[US] April 2012 LEGO Store Calendar Highlights

[vynsane]

And they wouldn't allow you to fill the rest of the cup with elements from the wall? Hrm... the more I hear about it, it sounds like a great idea poorly executed - from the design of the model to the way they're regulating it.

[unclephn]

And they wouldn't allow you to fill the rest of the cup with elements from the wall? Hrm... the more I hear about it, it sounds like a great idea poorly executed - from the design of the model to the way they're regulating it.

Well, I didn't actually ask if it was possible to top up the cups with other elements from the wall. If I visit the store sometime soon, I'll be sure to ask. I agree with you though. It's a great idea, but poorly executed thus far.

[silvashado]

And they wouldn't allow you to fill the rest of the cup with elements from the wall? Hrm... the more I hear about it, it sounds like a great idea poorly executed - from the design of the model to the way they're regulating it.

And the one for next month looks just as poorly designed as this bunny. It's a painter and looks atrocious. I don't have a scanner, but I'll try to take a picture of it soon and post it.

The bunny cup looked sealed with the sticker label so I don't think you're supposed to add more pieces to it. But it may be selling because when I went, there were only 4 cups left. Or maybe they didn't get that many to start with. I'll try to remember to ask when I go tomorrow night as to whether they pack the cups or they come pre-packed. I wouldn't be surprised if its the later considering none of the pieces exist on the wall currently.

[Legobrandon]

And they wouldn't allow you to fill the rest of the cup with elements from the wall? Hrm... the more I hear about it, it sounds like a great idea poorly executed - from the design of the model to the way they're regulating it.

And the one for next month looks just as poorly designed as this bunny. It's a painter and looks atrocious. I don't have a scanner, but I'll try to take a picture of it soon and post it.

http://www.toysnbricks.com/forums/viewt ... =52&t=5582" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[silvashado]

http://www.toysnbricks.com/forums/viewt ... =52&t=5582" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks! Now I don't have to worry about doing it

[Eek]

Does anyone know what the system for filling the PaB is? Are the stores told what to put in the PaB? When one container empties, do they refill it with the same element until they run out, or pick whatever they want from the backroom?

I want to take advantage of the PaB cup deal Apr 10-11 and was wondering if I need to go early Tues. for fear or them selling out of elements. Thanks for the help in advance.

[silvashado]

Does anyone know what the system for filling the PaB is? Are the stores told what to put in the PaB? When one container empties, do they refill it with the same element until they run out, or pick whatever they want from the backroom?

I want to take advantage of the PaB cup deal Apr 10-11 and was wondering if I need to go early Tues. for fear or them selling out of elements. Thanks for the help in advance.

You fill up the PaB cup with whatever you want off the wall. I've never heard of it being pre-filled except for the silly brick model that they've started doing this month.

As for stock selling out, it really depends on what pieces you want. Some are more popular than other, but every store should have lots of boxes in the back room to refill the wall. It'll just depend on how fast they can restock.

But I'm not sure how fast things will go. This is the first time I've seen this type of sale, but I'm not sure how well advertised it is. AFOLs will know about it, but I bet the general public won't pay attention.

Just my two cents.

[Eek]

You fill up the PaB cup with whatever you want off the wall. I've never heard of it being pre-filled except for the silly brick model that they've started doing this month.

As for stock selling out, it really depends on what pieces you want. Some are more popular than other, but every store should have lots of boxes in the back room to refill the wall. It'll just depend on how fast they can restock.

But I'm not sure how fast things will go. This is the first time I've seen this type of sale, but I'm not sure how well advertised it is. AFOLs will know about it, but I bet the general public won't pay attention.

Just my two cents.

Thanks for the reply! I also read your response in the "Does PAB stock vary much per store?" thread.

This will be my first time visiting the LEGO store during a VIP promotion so I'm not sure how to gauge how many people will be there. I've been there on a Saturday and it was plenty crowded.

I'll cross my fingers for interesting elements in the PaB wall tomorrow.

[atmail35]

Since this promo is during the week it shouldn't be that crowded, unless you have "school vacation week" in your area....then the store might be as crowded as Christmas time. Thankfully the kiddos aren't out of school this week here!

[vynsane]

Well, the NYC store is always crowded, but the wall always has a pretty great selection. I'll find out tomorrow how the balance on that one tips...

[silvashado]

Thanks for the reply! I also read your response in the "Does PAB stock vary much per store?" thread.

This will be my first time visiting the LEGO store during a VIP promotion so I'm not sure how to gauge how many people will be there. I've been there on a Saturday and it was plenty crowded.

I'll cross my fingers for interesting elements in the PaB wall tomorrow.

Welcome. It can be a bit daunting to face the wall for the first time. Just go row by and scope out everything and take note of what interests you. Then figure out how much you want of each piece and start filling. The tough part is to keep track of how many cups you fill up because it's easy to fill a whole cup with just one or two parts.

Tuesday and Wednesday should not be crowded days. The only Tuesday that gets crowded is the first Tuesday of the month when they do the monthly mini build. The VIP promotions are rather new and I don't think a lot of people have caught on to them. But having said that, if you can go during the day that's always better than in the evening.

Good luck and let us know how it goes for you.

Also, I asked the store employees about the PaB models and they said that they come bagged so they dump each bag into a small cup, put the label on and then tape down the lid. So they models are shipped pre-sorted to the stores, but the employees still have to pack them. They got some more out today and they're not selling that quickly. Honestly, if May's model wasn't labeled painter, I don't think I would have recognized what it was.

[melsig]

I arrived at my local LEGO store at 10:00am with a list of parts to collect for a birthday party. There were a few adults there, but not bad. A very nice store employee helped me get the 120+ wheels I needed for a party build event and there was a nice selection of stuff on the wall.

By 11:00am, two very serious AFOLs had arrived and were taking up so much space dashing from one end to the other of the wall while they frantically filled 15+ cups apiece that a few little kids that were there by then were having trouble getting to the wall to get their pieces. My son was in school (I'll take him later), but it made me mad. Really, I know these guys love LEGO (and they were clearly good clients of the store), but is it so tough let the little kids get their flowers and such too?!?

[Zeya]

By 11:00am, two very serious AFOLs had arrived and were taking up so much space dashing from one end to the other of the wall while they frantically filled 15+ cups apiece that a few little kids that were there by then were having trouble getting to the wall to get their pieces. My son was in school (I'll take him later), but it made me mad. Really, I know these guys love LEGO (and they were clearly good clients of the store), but is it so tough let the little kids get their flowers and such too?!?

Hmm. I haven't done much PAB-ing. But I'm about to head over today. I was thinking that I would pull out a drawer I'm interested in and take it aside to the little counter so that other people can get at the wall. You can do that, right?

[atmail35]

^ I usualy grab another large or small up and fill it up with the same pieces so I can stack the pieces or whatever and fill my cup that way. I then return what I don't use to the wall.

I went and there was only one other person filling cups....pretty quiet as usual. Too bad there wasn't that much of interest....but for the price I decided to get one cup.

[vynsane]

^^ I don't think you can take out the drawers. They're rather big and, I'd imagine, heavy and the store probably doesn't want the insurance claim should you drop one on someone's foot. atmail35's solution of an extra cup is good, as long as it's not crazy at your location.

The NYC store was a pretty big madhouse. They were having trouble keeping the cups stocked, and had to catch up on re-sorting abandoned cups (which sucks). I managed to fill two cups in about an hour, still, and paid a cool $1.06 tax on them (since I used $15 worth of VIP rewards - I have a full $20, but they don't allow you to put the rewards towards tax.) I'll take inventory later, but I got a lot of dark tan 2x2 tiles, 1x8 tiles in black, white, blue, lots of 1x1 tiles with a clip on top in dark gray, a few 1x1 round bricks with three long, thin leaves sticking out, and a bunch of 1x1 plates (not round) in trans yellow, trans green and trans red as well as various types of 1x2 bricks.

[melsig]

It's too bad that there's never a lot of space near the wall, but I just wished those two had had the courtesy to let the kids in to get their stuff. I mean, I understand they were excited (I heard the man say he took the day off of work to hit all of the LEGO stores in the area), but still.

I'm taking my son late tonight right before they close - I'm hoping it will be quieter then.

[brixter]

I'm on vacation in Florida. I planned on hitting the Downtown Disney store late tomorrow night. I just called tonight to see that they were running the promo and the guy didn't know anything about it. Is this only at certain locations? Do I need to ask for something specific (other than a PaB promo?)

[vynsane]

LEGO Discovery Centers aren't "true" LEGO Stores... they're run by a different company, I believe.

[Buttmunch]

Also:
"New LEGO Stores are Opening Soon!"
(*) Oakbridge Centre, Vancouver, BC
(*) Mayfair, Wauwatosa, WI
(*) The Woodlands Mall, Woodlands, TX
(*) Oak Park Mall, Overland Park, KS
(*) Jersey Gardens, Elizabeth, NJ
(*) Alderwood, Lynwood, WA

No details on when they open, or when their Grand Opening event is though.

I still can't believe that Utah doesn't have a Lego store yet! I haven't met a kid in this state that doesn't like Lego! And as family friendly a state as Utah is, I thought we'd be higher up on the list of places to build a store. Then again, we only recently got the Disney Store back

[Eek]

I actually looked up the spring break schedules for the area, but I forgot about the private schools...

So I'm going to have to thank the rain gods for keeping the store from getting really busy.