Wanted: Ninjago minifigs for little boy

Shpadoinkle

Folks,

I came across the following ad today on craigslist:

http://lansing.craigslist.org/wan/3614900524.html

My heart immediately broke for this little boy. When I was young I had a few things stolen from me at school and I never forgot it.

I contacted the mother and received the attached picture with circles around the minifigs that were stolen. I also spent the last few minutes compiling the following list of the figures with their corresponding sets:

Lloyd ZX Elemental Robes b12dkNJ

Jay (normal?) 2263, 2257, 2506, 2259, 30084, 30082

Cole (shoulder pads?) 9447

Kai (Kendo) 9456, 9558

Lizaru 9557

Pythor 9449

Lasha 9447

Bytar 9448

Chokun 9450


Is there anyone out there in brickset land that can help me pick up a few or all of the figures? I was originally hoping that most of the stolen ones would be from the same set, and I could just buy the set and give the boy the figures, but these seem to be from all over the place which is why I'm reaching out to other collectors.

Caveat: I know NOTHING about Ninjago and don't collect it, so some of the above may be very valuable, I really don't know. But I'd like to help this little guy out if I can. I'm willing to pay up to a reasonable amount to help him get his figures, but the better deal I can get the more figures I'll be able to replace.

Thanks for reading.

dneul

I don't have the specific ones listed but I would love to send the little boy a care package. Can you pm me the address?

Shpadoinkle

I will talk with the mom and see if she'll pass that information on. Thanks so much!

melsig

I'm not active on these forums, but I saw your post - I have an extra Bytar booster pack I picked up after Christmas at Walmart. Will be happy to send one. These minifigs are so desirable to the kids and so easy to conceal - it's really annoying. My son's Serpentines started mysteriously disappearing around the holidays. I finally caught one of his friends pocketing something during a play date, but of course, I was never able to prove that the boy took the other figures. (And face it, if a child wanted to hide a few of these, they'd be virtually impossible to find.) I had to replace all of the missing ones myself - although at least I did have good luck finding the relevant sets on clearance.

Shpadoinkle

Thanks so much for your help fellows! If we can even replace just half of the guys he lost I think that will make a big difference for the little guy!

Shpadoinkle

One other thing, I have compiled a bricklink list of the figures (see attached) and in a few days I do plan to order several and have them sent to the mom. But if there are any bricksetters that have a number of them and would perhaps be willing to make me a deal I will pay you! Thanks!

pd66

The Lloyd one appears a little expensive on your list seeing as it comes with a book that we can buy for £5 over here in the UK - you want me to see if I can source one for you?

Also, think I may have a spare #30082 which contains the blue Jay figure and possibly a #30087 which contains a Cole but without the shoulder piece - they are on my trade list at the moment but don't think they are on any of the ongoing negotiations.

Also on my trade list is a nisb Lasha spinner #9562

So, between them I may be able to cover about half the list?

Only challenge is I am on the wrong side of the Atlantic so shipping would be more expensive? Could save a little by opening sets and only sending the figures and obviously the same with the book, particularly with the spinner etc.

Let me know what you think and what sorts of prices you were thinking and I will look for the book while I'm out and about this weekend?

Shpadoinkle

@pd66, let me send you a PM and we'll see what we can work out. It may be worth dealing with the shipping, it may not, but let's see what we can do! Thanks!

dneul

The stuff I sent is on its way. I sent it priority so it should be there in 2-3 days

Shpadoinkle

So I had a thought to send a message to TLG to see if they could help me out on a discount for the figures. I offered to pay them, and included a list of the figures along with the address of the little boy so that when I purchased them they could send them directly along. A couple hours later I received the following:


Dear Dan,

Thanks for getting in touch with us.

I'm very sorry to hear about the story of (the boy) whose Ninjago minifigures were taken from him.

We are more than happy to send him the minifigures he needs right out to him absolutely free. I have gone ahead and sent along most of the minifigures on the list but unfortunately the pieces to Pythor and Lizaru are no longer available. A few of the pieces he needs for the characters are currently on backorder until 02/21/13. Once they become available again (the boy) will receive his minifigures in 7-10 business days.

Thanks again for getting in touch. We're always pleased to receive feedback from LEGO fans! If you could take a moment to complete a four question survey by going to the link below, it will help us make sure we are providing the best customer service to you.

http://www.econsumeraffairs.com/lsi/ensurvey.html?F1=032812015B

Please let us know if you need anything else.

Happy building!

Hannah
LEGO Consumer Services


HOW ABOUT THAT?!?! TLG stepped up and went above and beyond to help the little guy out! We all knew their customer service was good...very good...but this is AWESOME!!!

This response coupled with the generous people here on Brickset who were willing to open their hearts and wallets and help out a stranger makes me feel like we really do share a special hobby.

I'm going to go ahead and purchase a Lizaru and Pythor to complete the last two missing minifigs. Hopefully within a couple of weeks the little guy will have all of his little guys back!!!

dneul

That is so awesome

melsig

Wow, that's great to hear! And, way to go, @Shpadoinkle - you did a good thing.

indigobox

That's what we like to see. Quality delivery again by TLG

mountebank

That really is excellent.

metalaxe

Shpadoinkle... Sent you a message about replacing the Lizaru minifig

Shpadoinkle

Thanks so much @metalaxe! We were able to replace all of the figs (the last two courtesy of a BL order.) Hopefully by the end of the week the young man should have all of his figures back!

I suppose mods can close this thread. Thank you everyone!

dneul

I received a thank you letter today from the boy. He even drew a picture. :)

indigobox

That's so cool. Makes collecting LEGO worth while :)

LegoFanTexas

indigobox said:

That's so cool. Makes collecting LEGO worth while :)

+1 !!!

Shpadoinkle

That is fantastic! I haven't heard from the mom in a little while but did get an email from TLG yesterday that the last couple of figures are being mailed.

The letter is definitely fridge-worthy!

Pitfall69

Yet, people continue to bash Lego for the Valentine's Keychain fiasco. Way to step up Lego.