Kigurumix

That is $1 over retail, a 33% markup. When you are only buying a couple I guess it isn't much but for those looking for complete sets or more it is highway robbery.

Just got back from the Burien Fred Meyer and they had one box of series 9 on the shelf. Wasn't too picked over and I managed to find a forest maiden, plumber, Chicken suit guy, and mermaid.

Yes, I live in Seatac. Where are you located?

It varies from store to store when they get stock in. When series 8 came out I went to at least 5 different Fred Meyer stores and some had a few, some had older series, and scored a set at one. And if you think going to customer service to check stock will help, it was useless the last time. It showed all stores having hundreds of them in stock and most had none. The last time I was there the lego shelves were so sparse, they had a few sets spread out to cover all the shelves. If I happen to see any of them there I will be sure to post an update. There are also 2 Lego stores in the area that should have stock, that is where I got my set last week.