martinsuper

Yeah, it was from a friend of mine's mom. He didnt want them, and he had way more than me as a kid. So she just gave them to me. Its a blessing and curse because they are all in one MEGA tupper wear bin. So now I have to spend HOURS sorting these peices because there might be some I really need on ym build list. The real issue is that its slowing down my build schedule because I have to sort all this stuff out...

Well my job mostly entails me being here until someone wants to talk to me or needs help with something. In general, my staff pretty much takes care of everything, and randomly pops in my office for me to make a decision for them. The other side of the coin is.... why not!? Its the coolest website out there!

When is the next "behind the helm" coming out? When do we find out who won the cabin contest? I'm really bored at work.... so...... when? -Super

Alice, I know all about bricklink. It sucks a couple hundred dollars out of me every month. No one on bricklink has 30 32x32 basepates for me to buy.... LEGO would if they made them. As for my "whining", I just have started to settle down from this whole thing, so I'll just pretend you didn't say it.

Well most of the bases have been covered, so I only have a couple questions. I am a big fan of small details. The man wearing the top hat, is he supposed to be your "sailing master", or in modern terms "chief of the boat"? If so, having him wear the top hat was a VERY detailed choice and very correct! I applaud such small consdierations! In general, I am very impressed, I think this should would make an AMAZING battle scene against maybe six or seven smaller ships? Kinda like a lego pirate version of the attack on the death star? Well, for now, I will go back to my evil secret lair and think of new evil way to be a bad guy!

Well then, it appears I am the black sheep here. I will take this title willingly because what I have said, I have said. Of that, I have no regrets. My tone was what it was supposed to be, because I am very frustrated with LEGO right now. If you all want to disagree with me, that is fine, and that is your right. I for one will not be a "LEGO borg" and accept their lame excuse for why they won't build what EVERY ONE of you have said you would like to buy. If you want to cringe at me, that is fine. If you disagree with me, that is fine. I guess I will let the whole thing drop right here and know, and I know where I stand. I will not however change my opinion or apoligize for anything I have said, so don't hold your breath. So, lets talk about something else then... -Super

As you know, and as I posted in another thread, I wrote a letter to LEGO. Here is their response: Dear Martin Thank you for contacting us on 04/15/09 and for your interest in LEGO® brand products. As you know, versatility is the foundation of LEGO toys, and, since LEGO enthusiasts and their families are so creative, we receive many new product ideas from parents and children. We sincerely appreciate your generous intent-it is quite a compliment when a consumer voluntarily takes their valuable time to share their thoughts with us. Each year, hundreds of new LEGO sets are introduced and our assortment now includes exciting new items such as games and puzzles. Within the LEGO Group, there are several research and development areas, whose sole purpose is to formulate new product ideas, compatible elements, instructions booklets, etc. From start to finish, a new item will require in-depth research and design work long before it appears at your local store. To avoid confusion about the origin of products during that development process, we have a company policy that prohibits reviewing third-party ideas and suggestions, or even discussing any ideas for new products that enthusiasts would like to make and sell under the LEGO logo through a licensing agreement. Although this position may be difficult to understand, it has been carefully considered by the LEGO Group. The policy is in place because we have invested considerable resources in our own product development departments, which utilize the efforts of professional designers as well as other creative personnel. Those professionals work hard to independently develop our existing product lines and develop ideas for new products within our particular business areas. Thank you again for contacting us. We wish your family many happy hours of creative building with LEGO brand toys in the years to come. Norma LEGO Direct Consumer Services Here is my response: Well, I appreciate the response, but I can tell you that ignoring your customer base makes absolutely no sense what so ever. This is the same formula that American Car manufacturers used to work their way into failure. I will not simply buy whatever you make, that is a mentality of general motors. Maybe you should have a mentality of toyota, and make what people want? Lego enthusiasts have wanted and yearned for a big imperial flag ship since pirate lego came out. Why is it so hard for you to just give us what we want? Just once? Furthermore, what about 32X32 blue baseplates? Builders need this simple part very badly. It is a part you have already made! What would the problem be in making these again? This has nothing to do with design, but you responded to my message with a generic e-mail instead of answering it point by point. Deliberetly making a disconnect with the people who use your product and the people who design your product can in NO WAY be considered a rational or logical business model. Some of the greatest products in world history, became that way due to user input. This is true for such items as the classic Pontiac GTO made by general motors, or even fighter planes of WW2 that were developed by using pilot suggestions. The main issue I had with your response is that it had the tone that your people were smarter than me, the simple "consumer". I find that hard to believe because you are the ones who want my hard earned money, isnt that true? Perhaps it is time to craft a response to my suggestions that is not generic, or even take the time for a phone call? Thank You, Martin Super

Not just that, but how they look on the sails too, eh?

Fine Mr. "Voice of Reason". How exactly do we put this together then? -Super P.S. Im sure there is a list of points we can agree upon.

Ok, well, all of you need to go to this link. http://service.lego.com/en-US/Contactus/Email.aspx #1 Put in your e-mail address. #2 Choose "Pirates" Write something similiar to what I wrote. Make it a question. #3 Fill out your info. #4 SUBMIT. I am going to write ONE letter every week. Non-stop. What if we all did this? You guys really want these things? THEN LETS DO IT! -Super When I hear something, I will post it.

Yeah, good honest folk like us do! But from here on out, I gurantee every "big" pic will have some extreme zoom reviews!

Really cool! I also have established my own mini-fig "junkyard" as I have been buying up collections. I think Im going to take the torsos I cant use and ebay them. I have no idea where Im going to incorporate a robot head/legs into my harbor. So im pretty sure that can go.

I would love to agree with you, but relations between us are currently strained. Almost war-like I would say... Or is this reponse a hoax too? -Super

Here is what I wrote: I am an adult LEGO builder, and also an active member of the LEGO eurobrick forum. In particular, I collect and build LEGO pirates. Everyone is very excited to see the pirate line back, but there are also some things we as collectors/builders want to see! 1. Just ONE time, make a big imperial ship that is as big OR bigger than the pirate ship? How are the good guys supposed to win with these little dinky ships they have been getting? Make an imperial ship that is bigger than Brickbeard's Bounty (6243) and I gurantee it will sell. I will probably buy three of them! 2. Make new sets with BLUE COATS. The first run of LEGO pirate remains the most popular! Go look how much they sell for on Ebay! Why don't you make a new BLUE COAT like the new RED COAT? You could even use the new red coat design and just invert the colors? 3. Sets with baseplates! Lego builders LOVE baseplates, can you bring them back into the pirate sets again? 4. Blue 32x32 bseplates for sale again! Lego pirate builders need water! They are spending A LOT of money to buy used plates from various sources. Why not make it easier for us and just start making them for sale individually again? 5. Pirate items available on Pick-A-Brick. Self-explained. 6. More pirate sets, bigger pirate sets! Like I said, we are excited by the new product line, but bring us more! I bought one of EVERY set when I found they were for sale again. Since then, I bought another Brickbeard's Bounty (6243), AND another Soldier's Fort (6242). Feel free to e-mail or call me to talk about this and get more info! Martin Super etc.. etc.. etc..

I like the building technique and the look of it. Maybe go on bricklink and get some better colors for it? Also, rather than "closing in" soldiers fort, open it up length wise so that maybe a ship can dock at soldier's fort, and then the rest of your port is like the "main town" or trading area? The other cool thing about opening it up is that you can add to it as you go and get new pieces. I made one of my fancy diagrams. See attached.

Anyone like playing Civilization III? In particular, the Napoleonic Conquests?

So, we all know how popular the Indiana Jones side-pack has become. What else do some of you really like to use in pirate MOCs that are non-pirate items? I just picked up a collection and there are a lot of Western Mini-figs, have any of you had luck incorporating them into your ports/ships/MOCs? I was thinking of doing a French and Indian war battle scene, I think the natives from Indiana Jones, or maybe western Indians, are better than Islanders. Agree/Disagree? Do any of you use the BIG opening backpacks? (I just got four) Let me know what you think!

Im going to Ebay a bunch of unusable/uneeded city/space parts, minifigs, etc... Once that is done, the next BSB that comes up on here will be mine. -Super

Maybe we talk to the fine folks at brickarms?

Ok, here is my info-merical response to your article: Since reading you article, here have been my acquisitions: 1. Three boxes (about 6-7 pounds) $20 2. Two boxes (about 5 pounds) Free donation from a friend 3. TWO tupperwear bins (more than my entire collection so far, I estimate 40-50 pounds? Maybe more?) FREE! 4. Three LEGO boxes (6 pounds or more) $20 5. I have also been contacting the guys with "buying LEGO" ads on CraigsList, and trading with them for parts I need with ones I don't. 6. I put a note and a new status on my facebook asking everyone I know to hook me up with their old LEGOs, this resulted in the free donations. Its worth the couple people who will give you a jab, to get all the free bricks!!! -Super

I guess with an army that small we won't. Well, have fun in Cuba!

You know Blackmoor, I am thinking of making a Republic of Blue Coats, perhaps we join forces and dispatch this rabble?

Yeah, thats true. Otherwise, people who steal my hot hot hot ebay finds wakeup at the end of a bayonet. OR People with fake armies of 500 troops wake up to find that black coats have slain thier drunken rabble.

You know, we should have seen this coming. I remember my mother telling me as a child, "Don't ever trust guys with brown epaulettes". I was even all depressed about it. Thinking my "meager" army of 100 couldnt put up a good fight anymore... He will have his day in the gallows, I promise you that!

I know... I know.... I just like to complain, is there anything wrong with that?!