The LEGO® Office Set Is Retiring, Does That Mean It’s Still Worth The Buy?

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Brick Built Blogs

The LEGO® IDEAS Office set from the iconic sitcom television series The Office is poised to retire at the end of this year or mid-2025. This would usually make this set a trending buy for a LEGO® investment. However, some sets, like the Friends TV show “Central Perk,” were DOA (dead on arrival) and, even while retired, niche sets like these show a somewhat flat growth curve.

LEGO® IDEAs

What are your goals for the Office LEGO® IDEAs set? I would discern them before you add them to your collection. Today, I’ll cover the overview of the set, the pros and cons, forecasting, and my genuine thoughts about this one-of-a-kind set.

Minifigures, And More Minifigures

The LEGO® Office Minifigures

You get the full Office lineup:

  • Michael Scott
  • Jim Halpert
  • Pam Beasley
  • Angela Martin
  • Ryan Howard
  • Oscar Martinez
  • Kevin Malone
  • Stanley Hudson
  • Kelly Kapoor
  • Phyllis Lapin-Vance
  • Meredith Palmer
  • Creed Bratton
  • Toby Flenderson
  • Darryl Philbin

(Yes, the cat, “Garbage,” comes in the set as well lol)

And while this lineup is incredible, you get all the characters you want, they sport some exceptional LEGO® printing, and there are callbacks/easter eggs from the show, most of these characters could be recreated from the LEGO® City lineup using pieces and figures frankenstein-ed together. This is not to say the minifigures aren’t great—it’s just if you are a diehard fan, you might just make the MOC yourself. It’s a pretty niche offering of minifigures, even though there are 15 of them.

The Set Itself

For $119.99, you get 1,194 pieces and the 15 minifigures. Considering how LEGO® has been pricing sets recently, I actually think this is the best part of the set—the bang for your buck. The build itself is quaint, cute, and easy to display, but certainly nothing to write home about. The build only takes 3-4 hours.

Afterall, it’s a diorama. While it is laden with callbacks to the show like the trash fire in the episode, “Stress Relief,” and even cats hiding in hidden compartments (a callback to Angela’s cat obsession), I did not find the build exceptionally difficult or unique. And, I’m a huge fan of The Office. By default, I loved this set, but I’m unsure other LEGO® builders might share the same enthusiasm.

You Miss 100% Of The Sets You Don’t Buy. – Wayne Gretzky – Michael Scott – Baumlinks

Would I buy this set? Absolutely. Already have. However, I did not follow the LEGO® rule of two: one set to build, one set to invest, and leave the rest for other fans. I actually only bought one LEGO® The Office 21336—and just to build. I have no interest in reselling because I don’t think the reselling component is there. LEGO® stays true to fans and builders; this set is made for a niche to make them happy at a very reasonable price.

The Quick Pros And Cons of The LEGO® Office Set

✅ Pros

  • ✅ Comprehensive Minifigure Collection: Includes 15 minifigures from the show, representing all key characters, plus the cat “Garbage.”
  • ✅ Easter Eggs for Fans: Filled with callbacks to The Office, such as the “Stress Relief” trash fire and Angela’s hidden cats.
  • ✅ Value for Money: Priced at $119.99 for 1,194 pieces and 15 minifigures, offering good value compared to other LEGO® sets.
  • ✅ Simple and Display-Ready: A compact, easy-to-display diorama that is quick and enjoyable to build.
  • ✅ Affordable Collectible: Designed for fans at a reasonable price, making it accessible to collectors.

❌ Cons

  • ❌ Limited Resale Potential: Unlikely to see significant growth in resale value, especially in the short term.
  • ❌ Niche Appeal: Appeals primarily to The Office fans, limiting its broader desirability.
  • ❌ Customizable Minifigures: Characters could be recreated using existing LEGO® City parts, which might deter some buyers.
  • ❌ Unremarkable Build: The diorama is not particularly innovative or complex, offering a relatively straightforward building experience.
  • ❌ Market Saturation: The set has been heavily purchased by investors, creating an oversupply in the aftermarket.

The Bottom Line On LEGO® IDEAs 21336 The Office Set

Should you buy this set? If you are looking to invest in this LEGO® set, probably not. I really don’t see the resale value here unless you wish to hold it for 10 years. If you wish to collect? 100%! This set is affordable, cool, simple to build, and an exceptional display piece.

What ever you decide to do, remember, this set is sold out, so the aftermarket is saturated. I don’t think it is bought out by fans, I think it has been bought out by LEGO® investors (erroneously thinking they are onto something). You could get it for a bargain price when it retires if you are a diehard collector!

LEGO® Minifigure Michael Scott In Front Of His Office
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