Answers.Body: <p>Yes, it does exist and it is indeed a logistical nightmare, but at least it does exist.</p>
  
  <p>From what I understand from the participation from the LUG I'm a member of, all participants must provide their data to LEGO and must agree not to resell parts they buy.</p>
  
  <p>The participants don't buy things on their own; rather, the club is responsible to select elements it wants to buy and quantities. There are limits, but I don't know for sure which ones (I think max 80 different elements per order), so the club must find a way to make sure all its members get something they want.</p>
  
  <p>The way my club chose to do it is to select some elements which are likely to please a lot of people (basic dark red bricks, for example), then they buy them with their own account and resell them to members.</p>
  
  <p>The prices are somewhat cheaper than if you would call LEGO yourself (which works in certain countries, by the way) or if you used the online pick-a-brick, but I can't say by how much. And since the club as a whole is involved, it's sometimes frustrating for individuals.</p>
  
  <p>As how to get involved, you will need to be a known club, in which case you're likely to already have contacts with LEGO, so use these to ask how the lugbulk works.</p>
  
  <p>If you're a new club which is yet unknown from LEGO, by all means, try to make yourself known, this can bring many advantages other than the lugbulk.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-12-01T20:53:56.323Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2011-12-01T20:53:56.323Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Joubarc
Answers.Body: <p>LUGBULK does allow members to buy things at a reduced cost that is determined by LEGO's production pricing. </p>
  
  <p>I know our LUG allows each member to pick a certain number of elements that we want and then vote on the remainder. That way, everyone is guaranteed a certain amount pieces they want. Plus we can choose from the rest of the line-up also. </p>
  
  <p>But of course, you have to be a member of a LUG, hence the name LUGBULK. I'd recommend contacting your local LEGO store to see if they know any members of your local LUG (if there is one). Otherwise, you can always start your own. You do need a certain minimum of members to be able to order LUGBULK and there are monetary requirements to meet also.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-11-22T02:15:34.143Z
Answers.Text: This answer would have been better as a comment to another answer. As is, it does not actually answer the question.
Answers.UserDisplayName: oddTodd
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-11-27T00:48:14.020Z
Answers.Text: Looks like it answers the question just fine to me.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Timtech
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-11-21T18:13:23.560Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-11-21T18:13:23.560Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Smee
Answers.Body: <p><a href="http://thebrickblogger.com/">The Brick Blogger</a> describes in detail how the LUGBULKS system works. </p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>The LUGBULK program debuted in 2009 and still operates as a pilot
    program for LEGO. LEGO realizes that AFOLs are the ones that make
    communities aware of LEGO in a wide range of venues that LEGO does not
    have the time or resources to reach. Therefore, supplying these AFOLs
    with an affordable supply of bulk pieces seems like a really good
    idea.</p>
    
    <p>The logistics of this project are a nightmare though if you think
    about it. There is no way to offer this discount to every AFOL who
    wants cheap LEGO bricks. Therefore, the first organization level is
    that AFOLs must be part of a LEGO User Group (LUG). This LUG must then
    register every year if they want to participate.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>I recommend visiting the <a href="http://thebrickblogger.com/2011/06/the-lego-lugbulk-program/">original article</a> for more infomation. In particular which LUG (LEGO user groups) are qualified to use LUGBULK.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-12-01T19:21:45.243Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2011-12-01T19:21:45.243Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ambo100
Body: <p>I have heard that LEGO have (or had) a programme called LUGBULK whereby clubs can purchase bulk lots of LEGO components direct fom LEGO.</p>
  
  <p>Is that true? If so, is it economical and how can I get involved?</p>
  
Tags: <shopping><terminology><lugbulk>
Title: What is LUGBULK?
UserDisplayName: Kramii
ThreadText: # What is LUGBULK?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2011-12-01)
  
  I have heard that LEGO have (or had) a programme called LUGBULK whereby clubs can purchase bulk lots of LEGO components direct fom LEGO.
  
  Is that true? If so, is it economical and how can I get involved?
  
  **Tags:** shopping, terminology, lugbulk
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 3 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_5 on 2011-12-01. Score: 16 | Accepted answer
  
  [The Brick Blogger](http://thebrickblogger.com/) describes in detail how the LUGBULKS system works.
  
  > The LUGBULK program debuted in 2009 and still operates as a pilot
  > program for LEGO. LEGO realizes that AFOLs are the ones that make
  > communities aware of LEGO in a wide range of venues that LEGO does not
  > have the time or resources to reach. Therefore, supplying these AFOLs
  > with an affordable supply of bulk pieces seems like a really good
  > idea.
  >
  > The logistics of this project are a nightmare though if you think
  > about it. There is no way to offer this discount to every AFOL who
  > wants cheap LEGO bricks. Therefore, the first organization level is
  > that AFOLs must be part of a LEGO User Group (LUG). This LUG must then
  > register every year if they want to participate.
  
  I recommend visiting the [original article](http://thebrickblogger.com/2011/06/the-lego-lugbulk-program/) for more infomation. In particular which LUG (LEGO user groups) are qualified to use LUGBULK.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2011-12-01. Score: 11
  
  Yes, it does exist and it is indeed a logistical nightmare, but at least it does exist.
  
  From what I understand from the participation from the LUG I'm a member of, all participants must provide their data to LEGO and must agree not to resell parts they buy.
  
  The participants don't buy things on their own; rather, the club is responsible to select elements it wants to buy and quantities. There are limits, but I don't know for sure which ones (I think max 80 different elements per order), so the club must find a way to make sure all its members get something they want.
  
  The way my club chose to do it is to select some elements which are likely to please a lot of people (basic dark red bricks, for example), then they buy them with their own account and resell them to members.
  
  The prices are somewhat cheaper than if you would call LEGO yourself (which works in certain countries, by the way) or if you used the online pick-a-brick, but I can't say by how much. And since the club as a whole is involved, it's sometimes frustrating for individuals.
  
  As how to get involved, you will need to be a known club, in which case you're likely to already have contacts with LEGO, so use these to ask how the lugbulk works.
  
  If you're a new club which is yet unknown from LEGO, by all means, try to make yourself known, this can bring many advantages other than the lugbulk.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2014-11-21. Score: 4
  
  LUGBULK does allow members to buy things at a reduced cost that is determined by LEGO's production pricing.
  
  I know our LUG allows each member to pick a certain number of elements that we want and then vote on the remainder. That way, everyone is guaranteed a certain amount pieces they want. Plus we can choose from the rest of the line-up also.
  
  But of course, you have to be a member of a LUG, hence the name LUGBULK. I'd recommend contacting your local LEGO store to see if they know any members of your local LUG (if there is one). Otherwise, you can always start your own. You do need a certain minimum of members to be able to order LUGBULK and there are monetary requirements to meet also.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_3**: This answer would have been better as a comment to another answer. As is, it does not actually answer the question.  
  > **username_4**: Looks like it answers the question just fine to me.  
  
  ---
  
  