How to buy your 7979 Castle Advent Calendar [News]
FINAL UPDATE: As of October 20, 7979 Castle Advent Calendar was no longer available from LEGO Shop @ Home.
UPDATE (1:30 PM PDT, 9/27/08): I just got off the phone with LEGO Shop @ Home, and they said that there are still some left, so if you couldn’t call or weren’t able to get through yesterday, you should still be able to order today.
As we promised yesterday, here’s how US and Canadian fans can get their hands on the coveted 7979 Castle Advent Calendar set:
- Call LEGO Shop@Home at
1-800-453-4652 (English) or 1-877-518-5346 (French)1-800-835-4386. - Give them the code
JesterUS(for the US) orJesterCAfor Canada. - Order no more than 2 copies of 7979 Castle Advent Calendar, and nothing else! (This will keep the lines free for others trying to order. You can always add other sets to your order later, before it ships.)
Prices:
- US: $29.99 USD per set, plus shipping.
- Canada: $39.99 CAD per set, plus shipping.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Yay! I’m on hold now, listening to the dulcet tones of some really *bad* hold music.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Done- quick and easy. Thanks!
September 26th, 2008 at 9:06 am
I was told to call 800.835.4386 instead…
September 26th, 2008 at 9:08 am
FYI, The Shop @ Home rep told me they had been asked to direct orders for the advent calendar to a different, customer service number – 800-835-4386. I’m holding now with fingers crossed!
September 26th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Done. Ships in 5 to 7 business days.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Thanks so much for your help with this! I’d been jonesin’ for this set for months, but had no idea until this morning that there would be a problem getting it. I got in right away and ordered one (leaving the other for someone else). Again, thanks!!!!
September 26th, 2008 at 9:09 am
I keep getting bumped to busy signal
September 26th, 2008 at 9:09 am
I was told “this desk is having trouble with this item right now, I’m going to have you call the customer service number, 800-835-4386″. Unfortunately I can’t seem to get through to that number.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Sweet!
I was able to get 2 by calling the number posted. I was on hold maybe 3 minutes.
Thanx so much!
September 26th, 2008 at 9:10 am
I was told to call the other number, too, but I keep getting ditched to a busy signal.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:10 am
I wasn’t asked to give the code…
Is that normal?
September 26th, 2008 at 9:10 am
I got in and didn’t even have to use the promo code. Yippy!!
September 26th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Was given the 800.835.4386 number as well. Now on hold there, music is at least better here.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Was told to call 800.835.4386 also.
The CSRs were really were not ready. Arghhh!!!
September 26th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Kept getting bumped to busy until I greed to take survey after call.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Much obliged! Picked up one for myself, and one for a friend’s kid. Granted, it hurt the wallet a little more than I’d hoped . . .
September 26th, 2008 at 9:13 am
got dumped to busy, called back, got put on hold. going on 15 minutes now.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:14 am
I dialed the main number several times with busy signals before I finally got in a hold queue, only to be told to dial the new number. I’m on hold there, waiting for the next available rep. I hope you guys haven’t already cleaned them out…
September 26th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Ordered two, and got talked into the city advent as well. That was a $107 hit I wasn’t planning for today, but I have adventy goodness coming now.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Thanks to everyone who posted about the correct number. I was told to send everybody to the main S@H number, but sounds like there was a bit of a miscommunication there.
I’ve corrected the post.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Those who had success, what number did you call?
September 26th, 2008 at 9:19 am
[...] (9/26/08): You can order your copy of the set by following the directions in How to get your 7979 Castle Advent Calendar, currently at the top of the front [...]
September 26th, 2008 at 9:20 am
[...] (9/26/08): You can order your copy of the set by following the directions in How to get your 7979 Castle Advent Calendar, currently at the top of the front [...]
September 26th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Finally got in after about a 10 minute wait at the new number – not too painful. Just as an FYI, the total for 2 copies was around $74 (I forget the cents) including shipping (and tax?), so it sounds like these cost a bit more than $30, unless the shipping charges are really high.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:27 am
The first # also redirected me to the 835 number. It was $72.38 for two sets.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:27 am
I am going insane, I got through and my cell dropped the call. Grrrrrrr
September 26th, 2008 at 9:28 am
The price is quite a bit higher for Canadians. I called a couple minutes after the code was posted and got in using the original number. The total for one came to $49 and change.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Got my 2! Thank you all, who were involved in getting this offer put together! My total was $73.55, including shipping and tax.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Hi,
Thank you so much for doing this. My husband will be so surprised!
I can not say thank you enough to you and to LEGO!
September 26th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Thank you so much!
Ordering was easy with your directions.
The rep said they are going fast and the number of sets they have available is very limited. She was not looking forward to the moment they run out.
You guys rock.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:31 am
The US number above answered and referred me to 800-835-4386. I just ordered my two – thanks so much for the code.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Hi all,
Was able to order via – 1-800-453-4652 – but the fellow didn’t seem to know about the code. Hmmm. Hopefully it goes through.
Thanks,
Andrew
September 26th, 2008 at 9:32 am
About 5 minute wait. Didn’t need the code either. My total came to $68.something but Chris -LEGO has a pretty crummy shipping system. I’ve often recieved HUGE boxes with just one or two medium-sized sets- they need to work out a medium size, it sounds like that’s why you ended up so high.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Got through on the Costumer Service line–nicest service lady EVER. I just ordered one. $30 $6.95 shipping. Thanks BB!
September 26th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Finally got through, yet again, I have the order place, but now she is having problems with the shipping address, the computer wants to send it to a place I lived at over 2 years ago. All sorted out.
Thanks to Andrew and co and also to Doug Eaton, ParLUGment’s ambassador for pointing this out to our club.
Cheers
September 26th, 2008 at 9:39 am
I had about a 5 minute wait and they asked for the code after I ordered 7979. My total came to $68.93 (shipping to MI)
September 26th, 2008 at 9:40 am
I had called the main S@H number originally listed. (I opted for the survey at the end, FWIW.) On hold for a 3-4 minutes, asked for the 7979 Castle Advent Calendar, passed on the offer of the City Advent and was then asked for the secret code and then billing, etc.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Thanks BB!!!
Got through on the new number but then it was kicked over to an overflow call center (that couldn’t process the advent order)because of the wait.
Called back and spoke to a very nice rep, Talia, and I ordered 2 sets. I didn’t get the City one because I live near 2 LEGO stores (DC area) and can get stamps with an in-store purchase.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:50 am
After about a 5 minute wait, got a very pleasant customer service rep who took my order and after a few questions had me all set and ready to go.
Thanks to all the Ambassadors and other folks behind setting this up, and to the currently vrey busy CSR’s having to deal with all this phone traffic. :)
September 26th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Thanks so much for coordinating the castle advent calendar purchase! The total for my 2 sets was 74.62.
Brothers-brick rocks!
September 26th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Thanks for the effort here. Got through after getting bumped around. Bonus – the customer service rep let me throw on a few items!
September 26th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Hello peasant girls and witches!
Bros. Brick is the Best. Thanks for arranging this!
September 26th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Good to see so many people getting what they wanted. I got mine as well without any problems.
September 26th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Quick and easy! Thank you to everyone who made this possible!
September 26th, 2008 at 11:07 am
I gots mine. Thanks for coordinating this.
September 26th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Was on conference calls over lunch and forgot all about this until now. Just called and was able to order 2 sets. They did ask for the promo code.
September 26th, 2008 at 11:26 am
The lady taking my order seemed tickled that I was so happy that they were doing this for their US fans.
September 26th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Many thanks to Brothers-Brick and Lego.
I called the # added later and got one, he did ask for the code.
September 26th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I love you. And now to get me some castle!
September 26th, 2008 at 11:49 am
I had quite a problem getting through the to operators. It took 12 calls, each ending with either a ringing phone then a quick disconnect or an abrupt drop, before finally I got through on the 13th attempt, 30 minutes after starting. I was at one point swearing up a storm at the dead line, after being disconnected.
I wish they had just released this set in all markets. Would have saved all this grief.
-John
September 26th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
It took me five minutes to snag one…easiest phone order I’ve ever done actually. Thanks for providing the code guys!
Cheers!
Nick
September 26th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Just got mine ordered (noon pacific), so they must have decent stocks.
I’ll fess up, I ordered more stuff – it’s been a few hours, and the CSRs were ready for me – upsell on the City Advent [done, I'm easy], and so I felt justified in also taking a sale item from the website, since they said you couldn’t add to this order later (maybe that’s a website thing?)
For the two calendars ($40 CDN each!), plus the city, plus the container stacker – just north of $150. That’s one of the worst piece-to-price ratios I’ve ever taken on (I’m guessing that the shipping’s a bit high due to the size of the calendar?) but those minifig options… so good, so key for doing Shakespearean staging….
Brothers Brick – thanks again for helping to organize the peaceable uprising that got us to this point!
September 26th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Oh – and the hold music was great (classic Dean Martin!)
September 26th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I just called, got through immediately, and had the order completed within about 2 minutes. They did ask for the code.
September 26th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Thank you, Brothers Brick! Can’t wait for my little surprise each day in Advent.
September 26th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
just fyi, those of you that got a an order line where they didn’t know about it, its because it got bumped to our secondary set of order takers which work out of California (this is a company that handles overflow). Once we realized that was happening we made sure calls weren’t getting sent there so those of you who feel like you caught them off guard, thats why.
I’m glad folks seem to be getting in alright. :)
Steve
September 26th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
4 minutes total phone time, 2 sets w/shipping $73.41
Thanks TBB & S@H!
September 26th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I managed to order one! :D
20 minutes total phone time. :/
Thanks, TBB, and TLC.
September 26th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Hooray! Bought one.
They knew my first name! :o I’m going to pretend it’s because I’m like Norm from Cheers to them, or something.
September 26th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Sweet, just ordered mine in under 10 minutes :)
Thanks for the help TBB!
September 26th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Thanks so much for orchestrating this!
September 26th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Awesome. I just ordered mine. 6 minutes on the phone!
September 26th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Steve- firstly, thanks for all your guy’s hard work with this. We all know there are companies who don’t give a crap about their customers and it’s nice to know LEGO isn’t one of them. Secondly, those orders (than went to the CA call centre) are still valid, correct?
September 26th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
My brother and I each have one coming our way :D. Thank you to anyone who helped organize this and thank you LEGO.
September 26th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Why is it called avent calender? What does that mean?
September 26th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Crap….I’m not going to be able to order my two copies until next Friday (payday!). I hope there are some still left by then. ;-)
September 26th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Just ordered mine.. said she didn’t know anything about a code being needed. Also nothing about a limit but, I only wanted one anyway.
September 26th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Got mine as well, just one. Took, like, 3 minutes. No holding. Cost was $39 total, sort of a bummer, but hey.
September 26th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
To starstreak:
Advent is the season in the Church calendar leading up to Christmas.
September 27th, 2008 at 3:16 am
For Aussies Brothers seeking the 7979 Castle Advent Calendar:
I sent an email to Lego a while ago about really really wanting to purchase it… and they’ve just replied with great news advising me it is now available in Australia for AUD $39.99 each from Shop@Home
Here’s the link:
http://shop.lego.com/product/Default.aspx?p=7979&LangId=2057
Yay! – Go Lego!
On a slightly related note, for all the Castle fans out there – I’m really excited about the Jester minifig. I’ve been waiting for it for a while especially since I gave it some thought in the Lego Club forums many many moons ago.
Here’s a screenshot of my comments there:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joriel/2644548693/
September 27th, 2008 at 5:04 am
I called at 3:01 EST, spent 5 1/2 minutes total on the phone, very negligible wait for the CSR, pleasant conversation while she punched in my order (she grew up around where I currently live), ordered my 2 copies of Castle Advent, declined ordering anything else, with shipping it’s something in the 60′s altogether, and supposed to get here in 3-5 business days. Thank you Brothers Brick for helping to make this happen!
September 27th, 2008 at 5:24 am
Just want to ask, but will it be coming out in Asia? I really want this set, even if it comes half a year late.
September 27th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Awesome, thank you!
My nephews will LOVE this!
-pete
September 27th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Hurrah! I got mine ordered. The lady asked for the special code. She also said that these were going fast!
September 27th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Done. Painless. Thanks!
September 27th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Got mine by 9:10 am yesterday, redirected to the 2nd phone # but no problems. Jumped on to let you guys know but you and the 31 commenters were way ahead of me.
Thanks you guys!
I told my wife and she was delighted by the idea of a Lego advent calendar, which she’d never heard of. I think that means I’m going to have to wait through the month to get the goodies.
September 27th, 2008 at 11:23 am
I ordered my two yesterday. Thanks to everyone who made it possible.
September 27th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Thanks to everyone who made this possible. I was able to order my 2 about 1pm Pacific time. It only took a few minutes for the whole order. I really did want this set, even at the high price tag. I can’t justify that for City, there just isn’t anything I want in that set. Plus with LEGOLAND just a half hour away, I don’t order much from the Catalog unless the park doesn’t carry it anymore.
But thanks again to Brothers Brick and everyone else involved! ;)
September 27th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
how do you add to an order after you’ve placed it?
September 28th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Was able to order 2 of these this morning still.
Thank you to all that made this happen.
September 28th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Yeah thanks, it just goes to show the power of petition
September 28th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Yeah, ordered my one for shipping to CA for $39. Freakn’ expensive. Still glad it’s available but – man . . .
September 28th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
[...] by The Brothers Brick this decision was changed last week and a limited number of Advent calendar was made available to US fans. It took me 30 minutes on the phone but finally I got [...]
September 28th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Folks,
Anyone know how long it takes to get the confirmation email? (They asked me for an email adr, I assume for one.)
Regards,
Andrew
September 28th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
@Chrispockster: Good question. I’ve been told it’s possible, but I’ve never done it myself. You’d have to call S@H and ask for the specifics.
@Andrew: It sometimes takes as long as 24 for the confirmation e-mail to go out. Not sure why it’s not immediate (even for online orders).
September 29th, 2008 at 6:05 am
I was able to place my order in about three minutes this (Monday) morning – so there are still some availiable. :-)
September 29th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Just an FYI, I was able to obtain two this morning and they did ask me for the code. Thanks Brothers Brick! My kids _really_ wanted a Lego advent calendar this year and I was not very excited about the City one…
September 29th, 2008 at 11:54 am
It is now 9/29/08 Monday Morning 10:52 Alaska Time and I just ordered two calanders. Thanks to all involved. Now I will have something to play with when it is 50 below zero this Christmas.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Just ordered 2 on 9/29 4PM Pacific Time. Thanks to whoever made this happen!
September 29th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I ordered two sets as well. 9/29 6pm
Thank you for making this happen.
September 30th, 2008 at 7:08 am
I just ordered a set today and they still had them in stock (9/30). Thanks for helping me find this!
September 30th, 2008 at 8:17 am
And I just ordered mine 2 seconds ago. They still have them. I was on hold for maybe 30 seconds.
Great people. Thanks Brothers Brick.
September 30th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Thanks BrickBros! Lego took my order for 2 sets late this morning (9/30) as well. Hope they’re not over-”booking” these.
September 30th, 2008 at 8:34 am
LOL@first comment
I ordered 2!!! WOOT!! Castle women for movie!!
September 30th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
yeah ! I got mine. I only got 1, but she said there were a few left as of 1:58 p.m. (PST). I didn’t even get music.
September 30th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Just ordered 2 sets, 4:30pm Pacific 9/30. Thanks so much for helping us acquire these sets!
October 1st, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Hey all,
Mine arrived today. Good stuff. My wife says the cover looks cool. Haven’t seen them yet.
Thanks,
Andrew
October 1st, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Just placed an order for a few as well just a few minutes ago (15:48 PST). They still had a few in stock for anyone finding this later like I did. That’ll teach me to forget to check everyday like normal. ;)
For those out there who made this possible, thank you so much!
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:18 am
October 3 (10:20 PST) Still have some avaliable. I feel lucky I found your site when I did. Thank You all!
October 4th, 2008 at 11:21 am
So, I read this last night, on the 3rd of October for the first time. I don’t know how I missed it. My heart sank when I read this, because I was pretty sure I couldn’t get one this late in the game. I about midday today, with no expectation of them having any left. But good news to any latecomers: they did and I ordered two without any problem. This really beats the alternative of paying double price plus shipping on Bricklink.
October 5th, 2008 at 1:27 am
[...] product design teams to BrickCon, including Matthew Ashton, Simon, and Nik Groves. Matt designed 7979 Castle Advent Calendar, so he kindly signed one for me. Very [...]
October 5th, 2008 at 7:45 am
I’ve ordered 10:45 AM EST on 10/5/08. They still have stocks.
October 5th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Thank you everyone for the info! It is 4:22 EST on Sunday 10/5, and I just ordered 2.
Does this sort of thing happen alot? Calling Lego w/ a secret pass code? I never knew such a thing existed!
October 7th, 2008 at 7:15 am
I am an avid toy collector of many various lines, and I have never had such an easy time ordering something over the phone. Thanks so much for the simple directions (and code!). This is my first Lego purchase in years!
October 7th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Still some left as-of today. My son is going to flip out! Thanks for the great gift idea.
October 8th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Just ordered one today. THANK YOU very much !!!! My son will be very excited
October 9th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Just ordered one today! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! My boys will be VERY excited, (including my “big boy” aka husband!)
October 10th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Got through no problem and ordered a set today. Took just three minutes. Thanks!
October 12th, 2008 at 7:43 am
I just ordered a set – thanks for posting this! They did question me about how i found out about the set, and they did require me to give the source code.
I am excited about getting into castle this since I saw the Medieval Town set.
October 14th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
OMG i just got mine !!!! thank you!
October 15th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Thank you! Just got off the phone with them and put my order in! I’m in Canada and used the English number that was crossed out. They also asked me to provide the code.
This is my first time on this site (not quite sure how I ended up here but am glad I did) and wanted to thank you. My 2 boys will be so surprised when they get their calendars and I’m so happy that there is an alternative to the city calendar (which they have been receiving for the past 3 years).
October 16th, 2008 at 9:37 am
just ordered 2 today–they’re still available, thanks for the info!!!
October 20th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I just called, and they’re out 8(
November 13th, 2008 at 5:50 am
Just confirming.. none today either (hey.. I had to TRY)
November 14th, 2008 at 11:55 am
No go. I called today and it was a c1, which according to the customer service rep means none available, no idea if there will ever be any available. Bummer.
December 1st, 2008 at 8:33 pm
[...] of you lucky enough to snag a 7979 Castle Advent Calendar have probably just started opening those little doors to discover your Christmas goodies. (You can [...]