OT: My first Mega Bloks set

[ApophisV]

Hey all,

I visited a local drug store today and suddenly I saw something scaring: they had a shelf of Mega Blok sets!!! :o

I wasn't able to resist to buy one set, I planned to do this since I heard the first time that MB will be introduced in Germany (though this would happen later this year).

On the shelf they had several sets from 2 Euro up to 15 Euro. (From the box / set sizes a similar TLC shelf had been from 7 Euro to 69 Euro)

I bought a small bag for 2 Euro, containing this tiny lobster, 50+ pieces, all basic parts.

It sure was a shock to hold those less quality bloks in my hands, but otherwise the quality isn't as bad as everybody sais. The plastic sure isn't as good as TLC's, neither the feeling, the look nor the lock of the bricks. BUT considering it is three times cheaper than LEGO, it sure is an alternative. I think I will get some sets (e.g. a jetplane for 9,99 Euro, size of a Ep.2 JSF or even bigger!), they are perfect if you plan to go on a trip and don't want to carry your precious LEGO bricks with you!

Pictures coming soon!

[ImperialJohn]

Dear Admin-group

Please exclude this member at once.

Writing like this should NOT be allowed on LEGO boards. :'(

they had a shelf of Mega Blok sets!!!  BUT considering it is three times cheaper than LEGO, it sure is an alternative. I think I will get some sets

Oh. It's you Apo. :oo Shame on you ;)

But I think you are on to something that is the real problem for LEGO!!

Parents, Grand parents, family and friends.

All looking for a good present for the boy/girl.

Finds a MB shelf and a LEGO shelf.

The one with MEGA boxes for 15

[Hobbes]

Uh-oh... everything that starts out in Germany sooner or later will arrive in Austria... :'(

[Mister Phes]

MegaBlok's diabolical plot to convert all LEGO fans to their cause appears to be working...

Mr John has illustrated how price comes before quality for those who are none the wiser on these matters, which is exemplified by Apo saying MB is an alternative to LEGO. I think my point is MB look like LEGO so the general consumer will buy them regardless of their lower quality. But we all know that so why am I repeating it?

[ApophisV]

Hobbes, think of this aspect: TLC will have to lower their prices the more succesful MB becomes!

Mr John has illustrated how price comes before quality for those who are none the wiser on these matters, which is exemplified by Apo saying MB is an alternative to LEGO.

Why should it be wiser to buy high quality toys for a high price? Mega Bloks' play value is almost the same than LEGO's, at least if you think of their "Just Build" line (similar to the Basic / Creator line).

The only difference is that the bricks have another feel.

For a 8 year old kid that want's a toy for the time where he isn't allowed to sit in front of his PC or the TV it won't really matter if the quality of his bricks is very good (not excellent, even TLC produces many low-quality parts) or just average (which means he can build with them without of fearing that his creation will fall apart immediatelly).

Surely it is "wise" to spend much money for the toy you are collecting / you are a fan of / you are obsessed of. But not everybody is an AFOL / KFOL, so they dont need to act "wise"... For them a cheap set with lots of bricks is just perfect, what need do they have to spend more money on a set with less pieces if they dont care for the quality?

[Mister Phes]

Mr John has illustrated how price comes before quality for those who are none the wiser on these matters, which is exemplified by Apo saying MB is an alternative to LEGO.

Why should it be wiser to buy high quality toys for a high price? Mega Bloks' play value is almost the same than LEGO's, at least if you think of their "Just Build" line (similar to the Basic / Creator line).

The only difference is that the bricks have another feel.

Surely it is "wise" to spend much money for the toy you are collecting / you are a fan of / you are obsessed of. But not everybody is an AFOL / KFOL, so they dont need to act "wise"... For them a cheap set with lots of bricks is just perfect, what need do they have to spend more money on a set with less pieces if they dont care for the quality?

Duuuuuuude! You appear to have answered the question very nicely indeed! I was thinking from the perspective of an obsessed AFOL.

What I meant by "none the wiser" was referring to those who don't realise how wonderful LEGO is and how it can potentially last for decades. But nobody would assume their 8 year old kiddie will care about the state of their LEGO in 20 years time of course!

:)

[SuvieD]

Mega is just not the same. They are cheap. they don't stick together like the should and the few that do are almost impossible to separate. Mega is icky! I would rather buy a small lego set with figures whose hands don't break after to seconds of playing with it. Children know the difference. Their parents are the ones who have the pocket book :'( .

[xwingyoda]

Well, I have to confess that I bought a MB set in the US for several reasons (yeah I know, its bad *wacko* ):

1) the set looked awsome on the box: it was the yellow offshore boat !!!!

2) it was on sale at TRU so why not ??

3) i wanted tio check the quality of the product: the plastic is bad, the conception is horrible, pieces were missing (...). Well it took me hours and hours to figure out how to put the bricks without pushing them too hard (looooool).

Finally, after on month got tired of it and gave it away !!! However I kept the instruction manual to build more or less the same boat in Lego but I lost it during my moving back !!!!! grrrrrrrrr !!!!

[Mr. Lego-builder]

Well, Yoda, you can always download the file from MegaBlok's website. Click here for PDF instructions to MegaBloks Probuilder--Wave Racer--Set 9748.

[xwingyoda]

Well, Yoda, you can always download the file from MegaBlok's website. Click here for PDF instructions to MegaBloks Probuilder--Wave Racer--Set 9748.

Well Thank you very much mr. lego_bildur :)

One good point for MB though ;)

[Mr. Lego-builder]

Yes. I also admit that MB does have some impressive models. Their site is similar to TLG's too...having downloadable instructions, replacement pieces (MB fans must use this alot, as the plastic tends to bend and break). There is, however, no online ordering...

[xwingyoda]

Basically, for some sets, combine the MB instruction and Lego bricks and you have great designer sets ;) (like the Fighter planes ...)

[Mr. Lego-builder]

Nice suggestion. I might try it sometime, as MB's product selection and design is good, but has bad quality.

[Terence]

well.... it also happen in Toysrus

MB hv a huge shelf, LEGO?! .... haha just hv a tiny place

TLC should find some way to reduce the cost / prize :(

[Mister Phes]

Fortunately in my part of the world LEGO is whooping MegaBloks butt in terms of shelf space...

[Mr. Lego-builder]

In the Toys 'R' Us store near where I live, LEGO and MB have the same shelf space. However, LEGO is more proudly displayed than its rivals.

[SuvieD]

In the TRU near me, LEGO is on a 20-24' by 7' area. MEGA is on two smaller spots and must share room with best lock. And this doesn't count the 8' by 7' section of SW LEGO in the front of the store. Children are not as interested in MEGA anymore. The sets have become even my flash and glitter and less stuff inside the box. The first wave of them was impressive because for very little money you could get a large set with 10+ figures. Now, even the large sets often only come with 4-6 figures.

[Darth_Ewok]

I have to confess that I have 1 or 2 megablok sets :(

I get them from people for m birthday. I keep telling them I want lego but they say "whats the difference?" then I make a minifig that looks like them, then i rip its head off! *devil* *devil* *devil*

then I feel better *satis* :-D

[Mister Phes]

I don't own any MegaBloks whatsoever!

But I do have these TYCO LEGO compatible Bricks which are 20 years old, and I can't tell the difference between them and LEGO. The quality is about the same, the TYCO ones just lack "LEGO" printed on their studs.

[gylman]

I think the Tyco bricks were the best of the lego clones. I don't think they are made any more.

I got a bunch once with a "lego" bulk auction. However, there is a clear difference once you build a bit with with them, and the lego blocks are clearly superior. I would certainly recommend Tyco over Megabloks though.

Gyl

[Mister Phes]

i haven't really combined the LEGO with the TYCO yet, but I've saved some of the useful TYCO parts so maybe one day I'll build something and see how well they integrate.