Confirmed: half price toy sale at Sainsbury's starts tomorrow

 

  • Confirmed: half price toy sale at Sainsbury's starts tomorrow

    Posted by Huw, 26 Oct 2011 17:23. Filed under Shopping (UK).

    I heard rumours of this earlier in the week but now LostInTranslation and others have confirmed that there will indeed be a half price sale, starting tomorrow. They have held them at this time of the year for the last couple of years and if comments on articles about the previous occasions are anything to go by, you can expect complete and utter pandemonium in the toy aisle. Best get there early then, before the mums-with-prams brigade are out and about...

    Update: The mums-with-prams and hoardes of scalpers were out in force, but earlier than I anticipated. Some were even queueing at the crack of dawn before the shops opened, by all accounts. Tell us your experience in the comments.


    64 comments, latest one posted 19 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by yys4u in United States, 26 Oct 2011 17:29

Is this a UK thing? I've never heard of that store in the states.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 26 Oct 2011 17:47

"...mums-with-prams brigade..."... XD We need more humour in the articles, Huw. XD

EDIT: This happened last year to Huw: "I went to my branch at Hedge End at 7pm and it was like a war zone down the toy aisle. Hoardes of mothers with trolleys full of toys!"... :P Another guy also called his store a "war zone". :P Heed the warnings... :P

Posted by kevbags in United Kingdom, 26 Oct 2011 17:54

Is this on all sets or just selected ones?

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 26 Oct 2011 17:55

It is a UK store and it's ALL toys, not just LEGO. Hedge End didn't really have much in it to justify a special trip this year, though.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 26 Oct 2011 17:56

@Huw: "Special trip"? Don't you go there often for the shopping? :P

Posted by kevbags in United Kingdom, 26 Oct 2011 17:59

I was in the Huddersfield branch today and the shelves looked full. Didn't take much notice of what because it was all full price.

Posted by Rich69 in United Kingdom, 26 Oct 2011 18:13

Does anyone know if the half price sale on toys includes online purchases? or is it just in store.

Posted by flump in United Kingdom, 26 Oct 2011 18:16

^ I wondered the same. Was looking online a short while ago - is it coincidence that all of the expensive ones are 'Out of Stock'?

Posted by LEGOSLUG in New Zealand, 26 Oct 2011 23:02

Awesome! Shame I can't get the deals though.

Posted by LostInTranslation in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 01:36

^^ online half-price toy sale is only available on selected products, no Lego included (well, one duplo brick box but that doesn't count in my book!)

Posted by LostInTranslation in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 02:19

Sainsburys HW is insane, mum and trolleys out in full force. Managed to get 1 set I wanted but very little left to choose from :(

Posted by atkinsar in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 02:34

Might not bother then, it's not as if my Sainsburys normally has much any LEGO anyway, so it's probably not worth the battle fighting over the dregs.

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 02:41

^^ At 7am!

Posted by mutley777 in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 02:51

I went to one of my local stores first thing, utter madness!!!!!

Posted by LostInTranslation in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 03:01

Mental. Absolutely mental. The staff said they will get new deliveries each night for the week the promotion is running but not sure I can be bothered to get up so early again to see what else they get in.

Posted by kevbags in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 03:08

Huddersfield crazy at 7:05. They must have opened early. People with trolleys spilling over!

Posted by infernalbrick in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 03:19

yep, Sainsburys in Bournemouth is rediculous. Thought I would have a gander at 7:30 on my way to work. Already 200+ people with stacked trolleys. One guy literally had a trolley FULL of Lego. Bar some very small sets, there was no Lego left. No cheap Lego for me today!

Posted by Redbullgivesuwind in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 03:44

hands up who thinks all of these sets end up on ebay at a massive price jump

Posted by legomanspencer in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 03:48

Went to sainsburys in bitterne, got there 20 minutes before it opened and there was a queue of well over 100 people. No suprises to say that someone swept all the lego of the shelves straight into his trolley, leaving very little for anyone else.

Posted by infernalbrick in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 04:05

@Redbullgivesuwind, wouldnt be suprised in the slightest. In all fairness, If there were any decents sets left, I would of bought multiples!

Posted by DrDaveWatford in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 04:05

Anyone willing to brave that disorganised, miserable toy aisle with it's sparse and random selection of LEGO at the crack of dawn deserves a reward. I wouldn't go there if it was a 95% off sale....

Posted by infernalbrick in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 04:23

@DrDaveWatford, I must whole heartedly agree that the selection is poor at best. However my local store had most the AC theme and a couple of SW sets. Other than that it is small City and Hero sets which do not appeal to me.

Posted by atkinsar in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 04:27

I lied, I did pop in just after 8am, almost all the LEGO was cleared out and the aisle was rammed full of people with stacked carts full of toys. I did manage to pick up a few lonely Heroica sets that I'd been after and then on the way out saw a member of staff pushing a trolley to restock the shelves and managed to get hold of a 8678 Ultimate Build Francesco. I'm glad I went in, and may pop back in tomorrow if I'm feeling brave.

Posted by LostInTranslation in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 04:35

@DrDave, I'll claim that reward :-)

@infernalbrick, my Sainsbury's has had tickets on the shelves for AC for ages but no sign of any sets yet. Would be great if they got some in in the next few days...

@atkinsar, knew you wouldn't be able to resist! The Cars stuff wasn't disappearing so fast at Wycombe, wonder why?

Posted by jongoodall in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 04:47

I got to my local store in Cardiff at 6.55am and they opened the store early. Went in and yeah it was like wolves fighting over food.... that said i still got some star wars battle packs at £4.99 each and the Ewok Attack at £12.99. The Ninjago stuff was moving very very fast! There was 1 guy with 2 trolleys jam packed (mostly lego). I heard staff say a few mins later he spent about £700. Even if ones do put it straight on ebay the market will get flooded with certain items and it will make the prices crash for a while

Posted by Jameswh in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 04:47

Popped into local Sainsburys after seeing this article on way to work.
Got some good stuff:
Alien Conquest sets 7052- flying saucer
7050- buggy thing
7049- mini saucer
Star wars sets
8092- landspeeder
7959- ewok attack
7914- mandalorian battlepack

Creator set
5763 3in1 car/bike

All that came to just over £50!

Posted by infernalbrick in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 04:51

@atkinsar, I picked up an Ultimate Build Francesco but it didnt discount at the till! I tried to argue it with a member of staff but ultimately I'm not bothered about the Cars2 sets so I lety it go.

Hopefully they will restock Lego every evening (definately not holding my breath!). I pass the store at 7:30am every morning, so may pop in tomorrow now that the big rush has passed.

Posted by kevbags in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 05:13

Anyone need 8678? £12.99

Posted by weirdduck in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 05:19

Sainsbury's at Castle Vale opened at 8AM. About fifty people outside armed with trolleys. The toy aisle was well stocked with a good range of City, Alien Conquest and some PotC and SW. Managed to get a couple of Alien Conquest sets and the City fishing boat which were the sets my son and I wanted. Plenty of sets left although I would imagine they will soon go! Really do not understand the attitude of some people- a bargain is a bargain, especially in these straightened times. Seems silly to be a picky over where you get your Lego from if you don't live near a decent stocker or don't have an infinite budget.

Posted by DrDaveWatford in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 06:19

^^ I'll give you £12.99 for 8678, kevbags, providing the box is in reasonable condition - please PM me if it's still available.

^ Not being willing to turning up at a disorganised store at the crack of dawn with no guarantee that there'll be anything worthwhile at all to get isn't my idea of picky, just plain common sense ! If you're passing on the way to work then that's a different story....

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 27 Oct 2011 06:42

@DrDave: Great, we are trading stuff already. XD
So, it seems people will go at any length just to get those deals... :P

Posted by weirdduck in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 08:25

Sales bring out the worst in people. My local Sainsbury's did the best they could under these kind of hyped scenarios. I am fortunate. What is great is that clearly lots of people love Lego- kids and adults alike. Lego is a rich person's game increasingly, so 'hurrah' for discounts; and 'hurrah' for all those little faces that will light up on Christmas morning no matter what set they are left by Santa...Lego is fun!

^^Half term. Limited funds. Discounts. Awake. Children. Christmas. Common sense.

I don't wish to be rude or start and argument, but I increasingly find 'Brickset' rather alienating toward people who are not die-hard 'fans' (remember, 'fan' is an abbreviation of 'fanatic')

Posted by ensign_dave in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 08:36

I picked up a load of good sets and other toys at Sainsbury's Swindon this morning but had to queue to get in. It was manic and someone even stole my trolley with my £1 coin still in it!

Posted by flump in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 12:18

@weirdduck - I have to say that I think Brickset has got to be the most laid back and friendly forums I have become a member of. The guys running the show are, contrary to your belief perhaps, really normal guys. I have had the benefit of meeting with them a number of times - there is nothing die-hard about them. They enjoy collecting, as do I, but I wouldn't consider myself a fanatic - not someone that would be seen ramming other customers with my shopping trolley to get to the last Captain's Cabin!

Times are hard, I agree, but there comes a point whereby if I have a choice of driving 20 miles out of the way in hope that a particular store has something I want in stock and none of the other 100 people queuing outside have grabbed it first, I'd choose not to go! It must have been bedlam this morning in the bigger stores!

Posted by alijoezac in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 12:57

Yes the Mums with pushchairs were in attendance at Sherwood Sainsbury's this morning, but all quite civilised and I picked up a number of wants. Mind it is out of the way compared to other stores in Nottm.

Posted by weirdduck in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 12:58

@flump6523- I am sure they are, and when I have chatted to a couple at events (incognito on my part, I admit) they have been most charming. My intention is not to attack fan(atic)s- I have bought sets all my life and continue to do so. My son has inherited all my old Lego from childhood and we both enjoy this site and events. It is just that over the couple of years I have read this site the intolerance of other (inferior) products and the reference to the 'common herd' of non-enthusiasts leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Lego is for everyone to 'play well'. Other brands bring pleasure. No need for zealots!
As to the theme of this thread, references to poorly stocked or badly organised Sainsbury's is not my own (fortunate) experience. Many adults I saw today did behave in a dreadful manner. I have met some dim shop assistants. But most people do their best. And driving 20 miles for the slim chance of stock is, I agree, nuts. It is why I don't drive to Milton Keynes. The Sainsbury's I frequent is on the edge of a large post-war housing estate with a pretty low average income. These kinds of offers help people provide some joy for their children without breaking the bank. I just think some of the more strident comments made by various posters over the years maybe a bit... I dunno, dismissive and possibly insulting.
There, spleen vented. Thanks to all the backroom boys for maintaining this largely excellent site and I hope they continue to do so. I'll belt up now.

Posted by Chewy1000100 in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 15:50

Popped into my store in Plymouth at 3pm, and really, it was a complete waste of time. All of the toy aisle's were empty, just about 8 big boxes with everything dumped in and a horde of 50 mums around them. Only saw someone with a small ninjago set and someone else with The Captains Cabin. Going to try again tomorow at 8am but from what I've read here, it doesn't look too good for me. Does anyone know when this offer ends?

Posted by kevbags in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 15:59

No idea if its being enforced but a member of staff told me there was a limit of six of. each item per person

Posted by Chewy1000100 in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 16:11

@kevbags It says that on the website aswell

Posted by LostInTranslation in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 16:22

@chewy1000100: a member of staff in my local said it's running for a week. And as I said before, they will be getting new deliveries every night so possibly more Lego will be on the shelves each day.

Posted by legonut80 in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 16:41

i remember the last 2 years of this sale, i didn't see any Lego i'm still going in the morning with 3 young children and husband, hoping for some good deals :-)

Posted by Chewy1000100 in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 16:47

@LostInTranslation: Thanks, i really hope to get any Pirates of the Caribbean, at full price it's far too expensive, maybe I'll get lucky

Posted by LostInTranslation in United Kingdom, 27 Oct 2011 17:14

^ I managed to grab 2 islas de muerta in the frenzy :) They didn't have any of the larger sets. Hope you get what you want during the next week.

Posted by atkinsar in United Kingdom, 28 Oct 2011 02:35

I went back this morning at opening time to see if the shelves had been restocked. They had, but there wasn't much LEGO available. I picked up 4181 - Isla de Muerta, 4642 - Fishing boat, and 7929 - Battle for Naboo for a total of £20. For some reason Battle of Naboo scanned at £3.24 so must have already been heavily discounted. The only set they had a plentiful supply of was 2516 Ninja Training Outpost.

Posted by LostInTranslation in United Kingdom, 28 Oct 2011 03:13

@atkinsar: you jammy dodger! Bargain! My Sainsburys had no more Lego today :(

Posted by wRuB in United Kingdom, 28 Oct 2011 03:22

Went into my local store yesterday after noon and they still had lots. Only SW were the battle packs and no HP or Pirates sets at all! Lots of City sets but only the small sets available.

No crazy queues, just seem to be the usual crowd doing their groceries shopping, and when the store announced that the toys were half off, a few more people went to the aisle.

Ultimate Build Francesco wasn't included in the deal...

Posted by timbutnice in United Kingdom, 28 Oct 2011 03:23

Looks like the stock varies by store. My local one (Epsom) had lots of the Training Outpust, Freeco Speeder and Landspeeder but nothing else. Apparently their whole stock sold yesterday and they restocked last night.

Posted by Duq in Ireland, 28 Oct 2011 03:30

Walked into Sainsbury's in Newcastle last night not knowing about the sale so I was happily surprised!
Unfortunately the interesting Ninjago sets were gone, as well as the City Space Shuttle - no surprise at £13,49!
Bought about as much as will fit my suitcase on the flight home today...

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 28 Oct 2011 04:04

@wierdduck, I'm sorry, I didn't intend for my tongue-in-cheek comment to cause offence.

I was writing it from the perspective of a LEGO fan(atic), really just to make the point that like-minded fans, who make up the majority of the audience here, will need to get in quick to beat the other types of fanatics (mums, scalpers, whoever) if they want to take advantage of the offer.

Posted by weirdduck in United Kingdom, 28 Oct 2011 07:24

@huw - none taken. Sometimes I think we need a bit of perspective on our enthusiasms- it's the one good thing that 'the phantom menace' taught me!

Posted by legonut80 in United Kingdom, 28 Oct 2011 11:33

well i went in this morning about 8am and they seemed stocked up well, staff said i was there at the right time though as yesterday had been pretty mad in there. I got about 6 different small city sets, no big sets as quite a small store :-(

Posted by Chewy1000100 in United Kingdom, 28 Oct 2011 13:28

Got there at 7:45am, it had been restocked since last night, but almost cleared again in the 45 minutes they had been open. I only managed to find 2 training outpost's, £2 each, not the worlds biggest saving but 1/2 price none the less. Going to brave it one more time tomorow morning...

Posted by avacadoturban in United Kingdom, 28 Oct 2011 16:22

@Chewy1000100: If you're going to the Plymouth Marsh Mills branch tomorrow then I'll probably see you there (I'll be the lanky idiot with glasses + a black coat). Fingers crossed for a restock!

Posted by Chewy1000100 in United Kingdom, 29 Oct 2011 05:09

@avacadoturban: I would have been, but decided a lie-in was more important =D. How was it and what did you find? Im definetely going tomorow with a later opening time of 10am, but i might have to battle a queue.

Posted by ComfySofa in United Kingdom, 29 Oct 2011 07:40

Sainsbury's branches are re-stocking as per normal as far as I can see. I had to cycle from Hackney in East London to Kingsbury in North West London (13 miles) anyway this morning, so I hit three superstores on the way and bagged the following:

3177 City car
7235 City police motorbike
4641 City speedboat
3178 City seaplane
7634 City tractor
3365 City lunar rover
3366 City satellite launch

7049 Alien Conquest alien ship
7050 Alien Conquest rocket buggy

8304 Racers smokin slickster
8301 Racers urban enforcer
8303 Racers demon destroyer
8302 Racers rod rider

7914 Star Wars mandalorian battle pack
8084 Star Wars snowtrooper battle pack
8083 Star Wars rebel trooper battle pack

5864 Creator blue helicoptor
5761 Creator yellow digger
5865 Creator green dumper

8423 Cars 2 francesco and mcqueen
8206 Cars 2 guido and luigi
8424 Cars 2 holly and mater
8678 Cars 2 ultimate build francesco

6161 blue brick box
5585 pink brick box

Good job I was towing my trailer and had my expandable rack bag with me! :D

It cost about £110-£120 but it's sorted me out for birthdays and Christmases for a long time coming... (mine included).

Good on you Sainsbury's, you always were my favourite supermarket!

My only gripe is that the Minifigure mystery bag I bought (and couldn't resist opening) had a poor quality surfer girl in it. The plastic seems softer and less shiny an has very visible mould lines. I hope it's only the Chinese made Minifigures in bags that are like this, and not the rest of sets I bought which have been made in Hungary, CzechRepublic, Mexico and Denmark according to the boxes. I've noticed that some of the Alien Conquest sets have components made in China though, and I REALLY hope that doesn't mean that the hilarious looking aliens are poor quality moulds... Have any of you got poorer quality Minifigures?

Cheers for the heads-up on Sainsbury's, and good luck bargain hunting!

Posted by avacadoturban in United Kingdom, 29 Oct 2011 07:58

@Chewy1000100: Let's put it this way, I wish I'd slept in too. Most of the other stores seem to be restocking popular toys like LEGO, but Plymouth has never done this, yet LEGO miraculously appears the day after the sale ends.

Anyway, I'll still drop-in, but for the moment I'm happy to hear that Tescoes will be restarting their 'Double-Up Clubcard Voucher' scheme: £5 of vouchers = £10 to spend on Toys/LEGO ; )

Posted by LostInTranslation in United Kingdom, 29 Oct 2011 08:14

^ That's good to hear. I was already pleased with Tesco today as I found 6161 half price there this morning. Sainsburys High Wycombe don't appear to have had any more Lego stocked since Thursday.

Posted by Delatron in United Kingdom, 29 Oct 2011 08:39

Got Ultimate build Francesco but there was a lot of empty spots on the shelves in Derby. Used Nectar points too so I didn't have to pay 'real' money for it!

In other supermarket news, ASDA have the SW fig encyclopedia with the exclusive Han Solo fig in it for £5! picked up one for me and one for my nephew's xmas pressie (he's already getting the ideas book, which I also got for a fiver from the book people!). Love bargains. look near the books, not the toys.

Posted by Matthew in United Kingdom, 29 Oct 2011 18:23

Wilmslow didn't have much, but I got 1 speedboat and 4 small cars for under a tenner. I'll hit up Cheadle tomorrow....

Posted by JonnyRonny in United Kingdom, 30 Oct 2011 04:42

Does this promotion end today???

Posted by kevbags in United Kingdom, 30 Oct 2011 06:09

Thought I would chance my arm again on the way past.
3367 Shuttle £13.50
7287 Police Boat £2.70!

I love a bargin!

Posted by legonut80 in United Kingdom, 30 Oct 2011 11:38

Sainsbury's staff said it was on until wednesday

Posted by Matthew in United Kingdom, 30 Oct 2011 11:47

^^
'7287 Police Boat £2.70!'

You are joking aren't you?

Posted by kevbags in United Kingdom, 30 Oct 2011 11:59

I'm not. Was expecting £10 but when I self scanned it came up on screen as Lego police boat £2.70. I didn't wait around to argue, just put in my pin and ran ;-)

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