The LEPIN "LEGO" for non sensitive types
Discussion
Jader1973 said:
_MIKE_, how readily available is Lego where you are?
I'm asking because I read some interesting blogs/forums yesterday which had a couple of theories:
1) Lepin is actually some sort of Lego company (a bit far fetched I think)
2) Lego aren't really fully functional in Asia yet which is why Lepin are being particularly aggressive - they are trying to establish themselves as a known brand for this type of toy in Asia. Imagine if you'd been going to a shop for years and were used to seeing wall to wall Lepin, then one day Lego appears. You'd think it was a copy (and wonder why it was more expensive).
Given theory 2 it would be interesting to know how available it is where you are. Is your local shop wall to wall Lepin or does it have Lego too?
The views on the legality are interesting too. The general view is that it is probably just legal. The boxes aren't full copies of the Lego box (they change enough to make it clear it isn't Lego), the instructions aren't necessarily identical (and you could get them off Lego's website if you wanted) and the models themselves substitute some parts. Apparently the only things that are copyright are the minifigs. What they are doing is obvious (i.e. ripping off Lego's IP) but they are clever enough to keep it legal (at least in China).
In addition they are also tapping in to the western collector market for people want something that looks like the obsolete Lego models.
However they are a parasite and therefore in a tricky position - they can't afford to damage Lego too much or they lose their source of models to copy. It will be interesting to see how this pans out over the next few years.
Why do you even care?I'm asking because I read some interesting blogs/forums yesterday which had a couple of theories:
1) Lepin is actually some sort of Lego company (a bit far fetched I think)
2) Lego aren't really fully functional in Asia yet which is why Lepin are being particularly aggressive - they are trying to establish themselves as a known brand for this type of toy in Asia. Imagine if you'd been going to a shop for years and were used to seeing wall to wall Lepin, then one day Lego appears. You'd think it was a copy (and wonder why it was more expensive).
Given theory 2 it would be interesting to know how available it is where you are. Is your local shop wall to wall Lepin or does it have Lego too?
The views on the legality are interesting too. The general view is that it is probably just legal. The boxes aren't full copies of the Lego box (they change enough to make it clear it isn't Lego), the instructions aren't necessarily identical (and you could get them off Lego's website if you wanted) and the models themselves substitute some parts. Apparently the only things that are copyright are the minifigs. What they are doing is obvious (i.e. ripping off Lego's IP) but they are clever enough to keep it legal (at least in China).
In addition they are also tapping in to the western collector market for people want something that looks like the obsolete Lego models.
However they are a parasite and therefore in a tricky position - they can't afford to damage Lego too much or they lose their source of models to copy. It will be interesting to see how this pans out over the next few years.
The truth is Lego realise that trying to shut Lepin down won't work. Even if they were successful they would risk upsetting the Chinese - a potentially massive market for the future and a me too company would start up the next day.
Counterfeit goods are massive in china and many brands are victim to the practice. A knock off iPhone isn't a great idea as the charger will probably catch fire or the phone won't work. Faux Lego on the other hand isn't so much of a risk. The quality isn't as good and there are lots of small niggles that you wouldn't get from a Lego set, but at a price 25% of the original it's a tempting proposition.
Lego are probably seething about it, but as I said before can't / not do anything to stop it. Now if someone opened an eBay store reselling Lepin from Europe I'm sure legos legal department would rain down great vengeance and furious anger upon that individual.
I chose to buy a Lepin model out of curiosity and a desire to find a bargain. I will get the same level of enjoyment as I would from the original. For me the joy is in the build and display of the model rather than storage and smug knowledge I have an appreciating asset in my loft.
I can't speak for everyone else on the thread, but I would appreciate it if you let the constant questions of the legalities go now.
robemcdonald said:
I would appreciate it if you let the constant questions of the legalities go now.
As we've been told above by Stig, he can feel free to post all he likes, even if it is off topic and deliberately annoying. I suggest we just all ignore every post he makes and don't respond/quote/acknowledge it.^Agreed. Jader, you're getting boring fella. Feel free to start another thread about homage items (please feel free to include kit cars and watches as previously mentioned).
FWIW I would never in a million years spend £250 on a plastic Lego Porsche at 42 years of age. I have not played with or collected Lego since I was a child. I have, however, purely off the back of this thread ordered a Lepin GT3 at a fraction of the price. This may actually boost sales of Lego if I decide to buy other, cheaper, smaller Lego kits. When my little lad is old enough he can play with the Lepin Porsche and do what he wants with it, I won't be precious. Without this thread, my interest in Lepin/Lego would be zero. I'm a Porsche fan and Porsche driver and when I heard about the GT3 release I took one look at the price and tuned out. Madness.
I will also be buying a UCS Falcon to display in my office. Again, I would not have paid original Lego prices or the frankly ridiculous prices wanted by "collectors" who want to keep this stuff in their loft rather than let it get enjoyed. If that puts collectors noses out of joint or devalues genuine kits, tough. If Lego missed the boat to jump on the Episode 7 bandwagon and re-release the Falcon in huge numbers at a price point that is sensible and represents value, tough again. If people want to profiteer of the back of frankly worthless pieces of mass produced plastic (that were already tooled up for), arranged into an imaginary spaceship and it doesn't work, tough yet again.
So, Lego haven't lost a customer as frankly I never would have bought anyway. I get some fun out of building it and my office becomes a brighter place. My lad will hopefully get interested in Lego/Lepin and no doubt buy genuine kits, use his hands and understand how cars work and if he loses bits or breaks them it's not the end of the world. I'm struggling to see who the losers are here to be honest.
Seriously, we all get your point, but you are just wasting your time now.
FWIW I would never in a million years spend £250 on a plastic Lego Porsche at 42 years of age. I have not played with or collected Lego since I was a child. I have, however, purely off the back of this thread ordered a Lepin GT3 at a fraction of the price. This may actually boost sales of Lego if I decide to buy other, cheaper, smaller Lego kits. When my little lad is old enough he can play with the Lepin Porsche and do what he wants with it, I won't be precious. Without this thread, my interest in Lepin/Lego would be zero. I'm a Porsche fan and Porsche driver and when I heard about the GT3 release I took one look at the price and tuned out. Madness.
I will also be buying a UCS Falcon to display in my office. Again, I would not have paid original Lego prices or the frankly ridiculous prices wanted by "collectors" who want to keep this stuff in their loft rather than let it get enjoyed. If that puts collectors noses out of joint or devalues genuine kits, tough. If Lego missed the boat to jump on the Episode 7 bandwagon and re-release the Falcon in huge numbers at a price point that is sensible and represents value, tough again. If people want to profiteer of the back of frankly worthless pieces of mass produced plastic (that were already tooled up for), arranged into an imaginary spaceship and it doesn't work, tough yet again.
So, Lego haven't lost a customer as frankly I never would have bought anyway. I get some fun out of building it and my office becomes a brighter place. My lad will hopefully get interested in Lego/Lepin and no doubt buy genuine kits, use his hands and understand how cars work and if he loses bits or breaks them it's not the end of the world. I'm struggling to see who the losers are here to be honest.
Seriously, we all get your point, but you are just wasting your time now.
Ok.
Ignore the bit about the legalities.
I would be interested to know _MIKE_'s view on his local market though as it gives an idea of how much of a struggle Lego have on their hands in that part of the world, and how well established Lepin are.
I understand the point about buying things like the UCS Falcon - it is sad that a mass market toy is subject to adult collectors stockpiling and driving up prices. It is also sad that people feel Lepin is better to play with than Lego because then they won't worry about damage etc.
Perhaps Lego have brought this on themselves?
Ignore the bit about the legalities.
I would be interested to know _MIKE_'s view on his local market though as it gives an idea of how much of a struggle Lego have on their hands in that part of the world, and how well established Lepin are.
I understand the point about buying things like the UCS Falcon - it is sad that a mass market toy is subject to adult collectors stockpiling and driving up prices. It is also sad that people feel Lepin is better to play with than Lego because then they won't worry about damage etc.
Perhaps Lego have brought this on themselves?
Edited by Jader1973 on Monday 19th September 09:56
Jader1973 said:
Ok.
Ignore the bit about the legalities.
I would be interested to know _MIKE_'s view on his local market though as it gives an idea of how much of a struggle Lego have on their hands in that part of the world, and how well established Lepin are.
I understand the point about buying things like the UCS Falcon - it is sad that a mass market toy is subject to adult collectors stockpiling and driving up prices. It is also sad that people feel Lepin is better to play with than Lego because then they won't worry about damage etc.
Perhaps Lego have brought this on themselves?
Politely - can you please just let this lie. We all get your point and your posts just reignite the debate (and thus, can be deemed inflammatory). This thread isn't to discuss the legalities or ethics behind selling/buying Lego, it's to discuss the sets themselves.Ignore the bit about the legalities.
I would be interested to know _MIKE_'s view on his local market though as it gives an idea of how much of a struggle Lego have on their hands in that part of the world, and how well established Lepin are.
I understand the point about buying things like the UCS Falcon - it is sad that a mass market toy is subject to adult collectors stockpiling and driving up prices. It is also sad that people feel Lepin is better to play with than Lego because then they won't worry about damage etc.
Perhaps Lego have brought this on themselves?
Edited by Jader1973 on Monday 19th September 09:56
Thanks.
I'm tempted to look into this stuff now, the UCS Falcon would be great to build over the Christmas break...if I didn't have a newborn son to look after. Maybe I can palm him off on the Mrs, what is the record for quickest build of one of these monster UCS Falcons while half drunk on Egg Nogg? 
Stig said:
Politely - can you please just let this lie. We all get your point and your posts just reignite the debate (and thus, can be deemed inflammatory). This thread isn't to discuss the legalities or ethics behind selling/buying Lego, it's to discuss the sets themselves.
Thanks.
Ok Stig. I won't post about it again.Thanks.
Edited by Jader1973 on Monday 19th September 10:30
Mid size (05007) Lepin Falcon completed. Looks good, main issues are the turntables the upper and lower turrets sit on are weakly clutched together (between the gray rotating piece and the black fixed piece), instructions leading to confusion on some colours (particularly round 1x1s) and a damaged sticker sheet due to the seller's packaging. Not exactly show stopping faults.
A reasonable number of pieces left over, but I may have missed some due to the instructions.
Best way I found to find parts was dump everything on the floor and sort through it as parts are needed, otherwise I found I was looking for parts in the wrong bag.
A reasonable number of pieces left over, but I may have missed some due to the instructions.
Best way I found to find parts was dump everything on the floor and sort through it as parts are needed, otherwise I found I was looking for parts in the wrong bag.
bobfett said:
Mid size (05007) Lepin Falcon completed. Looks good, main issues are the turntables the upper and lower turrets sit on are weakly clutched together (between the gray rotating piece and the black fixed piece), instructions leading to confusion on some colours (particularly round 1x1s) and a damaged sticker sheet due to the seller's packaging. Not exactly show stopping faults.
A reasonable number of pieces left over, but I may have missed some due to the instructions.
Best way I found to find parts was dump everything on the floor and sort through it as parts are needed, otherwise I found I was looking for parts in the wrong bag.
...so good enough for a 6-7 year old to mess about with and for you not to get upset if they eat/lose/scratch it? A reasonable number of pieces left over, but I may have missed some due to the instructions.
Best way I found to find parts was dump everything on the floor and sort through it as parts are needed, otherwise I found I was looking for parts in the wrong bag.
Sounds spot on.
Just to note guys.
Avoid the seller jack sun.
I have had an issue already and they haven't posted out yet.
I shall explain.
I ordered the vw camper from jack sun around 7 days ago. As you do you then get excited and then order a load of other stuff from other sellers.
I ordered some replacement ghost-buster characters, and a scooby doo time machine for my lad.
I logged on a few nights later and noted that everything had been posted out apart from the vw camper. I thought a 4 day processing time was too much and so cancelled the order. A note on the order said it would be automatically cancelled in 2 days if the seller does not respond anyhow.
I cancelled anyhow and re ordered the vw camper with another seller.
Next day i re logged on and noted that the order was not cancelled and that i now had 2 orders for the vw camper. 2 delivered for £71 is still better than one lego one for £100 lol however i definitely dont want 2.
I re cancel and speak to customer services who were very guick on ali express. They confirm the order cancelled and tell me they have a chat log and not too worry.
Guess what! , today i have an update saying the cancelled order (2x now ) has been sent out. Annoyed i contact ali express custome services and they tell me the seller has refused the cancellation twice now. 2 days later its posted out.
A bit cheeky really, only thing i can do now is open a dispute and see where this gets me.
Just a friendly heads up to avoid this seller if possible.
Thanks
Col.
PS - might have a nice camper for sale in abour 15 days lol.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eioNMc4yMqM
Avoid the seller jack sun.
I have had an issue already and they haven't posted out yet.
I shall explain.
I ordered the vw camper from jack sun around 7 days ago. As you do you then get excited and then order a load of other stuff from other sellers.
I ordered some replacement ghost-buster characters, and a scooby doo time machine for my lad.
I logged on a few nights later and noted that everything had been posted out apart from the vw camper. I thought a 4 day processing time was too much and so cancelled the order. A note on the order said it would be automatically cancelled in 2 days if the seller does not respond anyhow.
I cancelled anyhow and re ordered the vw camper with another seller.
Next day i re logged on and noted that the order was not cancelled and that i now had 2 orders for the vw camper. 2 delivered for £71 is still better than one lego one for £100 lol however i definitely dont want 2.
I re cancel and speak to customer services who were very guick on ali express. They confirm the order cancelled and tell me they have a chat log and not too worry.
Guess what! , today i have an update saying the cancelled order (2x now ) has been sent out. Annoyed i contact ali express custome services and they tell me the seller has refused the cancellation twice now. 2 days later its posted out.
A bit cheeky really, only thing i can do now is open a dispute and see where this gets me.
Just a friendly heads up to avoid this seller if possible.
Thanks
Col.
PS - might have a nice camper for sale in abour 15 days lol.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eioNMc4yMqM
bobfett said:
Mid size (05007) Lepin Falcon completed. Looks good, main issues are the turntables the upper and lower turrets sit on are weakly clutched together (between the gray rotating piece and the black fixed piece), instructions leading to confusion on some colours (particularly round 1x1s) and a damaged sticker sheet due to the seller's packaging. Not exactly show stopping faults.
Tbh I've got the Lego original of this kit and the colours are a bit confusing in that manual as well.Hoppum said:
bobfett said:
Mid size (05007) Lepin Falcon completed. Looks good, main issues are the turntables the upper and lower turrets sit on are weakly clutched together (between the gray rotating piece and the black fixed piece), instructions leading to confusion on some colours (particularly round 1x1s) and a damaged sticker sheet due to the seller's packaging. Not exactly show stopping faults.
Tbh I've got the Lego original of this kit and the colours are a bit confusing in that manual as well.Where there are multiple of the same shapes or you are trying to rebuild from a big bunch of Lego it's really tricky.
Hard-Drive said:
Well, I sincerely hope he is all over the watch forum too, demanding that Parnis Panerai homage watches are never mentioned again. And and PHers who have ever dared fit non OE spec brake pads should be burned at the stake, and all the kit car people building a 7-a-likes, a Lancia Stratos, or that talented guy on the Porsche forum scratchbuilding a 962 with a GT3 engine in it, they all need to be banned/burned too.
In other news, my GT3 kit has left Denmark...I mean China...woohoo!!!
Have you got a link to the 962 build, that sounds epic.In other news, my GT3 kit has left Denmark...I mean China...woohoo!!!
Wow, so quite a bit to read through in the last day or so.
Jader, please don't take this the wrong way, I just cannot be bothered to answer your question.
What I like about this thread is the general discussion of what people have found and how're they getting on, no need to stray back into the contentious side.
Anyway Stig said everything that needed to be said.
Jader, please don't take this the wrong way, I just cannot be bothered to answer your question.
What I like about this thread is the general discussion of what people have found and how're they getting on, no need to stray back into the contentious side.
Anyway Stig said everything that needed to be said.
Megaflow said:
Hard-Drive said:
Well, I sincerely hope he is all over the watch forum too, demanding that Parnis Panerai homage watches are never mentioned again. And and PHers who have ever dared fit non OE spec brake pads should be burned at the stake, and all the kit car people building a 7-a-likes, a Lancia Stratos, or that talented guy on the Porsche forum scratchbuilding a 962 with a GT3 engine in it, they all need to be banned/burned too.
In other news, my GT3 kit has left Denmark...I mean China...woohoo!!!
Have you got a link to the 962 build, that sounds epic.In other news, my GT3 kit has left Denmark...I mean China...woohoo!!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Hoppum said:
bobfett said:
Mid size (05007) Lepin Falcon completed. Looks good, main issues are the turntables the upper and lower turrets sit on are weakly clutched together (between the gray rotating piece and the black fixed piece), instructions leading to confusion on some colours (particularly round 1x1s) and a damaged sticker sheet due to the seller's packaging. Not exactly show stopping faults.
Tbh I've got the Lego original of this kit and the colours are a bit confusing in that manual as well.I live in Chengdu in China. Not one of the big four cities but not far behind. I've only began to notice Lepin in the last few months and more recently a brand called Pogo which seemed to have an even better clone of the modulars.
None of the main supermarkets or toy shop chains carry it. You only really see it in the smaller shops or cinemas where all the movie IP sets are available. Prices are ridiculously low when compared to real Lego which itself is ridiculously over priced here. Unless you are a kid from a very rich family you aren't getting a Lego set. Something like the new Millennium Falcon is about 50% overpriced compared to the UK and pretty much half the average monthly wage in the city. There is no consumer overlap between the two and it's certainly not stealing sales from Lego here.
As a purchaser of about 50 real sets in the last five years, which make their way back to China from the UK in suitcases when I travel its a bit of a dilemma though.
None of the main supermarkets or toy shop chains carry it. You only really see it in the smaller shops or cinemas where all the movie IP sets are available. Prices are ridiculously low when compared to real Lego which itself is ridiculously over priced here. Unless you are a kid from a very rich family you aren't getting a Lego set. Something like the new Millennium Falcon is about 50% overpriced compared to the UK and pretty much half the average monthly wage in the city. There is no consumer overlap between the two and it's certainly not stealing sales from Lego here.
As a purchaser of about 50 real sets in the last five years, which make their way back to China from the UK in suitcases when I travel its a bit of a dilemma though.
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