Brickmaster Subscription

[Sutelc Remoh]

Long time lurker, first time poster. Hope this is the appropriate location for my question, sorry if it's not.

I only collect Star Wars Lego sets and am debating whether it's worth it to get a Brickmaster subscription. Signing up right now gets the Imperial Shuttle and the late Fall set is an AT-AT. The other 4 sets for the year probably won't interest me. I'll use the two $5 coupons but not the legoland ticket.

Would I be able to sell or trade the other sets and maybe the ticket with any luck? I'm really on the fence about spending the $40 when I know it's probably only 2 sets that I want.

Advice?

[Aanchir]

I personally subscribe for the extra magazine content first, and the sets are just a nice bonus and a way of getting back the cost of the magazine. But if you're not interested in non-SW sets, I'm not sure how worthwhile it would be for you.

Don't ignore the possibility of building the set using the online instructions and spare parts. Not sure how these sets are built, or whether they or future SW Brickmaster sets might have exclusive or hard-to-obtain parts, but I don't see the logic of signing up for a magazine subscription if the magazine itself doesn't have too much of interest for you.

[Asterios]

basically all the magazing is, is a paper version of Brickshelf (avoids tomatoes and lettuce headed my way) seriously people thats all it really is, nothing really fancy, the cost your paying is for the little LEGO sets that come with it, and the coupons, well the coupons are great except for the free pass since if your not planning on going, not alot of good that will do you, and its only good for a buy one get one free pass deal, so 2 of you would need to be going, $5 off coupons, hey their $5 off LEGO what more can I say, now to the meat and potatoes of the dilemma the sets. you have basic small $5 sets with the occasional minifig(rarely) that are nice but not really all that great and could probably be found on BL for a reasonable rate without having to buy a subscription and getting sets you don't want.

but in the end the decision is yours, and if you would like it.

[LegoDad42]

The Brickmaster Subscription is really aimed more towards kids (or big kids like me... ).

I got it for my son Dec. '09 and besides the mini-models (Got a Republic Attack Gunship to start the subscription plus 2 $5.00 coupons for S@H), in the mag. you get a couple of comic strips, puzzles, games, a poster, sometimes 3-D glasses (for the Atlantis comic strip), alternate build instructions (which are fun), a kid's pass to LEGOLand, etc.

It's more geared for like 6 - 12 yrs. old I'd say. They'll announce at times, build contest for the kids and a photo section for the young ones to show off their creations.

So far with our first 6-issue subscription, we got a mini Star Wars/Clone Wars Republic Attack Gunship (excellent and beefy model), Atlantis Neptune Micro-sub(another great little model that's also quite beefy), Creator 4x4 Dynamo (excellent looking vehicle and with a little MoDing can be turned into an Agent's 4x4), a Creator Alligator(weakest model we got, not that great)...and am waiting on the next 2 before I renew, which would be an Imperial Shuttle and a Prince of Persia set that you get a Dastan mini-fig!

I'm sure if you're just into the mini-models, you can find them online, get the instructions online and forego the magazine (unless you have kid's then it'll be fun for them).

[Brickdoctor]

I don't really think so. It's a repackaging of a mini set and LLC ticket with coupons and extra pages that used to come with the old LEGO magazine in the first place. I've given up on LEGO Club Magazines as a whole. I read a friends to see if there's a contest I could enter, but other than that, I concentrate on other stuff. Like building.

I'd save the money and grab a BrickJournal subscription. Or even better, more LEGO.

[Forresto]

The Brickmaster Subscription is really aimed more towards kids (or big kids like me... ).

I got it for my son Dec. '09 and besides the mini-models (Got a Republic Attack Gunship to start the subscription plus 2 $5.00 coupons for S@H), in the mag. you get a couple of comic strips, puzzles, games, a poster, sometimes 3-D glasses (for the Atlantis comic strip), alternate build instructions (which are fun), a kid's pass to LEGOLand, etc.

It's more geared for like 6 - 12 yrs. old I'd say. They'll announce at times, build contest for the kids and a photo section for the young ones to show off their creations.

So far with our first 6-issue subscription, we got a mini Star Wars/Clone Wars Republic Attack Gunship (excellent and beefy model), Atlantis Neptune Micro-sub(another great little model that's also quite beefy), Creator 4x4 Dynamo (excellent looking vehicle and with a little MoDing can be turned into an Agent's 4x4), a Creator Alligator(weakest model we got, not that great)...and am waiting on the next 2 before I renew, which would be an Imperial Shuttle and a Prince of Persia set that you get a Dastan mini-fig!

I'm sure if you're just into the mini-models, you can find them online, get the instructions online and forego the magazine (unless you have kid's then it'll be fun for them).

Based on that is seems like a pretty good deal. 40$ seems bad but it depends on how you look at it.

$10 worth of cupons

$35 worth of minimodels (if each is $5 which some may be more)

$10-5 child's ticket to Legoland

If anything it's a steal if you're really into the mini models and the knowledge that they will be exclusive to a few thousand people

[Derek]

basically all the magazing is, is a paper version of Brickshelf (avoids tomatoes and lettuce headed my way) seriously people thats all it really is(...)

But---how???? I don't understand why you think it is like Brickshelf. If anything, it is a glorified advertisement.

I'm considering getting it for the next three sets, which look great...

[Sutelc Remoh]

I suppose the surprise is nice for people who have the subscription but I wish I knew what other sets were coming. I wonder what the odds are for a Harry Potter set in 2011 with the new HP sets and movies coming out.

[Brickdoctor]

If anything, it is a glorified advertisement.

Definitely. All the 'articles' are basically giant pictures of sets with a list of their features - all stuff already listed online and in the catalog.

[LegoDad42]

Based on that is seems like a pretty good deal. 40$ seems bad but it depends on how you look at it.

$10 worth of cupons

$35 worth of minimodels (if each is $5 which some may be more)

$10-5 child's ticket to Legoland

If anything it's a steal if you're really into the mini models and the knowledge that they will be exclusive to a few thousand people

Yeah, you're right Forresto. If you add it up, it's not a bad deal for $40bucks...just like you broke it down...

-$10 of coupons(they expire so use them quickly)

-$21 for 6 issues (they're $3.50 each)

-$21-$30 worth of mini-models

-$57 child's ticket one day admission to Legoland (they put in a coupon for this every issue I got but it expires within a month or two of getting the ticket and you must purchase of course at least one adult ticket($67)to get the free child's admission).

Keep's me guilt free when I renew...

[Brickdoctor]

Based on that is seems like a pretty good deal. 40$ seems bad but it depends on how you look at it.

$10 worth of cupons

$35 worth of minimodels (if each is $5 which some may be more)

$10-5 child's ticket to Legoland

If anything it's a steal if you're really into the mini models and the knowledge that they will be exclusive to a few thousand people

The only thing really worth it is the LLC ticket ($60?), but since it's a Child's pass you still have to purchase an Adult pass. It's seems like a good idea, but if you live near a LEGO Brand Retail Store, they will sometimes have things like 'Buy $75 worth of LEGO and get a free Child's pass with purchase of Adult pass' or even better, I've seen 'Buy $90 worth of LEGO and get a free Child's membership to LEGOLAND California'. If all you want is two of the mini models, you're better off Bricklinking the parts. They shouldn't be that hard to build without instructions, and if all else fails, they're really just minor changes to the Mini Sets released back in '04. In fact, the old mini Imperial Shuttle was better than the new one, because it had a printed tile.

IMO, what it al boils down to is that unless you're going to use the LLC ticket and don't have a coupon to get a free Child's pass, it's not worth it.

Edited July 9, 2010 by Brickdoctor

[Aanchir]

Definitely. All the 'articles' are basically giant pictures of sets with a list of their features - all stuff already listed online and in the catalog.

Not true. There's a lot in the magazines you can't get from online or in the catalogs, like fictional statistics and specifications, nifty illustrations, comics, exclusive alternate model instructions for current sets, and occasionally large exclusive posters. Granted, some of these things could be considered irrelevant for any themes that have no in-depth story. But for lines like, say, Hero Factory or BIONICLE, they're certainly worthwhile. And for other themes like Atlantis, Space Police, Agents, etc, they're at least entertaining.

Of course, Star Wars does have an in-depth story (there's no questioning that) and often there are stats and specifications for particular vehicles in the magazine. But of course, unlike BIONICLE or any of LEGO's non-licensed themes, any Star Wars stats are made up by George Lucas & co., not by LEGO, so they've almost certainly been revealed elsewhere in a lot more depth.

Basically, it really depends on what you're interested in. For a Star Wars buff, I'm not sure you'd find much of interest besides the occasional comics (which are incredibly hilarious thanks to writer Daniel Lipkowitz). For a BIONICLE fan, a magazine is practically a must-have (even though you can bet a million other fans think the same thing and have already scanned and posted the BIONICLE content online). And for a Town buff, it's not really all that entertaining (most of the Town content is targeted toward a decidedly younger age range).

There's a lot of value in the magazines, whether or not it's targeted towards you in particular. It's certainly not just a repeat of online/catalog content. But it's up to you whether or not it's worth the price of subscription.

[Brickdoctor]

Not true. There's a lot in the magazines you can't get from online or in the catalogs, like fictional statistics and specifications, nifty illustrations, comics, exclusive alternate model instructions for current sets, and occasionally large exclusive posters. Granted, some of these things could be considered irrelevant for any themes that have no in-depth story. But for lines like, say, Hero Factory or BIONICLE, they're certainly worthwhile. And for other themes like Atlantis, Space Police, Agents, etc, they're at least entertaining.

Of course, Star Wars does have an in-depth story (there's no questioning that) and often there are stats and specifications for particular vehicles in the magazine. But of course, unlike BIONICLE or any of LEGO's non-licensed themes, any Star Wars stats are made up by George Lucas & co., not by LEGO, so they've almost certainly been revealed elsewhere in a lot more depth.

Basically, it really depends on what you're interested in. For a Star Wars buff, I'm not sure you'd find much of interest besides the occasional comics (which are incredibly hilarious thanks to writer Daniel Lipkowitz). For a BIONICLE fan, a magazine is practically a must-have (even though you can bet a million other fans think the same thing and have already scanned and posted the BIONICLE content online). And for a Town buff, it's not really all that entertaining (most of the Town content is targeted toward a decidedly younger age range).

There's a lot of value in the magazines, whether or not it's targeted towards you in particular. It's certainly not just a repeat of online/catalog content. But it's up to you whether or not it's worth the price of subscription.

Okay, I'll correct myself:

If you're a Star Wars fan (like me) then it's a glorified advertisement. If you're not a Star Wars fan, then it's just your average kiddie magazine, and if you're a Bionicle fan, Hero Factory fan, or paper collectible freak, then and only then is it worth it.

[natelite]

the mini sets are worth quite a bit on BL. especially SW sets. wait a bit and each could fetch $20 in little over a year. it's hard to get like 6 SW sets but 2 of them, and you have already recoup your cost. take the IJ mini jeep for eg. it's already up to $40 on BL. you could easily sell that and pab the parts from S@H.

[prateek]

the mini sets are worth quite a bit on BL. especially SW sets. wait a bit and each could fetch $20 in little over a year. it's hard to get like 6 SW sets but 2 of them, and you have already recoup your cost. take the IJ mini jeep for eg. it's already up to $40 on BL. you could easily sell that and pab the parts from S@H.

Exactly what I was going to say. If you want it just for the sets, go ahead. You might even find some entertainment from the magazine too.

[Inconspicuous]

I'm a big fan of Brickmaster simply because of the sets. They're "worth" $6 or $7 (which makes back to cost of the subscription) but they're often worth more on Bricklink. I'm a fan of most all the themes the promos come from, so it's definitely worth it for me. If you're only into the Star Wars ones, it's probably worth Bricklinking them. I've never actually used any of the coupons provided, and the better magazine isn't that much better. It really depends on how many of the items you want.