VIP Exclusive Holiday Shopping Event 2013

[solo606]

Gurnee Mills store opened Friday Nov 1st.
The previous store manager from Northbrook moved to the Gurnee store.

[melsig]

Gurnee Mills store opened Friday Nov 1st.
The previous store manager from Northbrook moved to the Gurnee store.

Oh, that's interesting - I didn't know about the new store either.

[slisa51]

There are absolutely no discount cards being handed out. The 10%, 20%, and 50% cards that were given out the last few years are no longer being done. They have a scratch card, that 90% of which will be a free keychain and the rest will be small giveaway gift cards. They are giving out the holiday set 2 of 2 (the red truck) with a $100 purchase and a free pick a brick box. They are probably going to deep discount several non-exclusive soon to be retiring sets. You will probably be able to get more info next week.

[atmail35]

Has anyone in MA or New England received an invite this year? I have not seen one yet and was still hoping for one, but am wondering if it is too late (no mail on Monday either!).

[bobl]

I haven't received one, but I have never received one in the past.

[raidermab]

anybody in UTAH receive an invite?

[doodlebird]

IIRC, each store sends out 25 (or corporate send them out for the store), and then the store manager has an additional 5 to hand out to those that didn't make the cut. so if you're friendly with your store manager, you might be able to wrangle an invite. if you do get one, bring someone with you - someone who will spend. obviously, they want to bring in their big spenders and make them feel special to get them to spend even more. that's what the stores are for... selling lego. so if the manager is nice enough to give you an invite, you can be nice enough to help him out with a sales bump.

IMHO this isn't much of a reward to customers, it's an "opportunity" for us to spend even more. yes, last year we got a free poster, a free lanyard, and a free reusable lego bag... those were better than nothing, but really, we want brick, no? or at least decent sales like every other major lego retailer gives. the free brick aspects - the PaB box and Holiday set 2 of 2 are available to everyone. and as someone said earlier, the Black Friday sales were better than this VIP hour. you know things are bad when Toys R Us has better deals. :(

[Hodgeman]

Anyone in Canada get an invite yet?

Last year I did get one, but it arrived *after* the event! Luckily, the store sent out an email a few days before asking me to RSVP so I did get to attend... but based on the low turnout, I suspect many others didn't get the invites in time...

[zztoy]

Atmail.. I have always received one, but not yet this year yet.

[bulwark]

Anyone in Canada get an invite yet?

Last year I did get one, but it arrived *after* the event! Luckily, the store sent out an email a few days before asking me to RSVP so I did get to attend... but based on the low turnout, I suspect many others didn't get the invites in time...

My invite never came at all last year. Just got the email reminding me.

So far nothing this year either.

[dulait]

Anyone in Canada get an invite yet?

Last year I did get one, but it arrived *after* the event! Luckily, the store sent out an email a few days before asking me to RSVP so I did get to attend... but based on the low turnout, I suspect many others didn't get the invites in time...

My invite never came at all last year. Just got the email reminding me.

So far nothing this year either.

Given if the rumor slisa51 said is true about no discount scratch card, then who cares if we receive the invite or not.

[zztoy]

We'll no invite this year. Must of been because I complained about their Lego builds being scheduled at 5 ish on a work night and the impossibility of getting my kids there at that time with all the traffic in the area (Boston area stores) and getting out of work. It will save me money anyway....

[PalaceBrother]

Anyone in Canada get an invite yet?

Last year I did get one, but it arrived *after* the event! Luckily, the store sent out an email a few days before asking me to RSVP so I did get to attend... but based on the low turnout, I suspect many others didn't get the invites in time...

Yes, I got an email yesterday for my local store.

Honestly, I'm most excited about getting the Black Friday bonus set in advance so I can avoid the craziness.

[dulait]

Anyone in Canada get an invite yet?

Last year I did get one, but it arrived *after* the event! Luckily, the store sent out an email a few days before asking me to RSVP so I did get to attend... but based on the low turnout, I suspect many others didn't get the invites in time...

Yes, I got an email yesterday for my local store.

Honestly, I'm most excited about getting the Black Friday bonus set in advance so I can avoid the craziness.

Lineups were never bad compared to any grand opennings. It is the kids running around and being noisy might drive some people crazy. Again, with the lack of incentive, giving us a free pick a brick box is like a slap in the face. I am glad I did not receive an invite. Until they decide to hand out sets like I mentioned earlier, they have to pay me to attend this so call lacking VIP event at the break of dawn.

[eisenmatt]

Does anyone have any idea what the VIP exclusive shop@home event will be? Was there one last year?

[chilliepalmer]

I was told there would be triple points

[lego the hutt]

I was told there would be triple points

Can anyone confirm this?

EDIT: since we have seen what the discounts will be in the UK and they are nothing near this, and it was that persons second post, I'm going to assume this is false even though doing a quick search shows this is also being rumored on brickset.

Has triple Vip points been a thing before? I'd think I would remember that.

Where is Oregon do you live Cpalmer?

[badbob001]

I'm in the US and I can confirm that the checkout has triple VIP points + the set holiday set. No 10% off. :(

[grymg]

just logged on, it's triple points, free shipping no minimum, and free holiday set for $99

[Kasmca]

Anyone have details on what they offered in stores today for the VIPs?