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[US] Kmart - Store Closures 2016

rd1899rd1899 Member Posts: 211
in Shopping USA/Canada
(Although there's an older Kmart thread, I figured a new topic would be more relevant and helpful.)

Consumerist article with list of closures (sorted by state, as of March 7th)

Just got back from the local Kmart (Lancaster, OH).  All toys, including Lego sets, are 20% off the normal store price, although there are a few older sets with slightly marked down clearance price tags.

The clearance just started today (Thursday, March 10th), so nothing was really picked over yet.  They do have some March wave sets, namely, the two smaller Captain America: Civil War sets and some Mighty Micros, plus plenty of Minecraft, City, Ninjago, Creator, Friends, and Elves, as well as some older Chima and Agents sets (primarily in a clearance/miscellaneous aisle).  Also, there were some other Marvel/DC Super Heroes and Star Wars sets, but not really a wide selection. I did spot some "retired"/"sold out" sets in the Friends area and elsewhere (e.g. Guardians of the Galaxy #76020).

For those who have been to stores farther along in the closure process this year, how low did the Lego discounts get and on what timetable?  (E.g., how fast did any discounts drop after the clearance sale started?)  -- I'm primarily wondering if much deeper price slashes are possible, say down to 40% or more off, even if its just for some odd Friend sets, as I'm looking, but not in a hurry, to build up a cache of useful parts for MOC'ing and such. -- I also plan on stopping in again (and again) at this Kmart location in the coming weeks, so I should post some updates, whether the discounts improve or not.
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Comments

  • exciter1exciter1 Member Posts: 226
    It's possible they'll move out some good stuff to other stores before they go beyond 20%.
    rd1899kiki180703
  • rd1899rd1899 Member Posts: 211
    ^That's a possibility. Next time I'm in there, I'll try to track down an employee and see what the specific situation is.


    And, to partially answer my own question, I found this aptly titled blog post Special Report: The closing of a Kmart - Buford, GA, which details the closure process for one store, back in 2012 (emphasis added):
    On January 29th, the 'pre-going out of business sale' starts and the liquidator is now in charge of the store. Total inventory blowout signs are put up around the store, all items are moved back to their regular retail prices and all Kmart promotions end. Everything is put on sale from 10-30% off and the pre-GOB sale lasts about three weeks...

    On February 21st, the store goes into full liquidation mode... For the next few weeks, the percentage off for items slowly moves up at the liquidators discretion.
    The timeline for the Lancaster, Ohio store is a bit different, but right now it seems to be at what they are calling "the pre-GOB sale," with everything at least 10% off. If the pattern turns out to be similar, I'd expect to see the "full liquidation mode" starting around April 1st, if not sooner.



    adol7
  • rd1899rd1899 Member Posts: 211
    Store: Lancaster, Ohio
    Update: March 18th

    Toy discounts have inched up to 25% off. Still plenty of Lego sets available, I'd say about 90%+ of what I saw last week, though some themes/sub-themes looked to be more sold out than others.  For example, I think the few Civil War sets they had are all gone now, while Friends looks basically untouched.  Also, all Lego sets now have price tags on them showing the base price (before the %-off is applied).


    I did find a lone #70804 Ice Cream Machine that I picked up for $21.00 after discounts, which must have been hiding somewhere, since I did not spot it last week, nor on prior trips in January and December.  (For comparison, prevailing eBay prices for the set, with shipping, are in the $30-$35 range and the Amazon marketplace price is about $38.)
  • CircleKCircleK Member Posts: 1,055
    edited March 2016
    ^ You're in my neck of the woods! I worked at that KMart throughout high-school and college. The 25% off sale coupled with shop your way rewards has been pretty great. I've been able to nab a lot of creator sets for around 37% off. I'm sad to see the place go honestly, Kmart became my go to Lego supplier after Amazon started charging us tax. The rewards program they have is unbeatable. I never completely understood how it worked, but they seem to give me anywhere from 6 to 10 bucks every couple of weeks. The coupons were great to - like spend 50 get 30 back etc. End of a good thing for sure. 

    Oh and your Ice Cream truck has been there for eons now, but they are bringing in stock from other stores, mostly shelf warming ninjago so far. I'm there a lot. I know where every set in that place is hiding :)


  • 77ncaachamps77ncaachamps Member Posts: 2,442
    edited March 2016
    ^Because you're hiding them?! ;)
  • CircleKCircleK Member Posts: 1,055
    Lol No.  It's bc the store is a mess and they are stacking crap everywhere. 
    77ncaachampskiki180703
  • CircleKCircleK Member Posts: 1,055
    I should have said that I do hide sets occasionally, but that doesn't happen until after I bring them home :)
    Bumblepantsgroundedkiki180703nychromastonewagnerml2oldtodd33
  • busumoe1busumoe1 Member Posts: 194
    edited April 2016
    Since it's YMMV, I don't really want to start a new thread on this tip.  It seems Kmart has fallen out of favor as the place to shop for Lego these days, so just as well it's buried into this thread.

    I just received a $20 off $75 "surprise points" coupon which comes out to ~27% OFF.  (^_^).  If you are like me, I was able to stack it with discounted sets, cashback site, and used discounted gift cards as payment.  I was able to get my sets for about 50% off.

    Disclaimer again:  I know it's YMMV, so please don't get upset about this if you cannot replicate.  This is just a heads up for those who may want to check out Kmart as a source for sets that they may want.  One may not get 50% off but could still get a good deal on some sets.

    If you don't know how to check for surprise points, this is how I do it: go to shopyourway.com, sign in and click on upper right corner where it shows how many rewards points you have.  If someone knows how to do it another way, please let us know.

    I do not shop at Sears or Kmart often, but I always stock up on their gift cards if I see them at 20% off.  However, if you do not have one on hand, you can purchase discounted eGiftcards (eCode) at various reputable sites.  Brief search indicate that you get eCode for up to 7% off.  If you want to try stacking this way, I want to stress that I ONLY do eCode and use all of it right away.  I got burned with resold gift cards before and even if seller offers 45-days protection, it's not worth all the hassle.

    Lastly, the discounted sets are what you expected, but just so you know,  #31037 Adventure Vehicles is approx 27% off.


  • rd1899rd1899 Member Posts: 211
    Update on the Lancaster, Ohio store (April 14th)
    (One Month After Clearance Sale Started)

    Toy discounts are now up to 40% off, after staying at 30% off for the past few weeks. 

    Sets still in stock include the Deep Sea Explorer sets (#60090, #60092, #60093), the #60068 Crooks Hideout, #60033 Arctic Ice Crawler (all with some box damage),  #31039 Creator Blue Power Jet, Creator #31019 Forest Animals and #31021 Furry Creatures. Other Creator sets include some of the small vehicles sets (#31023, #31029, #31037)  Of the newer sets, there are several Nexo Knights "Ultimate" sets left.  
    Also, lots of Ninjago, Chima, and some mid-sized Ultra Agents sets.

    In the Friends area, there were about a dozen #41095 Emma's House sets lefts, along with some #41097 Heartlake Hot Air Balloons, plus some pop star sets, including a couple of the buses, as well as several of the Elves #41078 Sky Castle sets.
    groundedkiki180703
  • busumoe1busumoe1 Member Posts: 194
    Quick update:  I was able to use my 20off75 coupon multiple times, so I made many purchases and saved a bundle.  However, many of the smaller kits (under $15 sets) were shipped in the white plastic, non-padded bags so all the boxes were crushed. 

    Lesson learned:  do not buy small kits from Kmart. 
  • Schubert19Schubert19 Member Posts: 41
    I stopped in at the Kmart in Altoona, PA after reading this topic and hoped to find their Lego section on clearance - I was sadly disappointed.  A few random sets on sale but nothing on clearance
  • Bricklover18Bricklover18 Member Posts: 722
    @Schubert19 any luck at the target there? I usually can't find any clearance there. 
  • Schubert19Schubert19 Member Posts: 41
    I never checked Target.  I was passing through on my way from Virginia to Canada, when the Big Mac I had for lunch suddenly wanted to desperately get out.  So we popped into Kmart to see what they had but then got right back on the road.
  • monstblitzmonstblitz Member Posts: 653
    Schubert19 said:
    I never checked Target.  I was passing through on my way from Virginia to Canada, when the Big Mac I had for lunch suddenly wanted to desperately get out.  So we pooped into Kmart to see what they had but then got right back on the road.
    ^ Fixed that for you... 
    SumoLegopharmjodflordBricklover18SprinkleOtterkiki180703
  • BumblepantsBumblepants Member Posts: 7,634
    monstblitz said:
    Schubert19 said:
    I never checked Target.  I was passing through on my way from Virginia to Canada, when the Big Mac I had for lunch suddenly wanted to desperately get out.  So we pooped into Kmart to see what they had but then got right back on the road.
    ^ Fixed that for you... 
    It would not be surprising if someone had but surely Bricksetters are of a higher quality than that.
  • monstblitzmonstblitz Member Posts: 653
    Bumblepants said:
    monstblitz said:
    Schubert19 said:
    I never checked Target.  I was passing through on my way from Virginia to Canada, when the Big Mac I had for lunch suddenly wanted to desperately get out.  So we pooped into Kmart to see what they had but then got right back on the road.
    ^ Fixed that for you... 
    It would not be surprising if someone had but surely Bricksetters are of a higher quality than that.
    Not sure if I'm understanding the comment, but giving his set up for the stop, it sounded like that was the #1 motive for the stop. 

    Surprisingly, I've also stopped at a K-Mart before for an emergency poop...Not the cleanest of facilities, but I've pooped in worse! 
  • chuckpchuckp Member Posts: 684
    edited April 2016
    Whoa, is this still the K-Mart shopping thread or did it  just become the TMI thread? :)
    monstblitzoldtodd33kiki180703
  • GallardoLUGallardoLU Member Posts: 644
    yes this is now the TMI: Too Much Ingested, thread.
    monstblitzchuckpBricklover18SprinkleOtterkiki180703
  • natro220natro220 Member Posts: 545
    Schubert19 said:
    I stopped in at the Kmart in Altoona, PA after reading this topic and hoped to find their Lego section on clearance - I was sadly disappointed.  A few random sets on sale but nothing on clearance
    Back on topic, the Kmart you visited is not closing (wasn't on the 2016 closing list anyway), so their stock is not on clearance.
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,229
    monstblitz said:
    Surprisingly, I've also stopped at a K-Mart before for an emergency poop...Not the cleanest of facilities, but I've pooped in worse! 
    I don't recommend any of the gas stations in Dansville.  Stick with the Arby's or McDonalds.  Just in case you were looking for more unsolicited advice...
    monstblitzSprinkleOtterkiki180703
  • Bricklover18Bricklover18 Member Posts: 722
    For Altoona, PA you are probably better off with a Sheetz or the target. 
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,229
    We've again turned this into a Seinfeld episode.  @Pitfall69.  I know where all of the public bathrooms are in Manhattan.

    Targets are generally the best.  Always very clean.
    chuckpkiki180703
  • chuckpchuckp Member Posts: 684
    SumoLego said:
    We've again turned this into a Seinfeld episode. 
    So true. Apparently many Bricksetters suffer from uromysitisis or worse. 
  • DNADNA Member Posts: 89
    I find Target to have very clean bathrooms as well compared to K-mart. Walmart near me seems to be the worst offender when it comes to bathroom cleanliness. 

    I stopped by K-mart today for sunblock and I found an ice cream truck as well. No other clearance though. I like using the points for lego when they do have sales. I remember they marked the changing season house down to $36.XX in the winter and I used $10 in points bringing it down to $26.XX.

    Today I was surprised to see a bunch of these on the shelf at Kmart mixed in with nexo knights and star wars (price checked at $9.99). 


    Ronyarkiki180703
  • Schubert19Schubert19 Member Posts: 41
    I'm glad I could provide a little humor.  I felt I needed to explain why a Canadian was in a random Kmart in Penn State.

    I erroneously thought all Kmarts were closing, hence why I attempted to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. 
  • scotty12scotty12 Member Posts: 836
    I've noticed that I haven't bought anything at Kmart the last 2+ years and I don't even check.  Prior to that I was able to purchase more there than Target/Walmart but the stores around here have quit carrying as much Lego....50% less and they only restock Lego shelves once or twice a year, so by X-mas most of it is gone and don't restock shelves until March.  It's like they're pushing for store closures.  It was nice to find Lego 3-4times a year at a Kmart when it was 50% off already reduced clearance prices.
  • SprinkleOtterSprinkleOtter Member Posts: 2,779
    Bricklover18 said:
    For Altoona, PA you are probably better off with a Sheetz or the target. 
    The first store's name is oddly appropriate...
    monstblitzkiki180703
  • SweepyDSweepyD Member Posts: 78
    Yeah, I myself have not found any Lego at Kmart. Then again it helps when there is only two and both are annoying to go to.
  • CircleKCircleK Member Posts: 1,055
    edited April 2016
    I'm really bummed that my local Kmart is closing. Lego was almost never on sale there and their clearance is a joke, but the Shop Your Way Rewards program is flipping great. Anyone not taking advantage of it is missing some great deals.

    I routinely saved 35 to 40% by utilizing the programs surprise points and coupons. It was always just a matter of patience and lining up your purchases in a way that would maximize the benefits.

    SYWR was still eligible at my store even though it was closing. The rewards coupled with the 30% off closing sale on toys allowed me to save 50%+ on a lot of sets.  For a brief few weeks, I felt like I was @Thanos75
    Ronyarchuckpkiki180703
  • Bricklover18Bricklover18 Member Posts: 722
    Sheetz probably has the cleanest gas station bathrooms I've seen 
  • pharmjodpharmjod Member Posts: 2,916
    Just heard the Kmart in my hometown is closing. I don't live there anymore to check with any regularity to see if I could get some deals.
  • SithLord196SithLord196 Member Posts: 1,161
    My Targets (all three of them) need to catch up with the rest of the company when it comes to bathrooms apparently.

    One of the K-Marts by me is closing. Unsurprisingly, it happens to be the one that has a Target and Walmart within 5 minutes of it that are also just as easy to get to. 

    I've gotten some great deals at it over the years. Not sure I'll be able to cash in on any Lego though. Clearance Lego around here moves off the shelf insanely quick, usually well before I get a chance to get anything, and my cash flow isn't the greatest right now.
  • rd1899rd1899 Member Posts: 211
    edited April 2016
    April 21st: 68 More Kmarts to close.  USA Today has a list of all the stores, by state.

    The article says that the liquidation sales start May 12th, but if you have a local store that is on this new list, I would start checking your local newspaper for store closing advertisements.  For my local store, a quarter-page ad has been appearing every Thursday since the sale started (March 10th).

    ***

    Also... Update on the Lancaster, Ohio store (April 21st): Toys discounts are now up to 50% off. No stock update, as I have not been in the store this week.
  • monstblitzmonstblitz Member Posts: 653
    Schubert19 said:
    I'm glad I could provide a little humor.  I felt I needed to explain why a Canadian was in a random Kmart in Penn State.

    I erroneously thought all Kmarts were closing, hence why I attempted to kill 2 turds with 1 stone. 
    Sorry, I just can't help myself!
  • GoldchainsGoldchains Member Posts: 795
    Went to one of the last K-marts near me(in Erlanger/Florence area in Kentucky) and they had a few Milano Spaceship Rescue sets for $49.99 each.  They also had some other retired Superhero sets at regular price, and I even found a lonely wrinkled Spiderman Spiderglider polybag!  lol
  • exciter1exciter1 Member Posts: 226
    There was one on the list of 68 near me that just immediately shutdown.  They must have shipped all their merchandise to other stores that are closing.
  • DirewolfdarkDirewolfdark Member Posts: 9
    I just got back from the local Kmart that is closing and they started their liquidation sale yesterday. All the toys were 20% and they had a ton of Lego sets there. I went ahead and grabbed the last three Nexo Knights sets I needed, Lance's Mecha Horse, Knighton Battle Blaster, and Chaos Catapult. They came up to around $33 and I had a $10 off $20 coupon so I think I did pretty good for $23 for three sets. I definitely will be keeping an eye on the store as they discount further as they have some Ninjago and City sets I want.
  • rd1899rd1899 Member Posts: 211
    A final update for the Lancaster, Ohio (43130) Store:  Toys were reduced to 60% off on Thursday (May 12th).  I stopped in this morning (Saturday, May 14th).  The only Lego sets left, not including Chima blister packs, were about ten #70725 Ninjago Mech Dragons.

    Here's a week-by-week summary of the listed toy discounts for the store and my inventory notes (YMMV for other store's liquidation sales):
    • Week 01 (March 10th): 20% Off
    • Week 02 (March 17th): 25% Off - Lego sets slightly picked over, but still almost a full selection
    • Week 03 (March 24th): 30% Off
    • Week 04 (March 31st): 30% Off - Note: Easter was March 27th
    • Week 05 (April 7th): 30% Off
    • Week 06 (April 14th): 40% Off - Still plenty of Lego sets, though some themes/sub-themes were depleted (e.g., Super Heroes were almost all gone, Star Wars was gone, Disney Princesses, most 2016 sets) or at least somewhat picked over (City, larger Creator sets, Friends, Elves). But, if you're just looking for parts packs, there was still a very decent selection.
    • Week 07 (April 21st): 50% Off
    • Week 08 (April 28th): 50% Off
    • Week 09 (May 5th): 50% Off
    • Week 10 (May 12th): 60% Off - Lego sets almost all gone



    adol7
  • Legopassion8Legopassion8 Member Posts: 1,181
    This is really sad. My hometown is dying. Toys R Us, Best Buy, Old Navy, Sears and now K-Mart. Guess Belks , Books A Million, and JCPennys are next. I'd rather see this town thriving instead of getting cheap Lego. Happy Hunting....
  • pharmjodpharmjod Member Posts: 2,916
    That is probably as much an indictment of the quality of companies as much or more than your home town.
    SprinkleOtter
  • DirewolfdarkDirewolfdark Member Posts: 9
    The Kmart closing in Elizabethtown, KY has toys at 25% and still has a really good selection of sets and looks like they have actually put out more sets then they had last week. I came close to picking up the #70604 Ninjago Tiger Widow Island for like $37 but decided to hold out a while longer. 
  • CircleKCircleK Member Posts: 1,055
    ^ #70604 lasted all the way to 50% at my closing Kmart. I have zero interest in Ninjago but grabbed two for parts. 
  • DirewolfdarkDirewolfdark Member Posts: 9
    My local Kmart is down to 30% off toys and still have a bunch of Ninjago, Chima, City, Creator, Friends and Elves. As well as quite a bit of Nexo Knights including the Jestro set. All of the licensed stuff was gone with one exception I actually found a Mystery Machine hidden behind a pile of stuff over in sporting goods. I figure some one hid it there to get it later once the clearance got higher. I went ahead and grabbed it and between the discounts and some points I had saved up I got it for $15.
    pharmjod
  • SithLord196SithLord196 Member Posts: 1,161
    Managed to get the Elves Starlight Inn set, Disney Princesses Jasmine set, Protector of Ice, and Kopaka Unity set for around $45. 

    They were 40% off and I was able to use the $10 off $50 or more from Shop Your Way, meaning it was essentially 50% off. The only thing I wasn't happy about was the random $1 above MSRP price on the Protector of Ice.

    Star Wars was cleaned out except for some Captain Phasma buildable figures and a couple random battle packs. I may go back later in the week for the Race Boat and 4x4 Off Roader from City if they still have them.
  • adol7adol7 Member Posts: 150
    @rd1899
    I greatly appreciate your detailed reporting on the clearance process. I was looking all over for just this kind of info.
    rd1899
  • krklintkrklint Member Posts: 502
    Yankton and Huron S.D. are both at 40% off on toys right now. Came home this week with Gorilla Grodd goes Bananas, Crossbones Hazard Heist, some Mighty Micros, Simpsons series 2 minifigs, and Rhino and Sandman Super Villain Team-Up, and the set with Green Lantern in it.
    adol7
  • adol7adol7 Member Posts: 150
    krklint said:
    Yankton and Huron S.D. are both at 40% off on toys right now. Came home this week with Gorilla Grodd goes Bananas, Crossbones Hazard Heist, some Mighty Micros, Simpsons series 2 minifigs, and Rhino and Sandman Super Villain Team-Up, and the set with Green Lantern in it.
    Wow, nice! I'm surprised those made it that far. At 40% here, it was mostly Chima and zero Star Wars, Super Heroes, anything else desirable :p
  • 77ncaachamps77ncaachamps Member Posts: 2,442
    Legopassion8 said:
    This is really sad. My hometown is dying. Toys R Us, Best Buy, Old Navy, Sears and now K-Mart. Guess Belks , Books A Million, and JCPennys are next. I'd rather see this town thriving instead of getting cheap Lego. Happy Hunting....
    IF you don't mind me asking, what state is your hometown in? What is your hometown?

    Sounds like your town doesn't have the population and/or economic activity to support these businesses?

    Now, most of those you mentioned are dinosaurs in this e-commerce age but even my TRUs, BBs, ONs, Sears, and JcPs are holding on.

  • monstblitzmonstblitz Member Posts: 653
    How JCPennys stores exist anywhere baffles me.  When is the last time you heard anyone say, "Hey, I think I'll run to JCPenny's to pick up a pair of pants!"  I haven't been in one, unless it's the quickest entrance into a shopping mall since the mid 90s. 
    SprinkleOtter
  • SithLord196SithLord196 Member Posts: 1,161
    I used to have a JC Penny's Outlet near me that was a great place for getting jeans/coats/etc.

    They went out of business a few years ago, and honestly the shopping mall they were a part of it isn't doing very well outside of the anchor stores and the comics/cards store. I wish they'd just tear that mall down and put the half mile dirt track back.

    Regarding my area, if you consider the area's just outside the city I live near, it manages to support 3 Targets and 3 Walmarts. There's also a second KMart that isn't closing.

    As I noted above though, the KMart that is closing near me was pretty well cleaned out of Star Wars.
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