Local LEGO Shopping!

Hi guys, I’m back! This is my 2nd LEGO Blog Entry, and today, I’m gonna be talking about where and when I usually buy my LEGO Sets, whether its from overseas, locally or online. This entry is going to be much longer, so I apologize.

As we all know, LEGO is an expensive but fun hobby to have and sustain. Living in the beautiful country of Singapore doesn’t help matters much, as local prices of LEGO can be much much higher (30%-40%) than other countries such as the USA and the EU region.

For example, the set below, 75035 Kashyyyk Troopers retails in the USA for about $12.99 USD, whereas in Singapore, this small set with only 99 pieces already retails for $26.90 SGD at local departmental stores and toy shops!

©The Lego Group, Photo courtesy of Brickset

For those of us who have had the opportunity to travel outside of Asia once or twice, you would know that such price discrepancies aren’t limited to certain sets, but actually occur across the entire range of LEGO sets. As such, we take advantage of these rare holidays overseas to purchase LEGO.

Or at least, as a teen that's what I often do anyway.

As a teen, I don’t really have much money to spend (Or any at all really), so I’m really pressed to get the most out of every dollar I have. This means saving up money from my allowance the entire year, for that one Departmental Store sale, or an overseas holiday to splurge and fulfil my LEGO cravings for the next 6 months or so.

And because of this, I find myself becoming much like my mother: Researching online and sifting through various advertisements and shop listings from various departmental stores island-wide, or any sales to find a good bargain before making any purchases.

After a few years of repeating this process, I have found a few good retailers who can consistently be relied upon, for good LEGO sales and deals. Below is a list of 4 local retailers, arranged in no particular order.

1.Toy Station

10 Jalan Serene, Singapore 258748

©ToyBrickStation.com®

This is a LEGO Specialty Store, that deals mainly in LEGO Sets, and various other toys from overseas. The reason why I like this store is because of its huge variety of all kinds of LEGO Sets, and even a few rare or retired sets, such as the 8088 ARC-170. Also, this store stocks all kinds of rare polybags from all LEGO themes, some exclusive ones include the 5002126 Martian Manhunter Minifigure, and 5002123 Darth Revan Minifigure.

©The Lego Group, Photo courtesy of Brickset

©The Lego Group, Photo courtesy of Brickset

©The Lego Group, Photo courtesy of Brickset

But, the best part is, for the entire year, they are having a storewide, 15% discount off the local retail price for all LEGO sets!

Overall, this shop is great for variety, and the 15% discount is amazing, although departmental stores like Metro often have periodic 20% sales. (And online retailer Amazon has way more)

You can visit their store here:

http://www.toybrickstation.com/

2. Metro

290 Orchard Rd #02-28 Paragon

1 Woodlands Square #01-20 Causeway Point

1 Sengkang Square #02-38 Compass Point

180 Kitchener Road #01-06City Square Mall

©Metro Pte. Ltd.

Metro is a departmental store in Singapore, offering a range of items from clothes to cutlery. Metro stands out in this list, because of its popular 20% off sales, and its annual Great Singapore Sale 20%+7% discounts, perfectly coinciding with the release of the new Summer Waves of LEGO Sets.

Price-wise, their discounts surpass those of Toy Station, but they lack in variety and availability, as well as the fact that their sales are periodic, and those applying to LEGO only happen once every 5 months or so.

However, they do have an added benefit in terms of accessibility, with 4 outlets in popular shopping malls island-wide, and they also sell other products. (Making it easier to persuade your parents or your family)

3. Robinsons

260 Orchard Road

50, Jurong Gateway Road #01-07/13

52 North Bridge Rd #03-01 Raffles City

Robinsons is another departmental store though slightly more expensive than Metro. Unlike the previous stores mentioned, Robinsons rarely has sales for LEGO, and instead have vouchers or 10% discounts for members. Their vouchers often work on a basis of "$15 off with $80 spent" or "$50 off with $300 spent" and other variations.

Periodically, they may also organize special events for shoppers involving LEGO, with the most recent being at Raffles City during the June Holidays. These serve as clearance sales, often with 20% off all regular price sets, or special prices such as $9.99 for 9675 Sebulba’s Podracer & Tatooine (U.P. $24.90).

©The Lego Group, Photo courtesy of Brickset

4. Toyshunt

1 Kim Seng Promenade #03-26 Great World City

238 Thomson Road #02-23 Novena Square

2 Tampines Central 5 #03-27 Century Square

©www.toyshunt.com.sg

Toyshunt is another LEGO Specialty store, with a wide variety of LEGO sets, new and old. Unlike Toy Station, they do not have storewide discounts, but instead, they have fixed-price discounts for certain sets.

The thing that is unique about them, is their wide variety of LEGO vehicles, and Minifigures. This shop is ideal for those on a tight budget, and who only want the Minifigures or vehicles from a certain set. Also, Toyshunt sells individual parts and bricks, some more unique elements include mini figure accessories and weapons.

So those are the retailers that I frequent to buy LEGO locally. I will definitely write more articles involving online websites and shopping overseas in the future.

Please leave a comment in the section below about my writing style, and what you would be interested to see in future blog posts! Also, do you have any other LEGO retailers you visit?