An Open Letter to LEGO: Keep Doing EXCLUSIVES at San Diego Comic Con

[TotallyNewLegoFan]

Dear LEGO Group,

I am a new fan of LEGO due to my recent attendance of the 2014 San Diego Comic Con and Lego having excellent limited edtion merchandise and minifigures.

I am writing to you regarding the SDCC Exclusive Minifigures. This "Exclusive" system attracted my attention to the amazing creations of Lego. I did not attend San Diego Comic Con 2014 because of Lego, but after seeing your exclusive limited edition items I became interested in Lego. Thank you for creating them .

This system of distribution was extremely fair on at least five levels:

1) Everyone has the opportunity and choice to attend Comic Con which makes the chance of purchasing or winning an exclusive minifig very fair. I thank you for that.

2) The fact that the SDCC Exclusive Minifigures never gets released into general circulation can mean more new, potential Lego customers and fans (myself being one) may be attracted to Lego on various levels. Releasing limited and exclusive products also gives people a chance at items that are not released later and may never see the light of day. Another great thing for fans of Lego and Lego the company.

3) The net effect is that the limited availability for your cool minifigures (already scarce to begin with) is to get more people interested in Lego and also make current Lego fans more excited. Great job!

4) This ends up rewarding the LEGO fans worldwide since anyone is free to attend the convention to possibly win a free, exclusive, and limited Lego creation just for attending the con and visiting the LEGO booth! Nice . Fans can also purchase the limited edition sets LEGO create each year.

5) For "completists" or collectors who wish to have every mini-figure of a certain line the choice is simple: 1) Attend Comic Con, have a great vacation, meet other old and new Lego fans, and have the opportunity to acquire something special you will always cherish.

SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS

1) Make your limited editions and exclusives a bit more limited and actually exclusive in that they are different from any figure released possibly later to the general public. That way, they are truly special and attract people to your booth during the convention.

2) NEVER rotate all of these minifigures into general circulation through future sets (even if it 1 or 2 years down the road). Doing this will not only upset true the collecting AFOL (Adult Fans of Lego) who spend a lot of money on collectible Lego, it may also prevent new AFOL who only collect rare and limited figures form even bothering visiting your LEGO booth. Also, releasing limited, and exclusive items later on to the general public is fraudulent as they would no longer be special, limited, and exclusive as advertised by LEGO, which could further alienate collectors.

3) In addition to 2), perhaps TLG can offer (in due time -- or even alongside the events) the minifigures in a limited pre- sale with only a certain amount available for purchase.. As some of the replies have suggested on various LEGO fan forums, many companies offer Limited edition, and exclusive SDCC items via a limited pre-order.

[FINAL THOUGHTS]

My main message to the LEGO Group is simply this: currently, the SDCC "Exclusive" system has left a lot of your loyal and new customers feeling "excited" and even more interested in the Lego brand. However LEGO does need to SERIOUSLY IMPROVE in one subject:

TICKET DISTRIBUTION AT THE LEGO SALES BOOTH TO PURCHASE LIMITED EDITION and EXCLUSIVE LEGO SETS:

The only negative thing I experienced visiting the LEGO SALES Booth this, my first year at LEGO at SDCC, was the rude behavior and treatment by a few LEGO employees towards fans lined up each morning to purchase one of the three limited edition sets. Two employees. a young, thin, and tall Caucasian male, and a shorter, older heavier, and balding Caucasian male, were a bit condescending and callous which was uncalled for. I waited on line both Saturday and Sunday and the LEGO Sales Booth was run horribly. I was about number 60 or 70 in line and was assured one ticket of each LE set as LEGO advertised they were handing out to 200-250 people per day of the convention. After standing in line at the LEGO Booth for about 15 min someone at LEGO decided to REVERSE THE LINE, making the back the front and the front the back. This made me over number 200 in line and I got no tickets to purchase my sets. NOT RIGHT OR ETHICAL LEGO. On Sunday I was on line even earlier outside waiting to get in and was about number 40 in line at the LEGO STORE BOOTH and LEGO STOPPED at about number 20-35 saying they "ran out of LE items to sell". This appears to be a LIE as LEGO ADVERTISED they were selling 200-250 sets PER DAY. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OTHER STOCK?

Other than the above inexcusable and dishonest behavior by LEGO I think doing Exclusive. Limited editions is a great idea and hope LEGO continues to do so. If they didn't why even bother spending money, time, and hours on line for something anyone can buy anytime?

Thank you for listening.

From a new LEGO fan.

[ummester]

What if Comic Con isn't held in your country? The solution doesn't work.

[TotallyNewLegoFan]

Unfortunately the same things are not available to everyone no matter what the item.

While what you say could be true, there are plenty of products and contests not available in my hometown, state, and country that I can't access,buy, or win. I am not happy about it but stopping it is not the answer.

Additionally, I suggested a limited pre order as well .

[agoodfella77]

Out of curiosity, how many of these threads are you planning on making?

[Lind Whisperer]

Couldn't agree more with this. I just noticed a few typos that you might want to edit out.

1) Everyone has the opportunity and choice to attend Comic Con which makes the chance of purchasing or winning an exclusive minifig very fair. I thank you for that.

When you said, "everyone" you meant to say "everyone who has a minimum of $2500 to pay just to get into the con and also is able to travel to the convention*".

4) This ends up rewarding the LEGO fans worldwide since anyone is free to attend the convention to possibly win a free, exclusive, and limited Lego creation just for attending the con and visiting the LEGO booth! Nice . Fans can also purchase the limited edition sets LEGO create each year.

By "world-wide", you of course meant "assuming you can pay for airfare and are able to secure a passport." Also, you need to change the "anyone" - it suffers from the same issue as "everyone" up above.

5) For "completists" or collectors who wish to have every mini-figure of a certain line the choice is simple: 1) Attend Comic Con, have a great vacation, meet other old and new Lego fans, and have the opportunity to acquire something special you will always cherish.

You might want to edit this, as in this paragraph you're making the erroneous statement that all completists are able to choose to attend Comic Con, without giving any reasonable proof of this.

Hope this helps!

If it isn't obvious to anyone, I don't agree with this. I just thought that it would be a new twist to present the problems in a tongue-in-cheek editing manner.

*I assume that you also meant to limit everyone to "everyone who":

• Either lives within driving distance of Comic Con so they can sleep at home, or is fine with sleeping in their car(Hotels are expensive!).
  
• Whose boss is letting them take a holiday for the Con(I hope it's a paid one, because all of these costs are mounting up!).
  
• Who can afford to pay for travel expenses(Plane tickets and gas aren't getting any cheaper.).
  
• And, who can afford to pay for all of these other expenses, as well as having to pay even more to buy the figs off of a Ebay scalper because they weren't able to win one of the tiny amount of figs for such a huge crowd.
  

Edited August 18, 2014 by Lind Whisperer

[jodawill]

Instead of an absolute exclusive, I think a good compromise would be "exclusive for a certain period." For example, they could promise not to release the minifigure to the general public for a minimum of two years or whatever - just as long as they make this clear from the beginning.

[TotallyNewLegoFan]

Out of curiosity, how many of these threads are you planning on making?

Excuse me? Listen pal if you think I am going to take your harassment you are sadly mistaken.

You made a post that complained about the subject and asked for opinions. I and others responded. Then you get nasty with anyone who did not share the same opinion as you. a mod had to step in for Pete sake. I say to the mod it's all good, then you say

I'm more interested in engaging in a higher level of discussion and will proceed on that basis going forward.

.

You couldn't resist could you? Try keeping your word.

Anyway, the same mod suggested I post my own thread why I think it's a good thing to have limited and exclusive items which I did here.

So, to satisfy (not that I have to) your "curiosity", I would like to point out this is the only thread I posted about why I believe limited exclusives are fine. The system here double posted and I instructed the mods to delete another post which is blank by the way.

[Lind Whisperer]

Instead of an absolute exclusive, I think a good compromise would be "exclusive for a certain period." For example, they could promise not to release the minifigure to the general public for a minimum of two years or whatever - just as long as they make this clear from the beginning.

I could definitely get behind this. It gives the Con attenders something to brag about, for a few years, and then the average person gets a chance to get it.

Of course, the problem then is that LEGO would have to release it in a set in two years for it to work to full efficiency. Otherwise, we end up with a bunch of figs that LEGO "Can technically release, but we don't really have a reason to.".

Edited August 18, 2014 by Lind Whisperer

[TotallyNewLegoFan]

Couldn't agree more with this. I just noticed a few typos that you might want to edit out.

When you said, "everyone" you meant to say "everyone who has a minimum of $2500 to pay just to get into the con and also is able to travel to the convention*".

Nice you agree with me, though of course you don't have to .

I am amazed you believe you know how much it cost me to attend the event. You are wrong however.

By "world-wide", you of course meant "assuming you can pay for airfare and are able to secure a passport." Also, you need to change the "anyone" - it suffers from the same issue as "everyone" up above.

I believe anyone/everyone is free to do as they please unless incarcerated. I am not saying everyone has the funds, vacation time, desire to travel or attend the convention, only that they are free to do so.

Not editing anything .

[ummester]

*I assume that you also meant to limit everyone to "everyone who":

• Either lives within driving distance of Comic Con so they can sleep at home, or is fine with sleeping in their car(Hotels are expensive!).
  
• Whose boss is letting them take a holiday for the Con(I hope it's a paid one, because all of these costs are mounting up!).
  
• Who can afford to pay for travel expenses(Plane tickets and gas aren't getting any cheaper.).
  
• And, who can afford to pay for all of these other expenses, as well as having to pay even more to buy the figs off of a Ebay scalper because they weren't able to win one of the tiny amount of figs for such a huge crowd.
  

And who is prepared to stand in an annoying queue for hours on end without any guarantee of getting a figure.

These SDCC exclusives figures are really not worth it, when you think about it - but the conversations surrounding them are interesting.

The things that human's desire :D It reminds me of a Little Finger quote 'It doesn't matter what you want, when you get it you always want something else.' I'm sure the solution is to want nothing that you can't give yourself.

[somelegothings_]

Exclusives are something where any way you go, people will hate you for it. I'd rather have none at all due to the cost of a trip to SDCC. That's totally cool some fans get really nice minifigures. BUT someone will always want it who didn't get the chance to collect it. I think these figs should all be released in sets in the future, but on the SDCC cards have a seal of approval that lets you sell the fig/card/and case $20 over the MSRP of the set they are included in. Therefor you make a profit if you only collect to sell. I like the idea of pre-ordering but too many people can take advantage of that and we'll get dozens of figs sent to one person... That's how the internet works really. I wouldn't mind if some exclusives were variants of figs. Like, Zur-Arrh-Enn Batman wasn't that big of a deal for me. But when you release figs like The Collector and Rocket all suited up, it's like VERY unfair. A lot of fans invest time and money into sets and essential figs like that... Add all 3 set costs and about $1500 you get roughly $1630 which is a load of megablocks because the entire GotG wave is $130. I really hate threads like this which just add lots of drama and un-needed fighting/bickering over things that are way too commonly bickered/fought over.

[obsidianheart]

Rocket all suited up is a variant fig.

[somelegothings_]

Rocket all suited up is a variant fig.

But he isn't matching with the rest of the team. I'd be fine if his Yellow variant was in the Warbird but it's really hard to have a nice looking team without spending $15 for another Star Lord torso and Dark Red short legs.

[Lind Whisperer]

I believe anyone/everyone is free to do as they please unless incarcerated. I am not saying everyone has the funds, vacation time, desire to travel or attend the convention, only that they are free to do so.

So, using the same logic, a starving man is perfectly free to eat all he wants. He may not have all of the food, water, and condiments for it, but he is free to do so.

Well...it's technically true...

[obsidianheart]

But he isn't matching with the rest of the team. I'd be fine if his Yellow variant was in the Warbird but it's really hard to have a nice looking team without spending $15 for another Star Lord torso and Dark Red short legs.

So what you meant is you'd be fine as long as it's not a variant you don't want.

So, using the same logic, a starving man is perfectly free to eat all he wants. He may not have all of the food, water, and condiments for it, but he is free to do so.

I think it's a little tacky to compare not getting a rare toy you want to something as serious as starvation, when so many people in the world struggle with sustaining themselves on a regular basis.

[Lind Whisperer]

.I think it's a little tacky to compare not getting a rare toy you want to something as serious as starvation, when so many people in the world struggle with sustaining themselves on a regular basis.

Brilliant point!

You know, you should really go email this one guy called Jonathan Swift. He has similar problems with his writing - you could probably teach him a lot!

Before somebody decides to point out that A Modest Proposal was about children being sold as food, I would like to point out that whole point of my response was that my answer was satirical. Of course starving people are many, many, many more times important. The whole point of satire is using extremes to shed a new light on problems. The reason why I'm referencing Swift is not because the problems are similar, but because they had the exact same reaction - people completely misreading them.

Edited August 18, 2014 by Lind Whisperer

[somelegothings_]

So what you meant is you'd be fine as long as it's not a variant you don't want.

Not at all, it seems the Red Rocket Raccoon is actually very essential. Not considering you payed attention at all if you did watch the movie. It looks bad having the team all suited up and then just the casual Rocket. I could totally be fine if the Red Rocket Raccoon was in the SDCC set as long as we got the normal Gamora and Drax with the Milano. As that would've been WAY MORE movie accurate of a set. The battle against Ronan never even moved into the open space. I don't understand why they did that anyways. But assuming you did pay attention in the cinemas you would've understood my reasoning. Seeing it is pretty much one if not the biggest movie of 2014.

[obsidianheart]

Brilliant point!

You know, you should really go email this one guy called Jonathan Swift. He has similar problems with his writing - you could probably teach him a lot!

Before somebody decides to point out that A Modest Proposal was about children being sold as food, I would like to point out that whole point of my response was that my answer was satirical. Of course starving people are many, many, many more times important. The whole point of satire is using extremes to shed a new light on problems. The reason why I'm referencing Swift is not because the problems are similar, but because they had the exact same reaction - people completely misreading them.

You and agoodfellow are really, really quick to accuse me of being too stupid to understand your satire, but I would like to point out that I totally get it, I just think it's really, really poorly executed. Edited August 18, 2014 by obsidianheart

[TotallyNewLegoFan]

So, using the same logic, a starving man is perfectly free to eat all he wants. He may not have all of the food, water, and condiments for it, but he is free to do so.

Well...it's technically true...

If you want be goofy about it then knock yourself out . Let's add to your comment above:

Are you saying those who have access to food, water, and condiments shouldn't be allowed to consume them?

Anyway, there is no need for being snide, nastiness or fighting. Having different views and sides to things is good and I have no problem with it.

While attending any convention or taking any trip is usually not a free thing. I don't think those that choose and attend them should

be penalized because someone else either doesn't want to or can't attend. Hey I didn't win a Batman or Collector but I am not telling LEGO not to make them just because I didn't win one. That

would be pretty selfish and self centered.

I didn't go to CC for anything LEGO. Seeing the exclusive LEGO Comic Con items whose designs I liked, attracted me to their product. Taking that away because some can't or don't want to go is a bad business decision in my opinion. Some very original and cool products come out because of any company doing exclusives. Comic Con has many of them.

[obsidianheart]

Not at all, it seems the Red Rocket Raccoon is actually very essential. Not considering you payed attention at all if you did watch the movie. It looks bad having the team all suited up and then just the casual Rocket. I could totally be fine if the Red Rocket Raccoon was in the SDCC set as long as we got the normal Gamora and Drax with the Milano. As that would've been WAY MORE movie accurate of a set. The battle against Ronan never even moved into the open space. I don't understand why they did that anyways. But assuming you did pay attention in the cinemas you would've understood my reasoning. Seeing it is pretty much one if not the biggest movie of 2014.

Please, tell me what other fascinating details I obviously missed. I'm not saying I disagree that a red-suited Rocket is a pretty glaring omission, or that it seems a little weird that we got Gamora and Drax in Ravager gear and not the outfits they spend the majority of the movie in. What I'm saying is that you said you were fine with variant figures, and then immediately listed a variant figure as a source of unfairness. Edited August 18, 2014 by obsidianheart

[somelegothings_]

Please, tell me what other fascinating details I obviously missed. I'm not saying I disagree that a red-suited Rocket is a pretty glaring omission, or that it seems a little weird that we got Gamora and Drax in Ravager gear and not the outfits they spend the majority of the movie in. What I'm saying is that you said you were fine with variant figures, and then immediately listed a variant figure as a source of unfairness.

Oh, I totally misunderstood. It also seems I got extremely defensive. Totally sorry, I can see where you're coming from. I guess Phoenix and Green Arrow are better examples.

[Lind Whisperer]

Are you saying those who have access to food, water, and condiments shouldn't be allowed to consume them?

Keep reading this. After reading it, I understand your comparison...but it has absolutely nothing to do with my arguments.

While attending any convention or taking any trip is usually not a free thing. I don't think those that choose and attend them should

be penalized because someone else either doesn't want to or can't attend. Hey I didn't win a Batman or Collector but I am not telling LEGO not to make them just because I didn't win one. That would be pretty selfish and self centered.

Hey, I'd be perfectly fine with LEGO making them - make many, many more figs! Just either make them being coming out soon in sets, or release them without locking them into an exclusive deal for that outfit.

I didn't go to CC for anything LEGO. Seeing the exclusive LEGO Comic Con items whose designs I liked, attracted me to their product.

You do actually make a good point here. But, would you not have been also been interested in them if they hadn't been a long-term exclusive?

Edited August 18, 2014 by Lind Whisperer

[obsidianheart]

Oh, I totally misunderstood. It also seems I got extremely defensive. Totally sorry, I can see where you're coming from. I guess Phoenix and Green Arrow are better examples.

Apologies on my end too, I'm a little quick to get snarly these days. I understand that this is a passionate issue for both sides and tempers flare, but I've also seen some good points from both sides that just don't get through.

Phoenix and Green Arrow are pretty fantastic examples, especially since there were two Phoenix figures in her iconic "Phoenix Saga" costumes, and Arrow is all hyped up because of his television show. And I can see how that is totally a frustrating pair of omissions.

[TotallyNewLegoFan]

Hey, I'd be perfectly fine with LEGO making them - make many, many more figs! Just either make them being coming out soon in sets, or release them without locking them into an exclusive deal for that outfit.

Why can't LEGO or any other company or person make original and interesting exclusive products once in a while?

You do actually make a good point here. But, would you not have been also been interested in them if they hadn't been a long-term exclusive?

Thanks. I'm not sure to be honest. Would I have given LEGO a good portion of my time if they were available any old time? No way.

Would I make a special trip next time to LEGO (or any other manufacturer) to spend my money on a common, everyday item? No again.

Is it a little extra special owning something that's different or a bit more creative from the norm, original, limited, etc. Yes it is.

Wanted to add. Do I think LEGO ran their sales booth well? No freaking way.

What they did Saturday and Sunday was underhanded, sneaky, and possibly illegal (false advertising).

Is the world going to end because of it, or is it important in the grand scheme of life? Of course not.

Do I understand it stinks not getting something you want? Sure do. Wish I had gotten the Batman, Collector, and the 3 limited sets to purchase, yet I say again, I feel that doesn't give me or anyone else the right to demand LEGO shouldn't make them. I mean I spent time, money, and part of my day trying to win and buy them was not happy about winning or the nonsense LEGO pulled Saturday and Sunday. Yet, I don't want LEGO to stop doing the exclusives.

LEGO totally failed with the purchased exclusive sets, IMO. Something is definitely fishy about that. LEGO has been asked about it on the net and so far, not one response.

[agoodfella77]

Excuse me? Listen pal if you think I am going to take your harassment you are sadly mistaken.

You made a post that complained about the subject and asked for opinions. I and others responded. Then you get nasty with anyone who did not share the same opinion as you. a mod had to step in for Pete sake. I say to the mod it's all good, then you say .

You couldn't resist could you? Try keeping your word.

Anyway, the same mod suggested I post my own thread why I think it's a good thing to have limited and exclusive items which I did here.

So, to satisfy (not that I have to) your "curiosity", I would like to point out this is the only thread I posted about why I believe limited exclusives are fine. The system here double posted and I instructed the mods to delete another post which is blank by the way.

I was just ribbing you because I saw you made that double post -- relax, if you were really offended, I apologize.

I most certainly am interested in engaging in a more civilized and mature discussion and hope to provide input on your thread on that basis.

On a general note:

I completely welcome this "Pro" SDCC thread with open arms, and I state that with 100% sincerity.

Any real issue worth examining has more than one side. I am confident that when both sides are weighed objectively, that in the end, an objective assessment will conclude that the "Con" side considerably outweighs the pro one. I look forward to engaging in this discussion.

Edited August 18, 2014 by agoodfella