The Downward Spiral - LEGO Quality Standards

[TheOrcKing]

It may be a stretch trying to make a straight comparison between a vehicle and a toy but there are some basic principles we as a consumer expect from a product regardless of sticker price (although I will add the higher the price then the higher of level for perfection is expected).

• Stability of design
  How well the model can handle the rough laws of physics and randomness in nature. Truthfully the design could be considered ugly as sin in my eyes or yours. What matters is if it holds together and endures against the rough vigors of life.
   
• Quality of material
  The level of refinement for the raw ingredients ultimately affects the end result meaning even if one were using the best equipment yet the lowest grade textiles then all you would get back is a well-made piece of junk.
   
• Consistency between inventory
  While nothing can realistically be hundred percent accurate to each item rolling off the assembly line, the technologies available make any possible discrepancies quite minimal.
   
• Safety of usability
  Well obviously the last thing we want is for the product to suddenly explode in a great ball of fire for no good reason. Ha. There are numerous standardized tests of endurance a company has set aside for its product. However some bugs can still slip through and only rear their ugly head under more normal everyday living circumstances or difficult to recreate rare occurrences.

Although the valley between pricing for a toy car to an actual car is enormous and more is to be expected from the real thing (rightfully so), there is a general level in what is to be expected from either one. Of course a person cannot demand for example a Hot Wheels model of a Rolls Royce to be the same as the real deal yet even so one should count on the toy to be of good quality and actually look like the vehicle it is based on.

Perhaps this is why many are disappointed by LEGO's latest Creator Expert Ferrari because it is not completely perfect in their eyes.

[Val-E]

Another factor is that this is supposedly one of the elements that differentiates Lego from Megablocks and Chinese imitations. Were quality standards to really slip and creativity to decline, they would come under pressure from the other brands and they know that.

 

[exciter1]

I'm putting my you know who tin foil hat on to point out they need to care more about their branding, for sure.  Here's the primary product they have link'd on Amazon for LEGO.  They do need to be more aggressive to thwart knock-offs, especially at major retailers.

Top of the page when you search for "Star Wars Legos"

Edited September 18, 2015 by exciter1

[marcandre]

That is so obnoxious on amazons part. They suspended my seller account last year for suspicion of selling counterfeit lego (I was not and cleared it up) but they allow garbage like this. 

[Darth_Raichu]

I'm putting my you know who tin foil hat on to point out they need to care more about their branding, for sure.  Here's the primary product they have link'd on Amazon for LEGO.  They do need to be more aggressive to thwart knock-offs, especially at major retailers.

Top of the page when you search for "Star Wars Legos"

Check out the accessories on 3PO. That just proofed my theory of C-3PO being the 1 true Sith.

[justapilgrim]

On a standards note: Toyota sets the standard with cars, many other companies use parts of the QC process in their own companies. Their goal is to only have 7 "lemon" cars out of 1 million. There are usually less than that. There may be a minor flaw here or there, but only 7 or less out of 1 million.

Your lego may have a minor flaw, but is it a "lemon" where entire set poor enough quality? Probably not.

BTW this was talked about at a latest anesthesia conference. There are less than 7 bad outcomes from anesthesia in 1 million surgeries. Sure you may chip a tooth, or get some sort of abrasion, but a "anesthesia F'ed up, and patient is screwed" is about 4-5 in a million

[fuzzy_bricks]

On a standards note: Toyota sets the standard with cars, many other companies use parts of the QC process in their own companies. Their goal is to only have 7 "lemon" cars out of 1 million. There are usually less than that. There may be a minor flaw here or there, but only 7 or less out of 1 million.

 

Your lego may have a minor flaw, but is it a "lemon" where entire set poor enough quality? Probably not.

 

BTW this was talked about at a latest anesthesia conference. There are less than 7 bad outcomes from anesthesia in 1 million surgeries. Sure you may chip a tooth, or get some sort of abrasion, but a "anesthesia F'ed up, and patient is screwed" is about 4-5 in a million

I bet those conferences really put you to sleep.

[Sauromosis]

Thread derailed.

Been to three NIN concerts and had one shirt that I wore constantly (tan with downward spiral art).  It did not survive.

"Further down the spiral" tour was the pinnacle, and it has been downhill since then.  Trent got all pumped up, Trent got married.  I'd still see them again though.

[Guest]

Been to three NIN concerts and had one shirt that I wore constantly (tan with downward spiral art).  It did not survive.

"Further down the spiral" tour was the pinnacle, and it has been downhill since then.  Trent got all pumped up, Trent got married.  I'd still see them again though.

Like just about every musician, their creativity and talent leaves when their drug habit ends.

[marcandre]

Been to three NIN concerts and had one shirt that I wore constantly (tan with downward spiral art).  It did not survive.

"Further down the spiral" tour was the pinnacle, and it has been downhill since then.  Trent got all pumped up, Trent got married.  I'd still see them again though.

The Fragile is just as good as TDS. fwiw have seen them 30 times. Met Trent once, nice as could be. 

[Val-E]

On a standards note: Toyota sets the standard with cars, many other companies use parts of the QC process in their own companies. Their goal is to only have 7 "lemon" cars out of 1 million. There are usually less than that. There may be a minor flaw here or there, but only 7 or less out of 1 million.

 

Your lego may have a minor flaw, but is it a "lemon" where entire set poor enough quality? Probably not.

 

BTW this was talked about at a latest anesthesia conference. There are less than 7 bad outcomes from anesthesia in 1 million surgeries. Sure you may chip a tooth, or get some sort of abrasion, but a "anesthesia F'ed up, and patient is screwed" is about 4-5 in a million

And, in recent times, Toyota has set the standard on mass recalls too. Even the mighty can fall if they become complacent.

[Sauromosis]

The Fragile is just as good as TDS. fwiw have seen them 30 times. Met Trent once, nice as could be. 

Much respect for going 30 times.  I've had this debate with my friends many times, and I respectfully disagree.  Maybe if you smash the fragile into one disc it can come close to TDS, but no way.  It made his career, it had insanely catchy hooks in every song, it's top dog by far.

[marcandre]

Much respect for going 30 times.  I've had this debate with my friends many times, and I respectfully disagree.  Maybe if you smash the fragile into one disc it can come close to TDS, but no way.  It made his career, it had insanely catchy hooks in every song, it's top dog by far.

Yea I agree TDS is his master work. The Fragile is bloated and would have worked better as one album, Trent has admitted as much. Still it has several songs that are as good as anything he has ever done. I think it's the last of the classic NIN era. 

[dcdfan]

OK. Since this is now a NIN free-for-all...I think Trent did an amazing job on Gone Girl. Especially that one scene! Haunting!

Edited September 18, 2015 by dcdfan

[KShine]

What is with these new LEGO Spongy Capes??? It makes Robin look like he's wearing a turtle neck.

[Migration]

11 minutes ago, KShine said:

What is with these new LEGO Spongy Capes??? It makes Robin look like he's wearing a turtle neck.

Maybe he's just trying to stay warm in the Batcave. 

[Poly 30286]

What's with this different bag? New?

 

Also, TDS is fantastic, but Pretty Hate Machine is my go to NIN. Saw Trent Reznor and David Bowie do a Hurt duet back when Bowie tried to go concept album. Epic

Sorry I take blurry pics. My hands shake too much.

[KShine]

Trent Reznor and David Bowie - Hurt

[Poly 30286]

14 minutes ago, KShine said:

Trent Reznor and David Bowie - Hurt

https://youtu.be/GfTAQG9raQ4

Has it really been 21 years since then? I feel old.

[Guest brickcrazyhouse]

just opened up one of the target minifigure cubes.  This was the first time I have bought from a retailer and thought I got Chinese knock offs. I've only pulled out Lightning Lad so far but both legs and arms are super lose.  The fig also has no clutch power at all when attached to the base plate.  how disappointing 

[Phil B]

Started the big Part Out of my 10697's from BF. First box I open contains these gems. Someone must have been asleep at Quality Control.

 

[supergman]

On ‎12‎/‎28‎/‎2015 at 9:55 AM, Phil B said:

Started the big Part Out of my 10697's from BF. First box I open contains these gems. Someone must have been asleep at Quality Control.

Looks like the junk from the chinese remakes.

[KShine]

20 minutes ago, Phil B said:

Started the big Part Out of my 10697's from BF. First box I open contains these gems. Someone must have been asleep at Quality Control.

 

Was that really found in a sealed/undamaged box, in a sealed bag???

[Quacs]

6 minutes ago, KShine said:

Was that really found in a sealed/undamaged box, in a sealed bag???

I agree - that's terrible.

[Migration]

On ‎12‎/‎28‎/‎2015 at 9:55 AM, Phil B said:

Started the big Part Out of my 10697's from BF. First box I open contains these gems. Someone must have been asleep at Quality Control.

You need to send that pic to Lego. That's awful.