Ever since LEGO shared news that price increases were on thee way, fans, parents and community members have been bracing themselves for another burden to their pocketbooks, and now Barnes & Noble has pre-empted the forecasted August/September increases.
As of July 9th, the bookseller has increased its prices on more than 60 sets – including 13 in the Star Wars theme.
| B&N price | LEGO price | Increase | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75257 Millennium Falcon | $169.99 | $159.99 | $10.00 | 6% |
| 75288 AT-AT | $169.99 | $159.99 | $10.00 | 6% |
| 75300 Imperial TIE Fighter | $44.99 | $39.99 | $5.00 | 12% |
| 75304 Darth Vader Helmet | $79.99 | $69.99 | $10.00 | 14% |
| 75308 R2-D2 | $239.99 | $199.99 | $40.00 | 20% |
| 75309 UCS Republic Gunship | $399.99 | $349.99 | $50.00 | 14% |
| 75313 UCS AT-AT | $849.99 | $799.99 | $50.00 | 6% |
| 75318 The Child | $89.99 | $79.99 | $10.00 | 12% |
| 75324 Dark Trooper Attack | $34.99 | $29.99 | $5.00 | 17% |
| 75327 Luke Skywalker (Red Five) Helmet | $69.99 | $59.99 | $10.00 | 17% |
| 75328 The Mandalorian Helmet | $69.99 | $59.99 | $10.00 | 17% |
| 75329 Death Star Trench Run | $69.99 | $59.99 | $10.00 | 17% |
| 75330 Dagobah Jedi Training | $89.99 | $79.99 | $10.00 | 12% |
With an average increase of 13%, across a variety of different sets, it’s clear that the smaller sets aimed at children will see the least change, while those adults who have been made to feel welcome in the last year are the ones that will experience the biggest pinch.
These adjustments are in line with those reported by German-language site StoneWars.de, which first broke the news of the impending inflation early last month, and – as pointed out by The Brick Fan – the Barnes & Noble prices will likely be indicative of other retailers when the increases kick in globally next month.
As for those listed on LEGO.com, it is believed that these prices will stand, so those who pre-ordered their Summer wave sets aren’t expected to make any savings. However, those sets that are listed as coming soon may still have their prices adjusted.
Since their reveal, LEGO has shared a press statement to the LEGO Ambassador Network (LAN) but has yet to issue it through the news room on their website, leaving consumers who aren’t plugged into AFOL media in the dark.
The latest news from LEGO, again shared through the LAN, has confirmed that customers in North America and the Australia-Pacific regions will experience the increase from August 1st, while those in Europe and the Middle East will feel the hurt from September 1st.
How will this affect your collecting habits? Will you resolve to be more selective in your purchasing, or will you throw caution to the wind and forge ahead regardless?
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