General Discussion : 2515


General / 2515

TLG investigation —Jeroen Ottens

Hi everybody, My name is Jeroen Ottens. I work at Lego Futura Technic Billund (the development department of Lego as you will probably know). ... Yes I am one of TLG ... My job is to design some of the new Lego Technic models. However I am also (...) (26 years ago, 12-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Alan Shutko

(...) There's one question that we'd all like answered that you can probably tell us: Is it as cool as we'd think? (26 years ago, 12-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Jeroen Ottens

Imagine that you have an infinite amount of Lego which you never have to sort ;) Jeroen Alan Shutko <shutkoa@ugsolutions.com> wrote in article (...) There's one question that we'd all like answered that you can probably tell us: Is it as cool as (...) (26 years ago, 12-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Tamyra Teed

Mookie drools :) I would love to not have to sort all my lego! does someone actually do the sorting for you when you're done, or are you guys nice and clean and don't get everything all messy... <yeah right ;)> I have just one question.. can you (...) (26 years ago, 13-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Jeroen Ottens

We just don't break our models apart ;) Jeroen Mookie <Mookie@execpc.com> wrote in article <36C4C0C3.EE45671A@e...pc.com>... Mookie drools :) I would love to not have to sort all my lego! does someone actually do the sorting for you when you're (...) (26 years ago, 13-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mike Stanley

(...) Hrmmmm...... I don't think I'd like that. To be sure, it would be fun sometimes to not have to sort it all, but sorting is pretty fun most of the time. Call me crazy, but since I never build the models that are depicted in the instructions (I (...) (26 years ago, 13-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Tamyra Teed

Well I don't mind sorting BEFORE you build.. it's afterwards.. when you've built an MOC that uses 500-1000 parts.. and you're pulling it apart so you can build something else.. I just tend to get a little tired of sorting sometimes.. I just sorted a (...) (26 years ago, 13-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mike Stanley

(...) Hrmmm.... yeah, I think I would have to agree with you. Unbuilding something is always a little depressing, so piling sorting on top of that wouldn't be much fun. (...) :) Makes me think I need to start using those tins for my bricks... wonder (...) (26 years ago, 13-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Selçuk Göre

(...) I can just say one thing...WOW!.. Being a set designer for TLG have always been a dream job for me, and I think will be forever, too. Since I was given my first set (a 1968 universal, set# 030) in 1975, when I was just turned my 5, and when my (...) (26 years ago, 13-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Jorge Rodriguez

(...) You are my new role model. Jorge Rodriguez rodriguez.136@osu.edu (26 years ago, 13-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mark Koesel

Jeroen Ottens <ottens@get2net.dk> wrote in message 01be56c6$f3c15680$Lo...@ottens... (...) Hey Jeroen (You lucky son of a ... :') [snip] (...) Sorry, I can't really say on those. But, I guess you could consider Lugnet and RTL virtual clubs. Todd (...) (26 years ago, 12-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Tom Stangl

Jereon, As for what we want, I would think it would be better for you, and us, if we simply used the lugnet.dear-leog newsgroup, as then you wouldn't get BURIED in email, and we could publicly discuss ideas that you would otherwise only get in (...) (26 years ago, 12-Feb-99, to lugnet.general, lugnet.dear-lego)

Re: TLG investigation —Terry Keller

(...) You had _better_ have some pictures of that plane. :-) I started, and pretty much aborted, the same thing, so I really, really want to see what you came up with. Please... -- Terry K -- (26 years ago, 13-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Thomas Main

(...) I am very excited about the possibility of Lego sponsoring special interest clubs made up of adult Lego enthusiasts. I believe that the Lego Group would be making a wise investment of their resources by listening and encouraging a large fan (...) (26 years ago, 13-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mike Stanley

(...) You know, if they did this and coordinated it right so that the GROUP itself made a bulk purchase I think they could easily justify it costwise and effortwise. Can you imagine how many train doors and windows all of the trainheads here and on (...) (26 years ago, 13-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Selçuk Göre

(...) Hey, this reminds me immdiately a single name..could you Guess who?..:-) Selçuk (26 years ago, 13-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Jasper Janssen

(...) Yeah, Larry would probably buy enough by himself to be considered a whole group of people :) Jasper "Auczilla might profit, too" Janssen (26 years ago, 13-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Tim Courtney

(...) Even after I traded you one (with the river crossing on the side ;) you're still clamboring for more of her? :) What are the effects of cloning on a minifig? :) Keep Building!! -Tim <>< (URL) timcourtne ICQ: 23951114 New Lugnet Newsgroup? (...) (26 years ago, 15-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mike Stanley

(...) I have 3 6071's now. I want more. I might be satisfied with 10. I doubt it, though. (26 years ago, 15-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Scott Edward Sanburn

To All; Amen Thomas! I couldn't agree more! Scott Sanburn (...) (26 years ago, 13-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Greg Bevington

I think that allthough I am the youngest lugnet user (I think, 13 years old) that I and many others would prefer to join if the following was done: Membership cards and Certificates A FULL sized qaurterly magazine (as opposed to the *pathetic* lego (...) (26 years ago, 14-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mark Tarrabain

(...) Uh... I don't work for TLG, of course, but I can be pretty sure that this ain't gonna happen. Unless you're on the payroll of a company, it's not very realistic to expect them to supply you with stuff at their cost. Certainly a much lower (...) (26 years ago, 14-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Martin Legault

(...) all (...) ain't (...) realistic (...) I agre with almost all suggestion I saw until now. For bulk part I suggest that most of the bricks, plates, and ALL other structural parts (the most commun one) that they be sold in incremantal quantity of (...) (26 years ago, 14-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Gary R. Istok

(...) Back in the olden days (early 80's) when TLG did provide very limited bulk orders (it was not easy to do because they didn't want to do a lot of it), there was a 100 piece order minimum. Gary Istok (26 years ago, 18-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mike Stanley

(...) Wow, a 100 of any given piece is nothing. I can think of a dozen pieces and minifigs (or just torsos and heads) I'd want more than 100 of. And if they started this up again I'm sure that those who only wanted 2 or 5 could arrange something (...) (26 years ago, 18-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Bulk pieces —Todd Lehman

(...) On plates and bricks and normal stuff it sure isn't much, but I heard a story on RTL a few years ago from someone who'd bought 100 brown horses back in the late 80's when TLG was still doing these bulk sales. 100 horses sounds like a pretty (...) (26 years ago, 18-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Tom Stangl

(...) Well, was that 100 minimum of EACH piece, or 100pc minimum for the TOTAL ORDER? -- | Tom Stangl, Technical Support Netscape Communications Corp | | Please do not associate my personal views with my employer | (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Martin Legault

(...) would (...) lower (...) that (...) commun (...) depending (...) brown, (...) orders (...) was a 100 (...) ORDER? (...) Would be 100 minimun each type of piece. Would you like to count 83 1x2 black, 253 1x4 red, 1252 1x4 white etc... Martin (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Jasper Janssen

(...) Just like counting out coins: Just weigh 'em. HTH. Jasper (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Jesse Long

Jasper Janssen wrote in message <36d93a07.86778262@l...et.com>... (...) black, (...) Something tells me trying to tell the difference between pieces that small and light would really suck. HTH? Jesse ___...___ Jesse The Jolly Jingoist Looking for (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Steve Bliss

(...) Isn't that how QA works in the LEGO factories? Each baggie of parts is weighed as a check that it contains the right pieces (because the correct total weight is known). If weighing small, heterogeneous bags works, weighing large, homogeneous (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Pat Shepard

(...) And if they only sold in set increments, say a 500 brick minimum order with any given brick obtainable in increments of 50 only, they could have the proper size quantities easily preweighed and handy. I'd also love to see all the old minifig (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Todd Lehman

(...) My understanding (from someone in RTL long ago) was that it was 100 minimum of each type of piece ordered. You couldn't get 10 of one thing and 20 of another and 5 of another and have it add up to 100. This makes sense, too, because of the (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —John Battcock

I am not sure if anybody has made this comment regarding bulk prices yet so here goes. In order to make this worthwhile I think you have to look at the auto part industry example. Car X retails for $Y. The part price for all parts in Car X would (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Jesse Long

John Battcock wrote in message ... (...) Consumer Reports says that a Pathfinder costs $77,000 piece by piece. It also quotes Henry Ford as saying he'd give cars away free if he could have a monopoly on replacement parts. Jesse ___...___ Jesse The (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Tom Stangl

(...) NOTE, however, that if TLG sold more parts packs, or sold in bulk, our total dollar purchases *DIRECTLY TO TLG, rather than third parties* would increase an enormous amount. AFOL purchases would become a larger percentage of total sales. I'd (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general, lugnet.dear-lego)

Re: TLG investigation —John Neal

Yeah, what Tom said! My sediments exactly;) -John (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general, lugnet.dear-lego)

Re: TLG investigation —Richard Dee

On Fri, 19 Feb 1999 21:23:18 GMT, Tom Stangl uttered the following profundities... (...) I'll do this. Just send me an e-mail entitled "Black roof bricks." I will post the results in a few days. If someone could tell me the price as well....... (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general, lugnet.dear-lego)

Re: TLG investigation —James Seibert

I inquired about bulk parts many years ago and the minimum order was 100 pieces and you had to increment in 100 pieces. The prices they quoted for common bulk bricks was extremely cheap, but specialty pieces were another matter, but considering I (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Richard Dee

On Sun, 14 Feb 1999 03:18:25 GMT, Mark Tarrabain uttered the following profundities... (...) IF a bulk ordering service were to be made available, and I really hope that it is, it is more than likely that they would be priced at a premium. That way (...) (26 years ago, 14-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Scott Edward Sanburn

Richard, You'll have to excuse me (I'm from the US), but isn't the Euro going to take care of that eventually, or is it still a long way off? Scott Sanburn (...) (26 years ago, 14-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Jasper Janssen

(...) For those of us who think 2002 is a long way off, yes :) But the point is more or less that it doesn't matter whether it's in euros or in pounds or guilders or what-have-you: They can still charge more euros in england than somewhere else, (...) (26 years ago, 14-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Simon Denscombe

(...) Well the UK is still using pounds and is not part of the Euro. (26 years ago, 14-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Richard Dee

On Sun, 14 Feb 1999 16:56:50 GMT, Scott Edward Sanburn uttered the following profundities... (...) Our political parties are still tearing their guts out over the issue. Despite the fact that it is the best thing for everyone (60% or more of our (...) (26 years ago, 15-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Scott Edward Sanburn

OK, Richard. I have heard many interesting tidbits on the Unification and the currency situation, from the EU spawning the Antichrist, to the benefits of American business and so on, so it is good to hear information who is in the thick of it, (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Money Transfers (Re: TLG investigation —Larry Pieniazek

(...) Agreed. <insert standard stump for the Libertarian party here. (URL) > (...) If you need to move money to or from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, or Germany (and I hope the NL soon, Hi Jasper) drop me a line. I may be able to help you. I have (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Tom Stangl

(...) Agreed - ESPECIALLY an ID card that is nice thick plastic like a credit card. Like the Legoland CA Primo Pass I'l be picking up Mar 14 at the preview opening ;-) (...) Agreed (...) AGREED (...) NOT AGREED. They would have no incentive to do (...) (26 years ago, 14-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Steve Scott

Tom Stangl, VFAQman wrote in message <36C65305.A351656B@vfaq.com>... <snip> (...) even with (...) running (...) 100%+ mark-up, in your dreams!! Where did this figure come from? I don't know if the system is different in the states, but in the UK, (...) (26 years ago, 14-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mark Tarrabain

(...) I used to work in the toy department of a large department store. The markup on almost all of our stuff between our cost and final retail price was about 100%. Some was even more. (...) This shouldn't be an issue. TLG can easily have a (...) (26 years ago, 15-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Steve Scott

Mark Tarrabain wrote in message <36C86BD7.DA07F3E8@l....bc.ca>... (...) markup on (...) 100%. (...) It must be different in the States. I have a copy of the Lego UK retailers price list and even with all the additional discounts, it's impossible to (...) (26 years ago, 15-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mark Tarrabain

(...) Yeah, yeah, sure... I'll betcha you and Todd just cooked up this whole thing together just to get me all riled up and see how much of a fuss I'll make, right? ;) Seriously though, I was never thinking that TLG would have to police anything. (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Todd Lehman

(...) What would it take for them to police/enforce such a requirement? (...) What if someone wanted to buy 500 gray 2x4 bricks and there was a minimum purchase requirement of 10,000? --Todd (26 years ago, 15-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mark Tarrabain

(...) Well, for one thing, memberships would only be available to individuals, not corporations. Although this wouldn't necessarily stop a person from doing this altogether, it would put a cap on the amount of profit that they would be allowed to (...) (26 years ago, 15-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Todd Lehman

(...) How far does that go toward stopping an individual from buying $25,000 in bulk bricks and reselling these to a local toystore for $25,250? (The profit is only $250 on the transaction. Not bad for about 1 hour of work. :-) Any restriction (...) (26 years ago, 15-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mark Tarrabain

(...) That's only 1% profit. Who's going to bother spending that kind of money to make so little? Further, I would never suggest that TLG charge club members prices that are below what retailers could get their stuff for. I, for one, would be quite (...) (26 years ago, 15-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Profit dynamics of bulk purchases —Todd Lehman

(...) Think. Toystore writes $25,250 cashier's check to individual. Individual deposits check and writes new cashier's check to LSI for $25,000. LSI delivers bulk elements to individual. Individual delivers bulk elements to toystore. In other words, (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Profit dynamics of bulk purchases —Scott Edward Sanburn

Todd & All; Excellent discussion regarding bulk brick sales. In certain political circles, I know if say corporation A gives 10 people $1,000 each to give to a candidate that supports them, while the maximum contribution is $1,000, it is illegal and (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Profit dynamics of bulk purchases —Mark Tarrabain

(...) Todd, I think you and I are just going to have to agree to disagree on this. I don't think that TLG would have any motivation to sell to individuals in the bulk amounts that you are suggesting, but if you think otherwise, well, hey... maybe (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Profit dynamics of bulk purchases —Todd Lehman

(...) Sorry :) (...) Ok. No problem, no grudges. (...) No, I don't necessarily disagree with that...(and I probably don't want to be making guesses as to what motivates TLG :) My major disagreement was with the assertion that it would be possible to (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Profit dynamics of bulk purchases —Jesse Long

Todd Lehman wrote in message ... (...) this. (...) Just because you two agree to disagree doesn't mean one of you isn't wrong. Not that I'm going to tell you which one it is (if either). Jesse ___...___ Jesse The Jolly Jingoist Looking for answers? (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Profit dynamics of bulk purchases —Matthew Bates

I really don't see what all this fuss is about, toy stores aren't interested in selling bulk bricks. You used to be able to buy bulk bricks (supplementary packs I think they were called) in UK toy shops but not any more, there isn't enough demand. (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Profit dynamics of bulk purchases —Mike Walsh

Matthew Bates wrote in message ... (...) interested (...) (supplementary (...) isn't (...) I was in Sweden back in December and in a couple of the stores I went into they had parts packs for slopes, doors and windows, and wheels. They were (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Low Corner Slopes in Roof Parts Packs? —Gary R. Istok

(...) the same question that I'll ask... 3x3 corner slopes!!!! In a Swedish parts packs? I'm assuming that we are talking low slopes in RED, right? And not any other color, right? If that is the case, are these only in the Swedish sets? Or how (...) (26 years ago, 18-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Low Corner Slopes in Roof Parts Packs? —Mike Walsh

Gary Istok wrote in message <36CC3E8C.74BB5646@u...ch.edu>... (...) asking (...) parts (...) They were in a box, not a bag like the US parts packs. If you look on the LEGO web site in the European catalog the box looked like the one shown for set (...) (26 years ago, 18-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Low Corner Slopes in Roof Parts Packs? —Robert Farver

(...) Which would be: (URL) must admit I'm mildly interested. I'd be more interested if they were blue, and much more interested if they were black. As it is, I have tons of low slope red and I'm not sure the expense of getting European parts packs (...) (26 years ago, 18-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Low Corner Slopes in Roof Parts Packs? —Mike Walsh

Rob Farver wrote in message <36cca02d.3189366@lu...et.com>... (...) on (...) blue, (...) would (...) off (...) That is indeed the box I was refering to. As I recall, the box had four corner pieces in it. Mike (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Low Corner Slopes in Roof Parts Packs? —Jasper Janssen

(...) Maybe they were old parts packs? I have one or two roof parts packs from before my Dark Ages, and I happen to have 8 or so, I think, 3 * 3 low corner slopes (in red). Not the reverse slopes, unfortunately :) Jasper (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Low Corner Slopes in Roof Parts Packs? —Gary R. Istok

(...) It's too bad that TLG doesn't make a 1x2 low slope (half pyramid) roof peak piece that would be used in conjunction with these low sloped corner bricks, like they do with the regular sloped bricks. Is that a possibility, or would there (...) (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Low Corner Slopes in Roof Parts Packs? —Jasper Janssen

On Mon, 22 Feb 1999 16:57:49 GMT, Gary Istok <gistok@umich.edu> wrote: <3*3 low slopes> (...) Good question... looking at my 2*4 low slope peaks, I have a feeling you may indeed be right about too little clearance :( You could use regular (medium (...) (26 years ago, 24-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Low Corner Slopes in Roof Parts Packs? —James Brown

(...) Hmm - It *should* be possible - unless I'm horribly mistaken (won't know for sure until I get home and do some comparisons), the area for a single stud on a pyramid roof peak should be the same as the area for a stud in the "corner" of a (...) (26 years ago, 24-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Low Corner Slopes in Roof Parts Packs? —Gary R. Istok

(...) James, if you want a low-slope gable connector, then I'd want (most assuredly Rob Farver too) a low-slope INSIDE CORNER 3x3 brick, which also doesn't exist, because that is the piece that would give a low-slope gable connector a reason to (...) (26 years ago, 24-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Low Corner Slopes in Roof Parts Packs? —Mark Koesel

(...) It was always my understanding that the reason that roof pieces have a lip (i.e. the small vertical edge before the slope starts) was to provide a standard way, independent of slope angle, to keep the interior side of the slope from "crashing (...) (26 years ago, 24-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Low Corner Slopes in Roof Parts Packs? —James Brown

(...) ^^^...^^^ (...) Rob (...) because (...) exist (...) Yup, I said that first, I just neglected to use accepted terminology :) I'm not sure that the concave (or inside corner, if you prefer) would give enough area to attach to a stud at the (...) (26 years ago, 24-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Low Corner Slopes in Roof Parts Packs? —Robert Farver

(...) by adding a 1x3 slope to each side) it would increase attachable area, and stabilize the piece. This could also be done with the medium slope (increase to 3x3 with 1x2 slope area added to each side.) Of course, If they went and did all of the (...) (26 years ago, 24-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Steep Corner Slopes. —Gary R. Istok

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Now that we've analyzed the Low Corner Slopes, how about Steep Corner Slopes. Granted Steep Slopes don't come in Service Packs (too bad), and are therefore much much scarcer (...) (26 years ago, 25-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Steep Corner Slopes. —James Brown

(...) Yup! I was/am working on a keep that has one side going down into water, and the steep slopes work great as a flared base, except that it looks kinda funny where it meets in the corner. :-( How am I ever going to realize (one of) my dreams - (...) (26 years ago, 25-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Steep Corner Slopes. —Jasper Janssen

(...) De Haar? The Dutch castle? Wow.. You must be the first non-Dutch person I've heard of that knows it exists... Jasper (26 years ago, 26-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Low Corner Slopes in Roof Parts Packs? —Larry Pieniazek

<36D449DD.58F405FA@umich.edu> <F7oAsz.C6z@lugnet.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit (...) I'll just use logic. Consider the convex... if it works, then the concave has to as well, as the edges must be (...) (26 years ago, 24-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Profit dynamics of bulk purchases —Steve Bliss

(...) Minifigs. And their accessories. Stores would stock these, I'll bet. We haven't had a minifig set for Space in quite awhile. Steve (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Profit dynamics of bulk purchases —Jesse Long

Steve Bliss wrote in message <36c9baa1.4738502@lu...et.com>... (...) Probably because they're not putting out any mini-fig sets that can't be composed of primary characters that everyone already has. Jesse ___...___ Jesse The Jolly Jingoist Looking (...) (26 years ago, 17-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Profit dynamics of bulk purchases —Mark de Kock

(...) Nah, it's probably because TLG changes the complete Space-line every (1-2)year! So they would have to change this minifigset also. But the older minifigsets were kept around for a lot more years. Ergo: in the new setup (every year completely (...) (26 years ago, 17-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Profit dynamics of bulk purchases —Todd Lehman

(...) Hee hee... Well, look at the types of packs that were being sold -- brightly colored roof bricks and rectangular bricks and small plates and trees and windows, among other things. Great stuff, I don't mean to insult it, but it's no where near (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Profit dynamics of bulk purchases —Richard Dee

On Tue, 16 Feb 1999 15:57:35 GMT, Matthew Bates uttered the following profundities... (...) Let us not forget the closure of the Brazilian factory! Even though Brazilian production would increase the distribution cost, it could presumably be started (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Larry Pieniazek

(...) I will. If you can point me to a scheme that is legal, and guaranteed to return 250 an hour for a capital investment of only 25,000 I am THERE. Only takes 100 hours to double your money at that rate. Lots of arbitrageurs make a nice living on (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mark Tarrabain

(...) But there's a federally imposed limit on the amount that you can make per year before you have to A> declare the income, and B> either have a business license or be on a payroll. This limit is not really that much per year (only about six (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Larry Pieniazek

I'm not sure what your comment about taxes has to do with my comment about arbitrage. If I can get 1% an hour consistently, I will declare the income and pay the taxes. Gladly. (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mark Tarrabain

(...) Ah, but as soon as you do that, you are making purchases on behalf of your company, and they are no longer private purchases. I was originally suggesting that TLG restrict membership of the club to private individuals only, and not allow (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Kevin Wilson

(...) 1. Having a business license does not mean being a company. You can carry on business as a sole proprietor, under your own name or a business name. 2. If you carried on business under your own name, there's no way Lego would know whether you (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Look, Larry, Todd, et al (was Re: TLG investigation and dynamics of bulk purchases) —Mark Tarrabain

</rant on> You know, I don't even care about bulk brick packages from TLG personally. A greater variety of service packs would be more than adequate as far as I'm concerned. Look, even if TLG had only the barest discount off of what you would pay (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)

Re: Look, Larry, Todd, et al (was Re: TLG investigation and dynamics of bulk purchases) —Jesse Long

Mark Tarrabain wrote in message <36C9B1D0.24C107D8@l....bc.ca>... (...) with a LEGO club (...) which can't (...) I think anything that furthers understanding (if only of people's positions) is good, even if the remaining 99% of the population has no (...) (26 years ago, 17-Feb-99, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

Re: Look, Larry, Todd, et al (was Re: TLG investigation and dynamics of bulk purchases) —Larry Pieniazek

Jesse said: (...) Agreed. The only point I was making in presenting counter arguments is that if there is a way to make easy money, sooner or later someone will find it. It doesn't matter whether you think it's moral or ethical or not. It doesn't (...) (26 years ago, 17-Feb-99, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

Re: TLG investigation —Jasper Janssen

(...) And why would having a few thousand of, say, any particular part stop the sale of sets? Anyway, if sets generally have costs /part of $.10-$.20, Why not make the bulk ordering service at $.25/piece, for the medium-hard-to-get pieces, $.50-$1 (...) (26 years ago, 15-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Jim Wissner

(...) I think the point here is largely mute, since (call me cynical) even if TLG beefs up its offering of parts for club members, it seems to me very unlikely that they would make available each piece currently in production. So it simply wouldn't (...) (26 years ago, 15-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Bulk purchases —Todd Lehman

(...) It wouldn't (and that wasn't the implication). The question was a rhetorical one, in response to Mark Tarrabain's comment "Further, there could be little incentive for a person to purchase from any individuals who were to try this because they (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —David Till

(...) Exactly, bulk parts are unlikely to be economically viable for TLG, especially if they were cheaper than sets on a per piece basis. Bulk parts should demand a premium which those building huge models (castles) would be willing to pay in order (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Steve Scott

Jasper Janssen wrote in message <36c8a217.6212706@lu...et.com>... (...) Because presently, if you want a thousand of a particular piece the only way to get them is to buy umteen sets (4x2 bricks etc excluded). Donning my devil's advocate hat again (...) (26 years ago, 16-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mike Stanley

(...) When you get a little order you'll learn that companies don't stay in business by selling products at cost, even to valued customers. :) (26 years ago, 14-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Mark de Kock

(...) Wow! AND you read Lugnet too? (...) Don't know any real-life clubs, but I think of Lugnet as a GlobalLegoClub (...) Probably more than 1000 readers. Todd ? (...) Start making good, solid, nice models and sets again. Even if you keep making (...) (26 years ago, 15-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Todd Lehman

(...) It's impossible to know for sure, but I'd suppose there are somewhere between 1,500 and 3,000 total readers, all things considered (that is, lurkers and overlap between known sets of people due to multiple e-mail addresses). Some details: ~700 (...) (26 years ago, 15-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation —Steve Bliss

(...) Hi, Jeroen! (...) Way cool. (...) Umm, as has been frequently mentioned, bulk part orders would be great. (...) Depends. If part of the sign-up is that TLG has greater freedom to use the ideas, concepts, models, etc. expressed by club members, (...) (26 years ago, 15-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

TLG investigation 1st answers —Jeroen Ottens

Hi everybody, Thanks (again) for your overwhelming responses. I have had over 100 responses within 4 days and still counting... A lot of questions have been asked, most of them I can't answer unfortunately. All questions regarding comments to be (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —David Blomberg

Hi Jeroen- I'm a parent. My main focus in purchasing Legos has been to purchase sets for my son. His sets span Town, Adventurers, Wild West, UFOs. He saves his allowance (for up to half a year) to purchase sets on his own, or he receives them for (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Mark Benz

Dave, I agree with you completely. Wonderful post. Mark (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Jesse Long

Mark Benz wrote in message <36CDC9BB.ED3E6867@u...le.com>... (...) Can you guys snip the content if all you're going to do is tack on a "me too" please? No one likes to download an 8Kb "me too." Thanks, Jesse ___...___ Jesse The Jolly Jingoist (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Todd Lehman

(...) Jeroen, I think this (lugnet.general) is a good place. If it starts taking up too much of your time to read this general group, however, or if other people at LEGO Futura would like to join in or follow along and really turn this into an (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Jason Miles

(...) Lego may develop for kids, not adults, but Lego still spent the time, money, and other resources to make us Lego Maniacs when we were kids. It doesn't seem to make much sense to give up on a valued customer just because they reach a certain (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Tamyra Teed

<snipped a bunch of stuff> From the below.. you mention one thing I don't agree with... <more snipped> (...) I don't believe that to be true in the least.. if I had more purchasing power than an adult.. I'd have a BSB and SES.. and 20 or 30 of each (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Fredrik Glöckner

(...) For a lot of people, this is true. A lot of people seem to complain about the lack of basic bricks, and also the use of decorated/specialized bricks that are only good for very special uses. However, some people also think that many old sets (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Eric Brok

Just want add one perspective to the dumbing-down debate. To my preference, not all toys *should* appeal to *all* kids (let alone adults). Kids have different talents. This means some talented 7-year olds may be able to build the Technic Space (...) (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Steve Bliss

(...) Or the good ones (ie, master lovers of the brick) all retired. But I suspect marketing pressure (particularly the push to shorter time-to-market, shorter product cycles, more products in market, and (oh, yeah!) the push to appeal to (...) (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Todd Lehman

(...) I wonder what effect this has on the designers who are still there. The saddest thing of all would be to see a great designer quit in frustration and be replaced by an average designer who is more interested in designing sets which please the (...) (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Matthew Bates

(...) Don't forget, almost every single AFOL is a fan because they played with Lego when they were a kid. The stunning success of Mindstorms suggests that Lego aimed at adults (unintentionally in this case) will be very successful. Adults need to (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Uwe Ritzmann

Hi Jeroen, (...) [snip] (...) There is not that big a difference between kids and adults as you or your market research department might think, IMHO. (...) So what's that supposed to mean? The human race develops by thousands of years. IMHO kids are (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Mike Stanley

(...) I know you won't be able to provide numbers to us, but I'd be curious to see how the newer Jr-ish style of sets sell in comparison to the older sets which were, unarguably, of better quality. As for "kids have developed as well" - if by that (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Jesse Long

Mike Stanley wrote in message ... (...) Now there's a scientific study waiting to happen: can monkeys put together lego sets if given the instructions? Jesse ___...___ Jesse The Jolly Jingoist Looking for answers? Read the rec.toys.lego FAQ! (URL) (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Jeremy H. Sproat

(...) I'd be curious to see what would happen, given an infinite amount of monkeys, with only Town Jr. sets, if they could produce a diarama of all of Shakespeare's works. The Air Force could even donate a few, since they're retiring their Space (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.off-topic.fun)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Jesse Long

Sproaticus wrote in message <36CDCE31.DC36231D@g...es.com>... (...) After further consideration, I think that exposing monkeys to Town Jr. would fall under cruelty to animals. Jesse ___...___ Jesse The Jolly Jingoist Looking for answers? Read the (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.off-topic.fun)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Tom Stangl

(...) Ah, but you've BOUGHT other MT sets - 2 5571s at least. Granted, they were on clearance, but TLG still got paid for them. And every MT set you buy for parts STILL gets money to TLG. So I would think you would be FOR MT sets, if for nothing (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Mike Stanley

(...) Well, sure, given TLG's current anti-builder/anti-AFOL stance on parts packs and bulk orders, I recognize that MT sets are sometimes good for parts. I'm much rather just buy the parts, though. I agree wholeheartedly with what you said in (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Duane Hess

(...) I don't collect Model Team, so this does not help me. I am a Space/Town junky so this would not be a good direction for me. (...) I think it would be a good thing to re-release old sets, but I won't hold my breath. I can't see the logistics of (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Mark Benz

Hi Duane, Someone once said: It is a wise man that knows when the gorilla of life has eaten all of his bananas, It is a fool who expects to be left the peels. Such is life in the late 90's WRT nintendo. Mark (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Alex Wetmore

Jeroen Ottens <ottens@get2net.dk> wrote in message news:01be5bf5$c3413b...@ottens... (...) through (...) good (...) I haven't bought any MT sets, even when I've seen great deals (like 5591 for $80ish at Zany Brainy). I like the idea of MT, but would (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —James Brown

(...) I think that would be great! I really hope that this semi-official discussion can lead to something more official - even just an official statement that AFOL's _exist_ would be light years ahead of anything to-date. (...) We understand that, (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Matthew Bates

(...) a (...) Actually, that's a good point, I am not just an AFOL, I am very much an ADVOCATE of LEGO, so ignoring the fact that I spend $1000's on LEGO for myself, I also... 1. Buy it for my sons, they have Primo, Duplo and Toolo and now some (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Jeff Stembel

(...) I'm not a collector, but I buy older sets because of the fantastic models they have, especially compared to much of the current line. Re-release of older sets is not as big on our lists as new sets with the same quality as the '80s line-up. I (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Jim Wissner

Hello all, Re: Model Team/Technic Love (and frequently buy) both of them. Re: old set re-releases No, I don't like the newer sets as much as I like the older sets. But there are many things for which I prefer older to newer, not just Lego. For (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Matthew Bates

(...) I think you might be mistaking 'bitterness' for a pent up desire for many people here to express their feelings to Lego, and someone just opened a crack in the door. Do you expect us to sit here on our hands and not say anything that might be (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Jim Wissner

(...) enemies (...) Of course I don't expect that. I stated "bitterness in tone". What I meant was that some of this frustration with TLG, much of which - please make no mistake - is clearly justified, could come across better if it were phrased in (...) (26 years ago, 19-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Mike Stanley

(...) Well, whether we come across as all sweetness and nice or as a bunch of crazed lunatics, the pessimist in me thinks it will have the same effect - little to none. In fact, I'm so confident in my pessimism that I'd be willing to bet a dozen (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Larry Pieniazek

No bet unless you're offering odds. I'd take it at 12 to 1, though. (...) (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Mike Stanley

(...) Well, I might put up 12 to your 1 but I couldn't put up 144 to your 12. Well, I could, but that would leave me with too few on the off chance that I lost, which I wouldn't, but still. (26 years ago, 23-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Larry Pieniazek

(...) I don't have 12 myself so that's what I meant... It would just be an ordinary silver one, though, not the special silver that John Neal gave me, that came in a jewelry case. (...) (26 years ago, 23-Feb-99, to lugnet.off-topic.fun)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Kim Toll

<preach> I agree here and wanted to comment on the same. Most responses have been polite and constructive, but several have been rather cruel. Jeroen has taken on a huge task here. Seeing the flavor of some of these comments could give you an idea (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Mike Stanley

(...) Employed - yes. Healthy - not at the moment. Yes, Lego is a toy. But it isn't JUST anything. I don't spend thousands of dollars each year on things that aren't important to me. So yeah, since I've seen it decline quality-wise in the relatively (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Anders Isaksson

Mike Stanley skrev i meddelandet ... (...) Mike, don't forget - for You, the _building_ is the thing, for kids, _playing_ is the greater part. OK, my oldest boy (11), really liked to put 8880 (Supercar) together, and the alternate model too. It took (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Steve Bliss

(...) But Anders, if the *playing* is the important part, then why don't we just buy pre-built, ready-to-go toys for our kids? They're sturdier, usually; cheaper, just about always; have more functionality, without a doubt. If my kids want to play (...) (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Cindy Salwen

(...) For my children, playing and building are totally intertwined. While they are building with legos, or creating a big "setup" with playmobil (1), they talk constantly about what they are planning to do when they finish and how much fun it will (...) (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Playing and building (Was: TLG investigation 1st answers) —Jacob Sparre Andersen

Anders Isaksson (isaksson.etuna@REMO...tninet.se) wrote: (...) And Anders Isaksson replied: (...) It is my experience that both building and playing is important (and it seems to be most fun when you play the minifigs are building). [...] (...) So (...) (26 years ago, 31-Mar-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Jesse Long

Mike Stanley wrote in message ... (...) Amen. Unfortunately, the economy is too good for poor business practices to be punished too much. Jesse ___...___ Jesse The Jolly Jingoist Looking for answers? Read the rec.toys.lego FAQ! (URL) in Deja News! (...) (26 years ago, 23-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Larry Pieniazek

(...) Right. BUT, to work the car analogy a bit more: Both Chrysler and Ford are bringing out new models that recapture some of what the older models had. The Prowler is a huge flashback to the hotrods of the 50s. The PT Cruiser harks back to prewar (...) (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Scott Edward Sanburn

Amen, Larry! Scott Sanburn (...) (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Gregor Benedikt Rochow

(...) this (...) Besides these retro-models (which, as far as Lego goes, would actually be something like MT models with the Hobby-Model spoked wheels; Technic vehicles w/8860 tires, square pistons, and no flexible tubes; or plastic-railed trains - (...) (26 years ago, 23-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Jim Wissner

(...) this (...) Fair enough. You make a good point. I knew (well, suspected) somehow or another that the car anology wouldn't hold up, but my point is that I personally think it may be better to look forward than look back. To me the nostalgic (...) (26 years ago, 23-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Larry Pieniazek

(...) Not true!!!!! If you're an adult and you like LEGO, you're an AFOL. That is ALL it means. We must NOT be exclusionary. I in no way meant to imply that because you disagree with me you're not. Really. Please do keep posting as time permits. (...) (26 years ago, 23-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Tom McDonald

(...) <snip> (...) Thanks for listening. I realize that you might not get anywhere with this back at work, but I definitely appreciate the effort. I have been watching a bit and decided it was time to chime in. (...) I have a question about this: if (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Richard Dee

On Sat, 20 Feb 1999 02:46:13 GMT, Tom McDonald uttered the following profundities... (...) An MT set. Say that again. That is what a set with many large, preformed, specialised pieces is! Empty! Uninspiring, lacking in design and function. (Not (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Jeroen Ottens

Hi everybody, It seems I have forgotten one point on the list: - AFOL's spend their money on auctions instead of TLG products. Please remember, I am only a designer at Futura. I am not a high placed marketing guy. It will take me loads of effort to (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Todd Lehman

(...) I think a statement like that could be read the wrong way out of context. AFOLs in general do spend a large portion of their LEGO budgets on new TLG retail products, but a growing percentage are resorting to spending money in fan-to-fan (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Jeroen Ottens

Todd Lehman <lehman@javanet.com> wrote in article <snip> (...) numbers (...) older (...) the (...) appeal (...) and (...) Maybe I don't have to add the fifth point at all. It seems to me that if Lego would provide a bulk piece ordering service, (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Todd Lehman

(...) That is probably the case, yes, so long as increasing the set design level meant producing things that adults actually take a widespread liking to. Designing sets that adults enjoy doesn't necessarily mean designing things specifically for (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Mark Tarrabain

(...) Yes, yes, yes! I had been griping about this very thing just a few weeks ago on here! I was beginning to think I was alone in that regard. Thanks for speaking up. (wow... that's two things that we've agreed on in one week! This is getting (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Tom McDonald

(...) But not entirely. Some AFOL's might participate in auctions to be theme complete, but others also do it for the parts. Some parts are no longer available at all or in the color I want. (...) It sounds like you work where I do :) We have two (...) (26 years ago, 21-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Justin Kopp

(...) Another reason is the one that gets me into and acution. Auctions are the only way I can buy that Alpha-1 Rocket Base that was discontinued when I *started* collecting, but Saw in my Catalogs and wanted...or even to get, say the old shell (...) (26 years ago, 21-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Jason Miles

(...) Yes, this is what I was trying to get at in my request for rereleasing old sets. Because some of us, although fans for years, if not decades, *still* missed some of the sets we really wanted. This is not living in the past, this is simply (...) (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —James Seibert

(...) this (...) special (...) replacement (...) instructions (...) because I (...) I believe that passage best reflects the attitude of many AFOL's. I could certainly live with those conditions because I could have access to parts that have been (...) (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Matthew Verdier

Tom McDonald wrote in message ... (...) I missed the original post where Jeroen seems to have said this. I have bought 3 or 4 sets in auctions, and perhaps over two hundred bought from stores or SAH directly. Jeroen, if you think expanding parts (...) (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Matthew Bates

(...) I have 100's of Lego sets, only about 5% came from auctions/private sales and some of those were from people who were clearing out old stock from shops. I have run a few auctions myself, but only for the purpose of purchasing more Lego! Matt (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Richard Dee

[This followup was posted to lugnet.general and a copy was sent to the cited author.] (...) Hello! Introductions and my story first.....(apologies in advance, too, as I tend to have a very disjointed writing style...) I, too, am an AFOL. My first (...) (26 years ago, 20-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —David Till

(...) From 1986 until 1996 I bought, or had bought for me one copy of each technic set available in shops. Occasionally I would also obtain other 'interesting' sets, so I would put my annual spending in the 500-1000 pounds range, and I am still in (...) (26 years ago, 25-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Tom Stangl

(...) 100? HA! I need 500-100 for one project alone, to do it justice. Thing is, that will never happen, so the project will never be 100% complete. (...) Yes, more survey cards is DEFINITELY a good idea. (26 years ago, 25-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: Jeroen, Please read this. You might be surprised by it. —Greg Bevington

(...) pretty much a kid, and I would like to see old sets brought back, and bulk orders made available. I mean, I know lots of kids who would love the old sets brought back, and bulk ordering. If you think that kids would rather have flashy sets (...) (26 years ago, 21-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Josh Spaulding

(...) I can't find fault with either of those statements, but I must point out that developing a product for kids does not require "dumbing it down." Let's use some examples. The Star Wars movies and merchandise were not generally "dumbed down," yet (...) (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Josh Spaulding

oops. (...) BETTER. I meant that the smaller pieces are BETTER in this example. Josh Spaulding (URL) (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)

Re: TLG investigation 1st answers —Steve Bliss

(...) I'd disagree, sort of. A free-standing 1x2x5 brick is stronger than a stack of 1x2x1 bricks. But a 1x20x5 wall is better when built from 1xnx1 bricks than 1x2x5 bricks. Steve (26 years ago, 22-Feb-99, to lugnet.general)