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Sunday, June 7, 2015

FAQ: Where do I buy from & how do I get sets so "early?"


I buy the sets I review at full price from public retail physical and online stores. I am not given them.  If I have a set, it is released, and you could have bought it just like I did!



Q: Where do you buy from?
  • Amazon.com* (also Amazon.co.ukAmazon.jp, etc.)
  • LEGO Shop* (physical stores + online)
  • Target (physical stores + online)
  • Walmart (physical stores + online)
  • eBay* (be sure enable the 'Worldwide' option in searches)
  • Bricklink.com
  • ToyWiz
  • Items above marked with an asterisk ("*") are are affiliate links, meaning if you choose to click one and then buy something, you will pay normal prices with no additional markup, but I may get a tiny commission (typically around 50 cents), which I'll then usually apply towards the purchase of more sets to review or more parts for MOCs. No store or advertiser paid or even asked me to put these links here -- these are the places actually I buy from all the time, and I proactively chose to sign up for affiliate programs with a few of them.

!! If you cannot find a specific product at one of the above locations, try other places that sell toys, and also keep reading below !!

Q: How do you get sets "early" or before they were originally expected to be released?
  • All of the products you see me review I have bought at full retail price from public stores where anyone & everyone else can (see above).  There's no secret and I do not accept offers of free products to review on my channel before they're released. Period. Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is lying to your face. If I bought an item, you could have bought it too.  When it's new product release season, viewers expect timely reviews. I check stores (both online and traditional) very regularly and aggressively to try to find items as soon as they're available.  Toys are never released at every location in the world at the same time, so if you see me review a set and you can't find it in stores in your region (and you know they stock the product line), just wait, but keep checking everywhere like I do, and it will surely show up.  If you can't find it online, it may have sold out already.  Again, be patient, keep checking, and it should re-appear.
  • Too many people look at the date on shop.LEGO.com (which is just another retail store) as being "the" release date and then refer to any store putting them out before that date as "early."  It's not the case at all.  Only a limited sub-set of licensed themes like Star Wars and new movie-related Super Heroes sets have embargo dates (before which sales are contractually disallowed). Everything else is fair game; once stores have the product, they can (and should) sell it.
Also, do note that LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site.  I am not associated in business with Mattel, McFarlane Toys, or any manufacturer. Spread the word!

If you wish to challenge these assertions, please contact the manufacturers yourself to verify these truths at their sources.  I have explained my independent status very clearly and no longer waste my time engaging with conspiracy theorists who wish to assault my character, often for their own personal gain.

DISCLOSURE:  I am NOT under the employ of any of the above companies, and NONE of them have ever paid me to create content for them.

45 comments:

  1. Ok thanks! It's like you said just keep checking!

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  2. Jang Iove your channel and I understand that u get sets to get timely reviews but how do u find these websites or stores in these countries that wont show up in a regular search on google bcuz ive tried to find these sets that came out on 2015 and I could find a website for a ninjago 2015 set
    (My fav themes are ultra agents and ninjago so im interested in the 2015 wave) but it was in a different currency I did not own so basically what Im wondering is how do u find good sites that can provide these sets and if u do do u have to use different currency and so does this mean u dont live in the US or u are just really good at finding sites so could please reply Jang thank u

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    1. Because forthright UK you can use Amazon.co.uk

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    2. I Know His Chanel is Epic And I CANT Wait For Mor!

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  3. Oh well nevermind about u not living in the US sorry I just saw your profile so that confirmed that you do

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  4. Hello Jang. I loved your Hulbuster Smash review! I watched it 5 times believe it or not! Ive been tearing the lego sets from the shelves to find it at my local toy stores. Where did you get it and how?

    Thanks! Cade Stars

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  5. Jang, how many LEGO® bricks do you think you have?

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  6. Please respond to this it will be a honor

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  7. Those lego avengers 2 sets aren't released yet.....

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  8. Thanks for your notes. The place I live release new Legos quite fast, which is awesome!

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  9. I agree with you JANG I went to toysrus for the new 2015 BIONICLES. first time I didn't find them second time I did and they had all most everyone but I got kopaka and onua.

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  10. Please reply jang how do you know about sets because when I see you show one I don't see an advertisement until a month or two later?

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    1. Follow some LEGO news blogs for LEGO news. I mostly just use Brickset because it's also a great reference database but there lots of other news-focused sites.

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    2. My name is mr famous Lebron and where did you get this Lego from

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  11. JANG, I know how you get these sets, but from what websites?

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    1. Wherever they're sold, online or at real stores, any place that sells LEGO; the LEGO store, Toys R Us, Walmart, Target, Amazon, Kmart, etc.

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    2. Jang you're the best lego youtuber!

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  12. Why in Ukraine so early appearing only mixels, minifigures and 1-2 other themes? ='(

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  13. how do you get those old train tracks the 9volt system?

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  14. Thank you, JANG, for taking your own personal time to review sets for other people to view. I am one of your many subscribers and appreciate the fact that you don't curse or use slang words.

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  15. The Raptor Escape (JW) hasn't come out in Denmark yet ;(

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  16. Thanks for the help Jang! I'm a working on a lego world in my dads garage and this will help a lot! #Long Live Lego

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  17. Who sent you the scooby doo mystery box?

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  18. Jang I know you won't reply but I would like you to know that I respect you and your work is brilliant

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  19. Jang, I watch loads of your videos and reviews and i think you are the best youtuber and the detail you put into your Videos are exceptional. Well done mate. :-)

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  20. Jang, Thank you for putting so much detail into your Lego reviews! As a blind Lego enthusiast, it is great to get such specific info about what a set offers! I take Lego instructions and turn them into text, (e.g Take a flat 4x1 and put it vertically on the first row, from the left, on a 4x8 piece. Put a flat 2x2 to the right, touching corners with the previous piece, etc) so that other blind people can build and get inspired by Lego! Since Lego is a tactile medium, I try to accurately describe a set's graphical details, such as minifigure prints and stickers in my instructions, to make them as similar to the sighted Lego experience as possible. Your reviews provide an unparalleled level of detail! It's evident that Lego is your hobby, and that you are passionate about it. Thank you for spreading your passion through your reviews!

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    1. Dear Matthew!

      It is amazing to read that, I wouldn't figure out this aspect of Jangs work but it is quite obvious as you described.

      I've worked with blind people, not else, than circus, 'couse I'm a juggling teacher. I participated in a blind circus project, so I absolutely understand what you are meaning on unparalelled details, and the need of them. And I also imagine, that for a blind person Jangs calm voice is emotionally how appealing. As I experienced, these qualities are naturally important for everyone, just people with sight usually get easily distrackted from the real qualities, I think you know what I mean. But I always get amazed on how blinds are able to help me see the real truth! So thanks for your comment, now I get more clearly, why I become also fan of Jang.

      Your work on blind LEGO instructions sounds amazing, nice to have someone, who helps others paly like that. Keep on going!

      At last, just an interesting circus fact: I met an amazing bling man in Prague, who borned blind, and learning to walk on tightrope. Which is scientifically impossible, nobody did that before in this contitions. He is 63 now, and I know, that he will do it. After 2 years of practice he has better balance than me know (be clear: I'm just a juggler, not an aerial acrobat, but I ride skateboard, etc.), and in 2 year he will manege it. He is incredibly inspiring, his name is Jiří Mojžíšek. You can google his blind archery achivements, what is also amazing.

      So all the best, it was nice to read of you:
      BenTheGoose, the YoYoguy from Hungary

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    2. Question. How do you describe something to someone who has been blind since birth? If they became blind later in life due to some accident or ailment they would still have a visual memory of nearly everything. But if you've never seen anything how can you picture that in your mind? How would you describe the Grand Canyon or a rainbow to someone who has never seen colors or shapes?

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  21. What is your fav Lego section Jang!

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  22. What is your fav Lego type.(city, star wars, etc.)

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  23. I thought that the reason you have all this is because you work at Lego and they give you sets along with your paycheck.

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  24. Hey jang I know you have answered this with a link on your Savage M.E.C review but I am still having some difficulty with finding sets that you have reviewed such as the titanium ninja tumbler the rock roader and the ultra stealth raider. How do you find these sets and where?

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  25. I came here wondering why the March 2017 Brickheadz sets were already on Ebay but not in the Lego store. I wonder if someone is violating that Superheroes embargo or the person selling them works where he can steal them. Anyway, looks like a good blog to follow. Want to see some of your reviews, cheers!

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    1. I believe Brickheadz are already for sale at some LEGOLAND theme park locations. This isn't confirmed, but I say it because I've seen people on eBay reselling them alongside LEGO brand store exclusive polybags.

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  26. Hi can I buy this lego fire train

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