Do you only buy lego?

[RichardGoring]

Oh, and while I think about it, LEGO customer service is amazing.

Yes, their website is poor, product launches can be confusing, and GWP availability can be painful.

But once you choose a product from them, you are really, really well looked after.

[MAB]

2 hours ago, RichardGoring said:

But critically they can also be much lower quality.

Sure some brands of building block might be lower quality. But many fakes / clones / bootlegs of LEGO (or whatever you want to call them) are just as good as LEGO in terms of clutch, colour consistency, and so on these days. I've handled Lepin bricks in the past and I couldn't really tell the difference between them and LEGO parts aside from the obvious lack of the LEGO logo. The build experience is identical to LEGO. Same with minifigures from Pogo, Koruit, Xinh, Kopf, Lele, ... the parts are pretty decent although they tend to be too light in colour when it comes to flesh skin tones, especially the equivalent of light nougat.

[RichardGoring]

6 hours ago, MAB said:

Sure some brands of building block might be lower quality. But many fakes / clones / bootlegs of LEGO (or whatever you want to call them) are just as good as LEGO in terms of clutch, colour consistency, and so on these days. I've handled Lepin bricks in the past and I couldn't really tell the difference between them and LEGO parts aside from the obvious lack of the LEGO logo. The build experience is identical to LEGO. Same with minifigures from Pogo, Koruit, Xinh, Kopf, Lele, ... the parts are pretty decent although they tend to be too light in colour when it comes to flesh skin tones, especially the equivalent of light nougat.

Absolutely. They can be. You just don't know until you have them. At which point it's too late. Hence the value of a known brand.

[Toastie]

42 minutes ago, RichardGoring said:

Absolutely. They can be. You just don't know until you have them.

Yes, I agree. However, "crystallization" begins or has even developed. CaDa, Cobi, MouldKing - I'd say, risk is rather low for bad experiences. I also like to have an in-between "re-seller" located in Europe or Germany, where I live. It then becomes more expensive along the woulf-down-chain , but some of them actually build the stuff they sell. Or "reviewers" do. And put it up on YouTube.

My compass is half-price of TLGs stuff. Not failed yet but experience is only from 6 sets.

Best
Thorsten   

[ks6349]

On 1/12/2022 at 8:00 PM, Pinnacle said:

That is certainly a point you have. The problem of separating the LEGO parts into LEGO parts and non-LEGO parts when you want to sell your LEGO for some reason. A brick 2x4, for instance, is a brick, provided it has the same quality as the genuine LEGO brick. For me, as a builder, there will be no difference. But for potential buyers, it can make all the difference in the world.

That is why I stick to the original LEGO parts as long as TLG make these parts. But only when I can buy pieces that LEGO doesn’t make, I see no problems doing so. Because then you see in a moment the difference between LEGO and non-LEGO

 I keep things simpler, I never buy anything non-Lego

[MAB]

21 hours ago, RichardGoring said:

Absolutely. They can be. You just don't know until you have them. At which point it's too late. Hence the value of a known brand.

Or read reviews.

 

[RichardGoring]

2 hours ago, MAB said:

Or read reviews.

 

Well, if you want to point out something so clearly obvious and easy then you make the whole thing a farce, don't you. 

[Peppermint_M]

I did plenty of reviews back in the day 

One part Rebel Yell, one part facetious and two parts grew up poor. 

I need to pare down the clones I have, there is way more than I want to hold on to. I am thinking of selling the Halo parts and then donating the other stuff. I used to maintain a decent amount, as I would display once a year at a comic con, and it was no loss to have the clone bricks for Free Play. Plus, I could give away if I was feeling generous. 

Now the con is defunct, I don't need the bricks.  

[dtomsen]

No, I don't buy only LEGO. Why? Out of curiosity and necessity as a LEGO modeltrain builder. But only when those other brands enhance the overall results and not as substitutes for common LEGO parts available. I'm still an AFOL by heart.

And yes, some clone brands are very close to LEGO in parts quality with one actually better now in my humble opinion, Cobi.

Edited January 17, 2022 by dtomsen

[Toastie]

7 hours ago, dtomsen said:

Why? Out of curiosity and necessity as a LEGO modeltrain builder.

I totally agree.

I do expand this to: Necessity as a LEGO builder. There are other themes, which are very well expanded by non-existing-LEGO pieces.

Other than that: No doubt: If possible with LEGO: Sole option. If TLG doesn't make these pieces, other brands do: I'm in. None of the above: Dremel + Superglue. Over the decades, it appears as I have entirely lost that "I believe in TLG and thus wait until Doomsday, and hope that they make that piece I need before I die" bad feeling.

Heehee: 1x5 plates. Who on Earth could >ever< have figured that one out.

Question: 1x1, 1x2, 1x3, 1x4 ... 1x6 ... 1x8 ... 1x10 ... 1x12. What do you think is missing? Choices: 0.1, 5, 1E6, 7, 100, 9, 0, 11  (1 point each - it is finals time!).

Best,
Thorsten

[Tariq j]

I stick with LEGO nowadays. Though about 9/10 years ago I did buy a few of the Character Building Doctor Who sets, as it was the closest thing we had to LEGO Doctor Who at the time.

[Mikdun]

I buy mostly Lego, but made exceptions in few cases.

First, we were buying large ship model for my nephew, that is not really into Lego or building in general. It was no point to spend 3x the money. It as ok, looked impressive. Don't know about it anymore. ;)

Second, we've bought Elsa's castle for our daughter. Lego version was already out of sale. The castle is basically a rip-off, but the quality is only just lower than Lego. The bricks are still in the mix and actively used.

Third, I started buying from Aliexpress electronics for Technic IR system. Their version works over bluetooth, so it works much better. So far the quality (both plastic and electronics) is good.

And lastly I bought few parts that are not existing in Lego world, so it was really easy decision.

[AndrewH7]

Bought Klip of Italy set 1/2 price bit missing in town. Now buy off eBay, at 1st what I though = Lego, then some says has others. Now 1kg unbranded compatible, bag of Mega Blocks micro & maxi compatible, like basic set of 6 sizes. Given away Montini & 2-tall plate.

Sometimes build something from non Lego. Did use a mix when short. Bought 450 pieces in town, = 6 sizes brick, only average 2 1/3 studs/brick when 2 2/3 if = studs/size, but at £6 still good value, also 32×32 base plate for £2.

[danth]

I've only bought a few vintage non-Lego sets as curiosities. Tyco Super Blocks and Tente. Both are long defunct. But they remind of a different time, where any upstart company could just make their own competing building toys, and come up with their own crazy toy designs, like these or these.

[icm]

I buy Lego, Cobi, Bluebrixx Star Trek, and Sluban military aircraft.

[Modeltrainman]

Only LEGO, and EclipseGrafx(for the LEGO parts LEGO won't print.)

[Murdoch17]

Only Lego, Big Ben Bricks, and Bricktracks. (the latter two are train wheel makers)

[The Island Chronicles]

For me personally, I only buy Lego! But if someone wishes to use a different type of brick, then it is not my place to judge. 

[Horation]

On 1/18/2022 at 12:09 AM, Toastie said:

1x5 plates. Who on Earth could >ever< have figured that one out.

Question: 1x1, 1x2, 1x3, 1x4 ... 1x6 ... 1x8 ... 1x10 ... 1x12. What do you think is missing? Choices: 0.1, 5, 1E6, 7, 100, 9, 0, 11  (1 point each - it is finals time!).

Best,
Thorsten

Answers : 1E6, 0, 100, 0.1

The reason why TLG doesn't make those other sizes is to streamline instructions and building, as Jangbricks was saying in his comparison of Cobi and Lego's Titanics, both have clear instructions and quality parts, but Lego's instructions are easier to follow and the build is completed more quickly since you have fewer 1 x somethings to sift through before finding the correct one, not a big deal to you, but a kid building a set might care...

[Toastie]

3 hours ago, Horation said:

Answers : 1E6, 0, 100, 0.1

Sorry, you score 0 points . Actually, 0, 0.1, and 1E6 may result in negative points - we should discuss the 100 answer

The moment TLG "needed" a 1x5 plate, they made a 1x5 plate - kids or not. They actually make so many things, a kid may struggle with. But: When they can identify a 1x6 in the presence of 1x8 plates, the 1x7 plus a 1:1 drawing in the current instruction will aid. Well, I believe. Alternatively: No odd number 1x plates in sets for kids ...

Regards,
Thorsten   

[Horation]

On 8/7/2023 at 4:26 PM, Toastie said:

Sorry, you score 0 points . Actually, 0, 0.1, and 1E6 may result in negative points - we should discuss the 100 answer

The moment TLG "needed" a 1x5 plate, they made a 1x5 plate - kids or not. They actually make so many things, a kid may struggle with. But: When they can identify a 1x6 in the presence of 1x8 plates, the 1x7 plus a 1:1 drawing in the current instruction will aid. Well, I believe. Alternatively: No odd number 1x plates in sets for kids ...

Regards,
Thorsten   

No amount of debate will convince me that a 1x100 plate wouldn't have its uses, and I need a 1E6 plate for my minifig scale deathstar so...

I will admit I didn't know they made 1x5s (even the Titanic uses some, surprised Jang didn't notice) and the number of parts nowadays is a little silly, but the point is that they are rarely essential in builds and the use of other parts makes it easier for all : supply chains, kids, etc...

Then again, your solutions could work, and I wouldn't complain if it did happen.

[Toastie]

9 hours ago, Horation said:

I wouldn't complain if it did happen.

Here is to feeling good

All the best,
Thorsten

[SpacePolice89]

I buy only authentic Lego products, new or used. I believe other companies have no right to steal Lego's work. And Lego bricks sold in Europe are mostly made in Denmark or Hungary while the competitors mainly manufacture in low cost countries with sweatshop factories. I know Lego also has factories in low cost countries but they treat their employees well also in those countries. The only exception is custom sails and flags or reproduction of old sails/flags that are not available anymore. The same goes for ropes and string.

[AndrewH7]

Bought 450 pcs Buildin' Blocks in town £6. Only average 2 1/3 stud/brick.

eBay, 660 for £7, includes plate & slope, 2×4 plate not holding atop, 2×4 brick bow in when on bottom, both cases can use 2 bricks instead of 1. Not all sizes in each colour, so only red useful. If 2 plate = 1 brick then average 2 1/2 stud/brick.

Webrick, 500, 2•9 average stud/brick, but mostly 1 size/colour. 1000 has more colours.

Thinking better = 1st, Buildin' Blocks if 1000 for £12, & not really matter if can't use all 1×1's. Need to ask them to get for me as none in shop, only on website.

[Yperio_Bricks]

On 8/14/2023 at 5:35 PM, SpacePolice89 said:

I buy only authentic Lego products, new or used. I believe other companies have no right to steal Lego's work. And Lego bricks sold in Europe are mostly made in Denmark or Hungary while the competitors mainly manufacture in low cost countries with sweatshop factories. I know Lego also has factories in low cost countries but they treat their employees well also in those countries. The only exception is custom sails and flags or reproduction of old sails/flags that are not available anymore. The same goes for ropes and string.

Just saw this today. To be clear, i also only buy Lego sets, bricks, pieces and minifigs because my brain likes it this way. With that being said, do you think Lego had the right to steal Kiddicraft's works? Why does the 2x4 Lego brick match British standard stone bricks at 1:7 scale? Oh, and Kiddicraft had bricks of a bigger size too, for smaller children. The size that DUPLO uses today... The life of Hilary Page, founder of Kiddicraft was plagued by business and financial struggles and he committed suicide while Lego went on to become the biggest toy company in the world.