Why TLC is the Best...

[Athos]

A friend of my shared this on Facebook. I thought it deserved a repost here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xGU-5KVS_g

Steve

[Karalora]

That's one of the most heartwarming things I've ever seen. Yay LEGO!

[AK_Brickster]

Yeah a LUG member just shared w me. Pretty fantastic!!

[Justin M]

That's great!

[nanuck95]

When I was maybe 4 years old my parents took us on a road trip to Florida and bought me my first LEGO sets to play with in the car (a little fire car and police car). At some point I got too close to the window and the wind caught the directions for one of them and blew them out the window. I was pretty bummed so my mom wrote LEGO a letter and told them what happened and asked how she could get another set of directions. They wrote back and sent a new, original copy of the instructions, the same version you would get if you bought the set (which I still have somewhere, though pretty tattered now). Not quite the same magnitude as what they did for this kid, but I never forgot that. It's nice to see that 30+ years later their customer service is still willing to go the extra mile and it's one of the reasons why 30+ years later I am still buying their products for myself and now my kids.

Thanks for sharing the video, that was pretty cool and the pictures of the kid with pure joy on his face at the end are priceless.

[Bluesecrets]

I am impressed with a few things in this video.

Aspberger kids are not always known for their ability to "fit in" or "communicate." Their social interactions are often perceived as odd and they shy away from situations where they are uncomfortable. For this boy to write such a good letter to the LEGO Corporation, and allow that video to be placed online, is a wonderful. I am impressed that a 10 yr old wasn't self conscious.

I am VERY impressed with the parents of this boy. They are instilling the value of money, work ethic, and not just giving into the demands of their child.

The letter from LEGO was written in such a great way, perfect for a child to receive. But then, I have found all communication from LEGO to children impressive and they should be commended for it. How many toy companies in the world would take the time to even look for that set, let alone write a personal letter back? Or even make a child's day like that? But then why limit it to toy companies, how many companies do such things? And do not publicize it for their own gain?

As we become AFOLs or TFOLs, we start seeing the negatives to the corporation. Get upset at discussions they make, but I think we sometimes need a reminder like this to bring it all into perspective. LEGO does a LOT for kids, with the designing of events for them, with the replacing of parts for free, with the kids club, and so on. They are their demographic (we aren't) but I have yet to see another toy company go to such strides to make a good play experience for kids.

The only thing I am completely unimpressed with...and pretty much disheartened with...and have been for years now. Those comments under the video. I think people think they can say anything online without having to think about the repercussions or implications they cause. That little boy and family showed off something amazing, that made them very happy and proud. And then there is swearing and nastiness by anonymous people online posted. It takes away from the pure good moment of this boy. It makes me wonder just when did our society become so nasty, sarcastic, and just plain mean?

[AK_Brickster]

Trolls will always be trolls, I suppose. I'm readily able to shake those kinds of comments off when I take a moment to appreciate that if people like that have nothing better to do with their time, then they are the ones who are really the losers in life

[rogue27]

I tried writing a similar letter in 1989 asking about the 6040 Blacksmith Shop, and Suzanne Williams wrote back with "Sorry, this item is no longer in production."

A nice story and a nice gesture though.

[Sir Vincent]

Speaking as an autistic person, I have difficulty forming my words into sentences when I am speaking out loud. And then people make fun of me! I can't really blame them though for thinking that I'm dumb because I can't talk in public and don't know social norms. I'm not dumb; I just want to be loved. Thankfully LEGO is my safe haven.

[Bluesecrets]

Speaking as an autistic person, I have difficulty forming my words into sentences when I am speaking out loud. And then people make fun of me! I can't really blame them though for thinking that I'm dumb because I can't talk in public and don't know social norms. I'm not dumb; I just want to be loved. Thankfully LEGO is my safe haven.

Thank you for sharing. And I'm glad you have found your place here with us. The LEGO people I have been lucky enough to know in real life, are amazing. They are understanding and very accepting. I hope you find that too if you decide to go to a LEGO event.

[Forestboy]

I could help but "awwwwwwwww" over and over in the video. The pure joy that was brought to this little boy's face speaks volumes. Good on TLC. Thanks for sharing.

~FB~

[Aeridian]

That's so great! And why Lego continues to be my all-time favorite toy ever. Things like this where they go out of their way to get a boy his dream set is amazing. Good on them.

[richardanthonyc]

You can never underestimate the value of good customer services skills. If you go the extra mile for someone that you really don't have to they will come back to you and remember that for years. I wish I could write a letter about all the lost sets I had as a kid and get them back now