Popular Post TheBrickClique Posted December 6, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted December 6, 2021 As for operating with a single account to stay within the vendor’s technically-enforced limits, I believe this is the current state of things. Cliff notes: you’ll be fine as long as you don’t go on a spending spree at Target.com, and try not to bring attention to your buying patterns by dealing with online customer service for small gripes that can be dealt with in store instead. Target - the easiest place to get banned based simply on purchase volume online and the most aggressive against resellers in store — employees trained to identify resellers loading up carts for example. Can still use red card in store after online ban, but using with a new email account will result in repeat ban — start receiving auto cancellations and email about possible issues including payment purchase method. Some people have bans lifted after a period in timeout. Others indefinitely. The amount of purchases that may identify you as a reseller and get a ban? One data point: I have been unable to purchase online going on 18 months now after two months of $5k purchases on the red card. Same red card still works fine in store. LEGO shop at home — with the purchase limits mechanics implemented a few years ago, it is much more difficult to get the SAH ban hammer. If you exceed a limit on any item based on past purchases of the same item, they will cancel your entire order. Be warned that if they cancel an order with a VIP Rewards purchase, the reward is not automatically credited back to your account. Also, if they cancel an item due to inventory issues, the system still tracks it as qty purchased. Qty purchased in brick and mortar stores that are purchased with VIP accounts are not counted towards SAH limits and and limits in store are done at the individual store’s discretion. If you do have to call customer service to resolve an issue, they do have easy visibility to all of your previous orders and will make comments about you “really liking LEGOs”. No indication that that is how the ban process starts, but unless you really have an issue that needs CS, might be best to just let the small things go. Amazon — shop away. Their limits are tracked to the second on a 168-hour FIFO. Limits apply and are tracked in that window only to items sold and shipped by Amazon.com. Buy as many third party items as you wish. Anecdotal stories of bans for excessive returns, but no clear information on the metrics used. Generally, probably best to save the returns for the really bad boxes. Creating multiple accounts will get noticed and is the quickest way to get the warning shot emails. Barnes and Noble — similar to LEGO, has a five qty per item lifetime limit online. Exceed that amount and just that item will be cancelled from the order. No reports of bans. In store purchases do not appear to be tied to online memberships as far as adding to your 5-count quantity. Walmart — most LEGO are limited to two per order, but they won’t say how often that limit is reset. Doing a couple of multiple limit orders in the same day has worked. Doing dozens has resulted in order cancellations of those specific items but no bans that I am aware of. Generally, I have found one limit order per day has never resulted in a cancellation. ShopDisney — some items have limits but they are selectively enforced. If you put in multiple limit orders at the same time, they might cancel those items. If you space them out, they will be fine. I ordered a dozen castles (limit one per customer) last year and they all went through. Sometimes two in two consecutive days. Costco — has item limits on some items, but I haven’t seen any on LEGOs. Even with items with limits, possible to space them out without issue. In store limits are usually “per day”. Best Buy — unsure on LEGO as I’ve never pushed the limits on them. In the past, I would make 50 purchases at a time of 2-dollar items that had limits and they would all go through. I have tried to make multiple purchases of Xbox consoles and those were cancelled. So YMMV. But no reports of bans. Anyways, those are my observations. 13 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bold-Arrow Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 "Mr. Moore:Thank you for reaching out to me. Before deeming a consumer a reseller, my team does its due diligence in researching each situation. Our research indicates that there are direct ties between you and various online auction sites. LEGO 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asharerin Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 "Mr. Moore: Thank you for reaching out to me. Before deeming a consumer a reseller, my team does its due diligence in researching each situation. Our research indicates that there are direct ties between you and various online auction sites. LEGO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Achilles Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 The weird thing to me about the LEGO bans, is they have to basically know/figure out who some resellers are, but they only choose to ban some people. What I am curious about is what the magic triggers are that they decide some resellers should be banned and others not. I am sure many of us here who haven't gotten banned have ordered way more than a normal consumer could possibly use and have not gotten slapped down. So at some point they have to decide who is egregious enough, somehow. I still need my BAN Icon for my Kmart banning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britsnap Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I had a conversation with a senior lego public figure. Legos policy is to ban if you are buying multiples of large products, there may be exceptions but that's the rule. They admit they can't stop you buying from target etc but they really want to kill the secondary market, because they want tk make models available to all. The caveat though is before action takes place they need to tie your purchases to an online reselling business. Note the word business. Additionally the high level visible lego employee was pleased when we started discussing The Tumbler. They alluded to that being an experiment for them, in terms of announcing online that jt would not be in stock until after Christmas, all the time knowing that it would be. Essentially they leaned towards suggesting that they enjoyed watching 'investors' panic buy and then for themselves to reflood the markets, lowering the secondary market values. UCS MF....no specifics.....but that model came up as an example of something that they would like to correct, as they are pissed that people hoarded that one and are 5x msrp minimum. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asharerin Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 (edited) They are ruthless when it comes to taking down the secondary market for items they are still currently producing and selling. From conversations I have had they have no problem with the aftermarket for their retired sets and will gladly refer you to bricklink or ebay. IMO the original minecraft debacle (which was very damaging to their brand) really pushed them to clamp down in the USA. Edited January 30, 2015 by asharerin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonysbricks Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Additionally the high level visible lego employee was pleased when we started discussing The Tumbler. They alluded to that being an experiment for them, in terms of announcing online that jt would not be in stock until after Christmas, all the time knowing that it would be. Essentially they leaned towards suggesting that they enjoyed watching 'investors' panic buy and then for themselves to reflood the markets, lowering the secondary market values. So their new business model is to cause panic sending real customers scrambling to pay inflated secondary market prices, then "flooding" the market leaving customers who trusted their word holding the bag? My BS detector is flashing. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romoore245 Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 it is not official till u get the badge Edit: it is official now I feel so honored, I will wear this badge with pride! To help serve as an example to others. All shall listen to the forums for they know. FYI my handle is different on eBay, but my email is same. The email that has not been banned, as of Monday may have been by now, is also similar to the other ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KShine Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 "Mr. Moore: Thank you for reaching out to me. Before deeming a consumer a reseller, my team does its due diligence in researching each situation. Our research indicates that there are direct ties between you and various online auction sites. LEGO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegoManiacc Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I had a conversation with a senior lego public figure. Legos policy is to ban if you are buying multiples of large products, there may be exceptions but that's the rule. They admit they can't stop you buying from target etc but they really want to kill the secondary market, because they want tk make models available to all. The caveat though is before action takes place they need to tie your purchases to an online reselling business. Note the word business. Additionally the high level visible lego employee was pleased when we started discussing The Tumbler. They alluded to that being an experiment for them, in terms of announcing online that jt would not be in stock until after Christmas, all the time knowing that it would be. Essentially they leaned towards suggesting that they enjoyed watching 'investors' panic buy and then for themselves to reflood the markets, lowering the secondary market values. UCS MF....no specifics.....but that model came up as an example of something that they would like to correct, as they are pissed that people hoarded that one and are 5x msrp minimum. I have to say, a lot of that sounds just...odd. Was this the senior lego figure by any chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoltzjl77 Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 (edited) If they want to make these models available to all, then they should lower the prices and make every set available for special order forever even if they are only mass-produced for a year or two. Claiming otherwise is nonsense. Lego wants to make money, and they want to cultivate a certain image. Their business model is highly lucrative and also directly creates/feeds the secondary market. Banning select unfortunates may make them feel good, but in the long run it can't change the secondary market dynamics - unless they change their business model. Edited January 30, 2015 by stoltzjl77 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bold-Arrow Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I still need my BAN Icon for my Kmart banning. granted 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregpj Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 The caveat though is before action takes place they need to tie your purchases to an online reselling business. Note the word business. This is an interesting statement... So how do they know if you are a "business" or just some dude off the street selling a bunch of sets? This comment suggests that if you have an online "store" somewhere that you could be a target. That would be a pretty crappy way to determine if you indeed are.... The only way to somewhat verify that would be to purchase something from you and even then they wouldn't be able to directly tie that purchase back to the seller anyways. The only other way would be to get access to your financials and then track you that way. Seems highly suspect. I'm curious if anyone from Canada has been banned? I can't relate to privacy laws in the US (except in Health Care) but the rules up here are pretty strict (I've read them.... had to follow them for a previous job). Lego can't legally go fishing around for my information from any other business except their own (even subsidiaries) without my consent or a court order allowing them. If anyone from Canada has been banned, it would be an interesting experiment but there are legal ways to get the reason you've been banned from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romoore245 Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 (edited) Seems everyone missed the one I jumped on in my reply to Lego "Various auction sites" I demanded proof of these various sites, in case I am missing one I need to join. There is no pleasing these people I even offered to ship back every single purchase I made as proof I am not a reseller he declined. Unfortunately, I would have been able too since most of the things I have purchased were either for long hold or a flop. oh wait just sold a flower cart guess I cant send it all back. Edited January 30, 2015 by romoore245 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wsuskee Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 How do you get banned from Kmart? Just ordering too much? At times I wish they would ban me as I cant resist all the surprise points and coupons. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bold-Arrow Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 How do you get banned from Kmart? Just ordering too much? At times I wish they would ban me as I cant resist all the surprise points and coupons.http://community.brickpicker.com/topic/9835-warning-kmartsears-shopyourwaymax-reseller-ban/?fromsearch=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tonysbricks Posted January 30, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted January 30, 2015 How do you get banned from Kmart? He showered prior to shopping. 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TabbyBoy Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 When I open my Toy Emporium one day, anybody can buy as much as they want while stocks last. If I run out, Mummy can simply take Little Johnny somewhere else. I understand the manufacturer having limits to protect its reputation but, not retailers. I still think we account for <1% of LEGO's output. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britsnap Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 So their new business model is to cause panic sending real customers scrambling to pay inflated secondary market prices, then "flooding" the market leaving customers who trusted their word holding the bag? My BS detector is flashing. Real Customers did not panic buy. 'Investors' did. You have a B.S detector? Cool. I have to say, a lot of that sounds just...odd. Was this the senior lego figure by any chance? What sounds odd about it. Attended an AFOL lego function in the U.S and ask any number of high Level lego people their opinions. you seem to forget they are the number one toy maker in the world, that wields some power. They have no shareholders to answer to. Why on earth do you think they publicly made the announcement that the Elsa castle would not be released until the new year, stating that it was not an important set for them. They didnt want people to be gouged for the product. Sure, this meant that it was not available to those that wanted it anyway, but at least they didnt pay over the odds for it. Quite frankly if I was lego, I would love the 'investor' market as it basically sells more product, as with the Tumbler, they were never low they never ran out and there was enough stock for everyone. However - Lego is more than just a sales numbers company, it is a culture and they do what they like. I am happy to next time not post what I gain from conversations, that will allow you to go on believing whatever it is you want to believe. I have no skin in the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Achilles Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I imagin it's a bit of a love/hate relationship LEGO has with investors. As you mention, revenue is generated, but I am sure they hate a couple things - A: Product Shortages of hot selling products, because that upsets and drives away "normal" consumers, and inflated prices of current prices when out of stock as customers aren't always smart enough to differentiate between a reseller and a LEGO outlet. They just know they had to pay XXX dollars for a set above MSRP and they are pissed off. LEGO have a reputation of being too expensive as is. Similarly, I would say increasing resellers probably make it trickier for their R&D and Marketing department. Numbers aren't always accurate regarding supply and demand, since they have a hard time knowing what's being bought by customers as opposed to resellers in what volumes. Product cycles are planned years in advance, and skewed numbers can gum up the works. So, all things considered I would say LEGO more or less tolerates some/most resellers (Again, I am sure the vast majority of us could be banned pretty easily from ShopLego if someone cared enough) But again, for those complaining, remember those same policies are basically what allows aftermarket prices to stay high. So we can't really complain. And I aware of very few, if any people - who were marked by LEGO as resellers and banned who weren't actually reselling. So... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minicoopers11 Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 "Mr. Moore: Thank you for reaching out to me. Before deeming a consumer a reseller, my team does its due diligence in researching each situation. Our research indicates that there are direct ties between you and various online auction sites. LEGO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romoore245 Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 It is ironic that I get the official ban letter and a package from Lego on the same day. Tempted to order something else just to see if the final account has been banned as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minicoopers11 Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 (edited) If this was an actual letter received, then it does raise some old concerns about what is safe to do.Can confirm content of letter. Edited January 30, 2015 by minicoopers11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romoore245 Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 (edited) If this was an actual letter received, then it does raise some old concerns about what is safe to do. It was two letters one as a reply to my irrational thought that I would send anything back. Edited February 3, 2015 by exciter1 edited for content Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minicoopers11 Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 It was two letters one as a reply to my irrational thought that I would send anything back. Nice new avatar/icon. Haha. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KShine Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 It was two letters one as a reply to my irrational thought that I would send anything back. Thanks - At least it didn't state that a truck was on its way to confiscate the ill-gotten goods. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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