Where to buy in USA

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albero78
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Where to buy in USA

Post by albero78 »

Hello all,

I am going to go in the US for the first time in my life in April. Since LEgo are cheaper and I am coming from Europe, buying LEGO will be cheaper.

Where do you suggest to buy?
At the moment there aren't sets that I consider "interesting" (for example it is too early for new indiana jones or castle sets) but for example I'd buy a 7094 King's castle siege if I find it very cheap.

All suggestions are very welcome, taking into account that I have also an address in US and so I can buy online.

:wink:
Andrea Albertazzi
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Baites
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Re: Where to buy in USA

Post by Baites »

A few questions.

1. Where in the USA are you traveling to?
2. What condition does the Lego have to be in? I ask to determine if flee markets or yard sales are acceptable.
3. How soon til your trip? People may be able to suggest internet resources to research, but if you're almost ready to pack, you might not have time to research and email questions.
4. Transportation available to you? Will you have access to a car to get around or someone to drive you, increasing your travel radius, or will public transit be your means of getting around.
5. Budget?
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albero78
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Re: Where to buy in USA

Post by albero78 »

I will go to washington DC and New York. Maybe also to Ottawa, Canada.
Flee markets could be fine too, but I won't travel alone so I cannot force my wife and her parents to go somewhere just because maybe I could find some LEGO.
I will go to the US with an empty luggage, so I'll have some free space.
Budget: around 100$.
I'll travel in april, so I still have 15 days. Parcels can be sent to my sister in law address in the states and I can take them when I go.

Thanks!
Andrea
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Athos
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Re: Where to buy in USA

Post by Athos »

$100 isn't going to get you very far, if you are going to buy at retail, just one large set. Unless you find a good sale, and even then you won't be able to stretch it too far. Flea markets, thrift stores and other second hand venues are really hit and miss, so much so, that I don't usually bother with them.

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puddleglum
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Re: Where to buy in USA

Post by puddleglum »

Unfortunately, King's Castle Seige seems to be gone from all retail stores. You can check whatever Wal-Mart you are nearest too - there's a chance it might have a KCS lingering around, but I wouldn't get your hopes up. Your surest bet to get one would be ordering one on Bricklink, they are around $70-75 right now.

In terms of retail stores, I wouldn't expect there to be any big sales in April, so really it would come down to selection, in which case your best bet is always going to be a LEGO store. The Tyson's Corner LEGO store is the closest to DC. Depending on where you are staying in the DC area, it's possible that the Potomac Mills location will be closer. Both of these are in large shopping malls so there should be plenty to do there for your wife and in-laws as well. If you've never been to a LEGO store, I highly recommend making sure you go to one while you're here. They will have 99% of all current sets available, including LEGO exlusives, and you never know when there might be some parts you really want on the Pick-a-Brick wall. I know you said you are thinking of spending $100, but I will point out that they also have a "loyalty card" system where you get a $10 gift card after spending $200, and $20 after the next $200. The loyalty card doesn't expire, and isn't tied to a particular LEGO store.

By the way, if you have any questions about visiting the D.C. area, and the US in general, I'm sure there are plenty of people here that would be willing to offer any knowledge/information that they can to help make your trip as smooth as possible!
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Bruce N H
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Re: Where to buy in USA

Post by Bruce N H »

I was going to say the same. In the DC area be sure to check out one of the official LEGO stores, probably the one at Tysons Corner. Here is their website. In addition to the regular sets, there are things like keychains, magnets, and other items you won't find at another retail store. Plus the pick-a-brick wall. If you haven't been to an official LEGO store before, that's a new experience. There are also displays like many of the big sets (right now the Taj Mahal, the Medieval Market Village, lots of the Indiana Jones and all of the new Rock Raiders line are on display, plus other models, and a Window Into the Community display with MOCs by local LUG members. You should also consider Target, Toys R Us, Walmart. These are big chain stores - google them to find their websites and get store locations. You may find sales there. Tuesday Morning is a clearance sale that sometimes has LEGO for rock bottom prices.

BTW, I'm moving this thread to Buy/Sell/Trade, which is most appropriate.

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BrianofBrick06
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Re: Where to buy in USA

Post by BrianofBrick06 »

Well I would definitely say that experiencing the atmosphere of a complete lego store (with the eye catching Pick A Brick wall) is something to aim for. Otherwise, and this might be a bit ambitious and time consuming, but you could stretch your lego budget by traveling to as many Walmarts as you can and buy any legos on clearance. In my experience the clearance sections are rather cheap which is good if you are trying to purchase a fair amount of lego (Plus it might not be all that time consuming considering in many areas Walmarts are not too far away from one another much like Starbucks lol). Enjoy your traveling where ever your journey takes you...
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albero78
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Re: Where to buy in USA

Post by albero78 »

Thank you all for your replies.
I'd probably hunt for cheap sets in stores like walmart.
I hope to find something good. If I wont find anything I will probably buy a second "medieval market village".
Andrea Albertazzi
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Re: Where to buy in USA

Post by kk634 »

Just a tip, TRU (Toy's R Us) is usually WAY more expensive than Wal-Mart!
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albero78
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Re: Where to buy in USA

Post by albero78 »

Is there a LEGO store in New York or (even better) Washington?
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puddleglum
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Re: Where to buy in USA

Post by puddleglum »

There is one just outside of DC, Bruce already provided a link to the store's page in his post. From there you should be able to find other LEGO store locations by US state. I looks like there is one in NY, but I've never even been to NYC or even NY, so I can't give you any further guidance there.
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BrianofBrick06
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Re: Where to buy in USA

Post by BrianofBrick06 »

I dont know if this will help, but there is an FAO Schwartz (which is not exactly a lego store, but as far as i know, it does carry a fair amount of lego products) in New York city. The place is supposedly pretty awesome, but the prices are probably rather expensive. In any case, you may want to check it out...
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Bruce N H
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Re: Where to buy in USA

Post by Bruce N H »

Hey Albero,

How did the trip turn out? Did you end up doing any LEGO shopping?

Bruce
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albero78
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Re: Where to buy in USA

Post by albero78 »

Hei Bruce, thanks for asking!
At the end I bought in Canada one 6241 set:
Image

And I bought also, before leaving Europe a big lot of pieces on Bricklink from a US seller and I was very satisfied especially by that.
For the rest I find the LEGO I found in some shops not very attractive from price point of view.
I didn't have much time to check all, of course...
I found a lot of LEGO in TOYSrUS in times square in New York but the prices where..."oh my god"...

I must admit that I don't see many interesting sets at the moment. The 2008-2009 ones that I like, I've already have. But when I read that some people bought in Val-MArt last Christmas King Castle Siege for 25$....That would have been interesting!! :)
Andrea Albertazzi
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