LEGO Direct : 2421


LEGO Company / LEGO Direct / 2421

Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Marc Nelson, Jr.

And another thing... Why is there so much secrecy surrounding any information coming from LEGO? It's like dealing with the NSA. Examples: #1: The recent "Train Summit". All of the particiapants were required to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Why? (...) (23 years ago, 5-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Lawrence Wilkes

"Marc Nelson Jr." <manjr@bricksonthebrain.com> wrote in message news:GCvF8n.60F@lugnet.com... (...) It's (...) Of course, the worse thing you can do if you suspect someone of secret dealings is to expose them. Don't be surprised if the next time (...) (23 years ago, 5-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Paul Davidson

Heh, hilarious post. :) -- Paul Davidson Lawrence Wilkes <lawrence@thewilkesf...rve.co.uk> wrote in message news:GCvG3K.7Bn@lugnet.com... (...) LEGO? (...) (23 years ago, 6-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —

Tomas Clark

(...) Well, there are probably three questions that need answering: 1. Why all the "secrecy?" Because the subjects in question -- whether they're products, services, websites, or whatever -- are not ready to be announced to the public yet. There are (...) (23 years ago, 5-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Marc Nelson, Jr.

(...) I guess I still don't get it. I'm trying to think of an example of how LEGO letting us know about something would hurt you. I mean, LEGO really doesn't have any competition (MegaBloks can only compete on price), so it's not like somebody would (...) (23 years ago, 5-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Tom Stangl

(...) Then you're extremely naive. MegaBloks IS competition (as AFOLs have seen other parents buy MB time and time again simply BECAUSE it is cheaper), and if they see a mockup and then get a model to market faster (which they probably could, since (...) (23 years ago, 5-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Marc Nelson, Jr.

(...) see a (...) That is totally bogus. What if MegaBloks had found out from one of the summiteers about the upcoming bulk trains? What could they have done about it? Rush a whole series of trains and track out to their worldwide online store? (...) (23 years ago, 5-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Santosh Bhat

In lugnet.lego.direct, Marc Nelson, Jr. writes: <snip> Just do what I've done and give up. Lose faith in Lego being a company about toys, values, or children being creative. They are merely a corporation producing a product for consumption. They've (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Dave Schuler

In lugnet.lego.direct, Tom Stangl writes:>> I guess I still don't get it. I'm trying to think of an example of how LEGO (...) I defy you to point to a single MegaBloks product (other than basic brick design itself, of course) that so closely mirrors (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Tony Priestman

On Mon, 7 May 2001, Dave Schuler (<GCz263.2B8@lugnet.com>) wrote at 15:39:38 (...) You may have to think slightly out of the box for this one, but have you looked at Playmobil themes recently? They have excellent Castles, Pirates, Space and (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Dave Schuler

(...) Good point, though I've never personally favored Playmobil. Are they considered direct competition of LEGO, other than in a nebulous "if my money goes here, it can't go there" sort of way? They don't strike me as construction toys, though I (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Thomas Main

(...) Unfortunately, from what I've seen in the past...there does seem to be a lot of stealing of ideas among toy companies. Even more unfortunately, I have seen a lot of LEGO designs that seemed remarkably similar to already produced Playmobil (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Steve Bliss

(...) No, it's just typical behaviour for a large company. It has little or nothing to do with their specific product. Heck, these days, it's not just big companies. Everybody wants an NDA. I've heard stories that in some areas, it's not uncommon (...) (23 years ago, 8-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Cary Clark

The last time I visited Silicon Valley, I signed an NDA to have lunch with friends. It's no joke. Cary "Steve Bliss" <steve.bliss@home.com> wrote in message (...) result (...) the (...) No, it's just typical behaviour for a large company. It has (...) (23 years ago, 8-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Tony Priestman

On Mon, 7 May 2001, Dave Schuler (<GCzFvv.E86@lugnet.com>) wrote at 20:35:55 (...) I can't really say much myself, as pretty much the only toy I pay any attention to is LEGO. But I noticed the uncanny similarities while cruising the isles at TRU (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Jeff Thompson

(...) I do consider Playmobil to be a major competitor of LEGO's, in terms of idea space if not in terms of marketshare, and there certainly is a lot of similarity between certain Playmobil themes and LEGO themes. I think the "borrowing" may go both (...) (23 years ago, 14-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Ka-On Lee

(...) I can think of some examples. E.g. number of sale of the Y-Wing+Tie set would be reduced if we know ahead that a cheaper mini-fig set will include Darth Vader. The same applies for the C3PO in Millenium Falcon and Droid Escape. LEGO sets are (...) (23 years ago, 5-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Richard Marchetti

(...) To my mind, TLC should not be stressing the uniqueness of items at all -- but rather their modularity and ability to be used interchangably in an overall systematic scheme of a construction toy. My problem is that they claim to be doing one (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Sheree Rosenkrantz

(...) Exactly! On one hand there is the official promotion of Lego as a great tool for the expression of and the development of a person's imagination. TLC is happy to hold up talented, creative, successful individuals as role models who talk about (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —James Brown

(...) Simple answer: It breaks the process, and it's unnecessary duplication. (more complex) 99% of the time, S@H Europe is dealing with Europeans who want things delivered to Europe. Ditto the other distribution centers. Because they spend 99% of (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Larry Pieniazek

(...) Well said. I get grouchy too. I wonder how many people who wanted to pay shipping costs would be willing to pay the extra costs of the out of band processing too. Here's a slightly relevant factoid.. the average US company pays well north of (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Marc Nelson, Jr.

(...) So... Efficient: UK S@H pays someone to pull a bunch of service packs and box them up for shipment to the U.S. LEGO pays for these things to be shipped over to Connecticut. U.S. S@H pays someone to receive the shipment, enter it into the (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Marc Nelson, Jr.

(...) I asked what that reason was (for not shipping outside territories) and got the answer at the top from Tomas Clark, basically, "that's not the way we do things", which is no answer at all as far as I'm concerned. I got a more detailed answer (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Tony Priestman

Marc, I'm getting bored now. On Mon, 7 May 2001, Marc Nelson Jr. (<GCyJ93.Cuy@lugnet.com>) wrote at 08:51:03 (...) TLC doesn't have to tell you anything. Your question is like me asking you how you clean your teeth. It's just a thing you do. As a (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Marc Nelson, Jr.

(...) You're bored? I have to listen to the endless drumbeat of "like it or lump it", "you should feel lucky LEGO sells us anything" talk. (...) A company not satisfying its customers is doing something wrong. (...) This is a great case in point. (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Lindsay Frederick Braun

(...) I think that's a bit of an absolutist portrayal, don't you? The point is that people have been trying to explain *why* it is the way it is, not trying to defend it or say it's necessarily the right way of doing something, given infinite time (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Lawrence Wilkes

"Mr L F Braun" <braunli1@pilot.msu.edu> wrote in message news:GCz2Du.2xw@lugnet.com... (...) How can a company that is losing money be satisfying its customers? regards lawrence (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —James Brown

(...) Bad management, poor processes, resistance to change, non-understanding of market forces, sheer bad luck... there's lots and lots of reasons for a company to be losing money even while keeping customers happy. Heck, I was pretty darn happy (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Lawrence Wilkes

"James Brown" <galliard@shades-of-night.com> wrote in message news:GCz419.7AF@lugnet.com... (...) Yes. And producing duff products is another. regards lawrence (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Larry Pieniazek

(...) Here's one way... give the stuff away for free. Instant money loser, very happy customers. (did I hear an internet bubble popping in the background?) Or were you asking a serious question? There are thousands of ways to satisfy customers and (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Lawrence Wilkes

"Larry Pieniazek" <lpieniazek@mercator.com> wrote in message news:GCz5o4.B4H@lugnet.com... (...) background?) (...) customers (...) The point is though, that Lego does none of those tricks. It is a traditional, conservative company that tries to (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —James Simpson

(...) I've become a bit concerned by the shrinking Lego shelf-space phenomenon. I was in a K-Mart recently that had no Lego at all (and yes, it did have the competitors.) Recently, I've been in several KBs that had a disturbingly small amount of (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Mike Petrucelli

(...) was (...) small (...) bread- (...) hasn't (...) Funny? The KB I work for not only has the Chrome Castle sets but also just got the Women's Soccer Team in. Just FYI. -Mike Petrucelli (23 years ago, 11-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Tony Priestman

On Mon, 7 May 2001, Lawrence Wilkes (<GCz3rq.6q7@lugnet.com>) wrote at 16:15:36 (...) Selling service packs too cheaply in the wrong marketplace? :-) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Larry Pieniazek

(...) I thought you said you read the Cluetrain Manifesto? I had a chance to hear one of the authors and one point he made in his talk is that companies can, and should, choose which customers to satisfy and which to write off as not being a good (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Lawrence Wilkes

"Larry Pieniazek" <lpieniazek@mercator.com> wrote in message news:GCz3rD.6L8@lugnet.com... (...) TLC (...) more (...) the way things are going with lego products, soon the rarity will be a brick with studs on it. :-) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Why all the dumping? Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —James Brown

(...) Why is that that whenever someone isn't actively attacking LEGO and deriding everything they do, they get accused of being some kind of cheerleading, banner-waving drone? It really gets under my skin sometimes. Someone out there bitches about (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.general)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Aaron West

(...) Understandable, to be sure. But, remember that we are a bunch of junkies for LEGO product. Posts revealing "Holy Grail" material of sorts drives us stark-raving-CRAZY!!!!! You might as well through raw meat to dogs, it'd be the same (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Aaron West

SNIP! You might as well through raw meat to dogs, it'd be (...) SNIP! I meant "throw". Really. Aaron (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Aaron West

(...) If it helps any, I spoke with customer service and the annoymous rep told me that the Castle System has been a top producer (and VERY popular) for them for some time, and that it is highly likely that the US/general market will see some nice (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Suzanne D. Rich

(...) ===...=== WARNING: highly synical material to follow ===...=== Although LD should be the ones to supply the real answer, here's my theory: Because it all sounds so cool and important that way. it's exciting. If the info were truly sensitive, I (...) (23 years ago, 5-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Todd Lehman

(...) Indeed... Our Intellectual Property policy precludes us from signing NDA's with TLC. This is by design, for although we document as much as we can think of, there are still always things we've talked about but haven't documented yet publicly (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Kevin Loch

(...) cut (...) Some things are worth waithing for. This is one of them. Obviously there are reasons for keeping certain plans secret. They might want to time the release of the information to maximize it's effect on the market. There also might be (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Dave Schuler

(...) But they don't want it kept secret; if they did, they wouldn't have spilled anything to anyone. Suz hit it right on the head when she called it fan management. TLC wants to manufacture interest in something for which we have no solid (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Kevin Loch

(...) For the record, I have never signed an NDA with LEGO and I have not had any private communication with LD in a long time. KL (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Dave Schuler

(...) Noted! I didn't mean to address that part specifically to you, but I was on a roll. Dave! (one may infer from the tone of my invective that I have likewise signed no NDA nor had private communication with TLC or any of its tentacles.) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Marc Nelson, Jr.

(...) I largely agree with you and Suz about the intent of the summit. But I don't have a problem with LEGO manufacturing interest in their product. I see advertising (including posts on LUGNET, leaks, summits, etc.) as a very good thing. It gives (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Kevin Loch

(...) I doubt LD is responsible for the current rumors. They probably haven't told anyone outside of LEGO what they are planning. They most certainly told everyone else inside LEGO because that is required for production (of anything) to occur. It (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —John Neal

Kevin Loch wrote: <snip> (...) Well said! I would even go so far as to say that LD is the best thing going on in TLC right now. Even as TLC strays woefully away from the concepts which made the toy company the greatest in the world, LD is (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Lawrence Wilkes

"Kevin Loch" <kloch@opnsys.com> wrote in message news:GCyzMv.InD@lugnet.com... (...) What? You mean like I wouldnt have dreamt of e-commerce? Or they they would sell bulk bricks, which I could have done 40 years ago? Or that they might sell trains, (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Kevin Loch

(...) I can't speak for the UK experience, but here in the US the effects have been incredibly cool. Absolutely amazing actually. Somewhere in my basement I have an unopened case of 5542's that I was keeping just for the clear train glass. Now I can (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Lawrence Wilkes

"Kevin Loch" <kloch@opnsys.com> wrote in message news:GCz59A.A7o@lugnet.com... . (...) Except my point was that for a long time in Lego early history that did just that. Sold prime parts individually. Look at late 50's early 60's. I think relative (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Sheree Rosenkrantz

(...) yes, for starters, I would certainly like to buy: macaroni (URL) and (URL) ridge and valley bricks (URL) [would these be considered bulk bricks?] (URL) of painful to search set ref 2xx sheree (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Greg Perry

(...) Does this mean that you know the details of "The July Surprise"? Or is whether or not you possess that secret also a secret? You can tell us - we won't spread it around. Promise! Greg (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Kevin Loch

(...) I don't know anything about a "July Surprise". KL (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Greg Perry

(...) Whoops. My mistake. I thought that since your original remark about some things being worth waiting for followed a quote about Jimmy Parks' posting that you were providing validation to his (non)announcement. Guess we'll all just have to (...) (23 years ago, 7-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Harvey Henkelman

(...) LEGO® must remember that the customer is always right, period. -Harvey (23 years ago, 11-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Larry Pieniazek

(...) I disagree. It's not an unequivocal truth, although it has to be a guiding principle. There ARE exceptions. ++Lar (23 years ago, 11-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Mike Walsh

"Larry Pieniazek" <lpieniazek@mercator.com> wrote in message news:GD6KF3.828@lugnet.com... (...) I agree with Larry. The customer is not always right. I have seen this dozens of times with our customers. What customers do have the right to do is (...) (23 years ago, 11-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Lawrence Wilkes

"Mike Walsh" <mike_walsh@mindspring.com> wrote in message news:GD6Kwp.9JI@lugnet.com... (...) guiding (...) do (...) lose (...) more (...) Perhaps the original point would be better stated as "the market is always right" i.e. if majority of your (...) (23 years ago, 12-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Larry Pieniazek

(...) Well put. (...) Maybe. But what if most of us come to our senses and stop doing things like buying 20 garage door packs at a time? :-) (23 years ago, 12-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Richard Marchetti

(...) Well, as a fan who would enjoy having an easier time of obtaining certain elements I hope that the last part is true. Of course, we have this discussion all the time -- and if we are not having it at some point, we cycle back to it eventually. (...) (23 years ago, 12-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Rose Regner

"richard marchetti" <blueofnoon@aol.com> wrote in message news:GD8F7B.CIu@lugnet.com... (...) inability (...) any (...) I am not sure how I got into this thread, but I was a little miffed that I have 1) repeatedly voiced my desire for garage door (...) (23 years ago, 12-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Jeff Thompson

(...) There's nothing contradictory about that. What may have been a bestselling line in 1989 may have been losing container-shiploads by the mid-nineties. And this might have happened even if the design of the sets hadn't gotten progressively (...) (23 years ago, 14-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Richard Marchetti

(...) <snip> (...) Eh? You mean "tired" like bricks? "Tired" like minifigures? "Tired" like accessory parts. "Tired" like just about anything that doesn't immediately gratify or amuse one and requires active user participation and creativity...?! (...) (23 years ago, 14-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Jeff Thompson

(...) That's a nice slip into quasi-rant mode, but it's rather nonsequitor. Regardless, yes, I might wonder if bricks and minifigures are "tired" (in terms of buyer interest) since LEGO continues to juniorize their product (ie pitch them at younger (...) (23 years ago, 14-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Maggie Cambron

(...) I think it is quite pertinent, although at this point it might be more useful to ask why TLC is not producing NEW sets that supplement existing or previously popular themes. (I admit I AM biased in that I like the idea of having some pieces (...) (23 years ago, 14-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Richard Marchetti

(...) As quasi-rants tend to be...deal! (...) OMG, this same "tired" argument every time! We already know they are taking a bath on these kinds of sets, or at least the retailers are -- go check out the RR stuff on sale at TRU right now. How do I (...) (23 years ago, 14-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Jeff Thompson

(...) I'd rather not, thank you, this not being the lugnet.off-topic.deb...n-sequitor group. (...) Do me a favor and address me for the posts I make, and not for the posts that others may or may not have made in the past. I've been gone awhile, and (...) (23 years ago, 15-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Richard Marchetti

(...) I am willing to give the "sheer madness" argument more credence than yourself. But I'll allow that your reasoning could be sound up to a point. But I tend to think that TLC is quite out of touch with what consumers really want and what they (...) (23 years ago, 15-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Jeff Thompson

(...) I agree, and I had a sneaking feeling that if we compared notes we would find much congruence between our theories. Getting back to the topic of pirates, if, as you noted, Pirates sold so well at its introduction, and if, as I surmised, it (...) (23 years ago, 15-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Larry Pieniazek

(...) I hope this discussion DOES continue, you guys have found a promising new line of analysis, I think! Jeff's description of a vicious circle in product development (moving more and more in the Jr direction as the effects of previous jrization (...) (23 years ago, 15-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Richard Marchetti

(...) You're right, Larry! And you know how I hate it when that happens... =oP I had a co-worker, who shall remain nameless, who possesses this kind of short attention span. We had gone to TRU together a few times -- and while I always made for the (...) (23 years ago, 15-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Gary Istok

Richard, I couldn't have stated it any better than you in the way you lament our lack of basic building parts. You waxed poetically at the historic lack of parts available to the fans of their products. Ironically TLCs own set designers are also (...) (23 years ago, 17-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Richard Marchetti

(...) I am going from memory here, so bear with me (I will check my memory later against the source I am referring to). Earlier I had mentioned a book entitled "The Ultimate Lego Book" which was published by DK apparently with TLC's full cooperation (...) (23 years ago, 15-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Larry Pieniazek

(...) I don't have my copy of that book in front of me to confirm but this squares 100% with my memory of what it said as well. "system" is a great idea, incompletely realised as of yet... ++Lar (23 years ago, 15-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Thomas Main

(...) I think it was GKC rather than KKK that came up with the idea of a "system of play." And I think it was part of the vision for LEGO way before the early '80s. Maybe even the '60s? I think I recall that from "The World of LEGO Toys." Just the (...) (23 years ago, 15-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Mike Timm

(...) Well as I looked for this I found two places mentioning 'system' or 'system of play'. First was page twelve where it is mentioned that GKC came up with 'system of play' in or around 1954. Second mention is on page seventeen, KKK was mentioned (...) (23 years ago, 16-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)

Re: Bad Policy #2 (Why all the secrecy, LEGO Direct?) —Lawrence Wilkes

"Harvey Henkelman" <HarveyHenkelman@webtv.net> wrote in message news:GD6Gpw.n5B@lugnet.com... (...) Define 'right' The customer has the ultimate decision to accept or decline But they are often 'wrong' They buy the wrong products for the wrong (...) (23 years ago, 12-May-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)