2012 product collections

 

  • 2012 product collections

    Posted by Huw, 24 Sep 2012 04:09. Filed under New sets.

    66451: City Traffic Super Pack 4-in-1
    City/Product Collection, 2012
    More details...
    ©2012 LEGO Group

    I've just added to the database around 15 Product Collections that have been produced this year, thanks to whung who tracked them down in the far-flung corners of the Internet.

    Product collections consist of two or more sets packaged together, either shrink wrapped with printed cardboard or in a specially printed box, and are sold by a small selection of retailers in various countries. They are not all available in every country, and as you can see from some of the packaging, they are often made for specific markets, notably Japan.

    They usually surface in the shops at this time of year, ready for Christmas. In the UK they are rarely seen, although TRU does carry a few. I guess they serve two purposes: they help LEGO shift what otherwise might be unsold stock, and to provide more 'big boxes' on the shelves for present buyers to choose from.

    You have to be a really dedicated collector to want them all and track them down for your chosen themes of interest, so for that reason, they are 'greyed out' when you browse the Brickset database. And when you analyse your collection, they are ignored in the totals.

    The database also contains what I call 'virtual product collections'. These differ from normal product collections in that they don't actually exist other than as a stock unit at shop.LEGO.com that enables you to order multiple sets at a time. (here's an example). Given they are virtual, I usually delete them from the database once shop.LEGO.com stops selling them.

    If you come across any product collections we don't already have listed, do please let us know. They are difficult to find, usually hidden away on small retailers' websites. whung did a fantastic job finding these ones!


    14 comments, latest one posted 8 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by richselby in United Kingdom, 24 Sep 2012 06:28

Anyone know, does it work out cheaper than buying the individual sets?

Posted by Zatth in United States, 24 Sep 2012 06:47

Out of interest, I've calculated that with a number of packs, and the answer is that it usually does. However, only by about 5 USD or less. I'm not sure about the euro...

Forgive me, that probably doesn't help you much, considering you're in the UK!

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 24 Sep 2012 07:37

^^ Not usually, particularly in TRU!

Occasionally when the sets are EOL you can get a bargain but they are few and far between.

Posted by Zatth in United States, 24 Sep 2012 08:18

I see, sorry.

You see, I usually buy everything online or at a Walmart (never been to a TRU in my life, so I can only guess at what they must do to the prices! *shudder*) so everything is pretty much always the stated retail price for me.

It all depends on how you go after buying the things, I suppose... you could get a bargain at one place, but waste your money at another...

Posted by woo224 in Korea, Republic of, 24 Sep 2012 08:34

In 2011, there were 4 2-pack Hero Factory combo sets for each hero combo model. I only remember this set number: *66404 (2065 + 2067), (2063 + 2142), and (2068 + 2141).

And 66452 also contains the 4659607 Booster Pack polybag! (look closely on the lower right of the box art) That's three sets in one!

* http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/66404_Hero_Factory_Combo_Value_Pack_1

Posted by woo224 in Korea, Republic of, 24 Sep 2012 08:36

PS: with the slightly higher prices of LEGO HERO Factory sets in Korea, the combo packs are a little cheaper to buy than buying the individual sets separably. The combo packs sold out fast though...

Posted by woo224 in Korea, Republic of, 24 Sep 2012 08:40

PPS: 66414 (2143 + 2145) was released in 2011, as I remember buying it in that year.

Posted by BrianOg in France, 24 Sep 2012 10:36

I have seen excellent value to be had in a Fire Services combi-pack at TRU in France. It had the station and about three other sets together, for less than the price of the station at normal retail. This was very much as the line was at the end of its shelf-life; just prior to the current crop becoming available. The price was only about €46 if I recall correctly.

The combi-packs with a star wars ship & two different army builder packs are quite good value in TRU also - although better deals are probably available online.

Posted by murphquake in United States, 24 Sep 2012 12:28

Huw, i believe #66412 should say "2 in 1" not "3 in 1"?

Posted by Zatth in United States, 24 Sep 2012 12:35

Hey, murphquake is right. It's just two sets: 7285-1 and 7741-1.

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 24 Sep 2012 13:44

Well done for spotting my deliberate mistake :-)

Posted by namekuji in New Zealand, 24 Sep 2012 23:13

A while back in Japan I used to find them from time to time in TRU. I picked up 66200 which contained 3 Exo-Force models that were intended to be combined to make a series of robots.

The package itself contained a separate (photographic style) set of instructions made by a Japanese designer showing how to combine the sets into a a series of robots (its x8 A4s that fold out), and an A4 sticker sheet too.

I'm not sure if it unique, but its a neat little set of instructions which is nicely presented with some interesting building techniques and its entirely in Japanese. Although the robots are nothing special (the big one is pretty cool though), I thought this was quite interesting to have product collection pack with a set of instructions produced by an external designer.

Posted by TheDesuComplex in United States, 25 Sep 2012 01:17

How often do these appear in America? I've always wondered about them.

Posted by murphquake in United States, 25 Sep 2012 20:47

You'll never get away with it now, Huw, you diabolical genius (at making half my day get spent reading lego minutia)

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