Almost ready to buy my next modular.... But having a tough time decidi

[mkeller234]

So I bought the pet shop as my first modular. I love it. I love the detail, the two halves and the many rooms to explore. My daughter loves it too.

I almost have enough money saved for my next. Grand emporium can still be found at msrp, but not for much longer probably. I like that it's a corner building. I think it would look great with the pet shop too. I'm not in love with the interior photos I've seen. I can buy this at the Lego store and get points on my VIP card.

I found a fire brigade near by at a small hobby shop. It is not selling at msrp... It's 215.00 USD, new in box. I like the design better, and I like the truck that comes with it. I'm betting it has a higher playability than GE. So, is that price crazy? Is it worth the 65 dollars over msrp? It's only going to get rarer... And probably more expensive.

I know this is a lame, over asked question.... But it's really tormenting me!

Also, do I get VIP points at local stores? I'm guessing that is a Lego store only thing.

[DaveBey]

I'd recommend Fire Brigade over Grand Emporium, given the choice. If you can purchase Fire Brigade for $215 locally, do it! You may be able to find it cheaper online but then you may have to worry about the cost of shipping. I'd say there much more variation in the building techniques in Fire Brigade than in Grand Emporium.

VIP points are only available when making purchases at LEGO stores and Shop@Home.

Cheers from Claremore, OK USA!

Dave

[provoaggie]

I'd go with Fire Brigade. I think it looks nicer and even though GE is next to go, I don't think you'll be able to find FB for $215 for that much longer. It's not going to hit the high dollar prices of the first 3 modulars but it's going to go up a bit more.

[mkeller234]

What makes the first three so insane anyway? Smaller quantities? Even if the were all available, only one of the first three really excites me (green grocer).

Also, thanks form your input. It's so difficult to decide when you don't get to see them in person. I was not interested in the pet shop, and then was persuaded by a Lego employee. I'm so glad I got that input, because I think it's wonderful.

[provoaggie]

What makes the first three so insane anyway? Smaller quantities? Even if the were all available, only one of the first three really excites me (green grocer).

Limited quantities and very rare parts. The modulars weren't always as popular as they are now and many of them use parts that aren't available in other sets (or at least not very many other sets). As the modulars got popular demand for the discontinued ones went up with people wanting to have complete collections and Bricklinking became difficult because of the rare parts.

[sin]

I would go for the FB as well. That was my first modular, and within 2 months I had also picked up GE and PS. Prepare yourself because that's likely how it goes down with everyone who gets into this line. If you pass on FB now you are going to have to pay significantly more in the near future as its just been discontinued after a pretty long shelf run. Also, a lot of resellers have been sitting on these waiting for this moment to come, they will be patient and sell them for as much as they can get...

[Wodanis]

Fire brigade is a very nice set and I enjoyed building it. The Grand Emporium is good too and I like the humour with the set. I'd try my best to get both but I would go with whatever set is being discontinued first. They can be a pain to buy after market and so much fun to own. I bought the majority of the modulars in a 6 month period but very happy I did it.

[henrylego]

At first, I was not interested in the Fire Brigade either. but a piece of advice from my friend kept buzzing me "it is better to regret that you have bought the set, rather than to regret that you have not bought the set". Well, you can always sell the set if you think it's not worth it. Fire Brigade, to me, it did not look very interesting when I looked at it from the photo, but after building it, it really changes my opinion, now I really love the Fire Brigade, the dark red tile, the golden bell, and the garage in the middle of the building. it is such a great addition to your city. Although, I don't quite like the antique car, but overall it is a nice set. that's my two cent :)

[sin]

I almost went for the GE as my first modular but thought it best to get the oldest available first (i.e. FB). Its been about 15 months since then and I still think the second floor facade of FB is incredible - it is one of my favorite techniques from any of these buildings. The pillars on the ground floor of GE in between the large windows are awfully cool too.

[AFOLguy1970]

At first, I was not interested in the Fire Brigade either. but a piece of advice from my friend kept buzzing me "it is better to regret that you have bought the set, rather than to regret that you have not bought the set". Well, you can always sell the set if you think it's not worth it. Fire Brigade, to me, it did not look very interesting when I looked at it from the photo, but after building it, it really changes my opinion, now I really love the Fire Brigade, the dark red tile, the golden bell, and the garage in the middle of the building. it is such a great addition to your city. Although, I don't quite like the antique car, but overall it is a nice set. that's my two cent :)

Your friend is wise. As far as fire stations go, the FB is probably going to be the best one Lego has for a very long time. Each modular is new and unique, therefore I would not expect a repeat of this concept for quite some time (if at all). The chances of the City line producing a fire station better than the FB is essentially nil. Therefore, getting it now would be best.

Yes, FB can grow on you. It has some nice colors, good detail on the inside and out, and some interesting pieces not found in other modulars.

[GCO]

The modular houses are horrible... they are addictive!

After some dark decades I discovered the modular houses through my children. I always had a soft spot for CC, but wasn't willing to pay that much money for a house without furnishing (I bought it later when it wasn't available at Lego anymore for a lot more money ). When my son got GE for his birthday I was amazed by the details and building techniques and instantly bought GG and CC - and they were already expensive and not available through the stores anymore. Since then we both bought house after house, we just can't stop.

I would also recommend to buy the sets which wil be excluded next from the product range. You'll try to get them all anyway some day...

Cheers,

George

[Blakstone]

I think it is Fire Brigade for the win. I was in the same boat as HenryLEGO and now really enjoy FB. I am considering skipping Grand Emporium for the Pet Shop or the French Restaurant. The Orthanc (Lord of the Rings) is also high on my wish list.

Does the Grand Emporium end up growing on you as well as the Fire Brigade?

[kibosh]

I would advise you to get the Grand Emporium. Both sets are awesome! Personally, I have NEVER paid over MSRP for a set, and never will. LEGO to me is simply a luxury. I don't need it, but I love it. As was pointed out, you are going to want to get all the modulars at some point. That extra $65 gets you almost halfway to something like the Palace Cinema. Get the current sets while you can, or you will forever be playing catch up.

Also, you don't say how large your collection is. You can always download the instructions to the FB from LEGO, and try to build it on your own. You can swap out some of the more rare parts to keep cost down. This is another way you could spend the extra $65.

[Inzane]

I found a fire brigade near by at a small hobby shop. It is not selling at msrp... It's 215.00 USD, new in box.

So, is that price crazy? Is it worth the 65 dollars over msrp? It's only going to get rarer... And probably more expensive.

I bought one earlier this week off bricklink for $229 USD. That was the best I could do (checked amazon and ebay as well). I had missed another listing at $220 USD a few days earlier because I waited too long and it was gone. For me because I'm in Canada that price is a lot closer to our original MSRP, so from that perspective it doesn't seem so bad (MSRP $200 CDN vs. $150 USD).

To minimize shipping cost I had it sent to a relative in the US, and I'll pick it up later, either next time I'm down or when another family member goes. Shipping directly to me in Canada was going to cost another $30 more!

[mkeller234]

I want to thank everyone for their thoughtful responses. It seems like such a dumb question, but for me it was not so easy. I think I will go for Fire Brigade. It looks to me like it might have a little bit more going on inside. I do love the red brick look too. After this, i will have to figure out which other is next (and how i'll pay for that one)

Thanks again,

Matt

[Inzane]

After this, i will have to figure out which other is next

After Fire Brigade, Grand Emporium is the obvious choice. It is most likely the next one on the retirement chopping block. GE is also a corner building, and it's quite nice.

[Laphroag]

My Fire Brigade is in the mail, bought at retail price. Couldn't really afford it, but I agree with others here that it will soon become more expensive. Next up is GE for me and hopefully finances are in place before retailers become sold out or increase the price.

[sin]

My Fire Brigade is in the mail, bought at retail price. Couldn't really afford it, but I agree with others here that it will soon become more expensive. Next up is GE for me and hopefully finances are in place before retailers become sold out or increase the price.

Nice, I don't think you need to worry about GE vanishing so quickly after FB. I'd bet that it will be in production until around the time the next modular is announced - that's kind of how it's worked up until now.

[mkeller234]

Just to update, I did end up buying the fire brigade today. I built the lower lever this afternoon, it definitely took a good chunk of time! So far so good.

[sin]

Awesome, have fun building it!

For me that build got cooler as I moved through it. The second floor is fun to build inside and out, very cool details and techniques. The roof is pretty awesome too, I was blown away at how the "1932" was constructed. It was my first modular and I remember taking tons of pictures!

Edited January 18, 2014 by sin

[mkeller234]

Yeah, I was really surprised at how the 1932 was built. I have the Pet shop too, and I was surprised at how different the techniques were. The pershop sign is much simpler, I think they must have had a light bulb moment with that one. It's fun to compare. I love the way they designed the brick facade and stone corners. I built it all yesterday.... I stayed up 48 hours and pushed into the realm of hallucination.

[Wodanis]

Yeah, I was really surprised at how the 1932 was built. I have the Pet shop too, and I was surprised at how different the techniques were. The pershop sign is much simpler, I think they must have had a light bulb moment with that one. It's fun to compare. I love the way they designed the brick facade and stone corners. I built it all yesterday.... I stayed up 48 hours and pushed into the realm of hallucination.

Gotta consider that the FB was 2009, GE 2010 and the PS was released in 2011. Two years is a long time to improve upon a technique. Glad you enjoyed building it, after all that is the best part :) I love these sets.

[mkeller234]

This one was certainly more tedious to build. There were so many 1x1 plates in this set. I also think they used smaller brick sections in this set compared to the pet shop. I suppose that increases the part count, but also gives you a much more flexible parts selection.

I don't know about others, but it sure is hard to get your hands inside the lower level of this one. My daughter and I play with these and she likes to get the little hats and stuff, definitely hard to replace those on the hooks (frogs)!

Speaking of frogs, does every building have them? It seems like i've spotted a frog on most. I think that is a fun little trend. I love the hidden Bat in the bell tower too.

[Peter81]

Buy the fb. You don't want to pay even more next year. Price is not that bad. The day you buy the cafe corner you realize that fb wasn't expensive :)

[mkeller234]

Buy the fb. You don't want to pay even more next year. Price is not that bad. The day you buy the cafe corner you realize that fb wasn't expensive :)

Ha, I'm assuming that you didn't read through? It was pretty unanimous, I bought Fire Brigade.