Originally posted my Facebook page, the statement below reflects what I feel about the Lego situation here in Malaysia. I did add a few points compared to my original post:

Looking at the selection of Lego on sale in the major departmental stores and even TRU and Brickboy, I can't help but notice the pathetic selection of Lego available to buy. It is as if the ship carrying the container filled with Legos forgot to berth in Port Klang and just head down to Singapore to drop of the stock there. It never even bothered to visit Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor to replenish the Big Shop.

Then there is the Lego display in Bangsar Villlage II. Compared to previous years this years one is much much smaller. Last year at least got some HUGE Star Wars models. Then got discount on the 5 digit sets. This year? Nada, zinch, nothing. Bayang pun tak nampak. In fact this year's Lego display is so small that the time from when I entered the mall, parked my car, looked at the display and go to pay for parking is less than the time period given for free parking (usually 15 to 20 minutes)! That is how bad the Lego situation in Malaysia.

If this goes on no choice but to seek alternative means to obtain my Lego. Legoland Johor is out of the question since EVERY SINGLE THING IS OVERPRICED THERE. They assume everyone who goes there are from Singapore with Sing dollar in hand. Plus the pathetic selection of stuff to buy which is a far cry from the large selections normally seen in Lego shops overseas.

But maybe it is a sign that I should slow down on Lego. Previously I used to collect Hot wheels. Reason for giving up was the pathetic selection of HWs- it is as if Mattel do not give a @#$#@$ about the Malaysian market. Previously used to collect TFs. Same reason too, some TFs are just too hard to obtain and overpriced TF. It does not help Hasbro raised the prices year after year. It is as if Hasbro too do not give a @#$@# about the Malaysia market. Gave up playing my XBOX 360, same thing, Microsoft do not care about the Malaysia market. Till now they still HAVE NOT listed Malaysia as one of their supported market although it is very clear Malaysia has more population than Singapore.

Now it is TLG's turn. I hope they do not end up like Mattel and Hasbro since I feel TLG is still the better party compared to the other 2 giants. LLM is a good start, but a theme park can only attract so many till it becomes boring. I hope TLG go beyond and actually care about the Malaysian market.

First, start selling the sets as early as possible. It is bad enough we are paying ridiculous prices and yet we have to wait for an eternity for the sets to arrive. I see now the 2013 Hobbit, Chima, Star Wars set were released in the EU, but it will be next year till we see the first signs of it. It would definitely help if the Lego exclusives (5 digit sets) are released here early.

Then, ensure there is sufficient stock for people to buy. I suggest visiting the shopping malls around here in the Klang Valley and look at the Lego displays. It is pathetic. So bad in fact that I noticed one departmental store placed Kre-O (yes, Kre-O from Hasbro) on the Lego aisle because there isn't enough Lego to sell. Mind you that store is in Suria KLCC, not some mall in the middle of no where.

Third, please please please reduce the price of Lego to more affordable levels. Selling the Jabbas palace at RM 800+, City police station at RM 550, Olivia's house at RM 400, SSD UCS at RM 2000, Town hall at RM 900 is definitely not going to attract good sales. In fact your target audience such as me might as well go online and buy since I can get it cheaper and sometimes even faster than retail. I can check the prices at Lego at home, bricklink and even facebook, so we know if you are trying to price gouge us.

Lastly, please do not force your appointed distro to take on stock which they do not want and give them stock they actually want to sell and think can bring sales. I feel as an international brand you should not squeeze your local distributors.

I know it is quite a long post, but as someone who has invested alot of time and money into Lego, who uses Lego as a hobby to release myself from the tensions of work, I am quite frankly getting more and more frustrated with the state of Lego in the retail scene here. Getting harder to obtain sets, the long wait for sets, the difficultly to locate one and finally the high price, like I mentioned earlier, maybe I should slow down on Lego and move on. Quite a shame really.

As a company you should try to attract new customers and at the same time retain your existing loyal customers. Quite frankly I see none of that here.