Sales & Deals -- 2010 vs 2009?

[Zithy]

I remember a few deals, but I have a few questions about this year. First though, does anyone else think the days of LS@H offering 50% discount to good sets are a thing of the past? I think their sales and deals department realizes that they will probably sell out just as fast from offering a 25-30% discount . . .

Ok, comparing 2009 and 2010, were there the same amount of great discounts for each year? Are the companies trying to reduce their inventory before January 1st for tax reasons?

Any differences in the big sellers? TRU, Target, Amazon, Walmart, Kmart, or whoever else between the two years? I just can't remember to compare--were there BOGO's every week between Thanksgiving and Xmas? That happen every year?

I've been stocking up, but when Barnes and Noble has discounted Harry Potter sets based on a discounted price, then Disney does a 50% closeout on PoP, throw in a few other too-good-to-pass-up deals, and now Amazon has this VERY nice deal on a few sets . . . there's only so much space and money!

So what do you remember from the different years as far as sales and discounts? Or any other observations or predictions?

Love to hear your thoughts!

[slacker]

I only got back in Lego last year but I remember that TRU had 50% off on two large sets during black friday. This year, you only saw 33% off and none were SW series.

[natelite]

the amazon pop sale comes up to 50% for the most discounted sets. if you look at the sets on sale, most are repeated. only a few are true gems. pop, ts3, atlantis, pm.. these will continue to be offered for 30-50%. if you have them already, i would recommend not buying any more. there's a reason these are constantly being offered on sale.

comparing the more desirable sets, the trend is clear. fewer sales now than previous years. note too that not all SW sets are the same. for e.g. count dooku solar sailer is sitting on the shelves in plenty of tru stores. it wouldn't surprise me if these are offered after christmas for like 50-60% off. or set up for clearance sale.

[sadowsk1]

I'm nearly spent and blew out my budget as far as Lego goes this year, so I would have to say that they deals are as good.