Unpopular Opinions about LEGO

[Ropefish]

CMF was one of the best worst thing Lego chose to make, the idea is really simple and fun but the loot box/blind bag aspect has been nothing but a detriment now due to scalpers and resellers ( not as bad as hot wheels from what I’ve heard ) to the point that before Lego put the scanning in for the boxes folks would just open them in the stores and take all the high value ones. If they are going to put a code to scan on them now why not just sell a full set of twelve at this point for folk that don’t wanna do the blind bag stuff? It’d save a lot of headaches I think.

[Yperio_Bricks]

The code makes it even more easy for the scalpers/resellers to snatch all the highly desired minifigures me thinks

[Space Coyote]

8 hours ago, Ropefish said:

CMF was one of the best worst thing Lego chose to make, the idea is really simple and fun but the loot box/blind bag aspect has been nothing but a detriment now due to scalpers and resellers ( not as bad as hot wheels from what I’ve heard ) to the point that before Lego put the scanning in for the boxes folks would just open them in the stores and take all the high value ones. If they are going to put a code to scan on them now why not just sell a full set of twelve at this point for folk that don’t wanna do the blind bag stuff? It’d save a lot of headaches I think.

Yeah it was a struggle to find the pink space baby this month, every store we checked was always missing that one, I managed to snag one from a sad picked-over pile of 6 of them. I was only able to get the alien tourist because they restocked them like what must've been ten minutes before my wife went grocery shopping and just happened to see them there.

It feels good to get lucky and find what you're after but it's equally a huge bummer when you don't even get a chance. I like the idea of being able to just buy a complete set, but I'd be surprised if Lego did that. Really the problem is the parasitic scalper community, it's infected so much. Going back to the bags would be nice but I understand the boxes are better for the environment so it feels selfish to want the bags back in a way. I do miss feeling them, the rush of isolating and identifying the brown spaceman's walkie talkie antennae was awesome, somehow it's not the same using the scanner.

Edited May 13 by Space Coyote

[sporadic]

1 hour ago, Space Coyote said:

Yeah it was a struggle to find the pink space baby this month, every store we checked was always missing that one, I managed to snag one from a sad picked-over pile of 6 of them. I was only able to get the alien tourist because they restocked them like what must've been ten minutes before my wife went grocery shopping and just happened to see them there.

It feels good to get lucky and find what you're after but it's equally a huge bummer when you don't even get a chance. I like the idea of being able to just buy a complete set, but I'd be surprised if Lego did that. Really the problem is the parasitic scalper community, it's infected so much. Going back to the bags would be nice but I understand the boxes are better for the environment so it feels selfish to want the bags back in a way. I do miss feeling them, the rush of isolating and identifying the brown spaceman's walkie talkie antennae was awesome, somehow it's not the same using the scanner.

Whereas all (or almost all) I could find was space babies.  It has been literally 2 to 1 for the baby vs *every other figure combined* I've managed to find.  Thankfully, that's the one I wanted most, so I now have several.  And they're playing in my micro-space 'playground' with the whites and the blues now (watched over by the nannies, of course).

Not that I've found many figs at all.  I have been amazed at this set of figs because different people have declared 'this is the best/only ones I want and why did LEGO even make that?' for totally different subgroups of figs.  Some people really want the retro characters from old Space themes, where others want the fun, silly ones like UFO guy and the space tourist, and others want complete sets and so on.  Opinion on what's important and what's fluff is so varied on this one. 

So, the whole Blind bag toys thing is really a marketing thing, like loot boxes and other 'kid friendly' gambling.  LEGO didn't invent it, and it's not going away cause it sells more units.  At least they do have the courtesy of putting a way to tell ahead of time if you care.  Some people (the same people who love slot machines, I expect) really love (addictively so) the random draws.  I personally hate it and would love not having to pull out my phone to make sure I get what I want.

And LEGO does provide a way to buy a complete set, as long as you're willing to buy 3.  They claim the 36 fig case does contain complete sets (how many seems to vary who's reporting it though).  

[Lego Mike]

Lego channels on YouTube are dead. Among the top channels from the last 10+ years, one has given up to focus on films (understandable), one has grown so shrill that he tightly constricts his media sphere to immunize himself the criticism that no doubt is half made-up and half living in his head rent-free year-long, so while he desperately tries to sound chill and above it all, he's really just trying to be on the supply side of drama without getting any on himself, and one, who screams "Peter Pan syndrome," has long since stopped really caring about Star Wars Lego and finally gotten his audience of 13-year-olds to focus on his real passion: his vanity.

[Ropefish]

5 hours ago, Lego Mike said:

Lego channels on YouTube are dead. Among the top channels from the last 10+ years, one has given up to focus on films (understandable), one has grown so shrill that he tightly constricts his media sphere to immunize himself the criticism that no doubt is half made-up and half living in his head rent-free year-long, so while he desperately tries to sound chill and above it all, he's really just trying to be on the supply side of drama without getting any on himself, and one, who screams "Peter Pan syndrome," has long since stopped really caring about Star Wars Lego and finally gotten his audience of 13-year-olds to focus on his real passion: his vanity.

It’s why I only really watch racing brick and jang these days, only two reviewers I found who have rather balanced views and even review non Lego items at times, otherwise the community is a slew of drama and man children or wannabe venture capitalists trying to sell you their sets. 

 

14 hours ago, sporadic said:

So, the whole Blind bag toys thing is really a marketing thing, like loot boxes and other 'kid friendly' gambling.  LEGO didn't invent it, and it's not going away cause it sells more units.  At least they do have the courtesy of putting a way to tell ahead of time if you care.  Some people (the same people who love slot machines, I expect) really love (addictively so) the random draws.  I personally hate it and would love not having to pull out my phone to make sure I get what I want.

 

That’s the real crux isn’t it? Lego has little incentive to not continue selling them as blind boxes, they will make a profit either way and it’s a cold and callous thing in our capitalist hellscape, if the line goes up then they likely won’t budge… however I have heard they were doing limited runs of full CMF box sets in Denmark? But could never get full confirmation outside rumors 

[MAB]

7 hours ago, Lego Mike said:

Lego channels on YouTube are dead. 

It is not just LEGO,  it is youtube content in general now. Most of it seems to be produced for "feeding the algorithm" to generate revenue. I wish there was a way to block certain creators permanently when viewing. 

1 hour ago, Ropefish said:

That’s the real crux isn’t it? Lego has little incentive to not continue selling them as blind boxes, they will make a profit either way and it’s a cold and callous thing in our capitalist hellscape, if the line goes up then they likely won’t budge… however I have heard they were doing limited runs of full CMF box sets in Denmark? But could never get full confirmation outside rumors 

There are plenty of third party individuals selling complete sets for not much than their retail price. 

[Yperio_Bricks]

There are still many good Lego channels on Youtube! But it's the smaller ones with less than 10k subscribers that are good since for the majority of the bigger channels it's a job and not a passion anymore... 'get rich fast' or whatever their motto is

[MAB]

1 hour ago, Yperio_Bricks said:

There are still many good Lego channels on Youtube! But it's the smaller ones with less than 10k subscribers that are good since for the majority of the bigger channels it's a job and not a passion anymore... 'get rich fast' or whatever their motto is

I imagine finding them is the difficult bit, as the suggested videos nearly always point to the creators that have "fed the algorithm".

[Alexandrina]

18 hours ago, sporadic said:

And LEGO does provide a way to buy a complete set, as long as you're willing to buy 3.  They claim the 36 fig case does contain complete sets (how many seems to vary who's reporting it though).

IIRC the multi-packs are only available in America.

Certainly, I just checked on the UK site and the current series is only available in individual boxes

[Yperio_Bricks]

5 minutes ago, MAB said:

I imagine finding them is the difficult bit, as the suggested videos nearly always point to the creators that have "fed the algorithm".

I guess it depends on the videos you watch, like and comment and the channels you are subscribed too. Sometimes YT asks you to rate a video and there's also the option to not get any recommondations from a certain channel.

Sure enough, when i was new into Lego after my dark ages ended i was following all the big english speaking channels on YT, but the deeper i got into the hobby the less i watched their videos. Nowadays i basically never get recommendations of big channels videos anymore. But just today i got one from from a small channel (1K subsribers) who posts videos about a big Coruscant moc he builds

[sporadic]

3 hours ago, Alexandrina said:

IIRC the multi-packs are only available in America.

Certainly, I just checked on the UK site and the current series is only available in individual boxes

Ah.  I was not aware that they might be region locked.  I wonder if that's a legal thing.  I know some states have been cracking down on randomized products aimed at children as gambling.  I wouldn't be surprised if some such offer an out by offering the product for mass purchase.  But that's entirely speculative.

[Space Coyote]

3 hours ago, Yperio_Bricks said:

 

Sure enough, when i was new into Lego after my dark ages ended i was following all the big english speaking channels on YT, but the deeper i got into the hobby the less i watched their videos. Nowadays i basically never get recommendations of big channels videos anymore. But just today i got one from from a small channel (1K subsribers) who posts videos about a big Coruscant moc he builds

Can you recommend any Lego-centric channels that are smaller? I'd love to help smaller channels with a sub and just want to check out more Lego videos. Nothing against the big channels but my youtube seems to think I only want to watch SpitBrix and nothing else.

Edited May 14 by Space Coyote

[vizzitor]

I know you were asking someone else for their specific recommendations but can I suggest Robin Hood Bricks: https://www.youtube.com/@RobinHoodBricks It's all about building and without the massive budgets some other Youtubers seem to have. Even his "hauls" are various parts from down through the years that he either specifically needs for a particular build, or a part he finds interesting and wants to try to use. He's very easy to listen to and isn't attention grabbing or focusing on himself over the building. He doesn't even show his face, just the Lego.

Bloody hell, that reads like I'm trying to advertise for him. I just subscribe to him and don't even contribute to his Patreon. I just found his style much more to my taste than the majority of Lego people on Youtube.

[Yperio_Bricks]

24 minutes ago, Space Coyote said:

Can you recommend any Lego-centric channels that are smaller? I'd love to help smaller channels with a sub and just want to check out more Lego videos. Nothing against the big channels but my youtube seems to think I only want to watch SpitBrix and nothing else.

I remember there was a dedicated thread for YT recommendations. If i can dig it out i can share some links.

[vizzitor]

4 minutes ago, Yperio_Bricks said:

I remember there was a dedicated thread for YT recommendations. If i can dig it out i can share some links.

It's a couple of years old now but I think this may be the thread:

 

[Yperio_Bricks]

Just now, vizzitor said:

It's a couple of years old now but I think this may be the thread:

 

Yes, that's the one. Thanks!

[Space Coyote]

29 minutes ago, Yperio_Bricks said:

Yes, that's the one. Thanks!

 

38 minutes ago, vizzitor said:

I know you were asking someone else for their specific recommendations but can I suggest Robin Hood Bricks: https://www.youtube.com/@RobinHoodBricks It's all about building and without the massive budgets some other Youtubers seem to have. Even his "hauls" are various parts from down through the years that he either specifically needs for a particular build, or a part he finds interesting and wants to try to use. He's very easy to listen to and isn't attention grabbing or focusing on himself over the building. He doesn't even show his face, just the Lego.

Bloody hell, that reads like I'm trying to advertise for him. I just subscribe to him and don't even contribute to his Patreon. I just found his style much more to my taste than the majority of Lego people on Youtube.

 

36 minutes ago, Yperio_Bricks said:

I remember there was a dedicated thread for YT recommendations. If i can dig it out i can share some links.

 

31 minutes ago, vizzitor said:

It's a couple of years old now but I think this may be the thread:

 

Thank you all for your quick replies and help, I have plenty of fresh stuff for my yt algorithm, I really appreciate it! 

[JesseNight]

10 hours ago, MAB said:

It is not just LEGO,  it is youtube content in general now. Most of it seems to be produced for "feeding the algorithm" to generate revenue. I wish there was a way to block certain creators permanently when viewing.

Assuming you're logged in, there is an option on the main page to click the 3 dots on a recommended video and pick "Don't recommend this channel", to at least filter them from being thrown at you.

"Loot boxes"... don't get me started. To think this once started pretty innocent, when people would collect cards, and gather irl to trade with friends.
But yeah those days are long over and scalpers make sure to own the wanted ones and drive up values even more.

[Classic_Spaceman]

Here is one: I think that trans-bright green looks better than trans-neon green for Blacktron II, since it matches the lime on the logo more closely (trans-neon green is a bit too yellow). 
 

[Space Coyote]

53 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Here is one: I think that trans-bright green looks better than trans-neon green for Blacktron II, since it matches the lime on the logo more closely (trans-neon green is a bit too yellow). 
 

You know I actually agree with you it compliments the black a lot better too. 

I forgot to post my own unpopular opinion; I just do not care for Star Wars Lego at all. The last Sw movie I saw was Phantom Menace in theatres, I liked it, and I do remember liking the Qui Gon minifig I ended up with but I just lost interest in the franchise and have never bought a SW set. I would like to clarify that I don't like have anything against the franchise it just didn't get its hooks in me the way other space stuff did for me as a kid.

Edited May 14 by Space Coyote

[danth]

5 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Here is one: I think that trans-bright green looks better than trans-neon green for Blacktron II, since it matches the lime on the logo more closely (trans-neon green is a bit too yellow). 
 

 

4 hours ago, Space Coyote said:

You know I actually agree with you it compliments the black a lot better too.

I think I like trans bright green better than trans neon green generally. And I agree trans neon green it is too yellow.

However I like trans neon orange much more than regular trans orange.

[SpacePolice89]

6 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

trans-neon green is a bit too yellow

Before I knew the official name of the color I thought it was a shade of yellow. I was surprised when I found out that it was called green. Even pick a brick sorted it under yellow. I miss that color.

[Classic_Spaceman]

13 hours ago, danth said:

I think I like trans bright green better than trans neon green generally. And I agree trans neon green it is too yellow.

Both are good, but trans-bright green has a wider range of uses; trans-neon green is very loud, which, as a transparent colour, makes it difficult to work into sets where it is not the focus. 
 

12 hours ago, SpacePolice89 said:

Before I knew the official name of the color I thought it was a shade of yellow. I was surprised when I found out that it was called green. Even pick a brick sorted it under yellow. I miss that color.

I agree; a better name would be “Trans-Neon Greenish Yellow”, but that would probably be too long and confusing even for BrickLink! 
 

[danth]

13 hours ago, SpacePolice89 said:

Before I knew the official name of the color I thought it was a shade of yellow. I was surprised when I found out that it was called green. Even pick a brick sorted it under yellow. I miss that color.

I called it trans neon yellow forever. I didn't know Lego considered it yellow! I guess we're not crazy then.