Subject:
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Re: This is stupid... I can't tolerate this *juniorization*...
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.dear-lego
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Date:
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Sat, 11 Aug 2001 02:43:55 GMT
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Viewed:
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518 times
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In lugnet.lego.direct, John Neal writes:
> Okay, Joe (and Dan)-
>
> Although I can't speak for TLC, I bet I have a good idea as to what they would
> say to your collective concerns, and rather than let a brush fire blaze out of
> control here, let me point out a few things which hopefully will help you to
> understand TLC's POV.
I can't speak for Joe, or Dan, or John, or the LEGO company... I can only
speak for me. So here goes:
> First thing to keep in mind is that LEGO is a toy. It is intended for children,
> and although we as adults (I have kids your age) can still play with LEGO
> (attesting to its marvelous flexibility as toy and as a creative outlet), the
> mass market for this product is young kids.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. If there isn't the quality of
product being presented to these young kids that they deserve... they will
go elsewhere for their entertainment. LEGO's claim to fame is based on its
past and isn't a guaranteed right. They need to earn new fans... they don't
just deserve them because they are the LEGO company.
> Times have changed. LEGO has competition from places we never dreamed about 20
> years ago-- the internet, video games, cable television, etc. Now the
> philosophy of TLC has been one of marketing at particular age groups
Then have them market smartly... decisively and with extreme attention paid
to design of sets.
> But here's my point. Don't get so worked up about "juniorization". The fact
> is, there has never been a better time for LEGO builders old and young than
> right now today, and it will keep getting better. Take a look out there--
> LUGNET, LUGs, LTCs, Brickbay, Brickshelf, bulk services-- what fantastic
> resources!
What about LEGO selling some really really cool sets? Isn't that a good
resource?
> You guys are getting older now; don't worry about building sets.
> Sets are for kids.
Then I guess I'm just a big 33 year old kid. Because let me tell you that
when I got out all my old LEGO about 3 years ago the best thing was putting
together some of the old sets from 20+ year old instructions. Putting
together the 565 Moon Landing set was a joy... an absolute joy.
http://guide.lugnet.com/set/565_1
It is a well designed set.... in a single primary color with a couple accent
colors. It looks like what it is supposed to look like. It is a set that
is still a solid design after more than a quarter century. It's for kids of
all ages who ever dreamed of walking on the moon.
> As Mike Timm so eloquently puts it in his sig: "All other
> themes are just spare parts for Castle!" (or spare parts for *anything* you
> want). Start building MOCs and let the *real* creativity begin!
Using Bulk Parts that cost upwards of 10 cents each?
Isn't buying poorly designed sets, purely for the sake of turning them into
something else, a sad comment on the quality of the sets? I remember
getting new LEGO sets and carefully, and happily working to put together the
primary model first. That was the goal. Then, after some time had passed,
the bricks could be taken apart and used for original creations. BUT....
the instructions for the original set were never far away and the sets often
got put back together just as they appeared on the box cover.
> So this is about where TLC is coming from. You may not agree with their
> marketing strategies, and even I strongly disagree with some of their
> strategies, but try to understand why they are doing what they are doing.
If you, and I and any number of other people disagree with their marketing
strategies... isn't that a problem? Shouldn't the company's customers agree
with what they're selling and why they're selling it? They are here to
please us, not the other way around. We don't *have* to buy their
products... but shouldn't we *want* to? This isn't as though we are part of
some community group or committee that we just have to agree with because
it's a nice thing to do.
> Rather than rail on in an NG, tell them with your pocketbook. Buy the Guarded
> Inns and Sopwith Camels and Metroliners; if there is one thing TLC gets very
> well, it's the bottom line. Let's *show* TLC that there is a market for
> non-juniorized sets.
But what if these aren't the sets I *want* to buy? Shouldn't I raise my
voice... as I'm trying to do now... and tell the company what it is that
will get me to open my pocketbook and hand them my money? If Guarded Inns
were a penny each and LEGO paid the delivery on them.....I still wouldn't
waste the toll-free call to order one. It simply isn't what I would
consider a classic set.
When this set:
http://guide.lugnet.com/set/570
Is reissued... then we'll talk.
If this is the venue that LEGO prefers to use in order to communicate with
its customers, then perhaps everyone should let them know what they think of
this catalog. This thread was started by a 13 year old LEGO fan. Doesn't
that bother anyone besides me? Shouldn't he be drooling over the catalog,
rather than being frustrated by it?
Allan B.
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