Dear LEGO: We want 6299 LEGO Pirates Advent Calendar!

It’s that time of the year again, LEGO fans. In what I hope does not become an annual tradition, we’ve received confirmation from LEGO that this year’s non-City advent calendar, 6299 LEGO Pirates Advent Calendar, will not be made available in the United States.

6299 LEGO Pirates Advent Calendar

The success of our campaign to get 7979 Castle Advent Calendar last year was the result of both luck (a pallet of sets that got shipped to the US distribution center accidentally) and persistent community activism (here on TBB and on sites like Classic Castle).

Though we can’t guarantee luck again, we can certainly do our part to see what effect LEGO fan community activism can have this time around. Leave a comment here on this post expressing your support and we’ll pass your sentiments along to LEGO through our resident LEGO Ambassador.

And last but not least: Yarrr!!!

88 comments on “Dear LEGO: We want 6299 LEGO Pirates Advent Calendar!

  1. Rocko

    Well, if the minifigs are going to be the same low quality figs that have started showing up in the impulse and magnet sets, I don’t want this in the U.S. anyways. One thing I don’t need is minifigs with milky, semi transparent plastic or inferior print jobs.

  2. Lich Barrister

    I certainly agree that quality control is essential for this sort of product, and hope to hear that all’s well with it – as it seemed to be with last year’s Castle Calendar.

    I purchased two Castle Calendars last year, and would definitely prefer to buy the Pirate set this year in addition to the city set. You know you want to sell it to us…

  3. cjedwards47

    The low-quality figs are usually the ones that come pre-assembled. They’re manufactured and assembled in China. At least that’s what I remember reading. The advent calendars do not come pre-assembled, so it should be ok.

    I saw the City Advent Calendar the other day and was shocked and disappointed that it didn’t contain any female figs. There’s a whole parade of men walking across the middle.

  4. duckingham

    I was extremely disappointed when I got my Fall catalog earlier this week and found that the Pirate Advent Calendar was not included. I have been looking forward to the PAC since the pictures were released several months ago. I fully expect this one to be even more popular than the Castle-themed one last year, and am shocked that LEGO is not making this available in the US. Shocked. Especially after all the fuss we made last year.

    I laugh at city. I do not want city. I do not buy city if I can help it. (Okay, my wife wants the city advent calendar). But for me, and each of my two sons who are now old enough for the advent calendar — all 3 of us want the Pirate Advent Calendar. And if we are limited to two again, that means both my wife and I will be calling to place orders — assuming we can get a quantity available in the US. And if not, then we will quickly be looking for a way to get shipments in from Europe. :(

  5. Foamrider

    This is funny. In a sad, twisted way.
    LEGO seems bent on making sure they go through the hassle(which I assume it is) they went through last year.

  6. superdave

    I grabbed two Castle calendars last year (one for me and one for my friend) and I am very interested in a Pirate calendar this year.

  7. Motor.On

    I’d buy at least two.

    Why is lego doing this with so many cool products (LEGO Board games! COME TO THE US ALREADY I DON’T WANT TO PAY $50 FOR LUNAR COMMAND)

  8. theepirate

    Dear Lego,
    stop having regional exclusives like this. There are plenty of Lego Pirates fans in America that would love to have this set. Okay seriously, how hard is it for you to offer this set in the U.S.? It’ll get over just the same as any other set you sell if you make it available.

  9. lmdavis

    I bought the Castle calendar last year and am definitely interested in the Pirate calendar. LEGO please bring this option to the US.

  10. tedward

    This is getting to be silly. Did last year mean nothing? Perhaps the concept of an Advent Calendar is unknown in some American communities but here in Canada it is so common you can buy them (the ones with chocolates in the spaces) in the corner grocery store. TLG, give us the option!

  11. kayakermanmike

    Advent Calendar: “I want to go to there!”

    C’mon Lego, sell everything, everywhere! I support this ‘petition.’

  12. ineti

    I would have thought TLG would have learned something from last year. I’d love to see the Pirates calendar be made available in the US. I know I’d buy several if I could. My family and my nieces and nephew love Lego and would certainly enjoy these.

  13. CatJuggling

    I agree with Nannan, it’s disappointing they don’t at least have it as an online exclusive or some smaller roll out plan. I didn’t get a castle set last year, but I got into Lego because of Pirates and I would buy at least a couple of these.

  14. Pixel

    I bought two castle advents last year, and would have bought at least one more if I could have. I also bought one City advent.

    If I could I would buy at least one Pirate advent, possibly more. I’ll probably buy a city, but am much less enthused by it and may wait and buy it on clearance.

  15. Pixel

    Oh, to add to my previous comment. I am not particularly into Castle or Pirate, and don’t build in them. But I want the Advent calendars anyway because they tend to have clever stuff in them.

  16. PinkFloyd

    Please, Lego! This set is AWESOME! The Advent Calendars are always fun, it would be great to have this. The City calendar is released every year in the US, but never the cool Castle ones, or the Pirate one this year!

  17. Josh

    I bought three of the Castle ones last year. One from the mis-shipped pallet and two through other means. We want Advent Calendars!

  18. bluemoose

    Although I think LEGO has been misguided in not learning from last year (but they are a big company & learning stuff is difficult for them), I’d be a little more supportive of this ‘community activism’ if it ran both ways – what about things, like ‘Brickmaster’, that have never been available in Europe ?

    Having said that, I’d be happy to help out a few people get hold of them if it comes to that … but I find it hard to be sympathetic to comments like “I want two so I can sell one later when they get collectable”.

  19. heatherlegogirl

    Why has the LEGO Group forsaken us?! Give me pirate advent or give me death! Ok, maybe not death, but at least know I’ll have a sore tummy if I am left hangin’ on this one.

  20. Benjamin P

    *signs petition*

    What a great looking set! I am befuddled as to why it is not available in the US, as this theme is something that would appeal to many people, young and old.

    On the note of trying to get sets equally distributed, both Europe and America, I was also disappointed when small impulse sets, such as “The Good Wizard” (5614), did not come to the US. And many are disappointed that the board games are not available immediately either.

  21. Kevoh

    I sign this petition. I would buy 1 or 2 of this advent calendar.

    I also support initiatives for Pirate Menorahs, Pirate Festivus Poles, and Pirate Winter Solstice Dioramas (all available in the US, of course)

  22. KH3D

    I agree with the idea of making everything available everywhere (no regional exclusives). I put that in as one of the custom options every time LEGO has a poll.

    I am kind of surprised that neither the Pirates Advent Calendar, or a drive to have some offered in the US, has shown up on the front page of either Classic Pirates or Forbidden Cove.

  23. roguefx

    yes, please!

    I’ll buy one of each, to make it less of a fight each morning on who in the family gets to open one. And we could always use more pirates!

    Arrgg!

  24. Andrew Post author

    @bluemoose: The Brothers Brick has a global audience, and we’re certainly open to applying a little bit of collective TBB pressure to help European and Asian fans get LEGO sets that are only available in North America.

    Both this effort and the one last year for the Castle calendar were inspired by a growing groundswell of questions from American fans. We’re involved in many global communities beyond TBB itself, and paying attention to the discussions, but we just haven’t heard the same hue and cry from European fans about other items (like BrickMaster).

    For all you LEGO fans in Europe and Asia reading this, please do share concerns like this, and we’ll pass them along to LEGO through the Ambassadors program, and when that’s not effective (as in this case), we can try other approaches. Unfortunately, we can’t help if we’re not aware of the problem.

  25. eti

    I don’t live in the US but I do find this a concern.

    Dear Lego, the Lego community is a global community. Internet websobs, such as S@H, are a global market. Fans do not like being excluded.

    Please, simply make all Lego products available to all customers worldwide. We understand if you’re not shipping all sets to all stores in every country, but the S@H bit goes out by mail anyway. There simply is no reason we can understand to not let certain people buy certain products.

  26. legolandbill

    Strange…

    You would think that after the uproar last year for the Castle calendar and a proven track record of over 10 years of selling the regular Advent Calendars, they would assume this would be a desirable item EVERYWHERE.

    The LEGO Company has doen a great job of having a consistent range of their products available worldwide, I hope they don’t slip back into the old regional mindset. The LEGO fan community is too vocal and well connected to let these sort of things slide by anymore.

    This why the Brothers are so important to the community!

  27. rabrew

    Lego, please reconsider I along with my 2 kids were looking forward to getting the Pirate Advent calender. Last year we got lucky and were able to get 2 of the castle ones ad we really loved them. Bring on the pirate’s loot, arghhhh.

    Thank you to TBB for bringing this to our attention.

  28. Jargon

    I suppose we can always hope for another burst of shipping incompetence, but it’d be much more reasonable not to have to.

  29. Brad

    Hear, hear. I will add my voice as well. If the LEGO Group makes this item available to the U.S. market in any way, I will buy at least one. The calendars are a great deal of fun and a highlight of my Decembers.

  30. elmegil

    Definitely. Why are we second class citizens? City is nice for some things, but the really interesting calendar is the one with personality.

  31. Robin Hood

    I…I just don’t get it. Surely Lego would have learnt from last year that North America wants the cool advent calendar. Seriously, they can’t have forgotten about it that easily. So why, why Lego, is this set not coming here? Please smarten up Lego.

    *Insert petition signature*

    It just doesn’t make sense.

  32. Fred

    Controversy is the best publicity a company can ask for.

    I’m outraged! *huff* *huff* Yell it from the rooftops!

  33. doubledumbassonyou

    I was the the LEGO Store last night and was pumped to see the City Advent calendar on the shelf last night … I rushed to the Pirates section only to find out from the store associate that they had nothing in the system. I came home only to find out that it was unavailable in North America. BASTARDO! C’mon LEGO why are you doing this to us?

  34. notenoughbricks

    Last year was the 1st year I had two different Advent Calendars to open, City and Castle. I’d start my day and build a “set” in the morning and then end my day by building a “set” in the evening. It was a new twist on a favorite part of December for me.

    I might buy the Pirate Advent Calendar if it were made available in the U.S. but it upsets me that I might not even have the opportunity to do so if I do want this set. It doesn’t make sense to me to create a product that will only retail in a certain region. If I were investing money in products I would want to be able to sell said products to anyone who has the desire and money to purchase them no matter where they live.

  35. Puddleglum

    CITY advent calendars are really tired – its the same thing every year! I honestly had $40 set aside for this when it went on sale. I was *sure* they wouldn’t make the same mistake this year! Ugh.

  36. Arkov

    I’ll buy at least two, one for me and one for my little sister. I agree that the city advent calendar is getting a little repetitive.

  37. David4

    Stupid LEGO! When will you learn!

    People in Europe bitch when the USA gets a random set before them, yet they get all these great exclusives! STUPID LEGO!

  38. Brickapolis

    This year I was setting aside major $$$ to pick up several copies of the set wherever it became available first.

    It’s really sad and disheartening to see that it’s happened again. Why? Why? Why? Why, why, why?

    Please, reverse this decision. I’m not asking to see this in brand retail locations everywhere… but I would like to see a S@H type of call in deal.

    Could someone mistakenly get a pallet sent to the US again?

    I REALLY liked the idea of a pirate advent calender. The CITY ones are just too darn boring/same/unimaginative for me, at least.

    So, PLEASE sell this product in the US!!!

  39. ILikePi

    I can’t believe that LEGO would do the exact same thing that happened last year with the Castle Advent Calendar. There are thousands (maybe even hundreds of thousands) of LEGO fans in the US and Canada that want to buy the Pirates Advent Calendar.

    I am going to buy one copy, but ONLY if you list it as a product in the US, not if all you people at LEGO just decide to do the same thing last year (calling a phone number to order), since my parents will probably not do that, and I’m sure that there are many others that want it to be widely available, too.

    So, sign me up for this petition!

  40. Xiphos Systems

    I’d like to throw my support in as well. Would definitely like to get me hooks on a share o’ that loot.

  41. whaleyland

    I have registered for the sole purpose of signing this petition. I was in Britain last year and was lucky to obtain a Castle Advent Calendar. I bought eight and sold seven of them to people in the US, mostly on eBay. This year, I’m on the other side of the pond with no calendar. I have no desire to get one of the trashy City calendars and have held off buying Pirates sets because I heard about this calendar waaaay back in February or March. Bring this set to North America, where the Pirates of the Caribbean raided the high seas and where all of these pirates sets are historically based.

  42. Artahn

    I’m signing the petition.

    I’m perfectly fine if you want to “test the market” with some sets or set lines, as long as you promise to release them around the world if they do well; but making sets that will never be released to all markets, coupled with the fact that now we’re getting the same boring city sets each and every year, well that’s probably a worse idea than Galidor. Now considering the fact that each and every designer who was behind that product are now practically hiding in spider holes just to save their butts, I think the marketing team should work on this like their jobs depended on it; because it just might.

  43. Begend

    The advent calendar is great and all, but why is there no movement to get 10199: Winter Toy Shop into North American hands? 10199 is incredible looking! Can we add a polite community request for this set as well? Anyone?

  44. Andrew Post author

    @Begend: That’s an excellent question. I’m personally more excited about 10199 than this Advent Calendar. It’s not showing up on the LEGO Shop online at all yet, so we don’t know for sure whether or not it’s going to be available in the US. We’ll check with LEGO. Thanks!

  45. David4

    If LEGO keeps this bullshit up I will start buying all my LEGO second hand, and building even less. The Castle Advent was something truely special, this set isn’t that special, but still better than the same old City crap.

  46. wunztwice

    I’d buy at least one of this advent calender and probably the 10199. LEGO, seriously, you can’t figure out that people all over the world would like the same sets?

  47. Arkov

    Don’t worry about 1099 yet, it’s not available in any country on LEGO S@H yet. I’d guess it will become available sometime closer to Christmas.

  48. Pooka

    Registered here just to sign this petition.

    I jumped through the hoops to get two of the Castle Advent calenders last year, and I’m a much bigger fan of Pirates than Castle. Please let us Canadians buy the Pirate Advent calender from S@H this year. With two people, it is much more fun to have two different calenders to open in December.

  49. jagdjh

    I’d take two if they were made available. As a number of people said, I can’t understand why they only sell certain sets in some regions. It would be more understandable if the Pirate themed sets were not available in the US not to mention that Christmas is celebrated worldwide.

  50. ligerzero

    I agree although I’m Jewish for me the advent calendars have always been full of cool little Lego trinkets. Hopefully Lego will realize that American fans would like more than just generic city figs to celebrate the holidays.

  51. notenoughbricks

    If this set is not released this year in the U.S. I will refrain from buying the CITY Advent Calendar. I have at least 1 copy of the CITY calendar for 06-08 and bought 1 last year because I was trying to keep the holiday tradition going. I think my $30 will be better off spent on buying the Orange Tow Truck and the White Camper or Red Roadster sets from the CITY theme this year. I can’t take another remote control car playing minifig again or another cop or firefighter!

  52. chrism

    The 2009 City Advent Calendar looks very ho-hum. I imported the 2008 Castle Advent Calendar from the UK, and that was a huge hassle. I don’t want to go through that again this year. I don’t understand the aversion to making the non-City advent calendars available to buyers in the US/Canada, even if it’s just through shop.lego.com. Come on, Lego! Don’t make it so hard for us to give you *more* money!

  53. ThePlasticDonkey

    Dear Lego Folks,
    Please share the Pirate Advent Calendar with the folks in the New World. Many people would have much fun, with relatively little despoiling and pillaging during the coming Winter Solstice.
    Thank you,
    TPD

  54. Brickule

    I personally thought that LEGO wouldn’t make this mistake again, last year I purchased 2 Castle Calendars from the miss-shipped pallet. With so many people interested in this item it would be in LEGO’s best interest to ship to the US and Canada. If LEGO does decide to ship to the US I will probably get 2 of these, one for me and one for my lil sis.

    If LEGO doesn’t ship this set to the US and Canada, I would like to ask them to try and keep leaked pictures under control, me and my lil sis saw this set in February and got real excited, it has many parts that are not available in cheaper sets: Mermaid, Shark, ect…

  55. Creative Anarchy

    No, I don’t mean to be a buzzkill but I’m tired of it. Last year I busted ass chasing down a Christmas Advent calendar and didn’t manage to get one before they ran out. It was frustrating. I’m not going to run the gauntlet for this advent calendar. The last two weeks I’ve been grinding teeth and calling the online store trying to get a PAB order to go through online without success. I spend an unreasonable amount of money on this product line. I rarely buy a single copy of a set. Sets I like I often buy a half-dozen of to ensure I have enough of the figures or pieces I want. I will spend like a drunken pirate on anything that Lego wants to sell me but if they do not want additional money I refuse to further burden them with my dollars. If they’d like to sell me a Pirate Advent Callendar they can put one on the shelf at my local store like a reasonable retailer. I am not a trick dog, I do not jump through hoops.

  56. reefcomber

    I truly don’t think that Lego cares one way or another. It was by fluke it happened last year, not anything Lego did for its customers. Why would they start thinking about us this year. Imagine the money they would make if they would make everything available to all. I made numerous calls to Lego about the pirate advent calendar. Although customer service said they understood, it’s not up to them…

  57. KellyJMF

    I am stunned they do not take pre-orders and then ship what’s been requested. If it was me, I’d offer free shipping to the Lego store of your choice and let people pick them up (plus more goodies since you’re already there, of course).

    I was too late last year to get one of the few Castle sets offered directly so I ended up spending $50-60 to get one on eBay. Probably can’t afford that this year and the City ones aren’t enough fun to bother.

  58. ktranger

    Well I hope Lego sees the “interest” in this set here in the USA. I to got lucky last year, hopefully Lego will offer the set… otherwise may a shipment of these end up here in the USA too.

  59. silveravnt

    We would really like the pirates advent calendar. We continue to enjoy the advent calendar from last year. Truth be told, if it’s not available we will probably import it from eu.

  60. silveravnt

    I have an additional question and (Moderator, If this is not appropriate for this thread please delete).
    Why doesnt someone just Import 100 sets and ship them around the US? I’ve got an address in DE and FR. The only downside is that they would cost quite a bit more after shipping to EU and shipping to USA and then to people homes. I guess that would suck.

  61. jblegofan

    I too am from the US and would buy the Pirates Advent calendar. I even was in the UK last week and looked around for it, but unfortunately the local toy shop didn’t have any stock yet. Last year I was lucky enough to have a relative bring the castle back from their travel (along with the good wizard) and my boys loved being able to do them.

    The problem is (as previously noted) when you have multiple lego fans in a household, you need more than one set to keep the fighting each morning to a minimum. So I strongly support this petition and hope that TLG will see that we in America do have the Christmas Spirit and will buy this set. Arrrggg.

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