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Original poster

Paying more in the shops?

20 replies

WickedElpheba · 01/12/2025 10:41

I'm not sure if I'm being unreasonable about this as I'm not even sure how much it bothers me but here goes... On Saturday I did some Christmas shopping and bought three items from the LEGO. I looked on Amazon when I got home (mainly as I was looking for additional items I couldn't get in store) and I found that the three items I bought were all cheaper on Amazon. I spent about £85 but I would have saved £10 if I'd bought on Amazon so more than a 0% discount . One item was £17.99 in store and £13.99 on Amazon which is quite a big difference.

In one sense, I don't mind, as I here is a cost to running a shop and I believe in supporting the shops to keep them open. On the other hand, Lego is not a small business and it is a single brand shop so they could have offered discounts especially as it was cyber weekend?

What do you think? Would you buy online if cheaper and we just have to accept things are almost always going to more expensive in store?

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 01/12/2025 10:51

Things are almost always less on Amazon. It’s been like that forever. I’m mostly surprised that this is new to you.

HermioneWeasley · 01/12/2025 10:53

I agree that the discrepancy on Lego between their stores and Amazon is too big

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 01/12/2025 10:56

Has this been in your drafts since 2010?

TheNightingalesStarling · 01/12/2025 10:58

Different items are often different prices in different shops. Amazon is allowed to sell things under the RRP.

Jijithecat · 01/12/2025 10:59

The Lego Store is always expensive they don't really do discounts. Had you gone to Argos you may have found the same items cheaper. It's up to the business if they choose to offer a discount or not.

Amba1998 · 01/12/2025 11:00

It’s all going to the same place ultimately. Lego have a store front on Amazon. So you buy in the shop or you buy on Amazon, Lego still get paid

Original poster
WickedElpheba · 01/12/2025 14:37

Yes I get that things have often been cheaper on Amazon but there was something about specifically going to the Lego store and paying 11-12% over what I would have spent on Amazon that struck me. It's not that I don't get that this happens. I was interested more in what people think about this in terms of when you're prepared to pay more to support the high street etc. I feel like when it's Lego vs Amazon it's not the same as Amazon vs local business or even UK business...

OP posts:
IamSmarticus · 01/12/2025 14:43

Its not about Lego v Amazon, or paying more to support the high street,

I can go to the city centre and find probably 6 or 7 places where I can get the same Lego for a cheaper price than the actual official Lego store. I woiuld never get my Lego from there!

DancingLions · 01/12/2025 14:53

It's not just Amazon though. A few weeks ago I bought a set that was advertised as £200 on the Lego site and Argos were selling it with £50 off. So basically I was still supporting the high street by getting it from Argos!

Sartre · 01/12/2025 14:55

The Lego store has always been expensive because it’s designed to be more about the experience.

25percentoffeverything · 01/12/2025 15:02

I always compare prices, sometimes it's cheaper online, sometimes it's not.
Sometimes Hamleys is extortionate, sometimes strangely it's cheaper than Smyths Toys.

Sometimes I even compare on my phone while standing in the shop, but when it's a lego set for example, it's worth it.

MidnightPatrol · 01/12/2025 15:22

I feel like this about basically everything in all our local shops.

Smaller range, less likely to have what I want,
pay often a 20% premium for it being in a shop etc.

I want the high street to survive - but it’s difficult to justify shooing there most of the time…!

IcyPuddles · 01/12/2025 15:28

I think it’s completely up to retailers how much they charge for products. As a consumer you can decide whether to pay it or not. You’ve answered your own question about why shops are more expensive.

Consumers have more price comparison information than ever before.

Original poster
WickedElpheba · 01/12/2025 17:05

DancingLions · 01/12/2025 14:53

It's not just Amazon though. A few weeks ago I bought a set that was advertised as £200 on the Lego site and Argos were selling it with £50 off. So basically I was still supporting the high street by getting it from Argos!

Yes and I think that makes sense which is why I'm wondering whether I should have just checked Amazon first or I did a good thing by buying from Lego but it is an experience like you say @Sartre

OP posts:
Original poster
WickedElpheba · 01/12/2025 17:06

MidnightPatrol · 01/12/2025 15:22

I feel like this about basically everything in all our local shops.

Smaller range, less likely to have what I want,
pay often a 20% premium for it being in a shop etc.

I want the high street to survive - but it’s difficult to justify shooing there most of the time…!

Yes this is exactly it.

Any time I go in a bookshop, I try to buy something, as I particularly love bookshops, but otherwise... I'm not sure

OP posts:
Coconutter24 · 01/12/2025 17:10

Any ‘big’ purchase I make, I always look online first to see where is the best price. I don’t feel bad about buying online over the high street

Original poster
WickedElpheba · 01/12/2025 18:18

Coconutter24 · 01/12/2025 17:10

Any ‘big’ purchase I make, I always look online first to see where is the best price. I don’t feel bad about buying online over the high street

No I'd do the same and usually I would just buy online. I knew the most expensive item was about £6 more expensive but then decided to buy it on the spot but it annoyed me when I realised they all the items were quite a bit cheaper. I think I assume Lego would cost about the same on amazon or elsewhere for some reason.

Anyway I know for next time and will probably shop online next time unless I'm taking the DC with me.

OP posts:
Jtdoyoveme · 01/12/2025 18:20

I saw a coat on new look website with 30% off. I went into new look and it was full price. They told me I had to order online and get it delivered to store 🤷🏻‍♀️the high street shops/prices are not keeping it alive!

Original poster
WickedElpheba · 02/12/2025 09:11

Jtdoyoveme · 01/12/2025 18:20

I saw a coat on new look website with 30% off. I went into new look and it was full price. They told me I had to order online and get it delivered to store 🤷🏻‍♀️the high street shops/prices are not keeping it alive!

Edited

See things like that I find ridiculous. It's one thing for Amazon to sell it for less but the same businesses offering different prices is another matter.

OP posts:
SeaShellsSanctuary1 · 02/12/2025 09:17

When buying higher value LEGO sets i tend to use a cashback site that offers 8% cashback. It is not worth it for lower value as you pay postage under £50

It is also worth registering for LEGO rewards which you can swap points for discount

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