Do Lego Stores Ever Have Sales?

It’s the middle of the holiday season, and you're standing in the Lego store, eyeing the latest Star Wars set that you’ve been waiting for. A crowd gathers, and you wonder, “Are Lego sets ever going to be on sale?” You wait for a while, scanning the room, but there’s no flashy discount sign. If you’re a Lego fan, this situation might feel all too familiar. But here’s the good news – while Lego itself is very strict about its pricing strategies, there are indeed opportunities to snag discounts on these beloved brick sets. You just need to know when and where to look.

But let’s get to the heart of the matter first – Yes, Lego stores do have sales.

Now, I can already hear the skepticism: “But I’ve been in a Lego store a dozen times, and I’ve never seen a sale.” That’s because Lego rarely advertises their discounts the way other retailers do. Instead, they operate differently. Their pricing model is controlled carefully to maintain the brand’s premium status, which is why sales are infrequent and often limited to specific sets.

Limited-Time Promotions and Clearance Events:

Lego stores, particularly during the year’s end or right after major holidays, sometimes offer clearance sales. These aren’t huge blowouts, but rather quiet, understated promotions where older sets are offered at a discount to make room for new collections. For instance, if a particular line of Lego is being discontinued, you might find it in the clearance section.

One pro tip for Lego fans is to look for seasonal sales. Think about the end of a year or post-Black Friday events. Lego sets that didn’t sell out during peak seasons may find themselves with markdowns. However, these deals are often reserved for sets that are retiring or no longer being produced, so timing is key.

The VIP Program – Your Secret Weapon:

Let’s talk about the Lego VIP program. This is where many Lego fans find their hidden discounts. While it’s not a traditional sale, being a VIP member gives you access to early promotions, exclusive sets, and, most importantly, the ability to accumulate points. These points can be redeemed for future purchases, effectively giving you a discount on your favorite sets. Furthermore, VIP members sometimes get early access to sales or are offered discounts on limited-edition products that non-members wouldn’t know about.

Lego's VIP Double Points Events are where many collectors strike gold. During these special promotions, you earn double the rewards points, which can then be used for future purchases. This doesn’t technically lower the price tag, but it gives you significant savings in the long run, especially if you’re planning on making large purchases.

Third-Party Retailers – The True Bargain Hunters’ Playground:

Let’s pivot to third-party retailers. Lego controls their own pricing, but many stores like Walmart, Target, Amazon, and other online retailers offer Lego sets at a discount, often competing during the holiday season or big sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and even Prime Day. If you’re not strictly looking to buy directly from a Lego store, these third-party retailers can be your best bet for finding significant savings.

A notable trend among these retailers is offering bundle deals, where buying multiple sets at once can lead to savings, or where sets are combined with gift cards or future store discounts. Target, for example, is known to offer a $10 gift card with purchases over a certain amount during these sales events. Keep an eye out for these combinations, as they can add up over time.

Buying Directly From Lego.com – Online Promotions:

Surprisingly, sometimes the best sales don’t happen in the store but online. Lego.com, especially during the holiday season or special event days, offers exclusive deals. During promotional events, they offer discounts on select items or gift-with-purchase offers, where buying a set earns you a bonus item that’s not available for individual purchase.

These bonuses can include limited-edition mini-sets or exclusive figurines, which can be highly sought after by collectors. Gift-with-purchase offers are one of Lego’s most effective strategies to drive sales without directly discounting the actual price of their products, maintaining the premium feel of the brand.

What About Black Friday Sales?

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are perhaps the biggest sale days of the year, but they’re also tricky when it comes to Lego. While you will find Lego sets on sale at major retailers, the discounts at the official Lego store are more about selective markdowns and gift-with-purchase opportunities. Lego doesn’t do across-the-board percentage discounts like other brands. Instead, they focus on specific sets or lines.

For example, in previous years, Lego has offered small sets for free with purchases over a certain amount. While this isn’t a direct discount on the set you might be eyeing, it can still offer considerable value, especially if you’re a collector looking for exclusive items.

Patience Pays – Waiting for Sets to Retire:

This is perhaps the riskiest strategy but also one of the most rewarding if you play your cards right. Lego sets retire after a few years, and once they do, they often see significant price reductions as retailers try to clear out inventory. However, this comes with the risk that a set will sell out completely, and then the price could skyrocket on the secondary market. But if you time it right, you can find some great deals as a set is nearing the end of its production life.

Buying Pre-Owned or Certified Refurbished Sets:

If you don’t mind pre-owned sets, buying second-hand can be an excellent way to get Lego at a discount. BrickLink and eBay are two major platforms where Lego fans buy and sell both new and used sets. You can often find retired or hard-to-find sets here at reasonable prices. Keep in mind, though, that the condition of the set and whether it’s complete can vary, so it’s important to read listings carefully.

For those who prefer buying directly from Lego, Certified Refurbished Sets are another option. These are sets that have been returned to Lego, thoroughly inspected, and repackaged. They’re often sold at a discount compared to brand-new sets, but with the assurance that all pieces are accounted for.

Key Takeaways:

• Yes, Lego stores do have sales, but they’re often quiet and selective, focusing on specific sets or promotions.
• Lego VIP Program offers exclusive rewards, discounts, and access to sales not available to non-members.
• Third-party retailers often have the best deals during big shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Prime Day.
• Online promotions at Lego.com can sometimes offer better deals than physical stores, especially when it comes to gift-with-purchase offers.
• Buying pre-owned or waiting for sets to retire can also be a great strategy for finding discounts, but it comes with risks.