Monthly Mini Model Build program to end in December

[vynsane]

According to a post in the Brickset forum next month's MMMB will be the last one! Apparently, partly due to the popularity of The LEGO Movie, the event has grown too large to continue supporting it. There are probably a lot of other factors that play into it, and I'm sure that some sort of bottom-line bean-counter-generated reason was the main one.

Personally, I'm disappointed, since I only started bringing my daughter to these this past February. Now I'm upset we missed January, we could have at least had a complete set of the last year.

[SpaceViking]

This is sad news. Not surprising, though. I've often asked the clerks during the events if the MMMB improved sales at all, and they often would reply "Not much". I guess they get enough foot traffic as it is, that they don't need to run as many promos.

Between the MMMB going away, the cancellation of grab bags, and the limited number of discounts (looking at you, 10% off coupon), I suspect we will be visiting the lego store much less often in the future.

[vynsane]

There is supposedly a different "activity-based" program that will replace the MMMB - not sure if it will start immediately in January or if there will be some lag time.

[SpaceViking]

I do hope my kids enjoy the new activity as much as the MMMB. It's been a monthly ritual for a while now.

There is one thing about the event that I've never understood.

MMMB's were held on a Tuesday evening (a school night, usually). At least at the Burlington store were we usually go, if one shows up early there is a huge line and a 1-1.5 hour wait. If one shows up towards the end, there is rarely a line, but you run the risk of having the store run out and/or end the event before you get there.

In contrast, there is a TRU that is ~2 miles away. The TRU minibuilds that we attend rarely have a line longer than 10 kids, and they are in the middle of Saturday. They do tend to run out faster, but that's in part because they aren't as strict about who they give the kits to. I would think the TRU event would draw the same crowd as the MMMB events. I'm always surprised about how different the experiences are.

[vynsane]

I think there are two main reasons why the MMMB turnout trumps TRU build events:

• MMMB is absolutely the first Tuesday of ever month, whereas TRU events are sporadically planned
• Even though it's a Tuesday night, I think it's easier to attend than on a Saturday morning because there are many more pre-scheduled activities on Saturday mornings (Soccer practice/games, swim lessons, etc...) The MMMB was also scheduled to run later than most of those types of commitments that could be after school, whereas the TRU events basically happen DURING them.

That said, it was always a pretty late night for a school night, especially if we hit a diner on the way home, which made life hard on my wife the next morning (I would already be at work, so wouldn't get the brunt of that).

I think there was only one month in the past year of attending where they actually ran out of kits at our locations. We were always relatively late to get there, never on a long line and only during the summer did we have to wait for an available table at all. We started going to the Westchester store with the Micro-manager build in February, then switched to the Danbury location once it opened because it made a difference of about 40-50 mins total driving time (almost an hour each way to Westchester vs. ~35 mins to Danbury). Also, you had to pay $5 to park at Westchester.

[atmail35]

It really is too bad they are discontinuing the MMMB program. My daughter has been going since June 2010! I have noticed that the lines are longer now than they were in 2010. Although lately they have been handing out sets in line and people just leave, taking up less time. BUT I've always felt we should build it at the store as that is how we've always done it. My daughter likes to interact with the employees and make her model there.

I almost never buy anything on MMMB night, but I am at the LEGO Store often so it is not the best time to shop. But I do feel many feel it is a freebie and leave it at that.

Hopefully they will have the occasional in-store build. In the past those have always seemed "lighter", which is also why I think the TRU ones are not crazy busy since they are at random times.

I'm sad to see the program go as we have enjoyed it very much (and I foolishly thought she might be going until she was 14...ha ha). But it will be less pressure to cram it into our schedule on a school night.

Thanks for the info vynsane

[vynsane]

Although lately they have been handing out sets in line and people just leave, taking up less time.

I think that was the "saturation point" proof that the beancounters needed to shut it down: "Too many takers, not enough buyers".

[condor]

That's too bad. I was looking forward to taking my sons to it once they were old enough. At least there's still TRU.

SpaceViking, are you from MA also?

[SpaceViking]

SpaceViking, are you from MA also?

yup. it's surprising how many of us here are in the Boston area.

[CLMF Bricks]

It doesn't really matter to me about the MMMBs. Usually they start an hour after I have school and my dad doesn't want to drive 30 mins to the Lego store which is in the other direction of our house. Today I went to the free Emmet's Car build and it is more convenient since it's a Saturday instead of Tuesday. I hope the new activity includes free Lego and has a better time slot for those who can't make it.