Unpopular Opinions about LEGO

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

6 hours ago, Karalora said:

I prefer blind boxes to blind bags because it makes it so much harder for people to "cheat" and get the figure they want. It's supposed to be random, folks. It's very disheartening to approach a CMF display and realize that all the bags are crinkled up, meaning someone else got there first, snapped up all the good minifigs, and left the remainder in that gross condition. If you're not willing to participate in the lottery then go to Bricklink. Don't ruin it for others.

If Lego was so adamant about making it a lottery, they wouldn't allow their own employees to feel out bags in Lego stores, as many do.

Still, it is a fair point that minifig pieces can get damaged by getting felt up. Blind bags or boxes are both somewhat objectionable to me. I wish Lego would at least give people the option of buying full sets of minifigs. Then, we could all either buy full sets and trade the rest, or try our luck with blind boxes/bags. It would be a fair middle ground in my mind, since I know some have argued that the blind bags are what allow the CMF team to take risks with minifigs that aren't sure hits.

[Darkdragon]

6 hours ago, Karalora said:

It's very disheartening to approach a CMF display and realize that all the bags are crinkled up, meaning someone else got there first, snapped up all the good minifigs,

It means someone got the figures they want, not necessarily the "good" ones. What I want and what you want might be completely different and when spending $5+ per figure it is even more disheartening to get 3 of the ones I don't want and zero of the one I do.  I very much dislike the boxes they used for Vidyo and will definitely not be buying regular CMF in stores unless I can feel bags, it's not "cheating", it takes time unlike the people who just open the package in the store and throw it on the shelf if it's not the one they want.

[Johnny1360]

I like the bags not because I can feel them and cheat by taking all the good ones, lol. I do like to be at least reasonably sure I am not buying 4 or 5 of the same ones though. I am more about getting a selection for my builds instead of grabbing up all of the one figure everyone wants but can't find.

[Peppermint_M]

8 hours ago, MAB said:

I'm not so sure that would have the effect that some people want though. It would make it much easier to pick all the sought after CMFs so the fastest person would get all the army builders (whether they want them for themselves or to sell on), leaving the less sought after ones sitting on shelves. At least in a blind bag there is a barrier to clearing them all instantly.

Unless they scrap the small purchase sets and sell them only as larger sets (for example a series of 12 CMFs) but then it really changes what the product is.

No no, the Boxes that the Vidiyo figures come in.

Bags are fine, I can find the ones I want quickly and easily. What I think is terrible is that the Series 2 figures that I can only get in the LEGO shop of their online store: I bought three boxes at £3.99 each and had a duplicate. 

I know that in the US market people seem to be dredging the CMFs for re-sale, so yeah I can see your point. But locally here, it is not bad at all for people just buying some, in moderation.

[Karalora]

I know bag-feeling is not actually cheating, hence why I put it in quotes. It's still discomfiting to see a display full of crinkled, abused bags.

[dr_spock]

Hardcore fans would get 2 friends and group buy a full case.  Then open bags and divide up the CMFs.   Each person should end up with one complete set plus a couple extras.

[Umbra-Manis]

If regular CMFs go blind box, that's it for me. I'm not paying $5 for a random crapshoot where I could get some city figure I have no interest in. Maybe if they were still $3 I would consider it but geez, I just want to get my sci-fi figures without gambling 

[Stuartn]

4 hours ago, Umbra-Manis said:

If regular CMFs go blind box, that's it for me. I'm not paying $5 for a random crapshoot where I could get some city figure I have no interest in. Maybe if they were still $3 I would consider it but geez, I just want to get my sci-fi figures without gambling 

Likewise I try to avoid the sci-fi pieces as my interest is in city or otherwise useful elements like dual moulds . Giving complete ambiguity could damage the great thing with CMFs which is that different interests are al represented and each person can select what they want. Of course some surprise is fun, and trying to guess what figure is included is a great part of the experience, and it would also negate the surprise when the mini figure you were sure you had turns out to be something different. Using a box would be equally disruptive to all, and with them costing $6 here now I don’t want to end up with multiple of figures I don’t want either.

Alternatively I could invest in an X-ray machine. . .

Edited November 27, 2021 by Stuartn

[Peppermint_M]

Precisely this.

There is still an element of luck involved in some series, the recent Marvel ones had quite a few Captain America shields with only a small variation in other parts between a few. so I know I pulled a Bucky, thinking it was a different figure. 

I wish I could get a whole box, but the LEGO store couldn't and Online restricts your purchases. As Series 2 of Vidiyo seems to not have been distributed to other stores. I am certain ASDA and B&M would happily sell me a whole unopened box for the cost of each individual figure, however they still only have Series 2. 

Forced exclusivity means these opened series 2 figures are now on sale for upwards of £30 elsewhere. 

[MAB]

On 11/26/2021 at 2:04 PM, Kim-Kwang-Seok said:

I think the best would just be to have some kind of code on the backside of blind bags. Ignorant consumers could do their thing, hardcore fans could do theirs. 
 

That's exactly what they did for CMF series 1 and 2. You could bar code scan a whole box of series 2 in about 3-4 minutes and pull out all the Spartans,  ready to flip at 6x the price. 

Hardcore fans could only do their thing if they beat the resellers that make their living flipping things that are cheap but limited and valuable, whether they are into LEGO or not. The way LEGO reselling is now, popular ones would be stripped fast and probably not by a LEGO fan.

[Good and Swordy]

Chima was cheesy and a bit overhyped by Lego, but it wasn't horrible. I mean, it wasn't Galidor now was it?

[TeriXeri]

LEGO.com maybe shouldn't do GWP promos limited to certain themes when half of it is sold out or delayed deliveries. (mainly talking about some sets that are only available at LEGO.com, and some 2021 City sets are) 

On the other hand, makes you reconsider the "Value" of themes like City at full price.

I understand the draw is to sell the new 2022 sets, but the current state of supply issues are starting to look pretty bad. (I know US had it even worse , but Europe certainly affected now as well) , in the end, it's annoying, but rhen again most of those supply chain issues likely aren't LEGO's direct fault.

Edited January 4, 2022 by TeriXeri

[Lyichir]

41 minutes ago, TeriXeri said:

LEGO.com maybe shouldn't do GWP promos limited to certain themes when half of it is sold out or delayed deliveries. (mainly talking about some sets that are only available at LEGO.com, and some 2021 City sets are) 

On the other hand, makes you reconsider the "Value" of themes like City at full price.

I understand the draw is to sell the new 2022 sets, but the current state of supply issues are starting to look pretty bad. (I know US had it even worse , but Europe certainly affected now as well) , in the end, it's annoying, but rhen again most of those supply chain issues likely aren't LEGO's direct fault.

You have a point, but I think a part of that is simply that GWP promos are planned long before the true demand (and whether that results in sets selling out) can be fully gauged. The best potential solution (and one that IIRC Lego has done in the past?) is to simply extend the promotion or bring it back at a later point when the sets have been restocked. I feel like that tends to be especially common for polybag promos like this.

To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if the potential for stock issues in the aftermath of a big release might be part of why the current GWPs are simple polybags instead of something more "exclusive". We might see more unique GWP promos in February or March once the initial demand for 2022 sets has died down a little and Lego has more to gain by incentivizing purchases.

[Ondra]

Lego have really toxic fan base, Im not talking about this forum. But I was in one nationwide forum as kid, and after years I feel like there was constant bullying from so called "hardcore" fans.

Imagine if they pick on you for liking series they do not dislike, or having less sets, skills than adults. They act like manchilds... And they bans you for calling them.

 It was within its prime glory, now luckily this forum feels like everybody abandon it.  Guess why...

Its bad that company about toys produce so bad environment for fans.

Now Im free, building for myself, building with trials and errors...

 

I really encourage everybody who feels like its bullyied to get of that place quickly.

 

 

[Maple]

11 hours ago, Ondra said:

Lego have really toxic fan base, Im not talking about this forum. But I was in one nationwide forum as kid, and after years I feel like there was constant bullying from so called "hardcore" fans.

Imagine if they pick on you for liking series they do not dislike, or having less sets, skills than adults. They act like manchilds... And they bans you for calling them.

 It was within its prime glory, now luckily this forum feels like everybody abandon it.  Guess why...

Its bad that company about toys produce so bad environment for fans.

Now Im free, building for myself, building with trials and errors...

 

I really encourage everybody who feels like its bullyied to get of that place quickly.

 

 

I fully agree with this. I saw some insane things throughout the years on LEGO groups. Like personal attacks against a trans LEGO fan was the lowest I have ever seen. Just like little children raised by terrible parents. The site admin of a very popular LEGO site, maybe the most popular AFOL of LEGO site (no not this one) is a prick. I was banned from commenting because I was pointing out factual errors of things (Pride flag, BAM) and he would be 'NO! I'm right!' when he wasn't. Like admit the mistake, edit the articles and move on. He is over 40 I think and acts like a 13 year old.

I thought video game fanboys were bad, I thought New England Patriot fanboys were bad, but there is a level of LEGO fanboyism is almost to a cult level.

(Hint, the site is Brickset. I can't stand Huw's childish BS.)

Edited January 5, 2022 by Maple

[Ondra]

45 minutes ago, Maple said:

I fully agree with this. I saw some insane things throughout the years on LEGO groups. Like personal attacks against a trans LEGO fan was the lowest I have ever seen. Just like little children raised by terrible parents. The site admin of a very popular LEGO site, maybe the most popular AFOL of LEGO site (no not this one) is a prick. I was banned from commenting because I was pointing out factual errors of things (Pride flag, BAM) and he would be 'NO! I'm right!' when he wasn't. Like admit the mistake, edit the articles and move on. He is over 40 I think and acts like a 13 year old.

I thought video game fanboys were bad, I thought New England Patriot fanboys were bad, but there is a level of LEGO fanboyism is almost to a cult level.

Well it was around 2005-2014 I was in school when I was on this forum. We as family had low income because my father died tragically, few years before all my lego that I had was thanks to him. It was surreal when attack me for liking sets in survey, that gives me a lot fun, by somebody who was around 35 in this time and only collect sets for profit.

This was my probably first time in social media, it was before any of the big players.

On that forum it was constantly about amount, price spend whatever talking about money except skills or fun.

 

It takes me very long time to actually have fun with lego again.

 

I really use social media very little because they are cespool, I love reviews on youtube and getting some tips and tricks.

I was truly shocked what internet can do really back in these days.

 

[Toastie]

42 minutes ago, Ondra said:

I really use social media very little

Hey @Ondra,

I am very glad that you made it out of "there" and into "here". I am turning 60 in a few weeks - hardly use social media other that WhatsApp on the Family group (otherwise I wouldn't know anymore what's going on at home - or when do we go where (and why ).

I love this place very much. It is diverse, it is rather calm most of the time, it is nicely and flexibly moderated, it does call out for rude behavior - and even moderators can write something like "I like LEGO, but I don't like TLG's behavior". OK, now and then (scarcely) the heat is on, but usually everything cools down quickly. And what would be a chili without chilies ...

I can write "I am impressed with Mould King", I can show off my stupid electronics from the last decades of the last millennium, can do many other things related to LEGO and LEGO building. And when hopping into the pubs - talk about - whatever.

In the Community forum, I can brag about competitors of TLG with no harm at all.

Most importantly, I can ask questions in a myriad of directions, ranging from "how to fix a washing machine using technic beams?" to "possible to use a vacuum cleaner as 1x1 plate collector?" and will get decent and educated answers. And for sure some good humor. It is a fun place, where I can (do and will) learn so many things from others.

I am on EB for 10 years and 4 months. There were never ever any regrets. I love this place.

All the best,
Thorsten

     

[koalayummies]

51 minutes ago, Ondra said:

It was surreal when attack me for liking sets in survey, that gives me a lot fun, by somebody who was around 35 in this time and only collect sets for profit.

On that forum it was constantly about amount, price spend whatever talking about money except skills or fun.

Don't worry, nobody likes those people.

1 hour ago, Maple said:

The site admin of a very popular LEGO site, maybe the most popular AFOL of LEGO site (no not this one)...

Aww I thought EB was the best Lego site.

[MAB]

54 minutes ago, Ondra said:

by somebody who was around 35 in this time and only collect sets for profit.

 

1 minute ago, koalayummies said:

Don't worry, nobody likes those people.

Different people, different viewpoints. Saying someone "only collects sets for profit" could also be seen as abusive towards them, as if they are not a real LEGO fan if they sell LEGO too. I doubt many pure resellers with no interest in building hang out here, as there are much better sites for reselling info. I sell LEGO sets that I invested in in the past (and yes, it was invested, I buy some sets purely with the intention to sell on and not to build), and resellers sometimes get abusive messages for doing that either in the forum or by personal messages. Yet without resellers, no current fans can get the joy of opening a sealed older set. Just today I sold someone a Black Pearl, and he was very happy to get hold of a set he didn't have in his teens but can now afford. And of course I have profitted very nicely from it. Good for him, good for me, no difference to anyone else.

[Ondra]

15 minutes ago, Toastie said:

 

Thanks for nice words.

Hey I had harsh year like many people, so I checked out new lego sets. There were four sets that hit me like strikes, everything was perfect. But I also dive into my old sets

 Guess what I have now on two 48×48 baseplate with height 40 bricks. Im not even exaggerating.

Train station, with Hogwarts express, tunnel, park with tent with diamond cave under old tires, Octan, Castle with James Bond Style base, glimpse of heavy industry, on top there is freight monorail(Not that monorail from 1990s but brickbuild) .Robot, Batmobile, speed champions cars, alien spaceship, Octan spaceship and Avengers team and dinosaur.

All that is in it I used about 50% of my childhood lego another is new.

Its really crazy, it was so fun for me just like old time cruisers series. I just use my imagination, I had throwback and fun at same time.

Maybe one day I post photo, it was fun for me and my family to look at it.

Maybe its mess for someone but I liked to capture feel of old catalogues. These dioramas really let me wild in imagination.

 

 

 

[williejm]

13 minutes ago, MAB said:

 

Different people, different viewpoints. Saying someone "only collects sets for profit" could also be seen as abusive towards them, as if they are not a real LEGO fan if they sell LEGO too. 

Not really, as it says ‘only’. 
To be honest, there are bigger issues of people being abusive in this forum and others than this alleged ‘slight’, as have just been raised. 

[Ondra]

30 minutes ago, MAB said:

 

Different people, different viewpoints. Saying someone "only collects sets for profit" could also be seen as abusive towards them, as if they are not a real LEGO fan if they sell LEGO too. I doubt many pure resellers with no interest in building hang out here, as there are much better sites for reselling info. I sell LEGO sets that I invested in in the past (and yes, it was invested, I buy some sets purely with the intention to sell on and not to build), and resellers sometimes get abusive messages for doing that either in the forum or by personal messages. Yet without resellers, no current fans can get the joy of opening a sealed older set. Just today I sold someone a Black Pearl, and he was very happy to get hold of a set he didn't have in his teens but can now afford. And of course I have profitted very nicely from it. Good for him, good for me, no difference to anyone else.

Yeah he had precisely same mindset, so yeah people are always same everywhere. Thanks for proving my point, without getting into details.

 

I was not talking like its bad thing nowhere, he talked like its best thing in world. He constantly reminds me that this set has no value, because he measured this in profit.

 

We are still talking about very advanced building toy bricks. Give kids even recent AT-AT and they turn it into fun or piece donor. There are two worlds that are constantly clashing in Lego fandom... Lego movie this captured great...

Edited January 4, 2022 by Ondra

[Maple]

15 minutes ago, Ondra said:

Yeah he had precisely same mindset, so yeah people are always same everywhere. Thanks for proving my point, without getting into details.

 

That reminds me of the time LEGO rereleased the Winter Toy Shop. A bunch of people were simply upset because it lowers the value of the older one. It was pathetic. I understand being upset if you wanted a new set to build, but simply being upset over profit is nuts.


 

[Ondra]

10 minutes ago, Maple said:

That reminds me of the time LEGO rereleased the Winter Toy Shop. A bunch of people were simply upset because it lowers the value of the older one. It was pathetic. I understand being upset if you wanted a new set to build, but simply being upset over profit is nuts.


 

That why I think, investment in lego nowadays in nonsense thats my another unpopular opinion.

Why, lego can do release out of nowhere. There are so many knockoff brands, so mostly people try in this terms rather than pay huge amount for specific set.

Also this market is now oversaturated, It was holy grail 15 years back. Now? I dont know.Everybody thinks that every set is valuable, like everybody...

 And for me specifically, when I dont have specific sets. Its lego after all yes, so I can build lookalike and even better.

Its really easy to build lookalike of city 90s set than buying original.

Just my opinion, from someone that also made few crowns from lego .

[Maple]

As someone who didn't have the money to buy NinjaGo City or Docks at the time they retired and would like them now, clearly every expensive lEGO set does increase in value.