@Bricky_Dee_Williams said:
" @saltybone
I had a pretty rotten experience, but fortunately I have one on the way. I submitted my receipt on the morning of Thursday the 11th and received a confirmation of submission in my inbox.

Hadn’t heard anything by Sunday the 14th, so I tried to submit again and was immediately sent an auto-email saying I’d already qualified. I sent an email to the help desk because even if I’d qualified, they didn’t have my delivery info. Auto-email said help desk would respond in 3 days.

I tried to call Walmart and LEGO customer service over the following week, but no could help because the promo was being run by a third party called Snipp.

The following Saturday morning, August 20th, I received an email from the help desk saying my receipt had been approved on Friday the 12th. Since I hadn’t gotten an email, they sent me a link to submit my delivery info. Within 5 minutes, I had an email congratulating me and confirming I would receive a copy soon.

Took 9 days and multiple email contacts, but I have a copy coming. Just terribly run all around, and I hope LEGO/Walmart don’t do this again."

Could you please tell me where you found an email for the help desk? I submitted my receipt last Saturday and have not received anything yet regarding whether or not it qualified. Thank you!

Two words:

Love it!

@Bricky_Dee_Williams said:
" @Paul888

The direct email for this promotion is Lego90OfferHelp @ snippmedia.com"

Thank you!

@PurpleDave said:
" @ezzzzz53:
There were three ways to upload your receipt; e-mail, text, and web. The e-mail address was wrong, because everyone reported getting a Postmaster error. Depending on the device, the web link either worked fine or not at all. I think text was the one option that didn’t have any issues, but I never tried that one myself. Someone reported bouncing because the receipt was not legible in their submitted photo. Others submitted it a few times and got error messages because they got the same receipt through more than once. Everyone seemed to have issues with the response e-mails getting spam-filtered, and some people may not have realized they had to wait for a second reply with a link they could use to finalize their registration. When responses were promised within a specific timeframe, it sounds like out took anywhere from 3-24 extra hours for the next response to show up. I’m actually surprised you (or anyone) managed to get confirmed without having even a single issue."

hmm interesting,, the other interesting thing I never received an email to verify my registration. I used my phone, and submitted thru the link.

on a side note, I wasn't accusing anyone of being dumb, just thought this is one of those situations where one person has a problem and it gets blow out of proportion. but I se know that's not the case. p.s. I do hate Walmart also

I had to submit five separate times before I received the coveted "accepted" notice. And the first four times were perfectly legible screenshots (I ordered online), to which every response was "not legible". I tried three separate browsers (all under the same email - I was only after one promo set, not trying to scam the system or anything). It wasn't until I submitted a PDF on the fifth attempt (all previous were JPG) that my submission was accepted.

It certainly wouldn't have been the end of the world if I couldn't've made it work, and I got a long-wishlisted sale set out of it, but still. It really shouldn't have taken so much effort.

I did finally receive the "accepted" email (as noted above) but have yet to receive the set. So we'll see!

I never even bothered to get it. I figured the gift looks not exciting, and while I understand "free brick" it looks like a hassle to get it. So I guess I have today to decide if I want to go forward with it or not.

@ezzzzz53:
What exactly did each message say? For me, with the web form, I got one that said they received it and would get back to me within 24 hours. A bit more than 24 hours later, I got one saying my submission had been accepted, and there was a link to click so I could input my mailing address (the web form did not include any means to communicate this). Immediately after I sent that info they responded with a “congrats” message to let me know my set would be shipping.

@MingusDew:
Aha! So, a screenshot may have compressed the text too much for their computer to decipher. I took a photo of the receipt from an in-store purchase and didn’t have any issues with that part of the process.

I FINALLY just got confirmation today after having to contact their support, a full 12 days after submitting my receipt! So much for "within 24 hours".

They said I will receive one...while supplies last. (Not very reassuring..?)

@gmonkey76 said:
"I had multiple problems with trying to submit. Tried two different emails and one took. Never got the second email, so a few days later I tried again. Received a duplicate submission email. Emailed customer service with info, and got an automated response of they would get back in three days. Today I got an email of case closed without any answer. "

The first half is exactly what happened to me. I never got a response at all when I emailed their help email. Few days later, I emailed again and then got back the automated "response within 3 days" email. Today, I got an email from one of their representatives saying my original receipt submission was accepted and will be mailed to the address from my submission.

@PurpleDave , I'm sure that's true of the first screenshot I took, in which I reduced the zoom to include the entire email receipt. But less sure it's true of the following three JPGs, which I enlarged. But the PDF did the trick. Might've liked to know that was an acceptable format but so long as the set arrives, I won't whine (much more!)

ETA: I was required to provide my address before the image, so hearing that others had it the other way around is a little concerning. But the email says (paraphrasing) "congrats it's on its way", so I assume it's fine.

@PurpleDave said:
" @ezzzzz53:
I’m actually surprised you (or anyone) managed to get confirmed without having even a single issue."

I got lucky and had no issues. Once I saw Brickset alert us of this offer (many thx Brickset crew), I went and ordered online. Got an email receipt with barcode, screenshot that and sent it on the Walmart site, got confirmed and approved within a day, then like next day or so, got another email saying it's on the way.

@MingusDew:
JPG always compresses the image, which can create weird artifacts. If there’s any barcode in the e-mail receipt, it’ll render that illegible to barcode readers. This seems like the most likely reason they’re asking for a photo of the receipt, as the same sort of software that allows computers to read text from a photo would allow them to read a barcode if it has that font installed.

I’m becoming convinced that three different people created the different submission pathways, and at least one of them had no clue what they were doing. The e-mail option gave you an address to send the image to, but it wasn’t accepting incoming mail (they may have even forgot to set it up). They didn’t tell you what to include in the subject line (usually used to weed out illegitimate messages), and they didn’t say what to add to the body besides the image. They also didn’t say if it should be an attachment, or if it should be in the message body. Why the web form didn’t ask for your mailing address up front, I don’t know. Seems like it would have been simpler that way.

And I found out when I got home that mine is not on the way. It has arrived. Sent from a local fulfillment center, so I’m wondering how many mailing addresses they’re sending these from, and if proximity to a dwindling supply can screw you out of one in favor of recipients who are more local to the remaining copies. But my first attempt bounced because they posted an invalid address, my second timed out on the web form, and it was only on the third attempt that I had success.

The way it’s packaged almost makes it seem like it would have been an in store build or something.

Have there been other GWPs or promos packaged in a ziplock bag like this?

@IowaHawkeye13 said:
"Seems like way too much work to get a free poly bag. When Walmart had a special set for the 85th Lego anniversary it was very hard to get. I hate Walmart!"

I didn't even try this time.

I wonder if people were hitting issues because browser ad blockers. The form was a little weird and there was a place to submit an address, but it wasn't super obvious and you'd have to scroll down in the tiny window to even see it.

@MrNowack:
There are a few yellow-box GWPs that use a generic box with an open face where they use the instruction book as the box art, and the contents are often packed in a resealable bag. The ones I can think of offhand include red and teal buildable giant 2x4 bricks, and the bonus Ulysses satellite for the big Space Shuttle. One of the bricks _may_ have shipped in a heat-sealed inner bag, but the other two were resealable bags for sure.

@legoDad42:
Attempted to send it on the 10th via e-mail, but that failed. I can’t remember if I used the web form on the 10th or 11th, but I got mine today from a fulfillment center less than an hour away. The tracking info says it shipped the 20th from Ohio, but the return address is in Michigan, and the only date I can find on the mailer is “08/22” on a second label that was slapped over the bottom of the main one.

@PurpleDave said:
" @ezzzzz53:
What exactly did each message say? For me, with the web form, I got one that said they received it and would get back to me within 24 hours. A bit more than 24 hours later, I got one saying my submission had been accepted, and there was a link to click so I could input my mailing address (the web form did not include any means to communicate this). Immediately after I sent that info they responded with a “congrats” message to let me know my set would be shipping

so the first email said they received my submission and will let me know in 24 hours. 2nd email came about 36 hours late and said it was excepted and will ship shortly. I think I got it today. haven't got home yet but I received a package I wasn't expecting

"

@legoDad42:
It’s not a simple one-sheet. I haven’t opened the bag yet, but it looks like seven sheets, stapled in the middle. By LEGO standards, that’s 28 pages (they count inside and outside covers).

^ 13 sheets, it turns out. 52 pages if it was a retail set, but the only numbers are the steps, one per page, on the middle 46. There’s also a card thanking you for your order, and including an e-mail address if you have questions. I don’t know if they all have the same address, but mine starts with “add”.

@ezzzzz53:
So if you were able to submit your address with the receipt, that eliminates the need for the second e-mail with the link, and you just got the first (we received it) and third (we’re sending it).

@IowaHawkeye13 said:
"Seems like way too much work to get a free poly bag. When Walmart had a special set for the 85th Lego anniversary it was very hard to get. I hate Walmart!"

what was the one for the 85th?

Gotta say my experience with this promo was awful. The original message when I placed my order and sent in my receipt claimed I'd get a response over weather or not I qualified within 24 hours. I waited two days then sent an email that I hadn't gotten an answer yet. I was instantly sent a repeat of the same message to wait 24 hours. Another three days later and I received two emails, around four hours apart. The first claimed that what I sent wasn't a valid receipt, while the second claimed I qualified for the gift and it was being sent. Haven't received it yet, despite the set I ordered to qualify arriving. The "your product has been shipped" email for the $50 purchase was only a day before the confirmation email that they were sending the promo, so you'd expect it to arrive soon after. Rough stuff.

@GSR_MataNui:
Many of us got confirmation e-mails over a week ago, but nobody reported receiving theirs before the 23rd. My theory is that they’re all being packed in padded mailers in Ohio, and shipped in bulk to the closest regional sorting facility. My tracking info says the 20th from Ohio, but the return address is in Michigan, and a secondary label is dated the 22nd. If I’m correct, proximity to both Ohio and your regional sorting facility could affect when it arrives. If it takes more than a day to shove them all out the door, order in which they confirmed your order could also delay arrival.

You know, I’m looking at the model (which I just built), and the shield and hobby horse may pose a challenge, but I think there’s just enough room to fit the S23 Knight in the courtyard. And there’s definitely a spot you can add the S23 Dragon in the front left corner.

Went to Wallyworld yesterday. (Hated it. I hate hate hate shopping there.) The aisle at this store had a shameful selection with many empty shelves. Found a set I was interested in but hadn't picked up, but no others that would get me above $50, so I grabbed two baseplates to make up the difference. Also bought a bunch of soda. Submitted my receipt today. Hopefully there are no issues.

Has anyone returned/exchange any sets purchased from the receipt used?
My Walmart didn’t have anything I wanted so I purchased a generic set to get me over the $50 and was hoping to exchange it.
Does anyone know if Walmart is restricting exchanges/returns if the receipt is redeemed?

@PDelahanty said:
"Found a set I was interested in but hadn't picked up, but no others that would get me above $50, so I grabbed two baseplates to make up the difference. Also bought a bunch of soda. Submitted my receipt today. Hopefully there are no issues."

There was a list of what was eligible to purchase to get the freebie. So you'd have to pick from that list. I don't remember base-plates being on the list? But I could be wrong.
It was posted on Brickset a couple weeks back when they first mentioned the promotion.

Follow up: received this email last night:

CONGRATULATIONS!

Your receipt is valid and your LEGO 90th Anniversary Mini Castle will be on its way shortly. Your reward will be sent to the address provided.

So about 12 hours after I submitted the receipt they sent confirmation.

@xprojected said:
" @bananaworld said:
"INB4 the regional exclusives crowd pipe up!!"

@ecleme11 said:
"So any word yet on whether this will be available elsewhere, or is it just another US exclusive set that Lego aren't doing any more...."

Ding ding, we have a winner!"

Ha ha! There's always (at least) one.

The ordering was a real hassle...kept telling me that there was an error and to try another browser. After the 6th time I checked my email just to see an sure enough it HAD gone thru. Got an email this morning asking me to verify my address as my receipt had been approved. About 30 minutes after submitting my address I got the 'Congratulations!' and that my set would be shipped.

In the end it worked out well enough but it certainly was frustrating to get the ball rolling (as so many other members here can attest to). I'm happy to be getting it but I hope that they (Walmart/LEGO) revise how the order/submission process goes moving forward.

I have one of my original knights from 1978 and will display him with this

@PurpleDave said:
" @ezzzzz53 :
There were three ways to upload your receipt; e-mail, text, and web. The e-mail address was wrong, because everyone reported getting a Postmaster error. Depending on the device, the web link either worked fine or not at all. I think text was the one option that didn’t have any issues, but I never tried that one myself. Someone reported bouncing because the receipt was not legible in their submitted photo. Others submitted it a few times and got error messages because they got the same receipt through more than once. Everyone seemed to have issues with the response e-mails getting spam-filtered, and some people may not have realized they had to wait for a second reply with a link they could use to finalize their registration. When responses were promised within a specific timeframe, it sounds like out took anywhere from 3-24 extra hours for the next response to show up. I’m actually surprised you (or anyone) managed to get confirmed without having even a single issue."

I guess I'm the other guy who had zero issues. I purchased the Galaxy Explorer in physical store, took a picture of the receipt and submitted it using the web page, received the confirmation the next day.

@djcbs said:
" @Paperdaisy said:
" @djcbs said:
"Nah, The LEGO Group is definitely not making yet another regional exclusive set.
That would mean they're utter hypocrites...

...Oh wait..."

The "no regional exclusive sets" statement was about regular sets, not promotional ones. This is clearly a promotional gift.

https://brickset.com/article/43442/lego-pledges-to-stop-launching-regional-exclusives

"

Maybe you should first read what it says in the article you linked.

"In the following areas we will still be launching products, which will have a certain limitation to availability and production runs:

- Pilot projects, such as Forma, to check out markets and opportunities without being able to make them widely available.
- Gift With Purchase campaigns through LEGO Shop at Home and LEGO Brand Retail.
- Products only sold in certain experiences (for example LEGOLAND, LEGO House & LEGO Brand Retail stores).
- Special Event Sets (Comic Cons, LEGO Inside Tour)."

Is this a pilot project? NO.
Is this a GWP through LEGO Shop at Home of LEGO Brand Store? NO.
Is this sold at an experience? NO.
Is this from a BS "special event"? NO.

This is just a regional exclusive given to a random American outlet.
Therefore it falls within LEGO's hypocrisy."

I did read it. I still think that as a GWP promotion it's clearly within the types of exception shown. I doubt that they intended people to hold them to that list as the only promotional products that could be exclusive, they were not making a legal statement after all. Probably they should have put a disclaimer on there for the folks who want to be all "letter of the law" on it.

This isn't much different to the Toys R Us Bricktober exclusives which are much more to complain about missing out on IMO. Did you call them hypocrites on all of those Brickset reviews and news items too?

It isn't a regular retail set listed for sale. Thus it's not included within the "no regional exclusives" pledge.

@Lee_Fogel:
Cool that you could still get confirmed this late in the game. Either they reserved one for you when you first submitted your receipt, or they haven’t actually run out yet.

Just finished building mine. Its neat. Time to return the set I bought.

@PixelTheDragon said:
"Man. I knew trying to check out at Wal-Mart was a pain in the neck in real life, but I didn’t think it would be that bad online too. "

Buying any Lego online from Walmart is a special kind of hell.

Just got mine in today.
Took 12 days from approval.
Nice booklet like @PurpleDave said, but still looks a little cheap with that zip-lock packaging.
Was really hoping for some retro style box like they had for their 60th promotion.
Regardless, picking up a set from my wish-list and getting this $15- freebie is worth it.

Got my copy today! I'm glad, since I did have trouble getting the redemption site to work at first. It seems like it was not necessarily optimized for all browsers or operating systems since I had to submit my online receipt on my phone to get it to work—after trying and failing via Chrome, Firefox, and Safari on my Mac. Emailing the receipt didn't work either, returning me an error message. So I'd say people's frustrations with the way this was given away were certainly valid—if nothing else it makes me appreciate the much maligned Lego.com for making it as simple as possible to qualify for a GWP.

Anyway, having built it, it's a nice little set—nothing groundbreaking, but a cute little microscale build. And the printed 90th anniversary tile is certainly very cool.

Got mine today! Built it already - was surprised there were no extra pieces, although maybe I shouldn't be considering it just came in a ziplock bag, haha.

Got my copy today! I was getting worried after reading some comments on here. I started wondering if I needed the email that was in my work's spam filter (that I couldn't access), in order to get my copy sent to me.
I submitted my receipt online on 8-10, so I was starting to panic, just a bit, that I wouldn't receive it. All is good.
The Nexo knight shield piece with the 90th anniversary printed on it, makes the hassle to get it, worth the effort. Cool piece. I've actually had worse hassles ordering on LEGO site at times.

Got my copy today. WalMart initially declined my submission. A day later I submitted my order again, this time with the updated shipping info. Never received any confirmation email or shipping email from them but then this little castle just showed up. So I am pretty happy! It came in a zip lock bag.

I’m curious, since it’s not free to set up a submission system for something like this, what’s in it for them? Just more cross-company data and analytics? Connecting Walmart purchase data with Lego’s own?

@KaiserCoaster:
With the resealable bag, I believe it indicates it was hand-packed in by the Master Model Builders, so maybe they have better quality control that way.

From what I've read about it above, I'm hoping this doesn't come out in the UK/ROW and we get something a little more polished.

The US can keep this rather naff promo.

@maffyd:
It’s actually a really neat model, and the lack of a sealed box makes it an easy decision whether to build your only copy or not. My only complaint about the design is that the river flows downhill at both ends.

With the promotion being limited to only 12,500 qualified recipients, I figured it would be gone and there was nothing I (really) wanted that made sense to get from Walmart over Target, let alone from LEGO directly. But the draft sets were announced for BrickCon and people this late into the promotion are still being accepted, I ordered one of those and a small thing from my wishlist and gave it a shot.

First submission I gave a screen cap from the order on the Walmart page but forgot to ensure the order date was visible, so it was rejected. Second attempt was just a screen cap of the printout of the order and that was accepted, as it has all the necessary details albeit much more succinctly (which oddly made me think it wasn’t proof enough for the first try).

I just gave PNGs. JPEGs are too lossy but have plenty of color depth. GIFs preserve crispness of lines and other shapes but are only 8-bit color. PNGs are a good blend of both… typically (as there are some use cases which make them less ideal than the alternatives). Until there’s wider adoption of WebP, PNGs are your best bit unless told otherwise.

Received mine yesterday. Initial submission was rejected due to my receipt being 2 days earlier than the date range. Resubmitted with a new receipt (online order pdf) and received confirmation email ~30 hours later. Interesting thing to note, they didn’t ask me for my mailing address at any point on my second submission. They must’ve matched my email to my original rejected request.

@PurpleDave said:
"(...)
My only complaint about the design is that the river flows downhill at both ends."
Maybe the castle has its own freshwater spring... :-D

@bananaworld:
That and magic were the only two solutions I could think of.

Bought 10311 last night and a muppets blind bag, submitted my receipt and just got the email confirmation that it was approved. Was a little skeptical but that was pretty simple. Excited for this cool micro build!

@legoDad42 said:
" @PDelahanty said:
"Found a set I was interested in but hadn't picked up, but no others that would get me above $50, so I grabbed two baseplates to make up the difference. Also bought a bunch of soda. Submitted my receipt today. Hopefully there are no issues."

There was a list of what was eligible to purchase to get the freebie. So you'd have to pick from that list. I don't remember base-plates being on the list? But I could be wrong.
It was posted on Brickset a couple weeks back when they first mentioned the promotion."

Yes, I made sure baseplates were on the list before I bought them. (They were.)

Received mine yesterday. The packaging for this set seems very different than other Lego sets, and it came with a LEGO branded index-sized card from the marketing company completing the fulfillment. It felt similar to a Bricklink experience, oddly.

@Paperdaisy said:

"I did read it. I still think that as a GWP promotion it's clearly within the types of exception shown. I doubt that they intended people to hold them to that list as the only promotional products that could be exclusive, they were not making a legal statement after all. Probably they should have put a disclaimer on there for the folks who want to be all "letter of the law" on it.

This isn't much different to the Toys R Us Bricktober exclusives which are much more to complain about missing out on IMO. Did you call them hypocrites on all of those Brickset reviews and news items too?

It isn't a regular retail set listed for sale. Thus it's not included within the "no regional exclusives" pledge."

Yes. I called them hypocrites over the Toy R Us exclusives.
And over the SDCC exclusives.
And the first wave of Chinese New Year sets.
And the Nebulon B-Frigate and Duel on Bespin.

Because, just like this, they were regional exclusives and regional exclusives are BS.
And we just follow what LEGO said. They don't get to say "we won't do more regional exclusives" and then put out a bunch of regional exclusives but pretend they're not because they fall under some other name.
This is a set made specially for a regional retailer. As such, it's a regional exclusive.

@djcbs:
Nebulon-B or Bespin Duel was an SDCC exclusive that needed a last-minute change of plans to release existing stock that has already been shipped to the US. The other set was the same deal for SW Celebration. And it may interest you to know, if you weren’t already aware, that SDCC came and went without a single event exclusive being revealed. This doesn’t mean they’re gone for sure, but there’s hope.

That said, don’t expect them to ditch event exclusives entirely. Doing so would have wide-ranging consequences, such as no more make-and-take freebies (no purchase = not a GWP).

Only after ordering did I realize none of the sets I got were included, so blame on me I suppose, otherwise not the worst promo, I just wish it was as simple as Lego's normal promotions were it adds to your cart

@CCC:
Or they built it on a 45° slope without fixing the grade, and that cheese wedge in the back left corner actually slopes downhill towards the front, rather than the rear. Must be anchored really well to not just slide right off of the mountain.

@1265 said:
" @maffyd said:
"From what I've read about it above, I'm hoping this doesn't come out in the UK/ROW and we get something a little more polished.

The US can keep this rather naff promo."

Jealous much. I'll take a free promo anyday."

He he - yeah, maybe a little jealous. Cognitive dissonance and all that...

If anyone is still wondering there is no check on returning the set you bought. I got my mini castle the returned the set to Walmart. Rebought the same set submitted under a different email to a friends house got conformation next day for the second one.

@PurpleDave said:
" @maffyd:
It’s actually a really neat model, and the lack of a sealed box makes it an easy decision whether to build your only copy or not. My only complaint about the design is that the river flows downhill at both ends."

Yeah, I've just got sour grapes, like I said to the other guy replying to me. I would always welcome free Lego :-)

Wow! Super bad FOMO in these comments. Then y’all just poor-mouth it because you can’t get it. I guess some people will get invited to an orgy, and complain about the cheese dip.

@maffyd:
It of course won’t be free, but the Nexo tile was the only obvious rare part, so it might be possible to scrape up the parts to build a copy.

@ratical30 said:
"Bought 10311 last night and a muppets blind bag, submitted my receipt and just got the email confirmation that it was approved. Was a little skeptical but that was pretty simple. Excited for this cool micro build!"

Have you received your free set yet? I have not and I placed my order Aug. 24.

Have you received your free set yet? I have not and I placed my order Aug. 24.

I submitted my receipt on August 10 and just received the free set yesterday on September 3.

@Legobub21 said:
"Wow! Super bad FOMO in these comments. Then y’all just poor-mouth it because you can’t get it. I guess some people will get invited to an orgy, and complain about the cheese dip. "

Guess it really depends who else is at the orgy, or cheez dip will be the only thing worth snacking on.

@beatlefan1966 said:
" @ratical30 said:
"Bought 10311 last night and a muppets blind bag, submitted my receipt and just got the email confirmation that it was approved. Was a little skeptical but that was pretty simple. Excited for this cool micro build!"

Have you received your free set yet? I have not and I placed my order Aug. 24. "

Yes I received it and it's awesome. Hoping you got yours!