New LEGO VIP Cards

[architect]

Hi everyone,

The LEGO Community team asked that we pass along information about the new LEGO VIP Cards which will replace stamped reward cards at Lego Brand stores in the USA, UK, and Germany. Check out the pdf here. [Link removed at the request of LEGO pending updated information].

Ben Ellermann

[Yegos]

I wonder if this will be another way to get rid of old product. Instead of discounting it heavily, provide VIPs with huge point valuations for purchasing product (re: Carousel). If so, I can see the appeal to LEGO. Keep your prices high for your casual purchasers while still providing an avenue to your "most appreciated fans" for discounted product.

It still has the 5% rebate option and LEGO already has my information so I'll be signing up. My wife wants the Carousel too so win-win.

[Merlin of Lego]

This still looks like an in store reward program. This could be a great way to use at the shop at home site to get rewards. The reason that I don't shop at online Lego is because I don't get a reward online.

[timber_wolf899]

For those of us hundreds of miles form a lego store, on online reward program would rock.

<My GF lives in harrisburg but wont let me anywhere near king of prussia....i wonder why?!>

[nanuck95]

I'm 1 stamp away from getting my $20 gift card, I knew I should have spent the extra $25 to get it when I was there last weekend.

It does sounds interesting though, and the prospect of getting rewards for purchasing online are great.

[Hound Knight]

Is there some way to transfer my points from my stamp card to the new system? Or did I miss something in the article?

[Aliencat]

Or did I miss something in the article?

Look at page 8 of the article.

[BrianofBrick06]

Well, the new VIP cards seem interesting, but im not sure if they will benefit me more than the past stamp cards (aside from online purchasing of course). I suppose only time will tell. Does anyone know what the "master builder" events are (where one can allegedly earn points on the new VIP card system)? Maybe joining the lego club will generate some extra points...

[wunztwice]

Thanks for the info Ben! I saw the add on the store calender, but couldn't find any more info on it.

Still not sure what I think of this, but I guess I don't have much of a choice...

[Seasian]

Sounds good. Now they just need to open up a store in Miami or Palm Beach

[shoggoth666]

I wish they'd open a somewhere near me in SC.

[DaleDVM]

In a debate of the new VIP program vs the old stamp system this is what I posted on the Eurobricks forum. On that forum a lot of people thought this system was better because you earn your points on every dollar and not at the $25 break off points. Note the old stamp system gave a return of 7.5% vs 5% with the new VIP card. This was my reply:

Here is the truth... mathematically speaking. If you spend from $1 to $24 or between $38 and $49 the new VIP system is better for you. However, from $25 to $37 and anything over $50 you will be losing money all the way to infinity with the new VIP system. The more over $50 you go the worse it gets for us and it doesn't matter where you fall inbetween the $25 amounts of the current stamp cards.

For those of you that spend in those very narrow ranges I say kudos to you, you are now a VIP. I also say you don't need a discount at all (because) you spend very little money on lego. I will be losing a lot of money on this new system. I hardly ever spend less than $100.00 at a lego store and have spent over a $1000.00 at one time. When I would purchase large amounts of lego the staff would often give me an extra stamp or two. They would also do this when I was close to another $25 cutoff. This new system is automated and we won't get any extras at all.

I do not doubt that TLG is doing this to eliminate the extra stamps the employees would give out to some of the loyal customers. TLG also changed this to obviously make more money. By the way lego accountants can do math too!

I don't mean to belittle anyone else who posted. This obviously does not apply to the kids on this forum. Who drives to the mall using a couple of gallons of gas to buy less than $25.00 worth of lego? The gasoline alone is a 10 - 20% markup right off the bat. And that is if you live within 20-40 miles of a lego store. I go about 5-10 times per year and spend like an idiot when I do. It costs me $5 to $10 dollars in gas depending on which store I go to and it makes no sense to spend very little on lego when I get there.

Ooh!!! but the whole family can get points. What kept your family from getting stamp cards in the past at lego stores?

Lego has not made me feel like a VIP. I will do most of my purchasing during conventions when I get my 20% off.

As for the extras we get with the new VIP program we will have to wait and see if any of those pay off. I doubt they will.

I do admit, If this includes online purchases that will help a lot of people but certainly not people who live close to lego stores. I don't order online with access to 4 chicagoland stores. The shipping cost is nuts.

Now that the facts are out will there be cheers or jeers for this new program?

[Yegos]

Note the old stamp system gave a return of 7.5% vs 5% with the new VIP card.

Ok. I can see your point. For each $400 you spend you get a $30s in gift cards with the current system. With a straight one for one swap with the new VIP card you're right, it appears you will lose.

Let's keep some things in mind though.

1. LEGO doesn't have to offer a discount program. It's great, don't get me wrong, but I would still buy LEGO even if they didn't. Just not as much.
2. The stores that gave you extra stamps for getting close were doing you a favor. I've purchased plenty of LEGO at their retail stores including a couple of $1000 plus purchases. The stores in my area DO NOT give out free stamps even if you're $1 short. It's against policy. Maybe it's me. Wrong deodorant?
3. I also drive up to 1.5 hours to get to one of the LEGO stores near me. How far you are away from A LEGO store shouldn't factor into a discussion on whether this program is better or worse. LEGO does not control where you live.
4. We don't know the whole program yet. They could have some killer deals that will make up for that extra 2.5%.
5. Every dollar spent counts toward your point total. Over time that will add up to extra 5% savings you would not have gotten otherwise. Unless of course you restrict your purchases to $25, $50, $75, etc. when you visit a LEGO store. I know I don't. It's about what's on sale and what I want.

I'm not going to debate you on whether you feel you're being screwed. Based on what you've posted, you're obviously feel you're going to pay more for your LEGO and I feel for you there but I like certain aspects of this program and I'm willing to see what happens. For better or worse LEGO seems to be getting more things right than wrong.

I'm going to wait and see.

[DaleDVM]

I didn't mean to put down the VIP program. I guess it might have come off that way. I certainly never said I was being screwed.

The problem I had was this: A lot of people on Eurobricks were ecstatic and thinking they were going to save more money. Their reasoning was: now they saved on every dollar instead of at $25 increments. I was just making the point that they did not do the math.

I appreciate the 5% I will get. It is much better than nothing. However, lego is a very expensive product. I will still do most of my buying at convention time. I spend so much on this hobby that those percentages really do add up.

I hope you are right about the extras. Some have already been announced and they don't look promising to me.

One bonus is where you get points for working at a master builder event. The last master builder event I went to I got a 30% discount off of my purchases at the lego store. I spent $1500 dollars and had $450 in savings based on that. I doubt they are going to give me 9000 points for participating in one of those events in the future to make it all equal out in the end.

I imagine they are trying to make a more uniform benefit program across all lego stores. I just wish they didn't change things because the old system served me pretty well.

[Yegos]

I certainly never said I was being screwed.

No, you certainly didn't say that. It was my inference from your post. Too strong a word in hindsight. My apologies.

How about "piqued"?

Probably better.

I didn't know you received such a discount for helping at those "builder" events. I'll have to check that out.