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 LEGO Company / Official LEGO Announcements / 14
     
   
Subject: 
bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.announce, lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.general, lugnet.announce, lugnet.market.services
Followup-To: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 11:39:18 GMT
Highlighted: 
!! (details)
Viewed: 
16917 times
  

Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

Our first bulk releases include standard bricks (1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 2x2, 2x4, 2x8)
in light grey, dark green, black, red, and white; as well as plates and smooth
tiles in black, red, and white; windows and doors; and spruce trees.  The
elements come in lots of 100, 50, or 25 per bag, depending on the size of the
element. There is no minimum purchase (well, you have to buy at least one
bag!) – and no limits on the maximum. Plus, let me stress that this is only
the first release: this autumn we will be enlarging the assortment of standard
elements, adding hard-to-find colors, and extending the range of more
specialized elements.

With this launch of the bulk service, we are also offering volume discounts on
purchases: a purchase of 5 bags will receive a 5% discount; 10 bags and more
will receive a 10% discount. These prices do not include shipping – we
have “unbundled” the item and shipping costs; shipping will be determined by
the dollar volume of the overall purchase. This pricing policy is being
instituted across the entire Shop at Home assortment effective with the next
catalog (due in July).  Further details and pricing information can be found
at http://www.lego.com/bulk.

Initially, this service is available only in the United States and Canada
through LEGO Shop at Home (1-800-453-4652). This is not because we wish to
favor this market, but simply because we have an existing fulfillment
operation which we can employ immediately. We are currently finishing our
development of a new fulfillment center in Europe to handle direct
distribution; it will be ready to go by late summer or early fall. At that
time, we will begin offering not only bulks but the full LEGO Shop at Home
service (via the Internet) to at least nine European countries. We intend to
have full coverage in Europe in 2001.

And to our friends in Australia and New Zealand (especially, but also Japan
and the rest of the Asian Pacific Rim)  – we hear you! We’re working hard to
extend this service to you, but I am sure you realize the logistical hurdles
which must be leapt (high shipping costs, customs, etc); we are endeavoring to
find a solution that is as great a value to you as Shop at Home has been to
our US and Canadian customers. I do not yet have a timetable for you, but I
have made it a priority to bring this service to you; if we can make even a
limited offering to you by the end of the year we will. But we will not launch
LEGO Shop at Home (or any direct-to-you initiative) until we are certain that
we can do so in a manner which meets your (and our) high expectations.

We hope that you are as excited as we are with the arrival of the bulk
service. It is but the first of many new offerings which will be appearing in
the coming months. For the next release of bulk elements later this year, we
hope to incorporate some of your many requests, and will develop a more formal
system on LEGO.com (but thanks, Jason Catena) for recording your desires.

As always, our thanks to you. Play Well.

-- Brad

Brad Justus
Senior Vice President, LEGO Direct
legodirect@lego.com

   
         
     
Subject: 
Could you please clear the situation for Europe a little bit further (was: Re: bulk ordering is here!)
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Fri, 7 Apr 2000 07:18:04 GMT
Reply-To: 
ssgore@superonline.NOMORESPAMcom
Viewed: 
3040 times
  

Hi Brad,

Formerly, thank you very much to you and your colleagues for realizing a
long waited and desired service as you promised.

You also mentioned that, by 2001, you will be shipping to all European
countries. Is this mean only the EU countries, or you are also planning
to include non-EU countries and partially European countries like
Turkey, where I'm living. I asked this, since in your distribution map,
Turkey looks as a part of Europe.

Since I'm already aware that Turkey is not a promising market for Lego
Bulk Sales, I'm not intending that I deserve a distribution channel in
here. What I wish is just being able to order my wants from a European
distribution channel, of course by paying for the additional shipping
cost.

For the customs issues, I know there would be no big problems, since I'm
already buying lego from other sources abroad (shipping internationally)
for a while.

A brief answer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and best regards,

Selçuk Göre


Brad Justus wrote:

Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

Our first bulk releases include standard bricks (1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 2x2, 2x4, 2x8)
in light grey, dark green, black, red, and white; as well as plates and smooth
tiles in black, red, and white; windows and doors; and spruce trees.  The
elements come in lots of 100, 50, or 25 per bag, depending on the size of the
element. There is no minimum purchase (well, you have to buy at least one
bag!) – and no limits on the maximum. Plus, let me stress that this is only
the first release: this autumn we will be enlarging the assortment of standard
elements, adding hard-to-find colors, and extending the range of more
specialized elements.

With this launch of the bulk service, we are also offering volume discounts on
purchases: a purchase of 5 bags will receive a 5% discount; 10 bags and more
will receive a 10% discount. These prices do not include shipping – we
have “unbundled” the item and shipping costs; shipping will be determined by
the dollar volume of the overall purchase. This pricing policy is being
instituted across the entire Shop at Home assortment effective with the next
catalog (due in July).  Further details and pricing information can be found
at http://www.lego.com/bulk.

Initially, this service is available only in the United States and Canada
through LEGO Shop at Home (1-800-453-4652). This is not because we wish to
favor this market, but simply because we have an existing fulfillment
operation which we can employ immediately. We are currently finishing our
development of a new fulfillment center in Europe to handle direct
distribution; it will be ready to go by late summer or early fall. At that
time, we will begin offering not only bulks but the full LEGO Shop at Home
service (via the Internet) to at least nine European countries. We intend to
have full coverage in Europe in 2001.

And to our friends in Australia and New Zealand (especially, but also Japan
and the rest of the Asian Pacific Rim)  – we hear you! We’re working hard to
extend this service to you, but I am sure you realize the logistical hurdles
which must be leapt (high shipping costs, customs, etc); we are endeavoring to
find a solution that is as great a value to you as Shop at Home has been to
our US and Canadian customers. I do not yet have a timetable for you, but I
have made it a priority to bring this service to you; if we can make even a
limited offering to you by the end of the year we will. But we will not launch
LEGO Shop at Home (or any direct-to-you initiative) until we are certain that
we can do so in a manner which meets your (and our) high expectations.

We hope that you are as excited as we are with the arrival of the bulk
service. It is but the first of many new offerings which will be appearing in
the coming months. For the next release of bulk elements later this year, we
hope to incorporate some of your many requests, and will develop a more formal
system on LEGO.com (but thanks, Jason Catena) for recording your desires.

As always, our thanks to you. Play Well.

-- Brad

Brad Justus
Senior Vice President, LEGO Direct
legodirect@lego.com

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: Could you please clear the situation for Europe a little bit further (was: Re: bulk ordering is here!)
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Followup-To: 
lugnet.admin.nntp
Date: 
Sun, 18 Jun 2000 09:14:25 GMT
Viewed: 
2947 times
  

How come the date of that post is so old?
David
FUT lugnet.admin.nntp

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 11:56:31 GMT
Viewed: 
3089 times

(canceled)

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 12:00:21 GMT
Viewed: 
3015 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Fredrik Glöckner writes:
"Brad Justus" <legodirect@lego.com> writes:

Our first bulk releases include standard bricks (1x4, 1x6, 1x8,
2x2, 2x4, 2x8) in light grey, dark green, black, red, and white; as
well as plates and smooth tiles in black, red, and white; windows
and doors; and spruce trees.

This certainly sounds exciting!  Too bad I can't order from Norway
yet.

Has anybody tried ordering anything?  I wonder which plate and tile
sizes are available?

Fredrick, go here to see what they have available:
http://www.lego.com/bulk/

If you want to jump there directly, go here:
http://www.lego.com/bulk/bulkpage1.asp
http://www.lego.com/bulk/bulkpage2.asp

Jeff

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 12:04:50 GMT
Viewed: 
3106 times
  

"Jeff Stembel" <aulddragon@wamalug.org> writes:

Fredrick, go here to see what they have available:
http://www.lego.com/bulk/

Yep, I saw it and canceled my article, but you were quicker than me!
;-)

The prices appear to be very reasonable indeed.  The assortement of
basic bricks is still a bit narrow, with no 1x2 or 1x1 bricks, for
example, but people who need bulk basic bricks probably don't need the
small ones, anyway.

When it comes to the plates, I would think that some might need more
of the long 1xn plates and the large 4xn or 6xn ones.  But these may
appear later on.

Fredrik

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 19:09:01 GMT
Viewed: 
3178 times
  

When it comes to the plates, I would think that some might need more
of the long 1xn plates and the large 4xn or 6xn ones.  But these may
appear later on.

Fredrik, I agree.

In addition to all the standard bricks, large plates are what I
require most from the bulk service.  I'm sure everyone building large
structures, models, ships, spacecraft, etc. agrees.

<ICS>

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 19:12:59 GMT
Reply-To: 
mattdm@/Spamless/mattdm.org
Viewed: 
3202 times
  

Ian Sinclair <sinclair@cadvision.com> wrote:
In addition to all the standard bricks, large plates are what I
require most from the bulk service.  I'm sure everyone building large
structures, models, ships, spacecraft, etc. agrees.

Or even 2-story houses.

--
Matthew Miller                      --->                  mattdm@mattdm.org
Quotes 'R' Us                     --->               http://quotes-r-us.org/
Boston University Linux             --->                http://linux.bu.edu/

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 11:57:35 GMT
Viewed: 
2955 times
  

In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

WOOHOO!!!!  *Jump for joy!!*

Our first bulk releases include standard bricks (1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 2x2, 2x4, 2x8)
in light grey, dark green, black, red, and white; as well as plates and smooth
tiles in black, red, and white; windows and doors; and spruce trees.  The
elements come in lots of 100, 50, or 25 per bag, depending on the size of the
element. There is no minimum purchase (well, you have to buy at least one
bag!) – and no limits on the maximum. Plus, let me stress that this is only
the first release: this autumn we will be enlarging the assortment of standard
elements, adding hard-to-find colors, and extending the range of more
specialized elements.

Cool!!!  I hope the Very Tall Spuce trees comes soon as well!!  :)

With this launch of the bulk service, we are also offering volume discounts on
purchases: a purchase of 5 bags will receive a 5% discount; 10 bags and more
will receive a 10% discount. These prices do not include shipping – we
have “unbundled” the item and shipping costs; shipping will be determined by
the dollar volume of the overall purchase. This pricing policy is being
instituted across the entire Shop at Home assortment effective with the next
catalog (due in July).  Further details and pricing information can be found
at http://www.lego.com/bulk.

This is terrific!!  And 2x2 white classic windows, alright!!!

We hope that you are as excited as we are with the arrival of the bulk
service. It is but the first of many new offerings which will be appearing in
the coming months. For the next release of bulk elements later this year, we
hope to incorporate some of your many requests, and will develop a more formal
system on LEGO.com (but thanks, Jason Catena) for recording your desires.

I can't wait to see what is coming!!  :)

As always, our thanks to you. Play Well.

-- Brad

No, thank *you*!!  :)  I know we all appreciate what you are doing for us!  :)

Jeff

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 12:00:20 GMT
Viewed: 
3032 times
  

In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

Let me be the very first on LUGNET to say, thank you very much!

I just visited the Lego Direct web page, and you're off to a good start.  There
are some elements that I can order right away.  I'm looking forward to seeing
the broader selection of parts and colors as the service matures.  As you
expand, please don't forget that 1 X 1, 1 X 2, and 1 X 3 bricks (and plates, and
tiles) are also useful!

Best wishes,
John J. Ladasky Jr., Ph.D.
Department of Structural Biology
Stanford University Medical Center
Stanford, CA 94305
Secretary, Californians for Renewable Energy <http://www.calfree.com>

    
          
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 12:10:49 GMT
Viewed: 
2957 times
  

I wrote:

Let me be the very first on LUGNET to say, thank you very much!

Shucks.  By the time I had finished visiting Lego Direct writing my reply, and
collecting my jaw from the floor, three other people had already posted ahead of
me!

And hey, it looks like we've already managed to overload TLG's server once in
our zeal!  It's going to be a busy day on LUGNET!

--
John J. Ladasky Jr., Ph.D.
Department of Structural Biology
Stanford University Medical Center
Stanford, CA 94305
Secretary, Californians for Renewable Energy <http://www.calfree.com>

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 19:13:37 GMT
Viewed: 
3039 times
  

"John J. Ladasky Jr." wrote:

I just visited the Lego Direct web page, and you're off to a good start.  There
are some elements that I can order right away.  I'm looking forward to seeing
the broader selection of parts and colors as the service matures.  As you
expand, please don't forget that 1 X 1, 1 X 2, and 1 X 3 bricks (and plates, and
tiles) are also useful!

I would argue that the LARGEST and SMALLEST bricks/tiles/plates are more useful - we
can get the "standard" sizes in sets and tubs/buckets in decent amounts, but the
very large and very small are scarce.

The very large are useful for large structures without having to stack multiple
layers of plates.

The very small are useful for details.

But it was a VERY nice start - I'll have enough trees for my train layout soon ;-)
I just ordered $200 worth of stuff.  A very small order (especially for me), but
it's just a start to my orders, as they add more parts, I'll spend more (LOOK OUT if
they ever offer garage doors in multiple colors!).

It would be very nice if they offered TRUE train windows and glass, though <hint,
hint>.  Both 1x4x3 AND 1x2x3.

--
Tom Stangl
***http://www.vfaq.com/
***DSM Visual FAQ home
***http://ba.dsm.org/
***SF Bay Area DSMs

    
          
     
Subject: 
Bulk Economics
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 20:49:14 GMT
Highlighted: 
(details)
Viewed: 
3103 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Tom Stangl writes:
I would argue that the LARGEST and SMALLEST bricks/tiles/plates are more • useful - we
can get the "standard" sizes in sets and tubs/buckets in decent amounts, but • the
very large and very small are scarce.

As excited as I am about this new service, I'm a little disappointed in the
per piece cost of these elements.  Granted, it's nice to be able to order the
specialized pieces and rarer colors in bulk, but the cost for basic elements
seems much higher than when purchased in buckets.  For example, if the "bulk"
costs of the white pieces (with substitutions as in 2 1x2s equal 1 1x4) in the
1200 piece anniversary bucket are totaled, I come up with more than $20 or
more than the non-discounted cost of the entire bucket including all other
colors.

Let's look at some of the economics.  LEGO Direct is shortening the supply
chain by removing the retailers from the equation.  Distribution costs are
passed on to the consumer in terms of shipping charges.  Per piece costs
increase.  -->  More profit for TLC, less for the piece-auctioneers.

Somehow I was still holding on to the hope that some of the cost savings would
be passed on to the AFOLs who then can promote our hobby through awe-inspiring
MOCs to an ever widening group of KABOBs and other AFOLs.  I was mistaken.

Granted, most of us will end up ordering lots of specialized elements that
simply aren't available in any other way.  But we will certainly not be able
to afford as many pieces, or consequently as much building and creativity, if
these prices are an indication of future piece roll-outs.

"Fair" well,

Andreas Stabno
http://www.megsinet.net/~stabno/SimiLego.htm

    
          
      
Subject: 
Re: Bulk Economics
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 22:07:56 GMT
Viewed: 
3090 times
  

To All,

In lugnet.lego.direct, Tom Stangl writes:
I would argue that the LARGEST and SMALLEST bricks/tiles/plates are more • useful - we
can get the "standard" sizes in sets and tubs/buckets in decent amounts, • but
the
very large and very small are scarce.

As excited as I am about this new service, I'm a little disappointed in • the
per piece cost of these elements.  Granted, it's nice to be able to order • the
specialized pieces and rarer colors in bulk, but the cost for basic • elements
seems much higher than when purchased in buckets.  For example, if the • "bulk"
costs of the white pieces (with substitutions as in 2 1x2s equal 1 1x4) in • the
1200 piece anniversary bucket are totaled, I come up with more than $20 or
more than the non-discounted cost of the entire bucket including all other
colors.

Well, economics considered, some of the prices were pretty reasonable. They
need to make a profit. They need to change their production facilities in
order to make this happen. There are a lot of economic reasons in terms of
production here, and the end result is pretty good. If any people were
expecting 0.01 to 0.02 cent parts, I think that is a little "cheap". I am
quite happy with the prices, and I hope they keep those around that.

Scott S.
--
Systems Administrator-Affiliated Engineers -> http://www.aeieng.com
LEGO Page -> http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Station/3372/legoindex.html
It's Almost Here! ->The Sanburn Systems Company
http://www.sanburnsystems.com



Let's look at some of the economics.  LEGO Direct is shortening the supply
chain by removing the retailers from the equation.  Distribution costs are
passed on to the consumer in terms of shipping charges.  Per piece costs
increase.  -->  More profit for TLC, less for the piece-auctioneers.

Somehow I was still holding on to the hope that some of the cost savings • would
be passed on to the AFOLs who then can promote our hobby through • awe-inspiring
MOCs to an ever widening group of KABOBs and other AFOLs.  I was mistaken.

Granted, most of us will end up ordering lots of specialized elements that
simply aren't available in any other way.  But we will certainly not be • able
to afford as many pieces, or consequently as much building and creativity, • if
these prices are an indication of future piece roll-outs.

"Fair" well,

Andreas Stabno
http://www.megsinet.net/~stabno/SimiLego.htm

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: Bulk Economics
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 19:16:07 GMT
Viewed: 
3078 times
  

Andreas Stabno wrote:

<snipped discussion of prices>

Granted, most of us will end up ordering lots of specialized elements that
simply aren't available in any other way.  But we will certainly not be able
to afford as many pieces, or consequently as much building and creativity, if
these prices are an indication of future piece roll-outs.


I think that our orders will speak for themselves.  I don't see LDirect
selling very many sets of red bricks at those prices, not when they're
cheaper in bucket sets.  Perhaps not even white or black.

So, one of two things will likely happen:

1) LDirect will recognize this facts and drop the price a penny or two,
or

2) They will stop offering pieces which we can get through other means,
and strengthen their offerings of hard-to-get pieces.


Either is fine with me :)


I realize that when buying buckets you get a range of colours and piece
sizes, and you face the challenge of sorting, but my recollection of
microeconomics is that people will move to a cheaper substitute if they
can, and for many builders, buckets are an acceptable substitute.  You
can't *always* substitute 4 1x2s for a 1x8, but you frequently can...

For the record, at the Canadian TRU sale, we can get the 1200 piece 3033
bucket for 19.99, or 1.66 cents per piece.  And that's in Canadian$$...
about 1.1 cents US.  According to my piece count, the average brick in
this set is about 3.7 studs; there's something like 4400 studs worth of
brick in the bucket.

Compare to 6.3 cents US for a 4-stud 2x2.  1.2 cents or so in the
bucket.  I'm assuming that shipping charges cancel the PST I'm not
paying on the mail order stuff.

Granted only 1/5 of the pieces are each of the 4 major colours, but even
so...  if I have 5,000 spare yellow bricks lying around, I *will* find
something (large and yellow, presumably) to build out of them. :)

So I guess we'll see in the next few months whether we continue to get
offerings of easy-to-find bricks, or whether the colours and piece
choices become more esoteric...

At any rate, I've already voted with *my* credit card - for gray bricks,
plates, and windows!

Jeff Elliott

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 12:04:52 GMT
Viewed: 
3027 times
  

In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

With this launch of the bulk service, we are also offering volume discounts on
purchases: a purchase of 5 bags will receive a 5% discount; 10 bags and more
will receive a 10% discount. These prices do not include shipping – we
have “unbundled” the item and shipping costs; shipping will be determined by
the dollar volume of the overall purchase. This pricing policy is being
instituted across the entire Shop at Home assortment effective with the next
catalog (due in July).  Further details and pricing information can be found
at http://www.lego.com/bulk.

Unfortunately, it seems your servers couldn't withstand the server load...  I'm
getting an error now:

Microsoft VBScript compilation error '800a03e9'

Out of memory

/include/globalnavigation.asp, line 45

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 12:17:03 GMT
Viewed: 
2928 times
  

"> Unfortunately, it seems your servers couldn't withstand the server
load...  I'm
getting an error now:

Microsoft VBScript compilation error '800a03e9'

Out of memory

The whole lego.com seems to be down ATM!

Huw

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 12:15:04 GMT
Reply-To: 
MATTDM@MATTDM.ORGavoidspam
Viewed: 
3315 times
  

Brad Justus <legodirect@lego.com> wrote:
catalog (due in July).  Further details and pricing information can be found
at http://www.lego.com/bulk.

Urg. I'm getting VBScript errors from Lego's server. Could someone post
these details here?



--
Matthew Miller                      --->                  mattdm@mattdm.org
Quotes 'R' Us                     --->               http://quotes-r-us.org/
Boston University Linux             --->                http://linux.bu.edu/

    
          
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 12:20:22 GMT
Viewed: 
3052 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Matthew Miller writes:
Brad Justus <legodirect@lego.com> wrote:
catalog (due in July).  Further details and pricing information can be found
at http://www.lego.com/bulk.

Urg. I'm getting VBScript errors from Lego's server. Could someone post
these details here?


I am just getting errors too

David

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 12:22:25 GMT
Viewed: 
3138 times
  

mattdm@mattdm.org (Matthew Miller) writes:

Urg. I'm getting VBScript errors from Lego's server.

Wow, this is almost like slashdotting!  Are there really that many
people reading LUGNET!


Could someone post these details here?

There are two images with the price and element information.  I don't
want to host these images somewhere else, and I don't want to type it
all down, but here are some examples (I hope this does not violate the
TOS):

2x4 bricks in black, light grey, white, dark green and red at $6.99
for a bag of 50.

2x4 roof tile in black and red at $7.99 for a bag of 50.

2x2 smooth tile in black, white and red at $6.99 for a bag of 100.

2x2 white windows in white at $7.99 for a bag of 25.

Fredrik

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 16:16:53 GMT
Viewed: 
3178 times
  

Wow, this is almost like slashdotting!  Are there really that many
people reading LUGNET!

Actually, that may have been part of the problem.  See
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=00/06/14/1242242

    
          
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 16:25:10 GMT
Viewed: 
3291 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Steven Vore writes:

Wow, this is almost like slashdotting!  Are there really that many
people reading LUGNET!

Actually, that may have been part of the problem.  See
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=00/06/14/1242242

Doubtful.  The Slashdot article didn't get posted until 10:42am, and even
"mattdm" himself was reporting problems getting onto www.lego.com/bulk earlier
than that:

http://www.lugnet.com/lego/direct/?n=159
(posted at 12:15GMT, which is 8:15am... well, Eastern Daylight Time.  I'm
assuming that SlashDot is eastern, if it's not, please correct me).

You'll also note that the Slashdot article was reported by mattdm.  I don't
think it's a big stretch to imagine it's the same mattdm.  Dot Org and all.

eric

     
           
       
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 16:30:24 GMT
Viewed: 
3357 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Eric Joslin writes:
Doubtful.

<snip>

That, and the fact that Brad mentioned it had nothing to do with traffic
volume. See here:
http://www.lugnet.com/lego/direct/?n=177

-Shiri

      
            
        
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 16:56:07 GMT
Reply-To: 
WUBWUB@WILDLINK.COMnomorespam
Viewed: 
3359 times
  

"Shiri Dori" <shirid@hotmail.com> wrote:

In lugnet.lego.direct, Eric Joslin writes:
Doubtful.

<snip>

That, and the fact that Brad mentioned it had nothing to do with traffic
volume. See here:
http://www.lugnet.com/lego/direct/?n=177

...Well, he _claims_ it has nothing to do with traffic. Not that I doubt him, but its
_very_ bad PR to say you didn't have enough servers to handle the load on the first day.
Indicates bad planning and all.


...you can go back to ignoring me now...

wubwub
stephen f roberts
wamalug guy  (http://wamalug.org)
Jain's Guide (http://wildlink.com/lego/jain)
Visit the wildlink (http://wildlink.com)
lugnet #160

       
             
        
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 17:41:35 GMT
Viewed: 
3482 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Stephen F. Roberts writes:
Well, he _claims_ it has nothing to do with traffic. Not that I doubt him,
but its _very_ bad PR to say you didn't have enough servers to handle the
load on the first day. Indicates bad planning and all.

  When I called at 8:00 this morning I got the usual answering service (not
Lego S+H, but the fill-in staff), and the operator knew nothing about bulk
service or Code WB600.  I called back minutes later, and the very friendly S@H
operator was readily able to help me.  During all of this, I was freely able
to access the site.
  Other than Lugnet, where the announcement was made, how public was the
release of this information?  It seems surprising to me that the relatively
small load of us from Lugnet could have unseated the server, so I'm inclined
to believe Brad at face value.

     Dave!

       
             
        
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 19:55:33 GMT
Viewed: 
3822 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Dave Schuler writes:
In lugnet.lego.direct, Stephen F. Roberts writes:
Well, he _claims_ it has nothing to do with traffic. Not that I doubt him,
but its _very_ bad PR to say you didn't have enough servers to handle the
load on the first day. Indicates bad planning and all.

When I called at 8:00 this morning I got the usual answering service (not
Lego S+H, but the fill-in staff), and the operator knew nothing about bulk
service or Code WB600.  I called back minutes later, and the very friendly S@H
operator was readily able to help me.  During all of this, I was freely able
to access the site.
Other than Lugnet, where the announcement was made, how public was the
release of this information?  It seems surprising to me that the relatively
small load of us from Lugnet could have unseated the server, so I'm inclined
to believe Brad at face value.

    Dave!

It wasn't on the TLG mainpage at the time, I couldn't find
any links ON TLG's site http://www.lego.com
but maybe i'm blind.  It seems as though if you don't know
the URL, like us lucky few, then you can't bulk order.
That is so TLG!  More market restrictions! First only North
America (I shouldn't complain, I liv in Upstate NY, but it
does steam me) and now only people "in the know" can bulk
order!
-John Rudy

       
             
        
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 20:02:37 GMT
Viewed: 
3558 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, John Rudy writes:
It wasn't on the TLG mainpage at the time, I couldn't find any links ON
TLG's site http://www.lego.com but maybe i'm blind.  It seems as though if
you don't know the URL, like us lucky few, then you can't bulk order.  That
is so TLG!  More market restrictions! First only North America (I shouldn't
complain, I liv in Upstate NY, but it does steam me) and now only people "in
the know" can bulk order!

FWIW, I see a link to

   http://www.lego.com/bulk/

from

   http://www.lego.com/

It's the very first image at the left half of the big swirl.

3:00pm EST 14 Jun 2000

--Todd

       
             
        
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 20:08:33 GMT
Viewed: 
3560 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Todd Lehman writes:
In lugnet.lego.direct, John Rudy writes:
It wasn't on the TLG mainpage at the time, I couldn't find any links ON
TLG's site http://www.lego.com but maybe i'm blind.  It seems as though if
you don't know the URL, like us lucky few, then you can't bulk order.  That
is so TLG!  More market restrictions! First only North America (I shouldn't
complain, I liv in Upstate NY, but it does steam me) and now only people "in
the know" can bulk order!

FWIW, I see a link to

  http://www.lego.com/bulk/

from

  http://www.lego.com/

It's the very first image at the left half of the big swirl.

3:00pm EST 14 Jun 2000

--Todd

I must be viewing a cached version of the page, I get
leo's castle, movie maker, city center and maniac
kidvention ads, in that order from left.  Sorry for the
unsupported, rash comments, though.
-John Rudy

      
            
       
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 16:58:05 GMT
Viewed: 
3368 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Shiri Dori writes:
In lugnet.lego.direct, Eric Joslin writes:
Doubtful.

<snip>

That, and the fact that Brad mentioned it had nothing to do with traffic
volume. See here:
http://www.lugnet.com/lego/direct/?n=177

If I had a dime for everytime I heard that a website being down "wasn't related
to usage", I'd be a rich, rich man.

Not saying Brad wassn't telling the truth.  In fact, I was never *not* able to
reach the page.

eric

     
           
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Followup-To: 
lugnet.off-topic.fun
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 16:49:18 GMT
Reply-To: 
mattdm@mattdm.org&antispam&
Viewed: 
3382 times
  

Lorbaat <eric@nospam.thirteen.net> wrote:
You'll also note that the Slashdot article was reported by mattdm.  I don't
think it's a big stretch to imagine it's the same mattdm.  Dot Org and all.

I like to imagine that it's the same mattdm. It simplifies my life.

--
Matthew Miller                      --->                  mattdm@mattdm.org
Quotes 'R' Us                     --->               http://quotes-r-us.org/
Boston University Linux             --->                http://linux.bu.edu/

     
           
       
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.off-topic.fun
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 17:00:05 GMT
Viewed: 
2771 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Matthew Miller writes:
Lorbaat <eric@nospam.thirteen.net> wrote:
You'll also note that the Slashdot article was reported by mattdm.  I don't
think it's a big stretch to imagine it's the same mattdm.  Dot Org and all.

I like to imagine that it's the same mattdm. It simplifies my life.

Heh.  Well.  I'm sure there are other people out there who could be "mattdm".
I'd find it really incredible to find another "lorbaat", but that's a really
obscure thing, not a name and some initials.

It did look highly suspect, though. :D

eric

      
            
       
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.off-topic.fun
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 17:15:17 GMT
Reply-To: 
mattdm@mattdm.ANTISPAMorg
Viewed: 
2831 times
  

Lorbaat <eric@nospam.thirteen.net> wrote:
Heh.  Well.  I'm sure there are other people out there who could be "mattdm".
I'd find it really incredible to find another "lorbaat", but that's a really
obscure thing, not a name and some initials.

A google search turns up
<http://www.io.com/~angilas/5gamers.html>.

That related?


--
Matthew Miller                      --->                  mattdm@mattdm.org
Quotes 'R' Us                     --->               http://quotes-r-us.org/
Boston University Linux             --->                http://linux.bu.edu/

      
            
        
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.off-topic.fun
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 17:24:00 GMT
Viewed: 
2778 times
  

In lugnet.off-topic.fun, Matthew Miller writes:
Lorbaat <eric@nospam.thirteen.net> wrote:
Heh.  Well.  I'm sure there are other people out there who could be "mattdm".
I'd find it really incredible to find another "lorbaat", but that's a really
obscure thing, not a name and some initials.

A google search turns up
<http://www.io.com/~angilas/5gamers.html>.

That related?

Spot on.

Wow, searching the internet is cool.

I hadn't seen this version of the "5 kinds of gamers" document, but if it
includes what the 5 kinds play from each individual world of Torg, it must be
pretty detailed. :D I'll have to read it.

eric

      
            
       
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.off-topic.fun
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 00:18:40 GMT
Viewed: 
2833 times
  

In lugnet.off-topic.fun, Matthew Miller writes:
A google search turns up
<http://www.io.com/~angilas/5gamers.html>.

Oh.  My.  Oh.  Do *not* read this with a full bladder.  You've been warned.

Cheers,
- jsproat

     
           
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.off-topic.fun
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 17:14:28 GMT
Viewed: 
2755 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Matthew Miller writes:
Lorbaat <eric@nospam.thirteen.net> wrote:
You'll also note that the Slashdot article was reported by mattdm.  I don't
think it's a big stretch to imagine it's the same mattdm.  Dot Org and all.

I like to imagine that it's the same mattdm. It simplifies my life.

You've gotta be kidding! And there I was, thinking it's your evil twin! :-P

-Shiri

     
           
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.off-topic.fun
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 17:26:23 GMT
Reply-To: 
[mattdm@]stopspam[mattdm.org]
Viewed: 
2805 times
  

Shiri Dori <shirid@hotmail.com> wrote:
I like to imagine that it's the same mattdm. It simplifies my life.
You've gotta be kidding! And there I was, thinking it's your evil twin! :-P

Yes, _much_ simpler than that.

--
Matthew Miller                      --->                  mattdm@mattdm.org
Quotes 'R' Us                     --->               http://quotes-r-us.org/
Boston University Linux             --->                http://linux.bu.edu/

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 18:00:33 GMT
Viewed: 
3176 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Steven Vore writes:

Wow, this is almost like slashdotting!  Are there really that many
people reading LUGNET!

Actually, that may have been part of the problem.  See
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=00/06/14/1242242

Nope, that was posted after the site was back online.  I've been having
much more trouble with the slashdot site today than the LEGO site.

Plus, brickshelf diddn't melt down when jeff put the pictures up there.
Of course it has survived several slashdottings :)

KL

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 12:26:42 GMT
Viewed: 
2943 times
  

G'Day
Fantastic !  Windows ! Plates ! Cool !  -  (<CHANT> - more more more
</CHANT> )
Cheers
Oliver
PS Not to be overly picky or nuttin' but ; On the first page by the 2x8
brick listing the image is of a 2x10 brick. ;)  But we know what ya mean !!!
:)



"Brad Justus" <legodirect@lego.com> wrote in message
news:Fw571I.Eor@lugnet.com...
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I'm back, and • with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO • start
today, June 14.
<snip body >

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 12:34:03 GMT
Viewed: 
3086 times
  

In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

Brad, due to the fact that we seemed to crash Lego's servers, I have
*temporarily* posted the images (I took them from my cache) on Brickshelf.com:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=653

If you want me to pull these down, please let me know (at
jeff.stembel@noaa.gov), and I will comply immediately.  I just want to give
everyone the ability to see the images!  :)

As soon as the servers are up and running again, I will remove them.

Jeff

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 19:46:57 GMT
Viewed: 
2972 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Jeff Stembel writes:
In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

Brad, due to the fact that we seemed to crash Lego's servers, I have
*temporarily* posted the images (I took them from my cache) on Brickshelf.com:

  (Jeff removed the link out of courtesy to Lego)

  What sets feature those 1x4x6 doors?  I don't think I own any of them (but I
will soon!)

     Dave!

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 12:50:12 GMT
Viewed: 
2997 times
  

Brad,
Thank you for your efforts with Bulk Ordering. I'm very pleased at the
initial selection and happy to see that there are some train elements in
there. Congratulations on getting this new project off the ground. I wish
you and Lego the very best of luck with this endeavor.

(now where is my credit card....?)

Bryan Kinkel
Vega Applications Development
http://www.vegadev.com

"Brad Justus" <legodirect@lego.com> wrote in message
news:Fw571I.Eor@lugnet.com...
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I'm back, and • with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO • start
today, June 14.


   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.general
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 13:07:35 GMT
Viewed: 
3390 times
  

Brad & All,

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brad Justus" <legodirect@lego.com>
To: <lugnet.lego.announce@lugnet.com>; <lugnet.lego.direct@lugnet.com>;
<lugnet.general@lugnet.com>; <lugnet.announce@lugnet.com>;
<lugnet.market.services@lugnet.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2000 7:39 AM
Subject: bulk ordering is here!


Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I'm back, and • with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO • start
today, June 14.

Our first bulk releases include standard bricks (1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 2x2, 2x4, • 2x8)
in light grey, dark green, black, red, and white; as well as plates and • smooth
tiles in black, red, and white; windows and doors; and spruce trees.  The
elements come in lots of 100, 50, or 25 per bag, depending on the size of • the
element. There is no minimum purchase (well, you have to buy at least one
bag!) - and no limits on the maximum. Plus, let me stress that this is • only
the first release: this autumn we will be enlarging the assortment of • standard
elements, adding hard-to-find colors, and extending the range of more
specialized elements.

With this launch of the bulk service, we are also offering volume • discounts on
purchases: a purchase of 5 bags will receive a 5% discount; 10 bags and • more
will receive a 10% discount. These prices do not include shipping - we
have "unbundled" the item and shipping costs; shipping will be determined • by
the dollar volume of the overall purchase. This pricing policy is being
instituted across the entire Shop at Home assortment effective with the • next
catalog (due in July).  Further details and pricing information can be • found
at http://www.lego.com/bulk.

Initially, this service is available only in the United States and Canada
through LEGO Shop at Home (1-800-453-4652). This is not because we wish to
favor this market, but simply because we have an existing fulfillment
operation which we can employ immediately. We are currently finishing our
development of a new fulfillment center in Europe to handle direct
distribution; it will be ready to go by late summer or early fall. At that
time, we will begin offering not only bulks but the full LEGO Shop at Home
service (via the Internet) to at least nine European countries. We intend • to
have full coverage in Europe in 2001.

And to our friends in Australia and New Zealand (especially, but also • Japan
and the rest of the Asian Pacific Rim)  - we hear you! We're working hard • to
extend this service to you, but I am sure you realize the logistical • hurdles
which must be leapt (high shipping costs, customs, etc); we are • endeavoring to
find a solution that is as great a value to you as Shop at Home has been • to
our US and Canadian customers. I do not yet have a timetable for you, but • I
have made it a priority to bring this service to you; if we can make even • a
limited offering to you by the end of the year we will. But we will not • launch
LEGO Shop at Home (or any direct-to-you initiative) until we are certain • that
we can do so in a manner which meets your (and our) high expectations.

We hope that you are as excited as we are with the arrival of the bulk
service. It is but the first of many new offerings which will be appearing • in
the coming months. For the next release of bulk elements later this year, • we
hope to incorporate some of your many requests, and will develop a more • formal
system on LEGO.com (but thanks, Jason Catena) for recording your desires.

As always, our thanks to you. Play Well.

-- Brad

Brad Justus
Senior Vice President, LEGO Direct
legodirect@lego.com

Well, it looks like LEGO Direct is on the way, and a good start. The prices
are reasonable, and the initial offering, in terms of parts, are some good
ones. I hope you do well. I am glad LEGO has finally starting doing
something most of us have been wishing for ever since I was a child.

Scott S.
--
Systems Administrator-Affiliated Engineers -> http://www.aeieng.com
LEGO Page -> http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Station/3372/legoindex.html
It's Almost Here! ->The Sanburn Systems Company
http://www.sanburnsystems.com

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 13:14:08 GMT
Viewed: 
3060 times

(canceled)

    
          
     
Subject: 
Orders for non-US (was Re: bulk ordering is here!)
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 19:21:31 GMT
Viewed: 
2991 times
  

I'll make the same offer I have always made - I will order things at cost plus
shipping.  I wouldn't MIND if extra money was thrown my way for the hassle of
repacking and shipping, but I won't require it.

The rules:
The order MUST be paid for before I place the order (didn't do that in the past,
have to now, plastic is melting).

Payments to me need to be discussed on a per country basis - some countries I
will need cash from, others I can take Postal Money Orders, since I can cash
them at the US Post Office.

Once I have the order, I will repack it into the smallest/lightest box I can
find, and get shipping costs.

Once shipping costs are paid, I will ship the package.


Granted, all of the above WILL add considerable delays, but it will let you get
parts before they are available to you in your area.  Once they ARE available to
you, I won't need to do this anymore ;-)

Now if a bunch of people in NZ or AU want to get together and present me with a
big order, that's fine, it would cut down on paperwork.  Just realize, of
course, the bigger the package, the more likely Customs will notice it.


Jamie Obrien wrote:

Yesss!!!

On Wed, 14 Jun 2000 11:39:18 GMT, "Brad Justus" <legodirect@lego.com>
proclaimed!!

Initially, this service is available only in the United States and Canada
through LEGO Shop at Home (1-800-453-4652). This is not because we wish to
favor this market, but simply because we have an existing fulfillment

And to our friends in Australia and New Zealand (especially, but also Japan
and the rest of the Asian Pacific Rim)  – we hear you!

BUT, is there anybody in the US who'd be willing to go as an inbewteen
for all us others (I'm kind of thinking of, maybe OZ). I guess there
could be some extra $$ in their for handling and such, but at least
the ball's now rolling!!!!!

Cheers
Jamie Obrien
jamien@interworx.com.au

--
Tom Stangl
***http://www.vfaq.com/
***DSM Visual FAQ home
***http://ba.dsm.org/
***SF Bay Area DSMs

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.publish, lugnet.cad
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 13:26:48 GMT
Viewed: 
3984 times
  

In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

Well, everyone else has taken care of saying how neat this is, just add one
more tick mark to the chorus. Hopefully if we start to demonstrate that we will
buy lots and lots there may be some future improvement on pricing.

Our first bulk releases include standard bricks (1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 2x2, 2x4, 2x8)
in light grey, dark green, black, red, and white; as well as plates and smooth
tiles in black, red, and white; windows and doors; and spruce trees.

What I actually wanted to comment on was the images. These are neat. I did a
little looking (especially at the spruce and at the transparent thinwall) and I
gotta say that I really like them. Can Brad or anyone from TLC tell us where
they came from? Check out the shading/highlighting on the lower part of the
thinwall.

I'm speculating but these don't look like they were hand drawn, rather they
look like program output

Any chance of some sort of future bridge between official TLG data and our
hobbist stuff?

We hope that you are as excited as we are with the arrival of the bulk
service. It is but the first of many new offerings which will be appearing in
the coming months. For the next release of bulk elements later this year, we
hope to incorporate some of your many requests, and will develop a more formal
system on LEGO.com (but thanks, Jason Catena) for recording your desires.

Oh, and a big hats off to Jason for that.

++Lar

    
          
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.publish, lugnet.cad
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 13:30:57 GMT
Viewed: 
3807 times
  

What I actually wanted to comment on was the images. These are neat. I did • a
little looking (especially at the spruce and at the transparent thinwall) • and I
gotta say that I really like them. Can Brad or anyone from TLC tell us • where
they came from? Check out the shading/highlighting on the lower part of the
thinwall.

I'm speculating but these don't look like they were hand drawn, rather they
look like program output

        Probably the same Program as they use to generate Set
Instructions...

            Steve

    
          
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.publish, lugnet.cad
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 14:02:24 GMT
Viewed: 
3900 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Larry Pieniazek writes:
What I actually wanted to comment on was the images. These are neat. I did a
little looking (especially at the spruce and at the transparent thinwall) and • I
gotta say that I really like them. Can Brad or anyone from TLC tell us where
they came from? Check out the shading/highlighting on the lower part of the
thinwall.

I'm speculating but these don't look like they were hand drawn, rather they
look like program output

Any chance of some sort of future bridge between official TLG data and our
hobbist stuff?

I've wanted to ask them this for over two years.  It is obvious that the
quality of the instructions on brickshelf would be greatly improved if
the were directly output from their cad system instead of scanned.
It would also save quite a bit of time and effort (at least for recent ones).

They probably have some business reasons for not doing that, and we should
respect that.  However, if they did want to use that method,
I would love to help them do it.

KL

     
           
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.publish, lugnet.cad
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 14:29:03 GMT
Viewed: 
3880 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Kevin Loch writes:
In lugnet.lego.direct, Larry Pieniazek writes:
What I actually wanted to comment on was the images. These are neat. I did a
little looking (especially at the spruce and at the transparent thinwall) and • I
gotta say that I really like them. Can Brad or anyone from TLC tell us where
they came from? Check out the shading/highlighting on the lower part of the
thinwall.

I'm speculating but these don't look like they were hand drawn, rather they
look like program output

Any chance of some sort of future bridge between official TLG data and our
hobbist stuff?

I've wanted to ask them this for over two years.  It is obvious that the
quality of the instructions on brickshelf would be greatly improved if
the were directly output from their cad system instead of scanned.
It would also save quite a bit of time and effort (at least for recent ones).

Yes, in an ideal world, I'd like to see all the instructions available for
download in a single printable (PDF?) document. However, I expect TLG would
want to host that themselves (if at all). If they did, a high quality set data
base which, perhaps, gave some design background for the higher profile sets
would also be good. The end product would provide a useful data source for
AFOLS, and design/building inspiration/ideas for AFOLS and kids alike.

Scott A




They probably have some business reasons for not doing that, and we should
respect that.  However, if they did want to use that method,
I would love to help them do it.

KL

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.publish, lugnet.cad
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 14:10:25 GMT
Viewed: 
3934 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Larry Pieniazek writes:
Well, everyone else has taken care of saying how neat this is, just add one
more tick mark to the chorus. Hopefully if we start to demonstrate that we
will buy lots and lots there may be some future improvement on pricing.

Wow, I'm more impressed than I thought I'd be.  Pricing is a little whacky on
some elements in some colors, but that comes from Lego looking at a grey brick
as the same as a red brick since they probably cost them the same to make.

Doubt it'll have much of a negative impact on parts sellers for a while (some
individual's prices will need to be adjusted downward, while most won't (or
could go up - we now have a real "market value" for pieces, I suppose).

And the bulk discount thing is way cool.

What I actually wanted to comment on was the images. These are neat. I did a
little looking (especially at the spruce and at the transparent thinwall) and
I
gotta say that I really like them. Can Brad or anyone from TLC tell us where
they came from? Check out the shading/highlighting on the lower part of the
thinwall.

The images are very professional-looking.  Now that I've seen the copies at
Brickshelf.  :)  Companies keep running heavy traffic sites on NT and IIS
<shakes head>.  Maybe I need to apply for that NT Admin job with Lego Direct
after all.

Any chance of some sort of future bridge between official TLG data and our
hobbist stuff?

With that kind of quality, we can only hope.

Kudos, Brad.  I've been reluctant to seem hopeful about this in the past, but
this looks good.  In a year or so I might have no reason to buy up a bunch of
sets to get the parts I want, which means I can stop spending all my time
selling parts and get my 3rd bedroom back for just building instead of
storage.  :)

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 15:47:41 GMT
Viewed: 
3153 times
  

Mike,

Doubt it'll have much of a negative impact on parts sellers for a while • (some
individual's prices will need to be adjusted downward, while most won't • (or
could go up - we now have a real "market value" for pieces, I suppose).

Indeed. Actually, most of my prices are lower, except for the tiles and the
light gray elements. I am almost ready to launch. I can't wait to buy a lot
of thoe 1x4x3 trans-blue thin wall parts. Good part call, Lego Driect! : )

Scott S.
--
Systems Administrator-Affiliated Engineers -> http://www.aeieng.com
LEGO Page -> http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Station/3372/legoindex.html
It's Almost Here! ->The Sanburn Systems Company
http://www.sanburnsystems.com

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 14:58:39 GMT
Viewed: 
3253 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Scott Edward Sanburn writes:
Indeed. Actually, most of my prices are lower, except for the tiles and the
light gray elements. I am almost ready to launch. I can't wait to buy a lot
of thoe 1x4x3 trans-blue thin wall parts. Good part call, Lego Driect! : )

I'm still reeling at the thought of being able to buy 200 small spruce trees
for $78.50 ($80 * .9 + $6.50 for shipping).  I just hope they bring back the
egg-shaped trees at a similar (or heck, not so similar) price.

I for one am looking forward to the day when I can buy what I need, without
the thought of buying a bunch of other stuff to sell off to make back what I
spent.

It ought to be so easy for them to incorporate some sort of online "voting"
system for the upcoming parts runs.  Heck, most people here have said before
they'd be willing to prepay.  Seeing this now, in less time than I thought it
would take them (I'll eat some crow on that) gives me hope that LD will prove
just how profitable a more direct relationship with us can be.

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 15:10:46 GMT
Viewed: 
3221 times
  

Yep, I've written down a $200 order and will be calling it in tonight.

I wonder what the expanded selection will be. I'd love to see smaller tiles.

Heh heh heh.... 'MO window pieces.

Jason

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.general
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 13:53:33 GMT
Viewed: 
3363 times
  

WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
faint...


Brad Justus wrote:

Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

<SNIP>

-- Brad

Brad Justus
Senior Vice President, LEGO Direct
legodirect@lego.com

--
Keep on Bricken'
-Tamy

http://home.att.net/~mookie1/
Lego isn't a toy, it's a way of life!

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 14:13:54 GMT
Viewed: 
3070 times
  

In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I'm back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

Our first bulk releases include standard bricks (1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 2x2, 2x4, 2x8)
in light grey, dark green, black, red, and white; as well as plates and smooth
tiles in black, red, and white; windows and doors; and spruce trees.  The
elements come in lots of 100, 50, or 25 per bag, depending on the size of the
element. There is no minimum purchase (well, you have to buy at least one
bag!) - and no limits on the maximum. Plus, let me stress that this is only
the first release: this autumn we will be enlarging the assortment of standard
elements, adding hard-to-find colors, and extending the range of more
specialized elements.


Thanks Brad!  This is an excellent start for bulk ordering.
I can't wait to see what new elements are added this fall.  Would
you like suggestions?

KL

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 15:06:28 GMT
Viewed: 
3062 times
  

Kevin Loch wrote:

In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I'm back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

Our first bulk releases include standard bricks (1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 2x2, 2x4, 2x8)
in light grey, dark green, black, red, and white; as well as plates and smooth
tiles in black, red, and white; windows and doors; and spruce trees.  The
elements come in lots of 100, 50, or 25 per bag, depending on the size of the
element. There is no minimum purchase (well, you have to buy at least one
bag!) - and no limits on the maximum. Plus, let me stress that this is only
the first release: this autumn we will be enlarging the assortment of standard
elements, adding hard-to-find colors, and extending the range of more
specialized elements.


Thanks Brad!  This is an excellent start for bulk ordering.
I can't wait to see what new elements are added this fall.  Would
you like suggestions?

KL

Thanks Brad!!!   My 15 year old dream has finally become a reality!!
It is nice to see that your first initial offering has given a little bit to
everyone!

White 2x2 classic windows!  Yahooooooooo!  And white 2x2 tiles!  Excuse me while I
wipe the drool off of my keyboard..........

I do like the idea of prepackaged parts.  Saves on manual counting.

As Kevin Loch stated, perhaps you could use some ideas for future bulk packages.
Here are a few sample items I have thought up.  Note these packs contain more than
one piece type, but are all related to each other.  And only one color per pack:

Large Arches Pack  (1x12x3, 1x4x5 (half arches), 1x8x2, 1x6x2).
Small Arches Pack (1x6x1, 1x4x2, 1x4x1, 1x3x1).
Small Tile Packs (1x1, 1x2, 1x2 (central stud), 1x3).
Large Tile Packs (1x4,1x6, 1x8, 1x10).
Small Rounded Bricks pack (1x1, 1x1 (cone), 1x1 plate).
Medium Rounded Bricks pack (2x2, 2x2 plates).
Large Round Bricks pack (2x2 quarter circle, 4x4 quarter circle).
Fence pack (1x4x1, 1x4x2, 1x4x2 (gate), 1x16x1 (girder).
Steep Slope pack (1x2x3, 2x2x3, 2x2x3 (corner), 2x2x2 (pyramid).
Low Slope pack (1x3, 2x3, 3x3, 4x3, 3x3 (corner), 2x2 (peak) 2x4 (peak)).
Regular Slope pack (current mix of all regular sloped bricks).

I haven't included a window pack because I am still waiting to find out if the
classic era window molds are still available.

THANKS AGAIN BRAD!!

Gary Istok

    
          
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 22:39:07 GMT
Viewed: 
3004 times
  

Gary Istok <gistok@umich.edu> wrote in message
news:3948F0F4.297EC84B@umich.edu...

I would like to add a request and ask about a few pieces that perhaps
doesn't exist yet.

As Kevin Loch stated, perhaps you could use some ideas for future bulk • packages.
Here are a few sample items I have thought up.  Note these packs contain • more than
one piece type, but are all related to each other.  And only one color per • pack:

Large Arches Pack  (1x12x3, 1x4x5 (half arches), 1x8x2, 1x6x2).
Small Arches Pack (1x6x1, 1x4x2, 1x4x1, 1x3x1).
Small Tile Packs (1x1, 1x2, 1x2 (central stud), 1x3).
Large Tile Packs (1x4,1x6, 1x8, 1x10).
Small Rounded Bricks pack (1x1, 1x1 (cone), 1x1 plate).
Medium Rounded Bricks pack (2x2, 2x2 plates).
Large Round Bricks pack (2x2 quarter circle, 4x4 quarter circle).
Fence pack (1x4x1, 1x4x2, 1x4x2 (gate), 1x16x1 (girder).
Steep Slope pack (1x2x3, 2x2x3, 2x2x3 (corner), 2x2x2 (pyramid).
Low Slope pack (1x3, 2x3, 3x3, 4x3, 3x3 (corner), 2x2 (peak) 2x4 (peak)).
Regular Slope pack (current mix of all regular sloped bricks).

An inverted slopes pack, consisting of all current regular inverted slopes.
I'm wondering if it's feasible for TLG to do a steep-sided version of their
1x2x3 inverted steep slope bricks or not.  Is it also possible to get this
with a 2x2 top profile, and various combinations that would be possible as a
result?  My thinking is that making the molds for casting such parts would
be fairly complex but I've seen TLG do plenty of fairly complex looking
pieces already.


--
Cheers ...

Geoffrey Hyde

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Fri, 16 Jun 2000 12:30:58 GMT
Viewed: 
3110 times
  

As Kevin Loch stated, perhaps you could use some ideas for future bulk • packages.
Here are a few sample items I have thought up.  Note these packs contain • more than
one piece type, but are all related to each other.  And only one color per • pack:


I thought it was a good idea that they were selling them by the individual
piece.  If they start packing "similar" pieces together, then people are
still likely to have to get that they may not actually need.  And I thought
that was the whole point of bulk ordering...to avoid getting the pieces that
you don't want.

Example:  I may want some small tiles, but I personally do not need/want and
1x2 with center stud.  I have TONS of these already, and don't really use
them for much.

Just my thoughts, of course....

Troy

    
          
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Fri, 16 Jun 2000 15:36:22 GMT
Viewed: 
3216 times
  

Troy Cefaratti wrote:

As Kevin Loch stated, perhaps you could use some ideas for future bulk • packages.
Here are a few sample items I have thought up.  Note these packs contain • more than
one piece type, but are all related to each other.  And only one color per • pack:


I thought it was a good idea that they were selling them by the individual
piece.  If they start packing "similar" pieces together, then people are
still likely to have to get that they may not actually need.  And I thought
that was the whole point of bulk ordering...to avoid getting the pieces that
you don't want.

Example:  I may want some small tiles, but I personally do not need/want and
1x2 with center stud.  I have TONS of these already, and don't really use
them for much.

Just my thoughts, of course....

Troy

True enough, but my take on this is that more than likely LEGO is not going to
make each of the pieces that I described in this thread as an individual parts
pack (at least I would be surprised if they did).  Some of these you would have
to admit make a lot of sense though - the sloped brick sets for example.  If
LEGO made each and ever one of these pieces as individual packs, I would be very
happy.  But I don't think that's going to happen, and that's why I listed these
related parts packs.

Back in the late 1960's LEGO made a few "related items" parts pack.  One was a
tiles parts pack with 1x1, 1x2 and 2x2 tiles (in red/white, blue/yellow,
black/gray), two colors to a pack.  Another one of these parts packs had rounded
bricks - 1x1 cylinder bricks and 2x2 quarter circle (macaroni) bricks, also two
colors to a pack.

Also, that 1x2 tile with central stud was a useless piece to me as well for many
years.  Then when I studied some of the LEGO model shop models, I discovered
that these pieces were very usefull indeed.  You can use them to "indent" a row
of bricks.  For example, if you built a house 20 studs wide, you could add a
ridge or cornice to the roofline 21 studs wide by putting these underneath the
row of bricks that you want to protrude slightly.  Another example of this is
the Thatcher Perkins Locomotive (#396), whose smokestack funnel goes up from 3
bricks wide to 4 bricks wide to 5 bricks wide, each row exactly centrally
located above the row below it thanks to the use of these 1x2 tiles with central
studs.  There are many other uses, but one needs to see a diagram (a picture
says a thousand words), in order to best describe them.  These 1x2 tiles with
central studs are a very important part of the LEGOLAND buildings.

Gary Istok

     
           
       
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Fri, 16 Jun 2000 17:58:41 GMT
Viewed: 
3179 times
  

Gary Istok wrote:

True enough, but my take on this is that more than likely LEGO is not • going to
make each of the pieces that I described in this thread as an individual • parts
pack (at least I would be surprised if they did).  Some of these you would • have
to admit make a lot of sense though - the sloped brick sets for example. • If
LEGO made each and ever one of these pieces as individual packs, I would • be very
happy.  But I don't think that's going to happen, and that's why I listed • these
related parts packs.

Why not? Remember this is a totally new service. As you can see, there are
two different slope bricks available right now. 2x2 and 2x4 ones and these
do not come in a combined bag either although they are very similar. I doubt
that there will be lots of bags with different elements in there. Of course
it's a different thing for doors and windows which may consist of two pieces
and it makes no sence to sell them seperately.

Back in the late 1960's LEGO made a few "related items" parts pack.  One • was a
tiles parts pack with 1x1, 1x2 and 2x2 tiles (in red/white, blue/yellow,
black/gray), two colors to a pack.  Another one of these parts packs had • rounded
bricks - 1x1 cylinder bricks and 2x2 quarter circle (macaroni) bricks, • also two
colors to a pack.

Well, most of us remember these part packs (or similar ones released over
the years), but this time, the whole thing is called BULK ordering, which
means IMO, that I can buy any piece I need any piece I want without having
to take other elements as well.

Also, that 1x2 tile with central stud was a useless piece to me as well • for many
years.  Then when I studied some of the LEGO model shop models, I • discovered
that these pieces were very usefull indeed.  You can use them to "indent" • a row
of bricks.  For example, if you built a house 20 studs wide, you could add • a
ridge or cornice to the roofline 21 studs wide by putting these underneath • the
row of bricks that you want to protrude slightly.  Another example of this • is
the Thatcher Perkins Locomotive (#396), whose smokestack funnel goes up • from 3
bricks wide to 4 bricks wide to 5 bricks wide, each row exactly centrally
located above the row below it thanks to the use of these 1x2 tiles with • central
studs.  There are many other uses, but one needs to see a diagram (a • picture
says a thousand words), in order to best describe them.  These 1x2 tiles • with
central studs are a very important part of the LEGOLAND buildings.

They may be important, but why should you have to pick them up if you do not
want to? Releasing them in a seperate pack means that everyone can chose for
himself how many of these he wants.
I hope LD keeps it going the way they introduced it. Brad, THANKs a lot (I
am looking forward to the bulk release in Germany though...)

Bye, Christian --- xTI@N.
P.S.: Note that I usually reply slow...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The World is full of AFOLs - gech1@t-online.de

     
           
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 21 Jun 2000 16:52:13 GMT
Viewed: 
3183 times
  

Gary Istok <gistok@umich.edu> wrote in message
news:394A4976.3CA90AC5@umich.edu...
[snip]
Also, that 1x2 tile with central stud was a useless piece to me as well • for many
years.  Then when I studied some of the LEGO model shop models, I • discovered
that these pieces were very usefull indeed.  You can use them to "indent" • a row
of bricks.  For example, if you built a house 20 studs wide, you could add • a
ridge or cornice to the roofline 21 studs wide by putting these underneath • the
row of bricks that you want to protrude slightly.  Another example of this • is
the Thatcher Perkins Locomotive (#396), whose smokestack funnel goes up • from 3
bricks wide to 4 bricks wide to 5 bricks wide, each row exactly centrally
located above the row below it thanks to the use of these 1x2 tiles with • central
studs.  There are many other uses, but one needs to see a diagram (a • picture
says a thousand words), in order to best describe them.  These 1x2 tiles • with
central studs are a very important part of the LEGOLAND buildings.

Gary Istok


I was at the Lego Outlet Store at Potomac Mills in Dale City, Virginia this
weekend and the models of the Lincoln Memorial and Congress used this exact
technique.  I thought it was a great building technique (although you would
need several hundred just for a modest sized building).

BTW, the model of Congress was incredible!!!!  It must be 25 feet wide, 10
deep and probably 10 feet high.  It takes up the entire center section of
the store.  Don't miss it if you are in the area.

Tim

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Fri, 16 Jun 2000 15:48:00 GMT
Viewed: 
3102 times
  

"Troy Cefaratti" <mnementh@dsl.telocity.com> writes:
Example:  I may want some small tiles, but I personally do not
need/want and x2 with center stud.  I have TONS of these already,
and don't really use them for much.

You could give them to me :) I often run out of the center-stud plates.
--Bram


Bram Lambrecht................BramL@JUNO.com
http://www.chuh.org/Students/Bram-Lambrecht/

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.loc.uk
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 14:36:05 GMT
Viewed: 
2437 times

(canceled)

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.market.buy-sell-trade
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 14:36:05 GMT
Viewed: 
3329 times
  

Hey Y'all:

Whereas some Lugnuts have been left out of the mix because of their geographic
locations, maybe those of us in the U.S. and Canada with previous dealings
with others abroad can fill in the gap and help these people get their hands
on some bulk stuff.  I know I have a few people I can help out.  Maybe you
others do too.  I think showing some community spirit would be great and the
plus side is that you can probably score the discounts by doing others a small
service -- well, presuming you weren't going to hit the five and ten packs
minimum requirement for the discount yourself in all categories.

-- Richard

P.S.  I think Todd has asked us to not just "me too" and "thanks" as regards
these posts from Brad -- so unless you have something substantive to say,
maybe you should refrain from saying it.  Brad knows we are happy thus far and
expecting more and better as time passes.  If you disagree with what I have
said or if I am dead wrong about it, feel free to ignore this reminder and
post away.  I'm just trying to help things along and make it so that Brad will
ACTUALLY read the more meaningful posts.

    
          
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.market.buy-sell-trade
Followup-To: 
lugnet.market.buy-sell-trade
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 16:50:59 GMT
Viewed: 
3212 times
  

richard marchetti wrote:

Hey Y'all:

Whereas some Lugnuts have been left out of the mix because of their geographic
locations, maybe those of us in the U.S. and Canada with previous dealings
with others abroad can fill in the gap and help these people get their hands
on some bulk stuff.  I know I have a few people I can help out.  Maybe you
others do too.  I think showing some community spirit would be great and the
plus side is that you can probably score the discounts by doing others a small
service -- well, presuming you weren't going to hit the five and ten packs
minimum requirement for the discount yourself in all categories.

I for one will be happy to help those folks from overseas, though I may
ask that you coordinate orders through one of the folks I regularly deal
with.

P.S.  I think Todd has asked us to not just "me too" and "thanks" as regards
these posts from Brad

In general I think that's worth paying attention to. I think in this
case it's good for people to let off that little shout of YAY!

follow-ups to: lugnet.market.buy-sell-trade

--
Frank Filz

-----------------------------
Work: mailto:ffilz@us.ibm.com (business only please)
Home: mailto:ffilz@mindspring.com

    
          
     
Subject: 
Brad Justis - Thank You!!!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.market.buy-sell-trade
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 02:24:52 GMT
Viewed: 
3281 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Richard Marchetti writes:
Hey Y'all:


P.S.  I think Todd has asked us to not just "me too" and "thanks" as regards
these posts from Brad -- so unless you have something substantive to say,
maybe you should refrain from saying it.  Brad knows we are happy thus far and
expecting more and better as time passes.  If you disagree with what I have
said or if I am dead wrong about it, feel free to ignore this reminder and
post away.  I'm just trying to help things along and make it so that Brad will
ACTUALLY read the more meaningful posts.

I'd have to disagree.  I don't think you can say thank you too many times for
Lego Direct going live.  There have been hundreds of posts to Brad Justis
thoroughout his building LEGO Direct.  I would think that a hundred or so thank
yous and kudos are well deserved and would be well appreciated.  Maybe the
proper place should be the thank you thread I've started.

Of course the ultimate thank you, and the expansion or demise of LEGO Direct,
will be the number of orders placed (so get your plastic out and buy some
ABS!!!).

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: Brad Justis - Thank You!!!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.market.buy-sell-trade
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 02:53:25 GMT
Viewed: 
3250 times
  

"Ed "Boxer" Jones" <edboxer@aol.com> wrote in message
news:Fw6C1G.Lr5@lugnet.com...
In lugnet.lego.direct, Richard Marchetti writes:
Hey Y'all:

[ ... snipped ... ]


Of course the ultimate thank you, and the expansion or demise of LEGO • Direct,
will be the number of orders placed (so get your plastic out and buy some
ABS!!!).

It would be interesting if Brad could divulge some statistics on the volume
of business they do through this new offering in it's first couple weeks.  I
spent $100 this morning and can see dropping another $50 or so in the next
couple weeks.

Mike

--

Mike Walsh - mike_walsh@mindspring.com

http://members.tripod.com/mike_walsh
http://www.nclug.net

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is (not) here! (was - Re: bulk ordering is here! )
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 14:59:11 GMT
Viewed: 
2983 times

(canceled)

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is (not) here! (was - Re: bulk ordering is here! )
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.loc.uk
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 16:08:21 GMT
Viewed: 
2575 times
  

From:
   http://www.lugnet.com/lego/announce/?n=14


   > ...Further details and pricing information can be found
   > at http://www.lego.com/bulk.
   >
   > Initially, this service is available only in the United States and
Canada
   > through LEGO Shop at Home (1-800-453-4652). This is not because we wish
to
   > favor this market, but simply because we have an existing fulfillment
   > operation which we can employ immediately. We are currently finishing
our
   > development of a new fulfillment center in Europe to handle direct
   > distribution; it will be ready to go by late summer or early fall. At
that
   > time, we will begin offering not only bulks but the full LEGO Shop at
Home
   > service (via the Internet) to at least nine European countries. We
intend to
   > have full coverage in Europe in 2001.

   Given that  LEGO.COM is the host for LD internationally (or so it
appears), it
   will be interesting to see what price variations will be between here,
the US
   and the rest of Europe. Will the so called "rip-off Britain" live up to
its
   name?

   Scott A

    
          
     
Subject: 
bulk ordering is (not) here! (was - Re: bulk ordering is here! )
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.loc.uk
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 17:06:18 GMT
Viewed: 
2584 times
  

On Wed, 14 Jun 2000, Scott A (<Fw5JIJ.3KM@lugnet.com>) wrote at 16:08:21

From:
  http://www.lugnet.com/lego/announce/?n=14


Is anyone in a great hurry to get any of this stuff?

If so, LMK. We can probably do something reasonably cheap if we act as a
group and deal with some kind Stateside person. :-)
--
Tony Priestman

    
          
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is (not) here! (was - Re: bulk ordering is here! )
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.loc.uk
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 21:22:53 GMT
Viewed: 
2634 times
  

In lugnet.loc.uk, Tony Priestman writes:
On Wed, 14 Jun 2000, Scott A (<Fw5JIJ.3KM@lugnet.com>) wrote at 16:08:21
Is anyone in a great hurry to get any of this stuff?

If so, LMK. We can probably do something reasonably cheap if we act as a
group and deal with some kind Stateside person. :-)
--

Depends on how quick it comes to UK. Late summer, autumn could mean 6 months
away. Would be nice to have a more exact date.

I am attracted to buying a large load of windows. I suspect that UK prices
might be pounds for dollars as everything else, so buying from US might not be
such a bad idea anyway regardless of UK timing.

So if anyone else is game, I am. (to buy lego that is!)
I am thinking of
6 x 3448 windows (finish my Metro terminus)
20 x 3447 windows (building glass walled office block, or might be in terminus
to line the platforms)
2 x 3497 slopes
1 x 3495 slopes


regards
lawrence

     
           
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is (not) here! (was - Re: bulk ordering is here! )
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.loc.uk
Date: 
Wed, 28 Jun 2000 20:06:26 GMT
Viewed: 
2738 times
  

On Thu, 15 Jun 2000, lawrence wilkes (<Fw7sq5.D1s@lugnet.com>) wrote at
21:22:53


I am attracted to buying a large load of windows. I suspect that UK prices
might be pounds for dollars as everything else, so buying from US might not be
such a bad idea anyway regardless of UK timing.

So if anyone else is game, I am. (to buy lego that is!)
I am thinking of
6 x 3448 windows (finish my Metro terminus)
20 x 3447 windows (building glass walled office block, or might be in terminus
to line the platforms)
2 x 3497 slopes
1 x 3495 slopes

Well, I've only had a couple of responses to my suggestion, which raises
some questions:

a) is no-one interested in bulk ordering, or are you all waiting till
the Autumn?

b) does anyone in the UK actually build big MOCs? Jason's tower base and
Lawrence's station are the two biggest things I've actually seen (apart
from that guy's ship on the telly).

Having recently been to LLW, I'm inspired to do something large, and so
I will probably buy stuff from the US now, on the basis that it probably
won't be any cheaper when it's on sale here.

If anyone *would* like me to order anything for them, LMK in the next
day or so.
--
Tony Priestman

     
           
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is (not) here! (was - Re: bulk ordering is here! )
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.loc.uk
Date: 
Sun, 2 Jul 2000 13:19:45 GMT
Viewed: 
2774 times
  

In lugnet.loc.uk, Tony Priestman writes:
a) is no-one interested in bulk ordering, or are you all waiting till
the Autumn?

As anyone any better Idea of when they will do it in UK?


b) does anyone in the UK actually build big MOCs? Jason's tower base and
Lawrence's station are the two biggest things I've actually seen (apart
from that guy's ship on the telly).

Come on guys. More large MOCs please.
Whatever happened to the idea someone posted about having a page dedicated to
UK MOCS, sort of Cool UK Lego Site of the Week?

regards
lawrence

     
           
       
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is (not) here! (was - Re: bulk ordering is here! )
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.loc.uk
Date: 
Tue, 4 Jul 2000 14:00:29 GMT
Viewed: 
2777 times
  

In response to below, I have just started building an 80 stud width plus MOC
castle for the september fest. I spent about six hours at the weekend planning
it and finding fist load od bricks. Alas this meant breaking up the tower
base, but what I have built so far seems OK.

Thing is, such a large castle is not easy to transport, however it will be
coming to the fest, what condition its in owhen I get there is another thing?

In addition I welcome other people to create MOC's such as blacksmiths forge,
stables etc to go inside the castle wallls?

Regards,

Jason

In lugnet.loc.uk, Lawrence Wilkes writes:
does anyone in the UK actually build big MOCs? Jason's tower base and
Lawrence's station are the two biggest things I've actually seen (apart
from that guy's ship on the telly).

Come on guys. More large MOCs please.
Whatever happened to the idea someone posted about having a page dedicated to
UK MOCS, sort of Cool UK Lego Site of the Week?

regards
lawrence

     
           
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is (not) here! (was - Re: bulk ordering is here! )
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.loc.uk
Date: 
Thu, 6 Jul 2000 09:53:25 GMT
Reply-To: 
richard.dee@virgin.net%nomorespam%
Viewed: 
2782 times
  

I did once start to build a 96-stud-wide half-pyramid, but ran out of
bricks when I was 85% complete

lawrence wilkes wrote:

In lugnet.loc.uk, Tony Priestman writes:
a) is no-one interested in bulk ordering, or are you all waiting till
the Autumn?

As anyone any better Idea of when they will do it in UK?


b) does anyone in the UK actually build big MOCs? Jason's tower base and
Lawrence's station are the two biggest things I've actually seen (apart
from that guy's ship on the telly).

Come on guys. More large MOCs please.
Whatever happened to the idea someone posted about having a page dedicated to
UK MOCS, sort of Cool UK Lego Site of the Week?

regards
lawrence

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is (not) here! (was - Re: bulk ordering is here! )
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.loc.uk
Date: 
Sat, 17 Jun 2000 19:53:50 GMT
Viewed: 
2611 times
  

I spoke to someone at LEGO spares and they mentioned that soon you will be
ableto order things like 1x2 bricks so I asked about train doors and windows
and he said they MIGHT come later.

Regards,

David

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 16:48:55 GMT
Viewed: 
2979 times
  

In lugnet.general, Brad Justus writes:
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

Our first bulk releases include standard bricks (1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 2x2, 2x4, 2x8)
in light grey, dark green, black, red, and white; as well as plates and smooth
tiles in black, red, and white; windows and doors; and spruce trees.  The
elements come in lots of 100, 50, or 25 per bag, depending on the size of the
element. There is no minimum purchase (well, you have to buy at least one
bag!) – and no limits on the maximum. Plus, let me stress that this is only
the first release: this autumn we will be enlarging the assortment of standard
elements, adding hard-to-find colors, and extending the range of more
specialized elements.

Let me just say that I'm pleasantly surprised that some pieces with
transparency made it to the first offering! :)

Brad, some have mentioned that you take too long in responding/updating (and
that may be true). But if the selection of pieces is going to be some really
choice parts, I'll take the long pauses (as long as they're not too long -
whatever that means :).

BTW, thanks for more light grey! It's a color that needs replacing from time
to time because (as you might know) like white, it yellows after awhile.

-Tom McD.
when replying, spamcake does not yellow after a little while, as its half-life
is over 11 thousand years.

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 19:29:01 GMT
Viewed: 
2943 times
  

YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   
         
     
Subject: 
Lego keeps falling on my head.....(Re: bulk ordering is here!)
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 19:40:15 GMT
Viewed: 
3008 times
  

.....but that doesn't mean my hands will soon be turning red, lalalala.....

WOOOOO *bleeping* HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

YAY! Now I can build the Titanic *with* a grand staircase! Brad, thank you so
much for lighting up my day! Now if I could only find a pen and paper in these
boxes..........

Erin
--
Note: I am in my new house. But the e-windross@home.com address still doesn't
work, use noname0909@hotmail.com instead! Thanks!

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 21:47:14 GMT
Viewed: 
2950 times
  

In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:
At that time, we will begin offering not only bulks but the full LEGO Shop at
Home service (via the Internet) to at least nine European countries. We
intend to have full coverage in Europe in 2001.

Dear Brad,

Is it already possible to name those nine European countries individualy ?
If not, can you tell me if The Netherlands is amoungst those countries ?

Greetings, M. Moolhuysen.

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 23:15:03 GMT
Highlighted: 
(details)
Viewed: 
3141 times
  

In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

I visited the new bulk ordering section for Lego Shop at Home.

What i don't get is their pricing -- it's all screwed up, not a
good deal at all:

For example, lets buy 1 of each, A. B. C. D. E. & F. of the standard
bricks they are offering -- all the same color.

This totals 300 pieces, costing $41.  This is 13-14 cents
per lego.  OK -- take 10% off if you buy 10 or more and still, thats
12 cents per brick.

At lego shop at home, take their always avilable single color
assortment.   62 pieces for $5.50.  This is 8.7 cents per brick.

On ebay i the average price bulk is $0.03 - $0.04, more for white and
gray.  For example, a typical price on a Bulk 1000 piece assortment
in red is at most $30.  White and gray sometimes goes for double,
but even then it's 6 cents per brick.  My best ebay deal was 2600
*new* black bricks for $20, less than a penny a brick.

even the roof tiles are worse deals then the roof tiles they have
always had in the S@H catalog.

What i really want is TRUE bulk discounts, for people ordering 1000's
of each brick type.

What they have there is pointless.  I'm also going to place my
S@H orders NOW because they are changing the "Shipping Included"
pricing to price + shipping.  I bet in the end it will cost you
more $$ out of the pocket.

-Tom Carstensen

    
          
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 23:51:32 GMT
Viewed: 
2957 times
  

On ebay i the average price bulk is $0.03 - $0.04, more for white and
gray.  For example, a typical price on a Bulk 1000 piece assortment
in red is at most $30.  White and gray sometimes goes for double,
but even then it's 6 cents per brick.  My best ebay deal was 2600
*new* black bricks for $20, less than a penny a brick.


Here is the deal: It is great in Gray.  Good in White/Green.  Poor way to get
Red/Black, _but_ they have been available from S@H for a long time.



even the roof tiles are worse deals then the roof tiles they have
always had in the S@H catalog.

What?  No, they are a different selection.  If you are building a roof of any
real size, the current pack contains 14 2x4 roof bricks (red pack)  Price is
5.50/pack.

To get 50 of them would take (50/14=3 packs, costing $16.50) vice $7.99. If you
are building large buildings, this is a much cheaper way to get them.



What i really want is TRUE bulk discounts, for people ordering 1000's
of each brick type.

I'd like to see that as well.  I could full well see spending a large amount of
money to get bulk _red_ bricks (perhaps I am strange, I like red bricks for
building town structures,  although I would want 1x2 ones...if you have them, I
am willing to buy them at .02/each, min 1K pieces)

Of the basic colours, they would be my choice for building.  I'd like to see 4x
or 6x plates, in particular 12 or 16 long for building floors in buildings,
plus the 1x tiles (even 1x1 and 1x4 only would be great).  I have allready
posted about being ready to drop $100 on flowerstems, the short trees kind of
interest me, but it will not be until later before I can order (going on
vacation in a week)

Overall, I am quite happy that Lego has released some parts in bulk, although I
question some of the choices offered on the basis of not compeating with
resellers.

James

    
          
      
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 16:39:13 GMT
Viewed: 
2978 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Tom Carstensen wrote:

What i don't get is their pricing -- it's all screwed up, not a
good deal at all:

Don't agree there, it's a good deal because you don't have to buy any types
of pieces you don't want.

What i really want is TRUE bulk discounts, for people ordering 1000's
of each brick type.

I agree.  I hope that we'll eventually see 20% (or better) discounts for
truly huge purchases, like 100 bags or more at once.

Steve

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Sat, 17 Jun 2000 13:43:53 GMT
Reply-To: 
icestorm@+Spamless+inwave.com
Viewed: 
3082 times
  

Tom Carstensen wrote:

In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

I visited the new bulk ordering section for Lego Shop at Home.

What i don't get is their pricing -- it's all screwed up, not a
good deal at all:

For example, lets buy 1 of each, A. B. C. D. E. & F. of the standard
bricks they are offering -- all the same color.

This totals 300 pieces, costing $41.  This is 13-14 cents
per lego.  OK -- take 10% off if you buy 10 or more and still, thats
12 cents per brick.

At lego shop at home, take their always avilable single color
assortment.   62 pieces for $5.50.  This is 8.7 cents per brick.

On ebay i the average price bulk is $0.03 - $0.04, more for white and
gray.  For example, a typical price on a Bulk 1000 piece assortment
in red is at most $30.  White and gray sometimes goes for double,
but even then it's 6 cents per brick.  My best ebay deal was 2600
*new* black bricks for $20, less than a penny a brick.

even the roof tiles are worse deals then the roof tiles they have
always had in the S@H catalog.

What i really want is TRUE bulk discounts, for people ordering 1000's
of each brick type.

What they have there is pointless.  I'm also going to place my
S@H orders NOW because they are changing the "Shipping Included"
pricing to price + shipping.  I bet in the end it will cost you
more $$ out of the pocket.

-Tom Carstensen

I have to agree that the pricing seems high. Even if you use a /stud
costing, bulk doesn't offer a discount. The blue tub cost you less than a
half cent/stud(I only buy them when they're on sale. :) ) The existing
service packs cost 1.66cents/stud. The bulk sets, adding in $1.50 for s&h,
cost 2.13cents/stud for 2x2 and 2x4, 2.36cents/stud for 2x8, 2.83cents/stud
for 1x6 bricks, and the 1x4 and 1x8 cost 3.75cents/stud. The more bulk you
buy, the cheaper it gets, but I'm not sure where it would become a value.
The tubs are even a better value if you find the blue tubs themselves to be
great storage bins.

I know and agree with counterpoints concerning gray bricks and the
convenience of getting specificly what one wants or needs. They're valid
points. However, bulk is 4 to 8 times more expensive than assorted bulk in
tubs on a stud basis, and 50% to 100% more expensive than existing service
packs. I am glad it's available, and I suspect there will be pieces in the
future I'll buy and think I've gotten a bargain, but the price for bulk is
not cheap.

I'm surprised no one has offered "Bulk Gray Bricks" on Ebay yet. :)

Mark

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Sat, 17 Jun 2000 12:15:20 GMT
Viewed: 
3082 times
  

Maybe it's because the grey parts pack a.k.a. 7161 Gungan Sub isn't being
sold at discounted pricing yet?  ;-)

It does have an awful lot of grey and blue bricks in it, looks like more
grey bricks than blue, though, from what I can see of the picture.  ;-)

Cheers ...

Geoffrey Hyde


Ice <icestorm@inwave.com> wrote in message
news:394B8099.AE61DD85@inwave.com...

I'm surprised no one has offered "Bulk Gray Bricks" on Ebay yet. :)

Mark

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Sat, 17 Jun 2000 12:28:03 GMT
Viewed: 
3132 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Geoffrey Hyde writes:
Maybe it's because the grey parts pack a.k.a. 7161 Gungan Sub isn't being
sold at discounted pricing yet?  ;-)

It does have an awful lot of grey and blue bricks in it, looks like more
grey bricks than blue, though, from what I can see of the picture.  ;-)

Hey the 7151 Sith Infiltrator is the GPSP (Grey Plate Service Pack),
available cheaply in Brisbane.
The 7161 has been half-price for ages at certain places (see loc.au),
maybe call it the G/B-S/B-SP (grey/blue-slopes/bricks-service pack).

pete.w


Ice <icestorm@inwave.com> wrote in message
news:394B8099.AE61DD85@inwave.com...

I'm surprised no one has offered "Bulk Gray Bricks" on Ebay yet. :)

Mark

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.loc.au, lugnet.market.shopping
Date: 
Sat, 17 Jun 2000 23:02:54 GMT
Viewed: 
2962 times
  

Hmmm ...  If one wants dark grey, I suppose that one is quite good.  But if
you wanted light grey the 7161 would have to be the go.  Anyone here know
where I can pick one or maybe two for half-price?

And anything else that's on sale, too, for that matter ...  ;-)

FUT: lugnet.loc.au, lugnet.market.shopping

Cheers ...

Geoffrey Hyde


Peter White <aztekium@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:FwAtAr.1rE@lugnet.com...
In lugnet.lego.direct, Geoffrey Hyde writes:
Maybe it's because the grey parts pack a.k.a. 7161 Gungan Sub isn't being
sold at discounted pricing yet?  ;-)

It does have an awful lot of grey and blue bricks in it, looks like more
grey bricks than blue, though, from what I can see of the picture.  ;-)

Hey the 7151 Sith Infiltrator is the GPSP (Grey Plate Service Pack),
available cheaply in Brisbane.
The 7161 has been half-price for ages at certain places (see loc.au),
maybe call it the G/B-S/B-SP (grey/blue-slopes/bricks-service pack).

pete.w


Ice <icestorm@inwave.com> wrote in message
news:394B8099.AE61DD85@inwave.com...

I'm surprised no one has offered "Bulk Gray Bricks" on Ebay yet. :)

Mark

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.loc.au
Date: 
Sat, 17 Jun 2000 23:37:42 GMT
Viewed: 
2866 times
  

In lugnet.loc.au, Geoffrey Hyde writes:
Hmmm ...  If one wants dark grey, I suppose that one is quite good.  But if
you wanted light grey the 7161 would have to be the go.  Anyone here know
where I can pick one or maybe two for half-price?

And anything else that's on sale, too, for that matter ...  ;-)

FUT: lugnet.loc.au, lugnet.market.shopping

The 7151 is on sale (or was) at Toyworlds in Brisbane for $40 AUD.
I haven't seen them in Sydney Toyworlds, which have two of the ninja sets
at a better price.
The 7161 has been $59.90 at K-Marts for months (RRP $136), though you have
to search in Sydney.
The 7171 has been $94.90 at K-Marts for months (RRP $227), this one is more
common in Sydney.
Apparently Toyworlds will have 5988 in the $80-90 range.
Of course the soccer sets out now are all half price (cheaper than the US).

pete.w <aquanaut@optusnet.com.au>

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.loc.au
Date: 
Tue, 20 Jun 2000 03:22:21 GMT
Viewed: 
3143 times
  

Of course the soccer sets out now are all half price (cheaper than the
US).

That is so bizarre, isn't it? It really makes me wonder if someone goofed at
Lego Australia. Maybe they divided instead of multipled when converting to
Aussie dollars?

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 23:50:50 GMT
Viewed: 
2955 times
  

This is great news!

I have already contributed yet more money into the LEGO coffers thanks to
this service.  It ends up being a great deal for adult builders since we can
now build large structures much more cheaply!

Anyhow, I was curious as to why "yellow" bricks were left out, but "green"
is included?  Green bricks are relatively rare, and yellow has been a
standard LEGO color for years.

Any comments on this?

Brad Hamilton
http://members.home.net/bhamilto1/lego.htm


Brad Justus <legodirect@lego.com> wrote in message
news:Fw571I.Eor@lugnet.com...
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I'm back, and • with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO • start
today, June 14.

Our first bulk releases include standard bricks (1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 2x2, 2x4, • 2x8)
in light grey, dark green, black, red, and white; as well as plates and • smooth
tiles in black, red, and white; windows and doors; and spruce trees.  The
elements come in lots of 100, 50, or 25 per bag, depending on the size of • the
element. There is no minimum purchase (well, you have to buy at least one
bag!) - and no limits on the maximum. Plus, let me stress that this is • only
the first release: this autumn we will be enlarging the assortment of • standard
elements, adding hard-to-find colors, and extending the range of more
specialized elements.

With this launch of the bulk service, we are also offering volume • discounts on
purchases: a purchase of 5 bags will receive a 5% discount; 10 bags and • more
will receive a 10% discount. These prices do not include shipping - we
have "unbundled" the item and shipping costs; shipping will be determined • by
the dollar volume of the overall purchase. This pricing policy is being
instituted across the entire Shop at Home assortment effective with the • next
catalog (due in July).  Further details and pricing information can be • found
at http://www.lego.com/bulk.

Initially, this service is available only in the United States and Canada
through LEGO Shop at Home (1-800-453-4652). This is not because we wish to
favor this market, but simply because we have an existing fulfillment
operation which we can employ immediately. We are currently finishing our
development of a new fulfillment center in Europe to handle direct
distribution; it will be ready to go by late summer or early fall. At that
time, we will begin offering not only bulks but the full LEGO Shop at Home
service (via the Internet) to at least nine European countries. We intend • to
have full coverage in Europe in 2001.

And to our friends in Australia and New Zealand (especially, but also • Japan
and the rest of the Asian Pacific Rim)  - we hear you! We're working hard • to
extend this service to you, but I am sure you realize the logistical • hurdles
which must be leapt (high shipping costs, customs, etc); we are • endeavoring to
find a solution that is as great a value to you as Shop at Home has been • to
our US and Canadian customers. I do not yet have a timetable for you, but • I
have made it a priority to bring this service to you; if we can make even • a
limited offering to you by the end of the year we will. But we will not • launch
LEGO Shop at Home (or any direct-to-you initiative) until we are certain • that
we can do so in a manner which meets your (and our) high expectations.

We hope that you are as excited as we are with the arrival of the bulk
service. It is but the first of many new offerings which will be appearing • in
the coming months. For the next release of bulk elements later this year, • we
hope to incorporate some of your many requests, and will develop a more • formal
system on LEGO.com (but thanks, Jason Catena) for recording your desires.

As always, our thanks to you. Play Well.

-- Brad

Brad Justus
Senior Vice President, LEGO Direct
legodirect@lego.com

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 00:09:58 GMT
Viewed: 
2965 times
  

In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:

And to our friends in Australia and New Zealand (especially, but also Japan
and the rest of the Asian Pacific Rim)  – we hear you! We’re working hard to
extend this service to you, but I am sure you realize the logistical hurdles
which must be leapt (high shipping costs, customs, etc); we are endeavoring to
find a solution that is as great a value to you as Shop at Home has been to
our US and Canadian customers. I do not yet have a timetable for you, but I
have made it a priority to bring this service to you; if we can make even a
limited offering to you by the end of the year we will. But we will not launch
LEGO Shop at Home (or any direct-to-you initiative) until we are certain that
we can do so in a manner which meets your (and our) high expectations.

Thanks Brad,
For addressing the specific questions we posed in our original responses.
It was great to see Australia mentioned, we are aware that Lego has influences
outside their control working against them in a market like ours.
If you ever get LSAH happening down here, we'll build a shrine in your honour.
(out of Lego of course)

pete white <aquanaut@optusnet.com.au>

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 00:27:49 GMT
Viewed: 
2931 times
  

OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cannot begin to express how excited I am.  Folks, that was wish number one.
Talk about hitting the nail on the head!  I would just like to take a moment
to say thank you LEGO, and all the people at LEGO responsible are an awesome
bunch.
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU,
Aaron

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 00:35:54 GMT
Viewed: 
2954 times
  

Brad Justus <legodirect@lego.com> wrote in message
news:Fw571I.Eor@lugnet.com...
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I'm back, and • with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO • start
today, June 14.

Our first bulk releases include standard bricks (1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 2x2, 2x4, • 2x8)
in light grey, dark green, black, red, and white; as well as plates and • smooth
tiles in black, red, and white; windows and doors; and spruce trees.  The
elements come in lots of 100, 50, or 25 per bag, depending on the size of • the
element. There is no minimum purchase (well, you have to buy at least one
bag!) - and no limits on the maximum. Plus, let me stress that this is • only
the first release: this autumn we will be enlarging the assortment of • standard
elements, adding hard-to-find colors, and extending the range of more
specialized elements.

With this launch of the bulk service, we are also offering volume • discounts on
purchases: a purchase of 5 bags will receive a 5% discount; 10 bags and • more
will receive a 10% discount. These prices do not include shipping - we
have "unbundled" the item and shipping costs; shipping will be determined • by
the dollar volume of the overall purchase. This pricing policy is being
instituted across the entire Shop at Home assortment effective with the • next
catalog (due in July).  Further details and pricing information can be • found
at http://www.lego.com/bulk.

Initially, this service is available only in the United States and Canada
through LEGO Shop at Home (1-800-453-4652). This is not because we wish to
favor this market, but simply because we have an existing fulfillment
operation which we can employ immediately. We are currently finishing our
development of a new fulfillment center in Europe to handle direct
distribution; it will be ready to go by late summer or early fall. At that
time, we will begin offering not only bulks but the full LEGO Shop at Home
service (via the Internet) to at least nine European countries. We intend • to
have full coverage in Europe in 2001.

And to our friends in Australia and New Zealand (especially, but also • Japan
and the rest of the Asian Pacific Rim)  - we hear you! We're working hard • to
extend this service to you, but I am sure you realize the logistical • hurdles
which must be leapt (high shipping costs, customs, etc); we are • endeavoring to
find a solution that is as great a value to you as Shop at Home has been • to
our US and Canadian customers. I do not yet have a timetable for you, but • I
have made it a priority to bring this service to you; if we can make even • a
limited offering to you by the end of the year we will. But we will not • launch
LEGO Shop at Home (or any direct-to-you initiative) until we are certain • that
we can do so in a manner which meets your (and our) high expectations.

We hope that you are as excited as we are with the arrival of the bulk
service. It is but the first of many new offerings which will be appearing • in
the coming months. For the next release of bulk elements later this year, • we
hope to incorporate some of your many requests, and will develop a more • formal
system on LEGO.com (but thanks, Jason Catena) for recording your desires.

As always, our thanks to you. Play Well.



No, thanks to YOU!

This is the best thing since... the Chrome Sword! Wow! Incredible!

Cordially,
        DBR

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 01:25:02 GMT
Viewed: 
2919 times
  

In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:
For the next release of bulk elements later this year, we hope to incorporate
some of your many requests, and will develop a more formal system on LEGO.com
(but thanks, Jason Catena) for recording your desires.

*blush*

Wow, thanks for the recognition, I really appreciate it.

Actually, I would prefer that something formal be set up on lego.com, my page
is fun to maintain but I don't know if I could handle the volume of requests
when LD really gets going.

I hope I've been able to provide you with some ideas for interesting features
for the "desires" page.

Thank you for championing this effort, I believe you've helped make a whole new
class of building possible!

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 01:55:09 GMT
Viewed: 
2897 times
  

In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

Does anyone know if the original service packs are still available?

Bill

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 02:02:27 GMT
Viewed: 
2914 times
  

In lugnet.lego.announce, Brad Justus writes:
Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.


Bravo!!!! Bravissimo!!!!

Finally, roof bricks in the most needed size in bulk.  And I was just about to
order more roof brick packs to get 2x4 red roofs.

Nice initial selection.  I ordered packs of 8 different items.

One "piece" that I haven't seen requested here, that I think would be a big
seller: the storage chest from Set 545.  Ever since I first started in
Rec.Toys.LEGO, there has been an almost eternal discussion of how to sort and
store LEGO.  The search for the perfect containers: Plano boxes, tupperware,
plastic bags, shoeboxes, chinese soup containers.  I bought 14 of Set 545 JUST
to get the storage case.  I would love to get more of them!!!

Ed "Boxer" Jones
www.geocities.com/~edboxer/lego.html

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 15:08:46 GMT
Viewed: 
3058 times
  

Well my question is:  Where is the $30 to $40ish (depending on size) 1000 piece
bag of basic elements?  I don't know about the rest of you but when someone
says bulk I think in terms of thousands.  I would have been more than eager to
buy 10,000+ 2x4s at that price but as is... uh, rrrriiiiight.  <sigh>
-Mike Petrucelli

    
          
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Fri, 16 Jun 2000 16:00:19 GMT
Viewed: 
2937 times
  

In lugnet.lego.direct, Mike Petrucelli writes:
Well my question is:  Where is the $30 to $40ish (depending on size) 1000 • piece
bag of basic elements?  I don't know about the rest of you but when someone
says bulk I think in terms of thousands.  I would have been more than eager to
buy 10,000+ 2x4s at that price but as is... uh, rrrriiiiight.  <sigh>
-Mike Petrucelli

My thoughts exactly.

Steve Martin

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Sat, 17 Jun 2000 16:08:58 GMT
Viewed: 
2953 times
  

Hello Brad, thank you for your considerations of Japanese market.
You are worried about disparity of costs, especially due to high sipping
costs. However, this is an inevitable problem since  Japan has no
domestic production fasilities.  If you can ship ordered items any
countries nearer to Japan than U.S., we will be able to save shipping
costs.
I guess the primary dissatisfaction within Japanese customers are high
prices and poor lineups.  Do you know how different of the prices
between U.S. and Japan?  I belive that the total costs we need to pay if
we buy an item form U.S. (or from European countries) are lower than
those of we need to pay if we buy the same from the local subsidiary
(especially big sets).  And since Japanese product lineups is very
limited, many Japanese LEGO fans personally import the non-available
items in Japan from foreign shops or agents with high argent surcharge
separatly from S&H fee.
Therefore, I hope that you will first give us the place (web site) where we
can purchase the LEGO products at the same condition (the same
lineups and net prices) as in U.S. or European countries.  I will accept
the auctual shipping costs.
Regards,
Susumu Takahashi

   
         
     
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Sat, 17 Jun 2000 21:11:52 GMT
Highlighted: 
(details)
Viewed: 
2939 times
  

Hi  Brad & guys,

Im glad that its on his way. But I got one question.

Why is LEGO Europe, an London spokesmen, telling me that we cant order extra parts
anymore ?
We are used to do so for many years.
But we cant order from LEGO Direct. Hows that possible ?
Why closing down an service when theres no backup available ?
Its like throwing old shoes away before youre able  to buy new ones.
Do you have any suggestions, I dont think it fair ?
Please Brad  lmk

Greetings and keep building anyway.

Nico Hoogerbrug

   
         
   
Subject: 
Re: bulk ordering is here!
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.lego.direct
Date: 
Wed, 21 Jun 2000 09:59:00 GMT
Reply-To: 
ssgore@superonline.IHATESPAMcom
Viewed: 
3301 times
  

Hi Brad,

Formerly, thank you very much to you and your colleagues for realizing a
long waited and desired service as you promised.

You also mentioned that, by 2001, you will be shipping to all European
countries. Is this mean only the EU countries, or you are also planning
to include non-EU countries and partially European countries like
Turkey, where I'm living. I asked this, since in your distribution map,
Turkey looks as a part of Europe, although it is not so geographically.

Since I'm already aware that Turkey is not a promising market for Lego
Bulk Sales, I'm not intending that I deserve a distribution channel here
in my country. What I wish is just being able to order my wants from a
European distribution channel, of course by paying for the additional
shipping cost.

For the customs issues, I know there would be no big problems, since I'm
already buying lego from other sources abroad (shipping internationally)
for a while, and never paid customs fee for "small packet" type of
boxes.

A brief answer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and best regards,

Selçuk Göre




Brad Justus wrote:

Greetings! After a somewhat longer-than-intended absence, I’m back, and with
good news: LEGO Direct is pleased to announce that bulk sales from LEGO start
today, June 14.

Our first bulk releases include standard bricks (1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 2x2, 2x4, 2x8)
in light grey, dark green, black, red, and white; as well as plates and smooth
tiles in black, red, and white; windows and doors; and spruce trees.  The
elements come in lots of 100, 50, or 25 per bag, depending on the size of the
element. There is no minimum purchase (well, you have to buy at least one
bag!) – and no limits on the maximum. Plus, let me stress that this is only
the first release: this autumn we will be enlarging the assortment of standard
elements, adding hard-to-find colors, and extending the range of more
specialized elements.

With this launch of the bulk service, we are also offering volume discounts on
purchases: a purchase of 5 bags will receive a 5% discount; 10 bags and more
will receive a 10% discount. These prices do not include shipping – we
have “unbundled” the item and shipping costs; shipping will be determined by
the dollar volume of the overall purchase. This pricing policy is being
instituted across the entire Shop at Home assortment effective with the next
catalog (due in July).  Further details and pricing information can be found
at http://www.lego.com/bulk.

Initially, this service is available only in the United States and Canada
through LEGO Shop at Home (1-800-453-4652). This is not because we wish to
favor this market, but simply because we have an existing fulfillment
operation which we can employ immediately. We are currently finishing our
development of a new fulfillment center in Europe to handle direct
distribution; it will be ready to go by late summer or early fall. At that
time, we will begin offering not only bulks but the full LEGO Shop at Home
service (via the Internet) to at least nine European countries. We intend to
have full coverage in Europe in 2001.

And to our friends in Australia and New Zealand (especially, but also Japan
and the rest of the Asian Pacific Rim)  – we hear you! We’re working hard to
extend this service to you, but I am sure you realize the logistical hurdles
which must be leapt (high shipping costs, customs, etc); we are endeavoring to
find a solution that is as great a value to you as Shop at Home has been to
our US and Canadian customers. I do not yet have a timetable for you, but I
have made it a priority to bring this service to you; if we can make even a
limited offering to you by the end of the year we will. But we will not launch
LEGO Shop at Home (or any direct-to-you initiative) until we are certain that
we can do so in a manner which meets your (and our) high expectations.

We hope that you are as excited as we are with the arrival of the bulk
service. It is but the first of many new offerings which will be appearing in
the coming months. For the next release of bulk elements later this year, we
hope to incorporate some of your many requests, and will develop a more formal
system on LEGO.com (but thanks, Jason Catena) for recording your desires.

As always, our thanks to you. Play Well.

-- Brad

Brad Justus
Senior Vice President, LEGO Direct
legodirect@lego.com

 

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