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Personally, I try to buy him sets that are on sale. My son Max is 5.5 years old and is very smart and creative. That being said, he is also very destructive and completed LEGO sets do not last long in my house. He loves Hero Factory, Bionicle, STAR WARS and Chima sets, but especially the action figure like Hero Factory and Bionicle. Every kid is different and if your son is the type that takes care of his toys, then buy him the large sets. Mad Max on the other hand gets sets that can be ripped apart and put back together like some messed up Toy Story character. I won't waste my money on large sets. Those are for Daddy. LOL

Answered an add on Kijiji yesterday. Managed to purchase the following: Haunted House..$200 Town Hall...$200 Fire Brigade..$200 Pet Shop..$200 Winter Village Cottage..$100 Winter Village Market..$100 All brand new, unopened sealed boxes. She even through in a hotdog cart, and a Christmas promo set!

Anyone who sells on eBay offers returns. If someone buys something from you, and forces the issue, eBay will either make you return the item or make you refund the buyer and allow them to keep the item. So you may as well offer returns get the fee discount.

I have always accepted returns. If a buyer wants to scam you they will do so with or without a return policy. A buyer can very easily play the eBay system to force you to refund money. At my peak I was selling around $4k a month on eBay (very little Lego) over a couple hundred transactions, the returns averaged 1-2 a month or about 1% of sales. By not accepting returns you are most certainly impacted your sales in a negative way. Top Rated sellers also receive better search rankings. This is perhaps the most valuable benefit depending on what you sell.

This is a first for me: Found this in the Lego aisle today... My son and I looked at it more closely. It looked like Kai's head was there, and the bad guy's head-gear, but no legs, no torsos... other parts missing as well. I found a hourly schlep looking like he was killing time in the toy department, and showed it to him. I explained that my son and I are "experts" and we can tell that this bag is missing LOTS of parts... if anyone were unlucky enough to buy it, they'd be very disappointed... you really should remove this from the shelf. He took it from me. Didn't say a word. Looked like he was going to wait until I left the area, so he could put it back on the shelf ...

Is TRU hiring from a hobo camp? Good grief. I'm rather jealous though. Those padded envelopes are great for shipping polybags and boy can I recycle packaging like a mofo.

Are you saying people actually buy Lego for their kids?!?!?!

I'll give my son whatever doesn't sell. Capitalism, it's the American way.

I also read a lot of comments that describe it as "the poster I had when I was a kid" so I think LEGO, to a degree, is banking on the popularity of Ferrari to make this set popular despite it's shortcomings. At the price point, people just simply aren't expecting more. But when I compare it with where Creator models have gone since the Beetle... I have no problem with the T1 being a blocky ugly thing... it is in real life and the LEGO model captures it wonderfully. The mini cooper is a "cute" car and LEGO captured the lines of the real thing with very good precision. But the F40 is a SUPERCAR and this model just plain sucks when you consider what the F40 meant to the world of SUPERCARs. This model misses the mark in so many ways but especially in the hood lines, the studs near the rear A pillars and the overall squareness of the rear end. The real thing is just smoother... <full disclaimer: I was also a Lamborghini Countach fan and had a poster of a lambo and SR-71A Blackbird on my walls as a kid :)>

I had no interest in this theme until I saw the ferris wheel at the lego store today. It looks incredible! On the lookout for both now.

I have 1 that I got used on CL for $50, I really just wanted the book. I am unsure of this sets prospects and am focusing my limited resources elsewhere. So, yeah, it will probably be the next TH in terms of explosive growth. At the very least this set paid my mortgage one month two Christmases ago.

I have every architecture set (minus MBS since it was never mass produced - maybe one day). I plan on keeping up with the simpsons sets, and with nine Star Wars USC sets - it may be awhile before I lay my hands on all of them. I seem just when I'm about to invest in an old set a new one comes out that I gotta get. I think I'll start going for all the ideas sets as well.

The funny thing was that she was also selling a $100 bucket of mixed Lego for $600 yet she underestimated the sealed sets.

You know, I recently gave a ride to a European tourist and videotaped him as we drove. He asked me the same question: "Niko, how do you keep your hair so beautiful? What conditioner are you using?" I responded: "When I choose a conditioner, I don't ask what the conditioner can do for me. I ask what I can do for the conditioner". The tourist then said "I think this is my hotel, please let me out of the car".

Wow, that's a very recent PS run, guess that set still has some life yet. R5 from early this month delivered yesterday. Niko, I've been meaning to ask, my hair gets destroyed by wind, sun, and salt on a daily basis. What conditioner do you recommend?

I just started selling in earnest on ebay about 8 months ago. I worried about scammers too, but have to agree with meows... a scammer will scam you with or without a return policy. So I've always offered returns, have always described any box damage honestly, have always packed things very well, have always tried to ship quickly, and have done about 100 sales - about $4000 - have never had a return request.

Lego is very minimal returns. Out of 6000 sold sets the last 9 months only 4 returned. 2 were just because it came available at shop at home cheaper and were never opened and 2 were small $20 sets that got crushed. Its worth the discount and eventually will probably be mandatory anyways.

Now that I received all Hobbit sets I ordered during the sale I compared the production codes. Unfortunately, I didn't buy 79017 TBotFA so I cannot have a look at its' production code. 79012 MEA: 16S5 (set released in 2013)79014 DGB: 18S5 (set released in 2013)79015 W-kB: 17S579016 AoL-t: 35S4 (!)79018 TLM: 05S5This makes me wonder if that 79016 set was still from the initial production run. It was also available far longer than any other Hobbit set during the sale. 79018 probably wasn't the hottest seller at RRP either. Maybe the sales of the latest Hobbit wave didn't live up to TLG's expectations so they retired the theme earlier than planned. Just a thought.

To me it is not worthwhile. Sure it might go up but compared to what? I had some of the lambos and they were great designs. Just recently did they start going up. The old enzo technic is awesome. This set sucks. They blew it plain and simple. The good news is there are plenty of great investment alternatives.

Although I am personally quite disappointed about this set. I suspect it will do good after retirement after all. Mainly cause currently there is no other Ferrari available from Lego. Important is that you can buy-in at a good discount and shelf-life does not pass the two years.

Discounts, coupons and sales. That is the way to go. HE has his eye on the Helicarrier and that is of a concern as I have none and I don't anticipating getting a good deal. This is the first time he focused on a big exclusive and really wants it. Mind you he is thirteen so this isn't a shock that it happen. But my normally approach is a big set at 50% - For his last birthday he got Jabba's Sail Barge and it cost me $63. So it is hard making the jump to a $350 set. IF his grades suck - it will be harder to make the jump (and if I do make it the wife is going to KIIIILLLLLLLL ME!!!!!) DEAD

LOTR, Hobbit, Simpson - those are the three. But I don't count poly bags. Too many weird polybags out there to get. Also, don't worry about the crazy comic con ones off that exist but I can't get out of retail. Thinking the Lego move next as I have the Cow, Spaceship and police drop thingee doo. Whatever they call it.

Perhaps. Good for anyone if they were able.

Disclaimer: I am a collector first and foremost, who occasionally dabbles in resale to make ends meet. I buy sets at probably a 9:1 personal collection vs. investment collection ratio. I'm the droid you're looking for when you list retired sets for well over RRP on Ebay. Currently I'm working on picking up sets from the following lines, with my ultimate goal to own the entire series of each when I'm done: Modular buildings, Architecture, Creator model buildings, Winter Village, The Lego Movie, all the major pirate ships since the 80's, Advanced models, large exclusives post-2011.

IMO there are two major gift giving "times" for a parent. Birthdays and Christmas. The first is the easy one as the wants and desires are pretty steady in the "what are they into" category. Christmas is a whole different beast altogether. Kids are flooded with toy ideas, new sets, new theme releases etc etc. This might explain why the kids change their minds till the last minute. That being said, I typically shop for deals all year and have a stash on hand that is the "for the kids" pile. It sits next to my investment pile and both are under lock and key. I pull from this pile for birthdays if needed for my boys and other kids. Nothing like being the parent that gave one of my kids classmates their first lego set. ;-) Christmas is a last minute full price deal. For instance my youngest got the Chima Mamoth set and my oldest the SW pod racer set. It's ok to spend msrp on a LEGO set every once in a while and Christmas is the time to do it.

Winter Village Sets

My 5 year old gets smaller sets. She's smashed every set that she put together and only tends to want to play with the minifigures. So, I am contemplating just going that route for the majority of her LEGO purchases for now. Oh yeah, and Mixels. I just got my 3 year old a Phantom, and only gave her the Chopper and Ezra Minifigures as well as 2 Minifigure books for her birthday.

My nephew's and niece are LEGO spoiled. I buy them way too many sets. I buy them the sets I want to play with...:)

I am working on completing LOTR/Hobbit sets. I would like to start Architecture, Monster Fighters and Scooby Doo. I am interested in Star Wars but only movies 4-5-6.

My son just turned 7, and I asked myself this question a while ago. At first, I answered it "Coupons, points and discounts are for investing... I want maximum returns on my investments. Toys for my kid will just cost what they cost." But then I realized... that's not smart. We're paying taxes on our profits, so really the smart move is to take those VIP points, and discounts for your family (tax free windfall). So... hypothetical... if you want to buy 2 identical sets - 1 for your son, and 1 as an investment - and you only have 1 coupon for 25% off... you use it to buy the one for your son... pay "full price" for your investment to have maximum cost, minimum taxable profit. Like biking_tiger said... Kids' "wants" change rapidly. My son will talk all summer and fall about getting sets "A, B and C" for Christmas. I'll keep my eyes open, pick them up here and there when I can find a great deal... then December 15th or so... he scrap that list, and issue new "demands", and I end up scrambling to find those most sought after sets, right before Christmas... and then need to sell those others I bought him! Now... when considering set "A, B or C" I always keep in my mind that I need to get it for a good price, because I may have to sell it.

I make the kids wait for sales or a deal. Occasionally, especially at LEGO Store, I'll buy something under $50 or up to the promo level for him and I.

These are general fluff articles for magazines and blog sites to fill up some space with some different content. To a true collector and builder of LEGO sets, this set underwhelms. It could have been great, but LEGO chose to keep it reasonably priced and to scale with the other Creator vehicles. Most of the positive comments I read were about the price, which is the last thing that I care about honestly. I want a kick ass set first, that is accurate and not hacked up. This set is too small to accurately replicate the curves and lines of a Ferrari. Another $30-$40 and another 400-500 pieces could have made all the difference in the world.

EU sale status as of this morning, I may not have captured every single set and i've not include keychains and similar low price items, but hopefully it's the majority. Question of course if the sold outs and Call to check move to retired. 70728 Battle for Ninjago City Retired product 70727 X-1 Ninja Charger Retired product 70726 Destructoid Retired product 70147 Sir Fangar’s Ice Fortress Retired product 70145 Maula’s Ice Mammoth Stomper Call to check product availability 70144 Laval’s Fire Lion Call to check product availability 70223 Icebite’s Claw Driller Call to check product availability 70135 Cragger’s Fire Striker Call to check product availability 70143 Sir Fangar’s Saber-tooth Walker Call to check product availability 70142 Eris’ Fire Eagle Flyer Call to check product availability 70141 Vardy’s Ice Vulture Glider Call to check product availability 31021 Furry Creatures Sold Out 60044 Mobile Police Unit Sale Available Now 60012 4x4 & Diving Boat Call to check product availability 60011 Surfer Rescue Call to check product availability 60014 Coast Guard Patrol Sold Out 76016 Spider-Helicopter Rescue Sold Out 76022 X-Men™ vs. The Sentinel™ Sold Out 75050 B-Wing™ Call to check product availability 76021 The Milano Spaceship Rescue Retired product 76019 Starblaster Showdown Retired product 76014 Spider-Trike vs. Electro Retired product 76003 Superman™: Battle of Smallville Retired product 70816 Benny's Spaceship, Spaceship, SPA… Sold Out 70815 Super Secret Police Dropship Sold Out 70814 Emmet’s Construct-o-Mech Sold out 70808 Super Cycle Chase Call to check product availability 70807 MetalBeard's Duel Sold Out 70819 Bad Cop Car Chase Sold Out 70806 Castle Cavalry Call to check product availability 70805 Trash Chomper Sold Out 70804 Ice Cream Machine Call to check product availability 70803 Cloud Cuckoo Palace Sold Out 70801 Melting Room Call to check product availability 70800 Getaway Glider Sold Out 79018 The Lonely Mountain Retired product 79015 Witch-king Battle Retired product 79017 The Battle of Five Armies™ Retired product 79016 Attack on Lake-town Retired product 70168 Drillex Diamond Job Sale Available Now 70164 Hurricane Heist Sale Available Now 70169 Agent Stealth Patrol Call to check product availability 70166 Spyclops Infiltration Call to check product availability 70163 Toxikita's Toxic Meltdown Call to check product availability 70162 Infearno Interception Call to check product availability 70161 Tremor Track Infiltration Call to check product availability 70167 Invizable Gold Getaway Call to check product availability 70160 Riverside Raid Call to check product availability 70170 UltraCopter vs. AntiMatter Sold Out 70165 Ultra Agents Mission HQ Sold Out

We're dumping the kids at grandma's house this afternoon. I'm not saying anything else, though.

My wife called me the other day and said she got an email with a 25% off coupon for Legoland (California). I was busy at work, so I couldn't grill her for details. But my mind immediately jumped to "dang! What exclusives do I want to pick up?" Thoughts of $300 DSs danced through my head (among other sets that I would be carry back to the car). About an hour later, I call her back, and she breaks the news to me - it's 25% off a ROOM at the Legoland Hotel! Don't toy with me like that woman!

Greg- awesome, fair/balanced perspective on the realities of TLG's approach to the Ideas line. As much as we'd all love the larger, sexier sets to happen there are enormous realities that TLG has to assess in manufacturing and marketing these sets. In the meantime, I'm just grateful they gave fans a voice and avenue to potentially have their sets mass-produced. Very cool of TLG to do this at all. Cory- great point on hoping Ideas sets get larger and more challenging. If you want a very legitimate Lego "challenge"... you may give the Technic Volvo L350F a look. It is an absolute beast to assemble and as difficult a build as our household has ever attempted.

Maybe he's complaining that you're complaining? Jokes aside, you're not alone in wishing LEGO would product a giant IDEAS set rather than the little piddle stuff they've been pumping out, but not many around these parts believe it will ever happen for many reasons... my #1 being that they're going to limit how much exposure non-LEGO designers get and limit how much royalties get paid out by only producing smallish sets.

Who said you can't mix themes? When Themes Collide by Paddy Bricksplitter

Finally got around to using some of my bricklinked dark grey slopes. Built a new modification for my 9474 MOC today, bridging the tower and keep modules together. Next up, the right side mountains....

Erebor MOC Sorry if this has been posted already, but worth a look if you haven't seen it. Absolutely insane build

Teslatown by 2 Much Caffeine

>Ferris wheel by RedCoKid