Andddd....

Comment

Comment by Ian on November 8, 2014 at 2:10pm

Very well said, Jim. That would be amazing if lava lite had two different brands, however, I don't think that is something they would do. If they could team up with mathmos somehow, as in sell mathmos lamps through lava lite, that would be amazing. They could team up and I feel like it would benefit everyone. I have no idea what the cost of a mathmos lamp would be if it were being sold through lava lite, as I imagine lava lite would want to make a profit as well. I think lava lite needs to just bring back the lamps to the US. They would not have to jack the prices up too much more, and people would buy more of them if the lamps were reliable and the customers were practically guaranteed to get a good lamp.
Don't even get me started on the stupid photoshopped lava lamp pictures- it's just sad when the company won't even show the actual pictures of their products to people.
Anyways.. What if we all petitioned here and sent it to lava lite, writing down a few very good ideas and points? They aren't going to change a thing if it's only complaints here and there, or scattered about. But one petition, with all of us teamed together, we might have a chance at changing their ideas or getting them to allow mathmos to sell here. I would start a petition, but I am in college and working, so that takes up basically all of my free time. And I don't know where to start with a petition. But if someone on here wants to... It's worth a shot, right??

Comment by Jim on November 8, 2014 at 12:40pm

I suppose my initial post to this pic was one of bitterness.  This trademark nonsense essentially gives them a monopoly on the US lava lamp market, and this giveaway pretty much sums up how they view us as customers, and to a larger degree, how they view the lava lamp product category.

The two companies Facebook presence speaks volumes about each as a company.  The Lava Lite Facebook page is rubbish.  Let's find a picture of a cat and photochop a lava lamp into it.  Then you have the Mathmos page.  I am in no way a Anthony Voz/Astrobaby fan, but the dude can photograph lava lamps and he does it very, very well.  Mathmos uses those images and the result is that their product comes across as a classy lamp that would nicely accent a room.  Lava Lite seems to view the lava lamp as a piece of junk for pre-pubescent kids and markets them in that manner.

If Lava Lite actually cared about lava lamps in general, I wish they would loosen their trademarks and invite Mathmos to sell their lamps, as lava lamps, to consumers in the US.  Their are essentially acting as obstructionists to us US-based lava lamp aficionados.  It should not make a meaningful impact to their bottom line - Lava Lite and Mathmos essentially are marketing completely different products.  Those who want a cheap trinket for their kid's room will still buy Lava Lite, while those of us who hold lava lamps them in higher regard can finally have an easier means to get the primo stuff.

And of course, if they ever do try to recapture their glory days and start producing new Centuries lovingly manufactured in the United States with their optimal US formula... my money stays in America.  Toyota/Lexus, Nissan/Infiniti... why not spin off, reintroduce the Lava Simplex name (if feasible) and start offering that as your higher end Lexus option compared to their Toyota Lava Lite option.  All it would take is investment into the machinery - they have ample space at HQ to allow for small to moderate actual manufacturing.  Start with a trial run of 500 limited edition Centuries ("true" US formula and process), offer them at $85 - $100 and see how it does.

Comment by Ian on November 8, 2014 at 11:59am

Thanks everyone :) I totally agree with you all though, about the quality, and I mean I'm not gonna complain cause it was free. I was happy to win something lol even if it is a crappy lamp. The lamp says 2011 on the tube.. So it's definitely old stock... The new ones at Spencer's don't look anything like it which is good, but they should just trash the old stock. And I mean at least they were honest about the contest, they specified exactly that if you won it would either be a blue/yellow or a purple/yellow 52oz. Nothing special.

Comment by Keith on November 8, 2014 at 9:59am

I totally agree Jim.  I would only purchase that lamp to do a goo kit on.  I didn't want to say anything to rain on your parade Ian because a free lamp is still a free lamp, it just shows how clueless LL is about public relations.

Comment by Jim on November 8, 2014 at 9:24am

Yes, sorry about that Ian.  Congratulations on the lamp.

One thing though - don't settle for inferiority.  A cloudy lamp is a cloudy lamp and should be deemed completely unacceptable.  Back to my rant, Metallica Man (Trevor) was the day 23 Advent winner in the giveaway I added as a bullet point.  Here is a link to the lamp he received.  Now that's how you do it!

Trevor's Christmas Gift from Mathmos

Comment by Aladdin 2 Lava on November 8, 2014 at 9:11am

... forgot to add... Congrats on the win Ian, I hope it glows and flows as it should for you Ian  :)

Comment by Aladdin 2 Lava on November 8, 2014 at 9:01am

Its a crying shame Jim, knowing how much the old original Lava Lite company meant to you all.

Stores here in the UK are full of cheap China 'blob lamps'! and a wonder Mathmos are still able to compete! 

 

Comment by Jim on November 8, 2014 at 7:52am

I'm sorry, but I find this to be rather sad, pathetic and downright shameful.

• October 14th - Mathmos Facebook page announces "like and share" and win a yellow Fluidium with a clear/blue globe.
• October 2nd - Mathmos Facebook announces "like and share" and win a blue/red Astro Baby.
• June 6th - Mathmos Facebook invites followers to share a Stereophonics video and name all the Mathmos products shown in the video.  Winner offered their choice of lamp.
• December 1st - Mathmos Facebook announces "like and share" Advent giveaway.  Like and share their daily Advent posting and win an Astro (24 winners).

• October 29th - Lava Lite Facebook announces a contest to win a 16.3" Premier in your choice of blue/yellow or purple/yellow. 

Yay - free stuff... but seriously?  Giving away a turd with a plug protruding from it is the best you can do?  Quite obvious that they are just dumping old, excessive stock.  Why not offer your choice of any color combo?  Better yet, why not offer something truly decent to your fans like a Heritage Grande (similar in value to a Mathmos Astro).  Giving away a lamp I would walk right by if it was marked $5 - they would be better off not even doing promotions like this.

Just my 2 cents.