Adelaide, Australia: Women Quit Jobs to Build Large LEGO Structure

[lilijay]

Hi there! I'm just posting about a story which I am hoping will gain some interest in here and around the world! This was featured today on ninemsn.com: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/technology/7031...te-lego-stadium and also on three different Australian radio stations.

My friends Karryn and her assistant Jacqui quit their regular jobs (in Adelaide, South Australia) to become professional Lego builders! They have spent the last couple of months building this soccer stadium to sell on ebay to the highest bidder. Karryn has an amazing mind, and came up with this design completely from scratch - no blueprints, no instructions, no designs, just her mind telling her where to put the next piece of Lego.

It is now for sale on ebay, with a starting bid reserve set at $20,000.00!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/LEGO-SOCCER-STADIUM...A1%7C240%3A1318

It's amazing what one brick can lead to. This soccer stadium is made with 22,466 pieces of Lego! It is completely equipped with fairy lights built into the design to give a nighttime ambience, and a fluorescent light to create a nighttime game. On either team's end you can peek into miniature gymnasiums complete with a bench press, a kiosk, and bathrooms. The soccer field itself has Lego soccer players, which you can actually use against a teammate to play an interactive game of soccer!

Complete with a sliding roof, which totally encapsulates the stadium, this is one of the most technological pieces I have ever seen. I have no idea how Karryn has created this, but it is a true talent that I have ever had the luck of witnessing before! I'm sure most of you have seen many things like this, but it's all new to me! I'd really appreciate feedback as to whether you think it is overpriced or not., as it is the first piece they are trying to sell It is large, but not huge - but it has a lot of intricate detail - even down to the fact that the bathrooms are equipped with toilets and washbasins, yet this is not visible to the human eye as it is covered over!

Check out the ebay link for photos!

Thank you for your time

Leonie - acting PR management

[Siegfried]

I ran into this on eBay today... but in all honesty I think it's way overpriced. I don't like the design either... but I'll stop before I get too negative. I do wish them the best, but I'd be surprised if this went for anything more than $5000. If it was something like this it might be a different story...

EDIT: I just read the story; $9000 on parts?! I'll have to give it a longer look later but I can't see how. For the most part, I find the 10:1 ratio is often true, even in Australia. Aside from the old road plates most of the parts looks standard and recent.

[WhiteHexagon]

It's difficult to see from the pictures that it could be worth anything close to the asking price, but it's still an impressive piece of work!

They might want an option to rename it to 'Football' if they want a UK buyer as hinted in the news story :)

[lilijay]

hi there, and thank you so much for your quick replies!

I think (don't quote me) that the $9000 includes parts AND labor - as both these girls quit their jobs and made this their full time job - working at least 8 hour days for 2 months I think it was - so I think they have included a base wage in the $9000 price. They've put their heart and soul into it, and often worked throughout the night.

ALL feedback and constructive criticism is appreciated! I'll pass it all onto Karryn and Jacqui.

Thanks again guys! Really appreciate it

[Siegfried]

Well I know first-hand how heartbreaking an unsuccessful project is, epecially if it was worked on for months with the expectation of profit. Thus I hope it's a success... ... but I hope they haven't bet the farm on this.

I think (don't quote me) that the $9000 includes parts AND labor

That would make more sense.

[mrchris]

for 'professional' its not good or detailed enough to be quite blunt. im not saying i could do better but when you put such a price to your work it does lead to judgement.

as a piece done as fun or with no price attatched to it, its amazing and without the pic of a person in it too you wouldnt realise how big it was.

Edited December 23, 2008 by mrchris

[CP5670]

I agree with the others, it's a nice enough model but the price is way out of whack. It's large but there are definitely bigger ones out there, and the structure itself lacks fine details or a consistent color scheme. As mrchris said, this would be a fantastic model on its own, but when you talk about a price like that it's going to be held to different standards.

There are some full-time freelance Lego builders out there who have been quite successful though. This guy is one who comes to mind. I suggest you take a look at how they got started, and go lower on the price with this. You can afford to charge more if your work becomes well known among collector circles, but you need to start off smaller.

[lilijay]

again, thank you for replies, I'm passing all feedback along - I appreciate everyone's honesty and tact :)

Hope you're all enjoying Christmas ;)

[MacK]

Well it's big I'll give it that, but like a few others I think it lacks in detail, and is rather overpriced . I think that Karryn and Jacqui should start smaller and build a couple models that they could sell for $100-$200 that way they can get a bit more experience in building and shipping, get a little more well known, and if they still don't sell it won't hurt them as much as a giant project could.

Still I wish them the best of luck in their new career .

Edited December 24, 2008 by MacK

[tedbeard]

I have to say the choice of covering had me a little dubious as it is not typical of most football stadiums but then I realized what brilliant design choice! Since this (or any such model) is likely to sit for long periods the way it is covered allows it to be viewed (even when covered) and keeps it reasonably dust free. Certainly easier to dust the roof and walls than try to dust the figs in the stands.

Great ambition, nice work, best of luck!

[5150 Lego]

Its very nice, and does have some great detail, but sorry, its not even close to being worth the asking bid. I can apreaciate the design, but generally when asking for a price this high, one ussually WILL base there moc after a real structure. This generally shows more detail, as well as it ussualy makes the model more impressive to those that aren't familuar with LEGO. I can't remeber her name, but there was a lady by the name of Jennifer that built scalca LEGO construction vehicles that were based on real equipment. All her creations had full functions, including engines, suspentions, working booms, diggers etc.

Like MacK said, ifthey plan on selling there creations, i'd suggest starting off with smaller creations andmaking a name for themselfs. More people would be willing to drop more cash on creations from builder they seen work from before, as well as experaince with shipping such large creations. Good luck to them!

[Siegfried]

I can't remeber her name, but there was a lady by the name of Jennifer that built scalca LEGO construction vehicles that were based on real equipment. All her creations had full functions, including engines, suspentions, working booms, diggers etc.

Jennifer Clark. Her work is stunning. She does use un-official parts, but it's still incredible work. Her site is here.

[Shadows]

Not much comment from me except 2 things.

1. This thread title needs fixing. Right now, they've quit their jobs to become professional leg(s). I keep imagining that's some form of Australian euphemism for prostitution, so I'm going to rename this thread. I'm helpful like that.

2. Start smaller or get a sponsor. If you want to sell to the public, aim for a more normal size. If you must build large, approach people who own large structures you could build and present a plan. You've skipped a vital step in this idea, though getting the word out is helpful.

Good luck!

[natelite]

2. Start smaller or get a sponsor. If you want to sell to the public, aim for a more normal size. If you must build large, approach people who own large structures you could build and present a plan. You've skipped a vital step in this idea, though getting the word out is helpful.

Good luck!

i couldn't agree more with IS.

while i admire the courage of these women in quitting jobs after 11 years, i think many have already uttered what needed to be said which is simply that not many ppl in the world has $20k lying around the house to spend on lego structures. while i know your friends have said all they needed is one single interested person to buy it, that's still a very ambitious presumption.

$20k for a millionaire is still 2% of total wealth. except for philanthropic spending, i don't think many will spend 2% on something so frivolous as a hobby. on that note, for someone to bite you would need the purchase to be miniscule vs wealth, i.e. someone with more than A$20m (0.1% of wealth). there are now plenty of multimillionaires but to find a multimillionaire lego fan...i can't begin to imagine the odds.

even if there is a sizable number of such ppl, most self made multimillionaires (MMs) are actually very thrifty folks like warren buffet (i know, i know, he's a multi billionaire but the comparison is more the thrift, not the wealth), who would think twice or thrice about buying a $20k lego set. so you have to further reduce those numbers to MMs who inherited the money (they are much more likely to spend large sums of money). furthermore your friends' creation is vying for the MMs' money among the other professional lego builders' creations as well as official lego sets.

now i know you might say there are lots of lego hobbists who spend tons of money on lego and present their works in exhibitions and expos...well, these AFOLs generally buy cheap bricks and parts and build on their own. even if they spent $10k on lego, the $10k is all bricks...not labour and certainly not buying sets from other AFOLs. they take pride in building on their own, not in showcasing someone else's work which they bought.

so yeah...your only target audience in this case are rich MMs who can't moc for shit and need to pay someone a hefty fee to build it for him/her. it should be a very small network.

now if you reduce the target price drastically down to $100-200 range, you will find more wealthy folks (time strapped professionals like lawyers, accountants, but not bankers...they are broke now! ) who are willing to pay for good creations. there are quite a few good builders who sell mocs this way. however, even then they have day jobs.

the other alternative is as IS said: look for a sponsor. get a company that is interested and build to their specification.

[MicroM]

This stadium is VERY simplistic and has no WOW factor, short of the price tag.

If you look at the good MOC's that are posted on LEGO sites they will have a wow factor and very intricate and well designed building techniques and the use of parts you wouldn't expect that make the MOC look amazing. This kit has none of this, it actually reminds me of the MOC's (though on a much bigger scale) I would build when I was a kid. And after having played the soccer kit, I think the stadium structure would make the actual playing of the game difficult.

I am surprised anyone quit their job to work as a LEGO builder fulltime, especially the way the economy is (and heading). This seems like bad timing.

I have bought a few MOC's from eBay, but they have been in the tens of dollars not thousands. Those sellers seem to create a MOC and then make multiples of it and sell them, this seems like a much more plausible way to make money as a LEGO builder, though I'm sure they do this in their spare time.

I would be surprised, to say the least if anyone buys this. I don't know what they would get if they started with a low bid, but given its just after Christmas, the economy is (or heading) into worse conditions there is little chance they would even recover the part costs, let alone any reward for their effort.

But I see this as the way hobbies are, my Wife knits these great little characters, but she would do well to recover the actual wool costs if she ever tried to sell them.

[fugglewyg]

I have to agree with what most of the others have said.

1. it is very overpriced, and despite all the time and effort they have put into i seriously doubt that they would even recover the cost of the bricks they used to build it.

2. it just isn't even remotely prototypical which would have maybe helped. I think it would have been a lot more likely to sell without the roof/wall structure. The stadium itself while not a stunning moc is not too bad looking in its own right, however the roof/walls ruin it by being basically just a box. It looks like an moc of a stadium under a lego-built dust cover. It just wouldn't work in reality (just for starters it blocks the roads when it opens).

3. As several others have said i think the builders should have started a lot smaller (and lots cheaper). A little research on ebay etc would have showed what some really good mocs fetch pricewise and although not on the same scale i doubt the builders actually make any money if you factor in things like labour etc. Your friends are very brave to quit their jobs without having tried to make a go of it as a supplementary job/income first.

Good luck to them though..........

[F0NIX]

I agree with those who said the MOC looks a tad overpriced. I'm not fan of footbal but still I dont think that looks like a typical footbal stadium... Nice feature that the roof/building can be opened. And because of the size of it I dont think anyone going to buy it to play with. It looks more like an show-piece that would stand in a cabinet at a real football stadium. I realy doubt they would get 20.000 AU$ (around 13.000 US$ with todays rate) for that MOC.

With about 22.000 parts is it correct if I say there would be about 3000 US$ worth of parts? And that would lead me to suggest around 5000 US$ at most for this MOC.

But then again, if they could manage to get 13.000US$ how much can I get for my nice theatre with about 4000 parts (an rough estimate) in the front building and the soon-to-come cinema hall with around 3-4000 parts?

No, I'm not considering selling it. Yet.... But for the right price, almost anything is for sale

It would probably be at display at the real building it is modelled after.

And if anyone ask, how high should the price be for something like this? Cost of parts + just a tad? I'm not counting building hours. And I'm not going to quit my dayjob for this either.

[Peppermint_M]

It is impressive in size and I applaude anyone who attempts such a large MOC on a brick by brick basis without blueprints or other such things.

However the colours are niggling (I am a bit OCD when it comes to colouring though) as they are inconsistant. The price tag is also large...

They are certainly dedicated to quit their jobs (for me LEGO is an after work and weekends thing) to build it, but to make back the costs and make a profit will be a huge effort. I wish them the best of luck in their venture.

[lilijay]

Well, it didn't sell obviously, I think you're right about the price being set a little too high to begin with. It has been relisted here http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...em=120356106608 and they have one bid already, and have had quite a few potential buyers email them with questions which actually sound promising, unlike many of the rude ones they've received!

They are planning their next project, but are thinking of approaching larger businesses with rough plans and prices before building, in the hope of getting a sponsor, or buyer before beginning. They are also planning many smaller projects between $500-$1000 - because even I would buy something for $1000 if it was something I loved and was into (eg snowwhite haha), but there's just no way I have any more than $1k for something frivolous unfortunately. You're right, with the economy the way it is now, it's tough!

Thanks for everyone's comments yet again :)

[Norro]

Well, it didn't sell obviously, I think you're right about the price being set a little too high to begin with. It has been relisted here http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...em=120356106608 and they have one bid already, and have had quite a few potential buyers email them with questions which actually sound promising, unlike many of the rude ones they've received!

Keep us posted. If this actually sells I'm sure many people here would be wondering why they didn't do likewise...

God Bless,

Nathan

[Norro]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...em=120356106608

I wonder if they actually got paid for this? If so I'm in the wrong line of work

God Bless,

Nathan

[Siegfried]

I wonder if they actually got paid for this? If so I'm in the wrong line of work

No, they didn't. Hardly surprising as the bidder was a newbie; I bet it was a "joke". It was later relisted at $10,000 but failed to sell again.

[MacK]

No, they didn't. Hardly surprising as the bidder was a newbie; I bet it was a "joke". It was later relisted at $10,000 but failed to sell again.

Really it wasn't actually sold. That's rather cruel to pretend to buy something, then not buy it .

Honestly though, I'm not surprised it hasn't sold. $10,000 dollars isn't that bad of a price for a large model like the stadium, but I don't think anyone will be able to drop $10,000 for Lego in a single E-Bay auction.

I hope they continue building and have better luck with their next model/s.

[Zorro]

Really it wasn't actually sold. That's rather cruel to pretend to buy something, then not buy it .

Honestly though, I'm not surprised it hasn't sold. $10,000 dollars isn't that bad of a price for a large model like the stadium, but I don't think anyone will be able to drop $10,000 for Lego in a single E-Bay auction.

I hope they continue building and have better luck with their next model/s.

Yes that's very cruel, especcialy if its about that much money and such.

I hope that, if it was a joke or "sabotage mission", the people that did it will get more then a "non-payer" strike on their probably never-to-be-used-again eBay account! I just hope the builders were smart enough to not start celebrating immediatly after the auction ended...

[WetWired]

"$10000? Tell em they're dreaming"

Seriously though, I think they need to reconsider their employment choice and see if they can get their jobs back, I think it was quite foolish of them to expect people to pay that much money for something like that, it really does need to be something special to be asking for large sums of money like that. I've seen better that people have done for as a hobby and not for resale, the Olympic and Yankee stadiums are a good example.

Outside of licensed properties (star wars etc) I think you'll find there isn't much of a market for custom lego creations unless you're a LEGO certified professional.

I don't mean to be a downer, I just think it needs to be said.

Perhaps as others have said, try something smaller next time, and take a look at your competition, see what custom stuff sells now and see if you can find a gap in the market at a smaller price point. If you get good at it you'll earn a good reputation slowly and eventually might be able to put up the high price tag items once your reputation and more importantly, skills up to a higher standard.