TRU Star Wars Sale NOT 30% off Most Items

Attachment 25378Just had an unpleasant little chat with the manager of one of my local Toys R Us stores. I had intended to buy about $90 of stuff with the 30% off Star Wars sale, but they weren't honoring the ad. Turns out the weekly flyer ad says "All Star Wars on Sale!" in 1 bubble, and "30% off these hot Star Wars toys!" in the second bubble, a bubble for "20% off all Star Wars video games", with a footnote bubble of "All action figures * All lightsabers * All lego & more!" and a final text footnote of "*Excludes Blu-rays and DVDs." Similarly, the online ad says "All Star Wars on sale! Up to 30% off hot Star Wars toys." The ad runs this weekend until 9-17-11.

The flyer ad's 30% off, their store manager claims, refers only to the items pictured in the ad, and other discounts on sale items not pictured in the flyer are as marked (many being 10% off, like the new TRU-exclusive Battle Packs and The Force Unleashed 5-pack). The TRU website has the same situation.

Obviously that is misleading, but whether or not it's legitimate and even legal is debatable, as there are no item numbers specified anywhere on that flyer ad (except for the R2-D2 USB drive free with any $30 or more Star Wars purchase) which clarified which specific items were shown fell under that "these hot toys" claim.

While that 1 store felt strong in their position, another TRU a few miles away agreed that the lack of item numbers suggested that all Star Wars figures, lightsabers, and LEGO as mentioned would qualify as 30%, and anything in the same vein to that shown on the flyer page also should qualify, and they adjusted my purchases down to the appropriate amount. However, it's unknown what each store will say or will adjust the pricing to, ultimately they are held to how they interpret the ad and their relationship with TRU corporate head office.

However, whether or not the store agrees with your 30% off interpretation, if you've purchased Star Wars from TRU recently and have the receipt, they will adjust to the current pricing - I got $9.72 back on 3 TVC figures I purchased Friday.

So, good luck, and may the Force be with you!