Free Small Sets at Toys-R-Us ... no more?

[DrJB]

My kids (and I) used to love stopping by TRU on special days where they had small free builds, but I have not seen that in a while. Of course, it was a good initiative for TRU/TLG and you'd almost always end up picking a larger set for the grown-ups.

It started with small/bagged/official (or exclusive) sets and they'd give one to each child. But then, to discourage speculators, they'd give you an open bag and 'force' you to build that set in the store (or you don't qualify). Then at last, they had trays of the parts, and you'd go pick 2 of this and 5 of that and build the set of the week.

That program no longer happens somehow, has it been discontinued or TLG/TRU thought they could do without (same as the grab bags).

[HawkLord]

I've noticed TRU hasn't been doing well with their promos lately. The recent Rocket Raccoon, ninja turtles, and ninjago polybags all eventually made it in the large bins for purchase whereas earlier you could only get them with another purchase. There's at least one store in my area that has multiple full sets of the October micro buildings for sale on the shelf.

This all points to the idea that maybe tru isn't really all that successful with managing Lego promos...

[DrJB]

What I'm talking about are FREE small sets/bags with NO purchase required. They used to run these over the holidays and in the summer, to bring more people into the stores. I am not talking about the ones you get with every $50 (or so) purchase.

[Sarah]

I've noticed TRU hasn't been doing well with their promos lately. The recent Rocket Raccoon, ninja turtles, and ninjago polybags all eventually made it in the large bins for purchase whereas earlier you could only get them with another purchase. There's at least one store in my area that has multiple full sets of the October micro buildings for sale on the shelf.

This all points to the idea that maybe tru isn't really all that successful with managing Lego promos...

What's the story behind these sets? I notice our toys R Us Lego shelves have a lot of long empty areas but these cute little "Bricktober" mini sets (For $19.99!) along one stretch. Three types.

[HawkLord]

They were a series in October. You got one of the sets each week with a purchase (might have been like $75 or more). Each week was another set, with four total. The problem was the buy in was so high for something that most people can make themselves and had tiny bricks. Most stores around here still have them.

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

There were a bunch of free builds in 2014. Off the top of my head: Emmet's car (twice), the May the Fourth X-Wing and TIE, the Ghost, and the Batsignal. They also had a building event around Christmas where they gave out stuff but had no official in-store build. I am betting there will be another May the Fourth this year.