First trip to a Lego Store

[fullnovembermoon]

Wednesday my husband and I are going to the Lego Store in Tigard Oregon. Having never been to a Lego store I'm totally excited to see what they have. I'm planning on getting a PAB cup or two and I checked with Brickbldr for the latest info on what parts are available. I keep thinking I'm not going to see much in the way of new stuff yet as the summer release stuff won't be out for a long while...(Kingdoms, etc). Any tips on what to look for?

[Brickdoctor]

Sale Items (usually in a Sale Section with a red circle sticker with a discounted price printed on it on the front. Since TLG is trying to get rid of all the old magnet sets for the new glued ones, there are a lot of discounted magnets. There's also store calendars to pick up, which have announcements and sometimes coupons, the occasional Brick Grab Bag (rarer nowadays, though), which is a random lot of bricks for a discounted price, and if you go on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm (time? afternoon, I know) they give away a free mini-model.

[fred67]

I've never been to that one, so keep that in mind.

The LEGO Store is great for the simple fact that it has every set currently available (unless sold out), and sometimes ones that aren't (ones that aren't shipped anymore but the store still has some inventory left), with the exception of new exclusives (although they seem to get them eventually) and some impulse sets (mostly like the ones sold at Target - the minis and bag sets they often have around the holidays). They even have the other LEGO exclusive holiday sets - the little ones like pumpkins, bats, some Christmas, Valentines Day and Easter sets (if they haven't sold out of them yet).

I guess most, if not all, have the build-a-minifig section, which is pretty neat (but you'll pay more for your instant gratification than you would pay on bricklink). Look for the grab bags, as fullnovembermoon says... ask if you don't see them.

The PAB wall isn't "all that." It's hit and miss whether or not it's got pieces you will find interesting, and they infuriatingly have those round containers for (typically) square bricks. Be patient and fit more in a cup by putting pieces together.

If they have a piece you want a lot of, ask if they have a box they will sell you ($70). I think the crossover for value is between 2x3 and 2x4 (so, you could possibly get more 2x4 for the same amount of money if you are good at cramming them into the PAB cups, smaller pieces tend to be a better value by the box... but unless you have all day and you're an expert cup-packer, the box of 2x4 is worth it).

Sometimes they have pieces that are too big for the cup. At our store they let you take one or two in addition to whatever you put in the PAB cup.

Have fun. IMO, the managers are doing a disservice to their customers by not keeping up the brickbldr site (LEGO should do their own, IMO). I've been in the stores when they've been packed, and I've been in the stores when they've been "dead," and that down time is when I'd have someone make sure the site was up to date.

[brickmack]

Well have fun. I've only been to the store in Chicago, but the PAB wall there was... disappointing. They only had about 10 part types there, and it was mostly headlight bricks and stuff... Though looking back I probably should have bought out the plants they had there... The build a minifig thing also disappointed me a bit, they only had about 3 different parts for each category (like 3 kinds of heads, 3 leg types,....) so I didn't get anything there. They do have a huge amount of sets though. They usually have stuff on sale somewhere in the store though, I found some cool city stuff when I went back in 2009.

[Pingles]

I just went to the Santa Clara Lego Store on my lunch break (I'm working today). Was very impressed by the inventory, bought a Winnie the Pooh set for my daughter.

The store was packed and it made me smile when an adult bought a large kit and the clerk said "Oh, they are gonna LOVE this!" and he replied (very cheerily) "it's for me."

The Clerks were friendly and seemed to be having fun.

Unfortunately they didnt have the set I actually went there to buy. Will order it online.

[Henchmen4Hire]

The really cheap on-sale keychains (they were like $2 last time) are a great way to get lots of interesting minifigs. All you need to remove the keychain part is a pair of pliers.

[Brickdoctor]

Unfortunately they didnt have the set I actually went there to buy. Will order it online.

Next time, go ask them if they have the set in stock, and if they don't and it's available online, they'll ship it for you so that you don't have to pay shipping and handling.

[Fallenangel]

Just avoid this and you'll be just fine...

[meyerc13]

IMO, the managers are doing a disservice to their customers by not keeping up the brickbldr site (LEGO should do their own, IMO). I've been in the stores when they've been packed, and I've been in the stores when they've been "dead," and that down time is when I'd have someone make sure the site was up to date.

That's a really good point. I live 300 miles from the closest store, and the inventory for that store is almost 2 years out of date. I only get there about 4 times per year, and I usually have a very limited time to fill my cup before the store closes for the night. If I had more time I'd inventory the wall on one of my trips.

It would be useful to have a more up-to-date inventory of the wall so I can plan the parts I want to buy. I can't tell you how many times I have my cup almost full only to find a really useful part I want and not have enough room in the cup for it. Back before Christmas that happened to me, and I regretted it so much I went back to the store before I left town only to find the part I wanted had sold out and been replaced with a different part.

As for why LEGO doesn't have a site like this of their own, I don't know if this is normal but the store I visit often has many duplicate bins of the same part. I know I feel a bit cheated when I see that, because why have a huge wall and then not have enough unique parts to fill it? If they had a site that showed that, it might dissuade people from visiting.

My advice to the original poster - if you find yourself in the situation I did with a full cup and suddenly you notice that there is another part you really want - fill a second cup. The wall is a lot of fun and the part you want may not reappear on the wall for a long time.

[fullnovembermoon]

Thanks for all the replies, I can't wait to get there. The Brickbldr website for Tigard seems up to date but if it isn't no biggie. I will probably fill up a cup no matter what they have. I have heard the minifig build is sort of not worth the ten dollars since they are fairly generic. I have a total fantasy that I'll go they'll have released the Hill House or the POTC sets. Either way I am just happy to go, I live about four hours away from the store and don't expect to go again for quite a while.

[Brickdoctor]

I have heard the minifig build is sort of not worth the ten dollars since they are fairly generic.

Yeah, I wouldn't get the Build-a-Fig. Back when it started, they got rid of some nice parts (I got one just for the yellow Leia head and Ep. 6 Luke torso), but nowadays it really isn't that good. Once the S1 minifig parts are added, then I think it'll be more worth it. For now, it's mostly City stuff.

[fullnovembermoon]

Whoo hoo just got back today from our trip and the Tigard store was awesome! Here is what my dear sweet husband got me...

[photo1 photo 2

The staff were so friendly and helpful, they rock IMO. I couldn't find any of 7639 Camper and they went out of their way to go upstairs to the stock room to find me one and restocked the shelf as well. I signed up for the Lego VIP card and got it as well. The PAB wall had some fun stuff, nothing spectacular but my husband got all into getting the cup stuffed to the brim (even though he isn't a Lego person. Thanks for all the replies, if you get a chance check the store in Tigard they are fantastic.

[Miss Kyle]

Sounds like a successful trip!

I only know the shops in Hamburg and London, but I like both of them.

The staff in Hamburg is a bit more passionate about the stuff they sell, I think. I also had this "Oh, who is that for?" "Eh... me..." moment when I bought two large Harry Potter sets a few weeks ago. And when I came there with my first brick list (for the Batman Arkham Asylum) the shop wasn't very busy, so two of the colleagues (both women!!) came over and helped me to find the bricks I needed. They even let me browse their bucket full of spare parts for Technic pieces and we had a nice chat about collecting Lego. Awesome, awesome people. I hope I am like them when selling books

I don't know how helpful my reply was, but I think Lego shop staff need good feedback as much as everybody. So - thumbs up!

Edited March 10, 2011 by Miss Kyle

[Stash2Sixx]

IMO, the managers are doing a disservice to their customers by not keeping up the brickbldr site (LEGO should do their own, IMO). I've been in the stores when they've been packed, and I've been in the stores when they've been "dead," and that down time is when I'd have someone make sure the site was up to date.

Well, you need to also remember that even if that site was updated, who says it isn't goinig to change within the next 48 hours? At my store, the PAB wall can look totally different from Friday afternoon into Monday morning. The retail stores do have limited space, so they cannot stock as much as the PAB Online, which is coming from a warehouse. I've actually looked at that website and considered updating for my store, but just to see what we go through in one weekend, there's no way I'd be able to give an accurate representation. Seriously, if you need something specific, give your store a call. If they can't help. PM me.

Glad to hear you enjoyed the Oregon store. Another bonus, if I remember correctly, there's no sales tax in Oregon right? That had to be nice.

[Canada_7]

Just a quick somewhat related question on Lego stores for those who have been to an official Lego store recently.

Here in Toronto, we're getting our first Lego store finally (second official one in Canada after Calgary first got one last year). I know someone mentioned to expect pretty much every set available, so does that include stuff like the modular houses and the really big sets? In particular, I'm probably looking to get Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter line sometime before that goes out of production.

Edited March 12, 2011 by Canada_7

[Blondie-Wan]

Just a quick somewhat related question on Lego stores for those who have been to an official Lego store recently.

Here in Toronto, we're getting our first Lego store finally (second official one after Calgary first got one last year). I know someone mentioned to expect pretty much every set available, so does that include stuff like the modular houses and the really big sets? In particular, I'm probably looking to get Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter line sometime before that goes out of production.

Not only are those sets generally available, but frequently there are assembled copies on display in glass cases. They look great!

[simplygriff]

I think I'm going to hit my first Lego Store this weekend in Concord, NC. What is this Brickbldr site a couple of you referenced? I tried to google it but came up emptyhanded. Thanks!

-G

[meyerc13]

I think I'm going to hit my first Lego Store this weekend in Concord, NC. What is this Brickbldr site a couple of you referenced? I tried to google it but came up emptyhanded. Thanks!

-G

http://ipab.brickbuildr.com/

[Pingles]

I think I'm going to hit my first Lego Store this weekend in Concord, NC. What is this Brickbldr site a couple of you referenced? I tried to google it but came up emptyhanded. Thanks!

-G

A quick explanation: Most (all?) Lego stores have an area with random blocks/pieces and allow you to fill a cup with pieces and you buy it by the cup. I didn't know aboutbit when I went. :(

EDIT: oops, I misread the question, sorry.

Edited March 16, 2011 by Pingles

[simplygriff]

http://ipab.brickbuildr.com/

Thank You! Though still fruitless. Hasn't been updated in a year. :(

A quick explanation: Most (all?) Lego stores have an area with random blocks/pieces and allow you to fill a cup with pieces and you buy it by the cup. I didn't know aboutbit when I went. :(

EDIT: oops, I misread the question, sorry.

No worries. :)

-G

[sok117]

I should be having my first trip to a lego store in may! I'm going to the one in rockafeller center when my family goes to NYC. I'm so excited , definitely gonna pick up some pick-a-brick. I wonder if there will be any new summer sets while im there . So excited!

[westy 70]

Hadnt been into a lego store in about ten years but went to milton keynes shopping centre and there is one there so i thought cool i will have a look 30 minuits later i was the proud owner of the lego deathstar set which sparked off my lego interest.Then while at blue water they have a shop popped in there got loads of sale sets and the new easter bunnie set so thats my collection off and running.Blue waters store had a larger range of sets and loads of buckets of loose bricks to but by the cup load

[ManitobaMoe]

speaking of cup fulls, i really miss the big green box you use to be able to buy and fill with lego for 100 bucks. i really wish they would bring it back

[LegoDad42]

I should be having my first trip to a lego store in may! I'm going to the one in rockafeller center when my family goes to NYC. I'm so excited , definitely gonna pick up some pick-a-brick. I wonder if there will be any new summer sets while im there . So excited!

Great store and the largest Pick A Brick Wall from any Lego store I'm told. Check out this link to some pics I took last year to get ya' all pumped.... LEGO Rockefeller Center Fun Pics!

[Darkblane]

Today I visited my first LEGO store, the Westfield London (UK) one and was really impressed with the overall atmosphere.

It was really nice to see some of the exclusive sets (at least those I don't already own) on display, such as Tower Bridge.

I didn't actually realise it was as large as it is and I'd actually consider buying it if I had room to display it.

I didn't have any plans to buy anything I couldn't easily carry as I was using public transport, but I did make use of the PAB wall and the Build-A-Minifig section.

The PAB Wall

The PAB wall was a little disappointing as the majority of it consisted of primary coloured 2x3 and 2x4 bricks, but I did get quite a few white 1xX bricks which I need for an MOC I'm working on (which I would have bought from BrickLink anyway). I also ended up with a lot of light bluish grey headlight bricks as there wasn't a great deal of variety for small filler parts. Even so, with the aid of careful packing, I still came away with parts which would have cost me about £19 (+ P&P) on BrickLink, for only £11.

The oddest part they had in the wall was the treasure chest lid in gold, but no treasure chest container (as far as I could see).

I'm not sure how useful the lid is without the container as the hinge is always going to get in the way if you try and use them creatively ...

I commented on the PAB wall to the staff and they said that they'd asked for more interesting parts (some plates or tiles would have been nice), but that's not what they get sent. It seems that there is a general reluctance from above to include small parts (such as 1x1 plates) on the PAB wall, probably because you can get a lot more for your money with small parts as they pack a lot better.

The Build-A-Minifig section

The Build-A-Minifig section was actually surprising. Sure there were lots of really common parts which you could get cheaper on BrickLink, but I was able to find quite a few Torso Suit Jacket, Pink Shirt and Magenta Scarf Pattern and Minifig, Headgear Hair Ponytail Long French Braided, as well as Torso Hospital Lab Coat and Torso Castle Ninja Wrap, which are all generally rarer parts as they are only available from a few sets and minifigs. For three minifigs it cost £3.50, but it would have cost me about £7 (+ P&P) had I have bought the same parts on BrickLink.