You probably remember the first appearance polybag 5001709 containing the Clone Trooper Lieutenant minifig offered in June to young visitors and volunteers from LEGOLAND Park in California.

The amount requested then on eBay by the rare sellers of this polybag was so far incredible, often reaching 200 €, while we already assumed that this bag would be available more widely later. This should lower the prices and teach patience to those who have paid a high price for this minifigure ...

This Clone Trooper Lieutenant is therefore the next minifig offered in the LEGO Stores and on the LEGO Shop from September 1 to October 31, 2013! The minimum purchase amount to be offered this polybag is set at $ 50 in the USA.

Also note, the very successful polybag 40079 Mini Volkswagen T1 Camper below which will be offered from $ 75 purchase.

(Thanks to K. for his email)

Many of you emailed me about this visual featuring Mr Gold among the minifigs of the brand new 11 series on the official LEGO website.

Mistake of the person who uploaded the new official visuals of the 16 minifigs of the 11 series or is Mr Gold also available in certain boxes of 60 sachets?

Personally, I think this is just a mistake, but I could be wrong ...

For those who do not follow the news on English-speaking sites or blogs, I will summarize what it is and I will tell you right away that I do not agree on the substance, nor on the form of elsewhere :

FBTB recently published several articles (here, leaves and even leaves) by attempting to demonstrate that LEGO rigged the distribution of the exclusive minifigs at the last San Diego Comic Con.

More or less consistent testimonies in support, the site clearly states that the "draw" was carried out in advance and that the manufacturer voluntarily chose the lucky ones, by distributing the winning tickets to a chosen audience, to find out which children are in the queue.

Brickset then immediately followed in FBTB's footsteps by relaying the article, but remaining a little more cautious about clear evidence of this manipulation of the draw by LEGO.

Obviously, commentators of all kinds, no doubt a little frustrated to see the prices of these minifigs soar on eBay or not to have won one or more minifigs during their visit to San Diego, went on a rampage by shouting conspiracy and by reproaching LEGO for having made the visitors of Comic Con believe that they had, after long hours of waiting, a fair chance of winning while the choice of lucky guys of the day was made from the "selective" distribution of the tickets by the stand staff, probably on the instructions of some manager.

Other AFOLs, present at Comic Con, intervene in the comments of these articles to contradict the testimonies used by FBTB to support its claims.

LEGO could not let such accusations circulate and has just reacted by giving its point of view on the question: The manufacturer categorically denies the claims published on FBTB by indicating that the promotional operation was not rigged: The distribution of tickets was not handled and the children were not favored during the distribution.

In its press release, LEGO also expresses its disappointment with the business of these exclusive minifigs and indicates that it is constantly working to improve its promotional operations of this type.

Below is LEGO's official response to the thinly veiled accusations of rigging and manipulation:

It's time for the traditional review of the box of 60 collectible minifig sachets provided by LEGO to Eurobricks in preview, this time with series 11 which is already available for pre-order at amazon Italy (Click here).

If you still hesitate, which I doubt for most of you, about the interest of this new series of 16 minifigs, go to flickr (Click here) discover all the photos uploaded by WhiteFang.

These many views of the different characters in this new series will convince you either to offer you a box of 60 sachets (2 complete series per box accompanied by 28 additional minifigs), or to go to your favorite store to indulge in the activity favorite of minifig collectors: The "feeling"sachets.

You can also find information about each character on the official website which has just been updated.

Small question to all those who are fans of this LEGO range: With 11 series, or 177 minifigs already released (no, there is no miscalculation ...), is weariness invading you or on the contrary? do you still look forward to the release of each new series?

First of all, it should be noted that the idea is not new, I have already seen a few advertisements from individuals on the Le Bon Coin site who offered the same service: The rental with option to purchase LEGO products against a price fixed. Some toy rental sites also exist in France: Between individuals with Zilok or via a professional with monjoujou.com or loca-jouet.fr for example.

The Pleygo.com site develops the concept by centering it on LEGO products and making it professional and attractive. Everything is done to explain to parents that they can regularly offer the latest fashionable novelties or older sets from the LEGO catalog to their children.

The products are cleaned and "disinfected" before dispatch, the postage is free and the customer can even choose to permanently acquire the rented product. A few parts lost by the most stunned do not generate overcharging.

The subscription price starts at $ 15 per month to be able to rent sets containing a maximum of 250 pieces, this price increases to $ 25 per month to have access to sets containing up to 500 pieces, and to be able to access the "Mega Fan" category (Sets over 500 pieces), the monthly fee is $ 39. There is no limit to the number of sets that the customer can rent each month, but it is only possible to rent one set at a time.

If you have children, you know the average lifespan of their interest in a newly purchased toy: It is often very limited ... With this site, the pleasure is constantly renewed without cluttering the children's room and without spending money astronomical prices when buying LEGO products, which are among the most expensive in the construction toys department. The solution is attractive and will allow fans to build a few sets that have already become inaccessible for many parents in these difficult times.

Obviously, as a collector, I don't really agree with the idea of ​​having to "return" a set, but I am not the target of this initiative exclusively centered on LEGO products and articulated around the leitmotif "I praise, I build, I send back ".

And you, do you find this offer interesting? Parents, would you consider renting your LEGOs? Children and teenagers, is being able to access a varied offer allowing you to build many sets an advantage?

I await your opinions in the comments.