Today is the day when the holiday shopping season officially begins (at least in the USA), which of course also means LEGO shopping! Whether you are planning to get LEGO sets for kids, relatives, friends, or yourself, you can take advantage of the myriad of offers, as local retailers and online shops are vying to offer the best deals. Here I will summarize some of the best places to shop for LEGO, as well as what to look out for in your LEGO shopping mission. 😉
➡ LEGO Stores & Online LEGO Shop: LEGO stores carry the full line of currently available LEGO sets, and if you have one near you, I would definitely recommend checking it out. There will be various promotions until Christmas, so keep an eye out for announcements. Right now LEGO is offering a limited edition holiday set with purchases over $99, and a free Pick-A-Brick box with purchases over $75. The added benefit of shopping at the Online LEGO Shop is the largest selection of items, no need to fight the crowds, and free shipping on orders over $75. Besides the deals mentioned above, sales tend to be moderate, but don’t forget that you also earn VIP points, which definitely makes those deals a lot sweeter! 🙄
➡ Toys’R’Us & Other Toy Shops: Toys’R’Us usually has the best selection of LEGO sets – not counting LEGO stores – and they often carry new releases early, not available anywhere else. The issue with Toys’R’Us and toy-shops in general is that they take advantage of unsuspecting customers by significantly inflating prices. They will advertise all kinds of sales, but with their inflated prices, those so-called sales end up being worse then just shopping at a generic retail store or directly at LEGO. Having said that, the numbers sometimes do work. The key with shopping at Toys’R’Us is knowing the original prices sets should be selling for. Take a calculator and do your math before being swept away in the shopping excitement. Here is an excellent video you might want to watch: The Myth of Toys’R’Us Deals
➡ Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target & Other Retailers: These are the generic big-box retail stores. They have an excellent LEGO selection, their prices are not inflated, and they often have great deals around the holiday season. One tip I would give is that don’t take the shelf-prices for granted. They often have sales going on which are not yet marked on the shelves, especially around this time of the year when stores are so busy. Take items up to a price-checking station to get the most current price. Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Target often have steep discounts somewhere in the 25-50% off range. Don’t miss them!
➡ Barnes&Noble, Sam’s Club & Other Retailers: These are some places where you might not think of looking for LEGO, but they are in fact great for finding hidden gems and great discounts. Barnes&Noble in particular tend to have great deals on LEGO sets before Christmas (also don’t forget about the excellent LEGO books we talked about a couple of days ago). Shopping clubs like Sam’s Club also carries LEGO around the holidays. The selection is usually very small, but you might find some good deals.
➡ Amazon.com: My most favorite place to shop for LEGO in general, and definitely around the holidays, is Amazon.com. Their free shipping over $35 and no tax is a significant saving in itself. In addition their prices are excellent, as they like to undercut everyone else. Always look out for the Eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping icon in the item description. These are items shipped directly by Amazon. (Amazon also has affiliates and their shipping may not be free.) Besides Amazon having their own dedicated Amazon LEGO Shop
➡ Other Online Shops: Toys’R’Us, Target, Wal-Mart, Barnes&Noble, etc. all have online shops as well. During the holidays they usually offer free shipping and the same or larger selection then at their retail locations. Sometimes they also have online-only deals. You can sign up for email alerts to get updates.
➡ Shopping for Retired, Used & Bulk LEGO: If you have your eyes on a retired LEGO set, or just want to pick up some used or bulk LEGO, eBay.com and BrickLink.com are the best place to shop. Always check the seller’s feedback and ask questions before making a purchase. One thing to remember when shopping on eBay and BrickLink is that these are usually small hobby sellers who will need to pack and ship your order in their spare time. Place your order at least two weeks before Christmas to make sure the package arrives on time. You can read more at Shopping for LEGO on eBay and Shopping for LEGO on BrickLink.
And that pretty much sums up where to go LEGO shopping. I know it is a lot of places to keep a tab on, but I thought to give you an overall idea of where to look, and depending on your own location and situation, you can narrow down the list to what works best for you. Personally I almost always shop for LEGO at Amazon, not just because they have excellent prices, no shipping and no tax, but I can also pick up other, non-LEGO items in the same order (throw in some books, a couple of DVDs, some vitamins, or whatever else I need). Also, not having to spend gas and fight the traffic and crowds is a nice bonus. 🙂
Having said that, it is worth to check a LEGO Store (if you are lucky enough to have one near you) or Toys’R’Us to see LEGO sets displayed. I have found that no matter how many images I see online, there is nothing like seeing a LEGO set in person. It could actually be a really interesting experience! Sometimes you may not be interested in a set you see pictures of, but you fall in love with it after seeing it personally. Other times it is just the opposite. LEGO is full of surprises!
Hope this guide helps you a little in your holiday LEGO shopping. If you would like to add your own LEGO shopping tips feel free to share them in the comment section below, along with any great deals you run across between now and Christmas. Happy huntin’! 😀
And you might also like to check out the following related posts:
First Comment! you get a peel to win card @ the LEGO store!
I can’t wait for the ninjago sets to come out!!!!!!!!! I want them all!!!! 😈 🙄
I bought Cole DX’s spinner and Lord Garmadon’s spinner yesterday. I am going to give garmadon to my younger brother for christmas 🙂 (Cole DX is for me) 😛
what’s one LEGO set you guys want the most for christmas? I want Dol Godur Battle the most 😀
UPDATE: Brick Friday is upon us and as in years past, LEGO Shop will be offering a number of promotions and special sales & deals. Here is the link to all the special deals: LEGO Shop Black Friday Deals
FREE Limited Edition Holiday Set with purchase of $99 or more. Valid Nov 29th – Dec 2nd or while supplies last
FREE $10 Gift Card with purchase of $149 or more. Valid Nov 29th – Dec 2nd or while supplies last.
FREE Shipping on all orders (no minimum). Valid Nov 29th – Dec 2nd
Receive a Free THE LEGO® MOVIE™ poster sticker to customize your Palace Cinema. Valid: through Dec 31st or while supplies last.
FREE Exclusive Clone Trooper™ Lieutenant with LEGO® Star Wars™ purchases of $50 or more!
Special Sales & Deals: The following items will be 20-50% off Nov 29th – Dec 2nd (or while supplies last).
10557 LEGO® DUPLO® LEGO® DUPLO® Giant Tower 50%
70011 LEGO® Chima Eagle’s Castle 50%
5000248 LEGO® Storage 3-Drawer Storage Unit 50%
5001164 LEGO® Storage LEGO FRIENDS 3-Drawer Storage Unit 50%
3920 LEGO® The Hobbit™ The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey™ 50%
5002679 LEGO® Chima LEGO® Legends of Chima Classic Backpack 50%
70115 LEGO® Chima Ultimate Speedor Tournament 50%
6051 LEGO® DUPLO® LEGO® DUPLO® Play with Letters 50%
21201 Life of George 50%
5002677 LEGO® Moleskine 2014 Large Daily Planner 50%
850506 Card Making Kit 50%
5002676 LEGO® Moleskine 2014 Large Weekly Planner 50%
5002675 LEGO® Moleskine 2014 Daily Pocket Planner 50%
70113 LEGO® Chima CHI Battles 50%
70114 LEGO® Chima Sky Joust 50%
850775 LEGO® Chima LEGO® Legends of Chima™ Speedorz™ Storage Bag 50%
5002195 LEGO® Ninjago LEGO® Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu Season Two 50%
5002202 LEGO® Super Heroes LEGO® Batman – The Movie: DC Super Heroes Unite DVD 50%
5002674 LEGO® Moleskine 2014 Weekly Pocket Planner 50%
850797 Classic Wall Stickers 50%
70100 LEGO® Chima Ring of Fire 50%
70101 LEGO® Chima Target Practice 50%
70102 LEGO® Chima CHI Waterfall 50%
70103 LEGO® Chima Boulder Bowling 50%
70104 LEGO® Chima Jungle Gates 50%
70105 LEGO® Chima Nest Dive 50%
70106 LEGO® Chima Ice Tower 50%
70107 LEGO® Chima Skunk Attack 50%
70108 LEGO® Chima Royal Roost 50%
70109 LEGO® Chima Whirling Vines 50%
70110 LEGO® Chima Tower Target 50%
70111 LEGO® Chima Swamp Jump 50%
70112 LEGO® Chima Croc Chomp 50%
853393 LEGO® Friends LEGO® Friends Picture Frame 50%
5002198 LEGO® Star Wars™ LEGO® Star Wars™: The Empire Strikes Out 50%
850487 Halloween Accessory Set 50%
850611 LEGO® Chima Cragger Shield 50%
850614 LEGO® Chima Laval Shield 50%
850777 LEGO® Chima LEGO® Legends of Chima™ Accessory Set 50%
6758 LEGO® DUPLO® Grow Caterpillar Grow! 50%
6760 LEGO® DUPLO® Let’s Go! Vroom! 50%
10559 LEGO® DUPLO® A Fairy Tale 50%
2856205 LEGO® Storage LEGO® Portable Storage Case with Baseplate (BLUE) 50%
2856206 LEGO® Storage LEGO® Portable Storage Case with Baseplate (RED) 50%
850612 LEGO® Chima Cragger Sword 50%
41001 LEGO® Friends Mia’s Magic Tricks 50%
41002 LEGO® Friends Emma’s Karate Class 50%
9678 LEGO® Star Wars™ Twin-Pod Cloud Car™ & Bespin™ 50%
853144 LEGO® 2×4 Brick Coin Bank 50%
40052 Springtime Scene 50%
5001261 LEGO® Storage LEGO® Sorting Trays 50%
850682 LEGO® The Hobbit LEGO® The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey™ Bilbo Baggins™ Magnet 50%
850681 LEGO® The Lord of the Rings™ LEGO® The Lord of the Rings™ Frodo Baggins™ Magnet 50%
853375 LEGO® City LEGO® City Firefighter Key Chain 50%
5685 LEGO® DUPLO® Vet 50%
850453 LEGO® Monster Fighters LEGO® Monster Fighters The Monster Key Chain 50%
853403 LEGO® Ninjago LEGO® Ninjago Hypnobrai Key Chain 50%
850443 LEGO® Ninjago LEGO® Ninjago Key Chain Snake 50%
850529 LEGO® Super Heroes LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes Loki Key Chain 50%
850680 LEGO® The Hobbit LEGO® The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey™ Bilbo Baggins™ Key Chain 50%
850674 LEGO® The Lord of the Rings™ LEGO® The Lord of the Rings™ Frodo Baggins™ Key Chain 50%
850800 Hedgehog Bag Charm 50%
71001 LEGO® Minifigures LEGO® Minifigures Series 10 50%
71000 LEGO® Minifigures LEGO® Minifigures Series 9 50%
853240 Minifigure Wrapping Paper 50%
79010 LEGO® The Hobbit The Goblin King Battle 30%
79002 LEGO® The Hobbit Attack of the Wargs 30%
70003 LEGO® Chima Eris’ Eagle Interceptor 23%
10230 LEGO® Creator Expert Mini Modulars 20%
3818 LEGO® SpongeBob™ Bikini Bottom Undersea Party 20%
21004 LEGO® Architecture Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum® 20%
21007 LEGO® Architecture Rockefeller Plaza® 20%
70012 LEGO® Chima Razar’s CHI Raider 20%
6231 LEGO® Hero Factory SPEEDA DEMON 20%
5766 LEGO® Creator Log Cabin 20%
70002 LEGO® Chima Lennox’s Lion Attack 20%
6230 LEGO® Hero Factory STORMER XL 20%
3817 LEGO® SpongeBob™ The Flying Dutchman 20%
21000 LEGO® Architecture Willis Tower 20%
3816 LEGO® SpongeBob™ Glove World 20%
3183 LEGO® Friends Stephanie’s Cool Convertible 20%
3815 LEGO® SpongeBob™ Heroic Heroes of the Deep 20%
6223 LEGO® Hero Factory BULK 20%
6283 LEGO® Hero Factory VOLTIX 20%
3939 LEGO® Friends Mia’s Bedroom 20%
6221 LEGO® Hero Factory NEX 20%
6282 LEGO® Hero Factory STRINGER 20%
41017 LEGO® Friends Squirrel’s Tree House 20%
41018 LEGO® Friends Cat’s Playground 20%
41019 LEGO® Friends Turtle’s Little Oasis 20%
41020 LEGO® Friends Hedgehog’s Hideaway 20%
41021 LEGO® Friends Poodle’s Little Palace 20%
41022 LEGO® Friends Bunny’s Hutch 20%
41023 LEGO® Friends Fawn’s Forest 20%
41024 LEGO® Friends Parrot’s Perch 20%
41025 LEGO® Friends Puppy’s Playhouse 20%
31000 LEGO® Creator Mini Speeder 20%
31001 LEGO® Creator Mini Skyflyer 20%
70006 LEGO® Chima Cragger’s Command Ship 19%
70009 LEGO® Chima Worriz’ Combat Lair 11%
70008 LEGO® Chima Gorzan’s Gorilla Striker 10%
Enjoy! 😛
Admin, I can’t find the 50% off series 10 minifigs ='( HALP!
They are sold out. Only Series 11 is available now. You have to move fast on these deals.
-quivvering lip-
Thanks for the updated post! I snagged the duplo giant tower at a Lego store a few days ago before they set out the stock. Didn’t know it was going to be half off. It’s already sold out online. Hopefully the store will do a price adjustment.
Raivyn, yeah, I’m not sure what is their policy in situations like that. Please note that if you purchased the set during the tripple VIP points period, you will also loose your points if you ask for a refund on the difference. I don’t have a calculator with me right now, but it might be worth checking out which one is more beneficial in the long term. 😉
glad i held out till now to get the christmas set 🙂