Subject:
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Re: Color Change - Final Update
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.general, lugnet.lego
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Date:
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Thu, 6 May 2004 17:51:32 GMT
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Viewed:
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9079 times
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In lugnet.general, Jake McKee wrote:
First, Jake, let me say that I really appreciate you keeping this communication
with the AFOLs going. I feel utterly betrayed by TLC as a loyal customer and
from their behavior thus far regarding some of the recent quality issues and
such I wouldn't have been surprised if TLC never again took the time to send any
information back this way. Also, I'm going to try not to shoot the messenger
here. ;)
> Bad news first – After much discussion and debate internally, the color change
> will stand. There was some good thinking that went into the color change
> (although, yes, the implementation fell flat), and as such we are going to stay
> the course.
I really have to agree with others on this- I can't think of any possible "good
thinking" that would have produced a change that so fundamentally and negatively
affects TLC's customers. I really am curious to see what additional information
you can provide to us about that.
> Good news – based on the discussions and debates, many colleagues are clear that
> the color change dramatically affected the AFOLs. They are also clearly aware of
> the reasons it has upset you. In order to help address some of your concerns,
> several things have been agreed upon.
>
> * The three new colors (light gray, dark gray, brown) will now be classified as
> "universal", and these colors will NEVER be touched again. There will, of
> course, be colors that change over time with trends, but not these universal
> ones.
Good news? Well, OK... sure, we'll try to be very, very optimistic and say that
it's good news. I really feel a strong desire to know what other colors will be
"universal" now as well, because if this happens again with another core color
I'm fairly certain I'll enter another, permanent, Dark Ages. Other's have asked
for this as well, so I'll move on...
> * A certain few parts that are crucial to keep in the old colors will likely be
> created as service pack type items. An example of this would be the 9v train
> track. I am interested in getting feedback from you (via this thread) on which
> elements MUST be produced in the old colors for the long term. (And no, you
> can’t say "the whole range of parts!" :) )
Others that have more track and make more frequent us of it than I may disagree,
but I'm also of the mind that the train track is actually one of the less
important
things to maintain. Who's been asked about that so far? Personally I think that
the track trains run on isn't the focus - I never find myself looking at a train
layout (LEGO or otherwise) and being distracted by the track. Sure, it won't
match, but it'll really only be noticeable right where the two meet and I don't
think that'd be that big of a deal so long as you weren't mixing old and new
colors every other track section.
So, what do I, personally, feel *is* important to keep? That's an awfully hard
question, but I'd have to say nearly all of the basic bricks and plates. This is
especially true for brown as the new grays can be arguably useful for some MOCs,
the new brown is dreadful and to my mind doesn't accurately represent 90% of the
things I used it for (wood, namely). As far as other elements (I really think
they'd only need to be kept in light gray), I'd just point to what's in most
older Castle sets - panels, arches, slopes, and some of the slightly more unique
pieces like the 1x1 headlight.
> * We also have received confirmation from colleagues that in the future, we will
> include both the adult and kid enthusiasts in any testing related to
> modification or change of the core building system. (Please note that there are
> not any plans whatsoever in the works for making changes)
This is very good to hear! While I no longer have any faith that TLC listens to
it's customers, at least the possibility of providing feedback that will
actually be considered provides a faint glimmer of hope. :)
> Again, I know the color change upset many of you, and I don’t mean to re-open
> wounds.
Frankly, you didn't open an old would as I think for many of us it's one that
will never heal. I do appreciate that you understand and are sensitive to the
feelings on this issue, though.
Now, my final thoughts for now and something that might actually matter to TLC:
Your message about the "resolution" of this issue made me think about how this
change has affected my buying habits. Average retail LEGO purchases roughly a
year ago? $100/month. Amount spent at retail on LEGO since the color change
issue was posted? $0. I haven't spent _a_single_cent_ on new retail LEGO because
the the color change unnerved me so much. I think initially I thought I'd just
hold out for a while and see if TLC came to their senses and keep myself
supplied from the secondary market in the meantime. Now I realize that since it
took so long to get a final answer I've simply been weaned off new LEGO. Am I
going to give up and start buying again? I really don't think so. I received a
set as a gift not long after the change happened which is where I got my
firsthand impression of the new colors, and they're simply awful when I try to
use them with what I already own. Why buy from TLC who may change any other
fundamental aspect of their product with no warning at all when I know exactly
what to expect from the secondary market?
Now, I'm not totally pigheaded. :) I'd probably pick up a new retail set if it
looked interesting enough and didn't contain (or had very little) of the new
colors in it, but at this point I don't think I'd even buy Classic Space Legends
if they came in the new grays.
I think TLC is saying "We said we won't change them again. Isn't that good
enough?" while thinking "Now you can all start buying your collections all over
again since we've given you that paltry assurance!" I mean no offense by that,
it's just really how I feel.
As someone else alluded to - if you've still got the pellet supply in the old
color and are willing to produce some pieces, why not all? Why make the change
at all? The only reasons I can come up with from a corporate perspective are:
-Not wanting to lose face by backing down (I'd hope TLC's bigger than that,
though) while also trying to stem the tide of angry AFOLs and keeping their
options open for resupplying the parks and such.
-Cost savings. The new colors are cheaper, so if the bulk of pieces are produced
with them instead of the old ones TLC saves some cash.
In reality it's probably a combination of the two, which saddens me.
If there are other reasons that you can divulge, Jake, I'd honestly love to hear
them. If they didn't get a heavy amount of backlash from the move, why keep the
old colors around at all? If it's not a cost issue, what's the problem with
keeping the old colors? I've yet to hear a single plausible reason for the move
to the new colors other than the "kids like brighter grays!" hogwash. Inventory
management problems? Come on! Who here would lament the loss of one of the
shades of orange or green to keep the total numbers of colors constant for TLC
but retain our beloved grays and brown? Perhaps you can enlighten us... please?
Lastly:
> I'm honestly looking for your feedback on this issue. I'm asking what YOU think
> is the best way to ease into the switch over.
This is akin to saying "You're a carpenter, but you can no longer use wood. Now,
what's the best way we can ease the 'transition' for you?" - you can't. If the
new colors stand, they simply can't be used to represent stone, concrete, wood,
or anything that's more natural than steel or more "brown" than "chocolate"
anywhere near as well as the old colors. I can only hope for some seriously
great bulk packs of the old colors (think tubs!), but we didn't get them before
when those were the "standard" colors soo... *sigh*
Wow. That was longwinded. Sorry, I'm just passionate about it. :)
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Color Change - Final Update
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| You’d think I would have learned my lesson by now about the color change and just taken refuge in a concrete bunker. Nope, not that bright I think! I come to you with a final update, and some good news, as well as bad. Bad news first – After much (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.announce, lugnet.lego) !!
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