New Red Cargo Train now in LEGO Store Milton Keynes

 

  • New Red Cargo Train now in LEGO Store Milton Keynes

    Posted by bluemoose, 26 Jul 2011 16:24. Filed under Shopping (UK).

    3677: Red Cargo Train
    City/Trains, 2011
    More details...
    ©2011 LEGO Group

    We haven't heard about availability in any of the other UK LEGO Brand Stores, but the new City Red Cargo Train, set 3677, was spotted on the shelf in the Milton Keynes Brand Store earlier today; looks like they received it in their regular Tuesday delivery. I'm sure there will be a few happy train-heads out there by now!

    UPDATE - It's been pulled from the shelves; apparently it isn't supposed to be on sale in the UK until 1st August. So it's OK to sell it in the US, but not in the UK, even though they actually have it in the store? LEGO really need to stop this arbitrary discrimination between different countries.


    40 comments, latest one posted 21 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by supersympa in Sweden, 26 Jul 2011 17:11

I also spotted a review on Eurobricks today.
I guess it is spreading all over now

Posted by copperwonder96 in United States, 27 Jul 2011 02:30

I do not understand this train at all! It is the kookiest "design phase 1" looking set since the the second waive of exoforce and powerminers. Was this rushed? Does this symbolize the end of the trains for another long season? It's just looks so unrefined and "recycled". Sorry for my monologue...but I just don't understand?!

Posted by Firox 5000 in United Kingdom, 27 Jul 2011 13:35

I expect it will cost £132.99 in the uk [ thats more than the cargo one which is actually bigger].

Posted by gamesgem in United Kingdom, 27 Jul 2011 14:53

I just dont understand the different release dates across the world? it make no sense.

Posted by fff in Spain, 27 Jul 2011 15:01

Agree with you all... no sense at all

Posted by Leela in Poland, 27 Jul 2011 16:07

And I fondly believed that LEGO is an European company, not an American one... I just love their equal treatment of customers.

Posted by Firox 5000 in United Kingdom, 27 Jul 2011 17:56

I don't see the point of them doing that especially as it will be august in a few days.

Posted by yellowcastle in United States, 27 Jul 2011 19:39

Perhaps LEGO has an agreement with TRU giving them the first 2 weeks or so for certain sets, themes, or exclusives? It's been my experience the last couple of years that TRU almost always gets the first crack at new sets so I can't imagine it's not actually contractual in nature.

Posted by Divinity3d in United States, 27 Jul 2011 19:50

Tru has the exclusive right to put it on the shelves as soon as it gets to the store, UNLESS there is some contractual agreement to do otherwise. Like the Harry potter and Toy story 3 releases.

Typically it gets to the stores sooner because Tru does its own transportation from the warehouses to the stores as opposed to Lego. Tru knows the early releases make them money so they make a point of getting them out as soon as possible.

Posted by railroad18764 in United States, 27 Jul 2011 21:10

lego should sell them first.

Posted by jvm64 in Netherlands, 28 Jul 2011 08:08

Biggest discrimination though is the fact that I pay in euro's (or, in GB, in pounds) and in the US in USD. European country, less shipment, therefore we pay 30% more for the same set.
We seem to be the cow to milk for the lego-company. The date, well, it comes anyway...

Posted by Corellian Engineering in Belgium, 28 Jul 2011 10:31

I am fully with jvm64 here. I dont care that much about different release dates.. I am patient enough to wait, dont feel the need to have a set first. Sometimes I even wait months after a release date, hoping for some shop discounts.

The real discrimination and frustration exists in the fact that in a globalised world, for a mass produced product, there is such a different pricing policy. And, as jvm64 did, taking into account shipping costs, its even less understandable. Also the state approved hold-up called VAT cant explain it all; afterall its "only" 21%.
Because the 30% he talks about exists when we are paying optically same prices (1$ = 1€), but even this isnt always the case.
As an example some (licensed) sets I am interested in at the moment , comparing US and Belgian prices:
SW - Ewok attack 7956 : 24,99 US$ ; 27,99€ (= 40US$ !!)
POTC - canibals 4182 : 29,99 US$ ; 39,99€ (= 57,5 US$ !! ; almost the double!)
POTC - London 4193 : 49,99 US$ ; 64,99€ (= an incredible 93,5 US$ ; almost the double)

I realy do understand the frustration of our Australian and Azian friends, where its even worse..

I dont know if Europe is Lego's milkcow (we probably all are, even in the US) but we certainly seem to serve to crank up the margin they are losing in the US.

Our American friends should be gratefull, in a way we are sponsoring their hobby. ;-)

Posted by The Baron in United Kingdom, 28 Jul 2011 11:04

Yup, agree 100% with jvm64. I can happily wait but am shocked by the pricing differences.

Posted by train_nut in United Arab Emirates, 28 Jul 2011 11:09

Right on corellian eng! I don't even buy from the aus shop@home site anymore. I am however making more friends and getting them to ship to me.

Posted by bionicle212 in United States, 28 Jul 2011 11:54

this does'nt even make any sense. if it's on the shelves a week before release AND it's out in the US they should have just left it there.

Posted by copperwonder96 in United States, 28 Jul 2011 16:18

@Corellian Engineering
I totally agree that the price difference is not fair but I do know that it is better to sell 1000 of 1 repeat than to try to sell 1 thing for a 1000 and repeat. America has 20000 plus big box retail stores (1000's of walmarts, targets, TRU's) and Lego sets are delivered in droves on 1 big pallet to 7 or 8 major distributions centers. That's one language, a large audience, 3 big contracts and consumer driven society in a low tax country and no taxes on imports! It doesn't get any better for a manufacturer! American's conspicuously buy Lego by the millions and we are rewarded with lower prices (we can thank ourselves for the product prices). With scores of different languages, laws, tax codes, custom logistics, varying overhead, small contracts and lower casual consumption per country, it is no wonder Lego is so expensive per country outside of the U.S.

Posted by BrianOg in France, 28 Jul 2011 17:40

I agree with copperwonder96 who explains most of the reasons why lego is "cheaper" in the US of A. Remeber also that it is largely produced in Mexico for the North American market (which is way bigger, more unified etc, all leading to better competition and lower prices) and as such unit production prices can only be lower than in the EU with production mostly in Denmark, Hungary and the Czech Republic (correct me if I'm wrong here guys). Not that production or shipping are of any real concern - a seller sells at a price the market will accept - if it doesn't accept the price, he lowers it or doesn't sell his wares. End of story. Europe accepts higher prices, the USA doesn't. If anybody really wants to pay USA prices, go live there - see how it is to work in a country where you have relatively high disposable income, as long as you have a job, but make sure you have one, and a good one too, cos they don't have social security as we know it in Europe. At least here if you get fired/layed off you won't be on the street and unable to pay any medical bills, which is just not the case hereabouts.
Frankly all this talk of comparing US prices and EU/other prices is a bit ridiculous.
End of rant.
The train is ok btw, not a must have by any means, but a nice lego railroad entry level pack.

Posted by Thomson & Thompson in Canada, 29 Jul 2011 09:58

Anyone know about Canada?

Posted by izziebitt in United States, 29 Jul 2011 13:13

It isnt supposed to be for sale in the US until Aug 1st. Some retailers sell them early, but for brand LEGO stores, it is Aug 1st.

Posted by kenhew in Malaysia, 29 Jul 2011 13:32

I'm quite perplexed that while TLG seems to be caring and concerned for their customers, seeking our opinions like what sort of set would we like to see produced, or the size of boxes, when it comes to the pricing issue TLG seems to turn a deaf ear. I'm pretty sure in the recent survey a lot would've brought up the problem of different pricing or at least lamented that LEGO sets are quite pricey from where they are. Granted, they did explain before, in a fairly rare manner, why the prices in the US is lower due to the competitive markets there, but I think a lot don't really buy into it. I'm not an economist, but I can understand simple maths, and they don't add up. Buying sets from the US even with shipping included is cheaper than buying them from local stores. This is just ridiculous.

Posted by yellowcastle in United States, 29 Jul 2011 13:56

Non-U.S. pricing is not going to go down. The only change is that TLG may raise U.S. Pricing. Would that realistically make anyone happier?

Posted by brix in United Kingdom, 29 Jul 2011 16:12

It's all very well ranting about the prices in different countries and how unfair it is but if people continue to buy lego expensively, lego isn't getting the message. It knows that it CAN charge those prices because we WILL still buy lego because we love it so much. The only way lego will really see how angry we are is if we were to just stop buying lego until it realised that it's being unfair and this unfairness has bad consequences. I know this will never happen but hey, just throwing an idea out there.

Posted by izanette in United Kingdom, 29 Jul 2011 18:40

Well, I could see a point if LEGO was the only thing that was more expensive in Europe than in the US. But, AFAIK, almost everything is more expensive in EU than in the US.
One example is the Ipad 2: http://www.cultofmac.com/ipad-2-prices-around-the-world-chart/87873

Posted by coolpix in United States, 29 Jul 2011 18:49

Everything costs more in Europe. Not only LEGOs. copperwonder96 hit the spot with his comment.

On a side note, my local TRU had the Red Train set on shelves on Monday, but today I went back there to get it, and it was pulled off. Probably an employee's mistake why it was on the shelves on the first place. One thing worried me though: There were no other train sets avaiable there, but the Train Station, but the Red Passenger train and the older Cargo Train set was nowhere to be found. Does anyone know if these sets are being discontinued? I am yet to buy them.

Posted by Zordboy in Australia, 30 Jul 2011 03:23

I'm quite iffy about the train itself, you know. I think the engine is uninspiring, and doesn't look very impressive (what the heck is going on with the wheels?!). I don't mind the van or the big crane/truck-carrying truck at the end, but I'm gonna pass.

Even if the price wasn't gross for me (an Australian buyer), which it is.

Posted by kenhew in Malaysia, 30 Jul 2011 03:58

@yellowcastle
No ill wish for US prices to be raised and for fellow LEGO fans there to pay more, after all we non US buyers still benefit in terms of savings when we get our sets there, but it really doesn't do TLG a whole of of good to have this two-system pricing. The ones who benefit the most is the postal company and the US government, we're remitting money there instead of spending it into our own economy. I can understand if it's *reasonably* more expensive, but paying twice the amount even after conversion doesn't seem justifiable.

@brix
I don't think that tactic would persuade Lego to lower their prices, as it is a lot of buyers are indirectly sending this message when we get sets from the US even when they're readily available locally. And I'm sure they get the message directly from the comments, forums, surveys, feedbacks, which isn't really new as this has been going on the past few years.

As much as I'd like to support Lego, even more so in my own country, Lego just makes it hard for me to do so.

For courtesy sake, my apologies if my rant has offended anyone here :)

Posted by Rapseflaps in United States, 30 Jul 2011 05:19

I saw it on sale last Tuesday at the LEGO store in Oberhausen as well.

Posted by railroad18764 in United States, 30 Jul 2011 22:01

the back wheels are not very good. when i get it, im going to fix that. i think the train is awsome! :]

Posted by patch in United Kingdom, 31 Jul 2011 04:22

I've been on the fence with this train ever since I saw the first pictures, I think the engine looks a bit unfinished, although I do love the toxic waste wagon, the inclusion of which is a bit strange, I admit! On the other hand, I really HATE the coal hopper! It has huge over-specialised pieces supporting it! That's not Lego, that's just....plastic! The Maersk and Emerald Night are models! They are functional, but still look good! This is more of a toy, it's only functional.

I might buy it for the extra track, and add the wagons onto 7939, but it depends on the reviews!

Posted by af.riem in Netherlands, 31 Jul 2011 05:17

I have seen it in the lego store Oberhausen a few weeks ago. But I did not buy it.
And that tay pulled it out of the shelves happend a few years ago with the 10173 christmas train in Oberhausen.
I had one in my hands, and they pulled it out of my hands and stored the sets back in the shop. There was no way I could get one with me, even after talking to the manager.

Posted by coolpix in United States, 31 Jul 2011 11:04

You guys are exaggerating. This set looks awesome. All 3 wagons are great, and the engine is pretty cool. This set is worth having at least 2 of in any collection. I only think it should be $139 instead of the $159 in the US, when you compare it to the other train sets available.

Posted by railroad18764 in United States, 31 Jul 2011 12:57

if you want two,TRU is doing a buy one get the next 50% off.i agree with you coolpix.

Posted by lego guy 345 in United Kingdom, 31 Jul 2011 15:12

will there be a new passenger train coming out soon?

Posted by lego guy 345 in United Kingdom, 31 Jul 2011 15:14

hopefully it will look like the intercity ICE train

Posted by lego2000 in Netherlands, 31 Jul 2011 16:37

I've got my Red Cargo Train from a store Galeria Kaufhof in Germany on the 30th. Price: 139,99 EUR The official date of release in German Lego stores is on the 1 st of august.

Posted by Zordboy in Australia, 31 Jul 2011 20:23

@Coolpix -- yeah, I buy every train, but I won't be buying this one. They're very *different* carriages (the van is pretty standard, but it looks good), and I respect them for that. But I still don't really like them.

The engine's the deal-breaker for me. It's boring, and I think it's quite badly designed. Like I said, the wheels are jumping out at me as if they were neon fluro yellow or something.

Posted by coolpix in United States, 31 Jul 2011 23:06

@Zordboy - I see what you mean, but the set look ok to me, and I intend to get at least one of it. I used to be a HO scale train collector years ago, and I remember engines like that, mostly used to move wagons around, that's why they are smaller, and let's say, boring. Of course the Maersk train's engine is awesome, but this one's good on my book.

I have no opinion on the wheels, I need to see one up close to make up my mind.

Posted by tht1kd in United States, 02 Aug 2011 00:10

I just bought this set on July 30th 2011 in the Moline, IL USA Toys R Us for $159.99. Came to the store in Davenport, IA (the side I live on) and it was $179.99. Both of these stores only had one of the Red Cargo Train.

Posted by Thomson & Thompson in Canada, 02 Aug 2011 17:54

Now selling for $159.99 USD and $219.99 CAD.

Posted by railroad18764 in United States, 03 Aug 2011 10:16

The cargo train is now on lego.com. there are no building instructions.does any one know when they will come out?

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