LEGO Set Review - Bricktober Toys'R'Us 40144

Well now I honestly didn't see this coming. Makes sense though, right? Back in 2010 We got a minifig size Toys'R'Us truck and storefront. So why not have a mini Bricktober store? Looks pretty good actually. Kind of ironic that it has the lowest piece count of any of this year's promo sets. Toys'R'Us where we give you the least amount possible for the most money possible. That was kind of how I acquired this set. Yes, I paid over MSRP for a couple of sets. But I couldn't price match because price matching and promos are mutually inexclusive in the TRU universe. I take solace in knowing that I still got the sets in question for under 10c per piece. I think that was TRU's goal anyway.

Back to the review!

The TRU store is simple, bright, and effective. Primary colors, heavy on the blue. I'll admit that someone knows something about color theory because it makes me want to miniaturize myself and walk in to browse around. Not necessarily spend, mind you. Like the train station it's a 10-wide module. I call it self-edification. Unlike the train station it has two 4x10 base plates and so doesn't offer the option to shrink it to an 8-wide building. I call that arrogance.

And by the way what is that clear... thing out in front? Is this a micro louvre? It does have a trash bin near the door which seems appropriate. Like the rest of the models, there was plenty of attention given to the rear facade. You can see a roll-up door where overpriced deliveries are made. You can often see employees out here having their prolonged smoke break. The truck is a nice departure from the usual cars. It might make more sense if it was wider as compared to the smaller cars, but then you'd have to embiggen several oif the other vehicles as well.

Part of the reason the piece count may be low is because of the amount of bricks used instead of plates. Given the color massing in some places, bricks easily accomplish what is needed. The efficiency is so good that rather than add another piece type of a blue 1x4 brick, they used the similar brick with 4 side studs. But the side studs are hidden inside the building. Since there's more monetary and build value in the SNOT piece, I swapped mine out for a boring old 3010.

Much as I dislike stickers I think they add something here. Obviously TRU wants their branding and printed pieces may have had more value but much like the prior set, stickers give the welcome option. I ultimately applied my stickers but these shot are sans decor for your viewing pleasure.

It's kind of a relief that Bricktober's over. Though rumor has it that I'm going to need to get into a TRU again soon to get the new off-roader (Hummer) polybag. I'll tackle that trauma when I get to it.

Set Review - The Ghost TRU promo

Toys'Arrr'Us sure has been playing a prominent role in my acquisition program lately. This time it was simple. A LUG buddy picked up a copy of the micro Ghost promo for me. I had seen the ship on the blogosphere the week before and even though I don't care a Bantha's hair about Rebels, I am a bit of a microscale fan. So it was very cool of my friend and very exciting to receive a copy of the build.

Almost a copy.

I have to wonder if this was a well planned promo. I mean, think about it. It's October. It's BRICKtober. It's a ghost. Let it sink in a moment.

The build was nothing fancy, lots of straight stacking with one step asking you to put a plate's underside pegs into the hollow studs of another piece. But despite the simple build, the design is really accurate in aesthetic. I was... impressed. Kudos to the designer. The best part of the build is on the back where you stick a 1x2 plate with a single finger click hinge. You just KNOW there's going to be a micro build of the Phantom to dock up to. The question is, when?

Back that thing up!

So all hail to TLG for this great little design but sucks to your assmar to TRU. I couldn't actually build my ship all the way because they had forgotten a few pieces. All four white 1x1 plates were missing as was the crucial docking apparatus. Apparently TRU is the Empire and they are trying to undermine the Rebels' mission.  More sadly, I didn't have a black one to steal from anywhere.  A click hinge, a click hinge, my cause for a click hinge!

Missed the event or don't have as good of friends as me? Instructions below.

Set Review - Toys'R'Us Geoffrey Giraffe 40077

Geoffrey was an accident.  Back around Cyber Monday, Toys'R'Us was running a deal that was too good to pass up, even with the usual headaches that you get from shopping there.  They had just stocked the floor with the new Hobbit sets at MSRP and were offering BOGOH (Buy One Get One Halfoff) on just about every doggone set.  I made my purchase online using Ebates (thereby saving another 5%).  Of the half dozen TRU locations around me, only one store had the Mirkwood Elf Army in stock.  I e-purchased 6 sets at that store and then drove down to get it.

For starters, the self-serve kiosk to pick up your pre-paid merchandise is at the back of the store.  I waited in line at customer service where after 5 minutes I was told I was in the wrong place.  "You need to be back there".  So I went 'back there' and scanned the printout I brought with me.  Nothing doing.  Apparently I'm using the wrong brand of printer as it wouldn't scan.  I called customer service and after three automated requests some guy came sauntering over like he got paid by the minute.  I gave him my receipt and he returned a few minutes later with a large bag of sets.  Pain in the Orc but case closed.

Except then I browsed.

I was surprised at some of the prices at TRU.  Many were higher than MSRP but the amount AT MSRP was shocking.  I seriously considered buying more stuff as their BOGOH was good in store but my LEGO budget was already pretty red.  I did see a TRU exclusive that I'm sure will never be elsewhere (except the secondary market), Geoffrey the Giraffe.

And so, dear reader, thank you for sticking with me through my TRU trauma.  As for the set itself, it's a winner.  Other than it's creepy looking.  At what point on the neck of a giraffe does a bust end?  And why are his eyes so buggy?  I suppose he was extra scared in his last seconds.  But a buggy eyed giraffe bust mounted on a large green tile is sure to delight the kiddies.  "Mama, I think he just winked at me."  Not much of any other way to get the eyes right with a 1x1 round plate on a 2x2 dish unless you enlarge the build itself.

Giraffe in the headlights

Got his tail, too...

But the orange and yellow color massing is good.  And the parts count is good too.  Many parts have duplicates and more.  Out of 90+5 pieces there are 32 unique elements.  I'm not sure if anyone tracks that metric, unique elements per set (Caperberry?).  Maybe someone could write an app for that.  Regardless, $4.99 for 95 pieces is like 5c each.  What's gotten into TRU?

For yellow and orange pieces (mostly yellow) this is a cheap parts pack.  The green 8x8 round tile alone is almost worth the price of admission.  As is, of course, the creepy factor.