Subject:
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Bulk brick pricing (WAS:Re: Design your own 1000 piece tub)
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.general
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Date:
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Wed, 18 Dec 2002 13:00:11 GMT
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Viewed:
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1478 times
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In lugnet.general, Calum Tsang writes:
> In lugnet.general, Allan Bedford writes:
> > > A great idea! My only wish is that it's for sale discounted, and available
> > > for $19.97 like the 4107 here in Canada where I can drive to my local
> > > Zellers
> >
> > Is the 4107 really available at Zellers stores in your area? Or is this
> > wishful thinking? As far as I have seen in the London/Stratford/Kitchener
> > area, they are only available at Toys 'R Us or Bricks & Blocks in St.
> > Jacob's (formerly the 'Countryside Toy Outlet')
>
> Uh, no, actually, my typo. But the $19.97 4107 is still available at Toys R
> Us. I got like six when they first went on sale, but AFAIK the sale is
> still on.
Excellent. I'm going to be near one tonight... hoping they still have stock
of these.
> But my complaint is really that I want to be able to drive to it and buy it
> after work instead of waiting for it and paying shipping. Whether it's
> Zellers, Winners, the Bay or TRU (in that order).
Agree 100%. So here's my question. In Toronto area Zellers stores, are you
finding *any* tubs or buckets? The answer for this part of Ontario is a
resounding 'no'. It's as though Zellers hasn't been offered them by the
company, or they passed on ordering them. Very frustrating. Especially
since it was a Zellers store in which I bought the 1200 piece anniversary
tub that brought me out of my dark ages.
> > I was going to mention price in my original thread, but then I hesitated.
> > The 4107 is a good deal. Is it the best deal ever? No, probably not. But
> > is it a good deal compared to certain bulk packs from Shop At Home? Yes, it
> > certainly is. What I would like from the company is an explanation as to
> > why bulk packs are so ^$&#%@* expensive compared to assorted buckets and tubs.
After I wrote that last paragraph and posted it, I realized I had highjacked
my own thread. :)
> It's an amazing deal, even compared with the 3033 1200 piece, which was a
> ridiculously good deal.
>
> > So why are bricks sold as 'bulk' pieces seven times more expensive than
> > those sold in assorted tubs. The bottom line of my argument is, "why can't
> > there be some happy median?" Why not raise the price of assorted tubs
> > slightly and then offer more widely varied selections and colors?
>
> Part of it is probably because they can and something about the logistics of
> selling bulk pieces. Think of this:
>
> a) A bulk $20 tub that contains nothing but tan. No normal person would buy
> it because it only has tan.
Sorry, I may have given the wrong impression. I wasn't suggesting that LEGO
make a 1000 tub that had the same bricks as a bulk pack. Rather that they
look at the price (per piece) of these two types of products and try to
bring the pricing in line to some degree. The 4107 contains some tan and
light grey bricks which do not cost 21 cents each. But how is that possible
when we know that in a bulk pack these parts are worth 21 cents each? Does
that make sense? :)
> b) A small $12 bag of tan that is sold retail. Retailers won't buy it
> because it's just a bag of tan bricks. Not sure if people want that.
They used to, don't forget. Accessory packs used to be available at retail.
I realize times have changed and that I'm an old foggie when it comes to
this stuff, but looking at what *isn't* selling on store shelves, maybe it's
time to try some bulk packs.
> As a result, we have small bags of "bulk" pieces sold through S@H because
> they probably wouldn't be attractive to retailers, and large 4107's being
> bought at retail, because it would probably cost too much to ship and be
> profitable.
I both see your point but wonder about the shipping costs at the same time.
Pound for pound it would be cheaper to ship bulk bricks. Even with beefed
up packaging that could hang on hooks, they would still provide more dollars
per pound of sales than the 4107's do. Look at the wasted space and packing
on those tubs.
> That and us poor saps buy those packs from S@H anyways. It's not like we
> have a choice. That said, I have never bought bulk bricks. I did get some
> slopes. But never bricks.
I've only bought from Shop At Home, but only as part of a group order that
myself and some co-workers placed. It got us all free shipping but.......
WOW was it hard to stomach the final price in Canadian dollars after
conversion and taxes. A bag of 50 2x4 bricks tops out at more than $12. (CDN)
> > Sorry, didn't mean to rant. That's why I left this argument out of the
> > original message. I wanted it to be a shiny happy posting.
>
> No, trust me Allan, it's a rant I share.
I know many others do. I just don't always want to be the only voice crying
the blues about bulk bricks, pricing, selection etc.
Thanks!
Allan B.
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Message has 1 Reply:
Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: Design your own 1000 piece tub
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| (...) Uh, no, actually, my typo. But the $19.97 4107 is still available at Toys R Us. I got like six when they first went on sale, but AFAIK the sale is still on. But my complaint is really that I want to be able to drive to it and buy it after work (...) (22 years ago, 18-Dec-02, to lugnet.general)
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