Subject:
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Re: Set #10021 has been spotted at Shop at Home!
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.loc.nl, lugnet.general
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Date:
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Wed, 19 Jun 2002 21:50:24 GMT
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Viewed:
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1571 times
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"Markassius" <mark.de.kock@NOSPAM.home.nl> writes:
> Alright, this flipped my switch. Now I *have* to respond :-)
> Your argument that they make new molds for all new lines is valid. But
> pleace remember that those new lines are to be sold to 'the world'. And in
> that world, there are an enormous amount of customers for TLC. Don't think
> hundreds, think millions and millions. Mostly kids, but also adults who buy
> gifts for kids.
When I was a kid, new pieces were exciting, and a big reason for
buying a set. I remember each Christmas and birthday shopping season
begging for certain sets because of the new parts, or existing parts
in new colors, that were included. I can't imagine, however, a kid
begging for a set because it has 1x1x1 windows, whether they are old
parts being brought back or a brand new part that didn't exist before.
> Now, those 1x1 windows mold would be for re-released sets. Sets that a large
> part of those millions and millions of customers will never see and/or buy.
> Why? Because:
> -they shop in stores, not at shop.lego.com
The Rebel Blockade Runner is available in stores, so this isn't
entirely relevant. An LD set *can* be made available in stores, but I
agree it's unlikely the USS Constitution will be.
> -they like the new sets better, as these are more geared towards present-day
> kids/customers (common marketing sence)
This is the key point. What possible use could there be for a 1x1
window in new sets? The old style 1x2x2 and 1x2x4 and other sizes of
windows are no longer made, so the 1x1 wouldn't have any "family" to
be used alongside of. It's just not "cool" enough to warrant use in a
new set. Can you imagine a Harry Potter or Star Wars set using this
piece? And I don't just mean using this piece, I mean *needing* it,
enough to justify the cost of creating a mold? If not, forget it.
The USS Constitution will I assume use headlight bricks, which should
work just fine. A 1x1 clear brick with printing would also work. I
haven't seen the close-up pics so I don't know for sure what it will
use.
> -the 1x1 window is way to small to be given to small(er) kids. Did you find
> any 1x1's in the newer sets? WE call it juniorised, they call it saver for
> kids. (please don't start a discussion about juniorisation here)
This is a bogus argument - there are many pieces smaller than the 1x1
window. The "headlight brick" is the same size, and there are 1x1
tiles, plates, and round plates as well. Lots of SYSTEM sets have
included those parts and continue to do so. Sure, don't let a
2-year-old anywhere near them, but the 7-12 age group has no problem
with small parts.
> Just try to remember that 'TLC must do this because WE (as in 'I') want
> this' won't work. TLC must focus on the majority of its customers and -sad
> as it may be for us- WE are NOT, nor will ever BE, the majority of TLC
> customers.
> We may be lucky if we even make 0.0001% of it.
>
> So in short: no, a company as TLC will not create new molds for just such a
> small segment of its market. Only if it is proven to be a profitable step
> for TLC will they perhaps reconsider that. And now it is up to us to prove
> that ;-)
>
> Mark -and I never studied marketing..honest- de Kock
You're right, but I think it goes farther - there isn't an ice cube's
chance in heck that it will ever be possible for us to prove that.
There just aren't enough uses for a 1x1x1 window to justify the cost.
And it isn't cool enough for *kids* to demand sets because of it.
They'd have to charge more for the finished product and that would
bring down sales. It seems to me that the number of people who will
buy the USS Constitution only if the 1x1x1 windows are included is
smaller than the number of people who will *not* buy it because the
cost is higher. And evermore will be it so.
--Bill.
--
William R Ward bill@wards.net http://www.wards.net/~bill/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMAZING BUT TRUE: There is so much sand in northern Africa that if it were
spread out it would completely cover the Sahara Desert!
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