Hey guys! On July 3, 2021 we posted about the First crowdfunding round for the 2021 BrickLink Designer Program. Check out that post HERE. Due to a very successful pre-order, it left many fans frustrated with technical issues and sold out sets within a short period of time. Another frustration this round was there was a limit of 5,000 copies per set and customers could purchase up to 5 copies of each set, which allowed people, including dealers and resellers, to purchase the five and re-sell overpriced on eBay. BrickLink has announced on social media, “We read your comments and frustrations, and we hear you! Please stay tuned for an update next week”. So what does this mean?
Thanks to jaysbrickblog.com, who sat in a Q&A session with the LEGO Ideas and Bricklink team at the recent Recognized LEGO Fan Media Days 2021. Read what Melvin Park, Head of BrickLink / VP at the LEGO Group has to say about this project, and why these limits were put in place:
There will potentially be plenty of resellers due to the limited number of sets worldwide. Do you think that crowdfunding might be over in after 5 minutes? What will you do with people who are unsatisfied that they missed out in the morning?
Melvin: We have data from previous programs. This time might be different as we’re taking great designs from LEGO Ideas. We anticipate a little faster corresponding time, but I don’t think all the quantities will be sold out in 5 minutes and it will take much longer than that.
If that happens that is a very happy problem to solve. We’ll limit purchase quantity to 5 for each account. That restriction is not only by user IDs but we’ll also check address/credit cards, so it won’t be easy for someone to purchase large quantities of the set.
I believe it will give enough time to fans. We have a real-time platform so that people can see how fast projects go and respond accordingly.
Jay: you mentioned that there was a limit of 5 sets per account. If you get to a point where the 5,000 cap gets filled instantly, is it possible to increase that based on demand? We’ve seen throughout this year that LEGO as a whole – forecasting has not been the strongest point when it comes to LEGO.
Could 5,000 be a lowball estimate and what are contingency plans if demand surpasses what you have to supply?
Melvin: We wish we could produce more if demand is high enough but that constraint comes from the manufacturing side. As you can tell, LEGO Group is trying to meet overwhelming demand, not only from LEGO Ideas or this channel but even regular LEGO set production which has reached overcapacity.
I don’t believe we can increase the quantity of these sets.
It also serves the purpose of owning a limited edition set. If we increase the quantity, the owner of the pre-ordered sets – their satisfaction levels will go down a little.
Another Bricklink/Ideas person (can’t recall his name): Its also worth pointing out that the Bricklink Designer program is also a pilot for us to learn whether there is sufficient interest in something like this and see how AFOLs react to sets that are produced in this way.
Obviously if they manage to sell out, it’s a good indicator and it gives the BL team the necessary information about this program.
What do you think this announcement will entail? Comment below!
Happy LEGO Building!
Support the website
Do you enjoy the content? I spend 2-3hrs a day trying to provide LEGO news and deals. If you do, please consider purchasing from our affiliate links to support the website. Thank you!
