braddos Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 I was wondering if it is ok to ask in the forum about the existence of fake official Lego sets? I am just getting back into the Lego universe via my children. I was a huge Lego fan when I was a child and had tons of it. Back then my fav were the Lego Space sets. Now my boys are into the Lego Star Wars sets. Anyway I have found what looks like a nice deal for some Lego Star Wars sets. I am wondering if there is a chance that they are fakes. Of course the pics show the Lego boxes but are there known faked sets around? The pricing could be true because I am looking into buying large quantities to start a lil business. So ya I am good at rambling! Any assistance would be AWESOME!! Thanks, Brad Doskas Braddos
WhiteFang Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Hmm... First of all, I have not encountered any fake LEGO Star Wars sets/minifigs, so if there is any image or links, please share with us, so we can advice you accordingly. Of course, from my own understanding, I have never seen or heard of such matter before, since the quality control provided by TLG (The LEGO Group) is high assurance. There is also another issue with regards to Clone Brands, meaning, eg: Other toymaker companies are copying the designs of LEGO sets, but the quality can be easily identified. If you are buying it via official retail distribution channels, there is no way you will be able to buy a fake LEGO sets. It is a standard product at a global platform, perhaps a little different on the packaging when you encountered US and Euro packaging. Other than that, all are same.
braddos Posted December 28, 2009 Author Posted December 28, 2009 Hmm... First of all, I have not encountered any fake LEGO Star Wars sets/minifigs, so if there is any image or links, please share with us, so we can advice you accordingly. Of course, from my own understanding, I have never seen or heard of such matter before, since the quality control provided by TLG (The LEGO Group) is high assurance. There is also another issue with regards to Clone Brands, meaning, eg: Other toymaker companies are copying the designs of LEGO sets, but the quality can be easily identified. If you are buying it via official retail distribution channels, there is no way you will be able to buy a fake LEGO sets. It is a standard product at a global platform, perhaps a little different on the packaging when you encountered US and Euro packaging. Other than that, all are same. WhiteFang, Thanks for the info. What do you mean by "official" retail distribution channels". I came into contact with this company via a business to business site. All of the products are shown in the box and are good that way. Just want to cover all the bases before I make this move and were I have not been active in the Lego universe for a while now I just wanted to get some advice from folks that are in the know until I get back to that point! Thanks!
CloneCommanderDelta7 Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 As Whitefang said, 'Quality control of TLG is of high assurance.' After hearing that all I can say is the only brand that is on par (or closest, because seriously?) would be Megabloks. Even then, Megabloks do not have a licence with Star Wars anyway. About clone brands, licences will prohibit others copying the same logos, licences, etc. So after saying that, it also depends of what kind of shop you are at. If it would be Toys 'R' Us then, or in Australia anyway, they keep their Lego in a specific section. So boxes are the main giveaways. Happy shopping, or hope you survive it anyway, 'cause I have no idea what happy shopping is!
Siegfried Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Thanks for the info. What do you mean by "official" retail distribution channels". There's an easy test. If it's on the official site then it's real, otherwise it's fake, old or illegally sold... (If it's an old Star Wars set that's a "nice deal" then chances are it's fake...)
WhiteFang Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 What do you mean by "official" retail distribution channels". Shop@Home and Retail Departmental stores for consumers. Online marketplace such as BrickLink and eBay. These are some official retail distribution channels for consumers. I came into contact with this company via a business to business site. All of the products are shown in the box and are good that way. Just want to cover all the bases before I make this move and were I have not been active in the Lego universe for a while now I just wanted to get some advice from folks that are in the know until I get back to that point! Thanks! It appears that you have gotten in touch with a distributor instead. Hmm.. I can't really advice on that, but sounding from the way you said, it looks like you want to start a business instead.
Legoman Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Well I would check all my bases, definately. Check if it's a trusted site. I strongly suggest giving a link to this site on here. Or if it's some great deal you want for you, and don't want to share with the whole community, feel free to PM me or someone else with strong lego market knowledge. I've been collecting lego 10 years, selling for 3. And I've had my share of coming into concact with frauds, I'd hate for it to happen to any other EB member. Fake lego is quite rare, although it does exist. I've never seen fake Star Wars Lego, but I have of other themes. Frauds, however, are far more common. Hope this helps, Legoman
braddos Posted December 28, 2009 Author Posted December 28, 2009 There's an easy test. If it's on the official site then it's real, otherwise it's fake, old or illegally sold...(If it's an old Star Wars set that's a "nice deal" then chances are it's fake...) It is not on the Lego.com site because it is a distributor/wholesale site! Old ok that is fine if it is old sets that are still around. I am wondering how it could be "illegally sold" do you mean stolen goods type thing they have ALOT of stock for it to be stolen stuff? The fake part is what I am trying to find out about. Fake as in they are trying to get my $ and not send product? Or fake as in I'll get faked Lego sets? I really appreciate this help everybody!! Brad
Legoman Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 It is not on the Lego.com site because it is a distributor/wholesale site! Old ok that is fine if it is old sets that are still around. I am wondering how it could be "illegally sold" do you mean stolen goods type thing they have ALOT of stock for it to be stolen stuff? The fake part is what I am trying to find out about. Fake as in they are trying to get my $ and not send product? Or fake as in I'll get faked Lego sets?I really appreciate this help everybody!! Brad Well, I'd suggest telling us the site, but anyway..... If it's Alibaba.com, Stay away. Anything to do with Alibaba is fraud.
braddos Posted December 28, 2009 Author Posted December 28, 2009 It is not on the Lego.com site because it is a distributor/wholesale site! Old ok that is fine if it is old sets that are still around. I am wondering how it could be "illegally sold" do you mean stolen goods type thing they have ALOT of stock for it to be stolen stuff? The fake part is what I am trying to find out about. Fake as in they are trying to get my $ and not send product? Or fake as in I'll get faked Lego sets?I really appreciate this help everybody!! Brad legoman, I can't PM you it is blocked for me. Possibly because I am a brand new member I am guessing. Wouldit work if you PMed me? Could I then reply? legoman, I would love to send you a link to the info for you to take a quick look at. Not concerned about keeping it a secret really I am in Canada and it wouldn't affect me by your knowing . Thanks!!
Siegfried Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 It is not on the Lego.com site because it is a distributor/wholesale site! I realise that... and I also realise that 99% of distributor/wholesale sites are scams. TLG in most cases don't have middle men. Fake as in they are trying to get my $ and not send product? Or fake as in I'll get faked Lego sets? Possibly both, but I more meant fake LEGO.
braddos Posted December 28, 2009 Author Posted December 28, 2009 If it's Alibaba.com, Stay away. Anything to do with Alibaba is fraud. Do you think everything on those type of sites are frauds? Alibaba, tradekey, etc?? There are real authentic products being offered on those sites, but not in the case of Lego or everything there is fake? Thanks!
Legoman Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 legoman,I can't PM you it is blocked for me. Possibly because I am a brand new member I am guessing. Wouldit work if you PMed me? Could I then reply? legoman, I would love to send you a link to the info for you to take a quick look at. Not concerned about keeping it a secret really I am in Canada and it wouldn't affect me by your knowing . Thanks!! Oh right, Sorry. You can't send PM's untill you have made at least 10 posts on the forums. Do you think everything on those type of sites are frauds? Alibaba, tradekey, etc??There are real authentic products being offered on those sites, but not in the case of Lego or everything there is fake? Thanks! Most of it. As Siegfried said, In most cases, TLG (The Lego Group) don't have middlemen. Here in New Zealand we do, as the main toyshop here is a franchise, not a chain store (we lack TRU - but thats good for smaller sellers like me). Most middlemen, if they are legit, won't do a good job of advertising. Middlemen tend to be people that wait for you to find them, rather than putting themselves out there to the general public. I say it's better to stay away from so called "wholesale sites" Its not a safe place and its very easy to beleive someone when you want to, wether or not its the truth.
Siegfried Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Do you think everything on those type of sites are frauds? Alibaba, tradekey, etc??There are real authentic products being offered on those sites, but not in the case of Lego or everything there is fake? Some of the deals are too good.
braddos Posted December 28, 2009 Author Posted December 28, 2009 Thanks Siegfried, That is always a bad sign. legoman, I'll get to 10 posts then i'll PM you the sales flyer from the company if that is good?
Legoman Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Thanks Siegfried, That is always a bad sign.legoman, I'll get to 10 posts then i'll PM you the sales flyer from the company if that is good? OK, just don't do useless posts to try get there fast, you'll regret it, The Admins here are great, but the really frown on that sort of thing.
braddos Posted December 28, 2009 Author Posted December 28, 2009 Actually there are lots of interesting topics on here. I don't plan on just throwing a few posts in where ever to get to 10, but thanks for the advice! This forum seems like a great resource. And these old Lego stuff that was a childhood favorite is kinda addicting!!
WhiteFang Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 I will move this topic to our LEGO Community forum since its much suited to continue our discussion there. Thanks. WhiteFang
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