Technic 2014 Discussion and Speculation

[NevynPA]

Pennsdale/Muncy, PA (Williamsport) Toys R Us has at least 42020 + 42021 (mini copter & snowmobile). Called on phone to check.

[davidmull]

I believe this was a strategic decision by TLG to free up shelf space for "The LEGO Movie" merchandise in North America. There is a limited amount of space in the retail stores, so I think they needed to delay some other 2014 product. Why Technic? Probably because it is not very popular in the USA so they figured the delay would not cost them much. But it sure is painful for some of us! I need my cargo plane.

Can u not just order ur sets online?

[Blakbird]

Can u not just order ur sets online?

No. The 2014 sets are not available in the USA at all. Not at LEGO brand retail, not at any other retailers, and not on the website.

[Thirdwigg]

Interesting development. I might have to stop by Toys R Us on my way home from work today.

[ETAV8R]

Without reading this entire thread can someone please shed some light on why the cargo plane is not available in the US?

[Blakbird]

Without reading this entire thread can someone please shed some light on why the cargo plane is not available in the US?

You only need to go back a couple of posts on this very page to find speculations on the answer.

[ETAV8R]

You only need to go back a couple of posts on this very page to find speculations on the answer.

God its great to get some help. Imagine that I have my pages set up differently and that perhaps more or less posts show up per page. I don't see an answer on the current page. I'll go find it. Thanks.

Screw it. On a better note I did get the small chopper. This is the first technic set I've bought since I was a kid. It is a great representation of a CH-46. With some green or all gray coloring(boring) it would show well as a USMC Phrog! Semper Fi.

Edited May 18, 2014 by ETAV8R

[legolijntje]

God its great to get some help. Imagine that I have my pages set up differently and that perhaps more or less posts show up per page. I don't see an answer on the current page. I'll go find it. Thanks.

Screw it. On a better note I did get the small chopper. This is the first technic set I've bought since I was a kid. It is a great representation of a CH-46. With some green or all gray coloring(boring) it would show well as a USMC Phrog! Semper Fi.

Well, there isn't really an answer. There are only speculations. Most people agree that it may be because of The LEGO Movie sets. The shops have a limited amount of shelf space and since Technic isn't a big hit un the US, the Technic sets are sacrifised for The LEGO Movie sets. Nobody knows if that is the true reason, but it could be...

[Paul B Technic]

Without reading this entire thread can someone please shed some light on why the cargo plane is not available in the US?

Well nobody really has any idea why, but it seems it could be related to shelf space being needed for the LEGO Movie sets.

[theultimatetoa001]

Well nobody really has any idea why, but it seems it could be related to shelf space being needed for the LEGO Movie sets.

I find that funny,because at the Toys-R-Us nearest to me,there's only 1-3 different Lego movie sets,and there's only 2-4 of each.

[legolijntje]

I find that funny,because at the Toys-R-Us nearest to me,there's only 1-3 different Lego movie sets,and there's only 2-4 of each.

Mybe because the film is now "old" and the sets start to be phased out a bit to make room for Technic sets

[Alasdair Ryan]

I read that technic sets do not sell in the USA,so the Lego group has probably decided not to bother stocking the new technic 2014 sets....

Edited May 19, 2014 by Alasdair Ryan

[afoldad]

Well nobody really has any idea why, but it seems it could be related to shelf space being needed for the LEGO Movie sets.

While the reason may very well be because of limited capacity in the U.S. supply chain, retailers are perfectly capable of deciding which products they want to put on their shelves. Besides, why wouldn't the U.S. S@H at least sell them so those that want the sets can order them?

[JGW3000]

The 2014 1st half Technic sets, at least the smaller ones, are slowly appearing here in the US, oth at TRU and official Lego stores, but haven't seen 42025 yet. Oddly, S@H does not have them posted, still given as 'coming in August.

[NevynPA]

42020, 42021 (Mini Helicopter & Snowmobile) are both at my TRU's. $12.99 and $19.99, respectively. 42026 and 42027 (the new pull-backs) are also both available, $19.99 each. No other new sets available.

Verified in both the Pennsdale/Muncy/Williamsport store (ZIP code 17701) and the Wilkes-Barre Store (18702).

[theultimatetoa001]

Mybe because the film is now "old" and the sets start to be phased out a bit to make room for Technic sets

After seeing the movie in February,I immediately went to see the Lego sets at the Toys-R-Us,and there were only 2-3 sets there.

[Blakbird]

Besides, why wouldn't the U.S. S@H at least sell them so those that want the sets can order them?

It is odd that they won't even sell the sets online.

I believe that the some of our LEGO Ambassadors have asked the question to LEGO directly, but as far as I know no answer has been given.

[Maaboo the Witch]

It's odd, no doubt about it. I wonder how this'll affect the summer sets. Will they all be released in one big clump?

[1974]

Did I read somewhere that Technic in the US is now exclusive to a large chain (TrU/Wallmart?) If so, is TLG not selling Technics online (in the US) part of that deal?

Rather weird in this modern time we live in. It's like when SP3 wasn't available in the UK, but could easily be bought from other parts of Europe ..

Also, one should think that Technic would be very popluar in the US, afterall that is where monster crawlers, diy planes and whatnot is being crafted by skilled individuals due to more reasonable (imo) laws. That shit don't fly here in regulated-to-death EU

I love watching Madram11's youtube channel, but the chance of me building/driving one of those suckers here is only slightly smaller than me becomming Queen of Denmark

[Bricktrain]

42025 has only jst become available in Nz, the other sets we have had on shelves for about 3 months.

[afoldad]

Did I read somewhere that Technic in the US is now exclusive to a large chain (TrU/Wallmart?) If so, is TLG not selling Technics online (in the US) part of that deal?

I haven't read that anywhere and that sounds very unlikely to be true. I buy all my sets directly from LEGO, either through S@H or at my local LEGO company store using my VIP card. My local LEGO store has a large Technic collection, although it pales in comparison to their City or other theme sections. I would be very sad if I had to get my Technic through TRU or Wal-mart. I'd probably start Bricklinking everything.

[1974]

I am probably wrong then, but I'm certain I read something to that extent .. Anyway, as we know TLG moves in rather mysterious ways

[Lyichir]

I haven't read that anywhere and that sounds very unlikely to be true. I buy all my sets directly from LEGO, either through S@H or at my local LEGO company store using my VIP card. My local LEGO store has a large Technic collection, although it pales in comparison to their City or other theme sections. I would be very sad if I had to get my Technic through TRU or Wal-mart. I'd probably start Bricklinking everything.

Sets exclusive to Toys R Us, Target or Wal-Mart in the U.S. are almost always available through Lego directly, whether online or at a Lego brand store. The exclusivity simply means that other retailers, whether they're competing large chains or mom & pop stores, don't get the option of stocking those sets. I'm pretty sure that, at least in the past few years, Technic has been exclusive to Toys R Us.

[NevynPA]

My local LEGO store has a large Technic collection, although it pales in comparison to their City or other theme sections.

I'd blame that on City being a larger lineup than all of Technic more than anything else.

Sets exclusive to Toys R Us, Target or Wal-Mart in the U.S. are almost always available through Lego directly, whether online or at a Lego brand store. The exclusivity simply means that other retailers, whether they're competing large chains or mom & pop stores, don't get the option of stocking those sets. I'm pretty sure that, at least in the past few years, Technic has been exclusive to Toys R Us.

I picked up a leftover 8068 at Barnes & Noble earlier this year. They didn't have any re-stocked Technic when I was in over the weekend, though. I have no idea if it's currently still carried or has been dropped by them.

[DarkShadow73]

No. The 2014 sets are not available in the USA at all. Not at LEGO brand retail, not at any other retailers, and not on the website.

I was at a local TRU store a few days ago (in Michigan, USA) and they have the 42020, 42026, 42027 and the snowmobile (can't recall that set #) on the shelves, just not the bigger sets like the 42023, 42024 and 42025.

Sets exclusive to Toys R Us, Target or Wal-Mart in the U.S. are almost always available through Lego directly, whether online or at a Lego brand store. The exclusivity simply means that other retailers, whether they're competing large chains or mom & pop stores, don't get the option of stocking those sets. I'm pretty sure that, at least in the past few years, Technic has been exclusive to Toys R Us.

Agree on that Lyichir...all the smaller toy chains used to have some good Technic, now only TRU seems to stock Technic.

Yeesh, relax! We haven't even had this year's bulldozer yet!

I'm not thrilled with this year's selection either. I got 42023 'coz it's pretty cool and gives me 8453-related nostalgia, but as for everything else, I'll sidestep it with the possible exception of 42028. I'm not hating on the designers, by the way, who do excellent work, but I just think Technic's getting too hung up on zany colours and simple functions, and it's becoming far too repetitive. ENOUGH FRONT-END LOADERS ALREADY!!!! At least we haven't had a bulldozer too recently.

What I've always wanted is a largescale road grader, possibly RC but at least with included PF items. That is one thing Lego hasn't made. I see that 42024's 'b' model is a grader, but too many colors, looks odd. Would be ok if it just had one color, and most road graders, at least here in the US are yellow.

Any word back?

I heard a rumor, from somebody whom I consider to be a very good source, that North American may not see any of the 2014 sets. I find this very hard to believe though, and I hope he is wrong.

That would be very dissapointing, and of course other sources like ebay, Amazon and BL will be a lot higher than MSRP...