TheTacoMan Posted July 1, 2009 Posted July 1, 2009 (edited) I seriously, cannot for the LIFE of me figure out how LEGO calculates it's prices Lets have a look at Fighter Plane Attack and Venice Canal Chase, currently on S@H at RRP Fighter Plane is selling for $89.99 Venice Canal Chase is a whole $30 cheaper, at $59.99 The fighter plane set has 384 pieces, LESS than Venice's 420 The fighter plane set has 3 minifigures (all of which are re-hashed from the previous motorcycle chase set), whereas Venice has FOUR ALL NEW figures, including completely new molds for Esla's hair and the Fez piece! It boggles the mind, by all accounts, the Fighter Plane set should be cheaper, but its a whole $30 more!? What, exactly, are we paying for? Do propellers cost LEGO $15 each to make? Edited July 1, 2009 by TheTacoMan
Patty Posted July 1, 2009 Posted July 1, 2009 I seriously, cannot for the LIFE of me figure out how LEGO calculates it's pricesLets have a look at Fighter Plane Attack and Venice Canal Chase, currently on S@H at RRP Fighter Plane is selling for $89.99 Venice Canal Chase is a whole $30 cheaper, at $59.99 The fighter plane set has 384 pieces, LESS than Venice's 420 The fighter plane set has 3 minifigures (all of which are re-hashed from the previous motorcycle chase set), whereas Venice has FOUR ALL NEW figures, including completely new molds for Esla's hair and the Fez piece! It boggles the mind, by all accounts, the Fighter Plane set should be cheaper, but its a whole $30 more!? What, exactly, are we paying for? Do propellers cost LEGO $15 each to make? I have a feeling that the Venice Canal Chase has a lot of smaller parts than the Fighter Plane. It usually explains the difference in project costing with sets.
natelite Posted July 1, 2009 Posted July 1, 2009 Aussie S@H now updated with the rest of the Summer & Creator sets$59.99 Pirate Tank $179.99 Home One The pricing fairies are at work again! Home One is 130EURO and Endor 100EURO, but we pay $180 and $200 respectively The Pirate Tank seems quite good value, if only that it doesn't wildy exceed the 20c per piece price ratio like so many of this year's SW sets. home one is more "correct" ratio-wise. larger sw sets are around 1.5-1.8 times USD prices. home one is coming in at 1.6x (180/110). i think endor got screwed because it was priced in Q1 09 when the AUD was at its lowest in recent years. hopefully the price will be adjusted later this year or early next year. the chromy stormy is indeed a good price for aussies. good enough to BL. the worst non-sw lego mispricing award has to go to the creator family home. USD 59.99, AUD 129.99. WHAT THE ?!?!?!
Svelte Posted July 1, 2009 Posted July 1, 2009 I have a feeling that the Venice Canal Chase has a lot of smaller parts than the Fighter Plane. It usually explains the difference in project costing with sets. True, but TheTacoMan is correct in that it is often claimed that minifigs drive up the price significantly. Also, Venice Chase has loads of parts in new colours (dark tan cutout wedges and 1x2 tiles, tiles with centre stud and so on) as well as the new parts, which in theory should be more expensive to produce. There isn't much new in Fighter Plane Attack, just a few different types of white plates - nothing uncommon. I think this is a marketing decision - the 2 planes 'feel' bigger even if they're less solid than the Venice boats. home one is more "correct" ratio-wise. larger sw sets are around 1.5-1.8 times USD prices. home one is coming in at 1.6x (180/110). i think endor got screwed because it was priced in Q1 09 when the AUD was at its lowest in recent years. I also think the Toyworld deal had something to do it, but you're probably right You have more faith than I that they'll drop the price. So noone's going to the midnight store openings I take it?
sammyboy Posted July 1, 2009 Posted July 1, 2009 True, but TheTacoMan is correct in that it is often claimed that minifigs drive up the price significantly. Also, Venice Chase has loads of parts in new colours (dark tan cutout wedges and 1x2 tiles, tiles with centre stud and so on) as well as the new parts, which in theory should be more expensive to produce. There isn't much new in Fighter Plane Attack, just a few different types of white plates - nothing uncommon. I think this is a marketing decision - the 2 planes 'feel' bigger even if they're less solid than the Venice boats.I also think the Toyworld deal had something to do it, but you're probably right You have more faith than I that they'll drop the price. So noone's going to the midnight store openings I take it? I'll be heading to both K-Mart and Big W at midnight tonight... damn I wish I got more than 2.5 hours sleep last night!!!!!
natelite Posted July 1, 2009 Posted July 1, 2009 I also think the Toyworld deal had something to do it, but you're probably right You have more faith than I that they'll drop the price. So noone's going to the midnight store openings I take it? well, i'm firm believer of market pricing... so if i want a deal, gotta vote with my wallet! going to pass on this round too. not cheap enough to be worth it. targeting at least 30% d/c. also given the large markup vs us prices, i'm probably targeting 35-40% average. will see if it comes to fruition.
MicroM Posted July 1, 2009 Posted July 1, 2009 They don't do the midnight openings in Brisbane, so do my shopping tomorrow. I'm happy with the Dropship price that KMart are offering. I also think the BigW discounts are pretty god, the YWing for under $70 seems fair, and even the Attack Cruiser seems decent at $168. I've also laid out a spot in my office for the midi-MF, so that's on the shopping list as well.
DarthSion Posted July 1, 2009 Posted July 1, 2009 If anyone sees the chrome storm troopers let me know, 20 bucks for 2 @ S@H then 25 bucks shipping is a rip off.
sammyboy Posted July 1, 2009 Posted July 1, 2009 Very pleased with my efforts. Bought all the new City stuff and the new Power Miners from K-Mart, then headed over to Big W and picked up the Wind Turbine Transport, Midi Falcon, the four play mats, and all the new Space Police Models. Was out of Big W and on my way home to bed at 12.07am!! Talk about buying efficiency!!! Best part was K-Mart's prices switched over at 11pm, which helped me get in and out so quickly!
Patty Posted July 1, 2009 Posted July 1, 2009 Very pleased with my efforts. Bought all the new City stuff and the new Power Miners from K-Mart, then headed over to Big W and picked up the Wind Turbine Transport, Midi Falcon, the four play mats, and all the new Space Police Models. Was out of Big W and on my way home to bed at 12.07am!! Talk about buying efficiency!!!Best part was K-Mart's prices switched over at 11pm, which helped me get in and out so quickly! The prices switched over as early as 8pm cos that's when I got the AT-OT and Death Star before the shop closed at 9pm. hehe
MicroM Posted July 1, 2009 Posted July 1, 2009 I got everything I wanted this morning without a hitch. I avoided the large shopping centres and went to my surbarban shops to collect what I was after. The Dropship / AT-OT is an impressive looking kit, can't wait to put that together. Hope everyone else got what they were after.
Svelte Posted July 1, 2009 Posted July 1, 2009 My closest K-Mart (Bondi Junction) was disorganised as ever. They didn't have either the Tow Truck or the Separatist Shuttle - apparently they were out the back on a pallet. Maybe. Come back tomorrow! On the upside, the store assistant did offer to put the Tow Truck on Xmas layby for me, although I'd have to wait until December to pick it up Still, it was good to see the Large Pink Brick Bucket and yellow Lamborghini on the shelves, neither of which were advertised.
Fumoffu Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 I seriously, cannot for the LIFE of me figure out how LEGO calculates it's pricesLets have a look at Fighter Plane Attack and Venice Canal Chase, currently on S@H at RRP Fighter Plane is selling for $89.99 Venice Canal Chase is a whole $30 cheaper, at $59.99 The fighter plane set has 384 pieces, LESS than Venice's 420 The fighter plane set has 3 minifigures (all of which are re-hashed from the previous motorcycle chase set), whereas Venice has FOUR ALL NEW figures, including completely new molds for Esla's hair and the Fez piece! It boggles the mind, by all accounts, the Fighter Plane set should be cheaper, but its a whole $30 more!? What, exactly, are we paying for? Do propellers cost LEGO $15 each to make? You probably find that Lego has some complex spreadsheet or costing system that tells them how much it brick will cost them to make and when they added them up for these two sets ... the prices just came out this way. Maybe it is something as simple as propellers costing more than a new hairpiece. Not trying to defend Lego in anyway but just trying to poke at the mystery a little to see if there's a logic hidden deep in there somewhere.
Svelte Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 In other news, the 10196 Grand Carousel has jumped 33% above its original price to $399.99! Haha, I thought that price was too good to be true. Don't fret, in 6 or 12 months you will be able to buy it from Myer or DJs 'marked down' to $299.99 You probably find that Lego has some complex spreadsheet or costing system that tells them how much it brick will cost them to make and when they added them up for these two sets ... the prices just came out this way... Not trying to defend Lego in anyway but just trying to poke at the mystery a little to see if there's a logic hidden deep in there somewhere. We hear a lot from designers about how strictly they have to work within a parts budget per set they're working on, and that may be true, but by the time a set goes through development and is spat out the other side as a marketing product to be sold to retailers (Lego's Number 1 customer), many other factors come into play.
Beej Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 In other news, the 10196 Grand Carousel has jumped 33% above its original price to $399.99! At $299.99 I was almost on the verge of sort-of considering the carousel. At $400 they can forget it. I'm happy with my City Corner purchase this morning before work. All the sets were there at my local K-Mart. BigW is a bit further away for me so will have to check them out tonight.
MicroM Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 In other news, the 10196 Grand Carousel has jumped 33% above its original price to $399.99! I love how LEGO do their quality control over pricing once they've actually listed it live.
Svelte Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 I love how LEGO do their quality control over pricing once they've actually listed it live. It was probably selling suspiciously well relative to other markets, so someone did a little detective work
Hewman Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 It was probably selling suspiciously well relative to other markets, so someone did a little detective work I think you're right, it's currently listed as the number 2 seller behind the echo base, watch that position plummet over the next few days. My local Target finally has the new range of sets in, I'm thinking I'll just pay full retail for the MMV, rather than wait and hope they still have some in stock come sale time, at $150 it's still a great price and great prices are getting rarer and rarer. If I'm disciplined I can leave it unopened until the sale starts and return it if they still have others on the shelf (I doubt I'll have the self control though).
Svelte Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 My local Target finally has the new range of sets in, I'm thinking I'll just pay full retail for the MMV, rather than wait and hope they still have some in stock come sale time, at $150 it's still a great price and great prices are getting rarer and rarer. If I'm disciplined I can leave it unopened until the sale starts and return it if they still have others on the shelf (I doubt I'll have the self control though). Probably wise. I have a feeling these MMVs will sell out as soon as the sale starts. Besides, you still have to wait another 3 weeks!
Siegfried Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 In other news, the 10196 Grand Carousel has jumped 33% above its original price to $399.99! Darn. Darn Darn. I just knew this would happen... but the timing was crap! How can I butter up my wife for the Dropship at the same time as the Grand Carousel. I hope you're right about the sales.
Svelte Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 Darn. Darn Darn. I just knew this would happen... but the timing was crap! How can I butter up my wife for the Dropship at the same time as the Grand Carousel. I hope you're right about the sales. Instructions are now online for the Carousel. I wish they'd been up yesterday, I was interested to find out what exactly we got to help justify an order. Book 1 Book 2 To be honest, the 3000 plus parts are not that great. I think apart from some of the Bricklinkable things, people will be able to build a version of this from scratch without too many problems if they have the PF components already and a reasonable sized collection. It would probably end up cheaper that way too! There aren't a great deal of unusual parts, apart from the canvas, stickers, jester hats and tan beards. Eg Dark blue - lots of the little slopes, but if you have any Clone Wars set you should be right for tiles Dark red inverse slopes - zillions of these around as there were heaps in the Akator set Dark tan 1x2 plates - heaps in MMV and more coming in 10197 1x4 lime bricks - Hello Power Miners! And so on A lot of the rare parts aren't particularly interesting either - like 70 1x2 dark red bricks with axle holes, or 80 1x2 dark blue jumper plates. I don't doubt we will see a series of these now in different themes and colours, just like the VW was built in different shades.
DarthSion Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 If you haven't been yet, FORGET IT, my sister went to BigW Calamvale, smallish one, at 11:30pm, minimum 2 and a half hour wait for lay-by, BigW Garden City, 4 hours wait, just about all SW and most of every other theme gone at CV. I don't get it, why have a 2 week sale when most of the stuff went today, even worse is knowing you missed out and half the people who put a lay-by on today wont end up getting it. Thankfully my sister decided to buy the Venator out right and got the last one. I also get why my best mates girlfriend took 2 weeks off from Kmart. And for once, why the hell cant they inform the damn staff, none of them new about the free legoclub, ended up having to get the store manager down who told my Michelle you have to visit the BigW website?, which when i looked had only info no way of joining. The worst thing was sis said they had the gaming section blocked off, why the hell block it off on a launch day, so i couldn't get overlord 2 for ps3, although with the Venator to build i wouldn't get to play it much. Ok rant over, wheres my can of coke.
YG-49 Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 (edited) When I was going to the LEGO aisle the passageway was literally blocked. TOO MANY PEOPLE! I was getting Claustrophobic. You had to take a short cut through the clothes to get to them. They had all of SPIII. The Midi. The Venator. The Y-Wing. Everything except SPII was almost out of stock. Well, maybe it's because they had tooooooo much SPIII Edited July 2, 2009 by YG-49
Svelte Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 Wow! My K-Mart was practically abandoned at 8.45am this morning. There were 5 bored looking housewives and myself! They only had 2 registers on and when I went through I didn't have to queue. Nobody was at layby either. (I will point out that this K-Mart is right next to one of the biggest and newest Westfields in Sydney and right next to a major metro interchange.) I think K-Mart's Xmas layby policy has cut down on scalpers - last year I saw a couple scooping dozens of Motorised AT-ATs into trolleys, but that's kind of pointless if everyone who orders in the next 2 weeks is guaranteed a Death Star or AT-OT. I am sure there will be restocks on a lot of this stuff, if it is that busy where you are the staff haven't probably had a chance to go out back and get fresh stuff. Also, Mindstorms 2.0 is up at S@H: http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=8547
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