agoodfella77

Wondering the same thing. +1 I fully support this idea. Let's face it, it's a very popular topic and people want to discuss it, there might as well make a proper thread to have a discussion about it.

Who said TLG was being greedy? No one. What has been said is that the artificial supply / demand dynamics generated by the SDCC exclusives bring scalpers out of the woodworks -- these are the ones exploiting the system pushing up prices in the secondary market to astronomical levels -- these people are the greedy ones. Can TLG curtail or significantly reduce this? Absolutely.

Agree. I think the debate / discussion has been quite civil so far (at least as far as internet discussion go!)

Is that an "official" rule? Can someone confirm or clarify?

So I got my Future Foundation set today. I have combined a few pieces here and there -- both LEGO and customs pieces from other makers. Future Foundation v.1 [GROUP] [CUSTOM] [MOC] by agoodfella77, on Flickr Build Details: Most of the parts are from the latest Decool release (FF), namely: - Human Torch (Head and Torso from CustomBricks, Flame Head from Infearno, legs from FF Decool) - Thing (FF) - Mister Fantastic (FF), Head is LEGO and Hair is a custom - Invisible Woman (FF), Head and Hair are LEGO - Spidey (FF), Head is from Sheng Yuan People "diss" the Chinese makers products, and some of that criticism is deserved -- for instance, I understand when folks get upset when they do complete rip-offs of customizers work. Next, the quality can definitely be hit or miss. Having said all of that, there are times when it fills a void / niche with designs not on the market such as these Future Foundations figs (Odin is another example). The SDCC replicas are another good example of supplying much needed demand. On balance, all of the figs I received this round are very solid. Printing is quite good. I think Decool's quality is improving with each release. Finally, you can't argue with the price. My entire original Decool Future Foundation (including the big FF Thing) set was roughly $12 bucks (not including Human Torch and my original LEGO parts / custom parts).

Thanks for your reply. I fully understand where you are coming from. But just like you said, some people are motivated by certain things and other people by other things. I'm actually glad that my letter has helped spark an honest debate (on both sides). At the end of the day, my world is not going to end if I don't my hands on the latest SDCC fig -- of course that is silly.

Not only that, any kind of "promotional" items like this always leads to shenanigans depending on how strong demand is. A perfect example is Hello Kitty in Asia. I'm not sure how many people are aware, but it's incredibly popular in Asia (particularly in Hong Kong and Singapore). Whenever McDonald's holds these Happy Meal type Hello Kitty promotions -- it's pandemonium. If you just Google "Hello Kitty McDonalds Singapore" there were incidents where there were fist fights breaking out, accusations of McDonald's employees pre-selling these to friends / families, items popping up on eBay even before they were released publicly, items selling for hundreds of dollars (sound familiar)? It's simple greed. And as long as LEGO continues this system of artificial supply / demand with these SDCC exclusives, the system will be abused, scalpers with seek to turn greed into profit and meanwhile the vast majority of LEGO customers will continue to feel "excluded" by this "exclusive" system. LEGO please change this broken system. My suggested solutions appear on my Open Letter thread here: http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=98015

It can certainly appear that way. That, again, is an excellent solution (I might add that as an edit to my original proposal). [EDIT: added] Yeah, I appreciate your comments -- they certainly have merit. There are some fundamental points where we can respectfully disagree. In the end it's a difference in philosophy really. In my view your approach is a much more passive one -- i.e. summarizing at the risk of making it seem to blunt, "it is what it is -- if you have a problem, it's more of a 'you' problem not 'they' problem." What I am saying is that there can be and is a better way. A way that effectively achieves all of the goals that TLG wants (i.e. promotion, "buzz", etc.) AND give SDCC attendees a nice bonus (after all they are getting these figures gratis) AND satisfy the rest of the LEGO community (i.e. either release into sets much later or even an online system where they can buy it directly). Not to mention that this eliminates the scalpers from the equation and ensuing ridiculous secondary prices. I think from a larger perspective, we can agree that it is a shame that this has become an issue which divides people rather than uniting them. I, for one, would much rather spend my time talking about builds, sets, ideas, themes, etc. Thanks for reading it!

This is exactly what I'm talking about in my other post: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98015 The SDCC Exclusive system is what causes this. If they did away with it, the artificial supply / demand imbalance would simply disappear.

And what is your opinion about this latest development: http://imgur.com/a/3yVmX

All fair points. Look at the end of the day, its the artificial supply / demand imbalance that creates this situation that needs to be addressed rather than anything else. Frankly, everything else is a side effect. Absolutely. Many of them are mainstream characters. Although as a Marvel fan, I wouldn't want just one season / series. Completely agree.

I certainly hope so! I'm sure they are aware. They may / should start to care if enough of their customers complain. That is the entire point of my post. Let them hear our collective voices. Write them. Tell your friends to as well. I have and will continue doing so until there is change.

Thank you for taking the time to write a detailed response, I'm going to try and answer some of your points / questions as best as I can Not really a relevant point. For argument's sake and for the sake of comparing apples to apples, let's discuss collectible items which have been officially released to the public (either in the form of exclusive distribution or general distribution). Otherwise you start meandering down an bottomless pit of hypotheticals. Nobody is talking about prototypes. Again prototype =/= a limited release. Enough on that point. Obscure figure or not, it's still a collectible item so this is "fair game" for discussion. Next, yes, I fully agree with your point about an average fan. I am not an "average" fan. To each his / her own. I choose to be a collector. Are you suggesting that collectors should just shoot themselves in the face for even attempting or aspiring to collect everything in a certain line / theme? Fair point, if taken to the most extreme degree. I think most people would agree that a one-off platinum mask (only 1 ever made) which sells for $30,000 is a pretty extreme example, but point taken. Smart? Mature? (all of these things are relative anyway -- smart compared to who? Da Vinci? Newton?). I've met with with heads of states and corporations (without even drooling on myself). I've had an Op-Ed piece published in the New York Times -- I can hold my own. I'm not uncomfortable at all. I enjoyed reading your post and you have made some excellent points. I am a LEGO fan and customer first and foremost -- that is common ground that we can all share here. I am a single voice, yes, but one nonetheless. It was not my intention to suggest that my opinion or voice is or should be the default expectation for every LEGO customer. I am merely expressing my (family's) own view (which I might add, has some very good company). I certainly have a right to express that view and I have done so. I am quite realistic about the outcome of my suggestions, but I do have the right to express it and I have. My main point to the LEGO Group is simply this: the SDCC "Exclusive" system has left a lot of their loyal customers feeling "excluded" and this, in the end, runs counter to everything that LEGO should stand for -- products based on "building" that truly bring people together not pull them apart.

Just a quick question about these pictures. Are these actually HQ 3D renderings?

Makes sense. Even though I don't collect DC, I'd be interested in seeing the torso / legs on a new Catwoman.

Dear LEGO Group, I have been a life-long fan of LEGO. My son and daughter are both LEGO fans. I am writing to you regarding the SDCC Exclusive Minifigures. This "Exclusive" system is really making your fans feel "Excluded". This system of distribution is extremely unfair on at least five levels: 1) Not everyone (in fact the vast, vast majority of LEGO customers) can or will ever be able to attend the SDCC. 2) The fact that the SDCC Exclusive Minifigures never gets released into general circulation means that they will always be targeted by scalpers -- people who have nothing to do with LEGO, are not loyal customers of LEGO but are simply leeches looking to exploit a supply / demand dislocation and turn it into pure, greedy profit. 3) The net effect is that the limited availability for these minifigures (already scarce to begin with) becomes even more scarce and the simple supply / demand forces pushes the prices to astronomical levels (hundreds of dollars, sometimes thousands) on the secondary markets. 4) This ends up rewarding the absolute wrong segment (i.e. scalping non-LEGO fans) -- while the vast majority of LEGO fans worldwide end up feeling very frustrated and unappreciated for their loyalty. For example, the SDCC Exclusive system has rewarded the lucky few with 2 different Spider-Man variants in as many years (Symbiote and ASM2), meanwhile, 99.99% of loyal LEGO Marvel fans have had 8 straight sets with the same ultimate Spider-Man minifigure -- absolutely no variants during that time. It has left many of us wondering what we have done to deserve such poor treatment? 5) For "completists" or collectors who wish to have every minifigure of a certain line (for me that would be the MARVEL Super Heroes line) my choices are very stark: 1) I either have to prepare to spend thousands of dollars for a few minifigures (at least hundreds per minifigure) or 2) I will simply have to accept that my collection will never be complete. SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS 1) Cease the SDCC Exclusive system 2) If after due consideration, TLG feels compelled to continue the SDCC Exclusive system, then at least rotate all of these minifigures into general circulation through future sets (even if it 1 or 2 years down the road). This will solve the issue of scarcity (and hence ridiculous hoarding and scalping of exclusive minifigures) and thus bring down the crazy secondary prices -- thereby effectively eliminating scalpers. And more importantly, your loyal customers get access to these minifigures at a reasonable price. [EDIT #1] 3) In addition to 2), perhaps TLG can offer (in due time -- or even alongside the events) the minifigures online. As some of the replies have suggested within this thread, many companies who offer SDCC items also provide the ability for customers to purchase them online (again, this is another method for addressing the issue of scalpers and outrageous secondary pricing). [EDIT #2] 4) Another excellent suggestion made by a fellow thread contributor is to make all SDCC exclusives very specific to each SDCC going forward (similar to the I NY LOVE Yoda). For example, each exclusive figure could be printed with an SDCC 2015 logo for next year (and for each year going forward). This way Convention goers can maintain the "exclusivity" and grab some Convention swag / goodies -- while the rest of us won't feel "excluded" and feel that we are missing an absolute crucial missing piece for their respective collection. [FINAL THOUGHTS] My main message to the LEGO Group is simply this: currently, the SDCC "Exclusive" system has left a lot of your loyal customers feeling "excluded" and this, in the end, runs counter to everything that LEGO should stand for -- products based on "building" and sharing that truly bring people together not pull them apart. Thank you for listening. From a loyal LEGO family.

I am re-posting this post as I think it is relevant: Dear LEGO Group, The "Exclusive" is really making your fans feel "Excluded". I would like to send a message to the LEGO Group regarding the SDCC Exclusive minifigure system. I believe that this system of distribution is extremely unfair on at least these levels: 1) Not everyone (in fact the vast, vast majority of LEGO customers) can or will ever be able to attend the SDCC. 2) The fact that the SDCC Exclusive minifigures never gets released up in general circulation (even if it is a year or two year later) means that they are almost like contraband snapped up by scalpers -- people who have nothing to do with LEGO, are not loyal customers of LEGO but are simply leeches looking to exploit a supply / demand dislocation into a greedy profit. 3) This ends up rewarding the absolute wrong segment (i.e. scalping non-LEGO fans) -- pushing up prices for these items to exorbitant levels in the secondary market -- while the vast majority of LEGO fans worldwide end up feeling very frustrated and unappreciated for their loyalty. For example, the SDCC system has rewarded the lucky few with 2 different Spidey variants in as many years (Symbiote and ASM2), meanwhile, 99.99% of loyal LEGO Marvel fans have had 8 straight sets with the same ultimate Spider-Man minifigure -- absolutely no variants during that time. SOLUTION(s) 1) Cease the SDCC Exclusive system 2) Continue with the SDCC Exclusive system, but rotate all of these minifigures into general circulation through future sets (even if it 1 or 2 years down the road). This will solve the issue of scarcity (and hence ridiculous hoarding and scalping of exclusive minifigures) and thus bring down the crazy secondary prices -- thereby effectively eliminating scalpers. And more importantly, your loyal customers get access to these minifigures at a reasonable price.

OK thanks for starting this, frankly, I don't have any strong opinions about the other 2 topics, but have voted to show my strong support against exclusives. Thanks!

My Thread / Open Letter Posted in the Embassy Section: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98015

I know it's frustrating. I am pretty realistic that it may not have an effect. But having said that, if people take the time out to write gripes every year on a message board. Well, isn't it worth the extra effort to collect all of those gripes together? Worth a shot at least?

This sounds like a fantastic idea. I don't have near enough of the technical skills to do this, but I am happy to support this idea. The one thing I would say from the outset is that we need to keep things simple at first. When people start putting in every one of their grievances, it really dilutes or drowns out the main message. The message in my mind is that the SDCC Exclusive system is unfair on at least these levels: 1) Not everyone (in fact the vast, vast majority of LEGO customers) can or will ever be able to attend the SDCC. 2) The fact that the SDCC Exclusive minifigures never gets released up in general circulation (even if it is a year or two year later) means that they are almost like contraband snapped up by scalpers -- people who have nothing to do with LEGO, are not loyal customers of LEGO but are simply leeches looking to exploit a supply / demand dislocation into a greedy profit. 3) This ends up rewarding the absolute wrong segment (i.e. scalping non-LEGO fans) while the vast majority of LEGO fans worldwide end up feeling very frustrated and unappreciated for their loyalty.

Petition Regarding SDCC Exclusives? You know, instead of just whining and griping every year about the SDCC exclusives, why don't we bring together our collective voices and send them to LEGO directly? Power in numbers. There are certainly enough people it seems that feel that this system is extremely unfair. What do people think?

Fair enough. Let's move on. Yes, on both accounts. It's a real shame that a cinematic version of Civil War will not be coming to the silver screen anytime soon...

Um, I guess that is a long winded way of acknowledging what I wrote. Let's not move the goalposts here. I didn't say it makes sense for the Fantasticar to come out before a film about it. In fact, if anything I fully acknowledged that tie-ins make perfect commercial sense. But that is neither here nor there. The point was to demonstrate that your statement about the "Fantasticar since Fox owns the rights" is completely and utterly false. That was my simple point, and it seems that my point has been made. Btw, your backpedaling is absolutely fantastic!

This is what you wrote: Doctor Strange Mansion Marvel would have to make a movie to pus the character since Dr Strange is a really under the radar character. Same thing for the fantasticar since Fox owns the rights and the Reboot hasn't even released yet. So while you may understand the difference between holding the film rights vs. owning the content, that statement above belies a firm understanding of said concept not to mention that it is completely false. In fact, the whole crux of your previous post was that the films MUST somehow proceed (or provide the greenlight for) any future products related to these characters -- that it would violate some rule that a film must come before any related products -- that the film rights trump anything else. This is completely incorrect. Fox does not own the rights to the Fantasticar. What they own is the right to portray the Fantasticar in a film they can produce about the Fantastic Four. Anyone who read your statement would be misled into thinking that Fox owns the rights to the Fantasticar, when in fact, such a statement is patently false. In the end, when we are talking about the ultimate end ownership of the content / characters, it is MARVEL that owns these rights. I am simply clarifying some misinformation. Again, there is a difference between owning the content (MARVEL) vs. owning the right to make films (e.g. FOX or Sony) based on the content owned by another entity (MARVEL) vs. owning the rights to make merchandise (e.g. LEGO, Mega Bloks, Minimates) based on content owned by another entity (MARVEL or Star Wars for example).