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Strange/ Old sets you found in the wild

scratchdeskscratchdesk Member Posts: 155
edited January 2014 in Collecting
Thought this might be kind of interesting. In our many trips out to WalMart/ Target/ TRU etc have you encountered strange, old or otherwise out of place sets on the shelves?

Just today at TRU I stumbled across:
6212 X-Wing Fighter (at $59.99)
and
Bricktober Forestman that rang up for $.01 (assume they were supposed to get rid of them after the promotion)

Last week at WalMart I grabbed:
8019 Republic Attack Shuttle ($15.00)
8037 Anakin's Y-Wing ($39.00)

The X-Wing was pretty surprising to me. So what have others found lingering on store shelves after retirement?
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Comments

  • DuchessaDuchessa Member Posts: 287
    edited January 2012
    I found a sun bleeched, but unopened box of http://www.brickset.com/detail/?set=6319-1 in a toy store in Italy back in 2007. The set is from 1993, so it must have been there on the shelf for quite a while :) I didn't really need it, but I just couldn't leave it there for another 14 years....
  • LostInTranslationLostInTranslation Member Posts: 5,572
    Last week I was in a local toy shop and found 3 old Technic sets on the shelves (allegedly on sale but actually above RRP):

    http://brickset.com/detail/?Set=8454-1
    http://brickset.com/detail/?Set=8472-1
    http://brickset.com/detail/?Set=8274-1

    The rest of the Lego aisle was filled with 2012 stuff, there was just these 3 random sets left over. I asked if there was other older stuff but no. Didn't buy any of them :)
  • Ma1234Ma1234 Member Posts: 693
    When I was in Greece in 2006, I found dozens of old sets at toy stores, as far back dating to 1990. My favorite was a 6396 International Jetport.
  • dk1007dk1007 Member Posts: 49
    Went to TRU today and found two brand new perfect condition 7752 at $59.99. Used the $10 off over $50 and then used my TRU rewards coupon. Got both for 45% off.

    http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=7752-1
  • zjygkmattzjygkmatt Member Posts: 75
    It seems really rare to come across anything relatively old around my area. But I found 8089, Hoth Wampa sets at a target a few weeks ago on clearance, only a shock to me because I saw this set a year ago and it helped make me want to get back into lego and they disappeared before I knew it. Also 2 30050 mini Republic Attack Shuttle poly bags lingering around which I grabbed.
  • Yeah_YeahYeah_Yeah Member Posts: 1
    Just last night, I randomly found an old Cyclone Defender (8100-1 link) in the clearance section of a local WalMart. To my surprise it was still in their system, and rang up at the original price. The box is intact, but has seen better days.

    I have no idea what to do with it.
  • georgebjonesgeorgebjones Member Posts: 224
    I actually found some of the bricktober figures at a TRU for $.01, also. Funny thing, I grabbed them and went to buy them, but didn't have any change in my pocket, so I pulled out a dollar bill, the clerk said, "Oh, someone left a quarter here, I will just use that." So I effectively got them for free. :)
  • plasmodiumplasmodium Member Posts: 1,956
    The original Star Wars B-Wing in the BAMAG supermarket in Bangui, Central African Republic. For 50,000cfa (About £50). No, seriously. But...I didn't buy it. The Entertainer in Reading (England) used to have some interesting old sets waaaaay up the top of their shelves, including the first Slave I (you know, the square one? :P), and there used to be rows and rows of phase I Bohrok at the bottom. But that was in 2003/4-ish. Oh, and in 2002 BAMAG had a row of 1994-ish vintage Paradisa beaches.
  • jonboy2000jonboy2000 Member Posts: 259
    Found 2 UCS scout walkers in TRU couple of years ago. The boxes were completely knackered and had obviously been soaked in water. Asked for a discount which they refused to give, checked the price on ebay and they hadn't gone up much (even though they'd been discontinued for a while) so they got left on the shelf.
  • starfire2starfire2 Member Posts: 1,335
    I too got a few Bricktober figures from TRU for $.01 each but didn't have cash, so i used my debit card for 2 transaction for $.01 each. Also, once I found a MISB Lego California Semi tractor (front end) for $2.99. I thought that was awesome along with the priceless look on my sons face on Christmas morning.
  • The_Brick_BuilderThe_Brick_Builder Member Posts: 658
    While I was in China at the official LEGO Shop (yes, I was very surprised they had one), I saw some rare minifig sets that I regret not picking up. I'll have to go back next time and try!
  • sramsram Member Posts: 60
    Some years ago, Lego was cleaning out stock and they added 500 random pieces to a Creator Brick bucket (was available at TRU). My local TRU had just the 500 random pieces box lying around -- the manager offered to sell it to me for $10. I asked it for $5 and got it!
  • soundczarsoundczar Member Posts: 21
    About ten years ago I was in TRU the day after Christmas and found a MISB 7824 Train Station on the shelf for $35. As it was almost 20 years old, I asked how it got there and a clerk in the store said they found it in the warehouse wedged behind a giant shelving unit they were moving. I bought it right away before anyone could grab it first!
    StuBoy
  • BoiseStateBoiseState Member Posts: 804
    All 5 solid gold C3PO's at a toy store in Mogadishu. Got them for some old shell casings..



    Seriously though, the Barnes and Noble by my house just put out a box of series 4 minifigs. Probably the only old thing ive seen around here.
  • LegobrandonCPLegobrandonCP Member Posts: 1,917
    ^Wow! That is amazing. I would of have reacted the same way you did if I ever see an old set at TRU.
  • meyerc13meyerc13 Member Posts: 227
    Last summer I stopped at a small five and dime type store in a little town near me. My amazing find was some of the original road plates from the late 70's early 80's, the same kind I had as a kid. Even better, they were priced at the original price they had been marked at when put on the shelf, $5!! For some reason I didn't snag them all that day, and by the next time I stopped there the rest had sold, but still it was great getting some of them for that price.

    They still have some bizarre older sets, but nothing terribly good. Some World Racers, Bionicle, Galidor, Jack Stone, the Steven Spielberg Movie Maker set... strange stuff. They never put anything on clearance that I've noticed, they just leave it at the marked price until it sells. So the 10+ year old sets they still have aren't moving very quickly because they are the ones nobody wants.
  • ktmoktmo Member Posts: 73
    A few months ago I found a Belville Sunshine Home at a TRU. The box was pretty beat up, but otherwise sealed.
  • DuchessaDuchessa Member Posts: 287
    I found this set: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?set=6319-1 in a toy shop in northern Italy a couple of years ago. The set is from 1993, and the box was bleeched from the sun, but I still thought it was kind of fun. Paid a few euros, and then it followed me back home to Sweden :)
  • avoiceoreasonavoiceoreason Member Posts: 224
    Picked up a Brickbeard's Bounty pirate ship a month ago from a local independent toy store. Was great since it completed my son's "modern era" Lego ship collection.

    The same store was having a sidewalk sale about a year ago in which I got about 12 Bionicle sets, seven of the creator-type knight sets from a few years ago, and about 10 of those racers sets (the ones where the boxes fold out into a street playset): total combined price? $10.

  • sonsofscevasonsofsceva Member Posts: 542
    The 2010 SW Assassin Droid Battle Pack for $5 a few months ago is as old I as have found so far.
  • U2A2U2A2 Member Posts: 13
    Just last month was in a TRU and I saw a few beat up boxes of the Sports Car #8402 (2009). When we went back the next day there was only one left so we scooped it. It comes with an orange pay phone we just had to have for the city!!!
  • mressinmressin Member Posts: 843
    - Mid-2010: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=7699-1 discounted at The Entertainer.
    - Early 2010: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=7873-1 hidden behind some other toys at Tesco.
  • Lego_Lord_MayorcaLego_Lord_Mayorca Member Posts: 619
    In the summer of 1999, while everyone was rabidly swiping the new Star Wars sets off the shelves, I was in Bolivia where I found a toy store in the capital city of La Paz that seemed to be stuck in a Lego time warp where it was perpetually 1995. I think that was the age of the "newest" sets I found; on average, most sets dated to 1991-1993. I was astounded to see so many sets from my early childhood that I long coveted sitting on the shelves. A Metroliner train caught my eye, but my mom would not get it for me, on account that we could not fit it in our luggage back to the states (plus, even in Bolivian pesos, it was still rather expensive).

    When I went back in 2007, the time warp in that same store (and its other locations) was only to 2005, and I winced. Nonetheless, tucked away amongst the newer stuff were a few gems. I found straight and curved rails, plus switching points from the 1980 Train collection. Not having any trains myself, I decided it would be an investment for the future, so I snapped them up. I think each rail pack was about 15 USD and the points were around 25 USD. I still have the receipt somewhere.

    So, never fight that urge to step into toy shops when traveling abroad. You never know what hidden gems from the past you might find.
  • IstokgIstokg Member Posts: 2,363
    In the summer of 1979 while visiting relatives in Germany I found 2 of these #214 1-10 Classic Windows/Doors Continental European Retailer Boxes... one with red windows/doors, one with white ones... the $30 for each brought me out of my dark ages!
  • AFFOL_Shellz_BellzAFFOL_Shellz_Bellz Member Posts: 1,263
    TRU we found #4957 Ferris Wheel and got 25% off because it had been opened and the box was in really bad shape. Found Samsonite Discovery set #005 at a toy shop for just $35. USD. The box is rough shape but the set is either complete or nearly complete (haven't opened it in a while).
  • maniacmaniac Member Posts: 865
    Found 3x 7583-1: Playful Puppy in Clas Ohlson Doncaster for £4.99 The boxes have seen some abuse though...

    image
  • andheandhe Member Posts: 3,942
    I hope you bought it! A 6 year old set!
  • maniacmaniac Member Posts: 865
    Honestly, I wasn't fussed despite knowing it was of that age.
  • andheandhe Member Posts: 3,942
    maniac said:

    Honestly, I wasn't fussed despite knowing it was of that age.

    I wonder what the oldest set found 'in the wild' has been. The dogs are great (but huge next to a standard minifig!).

  • maniacmaniac Member Posts: 865
    The puppy would be the main appeal, yes.

    If you search further, I do believe someone found another Belville set somewhere else last year.

    http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/12088/bizaare-belville-find-in-the-works#latest
  • leego76leego76 Member Posts: 360
    Not me but I think there was a #7585 - Horse Stable in the post office in Pembroke (SW Wales) when I was down there last November. Was reduced too from recollection. Might still be there? It's probably a long trip for most so probably not worth it (my reward is a stay with the mother-in-law after a 250mile drive so I'm in no rush to head back!).
  • paul_mertonpaul_merton Member Posts: 2,967
    maniac said:

    I wonder what the oldest set found 'in the wild' has been. The dogs are great (but huge next to a standard minifig!).

    My local toyshop had a pair of #4548 transformer and speed regulators on the shelf when I last went there! They looked very out of place amongst all the modern sets.
  • plasmodiumplasmodium Member Posts: 1,956
    There was a whole thread about old/odd sets found in the wild. They usually are found by people on holiday in obscure places, if memory serves...
    Yellowcastleandhe
  • maniacmaniac Member Posts: 865
    Not one of the set I originally reported has been bought.

    One box is sticky taped now.
  • ecmo47ecmo47 Member Posts: 2,101
    Got these 2 beauties from 1967 off a craigslist posting last weekend.
  • iso3200iso3200 Member Posts: 2,065
    Noticed in my local department store 2 x 7326 Pharaoh's Quest still on the shelf today. Not especially old I know, but still surprised to see them. In good condition and marked down to £30 odd.
  • roxioroxio Member Posts: 1,384
    My local Toymaster had curved #4520 9V tracks up until late summer 2013 when I bought them :)
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,268
    ecmo47 said:

    Got these 2 beauties from 1967 off a craigslist posting last weekend.

    6-wide trucks! 'Great Vehicles'!
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,793
    Found a #3450 Statue Of Liberty for retail and 20% off when it was going for 500 USD on eBay.
    Also found a Legends Black Seas Barracuda for 75 USD about 1 year after it EOL'd
  • MorkManMorkMan Member Posts: 916
    @madforlego. I'll give you RRP for #3450 and you can make a quick 20% right now!
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,793
    @Morkman. I have not just fallen off a turnip truck..lol

    Sadly, the #3450 was sold on the weekend I got it. Little did I know it would hit what it does now, but I have also learned to not second guess myself of what was sold in the past.
  • cody6268cody6268 Member Posts: 298
    I found an 8120 Rally Sprinter from 2009 at Kmart in 2012.
  • HarryPotterLoverHarryPotterLover Member Posts: 238
    My Barnes and Noble until a few weeks ago was stuck in 2010-2011 with Pharaohs Quest, Kingdoms, City, Pirates of the Carrabian, and Star Wars sets. They recently cleaned it out and replaced them with newer items- and the old ones went right to clearence for 75% off each :)
  • MorkManMorkMan Member Posts: 916
    @madforlego Hey, I had to try, right!?
  • LegoMom1LegoMom1 Member Posts: 651
    Just yesterday, at a small, very pricey toy store in a resort town, I saw a Lego shop employee minifig promo hanging on a rack. It had a $4.95 price sticker and the bag had been pierced through the center to hang it. I'm still wondering how it would have wound up there!
  • CapnRex101CapnRex101 Administrator Posts: 2,364
    Last Summer, while in Kristiansand, Norway, I found a full box of Series 2 Collectible Minifigures in a comic book store. Naturally, I plundered them for Spartans and left the rest for somebody else.

    Other than that, I have been to the same toy shop in Germany on several occasions (in Travemunde) and always found the same huge bin of old service packs there. The heap has not gone down that I can see in five years...
    andhe
  • cody6268cody6268 Member Posts: 298
    LegoMom1 said:

    Just yesterday, at a small, very pricey toy store in a resort town, I saw a Lego shop employee minifig promo hanging on a rack. It had a $4.95 price sticker and the bag had been pierced through the center to hang it. I'm still wondering how it would have wound up there!

    I'm guessing their supplier is [email protected], and they got it that way.
  • ecmo47ecmo47 Member Posts: 2,101
    edited January 2014
    Back before $100.00+ sets were the norm, I saw a USC Y-wing at Walmart. Didn't buy it, but always wished I had.
  • andheandhe Member Posts: 3,942
    Just got back from holiday and visited Whitby (UK seaside resort) and was surprised to find these sets in a 'general store' (kitchen items, fishing tackle, ladieswear, craft supplies etc).
    Especially as I haven't even seen the Heroica one on sale in UK stores. There was also some of those ninjago accessory packs.
  • LegoFanTexasLegoFanTexas Member Posts: 8,404
    ^ Hey, there are some of those "missing Chima games"!!! :)
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