Pick a Brick Wall Guide/Help?

[biggmo3]

I recently went to the lego store and have never really bought bricks off the PAB wall. As a newcomer to buying peices for my own creations, what tips do you guys have for buying off the wall? I got a large cup of just random pieces (Ive heard large bins are better priced) that I think I could use and that was my only guide really. But do any of you have any past experience or wisdom to share?

Some questions I have are:

1) How does lego decide what pieces to put on the wall?

2) Are pieces off the PAB a good deal or is it better online at like the online pick a brick or brick link?

3) Is USD $16 a large cup too expensive?

4) Are there bricks in the really high up containers lol? I couldn't even look all the way up there.

5) What time do you guys go to the store? This is kinda weird but when i go there, there are so many kids running around and its usually pretty hot and im trying to figure out what to get.

6) How often do they change what pieces are on the wall?

7) Essentially is the pick a brick wall the most effective way to get lego pieces for your creations?

For now buying the boxes of pieces stores sometimes sell is not really necessary for me as I am not building such large things currently.

[tkatt]

It kind of sounds like you're describing the M.O.A. Lego store.

1.There is a recent trend of all Lego stores everywhere having very similar selections- I won't speculate as to how the choices are made

2.The PAB wall definetly gets you the best price per piece. usually I average about $0.03 a part- but finding exactly what you want is rare

3.If you pack it well you'll get at least $16 worth of parts, if you bring your cup back you should get a $0.50 discount

4.At the MOA the higher bins are not filled- I think it's just the first 5 rows, everything above has picture of bricks in front and is just for show

5.Right when they open on Monday is good. The bins were probably emptied over the weekend so you get a freshly filled wall. Don't go on Toddler Tuesday or the weekend.

6.There should be new elements monthly, but some pieces will always seem to be there

7.It is a cost effective way to get parts - but finding exactly what you need is pure luck.

There is a thread devoted the PAB wall you should check out http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=27795&hl=

[biggmo3]

Oh i did not know that about reusing the same cup, how do they know if that really is your old cup and you didn't just pick one up? Do you just tell them?

[dr_spock]

Oh i did not know that about reusing the same cup, how do they know if that really is your old cup and you didn't just pick one up? Do you just tell them?

They stick a bar code label on the cup to indicate the cup as reused for the next time.