Which is your favourite LEGO shop and why?

AndyPol

I have never been to a LEGO shop and had a bad experience (although my wallet has!) but I was wondering if people had a preference of one shop over another? I'm lucky because where I live, Leicester Square, Stratford and Bluewater are all within my reach, and a couple of times I've been to Brighton as well. My preference however, is Bluewater first, Stratford 2nd and Leicester Square last (not fair to rate Brighton as I've only been there twice).

Leicester Square is a great place, and the displays are second to none, the stock is normally excellent, the staff are always friendly, but I don't get the same feel I do at the others? Like I say, I've never had a bad experience, just not as great as at the other two.

Stratford is smaller of course, and their customer base is different than central London, but I find them very helpful and the staff more knowledgable than at Leicester Sq.

Bluewater is my number one, probably because ever since I went in many years ago, as a reborn AFOL and too embarrassed to say the stuff I was buying was for me, they gave me that look that said they did not believe me, and they helped me realise that adults could enjoy LEGO too, without shame! lol Many years later, it's like going to see a friend, they always have staff that are knowledgable, chatty, and although the other stores have "expert bag feelers", they are always on hand to assist looking for that elusive minifig!

I have also been in all three with my children, but again, Bluewater always seemed to pip the others at the post for the "family" feeling.

I don't know if Bluewater has more consistency in it's team, because despite meeting very friendly staff in the other two, never seem to see them again?

I know I'm lucky to have the option of three shops to visit, and I must reiterate that all the LEGO shops are great, but I just thought I'd ask if anyone else has a preference of which is their favouirte shop and why?

Shropshire

My preference of those I visit is Birmingham, Stratford, Liverpool, Leicester Square. If was including LDC's it would be Birmingham, Stratford, Birmingham LDC, Liverpool, Manchester LDC, Leicester Square.

klinton

What a fun thread idea! I really enjoy visiting the Lego Store, and I'm not at all a fan of shopping in general. 

There are two Lego Stores here in Montréal, but I only really visit one. The staff at the Laval location are all freaking rockstars! It's a bit farther of a trip for me (it's off the island, on the north shore), but the staff there always make it worth the trip. There was an occasion where the entire staff on shift were feeling out CMFs for me, despite having other tasks they were supposed to be attending to. They're always willing to bend the rules a bit to ensure I leave completely satisfied.  They're everything you've come to expect from Lego's outstanding customer service, and then some. :D 

Gibbo1959

Got to be Gateshead Metrocentre for me. Mainly as it’s the only one that doesn’t require travelling what feels like at least halfway down the country to get to! Also a really great shop team there. Family trips can take in MK and Brighton and I managed to get to Manchester on a work trip and Liverpool on a city break with Mrs G. Hoping to get to Birmingham for the first time next month.

daewoo

I prefer the store in Stonebriar Mall in Frisco over the store in Northpark Center in Dallas, even though it's a good deal more distant.  It has a bigger footprint and doesn't feel as crowded. 

andywilson

Only been to Brighton, which is conveniently a 5 minute walk from our office - they're always friendly and helpful - haven't been there in the last couple of weeks though, everyone in Brighton seems more interested in face masks than bricks lately :)

CCC

I'll repeat my answer from here: https://forum.brickset.com/discussion/17342/the-best-lego-store

The best one is normally the one closest to you, unless you have multiple that are easy to get to.

Although I think staff tend to be worse / less knowledgeable these days than in the past. I've experienced staff in Leeds, Sheffield and Leicester Square that didn't know about current sets that should have been on shelves but weren't although got what I was after by talking to the manager / other staff instead.

AndyPol

CCC said:

I'll repeat my answer from here: https://forum.brickset.com/discussion/17342/the-best-lego-store

Sorry, I did a search before posting but should have got my teenage son to search, he's rapidly becoming better at IT online than me!

That said, I fully agree with your points, and maybe it's turnover of staff in certain locations that cause lack of knowledge?

CCC

AndyPol said:

CCC said:

I'll repeat my answer from here: https://forum.brickset.com/discussion/17342/the-best-lego-store

Sorry, I did a search before posting but should have got my teenage son to search, he's rapidly becoming better at IT online than me!

The search isn't great, I just remember things!

My alternative answer is that my favourite LEGO shop is Amazon. No cancelling orders due to purchase limits, decent customer service, fast delivery, and better prices than LEGO.

MaffyD

Just for sheer convenience, Leeds wins out for me because while I'm browsing there, my other half and my gang can look somewhere else. It's also very easy to get to, which is the other half of it. I can almost get to the Manchester one as quickly, but not quite. And it's smaller.

The staff in both locations are very helpful, but maybe because it's our first choice the staff in Leeds greet me more enthusiastically and will help me out more: assist with my CMF bag feel searches, no reluctance with multiple transactions for GWP, that sort of thing.

I don't mind if they're not knowledgeable - I already have all that in my head - I want them to be efficient and friendly, which they always are.

The LDC at Trafford Centre is both easier to get to (motorway then a vast car park) and harder to get to (it's not in the main building, you have to go somewhere else) and it feels a bit... impersonal? Like it's not quite as friendly. Might be because I don't go there very often.

And online will always win for certain things, but I'm presuming those are pretty much for granted these days, and the 'in-store' experience is for shopping requirements that online stores do not cater to (exclusivity and the look of something 'in the hand' so to speak).

KungFuKenny

My home store is Barton Creek in Austin, and I’ve been to Rockefeller Center, Forum des Halles, and  Leicester Square among others... my favorite has to be Water Tower Place in Chicago though.  The floor plan is nicely spread out, there is a large PAB selection, and the staff is pretty helpful and knowledgeable (at least the times I have visited).  Last fall they even pulled out a built ‘89 Batmobile from the back for me to check out a full week before it had been released or put on display in the store...

Charmiefcb

I mainly get my sets from stores in Sydney CBD. Hobbyco and Myer. The City is only a 7 minute bus ride from my closest stop. They usually get the big non exclusive sets. I also have an independent toy store near me that sells LEGO so I go in there often and buy smaller City sets etc. They usually get the Star Wars and Harry Potter sets before everyone else as well.

Recently I have used the LEGO Store in Bondi Junction for picking up exclusive sets. Works well. Just get a train from Town Hall and it's only a very short walk to the store.

CCC

I think Leeds (and Stratford) has to be one of the best for being close to a mainline station where you are likely to change, ideal if just passing through from one train to another. It is about a 3-4 minute walk. In contrast, having to go off track to the Metrocentre or Meadowhall is a pain if you are just passing through the city.

I guess Southampton would be similar in West Quay.

Speedman29

My closest is Westfield, but I've only been once. I'm lucky that my job takes me around the country a fair bit with customers in Cardiff, Brighton, Central London, Watford, Milton Keynes, Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester! I'm normally able to fit in a trip to a store on most jobs. Got a survey in London next week so I suspect another wander into Leicester Sq will happen.

MarkPhoto

Prefer getting Lego in store, so living in Watford, have a store here which is good. Have used John Lewis, The Entertainer and Smyths. Don't really like Smyths as a shop, though my wallet has on the occaissions that I've been there (£78 for the Forrest Harvester back in May 2019)

bpk2300

The Disney Springs Lego Store is my favorite. It's one of the bigger stores, and I love the atmosphere there and the surrounding area. It's also nostalgic because I went there when I was 8 yrs old during our big Disney World trip, and I got #5938-1 and built it in the hotel that night.

There is now a new Lego Store 5 minutes away from my house, but I still prefer the Disney Springs location.