distortme Posted April 16, 2011 Posted April 16, 2011 Anyone got S4 extras for trade/sale yet? I know there's the forum for it but not many Aussies when we all congregate here :) Just after the Street Skater to complete my set. Happy to pay $5 as they're pretty readily available at $4 in the pack - unless this is some super-rare one. I have a few spares (a few S3s too) if you're looking for some. And while on topic - any S1 or S2 sets floating around.....? I'll try the other forum if this is shied upon. ....and were done for Series 4. :)
dotmike Posted April 17, 2011 Posted April 17, 2011 Yes, Collectible Minifigures Series 4 is ancient history, the next big quest for the Australian AFOL is Pirates of the Caribbean... Was it confirmed anywhere yet what the Australian pricing for Pirates of the Caribbean will be? If it was I missed it, but I believe I am now in a position to offer it, and, one better, to indicate what pricing will be at the major retailers. I did some Sunday afternoon shopping today and while I didn't really expect the POTC sets to be on the shelves yet (like they are in the US in some Toys R Us stores), I did wonder if the sets were yet entered in the system ready for imminent release. Long story short, I persuaded the price check computers of Toys R Us, Big W, and Target to tell me what the pricing would be if I went to buy the set. The results were: The following table summarises the pricing. The first two columns are the US recommended retail price, first in US dollars and then in Australian dollars. Followed in column 3 by Australian recommended retail (Toys R Us usually sell at full retail, so that's a fair assumption), then Big W's prices, and finally Target, which currently has a 20% off sale on all LEGO. Set US RRP (USD) US RRP (AUD) Aust. RRP (AUD) Big W (AUD) Target 20% (AUD) 4181 Isla de Muerta 19.99 19.22 39.99 37.74 31.20 4182 The Cannibal Escape 29.99 28.84 59.99 54.66 47.20 4183 The Mill 39.99 38.45 79.99 78.84 63.20 4191 The Captain's Cabin 11.99 11.53 24.99 23.62 19.20 4192 Fountain of Youth 19.99 19.22 39.99 37.74 31.20 4193 The London Escape 49.99 48.07 99.99 97.00 79.20 4194 Whitecap Bay 79.99 76.91 139.99 128.00 111.20 4195 Queen Annes Revenge 119.99 115.38 199.99 166.00 159.20 Even at sale prices (and there's no guarantee Target's sale will still be on when POTC is launched), it's clear that between LEGO Australia and Captain Jack Sparrow, the former is the bigger pirate!
jamonlego Posted April 17, 2011 Posted April 17, 2011 (edited) I hate to ask, but how did you convince the scanners to tell you the costs? P.S. The large fire station set is on special at DJ's Carindale for $240 - in case you have missed it and still want it Edited April 17, 2011 by jamonlego
AussieJimbo Posted April 17, 2011 Posted April 17, 2011 I'm guessing he got scans of the barcodes from the packs off the net, printed them out and waved them under the scanner. Good way to do a quick price check of the sets you're after. Finding out advance prices, now that's some nice thinking. :classic:
TheDarkness Posted April 17, 2011 Posted April 17, 2011 The following table summarises the pricing. The first two columns are the US recommended retail price, first in US dollars and then in Australian dollars. Followed in column 3 by Australian recommended retail (Toys R Us usually sell at full retail, so that's a fair assumption), then Big W's prices, and finally Target, which currently has a 20% off sale on all LEGO. Set US RRP (USD) US RRP (AUD) Aust. RRP (AUD) Big W (AUD) Target 20% (AUD) 4181 Isla de Muerta 19.99 19.22 39.99 37.74 31.20 4182 The Cannibal Escape 29.99 28.84 59.99 54.66 47.20 4183 The Mill 39.99 38.45 79.99 78.84 63.20 4191 The Captain's Cabin 11.99 11.53 24.99 23.62 19.20 4192 Fountain of Youth 19.99 19.22 39.99 37.74 31.20 4193 The London Escape 49.99 48.07 99.99 97.00 79.20 4194 Whitecap Bay 79.99 76.91 139.99 128.00 111.20 4195 Queen Annes Revenge 119.99 115.38 199.99 166.00 159.20 Even at sale prices (and there's no guarantee Target's sale will still be on when POTC is launched), it's clear that between LEGO Australia and Captain Jack Sparrow, the former is the bigger pirate! Thanks alot for your effort. I was eyeing off these sets, though simply don't buy anything now without some discount. This looks like another case of purchasing overseas due to being ripped off here
jonwil Posted April 17, 2011 Posted April 17, 2011 Based on those prices every set is about 2 times the US price. Yet again LEGO puts Australia at the BOTTOM of the list and makes us pay a fortune so they can cross-subsidize the US and other markets. I was considering which sets to buy (some of the medium sized sets) but after seeing these prices and not being willing to order from overseas, I am going to only buy the Captains Cabin.
Friction Posted April 17, 2011 Posted April 17, 2011 I think it's outrageous that Australia has to pay nearly double what the US does for Lego. They're obviously making a bloody huge profit margin from us.
BrettBrick Posted April 17, 2011 Posted April 17, 2011 I hope this isn't inappropriate, but over on Whirlpool, user Jad308 just posted the following: I picked up the Excavator at this nice price. Hi Did your excavator order go through? I just an email telling me that the supplier is unable to fulfill my order at this time. Yet if you look at their website the set is still for sale on there. Nice price, poor service. A bit like fishpond I'm thinking.
jonwil Posted April 17, 2011 Posted April 17, 2011 I think it's outrageous that Australia has to pay nearly double what the US does for Lego. They're obviously making a bloody huge profit margin from us. I suspect its simply that LEGO subsidizes sales to big US retailers (because LEGO needs those retailers far more than those retailers need LEGO) in a big way and charges Australia and New Zealand more to make up for it. (and LEGO doesn't need the big Aussie retailers anywhere near as much as they need Wal-Mart and others in the US)
Brix Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 Hi Did your excavator order go through? I just an email telling me that the supplier is unable to fulfill my order at this time. Yet if you look at their website the set is still for sale on there. Nice price, poor service. A bit like fishpond I'm thinking. That's unfortunate. My order did go through and was despatched last week.
Artanis I Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 Even at sale prices (and there's no guarantee Target's sale will still be on when POTC is launched), it's clear that between LEGO Australia and Captain Jack Sparrow, the former is the bigger pirate! Thanks alot for your effort. I was eyeing off these sets, though simply don't buy anything now without some discount. This looks like another case of purchasing overseas due to being ripped off here Based on those prices every set is about 2 times the US price. Yet again LEGO puts Australia at the BOTTOM of the list and makes us pay a fortune so they can cross-subsidize the US and other markets. I think it's outrageous that Australia has to pay nearly double what the US does for Lego. They're obviously making a bloody huge profit margin from us. I suspect its simply that LEGO subsidizes sales to big US retailers (because LEGO needs those retailers far more than those retailers need LEGO) in a big way and charges Australia and New Zealand more to make up for it. (and LEGO doesn't need the big Aussie retailers anywhere near as much as they need Wal-Mart and others in the US) Not just us, but pretty much the-rest-of-the-world subsidises the cheaper Lego in USA. The problem created here is that parents buy less Lego for kids, (too expensive) AFOLs import it from USA to save money therefore increasing sales there, reducing sales here, meaning TLG can afford even lower prices there, but need to up the prices here even more to keep making a profit... OR they could increase profit by increasing sales by reducing our prices!!! That's what big business does anyway, surely...
peterab Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 Not just us, but pretty much the-rest-of-the-world subsidises the cheaper Lego in USA. The problem created here is that parents buy less Lego for kids, (too expensive) AFOLs import it from USA to save money therefore increasing sales there, reducing sales here, meaning TLG can afford even lower prices there, but need to up the prices here even more to keep making a profit... OR they could increase profit by increasing sales by reducing our prices!!! That's what big business does anyway, surely... I've had conversations about Australian pricing with a Lego employee oven on the AFOL 16+ group on Flickr. He informed me that the RRP in each region was worked out in negotiation with local retailers, and the wholesale price those retailers pay is pretty much the same all around the world. It is the local retailers who determine the price. There are markets which are targeted by TLG to increase sales and therefore have lower wholesale prices (and I assume the US might fall into that category) but otherwise it is the retailers that do the gouging, not TLG. As informed customers, we need to let the retailers know we don't like the higher local prices by only buying on sale, or buying overseas. More importantly help your non AFOL friends know and help them to also only buy when cheap. The retailers will lower their prices if they can't sell at the higher prices.
Artanis I Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 I've had conversations about Australian pricing with a Lego employee oven on the AFOL 16+ group on Flickr. He informed me that the RRP in each region was worked out in negotiation with local retailers, and the wholesale price those retailers pay is pretty much the same all around the world. It is the local retailers who determine the price. There are markets which are targeted by TLG to increase sales and therefore have lower wholesale prices (and I assume the US might fall into that category) but otherwise it is the retailers that do the gouging, not TLG. As informed customers, we need to let the retailers know we don't like the higher local prices by only buying on sale, or buying overseas. More importantly help your non AFOL friends know and help them to also only buy when cheap. The retailers will lower their prices if they can't sell at the higher prices. All it takes is 1 retailer to discount... and we get a price war. We need an AFOL union... put bans on buying from particular retailers unless they stop the gouging!
Cadder Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 (edited) I've had conversations about Australian pricing with a Lego employee oven on the AFOL 16+ group on Flickr. He informed me that the RRP in each region was worked out in negotiation with local retailers, and the wholesale price those retailers pay is pretty much the same all around the world. It is the local retailers who determine the price. There are markets which are targeted by TLG to increase sales and therefore have lower wholesale prices (and I assume the US might fall into that category) but otherwise it is the retailers that do the gouging, not TLG. If that's the case, then S@H's Aussie prices should be a lot cheaper than the shops. They're not. In fact, in a lot of cases, they're more expensive. AND they double-dip by charging a fortune for freight. Edited April 18, 2011 by Cadder
jonwil Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 As informed customers, we need to let the retailers know we don't like the higher local prices by only buying on sale, or buying overseas. More importantly help your non AFOL friends know and help them to also only buy when cheap. The retailers will lower their prices if they can't sell at the higher prices. What will happen is that retailers wont lower their prices OR demand lower wholesale prices, they will simply cut back on the product they carry. Although with Woolworths and Coles engaged in a price war right now, seeing Big W and K-Mart follow suite in a bunch of areas would be great :)
Clone-Trooper Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 As much as I despise the rip off costs we get here in OZ, I doubt the Australian forum members would even make 0.0005% dent in retail profits/sales in Lego. As it stands, local retailers only lose only about 3% from online purchases made from other country’s, somehow I don’t think retailers will panic and drop prices on that statistic. Normal mum and dad buyers will buy from departments stores even at RRP prices, silly I know but it happens, those odd few times they might make purchases keeps the retail store profits up. Australia has always been a country of “high” prices for everything, not just Lego, lets all admit it, we just get scr*wed over because they can get away with it. The USA gets sales/specials, 50% off constantly along with Buy 1 Get 1 50% off each and every month. I actually like it that Australian retailers are continuing their high RRP (rip off) prices because some themes this year which haven’t been selling or flying of the shelves at Target, BigW or K-Mart have been discounted heavily by around the 50% off mark, the best ever discount Australians will ever see. Not even Lego.com.au offer too many 50% sale items anymore, and when they do it’s because they’ve already sold out of the set but they just tease us that we 'could' have had it at that price. And if I don’t purchase Lego sets on sale from Australian retailers, I just order them from overseas, my recent purchase this week was x3 HP 4842 Castle sets, shipped from the UK for a total of $110 Australian dollars each set ($179 RRP in OZ). That’s including shipping and fully boxed. Why would anyone Pay retail here? Anyways, enough ranting from me, I’ll continue to buy from overseas and only buy from retailers here when the sale price drops to the equivalent of USA pricing. Im sure almost everyone else here will agree with me on that one, “Keep on avoiding Australian RRP prices”
lightningtiger Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 Okay, now everyone breath in and out, right better now. Now the markup on Lego like all high demand products is not 100% or even 50%, it's less and Oz only makes about 8 to 9% of the global sales of Lego and add the final piece to the puzzle US retailers work on a smaller margin, local state taxes apply in some cases and then again population is also greater in the US....well we all knew that. An interesting side-bar on this is Kmart, I have been told that not all Kmarts are treated the same....depending on location and qualities sold of goods....these stores get for bite of the cherry. Point in question, 3661 bank & money transport at Firle not at Ingle Farm....the reason...TTP is too close to IF and far enough away from Firle. Aw, well.....I wonder if 'Dot mike' will come clean on his trick eh ? Keep on looking around !
joeygunns Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 No sign of the POTC sets at K-mart. I'm guessing we will be getting them in May.
jamonlego Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 On an unrelated note, there were 3 heads brick sorters at Kmart sunnybank in Brisbane - #38 I think
Darth Draks Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 On an unrelated note, there were 3 heads brick sorters at Kmart sunnybank in Brisbane - #38 I think Those heads are cool, I got 2 for loose bits and am very happy with them,
dotmike Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 Aw, well.....I wonder if 'Dot mike' will come clean on his trick eh ? Keep on looking around ! Oh, it wasn't really any magic! AussieJimbo got it in one: I'm guessing he got scans of the barcodes from the packs off the net, printed them out and waved them under the scanner. Good way to do a quick price check of the sets you're after. Finding out advance prices, now that's some nice thinking. :classic: Anyway, I won't weigh in any further on the local price gouging as I think we're all in much the same mind about the robbery on the high seas. Except... to point out that Barnes & Noble still have their 10% off preorder sale (officially released May 1), and that if you buy e-gift cards from Plastic Jungle (Groupon don't seem to have any at the moment), you can get a further 9% off that up to an amount of $150 (3 x $50 gift cards, the max B&N allow you to use).
AussieJimbo Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 Nice one, dotmike. -grin- Where did you get the scans? BTW, I tried joining the B&N kids club for the 30% off one qualifying purchase. I was expecting a code to be emailed or something but nothing happened. Checkout didn't show anything either. Has anyone successfully used that offer? :classic:
ang911 Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 Oh, it wasn't really any magic! AussieJimbo got it in one: Anyway, I won't weigh in any further on the local price gouging as I think we're all in much the same mind about the robbery on the high seas. Except... to point out that Barnes & Noble still have their 10% off preorder sale (officially released May 1), and that if you buy e-gift cards from Plastic Jungle (Groupon don't seem to have any at the moment), you can get a further 9% off that up to an amount of $150 (3 x $50 gift cards, the max B&N allow you to use). Similar deals at Giftcards.com and Cardpool.com....10% and 11% respectively
AussieJimbo Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 PS: I still want a big Lego head. Haven't seen them in Canberra, anyone spotted them in Sydney? :classic:
ang911 Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 Nice one, dotmike. -grin- Where did you get the scans? BTW, I tried joining the B&N kids club for the 30% off one qualifying purchase. I was expecting a code to be emailed or something but nothing happened. Checkout didn't show anything either. Has anyone successfully used that offer? :classic: The code gets emailed within 24 hours, but a month or so ago they blocked it from use on Lego and as far as I know that hasn't changed :(
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