All Quiet On the U.S. Front

 

  • All Quiet On the U.S. Front

    Posted by yellowcastle, 03 Jun 2010 09:29. Filed under Shopping (USA).

    4899: Tractor
    City/Farm, 2009
    More details...
    ©2009 LEGO Group

    So far, this week has been relatively uneventful in the U.S. :

    • No major advertised LEGO sales this week via TRU, Target, or Walmart
    • That being said, I did run across a couple of unadvertised sales at the stores, though I can't be sure these are nationwide: TRU - Farm (7637) $69.99 down from $89.99; Walmart - Tank Droid (7748), Droid Tri Fighter (8086), Freeco Speeder (8085) each "rolled back" to $19.99 down from $24.99
    • The promotion for June at U.S. Brand Stores is a free Farm Tractor (4899) with a $50 purchase (As far as in store promotions go, this one is better than most; I picked one up last night but definitely want another)
    • Still no apparent sightings of 2010 Summer Sets or Collectible Minifigures outside of TRU or Brand Stores
    • The Emporium (10211) is on backorder again at S@H, now not due in until late September!
    • The Space Shuttle (10213) is slated to be available on June 19 (They have one in the display case at one of our local Brand Stores; While the set is definitely majestic and I very much liked the rocket boosters, I have to say that I was a little offput by the angular brickish nose and windshield design; am I alone on this?)

    Lastly and as many of you have likely already noticed, Huw has recently added permanent links on the home page (upper right) for both the North American and World Collectible Minifigures Series 1 Barcode Keys.  Thanks Huw!

    UPDATE: Just reviewed next weeks ads (6/6 - 6/12) and unfortunately there are no advertised sales for LEGO at either TRU or Target.  :o(


    26 comments, latest one posted 35 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by legowomen1980p in United States, 03 Jun 2010 10:47

does anyone know when the harry potter sets are coming out?

Posted by itsaturkey in United States, 03 Jun 2010 10:48

No your not alone on that one, i highly dislike the windshield. they should've used that round racers windsheild.
but other then that i love the set, although its a little too much for me (i cant buy anything anyway cuz' im saving for the Death Star) so the farm went down 20$? wow thats a pretty good sale!
P.S. Yellowcastle- do you know if the CM will be available at Wal-mart, and if so would they be with the legos or a the checkout aisle?

Posted by Sand Raider in United States, 03 Jun 2010 10:58

Here's the main pic. Compliments of Dunechaser:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dunechaser/4588130390/

I'm you guys too; the 'shield is very small. It actually looks slightly fake.

Posted by yellowcastle in United States, 03 Jun 2010 11:10

@itsaturkey - I'm definitely expecting the CM's at Walmart and Target but not yet sure where they're going to put them; Thus, I've been checking the LEGO aisles/endcaps, where they keep baseball cards, and the actual registers.

Posted by baylego in United States, 03 Jun 2010 11:13

@itsaturkey- One of my family members found out from a person that worked in the toys at Wal-Mart that they would not sell the minifigures. I am still keeping my hopes up that Target will sell them!

Posted by vynsane in United Kingdom, 03 Jun 2010 12:18

The tractor is cute, and the inclusion of the tan fedora only previously seen on the cowboy from the CMF's is a draw.

As for the Shuttle Adventure, I don't mind the use of the cheese slopes for the viewport, as it's a passable representation of the angular nature of the real thing. The rounded windscreen wouldn't have been nearly as representational of the true vehicle. While it's not fantastic, it's as close as you're gonna get in the scale and available pieces. The nose is a little chunky, but once again, passable.

Posted by collectormom in United States, 03 Jun 2010 13:09

Good job on your first report yellowcastle!

And thanks for the reminder on this months Lego Store promo; we're headed there tomorrow.

Posted by jackmap in United States, 03 Jun 2010 13:36

WOW - June 19th is my birthday! I hope that I can pick up a LEGO Space Shuttle on that day! :D

Posted by mr.bob in United States, 03 Jun 2010 13:50

@yellowcastle- I do hope that those other stores get the CM's, because my local Toysrus store has been sold out since the first day and not received any more since then. Do you know if the Lego brand stores have enough in stock to be worth an hour-long drive to there?

P.S. Like the style of your reports, yellowcastle. Keep up the good work!

Posted by c.lee.r in United States, 03 Jun 2010 14:01

- Tank Droid (7748) no long on sale

Posted by yellowcastle in United States, 03 Jun 2010 14:44

@mr.bob - I, um, borrowed the report format from one of Huw's posts, ahem...

In regards to stock level of the CM's at the brand stores, I'm sure it's different for every store. For the one I visited, they apparently had gone through more than half their available boxes after just 1 day. And I didn't get an appreciation when/if they would receive more...

Maybe I shouldn't have returned those unopened crash test dummies. Nahhhh. ;o)

Posted by J. B. in United States, 03 Jun 2010 15:17

Here's news: TRU raised the price of the collectible minifigs (series 1, of course) to $2.49! That's up $30 if you're buying a whole box! They also mentioned that they would be LIMITING the number you could buy... :(

Posted by cjg in United States, 03 Jun 2010 15:42

yellowcastle: I wish you sold those dummies to me. :)

Posted by yellowcastle in United States, 03 Jun 2010 15:53

@J.B. - While this price increase by TRU is not entirely unexpected and is indeed now reflected on their website, I've not yet seen any purchase limits posted online or in our local stores. But that definitely will add up if purchasing dozens of figures. Until stock depletes, I'd recommend channeling your online purchases through S@H.

Posted by yellowcastle in United States, 03 Jun 2010 16:01

@cjg - Definitely didn't care much for the dummies, skaters, divers, and spacemen. Also returned a few ninjas, though started to regret it once I realized his mask would hold the backup sword. Doh. I picked up another Caveman, Cheerleader, Robot, Magician, and Zombie last night. I'd like a couple more Wrestlers, Robins Hood, Cowboys, Indians, Cheerleaders, Cavemen, Zombies, and Clowns. And maybe some Magicians and Nurses and Ninjas.

Ugh.

:o)

Posted by alpha 40 in United States, 03 Jun 2010 16:42

My WalMart also has Echo Base for $19.99. (West Haven, CT)

Posted by bmwlego in United States, 03 Jun 2010 17:46

I too was annoyed with TRU jacking up the price for the CM 50 cents! Typical TRU. They often get new items in quickly and sell them at LEGO retail. After a week or 2 week period they jack up the price to what I call Toys R Us retail!

As for news about LEGO in US/CA, I just opened an email from LEGO that let me know that there are over 100 new elements added to the online Pick a Brick inventory, including that new 2x2 tile with 1 stud!

Posted by Crt2 in United States, 03 Jun 2010 22:51

Man, I So Want that Tractor........Not Payin' 50 Bucks Though! :P

Posted by aplbomr79 in United States, 04 Jun 2010 00:18

The CMs are nice, but they do not really pique my interest... I am more interested in expanding my "boys" City collection. I hope that LEGO will continue in their recent releases. I have been happy with LEGO thus far this year, but I am worried that they may go back to their usual MO.

Sorry, this is about to turn into a rant...

Like many others have posted, it is time that LEGO diverges from the "Emergency" sets that have dominated the population of the City Theme. It is also nice to see that they have no plans to release more Construction Sets (even though I have been a big fan of these thus far).

LEGO would be wise to continue in the way of "City Corner", "Family House", and the unreleased "City Public Transport". These sets are a great way to quickly build up a city and add much needed vehicles. LEGO would also be wise to add more 'impulse buy' sets that include cars, trucks, city scenes, etc. These are great for stocking-stuffers and Birthday gifts. Why not release the Range Rover included in '7635' but in different colors? Also, would it also be too much to ask that the larger sets include Road Plates? The only way that the "City Corner" would have been better is to add at least one plate...

The Farm Sub Theme is incredible! I have been trying to acquire all the sets - and only TRU have them. This theme has been great, but I hope that the demand is there so that LEGO continues such a venture (I have done my part). One of the greatest aspects of this theme is that each of the tractors is unique both in the build and in colors. However, it would be nice to see some implements for the tractors to use. LEGO could take this theme a long ways by including sets such as a real Dairy Barn, Chicken Coup, Farmhouse (with a suitable atv), a Machine Shed, Corn Crib, etc.

Okay, I will revert back to the original posting... Walmart, Target, and the other retailers have been lacking when it comes to discounts and offerings. Blame it on the economy, demand, or lack of foresight by their purchasers. Ho

Posted by bmwlego in United States, 04 Jun 2010 05:31

I have seen the new farm sets at my Target I believe.

Posted by vynsane in United Kingdom, 04 Jun 2010 13:23

@yellowcastle - I don't understand how you don't like the Spaceman (though you're apparently not alone, from what I've heard) - he's my favorite of the entire series. That said, so far he has the highest rating of any CMF based on reviews here...

Posted by yellowcastle in United States, 04 Jun 2010 13:51

@vynsane - I love the caveman, clown, cheerleader, cowboy, magician, wrestler, and zombie. I like the Indian, Robot, and Robin Hood. I am on the fence with the ninja, diver, and nurse. I don't much like the skater or spaceman and I really don't like the crash test dummy. :o)

Posted by legomaniac101 in United States, 04 Jun 2010 18:41

i showed my mom the part with the tractor yesterday and she would like to know what a "u.s. brand store" is. i know this kind off topic but can someone please tell me what it is? one more thing, i think the tractor is cute!:)

Posted by yellowcastle in United States, 04 Jun 2010 18:50

"Brand Stores" are just another name for LEGO Stores as opposed to Target, Walmart, Toys R Us, etc.

For a listing of all the LEGO stores:

http://stores.lego.com/en-us/default.aspx

Posted by legomaniac101 in United States, 04 Jun 2010 21:27

thank you.

Posted by nexus15 in United States, 05 Jun 2010 00:36

@aplbomr79 (or anyone else for that matter interested) If you don't live near a brand store or have trouble locating sets call around to some of the brand stores (during the week, kindly) They _ALL_ are required to ship and shipping should be the same rates as S@H. If your state does not have a brand store you don't pay sales tax and if you have a VIP card mention its # to get points when ordering. Should also mention that especially in aplbomr79's case brand stores carry the exclusives that other stores get like the main city farm set being a TRU exclusive, brand stores carry it. They also carry all sets marked 'special edition' or 'limited edition' but stock levels vary from store to store, they also carry all the misc items like housewares, magnet sets, watches, etc.

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