LEGO Collectable Minifigures Series 12 Rumours and Discussion

[legofanatic12]

I found this yesterday.

Each one put in a sealed box like one would see for DVDs and games! I guess some people were opening all of them....

Is this in TRU USA or UK??

Because I'm kind of worried if I go to my local TRU.

[m0dulo]

.

Please don't misquote me as writing something I didn't. ("B/c its clearly an error that needs to be corrected! Series 12 isnt supposed to be on clearance especially taking into account the things haven't been in that states for more then a month!")

Edited November 6, 2014 by m0dulo

[m0dulo]

I would have potentially spent $20 more (which might have been $40 more in the end) on the figs. It all depends on their profit margin ( which is likely $3+ per fig, since they were $2 each a few years ago. If their cost is $1 a fig, then in the $3 scenario, they would be making $110 - $130 in profit with the potential for more, vs in the $4 scenario, they are making $120 flat. If their cost per fig is $.75 each, then their maximum profit in the $4 scenario equals their minimum profit in the $3 scenario - so TLG would be losing money.

Profit margin is a ratio (often indicated as a percentage) of net profits over the cost of selling. I don't understand what a profit margin of $3+ means, or the range in the $3 scenario vs "flat" in the $4 scenario. There are a lot of other factors besides just pure profits, though. Shelf space is a HUGE deal. I've seen more than one company destroyed because a competitor wants a few more feet of shelf space at Target. Target or TRU might be happy if the MSRP on a square foot increased by 33%. But back to the figs, TLG wouldn't be "losing" money. At worst they wouldn't be gaining as much money as before. Consider this:

$1/ea cost

3 @ $3/ea = $9 ($6 profit, $3 overhead) 67% profit margin

2 @ $4/ea = $8 ($6 profit, $2 overhead) 75% profit margin

$8 is less than $9, but the quantity is less, overhead is less, and profit is the same. In other words, by raising the price 1/3, they could make, distribute, and sell 2/3 of the number of items, with a 1/3 reduction in overhead, to make the same amount of profit. Figure in supply and demand where demand continues to grow, justifying a higher price and/or an increase in supply (which results in a lower cost per unit) to meet the demand:

Using the same quantities as above:

$1/ea cost

3 @ $3/ea = $9 ($6 profit, $3 overhead) 67% profit margin

$0.75/ea cost

2 @ $4/ea = $8 ($6.50 profit, $1.50 overhead) 81% profit margin

But we need to take into account the same or higher demand:

$1/ea cost

3 @ $3/ea = $9 ($6 profit, $3 overhead) 67% profit margin

$0.75/ea cost

3 @ $4/ea = $12 ($9.50 profit, $2.25 overhead) 81% profit margin

They really are not losing any money by raising prices.

Edited November 6, 2014 by m0dulo

[8BrickMario]

Is this in TRU USA or UK??

Because I'm kind of worried if I go to my local TRU.

This was in the US. I hope it's an isolated incident caused by poor customer behavior.

[legofanatic12]

This was in the US. I hope it's an isolated incident caused by poor customer behavior.

From what state in the US?? I really don't know about it.

[8BrickMario]

Illinois. Again, this may not be a common incident.

[rodiziorobs]

Is it just me or the S12 minifigures are made of a cheaper plastic than the previous CMF series?

I haven't noticed issues with the quality of plastic itself, but I have with color: the figs' arms are the shade of yellow we are used to, but the hands are paler. They look like the same color of yellow as was in a knock-off brand I bought years ago. It's kind of upsetting to see this kind of problem with TLG, even though I know we've seen color inconsistencies in the past.

[Blakstone]

S12 never made it into TRU on the northside of OKC. They appear to be waiting for The Simpsons CMF to sell out. They may be waiting for a long time. S12 has sold out of most Walmarts, Targets, and Walgreens in the area though.

[jluck]

I haven't noticed issues with the quality of plastic itself, but I have with color: the figs' arms are the shade of yellow we are used to, but the hands are paler. They look like the same color of yellow as was in a knock-off brand I bought years ago. It's kind of upsetting to see this kind of problem with TLG, even though I know we've seen color inconsistencies in the past.

I have noticed the hand differences, but the clutch power still seems strong so I've not thought much of it.

[SweetiePie88]

Got the freebie in. Its the wizard! Was hoping for pizza boy or princess but this is great also