Ulysses Space Probe returns to Earth today

@NatureBricks said:
"Today being tomorrow in the USA."

Thanks, I thought I had missed it already!

@PurpleDave said:
"I was thinking this was Wednesday, but must be thinking of June 1st launches. Fortunately, I get to skip this cage fight, as I made it out alive last time."

Of course, this should've been tied to those who purchased the Space Shuttle. Hopefully, they have fired the Mighty Mushheaded Moose responsible.

I refuse to get emotional about it this time around. If I get it, great. If not, so be it. Serenity NOW!!!!

Got mine! :D

Seems like 1 per customer, same as the collectable coins.

I managed to get one, but bang on 8 the Lego website seemed to crash and things stopped loading properly etc.

Hooray, got it! Thanks for the reminder Huw. I can go back to bed now....

At 09:04: "Sold out".

Be patient guys and keep trying, the site was slow and not loading the rewards at first, but after a couple of minutes they showed up and I was able to claim my Ulysses. :)

09:05h and already sold out in Germany...

Looks like it’s crashed

Managed to get one at 9:02, now sold out

SOLD OUT again.

No back up but sold out.

Got into work. Set my reminder for 10 to 8. Carried on with what I was doing. Looked up 08:03! ...Maybe next time

@Tootles said:
"Oh look

We're currently in the process of building new rewards. Stay tuned for more soon!

Finally got in at 8.05am and sold out"

Exactly the same here in the UK

Did not manage to load it until it was sold out. Waste of time and awful website for a company this size.

Wow. Missed it the first time. Was logged onto LEGO website at 7.57. come 8.00 Kept on saying we are updating our rewards.

Refreshed several times and at 8.07 the page came back up and Ulysses probe already sold out.

Well done to those that managed to secure one.

Feel very lucky to have got one this time around… was on the site ready for 8:00, it went slow page finally loaded and confirmed at 08:01. Can’t believe how quick they have sold out again.

So very much in the "we found some" camp rather than having made more..... Just managed to get it at 8:02 as walked out from the "no service" underground car park...

Managed to get one in the UK, yay!

This time seems that I got lucky. Site didn't crash at 9:01 (as it did last time). I combined it with the other gwp and the confirmation email from LEGO just now clearly shows the Ulysses.

Shopping shouldn't be this random and stressful??

I was lucky it seems, had 2 tabs open and refreshing, the box that pops up did freeze to for 5-10 secs but finally went through, I do to think this should of been a GWP for discovery and more only released for owners of, but can see why others would want to.
I have never sold anything on yet!

Yikes! I'm logged in, VIP page loaded. Only about 6 more hours to go... Wish me luck!

Another joke

surely ??

It reflects on the VIP reward scheme - which lets face it is an even bigger joke. A scheme that allows you to buy a set at an inflated price for you to then redeem points to reduce the cost of your next set to the level most retailers are already at. Throw in a few cheap rewards every now and then whilst ensuring you ave limited stock keep costs down....... Im off to Billund at the end of the month - Ill mention this debacle for sure

Converted and ordered! :-)

Managed to get one, this time! Surprised, only had to wait for the page to load then got my code. Seems I was one of the lucky ones! Will be keeping it with the shuttle and saturn.

Everyone who got one is happy today! All of us who did not get one, this time either, feel that this is a joke! This is too bad!?!

@bananaworld said:
"
I saw an amazing greenish-yellow snail on the garden fence this morning

That snail wasn't worried about a little LEGO set."

"Goods hard to come by 
Serve to hinder his progress."
(Ch. XII, Tao Te Ching).

It's a funny old world...

Wonder how few they infact had this time around, sounds like we are talking hundreds not thousands of sets

Why this ENDLESS fuzz and demand for this (ugly) set? I really don`t understand..

@paulrothwell said:
" @Chilis_no said:
"Why this ENDLESS fuzz and demand for this (ugly) set? I really don`t understand.."

Simply put, because they are listed for £100+ on BL. If they were a fiver no one would be bothered"

Djiiis, haha, I see. Thanks! (But what crazy hooman want to pay that, for THAT?!) Well, well.

To all dissapointed, Huw previously posted instructions to build one yourself: https://brickset.com/article/58954

Like many others, bang on 8am in the UK, the site crashed with an odd message, then I had brief moment of hope when I got to click on something.... But by 8:02am it was saying "Sold Out".
Wonder how many will appear as new listings on eBay.......
Well done to those that got one, and I hope it was no one who already had one first time round!
:-(

@bananaworld said:
"
I saw an amazing greenish-yellow snail on the garden fence this morning

That snail wasn't worried about a little LEGO set."

Pics or it didn't happen.

For future reference, how does this work? Are there a finite number of codes, and once you have a code you can sit on it for a while (weeks?) before you use it with an order and a guaranteed the probe?

Or are there infinite number of codes, anyone can get one, and you have to buy a set with the code as quickly as possible.

@windjammer said:
"For future reference, how does this work? Are there a finite number of codes, and once you have a code you can sit on it for a while (weeks?) before you use it with an order and a guaranteed the probe?

Or are there infinite number of codes, anyone can get one, and you have to buy a set with the code as quickly as possible. "
As per the first example. Excluding errors, getting the code reserves the set.

Although I did have an 'Art Print' go out of stock after I'd got the code, but I suspect that was most likely due to warehouse stock damage, or somebody getting sent 2 copies by mistake, causing figures not to tally (more likely with a bit of card than a set).

In about 20 minutes, the last batch will probably be sold out in North America. Good luck to those who just want to add it to their collection. Those who want to flip it, be advised that the NA launch has been pushed back to 10 Eastern.

@Potters:
One per account, retroactive to the previous release, just like the coins. I got all the coins and Ulysses during the first release, and the coins showed up as “Redeemed” when they came back.

@MisterBrickster:
There’s still the issue of the plaque, which is printed. Even if you get one, it’s tempting to keep it “sealed” and Bricklink a second copy to build, to build the MOC that’s going around, or to MOC it yourself. I don’t buy sets for resale value, but sometimes it’s hard to justify popping the seals on something that isn’t really worth much as loose parts, like a third copy of 7784 I’m sitting on. It’s mostly just basic black bricks, and even the special black dragon wings have been used in enough other sets that they’re not that big a deal anymore.

@bananaworld:
Probably too worried about state and local taxes to really notice anything else.

@HoodedOne:
T minus 60 seconds?

My god, I somehow got one this time. Only had to open 2 tabs and reload both of them at least twice this time for anthing to work! And that's somehow MUCH "smoother" than the previous release.

Already sold out now in US.

Sold out in north america in less than 100 seconds. ... unless the time changed.

And... looks like it's now sold out.

Wow, got one!

Had two tabs open, clicked on one got grayed out screen, no pop up. Somehow second tab at 9:01 worked!

Can't wait for it to go next to Discovery on my space shelf!

wow can't believe they're already gone! I was lucky enough to F5 on the VIP Rewards tab as soon as the computer timer hit 0900h sharp and managed to snag one. No issues with clicking through other than about 15 seconds of hang time fortunately. Now onto the build or not to build moral debate inside my head!

I got one!

Managed to get one (West Coast). I was honestly expecting the website to gatekeep at 6:00 PST after what happened on May 4th weekend (took me seven minutes to get in). Ordered the Boutique Hotel right afterwards to get the probe, cardboard box, and amusement park all together.

@MisterBrickster said:
"I really don't understand why anyone who wants one wouldn't just BrickLink the parts at this point. It's a faff for sure but it'll be less of one than fighting for one of the boxed ones and the outcome is almost indistinguishable.

Unless you want it for the resale value in which case faff away my friends. May your page forever need refreshing."

Can't really get the UCS-style plaque (which is actually printed in this set for some reason while the actual shuttle one was a sticker?!) without paying resale prices for it

@fmiskolc said:
"wow can't believe they're already gone! I was lucky enough to F5 on the VIP Rewards tab as soon as the computer timer hit 0900h sharp and managed to snag one. No issues with clicking through other than about 15 seconds of hang time fortunately. Now onto the build or not to build moral debate inside my head!"

I feel like I owe it to everyone who didn't get one to build it. Of course, that means I have to crack open 10283. Where to put it......

Do you think I have to keep the desperate, whispered promise I made to never again say anything negative about LEGO?

I was able to get a code! Already placed my order for some other random brickheadz i needed in order to get it ASAP! phew. That was a dramatic 30 seconds!

Got in right at 9 EST and man that pop up took awhile to load but I got it oh my god. Haven't felt this happy since 11/8/2016 hehe

I'm confused about the code being referred to in many posts above. Is this the usual code for VIP points redemption? Or is this something else, like a special code just for the U probe?

Honestly at this point I just want the stupid thing on principle.

Took a chance this morning since I needed to order stuff anyway. I missed it last time, and wasn't really all that excited about it this time given the honest review of this set by the Cap'n. I was shocked that I actually got it this time. All the stars must have aligned as I had zero issues with the site. I actually feel a little guilty that so many folks want this and it was so smooth and easy for me this time. Maybe the Gods shined on me today to make up for all the other times of frustration with the site in the past.

Either way, I'd sure like to see overall improvement of this process in the future. Even though I got lucky, MANY others didn't and that's a shame.

No word as to how many points would be needed, no code for those who had the points but were unable to get it last time, and it's already sold out anyway. gg, Lego. Way to continue to suck at VIP rewards.

@windjammer:
They release codes equal to the amount of stock, _but_ if you’re the last person to redeem your code, and their stock count was off, or one box got damaged, guess who misses out? You’d get your points back, but they’re not going to run off an extra copy of the complete set. Someone did say they got sent a bag of all the bricks needed to build a copy, but with a blank plaque.

@myscrnnm:
The queueing system? They have to manually activate that, and it doesn’t work on the VIP Rewards site. If that gets overloaded, you’ll get shunted to an error page that will _NOT_ send you back when the server load clears up. That’s how a lot of people missed the first round of these. They kept refreshing the error page, expecting things would return to normal, but didn’t notice the URL had changed.

@StyleCounselor:
I believe the rule is you have to heap praise on them for the first year.

@cabbie:
Physical items given out through the VIP Rewards program are managed via codes. You spend points through the website (doing it by phone only works for cash-off rebates) to obtain a code, place some sort of order on LEGO.com, add the code in the appropriate field, and they send your “free” item with your order.

Got one in the USA!! Checked at 9am, had to refresh the page twice, and was able to confirm one less than a minute later!!

@cabbie said:
"I'm confused about the code being referred to in many posts above. Is this the usual code for VIP points redemption? Or is this something else, like a special code just for the U probe? "

It's just like all the other VIP point redemptions. You redeem your VIP points in the Rewards Center and you get a redemption code which then adds the item to your checkout cart.

@StyleCounselor said:
" @cabbie said:
"I'm confused about the code being referred to in many posts above. Is this the usual code for VIP points redemption? Or is this something else, like a special code just for the U probe? "

It's just like all the other VIP point redemptions. You redeem your VIP points in the Rewards Center and you get a redemption code which then adds the item to your checkout cart."

I see, thanks for explaining :-)

@everyone who @ed me, that's the bit that blows my mind. The plaque isn't really the interesting part of the set, surely, and I can't imagine there won't be third party stickers made to replicate it.

Don't even get me started on the box. It's just one of the yellow ones that shows the instructions through, they're ten a penny.

I guess at the end of the day I'm here for the cool model made from bricks rather than the collection. Nothing wrong with enjoying it that way, I just don't relate to it myself.

@MisterBrickster said:
" @everyone who @ed me, that's the bit that blows my mind. The plaque isn't really the interesting part of the set, surely, and I can't imagine there won't be third party stickers made to replicate it.

Don't even get me started on the box. It's just one of the yellow ones that shows the instructions through, they're ten a penny.

I guess at the end of the day I'm here for the cool model made from bricks rather than the collection. Nothing wrong with enjoying it that way, I just don't relate to it myself."

The plaque is literally the only reason I got this set. The build is incredibly basic. The building techniques utilized are not on par with the set it's supposed to accompany, and the colors are not accurate. If you want to see what's possible with this medium, I suggest you Google the Ulysses probe MOC by German man Jonas Kramm. I built it after the Ulysses set came out, and the aesthetic actually matches the Discovery Space Shuttle and its structural integrity is as good as any you'd find on an official LEGO set.

@skyraider17 said:
" @NatureBricks said:
"Today being tomorrow in the USA."

Thanks, I thought I had missed it already!"

You did...on this morning at 9:00 EDT...gone by 9:11 EDT when I logged in to use some of my 10000+ points...bummer

@rikitikitaviguy:
You have to check the time stamps. 14:00 is when the promo went live in North America (9am Eastern). @NatureBricks posted nearly 14 hours earlier, and @skyraider17 responded less than an hour after that. The article went live last evening for Central and Eastern time zones, and mid to late afternoon for Hawaii/Aleutian through Mountain. No idea if either of them got codes the previous or current round, if they failed both times, or if they didn’t try at all.

Man that sold out QUICK…

CF…why are online promotions/sales with LEGO always such a CF?? It’s comical actually…

…and I don’t mean “collectible figure”.

I simply do not bother with these anymore - Lego, if you are trying to 'reward' loyal customers who spend thousands each year, you have to do better than this, making us jump through hoops...for nothing.

Once again Lego has totally failed to anticipate demand and is yet another blue VIP screw-up. You'd think they would have learned something from the first go around with set, but no. Blue VIP is still a total failure and needs to go.

I had a series of early morning meeting today. I can't be ordering Lego sets in the middle of a meeting I'm leading or need to be engaged in. This isn't something I need and could find one on the secondary market if I really wanted it. But it is super frustrating that Lego doesn't seem to learn from it's past failures with this program.

it was sold out in minutes. Why even bother with these things?

@LusiferSam:
If all you ever do is cash in points for rebates on purchases, it’s effectively the same as VIP Red. You still earn enough points to get $5 off for every $100 purchased, but the point values to earn and spend have been shifted to create global parity between points. Yes, you have to jump through a giant, non-flaming hoop held right at ground level. If you order by phone, you can ask them to cash in points for rebates when making your purchase. In store, they can do the same thing if you ask them to do so _before_ they start ringing up the transaction. Online, you can just hop over to the rewards page and do it yourself.

That’s not to say that they didn’t bork the original rollout for the Space Coin and Coin 5, and both rollouts for the Ulysses, but nobody is being forced to use their points on physical Rewards. In fact, if more people went back to doing that, it’d alleviate some of the problems VIP members have been having, because stuff like this would last long enough that you don’t have to have your finger hovering over the button when the countdown ends.

I tried to get in, But it didn't work and when I managed to get in it sold out :(

Super annoyed!

@Potters said:
"Got mine! :D

Seems like 1 per customer, same as the collectable coins."

It is, and if you got one last time you could not get one this time round

Exactly 99% of the parts can be purchased anyway

@HOBBES said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @fmiskolc said:
"wow can't believe they're already gone! I was lucky enough to F5 on the VIP Rewards tab as soon as the computer timer hit 0900h sharp and managed to snag one. No issues with clicking through other than about 15 seconds of hang time fortunately. Now onto the build or not to build moral debate inside my head!"

I feel like I owe it to everyone who didn't get one to build it. Of course, that means I have to crack open 10283 . Where to put it......"

Do crack 10283 open! It's a very pleasant and satisfying building experience - you won't regret that. Of course, you need a nice place to put it. I have mine in my home-office, you cannot miss it when you enter the room. I do have the Lego Ulysses from the first round but I instead display my shuttle with the stonewars.de version which is SIGNIFICANTLY better (same level of details as the shuttle and Hubble). "

Oh man. Now I want the MOC-Ulysses. You are very persuasive.

I can´t be bothered at all with getting this yellow and white fire extinguisher. And it is beyond me how apparently everyone and then some desperately need it.

@Watsonite:
Well, when VIP Red was still in effect, I used to burn off any available points as they accrued, unless it was Double Points. That’s all they were good for, and sitting on them too long not only allowed the oldest ones to expire, but you were effectively giving TLG an interest-free loan. Really the only point in doing this was to give yourself a psychological misdirect (“I got this huge set for free!”). Yeah, but you did so by paying full price on everything else the rest of the year. The same people might count points as money saved when they’re earning them and again when they’re spending them (I’ve seen a comment on this site that claimed both earned and spent as “money off” of a single purchase, even though the receipt would clearly state a higher charge).

So, that was then, and this is now. When they launched VIP Blue, it was too much of a hassle to use the points because I needed to get a code when I was at home, drive 45 minutes to the store, and hope there was something to spend it on. So, not really by intent, I let them start building up. When they started offering physical rewards for points, I think the first to catch my eye were old GWPs like the buildable VIP Red card, which I did kinda want another copy of. Then keychains and coins followed. Keychains and smashed pennies are my two default souvenirs, so of course I got them. Exclusive sets aren’t something I chase down just because they’re exclusive, but this one happened to be a companion piece to the Discovery, which is a set I already planned to buy.

I did buy the camera, and I don’t regret doing so, but I’m not entirely sure why I got it. Maybe because it was something to spend points on. I seem to be in the minority, there, though. I noticed some weeks after I’d already received my copy that I was being allowed to cash in points for at least one more camera. I didn’t, but this is the only time I can remember being given the opportunity to double-dip, which indicates to me that they either way overproduced them expecting another Ulysses, or they produced them in similar quantities and just never had much activity on them. Either way, anyone who grabbed one as an investment didn’t see much ROI. That works in my favor. I’d rather not have to fight for a chance to get these codes, and the less of an instant payday they are, the less competition there will be for however many codes they make available.

@PurpleDave said:
" @Watsonite:
Well, when VIP Red was still in effect, I used to burn off any available points as they accrued, unless it was Double Points. That’s all they were good for, and sitting on them too long not only allowed the oldest ones to expire, but you were effectively giving TLG an interest-free loan. Really the only point in doing this was to give yourself a psychological misdirect (“I got this huge set for free!”). Yeah, but you did so by paying full price on everything else the rest of the year. The same people might count points as money saved when they’re earning them and again when they’re spending them (I’ve seen a comment on this site that claimed both earned and spent as “money off” of a single purchase, even though the receipt would clearly state a higher charge).

So, that was then, and this is now. When they launched VIP Blue, it was too much of a hassle to use the points because I needed to get a code when I was at home, drive 45 minutes to the store, and hope there was something to spend it on. So, not really by intent, I let them start building up. When they started offering physical rewards for points, I think the first to catch my eye were old GWPs like the buildable VIP Red card, which I did kinda want another copy of. Then keychains and coins followed. Keychains and smashed pennies are my two default souvenirs, so of course I got them. Exclusive sets aren’t something I chase down just because they’re exclusive, but this one happened to be a companion piece to the Discovery, which is a set I already planned to buy.

I did buy the camera, and I don’t regret doing so, but I’m not entirely sure why I got it. Maybe because it was something to spend points on. I seem to be in the minority, there, though. I noticed some weeks after I’d already received my copy that I was being allowed to cash in points for at least one more camera. I didn’t, but this is the only time I can remember being given the opportunity to double-dip, which indicates to me that they either way overproduced them expecting another Ulysses, or they produced them in similar quantities and just never had much activity on them. Either way, anyone who grabbed one as an investment didn’t see much ROI. That works in my favor. I’d rather not have to fight for a chance to get these codes, and the less of an instant payday they are, the less competition there will be for however many codes they make available."

If you have a personal relationship with your store personnel, you can ask them to issue you an in-store VIP code at the register. They usually have no problem if they're not busy.

@StyleCounselor:
There have been several changes to VIP Blue that have escaped wide notice. That is one of them. Originally, all stores could do was apply codes that you’d already received. Tolerable if the costumer has internet access, but not everyone does at all times of the day. They have since given stores the ability to cash in points, but only for the rebates that can be used in stores. The other form of rebate, and all other types of VIP Rewards are inaccessible from a register. They also have to obtain the code before they start ringing up your sale, so if you decide partway through to use points (perhaps because you’re realizing how much you’re about to spend), they have to cancel the transaction, cash in your points, and start ringing everything up again. This can lead to unintentional mistakes. On one or two occasions, I’ve had the person at the register fail to add a GWP to my bag, which I didn’t notice until I got home (fortunately, I do have a good personal relationship with the store personnel, so they were willing to hold one for me to pick up later). At least one of those times was probably because they had to back out of the transaction _before_ adding the GWP to the bag, and were rushing to rescan everything, and probably weren’t thinking about the item they still needed to grab from under the counter (and I wasn’t either, until I went to grab it out of the bag at home). I’ve also had at least one instance where my VIP card only got scanned on the first transaction attempt, and I had to call consumer affairs to get it retroactively applied (this may be less of a problem if you’re cashing in points, since they’ll need to scan in your card before they can select available rebates to apply to the purchase).

Another big change I learned about recently was that the phone staff can now only cash in points for rebates as well. The _only_ way to get physical reward codes is through the website. This was probably done in response to people who were just tying up the phone lines prior to Coin 5 and Ulysses dropping last year, so they could immediately ask to grab a code at 9am, rather than having to fight through the website.

Go back to the very start of VIP Blue, and I don’t remember if they could help you out with spending any points. I think even the rebate vouchers used to require you to place an order to get them sent to you. Basically, they made Blue as arduous and difficult to use as possible, short of requiring you to ship them a SASE for codes. Many people aren’t aware that things have improved at all. Few (perhaps not any) are aware of every change. I’ve seen an interview where it was mentioned that the entire reason they offer physical rewards was because they were getting nervous about the huge buildup in unspent points. Ironically, the launch of VIP Blue was the direct cause of much of that buildup, not only because they made it so difficult to spend them at the start, but also because they launched the Rewards Center with a few copies of the big Batpod set that was never sold at retail, and regularly sells for four figures. Once people saw that happen once, they didn’t want to be caught with a null balance, so sitting on points and regularly checking for new rewards became the only safeguards against missing out the next time something rare and desirable might come up.

@PurpleDave said:
" @StyleCounselor:
There have been several changes to VIP Blue that have escaped wide notice. That is one of them. Originally, all stores could do was apply codes that you’d already received. Tolerable if the costumer has internet access, but not everyone does at all times of the day. They have since given stores the ability to cash in points, but only for the rebates that can be used in stores. The other form of rebate, and all other types of VIP Rewards are inaccessible from a register. They also have to obtain the code before they start ringing up your sale, so if you decide partway through to use points (perhaps because you’re realizing how much you’re about to spend), they have to cancel the transaction, cash in your points, and start ringing everything up again. This can lead to unintentional mistakes. On one or two occasions, I’ve had the person at the register fail to add a GWP to my bag, which I didn’t notice until I got home (fortunately, I do have a good personal relationship with the store personnel, so they were willing to hold one for me to pick up later). At least one of those times was probably because they had to back out of the transaction _before_ adding the GWP to the bag, and were rushing to rescan everything, and probably weren’t thinking about the item they still needed to grab from under the counter (and I wasn’t either, until I went to grab it out of the bag at home). I’ve also had at least one instance where my VIP card only got scanned on the first transaction attempt, and I had to call consumer affairs to get it retroactively applied (this may be less of a problem if you’re cashing in points, since they’ll need to scan in your card before they can select available rebates to apply to the purchase).

Another big change I learned about recently was that the phone staff can now only cash in points for rebates as well. The _only_ way to get physical reward codes is through the website. This was probably done in response to people who were just tying up the phone lines prior to Coin 5 and Ulysses dropping last year, so they could immediately ask to grab a code at 9am, rather than having to fight through the website.

Go back to the very start of VIP Blue, and I don’t remember if they could help you out with spending any points. I think even the rebate vouchers used to require you to place an order to get them sent to you. Basically, they made Blue as arduous and difficult to use as possible, short of requiring you to ship them a SASE for codes. Many people aren’t aware that things have improved at all. Few (perhaps not any) are aware of every change. I’ve seen an interview where it was mentioned that the entire reason they offer physical rewards was because they were getting nervous about the huge buildup in unspent points. Ironically, the launch of VIP Blue was the direct cause of much of that buildup, not only because they made it so difficult to spend them at the start, but also because they launched the Rewards Center with a few copies of the big Batpod set that was never sold at retail, and regularly sells for four figures. Once people saw that happen once, they didn’t want to be caught with a null balance, so sitting on points and regularly checking for new rewards became the only safeguards against missing out the next time something rare and desirable might come up."

I was boycotting the Lego website when Blue began. So, the only way to redeem points for me was the old fashioned way of a reward at the register. That's how I know they were able to do it from the beginning of Blue.

Of course, only about a third of people who work at the store understand and know how to do it. I don't bother unless I know it won't be a bother.

@StyleCounselor:
Both the original store manager and the current store manager (ASM at the time who got promoted when the first one passed away) said they couldn’t cash in points to obtain a rebate voucher for you, and could only apply what you’d already claimed.. It was at least a year before I saw any online chatter about them being able to handle that for you at the register, and I remember being one of the first to try explaining it to other Brickset users, so it wasn’t just me. Either this was true, or corporate did an epically bad job of rolling out training on the new system. I could see it going either way, but if it was really possible from launch, it shouldn’t have taken that long for it to become public knowledge.

@PurpleDave said:
" @StyleCounselor :
Both the original store manager and the current store manager (ASM at the time who got promoted when the first one passed away) said they couldn’t cash in points to obtain a rebate voucher for you, and could only apply what you’d already claimed.. It was at least a year before I saw any online chatter about them being able to handle that for you at the register, and I remember being one of the first to try explaining it to other Brickset users, so it wasn’t just me. Either this was true, or corporate did an epically bad job of rolling out training on the new system. I could see it going either way, but if it was really possible from launch, it shouldn’t have taken that long for it to become public knowledge."

They still treat it like it's some sort of clandestine operation- or maybe that's my overactive imagination. I rarely do it anymore and only with the people who I know it's no big deal. One time recently, I asked a guy whom I've known forever, and a new girl jumped in to tell me to get out my phone. He politely interjected, and she learned of new trick.

At the beginning, it was definitely a 'manager's special'. She was apologetic to me for Lego's change to Blue, and told me she could get my code in store- same as usual. After all, I was the athletic coach who spent a bunch of dough every month (usually on the kid free minibuild days) who knew all the other kids and in there and with my kid. Plus, she's the third manager whom I know on a personal level- since she was a new hire. We all know how little turnover there is in Lego stores. You can tell they treat them right and give them the incentive to stay for a long time.

Edit: Then again, maybe she just felt sorry for me having to deal with all those kids. Most of the time we were in there we had just come in dirty and sweaty from a game or practice. I'm sure I looked tired and overwhelmed and in need of some sweet, sweet plastic stress relief!