Zen Magnets vs Buckyballs Comparison/Voicemail-Reply Video

[mouser]

It brings a warm glow to my soul when i see a little guy fights back against the bullying legal intimidation of the big companies.  If you feel the same way this might make you smile.

In this youtubed open letter, a representative from Zen Magnets (small-fry makers of little round powerful magnets you can use to make interesting shapes) replies to a legal threat from Buckyballs (leading makers of little round powerful magnets you can use to make interesting shapes). It starts with a recorded voicemail from Buckyballs CEO Jake Bronstein threatening to sue Zen Magnets for selling a kit containing both Buckyballs and Zen Magnets on eBay with the claim that Zen Magnets are manufactured to a higher tolerance, are stronger, and have a brighter finish. From there, the Zen Magnets rep does a wonderful job illustrating the validity of his claims -- and making Buckyballs look like an anti-competitive bully who fights dirty with threats instead of superior products.

from http://www.boingboin...balls-magnet-ma.html

[Eóin]

I feel ashamed now that I own a set of buckyballs

The final point about coating is very true, after making an interesting shape with the buckyballs I took a picture and was instantly disappointed by the look of the individual spheres.

[rxantos]

What a bully (the CEO of buckyballs).

Glad they responded threat intelligently.

BTW I wonder how many people sent email to the CEO. After all he left his email on the phone

[Deozaan]

I'd never heard of Zen Magnets or Buckyballs before. They sure look cool. I'll have to look into getting some.

Zen Magnets, of course!

[MerleOne]

I have a mini-set of Zen Magnets and they are really great.  I just regret I didn't buy the full set...

[kyrathaba]

Wow!  What a jerk JakeHimself seems to be.  In my experience, most CEOs are...

A meticulous and creative response by the underdog.  Wonder how long it took in filming and editing to get the video to that degree of succinctness?  Undoubtedly worth it, though

[Deozaan]

I have a mini-set of Zen Magnets and they are really great.  I just regret I didn't buy the full set...

-MerleOne (October 03, 2010, 09:38 AM)

You mean the full Zen set or the Mandala set, which has the same number of magnets as 8 Zen sets?

[MerleOne]

I have a mini-set of Zen Magnets and they are really great.  I just regret I didn't buy the full set...

-MerleOne (October 03, 2010, 09:38 AM)

You mean the full Zen set or the Mandala set, which has the same number of magnets as 8 Zen sets?

-Deozaan (October 04, 2010, 11:35 PM)

The Mini from this page : http://zenmagnets.co.../index.php?p=1_2_Buy

[Deozaan]

I have a mini-set of Zen Magnets and they are really great.  I just regret I didn't buy the full set...

-MerleOne (October 03, 2010, 09:38 AM)

You mean the full Zen set or the Mandala set, which has the same number of magnets as 8 Zen sets?

-Deozaan (October 04, 2010, 11:35 PM)

The Mini from this page : http://zenmagnets.co.../index.php?p=1_2_Buy

-MerleOne (October 05, 2010, 01:36 AM)

I understood that much. What I was asking was when you said you regret you didn't buy the full set, were you talking about the Zen set or the Mandala set?

In retrospect, I should have just quoted the statement of regret when asking my question, since that's what I was directly replying to.

[MerleOne]

I understood that much. What I was asking was when you said you regret you didn't buy the full set, were you talking about the Zen set or the Mandala set?
...

-Deozaan (October 05, 2010, 03:05 AM)

Ok, no problem. The Zen Set, 216 would have been enough.  And I am missing the plastic card in the mini set !   

[Deozaan]

Ha ha! Ever since I saw this video in October I've been showing family and friends talking about how I wanted Zen Magnets for Christmas.

I was mighty surprised to get a set of Buckyballs from my mom.

As for the original post/video, indeed the Buckyballs guy sounds like a jerk, but the Zen Magnets guy comes off as a cocky jerk from his reply video.

[Deozaan]

Whenever I play with my BuckyBalls and make something interesting, I'm so impressed that I have to show somebody. Usually that somebody is my wife. But whenever I show my wife my latest magnet shenanigans she gives me a look and asks "How old are you?"

[allen]

Just post photo or video them here 

[J-Mac]

Yeah! Then WE can give you that look and ask you "How old are you?"   

Jim

[Deozaan]

Just post photo or video them here 

-allen (April 09, 2011, 11:35 PM)

Well, to be honest, I don't play with them that often, and I don't make anything that impressive. I'm just easily impressed by my own work.

Yeah! Then WE can give you that look and ask you "How old are you?"   

-J-Mac (April 13, 2011, 12:15 AM)

Then I'll tell you what I tell her:

It says "Fun for adults!" right on the package, dangit!