10188 - UCS: Death Star

[dcdfan]

I got 2... must resist buying more for Retail Price... worth it?

I think this will be a good sell Christmas this year, then many years later...

[snot]

What happens if Rogue One doesn't have a built Death Star?  What if it's just about the plans?  

I got a bad feeling about this.

[trekgate502]

Jeez trek can we have one panic per week at most?  

I do not think ewok is going this soon.  later this year maybe.  now probably not... just teasing.

What happens if Rogue One doesn't have a built Death Star?  What if it's just about the plans?  

ummm ok I have nothing to say this this.  for Trek that is unusual.  ok one word. Epic.

[fossilrock]

What happens if Rogue One doesn't have a built Death Star?  What if it's just about the plans?  

There was a completed Death Star in the Rogue One teaser at NYC this year.  Also, all the speculation has been that this is getting remade, into something with more modern techniques, and it should be better.  Vader also will be in Rogue One from reports Disney released recently, so I'd expect a slightly modified version of this current DS, but with new minifigures, and maybe some different scenes.  Maybe i'm wrong, but let's face facts that this will not be the only Death Star ever made.  Lego has a history of constant remakes.  So, while everyone is freaking at the moment with massive dollar signs in their eyes, i'm more skeptical.  This set has been out for 7 years, perhaps 10's of thousands of people and companies (companies that surely have more than a hundred copies) have this stocked for reselling purposes.  We shall see where it all goes.  I've never opened or built this one, but I have seen it in person.  I have on in the closet, where it will remain until I see the new one, then i'll make a decision on what to do with this.  If it eventually goes MF, then great.  We can all dance, but I have my doubts it pans out like some will think.  When you see how low the sales data is for sets like SSD at the inflated reseller prices, it makes me even more skeptical on seeing these sell quickly at those prices.  Some people are going to be sitting on these for a long time to get them to sell at the prices they want to see. 

[trekgate502]

Ok Monday at 8:43 by Sandwraith 

the conversation started

Jeff called it out of stock at Target today Wednesday at 10:15 approximately

I did not expect it that fast.

Wow that was fun.  Whats next (joke)

There was a completed Death Star in the Rogue One teaser at NYC this year.  Also, all the speculation has been that this is getting remade, into something with more modern techniques, and it should be better.  Vader also will be in Rogue One from reports Disney released recently, so I'd expect a slightly modified version of this current DS, but with new minifigures, and maybe some different scenes.  Maybe i'm wrong, but let's face facts that this will not be the only Death Star ever made.  Lego has a history of constant remakes.  So, while everyone is freaking at the moment with massive dollar signs in their eyes, i'm more skeptical.  This set has been out for 7 years, perhaps 10's of thousands of people and companies (companies that surely have more than a hundred copies) have this stocked for reselling purposes.  We shall see where it all goes.  I've never opened or built this one, but I have seen it in person.  I have on in the closet, where it will remain until I see the new one, then i'll make a decision on what to do with this.  If it eventually goes MF, then great.  We can all dance, but I have my doubts it pans out like some will think.  When you see how low the sales data is for sets like SSD at the inflated reseller prices, it makes me even more skeptical on seeing these sell quickly at those prices.  Some people are going to be sitting on these for a long time to get them to sell at the prices they want to see. 

It is good to be skeptical but

Did the teaser actually show it fully completed and operational with people on board ? I am seriously asking I did not see more than what the general public has seen.

I thought all I saw was the shadow of the side of one of them completed in the air over the planet or moon or whatever it was.

It could be completed it could be half built on one side.  

I will take the glass half full approach on this sets value.  That does not mean I am right..

[fossilrock]

Ok Monday at 8:43 by Sandwraith 

the conversation started

Jeff called it out of stock at Target today Wednesday at 10:15 approximately

I did not expect it that fast.

Wow that was fun.  Whats next (joke)

It is good to be skeptical but

Did the teaser actually show it fully completed and operational with people on board ? I am seriously asking I did not see more than what the general public has seen.

I thought all I saw was the shadow of the side of one of them completed in the air over the planet or moon or whatever it was.

It could be completed it could be half built on one side.  

I will take the glass half full approach on this sets value.  That does not mean I am right..

You can't deny that there wasn't a giant looming Death Star in that teaser though.  Considering Rogue One's main premise is rebels trying to do whatever it takes to take out this super weapon, I suspect we will see quite a bit of the Death Star in this movie, and maybe by the end of the movie it gets "completed", but has yet to be tested...  I'm sure they have to "get into" the Death Star to figure out it's vulnerabilities.  We'll see.  Speculation is a big part of the money game on these things.  But, I'd suspect we will see "Commander Cody" and "Wedge" be a big part of this movie, and just replace Luke and Han with them.

[redcell]

Anyone thinking that TLG is going to do an exact or updated replica of this set is dreaming.  At this price point, they will have to make it different enough for consumers who have already bought 10188 to think that it is sufficiently different to justify buying a whole new Death Star.   

[Sauromosis]

Too much new stuff to make sets out of...there will be no new huge death star, move on and buy 10188.

[dcdfan]

Anyone thinking that TLG is going to do an exact or updated replica of this set is dreaming.  At this price point, they will have to make it different enough for consumers who have already bought 10188 to think that it is sufficiently different to justify buying a whole new Death Star.   

I don't think anyone thinks there will be "an exact or updated replica of this set"...

[fossilrock]

Too much new stuff to make sets out of...there will be no new huge death star, move on and buy 10188.

With the new Ep7 lego list that is due out Sep 4th, it looks like there is a new MF, X-wing, and Tie Fighter.  Yes, they are slightly different from the pics we've all seen, but the sets will be very close to the old ones.  So, i'd expect a similar thing with the Death Star.  it will be slightly different than the original.  Enough to make it somewhat unique, but following similar design patterns.  Plus, there will be many new SW fans coming up that won't have this death star, but will be happy with the new one.  Just watch.

Look how many versions of the Landspeeder, Snowspeeder, x-wings, and MF's that have already been produced.  I don't think it's out of line to think there will be another DS..  Sorry to play devils advocate.. but, I do think the old DS will retain good value. What i'm not sold on is that it's going to just selll sell sell at those prices considering how many people have this stocked up.  And that's what makes me skeptical.  I think it's going to take a LONG time for some to sell these at the prices they want.

Edited July 15, 2015 by fossilrock

[longshot]

Even if they did do a new DS for Rogue One, which they prob will, it will have to be significantly different then the one from Ep 4. The size maybe similar and obviously the shape but the the rooms and mini figures would have to be completely different. Why would we care about the trash compactor room if it based off the new movie. There will always be a place for this DS in any collection and those of us that grew up with the original series and have more disposable income will pay for it.

[redcell]

I don't think anyone thinks there will be "an exact or updated replica of this set"...

Then why would anyone think that a forthcoming DS set would harm the growth potential of 10188?  It's not like 10188 hurt the growth potential of the original UCS DS. 

[dcdfan]

Then why would anyone think that a forthcoming DS set would harm the growth potential of 10188?  It's not like 10188 hurt the growth potential of the original UCS DS. 

Based on the history of almost EVERY Lego remake...

[diablo2112]

Ok so things do come back from Sold Out.  I think SSD did a couple times a year ago but didn't last long.  Anyone remember?

Just FYI, 60052 went from sold out to in stock early this year.  It does happen.

[JosephMali]

Selling out this fast does give us an indication of the how many DSs resellers have. How many were sold in the last two days? I think someone had the numbers.

Of course, this does not tell us how many have been hoarded for a long time (though I would guess that many who bought after year two then went on to sell their stock after waiting three years or so with no indication of retiring).

[Jeff Mack]

LATEST EBAY LISTINGS for #10188: Death Star

IMAGE	TITLE	PRICE+SHIPPING	SELLER	LOCATION	AUCTION TYPE
	LEGO Star Wars Death Star 10188 (Brand New)	$450.00+$0.00 $450.00	americanshopper14store (98.7% | 406)	Lithia,FL,USA	StoreInventory
	LEGO Star Wars Death Star 10188 NSB New 3,803 Pieces	$459.99+$0.00 $459.99	jbowl15fan (100.0% | 2747)	Hamilton,OH,USA	FixedPrice
	LEGO Star Wars Death Star (10188)	$460.00+$0.00 $460.00	superseller200 (0.0% | 0)	USA	FixedPrice
	LEGO Star Wars Death Star 10188 NEW IN SEALED SHIPPER BOX	$450.00+$20.00 $470.00	fattymacfatty (97.9% | 504)	North Brunswick,NJ,USA	FixedPrice
	Star Wars Death Star Lego Set 10188 Brand New	$479.95+$0.00 $479.95	quackquack2001 (99.6% | 42232)	Plainview,NY,USA	StoreInventory
	RARE Brand New Lego Star Wars 10188 Death Star Original Sealed Shipper AUTHENTIC	$480.00+$0.00 $480.00	renata_123 (100.0% | 984)	Raton,NM,USA	StoreInventory
	NEW LEGO DEATH STAR SET 10188 sealed in box nisb nib star wars	$489.99+$0.00 $489.99	thebrickdude (99.6% | 54749)	Burke,VA,USA	StoreInventory
	Death Star Star Wars Lego battle station playset HobbiesToys Building Toys	$500.00+$0.00 $500.00	ancamp1980 (100.0% | 73)	Johnston,RI,USA	FixedPrice
	LEGO Star Wars Death Star (10188)	$500.00+$0.00 $500.00	noneck26 (100.0% | 97)	Staten Island,NY,USA	FixedPrice
	Lego Star Wars Death Star 10188 Exclusive Rare Brand New In Box	$511.99+$0.00 $511.99	shuichung (99.7% | 2641)	San Gabriel,CA,USA	StoreInventory
	BRAND NEW LEGO DEATH STAR SET 10188 RARE SEALED BRAND STAR WARS DARTH VADER	$519.99+$0.00 $519.99	richardkahlan3 (99.6% | 692)	Mentor,OH,USA	StoreInventory
	LEGO Star Wars Death Star (10188)	$519.99+$0.00 $519.99	euphonious_chicago (100.0% | 1891)	Chicago,IL,USA	StoreInventory
	LEGO 10188 STAR WARS DEATH STAR NEW IN SEALED BOX!!!	$500.00+$20.00 $520.00	enginegofast (99.5% | 2349)	Philadelphia,PA,USA	StoreInventory
	Lego 10188 Star Wars Death Star Set 3803 PiecesPlus 24 Minifigures NIB	$499.99+$24.99 $524.98	widgets-whatnots (100.0% | 1094)	Merritt Island,FL,USA	StoreInventory
	lego STAR WARS 10188 HUGE DEATH STAR PLAYSET MISB scn	$499.99+$25.00 $524.99	playidia (99.8% | 25622)	USA	StoreInventory
	LEGO Star Wars Death Star (10188) NISB	$525.00+$0.00 $525.00	lostprophet987 (100.0% | 176)	Battle Ground,WA,USA	FixedPrice
	Star Wars Lego 10188 Deathstar Set! MISB! Unused! Mint!	$500.00+$30.00 $530.00	landbforever (99.5% | 787)	Pittsburgh,PA,USA	FixedPrice
	LEGO Star Wars 10188 Death Star, New in Box, Sealed, Ready to ship! YR 2008	$498.95+$38.95 $537.90	lego10k (100.0% | 57)	Northvale,NJ,USA	StoreInventory
	LEGO Star Wars Death Star Collectors Play Set Join in the Fun w/24 Mini-Figures	$539.00+$0.00 $539.00	katz_hands2 (100.0% | 24)	Ruckersville,VA,USA	FixedPrice
	LEGO Star Wars Death Star Sets Movie Space Station Leggo Minifigure Luke Toys	$549.00+$0.00 $549.00	cobra1394 (100.0% | 536)	Seattle,WA,USA	FixedPrice
	Death Star Lego 10188 Sealed New Star Wars	$549.95+$0.00 $549.95	www.planetforce.com (100.0% | 11995)	Strongsville,OH,USA	StoreInventory
	NEW LEGO DEATH STAR SET 10188 sealed in box nisb nib star wars	$549.95+$0.00 $549.95	expressgator (99.6% | 2370)	Jonesboro,GA,USA	StoreInventory
	LEGO Star Wars Death Star (10188)	$550.00+$0.00 $550.00	brphilharmoniker (100.0% | 76)	Closter,NJ,USA	StoreInventory
	LEGO Star Wars Death Star (10188)	$549.98+$14.98 $564.96	mr.wildtoad (100.0% | 247)	Altadena,CA,USA	StoreInventory
	LEGO SPECIAL COLLECTORS 10188 - Death Star	$499.95+$69.90 $569.85	nuovoesubitocom (100.0% | 4093)	Italy	StoreInventory
	LEGO Star Wars Exclusive Set #10188 Death Star	$549.99+$20.00 $569.99	toywiz.com (99.0% | 37096)	Suffern,NY,USA	StoreInventory
	Lego Star Wars set 10188 Death Star Plus many extra minifigures vehicles Used	$549.00+$35.99 $584.99	robkelli (100.0% | 816)	Lenexa,KS,USA	FixedPrice
	LEGO STAR WARS SET 10188 DEATH STAR SEALED MISB SET	$549.99+$39.95 $589.94	audi2005 (99.9% | 31967)	Holland,MI,USA	StoreInventory
	LEGO Star Wars Death Star - 10188 - BRAND NEW IN SEALED BOX,Hard To Find! FRESH!	$469.99+$0.00 $469.99	aecalifano51 (100.0% | 1741)	Pomona,NY,USA	StoreInventory
	Brand New LEGO Star Wars Death Star (10188) Still Factory Sealed	$474.99+$0.00 $474.99	egrominc (100.0% | 1868)	Clinton,IL,USA	StoreInventory
	LEGO Star Wars UCS Death Star, 10188, New, Sealed, (Ultimate,Collector,Series)	$499.99+$0.00 $499.99	eschdaddy (100.0% | 2151)	San Antonio,TX,USA	StoreInventory
	STAR WARS LEGO ~ DEATH STAR 10188	$499.99+$0.00 $499.99	outboardauctions (99.8% | 4361)	Hollywood,FL,USA	StoreInventory
	LEGO 10188 Star Wars DEATH STAR all minifigs included AUTHENTIC New SEALED	$549.00+$0.00 $549.00	julie3907 (100.0% | 3384)	Saint Cloud,MN,USA	StoreInventory
	LEGO Star Wars 10188 DEATH STAR 24 Minifigures NEW~SEALED~FAST SHIP	$549.00+$0.00 $549.00	julie3907 (100.0% | 3384)	Saint Cloud,MN,USA	StoreInventory

[oneknightr]

Just FYI, 60052 went from sold out to in stock early this year.  It does happen.

I believe that was due to a temporary shortage of tracks.

[jay4e]

Just FYI, 60052 went from sold out to in stock early this year.  It does happen.

I believe 60052 happened before they started using the "temporarily out of stock" tags?  Based on PS, SW and SH going TOOS, I am thinking sold out likely means they are done.  not they cant find some extra stock, but i think the final nail has been put in the production coffin on this one.  Unless they really are just screwing with us...

[dcdfan]

I'm not trying to stir the pot, I just see 10188 more as a long term savings account rather than get rich quick transaction...

[mfortunek]

I'm new to the forums (and this site in general), so indulge me.  

Am I correct that prior to the release of 10188 back in 2008, nobody (not a single one of us) had yet experienced the profiteering opportunities that were forthcoming in Lego investing? (see e.g. 10182 released in 2007, 10185 and 10189 released in 2008, 10196 released in 2009).  

Yes, the 10179 was already out when the Death Star hit shelves, but nobody had flipped one for a profit (any profit worth mentioning).  At least not yet.

So during the massive lifespan of the 10188 (2008 to 2015), we have learned all that we currently know about this "hobby." Yes I called it a hobby; I know there are many who do not pursue this endeavor for recreation or pleasure, but rather as an occupation. I am not among that group, so I'm calling it a hobby.

When the 10188 arrived, we knew nothing (Jon Snow). Nothing of what UCS or exclusives or modulars would come to be, nothing of how to size up a set for investment potential, nothing of what AFOLs would come to want, and nothing of the emergence of future AFOLs and their eventual emergence from the dark ages.  

When the 10188 left us (yesterday) look at all we now know.  Everything that any of us really know about this hobby (there's that word again) has been learned while the Death Star sat there on the shelves, watching us. All we have done, all the sales and massive boons and missed guesses.... it has all occurred as the DS looked on, watching us scramble and lament and speculate and celebrate. Falcons and Carousels and Grocers and Mughal palaces and so much more have all come and gone during the life of the DS.

The 10188 is the only set that has remained available during all this time; it is the only product we have been able to change our minds about (sometimes over and over again, back and forth, yes and no, buy more or abandon what I have). All the while it sat there at $399, any time we wanted it.

How many DS have been sold in the past 28 hours?  Hundreds upon hundreds.  And how many of those have been purchased by someone who didn't know SAH had just flipped it over to "Sold Out?" My guess is about 3 total Death Stars.  Every one of the others that has been purchased since yesterday at dawn was purchased by a person who knew of the 10188's new status at Lego.com.

So what does all this mean?  What's the point, newbie?

The point is that anybody hoarding Death Stars and hoping for massive future profits is going to end up very happy.  Why? Because you now control the entire market. The bloggers on this site probably hold 90% or more of all 10188s purposely being held for future sale.  You command the product, you command the price.  You have formed a monopolistic association.  

But isn't that true of all high-end exclusives that have gone EOL over the past several years?  Yes and no. Not to this extent, not even close. I'd guess 80% of people who bought the 10179 bought it because they thought it was cool as hell. 80% of DS sales have been for future profit.

Therefore, I think the 10188 has the greatest future potential of any Lego set ever produced.  Yes, that includes the 10179.  

So how many do I own in my collection, hoarded away in pristine SAH boxes, all lined up side by side in the storage room?

None. It just looked kinda clunky so I passed.

 

 

 

[Ed Mack]

Based on the history of almost EVERY Lego remake...

Only if the remake is better.  Some are not.

[labfreak7]

I think it's a bit naive to put out an estimate of 3 amongst the millions of people in this great country of ours. People make the mistake of thinking that thousands of resellers outnumber the vast majority of American Star Wars and Lego fans out there. Undoubtedly we helped put this baby to bed, but to say that we bought them all.... I don't think so.

This set is too expensive to be massively hoarded by the masses.

[Ed Mack]

I'm not trying to stir the pot, I just see 10188 more as a long term savings account rather than get rich quick transaction...

Maybe not...You still have months to go before the most hyped movie of all time and the uber popular 10188 has just gone poof.  It just happens to be XMAS as well.  There will be some money to be made for flippers if this set retires in the US now.  

[trekgate502]

Only if the remake is better.  Some are not.

Sir from your comments lately you almost sound like you are dealing in absolutes.

Only a sith deals in absolutes.

lol

[tacsniper]

This set is too expensive to be massively hoarded by the masses.

I agree. Most resellers here probably spend majority of their capital on $250 or under sets. A few hundred of using hoarding 2-10 sets cant be compared to hundreds of us hoarding 10+ Red5, PS, PC, R2D2 etc.