Lego in Bellingham? (Aside from the defunct TRU Mall and Wal

Post by **timtosino** » Sat May 09, 2009 5:25 pm

I was browsing a playmobil board because I picked up a House on the Cheap at a garage sale today (don't worry they haven't turned me, I got some pretty sweet lego too) when I came across a post about this sports store in bellingham with A Toy Department in the Basement. http://yeagerssportinggoods.com/index.p ... &dept=toys
Has anyone ever been there? Is there stuff worth checking out we don't get up here?

Post by **Andrew** » Sat May 09, 2009 10:38 pm

they used to have a sweet selection,used to have some nice old stuff,that wasnt sold.they still might have agood selection but last time I looked 2 years ago it was the same as everywhere else ,newer sets, but not too bad of a selection.
they do have a great selection of play mobil though.

Andrew

Post by **timtosino** » Sat May 09, 2009 10:42 pm

Sounds like it might be worth checking out, even if they do have stuff TRU might stock at American Prices. I might go down memorial day weekend, but I hope to hear from more people if it's worth going.

legofactory · Post by **legofactory** » Sun May 10, 2009 12:02 pm

Not sure about wal-mart but TRU in bellingham? I only saw the Target store in Bellis Fair Mall. Also, what is the store name? The next time(probably in a long time later) i go, i'll check it out at bellis fair.

Also the currecny is not thtat great now $1.00 USD = $1.20 CAD
NOt to mention, you have to pay customs (5% GST and 7% PST) plus the tax that was in the state in bellingham (8%)
The customs tax will also tax the 8% tax so it really sucks. Its better off to just buy it in Canada at a sale price.

And just a fact of note, wal-mart USA has increased their prices of all their lego sets. They are not the usual $48.88 now, its like $52.88 or $19.88 to $20.97.

Post by **timtosino** » Sun May 10, 2009 12:14 pm

There WAS a TRU in Bellingham, just across from the Mall just off the same road as Value Village and Joes Sports, it closed down in 2007, just before our dollar started inching up towards par. The location is still sitting Vacant.

You don't necessarily have to pay Canadian Taxes each time you cross. I haven't done that in years. Likely the last time I did was 6 or 7 years ago. I go down at least 7 or 8 times a year.

legofactory · Post by **legofactory** » Sun May 10, 2009 12:18 pm

oh that sucks no more ToysRUs.... seems like the toy business really has declined. the last kb toys in USA shut down early this year. Really sad.

So does that mean theres no taxes across border?

Post by **timtosino** » Sun May 10, 2009 1:07 pm

No You still need to pay WA Tax. But if you are pulled aside at the Canadian Border you pay the Canadian Taxes too. If they let you go, then woot !

legofactory · Post by **legofactory** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:51 pm

Heard they let you go if you spend less than $60 USD or CAD when you stay there for 24 hours...?

Otherwise, tax, tax , tax.

Post by **timtosino** » Mon May 11, 2009 4:03 pm

It's at the discretion of the officer. Last time 3 of us went down to the Lego Store in Bellevue we were taking back around $400 US in LEGO and we didn't get stopped nor paid anything at the border

legofactory · Post by **legofactory** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:28 pm

Thats like gonna be chance. You have to cross your fingers. They will ask you how much you purchase and the value of it from the USA. Then they might tax you.

If they do, it sucks. By the way, how far is bellvule by car from lower mainland? Heard its close to seeatle. Also, can they ship to Canada from the LEGO store?

Post by **timtosino** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:34 pm

Just be ready to show your receipts. After going down year after year at least 6 or 7 times a year I'd say the chances of me getting pulled over are very slim. Fred Meyer sometimes does 20% off Lego so it might be worth buyign down there. Bellevue is about 1 hour and 45 mins from the Border

Bryan said he tried to buy the Medeival Village Set in Bellevue but it was out of Stock so they shipped it to him to Canada for free, so he paid no Canadian Taxes or Duty.

Post by **Gumby** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:36 am

Yeah it's by chance whether they decide to pull you over and make you pay tax or not. Of course, if you stay longer in the States, you can bring stuff back tax & duty free:

24 hours or more: CAN$50 worth of goods tax & duty free
48 hours or more: CAN$400 worth of goods tax & duty free
7 days or more: CAN$750 worth of goods tax & duty free

Bellevue is directly east of Seattle. From Vancouver, I'd say it's 2-2.5 hours away by car. Could be longer depending on the border wait.

Also, I've heard that the Bellevue store (and probably all LEGO retail stores) no longer ships to Canada. It was a recent policy change, so I guess if they're out of stock, you're out of luck!

legofactory · Post by **legofactory** » Tue May 12, 2009 4:34 pm

Ya i herad that too. That's not good. Don't forget you have to pay with fuel/gas, your precious time going there and more. So is it really worth going all the way over there? And Whats fred meyer?? Is there one in Bellis fair in bellingham?

But i rather get the buy 1 get 1 half price events at zellers on LEGO or ToysRus buy 2 and save events like the last one for All $27.99 and $39.99 LEGO. Works out to be 25% off. [/quote]

Post by **timtosino** » Tue May 12, 2009 7:56 pm

I don't go there just for Lego, but buy other stuff. It was a better deal when the Dollar was at par though. I haven't seen a decent selection of LEGO at my Zellers in ages so I don't hold much hope in that. TRU can work out to less in CDN if you wait for the sale yes, but if I'n already down in the US and it's marked down 20% off the US price I figure why wait to save less than a dollar when it's worth less than $20.

Fred Meyer is just like Superstore. Both their locations are just off I-5.

legofactory · Post by **legofactory** » Tue May 12, 2009 8:57 pm

I know Zellers selection may be poor.

But heres a heads up !
Whenever a buy 1 get 1 half price event comes, go and ask for a rain check and get 12 quantity. That way, you can buy it whenever you want. I usually have the item# (the code on the bottom of the box, its really important, otherwise theres no hope) and ask the associates to check a particular LEGO that i'm interested in. Then i ask them to check all the Zellers locations and see which stores have them. After that, i call the store that has that item, then request they ship it to my local Zellers store. I usually do this for big and harder to find sets such as the republic gunship and indiana jones Temple of crystal skull. Did this 2 weeks ago.

Zellers Coquitlam
Republic Gunship
Temple of Crystal Skull

Zellers Maple Ridge?
Temple of Doom

Those were the only stores 2 weeks ago in the ENTIRE BC ZELLERS CHAIN that carries those specific LEGO items. I never seen those at any of my local zellers store.

Wal-Mart has a pretty good selection if ToysRUs is too far for you. But since your in richmond, the only one there is the one at Landsdowne Center. It also has Zellers by the way.