[USA] Target January 2012 Clearance Finds

[littletoki]

So we drove all over the place last night and ended up at the Target in Hillsboro. I saw a cart FILLED with clearance LEGO by the customer service desk.

Turns out that someone earlier had come in and asked the staff to put it on hold. But no one knew if they had purchased the LEGO or if it was just on hold. Got nothing but contradictory information because according to Target, it is not their policy to hold Clearance items or even hold sold items in the store. But they wouldn't let me buy even one set and put the cart away. All they said was - call in the morning, if it's still there, it's going back on the floor.

Called in the morning and said they put them out so we drove over (a 45 min drive) and turns out that they sold it the night before.

Sorry, just needed to rant. *sigh*

[ncbarrett]

So we drove all over the place last night and ended up at the Target in Hillsboro. I saw a cart FILLED with clearance LEGO by the customer service desk.

Turns out that someone earlier had come in and asked the staff to put it on hold. But no one knew if they had purchased the LEGO or if it was just on hold. Got nothing but contradictory information because according to Target, it is not their policy to hold Clearance items or even hold sold items in the store. But they wouldn't let me buy even one set and put the cart away. All they said was - call in the morning, if it's still there, it's going back on the floor.

Called in the morning and said they put them out so we drove over (a 45 min drive) and turns out that they sold it the night before.

Sorry, just needed to rant. *sigh*

Post this on Target FB page. You might get results.

[littletoki]

I thought about it, @ncbarrett. I spoke to the manager this morning and he was very apologetic and said they wouldn't be making exceptions like that again. He asked me what I wanted and offered me a bunch of $3 "Apology" coupons but most of that wouldn't cover the cost of gas/mileage to drive out there again to use them.

All I really wanted were those clearance LEGO so I declined and thanked him.

Plus, I really don't want to get any fired or in trouble over this. Times are tough as it is without people getting fired because some crazy woman didn't get her LEGO.

[happymark]

sorry to hear that. it isn't fair.

So we drove all over the place last night and ended up at the Target in Hillsboro. I saw a cart FILLED with clearance LEGO by the customer service desk.

Turns out that someone earlier had come in and asked the staff to put it on hold. But no one knew if they had purchased the LEGO or if it was just on hold. Got nothing but contradictory information because according to Target, it is not their policy to hold Clearance items or even hold sold items in the store. But they wouldn't let me buy even one set and put the cart away. All they said was - call in the morning, if it's still there, it's going back on the floor.

Called in the morning and said they put them out so we drove over (a 45 min drive) and turns out that they sold it the night before.

Sorry, just needed to rant. *sigh*

[peanut]

The Target closest to me still has a bare LEGO aisle and weak clearance. Haven't ventured further out since last weekend but it was very slim pickings, seemed like everything was still destroyed from the holidays.

[earl9371]

Walked into a KY Target this morning and found A DOZEN Slave 1's for $39. Almost fell over.

[BrickUpdate]

@earl9371 WOW! Did you buy them all?!

[Mantisking]

I picked up 2115 Bonezai and 2520 Ninjago Battle Arena for $31.77 after taxes, reduced to $11.77 after a $20 gift card.

[happymark]

do you think Scorpion Pyramid 7327 is a good buy?
How about compare Portal of Atlantis 8078?

they are both $50..

[earl9371]

@earl9371 WOW! Did you buy them all?!

I hit three of them, and called a buddy of mine who wanted another two. I'd love to see the surveillance video from when I walked around and saw them - my jaw hit the floor. I'd been to four other Target's here in town and found practically nothing.

Odd thing about this dozen - I got the feeling they hadn't been on the shelf the entire time, nor had many of the other clearance items. There was just too much stuff - lots of Cars, Atlantis sets, etc - things I hadn't seen in any of the other locations.

One of the funny things about it is that each Slave 1 had one of the security devices wrapped around it. I felt really bad for the poor cashier who was trying to unlock five of them and check out the cart-full of other stuff I picked up!

[slackerhero]

Does anyone know is Scorpion Pyramid or Portal of Atlantis will get any cheaper? Both Targets in town have them for $50

[markerpk]

Target seems to be pretty stingy with their clearance discounts this year, and I think things don't often go less than 50% off there anyway.

[SpaceViking]

Does anyone know is Scorpion Pyramid or Portal of Atlantis will get any cheaper? Both Targets in town have them for $50

It all depends on how eager other folks in your area are to get them.

If they stay in stock, they should drop to 70% either next monday or thursday. But once they are gone, they're gone.

If you have the DCPI number, you can check stock via the web.

[If I find time tonight, I can post the number for the Pyramid set later]

[BrickUpdate]

My gut is that many Targets won't go to 70%, they will just clear them off the shelves and give them to a salvage company, which I heard pays 25% of retail.

I went to my Target tonight, and was surprised that Portal of Atlantis wasn't marked down at all. I took 18 photos and posted commentary to them on my blog if you are interested in what the scene looked like:

http://brickupdate.com/lego-50-sale-at-target/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[natelite]

you mentioned the calendar sets were tampered with. how so? can you take some pictures? i was contemplating buying a few but definitely not if the minifigs were already removed.

[BrickUpdate]

@natelite some were obvious - the little clear tape seals were removed, and the box could freely be opened. For the other two, it looked as though the seals had been opened and taped back shut. Each of these sets were in different locations, which made me think that many folks had picked them up and put them back down again.

[Kodiak10]

Not sure if they will go past 50%. I might be a buyer on a few sets at my local Target if this happens (70%). They have a few Star Wars sets, Portal of Atlantis and a few Cars Sets.

[meyerc13]

Last year, the leftover Thanksgiving set that was everywhere was the Space Police Galactic Enforcer. Like the two sets from this year, there were tons left over. In the January clearance sale, it dropped to 50% off, but then eventually went back up to full retail! Eventually it went on clearance again, but it was very unusual to see that happen. My guess is that some accountant saw how many they had left, and decided to hold onto them a bit longer rather than take such a huge loss on the item. I don't know if this was nationwide, but it was definitely regional because I visited many Targets a year ago, and saw the same thing everywhere.

My recommendation, if it's a set you like, get it for $50. If you're on the fence, get it. If you just don't like the set and can't imagine a use for the pieces, save your money. Don't expect to get rich reselling either of these unless you part them out. By now, any LEGO fan who wants one has had a chance to pick one up for 50% off.

[Zeya]

Absolutely nothing at San Jose Silver Creek & Capitol store. No Lego on clearance. They had some new 2012 stuff out like Dino.

[dho7622u]

you mentioned the calendar sets were tampered with. how so? can you take some pictures? i was contemplating buying a few but definitely not if the minifigs were already removed.

Be really careful with the advents. They can be easily tampered with and made to look like/sound like they are complete. I saw one the other day and thought "let's see how much it is ringing up as." The "cover" was opened, but the two "advent" openings had bags in them. Because of the awkward way you have to hold it to scan, I notice the tape on one end had been peeled back. When I slid out the tray, I realized that someone had left 4 bags to give weight and sound, 2 for the broken doors, and had raided the rest- completely empty.

Ended up giving it to an associate and they said they would take it off the floor. 10 to one it is back to be sold.