Subject:
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Re: It's Time AFOL Take Action!
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.space
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Date:
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Sat, 8 Jan 2000 21:08:49 GMT
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Viewed:
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1074 times
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Wow! It's a brilliant summary.
It's not just the adults who appreciate the 'good old sets'. For example, I
have recently aquired a 3225 train which bucks the trend towards ever more
futuristic train models from TLG. The set appealed to me and was purchased as
a gift to my daughters who have shown scant interest in the 4559 and 4565
above the usual toy play value of an electric train.
The 3225 Classic Train (which incidently echoes the former 12v DB stuff) was a
firm favourite which a six year old and a four year old built with enthusiasm.
Later, we were running the train around the attic railway when we were visited
by a friend (boy) around the corner, also six who joined in the fun. Result -
all three kids were very passe regarding the recently bulit 4565 (plus one or
two of my creations!) and fought over the 3225 because, presumably, it appears
as a "choo-choo" train.
This set is a 'classic' in so much as it provides a basis for CREATIVE
building using the kid's imagination rather than fixed cockpit designs etc. of
the latest 1999 trains. The only thing lacking is a decent steam-outline
chassis (are you listening TLG?).
The same response was illustrated with the architecturally interesting 2150
station which overshadows virtually every lego building marketed in the last
decade (a firm favourite with visiting kida aged 9-15 over Christmas)
With the plans we have for a UK-outline model railway we would dearly love to
see TLG issue bulk packs of train windows, signals etc however there is one
fear I have should TLG start to concentrate on AFOLS....
Look at ANYTHING from 30-odd years ago which is recreated these days - psuedo
antique radios, reproduction or original toys at swap-meets and old British
motorcycles - the prices are out of this world! In fact the prices are not
reflective of the quality of the original items at all, merely the
nostalga=demand=supply level. If TLG market to adults specifically, I can see
the prices of these sets going through the roof.
My personal feeeling is that a set from 'the good old days', is far more
appealing to KIDS as well as AFOLS. I suppose it's just a case that they just
can't be all things to all men and Town Jr./Rock Raiders etc. sells to the
average (some would say ignorant!) parent. A real shame because the building
system lends itself to attractive architecture and engineering as expressed in
most of the old sets and only a few of the new.
How do we influence TLG as adult buyers? The situation is not helped by the
fact that I buy nearly all of my train stuff through specialist shops who can
sometimes obtain out-of-production stock. None of these sets turn up as
a 'demand' item on TLG stock returns so our invisibility may explain some of
the apparent indifference by TLG.
With some reservations concerning adult prices, I hope that something positive
results from all of this.
Jon Reynolsa
In lugnet.space, Patrick Leahy writes:
> In lugnet.build, Ian Sinclair writes:
> > Originally this message was about some LEGO train cars.
> >
> >
> >
> > It is time AFOL (`Adult Fans Of LEGO' for the new readers) take action
> > that prompts a change in the business practices of The Lego Group
> > (TLG).
> >
> > This message started out as a posting about some Train cars.
> >
> > Now it has turned into a crusade that requires its own thread here and
> > on Lugnet.
> >
> >
> > I want to see The LEGO Group make some long overdue changes to its
> > business practices.
> >
> > I have been buying only Mindstorms and Technic sets (including the old
> > great big ones) in the past year after leaving my dark ages because of
> > the lure of robotics. I also bought the Star Wars sets for themselves
> > and parts. All of the above sets have been great. I am very happy
> > with them, the parts, and don't regret spending the money one bit.
> >
> > I have also seen dozens and dozens of the posts complaining about the
> > new train sets, cars and town sets. But I wasn't really finding those
> > concerns with the sets I was buying.
> >
> > The use of BURPs, and the lack of more service packs and bulk block
> > sales WAS beginning to concern me as my collection and dreams of LEGO
> > heaven grew rapidly.
> >
> > But it wasn't until I bought the 1999 passenger train and started into
> > that LEGO obsession that I realized how god awful these Train and Town
> > sets are compared to their predecessors.
> >
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: It's Time AFOL Take Action!
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| (...) So you say adults aren't the only fans of classic sets? That's extremeley useful info, seriously. I wonder if it could have an effect on TLG... Z (25 years ago, 8-Jan-00, to lugnet.space)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: It's Time AFOL Take Action!
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| (...) Sorry, Ian, but the situation is beyond our control. TLG probably just thinks of AFOLs as just another small, insignificant group of customers. Chances are, they don't see us as people so much as they see us as numbers. We'll just have to wait (...) (25 years ago, 8-Jan-00, to lugnet.space)
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