You might remember that last year Toys’R’Us was running a LEGO promotion called Bricktober. During the month of October you got one free set with any LEGO purchase of $75 or more. Each week a different set was offered, and the four sets made a nice little collection resembling the LEGO Modular Buildings. After the promotional period was over the sets could also be purchased individually for $19.99 each at Toys’R’Us stores. 🙂
Last year the first week of October you could get the #40180 LEGO Bricktober Theater, the second week the #40181 LEGO Bricktober Pizza Place, the third week the #40182 LEGO Bricktober Fire Station, and the fourth week the #40183 LEGO Bricktober Town Hall. The sets are micro-scale on 6×8 stud plates, but still look nicely detailed. You can connect them with LEGO Technic pins, just like the much larger LEGO Modular Buildings. They make a great little display together.
This year we are also getting four sets, and although we don’t know the details yet, it is assumed that the terms will be similar; you get one free set each weak during the month of October if you spend a minimum amount on LEGO sets, and after the promotion is over, if there are any sets left, they will be offered for sale directly. The four sets are the #40141 LEGO Bricktober Hotel, the #40142 LEGO Bricktober Train Station, the #40143 LEGO Bricktober Bakery, and the #40144 LEGO Bricktober Toys’R’Us Store.
The 2015 LEGO Bricktober sets will also connect with Technic pins, and they can also be attached to the previous collection from last year. Note that their layout is a bit different. A couple of them appear to be on 10 stud wide plates, adding a bit of variety to the layout.
If you are interested in these sets, I suggest that you keep an eye on your local Toys’R’Us store. They should begin the promotion at the beginning of October. Or, if you don’t want to spend $300 dollars on LEGO during the month of October just to get the free sets, you can also wait until the end of the month and see if they are available for direct purchase. If they are no longer available in your store, you can also check eBay for all the Bricktober sets from last year and this year. See current listings here: LEGO BRICKTOBER SETS ON EBAY
So what do you think? How do you like the Bricktober sets? Do you have the ones from last year? And are you planning to get the new ones? Are you going to take advantage of the promotional period, or do you prefer to buy them directly? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
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I am just getting into the Modular buildings now, and feel bad having missed out on the Mini Modulars set and these Bricktober sets in the past. Will have to see if I can find any good deals on the old ones, are at least building instructions as the pieces should generally be cheap enough on Bricklink!
Xevo, for the mini TRU sets, you might also check your local Toys’R’Us. Mine still carries last year’s sets. Otherwise they are available on the secondary market, and you can also just buy the parts – as you said.
Hm I am actually very close to a couple of them. I will ask an employee maybe to check their system, I find their LEGO aisles layout to be maddening.
It might be worth checking both now (before the new ones become available), and also after the new ones get released. If you don’t see them on the shelves now they may be holding them back until the promotion and will put them out at the same time as they new ones. I have seen them do stuff like that before. They are definitely sweet little sets, and if they continue with this line, it will be a very nice series of collectibles.
All four sets from last year are available on Ebay. If you are willing to spend some time looking patiently, you can get them new for about $20 each.
OTOH, most of the parts are common, especially if you’re not picky about color. The town hall, for example, uses a lot of sand green and also grey frogs, but most everything else is available via pick-a-brick.
I really like three of the 2015 sets. Lukewarm on the Toys R Us store. Without the sticker it could pass for a Costco or Best Buy.
Yes, that’s a good suggestion. I included a link in the article for the current listings. They are not unreasonable as far as price. I wish the TRU store one would have printed pieces instead of stickers. It would make such a difference!
So, all stickers, huh? For the hotel, too, I presume…
Yes, if you look at the close-ups added to the Brickset database, it is clear that they are all stickers. Here is the link: http://brickset.com/sets?query=40141-40144
I found one today! Scoured my local TRU’s sprawling LEGO section and found the Bricktober Fire Station! Now I’ll try some other TRU’s further out and see if I have any more luck. If not, I’ll likely resort to eBay hahah!
Nice! Hope you find the other ones too! 😀
Got the Theater at another TRU and just ordered the other 2 on eBay. Also really excited that I got the first new one, the hotel, and it’s a corner, which I was contemplating making one of myself! the left side of the corner doesn’t align well as it doesn’t have a sidewalk, but still it’s very cool overall and so big compared to last year’s sets.
Yes, this year’s models definitely look bigger! Love that! 😀
I would love these here in the UK. I bought 5x mini modulars for parts / micro town but these from last year were far too expensive here (at least I couldn’t find them at a reasonable price)
Tom, yeah, I have heard that these are very expensive in the UK. You might consider asking a friend from the USA sending them to you, or if you know someone who is visiting the USA they should be able to pick them up.
Its a shame they aren’t sold separately. They’re good sets, but it seems like a lot to spend $75 just for one. Maybe I’ll just build my own versions!:P
You can usually buy them individually in November, or even earlier – depending on the store. So it is worth checking. 🙂
I got the first 2015 one today, and it was just by chance that I happened to stop in.. And get this, mine was the last one they had. Believe me, I was absolutely overjoyed at that, but it doesnt bode well for the upcoming 3 that I absolutely must have (I have all 4 from last year.) Im not going to pay some jerk 10x the value for it on ebay so I guess im just going to have to stalk my local stores every day. At least there are a few sets out right now that I still need to get, last year I had a hard time finding $75 worth of sets that I still needed/wanted 4 different times.. This year has had a lot better and more releases than last year IMO though. Get there early before all the *&$@# ebay scalpers get their grimy hands on all of them, and good luck to everyone who actually is interested in collecting them for themselves, and not out to be greedy and take them all for their own profit. <– Serious pet peeve of mine.. Get a real job, ebay hustling is LAME
I’m glad you were able to get the first one! My guess is that the earlier you go in the week the better chance you have to get each one. Also, if last year is an indication, there should be leftovers after the promotion. 🙂
I went on the first day as well, and they hadn’t even brought them up to the customer service counter yet. My TRU only had 3 cases it seemed, and I believe there were either 4 or 6 per case. So yeah, seems like they don’t wanna have a year+ long surplus of these again this year…