Ok, Lego, lets talk business! Modular Legends now!

[Artifex]

Modular buildings will soon be turning 10 years old. Lego 10182 Cafe Corner, for instance, is from 2007. That's six years a go.

The line may only be a few years old (or a bit older than that), but I believe it's already an all-time AFOL favorite.

So, even if we AFOLS are supposed to have more money than kids, isn't it the time to re-release some of the older modular sets?

They are just too expensive right now. You can find some of them on ebay for prices that go as far as a couple thousand "moneys" (choose your own preferences ). It's not that different in Lego-buy-sell-trade websites. And it's getting harder and more expensive to get those older sets.

I know I miss a Cafe Corner in my Lego city (at least one, but I'd buy more of that set!), and a Market Street would be a fine addition too. Not to mention the Green Grocer... Or maybe three or five.

ButI digress. My point is: Lego, please, please with sugar on top, think about a "Modular Legends" line or something along those lines... People want those old modular sets and they will buy it if you re-release them. We all ove the new modulars, that's for sure, and we can buy them now, but it's getting harder and harder to get the older ones. Help us with those!

[Luke_likes_Lego]

I wonder if an email to Jaguar would get them to re-release the E-Type?

Cheers,

LLL

[melbs]

re-release would be sweet! for the price of a cafe corner brand new sealed right now, would equate to 10 modular sets, that's a lot of dough for lego to be getting instead of resellers.

i'd gladly sign for a petition of a retro!

[Hey Joe]

Sounds like a great idea!

Joe

[tomdobs55]

It would be great if they could re-release cafe corner with an interior, I'd probably pay a little more for it than just a straight re-release.

[Luke_likes_Lego]

Yeah, and the US mint should re-mint the Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle Coin at $1 a throw.

I just can't afford the $7.59 Million (going to re-sellers) for this $1 coin

[Kivi]

It would certainly be great for collectors (I missed CC and MS too) but from TLG's point of view this issue is pure money talk. I strongly doubt that it would be justified in financial terms to re-release a set which so many people already own compared to the release of a brand new modular each year that is owned by nobody yet. But never give up hope...

[Luke_likes_Lego]

.... but from TLG's point of view this issue is pure money talk.....

I agree, but is that not the case from everyone's point of view?

• The people who bought it at a reasonable price are happy
  
• The people who bought it at a unreasonable price are reasonably happy
  
• The people who can't buy it at a reasonable price are unhappy
  
• TLG has to maximise cost/benefit
  

As the wise and lovable Ted DiBiase (snr) says...'Everybody's got a price..."

Cheers,

LLL

[pinioncorp]

These sets are great and I'd buy them if they were reintroduced, but I can say this is not going to happen now, or ever, for a number of reasons:

1. The Legends line was not successful. They just didn't get enough interest from the line to reinstate it.

2. Some parts (such as the doors) are discontinued parts. The logistics of reintroducing a part make it unlikely.

3. While you don't, many people already own these sets and they would not buy another.

4. Producing a new modular building is exciting for both long time collectors and those new to the hobby - it's a better use of a product SKU.

I hate being the negative person, but you must see it from the company's eyes; I'd love to see some of these sets reintroduced as they've got some great designs and great parts, but it just isn't going to happen. Bite the bullet now and Bricklink these sets before it gets too expensive, and substitute what you deem inconsequential.

[timmyc1983]

If you really want them you can always Bricklink them. I have done so with Cafe Corner (and added my own interior) and part way through Bricklinking the Green Grocer. It does work out cheaper (esp with minor part replacements) and the finished product is just as good, not to mention the fun you have collecting the bricks from around the world!

I can't see TLG re-releasing any of the modulars personally. As great as it would be, people are buying the modulars that are for sale now, and i tend to agree with pinioncorp, there's just too many reasons for them not to re-release... Just my thoughts

Edited May 18, 2013 by timmyc1983

[tmctiger]

I wonder if an email to Jaguar would get them to re-release the E-Type?

Cheers,

LLL

Hi,

unfortunatly for your argument: LEGO indeed do re-releases of set-legends. Most recent set ist the Ultimate Collectors Series X-Wing 10240 ;)

Or the upcoming Technic Mobile Crane MK II ...

So why not re-release the CC-Modulars?

Regards,

tmctiger

[lightningtiger]

Ah, but releases might be redesigned to take in the account for parts available and design improvements.

Personally I would love to have a re-issue of Town Plan instead, but that's just me.

[Aussie BJ]

Count me in for a couple of each set please. I wasn't into Lego when they came out so I missed out. But now I can't have enough Lego but only at reasonable prices. Unless I win the lotto then I won't care, might even buy a Mr Gold or 2.

[Aanchir]

Hi,

unfortunatly for your argument: LEGO indeed do re-releases of set-legends. Most recent set ist the Ultimate Collectors Series X-Wing 10240 ;)

Or the upcoming Technic Mobile Crane MK II ...

So why not re-release the CC-Modulars?

Regards,

tmctiger

The new UCS X-Wing isn't a re-release at all. It's a complete redesign. That's like saying that every single LEGO City fire engine is a re-release because TLG has released fire engines in sets before.

Anyway, pinioncorp summed up most of the reasons TLG doesn't do this very nicely. Jamie Berard, the designer of the Café Corner, made many of the same points here.

Edited May 18, 2013 by Aanchir

[jpd96zj]

I would interested in a CC or 2 myself... I've managed to get them all since the GG since I discovered the fire Brigade about 2 yrs ago.

[Phazon]

Signed! I'd like to have a café corner, I suppose that the set will be profitable in a few years (I hope so ). They could atleast re-introduce certain discontinued parts to make bricklinking a lot easier and cheaper too.

I am glad that I got the Green Grocer from a AFOL collector who sold one with an opened box. The set was new and it costed €175 instead of the €200 a two years ago. Mine has since tripled in value, which I think is rediculous.

[TomLego]

My interest in Lego started about two years ago when my wife bought me the FLW Fallingwater set. I put it together, then wondered if there were any more. Bought the Robie House, all of the rest of the arch series and the addiction was on. Unfortunately I found that I was a few years late in getting started with the modular buildings. I bought the GG a few months ago for $745 US new in the box. I just got a used CC for about the same price that is complete with manuals and the box. Even though I'm a bit obsessive when collecting things, I just can't pull the trigger on the 10190 Market Place. I appreciate the work that the creator put in to design it, but it just doesn't seem to be a good fit with the other modular buildings and it contains about half the number of pieces. So, now my obsessive compulsive disorder that says 'buy it' is competing with my taste that says 'it looks awful compared to the rest of the mods'. Anyway, being new to Lego, I certainly wish they would reissue some of the retired sets. For a number of reasons I understand why they won't/can't. However, I keep an eye on ebay to see if there are any opportunities to acquire them at a reasonable price. I just discovered this site and appreciate the opportunity and information that it presents.

[TheLegoDr]

It seems this topic pops up every couple of months. Everyone that has missed out on the early Modulars constantly lust after them. They are great looking buildings, but I don't see the need to rehash everything just because some people missed out on them. That is including me. I don't own the first 3 that were released, but I'm not crying about it. I'm being proactive and bricklinking the pieces to build my own. It does save money compared to buying the aftermarket prices, plus you can add your own flair to it since that is what LEGO is all about. If you aren't the MOCing type, then you don't have to substitute any of the pieces and you'll still save money compared to the aftermarket price.

Now on the other hand, TLG could redesign the sets and release them that way with modern pieces, but what is the point? As stated above, people who already own it more than likely won't buy it again with the redesign and the people who missed out on the original, might not like the new design and still want the original. Yes, TLG did release a new UCS X-Wing, but as stated it was a complete redesign. Just look at the review that was posted. It compares/contrasts the two versions and it definitely is different when viewed side by side. I personally prefer the redesign, but that is also because I don't own the original.

So to capture the most money from the fans, TLG will continue to release new and exciting Modulars instead of redesigning/re-releasing older versions. That is how it will be. I don't know why people can't grasp that.

[Roger_Smith]

I'm only just starting on the modulars, I only have the two oldest that are currently available, and am looking to buy Pet Shop next.

Judging from the pictures, Green Grocer and Cafe Corner are among the best modulars to date, but I'll propably never get them because I don't see myself sinking 300-500€ into one single set.

But still, I wouldn't support the idea of rereleasing any of the modulars. I'd rather have new ones pop up every year or 6 months. Sure, it'd be great to get my hands on those two old ones (I don't care for Market street, though I might get it for completist reasons if I ever should get all the others), but as soon as they'd get on to rereleasing Fire Brigade, it would annoy me. I already have that one (twice actually, one built, the other misb), so having them rerelease it in my mind would keep me from getting a new modular. And I'd rather have them relaese new modulars, instead of rehashing stuff they already did.

So, nay to this notion ;-)

Edited May 18, 2013 by Roger_Smith

[eurotrash]

I'm flop-flopping on the question of re-releasing the extinct Modulars. Sure, I'd like to have to own the CC and GG but I can't see me ever paying the current after-market prices and if I BL them with cheaper substitute pieces then that seems as if I'd end up with a CC-lite or a fake GG. So, I'm for a 'Legend'-type re-release.

But, on the other hand I think I'd want to see new Modulars instead. There's so many different types of buildings and contents that TLG could do with new techniques and pieces.

So, 49% of me wants the 'Legends', 51% of me wants Brand new designs.

[L@go]

But still, I wouldn't support the idea of rereleasing any of the modulars. I'd rather have new ones pop up every year or 6 months.

To me, this is the number one argument why it shouldn't (and won't) happen. It's not like the company has the possibility to produce an infinite amount of sets at any given time. If you want a modular building re-released, it's going to sell to roughly the same buyers who would buy a new one - only less, because a lot of them already have the original. And because the buyers are the same, that would most likely mean that the sets that would have to give way to a re-release, would be new modular buildings. It's not as simple as putting them back into production - like others have said, there are parts that are no longer used, and parts that don't exist in the necessary colours anymore. The box designs would also have to be un-retired, which would steal space along the production line from other sets - most likely other modulars. It's not a good idea, no matter how much somebody wants it to happen.

Even though I'm a bit obsessive when collecting things, I just can't pull the trigger on the 10190 Market Place. I appreciate the work that the creator put in to design it, but it just doesn't seem to be a good fit with the other modular buildings and it contains about half the number of pieces. So, now my obsessive compulsive disorder that says 'buy it' is competing with my taste that says 'it looks awful compared to the rest of the mods'.

But it doesn't look awful compared to the rest of the mods! It deserves its place in the row. My obsessive compulsive gene urges me to tell you to bite the bullet and get it :)

[Luke_likes_Lego]

Hi,

unfortunatly for your argument: LEGO indeed do re-releases of set-legends. Most recent set ist the Ultimate Collectors Series X-Wing 10240 ;)

Or the upcoming Technic Mobile Crane MK II ...

So why not re-release the CC-Modulars?

Regards,

tmctiger

As Aanchir said....

The new UCS X-Wing isn't a re-release at all. It's a complete redesign. That's like saying that every single LEGO City fire engine is a re-release because TLG has released fire engines in sets before.

...they're never quite the same.

Exhibit A and B:

courtesy mini.com.au & volkswagen.com.au

Lovable cars...but not the originals

Cheers,

LLL

[Henchmen4Hire]

Let's reach a fair compromise here, please don't release any more modular buildings at all and release more space themes instead. It's win-win!

[Luke_likes_Lego]

Space modulars !!

Market Space

Space Emporium

[timmyc1983]

Space modulars !!

Market Space

Space Emporium

Ahahaha hilarious!!!!

But it doesn't look awful compared to the rest of the mods! It deserves its place in the row. My obsessive compulsive gene urges me to tell you to bite the bullet and get it :)

I've never given much credence to Market Street (like i believe many others haven't), i think mainly because to me it seems like half a modular set. I like the building but the side street seems like a cop out AND there's no interior. Maybe i need to re think and if i Bricklink (which is what you all should be doing to get the retired MOdulars, rather than waiting for a non-event re-release) i would just bricklink the building, which i have seen other people do...