If you haven’t gotten the adorable #21303 LEGO Ideas WALL-E yet, but have considered buying one recently, you may have noticed that the set is currently shown as out of stock at the Online LEGO Shop, with an expected ship date of March 2016. So why the big delay? 😕
As we discussed previously (see: LEGO Ideas WALL-E Available Now!), the set was already delayed once due to issues with a couple of hinge-bricks that were supporting the head (this only effected the North American market). The problem was fixed in the second batch of sets, and if you have gotten an earlier version with defective hinges you could call LEGO’s customer service for replacements.
However now LEGO is acknowledging a second problem with WALL-E, delaying the release of the set yet again for another fix. The issue is that WALL-E’s head is a bit too loose and can spin around easily due to the weight of the head and the lack of friction in the neck joint. In the previous article (linked above) we mention two fixes for this problem; one simple and one more complex. The second fix in particular is a permanent and sturdy solution, however not everybody has the extra parts needed, or want to bother with getting them on the secondary market. While after the first fix LEGO did not acknowledge this second problem, it seems like they got enough complaints that they had a change of heart. At the LEGO Ideas Blog, they posted the following announcement:
Dear LEGO Fans, in order to make the LEGO Ideas set #21303 WALL-E as fun as the character in the movie, we created the model with the ability to turn his head all the way around. Since the model has been launched we have received feedback from fans who feel WALL-E’s head moves a bit too freely. Feedback from our fans is very important for us and we’ve decided to take their advice and make some improvements to the set. Our designers are currently working on some small changes to the model. Therefore the #21303 LEGO Ideas WALL-E set is currently not available at shop.LEGO.com and in some LEGO Stores. Once the reworked version of the model has been finalized LEGO WALL-E will make a full return. For the latest updates on availability, please visit WALL-E on shop.LEGO.com.
If you’ve already purchased your LEGO Ideas WALL-E: It is very important to us that fans have a great building and playing experience with all our sets and we appreciate feedback to improve our sets. Our Customer Service can answer questions on existing models and can be reached via LEGO.com/service. If you have any more questions, please contact LEGO Customer Service and let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you further. Kind regards, LEGO Ideas Team
So as you can see, LEGO is taking steps to redesign the neck of WALL-E. This should also mean a new parts list and new instruction book, as here we are dealing with a weak design, not just defective parts. My guess is that once the new design is finalized, those who have bought an earlier version of the set can contact LEGO’s customer service and get the necessary parts to update their WALL-E. They may include the new instructions with the replacement kit, or perhaps they will be available online.
I find it a bit amusing that this LEGO Ideas set is getting all these fixes. Seems to perfectly match the character of WALL-E, the little robot that kept chugging along with so many replacement parts. Please note that while the set is shown as out of stock, you could still add it to your shopping cart, which usually means that you can purchase the set even now, and there will be just some delay in shipping. This is a good option if you want to buy the set but don’t want to continuously check for updates on availability. You can find it under the LEGO Ideas section of the Online LEGO Shop.
So what do you think? How do you like the LEGO Ideas WALL-E? Are you planning to get him? Or do you have him already? What do you think of the current design of the neck? Is it too loose? Or just fine? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below! 😉
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Funny that they are now acknowledging this. Initially, I thought the last fix was to address the free spinning head problem when it turned out it was only the neck. I ended up using the plumber’s tape fix for mine, which is fine if you don’t play with the head too much. Otherwise, you’ll have to re-tape it periodically.
Here’s hoping they continue with their excellent customer service and provide the fix to us early buyers for free like they did with the neck.
Meanwhile, I bought two sets and have only built one so far (the second set was to be displayed in the wife’s office). I am now wondering if I could manage to make a decent profit by selling it during this period of unavailability.
Yes, there is a good possibility that WALL-E will sell well on the secondary market during the shortage. Especially with the holidays coming up. One thing though is that yours is used. In general people prefer to give new and unopened sets as gifts, and they buy used sets for themselves. Anyhow, you can monitor the prices on eBay and BrickLink to see if it would be worth selling now and just re-buy the set later. 😉
No, I bought two sets. Only one set I have opened and built, the other set is still new in box, completely sealed and untouched.
Thoughtful! Yes, you should have no problem selling that. The question is for how much. If you can double your money, I think it would be worth it. I wouldn’t hold on to the set longer because once the fixed version is out everybody will want that one and the value of the original set can plummet. But right now it’s a good time.
Yep, and I do have the fix for the neck for that set too since Lego has already sent me those parts. So those are in a bag sitting next to it.
And with the official announcement of the Ghostbusters Firehouse just being posted today, I could definitely use the funds towards that.
Yeah, that Ghostbusters Firehouse is huge! And expensive! I’m just waiting for the official press-release with interior images! 😀
Didn’t they post that almost two weeks ago? I have to wonder how long it will take to come up with a good replacement design. They could just use one of the solutions AFOLs have already come up with for once. Just the other day LEGO Shop said “OoS until Dec. 20, 2015” which sounded hopeful, but currently it’s out until Feb. 8, 2016. Disappointing. 😕
Off-topic, but yesterday my mom went to drop some stuff off for an event last night, and came home with a bin full of LEGO! Apparently the person dropped the bin and spilled it, my mom helped pick up, and then acquired the bin. There’s 1000+ pieces in it, from various sets (we’ve identified 70800, 41027, & 4203), and they all need washing, but it’s still great. 😀
Also: http://brickset.com/article/17356/75827-ghostbusters-firehouse-headquarters-officially-revealed Looks good, if not accurate. I like the traffic light, and the new-colored Ninjago parts. It’s 3 levels as well. 🙂
As I mentioned in the article, there were two separate fixes LEGO announced. Originally they only acknowledged the weak neck brackets. Now they are also acknowledging the freely rotating neck issue. That is what this second announcement is about. I think I will wait until the full press-release is available about the Ghostbusters set. It shouldn’t be long. I also like the sign. Looks pretty good on the outside, but what I want to see is what’s inside. BTW, LEGO did confirm on their FB page that the Ecto-1 can fit inside. Oh, and your mom is awesome! 😀
Yes, I know about the two separate fixes. What I want to know is why is it going to take so long to find a suitable fix for the rotation issue, when AFOLs have already come up with a good one? The designers could just use that. I know after that the set has to be produced before being marketed, but that can’t take too long.
According to EW, there’s a lab, containment unit, and living quarters on the Firehouse interior. But I also want pictures, as there has to be more: there’s 3 floors, each with an easy-remove design. Although the Ecto-1 will likely take up the entire bottom floor. 😕
My understanding is that the Firehouse opens up like a doll-house, which means they can get quite detailed on the inside. I’m sure we will see interior images soon. I haven’t received the press-release yet, but a high-res picture of the set and all the minifigs already surfaced. I like the ghosts! http://www.flickr.com/photos/hothbricks/22333873160/
Actually, looking at the image on flickr, the floors seem to be stacked. What do you think?
I agree, initially I was wondering if it was going to be a dollhouse method like the Lego Ideas submission. But looking at the high res shot it looks more like the stackable, modular design.
While I think the dollhouse design would have been great, I could see how that might be construed even more so as stealing from an idea submission than working from there own. Also, As big as that wall was, I could see it being a structural weak link.
At least with the stackable design, it is more in line with how the modular buildings are even though it isn’t a “modular” building by Creator standards. The floor plan should be fairly open and, being wider than even the 16 stud half size modular buildings, it should be pretty easy to get hands in and out of.
Also, I am glad to hear that the Ecto-1 fits. I guess the front garage door swings open then?
I’m pretty sure the front door opens somehow. It appears to be a brick-built door – like what we have in the Town Hall (which I really like). Based on the size, the Firehouse is just about as tall as the Town Hall (without the tower part), but it is much deeper, so if people want to display it with the modulars they would have to get a bit creative. But if it is indeed stacked, it is very good news as it makes it more compatible right out of the box.
Yes, it is stacked, just like the modulars. I did try to say that in my previous comment, but I suppose I failed. 😉
Looking at the pic, there’s a break at the top of the grey section, another halfway up the red section, and the roof comes off just above the corner section. So three floors, just like modulars. More proof for this is that it’s impossible for the building to hinge open: it’s built on a 32X32 and a 16X32 baseplate. The building doesn’t open where these two meet, as there’s a 1X6 Tile that bridges the gap, and the walls don’t break there either. 🙂
Exactly! Those are the things I noticed as well. 😀
The firehouse is now on Lego’s shopping page, but only one picture. What is interesting is that the description mentions that the walls do open out for easy play. This would contradict our earlier analysis where it appeared it followed the modular stacking technique.
I really want to see how they are doing this and if it is similar to how the Lego Ideas submission did it. I’d also like to see the details on the inside.
Man this set is bad luck, I got the first release discovered the neck issue and saw others also talk about in on Reddit. I contacted customer support and they said they were sorry and were shipping me the pieces. I waited a few weeks almost forgot about it and contacted them again. They apologized and said they never sent the parts and would do so again.
Hopefully I get the pieces eventually they are always so good about sending me pieces if a new kit I bought was missing something.
Yeah, poor WALL-E! 😥
In their mini magazine, BrickSwag had an alternate build for Wall-e. I’m don’t remember how they addressed the problem.
My guess is that they used the one provided by Chris McVeigh that we discussed here: http://thebrickblogger.com/2015/09/lego-ideas-wall-e-available-now/. It is the most widely known and used modification that was applied even before LEGO acknowledged the problem.
As I mentioned in the other thread, my guess is that they used the one provided by Chris McVeigh that we discussed here: http://thebrickblogger.com/2015/09/lego-ideas-wall-e-available-now/. It is the most widely known and used modification that was applied even before LEGO acknowledged the problem.
Yes, I looked it up in the magazine. That’s what they used and gave him credit of course.