Expiring VIP points

GeordiePaul

So I got an email today informing me that my VIP points will be expiring on December 31st, which is really inconvenient because I was specifically saving them up for the next modular and we all know that goes on sale on January 1st.

My wife came up with an idea to try and get around this (she's in MENSA for a reason) and that idea is this - just buy something on December 31st and use up all of my VIP points, then just return the item the next day and exchange it for the 2017 modular. Genius!

What I'm wondering is, can this be done in reality? Do Lego stores accept returns as long as the item hasn't been opened? And will they have a problem with the fact that $100 of VIP points was used to pay for it? Curious to know if this plan is viable.

sklamb

About a year ago I was able to exchange an unopened Lonely Mountain which I'd just received from [email protected] for a Lonely Mountain at 20% off at the local Lego store plus credit towards another set I bought at the store. As long as you have an unopened, undamaged set to return I don't see why your wife's plan wouldn't work.

GeordiePaul

@sklamb Thanks! Judging by your experience it shouldn't be a problem. I can rest at ease now.

TigerMoth

GeordiePaul said:

What I'm wondering is, can this be done in reality? Do Lego stores accept returns as long as the item hasn't been opened? And will they have a problem with the fact that $100 of VIP points was used to pay for it? Curious to know if this plan is viable.

I wouldn't count on it. They like their data, and to keep it accurate they could refund / purchase rather than exchange - and if they "refund" the points, they may preserve the date on them so they just vanish.

TwoToneBricks

I'm confused I thought points didn't expire?

TwoToneBricks

I'm dumb had to look it up for myself. I guess I just assumed I never had to worry about them, but I've been saving up for a long time now. Haven't received an email yet so I think I'm good, but I'm tempted to burn them on the bat cave or cincerellas castle. 

GeordiePaul

@TwoToneBricks I had no idea either until I received my email from Lego. They don't exactly advertise the fact, which I think is a shame. At least they've given me a few months to decide what to do with them I suppose.

RedMark

It's a shame you cannot transfer them to a gift card. 

GeordiePaul

@MrMark I agree, it is a shame. Not sure why they have to expire at all. Maybe it's to force customers to actually spend the money because unused VIP points are no good for Lego's profit margins?

xwingpilot

^ TLG don't want to have to babysit VIP points indefinitely on dormant accounts. It also encourages active customers to buy regularly. 

madforLEGO

GeordiePaul said:

So I got an email today informing me that my VIP points will be expiring on December 31st, which is really inconvenient because I was specifically saving them up for the next modular and we all know that goes on sale on January 1st.

My wife came up with an idea to try and get around this (she's in MENSA for a reason) and that idea is this - just buy something on December 31st and use up all of my VIP points, then just return the item the next day and exchange it for the 2017 modular. Genius!

What I'm wondering is, can this be done in reality? Do Lego stores accept returns as long as the item hasn't been opened? And will they have a problem with the fact that $100 of VIP points was used to pay for it? Curious to know if this plan is viable.

Can you do something like this? Should you be abusing a good faith policy because you do not want to have to use your points sooner than later? Not IMO.
Actually if the points were set to expire on Dec 31, I doubt that would change when you returned the item as I believe the points are returned back to you, BUT I wonder if LEGO would then turn around and say 'you lose these x points unfortunately because they expired on Dec31st'.

Also, are ALL of your points expiring, but only those that were earned beyond 2 years ago (unless that is how long you have been holding all of them for)? I would say check you VIP transaction history to see what transactions occurred two years ago and then see if you can use those points now to buy something small and try to recoup some of the loss with some new points (as this weekend (10/2-10/2 is double points I believe).

GeordiePaul said:

@MrMark I agree, it is a shame. Not sure why they have to expire at all. Maybe it's to force customers to actually spend the money because unused VIP points are no good for Lego's profit margins?

Points are good for two years according to LEGO's FAQ in the VIP section, plenty of time to be used and not sat on IMO (and LEGOs as well)

flord

^ All of October is Double Points.

madforLEGO

flord said:

^ All of October is Double Points.

Yeah realized that after looking at the main page. Thought the email I got only said this weekend.

MooreFX

I just realized something today.  It is best not to redeem VIP dollars during double points promotions.  It isn''t that much savings, but I used $30.00 today and realized, if I would have waited and saved those points, I would have another $3.00 in the account from today's purchase.  I think that means I would have $1.50 more to spend by waiting.  Just a thought I wanted to share.

jmeninno

I won't spend any VIP points during "double points" promotion times for that very reason.

jmeninno

It's really an optimization problem.  In addition to our LEGO problem.  :)

MegtheCat

^^I agree. Save the VIP points for Brick Friday or other Christmas shopping opportunities.

MooreFX

MegtheCat said:

^^I agree. Save the VIP points for Brick Friday or other Christmas shopping opportunities.

That is a good idea.  Out of habit I have been using VIP dollars for mixels, so that is what I did today.  No more mixels anyway, so no habit to continue.  There was only one brush guy left on the rack, so I am glad I got a complete set today.  He is really cute too with the push broom tail.  :)

ryjay

What are the chances the Jan 1 2017 items are available to VIPs  a few days earlier then the 1st anyway?  If so, then you could still buy and use the points for what you want.

GeordiePaul

@ryjay That would be amazing if it happened and would solve my problem. Not sure if this has ever happened before with previous modulars though. I certainly don't remember it happening in January of this year with the Brick Bank.

GeordiePaul

@madforLEGO I think calling it an abuse is a little harsh. It's certainly something that I don't want to do, but Lego has forced my hand a bit, hasn't it? I bought a hell of a lot of Lego to earn those points that Lego kindly gifted to me, and fully intend on spending them on January 1st for the new modular. It's just really frustrating to potentially lose some or all of them a mere 24 hours before I wanted to spend them.

I've given the Lego company a fair bit of my money over the years and it's not like I'm robbing them. I'm just trying to get around a situation that's been forced upon me. I hope you can try and see it from my point of view, although you're obviously welcome to your opinion too.

TigerMoth

GeordiePaul said:

I'm just trying to get around a situation that's been forced upon me.

You weren't forced to get a VIP card; you chose to. Whether or not you read the terms and conditions, they were there for you to read before you made your choice. The situation was not not forced upon you.

Trying to unilaterally change the terms isn't fair. You could, of course, try getting them to agree on a change by calling them.

GeordiePaul

@TigerMoth Fair enough, I'm certainly not looking for an argument with anyone. Just slightly frustrated, that's all. I'll draw a line under the matter now.

I'll take your advice and give them a call.

Mr_Pharmacist

@GeordiePaul Preorder it

Lordmoral

This is interesting. Sadly there is not a single Lego store in Puerto Rico.

GeordiePaul

@Mr_Pharmacist A simple yet brilliant solution to my problem. Much appreciated!