Where to get the best LEGO deals / sales at a retail store

legofactory · Post by **legofactory** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 10:24 pm

Here's some of the stores that carry LEGO

Major Stores:
ToysRUs
Zellers
Wal-Mart

Secondary Stores:
Sears
Superstore
The Bay
Winners

Heres what I notice from their pricing of Lego in these stores.
(MSRP = manufacturer's suggested retail price)

ToysRUs :

~~ Selection is the BEST, with 3-10 items for each theme, Over 1 FULL (2 sides) aisle

~~Most Lego Sets above MSRP
-typically smaller sets ($5-20) will guarantee to have a higher % increase from the MSRP. $12.99 --------> 13.99 OR $14.99
-medium-big sets will have a smaller % increase from MSRP

~~Sales range from poor sales to Great Deals (every 1-3 months, advertised)
-usually Buy 2 or more and save a certain percentage or for a certain $
-sometimes save a certain $, but these don't save you that much in terms of percentage
-most of the time FREE shipping online with orders over $49.97

Zellers:

~~ Selection is good, with 2-5 items for each theme, 1/2 of a ONE SIDE aisle

~~Some Lego Sets above MSRP
-typically smaller sets ($5-20) will guarantee to have a higher % increase from the MSRP. **Especailly $12.99 sets --------> $14.99
-medium sets will have a smaller % increase from MSRP

~~Sales are Average (happens rarely, 1-2 times a year, advertised)
-usually Buy 1 get 1 half price (of equal or lesser value)
-means you save 25% off if you buy the same price LEGO item, otherwise, you save less

Wal-Mart

~~ Selection is excellent, with 2-7 items for each theme, 3/4 of a ONE SIDE aisle

~~ Only Small Sets ($5-20) are above MSRP
-$12.86 ---------> $13.86

~~Some Lego Sets are BELOW MSRP
- $69.99 -----------> $64.96
-$54.99 -------------> $51.96

~~ Sales are not that great (1-4 months advertised)
-usually just roll-backs*
*mostly 10% off the wal-mart regular price or 15% off MSRP price from my calculation
-on one occasion, when they had a dispute with lego, they have awesome clearance sales !

Sears

~~ Selection is sometimes scarce with only 1-5 lego products, but sometimes theres 1/3 of a ONE SIDE aisle if they just stocked up

~~ No LEGO sets above MSRP

~~ Sales are OK (unadvertised, happens randomly 1-3 months)
-15% off ALL LEGO
- good deal if you see the sale plus when its a Super saturday/sunday
sometimes take advantage of Scratch and save (from 10-50% off all items) or their $10 Superbucks off when you spend $50 or more for first 200 customers.

Superstore/The Bay

~~ Selection is mostly scarce with only 1-3 lego products, but sometimes theres 1/4 of a ONE SIDE aisle if they just stocked up

~~No Lego Sets above MSRP

~~ Rarely see a sale (unadvertised)

Well heres what I'm seeing so far from my stores . Hope it helps you look for better deals in the future. If you really need a set badly but can't wait for a sale, go to wal-mart. If your waiting for a great deal, try ToysRUs or Sears. For toysrus, there may be sales that may be good to sales that are not too great and may take up to 6 months for a good deal. Sears on the other hand, just wait for those super saturday and sunday and the 15% off and you can save a lot ! Zellers is around the average with general Buy 1 get 1 half price.

VLC member
legofactory

Post by **soundwave** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 12:22 am

great post Lego Factory.
I would like to add Toy Traders to your list. they are in Langley and only have 1 location. There selection can vary. They have had problems in the past as they only get the leftovers that the big chains leave. They do however order a wide variety and sometimes can get exclusives and rare sets. (like the advent calender). Because their priority is lower than a Toysrus it may take longer for the newer sets to hit the shelves. They also sell used sets and bulk bags but they dont last long. Price and selection will vary. The Prices range from MSRP to winners clear out prices. They have also made special arrangements with the VLC in the past.

As for Walmart does anybody else find that even though they have an aisle for the Lego the shelves are rarely stocked? They also seem to take longer for the new releases to make the rounds. I find when they do a theme they will carry many of the sets but they only do a few a themes at a time.

YouTube · Post by **Platypus** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:44 am

I was at the Bay downtown, just for a quick look, and they did not have one set. two Mega Blocks boxes and no LEGO at all. A big change from 5 years ago when they had a whole shelf.

legofactory · Post by **legofactory** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:57 pm

Yes. The bay... don't even think about wasting your time to go there. I was at the Lougheed Mall and the only lego sets they have were a retired LEGO sets Aqua raiders and castle. So don't even bother going there.

And I do agree Wal-Mart is weird. I was at the one in Lougheed Mall and 3/4 of their Lego aisle were ALL LEGO STAR WARS. I was happy though since they had almost every star wars lego set and i'm a star wars fan(a bit more than Toysrus Metrotown) However, I see that they don't have much of other themes. 0 sets for pirates, castle. 2 city sets. 5 indiana jones sets. 10 bionicle sets. And thats all. They have most of the new 2009 lego sets though.

I've been wondering lately... did LEGO and wal-mart sign their contract like this.... " We'll give you more LEGO star wars /indiana jones sets at a discounted price if only you don't sell LEGO at your website" Cause i notice that they mostly only have LEGO star wars and indiana jones at wal-mart stores. Yet... they don't have LEGO for sale online. But they do have megablocks. Funny.

Post by **Graham** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 8:04 am

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