BrickRek: August 2015

Friday, August 28, 2015

Suntec Supermom Mega Baby Fair - 20150828

Suntec city level 4, booth C02

(image by Daniel Lee)

I haven't got the chance to go down for a look. but then, its the same items as those during robinson sale.

Another AFOL has gone over to take some photos. https://www.facebook.com/groups/26417666427/permalink/10152976858676428/

Many thanks to all

A strange look at events - 20150828

Recently, the LEGO scene have been in a state of turbulence. Even I have to take step back and watch what has been going on.

1. Re-issue of winter toy shop
http://www.brothers-brick.com/2015/08/18/10249-winter-toy-shop-announced-news/

The set has been re-issued with slight changes in colour for the building, a new series of minifigs, new toys to put in the shop. To me, though the built of the building is still the same, this is a new set to me.

However, to some ppl, it has raised various concerns.
Will this signify the re-issuing of popular sets, Café Corner etc?
Will this cause the current inflated price of the old winter toyshop to pummet?

2. LEGO as an investment
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/personalfinance/lego-a-better-investment-than-shares-and-gold/ar-BBlZtVQ

I shall not say too much on this.

3. CMF series 14 preorder
A lot of ppl came to ask me if series 14 can start to pre-order.
Why? Some idiot went to ask Bricksworld staff some questions and relayed the answers causing a panic.

Please remember some basic rules.
1. LEGO never give more than 10% discount.
2. CMF were never meant to be sold as cartons.
3. Bricksworld will never take reservation for the first 2 weeks of a product release.
4. Pre-order with Bricksworld only ensure your stock, not when you will get it.

Bricksworld's approach to CMF is to cater a small amount as incentives to the members (roughly 10 carton to be sold as whole cartons to members at 20% discount), however, due to the current shit stirred, I have no idea if this will still happen as too many ppl has been too worked up over it.

The rest of their stock will be sold as loose, but you can buy the entire carton with the usual 10% member discount. Also, the entire carton thing might be stopped too. They might just pack whats left and top up from a new box to make up 60.

End of the day, still a lot of things are going through my head. We shall see what happens.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Going LLM by public transport.

Legoland Malaysia. If you are a LEGO fan in Singapore, this question will pop up somewhere. Have you gone to LEGO Land Malaysia before? Especially with Ringgit hitting a all time low (1sgd:3rm), alot of AFOL will be rushing over to clean out LLM.

Well, for me, i have gone over to LLM multiple times. There were trips i come back over loaded with goodies and trips i came back with nothing. As i dont own a car, most of the time, i go on foot. Now i shall share with you how to go on foot.

Before i start on my route, here is another route described by another blogger. His method will be to go and return, both via second link.

http://arifoctovian.wordpress.com/2013/07/02/to-legoland-malaysia-from-ciq-2nd-link-singapore-by-bus/

Take bus from Jurong East Bus Interchange (bus #: CW3) to Singapore Immigration and Malaysian Immigration (for me it takes about 40 – 50 Minutes to clear the Malaysian Immigration Check Point after taking the CW3 bus)

Find the CW3 bus queue line, ticket price for adult: 4 SGD, children: 1.5 SGD (you can buy the ticket in with the officer in the CW3 bus queue)
The bus will take you to Singapore Immigration Office – you’ll need to alight and pass the Singapore immigration check point.
After you pass the immigration check point, then you go outside to the bus stop for CW3, board the CW3 once it come it will take you to the Malaysian Immigration.
Alight from CW3 and pass the Malaysian immigration check point.
After the immigration check point, go to the bus stop for JP02.
Take bus JP02 to Legoland, the journey takes about 15 minutes.

Things to consider:

CW3/4 Jurong East Bus Interchange to Singapore Immigration Check Point: 15 minutes -> Malaysian Immigration Check Point: 5 minutes.
The JP02 bus driver will not be able to give you any changes so make sure you have small notes to buy the bus ticket (children below 7 is free, children: 2 MYR and adult: 4 MYR)
Need to schedule your arrival at the Malaysian Immigration Check Point when you’ll wait for the JP02 as the bus have fixed schedule to avoid long waiting time for the JP02.
Bring some foods & drinking water (especially if you bring children) this will be helpful during your waiting time for JP02. (There is going to be mini market open in the future near the bus stop but it was not operational / open yet when I arrived there).
If you happened to come too early for the JP02, you can wait at the small canteen (asked the time keeper officer for the location) where you can consume the food and drinking water you bring.
Please make sure you did not bring anything that will be ‘taxed’ like alcohol drink, unless you’re willing to pay the tax (this will also slightly delay your journey).
Going back from Legoland to Jurong East Bus Interchange will take the same bus (JP02 and CW3) but this time you just need to pay one time instead of two ticket (CW3 in SGD and JP02 in MYR), you’ll be paying 4 MYR for adult and 2 MYR for children (children below 7 are free).

Take the JP02 bus (you need to check the JP02 schedule) the bus stop / waiting location is the same place where you alight (just in front of the Legoland entrance, but please make sure / double check with the bus driver).
Once pass the Malaysian Immigration Check Point, you need to wait in the queue line for the CW3 / CW4.
Notes:

Do not loose your ticket as you’ll need to show it when you aboard the CW3/CW4 later from malaysian immigration check point.

There is a mini market (Malaysian Immigration Complex) near the queue line / bus stop for th/CW4 where you can buy ome finger food and drink.

References:

Legoland web site: http://www.legoland.com.my/plan/
Bus services to Legoland: http://www.legoland.com.my/en/Plan/Bus-Services/
JP02 schedule http://www.causewaylink.com.my/view-local.php?route=JPO2&iframe=true&width=720&height=470

Though i use the same return route, i prefer to go via causeway. Why you might ask?
LM1 departs from JB Sentai to LLM every 90 mins on weekdays; 60 mins on weekends. so if you miss the bus, you just need to kill time for an hour.

First, you just need to cross the cause way.

I going via kranji MRT on 170, 160. You can also go via Woodlands on 950.

After you go out of the gantry, turn right. take 170 or 160 from there.

Due to prohibition of photo taking, unable to show photo of crossing causeway, so will take you through narration.

After you board the bus and it reaches the causeway, everyone will get off the bus. Go up to the custom and scan passport.

Come down and take bus cross the causeway, at this point, any public bus also can take as they will need you to get off at the malaysia custom to get your passport stamped.

After your passport is stamped at the Malaysia custom, you can make your way to take LM1 straight to LLM. Look for the signs directing you to JB Sentai. you should be making a left U-turn after you leave the custom counters.

Keep going straight til you see this place and go down the escalator. If you see Starbucks, you have overshot.

After you go down, turn left to the bus bay and walk all the way to the end.

Wait here for LM1. Do keep alert as sometimes the bus does not come into the bay.

After 40 minute to 50 mins, you will reach here. remember this spot as this is where you will need to come back to take bus back. Prepare for your 10 mins walk to LLM.

On your left will be Medini, where you can have some food. On your right will be the ticketing booth.

If you reach early enough, you can watch the opening park dance where all the staff and mascots gather and dance to welcome park-goers.

When all is done, go back to the same place where you alight to take JP02 back.

Here are the information that you might want to have it written down.

LM1 : JB Sentai to LLM will cost you 4.5 rm

JP02 : LLM to 2nd Link will cost you 4 rm

LM1 timing from JB Sentai: beginning of every hour.

http://www.causewaylink.com.my/view-local.php?route=LM1#tab_schedule

JP02 timing from LLM: 11:05AM; 02:05PM; 05:05PM; 08:05PM

http://www.causewaylink.com.my/view-local.php?route=JPO2#tab_schedule

Thursday, August 20, 2015

$20 off $50 at QQ Bricks at Shopee - 20150821

$20 off $50 for selected Lego at Shopee using promo code <SPQQ2050>
Do note that seller deals at Marsiling and Bouna Vista (for small sets only).

http://mall.shopee.sg/shop/#shopid=10508

Modes of Collection: Meetups for medium/large items @ Marsiling. Other venues (Buona Vista) to be discussed. Free normal postage for small items. Please drop us an email at qqbricks@hotmail.com or PM us if you have more queries.

Do try to start registering early as Shopee has a number of things you need to do before you can start buying.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

BUGS August Gathering: 21st August 2015 Friday! Build and Shoot!

BUGS MONTHLY GATHERING!
Date: August 21st Friday
Venue: Bricks and Cubes, The CATHAY level 2
Time: 7pm onwards

Event: Wild style build and shoot.
Bring your guns, yes correct bring your GUNS!

Rules: Build a gun that shoot before the event and bring it along. No restriction on the size as long as 100% genuine LEGO parts (With exception to rubber bands used). Spring loaded or using bands to fire your projectiles. Entirely up to you!
Targets to be determined, but for practice and building sake, minifigs on base plates should be your guideline.
Prizes to be won! so don't miss out on this.

As usual, we will also be putting up some sets for sale at reasonable price, so do keep a look out later. See you all on Friday!
Members joining the event will enjoy special discount on the Bricks and Cubes' menu. Special thanks to Bricks'n'Cubes Cafe for supporting us with the venue and discounts as usual.

Saturday, August 15, 2015

My sorting - 20150815

Once this is done, all first layer filter for loose bits will be completed!

Friday, August 14, 2015

SG50 Building My SG sets retails at $35

Duck Learning & LEGO Education Singapore
We hope everyone has had a great Golden Jubilee Weekend.

SG50 Building My SG sets will be available for pre-order on our web store, which is still currently under construction, from 15 October 2015 at a retail price of $35.00 (price is before GST)
We will update again once we have the url.

In the meantime, do visit www.buildingmysg.com for latest updates and activities.

If you are interested in LEGO Education Workshops, do check out http://www.buildingmysg.com/innovation-lab-workshops/

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=872687606149451&substory_index=0&id=114323181985901&ref=bookmarks

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Metro 20% sale : 20150813-20150906

<ADV>The Metro Big Sale Cardmembers' Preview 13Aug! Shop #LIKEaBOSS & Enjoy 20%OFF Storewide +5% Metro$Rebate bit.ly/1Em68EF. T&Capply. SMS UNMT to79777to unsub

- Original sms

Only 13 Aug is limited to cardmembers only, sale goes on for 4 weeks.

https://www.metro.com.sg/promotions/eventdetails/id/376

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Aftermaths of TRU sale

Today is the second day after Toys R Us sales have ended.

I believe this is the first time that we get to have 20% on Toys R Us without much hassle, thanks to OCBC. Previously there was once you need to spend a certain amount using HSBC card to get certain amount of reduction.

and on top of it, we get another 10% off the 20% making it effectively 28% off.

you might ask why do i talk about the 10% seperately?

Well, during this period of time, you will not be awarded any star points, but will be given 10% if you are a Starcard member. So calculations will go like this

(Price*20%)*10%=Price*28%

However, though you cannot get star points, doesnt mean you cant redeem starpoint! In fact, this is one of the best time to be redeeming your star points. It will be similar to redeeming your Metro shoppers cheque during a 20% sale. Calculation wise will go like this.

((Price*20%)-Starpoints)*10%=((Price*20%)-Starpoints)*10%

Due the the amount of Starpoints being random, the formula cannot be simplified.

Though sale is now over, some analysis of the sets being purchased will be very helpful towards creating a intelligent LEGO shopper. perhaps we should come up with a interesting term for a LEGO shopper? LEper!

Lets look at sets from the point of my buying tips from http://brickrek.blogspot.sg/2015/08/shopping-tips.html.

Catergory 1: TRU exclusives - 70732-1; 75096-1; 60096-1; 41109-1; 76041-1

Do you need it now? Maybe, but you wont be able to find it on Monoshops, Amazon or Metro.

If you wait, got better price? even if you do find it at other places, the price wont be very much different.

Catergory 2: White Tags - 41108-1; 70730-1; 70731-1;

Do you need it now? Still available at most shops.

If you wait, got better price? can try getting it during Robinson sale to get 20% off. but wont hit 28%. Unlikely Amazon will provide these sets at a good price either.

Catergory 3: Clearance sets- 31021-1; 31019-1; 70147-1

Do you need it now? Still available at some shops.

If you wait, got better price? can try getting it during Robinson sale to get 20% off. but wont hit 28%.

Catergory 4: Regular Items -

Do you need it now? All over the place

If you wait, got better price? here we get 28%. there are still chances that we can get 40% off from Amazon.

One of the good buys i find that ppl overlook during the sale is... TADA! the Bunnyman Keylight!

Keylights are only sold at monoshops. however, so far i only found Bunnyman at TRU. :)

You might find the below keylights at Amazon, but price after shipping isnt really that much difference.

Sunday, August 9, 2015

The Red Dragon, 62 gun pirate ship of the line by De Sandman

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=112648

REVIEW: 71010 LEGO Collectable Minifigures Series 14 by WhiteFang

Posted Image

REVIEW: 71010 LEGO Collectable Minifigures Series 14 by WhiteFang

Shopping tips

I'm sure alot of you out there have already spend a lot on the recent sales. Some of you might even over spend. To prevent such scenario from happening to me, I have sticky note on my phone with the following tip.

Do you need it now?
If wait got better price?
If you keep buying things you don't need, you will have to give up the things you need.

More or less, should recover some sensibility when reading it.
Anyway if you need it, but don't know if there will better price, there is a Chinese saying, ride cow find horse, which translates to ride what you can for now til you can find a better ride.
Then just let go of the previous set at the price you got it at.