Subject:
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Re: The LEGO Revival Survey
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.general
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Date:
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Thu, 23 Jun 2005 20:37:09 GMT
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Viewed:
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4597 times
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> Why do LEGO toys have value to you?
The toy is a system, and regardless of what sets or themes I choose to buy, they
are all physically compatible with each other.
> What makes LEGO brand construction toys worth your money?
Unlike action figures, dolls, toy cars, playsets, etc., this toy can be
reconfigured into anything one chooses to play with.
> In what way has the LEGO brand let you down?
The licensing of movies/NBA seems to have forced the company into a corner over
something as simple as color/race of the minifig. I always assumed the yellow
minifig to be without ethnicity, but the characterizations of real people has
taken away that bit of imagination. More than the grey/brown color change, the
flesh toned minifigs have changed the way I purchase.
> Recently, how has the LEGO brand improved?
The Make & Create line is as good as the Basic sets of the late 1970's, IMO.
It's a box of pieces, with instructions for some suggested models, that can
easily be a starter kit, standalone product or blend with my existing
collection. The price-per-brick is reasonable too.
> What would you like to see LEGO (re)introduce in the next three years?
- The exploration-based Space theme of the early 1980's. I don't think there's
an Adult Fan/Enthusiast who doesn't have a warm place in their heart or wallet
for this.
- Classic Space legends, in any shade of grey, would be a hit after Star Wars
dries up.
- Baseplates (classic space 32x32 & regular 48x48) in the original grey. I don't
know how possible this is, but if there's any original grey ABS left or
discovered, it should go into baseplates & train tracks first, everything else
second. We've collectively gotten over the brick change, but if a group (or
individual) wants to make a far-reaching display, the terrain & tracks should at
least look the same.
- Bring back parts from old/retired molds, maybe in different colors, maybe in
grab-bags/bulk packs. The Fabuland monkey wrench on the Star Wars AT-AT was a
pleasant surprise. There are people who by sets for rare parts (especially small
sets). This could also lead people to buy more direct from Lego than the second
hand market.
- The old finger-style hinges. The click hinges are nice, but they shouldn't be
the substitute for the old-style hinges, especially the 1x2 plates with 2 or 3
fingers.
- Monorail (can this be a Legend?) and Monorail expansion track.
> What does LEGO need to do to sell more products for less cost to them?
- Make & Create sets foster creativity.
- Un-licensed sets & themes, that allow children to develop their own
creativity, instead of re-creating something they've already seen. Licenses
surely eat into profit margins. The licenses of the 1980's - 1990's seemed to be
limited to a fuel company here and there, which enchanced the Town theme, as
opposed driving their own line.
- If licenses are a part of Lego's future, try to limit them to a single set.
Just make Bo, Duke, and the General Lee, don't give us a whole Dukes Of Hazzard
line. We can fill in the blanks. Give us Airwolf, don't give us a whole playset
that a child couldn't afford. Give us KITT & Michael Knight, don't give us the
18-wheeler & a warehouse full of German bad guys. Give us the A-Team van - and
make the A-Team all yellow figs. But no Amy the Reporter, no Colonel Decker &
the US Army. Creativity is what Lego teaches people of all ages, and licenses
stifle that if too much of the imagination part is provided.
> What reason(s) do you have for not buying new LEGO sets?
Flesh-toned minifigs. I've gotten over the new greys, but the "fleshies" are
something I'm not comfortable with. My generic yellow-head figs must be
separatists.
> What would it take for you to spend more money on new LEGO products versus buying sets/parts on the second hand markets?
- Cheaper price-per-brick (which Make & Create helps).
- PAB is great where there's one available, but bulk packs for those who don't
have that convenience would be nice. Or, mail-order from the PAB's.
- There was no secondary market before the internet. Lego can take advantage of
this market by meeting some of the demand. Take a look around Bricklink, see
what's selling. Offer bulk packs of the top sellers.
> What will it take for LEGO to remain the best construction toy for all ages and be a profitable company?
Continue with the Make & Create sets - if priced properly, they should compete
(and beat) Megabloks and the other nonsense filling the toystores.
> What are your home country, first name and age?
USA, Nick, 29
> Is there anything you would like to say with this last question that you feel someone at LEGO should not go without reading?
- Baby steps. Don't try too much too fast. Add to what's already successful.
Instead of trying something like Spybotics, expand on the proven Mindstorms.
Maybe a stripped-down RCX would have done better than the Spybotics line.
- This is a toy for kids, but it's the parents that you really have to sell to.
Kids don't make toy purchasing decisions early on.
- The educational toy division was an excellent idea, and should be expanded
every year. This will help get Lego products into more children's hands, as well
as their homes.
- Look for the long-term. If the product is well designed and comes with a nice
selection parts, don't substitute a large juniorized piece that is more
difficult to use in another creation, just to meet a price point.
Think of the lifelong relationship you're creating, which will bring in $$ in
perpetuity, as opposed to maximizing the revenue stream for that particular set.
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | The LEGO Revival Survey
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| LEGO is a changing company that many think is not what it should be or what it used to be. The best quality construction toys are made by LEGO. The current customer relationship between LEGO and the people who enjoy the toys they make is the best it (...) (19 years ago, 23-Jun-05, to lugnet.general) !!
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