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In lugnet.lego.direct, Jake McKee writes:
> We would like to invite you all to choose our next LEGO Legend release! We
> have selected five sets from years past
> [snip]
> Around the end of May, we will announce the winning set. Before you know it,
> you will be able to order it from LEGO Shop At Home!
So-- If I may ask, how are Legends doing as a product line? Are we likely to
see "legends" in stores? Are the Wild West & Pirate sets currently in stores
considered "legends"?
I guess why I ask is that I'd much prefer them in stores. I hate to admit
it, but I *am* somewhat of an impulse Lego buyer. If the Guarded Inn were
released in stores, I'd have at least 10. As it is I have 2. I'd have a few
Breezeway Cafe's, Pizza Shop's, and even a Metroliner (of course I probably
*will* end up buying one of each of these from S@H-- just not as many as if
they were in stores).
The scary thing is that I'm buying less and less Lego-- not because I don't
*want* to mind you, but because of that whole psychological impulse buying
dealy. I used to check out every KB toy store for a good markdown.
Occasionally I'd go to TRU for no reason other than to pick up a few sets
and build them-- no projects in mind, just buying. If I passed a WalMart or
an Ames I'd go in and browse the Lego section looking for something to spark
my interest.
But now? I've stopped going to KayBee entirely. I don't go into stores that
I pass by in my car. If I'm in the store already I'll check out their Lego,
but that's pretty much it. And I'll admit I've tried to visit TRU a couple
times on a buying binge. But 90% of the time I buy *NOTHING*. Jack Stone?
Ick. Bionicle? Ick. Soccer sets? Eh. Alpha team? Eh. Galidor? Blech. Only
thing that occasionally sparks my intrest is Star Wars...
Then I look at a S@H catalog and there's SO much I want to buy. Lego
Legends, parts packs, "model team" style sets, sculptures, etc. If *these*
were in stores? I'd be buying twice a week. But for whatever reason, I'm
always less inclined to buy from S@H or via Lego.com than from a store.
Maybe it's the fact that it's not right in front of me. Maybe it's cuz
paying by cash or check is either not possible or too time consuming to do
via S@H. Maybe it's the shipping time. I dunno.
Anyway, I realize that service packs, sculptures, and things like the
Sopwith Camel/UCS sets just don't sell well in stores, but what about
Legends? I'd assume they still possess the same appeal for kids as they did
when they were released-- and they can range in price just like "standard"
sets (and unlike sculptures & UCS sets which just sit on shelves due to high
price & size). Is there a chance we'll see things like Battrax and Black
Falcon's Fortress hit the store shelves ever?
DaveE
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Ha, think you have problems? Try living in Canada and see the money we have
to pay for S@H....at least you have Shop@Home as an affordable option...
Oh well, when life gives you lemons, chuck 'em at somebody else and laugh ;)
--
Erin
In lugnet.lego.direct, David Eaton writes:
>
> But now? I've stopped going to KayBee entirely. I don't go into stores that
> I pass by in my car. If I'm in the store already I'll check out their Lego,
> but that's pretty much it. And I'll admit I've tried to visit TRU a couple
> times on a buying binge. But 90% of the time I buy *NOTHING*. Jack Stone?
> Ick. Bionicle? Ick. Soccer sets? Eh. Alpha team? Eh. Galidor? Blech. Only
> thing that occasionally sparks my intrest is Star Wars...
>
> Then I look at a S@H catalog and there's SO much I want to buy. Lego
> Legends, parts packs, "model team" style sets, sculptures, etc. If *these*
> were in stores? I'd be buying twice a week. But for whatever reason, I'm
> always less inclined to buy from S@H or via Lego.com than from a store.
> Maybe it's the fact that it's not right in front of me. Maybe it's cuz
> paying by cash or check is either not possible or too time consuming to do
> via S@H. Maybe it's the shipping time. I dunno.
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In lugnet.lego.direct, David Eaton writes:
> In lugnet.lego.direct, Jake McKee writes:
> > We would like to invite you all to choose our next LEGO Legend release! We
> > have selected five sets from years past
> > [snip]
> > Around the end of May, we will announce the winning set. Before you know it,
> > you will be able to order it from LEGO Shop At Home!
>
> So-- If I may ask, how are Legends doing as a product line? Are we likely to
> see "legends" in stores? Are the Wild West & Pirate sets currently in stores
> considered "legends"?
Legends are only available directly from Lego, as you know.
The other re-issued Lego sets that ARE available from retailers are not
Legends, but are classified as CLASSICS. That distinction seems to make all
the difference. So, the re-issued Fort Legoredo, for example, is NOT a
Legend set but a Classic set.
It is unfortunate that Legends sets are not marketed to retailers, but there
is nothing we can do about that. LegoDirect has its hands tied and they are
doing all they can for now to provide the Lego sets we want; items excluded
from the retail assortment may not be the best situation, but it is better
than not having them at all.
Personally, I am very willing to order from Lego Shop At Home here in the
USA for buyers who are elsewhere. Or people can order for themselves and
have items shipped to me.
I will gladly re-pack and re-ship the items for very little compensation. I
have offered this privately to several people over the years but few people
have taken me up on it. Those that have bought through me have been happy
and have gotten Lego items that they would otherwise not have been able to buy.
If anyone wants to take me up on this offer, contact me via email.
__Kevin Salm__
....Over 20 years experience playing with Lego toys....
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In lugnet.lego.direct, David Eaton writes:
> In lugnet.lego.direct, Jake McKee writes:
> > We would like to invite you all to choose our next LEGO Legend release! We
> > have selected five sets from years past
> > [snip]
> > Around the end of May, we will announce the winning set. Before you know it,
> > you will be able to order it from LEGO Shop At Home!
>
> So-- If I may ask, how are Legends doing as a product line? Are we likely to
> see "legends" in stores? Are the Wild West & Pirate sets currently in stores
> considered "legends"?
>
> I guess why I ask is that I'd much prefer them in stores. I hate to admit
> it, but I *am* somewhat of an impulse Lego buyer. If the Guarded Inn were
> released in stores, I'd have at least 10. As it is I have 2. I'd have a few
> Breezeway Cafe's, Pizza Shop's, and even a Metroliner (of course I probably
> *will* end up buying one of each of these from S@H-- just not as many as if
> they were in stores).
I suppose it is cold comfort if there isn't a Lego outlet store near you,
but the Lego store in Anaheim (Downtown Disney, accessible without going
into the park) carries the Legend line. They even got in the new Blacksmith
Shop this week (Metroliner, Guarded Inn, Pizza to Go were all there). I
didn't want to have pay the shipping charges on the Blacksmith Shop, so I
just waited until it showed up at the outlet store. There is something
about actually having the box in front of you that shopping by mail doesn't
satisfy.
Bruce
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In lugnet.lego.direct, Bruce Schlickbernd writes:
> I suppose it is cold comfort if there isn't a Lego outlet store near you,
> but the Lego store in Anaheim (Downtown Disney, accessible without going
> into the park) carries the Legend line. They even got in the new Blacksmith
> Shop this week (Metroliner, Guarded Inn, Pizza to Go were all there). I
> didn't want to have pay the shipping charges on the Blacksmith Shop, so I
> just waited until it showed up at the outlet store. There is something
> about actually having the box in front of you that shopping by mail doesn't
> satisfy.
>
> Bruce
Arrgh! Why doesn't Lego set up a direct shop in Arizona? I know they
probably have them in California, NY, and near their corporate HQ, but It
seems where I live, is the last place to get Lego at a decent price. :(
If only Lego released Legend sets in toy shops, or even better, hobby shops.
It seems to me, that Lego co. doesn't take to full, their marketing potential.
I mean, there are a lot of opportunities out there for marketing, such as
placing actually decent products on store shelves, placing bulk quaitity
sets and accessory packs next the lego aisle, and possibly minifigure,
architectural, brick quantity, foliage, landscaping and technic accessory
packs on store shelves.
If a store like this were to be like every toy shop (not Lego direct stores),
with reasonable prices, and a diverse selection, then I might actually go
back to the store and *buy* lego again. Now, they're missing potential
profits on my part, and most of them probably go to some old senile toy
collectors on ebay. A shame? Definitely!
Can Lego fix this?
They should!
Perhaps this lack of convenience is due to the fact that Lego corporation's
inner echeleon seriously comtempletes that they may be facing competition,
not from only clone bricks, but from the action figure line (e.g jack stone?
bionicle sets?) If this is true, perhaps they think on the borderline that
they need to introduce kits with a low complexity level so that when they're
(consumers) finished building, they grow slowly bored, and go to the toy
store for more, hoping to find something more complex, more on a futile
basis. Perhaps it's time for a change to look back to the basic bricks,
technic parts, and architecture to add integrity to the model, not just sell
it from behind a brand name label, or take the bandwagon approach. IMO
Just my two brickz...
<<_Matt Hein_>>
Lugnet No. 1112
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In lugnet.lego.direct, Matt Hein writes:
> Arrgh! Why doesn't Lego set up a direct shop in Arizona? I know they
> probably have them in California, NY, and near their corporate HQ, but It
> seems where I live, is the last place to get Lego at a decent price. :(
I have the funny feeling that where you live gets GREAT sales if you know
where to look and wait for the right moment to spring into action. I guess
it depends on the population density of your particular town. I find good
deals in places that are sort of near large population centers, but not at
the heart of them -- more along the outskirts of such centers of trade.
As better tools are developed to ascertain what a manufacturer should
actually produce and what a retailer should actually buy to maximize
profits, we may see a drop in the extreme sales we have seen in the past.
Depends on a lot of factors though...
-- Hop-Frog
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