Any chance of "haggling" down Lego with a retail manager?

[InvincibleEagle]

Sorry if this question belongs in a different subforum; I'm still new here.

Anyway, I have a somewhat greedy and selfish question, so here we go. My local Kmart has a lon 9472 Attack on Weathertop set just hanging around the Lego isle. Now, it doesn't even have a price tag nor does it even fit on the display shelf; it's always either on its side or behind the Unexpected Gathering sets. This leads me to believe (well, hope) that it belongs in the clearance section (where toys are on sale for 30-75% off!). So, my question to you is: is there a chance of negotiating a clearance price on this set using reasons such as its retirement and that's been taking too much space in the Lego section? Thanks.

[CorneliusMurdock]

First off, try a price check scanner to see if it really does belong on clearance. Otherwise, that sort of thing probably varies from manager to manager. Never hurts to try.

[Deathleech]

Ehh, you could try. I am sure if it were a bigger, more successful chain like Target or Wal-Mart you probably wouldn't have any luck. Stores like K-Mart and Toys R Us, who are on their way out, seem like they are more apt to negotiating though. I have heard reports of TRU managers honoring sale/clearance prices with their price match and selling products before the street day just to move more sets. I havn't really heard anything about K-Mart.

Edited February 5, 2014 by Deathleech

[MassEditor]

Yes! I do it at least once a year!

Go to the store of your choice (the bigger the better), usually a few months before Christmas (I always go in October) and look for the sweaty, overworked floor manager trying to squeeze in the store's Christmas toy layout plans. Simply walk him or her over to the Lego section and ask what the store would take for a buggy or two full of sets. This works best at a Walmart clearance aisle since the sets are already marked off and, because they're in the clearance aisle, the story obviously wants to get rid of them. Now, you have to go in there willing to spend $500+ if you really want a solid deal.

Last year was the best I ever did, scoring well over $2K in Legos for a measly $600 from the Walmart clearance aisle. Sure, many of the sets were of themes I care nothing for, but I did walk out with several dozen LOTR sets. The rest I sold on Bricklink, where I've about made my $600 back. Every time I do this, I get a hand shake from the manager and feel like I've really done them a favor.

Of course, I'm sure there are many in the community who would frown on this practice. But c'mon, Legos aren't cheap, and would you rather see those wonderful sets in the dirty hands of some kid?

Edited February 5, 2014 by MassEditor

[elleana]

That's interesting. Will try to remember come October!

[Deathleech]

Go to the store of your choice (the bigger the better), usually a few months before Christmas (I always go in October) and look for the sweaty, overworked floor manager trying to squeeze in the store's Christmas toy layout plans. Simply walk him or her over to the Lego section and ask what the store would take for a buggy or two full of sets. This works best at a Walmart clearance aisle since the sets are already marked off and, because they're in the clearance aisle, the story obviously wants to get rid of them. Now, you have to go in there willing to spend $500+ if you really want a solid deal.

Last year was the best I ever did, scoring well over $2K in Legos for a measly $600 from the Walmart clearance aisle. Sure, many of the sets were of themes I care nothing for, but I did walk out with several dozen LOTR sets. The rest I sold on Bricklink, where I've about made my $600 back. Every time I do this, I get a hand shake from the manager and feel like I've really done them a favor.

Hmm, interesting. I have never heard of this working on smaller items at normal retailers. I know you can do it at some places like Best Buy when purchasing multiple big appliances, but you generally only save a few hundred dollars when you bundle them better than nothing though!). I guess it probably only works on clearance items? Stores are selling those for a loss and just want to get rid of them so they probably don't mind taking even less for that stuff.