Elvis, Succulents, and a couple of small Storage Heads. That'll do for now... lots coming up in June!

I’m not seeing 40529 Children's Amusement Park here in Australia, only the USS Cardboard :(

@mar10jonzz said:
" @essel said:
"Bonus: promo code MD22 enables you to get 30417 Flower and Butterfly as well — it works in France and Belgium, at least. (Found the info on HothBricks.)"

Works in Germany as well or you can use FD22 to get 30434 Aston Martin Polybag."

Oh I wish I had known that; actually I already got 30417 with my May the 4th order…

@CCC said:
"Interesting, you can also apply either FD22 or MD22 to orders in the UK. They just don't add anything!
"

In Sweden, MD22 seems to work, FD22 you can add but nothing seems to happen. Unfortunately, I had already ordered before learning about these codes.

I couldn't checkout using PayPal, anyone?

@CCC said:
"Interesting, you can also apply either FD22 or MD22 to orders in the UK. They just don't add anything!"
I have had codes that don't appear to do anything, but then show up in the receipt once you've placed the order... but I don't think I'll try!

im not intrested in the amusment park gwp( its a nice parts pack but nothing more, but the uss cardboard is such a cool small set! its quite nostalgic because as a kid i was also really into space, and the printed torso and cat are great add ons, though the price point of 160 for it is a bit steep, but im getting ninjago city gardens so anything to tack on is better than good

@ineedabrick said:
"I couldn't checkout using PayPal, anyone?"
I placed an order just after midnight and PayPal worked fine... Placed another one about an hour ago and it didn't. Not sure if it's a Lego.com or a PayPal problem.

I have the two big City Rescue sets ready to go, but should I add a JWD set?
Edit: I want to be careful as I already made a $200 ish order thanks to the May 4th promos.

Waiting until tomorrow to see if I can also acquire the Ulysses probe for the printed plaque.

I was expecting the Cardboard, but not the other set. Looking forward to the day when global shipping has settled down enough that they can start publishing reliable calendars again.

@sjr60 said:
" @ineedabrick said:
"I couldn't checkout using PayPal, anyone?"
I placed an order just after midnight and PayPal worked fine... Placed another one about an hour ago and it didn't. Not sure if it's a Lego.com or a PayPal problem."

Interesting. I was able to checkout with PayPal, but there, VIP points weren't taken into account, unlike in LEGO's summary. I'm confused.

@jkb said:
"Interesting. I was able to checkout with PayPal, but there, VIP points weren't taken into account, unlike in LEGO's summary. I'm confused."
Sounds like something a bit suspect at the Lego.com end.... They must be 'improving' something again!

P.S. The VIP points aren't actually detailed on the PayPal receipt... only visible as a difference between Subtotal and Total at the bottom (but I'm sure you know that).

Can you make 2 orders and get 2 sets of the GWP? I bought my GF the City of Lanterns for her birthday, but she'll get the box in the mail before I can sneak the GWPs out.

@empire0 said:
"Can you make 2 orders and get 2 sets of the GWP? I bought my GF the City of Lanterns for her birthday, but she'll get the box in the mail before I can sneak the GWPs out."
Yes. The terms and conditions state "1 per household", but I've never had it enforced.

Tallneck, Pirate Beatbit, and some other sets for that Cardboard

@jturner_91 said:
"Ordered Medieval Blacksmiths and Fawkes the Phoenix for £165 combined - my partner’s paying for Fawkes for my birthday and I finally get the Blacksmiths before it retires and two awesome GWPs - winner winner!"

Where have you seen that the Medieval Blacksmith is retiring? Its not on the lists for 2022 so it is going to be around for while still.

@trelic said:
"Fun fact: 40533 Cosmic Cardboard Adventures is called "USS Cardboardin seikkailut", which translates into "The adventures of USS Cardboard" when visiting Lego.com from Finland. I think that name suits better than "Cosmic Cardboard Adventures". :)

But still, a bit too high price threshold in my opinion."

Seems odd to me for them to keep "USS" in the official name since it's a US Navy term meaning United States Ship, so it's essentially a direct reference to military and war.

I personally think it sounds innocent enough and I don't really care, just seems to go against LEGO's own rules.

Maybe whoever is responsible for translating the name just used the original LEGO Ideas name instead of the official LEGO one.

The threshold for USS cardboard is $200 in Canada. Farm/grocery store sets are not yet available; tallneck is out of stock. So I went with Shrieking Shack 76407, Hungarian Horntail Dragon 76406, and Telehandler 42133 to meet the threshold - lots of HP sets to buy this year($$$).

Still need/want (1) Tallneck 76989, (2) farm sets 60346, (3) Buzz Lightyear spacecraft 76832 and at least one Technic set (upcoming helicopter probably) 42145 - after all, I'm supposed to be a Technic guy but buying all sorts of other themes recently.

Well I stand corrected--I'd been afraid that by the time a great deal like this came along, nothing I wanted would be in stock (that's felt like the situation for a long time now). But several of my wish list were actually available, so got both GWP's! As a long time space fan, Cardboard really spoke to me.

@ineedabrick said:
"I couldn't checkout using PayPal, anyone?"

I couldn’t check out with PayPal earlier but it worked an hour ago so everything is back to normal!

I had been holding off getting the Home Alone house waiting for a good GWP. So that's what I ordered. Also cashed in $100 worth of VIP points and used Rakuten for a rare 15% rebate.

Only get Cosmic Cardboard Adventures (40533) in New Zealand!

@PurpleDave said:
"Looking forward to the day when global shipping has settled down enough that they can start publishing reliable calendars again."

Doubtful these calendars will return. LEGO [marketing] doesn't want people to plan [strategize] their purchases and would rather have you spend lots and often. Between Star Wars Day GWPs and today's GWPs which, surprisingly ends before the June 1st releases (e.g. Optimus Prime!) that's a minimum of CAD$600 in a month's time. Can bet they are also choked the SW Dioramas did not sell out before the SW GWP so as to clear out older SW items lol.

Finally managed to snag the Ideas Blacksmith. I've been itching for that puppy all year, but it's either been out of stock or I'd just bought another set!

@empire0 said:
"Can you make 2 orders and get 2 sets of the GWP? I bought my GF the City of Lanterns for her birthday, but she'll get the box in the mail before I can sneak the GWPs out."

Yes you can. I do it a lot especially around the holidays. They make nice extra Christmas gifts for my grandkids.

@Legoist61 said:
"I am not going to pay € 160 + to get these. My last order for more than € 160,- was wrongly addressed by LEGO and is now somewhere in the DPD facilities.
No chance of getting the AT-ST and Lars kitchen GWP's as they are out of stock.

I get a refund and can re-order the wanted sets, but no GWP's anymore. Terrible reply from LEGO customer service about it.

Service now is not comparable to the service 4 or 5 years ago."

Sorry to hear that. I agree with you completely. Hopefully, they will hear about these issues and make the necessary changes to prioritize customer service again.

@StyleCounselor said:
" @Legoist61 said:
"I am not going to pay € 160 + to get these. My last order for more than € 160,- was wrongly addressed by LEGO and is now somewhere in the DPD facilities.
No chance of getting the AT-ST and Lars kitchen GWP's as they are out of stock.

I get a refund and can re-order the wanted sets, but no GWP's anymore. Terrible reply from LEGO customer service about it.

Service now is not comparable to the service 4 or 5 years ago."

Sorry to hear that. I agree with you completely. Hopefully, they will hear about these issues and make the necessary changes to prioritize customer service again. "

You can have the best customer reps in the world - if their logistic behind is subpar, there is very little they can do unfortunately. Never had a terribly bad experience with them, finger crossed it continue that way.

@empire0:
@sjr60:
Someone claimed to have had an entire order cancelled over double-dipping GWPs, and then later said he might have only had the GWPs knocked off and requested the rest of the order he cancelled. I called consumer affairs to get clarification, and sometime last year they did start enforcing this on the more desirable GWPs, of which Cardboard is likely to be one. They don’t have a list handed to them, but she thought for May 4th, the kitchen and keychain would have been enforced, while the $5 polybag that I’ve seen stocked in two store chains probably wouldn’t.

I’m trying not to take chances. If I really want a second copy, it’s not an arduous trip to swing past on the way home from work, or to just drive up there on a day off.

@winbrant:
There’s definitely no guarantee they’ll come back, but I’m still optimistic. My understanding was that the reason they dropped them in the first place was shipping backlog. When you put out a calendar advertising special promos a month in advance, and come time to start it up the pallets of GWPs are still a mile offshore because they have to wait for port access, it tends to create migraines for the phone staff. Once the world gets sorted out a bit, and the shipping backlog goes away, they might bring them back.

They really aren’t trying to sucker you into making extra purchases like you think. The whole point of the GWPs, and VIP points, is to draw customers to LEGO Brand Retail. Have you ever noticed they don’t really do sales unless it’s on clearance? They’re the manufacturer. If they wanted to, they could undercut _everyone_ by raising their wholesale price to be higher than what they need to get at retail. If they sell it to Walmart at $100/unit, and list it on their website for $95, why would anyone go to Walmart?

They can do this and still make a profit on the end sale, but it tends to torque off their other retail partners, who will walk away if they feel their vendors are intentionally undercutting them. LBR is basically restricted to MSRP for most sales. Points allow you to reduce the amount you pay without them having to lower the price, so that’s allowed. GWPs give you more value for your money, so that’s also allowed. This gives them a “fair” way to compete with sale prices at other chains. But if you never know when to get these, you’ll keep missing out, and eventually conclude that there’s no point even trying when you can just get it cheaper somewhere else. So that’s why I think the calendars will come back…someday.

@PurpleDave said:
" @empire0:
@sjr60:
Someone claimed to have had an entire order cancelled over double-dipping GWPs, and then later said he might have only had the GWPs knocked off and requested the rest of the order he cancelled. I called consumer affairs to get clarification, and sometime last year they did start enforcing this on the more desirable GWPs, of which Cardboard is likely to be one. They don’t have a list handed to them, but she thought for May 4th, the kitchen and keychain would have been enforced, while the $5 polybag that I’ve seen stocked in two store chains probably wouldn’t.

I’m trying not to take chances. If I really want a second copy, it’s not an arduous trip to swing past on the way home from work, or to just drive up there on a day off.

@winbrant:
There’s definitely no guarantee they’ll come back, but I’m still optimistic. My understanding was that the reason they dropped them in the first place was shipping backlog. When you put out a calendar advertising special promos a month in advance, and come time to start it up the pallets of GWPs are still a mile offshore because they have to wait for port access, it tends to create migraines for the phone staff. Once the world gets sorted out a bit, and the shipping backlog goes away, they might bring them back.

They really aren’t trying to sucker you into making extra purchases like you think. The whole point of the GWPs, and VIP points, is to draw customers to LEGO Brand Retail. Have you ever noticed they don’t really do sales unless it’s on clearance? They’re the manufacturer. If they wanted to, they could undercut _everyone_ by raising their wholesale price to be higher than what they need to get at retail. If they sell it to Walmart at $100/unit, and list it on their website for $95, why would anyone go to Walmart?

They can do this and still make a profit on the end sale, but it tends to torque off their other retail partners, who will walk away if they feel their vendors are intentionally undercutting them. LBR is basically restricted to MSRP for most sales. Points allow you to reduce the amount you pay without them having to lower the price, so that’s allowed. GWPs give you more value for your money, so that’s also allowed. This gives them a “fair” way to compete with sale prices at other chains. But if you never know when to get these, you’ll keep missing out, and eventually conclude that there’s no point even trying when you can just get it cheaper somewhere else. So that’s why I think the calendars will come back…someday."

I am that person.

The customer service person in my case said about strict enforcement of the one-GWP-per-household policy, "this has always been the case." I saved the screenshots of the chat. She was rude and refused to recognize the truth. There was no warning given. I only noticed the cancelations when I checked my order status. I even invited the rep to peruse my past orders where multiple GWPs had been obtained. She refused and insisted Lego has always been consistent. It's all a bad joke really- that's what Lego customer service online has become (for many, many reasons).

@HOBBES said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Legoist61 said:
"I am not going to pay € 160 + to get these. My last order for more than € 160,- was wrongly addressed by LEGO and is now somewhere in the DPD facilities.
No chance of getting the AT-ST and Lars kitchen GWP's as they are out of stock.

I get a refund and can re-order the wanted sets, but no GWP's anymore. Terrible reply from LEGO customer service about it.

Service now is not comparable to the service 4 or 5 years ago."

Sorry to hear that. I agree with you completely. Hopefully, they will hear about these issues and make the necessary changes to prioritize customer service again. "

You can have the best customer reps in the world - if their logistic behind is subpar, there is very little they can do unfortunately. Never had a terribly bad experience with them, finger crossed it continue that way."

Everyone (and every company) makes mistakes and has to experience volatility and unexpected outcomes. Good, responsible people and companies understand that they must foresake profit in order to make customers happy when those things happen. This is especially true when a company is recording record profits. Almost every single action Lego has taken in the last 3 years is to maximize profits at the expense of good customer service values.

Of course, a 'good' person should also exercise professionalism and restraint in dealing with customer service personnel who have limited power to do anything to remedy the problems their company has created. I try very hard to be that type of customer. Unfortunately, Lego seems to be limiting the power of their reps to resolve problems. Let's all hope that goes back to the old way.

I thought a spend of 159.99 used to count as 160 for GWPs? Now it seems like it doesn't - putting the 10283 Shuttle in my bag just gives me 40529, but adding a Brick Separator (2.19, really?!), gives me 40533 also...

Done—thanks for posting this article. Kinetic Hedwig, Fawkes, 3-in-1 Crocodile, and Picnic in the Park. Getting $12 back from Honey Gold, too. Not too shabby!

@NickF22:
As I tried explaining to someone ( @StyleCounselor?) in a previous thread, sometimes they forgive a penny, sometimes a whole dollar, and sometimes they make you hit the threshold exactly. It probably depends on how much grief they expect to get if they’re sticklers. A $100 spend when the Winter Village set launches is probably going to slip through on $99.99, as just happened with the May 4th kitchen with $159.99

@StyleCounselor:
I knew it was you when I typed that, but I was blanking on your name, it was late, and I didn’t really want to go hunting for one of your posts. Bed was calling.