Most would never dream that a 12pc item could cause such chaos.
Here is a history of how this set has been available - and as it is released in additional ways, you'll find that information published here as well.
FREE with purchase
Our own Greg Hyland reported that Canadian brick and mortar store Bricks & Blocks Outlet at Cookstown Outlet Mall was giving away free MINI TIE Fighters with LEGO purchase.
Star Wars UK Fan Club Magazine EXPIRED
This is how the TIE was originally made available - as an insert polybagged to the front of issue #41 of the UK fan club magazine. Additionally, it could be found polybagged to the cover of #13 of the comic - a Vader vs. Maul issue. These can still be found at bookstores in the UK; additionally it can be found throughout Europe and even as far away as Hong Kong. Searching out a large bookstore that carries international publications may prove fruitful to overseas fans. I have personally received reports outside of the UK from Belgium, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Norway.
Star Wars Insider Fan Club Magazine
On the 15th of November, Paizo Publishing announced that they would be giving away a MINI TIE to both new and renewing subscribers to the magazine. This was available only to fans in the US and Canada. The online page to sign up can be found here - or you can call 1-800-692-3836 and use the code JLEGO.
LEGO Club Mailing
About the same time that the Insider was making their offer, random LEGO Club members were receiving the MINI TIE in their mailboxes. Along with it came a teaser leaflet that showed the upcoming MINI AT-AT, a 98pc set that will retail for $6.99 and is due in July. To become a LEGO Club member, simply call 1-800-453-4652 or fill out one of the inserts that can be found in manys sets.
StarWars.com/LEGO.com EXPIRED
Right before Thanksgiving of 2002, StarWars.com offered a free MINI TIE to registered members of the site. 5,000 were made available for the promotion, and all were spoken for in less than 24 hours. A glitch in the system allowed people access to this offer again several days later, but database errors led to that information being lost. LEGO is working to correct this situation so that the fans who registered during this glitch will be taken care of.
LEGO Mall Kiosks EXPIRED
NOTE: This was during the holiday shopping season in 2002.
Various LEGO kiosks found in malls throughout the US are giving away the MINI TIE with any LEGO purchase over $20. To find out if you have one of these kiosks near you, look here.
Memorabilia Magazine
The latest issue of the UK magazine includes a MINI TIE.
