Why would you think it taboo as a consumer, to speak your mind
Is it me, or is the quality of new pieces in new bags from new sets materially
deteriorating?
Like to the point that I am uncomfortable listing the parts.
Know what you mean
Especially noticeable on black tiles and curved sloped but it exists on all items.
Anyone else noticing this?
Yes. I've also noticed it over the years. Especially when juxtaposing with
earlier SW part quality. Where for me, the distinction is even more pronounced.
On the flipside, part printing has exponentially improved too. Though that's
kinda defeatist thinking, when printing on inferior ABS molded material In
my opinion
Is it me, or is the quality of new pieces in new bags from new sets materially
deteriorating?
Like to the point that I am uncomfortable listing the parts.
Especially noticeable on black tiles and curved sloped but it exists on all items.
Anyone else noticing this?
Yes, for many years. I usually cull about 30-40% of tiles. Large windscreens
and panels are even worse; I typically cull most of those. It is a problem with
pretty much any part that has large, smooth surfaces, even bricks and minifigs
(last night during a part-out, I encountered TWO of five Thrawn minifigs with
large nicks on the torso fronts 😡).
I still make lemonade though: I sell many of the parts I cull in bulk at steep
discounts. Although not as profitable, it does move large quantites quickly
and generates orders. I've sold hundreds of such lots (clearly described
as "seconds" ) and not a single buyer has ever complained.
There are couple of notable exceptions that I have encountered regarding windscreens.
The windscreens in the large BTTF DeLorean set came encased in a film and they
were shockingly pristine--I was afraid to even touch them! The windscreens
in the Dune orinthopter set are packaged in their own bags, and of the 20 that
I parted out, 17 were near perfect and the other 3 only had a few minor marks.
So LEGO clearly knows this is a problem, and they know how to easily address
it. It is a wonder then that so many sets still pack such sensitive parts loose
with other parts. I was quite annoyed that one of the windscreens in my $600
Razor Crest had a scratch!
I've noticed a greater deterioration in the last 6 months. The thought of
the economics on inspecting and culling the "new from bag" parts at that
rate gives me the queasies.....
But ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I wouldn't want to sell a part I wouldn't
want to receive.
On a side note --- Chetzler, nice store! Love me that classic space.
In General, chetzler writes:
In General, FLUSH2020 writes:
Not sure if this is a taboo topic but......
Is it me, or is the quality of new pieces in new bags from new sets materially
deteriorating?
Like to the point that I am uncomfortable listing the parts.
Especially noticeable on black tiles and curved sloped but it exists on all items.
Anyone else noticing this?
Yes, for many years. I usually cull about 30-40% of tiles. Large windscreens
and panels are even worse; I typically cull most of those. It is a problem with
pretty much any part that has large, smooth surfaces, even bricks and minifigs
(last night during a part-out, I encountered TWO of five Thrawn minifigs with
large nicks on the torso fronts 😡).
I still make lemonade though: I sell many of the parts I cull in bulk at steep
discounts. Although not as profitable, it does move large quantites quickly
and generates orders. I've sold hundreds of such lots (clearly described
as "seconds" ) and not a single buyer has ever complained.
There are couple of notable exceptions that I have encountered regarding windscreens.
The windscreens in the large BTTF DeLorean set came encased in a film and they
were shockingly pristine--I was afraid to even touch them! The windscreens
in the Dune orinthopter set are packaged in their own bags, and of the 20 that
I parted out, 17 were near perfect and the other 3 only had a few minor marks.
So LEGO clearly knows this is a problem, and they know how to easily address
it. It is a wonder then that so many sets still pack such sensitive parts loose
with other parts. I was quite annoyed that one of the windscreens in my $600
Razor Crest had a scratch!
I've noticed a greater deterioration in the last 6 months. The thought of
the economics on inspecting and culling the "new from bag" parts at that
rate gives me the queasies.....
It’s not so bad doing it in volume. I sometimes list the good parts at a premium
(enough people are willing to pay for quality—I know I am). I should probably
advertise that more as a reason to buy at my store.
But ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I wouldn't want to sell a part I wouldn't
want to receive.
That is exactly my philosophy.
On a side note --- Chetzler, nice store! Love me that classic space.
Is it me, or is the quality of new pieces in new bags from new sets materially
deteriorating?
Like to the point that I am uncomfortable listing the parts.
Especially noticeable on black tiles and curved sloped but it exists on all items.
Anyone else noticing this?
Yes, for many years. I usually cull about 30-40% of tiles. Large windscreens
and panels are even worse; I typically cull most of those. It is a problem with
pretty much any part that has large, smooth surfaces, even bricks and minifigs
(last night during a part-out, I encountered TWO of five Thrawn minifigs with
large nicks on the torso fronts 😡).
I still make lemonade though: I sell many of the parts I cull in bulk at steep
discounts. Although not as profitable, it does move large quantites quickly
and generates orders. I've sold hundreds of such lots (clearly described
as "seconds" ) and not a single buyer has ever complained.
There are couple of notable exceptions that I have encountered regarding windscreens.
The windscreens in the large BTTF DeLorean set came encased in a film and they
were shockingly pristine--I was afraid to even touch them! The windscreens
in the Dune orinthopter set are packaged in their own bags, and of the 20 that
I parted out, 17 were near perfect and the other 3 only had a few minor marks.
So LEGO clearly knows this is a problem, and they know how to easily address
it. It is a wonder then that so many sets still pack such sensitive parts loose
with other parts. I was quite annoyed that one of the windscreens in my $600
Razor Crest had a scratch!
USA, New Jersey
In
