FYI.

 

Yesterday ran into a TRU in Montreal and surprised to find they have 2 79018 The Lonely Mountain on shelf, which should start to be available to VIPs on Oct. 15.

 

Didn't check with clerks whether could check out with them, but seems they are just there for buyers to pick up.

 

TRU does not put this on their website, so there is no clue that you can find this in store.

 

For those who want this ASAP, a visit to your local TRU store might be worthy.

I found the new Hobbit sets in a retailer in the US as well yesterday. 

Found at Fred Meyer in US on 10/1.

Also found the new sets on the shelf at a local TRu - they don't sell them, when they scan in at the register they will say "not to be sold", then all you get is an apology from the manager... not even a coupon or discount freebe or anything :-(

Are all the new Hobbit sets supposed to be released at the same time?

I spotted all the new Hobbit sets at TRU about 2 weeks ago. By the time I realized I should have grabbed them and went back, they were all gone.