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In lugnet.reviews, Richie Dulin wrote:
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In lugnet.reviews, John Patterson wrote:
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You raise an interesting point about the box art on the Bikini Bottom
Express: at what point can it be considered false advertising, since the
included model so obviously deviates from that pictured? On boxes of
cereal, for example, manufacturers always put a disclaimer to the effect of
Product enlarged to show texture; has LEGO reached the point of needing
to include a disclaimer stating, Product rendered with CGI to cover flaws
of actual model ? Of course, most of us would simply prefer that the
model match the box art as closely as possible. But at a minimum, perhaps
LEGO needs to state that the box art is an artistic representation of the
actual product.
Incidentally, I used those same windows on a caboose of mine:
The orange panel windows it uses are from an earlier Sponge Bob set, and
the color discrepancy was still an issue then, although this latest set
really highlights it.
-Jordan Schwarz
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Perhaps it is due to Flextronics not having the quality control that Lego
did. Why they moved production to Juarez Mexico is beyond me.
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(Note that I dont know, and that Im not wearing my Ambassadors hat
here). I would guess that costs are a major consideration, and that the NAFTA
has had a bearing on this - keep in mind that the USA is LEGOs biggest
market.
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Perhaps very cheap labor, less than $2.00 an hour might be the reason.
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Well, labour costs would have a bearing, no doubt. But less than $2 an hour?
Who knows? Dont forget that cost is not necessarily an indicator of quality.
Ive seen a lot of shoddy work done in a number of fields for a lot more
than $2 an hour.
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Shades of overseas clothing sweat houses.
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This I doubt. Unless LEGO are assembling sets by hand.
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Check the box next time you buy a Lego. Components made in Denmark,
Austria, Hungary, Mexico and the Czech Republic John P
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Excellent. An internationally produced product for an international market.
Cheers
Richie Dulin
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I live in El Paso and that is the wage in Juarez, or less. I would doubt that
it is too international. Nothing is made in the US, Germany, England, New
Zealand, or Australia. Though some things are made in China. I would say that
the international part is where the wages are the lowest and government help to
industry. This all started with the new CFO. They might sell internationally,
but they sure do not produce internationally. Sell where the market can affort
to pay, produce where the market can get very cheap labor. Economic
internationalism. I just finished building 4996 and there is a difference in the
quality of the bricks. Some of the slopes, 2x2 were textured and some were not
2x8, 2x4. Looked kind of funny when the roof was finished. Also, to save money
and up the piece count they do not put the train wheels together anymore or the
turntables. When I built the Holiday (Christmas) Train I first wondered what
the metal parts were for. Also I am finding the piece count going up, as is the
prices, but far more little parts in each set. Some of what they do is not
necessary. Lots and lots of 1x1 round plates, and other short plates where a
long one would have held better. Also columns that are made of 1x1 bricks that
are 5 tall. Why not a 1x5 brick? More pieces in the box? I understand why
some people only collect the older sets now. Also there are fewer smaller sets
for the family that cannot afford the larger ones. I often thought that it was
nice for lego to do the small sets so most kids could have some legos. Other
than an rare town set there are the minis and the little cars. I guess what I
am trying to say is that Lego got cheap and penny pinching. Before they were
concerned with quality. This is but my opinion, Lego is going in the wrong
direction and violating the policy that the founder instilled into the family
business. But I guess business is business. John P
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In lugnet.reviews, John Patterson wrote:
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In lugnet.reviews, Richie Dulin wrote:
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In lugnet.reviews, John Patterson wrote:
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Perhaps it is due to Flextronics not having the quality control that Lego
did. Why they moved production to Juarez Mexico is beyond me.
|
(Note that I dont know, and that Im not wearing my Ambassadors hat
here). I would guess that costs are a major consideration, and that the
NAFTA has had a bearing on this - keep in mind that the USA is LEGOs
biggest market.
|
Perhaps very cheap labor, less than $2.00 an hour might be the reason.
|
Well, labour costs would have a bearing, no doubt. But less than $2 an hour?
Who knows? Dont forget that cost is not necessarily an indicator of
quality. Ive seen a lot of shoddy work done in a number of fields for a
lot more than $2 an hour.
|
Shades of overseas clothing sweat houses.
|
This I doubt. Unless LEGO are assembling sets by hand.
|
Check the box next time you buy a Lego. Components made in Denmark,
Austria, Hungary, Mexico and the Czech Republic John P
|
Excellent. An internationally produced product for an international market.
Cheers
Richie Dulin
|
I live in El Paso and that is the wage in Juarez, or less. I would doubt
that it is too international. Nothing is made in the US, Germany, England,
New Zealand, or Australia. Though some things are made in China. I would
say that the international part is where the wages are the lowest and
government help to industry. This all started with the new CFO. They might
sell internationally, but they sure do not produce internationally.
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Well, they do... you provided a list above - Components made in Denmark,
Austria, Hungary, Mexico and the Czech Republic. Now, Im guessing that the
first two (at least) are not really cheap labour markets - but I could be wrong.
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Sell
where the market can affort to pay, produce where the market can get very
cheap labor. Economic internationalism. I just finished building 4996 and
there is a difference in the quality of the bricks. Some of the slopes, 2x2
were textured and some were not 2x8, 2x4. Looked kind of funny when the roof
was finished. Also, to save money and up the piece count they do not put the
train wheels together anymore or the turntables.
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Well, markets outside North America dont generally get piece counts on boxes,
so upping the piece count may have a lesser significance than you suppose. But
given that they are not assembling these components, one has to wonder what
they are doing with all this cheap labour you say they are using.
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When I built the Holiday
(Christmas) Train I first wondered what the metal parts were for. Also I am
finding the piece count going up, as is the prices, but far more little
parts in each set. Some of what they do is not necessary. Lots and lots of
1x1 round plates, and other short plates where a long one would have held
better. Also columns that are made of 1x1 bricks that are 5 tall. Why not a
1x5 brick? More pieces in the box?
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Possibly, I guess.
But, on a positive note, it could be because thats exactly the sort of
thing fans have been requesting for years - dont use a 1x1x5 when 5 1x1 bricks
will do. Have a look back over the years here at LUGNET and youll find many
similar requests.
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I understand why some people only
collect the older sets now. Also there are fewer smaller sets for the family
that cannot afford the larger ones. I often thought that it was nice for
lego to do the small sets so most kids could have some legos. Other than an
rare town set there are the minis and the little cars. I guess what I am
trying to say is that Lego got cheap and penny pinching. Before they were
concerned with quality. This is but my opinion, Lego is going in the wrong
direction and violating the policy that the founder instilled into the family
business. But I guess business is business. John P
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Cheers
Richie Dulin
(Ive trimmed .reviews from this post... please consider the FUT if choosing to
reply)
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