About buying used sets?

[TakeaBrick]

I would like to hear your thoughts on buying used sets (Note, not parts).

Do you say NO to used sets whatsoever because you just cannot stand the fact that the sets are already handled by someone other than yourself even though they seem to be in good conditions?

Do you always have to buy sets MISB because you ,as a perfectionist, have to set the bar as high as possible?

To be honest, I buy used sets only when I can trade face-to-face. Sometimes, there are bound to be some minor defects which I cannot easily replace that bug me somehow. I do think I should learn to accept it as is but I just can't seem to get around it totally. I wonder if any of you suffer the same thing and can overcome it.The fact that different AFOLs have varying tolerance of used sets always interests me since I believe it is reflective of one's character. And, I seriously need your insights to increase my tolerance of used sets (Trading used set face-to-face is a must for me and I am more concerned about how to deal with the defective parts mentally)

Please share your experience, thanks.

[mpfirnhaber]

If the price is right I have no problems buying used sets. Yes it's a gamble, but that comes with the territory. I love buying Classic Space stuff on eBay that nobody wants to bid on because the seller lists it with small, blurry pictures taht don't show anything. Sometimes I get useless crap, but sometimes I get pristine, like-new sets. But most of the time I get lightly used sets that I can pick through and use to fill in. If I need to buy a couple replacement parts, no big deal.

Of course I mostly just buy used parts and build sets that way. It lets me pay attention to parts I already have and not buy them again. No sense in getting 10 more of a common piece if I already have 100 of them. And no sense in getting 10 of a rare piece that only came in 10 sets if each set needs just 1. I buy the 1, and accept the fact that I can't build all 10 sets at the same time :)

[mikaelsol]

Some patina is okay on sets that's over 20 years old, IMHO. Like windscreens on old cars. I just replace them with new ones. It has it's charm if older sets are a bit more yellow in the colors. But if I would buy sets from like 2000-2015 I wouldn't accept it, because then we're in the age of a wider range of AFOLs that should have taken care of the sets.

Good pictures are allways of the essence, even if they show that some pieces are missing. Then I as a buyer know about what might me wrong with the set and if I still want to order it I don't get disappointed. Even from top rated sellers on ebay I sometimes get sets that are missing some minor pieces that didn't show on the pictures. That's a bit annoying.

[Tariq j]

In my books, as long as I have solid, proof that the set is in a reasonable condition then yes. Of course, you'll always find people who say they're giving you x and end up giving you y, but in general I've had a good experience when buying second hand sets.

[LEGO Guy Bri]

I purchased many sets I missed as a child, mostly because I didn't know they existed until years after their discontinuation. Price and condition where also my determining factor. Obviously they directly affect each other. I preferred ones that had little to no fading, good sticker, and instruction condition, or "missing a couple pieces" set listings. I always tried to spend less or as close to MSRP. Nice pictures and description were what I would pay attention to before bidding. That said, I never took MISB or "I wasn't original owner" into consideration, mainly because I was getting the set I wanted to have and eventually display. That is what was important to me when getting used sets

[Breakdown]

I think of buying some of the bulk lots on E-bay like Storage Wars, you're looking, and you're saying to yourself. There appears to be almost a full set or all of the key pieces to a set in there. This guy might have some . . . in there???

I think that's fun, and sometimes you get a pleasant surprise, it also encourages me to get away from the themes that I've stuck to like glue.

Most of the time that I dive in to these types of things. There's one part or thing that I can see were the lot is worthwhile on its own with just the one part that you really want, and the rest is just bonus. You really have to pick and choose.

If I want a full set in good condition and those are mandatory i try and have a look at what else the seller is selling. If they don't really have any other lego sets that are for sale I tend to think that they are just buying stuff at garage sales and bid accordingly. If they constantly list sets, they are a neurotic adult collector. Look for words like set will be fully disassembled, because getting an assembled set isn't helpful for most of us, etc.

By far most of the stuff that I have purchased lately is a minimum of 20 years' old, and up to 30. At this point you either buy 15-20 sets of used/handled pieces or 1 MISB - for me, someone who's never owned a new car in their life the choice is easy. Not new, but piles of options and good power, etc. I would think very differently if I was seeking 5 year old sets likely as the disparity wouldn't be nearly as great.

[Andy D]

Depends on the set and availability. If the only way the set is available (at a reasonable cost) is used, I have no problems with used. Sometimes I get a used set that is in great condition, sometimes not, it is all a gamble. Most of the time the used sets I have bought have been in at least as good as I expected,sometimes better, but so far usually OK and I will continue to buy used sets for sets I can not find any other way.

Andy D

[TheLegGodt]

I want brand new sets in pristine condition along with box, perfect instructions, etc. So in principle I don't buy second hand.

But if I always said no to used sets I would not have sets like the MF 10179, the Grand Carroussel amd the Cafe Corner in my collection. Lego sets are my passion, my hobby and collectors dream. I see used sets as antiques that are worth hunting down and worth paying a premium for because they are worth it.

[SMC]

I dont buy used sets, when I first got back into Lego I brought a set off eBay sold as new and it was not which put me off a lot and I also found that I didn't want to mix it with new parts. I even dont want to mix my childhood Lego with my new Lego. The other problem is there are a lot of old sets I would want buy why pay the same price for a used old set as a new one.

[Hive]

Do you say NO to used sets whatsoever because you just cannot stand the fact that the sets are already handled by someone other than yourself even though they seem to be in good conditions?

Yes, basically. I'm somewhat neurotic that way.

[dr_spock]

I don't buy used sets either. Maybe it has to do with the first born psyche, no hand-me downs.

Like buying a used car, it is best to see the goods in person first and do a proper inspection.

Edited April 28, 2015 by dr_spock

[Vorkosigan]

I bought some used sets recently and while it was a good deal objectively, it was also a pain. I always wash parts from sets bought used, and washing LEGO is such a chore. I'd rather sort for 10x as long than wash. I know there is probably a better method but for me that's a big reason I rarely buy used. Now I don't collect vintage lines like classic space, if you're into something like that then it is almost unavoidable to buy used.

[Deathleech]

I tend to stay away from used sets. I just feel like missing pieces, scratch or damaged pieces, etc. are not something I want to deal with. I have bought used stuff before on eBay and it can be such hit and miss. Then again after coming out of my dark ages, all the sets I have bought were readily available and new in store for MSRP or below. If It was an older set no longer in production and a new one was significantly more expensive second hand (at least double in price), I probably would consider buying used.

[bonox]

when you talk about buying new or MISB sets, are you talking about current stuff, or old stuff?

I'm not sure many people could afford MISB sets like a 497 or 8043 even if you could actually find one!

If you also have an interest in very old stuff, you not old have to buy old sets, but restore them with old parts, since the newer colours or styles don't match.

[El Garfio]

I only buy used set in a shop in the town I have my job. And in a flea market in Barcelona.

In both case for the reason usually exposed, the possibility of checking the set face to face. But even so you can get some surprises when you arrive home and do a depth review.

Due to it, the price has to be very very interesting.

I'm relatively new to LEGO collecting. I hope that when I become a veteran, not be obsesed with an old set and pay a fortune even being used

[zux]

I'm a Technic guy and I've missed quite a lot of good sets (some are still missing) during dark ages. Due to the fact some, even used sets cost quite a lot I see no troubles purchasing them in used condition. Well, this is actually the only way I could afford and collect them. I've been pretty lucky getting them in decent or very good condition, even though these sets have been bought online without personal visual check. Not sure about you guys, but I find cleaning used set somewhat relaxing and having similar experience as building a set, so it is not a big issue for me.

Unfortunately I had few cases of missing parts and it took quite long time to collect them all, without spending a lot.

[TakeaBrick]

I want brand new sets in pristine condition along with box, perfect instructions, etc. So in principle I don't buy second hand.

But if I always said no to used sets I would not have sets like the MF 10179, the Grand Carroussel amd the Cafe Corner in my collection. Lego sets are my passion, my hobby and collectors dream. I see used sets as antiques that are worth hunting down and worth paying a premium for because they are worth it.

It seems that you are quite a guy in pursuit of perfection.

When I received my used sets, I washed them up and then scrutinized every single piece in the process of building. Not that I don't give much attention to new pieces while building MISB sets, it is just that I will give extra efforts for used sets. I wonder if you were like me when you received your MF 10179, the Grand Carroussel and the Cafe Corner. Furthermore, I would like to ask if you happened to encounter some not so easily irreplacable defected pieces in the forementioned sets. If so, how did you deal with them? Ever consider changing them to some alternate pieces without losing the original spirits of the sets or you just simply sucked it up and "let it go" ?

[TheLegGodt]

It seems that you are quite a guy in pursuit of perfection.

When I received my used sets, I washed them up and then scrutinized every single piece in the process of building. Not that I don't give much attention to new pieces while building MISB sets, it is just that I will give extra efforts for used sets. I wonder if you were like me when you received your MF 10179, the Grand Carroussel and the Cafe Corner. Furthermore, I would like to ask if you happened to encounter some not so easily irreplacable defected pieces in the forementioned sets. If so, how did you deal with them? Ever consider changing them to some alternate pieces without losing the original spirits of the sets or you just simply sucked it up and "let it go" ?

I certainly am a perfectionist but that also goes with my line of work. But I do know my boundaries and when to accept something less.

Having said that, when I buy a used retired set, since you pay a bit of a premium (I always try to negotiate but they can smell my desire to get my hands on it haha) I always pick it up in person. I also always ask that the set is built and that it has a box and instructions. That way I can inspect the set before I buy it. I also try to check the sellers' house, like are they smokers etc. Sometimes I have driven 4 hours (back and forfth) to get the set I want. Once I asked someone to send me the set (it wasn't too dear, it was one of the early Creator houses from 2007) and unfortunately some of the bricks were dirty and even scratched. So I washed it and rebuilt it in a way that the defects wouldn't show. I learnt my lesson.

Mostly though I do not bother washing used sets but I do dust them with a cloth. It's because I'm worried (perhaps traumatised) that the bricks will lose their clutch power. I do always disassemble them first and then rebuild a couple of weeks later. I hate doing the disassembly but I refuse to display a set that I did not build myself.

[talos]

So far, I have been able to find unopened older sets to buy, so haven't experienced getting a used set. I would always be worried about missing parts, dirt, wear, etc.

I have only build too pricey sets from scratch with my own parts and downloaded instructions, its quite fun to me. I am not adverse to changing the colors or updating to newer versions of parts.

[Alucard1977]

Well, I just bought 3 used Modular sets. So I will let you know once I build them what I think. I am slightly worried about missing parts and so forth.

Having said that, I have collected Transformers for about 5 years and now buy lego (not yet collect). I think the rules I have with Transformers stands with lego as well:

1- Buyer beware when buying from eBay. I find most lack luster items come from eBay when used.

2- I am not really worried when I buy from a forum. Usually, when you buy from a TF or Lego forum, you know the people that own the item care about the item and the community so they are not giving you a dud. If there is an issue, they will most likely call it out.

3- On a forum, check feedback and post count. I know on my transformer boards each member gets a feedback section. Here it's in one thread. Which ever way it is, check it. The guy with very few posts selling something for a "too good to be true" price, is most likely selling you something you don't want.

4- Face to face deals at conventions and so forth are the best. You can see the item and decide for yourself. Plus conventions have competition which brings the price down for an item. Either that, or a guy who is willing to sell at more reasonable prices.

The amount of deals I have gotten doing conventions and forums is insane. My Transformers collection would have run me at least another $10K had I gone through eBay or some other source. And with 80s transformers, good luck getting MISB. I have already saved about $700 over eBay buying loose Modular buildings either here or in person.

[LAKAbricks]

I already have bought a couple of set on online auctions without a chance to see the sets in real life, before I got the package. My main worries were actually more if the buys would be flawless. So far no problems. In one of the sets, the minifigs were not original, though, but there was the same amount of minifigs as the set originally contains. But I didn't worry too much about that - they were not the stars of the set.

So I would not bother to buy other used sets. As long as the price seems fair. I would not buy a very expensive MISB. It does not add that much value to me. But of course, I prefer the bricks to be in a relatively good shape. Some bricks I may replace if needed. I do not have a nostalgic/"neurotic" attachment to my newer sets, just the sets from my childhood

[Martend]

I have no problem with buying used sets when they are complete and have the original instructions. Buying a MISB makes no sense to me, cause I would open it and put it together! :)

[TakeaBrick]

I have no problem with buying used sets when they are complete and have the original instructions. Buying a MISB makes no sense to me, cause I would open it and put it together! :)

But, for used sets, there are most likely some scratches or dirt on the pieces. Don't you find them pestering or bugging? I, for one, as sort of a semi-perfectionist, have struggled to deal with them mentally. I guess it is not really the case for you and you seem to be able to focus just on the building process of the used sets, which I think is a good thing. I still got much to 'learn'.

[Martend]

But, for used sets, there are most likely some scratches or dirt on the pieces. Don't you find them pestering or bugging?

The dirt is easy to get rid off, I put the Lego inside a textile bag and wash it just like clothes at 40 degrees. If an element is realy to "ugly" to use, I replace it with another.

As for scratches, even pieces from brandnew sets can have them (minor ones) cause of the way Lego is produced and handled till it gets in your hands.

I do understand your mindset in this and respect that. I guess the most important thing is that you are happy with the way you collect / build etc. Wish I had the mindset sometimes,

to leave the Lego inside the box and keep it sealed, but I simply can't, I have to open the box and put it together for display. After a while some pieces of the model will be used in MOCs

than at some point I turn the set into parts and use all of it for MOCs. Also sometimes I put the original set back together after some time when I want to look at it again.

M

Edited May 11, 2015 by Martend

[alois]

I find scratches not really a problem, especially when the set is older. But there's one thing I hate, bitemarks. I was an offender myself thirtyfive years ago, but nowadays I replace every brick that has bitemarks, unless it is hidden inside a MOC.