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New Store in Manchester, UK

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  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    Just popped in for a check ahead of tomorrow. Was busy but not too busy. Lots of extra staff milling around. Some nice new stock they didnt have a week ago. No kind of queing system outside which may be fun tomorrow. I forgot my post cards so didnt get the freebie but was told it was a tie fighter star wars poly. !?! The mega build is outside next and gets you 10% off.
  • ChanMcLChanMcL Member Posts: 1,224
    Tie Fighter poly... reallly?!?
  • atkinsaratkinsar Member Posts: 4,258
    ^ how many of those things did they actually produce?!
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    edited August 2012
    ^ That's what the girl said. I was somewhat underwhelmed too.

    Obviously I've never been to one of these things, but there was no kind of special master-builder build going on that I could see. Just an area for kids to build stuff - which may or may not have turned into something special when put together. Lots of red bricks in big boxes is all I could really make out and I couldn't see any instructions for the kids to follow, but there may have been. I find it best as a 30 something man not to stand and stare at other peoples kids in shopping malls. It wasn't particularly busy there.

    Anyway, full steam ahead for tomorrow - the staff know its going to be the busiest day as its the 'best of the three gifts' but as the first time the mini stores have been available in the UK I'm not sure they realise just how busy it may be. Kind of glad Sheffield is opening next week to split the load a bit.

    Also didn't see the opening minifigs set, so not sure what they'll be. I think the T-Shirt had the girl on the postcard on.
  • TyoSoloTyoSolo Member Posts: 539
    I was going to cross the Pennines tomorrow for the mini store and the extra freebie. I won't bother if it's a Tie Fighter - I'll wait for the Sheffield Opening and AFOL morning.
  • ChanMcLChanMcL Member Posts: 1,224
    I'm not sure what to buy tmr, in Manchester.

    Going for some mini figures or a set of mini modulars? Hard decision!
  • pricey73pricey73 Member Posts: 352
    @ChanMcL maybe we could mind each others places in the queue?
    I think I know what I'm getting!
  • ChanMcLChanMcL Member Posts: 1,224
    @pricey73, i think i will go for the mini modulars, so look out for me at around 9ish ;) going to use the points on my VIP too. Also the 10% off postcard.

    Then a set of recycling truck for my brother. + a keyring.
  • pricey73pricey73 Member Posts: 352
    Funhouse for a mate of mine also the samurai mech, if not the mech then it'll be the monster fighters collectable set if not that it'll be......... Who knows?
    I'll get there for 8 with a bit of luck!
  • SirKevbagsSirKevbags Member Posts: 4,027
    Is opening time 9?
  • ChanMcLChanMcL Member Posts: 1,224
    Yeah it is opening at 9, but I'm fetching the train which doesnt arrive till 8:49... (It will be late too)
  • SiESiE Member Posts: 238
    So they would not give you the gift without the post card?

    Do they know what they are doing down there?

    I will be really annoyed if I can not get one tomorrow as they said they would give out bands at the event for the free store with £25 purchase. I rang tlg cust services and they didn't have a clue either.
  • SirKevbagsSirKevbags Member Posts: 4,027
    The card is just for the free Duplo brick. Spend the £25 and you will get the real free gift.

  • SirKevbagsSirKevbags Member Posts: 4,027
    Or as it turns out not Duplo, another Tie to throw on the pile.
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    edited August 2012
    No - what I was told today - the bands for the build are to get 10% off. You get the free gift (t-shirt,shop,minigifs) just for spending £25. The little free gift you need the postcard (but no purchase) - but depending on how they go they'll probably just give them away. If it is a tie fighter poly they'll probably struggle to even do that!
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    Update to my earlier comment - apparently the build event is "A hands-on building event to create your favourite Manchester landmark in red LEGO bricks!" Since I started working in the city the most memorable landmark was of Dawson's Music completely emptied of stock from the riots....

    To be honest, I can't think of one particular Manchester Landmark and the wording sounds to me like you don't just build one big thing between everyone but just get on and build your own landmark. Hilton hotel then, thats nice and easy. Anyway, choosing red bricks is a good way to alienate (more than) half the community. D'oh!
  • MatthewMatthew Administrator Posts: 3,714
    I can't make it tomorrow, but if anyone is able and willing to buy £25 worth of stuff and get a Brand Store for me I'd really appreciate it. I can paypal you the costs and postage.
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    ^ IF I can I will, but from talking to them today it seems they'll be strict about 1 person 1 free gift.
  • CalvCalv Member Posts: 904
    edited August 2012
    I'm going up on the train from Nuneaton, due in at 08:59 then hurtling to the Arndale Centre to meet up with pb66 to do some swapping in the queue. Look out for me, I'll be the one staggering in with a large blue Heart of England Co-op Carrier Bag with pb66's goodies - hang on, aren't you supposed to come out with Lego - not go in with it!

    Calv
  • CalvCalv Member Posts: 904
    Whats the Pick a Brick wall like? Any goodies on there?
  • sirrich69sirrich69 Member Posts: 531
    I like @matthew can't make it tomorrow, hopefully going on Sunday.
    If anyone is able and willing to buy £25 worth of stuff and get a Brand Store for me that would be great. The £25 spend could be on Team GB minifigs or Series 4 minfigs.

    I can send a paypal payment through if anyone is able to do this.

    Thanks,

    Mark
  • legomattlegomatt Member Posts: 2,543
    Aww man, can't anyone get there? I wish the postcard had a send-away option on it for those who can't go, which perhaps would enter you into a random draw - with the first 500 out the hat winning the free gift.

    Would be nice to go to one of these things one day - but wouldn't want to sacrifice a whole day & travel expense just to find the place empty of exclusives but full of rampaging kids dribbling ice-cream and chocolate over the brick walls.
    :oS
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    In the que already. Madness!
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    Free gift is a tie fighter Polly. Sadly
  • pd66pd66 Member Posts: 173
    Us too - about 9th or 10th - me and my son. Have signed up for build in advance to get the 10% off what we buy to get the free store. The staff are being very friendly giving out the tie poly and catalogues
  • bricknationbricknation Member Posts: 717
    ^^ What is madness? You being so early of the crowd?

    I can't be bothered to go even though I'm 10 minutes away and originally my wife offered to go with me in order to get two freebies.
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    edited August 2012
    ^ me being up at 6 on a Saturday for some free lego.

    They are apparently being strict 1 per person.
  • ChanMcLChanMcL Member Posts: 1,224
    I thought they don't open till 9!?
  • bricknationbricknation Member Posts: 717
    The plan was that I go to one till she goes to the other. I'm not going for the same reason you're calling it madness. I love LEGO but I'm not it's slave...
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    They dont but we started waiting before 8. Probably only 50 in line so far.
  • ChanMcLChanMcL Member Posts: 1,224
    I'm just outside Bank Fashion shop ;)
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    imagine they'll be almost if not run out now. It was interesting and a little depressing. They just opened the doors and let everyone in, but being British we lined up well. Still could barely move in there. Was sad that almost all overheard conversations in store and outside after involved ebay, that one shop sold for $150 or just how much many will be made reselling them. They were strict about one per person, even heard one per adult but I dont think they stuck to that. Glad I went and got a free shop. Glad I didnt take my kids even if I could have got more free shops. Being early it would have been fine and waiting was really pleasent too, but inside was rammed.
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    Oh forgot to say, got myself some Halloween polys and the monster fighters minifigs pack. Saw it all yesterday so knew exactly what I wanted.
  • sirrich69sirrich69 Member Posts: 531
    ^ so what you are saying look on ebay tonight for lego brand shop auctions and BIN.

    We could have a guess on how many will appear. I'l start 25.

    Am I correct in understanding 500 brand shops will be given out today.
  • sirrich69sirrich69 Member Posts: 531
    Just looked now. One already up there on ebay BIN for £99, free postage very generous.

    Seller from Rochdale. Spot the brand store auctions, perhaps we should start another thread.
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    300. And 300 next week at shefield.

    I would guess about 200 to 250 will be resold now or in the future.
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    Having said all that, I understand it and maybe will trade mine, as I bricklinked one before. But it felt more like a next sale (I imagine) than a lego grand opening, once they opened the doors.
  • MatthewMatthew Administrator Posts: 3,714
    Hopefully with TLG opening more stores every year one day these will be everywhere and not worth more than a tenner.
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    I wonder what TLG make of it. Its surely exciting, creates a buzz but the spirit is all wrong imo - once the doors open. Before then the staff do everything they can to make it feel special, and no doubt sales are good. I suspect it will feel better later today, but there will be no shops left.
  • MatthewMatthew Administrator Posts: 3,714
    I think they could do with giving out something nice, but not wildly collectible, maybe a free minifigure of a LEGO store employee (like on the [email protected] header), and if that was the same at every store opening, they wouldn't recah more than £5 - £10 on eBay...
  • pricey73pricey73 Member Posts: 352
    Just made it back to work, got my shop, will be building it tonight, no intention of re-selling.
    Was busy but actually didn't mind queuing outside as met up with @kevbags and a couple of others. We were about tenth in line and when the doors opened it was every one for themselves, managed to get out quite quickly though!
  • ChanMcLChanMcL Member Posts: 1,224
    @pricey73 I think I saw you. Not sure. I was with my brother and cousin, 3 chinese men ;)

    Building the model store now! It is very nice!
  • pricey73pricey73 Member Posts: 352
    @ChanMcL think you guys were about 15ft behind us, I was the tall guy with @kevbags, only sorry I couldn't stick around for a chat but had to rush off. Glad to hear that somebody else is building theirs, so that's definitely two that aren't being sold on @cheshirecat!
  • ChanMcLChanMcL Member Posts: 1,224
    @pricey73 I was outside Bank Fashion at the queue before opening.

    Well my brother has one more store model to keep, no sales.
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    I was about 7th including kids, actually think I was right in front of pd66, had a boy with him and a big box. Think there might have been bricksetters just behind as well, one with a fancy looking pram?
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    There was also someone just in front who had a lock up full of lego he was 'collecting'. One of us?
  • ChanMcLChanMcL Member Posts: 1,224
    edited August 2012
    I thought you were first for some reason.. :S

    My brother was in the queue for paying while I went round the shop to grab my wanted list ;) glad the newly promoted manager? Heather?? Helped us in the queue..
  • pricey73pricey73 Member Posts: 352
    @cheshirecat where you the one with the cap? The lock-up might have been my garage!
    I collected a couple of campervans from Robert clarkson.
    Kevbags was talking to the couple with the fancy pram!
  • pd66pd66 Member Posts: 173
    That was me @cheshirecat my boy was amusing himself on my iPad while we waited - should have said hello! Traded my republic frigate for a scorpion pyramid with @calv after getting a kingdoms chess set for me and the boy picking a couple of monster fighters sets with a store freebie each. I'll be honest at least one of mine will be trade or eBay fodder - not the most exciting set for a 6 year old!

    Spread the brickset word as well with the couple behind me who had not heard of the site
  • LostInTranslationLostInTranslation Member Posts: 5,572
    Sounds great that you all got to chat while waiting. Proper little get-together!
    I wish I could've made it or could go next week but just a bit too far really.
    Enjoy building your store models!
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