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This is a discussion that affects every single person who logs onto our site, whether you are just curious about the value of your collection or a hard core reseller. The vast majority of members are concerned with the value of their LEGO collection. To restrict quality discussion among an elite few would not be in the best interest of the site IMO. StarBrickCity brought this point up previously and while it has some merit, there are more negatives than positives in my view. This site accepts all sorts of LEGO fans and to make a special section for a select few could upset the rest of the members. A topic like this needs to be discussed by all members, because it can affect all members. Glad Ed came in to squash this horrid idea. If this place became a "paid" site, I'd be done here. Not that the big spenders would care, but there are a few of us who remain "small time" for a reason - in my case I invest in many other things and like to diversify, which is why you won't ever see me buying 50 funhouses, though I have the money to do so. I don't necessarily agree with Diabolos in that your buying power should be limited - hell I don't really care because I'll figure something else out, I've been doing that and doing it well for the past 15 years. But I feel that this is moving in a direction of many of the larger investors simply "assuming" that the rest of us are dealing in chump change and that they should be reserved some sort of golden mecca of topic discussion. Further, I feel like that would take this site in a direction different than what the Mack's vision for this place was. I don't want to speak for the teeny-boppers who frequent this site, but kids like Comicblast and Darth Lego have learned alot about not only investing, but life in general from listening to the advice of some of the big dogs around here. I think that's something you guys should be proud of...seriously. Do you really want to throw up walls and leave those kids out to talk in private? Is it that big of a deal? Those guys are learning alot from you, and if we could get more kids to learn to be fiscally responsible and smart like they are, we probably wouldn't have the problems with welfare and other government assistance that we do. This next generation needs the mentorship that YOU can provide. Just my two cents.

Several LEGO fan websites are reporting a new Hobbit set called The Lake Town Chase. The set will retail for $49.99 with 334 pieces, and 5 minifigures: Bilbo Baggins, Thorin, Bard, the Master of Lake Town, and one guard. It's a very nice little set, but it has a high price tag for the amount of pieces that are included. Never the less, I'll be picking it up eventually. Scheduled release is December 2013! Personally, I'm not that impressed by the set, as it is pretty barren looking, and doesn't have too much "filling". Oh well.

You might have misunderstood me. I'm not saying any such thing, nor am I saying that I have any great wisdom that you need. I never said there should be a "special" forum for anyone, and I certainly wouldn't participate in it if there was one...I said the community has to decide what kind of community it wants to be. For the record, I don't know how you'd vet who gets to be in the "special" forum, so the idea is DOA to me. But your reply is exactly what bothers me about this site. You haven't taken the time to comprehend what I'm actually saying. There is an old Chinese proverb that basically says "give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day, teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." With few exceptions, when people have asked me things on this site it has been of the "give me a fish" variety. In other words, I've been asked "tell me what product to buy and where to buy it and when to sell it", along with a host of other questions that I likely don't know the specific answers to. That's basically begging and it's not what I want to do nor do I want to encourage it. I'd rather be on not only the teaching people to fish side of things, but also like to learn from others what they know about fishing. There are a lot of guys here who know a ton of stuff, and I've definitely benefitted. Their voices are often overwhelmed by those who know very little. It's a simple choice regarding the type of community I want to be a part of, and I'm not saying I'm better than you or that I have some great wealth of knowledge that you need, and that I'm going to withhold it from you.

It's too bad you feel this way. I have always valued your posts and could count on an intelligent reply. To be quite honest, I'm disappointed in your stance on this matter. I have heard many intelligent and informative members say they just "lurk" for fear of the mentally challenged on the forums. There is an old saying... The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke Well, let me convert this to something that is related to any social forum... The only thing necessary for the triumph of forum spammers and spazzes is for intelligent men to "lurk." See my point? With all due respect, the only way to make a forum better is having the intelligent members participate in discussions. By lurking and purposely withholding your views, you are no better than the "oh-cool-I-can-make-money-with-LEGO" people you complain about. They offer nothing and neither do you.

This has been a great thread. Really great reading until I got to this post. I think you are a very good poster on this site, but in my opinion you come off quite bad here. Basically you are saying that your words are better than everyone else's so now we all need to suffer because you are not going to share you great wisdom. I think that sets a horrible example and probably quite the opposite of what the owners of the site want here. So you are saying that there should be a "special" forum for people like you and that you guys will pay for this. How many will be in there, maybe 5. That's a real great idea (rolling eyes)...

If anyone who wanted them could buy 50 of anything, I'd find something else to resell. If you think buying limits are a bust on your market, you might have a blemished understanding of supply and demand. Not to say the market won't sustain the supply; obviously the demand for Lego is high. But do you really want 200 sellers with 50 funhouses each all trying to move them on ebay? As big as it is, Lego reselling is a niche market, and buying limits (and bans) help to spread the field, which makes it easier for 500 of us to make $50 instead of of 50 of us making $500. Make sense? To the point, I like when you big dogs get flagged because I'm small-time. And any sane big dog would also cheer a rival dog getting clipped. Not trying to rub your nose in it (heh), but it's fair. Another reason limits are good for our market is even better: Limits limit the amount of product Lego produces. 50 fewer sets you buy is 50 fewer sets Lego makes is 50 fewer sets. Think your funhouse will be worth a 100% ROI in two years if investors extended the production run 50 sets at a time? What if every 50 sets Lego sold to another investor resulted in a 2% loss on your ROI? What if 20 investors bought 50 sets each? Say goodbye to 40% of your ROI. (Please don't analyze the exact numbers, you're focusing on the wrong part of the story.) And consider that maybe Lego just doesn't want you telling kids and parents that a $40 set from the Lego shop is worth $60 from you. Especially if they only plan on making 100 of them and you want half. Finally, Deez. Why were you buying 50 funhouses at full retail in the first place? The third rule of BrickPicker is: Never pay full retail B)

If resellers made up 10% of Lego sales, that would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $300 - $400 million in 2012. Do you really think that there are that many sets being set aside for resale? I would be surprised if resellers accounted for more than 1% of TLG's sales in any given year...that would be $30 - $40 million in sets put away for resale. How much do you think the average reseller spends in a given year on Lego? I know there may be a perception that there are resellers on every corner, but there really aren't. They may be a lot of hobby resellers who stick a few sets away on the hope that they'll strike gold, but there aren't that many who are spending enough to make resellers a large percentage of TLG's sales.

I think we need to keep in mind that Lego is a business, and a very successful large one. They don't make these kind of decisions and policy changes without good reason, with the goal of maximising profits. Literally every decision they make boils down to how can we make more money. I can think of a few reasons Lego would want to restrict sales to resellers. A "sale is a sale, and you'd think they would be happy" doesn't really hold true. This is because all sales are not equal in terms of profitability. Large volumes purchased in a cheaper market (mainly the US) and sold by resellers via Ebay or other market places to international customers can impact the potential profits for Lego. This is because Lego charge far more in some of those other countries and have excellent margins. This means the resellers cannibalise some of the demand in those markets. Lego want to control distribution chains to final customers as much as possible in order to squeeze every cent out of the system. There is also the reputation and brand image aspects that some potentially dodgy resellers can bring, they want to control the customers sale experience.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. It's a different way to look at things and I'm open to that. Perhaps I just need a quick break. Nothing I've mentioned here is unique to this site. To some extent all forums experience this, and they continue to change over time. The key I think is that every stakeholder, and we all are stakeholders, need to get something of value out of the site. When the negative overwhelms the value, that's when people start seeking alternatives. Now, to get this back on topic: If you are going to order from LEGO Shop at Home, even if you haven't been banned, mask your IP and MAC addresses. Have multiple accounts that really are "unique". Also, I can pretty much tell you exactly how they're identifying who's a reseller and who's not. It most likely has nothing to do with specific number of sets ordered. What they are doing is looking at your zip code and comparing your purchases to an average buyer from that same area. They allow a certain amount of variance, but if the dollar amount of your purchases are off the charts, your account is showing up on a report that someone reviews, and then makes a decision about whether or not to ban you. They could be using zip code or some other kind of geographic identifier, it really doesn't matter..they are profiling you and comparing what you do to what an average customer like you does. We buy from all kinds of places, and I can tell you that TLG is not the only company that does this. I'm in North Carolina right now about to fly home. There is a company here that I work very closely with. There's a person that works at that company that I've turned onto buying and selling some things, and she's kind of eased into it. Except, the other day she decided to buy 20 of something (not from LEGO) and her account was immediately flagged as being a reseller and the order canceled. She's a smart person, but she just wasn't thinking clearly. So yeah, the people out buying 10, 20, 50 whatever sets over a short period of time, even across different transactions are going to look suspicious. You have to be much much smarter than people are generally being about this stuff if you are going to buy significant amounts online, whether it's LEGO, Target, Amazon, whatever. There's ways around all of these reseller flagging things, you just have to think through your process and never once vary from what you're doing.

I approved it. Any blog article that gets edited after its approved and live will go back in to draft mode and we will need to publish it again.

Just came back from Target with 3 Orc Forges and 2 Daily Bugles as well, same pricing. Also picked up a few more MF 9464 at around ~24. EDIT - Also turned down a few good boxed VC at 85, 15% doesn't seem good enough when I already have a half dozen or so that I got at better pricing.

Really glad you had a great time. You chose wisely with Ann Sather - hopefully you tried the Cinnamon Rolls!

And I appreciate quite a bit, from quite a few people here as well, including you. I just feel like there's an element here that's very disrespectful at times, and the net result for me has often been a form of self-induced frustration, rather than a feeling that I'm actually helping anyone. I think as a community BP will have to make some decisions. Two that come to mind are 1) Do we want to be 911 for everyone who doesn't understand eBay jumps in (vs. being willingto be helpful before people get involved, which I think is the right place to be), and 2) Should all the random whining that adds no value be allowed to continue?...I'm referring specifically to the threads we see complaining about TRU, eBay, PayPal, etc...

BOOOOO! I like reading your stuff. Certainly our loss...

Nah. If a stock crashes I am left with nothing. If Lego crashes I have an army of Batmen fighting an army of Joker clones in one massive sadistic funhouse :D

I hope the "paid site / free site" topic doesn't hijack what is a very critical topic. That being said, I hate the idea. If we only look to those at or above our level how will we ever learn from those with fresh ideas who are new to the game? If someone want to have their own reindeer games go start your own site and I'm sure you'll attract those who share your sentiment. Ed and Jeff clearly don't feel that's how they want this site to work so we just have to accept there will be plenty of noobs to match with the pros. This is a community that has fought itself for too long and it's because of that behavior that we don't have a voice. Ed and Jeff give us that voice more than any other site. Sure I subscribe to FTBT, ToysNBricks, HothBricks, etc but those are far more on the fan side of the spectrum. I was on board with Jeff and Ed from day one because they get "us". They understand business and the business of Lego reselling. Now any of you that honestly think you're not one of the hated resellers because you call yourself an investor is dillusional. We're not welcome either way. It's all business one way or another and whether there's people like me who pay taxes on it and have a corporation to do it through or some stay at home dad who's staying just under the IRS limit for reportable income it doesn't matter. We all do the same thing; we look for deals, we buy them up, and we wait until they appreciate before selling. So if one group here thinks they're better than the other please take a step back and look at what we need to do as a collective group to make things better for everyone. Pointing fingers doesn't help. I can take responsiblity for the holes I put in a stores shelf, can you?

I think if some people want to deprive the rest of the members of knowledge through a paid site, those people should be deprived of the knowledge shared on the free half. Just because I don't drop 2 grand a month doesn't mean I'm not hip to the game. Believe it.

Minifigures...Up close and personal. I zoomed up as much as possible. They really do look different now. The guard has some nice details on him!

This is a discussion that affects every single person who logs onto our site, whether you are just curious about the value of your collection or a hard core reseller. The vast majority of members are concerned with the value of their LEGO collection. To restrict quality discussion among an elite few would not be in the best interest of the site IMO. StarBrickCity brought this point up previously and while it has some merit, there are more negatives than positives in my view. This site accepts all sorts of LEGO fans and to make a special section for a select few could upset the rest of the members. A topic like this needs to be discussed by all members, because it can affect all members.

Couldn't agree more! Feels great when things just flow from one good thing to the next. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GL6LH6ufhM

Sure... just for having a different opinion = trolling... way to go for a mod.

Man where are you at? All of MF line has been sold out at all my targets for ages.

Many of your points make sense, but there is more to it than meets the eye. I think that TLG is putting out a warning shot to many big time resellers, or those who purchase a large amount from LEGO S@H. On many levels, it is a sort of discrimination and doesn't make a lot of sense from a dollars and cents perspective, but obviously, there must be enough complaints or data that says different. Just like I know what affects my business, LEGO knows what affects theirs. Obviously, they are willing to sacrifice a few for the greater good. The question is, what is the true LEGO definition and of a reseller and what are the limits that trigger the ban?

If I ever get an email like this from LEGO I will kindly advise them that if I was a reseller, I most definitely would not be buying from S@H since most everything they sell is available through other channels for way cheaper. Wouldnt help my cause much but its pretty much true.

UCS Dragon to co-incidence with Movie 3 anyone?

100% agree but by the same token, I don't think they should be messing with people who are buying within their set limits.

It was driving me crazy but I finally found THE announcement on the official USPS site. I am bookmarking it now, maybe I'll be able to find it faster next time!! http://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2013/pb22365/html/updt_001.htm

Excellent point. Resellers affecting international sales could be a major issue at play. That being said, the LEGO reseller also gives LEGO fans from around the world, without access to a LEGO store, Target or Walmart, the ability to buy a set. This is a valuable service that helps LEGO increase their fanbase.

FBTB is also reporting that the Azog Hobbit minifigure is being randomly given away, not even at the LEGO booth.

You are lucky I feel like being helpful right now . Sets with Darth Maul in them (only retired sets): 7961-1: DARTH MAUL'S SITH INFILTRATOR - 2011 9509-1: STAR WARS ADVENT CALENDAR (Santa Darth Maul) - 2012 852551-1: MAGNET SET DARTH MAUL 2009 (Magnet) - 2009 3340-1: EMPEROR PALPATINE, DARTH MAUL AND DARTH VADER MINIFIG PACK - STAR WARS #1 - 2000 7101-1: LIGHTSABER DUEL - 1999 7151-1: SITH INFILTRATOR - 1999 7663-1: SITH INFILTRATOR - 2007 5000062-1: DARTH MAUL - 2012 Unretired Sets with Darth Maul: 75022-1: MANDALORIAN SPEEDER - Robotic Legs The current Darth Maul isn't exactly Darth Maul, since its really just half of him. It's the best we got right now though. Your best bet for a set with Darth Maul that looks normal and isn't Santa DM or a magnet is 7961-1: DARTH MAUL'S SITH INFILTRATOR. Luckily, this set is basically a flop since it hasn't got to its MSRP yet after retiring for 6 months.

Who knows exactly why they have decided to take this action, but I have represented companies who have taken similar actions and know some of the reasons that a company would do this. One of the main reasons is to exercise control over who is representing their products to consumers. I would suspect that many folks here would think that this is a stupid reason because TLG is making money off of every set sold to a reseller. However, if you've invested as much money and effort as TLG has to build one of the strongest toy brands in the world, you want to protect that brand and exercise control over the retail experience that your ultimate customer has when they purchase your product.

Which is much, much cooler....

mayor, did you just watch Les Miserables? Your mini-rant sounded very French Revolution to me... I have to disagree with a few of your assertions: 1. TLC will not get bad press from cracking down on resellers. 2. Boycotting Lego would be more damaging to resellers than to TLC. You're WAY overstating the number of resellers there are throughout the world. As Ed says, Lego sets are overwhelmingly bought for children. They fuel sales, not resellers. 3. TLC isn't going anywhere. They just posted their most profitable year OF ALL TIME, and there's no reason to think they will not maintain sales. Any idea what the largest toy store in the world is? You guessed it - Lego! Bigger than Hasbro, bigger than Mattel. There not going to vanish in 10 years. I get that you're trying to be proactive about this, but reseller boycotting would be akin to peeing in the ocean to get sea level to rise - reseller boycotting will not make any meaningful diference in their sales.

I have to disagree with this one. If a company is selling a product on thier site or in the mall and they have no restictions like ( limit 3 per customer ) like they do on their site for many sets, and i want to buy 50 to take to my local toy show thats my business. Once i buy it i can do whatever i want with it in reason, burn them, give them to charity, throw them away, sell them to my neighrbor, ect

I've been looking into this set a lot recently. It has gained 70% in the last year. If he's featured in one of the new films he will be a gold mine. Unless they release a new improved version that doesn't fall and break and die Anyways I just got 2. Hopefully my effect pays off

Thanks...I know that I can choose whether or not I read anything here, and I've made that choice many times. That's certainly not the issue. The issue I have is that I don't want to be associated with a community that behaves that way, or encourages that type of behavior. I know this is the Internet and it's largely the wild west, but some of the people that have posted some of the absurd nonsense we see from time-to-time really need to have their heads checked. Just to be clear, I don't think that this is from lack of policing from the Macks, or that they should even set or attempt to enforce any policy around this behavior. This is largely something the community has to decide to do on its own.

It was explained to me that their computer system had now been updated to flag (in addition to having a clipboard with local names on it) what they called

Hi, these subjects have been discussed before - take a look through the forum or just do a search

It was explained to me that their computer system had now been updated to flag (in addition to having a clipboard with local names on it) what they called

Yes I mean the spinoffs which I really think they will do. And yes my phone autocorrect to effect :p

I'm mostly not interested in participating in the forum discussions any longer, hence my recent absence. I feel like there are too many people here looking for knowledge that aren't necessarily willing to share the same in return, or don't have it to share in return. I might change my mind in the future, most likely when some of the "oh-cool-I-can-make-money-with-LEGO people" are shook out of the market through incompetence. I'm certain that sounds arrogant, but it reflects exactly how I feel. For the time being I'm going to lurk. That aside, this is a good discussion, and I've enjoyed following it, and I want to add two things to this discussion. First, I think a paid aspect to this site is a really bad idea. If ability to pay for the membership is the criteria, that in no way ensures that the people paying will have a mature discussion, or will have knowledge that is worth paying for. Second, for those of you who are running into this ban, and think that simply using a new id, a new credit card, and a new address are all you need to do, you need to rethink that. Specially what I mean here is that if you're using the same computer/device they will know it's you. I'm about 100% certain TLG is tracking both IP and MAC address when you order from LEGO Shop at Home, and they will associate you with any previously banned accounts. You need to do something to mask those addresses if you want to use the same computer or device to order from LEGO Shop at Home. There are a couple of guys here who know what a MAC address is, but for those of you who don't, it's basically a unique identifier for a network interface, usually assigned by the manufacturer of the network controller. You need to mask both IP and MAC address or they will ban you again. There is software readily available that will do this, or you can just ensure that you use a completely different device for each account. This is a workaround that you really need to consider, or else all of your efforts to get a new id, credit card, address, etc.. will be fruitless.