what are advantages to shopping at LEGO stores?

[jsnweitzel]

I apologize if this has already been posted but I did not see anything specifically related to my questions.

With a LEGO store opening in the Cleveland area soon, I was wondering how my family would benefit from this?

I'm not an AFOL, just buy them for my son. So he only gets legos at x-mas and bday but I do get carried away when I'm getting good deals. The store will be 45 minutes away. I've got two TRU, several Walmarts, several Targets, two KMarts, Borders, B&N, etc... all closer than the Lego store will be. I've learned enough to never pay full price for a set, usually I'm buying on sale or clearance and stocking them away for 6 mo's until the holiday.

So I doubt I'll see any deals at the lego store that would be better than the other retail stores. It looks like the monthly mini build is always on a weekday, but my son is in school and I'm at work. VIP doesn't seem worth it due to my buying habits. The only other thing left is the monthly Lego Club Meeting. This is on the weekend, the calendar for April describes a Pharoah Quest meeting but it's $25/child. Is this a monthly fee for each meeting or a one time fee for 12 meetings in a year? My son would get a t-shirt but more importantly would he come home with legos to justify spending my hard earned cash? If it's for only one meeting, seems like a better deal would be to save the cash and just buy a $25 set from a store.

Any input is appreciated, thanks.

[legitimatealex]

The main sell of most LEGO stores is its Pick a Brick wall. $14.99 you get to jam a jar full of whatever LEGO stock they have on a back wall. You can easily cram in over 1000 pieces into the pick a brick container. I'm not saying they're going to be big pieces, mostly small stuff, but if you get something like foliage or printed pieces, and you can get them in bulk, well it's always a good deal.

Also they have their build a minifigure, 3 for $10 at each shop. Like the pick a brick wall, the stock really depends on the store, but you can usually find some rare minifigure bodies that are from retired sets or lines, some rare heads or even accessories that don't appear in any sets anymore.

Furthermore sometimes LEGO stores stock damaged goods, like broken boxes or dented boxes, or even sets that get crushed and are tossed into a bin to be sold. This can happen with some of the larger more expensive sets (my older brother who is an AFOL recalled once seeing a crushed Cafe Corner with the box nearly completely ripped apart being sold for $50 at a store in Scherriville, IL).

Then there are the grab bags that LEGO stores sometimes have. Every LEGO store models the new sets in showcases. Ever wonder what happens to them? They deconstruct them, put them into random bags and then sell them. A huge cross section of pieces in a bag for $7. I bought one, found 3 complete minifigures, 2 extra heads and a huge assortment of random pieces in there.

Final reason. Every so often LEGO has a huge clearance sale. Usually sometime around the time they switch themes, Christmas time and summer. Well they usually sell out almost immediately online. These sales also apply IN STORE. Meaning if that big set you really wanted to get is sold out on line, chances are it's still in the store near you. Many a people have lost out online, only to go to their store and discover a huge cache of that set they really wanted.

Plus on top of that, the VIP points, which will pile up after a while eventually. Also LEGO stores stock a lot of stuff that other stores don't, including the huge rare sets and LEGO accessories, as well as a staff who actually knows LEGO well.

There you go! Why you should shop at your local LEGO store.

[Mantisking]

This,

The main sell of most LEGO stores is its Pick a Brick wall. $14.99 you get to jam a jar full of whatever LEGO stock they have on a back wall. You can easily cram in over 1000 pieces into the pick a brick container. I'm not saying they're going to be big pieces, mostly small stuff, but if you get something like foliage or printed pieces, and you can get them in bulk, well it's always a good deal.

and this

Then there are the grab bags that LEGO stores sometimes have. Every LEGO store models the new sets in showcases. Ever wonder what happens to them? They deconstruct them, put them into random bags and then sell them. A huge cross section of pieces in a bag for $7. I bought one, found 3 complete minifigures, 2 extra heads and a huge assortment of random pieces in there.

are why I go.

[hatcher]

Anyone know what the pick a brick and build a minifig cost in Canadian Lego stores?

[slacker]

I agree with everything that legitimatealex has said. Also, When the CMFs come out, LEGO will be at msrp when TRU will sell them $1 or $2 over msrp. TRU sells everything over MSRP. The two by me never has any of the larger sets. If you like minty boxes for your collection, LEGO is the place to be. The employees are super friendly and knowledgeable. If your set is missing a piece, they might have them around. I understand it's 45 minutes away but the after xmas sale is ridiculous. 50% off. I've only been tracking lego deals for one year. I'm hoping it's the same every year.

[atmail35]

I also agree with legitimatealex's comments.

Mini Model Build We do love the monthly mini model build. I try to take my almost 6 year old each month, schedule permitting. I will warn you that it can be quite a scene. Definitely arrive early and be prepared to wait. We try and go around 4:30 and get in line. Depending on how the store runs it, you could be waiting a while so bring stuff to do in line (hand held video game, Iphone, book to read). Our store generally does run out, according to the manager, before 7pm. It's best to go at or before 5PM. It's a fun event though and my daughter loves the little models.

I also love the grab bags. I have a picture of the contents of the last two we bought. I'll try to upload it and post a picture. I always try and see if the bag has at least a few minifigure parts. The bags generally are taped w/ packing tape at the top (it's a ziptop bag) but you can usually see some of the contents.

VIP I think it's worth it to do the VIP program, even if you only go a few times a year. It does't cost to join and they often have bonuses like double points, or extra points for certain sets.

Definitely take a look at the calendar each month, some of the deals are pretty good. I like the free Pick A Brick boxes in Nov/Dec w/ a $75 purchase. My store gave us 1 box for every $75 spent you can redeem it Dec 26-March 31. I try to plan purchases around the calendar specials if possible.

[jsnweitzel]

Thanks for the responses. The grab bags sound interesting. Getting mini-figs would be a lot easier this way.

Do they carry polybags? Instead of driving to 3 Targets looking for a $4 item, could I find the same sets there?

I'm pessimistic about finding good deals on clearance Lego at the store. I think there are a lot of resellers in my region that pick up all the discounted stuff and mini figs (at other stores) before I even hear about the sales. That or I'm just bitter because I don't get everything I want at the price I want.

Does anyone have more info on the $20 monthly weekend build for club members? Have your children done it? What was the experience like? Was it worth the money? etc..

Are most of the Lego stores on the same schedule with regards to clearance and stocking, in comparison to Walmart that can differ in price from city to city?

Thanks again.

[brixter]

Does anyone have more info on the $20 monthly weekend build for club members? Have your children done it? What was the experience like? Was it worth the money? etc..

We have taken our son to three Lego Club meetings so far (Star Wars, NinjaGo, City). We will be enjoying a fourth one in a couple of weeks (Star Wars). The $25 fee is steep, but if you are a VIP member it's $20. You get a T-shirt which is usually pretty good (Star Wars - Wampa; NinjaGo - Sensei Wu). You get a small set related to that month's theme (NinjaGo - Training Outpost; City - mini-scale front loader). You usually get a coupon for $5 off a $35 purchase.

Then there is the actual build/meeting...before building, the Lego store employees usually ask questions related to the theme and sometimes dress up in costumes (the Ninjago and Star Wars meetings were especially good in this regard). For building, they bring out large boxes of pieces and the kids get to freestyle their ideas on the theme (Ninjago - a dojo; City - a prison? - I can't remember), then present and explain their creation to the group (great time for taking movies). We usually try to go with friends, but there is such a strong common bond between kids that are into Lego that it's also nice to meet new kids. We question going each month (it's tough to get our son there by 9:00am on a Saturday morning - it's about a 30 minute commute), but end up going anyway - it's becoming a bit of a ritual. It's also nice to be in the peaceful calm of the store before the chaos begins when the doors open (since you're not an AFOL, I won't mention that you get an hour to mangle the minifig packs trying to find elves/fishermen). Going to this month's meeting (Star Wars) is a no-brainer, but the Pharoah's Quest meeting in April is still up for debate.

[atmail35]

brixter How old is your child and what would you say is the average age of the participants? Thanks.

[lukeskywalker]

I'm around the same distance from the store as jsnweitzel, so I'm looking forward to some of these benefits. When are the grab bags available? I've heard that the store's can ship to you, is that true?
Thanks

[cowbug]

I'm around the same distance from the store as jsnweitzel, so I'm looking forward to some of these benefits. When are the grab bags available? I've heard that the store's can ship to you, is that true?
Thanks

My experience with the grab bags at my local store is they are not put out on any regular schedule, its just luck of the draw. I have asked employees how often they do it and they told me they have a huge bin in the back full of parts from open and former display sets and when it gets full they fill up grab bags and put them out. I have asked a couple different employees, very nicely, if they could make me a bag with what they have in the back and I have always been turned down, but YMMV.

[atmail35]

I'm around the same distance from the store as jsnweitzel, so I'm looking forward to some of these benefits. When are the grab bags available? I've heard that the store's can ship to you, is that true?
Thanks

My experience with the grab bags at my local store is they are not put out on any regular schedule, its just luck of the draw. I have asked employees how often they do it and they told me they have a huge bin in the back full of parts from open and former display sets and when it gets full they fill up grab bags and put them out. I have asked a couple different employees, very nicely, if they could make me a bag with what they have in the back and I have always been turned down, but YMMV.

I agree with this. No schedule. I think they wait until have have enough parts to fill the bags. I also think they toss in parts from PAB when those are getting low and they are switching to another part. Or it is possible they used the parts from PAB for the monthly club meeting? Maybe they pulled out a pile of elements for the free build and those went in the bin. My reasoning for this is I once got a bag that was 1/2 full of red chairs.

Stuff might also come from the build-a-mini bar...once I got a bunch of axes and minifig parts.

[atmail35]

Do they carry polybags? Instead of driving to 3 Targets looking for a $4 item, could I find the same sets there?

Are most of the Lego stores on the same schedule with regards to clearance and stocking, in comparison to Walmart that can differ in price from city to city?

In my experience the polybags from Target are generally not available at the Lego store at the same time. I haven't seen Star Wars Polybags at the Lego Store or the Toy Story Army Man. However, the Lego store does sometimes give away a polybag for making a certain purchase. February was 30002 Police Boat http://www.brickset.com/detail/?set=30002-1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, I had bought this set at Target for Easter 2010.

Last year (June?) they gave away 4899 Tractor http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=4899-1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; when you made a minimum purchase. I later saw them for sale at the Lego Store since they must have had leftovers.

They do carry seasonal polybags at Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's and I haven't seen those sets elsewhere.

In regards to the schedule. I think generally the Lego Store follows a similar schedule throughout the stores. Much more consistent than Walmart/Target. It seems like they have a big clearance right after Christmas and then again in the summer (I can't recall when, maybe someone else can chime in.)

I hope that helps.

[jsnweitzel]

Your info has been a big help! Thanks everyone!

[brixter]

brixter How old is your child and what would you say is the average age of the participants? Thanks.

my son is 7. I would say the age range is from 5 to 10 usually.

[atmail35]

brixter How old is your child and what would you say is the average age of the participants? Thanks.

my son is 7. I would say the age range is from 5 to 10 usually.

Thanks for the info.

Here is a picture of the contents of two grab bags I bought recently (@ $7.99 each). It is missing one tray of larger 2x10 bricks and didn't realize it until we put all the pieces into their respective storage bins. The total count was about 650 elements for the two bags. There were also 33 mini figure parts and accessories.





I get my 5 year old daughter to help sort and count them. Heck I figure that justifies the purchase by making it educational.

[r4-g9]

Anyone know what the pick a brick and build a minifig cost in Canadian Lego stores?

pick a brick:
small $10.99 cad
large $19.99 cad
the prices are worth it
build a minifig:
$12.99 cad so far not to much good stuff, but when they gett good stuff it is sold out with in a week.

[hatcher]

Anyone know what the pick a brick and build a minifig cost in Canadian Lego stores?

pick a brick:
small $10.99 cad
large $19.99 cad
the prices are worth it
build a minifig:
$12.99 cad so far not to much good stuff, but when they gett good stuff it is sold out with in a week.

thanks.

[meyerc13]

If you see the grab bags, snag them. I remember one of my first trips to a LEGO store I saw them. I didn't realize how lucky I was. I was low on funds, so it was grab bag or pick-a-brick. I really wanted some wheels or tires, so went with pick-a-brick. I'm still kicking myself for that choice because I'm almost sure the grab bags contained the parts for a Winter Toy Shop. I saw the trees and various other distinct parts. I don't know if they were all there, but it certainly looked like most of the parts were spread between a few bags. I probably could have picked up most of the set for a fraction of the price.

I've only seen grab bags on one other visit, and in that case it looked like mostly 2x4 bricks so I passed, but if you see interesting parts it's probably a good idea to take a chance on the grab bag.

[Mantisking]

If you see the grab bags, snag them. I remember one of my first trips to a LEGO store I saw them. I didn't realize how lucky I was. I was low on funds, so it was grab bag or pick-a-brick. I really wanted some wheels or tires, so went with pick-a-brick. I'm still kicking myself for that choice because I'm almost sure the grab bags contained the parts for a Winter Toy Shop. I saw the trees and various other distinct parts. I don't know if they were all there, but it certainly looked like most of the parts were spread between a few bags. I probably could have picked up most of the set for a fraction of the price.

I've only seen grab bags on one other visit, and in that case it looked like mostly 2x4 bricks so I passed, but if you see interesting parts it's probably a good idea to take a chance on the grab bag.

I have to agree on the grab bags. Back in October of last year I bought two grab bags and came away with 625 pieces for $16 or so.