guy montag

It was great meeting you at Brick Expo. I think this is my favourite layout of the day. The ship, the bar(TazManiac's) and the club, the space sign. You've created your own space genre. The whole layout reminds me of the old PC games SPACE QUEST. I love those classic games. All you need is Roger Wilco and its complete. Well Done.

That link is dated last year.. Are you sure there is a sale happening?

I had ordered 1 of every set, all cancelled too. Pipe up if anyone hasn't got a pre-order rejection... I felt the box at TRU last night, its quite light and I realised there is a poster in everyone of them probably to bulk up the weight. Sorry Lego Australia, I will not buy these sets at RRP or 20% off or 33% off, it is daylight robbery and at least with this AFOL /closing his wallet

TRU don't discount like the used to. I've seen a damage box arc170, but the discount was pathetic, like 10% off retail. One of my best purchases was when I wasn't AFOL and I picked up a damaged Arkham Asylum for $15 with a sticker that said missing pieces (none were missing). They do clear stock on occasion but stock is not always available at the TRU, I remember last year they cleared a lot of prince of persia and the older powerminers sets.

Myer are probably the most sneakiest when it comes to sales, almost as if they don't want to sell it at the sale price. They never blanket advertise via email and specials are sometimes not even marked from store to store. But they are probably the best value for money when they do have a sale and there is enough in stock. So I presume this is a "new" 1 or 2 day secret special offer??? I'll take a loook. Thanks Distortme.

That's a big WIN. as they must of got so confused they allowed two offers.

I too feel for Aussie "small business", its getting crushed. Your right. There is no evidence to explain why an Airport set is $149 RRP being $50 above U.S. RRP, yet a Star Wars set is marked up 100% rrp such as the Clone turbo tank. The unfortunate reality is that its Aussie Big Business that is probably affecting the price we pay. I'm sure Laygo's purchase price is a lot higher than Myer. Myer probably gets sets at 50%- 60% off maybe more. Laygo may only get 30%-40%.if he's trying to match at 20% at what we have all been accustomed to he's only got 15% gross to work with. It's not much...

I didn't know Lego sales in Australia have been declining. Is there a link to this sort of information.? I actually have a theory as to why our purchase price is so expensive. I think its due to the fact that the major buyers, such as kmart, myer desire a large RRP. They probably purchase quite close to the U.S. retailers. They have the ability to discount heavily, to draw in the buyers, yet still make a very large profit. Big margin products are a blessing for big companies, they have so much room to move. I think this arrangement with Lego is not so unique and probably occurs with other brands. Hence the big Harvey Norman push for 10% GST on goods under $1000. They are seeing sales eroded by the internet, its not a landslide yet, but it could be, especially when consumers unite with other consumers looking for bargains with sites such as this. If there is declining sales, Lego is probably trying to maintain profit growth. They way they do that is to sell sets with the Lego brand but with less traditional product and more marketing hype. Ninjago spinners are a perfect example. More licensed sets that have less brick content, and clever selling tactics to sell more product with more margin (series minifigs). I don't think they are taking into account brand damage, Since their target audience being kids don't have the discerning skills of an adult. Afols being only 10% (I think its more) of their market are an acceptable risk. Figuring since they are fans, they'll still buy... The risks now are that 1) people have been so accustomed to 20% off and now 33%off (buy2 get 1 free). they will only buy lego at this time. 2) the internet and places such as bricklink will further erode domestic sales here. 3) brand damage due to poor quality plastic used and for blatant mercenary profiteering (series minifigs). Time will tell if these risks are real and actually affect Lego Australia.

I might be going to H.K this year. Which shop are you buying the Lego? Whereabouts is it? thanks in advance.

last year Kmart cleared Lego very cheaply. I remember they had Lego on clearance then they had a buy 2 get 1 free deal going. It was very good, and there was a lot there. Didn't some of you guys score very cheap star wars sets and Indiana jones sets? Now we just get catalogue special prices this year. Some of them have been nice but nothing out of this world. Perhaps Kmarts getting like the others?. I also believe people are really buying more Lego. It's not just our skewed AFOL opinions. http://www.smh.com.au/national/retro-fun-has-adults-in-pieces-20101218-191c1.html\

see this article. http://www.smh.com.au/business/bricks-and-water-deal-as-legoland-buys-aquarium-2\0101217-190sv.html

Agreed. Clearance before Christmas at Kmart isn't as fortuitous for us Afols as Clearances mid year. The closer we come to Christmas, stuff at RRP even gets bought out. on the news front. I did notice a City Farm at $69.00 price ticket at TRU. They were all sold though. Is it 20% off Lego at TRU or just Duplo Lego?

Thanks Clone Trooper. Looks like the best we'll ever get is a buy 2 get 1 free deal.

Does the 20% off apply to the latest toy catalogue?

The whole set looks like a swing back to classic town. Not that this is a bad thing, but it is disappointing to a creator fan who was hoping for little intricate designs such as Beach house or Family home. I like it a lot for the part content, Light tan window and door frames, red brown roof, brown bricks (which you can never have to much of). I would of liked a base plate, ohh well. So I'll be looking forward to this when it goes on special here in Australia. I bet Lego Australia will try to RRP it at $59.99. for this amount... no thanks.