Sold out

[Darth Punk]

You also have consider that some times the stores have these items as well. I know I have found discounted sets tucked away in the back that had long since been sold out online. I also know that it will say sold out once a set has been paid for but not processed.

TLG has taken steps to reduce resellers and some times orders get cancelled because while the system may automatically accpet an order a review could reserve a sale. But TLG is hardly the only retailer that does this. Amazon is a great example of have who knows how many listings of items that have long since sold out. Because despite the item being unavailable you can still obtain information about the item.

It is no different than to a movie theater and seeing a sign that says sold out, giving the customer some information so they can make an intelligent choice. Or asking a sales clerk at a store if they have any more of an item, and they helpfully informing you of its availabilty. Because if you know something is not available you would probably stop looking for it and buy something else.

The idea that TLG is toying with their customers be placing fake sale prices seems a bit obsurd. Just spend some time on the site brick picker and you will find people who check sites constantly looking for sale prices. It's not unknown the TLG always puts sets on sale starting at midnight and anything half way decent is going to instantly sell out. Usually the only time TLG puts sets on sale is to clear out inventory so if you are waiting for those deals you are already missing out.

[Paul B Technic]

I personally don't see the big deal, if something is for sale then buy it, if it is sold out you can't so why does it matter either way if it is still showing online?

[Navy Trooper Fenson]

I noticed a lot of their sold out items have HUGE sale prices listed with them (which never seemed to of happened). For instance all the wave one LotR sets that they still have listed are sold out and show 50% off. I regularly check some sites that report deals and none of these were EVER mentioned. Even during Black Friday I don't recall any 50% off deals on these sets, only 30% on some? Why Lego would list a sale price on an item that is no longer available and never went on sale for that much is beyond me..?

I think they set a timer for when these sets have to get a price drop so they can get sold out in time for a new set wave but when the sets get sold out before the timer hits (which is in the case of popular lines like LOTR and Star Wars way earlier) they just keep the sets on the page (I think so people can see what´s currently available from Lego in general and not just their website) and don´t bother updating the discount timer because, who cares?

[dr_spock]

Given the popularity of LEGO now compared to 7 years ago, you have to be fast to get the 50% deals on the S@H website. I think LEGO might be also managing their production and inventory better now so when time to clear out the remaining stock, there aren't as many as before. Sometimes you can get lucky calling the local LEGO Store which might have the set in stock at the discount price. I got some 50% advent calendars that way.

There is a bargain hunter saying, "You snooze, you lose."

[Cwetqo]

You are right. TLG had problems with many leftovers from Atlantis, PoP and Toy Story themes and they decided to shorten supply lines and make much more flexible production. They also improved ordering system and reporting about stokc and as a result of that, set are not being left out on shelfs which means no discount. Non moving items eat up precius shelf space and could also lead to losing it, , whuch is really bad, because shelf space is most valuable commodity in those competetive times.