"fake" (other versions of) LEGO

pinkshoes

My 6 year old LOVES Lego, and I find it infuriating when people buy "replica/compatible" sets for him as gifts.

The likes of M.Y building bricks, the ELC version etc...

Obviously I am/he is grateful for the gifts, but I do wonder if the people purchasing them know what a headache they can cause?

Firstly, they are made out of an inferior material, so prone to warping/bending. It also causes the corners to feel much sharper.

Secondly, the manufacturing tolerances are cleary much wider that of Lego, so the parts can either be a ridiculously tight fit (so a child can't push them together or get them apart) or they won't stay together.

Thirdly, I often find "short shots" in the boxes where the pieces have not been moulded properly so of no use.

My son got two of the above mentioned sets for Christmas, and the poor boy was frustrated to tears by not being able to do it himself due to the poor fit of parts (he has no issues with Lego). Not to mention my broken nails from helping!!

So just a warning to anyone thinking of buying these as gifts - I appreciate you get a LOT more for your money, but my son (and probably other Lego fanatics) would much rather have a smaller genuine set that he can construct himself and save the frustration!

Lily-Rose_3

All you can do is gently tell people it's best not to spend their money on fake lego again as it's sub standard.

No other way to deal with it really...

[Deleted User]

Maybe ask for lego shop vouchers instead? Say he wants to use the pick and mix

My kids still play with my 30 year old lego - it's that well made

Person_one

What ba****ds! Buying your son presents they think he'll like? Have they no shame!!??

Lego is really expensive for what it is, I don't think you can really ask people to buy it unless they ask for a specific suggestion. Best to buy the proper stuff for him yourself, and when your friends and family buy the stuff that you don't like, just donate it on.

It will only be a 'problem' for a few years anyway.

[Deleted User]

Person_one wrote: »

What ba****ds! Buying your son presents they think he'll like? Have they no shame!!??

Buying kids presents from the poundshop that look like nice toys, but turn out to be badly made copies of a high quality product. You then have to explain why you can't make the model in the instructions because the parts aren't all there or they won't fit properly.

It's pretty similar to buying a knock-off copy of a gadget. Ultimately a disappointment.

I wouldn't look kindly on people buying disappointment for my kids.

Person_one

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Buying kids presents from the poundshop that look like nice toys

ELC =/= Poundshop, and you know what, a Poundshop or similar represents a bigger sacrifice to some people than the Lego shop does to you.

[Deleted User]

I'm sure i've seen M.Y building bricks in The Range and the Pound shop (Never seen the ELC ones since there's no ELC near me).

I'm probably lucky that all the people who buy my kids stuff also have kids and know what's best to get. For uninformed/childless people, I'll ask for lego/amazon vouchers.

The OP probably has relatives that see the expense of LEGO and see the vast quantity of cheap 'bricks' you can get from the 'knockoff' brands - thinking that quantity is desired over quality.

austonic

Possibly a silver lining is the learning opportunity about value and quality for the kid. :-)

Person_one

ringo_24601 wrote: »

I'm sure i've seen M.Y building bricks in The Range and the Pound shop (Never seen the ELC ones since there's no ELC near me).

I'm probably lucky that all the people who buy my kids stuff also have kids and know what's best to get. For uninformed/childless people, I'll ask for lego/amazon vouchers.

The OP probably has relatives that see the expense of LEGO and see the vast quantity of cheap 'bricks' you can get from the 'knockoff' brands - thinking that quantity is desired over quality.

:rotfl::rotfl:

Ooh, putting me in my place there!

I'm probably lucky that most of my friends who have children appreciate the thought when somebody gets their child a gift and wouldn't dream of telling them that it wasn't good enough and to get the more expensive version next time.

spadoosh

I bought my nephew lego for christmas, the only dissapointment weas mine. Spent a good hour explaining, guiding and building it with him for him to take off (it was a plane) and smash it in to the hundred or so pieces as it hit the wall whilst he manically laughed shouting crash!!

Nothing like a bit disappointment to get your kids ready for the real world though, much better bringing them in gently than giving them a huge slap to the face when theyre 18.

OP, unless you know the giftor will be reading this your efforts might be better spent telling them. Im sure there would be a few kids happy to receive any kind of toy for christmas.

Person_one

austonic wrote: »

Possibly a silver lining is the learning opportunity about value and quality for the kid. :-)

...and about the valuable life skill of being gracious and polite when you get given something you don't really want.