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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not get why Lego is so fecking expensive?

70 replies

Bogeyface · 20/11/2013 21:01

Its plastic bricks FFS!

I can sort of see why the branded stuff (Star Wars etc) is more as they have to pay for the rights to use the brand, but even the standard stuff is exorbitant for what you get!

I have managed to avoid it thus far but after a play date a few weeks ago, DS i now hooked. I have a set budget at Xmas anyway, but this year it is set in stone thanks to redunancy followed by a NMW job, and what I can get, even with super savvy shopping, is pitiful :(

OP posts:
ShoeWhore · 20/11/2013 21:56

YY to looking on ebay, gumtree etc.

I know it's expensive but I agree re the cost per play - ours gets played with every single day and some of it is 30 years old and totally as good as new - not many toys you can say that about.

We've had the odd little set given to us of fake lego and it's never as good.

Pilgit · 20/11/2013 21:57

Have you got any second hand places nearby? We have a fab one near us and they always have loads going cheap. They also sell new at lower price. Might be worth googling it near you. If you are siouth east toy time in Hildenborough. B

notthefirstagainstthewall · 20/11/2013 22:00

YANBU. Hate that they make all the bits too instead of allowing children to invent their own way of constructing it.

Bumply · 20/11/2013 22:01

Proper Lego stays together when put together.
The compatible stuff is not even playable with unless you're doing something static like a house. Pick it up and it starts falling apart no matter how tightly you try to press the pieces together.

SteamWisher · 20/11/2013 22:02

We buy the sets but ds still makes his stuff up. He's only young (4) and the sets fuel his imaginative play.

Stick to cheaper sets eg

StrictlySazz · 20/11/2013 22:03

On ebay it sells by weight. We got a HUUUGE box for £40 and has some really interesting sets in it as well as basic bricks etc

Sirzy · 20/11/2013 22:04

I think if you look around then really for what you get its not too expensive. DS got loads of lego for his 4th birthday last week and the sets are great and all under £20. They have been added to his ever growing collection. I don't mind paying a bit more for something that will be played with hopefully for the next 5 years or more.

And now I am off to look at the kiddicare website for christmas lego!

nauticant · 20/11/2013 22:08

Am I being unreasonable to not get why Lego is so fecking expensive?

Unsurprisingly, this has been studied in depth:

therealityprose.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/what_happened_with_lego/

and, broadly, the conclusion is that once various factors are taken into account (eeee, I remember when you could go to town have a couple of pints, go to the pictures, then have a slap up meal of fish and chips, and still have change from a couple of bob) the cost of LEGO is not much changed and is possibly even cheaper these days.

PeppiNephrine · 20/11/2013 22:13

For the time they play with it, for the enjoyment they get from it, its the best value toys I have ever bought. Other stuff, just as pricey, has lasted a fraction of the time they actually use it for.
I never mind paying for Lego.

PeppiNephrine · 20/11/2013 22:15

Plus, it lasts actually for ever. My children play with the LEGO bought for their father and his siblings, and it looks like new, its 40 years old. What other product can you say that for?

goldenlula · 20/11/2013 22:24

My children have a tub of Lego from my childhood and is one of the few toys that have stood the test of time and is totally reusable by them. I got £50's worth of Lego sets (4 sets) for just under £35 thanks to argos's 25% off a £50 and a £5 off voucher. That said, both ds' love just having the big box of it and using their imagination. They build football pitches (they look nothing like football pitches but in their mind they do), airports etc!

pointyfangs · 20/11/2013 22:42

Lego is expensive because it lasts forever and ever and ever. My DDs are playing with the Lego I had when I was a child, and I'm 45 now. I expect that their Lego will end up shared between their DCs when they have them, because it will still be going strong. It's the ultimate in value for money.

Original poster
Bogeyface · 20/11/2013 22:48

Thanks for the tips!

I think the issue is that the sets, which is what children want, are such bad value compared to a big box of random bricks they can do what they want with.

The little boxes of Chima, Harry Potter, Starwars are about £7.99, so pocket money prices.

Really?! What part of "redundancy followed by NMW job" did you not get?! The pocket money fairy has long since departed this house!

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Original poster
Bogeyface · 20/11/2013 22:49

I am know I am being grumpy, its just that I did my best with the savings I had and it just looks so crap :(

I do have some money left for stockings, so I will see if I can find anything second hand and do him a Lego stocking!

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minionmadness · 20/11/2013 22:49

My aunt has just given my dc a massive tub of Lego that is over 50 years old that belonged to my (now 60) cousin. It had been gathering dust in her attic and she had forgotten she had it!

They spend ages playing with it and I'm sure it will last another 50 years. I can't think of any of their current toys that will last that long.

Talkinpeace · 20/11/2013 22:50

but it second hand, 20 years old and you'll see why its so expensive ((((((LEGO))))))

Chippednailvarnish · 20/11/2013 23:00

Tesco club card vouchers? I'm in a similar position OP and it's very stressful. I'm making excuses already that Santa's sleigh isn't big enough to carry everything Ds wants Sad

Lurleene · 20/11/2013 23:04

There's lots of beautiful and very very cheap Lego books on The Book People website which would bulk out a stocking very nicely. My DS loves reading about Lego as much as he likes building with it.

Cheap Lego books

Original poster
Bogeyface · 20/11/2013 23:05

It's shit isnt it Chipped?

I have to say that I am eternally grateful to my younger self for always setting a limit on Xmas that was considered low to the point of parsimonious by my friends, at least they dont expect iPads and Laptops as standard!

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Original poster
Bogeyface · 20/11/2013 23:06

Thanks Lurleene (love the name btw, is your surname Lumpkin?!)

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Chippednailvarnish · 20/11/2013 23:08

Can you ask grandparents to buy Lego too?

Looking on the bright side Aldi and Lidl do great Christmas food ranges...

Scholes34 · 20/11/2013 23:09

Have bought lots of second hand over the years and just bunged it in the dishwasher to give it a clean.

Original poster
Bogeyface · 20/11/2013 23:13

Chipped I am already a devotee at the altar of Aldi :o

Thankfully I love my family and we are all over grown children so Xmas day involves us all piling round to one house (we told my mother it was her turn this year after she has skived the last 12!) and all bringing a contribution. I have been saving with the butcher so I am doing the turkey, pigs in blankets and the stuffing, my sister is doing spuds, gammon and .... something else....Pudding! Ma and Pa are doing the veg and are treating us to the booze, so thankfully Xmas day itself isnt too bad.

I just get a bit down. We had 6 children because we could afford them. We have never been massive earners but the bills and mortgage were paid and with saving and budgeting we could always have treats. Now a treat is a month where I am not in a shit and a sweat the day before Direct Debit Day :(

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Lurleene · 20/11/2013 23:15

Ha Ha you have rumbled me. Grin I like your name too, it is very descriptive!

Hope you find something you like on there. Apparently the word COAL will give you an extra 10% off if you can order before midnight, but codes come up all the time so don't panic if you don't want to order anything tonight.

funkybuddah · 20/11/2013 23:15

Amazon Black Friday is next Friday. They always have something lego on there.