kevin67 Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 Hi, We are headed to Legoland California for a family holiday. We are spending 5 day in San Diego and 5 days in LA [Anahiem] at the end of Feb/being of March. My wife and son [8 years old] are both into to Lego so we will be bringing back lots of Lego. We are visiting a few of the other theme parks as well. We do know that Legoland is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at this time of the year so we have factored that into our rough plan of the hoilday. We wanted to know the best places to buy Lego in both San Diego and Anahiem? I know that their are Lego brand shops at Anahiem and in San Diego but where else is a good place to buy Lego. Also are there any Lego event being head at this time. We have already worked out a list of the sets we would like to buy and how much they cost here [Austarlia] and RRP in the US so I know we will get a good deal. I know some states you have to pay a state tax [like GST/VAT] on top of the purchase price Does California have a state tax and can I claim it back when I leave the country? What are the pick a brick walls like? Do they have lots of bricks? Are there any limits? Thanks in advance for all help provided. Excited!!! Kevin
Fugazi Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 Since this topic is mostly about buying matters, I'm moving it to the appropriate forum.
Andy D Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 Welcome to California! You seem to be aware of the LEGO brand stores. One not to be miss is the LEGO store in Downtown Disney in Amaheim. The Big Store in Legoland is also good, and sometimes they even have sales. Both places normally have many sets but they usually sell at LEGO suggested retail price. As for Pick a Brick. There is a shop in Legoland that sells LEGO bricks by the pound, not really cheap, but. i usually find a pretty good selection. The Pick a Brick wall in the Downtown Disney store is usually prettg good a well, they sell by the PaB cup roughly $8 or a small and $16 for a large. CA does have a sales tax added to the price, as for claiming the CA sales tax when you leave the country... Don't know. Have a great time in So. California. Andy d
Haldiron Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 (edited) Hey Kevin, First of all, congratulations on what appears to be an awesome trip in the making! Unfortunately, CA sales tax is not pretty. Los Angeles is 9%, I believe. Anaheim and San Diego is 8%. I actually lived in Anaheim for about 15 years. Don't let the taxes deter you as California also has quite a selection, due to the "touristy" nature of the state. You should be able to find a deal somewhere and probably a better selection then in a lot of areas. I'm not sure of any Lego events, but look online and see what comes up. Good luck and have a good trip! Edited February 6, 2013 by Haldiron
kevin67 Posted February 6, 2013 Author Posted February 6, 2013 Thanks guys. Very helpful. I dig deeper into whether we can claim back the sate tax. Do the regular retailers like Walmart have Lego sales?
Andy D Posted February 7, 2013 Posted February 7, 2013 Thanks guys. Very helpful. I dig deeper into whether we can claim back the sate tax. Do the regular retailers like Walmart have Lego sales? On occasion there are sales, but they may or my not have the items on your list on sale. You might try looking at WalMart and Toys 'R Us and Target strores adds online to see what they have at a given time. Good shopping, Andy D
BrettBrick Posted February 7, 2013 Posted February 7, 2013 I have just booked the same trip. But I am going in October so I m also watching this thread now. Are there target,TRU and Walmart nearby to Disneyland? I am also going to Hawaii on the way and will visiting the Lego shop there. Is this a good place to buy Lego, PAB or polybags? I have heard that legoland store is great for polybags and the downtown Disney store is good for PAB. Please post updates on here when you return so others like I can know the best places to visit.
Debricker Posted February 14, 2013 Posted February 14, 2013 Hi, hope you have a great trip. Sadly, only the Lego store over in Downtown Disney has a giant pick a brick wall. If you have a VIP card, it won't work in LegoLand. FYI if you plan on going to Toys r us, be aware that the prices over there are a little overkill.
Str0ngbad Posted February 14, 2013 Posted February 14, 2013 Yes, generally I only buy exclusives from Toys R Us. At the moment they are still getting Mirkwood Elf and Gandalf polybags in periodically if those interest you. They may have others but I don't keep up with many other themes. General sets will be cheaper almost anywhere else. I hope you have a great trip. I must admit I'm a tad jealous.
kevin67 Posted February 14, 2013 Author Posted February 14, 2013 Thanks for your info. All very useful. I have loaded apps from Toys R Us, Walmart, and a few other stores as well as Legoland and Disneyland and I have been checking out prices and items available online at least plus we will be checking the local stores near us for any extra specials. Getting very excited only a week to go. Thanks Kevin
Debricker Posted February 14, 2013 Posted February 14, 2013 Oh yeah, and FYI if you plan on buying a new set, they might be sold out, so don't get your hopes to high.
kevin67 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Posted February 17, 2013 We are interested in getting some polybags while we are over there now. I know a lot are promos and so its often hard to get them but are there any shops that sell them? Do the Lego brand stores sell them? Also are there any bricklink stores in San Diego or L.A. anyone knows of?
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