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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SET-OF-8-SUPER-HERO-MINI-FIGURES-BATMAN-CAPTAIN-AMERICA-HULK-SUPERMAN-THOR-/321424062032?pt=UK_Construction_Toys_Kits&hash=item4ad65df650
No mention of lego in the title, but no mention that they are not lego any more - whereas they used to say not lego brand. But they are in the lego category.
Yes, Lego's basic bricks are pretty-well unchanged over the last 50+ years. (there have been minor modifications esp underneath and in the internals of the basic bricks). But Lego are continually adding new bricks which do take design. Just about every new set has one new brick. Its a marketing ploy - you've got to buy the sets to get the newer speciality pieces. Anyone tried collating all the new pieces that have come out with all the CMFs? What about the animals in the Friends mini-sets?
And the mix of colours that have become available especially with the Harry Potter sets and the Friends range. A veritable colour explosion.
All this costs development money; and lots of it ....
Evil knight, gladiator, heroic knight, viking, roman commander, evil dwarf.
It's probably only a matter of time before they start on the S1 zombie, the S2 spartan, the S3 elf, the S6 roman, etc.
And just out of interest, how do you know it's not a reseller selling real figs with custom stands/plates?
(Though I do notice a few of them with the wrong weapons/shields/accessories)
Some will make it to the UK / US, and get sold on ebay as compatible, but in the LEGO categories. In time, some will get resold as Lego by those that do not know the difference, or those that do know the difference and don't care. It would be easy to replace the base plate and they would look as good as the originals in a photo.
Or bits will start to make it onto bricklink and brickowl. In fact, there was someone asking about possible fake parts on bricklink just last week. They looked just like the originals, but very tiny differences.
Edit: Just thought, key rings so they might have the moulds
This is also why Lego has little to fear from the clones for a long while. Their already large and expanding catalog of IP, Licenses & parts (all well designed too) is darn near insurmountable.
I have to say that I have been disappointed with the TLG that they have left these on Ebay, because if they wanted to they could stop it. Also TRU, Target the sell on Ebay Store should have a problem with TLG allowing this and taking business from those legit stores and other sellers.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5pcs-Block-Building-Minifigure-Starwars-Clone-transparent-Storm-Trooper-/281425811976?nma=true&si=WTym8%2BFwZ693pVBGbda0BOXO1Qk%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
I took the kids on vacation this summer, having a few movies like Frozen downloaded to the iPad so that it could be watched on the plane, in the truck, etc. was very nice.
Streaming and the cloud aren't the solution to everything. :)
I bought a few of these from varying different ones as structure brick fodder for some giant mocs as well as simple curiosity. Now there was no way you could have initially persuaded me to purchase Lego's "The Bat", which I regard as a travesty and not worth the £40 it was on sale for. When a friend pointed it out on ebay for £10 postage free, I thought what the heck. Have to give the counterfeiters some credit. They made a better copy version than Lego did with the original with vastly superior clutch to Lego's own bricks. Many Lego sets are now far too fragile for the target market because of the fading clutch and so lose playability. IF the counterfeiters duplicate the technic properly then Lego will be in real trouble soon.
What's making matters even worse is that the stock images being used. Several sellers are now copying the counterfeiters lol and you don't know if its the S brand or something akin to MY blocks / Block tech.
Those who doubt the extent of the amount of counterfeiting out there check out:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/Bela-building-block-sets/1081507_254574334.html
I will gladly pay the premium of Lego to cover the designers wages, the admin and support staff and executives who've been with the company since they started their working lives. I don't like paying for professional board members and the gamblers anonymous entrants - wall street.
A big issue Lego has and will always face is the premium price illusion. Lego is great value even with the huge amount of tiny detail bricks we get now. This is what is a great feeder into the counterfeit market.
Cast your minds back to the late 70's and 80's when many AFOLs were kids and take a look at the prices of those sets - Galaxy Exploter (497 / 928 ) - $32 according to one site. Now translate that with inflation to todays prices - $180. Take one from the 80's monorail which i have catalogue evidence was £99.99 - translate to today's prices - £300. Both sets well under 800 pieces and no way would people consider them value now. ITs the change from being a kid and having your parents buy them to paying from own wages as well as the drastically lowering of purchasing power.
what can we do, what can Lego, Disney do?
On the BIONICLE Comedy Central Podcast, we were discussing prototype images from the old BIONICLE sets, and I randomly came across a cheap made-in-China-knockoff of Matau Nui ultimate build. While that was off subject, I think our reactions sum up how we think about knockoffs. (youtu.be/jrDmCsa2Go8?t=20m30s)
I assume you're specifically referring to minifigs?
Buying from eBay is fine; if something says it is LEGO and isn't then you will get your money back every time.
EBay is easy, so long as you're careful to study the photos and you check out the feedback of the seller. I always go to their stars and pull up the negative and neutral feedback they've been left to give myself an idea of how reliable they are.
(I guess if I ever do get fleeced or fall for a counterfeit seller I might change my tune, I did get cheated on a Nintendo Wii once, but there were so many warning signs on that purchase that I've only myself to blame, and I've not been caught out on Lego yet, or anything else since.)
I'd say the warning about people who lie when selling applies to life in general. Which particular shop/market/website/etc you're on really doesn't make any difference.
I have never been brave enough to buy any LEGO from eBay.
I've created a questionnaire and would very much like you to participate in the survey. There are approximately 30 multiple choice questions, if possible I would appreciate if you can also share this to your friends and family as well. Thank you in advance for all your help
Cheers!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1sB2Uek_1IK5mp6qvCZu9nbEDGeC0tMzVEnsnC3hiUgo/viewform