[USA] Toysrus.com New 2012 sets

[liisadd56]

So, you received the Cars 2 Oil Rig...just curious - did you order any of the Super Heroes sets, and if so have they shipped?

BTW, I talked to someone at one of the Lego stores today and they told me that because Toysrus is releasing the Super Heroes sets early, they likely will be doing the same. They said to look for them to be in the Lego stores on or about December 19th...cutting it close to Christmas!

[ncbarrett]

...
BTW, I talked to someone at one of the Lego stores today and they told me that because Toysrus is releasing the Super Heroes sets early, they likely will be doing the same. They said to look for them to be in the Lego stores on or about December 19th...cutting it close to Christmas!

So TRU is determining when LEGO releases the sets? Interesting.

[sidersdd]

So, you received the Cars 2 Oil Rig...just curious - did you order any of the Super Heroes sets, and if so have they shipped?

The Oil Rig is slated to arrive today - along with Jeff Gorvette set. Kendo Cole, some of the new technic sets, and the pink bricks and more bucket set are still "in progress." I was unable to get any Super Heroes sets - they were always "sold out" when I looked.

BTW, I talked to someone at one of the Lego stores today and they told me that because Toysrus is releasing the Super Heroes sets early, they likely will be doing the same. They said to look for them to be in the Lego stores on or about December 19th...cutting it close to Christmas!

I mentioned this before with the 2012 City/Dino sets:
http://www.toysnbricks.com/forums/viewt ... =36&t=4277" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's either some truth to this, or this is what the store employees are being told by corporate... for some other reason.

[sidersdd]

Just received shipping notices on pink bricks & more box, Agent Mater set, Red's Water Rescue set, and Technic Mini Tow Truck. Still waiting on Kendo Cole.

[meyerc13]

There's either some truth to this, or this is what the store employees are being told by corporate... for some other reason.

This is what I suspect is happening... LEGO sets a release date when their customers (Wal Mart, Target, TRU) are supposed to put this stuff out. Sometimes this is referred to as a 'street date.' LEGO ships the product to the distribution centers for those retailers, and those retailers ship it from the distribution centers to the stores. Meanwhile, the LEGO stores also get their product. What is supposed to happen is that all of the retailers put the product out at the same time.

For whatever reason, TRU is jumping the gun and putting out the product early. It might be with LEGO's permission, if the LEGO shelves in TRU are getting bare, and this is the only product in the channel, then it's better to put something out before it's release date rather than have empty shelves. On the other hand, maybe TRU is just doing it to get the jump on their competitors. I've heard that there can be fines for retailers who do this, that these penalties are built into their contracts. If that's true, it seems that for some retailers the extra profits offset the potential fines.

In any case, once TRU is selling the item, it doesn't make sense for LEGO to demand that Wal Mart, Target, and their own stores sit on the product and refuse to sell it. So I'm guessing a memo goes out to the LEGO stores and the other retailers telling them that it's okay to start selling.

So I wouldn't say that it is TRU telling LEGO when to sell, but rather LEGO is reacting to TRU selling prior to the street date.

[pumbaugh]

^^^If there were hard street dates I think TRU would follow them. They obviously know how to follow them since they sell DVD/BluRay/Video Games. This is the industry with the most prevalent street date systems. TRU may simply have a much better distribution network, especially for toys, than the others. Other than Walmart, maybe, I doubt many other places sell more LEGO than TRU. Most industries fill their largest customers orders first. There is all sorts of things that could cause TRU to get them first, but I do not think LEGO will ever need or require hard street dates.

[sidersdd]

Kendo Cole shipped. Everything I ordered was processed and shipped. Thanks again to gabriellee11 for posting the find.

[Luciant]

Either way, TRU is shooting themselves in the foot by instantly marking up the sets.... with their BOGO's it is about the same as S@H with VIP points....

[sadowsk1]

Either way, TRU is shooting themselves in the foot by instantly marking up the sets.... with their BOGO's it is about the same as S@H with VIP points....

I hate to say it, but I'm sure TRU knows what they are doing. While I would say that we are a conscious minority of what Lego should cost and what a sale means there is a larger majority that will blindly hand over money in the pursuit of what their kids or grandkids want ie well meaning grandparents. I've seen it time and time again when I'm at TRU buying some sets and maximizing a deal and some people will only buy one set during a BOGO 50% sale. I know, madness right? It happens...

It does give me a greater appreciate of the excellent information network established on this website and how to be mindful and maximize savings.

[Luciant]

Either way, TRU is shooting themselves in the foot by instantly marking up the sets.... with their BOGO's it is about the same as S@H with VIP points....

I hate to say it, but I'm sure TRU knows what they are doing. While I would say that we are a conscious minority of what Lego should cost and what a sale means there is a larger majority that will blindly hand over money in the pursuit of what their kids or grandkids want ie well meaning grandparents. I've seen it time and time again when I'm at TRU buying some sets and maximizing a deal and some people will only buy one set during a BOGO 50% sale. I know, madness right? It happens...

It does give me a greater appreciate of the excellent information network established on this website and how to be mindful and maximize savings.

Completely Agree with you. I just shake my head and also remind myself how thankful I am to have TNB.

I've even told people at one store about a better sale for the same set at a competitor (While at Target, telling ppl about TRU, or vice-versa).... only to have them thank me, and then I'll see them in line with the set... Now I don't even bother.

[natelite]

Completely Agree with you. I just shake my head and also remind myself how thankful I am to have TNB.

I've even told people at one store about a better sale for the same set at a competitor (While at Target, telling ppl about TRU, or vice-versa).... only to have them thank me, and then I'll see them in line with the set... Now I don't even bother.

people are naturally skeptical. don't offer advice unless asked for.

i saw a couple in tru who were frantically searching for the AC truck set and when the tru employee couldn't find it, i just casually told them that it might be around the corner near the endcap. when they found it, they were so thankful and the tru employee looked at me in a strange way....guess she couldn't believe a customer know more about lego than her. maybe i should drop subtle rumor that i'm a lego rep.