The highly prized LEGO Ideas NASA Apollo Saturn V (21309) may probably still sit on the top of our must-have LEGO sets of the year, but unfortunately, in spite of the relative early shelf life of this set since its release last June, the availability of the Apollo Saturn V (21309) has been notoriously close to none. True, we have the reassuring words from the LEGO Ideas Team that the set will not be retired right away given that it has only been three months in circulation since its release on June 1st. There were also moments when the NASA Apollo Saturn V set has been available at LEGO shop@home on very seldom occasions. However, the obvious unavailability of the set for weeks has cast a shadow of a doubt on the truth behind the availability of this highly sought after set.
For weeks already, shop.LEGO.com has always returned a ‘Temporarily Out of Stock’ message each time a query has been made for this set. Similarly, LEGO Brand and Certified stores have been informing customers about the indefinite date of 21309’s arrival in their respective stores. In search for answers, our friends from Promo Bricks decided to dig deeper and was able to have a privileged conversation with an undisclosed LEGO Product Manager. This may sound very, very sad, but according to Promo Bricks, the said manager has revealed that LEGO no longer has plans of producing the highly prized set. In other words, they are now in the process of delivering and selling the last copies of 21309 that went into production.
From the LEGO Group’s business perspective, this somehow makes sense, especially considering what a LEGO Customer Service Rep told Promo Bricks. According to the said LEGO CSR, even before a set is released for sale, there is already a pre-determined number of copies that each set is expected to have. This number is not usually revealed to the public, and the sets are produced in batches. When the demand exceeds the pre-determined supply eventually, then better expect delivery delays and ultimately the set’s cancellation. Furthermore, given the long lead-times needed to produce such great sets like the LEGO Ideas NASA Apollo Saturn V (21309), it is very impractical to produce more sets just for a short-term supply. Simply put, the NASA Apollo Saturn V (21309) set is hugely popular and a solid success that LEGO could no longer supply the growing demand.
But then again, these are just assumptions that we have based on currently available information. Perhaps LEGO will still reconsider and we will still get to see this gorgeous set once again on store shelves. Let’s just hope for the best.
What are your thoughts about this brick fans? Let me know in the comments.
This issue has already been addressed officially by lego last month. The set will continue to be produced.
https://ideas.lego.com/blogs/a4ae09b6-0d4c-4307-9da8-3ee9f3d368d6/post/1c30b0cb-0ac3-48f0-a1e3-a6ff636b71f3
Very disappointed. Would love to have this set. Frustrated that Lego does not care about it’s customers.
If true, then smart move TLG.
Let Lepin release their version to cash in on the money and market share you have but don’t want to continue leveraging.
Not good. I am not sure what to believe. Do I hold out in hopes another one shows up somewhere for $119 or do I fork over $200 bucks to buy from a third-party on Amazon. I hate paying hoarders who buy up hard to find Lego products, making them even harder to find, then sell them at a higher amount for profit, so I don’t normally give them business unless the set is retired.
I’m very disappointed my Bday is on Saturday and this was going to a set that I buy. So sad.
I think they shouldn’t retire it and wait until around Christmas time and kids while buy this set or parents. I know I want this set more than a nintendo switch.
I don’t understand why TLG wouldn’t see a great opportunity to make lots of money if it’s in high demand, come on Lego please don’t discontinue!
I emailed Lego and they replied by saying that the set will be restocked and will be continued to be made for 2 years like all sets are. You will be able to pick one up, I can assure you. But currently they TLG are producing and restocking.
Saturn V sets were posted as available on Lego website beginning Oct 3. I was able to order one today.
Waitlisted at four major stores with no delivery estimated then found four sitting on a shelf two weeks before Christmas. Then there were two… Innaloo, Western Australia before you jump in the car