Welcome to the second half of 2016! We’re almost a week into July which means the June toy sales are beginning to wind down. We’ve still got one retailer that’s yet to show their hand – Target Australia. They are gearing up for their “not-a-sale” toy event (whatever that is), and with the emergence of UCS Tie Fighters & Assault on Hoths on their shelves, it’s probably just days away.
Target (Catalogue Link 20 July – 7 August)
Target have kicked off their not-a-toy-sale, Toy Event and it is mostly disappointing. If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you’d have known that Target Australia have indicated that they would be shifting away from dedicated toy sales and instead focus on offering “everyday low prices” on toys ala Big W and Kmart. Basically, they’ve slightly discounted some sets all year round.
That also means that there aren’t any especially notable discounts which means that savvy LEGO shoppers have bugger all to look forward to in this Toy Event.
Not to be outdone by other retailers, Target has prominently featured their catalogue of exclusive sets. The big ticket items are of course the 76052 Classic TV Series Batcave and the piece of turd set 75098 Assault on Hoth (read my review here to see how much I hate it). Unfortunately, both these new exclusives are not discounted which means you really shouldn’t bother since you’re better off just buying them off LEGO.com and netting some VIP points.
Target also sees the return of the UCS Tie Fighter, which has been slightly discounted by less than 10%. A really small consolation but really, nothing that gets me too excited. Seriously, I doubt this “Toy Event” is going to move a lot of sets off the shelves. I also predict that Target will start panicking and start offering more discounts come August to make space for all the new sets that are due to arrive soon.
For LEGO Dimensions fans, Target is also offering the bonus Green Arrow polybag with purchase of LEGO Dimensions Starter Packs.
Honestly, there’s nothing incredible here. These “new lower prices” are just insulting. Target kinda deserve to be in dire financial straits purely on the shambles that is this “toy event” – which is a shame as I like shopping at Target and used to think that their toy discounts were traditionally pretty great.
I’m just not going to bother calculating the percentage discounts as some of them – seriously, some sets are just $1 off, which somehow qualifies them as “new lower prices”. C’mon Target, you can do better than this.
Format: $sale price | $RRP (percentage discount)
Target Exclusives:
- 76052 Classic TV Series Batcave – $399| $399 (0%)
- 75098 Assault on Hoth – $399| $399 (0%)
- 75095 UCS Tie Fighter – $279| $300 (7%)
- 60131 Crooks Island – $39 | $50 (22%)
- 70588 Titanium Ninja Tumbler – $45| $50 (10%)
- 41133 Amusement Park Bumper Cars – $59| $60(1%)
Slightly Better Than $1/$2 Discounts (but still pretty lacklustre)
- 60128 Police Pursuit – $28| $30 (6%)
- 60107 Fire Ladder Truck – $28| $30 (6%)
- 70313 Moltor’s Lava Smasher – $29| $35(17%)
- 70317 The Fortrex – $119| $140 (15%)
- 75136 Droid Escape Pod – $39| $45 (13%)
- 75137 Carbon Freezing Chamber – $39| $45 (13%)
- 41122 Adventure Camp Tree House – $88| $100 (12%)
- 41121 Adventure Camp Rafting – $38| $45 (15%)
- 41119 Hartlake Cupcake Cafe – $54| $60 (10%)
- 41176 The Secret Market Place – $72| $80 (10%)
Seriously, go home, Target LEGO Catalogue person – you’re drunk.
UPDATE: MYER HAS 30% OFF ALL LEGO
So, Myer have officially gone mad. They’re offering a 30% off all LEGO sale from Saturday and ends Sunday, 10 July.
30% off all LEGO is unprecedented in recent times. I think the last time I ever saw a broad 30% off all LEGO sale was… Boxing Day 2012? I can’t remember.
Anyway, this is an amazing deal, and is great because it also works online. This means, that Myer’s big ticket exclusives have dropped even further.
- 75060 Star Wars UCS Slave 1 – $209
- 10251 Creator Expert Brick Bank – $175
- 10248 Creator Expert Ferrari F40 – $90
If you pulled the trigger at 20%, I highly recommend returning it. Myer have a pretty easy Return Policy (even for online purchases) and you can return, exchange or refund sets at any Myer store – it doesn’t matter where you bought them, even online.
So uh…Good luck!
No big sale in July yet, but I wanted to create this July sales post to alert you guys on a fantastic 5 day sale that Myer is currently running.
If you want quicker updates on sales, you can follow the Jay’s Brick Blog Facebook page where I broke the news earlier this morning.
Myer (6 – 10 July)
Imma cut to the chase – Myer has 20% off ALL LEGO till Sunday, 10 July. Yeah sure, Jay, we already know that since the toy sale catalogue runs till the 17th of July.
Myer have a 5-day 20% off sale which INCLUDES all their exclusives, which have previously only been discounted for less than 10% in Myer’s Toy Sale catalogue. So if you’ve been waiting to pounce on the Modular Brick Bank, Ferrari F40 and UCS Slave 1, now’s your time to do it.
- 75060 Star Wars UCS Slave 1 – $239
- 10251 Creator Expert Brick Bank – $200
- 10248 Creator Expert Ferrari F40 – $104
The sale is currently active online and SHOULD be in-store as well.
I wouldn’t hesitate, especially if you’ve been eyeing the Brick Bank as it’ll probably sell out incredibly quickly. Modulars at 20% is the magical number that most people pull the trigger on.
Good luck!
Oh and if you haven’t noticed, the new 75828 Ecto 1 & 2 has gone on sale on LEGO.com and will cost AU$99.99. Pretty pricey and the jury is still out on the movie (since y’know, it’s not actually in cinemas) if it’ll manage to capture the magic and essence of the original Ghostbusters or be a total flop.
Anyway, there are a few issues with ordering from LEGO.com, since there’s a limit of 1 per order and you’ll need to hit AU$200 to qualify for free shipping, which isn’t convenient for people who just want the updated Ecto 1 & 2.
Here’s a workaround from Barnes & Noble, an American book retailer who conveniently ship to Australia at affordable prices!
You can purchase 75828 Ecto 1 & 2 from Barnes & Noble and get it shipped to you (in Australia) for about the same price as LEGO.com – just under $100. If you buy more than 1 set, the shipping increases also work favourably and you can almost get each set for approximately AU$90 – so it works well if you have a friend to share the order with, or if you want more than 1.
NOTE: There are a few flimsy rumours that this set will arrive in Australian retail stores in July, but nothing concrete has been confirmed just yet. So if you’re not in a rush to get them, you could probably wait it out.
The movie comes out next week (on the 14th of July), so if LEGO Australia/retailers are smart… they should tie it in together with the theatrical release.
Oh and Barnes and Noble ships pretty much worldwide (to my knowledge) so this applies to my international readers as well!
Disclaimer: Barnes & Noble links are affiliate links and I receive a small percentage of any orders you make if you follow the links above. These go towards upkeep of the site and are very appreciated!
Watch this space for more July LEGO deals!
Woolworths currently has Simpsons series 2 mini figures for $2.50!! I have only found one store with a couple left, but some of the others still had the discounted tags on the shelves. So if you can find them great value.
Whoa nice. Mine has been cleaned out 🙁
The Lego shop sale on Etco 1 & 2 is nice, but there is there is no promo set. Good if it is accompany with a ginger bread house or Christmas train.
The recent Fountain set was pretty nice! I’m looking forward to the exclusive Christmas ones this year, they’re always really great!
After picking up the Slave 1 and a Millennium Falcon at 30% off from Myer, Target’s toy event is the worst Lego prices seen from a major retailer all year imho. The prices are almost identical to before the event even started.
My local Target in QLD is really overflowing with UCS Hoth’s and UCS Tie’s as spotted in other Target stores around Australia in the build up to this “toy event” launch.
Unsurprisingly their not moving at all and its going to stay that way when their rivals are doing 20%.
Its disappointing to say the least I was planning on picking up A UCS Tie which I missed last year Target had for $239 but this year its $279.
Totally agree Jay they’re going hit the panic button real soon.
It’s quite strange because Target had some really great sales earlier this year. Just be patient, with the August sets almost here, they’re going to need to start clearing space on their shelves very, very soon.
Just picked up the helicaarrier for 380 at Big W., trying to find Grand Hotel for 100, check on line for the discounts.
Great score!
On that Target ‘Not a Toy Sale’ where they decided to advertise that they have toys not on sale … Big W has released another week of 20% Off all toys. Although we are looking at the same items as a couple of weeks ago at least his is a decent opportunity if you missed out last time or were expecting something useful to come out of Target.
Also not much of anything if the Bat Cave is the same price as the Lego site but without the points.
Geez, I was away over the weekend so I’m just catching up on LEGO news. What an awful “sale” from Target. It’s like the Assault on Hoth but for LEGO sales. Just bad.
30% off is the best I’ve seen for a while. Although I’m almost finished collecting my LEGO Minecraft sets, so nothing for me in this sale.
Yeah, 30% is crazy good value. Do you have the Minecraft Village or are you waiting for that one to come to retail?
Batcave and Hoth ‘UCS’ both at my local target in NSW
Cool, thanks for the field report!
Target’s “Toy Event” starts Wed 20 July. And I got told it’s Not a toy sale, it’s a toy event.
Ah, I’ve been told that as well, although I’ve heard through my source that they’re mostly going to adopt Kmart’s “Everyday Low Prices” policy. I’ll keep a lookout for info on their event closer to the 20th!
i missed 4 modular buildings on sale in the last month.
it sold out incredibly quickly. so sad.
Yeah… you gotta be really quick with modulars, cause resellers tend to buy multiples for investment. It’s unfortunate but there’s usually nothing much you can do about it.
Went a put a Batcave on layby today as I wasn’t 100% committed to handing over the $399 on the spot. (I’m still annoyed they excluded 60’s Batgirl).
I picked up a copy of the Friend’s Amusement Park Bumper Cars while I was at Target.
Oh cool. I saw the Bumper cars on their site, but I am waiting for a decent discount before I pounce.
Fair enough. The shaker ride is the highlight of the set.
Ah, you’re getting me pretty excited about it!
Just bought 3 slave 1’s from Myer Knox.very happy thanks for the heads up jay.
There were about 6 left on Wednesday night.
Wow Chris!! 3 slave 1??? why would you need 3?!?!?!
Hopefully to make some extra cash in the future to help pay for my Lego addiction !
Whoa, that’s a lot of Slave 1s!
No mention of a target toy event coming up. Staff in target told me there will be a toy event in July??
Any new anyone
Just picked up The brick bank, for under $200 at in store at Myer.
Nice!! Got 4 out of the five available modular buildings on sale in the last month.
Check target online, UCS tie fighter and UCS Hoth is available and in stock, not great discount on the tie, and no discount on Hoth.
Just called my local target at WA (bullcreek). Batcave not in yet. Asked abt the toy event and was informed that the toy event will be coming in a couple of weeks.
Jay, you are a gentleman and a scholar – and my wallet is $200 lighter 🙂 love the brick bank!
The Myer sale is disappointing. Same stock that has been on their shelves for what seems like an age now with just a couple of larger sets bought in such as UCS Slave 1 and Ferrari GT. Other than that, little to get excited about.
And i bought both of the slave 1 n ferrari at the lower discount n opened both! Sigh. The slave 1 such a beauty though been holding out for one. Didnt want to miss it. I think the brick bank was all gone at garden city in WA last sunday. Left sith 5 slave 1 and quite a few ferraris
I’ve also seen the Batcave at my local Target in Brisbane, Queensland. They had eight to ten sets on the shelves for $400 each. They also had a LOT of stock of the Assault on Hoth ($400) and Tie Fighter ($300) sets.
Those Assault on Hoth sets are going to rot on the shelves. I can so see it happening. Also, the TIE Fighter has been slightly discounted to $279!
Do you know when they’re doing another Lego Giveaway cause i searched and searched but could not find one? Can you please help me. Thank You.
I saw the 60s Batcave at target yesterday
WHAT!? That’s huge news, although not totally surprising! Which Target is this may I ask?
Penrith
Penrith $399 they had 3 on the shelf, I thought was weird, although it was in a spider wrap
Yup, it’s been confirmed being sold for AU$399!