Does Anyone Collect Legos?

[Hess687]

I just started picking up Lego sets and stashing them away in my attic. Not a Lego fanatic nor did I ever really put them together as a kid. More doing this for the long term financial gain.

Was wondering if anyone has any insight or does this as well? I know people speculate on soon to be retired Lego sets and scoop them up near the end of their shelf run in hopes they go up in value once they are no longer available for purchase.

I kind of did the exact opposite and bought them when they first came out and will have to hold long term which I don't mind doing.

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by Hess687

I just started picking up Lego sets and stashing them away in my attic. Not a Lego fanatic nor did I ever really put them together as a kid. More doing this for the long term financial gain.

Was wondering if anyone has any insight or does this as well? I know people speculate on soon to be retired Lego sets and scoop them up near the end of their shelf run in hopes they go up in value once they are no longer available for purchase.

I kind of did the exact opposite and bought them when they first came out and will have to hold long term which I don't mind doing.

If they are unopened packages they can be quite valuable.

[Hess687]

Originally Posted by hairysasquatch

If they are unopened packages they can be quite valuable.

Yeah I only bought two sets so far, but I bought multiples of each. Once my kids get old enough, if they show interest, they are more than welcome to open them, but I just get them in the mail, leave the package unopened and then take them up to my attic and forget about them.

Probably have to wait quite a few years, but oh well. If anything I'm sure I'll be able to break even after all is said and done.

I just think it's an interesting avenue outside of sports card investing.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Paging Tritty.

[JohnnyHatesJazz]

Yes I have about 10 unopened sets including the titanic set. I like picking up boxes here and there at the Lego store but I’m a collector more than an investor.

Pissed at myself for missing the voltron set. I kept putting it off and buying other sets thinking I’d come back to it before they retired the set. Should have just bought it.ugh!

[ajlaxmn]

My family really enjoys Legos. Can’t really say so much that I buy to invest or collect, but have absolutely considered the idea because it’s something I enjoy so I could make the connection for investing with something that you also possibly would want to put together if you decide the investment didn’t work out or just don’t want to invest anymore. I would say the only one that I have for ““ investing, is the Titanic Lego set that’s still in the LEGO shipping box that was shipped to the store. However, that one is gonna be a while before it retires and I don’t know if I actually ever end up selling it. I have considered buying a bunch of the smaller Formula One cars that are out now being that they are 4 to 5 dollars cheaper.


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[JosieD]

We have a whole lego room in our basement. The only box we kept was the monorail. Evening else is organized by color in separate bins and a dresser of instructions. My husband loves legos from the late 80s and early 90s. Those cost a fortune.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

Paging Tritty.

I don't purchase LEGOs to hold to sell later. I usually buy sets I like and put them together.

Recently, my son said he'd rather build a huge Star Wars Clone Wars battle instead of a train layout with the two LEGO trains I have that are new in the box and never built. I'm thinking of selling these LEGO train sets now to help fund the battle build. The one sells for about $250, but the other set is the MAERSK LEGO Train set and that sells upwards of $800+.

[Boo]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

I don't purchase LEGOs to hold to sell later. I usually buy sets I like and put them together.

Recently, my son said he'd rather build a huge Star Wars Clone Wars battle instead of a train layout with the two LEGO trains I have that are new in the box and never built. I'm thinking of selling these LEGO train sets now to help fund the battle build. The one sells for about $250, but the other set is the MAERSK LEGO Train set and that sells upwards of $800+.

Do they come with Lego foamers?

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by Boo

Do they come with Lego foamers?

I'm sure I could throw the LEGO mini figure with camera in with the sale.

[jmarascojr]

Coworker has been a pretty deep LEGO collector for 20-30 years.

He puts them together, shows them off, then puts them back in the baggies, keeps the box and all the instructions.

We have a store around here that deals with old/retired sets.

He brought a whole bunch in and got 5 figures in cash and store credit.

If you search, I believe there's a video on YT of a very recent 6 figure LEGO "find/sale", pretty interesting...

[BostonNut]

I sell on Bricklink and Brickowl.

Lego people are nuts.

[Bosoxfan5990]

I didn't realize so many people collected Legos.

Maybe something I can do with my son when he's old enough.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by BostonNut

I sell on Bricklink and Brickowl.

Lego people are nuts.

What's your name on Bricklink? We've been looking on there lately and will be starting to purchase some stuff soon.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

I didn't realize so many people collected Legos.

Maybe something I can do with my son when he's old enough.

LEGO's made for adults or people who build LEGO train layouts or just LEGO city layouts are huge. There are tons of videos on YouTube and some people have amazing collections on display. And then there's the LEGO conventions with some incredible custom builds.

[nyisle]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHatesJazz

Yes I have about 10 unopened sets including the titanic set. I like picking up boxes here and there at the Lego store but I’m a collector more than an investor.

Pissed at myself for missing the voltron set. I kept putting it off and buying other sets thinking I’d come back to it before they retired the set. Should have just bought it.ugh!

I just sold my 3rd Voltron. Bought 2 the minute it was available from Lego. Opened 1, then sold the 2nd after about a year or so for 2x what I paid for it. Bought a bulk lot from Goodwill that had 1 in it, was about 92% complete, finished it up and just sold it last week.

I have very few sets that are still sealed, I like to build them. I keep all the boxes, I break them down, unless it its one of the bigger more expensive sets. Been mainly buying bulk lots that I see partial sets that I like, cleaning them up, doing a part inventory and then completing the set. Started out with the Speed Champion line as they were an excellent price point when I got back into Lego. Was $16 for single pack and $25 for 2 pack sets, this was also the last year of the 6 stud line.

As for investing, need to find sets that appeal to the non-Lego buyers. Something that transcends just Lego, like the new Goonies set, broader market down the line. Also need to look at the minifigures, in some case they make up more than 75% of the value. Need to find the minifigs that are only available in 1 set, or have a unique mold or print. If the same Star Wars minifig can be had in 10 different sets, no value, but if it only comes in 1 set, then it has better chance of increasing. Lego pieces have to be completely unique in order to be of value, maybe a rare color, but those are few and far between.

[Hess687]

Originally Posted by nyisle

I just sold my 3rd Voltron. Bought 2 the minute it was available from Lego. Opened 1, then sold the 2nd after about a year or so for 2x what I paid for it. Bought a bulk lot from Goodwill that had 1 in it, was about 92% complete, finished it up and just sold it last week.

I have very few sets that are still sealed, I like to build them. I keep all the boxes, I break them down, unless it its one of the bigger more expensive sets. Been mainly buying bulk lots that I see partial sets that I like, cleaning them up, doing a part inventory and then completing the set. Started out with the Speed Champion line as they were an excellent price point when I got back into Lego. Was $16 for single pack and $25 for 2 pack sets, this was also the last year of the 6 stud line.

As for investing, need to find sets that appeal to the non-Lego buyers. Something that transcends just Lego, like the new Goonies set, broader market down the line. Also need to look at the minifigures, in some case they make up more than 75% of the value. Need to find the minifigs that are only available in 1 set, or have a unique mold or print. If the same Star Wars minifig can be had in 10 different sets, no value, but if it only comes in 1 set, then it has better chance of increasing. Lego pieces have to be completely unique in order to be of value, maybe a rare color, but those are few and far between.

And that’s what I did. As I mentioned, I literally just started as I’m not really a Lego person, but saw that Goonies set and thought it was neat having grown up in the 80s/90s. I bought five of them which was the max you were able to order from the Lego website and then I just bought two of the USS Enterprise as well from Star Trek as my brother and I grew up watching that as well.

I have heard though that Lego sets usually take 5-7 years before they retire though. Not sure if that’s correct or not. So they’ll both be long holds.

The good thing about these are that I have zero temptation to open them as I have zero interest in building. Which is the exact opposite for sports cards where I buy to hold and then just rip as soon as it arrives.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by Hess687

And that’s what I did. As I mentioned, I literally just started as I’m not really a Lego person, but saw that Goonies set and thought it was neat having grown up in the 80s/90s. I bought five of them which was the max you were able to order from the Lego website and then I just bought two of the USS Enterprise as well from Star Trek as my brother and I grew up watching that as well.

I have heard though that Lego sets usually take 5-7 years before they retire though. Not sure if that’s correct or not. So they’ll both be long holds.

The good thing about these are that I have zero temptation to open them as I have zero interest in building. Which is the exact opposite for sports cards where I buy to hold and then just rip as soon as it arrives.

[nyisle]

Originally Posted by Hess687

And that’s what I did. As I mentioned, I literally just started as I’m not really a Lego person, but saw that Goonies set and thought it was neat having grown up in the 80s/90s. I bought five of them which was the max you were able to order from the Lego website and then I just bought two of the USS Enterprise as well from Star Trek as my brother and I grew up watching that as well.

I have heard though that Lego sets usually take 5-7 years before they retire though. Not sure if that’s correct or not. So they’ll both be long holds.

The good thing about these are that I have zero temptation to open them as I have zero interest in building. Which is the exact opposite for sports cards where I buy to hold and then just rip as soon as it arrives.

Depends on the set. Voltron retired after just 1 year. The only reason to buy on day 1 of release is to get the GWPs, if not, then waiting until it goes on sale is the best option. But overall in the long run if you have no intention of opening and just sitting on them, then the difference isn't going to make or break you to buy it full price. Star Trek should hold value, being first set and the large following.

[oldgoldy97]

I wish I would have kept the original Hogwarts boxed instead of letting the kids play with their toy.

[JosieD]

Originally Posted by BostonNut

I sell on Bricklink and Brickowl.

Lego people are nuts.

Some of those pieces go for a ridiculously high price.

[seablaster]

I really enjoyed the Lego sets I had as a kid. The modern day sets are in a whole other level in terms of their complexity and breadth of subject material.

I'm wading a little into the Lego waters. I bought the Emirates Team New Zealand yacht to assemble it. I don't know how to sail and don't follow the America's Cup at all, but the yacht looks visually stunning to me and I couldn't resist. I think the Concorde set looks pretty cool too.

[Hess687]

So it appears from this thread that the Titanic set is one to purchase and hold for long term.

The other one I have an eye on is the Home Alone set which is a limit of 5 and it appears it will retire in 2028, from what I've read. As of right now, it already appears people are paying up for this set, even though it's not much on eBay after fees and shipping as the Lego site has a 60 day delivery date due to the holiday season and this being a hot set.

My question is, if I purchase five....how strict are they if I purchase the original five and then wait for delivery and then purchase another five. I'm not looking to get my account restricted.

[Tones]

Ill post pictures of my lego wall here soon

But yes, I do also have sealed copies of sets to keep sealed. The best way to look for sets to invest in and keep sealed are amount of figures, but also rarity of those figures. See how often they appear in other sets. The less used the better. Also look for sets that have not been remade often as this can happen a lot.

The daily bugle just went out of stock on lego's website but can still be found on Amazon for $50 above MSRP. If you have the money to spare, I would highly recommend picking at least one of these up and keep it sealed. I have one built,2 sealed. I would not be surprised if this is a $1k set in a years time.

Winter village sets can be another great option because they only have a 1 year shelf life before retiring, and Lego releases a completely new one every year.

But yes never buy them when they first come out, wait for sales. Lego rarely includes vip point promo's on new sets, so can save some money right off the bat. I bought the UCS venator this past May 4th and got 4x points, about $120 back in rewards points.

Look for combo rewards with GWP's a lot of obscure gwp's sell extremely well on the secondary market as they are one off's.

[Hess687]

Originally Posted by Tones

Ill post pictures of my lego wall here soon

But yes, I do also have sealed copies of sets to keep sealed. The best way to look for sets to invest in and keep sealed are amount of figures, but also rarity of those figures. See how often they appear in other sets. The less used the better. Also look for sets that have not been remade often as this can happen a lot.

The daily bugle just went out of stock on lego's website but can still be found on Amazon for $50 above MSRP. If you have the money to spare, I would highly recommend picking at least one of these up and keep it sealed. I have one built,2 sealed. I would not be surprised if this is a $1k set in a years time.

Winter village sets can be another great option because they only have a 1 year shelf life before retiring, and Lego releases a completely new one every year.

But yes never buy them when they first come out, wait for sales. Lego rarely includes vip point promo's on new sets, so can save some money right off the bat. I bought the UCS venator this past May 4th and got 4x points, about $120 back in rewards points.

Look for combo rewards with GWP's a lot of obscure gwp's sell extremely well on the secondary market as they are one off's.

Thanks for this. Another person mentioned waiting for sets to go on sale as well. Is that just continually looking at the website in hopes they run a sale or is there a way to find out when these sales happen? I'm guessing social media is probably a good place to look.

What do you mean by re-made sets? Probably a dumb question, but a set that was made and then they made another similar to it?

The ones I have now are:

5 - Goonies sets
2 - Star Trek Enterprise sets

But am looking at adding multiples of the Home Alone set as it appears the value increases during the holidays since it seems to be a set everyone wants. And then two other people mentioned the Titanic set, which at that price, my max would probably be two.

I would like at minimum of two of each set just in case my kids get into Legos here in the next 5-8 years.

I'll look into the Daily Bugle as well, as my favorite superhero happens to be Spiderman. Thanks again for the info.