|
 |
| | | Author: | Rakali  | | Posted: | May 8, 2022 03:09 | | Subject: | BL forcibly removing parts in unusual colors. | | Viewed: | 181 times | | Topic: | Problem | |
|
| Got an email through last night notifying me that some items had been removed
from my inventory with the reason:
"Reason: Item is a clone, replica, photocopy, modified element, or is counterfeit"
The item in question is
in Tan, Lime and Yellow.
I picked up these parts a few years ago now from a seller in Hungary who I assume
must have had some sort of factory connection. I was placing an order anyway
and picked up a few to resell as I thought they were interesting.
These parts are not fake, have the LEGO logo and the part number etc.
Is Bricklink now policing selling items in 'un-officially' released colors,
or is this an order from the corporate overlords similar to the *whispers* Osprey
I notice there is still a Red Darth Vader helmet listed, however it was forcibly
changed to Black on my wanted list this week. What's going on here?
|
|
|
| | | | | |
| | | | | Author: | Stellar | | Posted: | May 8, 2022 05:27 | | Subject: | Re: BL forcibly removing parts in unusual colors. | | Viewed: | 77 times | | Topic: | Problem | |
|
| In Problem, Rakali writes:
| | Got an email through last night notifying me that some items had been removed
from my inventory with the reason:
"Reason: Item is a clone, replica, photocopy, modified element, or is counterfeit"
The item in question is
in Tan, Lime and Yellow.
I picked up these parts a few years ago now from a seller in Hungary who I assume
must have had some sort of factory connection. I was placing an order anyway
and picked up a few to resell as I thought they were interesting.
These parts are not fake, have the LEGO logo and the part number etc.
Is Bricklink now policing selling items in 'un-officially' released colors,
or is this an order from the corporate overlords similar to the *whispers* Osprey
I notice there is still a Red Darth Vader helmet listed, however it was forcibly
changed to Black on my wanted list this week. What's going on here?
|
The last word of the reason could be it: counterfeit
https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1322014
Those are Lego items made in Lego Factories in bulk by someone not authorised
with the purpose of resale.
It's not the same as if some prototype parts/colors get into the wild than
actually doing it in bulk.
|
|
|
| | | | | |
| | | | | Author: | calebfishn | | Posted: | May 8, 2022 16:31 | | Subject: | Re: BL forcibly removing parts in unusual colors. | | Viewed: | 78 times | | Topic: | Problem | |
|
| Years ago, unofficial colors that turned up in the market were thought of as
test pieces. They were rare, and people collected them. Often, the color was
red.
The past couple of years however, have seen dozens of items show up, with hundreds
listed on Bricklink in a rainbow of the most desirable colors. Some sellers had
complete monochrome minifigures with all parts, headgear, and accessories in
transparent, and other highly unusual colors, and they had dozens of each. Definitely
not rare, but still at prices making them quite lucrative. Darth Vader helmets,
(both parts!) Star Wars blasters, and Thor's hammer Mjolnir were also available.
It is pretty obvious that this much variety, in these colors, are not mistakes,
or test pieces, but more like a small industry, producing thousands of parts.
It now seems, that these items are the product of a form of employee theft,
using Lego factor molds and materials so that the items would have the correct
Lego logo and numbers. This was more common in some countries than others. It
seems Lego took notice of this problem, and Bricklink apparently has been cooperating
with Lego in clearing these misappropriated, or counterfeit items from sale.
I have no doubt that many people purchased items in good faith, as a novelty,
or in hope of selling on as rare collectables. And those people sold to other
people who honestly believed they were getting a real, official, Lego product,
and put them up for sale in their store inventories. I expect some of these parts
will continue to show up in the supply chain for quite some time. Unfortunately,
the dishonesty of some people has probably damaged the collectable market for
true mistake or test parts.
Anyway, that's what I've concluded based on the observations and information
I've been able to gather. If you come across such parts, they should be reported.
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Author: | Shiny_Stuff | | Posted: | May 8, 2022 17:47 | | Subject: | Re: BL forcibly removing parts in unusual colors. | | Viewed: | 97 times | | Topic: | Off Topic | |
|
| In Problem, calebfishn writes:
| | Years ago, unofficial colors that turned up in the market were thought of as
test pieces. They were rare, and people collected them. Often, the color was
red.
The past couple of years however, have seen dozens of items show up, with hundreds
listed on Bricklink in a rainbow of the most desirable colors. Some sellers had
complete monochrome minifigures with all parts, headgear, and accessories in
transparent, and other highly unusual colors, and they had dozens of each. Definitely
not rare, but still at prices making them quite lucrative. Darth Vader helmets,
(both parts!) Star Wars blasters, and Thor's hammer Mjolnir were also available.
It is pretty obvious that this much variety, in these colors, are not mistakes,
or test pieces, but more like a small industry, producing thousands of parts.
It now seems, that these items are the product of a form of employee theft,
using Lego factor molds and materials so that the items would have the correct
Lego logo and numbers. This was more common in some countries than others. It
seems Lego took notice of this problem, and Bricklink apparently has been cooperating
with Lego in clearing these misappropriated, or counterfeit items from sale.
I have no doubt that many people purchased items in good faith, as a novelty,
or in hope of selling on as rare collectables. And those people sold to other
people who honestly believed they were getting a real, official, Lego product,
and put them up for sale in their store inventories. I expect some of these parts
will continue to show up in the supply chain for quite some time. Unfortunately,
the dishonesty of some people has probably damaged the collectable market for
true mistake or test parts.
Anyway, that's what I've concluded based on the observations and information
I've been able to gather. If you come across such parts, they should be reported.
|
Your analysis sounds correct.
Over the years, there have always been items that have leaked out the back door
of factories, parts warehouses, and model shops. Some of them are/were bona-fide
Test items and other rare colors that were made for legitimate reasons and found
in storage. Some fortunate people have had authorized access during special
tours and visits to sites like the model shops and have been lucky enough to
have been allowed to acquire items like this. Some have even been gifts or special
one-time sales deals to Lego User Groups (LUGS) and Lego Train Clubs (LTCS) or
other organizations or AFOL event coordinators. Some are even part of regularly
authorized deals.
These legitimate acquisitions (always) come/came with Non-Disclosure Agreements
that include DO NOT Sell stipulations. I believe that most of the people who
have been able to get items this way have honored these agreements. Over time,
however, and as items pass from the original holders, these old agreements sometimes
get forgotten, etc.
There are lots of examples of stuff like this, most of them I am sure very few
people know about and I won't disclose any specific examples here.
But this (new) phenomenon of (factory workers) intentionally producing unauthorized
items using LEGO assets with the intent to sell is all very different. Hopefully,
this type of activity does not put a firm end to all of the legitimate and authorized
channels that still exist. That would really suck.
____
|
|
|
|
|
|
United Kingdom, England
Spain, Comunidad Valenciana
Canada, Ontario
USA, New York