Going to the Lego Store!

[Phoxtane]

Sometime during this trip, possibly within this week, we'll be heading to Washington Square to do a little shopping. I plan to head to the Lego store there and pick up some Technic sets!

What I want to know is what you people recommend I should get, and if there's any deals I should know about. I hope to make this trip very fruitful.

My inventory upon setting out includes a fair amount of cash and my Lego VIP card, along with one of the old paper Loyalty Cards with fifteen [!] stamps on it, which should translate into ~25 USD of VIP points. I'm hoping to try out making a set review or two depending on which ones I get.

[DLuders]

@ Phoxtane: I have been to that Lego Store in Washington Square (Tigard, Oregon USA near Portland) several times. As with other Lego Stores, they offer the same sets as are available on Shop.Lego.com . Look at the 18 different Technic sets currently being sold, and pick one or more! Devote at least 45 minutes there -- you'll like looking all around the store, picking up boxes and shaking them, etc.

[Phoxtane]

Well, of the eighteen I see on the Lego website, the 8070 Supercar, 8071 Bucket Truck, and the 9397 Logging Truck look the most interesting. I'd be happy to pick up a Unimog, but I have insufficient vespene gas monies to acquire it at this time

Each set has its ups and downs, though...

-The supercar has more engine parts, steering parts, and suspension parts, along with larger wheels and some Power Functions stuff, AND a huge amount of red pieces.

-The Flatbed Truck has some of the coveted blue pieces and appears to be a good source of more yellow and red. It's also got some black 5x11 panels. It does not appear to have suspension pieces, so I'm assuming it has a rack-and-pinion beam used for steering, which I lack.

-Lots of black pieces, six Unimog-like tires, Mini LAs, Power Functions pieces, and engine pieces.

I may get one or two of the smaller sets depending on what kind of savings I get with Lego VIP as well.

EDIT: Is it worth it to ask about boxes with scratch and dent damage? I know that Lego will sell sets with that at conventions for steep discounts, so I'm wondering if it may be possible to get some from the store for cheap!

Edited June 28, 2012 by Phoxtane

[Ricecracker]

EDIT: Is it worth it to ask about boxes with scratch and dent damage? I know that Lego will sell sets with that at conventions for steep discounts, so I'm wondering if it may be possible to get some from the store for cheap!

They haven't done that at conventions for a few years now, but they will generally offer you 10% off for box damage at the store.

[Phoxtane]

They haven't done that at conventions for a few years now, but they will generally offer you 10% off for box damage at the store.

So it may be worth hunting around on the back of the rack or just asking... that's good to know!

[Ricecracker]

So it may be worth hunting around on the back of the rack or just asking... that's good to know!

You're better off asking. As far as I know, all damaged product is kept in the back room.

[Splat]

If you don't already have a 'supercar', or you want to build your own supercar, the 8070 Supercar will give you a lot of useful pieces such as all of the suspension and steering pieces, differential, 8 x pistons, gearbox pieces, some PF parts (battery box and M-motor), and lots of red panels. It's gearbox controls four functions (hood, left door, right door, and rear spoiler). Another (cheaper) set with lots of red panels is the 9394 Jet Plane.

The 8109 Flatbed Truck has some nice design features, but has a fairly average piece selection (inventory), although it does have one 1x7 gear-rack, and two 1x13 gear-racks, if that is what you are after. It also has a PF battery box a M-Motor, but there is no suspension in this set, and the only blue is for the seats (and blue pins) - none of the current available sets have very much blue in them.

The 9397 Logging Truck has some PF parts (battery box, M-motor, standard linear actuator and mini linear actuator), gearbox pieces, 4 x pistons, differential, and a full size turntable and mini-turntable. This set is quite long, and it does flex a little bit at the back (not as rigid as the 8258 Crane Truck from 2009). There is no suspension, but it's gearbox controls four functions.

I don't have the 8071 Bucket Truck, so I can't really comment on that one, but you can read a review here.

Your decision will have to come down to how much you want to spend, if you want a set that you can play with vs display on a shelf, or if you want a set with a good parts selection to make your own MOCS.

-Lots of black pieces, six Unimog-like tires, Mini LAs, Power Functions pieces, and engine pieces.

Just so you know, the 9397 Logging Truck does have six wheels (62.4 x 20) (and some smaller brown hubs), but they aren't as big as the Unimog wheels (94.3 x 38).

[pluto7443]

Well, of the eighteen I see on the Lego website, the 8070 Supercar, 8071 Bucket Truck, and the 9397 Logging Truck look the most interesting. I'd be happy to pick up a Unimog, but I have insufficient vespene gas monies to acquire it at this time

Each set has its ups and downs, though...

-The supercar has more engine parts, steering parts, and suspension parts, along with larger wheels and some Power Functions stuff, AND a huge amount of red pieces.

-The Flatbed Truck has some of the coveted blue pieces and appears to be a good source of more yellow and red. It's also got some black 5x11 panels. It does not appear to have suspension pieces, so I'm assuming it has a rack-and-pinion beam used for steering, which I lack.

-Lots of black pieces, six Unimog-like tires, Mini LAs, Power Functions pieces, and engine pieces.

I may get one or two of the smaller sets depending on what kind of savings I get with Lego VIP as well.

EDIT: Is it worth it to ask about boxes with scratch and dent damage? I know that Lego will sell sets with that at conventions for steep discounts, so I'm wondering if it may be possible to get some from the store for cheap!

I happen to own the 8071 Bucket Truck, however I would recommend getting one of the others unless you really want some small white panels. The set is quite small. I did find it fun to drive around though, and not impossible to motorize, though difficult.

[Phoxtane]

I'm back from our mall visit! Though they didn't have the Supercar in stock at the store, I was able to order one and have it shipped home for free from the shop. I also picked up the 9392 Quad Bike set, to have a little something to swoosh around on the floor and review. That'll be in its own thread.