LEGO Ambassador Network (LAN) Is A Scam?

In this video, we are discussing why the LEGO Ambassador Network (LAN) is such a controversial topic, and why LEGO providing free sets to Ambassador's may not be all it's cracked up to be. Please note, this video is a thought piece, exploring various opinions and statements found online. This video is not intended to be malicious or a defamation of LEGO or any individual LAN members, and any comments found to be doing so will not be tolerated.

[@user-mf3gx3ob6i]

I’ve heard a number of Lego LAN members state the price and give their opinion as to whether they think it is a good value or not….

[@orestespimenides5276]

Yea, I've heard multiple LAN members say price is too high.

[@joce1275]

I'm not particularly bothered by whether a creator is part of LAN or not... what bothers me is lack of knowledge about the set being reviewed. I have seen many reviews where people mess up the characters, which are named in the product description!!! To me that is just laziness. LAN members can decline sets and regular creators can also pick and chose what they review, stick to things you are knowledgeable and passionate about 😊

[@brickodan]

Very good point!

[@Mr.BrickWheelie]

I was just thinking about this the other day. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a LAN member even insinuate that anything might be wrong with a set. It certainly feels like the fear of getting kicked out is real which sucks because I don’t need every LAN member telling me exactly the same thing.

[@brickodan]

Yes for sure, I don’t blame them either. Expect it’s just the way the cookie crumbles!

[@JackRandolph-zd1rs]

In the program they get exclusive Lego set too like Lego employee Lego sets ago for $100 to 200 plus on the aftermarket and set early to what doesn’t seem fair seems like only workers of Lego should get them because they cause you tubers. I’m not really working for Lego in the long run they are just advertising a product.

[@brickodan]

I didn’t know they get those employee sets.

[@BrinkoBricks]

That's a really interesting take on the LAN. It would be interesting to get an insiders view on this. Really interesting video though! Was an enjoyable watch.

[@brickodan]

It sure would!

[@AClassicBrick]

Maybe I can weigh in on it a little bit. I write for a LEGO Blog that is part of the program and thus have received a few sets for review from LEGO, like the Lion Knights Castle for example. The obvious stuff first: Never once has either LEGO or the 'boss' of the website told me what to write, positive or negative. Furthermore I was never "told off" for talking about negative points. The more interesting stuff of discussion is: How much did getting a set for free affect my views on the model. I'd like to say it is quite the contrary at least for my reviews from what popular belief would be in the community. I have no problem of rating a set 10/10 when I bought it myself. But when it comes to the sets the company provides to review, I feel much more pressure to not enjoy the set too much, as otherwise it would be seen as "shilling" for LEGO. I believe that a set is never perfect or at a point where it can't be improved upon, so I always try to get be as objective as I possibly can. But the word objective is at the heart of the issue. What is objective? Most people would agree that LEGO is very very expensive and I'm certainly not one to deny that. However it deserves to be said that the price of a LEGO set isn't quite the objective topic. What would be the "objectively" fair price for e.g. the Lion Knights Castle. Not some random pricetag I feel would be justified. 300 bucks? Well why not 310? Or 290? Or what if I feel I get my fair share of fun for my 400 bucks? I use the Lion Knights Castle as an example, as LEGO Castle is one of my favourite themes. Sure I'm glad I was send it by LEGO, but I would've absolutely been the first in line to get it on release day. Would've payed 400 bucks for it and wouldn't have regretted a penny. I don't have it in me to say that I think 400 bucks is too high of a price for that set. However I do realize that this wont be the case for everyone out there. There are many factors that play into what people consider "worth x amount of money". Someone who makes 1500 a month will certainly be more careful about a decision of spending 400 bucks on a LEGO Set compared to someone who makes 6000 a month. That was quite a long comment, but if you have any further questions, I'll be happy to answer them as far as I can. Of course I can only speak for myself and the way I tend to write my reviews. 🙂

[@brickodan]

@@AClassicBrick Thank you for taking the time to write a comment. Certainly insightful to hear from someone who stays objective and keeps integrity when reviewing LEGO sets. All though my video is mostly about KZbin reviews, I really appreciate your input!

[@ItsJustLee]

Opinions on LAN can be subjective to the individual but this is a really interesting video and opens up the table for many avenues of discussion.

[@brickodan]

Yep, everyone has a different experience I’m sure!

[@moonshoes11]

Something I noticed about news media in general is that different news stations across the country all get their stories from the same source. So when the local fireman saves a kitten from a tree, the same story, same phrasing same puns are used by hundreds of newscasters across the country. So when I watch different LAN reviews, I hear the same obscure comments made every one of them. For example, the recent GWP troop transport….and the green pieces used for the rails. They all reference how it’s a call back to a previous set. They all use the same obscure facts, provided by LEGO.

[@Minifigz]

What mic do you use bro? Sounds great

[@brickodan]

It’s a Shure SM57 with a pop filter on it. Great mic.

[@firerescueratchet559]

An alternative point of view: people who are LAN members love lego, and are thus naturally going to view new sets in a brighter light. Personally, I don't have a lot of issue with the new sets Lego is producing. Yeah, they are expensive in many cases, but you play within your means, if I get a set that's a little more on the expensive side I may not get many other sets; granted I won't even get sets in the $400 + range because at that point I don't feel it's really worth it, and even though I would love to get some of the more expensive sets, it's not within my means to do so. Thus I feel that price is a bit of a moot point, Lego won't scale down the prices of their sets and consumers will speak with their wallets. If a set truly is too expensive for what it is, people won't get it and that will show.

[@brickodan]

Very important points. Seems to be a real mix of opinions on this matter and individual LAN members and former members all have a different take on it. It’s really great to get more insight into the topic. I’m personally in a similar position where I just decide which sets are important to me and how much I’m willing to spend on them. New set or not, there’s plenty of options for us to choose from.

[@moonshoes11]

I skip KZbin ads so I can watch Lego reviews, which are ads. ;)

[@brickodan]

haha yeah mostly!

[@jacobe1942]

I have found some of the best content creators are not LAN and have some of the smallest followings.... I think this is because they are hungrier for views and do more creative intros and story telling. With a lan your going to have tons of viewers nearly gauranteed so all one has to do is pump out the videos based on some formula and people flock to it, but its all the same stuff... I seem to notice this since I have an interest only in lego castle and watch like every review on a new set... the more niche creators just go into the lore and details a bit more, while the bigger content people seem to present it as the next thing lego made. Some showing interest but not necessarily as castle collectors

[@brickodan]

This is a very good point. I can see the benefit if you are a fan of a particular type of LEGO. i suppose a lot of LAN creators are mostly interested in the LEGO itself so it makes sense. I like to mix it up and watch a bit of both!

[@VeraTurner-yw3yp]

Great video, really informative

[@DZstudios.]

Great video

[@brickodan]

Thanks for your feedback, much appreciated.

[@ericsbricks]

Great video!

[@snooplovesbricks]

there is a dark side to lego which people dont know very toxic and i agree everyone seems to love every lego set which is crazy a lot of lego are rubbish just turning out with higher prices and less lego and the some people high up in lego world are bullies and others are too afraid to push back or stand up . most are to scared i dont think you get a fair review or opinions when free lego is at steak

[@brickodan]

Do you think so?

[@snooplovesbricks]

@@brickodan i know so i know some big players in the lego world some are bullies some and scared to rock the boat and some are money hungry . seems more i look in to it the more the love of lego and the play nice idea has gone.

[@tomm2213]

Do people really need youtubers to tell them something is too expensive? Everyone knows the price. And you know your budget while content creators do not

[@brickodan]

Good question! All though I think price is definitely an important factor for product review, value is subjective. from the information I gathered online it’s a common criticism, but your point is exactly why I mentioned that I don’t think creators have much say in the pricing matter anyway, and this could be an unfair criticism of content creators.

[@brianmcwood6329]

This is not true. You can get paid if you are not an idiot. If the people with the biggest following want to do it for free its on them.