LEGO stores in Australia.

Charmiefcb

Well. Lego seem to finally be getting into the Australian retail market by opening up Lego stores under license. (We also got our own warehouse so no more waiting for a week or 2 for our sets to come)

There is one in Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney and an article I read says they want to open one or two in each major city.

So I thought this thread could be used to inform of other stores opening around the country.

I hope Lego stores do well here and it makes it easy to go and get hard to find and exclusive sets under one roof over finding out which retailer has which set as an exclusive.

Aleydita

Having its own warehouse opens up the possibility that Australia could still have sets available that have long since sold out in other regions.

Baby_Yoda

As far as I know, there are no plans for any actual Brand stores, so no VIP cards and no guarantee for any special offers or GWPs, but I'm certain Pick-a-brick etc. are going to be in the Sydney store, at least.

Aleydita said:

Having its own warehouse opens up the possibility that Australia could still have sets available that have long since sold out in other regions.

Unfortunately the warehouse, while making things much quicker and cheaper for us, has an issue with demand for certain sets being much more than they can keep up with - especially where other countries have no issue. I think it's getting a little better now, though. Hopefully they overshoot and we end up seeing retired sets all over Lego stores. That happens quite frequently with Toyworld.

Charmiefcb

There is a new LEGO store in Sydney at Broadway Shopping Centre opening tomorrow.

Jenni

That is so much more convenient! Thanks @Charmiefcb, I was not looking forward to trekking out to Bondi this Christmas.

If you go, would you please report on the PAB wall? Cups are 3,000 yen here and I'm going into withdrawal! :)

Snizzlebutts

There is a store in Doncaster Melbourne. It’s part of the same people that run the one in Bondi. A shame since it has no online presence AT ALL. The website sucks beyond all belief.

When they asked if I was a VIP I answered yes but turns out it’s a seperate VIP, which is just your purchases at that store. Kind of annoying.

https://bricksmegastore.com/

scottdd2

Did I hear that Adelaide was finally getting one at Marion?

Charmiefcb

They're advertising jobs for it so it looks like it's happening. I'm surprised actually seeing the retail environment right now. I thought they would hold off opening any new stores for a while.

scottdd2

Charmiefcb said:

They're advertising jobs for it so it looks like it's happening. I'm surprised actually seeing the retail environment right now. I thought they would hold off opening any new stores for a while.

Yeah I went for a drive the other day to check it out, just the boards across the front saying opening soon etc. Things are pretty good in SA and if it opens just before Christmas they may be trying to grab that trade.

Brickchap

Robina store ran out of Charles Dickens set, again. They refuse to hold GWPs which I guess is understandable.

Robina store is much better then Dreamworld although I am puzzled by all these different 'Lego' stores which have PaB walls, Build a Minfig and all the usual Lego store stuff but all the points programs are different and none connected to the one in Denmark.

(hence I have some unused points online as theres no point ordering from Denmark when i can go to a real store, free postage too if one ignores the petrol cost)

Any chance of a store opening in Canberra? Some Robina store staff seemed to think it quite possible. 

Glad to see an Australian post on here, Aussie Aussie Aussie! Its very disheartening knowing about all the great stuff that goes on overseas whereas here I find only apathy from most people and its very hard to get pieces.

Bricks and mortar (pun not intended) stores are very necessary in Australia, as they make Lego a fun experience for the whole family rather then just a couple of 'too expensive' sets on a shelf at BigW which is what a lot of people see Lego as.

I really think Lego needs to invest in 'public spirit' if you like, of the general Australian public, like in Europe and the US generally Id say people are pretty supportive of Lego and us FOLs Lego is cool, might not be your thing but its an art form and therefore worthy of respect.

The only reason lego and us fans have got a little more respect is due to Lego Masters (and probably only because that idiot Hamish was on it).

Sure proves how bad it is to be a Lego fan down under, every other Lego masters had two important or interesting Lego-affiliated hosts, we had Brickman (nothing against Ryan hes a great bloke and an awesome builder) and some fool off Channel 9 just so the general sheep I mean public had a 'familiar' face.

Theres plenty of great FOLs here (Met Damian and Andrew at Robina, great chaps very down-to-earth like Brickman) but unlike Europe or the US we are all quite isolated unless you live in a major city and even then its very hard.

Sometimes I feel like Northern Hemisphere fans have a Lego store on every street corner, not true of course and I know some countries still dont have any stores but it sure feels like it. And it would be much better living overseas as there are more Lego fans, therefore more Bricklink stores to access.

Tonks73

Lego Store at Highpoint, Victoria opened a coupla months ago. Pretty nice. Decent staff.

Brickchap

Whats the chance of a Lego store opening in Canberra?

Charmiefcb

Probably very good. They opened one in Newcastle recently so I would say Canberra will get one eventually.

scottdd2

Got to say, the staff at the Adelaide store aren't that helpful, I made a special trip down to Marion (about 50 minutes from home) to get there when they opened to pick up the Looney Tunes figs and the 60's Batmobile only to find out there was a shipping delay and they didn't have or even knew when they would get them in. When asked if I could leave my number and have them ring when it arrives I got a cold no and to just keep checking the website. 
The website isn't that helpful either because you have to go through the process before picking the store, only to then find out they are not in stock.
Where's the customer service? 

Brickchap

Ive missed out on soooo many GWPs, Ive had to drive two hours up to Robina (originally Dreamworld which is even further). Mostly staff there are great but they are adamant about no holds (which is fine thats not quite what I was asking for). The main annoyance is one person says one thing then someone else says another.

I really really wanted that 1950s car (I love old cars and sadly we never get any in Lego). NOPE missed out. Amelia Earhart would have been nice since I love old planes too but NOPE missed out. The only reason I managed to get Charles Dickens was they overordered or something and so were selling them in surplus for $35 which was quite good.

Any ideas where I can get the 1950s car GWP for a reasonable price in Australia? (I dont need sealed box or mint condition any of that I just want the car)

scottdd2

Brickchap said:

Ive missed out on soooo many GWPs, Ive had to drive two hours up to Robina (originally Dreamworld which is even further). Mostly staff there are great but they are adamant about no holds (which is fine thats not quite what I was asking for). The main annoyance is one person says one thing then someone else says another.

I really really wanted that 1950s car (I love old cars and sadly we never get any in Lego). NOPE missed out. Amelia Earhart would have been nice since I love old planes too but NOPE missed out. The only reason I managed to get Charles Dickens was they overordered or something and so were selling them in surplus for $35 which was quite good.

Any ideas where I can get the 1950s car GWP for a reasonable price in Australia? (I dont need sealed box or mint condition any of that I just want the car)

Best bet would be Bricklink, I can check out the Adelaide store when I go and pick up my Looneytunes and Batmobile (yes they came in today it seems so order placed tonight)

DoktorL

One Bricklink seller in Australia sells it for AU$ 35. https://store.bricklink.com/Geggalegs?itemID=244506866#/shop

scottdd2

LEGO certified store at Marion had 2 decent pieces in the PaB wall, 1x2 light bluish grey masonry profile #98283 and olive green small leaves #2423. Wonder what my chances are getting a second grab when I go back Jan 2nd for the modular?