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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Tka4NUmUo

from http://www.boingboing.net/2010/09/24/buckyballs-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...

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...

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

The Mini from this page : http://zenmagnets.com/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...

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

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

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?
...

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 

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?"   

Then I'll tell you what I tell her:

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