THE BRICKPICKER LEGO SET REVIEW/BLOG ARTICLE CONTEST IS HERE!!!

Jeff and I are proud to announce this contest for all registered BrickPicker members. It will be based on LEGO set reviews, Evalution Corner and Blog articles. We will judge the winners on several aspects, such as overall quantity, content and quality. We will take into consideration the quantity of reviews and articles you submit and the content and quality of those reviews/articles/blogs. Just because you pump out more reviews than other members, if your content and quality are subpar or very average, we can elect someone else the winner.

The basic BrickPicker Set Review will be accepted at 1000 characters. No less. Unlike the earlier Set Review version, you will be required to submit content for each of the 10 basic categories below:

First Impression(WOW Factor) & Introduction

An introduction and first impression of the LEGO set. Does the LEGO set "WOW" you? Is it or will it be an "iconic" LEGO set? When you see this set, you say to yourself, "I just have to have one!?

Unique Parts/Minifigures

Does the LEGO set have rare or unique minifigures? Are there rare parts/colors in the set? Does the set have a large amount of minifigures or parts that make it more desirable?

Playability/Build Experience

Does the set have elements that make it an extremely "fun" set to play with or to build, thus affecting it's popularity and future viability as an investment?

Value for money(new)

Is the set a bargain? Does the set give you a "bang for your buck" when considering piece to price ratio or is the price of the set extremely high priced for the amount of pieces included? This rating also plays into LEGO collectors/investors who like to "part out" LEGO sets to make money...Could the set be used to "part out for a profit"?

Theme Popularity

Is the LEGO set from a popular LEGO theme that sells well in the primary retail LEGO market and will most likely translate to positive growth in the secondary LEGO market?

Exclusivity

Is the set an "exclusive" set and is marked accordingly so? Is the set limited in production in any way? Is the set from a Toy Fair or Comic Con or other LEGO trade show that has limited production runs?

Packaging

Does the set have unique packaging that makes it stand out from the typical LEGO set? Does the set have special markings on the box that differentiate it from other LEGO sets?

Growth Potential

What is the potential growth of this set in the secondary LEGO market? Will this set appreciate or depreciate after being retired(EOL)?

Display Attributes

Does this set when built display well? Is it a topic of conversation when built and displayed in a office or den? Does it make for an impressive or unique set when compared with other LEGO set

Final Analysis & Conclusion

Your overall final impression of the set, taking into consideration all the above factors. A final synopsis or conclusion about the LEGO set. The numerical rating is for the entire set, with a 10 being the ?perfect? LEGO set, a 5-6 being about average and a 1 being the bottom of the barrel.

Each category can range from a sentence to several paragraphs if necessary. The combined total for all the category content needs to be 1000 characters to be accepted. You will be asked to leave a numerical 1 to 10 rank for each category as well, with 4,5 and 6 being considered "average" LEGO set rankings. You do not have to own a set to review one, but it would help and this will be noted on each review. Here is a sample of a REVIEW I did for the 10227 UCS B-Wing Starfighter. It is a 5000 character review and I would consider it an above average review. You can do more or less, but proper grammar and spelling is also important.

We will take a snapshot of the current review totals and start from there. A BrickPicker member can look over their personal reviews in our new REVIEW LOG. You will have the ability to resubmit an older review and improve it, with it counting towards the contest. Jeff and I will approve or disapprove each resubmission. What is neat about the new review system is that Jeff and I will be able to award BONUS BRICKPOINTS for above average and special reviews. A basic 1000 character review will be awarded 10 Brickpoints, but we can give up to 500 Brickpoints or more for some in depth and special reviews.

The contest will start immediately and conclude at 11:59 PM(Eastern Time) on July 3rd, 2013. There will be three main prizes:

1ST PLACE: 10228 HAUNTED HOUSE or $200 LEGO GIFT CARD

2ND PLACE: 10232 PALACE CINEMA or $150 LEGO GIFT CARD

3RD PLACE: 9516 JABBA'S PALACE or $100 LEGO GIFT CARD

We will adjust all prizes to the winner's country and situation. Jeff and I understand that some members have to pay more for LEGO sets and we will adapt to each situation. We have the right to change the prizes to equivalent LEGO sets if these become retired or out of stock.

There will also be four $25 LEGO GIFT CARDS given out to those exceptional reviews in which I can convert to content for the EVALUATION CORNER. One person can win them all. Look at my reviews for an example of what I am looking for. You do not have to go through the normal review processor if it is easier to produce a large and quality review and analysis on a word processor like OPEN OFFICE(which I use). If you are doing a "special" review, you can contact me. I can guide you. What I don't want is something I have to rewrite. It needs to be quality content and properly written. I can tweak it and help with data and charts, but the overall written content needs to be very, very good.

Depending on the response, we can throw in some other prizes along the way. Maybe some "Honorable Mentions" or some other prize for some review or content that tickles my fancy. This is a serious competition and Jeff and I want the content of the LEGO set reviews to become a very important part of our site. Unlike the quality reviews on top sites like Brickset or Eurobricks, I want our reviews to focus on aspects of LEGO sets that will affect its "investment" potential and value. You can discuss anything you want, but you should have a serious investment correlation in your reviews when discussing many of the categories. The basic categories are set up like an essay, with an introduction, body & content and then a conclusion. Think of the reviews in proper English class terms and you will do well.

That's about it. Good luck with your reviews and any questions can be posted below. Winners will be announced on July 4th, 2013. Thanks.

Ed Mack

EDIT: JEFF AND I WILL ALSO ACCEPT EVALUATION CORNER/BLOG ARTICLES TOWARDS THE CONTEST AS WELL!!!

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The Sleeper Set EC is still on the "to be published" list.

The Sleeper Set EC is still on the "to be published" list.

 

Technically speaking, once the article is published those sets will not be sleepers anymore.  

I am still looking forward to reading it though. 

Technically speaking, once the article is published those sets will not be sleepers anymore.  

I am still looking forward to reading it though. 

Oh, the article is published already. I just wanted to let Ed know that he forgot to update that on the list above!

http://community.brickpicker.com/blog/4/entry-159-lego-sleeper-sets-potential-investment-returns-that-fly-under-the-radar/

 

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wow gone for a week and I get passed up! And I'm about to be gone for another ten days...I better put in some OT on the review section

wow gone for a week and I get passed up! And I'm about to be gone for another ten days...I better put in some OT on the review section

That's ok, you can just stop... ;)

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What is the method for Brickpoints with personal blogs?

What is the method for Brickpoints with personal blogs?

Whatever I think is appropriate, so you better be nice to me.     On a serious note, I am trying to promote the blogs, so I might be more generous here for now.  Full sized Evaluation Corner and Brickvesting Blogs get 500 Brickpoints and it works down from there.  

 

A paragraph maybe will get you 25 points.  A couple of paragraphs to a page can get you 50, 100, 150 or more.  I like pictures and charts and anything that makes for an interesting article.  

 

Remember, besides the above "bonus" points from me, you get 250 Brickpoints for just starting a Personal blog and 10 points automatically from the forum computer for each blog post after that .  You also get 3 points for each comment from other members I believe.  

Thanks!  Another thing I have been wondering about it reputation points.  Do you get points when YOU like a post, or only if your post gets liked?

You get reputation when other users like your posts, comments, blogs, or gallery uploades.

Though the reputation tab only seems to show the reputation from posts at this time, even though the reputation total is correct.

I know that, but I was under the impression that you got a BP for liking a post.

Ah. You made no reference to brick points in your post, so I figured you were talking strictly reputation points.

I am not sure how BP gets awarded, if at all, for 'likes'. I thought that was a separate but equally important system.

Sorry.  I didn't even realize I had left BP out!

Let me clarify some things and explain what is happening as of right now...

 

• The Review Contest ends on the July 3rd and the winners will be announced July 4th.
• The Blog contest will continue until August 1st.  This is not set in stone, but I think it is a good date to end it.  Winners will be announced a couple of days after it is over. 
• There will be a major explanation of the entire Brickpoints system in the near future.  I cannot give you concrete examples of some scoring and points awarded because the Brick Classifieds is being worked on as we speak and I don't want to put the cart before the horse.  Because of the new forum, blog and Brickpoints setup and their interaction, everything must be working before I tell you how you can earn Brickpoints and use them.  
• The current awarding of Brickpoints by me to members for Personal and the Evaluation Corner and Brickvesting Blogs is a temporary "contest" bonus from me until the Blog contest ends.  The Blog approval system will streamlined to work like the Reviews.  Character counts will be looked at and I will be able to easily award and notify members of approved Blogs.  I am throwing in some bonus Brickpoints right now to stimulate interest in the new setup, but when all is said and done, the Blog approval and reward system will be very fair and equitable but will operate slightly different than what is currently utilized.
• As it currently stands (for the time being), a person gets 250 Brickpoints for starting a Personal Blog and 10 Brickpoints for every new post to that Personal Blog by the member who started it.  I have been throwing in bonus Brickpoints to stir up interest in addition to those features.  As I said earlier, these bonus points will be replaced when the contest is over with a better and simpler system.  Also, if other members comment on the blog, you get 3 Brickpoints per comment I believe.  Reputation points are only awarded when another member gives you an up arrow.  
• Brickpoints awarded for reviews are being tallied in a separate area because of the forum conversion.  Jeff recorded everything when the forum transition took place around June 1st and at some point, they will be added to your total Brickpoints account.

 

I hope this clears some things up.  Any questions...ask away.  Ed

Ed, one of Blackjack's questions is what relation does Reputation Points have to Brickpoints.  Thoughts?

Ed, one of Blackjack's questions is what relation does Reputation Points have to Brickpoints.  Thoughts?

ONE GREEN UP ARROW = ONE REPUTATION POINT = ONE BRICKPOINT

Reputation points will play a larger role on the site when we launch the Brick Classifieds.  Reputation points will work just like any other feedback system and speak volumes about a person.  Low reputation...low chance of selling items.  High reputation...high chance of selling items.  Simple really.  

Reputation points will play a larger role on the site when we launch the Brick Classifieds.  Reputation points will work just like any other feedback system and speak volumes about a person.  Low reputation...low chance of selling items.  High reputation...high chance of selling items.  Simple really.

I like it. I would suggest tying reputation points to actual customer satisfaction, too. Just because someone is polite and uses proper grammar doesn't mean he or she will ship on time or pack correctly. Maybe buyers could rate a transaction by leaving rep points. Just my .02

I like it. I would suggest tying reputation points to actual customer satisfaction, too. Just because someone is polite and uses proper grammar doesn't mean he or she will ship on time or pack correctly. Maybe buyers could rate a transaction by leaving rep points. Just my .02

That is exactly the way it will work.  The reputation points will become more important as the Brick Classifieds matures.  At the start, there will be jerks trying to abuse the process I'm sure, but as time goes on and people build a large and positive sales record, the jerks will be weeded out.

Reputation points will play a larger role on the site when we launch the Brick Classifieds.  Reputation points will work just like any other feedback system and speak volumes about a person.  Low reputation...low chance of selling items.  High reputation...high chance of selling items.  Simple really.  

 

About this Brick Classifieds thing.... I'm wondering about the legality of me and other younger members selling stuff on it. Is there one overarching rule or would our participation in the Classifieds vary depending on our region? Thanks (if you don't know at this point that's fine, no worries). Personally, I would rather sell on this site where I know the Lego is going to actual fans and investors rather than eBay or Bricklink (that place is a mess right now).

Ooops. Again with the wrong arrow. Sorry Ed.

Reminds me of the Simpsons. "We're sorry, the fingers you are using to dial are too fat."

Brianl3, even him out for me :)

I know Ed posted some information about other things earlier in this thread, but could we please post any further questions about Brick Classifieds in this thread:

 

http://community.brickpicker.com/topic/2705-introducing-brick-classifieds-and-more-data/?hl=classifieds

Ooops. Again with the wrong arrow. Sorry Ed.

Reminds me of the Simpsons. "We're sorry, the fingers you are using to dial are too fat."

Brianl3, even him out for me

 

Covered it up with an up arrow for ya, D.