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When is the LEGO Sandcrawler Retiring?

Posted on by Retiring Sets
LEGO 75059 Sandcrawler is not among the oldest sets in LEGO’s current catalog, but it is approaching the age at which it can be considered at risk of retiring soon. This set is the second LEGO model based on the Jawa Sandcrawler from Star Wars: A New Hope, with the previous model being released in 2005. The difference between the two Sandcrawler sets is night and day, however, with the newer model employing LEGO’s latest building techniques and updated minifigures. The newest model is the definitive one as far as serious LEGO collectors are concerned. LEGO 75059 Sandcrawler is a truly massive set. As of early 2016, it is the eighth largest (by piece count) LEGO set ever released, weighing in at an impressive 3296 pieces. In addition, it features a collection of 14 minifigures, with the most notable being four Jawas, several exclusive droids and the exclusive Owen Lars minifigure. It is worth noting that this set features the Ultimate Collectors Series (UCS) logo on the box, but there is no UCS info plaque included in the set as there is with other UCS models. The Sandcrawler has the appearance of a “play set” which has prompted criticism from some collectors and investors, but that is unlikely to hold back its post-retirement value. After all, even adult collectors enjoy large Star Wars models with play features, with 10188 Death Star being one notable example. In addition, 
LEGO Star Wars Sandcrawler

LEGO Star Wars Sandcrawler

appreciated in value and was only hurt by the release of the improved 75059 Sandcrawler.

When is the LEGO Sandcrawler Retiring?

So when can we expect the LEGO 75059 Sandcrawler to retire? It was initially released in May 2014 during LEGO’s May the fourth promotion. An interesting comparison set is the 10240 UCS X-wing Starfighter which was released one year prior, on May 4th, 2013. The UCS X-wing recently became unavailable at the end of 2015 after approximately 2.5 years of availability. Let us consider another example: 
LEGO Star Wars 10225 R2D2 (Discontinued by manufacturer)

LEGO Star Wars 10225 R2D2 (Discontinued by manufacturer)

was released on May 4th, 2012. It became unavailable at retail in late 2014 after, again, approximately 2.5 years of availability. There are numerous examples of modern UCS Star Wars sets retiring after lifespans around 2.5 years, and the previous two sets that were released on May 4th both retired after the same period of time. This historical data suggests that we can expect 2016 to be the final year of LEGO 75059 Sandcrawler and it should be considered at high risk of retirement at the end of this year.
LEGO Star Wars 75059 Sandcrawler

LEGO Star Wars 75059 Sandcrawler

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29 Comments

  1. This has never been my favourite set, but it is a iconic set. And well worth having one.

  2. Bought a few just to make sure I don’t miss out on such a great investment.

  4. I was hoping you would do a write up regarding the Sandcrawler soon thank Return. It definitely looks like Sandcrawler is in the firing line this year. Once retired Sandcrawler should ultimately come out a winner, appealing to a larger audience for being more than just a display set.

  6. Interesting to note:
    On January 27th the Sandcrawler changed from ‘out of stock’ in Europe to ‘available’ in Europe.
    On February 1st the Sandcrawler changed from ‘available’ to ‘exp. 1 Mar.’ in Europe.
    So either the demand is HUGE, or the resupply batch on January 27th was so small that it was already all gone again 5 days later. And my bets are on the latter.

    Anyone who hasn’t acquired this lumbering beast yet should start to plan on getting it soon.

  7. Ordered mine on lego.com 2 days ago saying out of stock until 1st March. Parcel arrived today! Bit weird when not expecting sandcrawler until March!

    • It could be that Lego are actually holding back existing stock to fulfill recent customer orders ‘quickly’ but as the number of ‘back orders’ begins to increase, they can plan any new production runs accordingly. Supply and demand principle.

    • I ordered one at the same time, and I haven’t had a email to say it’s despatched as yet.. Just an email to say it’s currently out of stock:
      “Unfortunately, the item(s) listed below are currently out of stock and it will be a little longer before we can ship them to you.”

      So you must be the lucky one..

  8. The stock status of retiring & retired sets seems to be all over the place at the moment. You’d expect 10236 Ewok Village to be the next prime candidate for retiring (possibly mid year)yet stores still seem to be able to supply them. Similar with The Batman Tumbler which Smyths have listed as due in shortly although they have unscrupulously increased the price to 169.99. However the Sandcrawler set which you would think would logically not retire until year end is no longer listed at Smyths, Out of Stock at Toys R Us and not available until March at The Lego Shop, one has to wonder what’s going on? Is the Sandcrawler now a Shop@Home exclusive with no more stock heading out to stores?

  9. I don’t think this set is retiring in the upcoming months. It has a 5-set limit on the Lego Shop at Home site.

  11. This set is on its way out very soon. Smyths just cleared them at £150 and they have taken it from their catalogue. Can’t see them doing that on a set that’s here till December. Further evident that the UCS set has been officially launched at NY toy fair pretty much guarantees that a UCS is on its way out & leading contender is the SandCrawler.

  12. What’s everyones thoughts on the return on investment on this set vs Ewok Village and also London Bridge? I can only afford one! Thanks

    • I would vote for Sandcrawler or London Bridge and even Sydney opera house is my first choice. I don’t see any great value of Ewok Village .

  13. Just ordered my Sandcrawler! 😀 for £225
    Van – I wouldn’t underestimate the Ewok Village, it’s a major O/T feature in ROTJ

    • Me too! Now I need to start buying Star Wars desert set for more droids and aliens. Got my eyes on ‘75148 – Encounter on Jakku’ for that rider with mount and the other alien.

  14. Update I went to a lego store in disney springs in Orlando may 25 did not see it displayed saw the ucs tie fighter and slave 1 and the hoth but hoth looks awesome

  15. I think this set is very close to being done. Amazon has been out of stock for a few days, and it won’t be available on S@H until August 21st…

  18. On lego us shop now changed to ‘call to check product availability’.
    Although TLG definitely hold its cards close to its chest, I believe it is just a matter of time before stock also disappears from the Europeon website and with the current order limit high as 5 per customer the ‘good riddance policy’ may just have some collecters handing in their a little while longer.

  19. US S@H now shows back ordered, expected shipping on Sept 13th.
    Not my favorite set, but my grandson is begging for it so I guess I’m ordering today rather than miss out

  20. Interesting. Both Ewok Village and Sandcrawler are now officially RETIRING SOON (European S@H stores all show this now).

  21. I suppose this set can be a winner as it’s price tag is one of the highest out of all Lego sets available. I’m just a bit cautious that it’s an “old” set that appeared in the first movie…
    But still, for SW fans, it is a “must have”!

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