Double VIP Points and Pencils of Promise Update

Everything I've seen is that LEGO will be having a double VIP point sale from 7 to 22 March 2016.  That means that instead of getting $5 in store credit for every 100 points (you get 1 point for every dollar you spend), you will get $10 for every 100 points you earn.  If you've been saving up to buy a big set like a modular building or one of the larger Star Wars items, now might be a good time.  Also, LEGO has released a large number of new sets as of 1 March.  There are a bunch of new Star Wars sets, some new Super Heroes sets, and more.  Definitely check out the LEGO Shop at Home site for more info.  

As for me, I'll be looking to pick up a few of the Star Wars sets, but I can't quite decide.  The Millennium Falcon?  Poe's X-Wing?  Or maybe some of the new Star Wars sets that have some of the new minifigures?  We'll see.  

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If you've looked at the Brick Classifieds items for sales or at this site you know that I am running a Pencils of Promise campaign to raise funds to build schools and support students and teachers in Ghana, Guatemala, and Laos.  The campaign started on 24 January 2016 and we are giving 15% of our profits to Pencils of Promise.  After a little over a month, we have raised $13.86.  The amount is slowly going up and I'm confident at the end of this campaign we'll donate a lot to help them out.  Thanks to all who have made purchases so far!

Happy 2016!

It's been a bit since I've posted.  You saw a lot of posts around the holiday period because I took some time off from my day job and got to spend more time with my fun job.  I've finished off most of my building backlog minus one set.  I'm working on the Simpson's Kwik-e-Mart set.  It's taken me longer to build since it's a larger set and I've been busy.  I'm taking notes and pictures and will post a review once I'm done.  There are 17 bags and I'm only through around 4 at this point.  A good build so far though.

For those of you that follow the LEGO company and their sales, one big event for them is the day after Christmas.  They put a lot of sets on sale.  You can find some good deals although you have to act fast.  Often times I'll check in the morning on 26 December and most of the sets they had listed are sold out already.  I was able to pick up some Simpson's Series 2 minifigures and a LEGO Movie set at half off.  I also picked up another Rey's Speeder set which means some additional inventory for the store.  

LEGO also released some new sets on 1 January.  There are some new Star Wars - The Force Awakens sets, the new LEGO Nexo Knights, and a few others ones so check them out.  I haven't bought any yet, but will let you know if I do.

I also managed to catch the LEGO Ideas - The Big Bang Theory set on sale at Amazon to add some minifigures to the store inventory.

Were you able to catch any of the sales after Christmas or in the New Year?  Have you purchased any of the new 2016 sets?  Let me know in the comments!

Newly Released Sets!

It's June and for fans of LEGO it means a whole bunch of new sets.  Typically there are a bunch of new sets around the first of the year and then there are new ones in the summer.  Well June is here and the lineup is pretty big.

To see what is new, go to shop.lego.com and then click on the what's new tab.  It lists 166 items, which to be fair are not all new starting in June.  There are a number of new Star Wars sets to include:
   -the 1,216 piece Imperial Assault CarrierTM
   -a number of new Jurassic World sets
   -the 2,464 piece LEGO Creator Ferris Wheel to go along with sets from previous years to
   include a carousel and fairground mixer
   -a few new Creator sets to include an impressive looking fighter jet
   -the LEGO City Square 
   -the LEGO City Deep Sea Explorer sets
   -LEGO City Space
   -new Ultra Agents sets
   -new Legends of Chima sets
   -more Mixels
   -and finally the LEGO Architecture Flatiron building

It's definitely an interesting lineup worth checking out and LEGO is offering a number of special promotions to entice you to buy.  So if you've been saving up for a fun summer build, this time be a good time to check out what there is.

May the 4th Be With You

Since 1999, the LEGO Company has been producing Star Wars themed sets.  These sets have become increasingly more detailed and intricate.  For those of you that collect these sets, you'll notice that they can be pretty pricey.  

Every year for the past few years, the LEGO company has held a May the 4th sale.  This year's sale started on 2 May and ended today on 4 May.  It included a free minifigure for purchasing $75 or more in Star Wars sets.  It also included a number of Star Wars sets discounted on the "Sales and Deals" page.  Finally, it included the release of a number of new sets to mainly include the $199.99 priced, 1,685 piece Tie Fighter Ultimate Collector's Edition.  If you missed the sale, stay tuned for the sale next year.

As for Bricks for Bricks, I'm working on building up the Star Wars inventory for sales in the fall.  I have a small number of sets that have been discounted from their retail price, a few assembled items for sale, and then a number of minifigures.  A word of warning... Star Wars sets are expensive and minifigures do not sell cheaply on the secondary markets either.  I do my best to price them fairly and in the past I have gone out on the secondary market and found cheaper "used" Star Wars minifigures.  From past sales one of the biggest requests I've had was for R2-D2 minifigures.  To answer that question, yes I have some of them and will have them available in the fall.