tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post3090061679577311999..comments2024-03-27T08:37:54.894+00:00Comments on New Elementary: LEGO® parts, sets and techniques: The sum of its partsAdminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-14151776896707444012014-01-22T01:38:46.268+00:002014-01-22T01:38:46.268+00:00At least here in US, it is possible to get most of...At least here in US, it is possible to get most of these architecture sets at 20-25% off RRP on a regular basis. Seems like they spend much more time on sale than these other sets do.Cathy Sariskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127359671028701864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-74128569513294763602014-01-21T18:09:57.440+00:002014-01-21T18:09:57.440+00:00Good point about US sales taxes, I always forget t...Good point about US sales taxes, I always forget those exist!Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-26128060351324429702014-01-21T16:01:38.450+00:002014-01-21T16:01:38.450+00:00The instruction tomes are certainly a cost-generat...The instruction tomes are certainly a cost-generator, as they are all printed with white text on black pages. That means that instead of printing on maybe 5% of each page, they are printing on 95% of the page. They're also printed on significantly heavier paper stock, and have cardstock, spiral-bound covers.<br /><br />Licensing is an unpredictable issue here as well, as each building generally has to be licensed by itself. At least some of that money goes directly to the preservation of the building, I believe. That means no bulk rate, and there's a lot of negotiating and contract-signing for _every_set_ instead of for an entire theme like you get with Star Wars or Superheroes. Licensing info can be found somewhere in the instructions or on the box, where applicable (some really old structures might have fallen into the public domain, depending on local laws).<br /><br />As for the EEEE group, I think the original intent was that they were going to be sold exclusively at the site they represented, which would have resulted in a very tiny market (and a massive markup for anyone who was buying them to resell). That probably had a very direct effect on the horrible prices for those sets.Purple Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-71080886459327357462014-01-20T23:04:35.934+00:002014-01-20T23:04:35.934+00:00Thank you for this. A very interesting read. I'...Thank you for this. A very interesting read. I've never formally crunched the numbers, but I had a feeling based on my assumptions this is how it would end up.<br /><br />I agree on buying sets you want, for how you want them. Some sets on clearance are a great parts pack and other times I end up not caring about if I get that set. Minifigures do distort things, as I end up buying most sets only for the minifigures, and then I can use the bricks for whatever I desire. (I've built most of Cafe Corner and Green Grocer this way without having to really order any extra pieces). So I guess it does have its pros and cons.<br /><br />I only own 2 architecture sets. Brandenburg Gate x2 for all of the sand green cheese slopes for my mini Hogwarts build and Big Ben because it looked neat.<br /><br />Keep writing and I'll keep reading!Sethnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-48429318262450227252014-01-20T21:20:32.436+00:002014-01-20T21:20:32.436+00:00That's really interesting about the exclusives...That's really interesting about the exclusives, thanks for pointing out. I was puzzled that the Atlantis sets appeared, and asked friends if that theme had a reputation for being expensive - at which point rocao pointed out those two were exclusives. I didn't make the connection you have. <br />So in fact, 'typical' sets with a proper production volume never cost as much as 12c/g and the best that an Architecture set can hope to achieve is to come in at the very top of that range?<br /><br />I suppose Architecture sets were also originally priced as small runs, I get the impression no-one expected the level of success the theme has enjoyed... e.g. TLG are only just ending availability on some of them now, some have been available for 5 years. Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-40235110997522242712014-01-20T18:03:05.605+00:002014-01-20T18:03:05.605+00:00Very interesting read (but I have to admit I love ...Very interesting read (but I have to admit I love juggling with statistics) :-D<br /><br />One fact I draw out of this is: Never buy sets brick by brick off Bricklink!<br />From the 70 sets you chose, just 11 were cheaper to just buy by collecting the single pieces. A lot of polybags would fit in that drawer as well, by the way. So never open your polybags if you want to keep the value. ;-)<br />I know there are some restrictions to this, for example talking about minifigs (Star Wars!) making sets sooo much higher in value.<br />And I have to second Dave: I'm another one that can easily skip the "better box" and the high-quality instructions if I just get 1x2 black bricks for that. This is one of the reasons I haven't bought any of those EEEE's. Another one is the architecture being too simple.Holodochttp://eurobricks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-8721551808368693202014-01-20T17:37:32.086+00:002014-01-20T17:37:32.086+00:00Excellent analysis. Weight is a better indication ...Excellent analysis. Weight is a better indication of value from my side of things, the boat hulls (both floating and constructed (pirate)) and large wheels definitely distort the price per parts ratio, they are hard to mold and expensive to pack (many being hand packed).<br /><br />You might also note that all of the non-architecture retail sets with a greater then 12cents per gram cost are store or other exclusives. These sets have a much smaller distribution than other sets and budgets are tighter.Nabiihttp://www.flickr.com/photos/nabii/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-23723356089180120932014-01-20T17:10:28.496+00:002014-01-20T17:10:28.496+00:00Haha, yes I feared that by writing this I'd be...Haha, yes I feared that by writing this I'd be shattering my own illusions more than others'! <br /><br />Statistics are of course always refutable ;O) I'm surprised no-one has yet. Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-14496509513254421782014-01-20T15:20:14.593+00:002014-01-20T15:20:14.593+00:00Wow that was quite a read! Honestly, some of the A...Wow that was quite a read! Honestly, some of the Architecture sets do look appealing even to me, a Constraction MOCer. The one factor that's steered me away from getting any is the fact that the ones I like offer many of the same part. But my justification for going "naah" is that if I'm going to spend that kind of money to get multiples of one or a grouping of elements. I'd rather just go to Bricklink and make an order of that group style of parts. This is also why I haven't bought a Technic set in ages, even though I really really want to assimilate technic concepts and functionality into my style of MOCing a lot more. I just can't break down and spend $200 on the Rock Crawler or Unimog. <br /><br />I have to say though "the pretty packaging and booklet" is something that's never ever ever factored into me buying a set. I of course can't speak for any other buyers or MOCers, especially since I'm a pretty unusual one myself, but I think you're the first FOL of any type I've heard say anything like that. At the end of the day, you're absolutely right. Its all about the intrinsic value <i> we as individuals</i> place on a set. When all those new HF sets come out and my TRU has them all after an initial shockwave of some being sold out quick or not getting em all and I'm standing there trying to decide which 50-70 part figure to buy, it ultimately comes down to what elements I get out of the set and how I'll be able to utilize them in a future MOC, planned or otherwise. Dave(Mana Ramp Matoran)https://www.blogger.com/profile/10102008790222887371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-87207780120933313732014-01-20T15:05:18.721+00:002014-01-20T15:05:18.721+00:00I love how you initially try to suggest that after...I love how you initially try to suggest that after all they're not as expensive as they're pictured, and then go on to absolutely destroy that idea with cruel irrefutable numbers :)<br /><br />Just joking obviously. Architecture is not my cup of tea but you sure got me closer to buy one!<br /><br />Fantastic blog as usual!Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11524596282711705457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-31123645810315387802014-01-19T19:10:54.477+00:002014-01-19T19:10:54.477+00:00Ah, LEGO pricing. If only someone could explain wh...Ah, LEGO pricing. If only someone could explain why the upcoming Simpsons house is €200 in DE yet €220 in BE. Even if you consider the different VAT rates (19% in Germany, 21% in Belgium) there's still a difference of at least €15 that just makes no sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-19344320528587665652014-01-19T18:53:08.019+00:002014-01-19T18:53:08.019+00:00I very much appreciate the post. I am still not ...I very much appreciate the post. I am still not convinced that the Architecture sets are worth the list price (and I love architecture and I like Lego). The fact that I haven't bought any of these sets must be a revealed preference.<br /><br />One comment on US prices vs the rest of the world; a kind of comment that has been made before, but perhaps not here. <br />1.listed US prices don't include sales taxes (that vary all over the place but could be as high as 10% if not more; they are about 8.5% where I live, I think.). Listed UK prices, for instance, include VAT.<br />2. Exchange rates are not the same thing as PPP. <br />3. 1 and 2 don't explain all the price differences. I don't really know what does.Swogathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15222250484536945940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-76859062398808045352014-01-19T18:28:03.862+00:002014-01-19T18:28:03.862+00:00Yes I've always assumed they form the bulk of ...Yes I've always assumed they form the bulk of the extra cost. Maybe another interesting comparison would be Architecture/MBA/BttF/Education sets i.e. ones where they put more work in and presentation is important. Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-86757263702078792552014-01-19T18:24:07.175+00:002014-01-19T18:24:07.175+00:00Thanks so much! I did regret my decision to write ...Thanks so much! I did regret my decision to write this post at one point so glad you liked it :DAdminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-44028331261953167122014-01-19T17:54:06.460+00:002014-01-19T17:54:06.460+00:00It would be interesting to assume some value for t...It would be interesting to assume some value for the accompanying books (e.g., $5?) and see how that changes the math. I've always assumed the packaging and books were why the Architecture (and MBA) sets were relatively more expensive than others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-6771363702841832332014-01-19T17:30:29.726+00:002014-01-19T17:30:29.726+00:00Great work. All the effort you put in always resul...Great work. All the effort you put in always result in some insightful interesting reads.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com