Son wants a $400 Lego set

[ccgirl]

Would this be completely insane? It's the Lego Star Wars Death Star set. It's $399.99. He REALLY wants it! He asked for it for his birthday, but I don't spend that much on birthdays. I just don't know if it is responsible to spend that much on ONE toy!! But he sure would FREAK out of he got it! What would you do?

P.S. He did tell me that he was going to ask Santa for it too!

Sorry..haven't read all of the posts. I guess it depends on how much you usually spend. Personally, we only spend about $250 per child so we would not purchase this. My DD also knows just because you ask Santa for it doesn't mean you will always get it. Santa has a lot of children to give gifts to so she needs to be realistic in her wants. In my house, Santa only brings one gift. Last year, he brought Wii to the entire family. It was not just a gift for her. Again, depends on your budget though. Just be prepared, once they get a gift that expensive they will probably expect it next year too.

 

[hopemax]

I like ideas I have heard to tell him Santa won't bring him gifts that are out of his age range. I think I may stick to that idea. AND when he gets older and still wants it, he can save up for it!

The problem with this, though, is if you buy him a different set, that is also out of his age range he might be, "Wait a minute..." Several of the normal Star Wars sets are 9-14, but I'm sure a LEGO loving 7 year old could manage them.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Well, he would freak out.....BUT he is only 7 and from what I am reading it may be a bit too much for him. Granted, he can easily put together hard sets. But 4000 pieces? If he got frustrated and gave up on it, I would be furious!!!

I like ideas I have heard to tell him Santa won't bring him gifts that are out of his age range. I think I may stick to that idea. AND when he gets older and still wants it, he can save up for it!

Get it for him!

I know a 7 year old who just got this and FREAKED - he has not stop playing with it for a month now.

I am a lego nerd - and have put these together for friends. I make a LOT of money doing this! I usually glue the main pieces and leave the rest for play - it has a working elevator and all sorts of cool stuff.

 

[Shutterbug]

how hard can it be? Only took this guy 9 mins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYxpoDbiTck

 

[browneyes106]

Since you can afford it and your son seems dedicated to putting sets together I say go ahead and buy it. I can understand the concerns about it being too difficult for your son but if you do buy it tell him that if he gets frustrated that it's ok to stop working on it for awhile and tell him throwing the pieces or instructions isn't a good thing.

My older brothers and a few other relatives used to put together a lot of hard Lego sets and there were times they would stop working on a set for usually a weeks at time but they always went back to working and finishing them.

 

[2Kds2K9]

Not to be blunt, but would you want to spend $400 on a toy at Christmas that may or may not frustrate your kid. Yes, it looks great and I'm sure he'll be the happiest kid on Christmas morning. But, later in the week, when he's frustrated with putting it together, he'll have nothing else to play with since most of his Christmas gift money went to one toy.

My DS is almost 17 and just about a Lego master. Loves them and always has. But, I would never dream of getting him that set until he was old enough to 1) appreciate it and 2) put it together by himself. I would have gotten this for my DS when he was about 13/14.

If your DS is at typical 7 YO, I'm sure all he's really interested in are the figurines. You should ask him what the appeal is. Also, there is a non-lego Death Star out there that is more interactive for a 7YO.

Good luck!

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Ummm... I'm thinking I'd be buying two. One for him, and one for ME

 

[Wishing on a star]

Not to be blunt, but would you want to spend $400 on a toy at Christmas that may or may not frustrate your kid. Yes, it looks great and I'm sure he'll be the happiest kid on Christmas morning. But, later in the week, when he's frustrated with putting it together, he'll have nothing else to play with since most of his Christmas gift money went to one toy.

If your DS is at typical 7 YO, I'm sure all he's really interested in are the figurines. You should ask him what the appeal is. Also, there is a non-lego Death Star out there that is more interactive for a 7YO.

Good luck!

This......

He's 7, right......
No way...
There is likely to be a lot of disappointment and frustration come from it.

He is seeing the big shiny graphics on the box...
He is seeing the over-the-top TV adds.

Would I spend that amount of money on a gift for my son???

Would I buy this 4000 pieces of frustration for a 7 year old...
I really don't think so.

Surely the is some really great, more age appropriate, StarWars toys and legos and figurines out there!

 

[booger73]

My two (9 and 6) finished building the 5922 piece Taj Mahal... (with, minimal help from me)
For a 9 year old, probably OK.. 7, i'd worry a little.. but as far as will it be worth it for fun, memories, etc? Carpe diem!

 

[Carlyzmom]

Not to be blunt, but would you want to spend $400 on a toy at Christmas that may or may not frustrate your kid. Yes, it looks great and I'm sure he'll be the happiest kid on Christmas morning. But, later in the week, when he's frustrated with putting it together, he'll have nothing else to play with since most of his Christmas gift money went to one toy.

My DS is almost 17 and just about a Lego master. Loves them and always has. But, I would never dream of getting him that set until he was old enough to 1) appreciate it and 2) put it together by himself. I would have gotten this for my DS when he was about 13/14.

If your DS is at typical 7 YO, I'm sure all he's really interested in are the figurines. You should ask him what the appeal is. Also, there is a non-lego Death Star out there that is more interactive for a 7YO.
Good luck!

No, I like blunt! Ha ha! That's what I think too. He would be SOOOO excited, but then it may cause frustration and then he wouldn't have anything else to play with. That would be BAD!

Do you know what brand the non Lego Death star is? I may just try to go to the Lego store and get him some of the mini figures.

 

[MAH4546]

My son has this. He loves it and keeps it on display in his room. I give in easily to LEGO, because even as an adult I still like the toys and collect them.

One thing, though, is that LEGO sets don't stay on the shelves forever. The average set is available for about 3 years, and after that, its gone and the price to buy it online in the after market sky rockets.

 

[2Kds2K9]

No, I like blunt! Ha ha! That's what I think too. He would be SOOOO excited, but then it may cause frustration and then he wouldn't have anything else to play with. That would be BAD!

Do you know what brand the non Lego Death star is? I may just try to go to the Lego store and get him some of the mini figures.

I don't remember. It was a mini type thing. We just got rid of it last year in the big clean out of 2009! Try googling Mini Death Star and see what you get. It was not Lego, but it was a great interactive toy. DS played with it for at least two years.

My DS has ALL his Legos displayed in his room. Most are on skateboard shelves. (he gets the joy of dusting them this weekend as our house guests will be staying in his room next week!)

Good luck!


ETA
Found it here:

http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Machines-Double-Takes-Death/dp/B000WQT2S8

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

No, I like blunt! Ha ha! That's what I think too. He would be SOOOO excited, but then it may cause frustration and then he wouldn't have anything else to play with. That would be BAD!QUOTE]

the frustration thing: Why cant it be a family thing? You know, if you need help let me know and Ill try to help you; could be a great bonding thing. My mom and I built a mega blocks battle ship when I was around 7 together and it is a very fond memory

 

[Huggles]

Try showing him the other star wars models on the lego site, because he might decide that some other set would be more fun. The death Star one is for ages 14+ and is in the Ultimate Collector series so is designed for display and not play. It is also very large and will take several days to complete so be prepared for it to take over the dining room table for some considerable time!
Our DD would love that model ( as would DH but I could see a power struggle developing to build it) as she has a whole wall in her room displaying her lego Star Wars models. However there would be nowhere to display it so it has been ruled out for her. Instead, she and her dentist (also a lego freak) discuss it in detail and try to think up excuses to justify buying it...thank goodness she only goes every 6 months or they might have managed to dream up an excuse!
If he accesses the Lego site, not only can he see the other Star Wars models, but there are games he can play and mini videos to watch ( I'm probably telling you things you already know, sorry!) If it's the characters he's after, then the keyrings are brilliant.

 

[disfan07]

I have a serious question because I am extremely curious about this...

What makes a lego set $400?

I mean, my brother and I loved legos (we still do...lol) but we never had the sets, just an insane amount of lego pieces. Same with one of the families I babysat for a few years ago. I've never bought legos so i've never really paid attention to the sets and costs, etc in the stores so I am honestly curious about these expensive lego sets.

It sounds more like a collectable types thing. Is that more like what it is?

When I hear $400 lego set it makes my eyes go but I figure there's got to be some reason why they are that expensive and I was wondeirng if someone could explain these sets to me. When I hear legos, I just think lego pieces, not actual sets.

 

[Pigeon]

I have a serious question because I am extremely curious about this...

What makes a lego set $400?

.

People willing to pay this much for maybe $2 worth of plastic.

 

[luvsJack]

If you bought this, would it then be the ONLY gift? If so, I would explain that and make sure he understood--ONLY.

Would I buy it? No. But then I have never had one that really loved Lego, either. Oldest DS asked for lego one Christmas and got them. But, he decided they weren't his thing.

Apparently, between the two sons not liking lego and dd not liking AG, I have gotten off cheap!!!!

 

[hentob]

People willing to pay this much for maybe $2 worth of plastic.

That goes for many things

People are willing to pay big bucks to eat out for meals that cost pennies to make at home.

People are willing to buy artwork that cost pennies for an artist to paint.

People are willing to pay big bucks for cheaply made clothing, shoes and purses that are made by Chinese people in factories getting paid pennies.

I wonder how much my son's Black Ops really cost to produce. Surely not the $60 we paid

If you are on welfare, food stamps or other government programs that help you get by in life, then I will tsk my tongue and judge you for buying frivolous items.

But, if the bills are paid and savings secure, spend your money one what you want (including a $400 Lego set).

 

[BeenHereB4]

I have a serious question because I am extremely curious about this...

What makes a lego set $400?

Since it's also a Star Wars piece, I'm assuming some of that $$ is for licensing, etc. It is a pretty cool piece and I'm sure it will end up in my home one way or another at some point.

I got a 20% off for Toys R Us today and will admit that if they have it, I may buy it.

 

[RadioNate]

That goes for many things

People are willing to pay big bucks to eat out for meals that cost pennies to make at home.

People are willing to buy artwork that cost pennies for an artist to paint.

People are willing to pay big bucks for cheaply made clothing, shoes and purses that are made by Chinese people in factories getting paid pennies.

I wonder how much my son's Black Ops really cost to produce. Surely not the $60 we paid

If you are on welfare, food stamps or other government programs that help you get by in life, then I will tsk my tongue and judge you for buying frivolous items.

But, if the bills are paid and savings secure, spend your money one what you want (including a $400 Lego set).

Actually you'd be shocked at how much it costs to produce a video game and how many people work on these things. They are like films in the sense that the monster hits need to make up for all the loses they take on everything else.

Back to Legos...I'm sure Lego pays a hefty licensing fee to Lucas to make the Star Wars sets. Legos are pricey in general so it makes sense that the licensed sets would be more so.