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In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
> OnDrew Hartigan, 20
-I consider myself a fairly openminded individual, but this definintely falls
into the "it's been done that way forever, don't change it now" column. I think
this is the single worst move the company has EVER made, up to and including
Galidor. Sure, it won't show in the sales figures, but this is very uncool. To
replace colors like that; that's something that has never been done before.
Very. Bad. Move.
Chris Maddison, 21
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In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
[snip]
> I was one of the few whom dared to say I like the new colors, however I
> definitely agree with all of you who say they dont like them as replacements. I
> have seen plenty of new colors come to light in the last few years most of which
> I really like to use however I have far too much invested in my light and dark
> Grey to be able to over look this. Currently I have probably 4+ thousand dollars
> worth of these colors.
I'm not here for the money issue. I consider my lego as a stress reliever, not
as an investment :)
> The new colors are nice but unrealistic for sidewalks or other realistic
> objects due to their blue tint. To make things worse I am at a loss for what to
> do. Do I hoard the old colors or do I sell my current inventory and replace it
> with the new colors. So with this:
it's not that the old dark gray was realistic for the rails, but, imagine the
rails with a blue tint to them ...
as I told jake, either make them brown (the old one) or light gray (old or new),
so as to be more realistic (wood or concrete)
> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
>
> OnDrew Hartigan, 20
Amaury Jacquot, 28
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I quite agree...add all the new colors you like, but stop making the classic
colors?
Next thing you know, Ferraris won't be available in red anymore, and we'll be
changing the American flag to Orange, Bisque, and Periwinkle.
> OnDrew Hartigan, 20
> Chris Maddison, 21
Steve Coaller, 38
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Amaury Jacquot wrote:
> ... I consider my lego as a stress reliever ...
Same here.. which is ironic, considering how a lot of people are reacting.
But for just the record, I don't think getting rid of the old colors is
a good idea either. New colors are a great idea... replacing old ones
is not so good without a *REALLY* good reason (eg, some material that
may have hazard risks is used in the dye that they simply can't easily
replace with something else without changing the tint).
-- Mark Tarrabain, 39
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The color change is a great evil...come to your senses Lego and stop this
blasphemy. Get rid of this "new coke" and give me my orignial recipe. I need
it bad baby...I'm jonesin' for a fix...and those crack-dealers on bricklink are
gonna up the price on the old stuff. Stop the madness now.
> OnDrew Hartigan, 20
> Chris Maddison, 21
> Steve Coaller, 38
Keith Goldman, 30
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As I mentioned elsewhere I can't fathom why TLG thought it worthwhile to create
a severe compatibility issue just because some focus group said grey should look
more cheerful.
Not only will this cause a lot of headaches to me personally on a very practical
level (e.g. sorting and storing), but I'm also sincerely concerned this will
cause major confusion for the general audience. See
http://news.lugnet.com/general/?n=43644
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> OnDrew Hartigan, 20
> Chris Maddison, 21
> Steve Coaller, 38
> Keith Goldman, 30
Robin Sather, 38
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In lugnet.general, Robin Sather wrote:
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OnDrew Hartigan, 20
Chris Maddison, 21
Steve Coaller, 38
Keith Goldman, 30
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Robin Sather, 38
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I am in wholehearted support of this plan, but those who are interested may wish
to check out my .lego post on this topic. Matthew Jeffery, 16
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Grey is for castle walls,
Grey is for Space ships,
Grey is for Town Churches,
'new-Grey' is for inconsistency...
Don't fool yourselves TLC, Kids WILL notice and say: "Mommy look, it doesn't
match." And that's just the effect on the youth, on anyone who's over 12 the
implementation of this non-backwards compatible system will just be
frustratingly difficult.
Any change this dramatic and this sudden, without the prospects of allowing for
any old Grey colors is an inherently unstable procedure
consider you actions,
dont do something THIS dramatic, it will backfire!
In lugnet.general, Robin Sather wrote:
> > OnDrew Hartigan, 20
> > Chris Maddison, 21
> > Steve Coaller, 38
> > Keith Goldman, 30
> Robin Sather, 38
Richard Noeckel, 23
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In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
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IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
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Andrzej M. Szlaga, 24.
--
shgg.
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If you dare, write to them!!!!
As I have seen, petition runs here on LUGNET.
Many people are thrilled some way. There is also feeling of betrayal and some
craving that TLG doesn't listen to AFOL's alhough it's 5% of the market.
If you dare, spend 80 cents in international letter and write to
LEGO Danmark A/S
Consumer Services
DK-7190 Billund
Denmark, Europe
- Phone calls and e-mails are ok, but only letters have desired effect because
they are very real when lying on the office's floor.
- People in Great britain did it several times ant such a mailing action had
positive results, but we need to be united
- If you still think it's rumor - it's better to prevent it. If you think it's
too late as the production already started 1/2 a year ago - It's NEVER too late.
Write a letter to TLG and clearly state that you wish to keep the old colors
Some good reasons are here
http://news.lugnet.com/general/?n=43644
PLUS The newbies to Lego don't care, but WE do!
When everybody who cares writes to them, I hope we can change it. At least you
cannot say that you didn't try.
Robert Seifert, 25
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I've attempted to consolidate the list of names from throughout this petition
thread.
In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
The list so far: (Please forgive me if I've missed anyone!)
> OnDrew Hartigan, 20
> Amaury Jacquot, 28
> Chris Maddison, 21
> Steve Coaller, 38
> Keith Goldman, 30
> Robin Sather, 38
> Matthew Jeffery, 16
> Mark Tarrabain, 39
> Andrzej M. Szlaga, 24.
Christopher Phillips, 38
I've already commented elsewhere. Let's just say I won't be selling any of my
"extra" Sith Infiltrators any time soon, and I will resist buying sets with the
new colors (at least for awhile) in hopes that LEGO recognizes the reasons for
the 5% drop in sales when the new colors come out.
- Chris.
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> In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
> To all,
> In recent days a lot has happened regarding the color changes in the 2004
> product line. Personally I have had great trouble dealing with this suffering
> from a lack of sleep and an overly high stress level.
> I was one of the few whom dared to say I like the new colors, however I
> definitely agree with all of you who say they dont like them as
> replacements. I have seen plenty of new colors come to light in the last few
> years most of which I really like to use
> The new colors are nice but unrealistic for sidewalks or other realistic
> objects due to their blue tint.
Good point. I'll have to join Ondrew's camp, as it seems he has given this much
logical thought with supporting arguments (and not went into profane rants and
raves like some others (we can all figure out who the worst ones are). I have
not yet had a chance to see the new colors, so I have to rely on others'
comments, but this is definitely something to consider, especially in light of
all the train clubs and LUGs that helped on the Make and Create Road show, and
with all the help they have given to Lego.
>
> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
From what I've heard, Lego has a distinct pallete of X colors per year. I do
think the new colors would be great for minifig designs, though...
Someone needs to possibly reference the history of "The New Coca-Cola"...
My opinions expressed above do not reflect the view of my (second) employer.
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In lugnet.general, Chris Phillips wrote:
> I've attempted to consolidate the list of names from throughout this petition
> thread.
>
> In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
> > IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> > IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> > By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> > eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
>
> The list so far: (Please forgive me if I've missed anyone!)
Oops, I overlapped posts and missed one. (Sorry, Niels!) The consolidated
list:
OnDrew Hartigan, 20
Amaury Jacquot, 28
Chris Maddison, 21
Steve Coaller, 38
Keith Goldman, 30
Robin Sather, 38
Matthew Jeffery, 16
Mark Tarrabain, 39
Andrzej M. Szlaga, 24.
Niels Karsdorp, 29
Christopher Phillips, 38
- Chris.
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I agree. James Wilson, 39
see my poll #170 on the same
matter.
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In lugnet.general, Chris Phillips wrote:
> OnDrew Hartigan, 20
> Amaury Jacquot, 28
> Chris Maddison, 21
> Steve Coaller, 38
> Keith Goldman, 30
> Robin Sather, 38
> Matthew Jeffery, 16
> Mark Tarrabain, 39
> Andrzej M. Szlaga, 24.
> Niels Karsdorp, 29
> Christopher Phillips, 38
> James Wilson, 39
Jason Spears, 24
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In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
(snip)
> I really like to use however I have far too much invested in my light and dark
> Grey to be able to over look this. Currently I have probably 4+ thousand dollars
> worth of these colors.
>
> The new colors are nice but unrealistic for sidewalks or other realistic
> objects due to their blue tint.
(snip)
Ya know, anyone with $4000 worth of the now-so-called "muddy" grey parts oughtta
be able to build any sized sidewalk they wanted to. And Jake's mentioned a
prospect of parts packs in the old colors, too. Between that and Bricklink,
everyone interested in obtaining a gargantuan amassal will still have plenty.
If anything, any and all changes thus just increase the value of old sets/parts;
from the standpoint of collectors/traders, this is good news in otherwise
stagnant times for the market (especially for Space!). And from the standpoint
of builders, it means there's gonna be new colors out there to play with.
That's good too.
One more thing. It's a well-known fact, given by Lego reps themselves at LUG
meetings, etc. (or so I have read in the transcriptions), that we AFOLs make up
something like 1% of their market. So let it be known that even if we all hated
it and stopped buying new product, it's my admittedly pessimistic opinion that
our 1% would PALE compared to a probable INCREASE of sales that introducing
"newer, brighter colors," along with a big, shiny marketing campaign, would do.
So while I'm usually all for speaking out against oppression, no matter what the
odds, whaddya say we choose our battles? Wait until they change all the
mini-figures or something else REALLY hideous before drawing up paperwork and
mounting a mutiny/boycott/whatever? :o)
--Dave
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In lugnet.general, Dave Lovelace wrote:
|
One more thing. Its a well-known fact, given by Lego reps themselves at LUG
meetings, etc. (or so I have read in the transcriptions), that we AFOLs make
up something like 1% of their market. So let it be known that even if we all
hated it and stopped buying new product, its my admittedly pessimistic
opinion that our 1% would PALE compared to a probable INCREASE of sales that
introducing newer, brighter colors, along with a big, shiny marketing
campaign, would do.
|
A big, shiny marketing campaign isnt going to happen here. LEGO will just
start putting the new colors into sets, and hope people dont notice that the
parts dont match their existing collection of pieces.
Here on LUGNET where some of the AFOLs hang out, its big news - we notice when
LEGO changes something like this, because were passionate about our favorite
toy. The average Mom or Dad buying a kit for the average kid probably never
notices something like this.
And yea, we recognize that when LEGO brings out a new color we buy it. Heck, I
bought 20 of the original Trick or Treat bucket the first few days they were
on the shelf, just for the orange bricks. I bought several hundred dollars
worth of Sand Red bulk bricks when they first showed up in the Shop @ Home
catalog. When McDonalds had a Happy Meal set with the dark pink pieces I got
40 of them. I just bought fifty copies of the #4400 tub, with all the
different colors of bricks. We know that new colors are a good thing. Were
upset that LEGO is taking away a classic color that has been a staple of
collections for many years!
Bright & Sharp Jake says. Maybe LEGO should just mold nothing but fluorescent
colors, and forget anything that looks even remotely like the colors in the real
world.
And yea, put me down as being against this change. Ive got around 300,000
bricks at home, Ive been playing with LEGO toys for over 35 years...
JohnG, GMLTC
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In lugnet.general, Jason Spears wrote:
> In lugnet.general, Chris Phillips wrote:
>
> > OnDrew Hartigan, 20
> > Amaury Jacquot, 28
> > Chris Maddison, 21
> > Steve Coaller, 38
> > Keith Goldman, 30
> > Robin Sather, 38
> > Matthew Jeffery, 16
> > Mark Tarrabain, 39
> > Andrzej M. Szlaga, 24.
> > Niels Karsdorp, 29
> > Christopher Phillips, 38
> > James Wilson, 39
> Jason Spears, 24
Jeramy Spurgeon, 27
The only logic I can see in all of this is that TLG is TRYING to match the
colors of MegaBloks. It has been the sruggle for MB with their inferior
plastics to match LEGO in quality and color, and now LEGO takes a step down and
helps the competition??? Let's only hope that they don't decide that ABS plastic
is "too" shiny or that they start designing models that only have two pieces!!
Jeramy
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In lugnet.general, Chris Maddison wrote:
> In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
>
> > OnDrew Hartigan, 20
>
> -I consider myself a fairly openminded individual, but this definintely falls
> into the "it's been done that way forever, don't change it now" column. I think
> this is the single worst move the company has EVER made, up to and including
> Galidor. Sure, it won't show in the sales figures, but this is very uncool. To
> replace colors like that; that's something that has never been done before.
>
> Very. Bad. Move.
> Chris Maddison, 21
What Chris said :(
Make sure you fill out a petition!
http://members.lugnet.com/polls/results/?n=170
Anne Henmi (formerally Carasik), 29
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The four of us in our very LEGO household use mass quantities of light gray and
dark gray - we buy more bulk bricks and plates in these two colors than all
others combined. Changing them will certainly affect us a lot! (Annoy is a
better word. And I will have to build and find space for storage systems for two
additional shades -- along with the myria other minor shades now appearing).
This particular instance of a change reminds me of the New Coke debacle. Why on
earth change something that works? Case studies (and the "Pepsi challenge")
showed that by the teasponful, people preferred sweeter Pepsi to Coke, so Coke
went sweeter. But by the glass, Coke drinkers prefer Coke to Pepsi. This is
similar. Those of us who have purchased (invested, if you like) in large amounts
of existing shades are going to have that supply and the MOCs built with them
rendered incompatible (also read as "old-fashioned" and "devalued") if we can no
longer build matching structures (speaking from an LTC point of view). One of
the beauties of the "LEGO system" is that it works across time and even
generations. Switching shades on basic colors will tarnish that.
We certainly don't like this move.
(There was a lot to be said for fleshing out the basic color palette, but the
recent explosion of colors IMHO is not a good thing for serious builders because
even in the days of basic primary colors only, only a small number of
element/color combinations were available. The drastic increase in color
possibilities means that huge numbers of permutations will go unmade and make it
ever harder for builders who use more than 10 (like 100 or 1000 or 10,000) of
something to get their hands on them in a particular color.
Used to be one could pick out a third party brand brick by its "off shade"
color. Not any more!
-Ted Michon
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To TLG:
Please don't permanently change the light and dark grey colors. I *like* the
muddiness. Who responded to this anyway in the market research? Parents of
children? Kids themselves? They don't buy bulk amounts of the two colors of
grey....rather they focus on the occasional set. The original dark grey is far
more appealing than the new 'bluish' dark grey, and the new color is too
'metallic' to be used as concrete, walls, and other details. If you wish to
create a new colorline, that's fine, but don't take away two of our accepted
base colors.
Please note that the new greys look like Megablok grey from the dragon sets.
You are not differentiating your colors enough, which is bad from a marketing
perspective. And yes, colors is one of the quality features that have
differentiated you. Ask any AFOL.
Also, there has been talk from Lego Direct about the possiblility of classic
space legends. Let's make this clear: Classic space legend sets with the new
light grey will not be appreciated as much as you hope. It's one thing to no
longer have certain part molds (moulds?), but placing two virtually identical
sets (legend and original) side by side with the different colors would be
horrific. I also don't like how this is going to raise the prices of the
original light and dark grey in the after market business, and you may find that
you have trouble selling the two new colors in bulk to the people who buy it the
most (AFOLs).
Respectfully yours,
Trevor Pruden, age 29
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In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
> To all,
> In recent days a lot has happened regarding the color changes in the 2004
> product line. >
>
>
Changing the color of light grey Lego components is like removing the
cornerstone in a building. Children care little about the exact shade of a color
and a lot about the shape and content of parts offered. They are more interested
in the creativity and inspiration of individual kits as well as themes. However,
Lego hobbyists from adolescents to adults have spent years and hundreds or
thousands of dollars building their collections. Now they find a significant
portion of their collection outdated! Having tripled my collection in the last
year almost exclusively in light gray find myself with the ladder.
I'm seriously disillusioned with TLC most recent marketing choices!What will the
hobbyist lose in 05? The mini-fig to be replaced by some larger more articulated
action figure????
Vote Now for Classic Gray!
Ryan Rubino 37
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In lugnet.general, Ted Michon wrote:
<snip>
> Used to be one could pick out a third party brand brick by its "off shade"
> color. Not any more!
Thats funny you should mention that. Yesterday I held a building session at my
son's school. And during the clean up I noticed a 2x4 MegaBlock brick that was
the schools. The teacher seemed surprised that out of the thousands of bricks on
the floor I was able to notice the off-brand element that got mixed in the pile.
I tried to explain that it wasn't that hard since the color of the brick was not
a LEGO color. Like Ted said these trick is becoming harder and harder to do now
days with so many new LEGO colors, it's hard to keep up. But it's fun trying.
jt
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Count me in amongst people COMPLETELY AGAINST this color replacement.
This is the WORST move in Lego history, yes even worse then Galidor.
Stephane Simard
Owner of approx. 65000 Lego parts
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I wish they won't do that! I haven't seen the new colors, but I don't care!
Like many others, I have thousands of parts in the "old" colors and I wouldn't
feel very good about having to change those parts because they don't fit anymore
with the new ones...
If TLG agrees to send me al the parts I own in the new colors, then, I won't
mind, but I doubt they will even read my letter to the end if I ask them that!
Terry
26 y.o.
Québec
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Greg Muri, 32
The corporate marketing speech that Jake posted is a total crock. I will
not be purchasing any new sets that contain these colors. Honestly I am
still unsure if I will continue Lego as a hobby at all.
TLG did such a wonderful job getting back to grass roots creativity over the
last year. Moves like this and the introduction of a new Galidor line will
successfully negate that progress in my opinion. Wise up, even the children
that enjoy Lego aren't stupid enough to believe this change is reasonable.
"OnDrew Hartigan" <roj2323@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:HoL3K6.1Czr@lugnet.com...
> To all,
> In recent days a lot has happened regarding the color changes in the 2004
> product line. Personally I have had great trouble dealing with this suffering
> from a lack of sleep and an overly high stress level.
>
> I was one of the few whom dared to say I like the new colors, however I
> definitely agree with all of you who say they don't like them as replacements. I
> have seen plenty of new colors come to light in the last few years most of which
> I really like to use however I have far too much invested in my light and dark
> Grey to be able to over look this. Currently I have probably 4+ thousand dollars
> worth of these colors.
>
> The new colors are nice but unrealistic for sidewalks or other realistic
> objects due to their blue tint. To make things worse I am at a loss for what to
> do. Do I hoard the old colors or do I sell my current inventory and replace it
> with the new colors. So with this:
>
> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make it's way to the Lego Company it's self.
>
> OnDrew Hartigan, 20
>
> P.s. please delete any unnecessary text when replying. Thank you
>
>
>
>
>
>
> My opinions expressed above may not necessarily reflect the view of my
employer.
|
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In lugnet.general, Jeramy Spurgeon wrote:
> In lugnet.general, Jason Spears wrote:
> > In lugnet.general, Chris Phillips wrote:
> >
> > > OnDrew Hartigan, 20
> > > Amaury Jacquot, 28
> > > Chris Maddison, 21
> > > Steve Coaller, 38
> > > Keith Goldman, 30
> > > Robin Sather, 38
> > > Matthew Jeffery, 16
> > > Mark Tarrabain, 39
> > > Andrzej M. Szlaga, 24.
> > > Niels Karsdorp, 29
> > > Christopher Phillips, 38
> > > James Wilson, 39
> > > Jason Spears, 24
> > > Jeramy Spurgeon, 27
I'll cast in my lot as well...
Still too stunned to really comment...
John Rudy, 18
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jeramy spurgeon wrote:
> The only logic I can see in all of this is that TLG is TRYING to match the
> colors of MegaBloks. It has been the sruggle for MB with their inferior
> plastics to match LEGO in quality and color, and now LEGO takes a step down and
> helps the competition???
Okay... plenty of words from the adult section of LUGNET, allow me to
repeat the expressions of one of my children with whom I have talked
about this issue.
My son, btw, is 17 now, and has been a *HUGE* LEGO fan for about a
decade. It was he who reintroduced me about 6 years ago to loving LEGO
in my now evidently advancing years. I told him about the color change,
and I advised him of the possibility of the change in stud shape when I
had read the first post about the subject here. And you know what he
said to me?
Colors don't matter to him one jot. He builds with what he has, and the
point for him is just to have fun, not to be pedantic about the issue.
That said, however, he absolutely _LOATHES_ MB's... and he has made
his feelings and reasons on this matter plain to me as well. But his
distaste for them rests solely on the fact that MB's just don't hold
together as well as LEGO blocks do. If MB's had as good interblock
cohesion as LEGO, he'd be just fine mixing and matching them (oooh, I
hear gasps of horror already). But of course, they don't... LEGO makes
a better quality product, and that is what has produced a brand loyalty
in him that I have no doubt will continue into the years when he has
kids of his own.
>> Mark
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In lugnet.general, Mark Tarrabain wrote:
> My son, btw, is 17 now, and has been a *HUGE* LEGO fan for about a
> decade. It was he who reintroduced me about 6 years ago to loving LEGO
> in my now evidently advancing years. I told him about the color change,
> and I advised him of the possibility of the change in stud shape when I
> had read the first post about the subject here. And you know what he
> said to me?
>
> Colors don't matter to him one jot. He builds with what he has, and the
> point for him is just to have fun, not to be pedantic about the issue.
I've observed this in my children, too. And, if Lego's target audience doesn't
care, then it just makes the decision to change the color just that much more
inane...
Mark
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In lugnet.general, Ryan Rubino wrote:
|
Im seriously disillusioned with TLC most recent marketing choices!What will
the hobbyist lose in 05? The mini-fig to be replaced by some larger more
articulated action figure????
|
Why wait until 2005? Here are the new castle figures we heard so much about:
Isnt that great! I bet they did a lot of market research on this decision too.
Wow, I just love TLC. They make such great stuff.
-- Hop-Frog
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In lugnet.general, Richard Marchetti wrote:
|
Isnt that great! I bet they did a lot of market research on this decision
too. Wow, I just love TLC. They make such great stuff.
|
Edit: I know its bad form to reply to oneself, but I wanted to try to respond
to the previous post in the voice of the average, emotionless, lugnet-zombie...
<delurk>
Gee, I dont know what to say to that...I think I disagree. I want to find
something positive to say about it, but I guess Im just too disappointed.
Thanks for the information, though. I kinda wish Lego would have checked with us
AFOLs first. Its probably going to lessen my interest in any new castle sets
from now on, I cant find anything to get too excited about with these new
figures.
If TLC is going to switch the castle theme to the new kind of figure, will there
be a warning on the box indicating the use of the new figure? Will there be
accessory packs of the older castle minifigures available from S@H? Are you
going to phase them in slowly, or is there a cut off point? Could we have the
internal tracking code numbers so that we know whats inside the box before
tearing it open?
I wish I could apply boolean logic to what Im feeling in order to come up with
something more positive to say about this change. I dunno...I guess Ill just go
back to hiding under my rock now...
</delurk>
-- Richard
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In lugnet.general, Ryan Rubino wrote:
|
snippage
Children care little about the exact shade of a color and a lot about the
shape and content of parts offered. They are more interested
in the creativity and inspiration of individual kits as well as themes.
more snippage
|
Think about what it means when your colors dont match any more. I expounded
more on it here, but I think this
shows a fundamental shift at LEGO, away from creativity (i.e., dump all your
sets together and build something) and toward set-building (build it and keep
it built). And it makes me sad.
James Wilson
Dallas, TX
Lugnet Member #1783
LEGO user since 1970, maybe earlier...
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In lugnet.general, James Wilson wrote:
|
In lugnet.general, Ryan Rubino wrote:
|
snippage
Children care little about the exact shade of a color and a lot about the
shape and content of parts offered. They are more interested
in the creativity and inspiration of individual kits as well as themes.
more snippage
|
Think about what it means when your colors dont match any more.
|
As Ryan noted... kids may not care at all about this, much less even notice it.
|
I expounded
more on it here, but I think this
shows a fundamental shift at LEGO, away from creativity (i.e., dump all
your sets together and build something) and toward set-building (build it
and keep it built).
|
Then how do you explain the Designer Sets? They were resoundly declared by the
community as a positive shift back toward the core values of creativity.
Im not saying the color thingy is a good thingy... but just that it may
actually fit in with some of the companys recent positive changes. We may not
like all aspects of all of the changes, but we really are getting better sets
this last 18 months or so. And from what Ive heard the Make and Create
philosophy is a long-term strategy, not a see what happens for a while
approach. Lets hope that the changes integrate in the end to make a system
were all more or less happy with.
All the best,
Allan B.
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IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
IDEA, PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
eventually make its way to the Lego Company itself.
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Seth McCarus, 26
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> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
Ken Koleda, 39
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In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
> To all,
> In recent days a lot has happened regarding the color changes in the 2004
> product line. Personally I have had great trouble dealing with this suffering
> from a lack of sleep and an overly high stress level.
>
> I was one of the few whom dared to say I like the new colors, however I
> definitely agree with all of you who say they dont like them as replacements. I
> have seen plenty of new colors come to light in the last few years most of which
> I really like to use however I have far too much invested in my light and dark
> Grey to be able to over look this. Currently I have probably 4+ thousand dollars
> worth of these colors.
>
> The new colors are nice but unrealistic for sidewalks or other realistic
> objects due to their blue tint. To make things worse I am at a loss for what to
> do. Do I hoard the old colors or do I sell my current inventory and replace it
> with the new colors. So with this:
>
> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
>
> OnDrew Hartigan, 20
Count me in,
At least, LEGO should have made a POLL of some kind for their faithful and loyal
consumers to vote for such a change...
Yes, we might move on, but also we should not accept every thing that LEGO throw
at us..
Remember, when a lot of us fought that juniorization issue so hard, It made LEGO
to do some math and go back to it's roots again, the results are some decent
sets and models in the last two years... The consumer has voice you know..
It's a color change for something that has been used for decades. Do you know
how many people got used to and LOVED these colors through out the time ?
Countless..
Well, if the old colors were toxic, unavailable or unfeasible I understand...
But change it just because they are dull or cosmetically unfit in the eyes of
the beholders (in this case TLC), I totally disagree and thank God there are
tons of people like me.. And since we ARE the spending consumers who buy this
product, at least we are entitled to elect such a change.. The poll that I've
mentioned above could have been as simple as yes or no answers.. Oh well..
Joseph Kazmo, 31
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In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
<snip>
> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
<snip>
I agree. Keep the old colors.
Jason Ellis - 28
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Soren Roberts, 18.
This is not good. Not good at all.
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> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
Matt Chiles, 32
I was considering entering a dark age as far as buying new sets since I already
have more Lego than anyone needs. This will push me into it. :(
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Bob Hayes, 39
I AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD IDEA.
I just bought the new mini Star Destroyer set nice little set, nice new colors,
but I want the old light grey and dark grey!
I would be happy with just the old light grey!
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In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
I've explained my feelings elsewhere. But two things i didn't mention i will do
for sure:
1. Write to Lego telling about my disliking of color change;
2. STOP buying sets with this new colours. Oddly enough, i think i'll check
Peeron first. Or just stick to 3033 set for a while and go Sculptures.
Paulo Renato, 33
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I'll add my name to the list:
Tim Courtney, 21
I called Consumer Affairs today to voice my extreme dissatisfaction about this
as well. I'm not overly optimistic any of this will change what is, but we'll
see.
-Tim
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Add me to the list.
Jamie Neufeld,28
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Hey,
do you remember someone who stockpiled Coke in 1985?
I had a neighbor whose parents complained of migraines if they didn't get their
bottle of Coke. So, prior to the switchover to Coke II the garage was stuffed to
the gills with Coke, so that the Delorean didn't fit inside. (Actually the
Delorean was later, but it was nice to recall.)
Go get them gray bricks and blue tubs... park yer Delorean on the street.
From an article:
Coca-Cola consumers were asked a long series of questions about what their
reactions to such a change would be. Would you be upset? Would you try the
new drink? Would you switch brands immediately? "We estimated from the
response that 10%-12% of exclusive Coke drinkers would be upset, and that half
of those would get over it, but half wouldn't."
http://members.lycos.co.uk/thomassheils/newcoke.htm
Not that I believe it's analogous.
-Erik
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Add me to the list of people not-so-happy with a possible replacemnt of grays.
> > OnDrew Hartigan, 20
> > Chris Maddison, 21
> > Steve Coaller, 38
> > Keith Goldman, 30
> > Robin Sather, 38
> > Richard Noeckel, 23
Jeff Reuland, 47 (wow, 47!)
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In lugnet.general, Jamie Neufeld wrote:
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Add me to the list.
Jamie Neufeld,28
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Me too.
John Henry Kruer, 14
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In lugnet.general, Eric Brok wrote:
> As I mentioned elsewhere I can't fathom why TLG thought it worthwhile to create
> a severe compatibility issue just because some focus group said grey should look
> more cheerful. -snip-
> See
> http://news.lugnet.com/general/?n=43644
I have read your posting and agree to a certain level, Eric.
But in this petition, you forgot to write down your age...
Another Erik -who will now sign the petition himself-
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In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
> -snip-
> So with this:
>
> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
OK, add me to the list:
Erik Boons from Holland, almost 32
"Come on people, we need at least a few thousand more!"
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I guess we gave up on inline replying long ago, oh well.
Might I suggest some new nomenclature for the new colors? Something we need
to think about when creating a name standard to call the new colors is that the
name needs to be as short as possible (preferably 1 word) while at the same time
being clear as to exactly which shade it's refering to.
As someone mentioned before (don't remember the name), the new light gray
looks like "ashes". Therefore:
NEW LIGHT GRAY = "ASH"
The new dark gray has a blue tint as compared to regular dark gray. We
could go with something like "gun metal gray" or "blue gray," but a single word
is always best. Let's take the word "blue" and mix it with "gray." Therefore:
NEW DARK GRAY = "BLAY"
The 2 grays are getting the most publicity, but let's not forget that all
important brown. Gray does get used quite a bit more than brown, so brown
sometimes seems to be a "number two" color in recent posts. Not many people are
even "dropping" hints that the change in brown will affect them. Instead they
"dump" all their attention on the change in the grays. Therefore:
NEW BROWN = "POOP"
Yeah, I know--I added my 3¢ instead of 2¢.
David "Fuzzy" Gregory
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In lugnet.general, David Gregory wrote:
> David "Fuzzy" Gregory
Oops, forgot my age in that post. I'm 26. (and I would've been just as upset
at the color change if it had happened when I was a kid.)
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In lugnet.general, David Gregory wrote:
Yeah! Wrong move Lego.
Paul Thomas
SPLTC
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In lugnet.general, Richard Marchetti wrote:
> In lugnet.general, Ryan Rubino wrote:
> > I'm seriously disillusioned with TLC most recent marketing choices!What will
> > the hobbyist lose in 05? The mini-fig to be replaced by some larger more
> > articulated action figure????
>
> Why wait until 2005? Here are the new castle figures we heard so much about:
>
> <<http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Griggy55/Set-images/knights.jpg>>
>
> Isn't that great! I bet they did a lot of market research on this decision
> too. Wow, I just love TLC. They make such great stuff.
These knights aren't a replacement for the castle theme. We haven't heard much,
if anything, about castle figures in 2004. If you are referring to what Brad
said at Lego World there simply was not "much" there at all. Nothing that could
be referred to as the "new castle figures we heard so much about".
In the 2003 holiday catalog we have no fewer than 8 major castle sets available
for purchase.
4709, 4730, 4729, 4728, 10039, 10000, 3739, 7419
In addition to those you have 4719, 4726, 10066, 4731, 4735, 7413, 7418, 7412,
and 7417 which are all filled with castle pieces of all sorts. Has there been a
year in the past when there were so many castle sets available at the same time?
The Galidor Knights will either succeed or fail. The Galidor line failed. It
didn't stop TLC from producing 10029, 7470, 10123, 4483, all the world city
sets, 4094, 4099, 4101, 8455, 4403, 4402, 4404, or 4400. 2003 is arguably the
best year for LEGO sets in a very long time.
John Hansen
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Adrian Egli, 34 (in about a week)
I just want to pass along a little story-
It was 1979 and (I believe) I went to a K-Mart not far from my home to buy space
set #452 Mobile Tracking Station (http://guide.lugnet.com/set/452_1) and when
I got it I discovered I just got my first light gray 2x4 brick. I had light
gray in other sizes but not in a 2x4! I remember saying This is COOL!!!
(heck, I was 8 yrs old).
Twenty three years later I was able to build this:
Twenty three years of stocking up of light gray 2x4s and, like many others, I
still think I dont have enough.
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In lugnet.general, Adrian Egli wrote:
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Twenty three years of stocking up of light gray 2x4s and, like many others, I
still think I dont have enough.
|
Be honest, Adrian! Twenty three years from now you will still be saying the
same thing! (as will I:-)
If TLCs motto is Only the best is good enough, our motto is only more is
enough;-)
JOHN
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In lugnet.general, John Neal wrote:
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In lugnet.general, Adrian Egli wrote:
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Twenty three years of stocking up of light gray 2x4s and, like many others,
I still think I dont have enough.
|
Be honest, Adrian! Twenty three years from now you will still be saying
the same thing! (as will I:-)
If TLCs motto is Only the best is good enough, our motto is only more is
enough;-)
JOHN
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Mmmmmmm....
More LEGO....
Gaaghghghhhhghhhhh....
(Homer Simpson Drool)
When folks(1) say, Dont you have enough LEGO????
What??? Are they kidding me?? Never have enuf LEGO :)
Dave K
1- family, friends, fellow workers, acquaintances, govt officials, people met
on the streets... etc
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In lugnet.general, John Neal wrote:
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In lugnet.general, Adrian Egli wrote:
|
Twenty three years of stocking up of light gray 2x4s and, like many others,
I still think I dont have enough.
|
Be honest, Adrian! Twenty three years from now you will still be saying
the same thing! (as will I:-)
If TLCs motto is Only the best is good enough, our motto is only more is
enough;-)
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As a good friend, Im happy to suggest
this set as a great source of 2x4 bricks.
Im sure youll be eager to purchase many copies!
Dave!
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In lugnet.general, Dave Schuler wrote:
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In lugnet.general, John Neal wrote:
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In lugnet.general, Adrian Egli wrote:
|
Twenty three years of stocking up of light gray 2x4s and, like many others,
I still think I dont have enough.
|
Be honest, Adrian! Twenty three years from now you will still be saying
the same thing! (as will I:-)
If TLCs motto is Only the best is good enough, our motto is only more is
enough;-)
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As a good friend, Im happy to suggest
this set as a great source of 2x4 bricks.
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All you do is give, Dave!
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Im sure youll be eager to purchase many copies!
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Caveats? ;-)
JOHN
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In lugnet.general, David Koudys wrote:
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More LEGO....
Gaaghghghhhhghhhhh....
(Homer Simpson Drool)
|
Perhaps we need an FAQ dealing with the issue of drool stains on bricks? (I know
I have this problem with my dark red collection;-)
JOHN
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In lugnet.general, Dave Lovelace wrote:
> If anything, any and all changes thus just increase the value of old sets/parts;
> from the standpoint of collectors/traders, this is good news in otherwise
> stagnant times for the market (especially for Space!). And from the standpoint
> of builders, it means there's gonna be new colors out there to play with.
> That's good too.
Of course its a good thing for collectors - they can charge more for the parts,
and tout their collection as being more valuable. That's great, if you're
selfish. But, if you just want to keep building in your favorite colors, and
don't have a lot of money to spend on over-inflated secondhand parts, it sucks.
Increasing the value of old sets is only a good thing for those who are out to
make money off of this hobby. For people who want to build and truly enjoy it,
its bad news.
You also miss the point - the issue isn't the addition of new colors (that's
great!), the issue is the discontinuation of classic colors which are staples to
builders.
I can only hope that the parents will be upset about the color change as well,
and consider it a change in the quality and consistency for which LEGO is known.
That way, they will call and complain as well. While its not a life and death
issue, it is a big one for those who love to build with LEGO bricks.
-Tim
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In lugnet.general, Dave Schuler wrote:
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As a good friend, Im happy to suggest
this set as a great source of 2x4 bricks.
Im sure youll be eager to purchase many copies!
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Hey look, the MB marketing department is at it again. Beating that dead horse.
-Jason
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In lugnet.general, Dave Schuler wrote:
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As a good friend, Im happy to suggest
this set as a great source of 2x4 bricks.
Im sure youll be eager to purchase many copies!
Dave!
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MB?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!!!!
I want my bridges to hold up, not fall down.
Adr.
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In lugnet.general, Jason Spears wrote:
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In lugnet.general, Dave Schuler wrote:
|
As a good friend, Im happy to suggest
this set as a great source of 2x4 bricks.
Im sure youll be eager to purchase many copies!
|
Hey look, the MB marketing department is at it again. Beating that dead
horse.
|
Never underestimate the competition. I happen to think that competitiors such
as Mega-Bloks and the other (legal) clones are good for AFOLs. They keep
TLC on their toes, and that is a Good Thing®. That is the free market in
action.
Im just thankful that there are people who would actually buy the ohter
stuff, and so I think we should show more respect to our resident clonehead,
Dave!
JOHN
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In lugnet.general, John Neal wrote:
|
In lugnet.general, Jason Spears wrote:
|
Hey look, the MB marketing department is at it again. Beating that dead
horse.
|
Never underestimate the competition. I happen to think that competitiors
such as Mega-Bloks and the other (legal) clones are good for AFOLs. They
keep TLC on their toes, and that is a Good Thing®. That is the free market
in action.
|
I agree that having competitors is a good thing.
|
Im just thankful that there are people who would actually buy the ohter
stuff, and so I think we should show more respect to our resident clonehead,
Dave!
|
What I object to is the constant posting of the same old stuff. Hey! MB is
great! It seems everytime Dave or Rich gets a chance to promote MB, there they
are tooting that horn. Hey! MB is great! Thats what I find irritating. A
little here and there might be fine.
-Jason
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In lugnet.general, Adrian Egli wrote:
|
In lugnet.general, Dave Schuler wrote:
|
As a good friend, Im happy to suggest
this set as a great source of 2x4 bricks.
Im sure youll be eager to purchase many copies!
Dave!
|
MB?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!!!!
I want my bridges to hold up, not fall down.
Adr.
|
Please see here
If your only complaint is the quality of cohesion then this is no longer a real
issue with Mega Bloks. If you are insistent on LEGO brand just for the sake of
the name than I respect that. For the record I do not mix the huge amount of
LEGO with the small amount of MB I own. (Although with the replacement of LEGO
grey and the resulting mottled color look that will occur, I am starting to
think I might as well, talk about a sorting headache. Most of my MB is grey
whereas most of my LEGO is not grey, although I still have more LEGO grey than
MB grey.)
-Mike Petrucelli
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In lugnet.general, Jason Spears wrote:
|
What I object to is the constant posting of the same old stuff. Hey! MB is
great! It seems everytime Dave or Rich gets a chance to promote MB, there
they are tooting that horn. Hey! MB is great! Thats what I find
irritating. A little here and there might be fine.
|
Well, the obvious suggestion is that you not read my posts, since youve
correctly identified my opinion re MEGA BLOKS.
And lets be fair. My post was a rather obvious jest meant for John, an avowed
clone-shunner. Anyway, I usually only post my MEGA BLOKS are great messages
in the wake of a spate of posts declaring MEGA BLOKS are garbage, or something
similar...
Besides which, MEGA BLOKS are great!
Dave!
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In lugnet.general, Mike Petrucelli wrote:
|
If your only complaint is the quality of cohesion then this is no longer a
real issue with Mega Bloks. If you are insistent on LEGO brand just for the
sake of the name than I respect that.
|
Its brand loyality and 30+ years of doing business with LEGO (never a dark
age). I still hear stories from many friends who have had troubles with MB. So
I figure Why spend my money on something people say is starting to work when
Ive been using a product that has and continues to work for me for over 30
years?
Adr.
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In lugnet.general, Adrian Egli wrote:
|
In lugnet.general, Mike Petrucelli wrote:
|
If your only complaint is the quality of cohesion then this is no longer a
real issue with Mega Bloks. If you are insistent on LEGO brand just for the
sake of the name than I respect that.
|
Its brand loyality and 30+ years of doing business with LEGO (never a dark
age). I still hear stories from many friends who have had troubles with MB.
So I figure Why spend my money on something people say is starting to work
when Ive been using a product that has and continues to work for me for over
30 years?
Adr.
|
Fair enough. I used to think that way, and admittedly I still have a strong
brand preference for LEGO, but those MB navy ships were too much to pass up
IMHO.
I personally feel the main LEGO company is a boat teetering on the edge of a
waterfall and the thin rope of LEGO direct is trying to pull them back. This
make the last 20 years of my lifelong collection worth of grey obsolete is
just another kick in the teeth from the guy on the boat that thinks there is
something besides ruin at the bottom of the waterfall. My anger at the latest
corporate stupidity on the part of the Company is becuase I do not want them to
fail. I have had parents tell me they do not buy kids LEGO stuff becuase there
are no good sets like when they were kids. When I tell them the best stuff LEGO
makes is only available directly from LEGO they typically wonder aloud if the
company wants to go out of buisness. Mark my words, there will be two groups of
average consumers. One will be the people who think they got a bad batch because
the colors dont match and then be astounded to learn it was intentional. The
other will be those that dont care at all because they dont know the
difference between LEGO and Mega Bloks and are used to seeing color variations
because of the mix of brands. LEGO used to stand for unsurpassed quality and be
the one true brand. Frankly I dont think it has since the late 90s.
Juniorization started it all, and despite the best efforts of LEGO direct they
seem to continue down the path of ruining their namesake.
-Mike Petrucelli
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In lugnet.general, Tim Courtney wrote:
> I can only hope that the parents will be upset about the color change as well,
> and consider it a change in the quality and consistency for which LEGO is known.
As a test, I sent a friend of mine a copy of the picture of the greys that
started off this whole topic, minus the "old" and "new" labels. This friend is
NOT an AFOL, just a regular, average parent/consumer...he played with LEGO as a
kid, and recently purchased a Designer set for his 5-year-old son (with plans
for more for Christmas.) I'll admit, it's hard to draw conclusions from a
sample size of 1, but he's a lot closer to the typical LEGO consumer than AFOL's
(who probably number in the tens of thousands, vs. tens of millions of kids
playing with LEGO worldwide.) Incidentally, when my friend played with LEGO as
a kid, grey didn't exist yet.
I asked him which light and dark grey he thought looked best. He picked...the
new ones. He also stated that a poor color choice would probably prevent him
from buying a set, but the old greys weren't so bad to drive him to that. So if
his response is fairly typical...I guess it depends on how LEGO asked those
questions in the focus groups, but I'd bet customers really don't care that much
which grey is used. My guess is that someone high-up within LEGO (maybe at the
top?) doesn't like those old colors, and looked for an excuse to change.
Will my friend notice a color change in current sets vs. future sets? No, he'll
just think it's a new color. Like buying the newer Star Wars stuff and getting
nothing but dark red, not regular red...he doesn't have an AFOL's deep sense of
history for the product (remember, grey didn't exist when he was playing with
it,) so he won't realize he's missing something.
Now, if the pieces of the same color within a set aren't uniform in
color...that, parents would probably notice.
Doug
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In lugnet.general, Adrian Egli wrote:
|
In lugnet.general, Mike Petrucelli wrote:
|
If your only complaint is the quality of cohesion then this is no longer a
real issue with Mega Bloks. If you are insistent on LEGO brand just for the
sake of the name than I respect that.
|
Its brand loyality and 30+ years of doing business with LEGO (never a dark
age). I still hear stories from many friends who have had troubles with MB.
So I figure Why spend my money on something people say is starting to work
when Ive been using a product that has and continues to work for me for over
30 years?
|
If I may be permitted to speak on the issue of clone brands, I offer the
following: You pose a valid question, and it actually describes something quite
distinct from (and better than) pure brand loyalty, which can be self-defeating.
Your preference for LEGO seems to stem from your long history of success with
the brand, coupled with the negative reports youve received re: clones. Youre
making a deliberate decision based upon the evidence available to you. Brand
loyalty, in contrast, suggests a kind of blind, unthinking acceptance of only a
single brand, regardless of changes in quality, price, or value.
Maybe a good way to think about the question is this: can you imagine,
hypothetically, a time when MEGA BLOKS quality rises high enough, and LEGO
quality sinks low enough, that you would begin buying MEGA BLOKS in preference
to LEGO? If the answer is no, then youre probably a dedicated brand
loyalist. If the answer is yes, then you may be loyal to the brand, but
youre also a pragmatist.
By the way, MEGA BLOKS are great!
Dave!
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|
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In lugnet.general, Dave Schuler wrote:
|
Maybe a good way to think about the question is this: can you imagine,
hypothetically, a time when MEGA BLOKS quality rises high enough, and LEGO
quality sinks low enough, that you would begin buying MEGA BLOKS in
preference to LEGO? If the answer is no, then youre probably a dedicated
brand loyalist. If the answer is yes, then you may be loyal to the brand,
but youre also a pragmatist.
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Then my answer is yes ;-)
On that quality point, I know youre talking hypothetical here, but I did call
the consumer services number to do some inquiring of my own. The rep told me
that LEGO was getting calls that people were hearing rumors that LEGO was using
a lower grade of plastics and such a rumor is absolutely false.
One more note about my conversation with the rep- I did ask if she had any of
the new color of gray to compare with older ones and was told they do not at
this moment and wont untill mid December; its in another warehouse thats a
bit of a walk. The rep also sounded a bit surprised when I said light gray was
one of the colors in for the change.
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By the way, MEGA BLOKS are great!
Dave!
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To each his own.....
Adr.
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In lugnet.general, Douglas Brod wrote:
> I asked him which light and dark grey he thought looked best. He picked...the
> new ones.
This is like when Coke found that people really did prefer Pepsi in blind taste
tests.
Lots of surprises here:
http://members.lycos.co.uk/thomassheils/newcoke.htm
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>
> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
>
> OnDrew Hartigan, 20
>
> P.s. please delete any unnecessary text when replying. Thank you
Please add Aaron F. West age 30,
father of three children and advocate of coffee tables featuring LEGO bricks.
I'd like to add my voice to this. I have purchased nearly 400,000 LEGO building
bricks since I first came to love the building toy. Mainly I buy for the earth
tones that LEGO has been producing up until 2003 because the are realistic and
represent fantasy creations very well. Now I hear, and see in my 2004 Star Wars
set puchases these horribly over-bright no-longer-earth tones. I honestly
cannot find a reason to do anything other than sabotage/boycott LEGO for this
clear contempt of their consumers.
If LEGO keeps this as the way of the future, they have no toy value because
their toy is based upon a compatable SYSTEM in which everything works together.
I am absoultely furious that LEGO would do this. THis is far worse than
Hasbro's recent corrected mistake in doing away with o-rings on GI Joe figures
back in 2002. Crap, if Hasbro can see the light and fix their mistake, LEGO
should be able to do the same. If not, don't buy their product, ever.
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In lugnet.general, Aaron West wrote:
>
> ...they are realistic and
> represent fantasy creations very well...
For some reason that struck me as an odd statement :)
o well.
Add my name to the list as well. Allister McLaren - Age 34, and breeding a crop
of little Lego fans. (2 and counting)
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Ondrew,
Count me in. TLG should definately go back to the old colors. Changing
standard colors like this severly undermines the part interchangeability which
is the cornerstone of the Lego system.
- Brian Williams, age 27
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I AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD IDEA.
Ralph Döring, 32
I really liked the introduction of very light grey in the LEGO mosaic. Why
didnt TLG use it in any other sets ? Or did I miss them ? With more shades of
grey Ill be able to build spaceships with a more used look. Im looking forward
to the new greys but I really grieve about the loss of my old favourite color.
About 60% of my LEGOs are old-grey. ->dö
The Light of the Grey
One Color to rule them all!
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Count me in. Christian Allred, 28. New colours are fine, but PLEASE don't
replace old standards!
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In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
> To all,
> In recent days a lot has happened regarding the color changes in the 2004
> product line. Personally I have had great trouble dealing with this suffering
> from a lack of sleep and an overly high stress level.
>
> I was one of the few whom dared to say I like the new colors, however I
> definitely agree with all of you who say they dont like them as replacements. I
> have seen plenty of new colors come to light in the last few years most of which
> I really like to use however I have far too much invested in my light and dark
> Grey to be able to over look this. Currently I have probably 4+ thousand dollars
> worth of these colors.
>
> The new colors are nice but unrealistic for sidewalks or other realistic
> objects due to their blue tint. To make things worse I am at a loss for what to
> do. Do I hoard the old colors or do I sell my current inventory and replace it
> with the new colors. So with this:
>
> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
>
> OnDrew Hartigan, 20
>
> P.s. please delete any unnecessary text when replying. Thank you
>
>
>
>
>
>
> My opinions expressed above may not necessarily reflect the view of my employer.
I'm 28... woopdee really, but what about if we convert our eyes to black and
white? ;) that could solve loads of problems :D
Mel
(sometimes, ya just gotta 'ave fun)
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In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
I agree with this. Not so much for the investment factor, but because I think if
the old colours were good until now then they are good, period. There's a use
for all of the shades...
Pedro Silva (aged 21)
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Joseph Kazmo <darkkazmo@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:HoMGxz.11EJ@lugnet.com...
> Well, if the old colors were toxic, unavailable or unfeasible I understand...
> But change it just because they are dull or cosmetically unfit in the eyes of
> the beholders (in this case TLC), I totally disagree and thank God there
are
...
Whatever next?
Discontinue black, for being too dark?
Stop making bright red, for being too bright?
Grey should be dull.
Black should be dark.
Gold should be shiny.
Brown should be muddy.
Now don't get me wrong. I have nothing against the introduction of new
colours, and am looking forward to getting my hands on the new greys. Just
think of the weathered effect you could create on a
spaceship/castle/cliff-face with a greater variety of greys.
The problem I have is with the SUDDEN phasing out of the classic earth
colours.
As others have pointed out, the new colours are too bright/too blue to
effectively represent concrete etc. on their own.
Will all future x-large baseplates be ashen coloured, and harbours be
gun-metal?
What about the next run of orient-expedition elephants?
How will the Legoland Modelmakers handle repairs to multi-million piece
models when they can no longer colour-match the bricks?
David Till, 27
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> How will the Legoland Modelmakers handle repairs to multi-million piece
> models when they can no longer colour-match the bricks?
>
> David Till, 27
Legoland builders can still get Maersk Blue. If they do go through with this
we'll be paying 50 cents a brick on Bricklink and they wont even notice.-Ken
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I don't mind new colors but I really don't like changing existing ones. It
screws everything up! The point of collecting something is to continue adding to
it, not having to start over again. I'm 21, and have been collecting Lego for 16
years. And I say: Keep the colors the way they are.
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Michael Bosch, 29. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
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I agree that the new colors are great, but replacing current colors is a bad
idea.
Age: 30
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Hello!
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IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
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I disagree that new colours are a great idea, at least in general. Im getting
confused by all those new colours available in only few parts. I completely
agree, though, that replacing old colours with new colours is a bad idea.
Honestly, I doubt that TLC will care about this petition at all. THEY are the
experts who know what they do, WE are just fan(atic)s playing with toys that are
meant for children and we do not have the faintest idea what is good for us, let
alone what is good for TLC. WE do not have many many years of experience with
plasic bricks, WE do not know how one can combine them in a reasonable way, WE
do never speak with parents and children who are not exactly satisfied with what
LEGO offers to them. WE are not a free advertising machine for TLC, buying the
advertising material from them and making propaganda for them by showing the
world on conventions, events, exhibitions what great a toy LEGO can be. WE do
not replace the totally boring and inapproriate brand name Duplo, that nobody
ever was able to memorise for 30 years, with this great and completely unique
name Explore that everybody at first glance identifies with a colourful toy
for little children. WE are not the experts. So why are THEY supposed to care
for OUR opinion? WE are on the wooden way, not THEM. WE do not love LEGO as much
as THEY do.
Johannes Koehler, 26
Lugnet member 693
My models at BrickShelf
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In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
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The new colors are nice but unrealistic for sidewalks or other realistic
objects due to their blue tint. To make things worse I am at a loss for what
to do. Do I hoard the old colors or do I sell my current inventory and replace
it with the new colors.
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I recommend we drum up media attention, like what happened when Crayola changed
their crayon colors a few years ago. Hows this for a headline:
LEGO replaces classic Gray and Dark Gray colors with Ash and Gunmetal.
In a cost cutting move to switch plastic suppliers, LEGO has done away with
their old grey bricks, which featured a warm tint that blended well with
landscapes and castles, and has switched to a cool, anticeptic hue perfect for
capturing the brutal inhumanity of the Star Wars Imperial Empire.
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In lugnet.general, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
I am 35 and have no clue what you are talking about but I can still say that
color change is BAD. I too have way too much invested in my existing colors and
changes would likely result in my just giving up LEGO for good.
-paul
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I just got my first two sets with the new colors. While they are nice
improvements, I must say that it does cause a problem with the bricks that I
already have. I wish I just had 4000+ dollars of the old colors. I have a lot
more. So probably I will keep two different inventories of the extra parts. I
also might add that if something works, don't change it. Perhaps that is the
reason there was a change. Lego has had a hard time in the past few years
turning a profit. Hard to believe that have lost money. Maybe they think that
this will be a quick fix. Galidor had to cost the company money, Clits are
going nowhere, and the basketball and hockey themes are having a poor response.
Bionicle is all that is keeping their head above water for for the first time in
a few years.
John P "956"
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In lugnet.general, John Patterson wrote:
[snip]
> Galidor had to cost the company money, Clits are
I'd speculate the same here.
> going nowhere, and the basketball and hockey themes are having a poor response.
> Bionicle is all that is keeping their head above water for for the first time in
> a few years.
> John P "956"
I don't know where you're getting your info from. From everything I've seen,
both Clikits and NBA are popular series. I believe they are successful lines for
the company. Clikits are big movers at the Woodfield store where I work. Also,
reference this article:
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20031126005027&newsLang=en
-Tim
Disclaimer: My views are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my
employer.
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In lugnet.general, Eric Brok wrote:
> As I mentioned elsewhere I can't fathom why TLG thought it worthwhile to create
> a severe compatibility issue just because some focus group said grey should look
> more cheerful.
> Not only will this cause a lot of headaches to me personally on a very practical
> level (e.g. sorting and storing), but I'm also sincerely concerned this will
> cause major confusion for the general audience. See
> http://news.lugnet.com/general/?n=43644
For the record: my age is 36.
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snip
> IF YOU AGREE THAT NEW COLORS ARE GREAT BUT REPLACING CURRENT COLORS IS A BAD
> IDEA, PLEASE REPOND TO THIS WITH YOUR AGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
> By responding to this post you are adding your name to a petition that will
> eventually make its way to the Lego Company its self.
Add my name. Mike Kollross, 32.
As an AFOL I have been a champion for toy I thought could do no wrong (Galidor,
ect aside). Apart from the odd product line I have supported Lego and sung its
praises at Train shows and mall shows ect. I interact with literally thousands
of people a year on Lego, and not just other AFOLs. I will use these
oppertunities to voice my displeasure with Lego over the elimination of basic
colors and urge others to voice their cocern. Either through a written letter,
a phone call or voting with their wallet.
Mike
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