Dare I say, Walmart?

Fizyx

Is there any way to know when a wave of clearance markdowns will be hitting a particular store or region?  Was excited to see people finding #75189 at a reasonable price, but when I went into my store they were still regular price.  I expect they WILL go on clearance soon however, since they were basically cleared out of LEGO... and still had a good 10-15 of that set sitting around at both stores I went to, so I don't want to miss the wave when it does go on sale... but having to physically go to Walmart every day sucks, lol.

BuriedinBricks

You can always go to one of the inventory checkers that list prices. They are not always 100% accurate on stock levels, but are usually correct on pricing. I do an almost daily round of checks on sets that interest me this time of year.

MiniBricks1

There is also a time- around July I think- that Walmart’s put 50% off sales on many sets. They’ve done it at least the past two years (presumably to clear space for new sets). I got a couple TFA sets for 50% last year, and they also did similar sales this year around that time.

madforLEGO

One Walmart by me had the First order walker set for about 25% off (109.99) but I just could not 'pull the trigger' on them; they also had the City Fun at the beach set for 30 instead of 40; same thing. These sets will be around for a while yet and I have a feeling they will be discounted to this again at some point in the summer. Target near me also had Doc Strange sets for 20. Almost bought them, but I'm guessing that the only figure really wanted from that set is Doc strange and he is likely going to be in another LEGO set for Infinity war I and II so I left them.. Maybe if they were 15 I would have bought them as the figures and the parts are a pretty good deal for that, but not sure.

MiniBricks1

MiniBricks1 said:

There is also a time- around July I think- that Walmart’s put 50% off sales on many sets. They’ve done it at least the past two years (presumably to clear space for new sets). I got a couple TFA sets for 50% last year, and they also did similar sales this year around that time.

I should pay more attention before hitting “post”.. that first sentence is a mess

MiniBricks1

Sorry for a second post in such short time, but I have a question- how accurate is the Walmart app compared to Brickseek? On brickseek, it is showing that a Walmart 15 minutes away has some of the City Volcano sets for 75% off. However, when I check the Walmart inventory, it says “limited stock” and doesn’t show the in store price.

pharmjod

75% off is probably phantom stock, especially a set that big. Or it's in a trailer outside the store waiting to be brought out someday.

Brickseek is "accurate" in that is what the inventory of a store "should" be. If it says limited stock though, it's a crap shoot whether anything is there.

MiniBricks1

pharmjod said:

75% off is probably phantom stock, especially a set that big. Or it's in a trailer outside the store waiting to be brought out someday.

Brickseek is "accurate" in that is what the inventory of a store "should" be. If it says limited stock though, it's a crap shoot whether anything is there.

Thanks.

 I haven’t used brickseek a ton, just occasionally. Often it seems to be incorrect (“phantom stock”) but it has helped me out a couple times.

77ncaachamps

Was I stupid to pass up a Death Star (probably a return) for $349?
Box was beat up...

Hanzo

77ncaachamps said:

Was I stupid to pass up a Death Star (probably a return) for $349?
Box was beat up...

I am biased but I don't like that set at all, but if you're looking for a playset in lieu if a display piece it could be cool.  That said I'd be super cautious of online returns, the customer service people don't really check anything.

madforLEGO

Yeah, the Walmart I checked also had a VW Beetle set in their 'clearance' aisle. I picked it up only because I could always check it out when I got home, but when I asked for a price check it was coming up as 99.99.. For 99.99 why bother?

exciter1

pharmjod said:

75% off is probably phantom stock, especially a set that big. Or it's in a trailer outside the store waiting to be brought out someday.

Brickseek is "accurate" in that is what the inventory of a store "should" be. If it says limited stock though, it's a crap shoot whether anything is there.

I did find a couple nuggets local.  A Pegasus Sleigh for $4 and a Ninjago Iron Doom for $13

hoyatables

Stopped in a Walmart in Middletown, DE on a drive yesterday. LEGO Star Wars area was picked clean. No deals noticed. 

Toker

MiniBricks1 said:

Sorry for a second post in such short time, but I have a question- how accurate is the Walmart app compared to Brickseek? On brickseek, it is showing that a Walmart 15 minutes away has some of the City Volcano sets for 75% off. However, when I check the Walmart inventory, it says “limited stock” and doesn’t show the in store price.

In my experience, Brickseek is very accurate. I've purchased items and have seen the inventory change just a few minutes after the purchase.

That being said, any time there's a quantity of 3 or less, there's a high probability that the item is not there. The stores could lose 1 or 2 due to theft or the item may be misplaced somewhere in the store or in the back.

KingAlanI

No luck. shelves half empty and discounts nonspectacular. Maybe bigger clearance after the new year

Yodalicious

MiniBricks1 said:

Sorry for a second post in such short time, but I have a question- how accurate is the Walmart app compared to Brickseek? On brickseek, it is showing that a Walmart 15 minutes away has some of the City Volcano sets for 75% off. However, when I check the Walmart inventory, it says “limited stock” and doesn’t show the in store price.

If you actually do find any Volcano sets at this point, the 75% off is probably accurate. I got 4 of them for 75-90% off a few months back including the Exploration Base set. My oldest son had quite the volcano Xmas. 

hleonffu

#41184 $19
#70611 $19

pharmjod

exciter1 said:

pharmjod said:

75% off is probably phantom stock, especially a set that big. Or it's in a trailer outside the store waiting to be brought out someday.

Brickseek is "accurate" in that is what the inventory of a store "should" be. If it says limited stock though, it's a crap shoot whether anything is there.

I did find a couple nuggets local.  A Pegasus Sleigh for $4 and a Ninjago Iron Doom for $13

Given the history of your finds I expected older sets that the Pegasus Sleigh. Time machine on the blink? ;)

ClutchPower

Has anyone still found the Millennium Falcons for $35? Brickseek shows all the ones around my area for $89.

pharmjod

If you see any at $89 you'd better by them. It's probably phantom stock anyway.

Hanzo

No more Falcons to be found even at $89 in my area.  Thanks a lot Christmas!

LegoAddict

The post-Christmas clearance was pretty disappointing this year for me as well, the only thing I found were some $35 Y-wing fighters, which I thought was a pretty good deal.  As mentioned above, the Lego shelves are just so disorganized and empty, it's hard to even find sets sometimes.  I have also found the inventory function on Brickseek to be unreliable because of all this, but I have to say, the Walmart app does seem to help corroborate at times. 

For the people looking for 75% off, I would be highly skeptical!  Don't make an extra trip for it!

MegtheCat

The best deal I found on clearance was #60134 for $13. Everything else was cleaned out.

ClutchPower

Everyone just remember that if you have the Walmart app on your phone, you can price match what you found to Toysrus. I got the Captain Rex At-Te and the U-Wing for $50. The U-Wing was $30 and the At-Te was $20. Just show the price and be friendly with the staff.

Hanzo

ClutchPower said:

Everyone just remember that if you have the Walmart app on your phone, you can price match what you found to Walmart. I got the Captain Rex At-Te and the U-Wing for $50. The U-Wing was $30 and the At-Te was $20. Just show the price and be friendly with the staff.

Sorry, you are saying if you show one store has a clearance item for a certain price they matched it at a different store?

ClutchPower

Sorry, I made a typo. You can price match to TRU, but I suppose you could also price match Walmart to Walmart. I have read on Reddit that some store won't let you though, so be wary.

tmgm528

ClutchPower said:

Sorry, I made a typo. You can price match to TRU, but I suppose you could also price match Walmart to Walmart. I have read on Reddit that some store won't let you though, so be wary.

Wait...What? So where were you finding Toys R Us clearance prices at that low to show them to match?

Yodalicious

^^ Mileage will definitely vary on that. A lot of Walmart’s stopped or severely limited their price matching a few months back. And very few will price match clearance prices. It has to be an advertised price. There’s definitely a chance you’ll get lucky, but this is far from the norm. 

ClutchPower

In my area, there are many, and I mean MANY clearance LEGO. City sets that are supposed to be $20 are just $3.5 and one of the Marvel sets we're just $4.50. I'm personally about to get a Tie Stricker for $17.50 and Krennics Shuttle for $19. Walmarts here are just wierd, and even though TRU's price match policy states that it can't price match clearance, I have had no issue. Just like Yodalicious said though, YMMV. 

ClutchPower

Here's an example:

Yodalicious

^^ Yeah, I’m in a crazy Walmart clearance area too. The % I paid under retail during 2017 was unreal. But I’ve never had any luck getting anyone to match those prices. And I’ve definitely tried. Oh well...I got more than enough last year as it is. 

Switchfoot55

^I imagine Walmart's shelf stock lingers for significant periods of time on Dagobah. No wonder!

I swear I live in an area where the Walmarts not only never put items on clearance, but randomly decide to increase the prices. 

My choice is Dagobah...

Yo_dA

Does anyone find the clearance LEGO actually in the clearance isle?  I have yet to see any LEGO products at my local Walmart’s clearance sections.  The few that I do find are in the LEGO isle and are often not even marked. I use the app to keep an eye on local store prices. 

Hanzo

Yo_dA said:

Does anyone find the clearance LEGO actually in the clearance isle?  I have yet to see any LEGO products at my local Walmart’s clearance sections.  The few that I do find are in the LEGO isle and are often not even marked. I use the app to keep an eye on local store prices. 

99.9% of the time I find it in the regular Lego isle. 

Yodalicious

Yo_dA said:

Does anyone find the clearance LEGO actually in the clearance isle?  I have yet to see any LEGO products at my local Walmart’s clearance sections.  The few that I do find are in the LEGO isle and are often not even marked. I use the app to keep an eye on local store prices. 

Depends on the Walmart in my area. Many of the larger ones have it in the clearance area. The smaller ones usually don’t. 

madforLEGO

Yodalicious said:

Yo_dA said:

Does anyone find the clearance LEGO actually in the clearance isle?  I have yet to see any LEGO products at my local Walmart’s clearance sections.  The few that I do find are in the LEGO isle and are often not even marked. I use the app to keep an eye on local store prices. 

Depends on the Walmart in my area. Many of the larger ones have it in the clearance area. The smaller ones usually don’t. 

Then again I have seen Walmart supposedly have a ton of clearance LEGO, but nothing in the LEGO aisle, nothing in clearance, and nothing in the back (after asking a rep).
Sometimes their inventory system is lying.

Though I think the way it seems to work, at least by the stores near me, is that the larger set boxes always seem to be put on clearance first because their shelving in the LEGO aisle does not look like it can handle a lot of large boxed sets... Just a theory but I have seen many a larger box set, like the heavy walkers, on clearance even though they just came out.

Astrobricks

Definitely varies by store. Of the two I visit most often, one frequently puts LEGO in the clearance aisle, and the other hardly ever. The stores are both big supercenters.

tamamahm

I found the Moana set with Maui for $25. I was happy with that price...about 40%.

exciter1

ClutchPower said:

Everyone just remember that if you have the Walmart app on your phone, you can price match what you found to Toysrus. I got the Captain Rex At-Te and the U-Wing for $50. The U-Wing was $30 and the At-Te was $20. Just show the price and be friendly with the staff.

You are committing fraud and going against their store policies.  They specifically state they don't price match clearance.  You are taking advantage of unknowing employees. Please don't contribute to ruining any price matching possibilities in the future.

Yodalicious

^ Slow down there. He is not committing fraud. He is merely asking them to match. It’s up to the store if they choose to do it or not. I could take a $100 set to the register and ask them to sell it to me for $1. I’m not committing fraud or taking advantage of anyone. I’m simply asking for something. They can answer however they want. They can even throw me out of the store if they so wish, but I’m not doing anything wrong or close to illegal (which “fraud” implies). All he’s doing is saying “this store sells it for this price, will you match it?” If they say no, he moves on. 

Onebricktoomany

^ Correct.  Closest Toys r us has a manager with whom I've had lengthy discussions regarding price matches and even toys  r us policies.  Decisions are made by the managers.  THEIR practices may differ from the corporate policy and are taught to the rank/file. Policy was 2 minifigures for $5 and a limit of 8...  I bought 32 and all rang up as 2 for $5.  Did I commit fraud? I've even sought out  a manager when the CSR tells me something I know not to be true and the manager fixes the issue.  He's told me a few times that they have a lot of latitude with the pricing of Legos.  They're in business to sell and to keep customers coming back...

oops... Thought we were in the toys r us discussion.  RIF, ugh!!

Hanzo

Yeah, asking for a price match isn't fraud.  

Furthermore, the "taking advantage of unknowing employees" line has me triggered, it's not my fault if an employee doesn't know their own policy.  Sounds like a training issue.

tmgm528

Hanzo said:

Yeah, asking for a price match isn't fraud.  

Furthermore, the "taking advantage of unknowing employees" line has me triggered, it's not my fault if an employee doesn't know their own policy.  Sounds like a training issue.

Bingo. 

madforLEGO

I notice that when something rings up more expensive than it should be, everyone is  immediately screaming about it and it is wrong. However, if an employee flubs and one get something extra that one should not, no one says anything. That does not make it right, and the 'employee not knowing' is simply a cop out IMO.

IMO things like this DO add up. They tend to lead to tight restrictions on what can and a cannot be bought (or higher prices). Then all I hear are those that were taking advantage of something, saying it is on the employee, then complain once that loophole is closed, or advantage is stopped.

Hanzo

madforLEGO said:

I notice that when something rings up more expensive than it should be, everyone is  immediately screaming about it and it is wrong. However, if an employee flubs and one get something extra that one should not, no one says anything. That does not make it right, and the 'employee not knowing' is simply a cop out IMO.

IMO things like this DO add up. They tend to lead to tight restrictions on what can and a cannot be bought (or higher prices). Then all I hear are those that were taking advantage of something, saying it is on the employee, then complain once that loophole is closed, or advantage is stopped.

When I see an error like a cashier failing to scan something when checking me out or giving me the incorrect (too much) change I always bring it to their attention.  What does that have to do with asking for a price match though?

There are certainly people who try to scam the system....but nothing mentioned recently that I can see involves any of that.

pharmjod

So, if you all now know that Walmart specifically has a policy against price matching clearance will you continue to ask? 

Fizyx

There is almost never anything wrong with just asking, and certainly never anything wrong with asking in a retail situation like this..  If you throw a fit when they say no, that's something else, of course.  But you should never be afraid to just ask them if they'll do it.  They can say no if they can't or won't do it, and that's that.  No moral quandary raised for you just for asking.

Yodalicious

pharmjod said:

So, if you all now know that Walmart specifically has a policy against price matching clearance will you continue to ask? 

No. This is why I stopped asking a long time ago. Because I know it’s not within policy. My point was merely that’s its definitely not “fraud” to ask. 

I don’t price match that much at Walmart as it is. All of mine put up signs months ago that they were stopping the practice anyway. That and the customer service line to do it in is ridiculous. Compared to TRU or Target that takes mere minutes. 

kbw

Looks like some of the 2018 Star Wars sets are on sale online

ClutchPower

I've decided to not price match those anymore. I'm perfectly fine with them saying that I can't do it because it isn't in the policy. But IMO, I still don't consider it as "fraud" and I do think that the employees should know the rules about price matching. With that being said, I do respect everyone's opinion and didn't mean for this to be an uproar. Lets just go back to finding good deals on LEGO at Walmart. :)