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Apparently, the Germans are really really angry with LEGO.

Got my two GWP's, box looks good but prone to scuffing at the sides.

M:Tron - Legacy by Marathon To May

SPARKY Rover by L E G O Z ; )

Last March, when stores were running low, I had to pick up "stuff" that I don't normally buy. Nothing unusual, but what I mean is, if I usually bought Brand A of Beans, and it was picked clean, I'd buy Brand B. So we were running low of instant oatmeal. I'm not a big fan of it, but I have one or two flavors that I'll eat. Of course, all of my flavors were gone. So I grabbed a box of Quaker Peanut Butter & Banana instant oatmeal. It's been sitting in our pantry for almost a year, because I just really didn't want to touch the stuff. But push came to shove a couple weeks back, and I ended up trying it. And damnit, I love it. Well, of course, now I'm looking for it (because I'm out), and I can't find it anywhere. Near as I can tell from the Quaker site, they're not even making it anymore. I should go check Dollar Tree or Big Lots at this point, I guess.

I don't think this would destroy Lego as a company. The other companies would still not be allowed to call their product Lego, the same way CVS can't call their tissues Kleenex. What would change is that you could legally make a YouTube video where you call BB or Cobi bricks "lego bricks" instead of "interlocking bricks". What might destroy Lego as a company is lower production quality or boring sets. I have to say that in the kids market, most sets from last few years have not impressed. If I look at the current police station, it's as good as the last one. The same for some of the licensed sets. But Lego has always gone through cycles, so I'm hoping they will get better again.

Kanye West got a divorce. I consider that irrelevant also.

The Minesweeper by Djokson

Ice Planet 2002 Redux: Deep Freeze Defender by Henk van der Linde

Just thinking back to $.30 battle pack delivery day.

People have been calling for the end of days for a very long time (for too many reasons to count). I don't think the "Lots Of Germans Are Angry" reason even gets into the top 10 list.

I think that in the context of LEGO investing it really isn’t relevant unless: 1- You are located in Germany 2- A large enough portion of your sales are to Germany 3- You believe this will translate into a worldwide trend and has true staying power (I.e is not just a temporary situation that will be forgotten in time)

Let me put it this way, I will be worry when you stop investing in LEGO, not before.

Only a few but those who are like to tell.

After reading the above article it seems like there are two issues: 1) LEGO has become a generic term. The article uses "Jeep" as an example, but there are others. Kleenex (is a brand, not just something you sneeze into), Chan-nel-lock (is a brand - not just pliers with different channels to open the size of the pliers). LEGO is trying to keep their name from becoming generic, which according to the end of the article someone is now pushing an effort to make the word "LEGO" an officially generic term for interlocking bricks. If that happens, I think LEGO will be done as a company, let alone as an investment. So I guess if you want to destroy the big-bad company, then go for it. Kind of sad really though. 2) The second issue reminds me of the car industry in the 1970s. In the USA, Japanese cars were much cheaper than the USA manufacturers could sell them for. There was also an issue with quality as USA manufacturers were trying to figure out where to cut-costs. Labor unions went on strike because they were trying to cut costs there too. In the end, car manufacturers did cut costs by automating their manufacturing (firing tens-of-thousands of workers) and using cheaper products: plastics, imitation leather, etc. I remember seeing the factory front wheel bearings from a 1982 Camaro. The race holding the bearings in place was made of a hardened plastic. I have also seen factory timing chains from the 1970s that used metal gears with hardened plastic teeth. Least to say those parts wore out fairly quickly (before 100,000 miles). I can see how both issues are related. Maybe LEGO is a bit defensive. It appears to me they have taken a multi-directional approach to defend their product and maintain market share in an increasingly competitive interlocking-brick market. After all, every company will say they like competition but what they really mean is, they like beating the competition - with a lawyer stick if necessary.

https://www.amazon.com/LEGO-International-Station-Building-Birthday/dp/B083JWZNW7

In the 2000s Audi car designs were considered pretty bland...I saw this meme comparing it to a bar of Dial soap...can't find it but here's the car

Alien Interceptor V2 by LegoScarz

I appreciate you bumping this thread with new information. I had almost forgotten about it.

Mix a spoon of peanut butter to a bowl of plain oatmeal and put banana slices on top??? Or buy them from @marcandre for 400% MSRP

Pretty certain it is 4, same as 21317 Steamboat Willie which is same size box

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/promotion/landingpage/A289WJ39BFS9KN?ie=UTF8&ref_=plp_pc_rd_A289WJ39BFS9KN

I agree in the short term. Long term, who knows. But most (all?) of us have don't have that long of a hold period. My reading of the situation is as follows: 1. Lego is growing in the adult market and is earning a lot of money there, so that's the market they are trying to protect in the fight with BB. 2. In the adult market, most of their sets are quite easy to build and are not what some of the more serious builders want. They are frustrated and are looking at alternatives. I think that group is not that big but very vocal. The usual internet comment section. 3. In Germany, Lego is reacting quite clumsily to that situation. Instead of ignoring the comment section and small producers and throwing the serious builders a few bones with more challenging builds, they are fighting in court. Which never looks good. But if Lego learns from that mistake, nothing will come from it. If not, they'll loose market share in a lucrative market and it might affect our returns. But that's not imminent at all, so as an investor, I'm not sweating it. In principle, the market is big enough to have Lego as the big name selling relatively simple (licensed) adult sets and BB and co selling more advanced builds. It would eat into Lego's profits but not in a way to destroy the company (or our chances to make money of the right sets). If I were a Lego owner, what would worry me more is that in the kids market their product isn't that good any more. Of course, that's just my opinion, but I think plenty of parents agree. Otherwise why would they buy an old police station for almost double MSRP when a new one is available? And there are plenty of other examples. Of course, this is good for us as resellers but it will kill the lucrative adult market in 20-30 years when today's kids won't buy $200 sets (or $50 sets for their kids).

there has been knock-offs threatening luxury brands since Louie first met Vitton a $5K+ "hand bag" PULease...LEGO has nothing to worry about

Obviously I don’t really know, I just think it won’t have a material impact in the US. But I will agree with you that It is good to know what’s out there regardless.

You're right, there is a double standard. I think LEGO gets some leeway because of the decades of reputation they built. The other companies have to deal w/ their reputation and/or lack thereof. Not saying it's right or wrong; but there's obviously grey. A box w/ 4 wheels can be considered a "copy" (Heck Audi copied their car design from Dial soap); based on interpretation. Every popular brand has their unique elements...how far a copy goes in reproducing those elements seems to be the crux of the argument.

First. These lawsuits are nothing new. LEGO did similar thing in the US back when Friends line was introduced. IIRC the lawsuit was vs Hasbro, but don't quote me on that Second. LEGO needs to protect their name / brand or risk losing the ability to protect it in the future. That is part of the lawsuit as quoted by your newspaper article above Third. Yes we get it. LEGO sued alternative brick brands Fourth. This is just for interest of full disclosure. How much money do you have invested in the alternative bricks? Are you one of the distributors or manufacturers of these alternative brands? Usually anyone with so much passion covering these matters have some kind of financial interest in them.

True, but it was $63.99, not full RRP of $79.99. I snagged one, thanks @Emvisawthatswho

Band Practice by Jez Rider [Insta: Jezbags]

Lantern Festival available at Kohls....burn that Kohls cash!! https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-4858120/lego-spring-lantern-festival-80107-lego-set-1793-pieces.jsp?skuId=82140448

Hmm my Walmart here has 5 boxes for pickup. Maybe I can flip on ebay $40 a box. RARE RETIRING OATMEAL.

proof that everything should have a "Retiring Soon" label

The refund amount usually shows up within 3 weeks for me. They would determine an arbitrary refund amount which is usually much less than what the item is worth. I heard you can try to contact them afterwards to complaint about the amount, but I usually just let it go. It is part of the F'd By Amazon experience

Train 60198 $180 https://www.iwoot.us/toys-lego/lego-city-cargo-train-rc-battery-powered-set-60198/11733145.html Says you can back order AT ST $48.95. I’ve never ordered from this place so no idea if it’s legit. https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/020737/LEGO-Star-Wars-AT-ST-Raider-75254.html?

If it is customer return, you will see it on the FBA return page Otherwise, you can go to your Reports to check for refund reasons. It may take 48 hours to appear on the report Up top go to: Reports -> Fulfillment On the new page, on the left under Payments, click Reimbursements

Lol these are hot garbage. But glad to folks getting good money for them.

Wow, this really an impressive build.

Flower Field by prrbrix

Many years ago I dated a young woman who had a cat. The thing bit me the first time I took the young woman on a date. I should have headed the warning... the owner was more vicious than the cat and not in a good way.

Sellers who include their foot or feet in their pictures annoys me...I want to see what you are selling, not what you what shoes you are wearing, or worse, your actual foot or feet. Argh....

Ok so now the expectation is for politicians to do above and beyond their governmental duties in these kinds of events. You know what? I like that. Why should we expect them to sit around on their fat asses while people are suffering. Let's be consistent on this though. Everyone should hold the same standard for these politicians no matter if they have R or D or I or anything else behind their names. Can we agree on this?

Just an FYI; spoke with a manager of a LEGO store in the states and he said they are pulling them from the shelves. I trust the guy, but take it how you will.

We know.

Alien Autopsy by BrickBrotherhood

Amazon Day at Outpost LL301 by Brick Police

(483-920) Rocket Base by Horlack

Cookie Thief by Jez Rider [Insta: Jezbags]