Budgeting for Modular Buildings (inc Creator)...

[roamingstop]

Dear All

Having just returned from Darkside #2, I discovered the fantastic modular buildings series just 1 week after the Grand Cafe sold out... Nooo... it is now very expensive on Bricklink :(

I dont want to let the same thing happen again with the current Green Grocers and other 2010 series. However I need to now budget my purchases over the next 6 months, and wanted to find out whether anyone knows when or if any of the current series of models will be discontinued, or likely sales (ahem). I believe LS@H does not allow discounted purchases (at the moment)

I also have a couple of aims for some MOC's based upon the modular series (not in order of priority)

1. Aberdeen / Bath Town House: The Green Grocers style is very similar to houses I used to live in, in Aberdeen and Bath, and it would be nice to MOC them into a similar style, but with Aberdeen Granite (which glows pink in evening sun) or Bath Sandstone (think light / yellow tan). I would need to increase the scale of room heights, and also change the layouts. Would it make sense to buy 2-3 GG and then use PYO bricks to change the green to grey or tan? Or should I start from scratch using Bricklink or similar?
   
2. What is the best way to recreate a Grand Cafe? (or two)... via Bricklink or some of the other sets / creator houses? The exact colour scheme does not need to be identical - so a Bricklink or build your own with similar pieces might work out better.
   
3. The Fire Brigade model is nice - although it would not fit in with a Aberdeen / Bath type format. Is it however a nice model to own? Would it make sense to MOC this into a victorian train shed?
   

Clearly none of these options will be cheap - and it would make sense to get models when I find them at discounted prices (either LS@H, or local shops with discounts). But some ideas towards prioritisation would be good (especially since I will also get an imperial flagship, which could dock at Aberdeen Harbour / Torvies).

Many thanks for your thoughts and comments.

RS

[Ricecracker]

I dont want to let the same thing happen again with the current Green Grocers and other 2010 series. However I need to now budget my purchases over the next 6 months, and wanted to find out whether anyone knows when or if any of the current series of models will be discontinued, or likely sales (ahem). I believe LS@H does not allow discounted purchases (at the moment)

I assume you're talking about Cafe Corner, not Grand Emporium. I'd suggest purchasing them in the order they were released, which was Cafe Corner, Green Grocer, Fire Brigade, and, coming out in March, Grand Emporium.

[*] What is the best way to recreate a Grand Cafe? (or two)... via Bricklink or some of the other sets / creator houses? The exact colour scheme does not need to be identical - so a Bricklink or build your own with similar pieces might work out better.

Go to the Bricklink entry for Cafe Corner, and then to the inventory. Add the parts to your wanted list, and then go to some stores and click "search by wanted list".

[*] The Fire Brigade model is nice - although it would not fit in with a Aberdeen / Bath type format. Is it however a nice model to own? Would it make sense to MOC this into a victorian train shed?

You can read up on some of Svelte's thoughts here.

[Fugazi]

I share some of the same concerns, having recently bought Green Grocer along with a bunch of tan bricks from a Pick-a-Brick wall. The plan was to build the set once for the thrill of it, then convert it into something else. I think the parts/$ ratio in the Cafe Corner series is hard to beat, so as long as there is a good proportion of parts that will end up in your MOC, it's a better deal than buying everything apiece. Speaking about tan bricks, you could buy the Grand Emporium in March and use the tan bricks to convert Green Grocer according to your plans!