Lava Lite called me today!!! They plan on bringing back production to the USA :D

[MattMJB0188]

Caught me totally off guard but I spoke to a very nice guy, Asher.  He was calling in response to one my e-mails I had sent them a few moths ago about how much I dislike their current product line.  We spoke for about 20 minutes before he had to go.  I thoroughly voiced my opinions on why I haven't bought a lava product since 2005.  First thing I said was, you guys sold so many lamps in the 90s for a reason.  He agreed and said they have plans to re-launch the Midnight, Silver Streak, Elek-trick, and Safari Series in 2013.  He said he has been trying very hard to get production back to the USA since last year.  He said things are looking good and hopefully they will begin production here in the first half of 2013.

I told him that myself and MANY OTHERS would gladly pay the $50 price for a premium product again. I also mentioned that they need to bring back more color combinations and give their customers more choices.  He said he they are working on that again.  They have plans to bring back MOST of the 90s product line  I told him that its a shame I can't go into a store and buy a lava lamp that flows properly.  He said the current (2012) China lamps can ALMOST match the USA ones.  I said by no means will I ever buy one of those again and I buy from eBay.  He begged me not to buy from eBay, and I said then you know what you guys need to do.

Finally, he asked me to send him pictures of what I'd like to see.  I sent him pictures of all the 90s boxes I have (Midnight, Elek-trik, Lava Classics, Silver Streak, Midnight Centurues)  

He offered to make me a 90s Enchantress with yellow liquid and red lava to prove they can still replicate the 90s formula.  I said sure, but we'll see.  

He also said that he was fired back in 2002 when production began overseas and was just recently hired back.  Said he worked in the Chicago factory in the 70s, 80s, and 90s.  

I'm taking all of this with a huge grain of salt but it means progress.  Perhaps all of us unhappy lava collectors finally got through to them throughout the years.  I sure hope so.  I'll update this thread if I hear back from him.

PLEASE EVERYONE - E-MAIL THEM AND SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!!!  Perhaps next year we'll have a quality product again.  

[Autumn]

Well this certainly is good news. What is the best email to contact this Asher? I think new color combos would be their best bet. Maybe anodized centuries? Giants? New swirl colors? Wave machines for sure.

[Jim]

If this does indeed happen, they need to hype it by releasing an updated version of the Century.  Still what I consider the quintessential lava lamp; what I picture as a lava lamp in my mind's eye.  Chrome finish and with a chromed screw cap.  Would gladly slap $85 - $100 on the counter for that.

[MattMJB0188]

I contacted him through the 'Contact Us" section on Lava Lite's site.  Yes, new color combos would be awesome with the American formula.  He said they still have the 1994-1995 formula.  What makes me happy is that he acknowledged what they produce is crap.  

A Chrome Century would be awesome if it flowed well. I mentioned the screw cap globes and he said they had problems with those back in the late 90s so they are gone but I'll still take a bottle cap century.  

[MattMJB0188]

This Asher guy if anything seemed very disgusted with what they've become.  I wanted to make sure he was "lava educated" lol so I read him the set of numbers on my blue/white globe and he told me the year and date and batch code.  I was impressed.  

[Autumn]

Why not send him here and let him speak for himself? Our trolls left this site long ago, and nobody can say moving back to the USA would be a bad thing. What happened to stephanie was so wrong, but it wont happen again as long as I am a mod here. Erin, dr what, weebotech, and lamphead will also stop any attempts at trolling. So let him know he and any other representative from lava lite will be treated with respect if anyone where to choose to come here.

[MattMJB0188]

I did mention that this site to him and he said he was familiar with it.  If he shoots me another response I will try and encourage it.  He already had my respect when he said he is not happy with the current products lol.

Autumn said:

Why not send him here and let him speak for himself? Our trolls left this site long ago, and nobody can say moving back to the USA would be a bad thing. What happened to stephanie was so wrong, but it wont happen again as long as I am a mod here. Erin, dr what, weebotech, and lamphead will also stop any attempts at trolling. So let him know he and any other representative from lava lite will be treated with respect if anyone where to choose to come here.

[Autumn]

Well I sent them an email, lets hope they accept my invitation back to OoozingGoo.

MattMJB0188 said:

I did mention that this site to him and he said he was familiar with it.  If he shoots me another response I will try and encourage it.  He already had my respect when he said he is not happy with the current products lol.

Autumn said:

Why not send him here and let him speak for himself? Our trolls left this site long ago, and nobody can say moving back to the USA would be a bad thing. What happened to stephanie was so wrong, but it wont happen again as long as I am a mod here. Erin, dr what, weebotech, and lamphead will also stop any attempts at trolling. So let him know he and any other representative from lava lite will be treated with respect if anyone where to choose to come here.

[Erin]

Huh. Weird. I have to admit, I'm skeptical. Very skeptical. Matt, by no means am I dismissing the importance of this, but I wonder why after years and years and years of complaints, do they choose to call YOU? Us hardcore fans have been SCREAMING about this change for years... why now? 

I will watch and wait patiently. Could this move be inspired by Mathmos being available in the US soon, er last year, er, sometime in late 2013?

Thanks for the message Matt! 

[MattMJB0188]

Well I didn't start complaining to them today lol.  Started back in October of 2003.  It only took them 9 years to get back to me lol.  This guy I talked to seemed very genuine and sincere.  He actually cared about the customers.  

[Erin]

Huh. I'm still in shock. I didn't know you'd been complaining that long. I thought you wrote them on a whim and some dude called you! LOL

[MattMJB0188]

Oh no, I first starting complaining to them back then.  Last time I wrote to them was a few months back and boy was I shocked today.  

[Mattmos]

Lava Lite coming back in 2013?  Mathmos US has been here for 6 months, and still no lava. Are we taking any bets on who will actually produce lava in the USA first?