hanzocloud Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 (edited) All Aussies would be familiar with this word "Borders" bookstore hawhawhawhaw. I sense in the near future same will happen to LEGO as more and more people are turning to the internet and purchasing from USA/overseas due to our strong dollar and competitive prices from overseas, local retailers can no longer compete thanks to the lovely internet. Edited June 4, 2011 by hanzocloud
Lego Love Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 (edited) Regarding the price differences here is some interesting info. The Death Star is $399 US and $699 here. With conversions it's close to twice the price here. However in Denmark the price is only $80 AUD less than here. Which isn't a huge difference. So the US is indeed below the other countries as explained previously. But here is the kicker. A reliable source has told me that the cost to make the set is only $180. So the markup in the US is more 'fair' whereas here it's massively inflated. All Aussies would be familiar with this word "Borders" bookstore hawhawhawhaw. I sense in the near future same will happen to LEGO as more and more people are turning to the internet and purchasing from USA/overseas due to our strong dollar and competitive prices from overseas, local retailers can no longer compete thanks to the lovely internet. I think you are right. On that note there is this cheap sandwich place in Melbourne that sells stuff for $4 odd. Whereas all other places charge heaps more. The thing is they might make smaller profits but there is always a queue there. So they are probably generating a bigger revenue than other shops. The same might work for LEGO. Though of course, if you set the price lower then people get used to the lower price and even they seem excessive. But a least they all buy locally when they realize that the price is decent from a global perspective. Edited June 4, 2011 by Lego Love
dotmike Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 However in Denmark the price is only $80 AUD less than here. Which isn't a huge difference. I don't want to sound grumpy this cold Saturday morning, but if this interminable debate over how much we're being gouged by LEGO's pricing is going to continue (in a sales thread), then please at least read the previous posts. Denmark has a VAT tax rate of 25%. SA reliable source has told me that the cost to make the set is only $180. So the markup in the US is more 'fair' whereas here it's massively inflated. For actual production, $180 sounds like a figure pulled straight from the air. Once the machines are tooled up, a unit would cost astonishing little to produce. LEGO consists of varying grades of plastic, cardboard, and air. The real money is in the design, the branding, the reputation, marketing, transport, and what the market will bear for a luxury "art" product. Whatever it costs to manufacture, as long as they're making a profit after they've purchased the raw materials and paid the factory running costs, they can charge whatever the market will bear. Maybe that figure is some retailer's wholesale cost. Now please someone report on which Targets are selling the Pod Racer for $119 instead of $149, and whether Myer really has a sale going today in some departments (toys?).
dotmike Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 From a comment I saw in an OzBargain thread: all departments actually started discount today. Just went to Melbourne city today. So many people. it's possible that Myer Melbourne City have started the clearance sale early this weekend, but perhaps just the city Myer, not the suburban stores. I'm in Sydney and not in the city so can't confirm. But if anyone wants an early jump on their stock before other AFOLs clear it out with the cash they've been saving all year for these sales...
TheDarkness Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 Now please someone report on which Targets are selling the Pod Racer for $119 instead of $149, and whether Myer really has a sale going today in some departments (toys?). An earlier post said TRU had it at $119 too, but I don't have a store here to confirm. Might go for a venture down to Target later this arvo and see what the go is
Cadder Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 (edited) Target Helensvale (Gold Coast, QLD) were stocking the shelves this morning with all of these: 7965 Millennium Falcon ($249) 7964 Republic Frigate ($149, I think) 7962 Anakin & Sebulba's Podracers ($119) OK, This was my original post, yesterday, but I didn't have a cameraphone with me to confirm these and the prices were from memory because these are the sets that caught MY eye. I've been in again this morning, (oddly enough, still don't have a cameraphone) but the shelf prices are now in line with RRPs: $249, $199 and $149 respectively. In which case, I shall say either one of the following: (Pick whichever makes you feel best) (a) My bad, and apologies for getting everyone excited (b) in my defense, they *WERE* literally stocking the shelves when I saw them, so the price tickets I saw may not have BEEN for those sets or © They HAD made an error and corrected it. This may be partially align with the fact that Civic Bossman said: Also, Target Morley has the new Star Wars sets in: Millenium Falcon $249 Frigate $199 Pod Race $119 Ewoks $? Geonosis Fighter $? Dathomir Speeder $? Sith Infiltrator $? Also, the shelf-fillers obviously hadn't finished at the time... all the Falcons and Frigate sets today have those anti-theft disc thingies on them which they didn't yesterday. There may have been some price-tag swapsies as well? Can anyone please confirm Pod Racer price @ Target of $119? Confirmed or busted.. sorry. Edited June 4, 2011 by Cadder
Brickus Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 Went to my Local Toyworld today and saw the two winter sets, which I bought, and ALL the NEW Kingdoms sets.
Hewman Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 For those in Adelaide keen to get their hands on a Kingdoms windmill set, it's currently at Toyworld Marden for $110 ($10 below RRP). They also have the king's carriage set at $70 (RRP), Winter Bakery ($100, $5 above RRP I believe) and Winter Toy Shop ($120, $5 above RRP?). I can confirm my local (Newton) Target had all the Star Wars sets at RRP less 99 cents. The ewok set feels like the worst price to weight ratio ever.
dotmike Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 Confirmed or busted.. sorry. No problem, and thanks for checking! (It's very much appreciated when people here post their findings.) With the frequency of pricing screw-ups recently - eg, TRU with their POTC QAR at $128, Target with their POTC Cannibal Escape at $31.20 - it's always a possibility. And the key to taking advantage of it is to move quickly, as pretty soon the retailer wakes up.
hanzocloud Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 For those in Adelaide keen to get their hands on a Kingdoms windmill set, it's currently at Toyworld Marden for $110 ($10 below RRP). They also have the king's carriage set at $70 (RRP), Winter Bakery ($100, $5 above RRP I believe) and Winter Toy Shop ($120, $5 above RRP?). I can confirm my local (Newton) Target had all the Star Wars sets at RRP less 99 cents. The ewok set feels like the worst price to weight ratio ever. phew im glad i got my kingdoms windmill set for $80 including postage from bricklink weeks before it arrived on shelves in australia. that leaves me 30-40 bux to spend on other stuff hohoho =)
jonwil Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 Went past MYER perth today. No new sets and no sale yet. Plenty of stock of everything else though (including star wars, POTC and Cars)
Darth Draks Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 Myer has 25% off toys next week, hopefully they get some new star wars sets in.
lightningtiger Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 Myer has 25% off toys next week, hopefully they get some new star wars sets in. Oh, thank you for the information......Myers Rundle Mall have two flexi-track packs aside for me.....crap...only on hold too yesterday - Meh ! No sign of new SW sets at Target yet, again the eastern states get first call ! Brick On everyone !
jonwil Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 All Aussies would be familiar with this word "Borders" bookstore hawhawhawhaw. I sense in the near future same will happen to LEGO as more and more people are turning to the internet and purchasing from USA/overseas due to our strong dollar and competitive prices from overseas, local retailers can no longer compete thanks to the lovely internet. The difference here is that the major LEGO retailers (K-Mart, Target, Big W, MYER, David Jones, Toyworld and Toys R Us) are a lot more financially stable than the owners of Borders and Angus and Robertson were. Also, less people know about the options for buying LEGO online from overseas (Bricklink especially).
dotmike Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 Also, until 3D printers (the kind that can create solid objects) become a few orders of magnitude more sophisticated, LEGO is less likely to become a digitally purchased product, unlike books. (Amazon sells at least as many Kindle books as hardcovers, and other statistics that show where the pulped tree version is headed.) It'll be a sad day in the future when instead of busting open a beautifully illustrated cardboard box (whose cover art does not always match the contents, *cough* pearl gold *cough*), and hearing the snap of stiff plastic bags ripped open and the delicious tinkle of fresh bricks crash onto the table top, you instead fire up your printer and churn out the latest recipe of bricks you've purchased digitally...
Brickus Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 I also spotted the Hillside House ($88) and Lighthouse ($69?) Creator sets at Big W, I was almost tempted to buy the house at that price.
dotmike Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 (edited) I haven't really paid attention in the past (distraction of kids, etc), but with the big EOFY clearance sales, do they get progressively better as time goes on? That is, do they start off with the 20%-25% discounts, clear some stock, then discount further as June 30 approaches? Or have the retailers pretty much already decided the lowest prices they'll discount to, and not go below that, even if the object is to clear as much as they can before the beancounters arrive? I'm suppose I'm asking is it worthwhile to spend big as soon as the sales start, or to hold out until the end for "real bargains"? I also spotted the Hillside House ($88) and Lighthouse ($69?) Creator sets at Big W, I was almost tempted to buy the house at that price. I think I saw over on a blog that these sets had been seen in a David Jones, who currently have a 20% sale running. So you could get get the Lighthouse for $56 and Hillside House for $80 today if you were near a DJs who had them. Or of course wait until Wednesday and see if Myer has them at 25% off at $52.50 and $75. Update: yes I did, it was here: Bricks Down Under - David Joness 20% off Nice little blog for local LEGO, just not updated very often. Edited June 5, 2011 by dotmike
lightningtiger Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 The difference here is that the major LEGO retailers (K-Mart, Target, Big W, MYER, David Jones, Toyworld and Toys R Us) are a lot more financially stable than the owners of Borders and Angus and Robertson were. Also, less people know about the options for buying LEGO online from overseas (Bricklink especially). I wouldn't say Toyworld's are safe 'jonwil', they are independent stores and in Adelaide we have had three or four close down plus one move to a different location. All but DJ's have some overseas control, even though Westfarmers own Kmart and Target in Oz....note most of the US Kmart and Target exclusives end up Kmart and Target exclusives in Oz. Just my opinion anyway, keep on looking for new sets.
Artanis I Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 Did the rounds yesterday, significant increase of new stock everywhere except Myer. Target had everything really well shelved and organised for a big sale by the look of things! Curious point re Republic Frigate: there was no price on the shelf for that set, and I scanned one at $199. Everything else was ticketed so I'm guessing it may have had the $149 price in error and I was too slow to get there before it was removed. Hopefully sale sale sale sale sale, come on, sale sale sale ... PS plus everyone still has multiple boxes of series 3 & 4 minifigs...
Hewman Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 I haven't really paid attention in the past (distraction of kids, etc), but with the big EOFY clearance sales, do they get progressively better as time goes on? That is, do they start off with the 20%-25% discounts, clear some stock, then discount further as June 30 approaches? Or have the retailers pretty much already decided the lowest prices they'll discount to, and not go below that, even if the object is to clear as much as they can before the beancounters arrive? I'm suppose I'm asking is it worthwhile to spend big as soon as the sales start, or to hold out until the end for "real bargains"? Generally no, the real excitement tends to be all the new sets and themes released. Places like Target and Myer tend to do 20% off with the occasional set more (although perhaps it will be 25% this year). If you haven't already, join MyerOne as they usually have a couple days at the beginning of the sale where you get an extra 10% off the discounted price. Also, the exclusives that stores get often sell out quickly. Last year at Myer it was the Emerald Night and Imperial Flagship and at Big W some of the star wars and farm sets were hard to find a few days after the sale started.
dotmike Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 Thanks for the good advice, hewman. I'll be sure to pick up the new sets/exclusives I want at the first sign of the 20-25% (and 20+10) sales, value permitting. I'm also hoping that there is some slashing to clear of "expired" themes, especially POTC, which doesn't seem to have been the hit the stock levels were anticipating? Maybe it's too early though. And perhaps an EOFY sale is the time to hope to see old unsold modulars (eg, Fire Station) sold at half price. Anyway, I'll do my bit to report on sale items - smartphone in hand, I usually do it straight from the aisle in question!
tj19941994 Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 Thanks for the good advice, hewman. I'll be sure to pick up the new sets/exclusives I want at the first sign of the 20-25% (and 20+10) sales, value permitting. I'm also hoping that there is some slashing to clear of "expired" themes, especially POTC, which doesn't seem to have been the hit the stock levels were anticipating? I think the sole reason for that is that no parent is going to pay so much for so little, I really hope the awful reception the POTC sets have seen here will be a wakeup call to LEGO. It is just getting stupid.
Governor Mister Phes Posted June 5, 2011 Governor Posted June 5, 2011 I think the sole reason for that is that no parent is going to pay so much for so little, I really hope the awful reception the POTC sets have seen here will be a wakeup call to LEGO. It is just getting stupid. On the flip side this is being reflected in online sales and I'm picking up the POTC for well below retail prices...
dotmike Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 New sale catalogues have appeared (have a "No Junk Mail" on the letterbox, but of course Lasoo is all you need). Disappointingly, Target has 20% off some toys but the LEGO brand isn't listed. Toys R Us has certain LEGO on sale, but the discounts are pretty lacklustre: mostly Cars 2 sets at around 20% off, and a few selected Star Wars sets: X-Wing Fighter (59.99 down $10), AT-AT (149.99 down $20), Republic Swamp Speeder (39.99 down $10), Battle of Geonosis (69.99 save $10). Also advertising the new Creator sets (Hillside House, Lighthouse Island) but at full retail, except for Log Cabin (39.99 down $10). Pretty dull. Myer will get my cash this week.
Artanis I Posted June 6, 2011 Posted June 6, 2011 New sale catalogues have appeared (have a "No Junk Mail" on the letterbox, but of course Lasoo is all you need). Disappointingly, Target has 20% off some toys but the LEGO brand isn't listed. Toys R Us has certain LEGO on sale, but the discounts are pretty lacklustre: mostly Cars 2 sets at around 20% off, and a few selected Star Wars sets: X-Wing Fighter (59.99 down $10), AT-AT (149.99 down $20), Republic Swamp Speeder (39.99 down $10), Battle of Geonosis (69.99 save $10). Also advertising the new Creator sets (Hillside House, Lighthouse Island) but at full retail, except for Log Cabin (39.99 down $10). + $10 off the Lego games Minotaurus, Ninjago & the pyramid one. I have the first two, they are good fun.
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