AFOL SF

It took me almost 5 years before I could start displaying Legos. Even now there is still not enough space for everything that I would like to show. So I do some kind of 'rotation.' One theme at a time. Diorama or display? Not alot of us have the luxury to do that but it won't hurt to dream about it... someday, somehow it can come true.

Which Power Miner sets are on sale/clearance since I've been to 2 Target stores last night and I didn't see any 'clearance' signs at all (not on any set, that is)? I do admit there are as much Power Miner sets as Star Wars. I bought the 3 smallest sets but will wait for the larger ones to go on sale/clearance.

Just a week ago, I finally found 8014 at a Target store and bought it. Out of excitement, I decided to build the set inside my car (yup, in the parking lot). Each and every piece was there except for the small decal sheet which I couldn't find. I had to devote a few minutes looking for it under and on the side of the seats and all places inside the car it might have accidentally dropped when I opened the box. I even checked the inside of the box and instruction booket several times! When I was about to give up cuz it's time to head home, I looked inside the box one last time and 'voila!'... it was there all along, stuck on one of the glued flaps. I still couldn't believe how I could've missed it. As I always say, all's well that ends well - the Clone troopers rode 'shot gun' with me all the way home.

Is this for reals!? If so, it looks like a TRU sign.

With so many new sets and the price of each set, I think consumers are just buying the ones they really liked. Add the current (world) economy to the equation, some are probably even holding back buying high-priced sets. There are just not many 'completist' collectors compared to past years. Nowadays, one has to choose a set that his/her budget can afford.

I honestly believe it all comes down to the store employee you're talking to, who has the final say whether to give a damaged item a small or huge discount, and maybe no discount at all (if that employee is a prick!)... I also honestly believe there are no store policies with regards to discounts given on damaged merchandise and if there are, these are rarely followed by store employees. With that said, one can get a good deal on occasions and at other times, none at all. As I always tell myself, it won't hurt to ask and never expect anything. You'll be better off that way in the end.

I visited the Lego store at Hillsdale Mall yesterday and saw this new StarWars lego magnet set. There is also a 2nd set from the Indiana Jones line, featuring, Indy himself, Indy, Sr and Marion. What caught my eye was the 'torch' Marion was holding. It was a dark brown carrot with a fire-piece on top. An employee pointed out that these 2 magnet sets are newly released. Unfortunately, I backed out when I saw the price at $14.99 plus tax.

I'm able to get a hold of the January 2009 store calendar and the week starting Jan 11th, the Medieval Market Village is featured. Caption says, "get the new exclusive Medieval Market Village now! Item 10193 available exclusively in the LEGO stores, LEGO catalog and online at www.LEGOshop.com. See it built in the LEGO store gallery." So to answer your question, in less than a month's time. On another note, Friday - Jan 2nd shows that new 2009 Lego themes and sets will be available. Pictured is the new Power Miner.

Thank you all for your inputs and sharing your S@H experiences. I took someone's advice and checked if my creditcard was already charged for my order and it was! So I thought it was time to call their Customer Service hotline... the gentleman I spoke to, Mark, was very accomodating and was able to answer my questions. It did show in their system that the order I placed Black Friday shipped via Ground UPS and is on it's way. A few hours later, I received an e-mail response and in there it stated that although S@H checked and confirmed that my e-mail address is 'correct' they have no explanation as to why I never received a shipping confirmation. S@H was apologetic about this and that was the end of it. Case closed.

Not sure if this was already discussed before so I'm starting a new thread. Also, I hope I've posted it in the right place. Here goes... Before going to bed early morning of Nov 28th - Black Friday - I placed an order at S@H on some sets that were on sale - Star Wars General Grievous & Creator sets - since I didn't want to take a chance finding the same deal at the Lego store that day (I wasn't planning on getting up early). You could say I did my 'lego shopping' online. I was also able to purchase from the Walmart website and one other online store. Friday afternoon (same day), I got a confirmation from S@H that they have received my (online) order. Good! I was hoping my order will ship sometime this week. Well, the last order I made online last Friday arrived Monday, then Tuesday my Walmart order was delivered. No word from S@H... so I e-mailed them yesterday, inquiring about the status of my order. The automatic response I received stated I'd get a response within the next 24 hours. It's been more than 24 hours since my e-mail and I still have not received a response. I totally understand, it's the holiday season and S@H may have been swamped with online and phone orders BUT a simple e-mail blast to customers informing them about the 'delay' would be nice and appropriate. Don't you think? It's almost a week since I place my order and still waiting... Any of you in the same boat as I am? As always, I'll be patient and wait. All I'm saying is, it would be nice if S@H can notify customers regarding the status of their orders if there is any delay encountered in fulfilling these said orders. That's a simple Customer Service rule... letting customers informed. Enough grumbling... Your input is appreciated.

This doesn't look right... I visited the Lego store and TRU near me and I was surprised at the difference in price on the new (City Line) Construction set. At the Lego store, the price is $99.99 and at TRU, it's $89.99! A $10.00 difference, but the weird thing is, TRU is selling this set CHEAPER than TLC. Considering TRU usually is more expensive... Has anyone else noticed this?

Price is $2.00 (plus tax) less compared to TRU. Will wait until the Lego Store near me stock on this set.

If I were the seller, I wouldn't go Flat Rate as this shipment is obviosly not that heavy. One only uses Flat Rate if the package weighs more than 4 lbs but less than 20 lbs. As for insurance, you paid that separately, which is $2.60. Then there was the additional charge of $1.50 - is this for handling fee or something else? Giving the seller the benefit of a doubt and now knowing he made a mistake in his 'calculations' he/she should return the unused portion of the shipping cost you paid. There is no written law but still, it is not right to keep it. In the world we live in today, this is just another example of 'greed.'

Here are some information I'd like to share with you all regarding the new City and Pirate sets... Sunday (Nov 16th), went to the Lego store and was informed that the new sets are going to trickle in a few sets at a time/each delivery. Wednesday (Nov 19th), called the same Lego store and was told by a different employee that they received 'some' of the City and Pirate sets and will be filling in shelves that evening. Thursday (Nov 20th), expecting the new sets out, drove to the Lego store only to find Set 7631 - Dump Truck out. Asked a couple of employees and was told the new sets has been delivered but they have specific instructions these are not to be sold until Dec 2nd! I thank both employees and headed home. Of course I bought the Dump Truck. If I could avoid buying at TRU, I do it... I have been dissatisfied with the store's high price ($2-5 per set is a lot of money if you buy all them new sets), so I wait and be patient. I suggest to those who're close to a Lego store, is to make a visit next week... some employees may 'accidentally' bring out these new sets.

I think the TRU Big Toy Book sale ends Nov 26th (Wednesday)...

One of the departments I manage at work is Shipping & Receiving. If the postal label says $7.00 then it only cost $7.00 in postage. No more, no less. Even with extra charges for packing materials and say, handling fee, your order shouldn't cost more than $10.00 - If I were you, I'd contact the seller and try to inquire or negotiate the overcharge. For you to have a peace of mind, you may also want to ask the seller how he arrived to the $28.89 shipping cost you were charged.

This is what I call NEWS! Wow... maybe we'll be seeing more new sets before the end of the year besides the CITY and PIRATES lines. Anyone thinks this has something to do with the current (world) economic crisis? How is this said crisis going to affect our buying habits of our dearly loved hobby?

Thanks for the great review, Mr M. After debating whether to buy this set for almost a month now, I finally did it today. I'm quite alright with the price at $50 but a bit disappointed as there are only 2 minifigs with the set. Oh well, some sets has more, some has less... can't win them all!

As I have reported 2 days ago, 2 of 3 Target stores in my area have the ISD back in stock. I went back to check after work and the 3rd Target store now has the ISD in stock, too. Unfortunately, when I went back to the first 2 stores, I only find ISDs on the shelves. Those on top of the shelves are now gone! I mean, literally! Could it be that some stock person accidentally brought out all their Inventory way too early and the mistake being corrected? It's impossible that AFOLs have bought most of the ISDs in just a couple of days... I suggest those of you who're near a Target store to check this weekend/when you get the chance.

I had some free time this afternoon, so I thought of checking Target stores in my area. What a surprise! Star Wars set 6211 - Imperial Star Destroyer, is back on the shelf. And what a comeback! I mean, on one Target store, there were half a dozen on the shelf and another 2-3 dozens piled neatly in three rows on top of the shelves. Another Target store I went to, has at least 20 of the same set. Only the 3rd Target store didn't have any. First off - I thought this set was sold out and discontinued, so how come it's back on the shelves? Secondly, retail price is $99.99... If I am not mistaken, this is the same technique used by Target when they had the Millennium Falcon on sale 3-4 Black Fridays ago (sold for $49.98 / half price). What do you guys think? Can Set 6211 be this year's Black Friday Lego item? Comments please...

Got my Holiday 2008 catalog today, too... After browsing, can't find anything that tickles my fancy. I bet there will be a supplemental catalog (one of those smaller ones) that will be mailed out in late Nov/early Dec. Any of you have the same feeling? Maybe then we'll see some of the new sets slated for early next year.

No other special mention, except for the City sets... although I've seen the SW Republic Fighter Tank at Target yesterday (Sunday). Also, an employee at my local Lego store said they already received their inventory of RFTs but were not suppose to put it out on the floor until a certain date (can't remember when though).

I also found the Republic Fighter Tank in my local Target store this morning, with the Agents set (#7?) which is a submarine and the Coast Guard platform set - all 3 sets selling for $49.99 each. Are these sets Target exclusives? I didn't pick any, waiting for my local Lego store to stock up.

Will do... with the world economic condition, it's hard to say whether we'll have stores slashing prices or will offer less products. I guess we just have to keep our eyes and ears open from now on in...

I'd better check my local Target stores tomorrow. Will update you on my findings...