Architectural Sets Overpriced? Share your opinion!

[Striker]

These sets and their price-to-piece ratio is completely off. The average one-part-per-ten-cents has been broken, with the Architecture sets breaking this average.

For example:

The Space Needle. 57 parts, for $19.99. Labled: Rip-Off. Why? Because the normal price for set like this should be $7.99. The same goes for the Empire State Building and John Hancock Center

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. 208 parts, for $39.99. Labled: Steep Price. Why? Because this set has 208 parts, which, if we kept the price-to-piece ratio, this set should only be $19.99. The same price as the Space Needle.

Fallingwater. 811 parts, for $99.99. Labled: Steep Price. Why? Because this set is just a small building. Sure, it may be a nice display set, but it is more aimed at AFOLs, what child would want this except to play with a Godzilla toy and smash it? The price should have been about $79.99, even then, this set would still be at a questionable price.
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The question I ask is:

Why?

The sets are beautiful, and no doubt well built, but still, the prices are outrageous! The online LEGO community is very angry with the prices, and the lack of what you get for your money. As am I.

See an opinion, and a review of Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum here on Eurobricks:

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=31763
 
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The point of this topic, however, is to share your opinion. 

So, what do you think of the Architecture sets?

[xboltabo]

Yes, I've seen the architectural sets and I agree that they're overpriced. I figured it must be because they're limited editions aimed at adult collectors rather than kids. Although I'm an adult fan of Frank Lloyd Wright so I'd really like the Fallingwater set - but I sure wouldn't pay $99.99 for it!

And why can't they be for kids anyway? Ever since he was a little guy, my son always wanted to be an architect when he grew up. He's also a LEGO fan, so he would have loved to have a collection of these famous buildings on his shelf, just like he had a lineup of Puzz 3-D models of the Empire State Building, Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Big Ben, etc. He didn't play with those either but they made a nice display and he could take them apart and have fun building them again.

[Striker]

That's a very good point, xboltabo.

I guess I should have thought about that, plus, my point was way off. Architecture is like LEGO. So, basically, you're learning the details of the real buildings in LEGO, which I guess is pretty amazing.

Though, I don't have the money to by the sets at this price. They have some nice parts in them, and for they're display plates, they have printed tiles! No stickers on these guys, even though I don't have a problem with stickers, it's nice to see some printed parts once in a while.

Your son's got a good thing going there, by the way. That's a good future he has in mind.

[xboltabo]

Your son's got a good thing going there, by the way. That's a good future he has in mind.

Oh, sorry, I didn't finish the story but after all those years having a one-track mind on being an architect, all of a sudden in high school he changed and decided that he wanted to be a game designer. So now he's in college taking computer classes... but he still won't part with any of his models (which are sitting on the shelf gathering dust). So who knows, perhaps he might end up doing 3-D CAD modeling for an architectural firm or something!

[Super Searcher]

He could design buildings on a computer. XD

[Striker]

He could design buildings on a computer. XD

That's basically what CAD modeling is, no?

[Super Searcher]

He could design buildings on a computer. XD

That's basically what CAD modeling is, no?

Heh, I guess.

[Striker]

Heh, I guess.

I couldn't tell, were you joking?

[Super Searcher]

Heh, I guess.

I couldn't tell, were you joking?

On what he could do? Kind of.

[Striker]

I figured.

The sets themselves looks like art-pieces, but still heavily overpriced.

I'd rather spend it on Space Police.

[Artahn]

I've seen someone comment on the fact that you are also paying for the booklet that comes with it. Every one of these sets has what is essentially a small book dedicated to the history, facts, stats, and other things based on the building you're making.


Anyways, with that said, the real question is: How much would you be willing to pay for a microscale Empire State Building, as well as a guide to the Empire State Building? If you're me, you'll find the price is almost justified....


...almost.

[xboltabo]

I didn't know they came with booklets. That does make it a little more reasonable, and more educational at least. Although you can probably find all the same information yourself on the internet and put together your own fact sheet.

[Artahn]

I didn't know they came with booklets. That does make it a little more reasonable, and more educational at least. Although you can probably find all the same information yourself on the internet and put together your own fact sheet.

Possibly, but it started out as a line of souvenirs, so I think its only fair to treat them as such, and expect them to be overpriced...