TRUTH Tactics : and now the end is here

[dcdfan]

Thank you.  Yes, this.  I have plenty of successes, but when I get denied (for whatever reason, whether I'm right or they are right), I just move along and try again the next time.  That cashier or manager isn't there 24 hours a day, and they are doing their best to do their job.  I know I get annoyed when my coworkers tell me I'm doing my job wrong (and they would no better than most) - I can't imagine having random people come in and tell me how to do my job.

We're not really that random though. We're the same guy with a coupon from last Thursday and the Thursday before that and the Thursday before that...

[Alpinemaps]

2 minutes ago, dcdfan said:

We're not really that random though. We're the same guy with a coupon from last Thursday and the Thursday before that and the Thursday before that...

Well, that's a good point.  I do get recongized often.  But I find a smile and using a name, and not trying to abuse things every single time I run into the same person goes a long way.

The other day I picked up a Chicken Suit Guy from a cashier that has seen me plenty of times.  I asked for one.  She even said, "you only want one?"  She was a little shocked, but I figured I earned additional bonus points with her.

Maybe it doesn't get me anything, or maybe it's just a little bit of extra good will the next time I want to stack or use the DGC with CC on a Thursday.

[dcdfan]

4 minutes ago, Alpinemaps said:

Well, that's a good point.  I do get recongized often.  But I find a smile and using a name, and not trying to abuse things every single time I run into the same person goes a long way.

The other day I picked up a Chicken Suit Guy from a cashier that has seen me plenty of times.  I asked for one.  She even said, "you only want one?"  She was a little shocked, but I figured I earned additional bonus points with her.

Maybe it doesn't get me anything, or maybe it's just a little bit of extra good will the next time I want to stack or use the DGC with CC on a Thursday.

I like to say "please write your name on the receipt so I can mention how helpful you were". Not every time (obviously) but enough for them to know I appreciate the service. Lets face it, I'm sick of seeing me there too...

Edited March 18, 2016 by dcdfan

[blarghiflargh]

2 minutes ago, dcdfan said:

I like to say "please write your name on the receipt so I can mention how helpful you were"...

I always do the online survey mentioned on the receipt if I get a good TRU cashier, and give them high marks.

[dcdfan]

3 minutes ago, blarghiflargh said:

I always do the online survey mentioned on the receipt if I get a good TRU cashier, and give them high marks.

Unfortunately, I'm a little too generous with my survey. If you took the coupon, you are excellent...

Edited March 18, 2016 by dcdfan

[Average Guy]

Strange and eerie evil abounds..... 

Thursday I went into my local TRU  where Miss Sourpuss works. She hangs out at the Customer Service desk so I waited until the regular cashier was next to finished with the customer ahead. Then I hear the call, "I can help the next person in line over here at the Service Desk". I start walking over there without looking and to my chagrin it's Miss Sourpuss Jr. (one of the previously mentioned 2 Lifer girlfriends of, Miss Sourpuss Sr.), and who is there next to her? The Original Gansta, Miss Sourpuss herself. Ugh...I involuntarily wince at the sight of her.  She sees the pain on my face and surprisingly, she quickly leaves. Whew, one obstacle avoided. Now I go unto her well trained apprentice.

Miss Sourpuss Jr. engages me politely but with an air of insincerity.  I brought to the counter, Indominus Rex, used TRUTH, surrendered the physical 20% off coupon that I pulled off the mailer while standing in front of her, and now for the 15% off Paypal Digital TRU coupons - dead. $0 on all three! What is this treachery! Could the evil Miss Sourpuss Sr. have cast a spell on this transaction too? She wasn't anywhere to be seen but I knoweth of her great powers, for she conjures from thin air to appear with wretched face and the authority of "NO!".  My dignity forces me to draw the line at stalking the parking lot to see who is working, but I think she even drives, err...flies, a broom to work, so I am a wary of her.  I ask politely for Miss Sourpuss Jr. to try and check the balance of all 3 Paypal TRU gift cards and they all show $0. Dismayed, I tell her where the cards came from and that it is not her fault, probably a fluke. She looks on indifferently as I pay the total with my TRU credit card. With insincere pleasantries exchanged and feeling a little defeated, I now start to leave having forfeited about $16xx by not having money on those gift cards, instead paying with my TRU credit card. As I take a last look through the store while heading for the exit I see Miss Sourpuss Sr.'s head observe the entire transaction while hiding behind a short isle. Hmmm...did she actually shut me down with her powers?

So after the mishap I go home and check my purchase records and telephone Paypal. Turns out it was a Paypal error and rep. issues me 3 new gift cards which are instantly activated. Was this a chance fluke or have the evil powers of Miss Sourpuss pervaded their way unto Paypal? I don't know but just to be on the safe side, I'm going to build a sacrifice made of Lego and toss it into a volcano, or the nearest available fire pit and hope it relieves my vex, err...hex.

[Bold-Arrow]

^ well written 

[macpro76]

15 hours ago, HappyHawkeye said:

Agreed! If and when these coupons go the way of the dodo bird, it will be for reasons like this. If you're going to abuse them, please don't brag about it here.

Coupons like this will never go away.  Its their way (TRU) of clearing inventory through a perceived savings to the regular customer at TRU.  We all know that TRU is generally higher the SRP.  But, for those who know lego (such as fellow BP members) don't fall for this perceived savings when the price is 15%-20% higher than what can get it on from lego.com.  We only get the sets that are at SRP (or less) and then apply the coupon.  

I fellow member posted it, It was not my intention to abuse it and I was not bragging.  Just stating my finds and savings, just like other members do. 

 

 

[Deadfraggle]

8 minutes ago, macpro76 said:

Coupons like this will never go away.  Its their way (TRU) of clearing inventory through a perceived savings to the regular customer at TRU.  We all know that TRU is generally higher the SRP.  But, for those who know lego (such as fellow BP members) don't fall for this perceived savings when the price is 15%-20% higher than what can get it on from lego.com.  We only get the sets that are at SRP (or less) and then apply the coupon.  

I fellow member posted it, It was not my intention to abuse it and I was not bragging.  Just stating my finds and savings, just like other members do. 

 

 

TRU may always offer coupons, but they may, like Target, B&N, BAM, and others, choose to commonly exclude LEGO items from those coupons. They could also change their policy so that customers can only use the physical coupon that is mailed to Rewards customers, or email out unique coded coupons that are linked to a specific rewards account. Like the B&N coupons, these could be single use, and once scanned, inactivated.

[macpro76]

2 minutes ago, Deadfraggle said:

TRU may always offer coupons, but they may, like Target, B&N, BAM, and others, choose to commonly exclude LEGO items from those coupons. They could also change their policy so that customers can only use the physical coupon that is mailed to Rewards customers, or email out unique coded coupons that are linked to a specific rewards account. Like the B&N coupons, these could be single use, and once scanned, inactivated.

I agree with some of what you are saying.  Nevertheless, coming from a business stand point, Legos at TRU are generally higher (due to there contractual agreements with Lego). We have to look at this with two sets of eyes.  One from the general buyer and the other through the eyes of an investor.  For the average buyer...they are not in the mind set know the price differences (or even care to check).  They go in with their kids and come out with toys for them.   For them to exclude legos during 20% would not really affect their bottom line. Because majority of their buyers are not investors.  Their mark up makes up for the difference in other items as well. 

The investor:  Why would I buy a set from TRU at ~15% higher price when I can get the same set from S&H or another seller?  Now, when they introduce a 20% coupon (or another promotion) that drives the price of the product lower than SRP...is where the fun begins (especially with TRUTH).  The minds of all investors start to work in over drive (and you can't say they they don't).  I have read many posts that include TRUTH, GC, rewards and these kinds of promos for a single purchase resulting in outstanding savings leading to a low investment cost.

The digital single use coupon is the way of the future (it will get there eventually). This would be in line with what Dunkin Donuts does with their free beverage reward through their mobile app. Once its scanned, it disappears from the device.

Side note:  I dont claim to know all about Lego investing and the tactics used to obtain them as the lowest price possible.  But, I do have 3 properties that deal with guests all day long 24/7. As an owner of these properties for more than 20 years, I have dealt with the same tactics when guests are trying to save as much as they can.  I don't blame, I encourage it.  This has driven all three properties to be in the top 3 in each of their locations.  This in turns, drives more business to all of my properties compared to my competitive set in my market, resulting in more revenue.  

[Achilles]

I Ihadn't gotten to swing into TRU for a few weeks, when I was there last, the few local stores had 20-30 of the Bricktober sets on Clearance at $9.98. Honestly, since this is what the RP of these should have been to begin with, I expect them to hang around a bit. I have to admit, I was a bit surprised when I came back in a few weeks later and they were cleared out. 

Maybe there's some hope for these after all.

 

[blarghiflargh]

They were a pretty poor promotion all-around.  They should go back to the Bricktober minifigure sets.  

[Kenxxx]

My Toys R Us cashier told me that TRUTH ends at the end of April.  But she admitted that "... they said that last year, too..."

[exciter1]

They were a pretty poor promotion all-around.  They should go back to the Bricktober minifigure sets.  

The mini-modulars appear to perform better in the aftermarket than the minifig packs. That's my observation. Maybe until now...

[terrymc4677]

I Ihadn't gotten to swing into TRU for a few weeks, when I was there last, the few local stores had 20-30 of the Bricktober sets on Clearance at $9.98. Honestly, since this is what the RP of these should have been to begin with, I expect them to hang around a bit. I have to admit, I was a bit surprised when I came back in a few weeks later and they were cleared out. 

Maybe there's some hope for these after all.

 

Or there is a noob investor in your area that saw the 50% off clearance sign and instantly saw dollar signs.

[blarghiflargh]

5 hours ago, exciter1 said:

The mini-modulars appear to perform better in the aftermarket than the minifig packs. That's my observation. Maybe until now...

I have no doubt you're right from the reseller POV, given the dubious availability outside the US, but the buy-in for casuals was pretty high IMO and too much stock was left over at the end of the promotion.  I never bought any of the mini-modulars because I knew there'd be no local sales since people could still walk into TRU and buy them months after the promotion.  The minifigure packs had people buying the limit every week and at least locally there was never any stock left over by the end of the week.

Edited March 22, 2016 by blarghiflargh

[zskid00]

The appeal of the Bricktober sets is to make your own discount on other LEGO sets, just like most of the Shop at Home promos.  Combining coupons, TRUTH, and Bricktober sets last October allowed you to get a great discount on a wide variety of sets, many of which didn't return after the holidays.  I'm not into holding these promos long term because I think the safest bet is to sell them while they're hot and make your money quicker.

Edited March 22, 2016 by zskid00

[JimboJet]

8 hours ago, Kenxxx said:

My Toys R Us cashier told me that TRUTH ends at the end of April.  But she admitted that "... they said that last year, too..."

The insert I received with my latest credit card statement said the same, ends April 30th.

[jerryherb]

so whats the easy pickins today?

assuming you all got your "20% + 10% + 15% GC (from yesterday) and some rewards to burn" guns loaded  

Edited March 24, 2016 by jerryherb

[edgecrusher]

Hah, yeah. That's exactly what I'm going to battle with later today. You forgot Airjitzu and Batmobile polybag if they are still in stock in your store. When it comes to making your own deals, these are pretty pretty pretty good.

[Achilles]

Unless I am mistaken, didn't Batman promo end?

 

[HappyHawkeye]

7 minutes ago, Achilles said:

Unless I am mistaken, didn't Batman promo end?

 

I was curious about that too. Folks have still been talking about it here but the signs went down at my store.

[hockeyweasel]

25 minutes ago, Achilles said:

Unless I am mistaken, didn't Batman promo end?

 

Should've ended on Saturday according to the signs that were in the store at the time.  The airjitzu was still through...I think the 26th

[exciter1]

59 minutes ago, jerryherb said:

so whats the easy pickins today?

assuming you all got your "20% + 10% + 15% GC (from yesterday) and some rewards to burn" guns loaded  

Easter sale items, if any are left.

[Darth_Raichu]

5 minutes ago, exciter1 said:

Easter sale items, if any are left.

Trips to TRUs are hardly worthwhile for me anymore ever since the swoopers in my area increased their activities