which set is will be retired first?

[marksable]

There are 2 sets I'm considering buying that I've heard are likely to be discontinued soon - Emerald Night and the modular Fire Brigade set.

Does anyone have an opinion (or inside knowledge) on which set is likely to end first? I know that there will be a new train, followed by the pet shop. Amazon has them both, my local Lego Store (Glendale Galleria in LA) only had Emerald Night today, no Fire Brigade. It's really guesswork from my end, and I was hoping for some veteran insight.

Not sure this is the right place to ask this question, but as the "demise of the death star" thread is in this forum, I thought I'd try here.

Thanks in advance,

Mark

[turtle1173]

I don't really have any answers but the emerald night was released first in April 2009. The fire brigade followed in September. If I had to choose I would say "both" :) as they are both awesome. In choosing one, I guess it depends on if you like trains or modulars better. I personally would take the fire brigade.

[Luciant]

Lego has a 'General' lifecycle of about 2 years from date of release give or take a few months. That being said, given that Emerald Night was released before Fire Brigade, I would venture to say it will be retired slightly before, but honestly I'm guessing at the same time.

I would venture to say that the last production runs for BOTH of these sets will be around fall of this year. I plan on purchasing both of these sets myself in the few months (during summer) to ensure I grab a set before they are gone. I would recommend the same (both sets are HARD to find decent discounts on).

Lego likes to discontinue sets right before the holiday shopping season kicks in full swing :P

[ncbarrett]

It is possible the maersk train will replace the emerald night. So I recommend you get emerald night.

[mrfootball]

Emerald Night is going to become quite valuable when it's discontinued, IMO.

[Luciant]

FYI, Emerald Night is now "Limited Availability" which is usually an early indicator that it is coming to the end of it's production run. Probably a good time to hop on it.

Medieval Village is also Limited Availability....

[cbaker1974]

Where do you see it listed as Limited Availability?

[turtle1173]

It's on backorder at Lego right now.

[cbaker1974]

Yep, I see that, but sets go on backorder on a regular basis...but where does it say "Limited Availability"?

[Luciant]

Limited Availability are on the other sites (Target, TRU, etc.) when they are not available for purchase online (they are out of stock), and only in certain stores (that have them left over/returned, etc.).

I agree that sets go on back order on a regular basis, but its normally because:
1) It's a new/popular/short time availability/limited edition release (CMFs, Battle-packs, etc.)
2) Seasonal holiday buying on hot-items (Christmas, new movie release)
3) Items on their way out that Lego wants to get a few more production runs out of before retirement.

All I'm saying is you are right, they are still available! But the flashes of back order on Lego.com are an Omen for future retirement. If a set is close to it's 2 year mark, and you're seeing back orders... it's probably a good time to pull the trigger on a deal on that set. Very few sets live past 2 years, so you figure it will be sometime this year they will be not available. Especially when they are constantly not available on other sites (think Death Star, Medieval Market Village, etc.)

[cbaker1974]

No problem, I thought there might be some sort of field at S@H that I was overlooking. I got a Target Red Card back during the last RewardsRunner promo (it looks like they go double cashback at least once every month or two, which combined with coupons and the Red Card promo puts sets at 25% off or more) and managed to get a Death Star before it went OOS. Originally I had intended to buy Medieval Market Village there but I was just a day or so late when my card finally got here...I'm crossing my fingers it will return. Tantive IV seems like another candidate to retire this year, but may not be as hard to acquire...I would expect it to hit clearance at S@H, whereas I think MMV, Emerald Night, Fire Brigade will probably get to "Sold Out" before making it onto the S@H clearance.

On another note, I keep waiting any day to see the PoP sets start to go...I need some more Alamuts to build an ultimate castle.

[Luciant]

Tantive IV seems like another candidate to retire this year, but may not be as hard to acquire...I would expect it to hit clearance at S@H, whereas I think MMV, Emerald Night, Fire Brigade will probably get to "Sold Out" before making it onto the S@H clearance.

On another note, I keep waiting any day to see the PoP sets start to go...I need some more Alamuts to build an ultimate castle.

I completely agree. Tantive IV is on it's way out as well... I'm guessing later on in the year. Fire Brigade is also on the teeter totter of being discontinued. I think Grand Emporium is also on the list of soon to go. I don't think there will be much of a sale on those either.. only the Tantive IV... Modulars are too popular.

[ncbarrett]

... I think Grand Emporium is also on the list of soon to go...

Not much chance of that.
It has only been out for a year, will be around for at least a year longer.

[Luciant]

Ahh, my bad, I didn't check the date on it.... I remember someone mentionin this set in a previous thread about possible candidates that were going out of stock. Figuring it to be a modular build, and that it has spent a lot of time Sold Out on other sites.

[peanut]

Just ordered Emerald Night from amazon with FSSS and a $20 gift cert. Couldn't hold out any longer with the new train coming out very soon.

edit: i noticed EN and MMV are both back in stock at S@H.

[peanut]

On another note, I keep waiting any day to see the PoP sets start to go...I need some more Alamuts to build an ultimate castle.

agreed!