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All,
I apologize for coming anywhere close to this subject again, but I felt it was
important to share the official statement from our Corporate Communications
group regarding the Maersk ship. I think the statement is pretty clear, so I’ll
let it speak for me on this issue from this point forward.
This same statement was also posted to 1000steine’s forums, as well as the De
Bouwsteen forums.
Thanks, and again, sorry for the rehash.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Development
MAERSK ship in LEGO bricks on sale again
In early March 2005 the LEGO Group will re-launch an exclusive model of the
MAERSK SEALAND container ship that the company sold as a limited edition product
last year to A.P. Møller and via LEGO Shop At Home on the internet. The reason
for the re-launch is that A.P. Møller has requested another batch of the ships,
which the shipping company uses as gifts – at the same time enabling the LEGO
Group to sell a new consignment via LEGO Shop At Home and the company’s Brand
Retail stores. We are pleased at the level of demand and also happy that we can
once again offer consumers this exclusive ship.
The idea for the MAERSK ship originally emerged because the LEGO Group had found
itself with a supply of light blue granulate after manufacturing a MAERSK model
truck in 1997. The extra material was thus put to good use. The Company had no
plans to produce more of the ships at a later date, and LEGO Shop At Home wrote
at the time of the launch that it was consumers’ last chance to buy bricks of
that special light blue colour.
We apologise to consumers that this information has now proved incorrect. The
satisfaction of its consumers is of paramount importance to the LEGO Group. The
re-launch affords even more users the opportunity to buy the popular ship. But
we fully understand if some of those who purchased the ship last year feel that
they were misinformed. And if we receive any complaint from such a user, we
shall offer to buy the ship back.
The company has made certain minor modifications to the MAERSK SEALAND box for
its re-launch in March, distinguishing it from the original box. The new box
carries the wording “2005 Edition”, the MAERSK SEALAND logo on the side has been
adjusted, and there are a few cosmetic changes on the front.
A few obvious questions and answers:
Have you not cheated consumers – was it not dishonest marketing?
We acted in good faith. When we launched the MAERSK container ship last year, we
had no plans to manufacture more ships at a later date because we had used up
the last of the special light blue granulate – and agreed with A.P. Møller to
sell only a limited number. In retrospect, we very much regret the information
given by LEGO Shop At Home in 2004. And if any consumer complains, we shall
offer to buy the ship back from him or her.
Why have you suddenly changed your mind?
A.P. Møller has again asked us to produce a large number of ships, which the
shipping company uses as gifts – at the same time making it possible for us to
sell a new consignment via LEGO Shop At Home and the company’s Brand Retail
stores. We have chosen to accept this opportunity because it is good business
for us and because we would like to give more consumers the chance to buy this
exclusive ship.
Is this year’s ship identical to the one you sold last year?
The actual model ship will be the same as last year. But the box is slightly
different. It will show the wording “2005 Edition”, the MAERSK SEALAND logo on
the side has been adjusted, and there are a few cosmetic changes on the front.
And the stickers in the boxes are now in pre-pack bags.
(Note: The reason the stickers are now in pre-pack bags is in direct response to
consumer complaints that they received bent or folder sticker sheets. Hopefully
this new packaging will solve that issue)
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Message has 13 Replies:
 | | Re: Final Official Statement - Maersk Second Run
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| In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote: <snip> Total class. I am completely satisfied with TLG's statement WRT to the Maersk issue and salute them for their handling of this situation. I can't imagine a better response! Bravo, TLG! Play On! JOHN (20 years ago, 26-Jan-05, to lugnet.lego, FTX)
| | | Re: Final Official Statement - Maersk Second Run
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| (...) :) Somebody learned a painful lesson, sounds like. Hope the welts have healed by now. But it's clear that the notion of LEGO not listening to its customers isn't true. Like John, I also want to thank TLG for handling this in a respectful way. (...) (20 years ago, 26-Jan-05, to lugnet.lego, FTX)
| | | Re: Final Official Statement - Maersk Second Run
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| Thumbs up! It is great to see Lego and Maersk would not let a 30+ year association(1) end for such a silly thing as running out of the special color material! Now Jake - think *Maersk train* and get to suggesting ;)~ M (1) (URL) came out in 1974, 31 (...) (20 years ago, 26-Jan-05, to lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Final Official Statement - Maersk Second Run
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| (snip) Thanks for posting this, Jake. I'm hoping to be able to purchase one of these this time around, as funds were a bit too tight for the first run. Also, I, too, would be interested in knowing the fate of the dark blue container ship. -Joel (20 years ago, 26-Jan-05, to lugnet.lego, FTX)
| | | Re: Final Official Statement - Maersk Second Run
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| Not bad at all! I suppose this is as good as it can possibly get. However, this statement should have been made a bit earlier. How long could it take to come up with a press release like that? Or was the general idea to let the dust settle a bit (...) (20 years ago, 27-Jan-05, to lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Final Official Statement - Maersk Second Run
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| (...) Wow!!! I am utterly impressed. It is as if a responsible adult has come into a chaotic room full of squabbling children and restored order, reason and common sense. Everyone leaves happy. What would make me even more impressed? If the (...) (20 years ago, 27-Jan-05, to lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Final Official Statement - Maersk Second Run
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| In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote: Dear TLC, the apology and the very open explanations within the "mearsk-ship-press-release" are highly welcome and fully accepted as far as I am concerned. Thanks for listening to us AFOLs - thanks even the more for (...) (20 years ago, 27-Jan-05, to lugnet.lego, FTX)
| | | Re: Final Official Statement - Maersk Second Run
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| I'm happy, Jake. You won't hear me complain when this old, presumable discontinued color miraculously has been brought back to life. You won't hear me complain when any old, presumable discontinued color miraculously ..... :-) With friendly (...) (20 years ago, 27-Jan-05, to lugnet.lego, FTX)
| | | Re: Final Official Statement - Maersk Second Run
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| (...) This is great news. I'm not even going to read the rest of the thread since far to much discussion has been had about this issue and i don't feel like getting involved. All i an say is that i'm getting one of these when they're out. Can we (...) (20 years ago, 31-Jan-05, to lugnet.lego, FTX)
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