Why is LEGO 4840 The Burrows so hard to get?

[byobu]

It is so hard to get this set today, the price on ebay is always over $80 although the original MSRP is $59.99.

I wasn't paying attention back in 2010 but I did recall seeing in store shelves (Target/Walmart) with everything else.

I also notice that The Burrows is not on the shelf anywhere either in stores or Lego.com or Lego stores while other sets are still available on the shelf.

Why is this? Was it a "hard to find" or "limited edition" or something?
Or was people just smitten with this set or did somebody stockpile it or what?

[nick91884]

I bought mine at the after xmas walmart clearance, it was probably discontinued

[GuaranteedUnity]

According to Brickset, the set was retired last October, which is why you're unlikely to find it on store shelves.

Unfortunately, the price of out of production sets tends to climb, sometimes pretty dramatically.

Without any more movies in the works, LEGO are unlikely to make any more HP sets either, so chances are good that it's only going to get more expensive.

But it's not all doom and gloom - there are a few sellers on Bricklink that have it for or a little over MSRP.

[lego the hutt]

Some HP sets that have been out of stock at lego.com for awhile now say "expected shipping date June 22".


Unfortunately the burrows is not listed as such, but I do have hopes that there will be new sets available in a month or so.

[byobu]

I know exactly what you're talking about, it's the LEGO Diagon Alley, isn't it?

BTW, thanks for answering my question and directing me to the link. Found the alternative build for the burrows which I am going to save until I have one of my own :)

[lego the hutt]

I know exactly what you're talking about, it's the LEGO Diagon Alley, isn't it?

Yes indeed, I'm waiting patiently.

[CharliesDad]

I believe it's also the only set with Bellatrix Lestrange. Given the cult popularity of that character ( I see the character alone going for $25 on ebay), it may have led to an even greater markup than usual after the set was discontinued.

Honestly, I can see most every HP set increasing greatly in the aftermarket. While there will be no new source material in the near future, there are new HP readers each and every year. My son is 7 and has not read the books nor seen the movies. But he has a great curiosity about them and I'm sure he will be loving it all in another year or two. So I've bought every HP set and they await those Christmases and birthdays once he has fallen in love with the world of Harry Potter.

[janckson]

Discontinued set. I picked up plenty of these for $30 after Christmas. No one picks it up back then, now everyone wants it,

[legitimatealex]

I bought mine at the after xmas walmart clearance, it was probably discontinued

Got mine when the 50% off coupons at Barnes and Noble still worked well lol. That plus a gift card and it was practically free.

Great set. Since its been discontinued, it probably is worth the $80. It's great to look at, comes with tons of characters and yes, has Bellatrix in it. She has such great hair!