10215 Obi-wan's Jedi Starfighter - What's the Deal?

[Jasper Parnebrick]

Ok, so I gather from not seeing this on Lego.com anymore, and a few comments around a few different fan sites that this is now discontinued. I'm just curious as to why this one didn't sell as well, or why so many people dislike it? People say it was overpriced when it came out, but I see it going for $89.99 on Toys R Us.ca and I can get it for that same price in the store. Was it higher before? When I realized it was discontinued, I kind of hastily rushed to the store to make sure I got one before it was gone for good.. but there are 18 in stock! So it's not going anywhere soon, and it seems to be a very good price actually - about 13.3 cents per piece, which in Canada, is actually a GOOD price for non-sale items..

So long question short - what's wrong with this set? Is the expected resale value forecast to be crappy or something? Most people's complaints were cost etc.. but with that factor out of the way.. should I go for it?

[Ice]

Seems like the set is indeed discontinued as its no longer available for sale at LEGO Shop at Home.

Original retail for that set was $99.99 USD / $129.99 CAD. But I guess Toys R Us Canada is having a hard time selling them at that price (people probably don't want to pay that much for a fighter). Even at $89.99 + 20% off from last sale, they didn't move much at all. My store still has plenty of these.

[Derek]

I've thought it didn't sell because it's a UCS set from the Prequels. The UCSs are likely typically bought by the 30- and 40-somethings, who are way more into the classic films. Kids who grew up with Attack of the Clones probably wouldn't have any interest in a set with no figures, no functions, and is just too big and bulky to "fly" around. To me, the ship never really stuck out as being spectacular in the film. It was just something that Obi Wan used to get from Point A to Point B. I'm not saying it's a poorly designed set - LEGO's designers did a good job with the source material given. The ship design just isn't that exciting. Especially since we've now gotten five(?) of the similar-looking Clone Wars Jedi starfighters. And of course, the price. Adults are more likely to look at price-to-parts ratio (which is pretty much irrelevant nowadays, but it is still in the back of their minds). They look at it and think that it should have been a $70 set to start with.

Anyway, these are just my thoughts as to why this set may have been a bust.

[lego the hutt]

I've thought it didn't sell because it's a UCS set from the Prequels. The UCSs are likely typically bought by the 30- and 40-somethings, who are way more into the classic films.

This is what I think too. I know that is how I feel being a 30 something afol. I'm much more into sets from the original films. I tend to not buy very many sets from the newer movies or the clone wars (though I do have a few).

[hatcher]

According to the the new Toys R Us flyer (Canada) this set will be on sale next week for $64.97, or $25 off current price. The ad also says "while they last" and "no rain checks" so that tells me they are on their way out. Might be time to grab one for the pieces.

[ricefields]

well, they had over 20 boxes at the toysrus I went to in toronto so even at $65 its not appealing to the public. Based on observing parents and kids go through their buying process, you can overhear that this is not a playset, has no minifigs and its definitely for 30-40 yr old AFOL and for display with no swooshing. I think its a good set for $65. I bought one when it first came out and lego put it on sale early in its release cycle when it was 30% off and thank god I bought it off the US shop@home for $69.99us instead of the canadian site else I would be feeling ripped off. At $65 its tempting to get a second. if I did not already have one, I would have bought it at $65. Yes, I believe the resale value will be crappy. I went to the store with mindset to get the second one but then used my giftcard on buying ninjago for my son instead. I though it was not possible but Ninjago is what kids what now instead of star wars....maybe they should create spinners for jedi and sith characters! :)

Has toyrsus in canada ever discounted a set more than 50% off, I don't think so; therefore will it be available cheaper than $65? Time will tell...

[legitimatealex]

I know at least one big chain store that isn't Toysrus has them for $70 or $60 on their site and has had that for a while. To me, it's just not very impressive. It wasn't one of the ships that stuck out as memorable at all. It was in a few scenes where the character mainly just flew around from planet to planet. It wasn't iconic of anything.

[SpaceNinjaDino]

Amazon had this for $50 on December 15th during a Lightening Deal. I figured it would at least retain that value and it does for MISB.