Just in time for the Hulk promotional figure! :o)

The sets are getting even more expensive these days.

Still don't quite understand the US / Canada price difference.

Gandalf Arrives $14.99
Shelob Attacks $24.99
Uruk-hai Army $39.99
Attack on Weathertop $74.99
The Mines of Moria $99.99
The Battle of Helm's Deep $169.99
The Orc Forge $49.99

I know we're not the most by far, but we're just across the street and pretty much at par with the greenback! I know there are other forces at play, but it hurts the pocketbook. Not that it will stop me!

http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/1431/what-is-legos-strategy-on-regional-pricing-availability

Attack on Weathertop only has 430 pieces, yet its retail value is $60. Wow.

I like the Mines of Moria the most, in several ways. It has a Cave Troll, the playability looks nice, the price per piece is better than most of the other LOTR sets, and I like the figure selection of several heroes. Second to that set I like the Shelob set. I think the spider is very impressive looking.

LEGO store manager today told me that official word from corporate was to move shelf/sale date from June 1 to "as soon as received". He is expecting them next week.

I love these sets to death but the prices just aren't realistic in Canada. I wish the American prices above were the Canadian ones. Even a 20% off sale (which is all we'll be likely to get in Canada) and an employee discount I'll still be shelling out WAY too much cash for these. Heck, I'm one of the ones who insisted re-watching the entire extended Lord of the Rings Trilogy after hearing Lego was making a theme.

Lego must be pretty confident these sets will sell if they aren't even going to price them competitively against NinjaGo and StarWars.

^ The prices seem pretty favorable/comparable to Star Wars to me:

Helm's Deep compared to MF: 100 more parts, 2 more figs, $10 less
Mines of Moria compared to Echo Base: same piece counts, same figure count, $20 less
Weathertop compared to X-Wing: 100 less pieces, 1 more figure, 2 new horses, same price

(Canadian price comparisons)

Do these sets make anyone else miss the Castle fantasy theme from a few years ago? I know they were something of a LOTR knock-off, but they were a lot of fun and Lego could use their imaginations without being constrained by specific movie scenes or licensing requirements.

OMG! They really are there at S&H! Great news! I have been waiting for these for a long time. Which set to get first? I agree with @cloaked7 that the Mines of Moria looks good. My wife said I would get the Battle of Helms Deep for my birthday (in three months!). I was planning to get some Marvel Super Heroes in order to get the Hulk MF but these work, too!
My wife told me to get 7208 Fire Station for my son. $80 for that or Mines of Moria? Sigh.

Okay, just picked up Gandalf Arrives, Shelob Attacks and Uruk-Hai Army at the local Fred Meyer store... And they are great! Shelob is the best build, with the white string... but the cart is great as well. The uruk hai army stand out because of the mini figs, and I'm sure it will work well when it fits with Helm's Deep, but right now it's kind of weird just having a piece of the wall. The printing on all of the figs are amazing, though the Uruk-hai really stand out. They are awesome, and I need to save up more so I can be ready for Helm's Deep and the Mines of Moria.

Nice Job TLC!

@Dodge

Yeah paying an extra 25% in unfortunate but thankfully stores (Toys R Us and Chapters in particular) have been running regular 20% off sales.

Now just need the remaining sets (like 4207, 4429, and 3868) to come out.

Maybe if london drugs has another 20% off sale i'll buy these but at the canadian pricing it isn't very likely i'll pick these up. 15.99 plus 12% HST for a horse and cart with a few basic minifigs.

TRU has Battle of Helm's Deep for 159.99. Total FAIL on TRU's behalf.

TRU is rediculous right? 30 dollars more!!! Even if they have a buy one get one half off, you're not getting much of a deal.

OOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooh! Yes! I hope they're in LEGO Stores, because I will be heading in that direction A.S.A.P.!

only 55 more minutes till hulk, breaks out of helicarrier.

just got my hulk ordered.

What a coincidence; I found many of the LotR sets at Wal-Mart today while running a non-Lego errand. Imagine my surprise upon finding them in the Lego aisle! I snatched up Gandalf Arrives and Uruk-Hai Army. Good to see that the whole line is available from LEGO.com, though! I am craving Helm's Deep.

that was strange, when I went on the website when I clicked on one of the lotr sets, at the bottom it said:"you may like." and in that was a set called sports car (8402), for $16,000,000! srange! and it didn`t have a picture!

This seems a little unfair for all us massive LOTR fans across the pond!

^Except that you guys have gotten everything else this year first.

^^ Just think of it as an excuse to wait for the Mini-Sopwith! :o)

Does anyone know if the LOTR sets will be launched in the UK before the Hulk promo ends?

What luck! Not only do we get the LotR sets at reasonable prices (I thought it was going to be $149.99 for Helm's Deep), but we can get a free Hulk minifig, too! I'll be making some trips to Walmart and TRU to see what I can find.

i could really carealess about LOTR sets, i just want the spider man set, and the new batman sets. Oh and the new zombies set.

already? ealier than i expected. but this brings a question: which sets should i get? marvel or lotr?

@jengafett: $16 MILLION? Um, I think they meant $16 for the car (I hope).

Is it me or is TRU cheaper then lego for once for one set (9474) is/was $108 on the site (i think or it was $119) but It was less then $130.00 so I am shocked for once a tru.

I am a LOTR/Lego fan and I am buying all these sets in the US for about $337, which is the total that they cost at my local Lego store or Target. I have saved my VIP points for years and have $50 in points to bring it down to $287.

Now, I see this Hulk promotion and I am thinking about what is the cheapest way/best promotion way to get these sets.

There is the TRU buy one get one free offer around Christmas time or Lego double points in October. Or possible 10% off at a Lego store a few times a year.

I am a patient person, but I do not know if I can wait until October to buy these.

Are there any other promotions that are coming up sooner?

Thanks!

@ thebearcollector: Nope. $159.99.

Yes! Finally they are out. I have been waiting years for this to happen.

@ Modoc - Yes! The old Castle theme always reminded me of LOTR (without elves). Once there was an elf collectible minifig, I was all set. I agree that the older sets had more open-ended playability - in fact, that Castle (fantasy era) theme may be my favorite.

That said, other than the prices I am very excited for this new line.