Factory and PaB Quality Control Reduction?

[xenologer]

Recently we all went crazy when Pab and Factory prices went through the roof, TLC then noticed and cut it back. But I have to wonder if perhaps they also cut back on some quality control in the process.

Just bought my first order since the changeover, 2 Factory models and 1 Pab bag.

one of my models had 4 important structural beams replaced with 4 of the wrong part, as well as a plate being black instead of white.

the other model had a clip plate missing.

and the Pab bag was missing 2 clip plates as well.

good thing I have an extensive collection and was able to replace with stuff on hand...

Any rate, of 3 items in my order all 3 had problems with bricks missing.

Any other observances in a possible quality control cutback to compensate for the price reduction?

[browniedjhs]

I just made a purchase when i picked up the grevious on clearance...using a coupon i needed to added a couple more cents to it to get the money off, decided to do PAB... just did minifig parts (naboo fighter pilot) torso and brown legs... got the brown legs, no torsos...

once had to replace the slope cone piece that is part of the 4504 millenium falcon cockpit...they sent it to me in sand green. There really is no guarantee that you will get the correct stuff...its a shame

[Peppermint_M]

I have only once had a problem with PAB or regular sets. In my Agents Mission 6, the light brick's battery had already run out, but then I had bought it from one of those huge discount shops that was selling it along side KKII and those Bionicle playsets. Otherwise everything has been fine. I have bought beaten up boxes that needed taping before I took it home and not one element is damaged/missing.

I think if your every order and every set you bought had problems then you could say Lego has quality control problems. And its not a huge issue when lego replaces the missing parts if you let them know they are missing in the first place.

[xenologer]

Its true that with boxed sets part problems are rare, and easily replaced by customer service.

But my particular interest in this topic is specifically PaB and Factory.

In these cases the bricks have to be hand picked to your order, so human error is a much larger factor.

Based on my recent order it would seem that perhaps they are becoming understaffed in this department?

Perhaps due to the recent price cuts?

Edited May 7, 2009 by xenologer

[Shadows]

I place a PaB order with each regular order I make, probably 6 a year. So far, I've never had a missing or damaged piece, much to my surprise. I wish they could do as well with the real order.

The only disappointment to me is having everything arrive mixed together in a bag, or several bags. I've been spoiled by Bricklink.

Otherwise, I'm quite pleased. As I say, I wish I had the same luck with the rest of the order.

[mikey]

The only disappointment to me is having everything arrive mixed together in a bag, or several bags. I've been spoiled by Bricklink.

I start to feel like that when I have brought a set just for the pieces!

[Eilif]

Hmm, I've never had a problem with the few PAB orders I've made. However, I've got a PAB order on the way, I'll let you all know if it comes complete.

[kill will]

I've only made 1 PaB order, because only a few of the peices are cheaper there than Bricklink. But anyways, I ordered almost as soon as PaB became available, all the proper parts came, and it was postmarked from Denmark!

And out of the recent sets I bought (about 10 since 07) 1, Race for the Stolen Treasure, had a part missing, and it was a Nazi hat. But older sets never seemed to be missing peices, and the instruction booklets weren't squished as bad.

[CP5670]

The PAB orders I've made in the past have all come out right, but none of them were particularly large. I haven't bought anything from there recently.

I have had some issues with the customer service/parts replacement though. They won't always send you exactly what you are supposed to get.

Are the PAB orders actually picked by hand or by a machine? I always assumed it was done by a machine, which would explain why the parts selection is much more limited than what sets contain (and what you can get through parts replacement).

[Brickthus]

The PAB orders I've made in the past have all come out right, but none of them were particularly large. I haven't bought anything from there recently.

I have had some issues with the customer service/parts replacement though. They won't always send you exactly what you are supposed to get.

Are the PAB orders actually picked by hand or by a machine? I always assumed it was done by a machine, which would explain why the parts selection is much more limited than what sets contain (and what you can get through parts replacement).

By hand, which is why it's so expensive, and probably why there are so many errors.

A machine ought to be quicker, cheaper and more reliable. They use them for sets, so why not just read the parts list sent by email, put a box on a conveyor and have the machines drop the parts in the pot? It's not that difficult! Come on TLG, use machines to get the PaB and Factory prices down!

Also, give us bags of 100 or 1000 of a piece at a substantial discount, and no more 25-part limits!

Mark

[CP5670]

I figured the packing machines might be arranged in some specific order since they pack the same parts (into sets) thousands of times, but it does make sense when you put it that way.

[Rick]

Also, give us bags of 100 or 1000 of a piece at a substantial discount, and no more 25-part limits!

I'd say this should be profitable for TLC/TLG (what is is these days?). Maybe it would cannibalize on regular set sales. It seems like pab is deliberately kept low-profile.

[mrchris]

from 3 medium sized (£25-£40) orders

1st (before increase): 2 items wrong, replaced quickly.

2nd (before increase): none wrong.

3rd (after increase then decrease): 1 missing (1x1 tile which i just ignored )

[Eilif]

This week I received my PAB online order of around 200 hundred pieces. Mostly minifig and specialty parts, some items in quantity, some items just a couple. No errors.

[Anders Nolberger]

Today I received an order with some Power Functions stuff. I also orderd a Brick Separator because I was interested in what it is/how it works. But I got a Yoda Key Chain instead! Not a big deal for my but I emailed support to see how they reacts. My suggestion to them was to forget about it...

[Anders Nolberger]

I just got a reply that a Brick Separator is on its way. The Key Chain is mine to keep!

Thats customer service!

[posades]

I just got a reply that a Brick Separator is on its way. The Key Chain is mine to keep!

Thats customer service!

Yes they're usually good with that, they once mistakenly sent me a Police impulse set instead of the City advent calendar and they did the same thing.

As for PaB, the 3 or 4 times I have used it I've never had a problem, although I have had to wait a bit sometimes for my package to come. This most recent PaB purchase the package was postmarked from Poland!

[Eilif]

Poland eh?

That is an interesting development. I didn't check my most recent PAB pack, but my previous ones were from Denmark. It would make sense for LEGO to transfer labor intensive hand sorting to a country with cheaper labor. I wonder if that's had any effect on part availability. For example, they are both available now, but each color of short legs has had a week or so of unavailablity over the past month.

In other news...

Has anyone else noticed that 1x2, 1x3, and 1x4 bricks are now $.35 each? I'm not sure what's going on here, but I somehow doubt that these pieces are harder to make or in less demand than similar pieces that are priced much less. So why the high price? I really don't think TLG is doing a good job managing this particular part of thier business.

Edited May 20, 2009 by Eilif

[xenologer]

Has anyone else noticed that 1x2, 1x3, and 1x4 bricks are now $.35 each? I'm not sure what's going on here, but I somehow doubt that these pieces are harder to make or in less demand than similar pieces that are priced much less. So why the high price? I really don't think TLG is doing a good job managing this particular part of thier business.

Yep, I noticed. The Technic 1*2, 1*4 bricks are priced less, (but probably more costly to manufacture) so until they fix this, I simply use those instead.

Agree, they aren't being all that careful with the software/PaB.