Markalus

VIP release date was 14th Sept. ie two months ago.

I tend to agree. TLG have given us Easter eggs before, including the highlighted silhouette of the Falcon on the DS box. Of all images they could have used in an email why did they choose that one? The fact that this was one was targeted at SW fan AFOLs who have dropped big $$$ on the latest UCS Falcon only fuels speculation.

I just woke up to a welcome email from Lego..."You're black VIP card is on its way and will reach you by the end of the month"

I think any members would post if they received it, I certainly haven't. It sounds like they are being printed in a single run. Hopefully they will do another for those ordered between now and end of year. If demand for the Falcon has genuinely been far above what they anticipated (hard to believe they wouldn't have foreseen it imo) then the special VIP offers may end up being diluted from what was "planned". To be honest, I doubt the special offers will be that special. More likely a mechanism to encourage more spending like double VIP points. Online or in store, and no matter your geographical location, was the original statement from TLG. But end of year is quickly approaching and stock is still severely limited.

It's been available on Lego S@H for 2 days now and is still in stock, which speaks to a lot of people (myself included) not willing to pay $50 + $30 shipping. I just hope it makes it to local retail stores, which opens up the possibility of a discounted price.

Firstly, welcome! But, I don't agree with your sentiment that there is "no business case for HP Lego, the world has moved on, etc. I recently returned from London, which was a HP pilgrimage of sorts. The crowds at the studio tour were huge, HP and the Cursed Child is sold out till well into next year and the queue to get a photo taken at Kings Cross platform 9 and 3/4's was at least an hour long...at 9.30 pm. Not to mention that the adjoining shop was also heaving. You make a point that "it is not Star Wars". In the sense that JK Rowling has created a rich world that fans get lost in; it is exactly like what George Lucas created in the SW universe. Does it have the same mass appeal? There is now a whole new generation of fans discovering and growing up with HP plus nostalgic older fans who now have disposable income, just like SW. The fact that this thread is so active based on rumour and wishlisting alone should give you an idea of how popular any new HP Lego sets would be.

Bald minifigs just look incomplete imo. I've never liked Mace Windu in minifig form for that reason. A hairpiece, mask, helmet, etc really does add a lot of character.

The whole thing is such a balls up and local Lego stores are seemingly coming up with own "solutions". For example, The Lego Discovery Centre in Melbourne, Australia have announced they are getting a limited number in early Nov. Too make it 'fair' you can register via email and then they are pulling names out of a hat! Hardly seems fair to the first person who registered and misses out

Like any collectible it's all supply & demand. A 'rare' and desirable CMF is always going to hold more value. But all the recent series' are widely available, hence there is an oversupply. You can usually pick them up for less than rrp. The fact that TLG are releasing new series at a faster rate now also saturates demand. Like you said there are "too many to keep track".

It's been six weeks since the first batch of Falcons were shipped. I haven't heard of anyone receiving one in the mail as yet or any communication to says it's on its way. They could start to arrive in the next coupe of weeks but I suspect the black VIP cards might be the just like the Falcon itself; almost mythical in their existence...at least for a while. They aren't of any value until 2018 anyway.

Thanks for a fantastic and highly informative review Jim. I can appreciate that it's a labour of love but a hell of a lot work nonetheless! I'm about half way through building mine and the sheer size of this thing makes some of the 'blind' underside connections a challenge...and all the more a rewarding experience. Kidney, child, wife? Hmmm, tough choice

They have completely priced Aussies out of the market on this one. It's $50 AUD plus $30 shipping plus 3% international transaction fee on most major credit cards here. $82.40 AUD is equivalent to $64 USD or £48 GBP based on current exchange rates. Yeah, that sounds fair. And yes, I know the US price doesn't include sales tax but you get the picture.

Inaccuracies aside that Luke minifig looks great! I love the new hairpiece mold but out of curiosity is there any reason why Lego can't lay a second colour/print over hairpiece molds like they do for heads, torsos, etc? Is it a practical or cost issue? I know there are some Friends minidolls that have dual-coloured hair so it must at least be possible.

If the rumour of a HP D2C set in 2018 comes to fruition then finally there will be a set that I will have no trouble whatsoever justifying to my wife! Personally I would hope for a highly detailed Hogwarts castle. It's the obvious iconic choice if they "go large". Recent D2C releases have proven that consumers are willing to pay big $$$ for such sets and TLG would know they would have an instant sales success on their hands. And there is an army of HP fans (now with disposable income) that would rival Disney and SW fans. You only have to look at the size of this thread, which is not based on any concrete information!

I'll definitely be requesting a new manual...it's part of the experience and 'value' of the set to me. I don't understand why anyone would want a misprinted copy just because it's unique or rare.

Thanks, I've already downloaded the online version and continued. Still bloody annoying though.

WTF moment. I just discovered pages 187, 190, 191 and 194 of my UCS Falcon manual are printed blank! Has anyone else encountered this? I didn't expect this (lack of) quality control in a $1300 AUD set. I'm gonna go out a limb here and say they are probably aware of the problem. I can't imagine it's the only faulty one. It could partly explain the delayed production. It's not like first run quality issues haven't delayed other recent sets (Wall-E, Technic Porsche) albeit for different reasons.

I don't know of a better forum to ask but can anyone enlighten me as to why TLG seemingly promote scalpers/profiteers by creating exclusives but condone the practice at the same time? I'm referring in particular two recent designer signing limited events; one being the UCS MF signing at the Leicester Square store (limited to 100) and the other is Marco Bessa signing the NYCC Boba & Han in carbonite brickheadz. The later is already exclusive by its limited number but then they have created a 'super exclusive' by Marco signing some of them. Marco even posed for photos whilst signing, adding validity to the signature. They are appearing all over EBay for extortionist prices...as expected. TLG would absolutely know this would happen. My question is why? My initial thought is that the intent is to increase perceived value/hype amongst fans to drive future sales of non-exclusive variants. It seems very hypocritical but maybe I'm off-target and missing the point?

Thanks. Good to know.

What about the LBG tubing? Surely that is not leftover?

The current VIP set giveaway with brick built VIP card on Lego S@H would be a perfect set to offer in black to black MF VIP card holders as an exclusive. If only it was 2018.

Porg...in the MF with Chewie. At least it makes sense now in terms of their inclusion in the UCS Falcon.

Did someone get out the wrong side of the bed this morning? Calm down buddy, there's no need for excessive uppercase or multiple "nows" to emphasise your opinion. In case you hadn't noticed, this is a forum for Lego Star Wars fans. Fans who have the opportunity to own what is arguably the most iconic set in the history of Lego so I think their excitement is understandable. FYI, my copy arrived two weeks ago.

They really should be taking orders for people who walk in. Put them on a wait list and contact them when theirs come in. Take a deposit if need be. It's the only fair way to it. I'd be pretty peeved if I'd pre-ordered and someone walked in and by sheer chance managed to get one just by being in the right place at the right time.

Go back a page, I discussed it. Yes, you will both get one. It doesn't come with the Falcon, it will be mailed to your shipping address (up to 6 weeks). It doesn't matter what country you are in.