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Original poster

Smyth's free lego

180 replies

Machiavellian · 26/10/2024 10:00

AIBU to think it's unfair to display free Lego on a table alongside full price, extremely expensive Lego? Cue one upset and confused child that couldn't understand why they couldn't have the displayed full price pieces for free.

OP posts:
Readingallthetime · 26/10/2024 10:45

Sounds great! Is it on now? My son's a Lego obsessive so he would love this.

ETA just read the full thread, yay! We are off to the shops later so will pop in.

Smartiepants79 · 26/10/2024 10:44

I can’t believe you’re so surprised that this was set up like this? Obviously that is exactly why the LEGO is being given away. It’s not out of the goodness of their hearts. They’re doing it to sell more LEGO!

SenatorBiggs · 26/10/2024 10:41

Machiavellian · 26/10/2024 10:39

Yes he didn't want any of the free Lego because he was distracted by the built sets on the table alongside of it. He understood the other Lego wasn't free and learned he wasn't getting it. I patented correctly, I'm just pissed that what should have been a straightforward 'pick a free mini figure' turned into LOOK AT THIS OTHER EXPENSIVE LEGO. It was meant to be a free treat of its own.

Show quote history

But they’re going to market, every shop that gives away free stuff is doing it to look at the other stuff. The shop isn’t in the wrong here

ThePinkFrenchFancyPlease · 26/10/2024 10:39

Machiavellian · 26/10/2024 10:33

Appreciate feedback. My son didn't want any of the free sets once he'd laid eyes on what had been built and displayed alongside. I get life is unfair but if you're going to do free Lego, just leave the Lego in the giant tub it's in without linking it to other products. We've been before and never seen it displayed alongside full price sets which is why my son was so thrown.

But for the retailer, the whole point is to get you to buy the full price Lego - that’s why they are giving away the minis! It’s not a nice thing they’re doing because they love kids, and they don’t mind giving stuff away to people who don’t buy anything, because kiddies are smashing! Don’t you understand marketing and retail? It’s not a shop’s job to parent your child.

Original poster
Machiavellian · 26/10/2024 10:39

WigglyVonWaggly · 26/10/2024 10:35

Well, if he then didn’t want any free sets then presumably he came away with nothing? So that’s a lesson learned in gratitude!

Edited
Show quote history

Yes he didn't want any of the free Lego because he was distracted by the built sets on the table alongside of it. He understood the other Lego wasn't free and learned he wasn't getting it. I patented correctly, I'm just pissed that what should have been a straightforward 'pick a free mini figure' turned into LOOK AT THIS OTHER EXPENSIVE LEGO. It was meant to be a free treat of its own.

OP posts:
ChocolateCroissantCafe · 26/10/2024 10:38

We spin this through other way. Crikey, that set is £££ but how cool, a free set from the same range!

Overthebow · 26/10/2024 10:37

Well did you explain to him that he can pick you be of the free ones but not the paid? It’s not a difficult concept to understand really, if they’re old enough for lego they’re old enough to understand this.

doodleschnoodle · 26/10/2024 10:36

I don't really understand how this is different from going to any shop and kids seeing stuff they want. Every time we go even to the supermarket, the kids always want this and that. I just say to put it on their Xmas list or sometimes we take a photo of it so we can remember (they inevitably forget about any of it within the hour regardless). That's just part of life.

At least this way they did get a little something!

WigglyVonWaggly · 26/10/2024 10:35

Machiavellian · 26/10/2024 10:33

Appreciate feedback. My son didn't want any of the free sets once he'd laid eyes on what had been built and displayed alongside. I get life is unfair but if you're going to do free Lego, just leave the Lego in the giant tub it's in without linking it to other products. We've been before and never seen it displayed alongside full price sets which is why my son was so thrown.

Well, if he then didn’t want any free sets then presumably he came away with nothing? So that’s a lesson learned in gratitude!

Getonwitit · 26/10/2024 10:34

Is this seriously an issue ? Does your child get upset and confused in Tesco with the free fruit, do they cry for strawberries instead of apples ?

WigglyVonWaggly · 26/10/2024 10:34

Absolute non event.

broccolienthusiast · 26/10/2024 10:33

There’s no pleasing some people 🙄

Original poster
Machiavellian · 26/10/2024 10:33

Appreciate feedback. My son didn't want any of the free sets once he'd laid eyes on what had been built and displayed alongside. I get life is unfair but if you're going to do free Lego, just leave the Lego in the giant tub it's in without linking it to other products. We've been before and never seen it displayed alongside full price sets which is why my son was so thrown.

OP posts:
Covidwoes · 26/10/2024 10:26

I would just tell my DC (she 6 and 3) what was free and what wasn't. If they had a tantrum, then I'd take them out the shop and explain that if they want to go back in, they need to calm down!

Sethera · 26/10/2024 10:23

Explain to your DC that the free lego is only there to encourage people to buy the expensive lego, it's called a 'loss leader' - this info will be useful to your child and help them navigate the world of retail.

SenatorBiggs · 26/10/2024 10:22

CrispyCrumpets · 26/10/2024 10:20

Smyths are giving away free Lego??

Yes free mini fig today, edit: oops cross post

Dishwashersaurous · 26/10/2024 10:20

And thank you for letting everyone know.

Off we go to smyths

Dishwashersaurous · 26/10/2024 10:20

Of course they will. The aim of the promotion is to get people to buy lego. So they will show off the big best sets to make you want to buy it.

CrispyCrumpets · 26/10/2024 10:20

Smyths are giving away free Lego??

thebigL · 26/10/2024 10:18

Non-event.

Life isn't fair and you can't always get what you want.

Children need to learn that, otherwise they will really struggle in life.

User75235 · 26/10/2024 10:17

Free lego could easily be a metaphor for state benefits and the full sized sets the income that hard working people earn and the lives and homes they can afford with it. In real life, everything is also displayed "next to each other". You see wealth and poverty everywhere. Seems like a good time to teach a lesson that by getting one thing for free, you are certainly not entitled to everything else around it for zero effort.

StMarieforme · 26/10/2024 10:16

Yes you are.

SenatorBiggs · 26/10/2024 10:11

They got a free mini, of course the shop is going to display other Lego near it, set expectations before you go in or at the table and then distract .

CorbyTrouserPress · 26/10/2024 10:10

You’re complaining that Smyth’s are giving away free Lego but not the Lego your son wants? Seems like a good time to teach him that getting anything in life for free is a nice rarity and to be grateful.