=1€=1£).

Edited May 23, 2010 by Ezechielle

[brickzone]

On of my criticisms is that even given price differences, there is no consistency.

For the second time in a year Lego have changed various prices on the Exclusives for S@H in Ireland. Previously they increased prices on Café Corner and Town Square from €150 to €180. Fire Station was released at €175 compared to €150 for Germany. Now they have completely randomly dropped the price to €125, and also for other sets like Medieval Marketplace which is now sub-€100, but they have jacked up the price on Imperial Flagship and Grand Emporium - these were released at €150 for Ireland, now they are €175 after the recent price changes.

So not only are there discrepencies between countries, but they can't even make up their mind what the pricing is for one specific country!

[BrickPerfection]

Well, I see something even far, far worse:

Pricing differences in PaB:

0,23€ for the 1x1 headlight brick on S@H PaB, which is just ridiculously overpriced!

In comparison; BL: about 0,03€ (black)

Lego store PaB wall: abou 0,02€ if you fill your basket properly....

Now that's a pricing differences of more than 1000% for the same product purchased frrom the very same company

A 1000% sounds morelike selling/buying illegal drugs, but in this case it's just Legos... BOO :thumbdown:

[Superkalle]

CopMike, any response from TLG on this topic?

[Mirandir]

Hasn't this been up from time to time? However I don't think that there's a simple straightforward answer to this. There are so many things that plays a part in this. Here's just a couple of things that I can think of: VAT, value of the currency, staff wages, transportation costs, general prices on toys in that country, sales figures etc. etc. I also get a feeling that LEGO prefers to not raise the prices on sets already released. Instead they seem to prefer taking it out in prices on new releases.

Well, I see something even far, far worse:

Pricing differences in PaB:

0,23€ for the 1x1 headlight brick on S@H PaB, which is just ridiculously overpriced!

In comparison; BL: about 0,03€ (black)

Lego store PaB wall: abou 0,02€ if you fill your basket properly....

Now that's a pricing differences of more than 1000% for the same product purchased frrom the very same company

A 1000% sounds morelike selling/buying illegal drugs, but in this case it's just Legos... BOO :thumbdown:

I believe that PaB on S@H is ridicously expensive because the orders are handpacked by staff rather than by machines.

[blueandwhite]

You have to consider cost of living/average annual pay. If all sets were priced universally the US fans would probably be severely disadvantaged. What is unfair is the separate distribution within regions (i.e. within europe or north america)...

God Bless,

Nathan

In any situation pricing is ultimately going to seem unfair to certain consumers. Countries like the US have enjoyed a very high standard of living and have come to expect as much. I very much doubt that LEGO could increase pricing by say 25% without consumers walking away from the brand. Smaller countries where the average income is much lower (and often the taxes are much higher) simply have come to accept that they will not enjoy the same material possessions that the average American will. As willy_poodle pointed out, a Polish consumer pays more for a set than his UK counterpart while earning significantly less on average. The expectations from nation to nation simply differ greatly. As a Canadian I expect to earn less and pay more for goods when compared to my American peers just south of me. It's been mentioned again and again, but it's not as if this phenomenon is unique to LEGO.

[Superkalle]

@Mirandir

You're certainly right about many of the factors that influcence pricing. But please remember that this topic was about price difference in EU, which removes many of the factors you list. I became aware of the huge price difference when it was revealed that Grand Emporium was 200 Euros in Sweden but only 150 Euros in most other EU countries.

And I don't think we should have too high regards about Legos skill in pricing regarding such low volume product as Grand Emporium, where I guess only 1% of the world sales go to Sweden. At least not compared to ultra high volume sets like SW or Atlantis where every Euro makes a difference.

That's why I would like to know TLG:s response, if not least to get feedback that they have heard what we AFOLS say.

[BobaFett2]

I don't know any facts because I don't live in Europe, but it probably has to do with popularity, slight shipping differences, and another factor or two. Because of popularity of LEGO in Germany, it would make sense for them to raise the price a tad while lower it in a country less infatuated with LEGO. Shipping shouldn't affect them much in Europe compared to shipping to a different continent. Also, I'm pretty sure that inflation in countries is different even if they use the same currency.

[vexorian]

I don't know any facts because I don't live in Europe, but it probably has to do with popularity, slight shipping differences, and another factor or two. Because of popularity of LEGO in Germany, it would make sense for them to raise the price a tad while lower it in a country less infatuated with LEGO. Shipping shouldn't affect them much in Europe compared to shipping to a different continent. Also, I'm pretty sure that inflation in countries is different even if they use the same currency.

Hmnn, popularity could actually make prices lower as there would be many toy distributors selling it and since there is plenty of demand, you can maximize the amount of transported boxes.

Where is LEGO more popular? In Poland or in Germany?

[Mr Meleca]

There is one point missed:

The Euro, 1 year ago, was 0.7-0.8£ and 1.6US$

Now we have euro at 1.1£ and 1.2-3$.

these changes in money makes a uniformal price in many legos set, like grand emporium who has almost the same price in euro and pounds. But we look back, the Medieval market costs £60, while we find it in euro zone as 100-120 euros.´

we cannot forget the fares in euro zone, which changes to country to country, and makes easier to TLC makes the same price in Euro zone.

But do not complain too much, because in Brazil, one set of £9,99 can costs at least 25 euros. (70% of fares, at least. VIva Lula da Silva, the biggest lie in world politics)

[Superkalle]

@Mr. Meleca.

You're right that currency fluctuates. But even within one currency, how comes the Grand Emporium is 200 Euro in Finland and 150 in Belgium (as an example).

Besides, it's no point in us AFOLs speculating. The question was if TLG either want's to give a reson, of if the chose not to comment. In either case, it would be good to have that statement, becuase then we can direct all future discussions about price to that reply. Now, there's just vacuum.

[BobaFett2]

I think LEGO is most popular in Germany (I read this from a study) but I'm not completely sure.

[Zorbas]

There was a conversation in the past about pricing within the EU and Europe in general and CopMike had received an answer from the Ambassador Forum.

Check the post here.

To be perfectly honest, I wasn't at all satisfied with that answer because some points just didn't make sense.

[Plastic Nurak]

I think LEGO is most popular in Germany (I read this from a study) but I'm not completely sure.

In last years LEGO Group increased its profits in Mediterranean area, specifically Italy and Spain. Following the wire of your arguments, now italian and spanish prices should decrease, but, despite the cost of living, lower than Central Europe, things aren't changed. In Italy Grand Emporium is 155 €, but this price, higher for just a 5 € note, is weightier for italian customer's pockets than for German's.

Edited May 30, 2010 by Plastic Nurak

[Fugazi]

There was a conversation in the past about pricing within the EU and Europe in general and CopMike had received an answer from the Ambassador Forum.

Check the post here.

To be perfectly honest, I wasn't at all satisfied with that answer because some points just didn't make sense.

Simply put, the more we buy the more expensive LEGO will get.

[willy_poodle]

There was a conversation in the past about pricing within the EU and Europe in general and CopMike had received an answer from the Ambassador Forum.

Check the post here.

Yeah...

The pricing is set when a team of people look at everything in a country and decide that this is a fair price for us to charge in this country

Sure, especially when you look at my example it shows how FAIR it is.

Green Grocer - price in GBP: £ 99.99 (477.56 PLN), price in PLN: 749.96 PLN (£ 157)

Where is LEGO more popular? In Poland or in Germany?

I think it's more popular in Germany, but ONLY because in Poland it's a luxury, people can't afford. Would be more popular if we had the same prices.

[Superkalle]

And here we go again. Check this out. Completely crazy .

New 7979 Freight Train

Price in UK: 1385 SEK (equivalent)

Price in Sweden: 2000 SEK

3183 City Airport

Price in UK: 920 SEK (equivalent)

Price in Sweden: 349 SEK (must be a mistake) EDIT - confirmed - it was a mistake

Prices taken from lego.com June 1st

[Dfenz]

The airport price [3182] looks like a mistake. Anyone in Sweden interested in that set should snap it up before the price increases. Wouldn't be the first time its happened.