LEGO Store build-a-minifig bins has parts from the licensed themes

[JeagerEX]

LEGO Store or every Build-a-minifig bins has any parts from any original LEGO themes like Castle, City, Minifigures or Pirates. Suddenly I found some few parts from the licensed themes like the Dark Tan Turban (Sheik Amar from Prince of Persia), a black kepi hat from Star Wars and they add the new pirate hat from Spongebob Squarepants.

So it is not supposed to include any parts from the licensed themes?

Edited February 23, 2013 by JeagerEX

[Bighappysmiles]

I know, they will now even put parts from the collectible minifigs, there are a lot less of these though....

[JeagerEX]

But you can get more extra CMF series headpieces by attaching the head to any random minifig's hand like the Thespian from Series 8.

Edited February 23, 2013 by JeagerEX

[Faefrost]

LEGO Store or every Build-a-minifig bins has any parts from any original LEGO themes like Castle, City, Minifigures or Pirates. Suddenly I found some few parts from the licensed themes like the Dark Tan Turban (Sheik Amar from Prince of Persia), a black kepi hat from Star Wars and they add the new pirate hat from Spongebob Squarepants.

So it is not supposed to include any parts from the licensed themes?

It will depend on the part. Recolors of standard parts, such as the Kepi's, Turbans and Pirate hats are not an issue. They are simply standard non licensed parts that were used as components of licensed figs. The problem is recognize able licensed parts. Things like pink heads of recognize able characters or things like Darth Vader or Stormtrooper helmets. The distinction is, "does the part depict something distinct and specific to the licensed IP?" So stuff like Super Hero torsos, character heads such as Spider-Man, unique headpieces such as molded SW heads, or unusual unique hair, such as Jack Sparrows. Generic things such as common hats or hair pieces may be used, just so long as they don't have any license specific markings.

[Bighappysmiles]

But you can get more extra CMF series headpieces by attaching the head to any random minifig's hand like the Thespian from Series 8.

Haha! Thats an amazingly amazing idea of how to cheat the system! Anyway, maybe I will employ that loophole next time!

Smiles=)

[Vindicare]

I would love to find all the bits 'n pieces to plain white Clone Troopers. I would clean the BaM bins dry. I've seen the kepi hats, but they were first used in Western for the Calvary(I think).

Edited February 24, 2013 by Legocrazy81

[JeagerEX]

I've seen the kepi hats, but they were first used in Western for the Calvary(I think).

Dark Gray, Dark Tan and Brown kepi hats are usually used for the original themes such as Docs from Rock Raider, Mike from Adventurers and Mac McCloud from Pharaoh's Quest. Not only all black kepi hats are used in licensed, but the first non-licensed minifig that has black kepi hat is Gabarros from Adventurers. The rest of the kepi hats are commonly used for the licensed themes.

The

[jonwil]

The Kepi Hat (as an example) is not considered a licensed part in any color therefore it is OK to put in the b-a-m bins.

Same thing with the turban.

[Faefrost]

The color or exclusivity of the part doesn't matter. Only if the parts design or printing depicts and is unique to a licensed object or person. Lucas doesn't hold a license for Kepi style hats, So for Lego they are an unlicensed part, regardless of where they use what color. Lucas does hold a license on Darth Vader helms. Hence they are licensed parts and will never be used in a BAM station.

A good example is Witches/Wizard hats and Harry Potter. The basic Wizarding Hat is an unlicensed part, and may be found in BAM bins, even in colors that were only used in Harry Potter,.. EXCEPT... certain versions of the hat had unique character specific printing on them. The Sorting Hat or Madam Sprouts hat with leaves on it, etc. These are licensed and will never be found in a BAM bin except by error.

[JeagerEX]

Any SW Weapons should not be included in every build-a-minifig bins, but what about a generic revolver accessory from the original themes?

[Faefrost]

Any SW Weapons should not be included in every build-a-minifig bins, but what about a generic revolver accessory from the original themes?

It's possible, but those bins are also a mechanism for thinning out a supply of surplus parts. I don't think they produce the revolvers in such volume. But you never know, you might get lucky. I have found muskets in the ones by me. It could also be that they try not to put modern weapons or firearms in a set or setting that does not allow them to control the context. (ie Guns in Monster Fighters or Space themes or Dino's are fine, but they will never ever give City Police firearms.)

[cortman]

Is BaM a brick-and-mortar store feature only?

[Faefrost]

Is BaM a brick-and-mortar store feature only?

Yes. Although you can accomplish much the same thing ordering random minifig parts from Pick a Brick.

[JeagerEX]

It's possible, but those bins are also a mechanism for thinning out a supply of surplus parts. I don't think they produce the revolvers in such volume. But you never know, you might get lucky. I have found muskets in the ones by me. It could also be that they try not to put modern weapons or firearms in a set or setting that does not allow them to control the context. (ie Guns in Monster Fighters or Space themes or Dino's are fine, but they will never ever give City Police firearms.)

Not only just City Police and Robbers, but some civilian CMF minifigs should not give any firearms too such as S3 Rapper, S4 Punk Rocker and S10 Motorcycle Mechanic to avoid any references to gang members.

[JeagerEX]

When I went to LEGO store at Glendale then I searched for the Pirate hat from the 2009 Pirates theme, but suddenly those pirate hats that is there is from the Spongebob Squarepants The Flying Dutchman set.

[TheLegoDr]

I've seen the Spongebob bicorn quite frequently. I've even seen capes in that section before, although rarer. I just did a couple the last time I was in Chicago and I can't remember, but there was something Licensed related in it. Usually things like a hat or accessory will be thrown in there.

[Infernum]

I've been told by LEGO store employees that when they are shipped a set that's box is WAY too damaged to sell, they will put the fig parts in the Build-a-fig tubs.

[Bamos]

Damaged and returned set's along with any bin that is less than half full go in a bucket.

The parts from the bucket is what goes in the pick a brick grab bags.

Bill

Edited July 11, 2013 by Bamos

[meyerc13]

Except that grab bags were discontinued globally almost 1 year ago: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=74668

Too bad too, one of my favorite things about visiting LEGO stores.

[JeagerEX]

I've seen the Spongebob bicorn quite frequently.

They replaced all the 2009 Pirates bicorns in the BaM bins in every LEGO Store with that SB Bicorns since they released a Spongebob Flying Dutchman set. I supposed to get all the parts to build Capt Brickbeard, but suddenly I only got a head and a peg-legged leg parts.

It is good if there's a Lone Ranger Cavalry soldier (the one from Cavalry builder set) hats, torso and legs too.

Edited July 14, 2013 by JeagerEX