PotC now shipping from LEGOshop.com in the UK / TRU: what a palaver!

 

  • PotC now shipping from LEGOshop.com in the UK / TRU: what a palaver!

    Posted by Huw, 21 Apr 2011 15:14. Filed under Shopping (UK).

    All eight sets are available now, which is slightly earlier than I thought, to be honest.

    That would be great news had TRU not been offering them in their 3-for-2 offer. It's not often that the release of a much anticipated range of sets coincides with an offer like that so I was determined to take full advantage of it. This morning I rang both Portsmouth and Southampton branches to see if they had put them out yet. Portsmouth said they hadn't so I went to So'ton (I live half way between the two). When I got there there were indeed plenty on the shelves. I intended to buy three of every set so as to maximise the 3-for-2 offer and effectively get 33% off the entire range. (In case you're wondering, one set is for me, one for DrDave and some of the others are for atkinsar: I'm not that greedy (or rich :-) ) )

    So, I took three Queen Anne's Revenge and three Whitecap Bays to the till, all I could carry, and bought them. You have to be careful in TRU because their 3 for 2 offer is not intelligent. If you buy 3 £10 sets and 3 £5 sets in the same transaction you'd get two £5 sets free. Boots' (the high street chemist) system works properly in this regard but in TRU you have to get them rung through separately to guarantee getting one £10 and one £5 set free.

    Anyway, I took them to the car and went back with a trolley to get 3 of each of the other six sets. Unfortunately they only had two Cannibal Escapes, so I made do with them and an extra Fountain of Youth. I though I might ask at the till if they had another Cannibal set, but in the end I didn't because when I got there the woman at the till saw how many sets I had and made a bit of a fuss, and called the manager. He was not available so who I assume was an assistant manager came over and started asking silly questions like why did I want so many of each and was I going to sell them.

    I explained I was a maximising the discount available via the 3 for 2 offer and that one set of them was for a friend (which was true, DrD had asked me to get him some if possible). In the end she said she'd probably get into trouble but she let me have them. So, after another 6 till transactions (!) I managed to get all but one of the sets for 1/3rd off (and the cannibal one worked out at about 25% off) so I was happy.

    Thus, what could have set me back £340 for the 8 sets only cost £229, which is still a ridiculous sum, but much better than full price!

    If you have plans to do something similar, the offer only runs until Easter Monday and they'll be shut on Sunday. So get along soon!


    64 comments, latest one posted 25 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by princeofpersia in United Kingdom, 21 Apr 2011 15:38

yayyy i have been waiting for this :D :D :D

Posted by aquafreak125 in United Kingdom, 21 Apr 2011 15:41

Yes, finally! By the way, if you preorder Lego POTC at HMV you get a free lego jack sparrow voodoo mini figure.

Posted by keithkram in United Kingdom, 21 Apr 2011 15:50

@Huw, I had the same problem before xmas when theydid there last 3 for 2, I got 3 HP castles and the manager did not want to let me have them, saying i was going to sell them on ebay, I told her whats the point of a 3 for 2 deal if you cant get 3 of something, she reluctantly let me buy them, this time I have ordered them all offline, at least that does not stop you. I will try the Ipswich TRU tomorrow, they did nto have any today but were due a delivery. I cant see anyone buying from lego when there is a 3 for 2 offer going.

Posted by lukehankenobi in United Kingdom, 21 Apr 2011 15:59

Brighton TRU has them out too

Posted by bodybomb3 in United Kingdom, 21 Apr 2011 16:14

lukehankenobi-I'm going to Brighton one really soon but I'm wondering will it run over Monday or not

Posted by robodee in United Kingdom, 21 Apr 2011 16:22

Nothing to do with POTC but Asda are doing the basic Ninjago figures and spinner for 5 quid each just now. (normal price 7.50) :)

Posted by DrDaveWatford in United Kingdom, 21 Apr 2011 16:24

What a palaver indeed !

:-)

I have to say that kicking off a 3-for-2 on LEGO which starts the day a highly-anticipated new theme appears on the shelves seems unspeakably stupid, but who am I to complain ? TRU have in fact been uncharacteristically generous this year - the previous 3-for-2 enabled me to pick up the more expensive Star Wars sets at a hefty discount. Previously it always seemed like the UK folks were missing out on the good deals that the US folks got...

Anyway - thanks, @Huw !

Posted by Sabreman64 in United Kingdom, 21 Apr 2011 16:35

I can see their problem with it in a way. If you're buying 3 copies of the same set (particularly if it's an expensive set) in a 3 for 2 offer, it might seem as if you're trying to exploit the offer in order to sell some of the sets yourself.

Posted by flump in United Kingdom, 21 Apr 2011 16:43

The three of you are so lucky to have that relationship. SHampton's only 40 mins away and I would have been in on that deal like a shot. If there's another couple of big spenders in or around Berks or Hants who fancy duplicating the deal, send me a pm.

Posted by thesinisterpenguin in United Kingdom, 21 Apr 2011 16:54

Either the TrU website is super slow, or the Brickset Effect has thoroughly set in, causing it to slow down, and almost all PotC sets to sell out within the last 5 minutes that I have been looking at it!

Posted by iefdb in Belgium, 21 Apr 2011 17:39

saw them all in Belgium today in the Dreamland shops

Posted by yellowcastle in United States, 21 Apr 2011 18:17

@Huw - That's interesting that the TRU system in the UK fails to properly discount the higher priced sets on a multi-set transaction. I won't pretend to know how it works, but we never seem to have that issue here in the States. I always end up buying a couple of small sets along with the larger ones during these kinds of sales and the discounts always calculate correctly here.

Posted by duilim in Australia, 21 Apr 2011 19:16

We have exactly the same problem here in Australia, which means multiple transactions at the counter which is a real pain for both cashier and customer alike.

The price for PotC sets here have just been released and they're absolutely horrendous! On current exchange raters, the Queen Anne's revenge is, in USD, $214 - that's almost double the U.S. price!

Posted by Doctor Leg O'Brick in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 01:54

Another good deal I will have to miss out on due to me living in Birmingham. The nearest TRU is Merry Hill, and I would rather be shot and dumped into megablok plastic than go there. But back on topic, great for all the people who got a bargain today or yesterday at TRU or on Lego's own website.

Posted by NeilMartin in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 02:12

@Doctor Leg O'Brick - Depending on which part of Birmingham you live in, you also have TRU at Oldbury (M5 J2), Solihull (A34 not far from M42 J4) and Tamworth (A5 not far from M42 J10).

Posted by Doctor Leg O'Brick in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 03:14

Thanks NM, I live just outside the city centre area so that helps a lot. The stores that sell Lego here hardly have any sale. The only good one at the moment is Argos having 25% of all City sets plus the new Police Station at half price.

Posted by The Green Brick Giant in United States, 22 Apr 2011 04:21

It's supposed to give you the cheapest set for free, would it really make sense to allow someone to buy two $5 sets and get a $100 set free?

Posted by keithkram in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 05:06

they only had a delivery this morning in Norwich managed to get most but no queen Ann. I had my hands on alien conquest and city harbour but manager noticed they were not to be put out yet but she was prepared to sell them but the till rejected them, but the boxes looked good for the 5 minutes I had them. At least they should be available to buy soon just not part of the 3 for 2 which would have been a bonus.

Posted by OuterRimTradingCo. in Australia, 22 Apr 2011 06:21

What terrible customer service by getting a manager to grill you on why you were buying so many and what you were going to do with them! By nature, the 3 for 2 promotion is there to persuade the consumer to purchase a higher volume than they otherwise normally would, and if they don't post any "limit X per customer" on their advertising or POS, then it is absolutely none of their business to ask such questions.

A right palaver indeed! :)

Posted by LuvKernow in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 06:26

SHame my local TRU closed down last month! And the nearest one's in Chatham...

Posted by Heiwa in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 06:27

Tamworth TRU had what appeared to be all the sets on their shelves last night in the 3 for 2. We just bought 3 Captain's Cabins for the parts, not getting into yet another theme. Only really went there to pick up 3 Ramses Pyramids, already at half price, in the 3 for 2 - nice deal :)

Posted by coyotelily in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 07:25

Yet again the sets don't seem to have made there way to the north yet, all we managed was the queen Ann's revenge and the small captains set - Huw how soon before you get the minifigure gallery on, can't wait!!!!

Posted by legoman98 in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 07:28

@Heiwa did you notice any Alien Conquest or New Kingdoms sets?

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 07:30

^^ Give me a chance to build and savour them all first :-) I'll probably wait until BrickLink has inventoried them, so that the minifig numbers they're going to designate them are known.

^ Nothing else new on the shelves.

Posted by JRDA0406 in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 07:30

I went to TRU Solihull yesterday (Thursday 21 April). Although they aknowledged that PoTC sets exist, they had no idea if they will be selling them, and therefore had none in stock. I really wanted to take advantage of the 3 for 2 offer.

Woolworths used to be good for Lego offers, in 2002 i bought the two most expensive Star Wars Episode II sets on BOGOF. I got Republic Gunship (7163) and Jango Fett's Slave I (7153).

Posted by beefygrefe in United States, 22 Apr 2011 08:25

I'm glad everything worked out for you, Huw, but I'm entertained that TRU in the UK is just as painful to deal with as their American counter parts...

Posted by jonbuddy in United States, 22 Apr 2011 09:31

That's the problem with good-sounding offers, they always take the low prices...
Anyways, I'm so glad more places have PotC!

Posted by Pantboy in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 11:30

@ legoman98 i was in tamworth TRU last night and there was definately no alien conquest or kingdom sets on the shelves

Posted by Jabba the Taff in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 12:55

The Creator Lighthouse was available in Cardiff TRU. No price though! Also if anyone's looking for Home One still, they had one set on the shelf.

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 12:56

I have just called Brighton TRU to check once and for all if they have any of the POTC sets, they said they did, but also said they had Alien Conquest sets which they weren't going to put on sale until next Thursday, but I reserved a UFO abduction set among others for me to be picked up tomorrow! So I will hopefully be able to get Alien Conquest sets tomorrow!

*Pretentious dancing ensues*

Posted by sidersdd in United States, 22 Apr 2011 13:22

@Huw - Bricklink has all the current minifigs inventoried:
http://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?catType=M&catString=761

Many new parts have been added to the catalog as well:
http://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=533466

And of course the sets are there (although not completely part inventoried):
http://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?catType=S&catString=761

I've been providing images for many of them - although they're not the caliber of what you've been doing here with the galleries. Still figuring out my camera and lighting, lighting, lighting. Tips would be appreciated.

Posted by atkinsar in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 13:32

^ check out http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/76/beginners-photography-tips-please-/#Item_28 for some lighting tips towards the middle/end of the discussion.

When I went into the Gloucester TRU on Thursday morning, the only PoTC set they had was QAR, so I picked up a couple along with a Hogwart's Castle. The woman on the till did stare quite hard at the boxes, I wondered what she was doing and asked, she said she was checking if they were all the same, now I know why!

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 15:05

^^ Thanks sidersdd, good to see they have numbers already. I'll get them photographed ASAP!

Posted by spency13 in United States, 22 Apr 2011 15:06

i just bought all 8 of the sets at barnes & noble.com last night for at least 50 bucks less than what Lego charged!!

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 15:06

Has anyone else found Alien Conquest sets yet?

Posted by Heiwa in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 15:07

@legoman98 Didn't see any, just the PoTC

Posted by flump in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 15:27

Since TRU UK online is now out of most sets, I called Hayes this morning. Contrary to TRU's usual customer service, the lady who answered was extremely helpful. She went over to the aisle to check that they were acutally out. Of the eight sets released, two sets they didn't have were 4182 : The Cannibal Escape and 4191 : The Captain's Cabin. Since I've secured the QAR elsewhere, she's put the others aside for me to collect tomorrow. Before doing so, she was very quick to advise me of their 3for2 offer and didn't seem care less who took advantage of it or how. But then I didn't ask her to put 30 QARs aside!

Posted by Firox 5000 in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 15:48

Prices on Lego.com have mixed reactions from me. Captains cabin seems ok , Fountain of youth and Isla de muerta could be a tad cheaper £18, Cannibal Escape is cheaper than I expected. The Mill is too much and should be £35.99 London Escape cheaper than I expeced but should be £40.99. Whitecap bya should be £61.99 and Queen anne £91.99.

Posted by bluefox1966 in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 15:50

TRU Bristol Cribbs only had the QAR when I went in on Thursday. Hope to try again on Saturday to see if they have the rest. Anyone know if TRU Brislington has any?

Posted by brix in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 15:55

Hey, does anyone know if they are being sold in the LEGO shop because I am going to bluewater for my birthday tomorrow and wanted to spend my money on PoTC

Posted by richardh in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 15:56

TRU at warrington had a good stock of all sets. Staff were helpful too and were fine about multiple purchases.

Posted by lukehankenobi in United Kingdom, 22 Apr 2011 18:53

@Bodybom. When I was thb - Sorry I have no idea of their stock levels in Brighton TRU. When I was there they had them all though. Good luck!

Posted by Matthew in United Kingdom, 23 Apr 2011 01:55

@keithkram Did she say when they are meant to be put out?

Posted by keithkram in United Kingdom, 23 Apr 2011 04:04

@legocoastguard, not they had alien conquest but they were not allowed to put them out yet, they let me have some by mistake and then took them away when they would not go through the till, talk about disappointed. They also had new city marina sets and the creator light house, all were taken back to the store room :-(

Posted by HWR1996 in United Kingdom, 23 Apr 2011 04:33

all of the sets on the toys r us website here in essex are out of stock, i must visit my local branch in harlow before theyre all gone. I wanted to buy the two £20 sets, and get the £10 free, seems thats not going to happen.

Posted by thesinisterpenguin in United Kingdom, 23 Apr 2011 04:44

Received my sets from Amazon this morning! Very fun to build, and the minifigs are spot on!

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 23 Apr 2011 06:33

I have the alien conquest (or some of them) I got Tripod Invader, UFO Abduction and the Alien Defender, which the only three they had.

Posted by aquafreak125 in United Kingdom, 23 Apr 2011 07:33

I was going to order Cannibal Escape, Isla De Muerta and Captain's Cabin, and now they are out of stock =(
Congrats to everyone who managed to acquire the sets though :)

Posted by Renegade007cjh in United Kingdom, 23 Apr 2011 09:23

Went to Harlow branch (Essex), which is the nearest TRU to me - got 3 x £40 Star Wars sets, but was told they didn't have the POTC, let alone Alien Conquest... oh well, maybe next time.

Posted by QueenB in United Kingdom, 23 Apr 2011 11:28

Brighton was well stocked this morning. Nervously took 3 of most POTC sets to till and no questions asked. Although I did expect my bank to call me and ask if it was really me using the card!

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 23 Apr 2011 12:19

^ It's ridiculous how policy varies across branches, isn't it. I was speaking to someone this morning who said the Basingstoke branch wouldn't sell him any of the PotC sets, despite them being on the shelves. They were 'not in the system', apparently.

If they are going to make a fuss they should document their policy so we all know where we stand before we go and can show it, where necessary, to in-store staff.

Posted by bluefox1966 in United Kingdom, 23 Apr 2011 12:29

^ TRU Bristol Cribbs now has all sets on sale. TRU Brislington Bristol does not have any. As you say differnt stores different policys but the same town, what gives?

Posted by flump in United Kingdom, 23 Apr 2011 19:10

Well, online at least now appears to restrict your purchases so it is no longer possible to carry out Huw's legendary deal. Anything over the value of £45 or so now has a restriction where you can now only buy one or sometimes two (depending on the value) of the same set. Shame, if you feel the need for three Clone Tanks or Queen Annes! I wonder if the staff in store have been notified of the change to the terms and conditions over a Bank holiday weekend - certainly wasn't any change to the original advertisement whilst in this morning.

Posted by J. B. in United States, 23 Apr 2011 20:01

TRU gets so worked up when buying in bulk--I remember picking up a whole box (or was it two?) of the collectible minifigs, and it was such a hassle. You'd think they'd be happy the were getting so much money out of me (which they no longer do).

One more reason to shop at Target (besides TRU's prices...)

Posted by HWR1996 in United Kingdom, 24 Apr 2011 06:04

@Renegade007cjh When i went the exact same thing happened to me, too bad i cant order the sets off the website, they've run out!

Posted by Peter1975 in Netherlands, 24 Apr 2011 06:09

For all the Dutch people;
Yesterday I already saw all the POTC sets on the shelves by Bart Smit @ city Centre Deventer.
By the way; The Queen Anne's Revenge really look fantastic!!!
I feel like shopping this week! Yahoe! Oh, and the best thing, next weekend is my Birthday! Can't wait!!!

Posted by jallan13 in United Kingdom, 24 Apr 2011 07:03

@HWR1996 and Renegade007cjh

They had all the Potc sets on the shelves in Basildon on friday, and there were still lots left after I went. hope that helps

Posted by Renegade007cjh in United Kingdom, 24 Apr 2011 07:34

@jallan13

Thanks for the tip. Will see if I can get there.

Posted by ensign_dave in United Kingdom, 24 Apr 2011 10:36

There were restrictions when they did this offer at Xmas only allowing 2 sets of the same. There is no such disclaimer this time. Toys R Us in Swindon let me through the checkout on Friday with 6 Queen Anne's Revenge's with no questions asked at all.

Posted by Pulpdiction in United Kingdom, 25 Apr 2011 07:28

@ensign_dave - so re they ll for personal consumption, or should I look out for them on ebay?

Posted by ensign_dave in United Kingdom, 25 Apr 2011 08:12

@Pulpdiction - they will mainly be used for parts - my fleet is building up fast!

Posted by iadams in United Kingdom, 25 Apr 2011 09:28

I just got back from my local TRU, where a QAR, an HP Castle and a Passenger Train got me full value discount without any questions. While I picking out the sets, a guy was buying sets with his two kids: the kids were picking one each and then he said "we can get this one too and sell it on Ebay and get some of our money back." Right in front of two TRU employees who were stacking the shelves.

Posted by Pulpdiction in United Kingdom, 25 Apr 2011 16:16

Anyone who missed out on Toys R Us offer which is now over Amazon have some great deals on, although obviously not on POC. However just picked up Cargo train for £87 reduced from £130. Passenger train is less than £70 and some good deals on Harry Potter and some Star Wars. Also creator Log cabin is only £18.

Posted by HWR1996 in United Kingdom, 30 Apr 2011 06:32

@jallan13 i brought isla de muerta and captains cabin off play.com, i will check out the basildon branch though, thanks, this helps a lot! :}

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