Review: Wicked Brick Display Case for 75375 Millennium Falcon
Posted by CapnRex101,
Wicked Brick has produced some impressive display stands and cases since 2017, including one for 75192 Millennium Falcon, which I have used since the stand was introduced.
The smaller 75375 Millennium Falcon arrived in March and the company has developed various display cases and wall-mounted stands for this model too. Unfortunately, this particular design actually sold out before we received the display case, but it is still worth examining.
This case is designed to be mounted on a wall, hence its considerable size, measuring 44cm in height. Evidently, that is larger than necessary and thus not ideal for conserving space, which is a significant asset of sets like 75375 Millennium Falcon. On the other hand, space on a wall is unlikely to be as limited as shelf space and this tall case is definitely eye-catching.
Furthermore, the backing image is now UV printed, rather than needing a huge sticker, which avoids potential application problems. I like the strong engine glow, reminiscent of the blast of energy from the Millennium Falcon as it moves to attack a Star Destroyer in The Empire Strikes Back, although the freighter normally flies without this energy trail, admittedly.
Studs are available to place the nameplate and the 25th anniversary brick from the set, while the Millennium Falcon itself connects to a hook. Of course, the display stand from the original model is thus put aside, which is a shame in this case because the stand occupies quite a few parts. The model looks fantastic though, against a starfield backdrop.
The hook fits into the hole originally occupied by the Millennium Falcon's display stand and is angled upwards very slightly, so the model remains securely attached. In addition, the hook is mounted through slots in the back panel, while the panels around the sides are assembled with screws and metal cubes, like other Wicked Brick display cases.
However, the panel on the front is actually connected with magnets. This allows easy removal, but the panel also feels secure because the magnets are strong. Wicked Brick's limited edition display cases and stands are often individually numbered and these numbered components are also connected via a magnet, as with the Millennium Falcon silhouette shown below.
As usual for Wicked Brick, the quality is undeniable, but comes at significant cost. While it was briefly available, this case cost £64.99, which is only slightly less than the set inside! Also, I am not convinced display cases are really practical or desirable for sets of this size, especially since they occupy much more space than the model otherwise would.
That being said, there are plenty of interesting display accessories available on Wicked Brick's website, including a more compact shelf display case for this model.
This product was provided for review by Wicked Brick. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
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26 comments on this article
I do not see point of these limited cases, why not just make as many as demand, agree though most are very pricy but very nice to.
@lee1980 said:
"I do not see point of these limited cases, why not just make as many as demand"
The only reason I can think is to foster FOMO.
I'm steering well clear of Wicked Bricks, ever since they failed to fulfil my order of a set of the Marvel CMFs. They completely ignored all my emails, so I had to log a case with eBay to get a refund. Not impressed...
Personally more fun to build one out of Technic elements for it to sit on and look more organic (in a lego sense)
@lee1980 said:
"I do not see point of these limited cases, why not just make as many as demand, agree though most are very pricy but very nice to. "
FOMO, also in a more practical sense, I am not sure how practical or affordable it is to have a constant stock of a product with such a limited audience.
@CliveyB said:
"I'm steering well clear of Wicked Bricks, ever since they failed to fulfil my order of a set of the Marvel CMFs. They completely ignored all my emails, so I had to log a case with eBay to get a refund. Not impressed..."
Are you confusing them with some other company? They don't sell CMFs...
@johleth said:
" @lee1980 said:
"I do not see point of these limited cases, why not just make as many as demand, agree though most are very pricy but very nice to. "
FOMO, also in a more practical sense, I am not sure how practical or affordable it is to have a constant stock of a product with such a limited audience."
I don't think they keep anything in stock. Based on delivery times, everything is made to order. Otherwise there would be no reason it takes 8 weeks before they ship.
To me, this is where limited editions should be a benefit. If you are only making a limited number, there is less reason not to make them all in advance. Then they could ship out immediately.
@lee1980 said:
"I do not see point of these limited cases, why not just make as many as demand, agree though most are very pricy but very nice to. "
As already mentioned, FOMO. They can charge a high price and get sales from the FOMO crowd. If they started doing the same case, just unnumbered, then they'd probably get a backlash for future limited editions. I guess they could do the case alone, without the number or the coloured background panel, but would that be anywhere near as attractive to buyers?
Personally, I think this set looks really nice angled on its display stand and that it looks better than up against a wall.
@kerosh said:
" @johleth said:
" @lee1980 said:
"I do not see point of these limited cases, why not just make as many as demand, agree though most are very pricy but very nice to. "
FOMO, also in a more practical sense, I am not sure how practical or affordable it is to have a constant stock of a product with such a limited audience."
I don't think they keep anything in stock. Based on delivery times, everything is made to order. Otherwise there would be no reason it takes 8 weeks before they ship.
To me, this is where limited editions should be a benefit. If you are only making a limited number, there is less reason not to make them all in advance. Then they could ship out immediately. "
They dont seem to ship the limited editions any quicker than non limited ones. It's always really slow. Order now for Christmas.
@Huw said:
" @CliveyB said:
"I'm steering well clear of Wicked Bricks, ever since they failed to fulfil my order of a set of the Marvel CMFs. They completely ignored all my emails, so I had to log a case with eBay to get a refund. Not impressed..."
Are you confusing them with some other company? They don't sell CMFs...
"
Well, it was a seller called WickedBricks, selling CMF sets on eBay a while ago. They had a huge rating number, so thought it was them...
@Huw said:
" @CliveyB said:
"I'm steering well clear of Wicked Bricks, ever since they failed to fulfil my order of a set of the Marvel CMFs. They completely ignored all my emails, so I had to log a case with eBay to get a refund. Not impressed..."
Are you confusing them with some other company? They don't sell CMFs...
"
There was a user called Wicked Bricks on eBay which I had a similar experience with but they ate nothing to do with the Wicked bricks company that makes the cases. I've ordered a few of the display cases from them and they always deliver.
I've also never had any issues with WB. Plus customer service has been good the couple of times I've spoken to them. Pricey, yes. Long delivery times, yes. But everything else about them is top quality.
@Huw said:
" @lee1980 said:
"I do not see point of these limited cases, why not just make as many as demand"
The only reason I can think is to foster FOMO.
"
WHAAAAAAT??!! Did I miss out?
Are we sure it's FOMO or are they just realistic on how many cases they can produce with their current manufacturing capability? I hear soooo many complaints about limited editions and collectibles selling out these days, but being forced to hold on to unsold stock will *KILL* a small business faster than one might guess. I mean, look at Funko - literally burying unsold Pops in the desert because they made too many, going from being on the top of the world to in a financial crisis in the span of a few years.
We live in an era of absolute GEEK HEAVEN in terms of merch like LEGO and other collectibles, and I'd prefer that companies be successful so they can continue to make these lovely but *completely inessential* products. Frankly I think our digital age has conditioned consumers to expect to receive whatever they want whenever they want it for a very cheap price, but for things like COLLECTIBLES this is an unrealistic expectation - it's a physical product, not an easily copied digital file.
Sorry for the rant, just get tired of seeing the moaning on social media about how some toy sold out and that's unfair and "THEY BETTER REISSUE OR ELSE" and I'm just like "get a grip" at this point.
@WemWem said:
"Are we sure it's FOMO or are they just realistic on how many cases they can produce with their current manufacturing capability? I hear soooo many complaints about limited editions and collectibles selling out these days, but being forced to hold on to unsold stock will *KILL* a small business faster than one might guess."
As others have said, this is a made-to-order product, so bad predictions leading to unsold stock should not be an issue. FOMO / maximizing profit is the only sensible explanation.
WickedBrick products are definitely good quality. But NOT for the prices they ask.
And even less considering their shipping costs are ridiculously high and their service has become APPALLING over the years, and specially since Brexit.
They spread themselves too thin. They try to do too much without enough resources for it. It's a shame, really.
@djcbs said:
"WickedBrick products are definitely good quality. But NOT for the prices they ask.
And even less considering their shipping costs are ridiculously high and their service has become APPALLING over the years, and specially since Brexit."
Brexit imho is one of the worst things to happen to the UK over the past few years. It has killed many a good business. I know how much I bought from shops in the UK pre-Brexit. Nowadays it's just not viable anymore. Exchange rates, shipping, fees, taxes and import duties make even the best offer unattractive in the end.
As for display cases, there's a small company in Germany where I ordered the ones I have. All seamless acrylic cases (none of those imho ugly screws), made to exact order in any size you want, down to the millimetre. And cheaper than those shown here as well. Of course I don't get any fancy prints or extras with mine, but I'm not interested in those anyway.
@djcbs said:
"WickedBrick products are definitely good quality. But NOT for the prices they ask.
And even less considering their shipping costs are ridiculously high and their service has become APPALLING over the years, and specially since Brexit.
They spread themselves too thin. They try to do too much without enough resources for it. It's a shame, really."
I'm not sure shipping costs have that much to do with Brexit. All international shipping has gone crazy. They have slowly increased over a decade or more but I imagine postal services hadn't really taken into account the sheer volume of parcels being sent all over the planet when setting prices. And recent changes to tax / VAT collection has also damaged international trade for small businesses doing not small but not large sales, even within Europe. And things like the German packaging recycling laws didn't help with anything going to Germany for a small business.
I definitely think the numbered editions are dumb on something like this; it's not a number for the subject in the display case, it's a number for the case itself, and while displays can be impressive, who looks at a museum exhibit and thinks "wow, hold the phone, that backdrop is limited edition, I'm impressed, may we bask in its presence!"
If it really is a matter of not wanting to deal with storing surplus of unsold product, then they should just make these things to order by default; people are generally receptive to a slightly longer wait time until delivery when they know it's being manufactured just for them. It's pure self-aggrandizing and attempting to increase sales through cheap FOMO.
@CCC said:
"And things like the German packaging recycling laws didn't help with anything going to Germany for a small business."
Huh?
What laws would that be? Do British shops have to pay a fee depending on the kind of packaging they use? I have never heard about that for other countries doing business with customers in Germany.
@CapnRex101 said in the article:
"Also, I am not convinced display cases are really practical or desirable for sets of this size, especially since they occupy much more space than the model otherwise would."
Isn't that true for models of all sizes? Having them in a display case occupies more space, unless it's like shrink wrap maybe.
@Galactus said:
" @CapnRex101 said in the article:
"Also, I am not convinced display cases are really practical or desirable for sets of this size, especially since they occupy much more space than the model otherwise would."
Isn't that true for models of all sizes? Having them in a display case occupies more space, unless it's like shrink wrap maybe."
Of course every display case needs more space than the set alone, but this example needs almost twice as much space as would be necessary for the MF set.
Used WB lots of times and been very happy with the service. Yes - the cases are on the expensive side and they take an age to arrive but not found that a problem in the past.
However, they recently wanted to charge me £30 to ship a case instead of the usual £6.99 so they're off my Christmas Card list..
I also wanted to order a big minifigure display from them, but the shipping to Hungary would have cost more than the product. I ended up ordering from a German company who had free shipping.
@AustinPowers said:
" @Galactus said:
" @CapnRex101 said in the article:
"Also, I am not convinced display cases are really practical or desirable for sets of this size, especially since they occupy much more space than the model otherwise would."
Isn't that true for models of all sizes? Having them in a display case occupies more space, unless it's like shrink wrap maybe."
Of course every display case needs more space than the set alone, but this example needs almost twice as much space as would be necessary for the MF set. "
I still don't see how that's a negative. Isn't the point of a display case like this (with backdrop and mounting point) to present the model in a way that adds to it, as opposed to displaying the model as is?
If it's just to keep the dust out, there are indeed smaller and more practical solutions. But again, I don't think that that's the main goal of cases like this.
@Galactus said:
" @AustinPowers said:
" @Galactus said:
" @CapnRex101 said in the article:
"Also, I am not convinced display cases are really practical or desirable for sets of this size, especially since they occupy much more space than the model otherwise would."
Isn't that true for models of all sizes? Having them in a display case occupies more space, unless it's like shrink wrap maybe."
Of course every display case needs more space than the set alone, but this example needs almost twice as much space as would be necessary for the MF set. "
I still don't see how that's a negative. Isn't the point of a display case like this (with backdrop and mounting point) to present the model in a way that adds to it, as opposed to displaying the model as is?
If it's just to keep the dust out, there are indeed smaller and more practical solutions. But again, I don't think that that's the main goal of cases like this. "
I guess it depends on what you're looking for. If you want something fancy, a product like this will definitely be better than a simple one-piece acrylic cover.
I prefer simpler solutions, but that's just me. YMMV.