How would you know a set is complete when buying second hand?

[wgemini]

When buying from Kijiji, how do people normally do to make sure a set is a complete? Do you weight them or count the pieces or just get a general feeling?

Thanks.

[geezerman402]

If built, a look over is the best you can do. If in bits, good luck. I think it's just part of buying a used set from a stranger. A piece may be missing, broken, or incorrect. That's where Bricklink comes in.

[anothergol]

There is a method that may sound very weird, but trust me, it works.

You follow the instructions and you assemble it. In theory, that's when you realize that a part is missing.

(Brickset/Bricker do list the extra parts btw, I believe)

[zux]

Checking against inventory on Bricklink is pretty accurate. Some instructions have list of parts in the back. This also can be used to confirm the completeness.

[wgemini]

Thanks. Bought a few sets and spent about an hour with seller trying to build the few things I noticed missing. Then after I got home and went through the instruction step by step, I realized that there are still quite a few missing pieces and wrong pieces (either wrong color or wrong parts). The seller was nice enough for me to return it.

It turned out to be a very frustrating experience. I really like the sets and the price was good, but I guess it's really hard for the seller to get everything right.

Is it the same for bricklink as well?

[dr_spock]

It might be quicker if you sorted all the pieces and use the inventory found near the back of the instruction manual. It shows you the part (by color) and how many pieces the set is supposed to have of that part. Just work you way down the page(s) and make note what's missing. This is something the seller could have done beforehand to list the set for sale as complete or incomplete used. Not everyone takes that kind of effort on Kijii. You still should do your own due diligence if you have concerns about getting ripped off.

Bricklink has good sellers and bad sellers. You check their ratings and buyer feedbacks.

[zux]

It depends on a seller, yes. Some are very honest with set condition and there are no issues buying set not even seeing it (via mail). Normally, when seller says set is "complete" I check pics for expensive parts. If they are in place - there's mostly nothing to worry about. Once received I find there are always few pieces missing/incorrect/damaged. Which is fine.

[MAB]

As above, check for the minifigs and expensive parts. If it turns out a few cheap parts are missing, it matters not.

[wgemini]

It depends on a seller, yes. Some are very honest with set condition and there are no issues buying set not even seeing it (via mail). Normally, when seller says set is "complete" I check pics for expensive parts. If they are in place - there's mostly nothing to worry about. Once received I find there are always few pieces missing/incorrect/damaged. Which is fine.

I think that's my issue. I am very new to buying Lego. I thought I was buying a set, so I was expecting all the right parts, whereas the seller was selling a recreation of the set (the parts from many sets are all mixed up now for him, so he just tried to pick the right parts based on the instructions), so by complete he meant the structure was complete, not necessarily with the same parts. For example, he used a lot of dark green pieces in place of light green pieces since they are hard to tell from the instruction, or used the wrong window and then improvise around it so that it would fit. No cheating intended, it's just we seem to have different expectations. To be honest, at around 6 cent/piece (paid 120 CAD for 3 sets totaling about 2000 pieces), it might be a good deal just for the parts, it just irks me to not have the right parts (especially since they are 3 in 1 sets, so wrong parts would make the alternative builds harder).

Am I having the unrealistic expectation here? I feel kind of guilty since we both spent a lot of time and effort to make the deal, in the end all for nothing.

Edited February 8, 2016 by wgemini

[Navy Trooper Fenson]

I think that's my issue. I am very new to buying Lego. I thought I was buying a set, so I was expecting all the right parts, whereas the seller was selling a recreation of the set (the parts from many sets are all mixed up now for him, so he just tried to pick the right parts based on the instructions), so by complete he meant the structure was complete, not necessarily with the same parts. For example, he used a lot of dark green pieces in place of light green pieces since they are hard to tell from the instruction, or used the wrong window and then improvise around it so that it would fit. No cheating intended, it's just we seem to have different expectations. To be honest, at around 6 cent/piece (paid 120 CAD for 3 sets totaling about 2000 pieces), it might be a good deal just for the parts, it just irks me to not have the right parts (especially since they are 3 in 1 sets, so wrong parts would make the alternative builds harder).

Am I having the unrealistic expectation here? I feel kind of guilty since we both spent a lot of time and effort to make the deal, in the end all for nothing.

When you already bought a Creator set I would take this as an incentive to do more of your own designs rather than something according to instructions. If you want a complete set for the model only I would always buy it new or make sure that the seller explicitly says that it´s complete.

It definitely is a big issue for someone starting up as you have to work with what you have. Most people here have a huge collection of parts they don´t really use and spares, either through their own childhood collection, pound lots from Ebay and flea markets or by buying sets just for their parts instead of keeping the build complete. Some people here don´t really mind incomplete sets, I would just take parts from my collection as substitutes for missing or wrong pieces of an incomplete set and if a very important piece is wrong or missing and not in my collection I would order it from Bricklink or lego.coms "Bricks & Pieces" service. Incomplete sets are a good way to save some money if the offer still has the parts you want.

if you want to free-build with your stuff I would recommend buying a pound lot or two on Ebay to get something like a "starter pack". Auctions like "Lego 10 pounds", from people that obviously just want to get rid of their old toys. Pieces might be dirty (putting them into a pillow and then in the washing machine helps wonders), some broken, maybe even full of non-Lego stuff but it´s essential to have this as a MOCcer and the best way to get many pieces for the lowest price at once, better than your deal above.

Lego also has boxes with various pieces with no clear instructions under their Classic line. There are some sets like the now discounted "Creative Tower" with 1500 bricks for 60$, it was often seen discounted for 40$, practically the same as Ebay lots, just that Ebay lots have the chance to give you some complete sets of random themes which is more practical than mostly handfuls of basic square bricks.

Edited February 16, 2016 by Navy Trooper Fenson

[Carrera124]

It is a kind of gambling. Even when buying sets at Bricklink, they may be incomplete even if they are sold as "complete". This may happen if the Bricklink inventory is updated/changed after the seller listed the set for sale. So, it is not the seller's fault.

Buying at Ebay is even more gambling.

I bought sets "used, complete" where important parts were missing, parts were biten, parts were broken. I don't know how the seller came to the conclusion that their set has been "complete".

On the other hand, I bought sets "used, complete" that came like new and in perfect condition... parts shiny and fresh, instructions like never-been-used, and the extra parts were included, too.

It is just impossible to predict what kind of quality you get.

[geezerman402]

Yup, definitely a gamble. I've bought used sets on both Bricklink and Ebay, listed as perfect condition, all pieces there. But due to their age, some pieces had cracked, or even became too tight to use. You just need to account for it when buying.