Replication of the LEGO Build-a-Minifig bins

[JeagerEX]

Anyways it is considered illegal or controversial if some stores could have their own LEGO Build-a-Minifig bins?

[Rick]

Anyways it is considered illegal or controversial if some stores could have their own LEGO Build-a-Minifig bins?

What exactly is the purpose of this topic? Are you considering setting up something similar? Have you seen something simular in a store?

[TrumpetKing]

I think he means he is wondering if it is considered "illegal" for stores that are not LEGO-only retailers to provide BAM bins. I personally don't see why other stores would, because most stores don't have LEGO as their main focus, but I have seen one or two stores that sell collectible items with their own sort of BAM's, so I don't suppose that it is illegal.

[Hrw-Amen]

I have asked at my local toy store about this and also about a PAB wall. Although they are a local store they have a few branches in towns within the county and in my home town they have a shop that is more or less put over to LEGO that is next door to the main toy store.

I know a couple of the staff who are AFOLs as well have asked if they could have a PAB wall and BAM bin as well as myself. I (And presumably the staff.) have been told by the owner that there is nothing to say that they could not have one, but it would not be something TLG would support so they would have to basically buy enough parts to stock such a thing themselves first which makes it simply to expensive a venture for them to undertake.

[Faefrost]

Anyways it is considered illegal or controversial if some stores could have their own LEGO Build-a-Minifig bins?

You seem to have strange concepts of "illegal"? Is it illegal, no? However it may have issues and repercussions with regard to any merchant deals or contracts the vendor may have with Lego. The BAM offerings are probably a bit more tightly controlled by TLG than the simpler PAB walls. The Minifigs are often restricted because of licensing. So a merchant could not simply get a random bulk load of parts and make their own offering. God forbid they dumped in a load of Star Wars or Super Hero parts. That would bring out the licensing lawyers in droves. So any BAM merchandise would have to be supplied and approved by Lego.

For most first tier merchants of Lego, the contracts will forbid them from subdividing, or in any way breaking up the retail product. This isn't unique to Lego. Most vendors do this. A lot of this is quality control. It is more valuable for Lego to insure that every box is intact and problem free, then it is to offer, support and police odder offerings such as BAM stations. Of course this is not an absolute. As an example in Japan much of the role of Lego brand stores has long been contracted out to a third party chain that pretty much offers all of the amenities of the actual Lego owned stores.

So really a merchant could ask Lego for a BAM offering, but there really isn't any reason to do so. BAM stations are messy high maintenance loss leaders. Their purpose is as an activity station to attract children into Lego stores. They are a lousy use of real estate and far more of a pain for a larger mass merchant or full service toy store, than they would ever be worth.

[HawkLord]

So really a merchant could ask Lego for a BAM offering, but there really isn't any reason to do so. BAM stations are messy high maintenance loss leaders. Their purpose is as an activity station to attract children into Lego stores. They are a lousy use of real estate and far more of a pain for a larger mass merchant or full service toy store, than they would ever be worth.

QFT. Everytime I go to the local Lego store, they have one store employee who circles the BaM station repeatedly. Not the usual greeter at the door employee; this one specifically seems to focus on the BaM station. Probably to make sure people aren't pocketing pieces, among other duties.