Barnes & Noble: 7 hard to find sets now available

BazookaJoeX9

Just received an email from B&N they have the following sets for sale online only:
71016: Kwik-e Mart
76023: The Tumbler
75060: Slave 1
75095: Tie Fighter
10242: MINI Cooper
76042: Helicarrier
10246: Detective's Office

Does anyone know if the 10% off you get with the B&N Membership work with these? Do the 15% - 20% off coupons they send out regularly work with these? It doesn't say anything about no discounts, just limit 5 per customer.

scrapd

If you order online you only get free shipping.  That's how it used to work, but I haven't bought from Barnes and Noble since they start ed excluding Lego from their coupon offers.

scotty12

Not sure for certain anymore...I let my membership expire in the spring.  But if it's "online only"...you don't received the 10% off...it's free shipping instead.  Not sure about the regular 20% off coupons they send in email....there were normally "LEGO" exclusions...but who knows.

goshe7

They actually appeared over the weekend.  My online code for 15% off coupon did not work in cart with Slave I.

Bricklover18

My 20% off coupons for B&N have always worked when I buy the architecture sets.  

pharmjod

Good luck now. Even that loophole is being closed by BN. Apparently there is a system wide update that is rolling out gradually that ends the architecture discount. 

77ncaachamps

pharmjod said:

Good luck now. Even that loophole is being closed by BN. Apparently there is a system wide update that is rolling out gradually that ends the architecture discount. 

My recent experiences in late July concur with @pharmjod's statement.

Normally, the coupon goes through. The employees are more keen now that Lego is excluded, but if you can still find the one person who will manually discount it, you're in luck.

It's just not worth it anymore to be a B&N customer. 

eggshen

Those coupons still work on Architecture. That helps me out a ton since my oldest son is really into that series. Pretty much the only way to get the more expensive sets at a discount. 

77ncaachamps

Good to know!

Thanks, @eggshen! I will definitely pick one up since it's cheaper than Lego S@H.

ecmo47

The frequent 20% off coupons have excluded Lego for at least a year. It's pretty easy to find an employee that will overlook this but it will not work on line.

SithLord196

My fiance bought the Sydney Opera House set a couple months back but we opted to not try using the 20% off coupon because it specifically said that it excluded Lego items.

Kind of wish we had tried. I also told her she should get it that day because it was being discontinued, but there's been like 2 sitting on the shelf at our local B&N since.

goshe7

ixvst012 found has far more than 7 exclusives.  I'm hoping this means they plan to increase selection. 
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/terms-and-conditions/coupon-exclusions?cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-TnL5HPStwNw-_-10:1

Keeping my fingers crossed...

pharmjod

The system wide update is also now excluding architecture. If it still works at your store, give it time. It won't soon enough. They are literally closing ALL loopholes. Finding a person to do a manual override is not a loophole but rather a likely violation of policy. I've never been a B&N shopper as there isn't one close to me, but this would be the final nail in the coffin for me if I did shop there.

eggshen

I received one of the B&N 15% off coupons in my email today. I have never been able to use the code online, but I have always been able to use the coupon in-store. 

Every time I go through the same process. The clerk tells me that it can't be used on LEGO, I tell them that the coupon states that it can't be used on LEGO in their Toys and Games section but Architecture sets are in their Hobbies and Collectibles section. They call a supervisor. The supervisor reads the coupon, then says to try since the system will reject the coupon if it is not valid. The clerk scans the coupon, the computer accepts the code, both the employees look surprised, and I walk out with a 15% savings.

They have a button on their computer that will override the restrictions and accept any coupon as valid, I know that they are not hitting that button. I know about that button because one time the supervisor told the clerk to make sure they DON'T hit that button.

I won't have time to try the newest coupon this weekend though. I did check the restrictions and it is identical to previous coupons. It expires on Sunday and the family and I have back to school shopping planned all weekend.  :'( 

If anyone else has this coupon and purchases an Architecture set maybe they could report back?

77ncaachamps

I'll try.

ryjay

If it works when scanned, why even call over a supervisor, just ask the clerk to scan it first, if it works great, if not then call a supervisor and play the category game.

77ncaachamps

ryjay said:

If it works when scanned, why even call over a supervisor, just ask the clerk to scan it first, if it works great, if not then call a supervisor and play the category game.

What's frustrating is when workers are engrained with the idea (from their manager) that Lego is 100% excluded.

eggshen

@77ncaachamps did you get a chance to try the coupon over the weekend? If not then I will give it a go when I get the next one. They seem to come out every 6 weeks or so. 

@ryjay, the reason that a supervisor is called over is just as 77ncaachamps points out, they are trained that LEGO is always excluded on coupons. I bet they get a stern talking to if they mess up, so pass the decision up the chain of command to avoid getting written up. They might be afraid of getting in trouble if the coupon goes through and they won't supposed to scan it. I don't know, but it always goes down that way, and I have yet to be checked out by the same person.