The BrickPicker Blog
The LEGO market, analyzed.
Market analysis, set deep-dives, methodology pieces, and the analytical discipline behind serious LEGO investing. Written by people who've been tracking this market since 2011.
2026
Introducing BrickPulse: LEGO Prediction Markets for the BrickPicker Community
BrickPulse is live. Forecast LEGO retirements, sellouts, and price thresholds with BrickPoints, and watch the community's consensus form in real time.
BrickPicker Rebuilt: A Better Home for Our Community
We rebuilt our community natively, baked right into BrickPicker — LEGO-aware set cards, a live Daily Deals Hub, real-time notifications, and your full forum history preserved.
Brickfolio: the heart of BrickPicker
Brickfolio is where everything else on BrickPicker hooks back to: live valuation, real cost basis, insurance certificates, a sales ledger, an API. The tour, end to end.
The Power of BrickWatcher: LEGO Investment Alerts That Actually Work
A beginner-friendly tour of BrickWatcher, the LEGO investment alerts engine inside BrickPicker — deal alerts, restock alerts, retirement notifications, and aftermarket moves.
BrickPicker, Rebuilt
The honest story behind the rebuild: how the mechanics of LEGO investing structurally fractured over a decade, and why that forced us to build an entirely new engine from the floor up.
LEGO and the 2026 tariffs: what actually changed (and what to do)
The Supreme Court ruled IEEPA tariffs unlawful on February 20, 2026. Section 122 took over until July 24. Here is what each kind of LEGO buyer should actually do — from someone who has been running this community since 2011.
2017
Why LEGO Needs To Be Collectible
An excerpt from a recent September 5th article in The Guardian…
Brick by Brick, Breaking Down Expensive LEGO sets: 10134 UCS Y-Wing Attack Starfighter
It looks like it's been about 6 months since I did the last one of these. I know I intended to do more, but time got away from me.
A "Grand" Time for a new Carousel
An image of the June 2017 LEGO Store calendar has appeared, and it looks like a new Carousel will be coming to the Fairgrounds theme. The rumor of a new Carousel started back in January, but gained a lot of traction over the last week.
2016
LEGO REVIEW: Star Wars AT-ST Walker 75153
I never had a LEGO system scale AT-ST. I got a UCS one from a comic shop, but that's not really the same. Even when I was a kid in the 80's, this was never my favorite vehicle. Now I look at my AT-AT and feel like it's missing something.
Brick by Brick, Breaking Down Expensive LEGO sets: 10143 UCS Death Star II
Many Bothans died to bring us this set breakdown. Well, not really, but something like that had to be said. Actually, many people tend to confuse which Death Star the Bothans died to bring information about, and this is canonically the…
Are Modular Buildings Money Makers — or Takers?
Are Modular Buildings Money Makers...or Takers?
My First Year as a Lego Reseller and What I've learned from BrickPicker
This month (November 2016) marks my first complete year as a LEGO reseller and active BrickPicker, as well as the second anniversary of coming out of my Dark Ages.
LEGO Collectible Minifigures: An Idea Way Ahead of Its Time
LEGO Collectible Minifigures: An idea way ahead of its time.
Brick by Brick, Breaking Down Expensive LEGO Sets: 10175 Vader's TIE Advanced
Star Wars fans love stuff that made short appearances in the films. I remember as a kid how much I enjoyed my Empire Strikes Back AT-ST walker and the adventures my figures went on in the Twin Pod Cloud Car.
Brick by Brick, Breaking Down Expensive LEGO Sets: 10190 Market Street
I don't know about anyone else, but I like looking at bulk lots and playing a guessing game about what might be there. Sometimes I can figure it out and come out well, other times I am left scratching my head wondering what other people…
Brick by Brick, Breaking Down Expensive LEGO Sets: 10185 Green Grocer
I don't collect modulars. I don't build modulars. I hear about them a lot though. When I do hear about them, one set seems to be spoken about more than any others.
Brick by Brick, Breaking Down Expensive LEGO Sets: 10019 UCS Rebel Blockade Runner
Remember the first time that you saw Star Wars? Remember the feeling as the small rebel ship blazed overhead pursued by the massive Star Destroyer? It was so unlike anything we had seen before.
71040 Disney Castle: Investment Fairy Tale or Horror Show?
71040 Disney Castle: Investment Fairy Tale or Horror Show?
Comic Con LEGO Sets & Minifigures: A Con or a Coup?
BLOCKS: Article 17: Comic Con LEGO sets & minifigures...A con or coup?
A LEGO Collector's Wishlist
BLOCKS: Article 15: A LEGO Collector's Wishlist
LEGO REVIEW: Star Wars Encounter on Jakku # 75148
After The Force Awakens was released, I looked at the available first wave sets and felt something was missing. To me, the Luggabeast conspicuously absent. Sure, Unkar Plutt was missing, but I wasn't really missing him.
LEGO Convention Exclusives: The Sky is the Limit
Convention exclusive. The two words many LEGO collectors dread to hear and several investors become giddy over. To some, these highly exclusive sets with their limited availability can be the Holy Grail of a LEGO collection.
10188 Death Star: Investment Supergiant or Black Hole?
10188 Death Star...Investment Supergiant or Black Hole?
Brick by Brick, Breaking Down Expensive LEGO Sets: 10182 Cafe Corner
Some people probably wonder if I'm averse to going outside the comfortable zone of Star Wars sets. There's a whole universe out there of LEGO themes and sets that have nothing to do with Star Wars or Super Heroes.
Brick by Brick, Breaking Down Expensive Lego Sets: 10123 Star Wars Cloud City
For me, one of the LEGO sets that I most want in my collection, but am least likely to get is the 10123 Cloud City. In Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, a lot of the action takes place in Bespin's Cloud City.
What Happened?: 4x4 Crawler Exclusive Edition
Today, we are going back in time to almost three years ago (time flies!) and taking a look at one set that had the forums and the entire LEGO community talking almost non-stop: the LEGO Technic 4x4 Crawler Exclusive Edition.
It's Not Too Late: The Case for Investing in the UCS Super Star Destroyer
More often than not, the main question LEGO investors are trying to answer is “When is this set retiring?”. As we all know, once a set is retired is when it really has the potential to start growing in value, so it is not surprising that…
The Spoiled LEGO Fan: Too Many Sets, Too Little Creativity?
...Do too many LEGO sets equate to lack of interest and creativity?
Do Expensive LEGO Sets Lose Value in December?
After a somewhat long absence from writing articles, I decided that a good way to try and get back into the rhythm was to revisit one of my 2013 articles, The LEGO December Effect.
Brick Index Top 20 (March 2016) Dominated by Star Wars
The Brickpicker Brick Index was updated recently. This index gives an indication of the movement in value of each set based upon the previous 6 months of sales data from Ebay.
Minifigure Madness: The Best Themes for Collectible LEGO Minifigures
Which are the best themes for collectible LEGO minifigures?
LEGO REVIEW: LEGO Ideas Wall-E #21303
LEGO Ideas sets are projects that were submitted by fans and voted on by other fans. If a project got 10,000 supporters, the LEGO Group brought it under review.
Assault on the Ultimate Collector Series — 75098 in Focus
Assault on the Ultimate Collector Series...75098
LEGO REVIEW: Star Wars Obi-Wan's Jedi Interceptor #75135
I have to admit that I am a fan of this ship. When I came back into LEGO collecting as an adult, I wanted Obi-Wan's Jedi Starfighter. I loved Star Wars, and I loved this ship.
LEGO Star Wars Investing Opinion: Always in Motion Is the Future
The universe of LEGO Star Wars is changing. Some of the changes may be too subtle to notice at first, but it began more than a year ago.
LEGO Demolition Sets: Money Pits or Future High Rises?
The Pitch: I was listening to Sting's 'Demolition Man' and patting myself on the back for getting some Demolition Site sets about $60 CAD off retail when I thought others might be interested in my thoughts on Sting and Lego.
LEGO REVIEW: Star Wars Slave I UCS #75060
Is it really that good? is the question I intend to answer from my point of view in this blog. Lego set 75060 depicting Slave I in UCS style has been jubilated on every Lego related forum, in every review.
Throwing Money Away: Why Not Buy Everything?
There have been many recent articles, all over the web, in local papers and on the radio. They're saying that LEGO investing is better than gold. It's sensationalist. It excites the imagination. It sounds easy.
Scarcity Breeds Demand: Lego Set Case Studies
With so many total sets available and #chaos in full effect as predicted by J-Mack, I thought it would be useful for new(er) members to the site and to Lego investing on the whole to take a look at how a short or shorter than expected run…
Super Heroes or Zeroes? Analyzing LEGO Super Heroes as Investments
Several months back, I wrote about the Batman theme and how it has produced some of the best appreciating LEGO sets of all time. Sets like the 7884 Batman's Buggy: The Escape of Mr.
Vintage Lego Collecting & Investing Part 1: Town Square 1592
Many Lego-related blogs are written about modern sets. This especially applies to investment-related blogs. In a series of articles I try to generate enthusiasm for some of the more interesting vintage Lego sets.
Bulk Lego Lots: Digging a Hole or Digging for Treasure?
When I first got into LEGO as an AFOL I was looking at all of the Star Wars sets that I had missed and how much they cost. It became necessary to figure out a way to get the sets cheaper or make more money.
Collector's Corner: Bricklinking the Green Grocer 10185, An Example Guide to Buying your favorite LEGO sets Brick-by-Brick
It happens to the best of us..... You haven't built a LEGO set in a week or two. It's a slow day, you're bored, and you've got some spare time on your hands.
Batman vs Princesses: Is the Bat a Better Lego Investment
This blog entry I struggled with the title, and considered a "while you were sleeping" title or something else to really convey how I felt about the current state of Lego investing.
Brickpicker Smooshing Guide for Lego Collectible Minifigures Series 15
Here is a quick guide for smooshing (feeling) the new 71011 CMF Series 15 packs. Smooshing is a term used by Lego fans for feeling the CMF packs' hidden contents to determine which minifigure is inside it.
Lego Investor Opinion: Larger Lego Sets to Look for in Early 2016
Welcome to another BigBlueDogBricks post that will surely set the Lego investing world afire: today size matters, as we delve deep into the largest sub-theme sets to see what ol' Veegs thinks will be worth targeting.
Lego Star Wars: Availability of 2013-2015 Sets
Probably I'm not the only one surprised by the early retirement of several quite recent Star Wars sets. I decided to make an overview of all non-polybag Star Wars sets in Europe and in the United States. The list below is the result.
Where Are They Now? Lego 10224 Town Hall
Where Are They Now? is an ongoing blog series dedicated to analyzing specific high-profile Lego sets that have been targeted for investment and sold out / retired a year or more in the past.
Collector's Corner: A Beginner's Guide to the LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collectors Series and Exclusive Sets
INTRODUCTION The LEGO Group has developed numerous Star Wars sets over the past 16 years, but the most coveted, and generally most valuable, are those with the Ultimate Collector's Series (UCS) label.
Brick by Brick, Breaking Down Expensive Lego Sets: 7181 UCS TIE Interceptor
The Ultimate Collector Series, or UCS for short, of LEGO sets tends to focus on the Star Wars brand. These UCS sets are the gold standard by which Star Wars sets are judged.
2016 LEGO Exclusive Quick Picks: Anything But LEGO Modulars Edition
A happy belated New Year to all my readers, all nine of you. May this coming year bring you discounted exclusives, 80% clearance finds in out of the way stores on long retired merchandise and superb buyer feedback in 2016.
Brick by Brick, Breaking Down Expensive Lego Sets: 10212 UCS Imperial Shuttle
In this series of articles, I would like to take a look at the more expensive, most sought after sets of all time. Instead of reviewing the sets I thought I would address the parts of the sets that make them so rare and valuable.
Are LEGO Bricks a Better Investment Than Stocks?
After the recent Telegraph article going viral all over the world stating that LEGO bricks and sets were better investments than Gold over the past few years, one has to wonder what other investment vehicles do LEGO bricks outperform.
2015
Evaluation Corner: Imperial Hotel 21017
* As I was preparing to publish this article, Ed Mack announced the Brickpicker sponsored fundraiser in benefit of the St. Paul School of Burlington, NJ.
LEGO REVIEW: Star Wars Imperial Shuttle Tydirium #75094
I've been wanting to build this set since it was released in June. I never really realized how much I enjoyed stuff from Return of the Jedi until I really looked at my LEGO collecting habits.
LEGO REVIEW: LEGO Ideas Doctor Who #21304
I have been excited for this set for a long time. Most of the time, LEGO keeps a tight lid on their upcoming products. You only officially get to know about what is coming out a month or so before it is released.
MINIFIGURE BOOK: SITE CONTEST
Hello LEGO fans.. It’s been a little over a year since Jeff and I started working on our first book, The Ultimate Guide to Collectible LEGO Sets: Identification and Price Guide.
Go Big or Go Home! An Analysis of the Advanced Models Theme
Rumors have been circulating among the LEGO fan forums of an upcoming large Creator/Advanced Models set releasing sometime in 2016.
Evaluation Corner: 70413 The Brick Bounty
Welcome to the first entry of what I would like to think of as a revamped Evaluation Corner article. The idea behind this new format is to offer a little more historical and analytical data when evaluating sets for potential investment, in…
The Force Awakens Effect: How a Single Film Reshaped LEGO Investing
Right after the launch of the BrickPicker site, a very intelligent member (The BrickMeister...AKA Brad), mentioned we should use another type of analytical formula to track the appreciation of LEGO sets in our database.
To Build or Not to Build: The Case for Used LEGO Sets
To Build or Not to Build...That is the Question.
BigBlueDogToys: Delorean Edition/Exclusives
Aha! You likely supposed this thread was going to be about the much-derided but wildly successful (for investors) Delorean Ideas set. You couldn't be more wrong, even if you were wiping out polybag stocks across entire retail shelves.
Amazon LEGO Report: What LEGO are Vendors Selling?
Reading some of the threads on the forum, members sometimes bring up the amount of vendors that are selling a particular LEGO item.
How You Like Me Now? 60026 Town Square Edition
I thought it would be a great idea to check in on some sets that don't get a lot of press around here to see exactly how they are doing now.
Evaluation Corner: Sandcrawler 75059
The Sandcrawler is without a doubt one of the most iconic vehicles in the entire Star Wars universe. Ever since C-3PO first spotted this gargantuan transport, Star Wars fans have been very attracted to the idea of owning their own version,…
66535 Buildable Battle Pack 2 in 1: General Grievous & Obi-Wan Kenobi
Target "exclusives" have seem to do well over the years. Sets like the 9465 The Zombies and 9476 The Orc Forge were Target exclusives that have performed well on the LEGO secondary markets.
Listing Dos and Don’ts for the New LEGO Investor
So, you have found Brickpicker and probably have already bought a number of sets that you plan on selling at some point in the future.
The LEGO Shortage: Bricks, Bans and Boon
Recently, several major news outlets have stated that there is a “looming” shortage of LEGO bricks on the horizon in some European countries.
Brickvesting Update: Investing in the Galaxy
Welcome to a (maybe?) regular update on what I'm currently investing in. While some would prefer to read through threads to listen to various members' opinions about what they are buying – or not buying, as the case may be, I think some…
LEGO Losers: Which Sets Are Not Valuable Collectibles?
Which LEGO Sets Are Not Valuable Collectibles…
The Importance of Having a Strategy: How to Avoid Going Crazy in LEGO Investing
There have been a lot of changes since LEGO almost went bankrupt in the early 2000s: licensed sets became the norm, better designs started coming into production andLEGO became the world’s largest toy manufacturer.
Winter Village Toy Shop Re-Release: Did LEGO take it too far?
There is one thing LEGO investors and resellers fear more than getting banned from Shop at Home: set re-releases. As you all know, LEGO production runs for a particular set is limited to a period between a few months to several years.
Sealed With a Kiss: Why Breaking the Seal Means Kissing Money Goodbye
Breaking the Seals on a MISB LEGO Box Can Mean "Kissing Money Goodbye!"
Will the Bat Make Your Wallet Fat? An Analysis of LEGO Batman Sets
An Analysis of LEGO Batman Sets as Investments
Dino-Mite! Will Jurassic World Take a Bite Out of LEGO Dino Sets?
Will the new Jurassic World sets take a bite out of the exploding DINO sets?
LEGO Investing in Asia, An Introduction
Introduction to Asia: In recent years, The LEGO Group has seen its sales of our favorite toy brick rise greatly, especially in Asia.
LEGO Packaging: Do Smaller Boxes Equate to Greener Bottom Line and Environment?
The Green Image Over the past several years, The LEGO Group has made an effort to be a "green" multinational company. Investing in large wind turbines was one way they illustrated this desire to become an ecologically friendly company.
2014
Ho, Ho, Ho! LEGO Christmas Sets...Are they Naughty or Nice?
LEGO Seasonal sets have proven over the years to be solid performers in the LEGO secondary market. From the "Winter Village" series to the Holiday polybags to the small promotional sets that LEGO gives away with purchases, Christmas themed…
LEGO Mixels - Investment Winner or Small Bug
Seemingly out of nowhere, Mixels have taken hold. These small polybags have become popular enough, that a smart investor needs to consider whether adding Mixels to their portfolio makes sense. What are Mixels?
Lessons Learned When Going From LEGO Buying to LEGO Selling
After reading an earlier thread, I want to make a thread chronicling my own transition from LEGO “investor” to LEGO “seller.” I have received a ton of great advice on this site and have learned a few things along the way.
LEGO Review 10243 Parisian Restaurant
Preview of 10243-1 Parisian Restaurant Deciding to build the Parisian Restaurant was mainly due to the positive response it received in a Brickpicker forum topic.
LEGO SET RETIREMENT: Unlock the Secrets of EOL
One of the most exciting times for a LEGO investor results from visiting LEGO S@H (LEGO's online storefront), looking for a particular set and suddenly realize there is a tag with the following message: "Retired Product"; Expectation and…
The LEGO Group (TLG): Past-Present-Future
LEGO, officially known as The LEGO Group, is currently the #1 toy maker in the world. But did you know at one time, it was on its knees and at the edge of bankruptcy?
Are LEGO Seasonal Sets Year-Round Investments?
Have you ever wandered around the LEGO Shop website and come across the Seasonal theme? Glanced through the page quickly and admire the seasonal accuracy of the small sets?
Star Wars Set Remakes: A Look at the Past and Knowledge for Future Investments.
Whether you are a major fan of the Star Wars saga or if you only know of the films through what you hear from others one cannot deny the powerhouse that is the Star Wars theme.
LEGO Investment Failures: Avoiding the Bad and Learning from the Past
There has been a lot of success in the world of LEGO investing, but there have also been many losses. In a previous article, I wrote about successful sets, but to be successful, we must know how to avoid failures.
Curiosity killed the Rover...An Analysis of LEGO CUUSOO set 21104
Much has been said of all the shiny new Star Wars and Super Heroes sets for 2014, but in my opinion Cuusoo has the most interesting and potentially most profitable sets this year. For now I want to take a look at 21104, Curiosity Rover.
Craigslist LEGO Flipping...A Newbie's Guide to Better Profits
This article attempts to describe Craigslist experience of buying bulk Lego lots and provide some lessons learned from newbie perspective so others can benefit from experience and hopefully not make same mistakes that I've made..I've been…
How to Part Out a LEGO Set: 70803 Cloud Cuckoo Palace
I was strolling through my local Walmart and saw two Cloud Cuckoo Palaces. Aware that this set was becoming hard to find, I decided to purchase one to part out.
Successful LEGO Investments: Analyzing the Past and Predicting the Future
What makes a great LEGO investment? Why do certain sets do better than others? These are questions that LEGO investors should ask themselves before diving too deep into the world of LEGO investing.
Keeping Track of your Lego Investments
Tracking your Lego investments is one of the most important topics that are discussed on the BrickPicker forums. Since I see quite a few questions popping up on the forums about how to keep track of your Lego investments, I figured I’ll…
Lego Technic as a Non-TRU Exclusive in the US: Will it "Fuel" the Theme? Or Will Lego Technic need a Tow
By now, chances are you have seen several of our members posting in the Forum that they have seen random Technic sets at a few Walmarts.
Lego Disney Princess Part 2: Will the Clock Strike Midnight on Your Investment?
Welcome to part 2 of the Disney sets! While going through these sets for this set of blogs, I think I have gotten even higher on them.
Lego Disney Princess Part 1: Will Your Investment Live Happily Ever After? Or Will it Turn into a Toad?
As we all know, The Lego Group is currently experiencing the prime of their existence of a company. They made over a Billion dollars for the first time ever, have even more products than ever, and is by far the most popular toy in America.
Lego 2014 Investment Targets: Technic
LEGO Technic sets are an overlooked commodity in the LEGO investing world. Many Technic sets appreciate very, very well after retirement, yet many investors will ignore these sets.
When to Buy LEGO Sets: A Formula to Aid Decision Making
Every time you are confronted with a Lego set for sale your brain makes a decision on whether or not it would be a good purchase. Sometimes people put a lot of thought into this decision, other times not and it’s an impulse buy.
LEGO Legends of Chima Theme: Part 2...The Retiring Sets
In the first part of the series I started about Chima and my belief that this line will be a winner, I talked about the fact that there were a few sets with short lifespans that were worth taking a look at before they were gone forever.
Lego Investment Targets for 2014: Ninjago
Next up in my list of sets I am looking to horde this year, I am going to go through the Ninjago line and pick out the best sets. In reality, this shouldn't be extremely hard since the theme itself has over 40% lifetime CAGR.
Money in the Bank: Small Tips To Save Your LEGO Business Money
It's well known by now, but I started a Lego business a while back in August and have been, like most of you, working to make it the best that it can be.
LEGO Galaxy Squad Wave 2: A Cosmic Investing Catastrophe or Astronomical Profits?
Six months after the release of the original Galaxy Squad sets (see my article on that wave here), Lego released another four sets.
Lego Investment Targets for 2014: Super Heroes
Looking back at the individual series that Lego has done that now make up the Lego Super Heroes Collection (Batman, Spiderman, etc.) we see some of the most successful Lego sets of all time.
Lego Investment Targets for 2014: Star Wars
The end of the year usually brings the retirement (or at least the stock exhaustion beforehand) of 100s of Lego sets. If you are lucky, you stocked up on these exact sets throughout the year at really low prices and are not struggling to…
The Lego Movie: Brickbuster or Just a Bust
A disclaimer before we start: I have thoroughly enjoyed the previews for The Lego Movie. I giggled at times and was generally pretty excited at the prospect of seeing it in theaters.
LEGO Polybags 2013: A Retrospective - Big Profits in Small Packages?
I'm not stranger to polybags - if you've read two of my other blog posts about my personal attempts to reach ebay powerseller status, you'll know that a significant part of my strategy was accruing more total sales via small sets, i.e.,…
'Turbo'flipping LEGO sets: Lightning Fast Profits
Original Idea by rcdb1984 "Turboflipping is an original term coined by rcdb1984" Whether you are new to the LEGO investing game or a seasoned pro, there is one thing that will always remain constant: a desire for fast and "easy" profits.
LEGO Minecraft: An Investment Analysis
So Far TLG has produced three Minecraft Micro World sets: 21102 LEGO Micro World - The First Night, 21105 LEGO Micro World - The Village, and 21106 LEGO Micro World - The Nether.
LEGO Holiday and Christmas Promotions: Naughty or Nice Investments?
Original idea MartinP - how much investment potential do holiday promo sets have?If you've been investing for any appreciable amount of time, you'll be aware that Brick Friday is one of the most important events on a LEGO investors…
The Whole is Greater: Is The LEGO Group Battling "Parter-outers"?
As mentioned in other blogs and some of my forum posts, I have begun a Lego business online using an Ebay Store. A large part of my business is from parting out sets; The practice of of selling the minifigures and certain desirable parts…
Chima Series Part 1: Ignore Chima if You Like Kicking Yourself
Lego Chima is a very interesting theme to say the absolute least. When the them first came out, I think my collective thoughts on each set were "What the hell is that?".
2013
In the Navy! Are LEGO Coast Guard Sets Investment Winners or Just Sailing the 7 Seas?
First, yes, yes, I know the Coast Guard isn't actually part of the navy, although did you know that at any time the President can transfer the USCG to the Department of the Navy, or that Congress can do this during times of war?
10230 Mini Modulars: Mini or Mega Investment Potential?
10230 Mini Modulars Set Information Name: 10230 Mini ModularsTheme: Exclusives, Advanced ModelsYear Released: 2012Pieces: 1356Minifigures: NonePrice (MSRP): $79.99 US / $99.99 CAN / $99.99 AUS / £59.99 UK / 69.99€ EU Summer 2012 brought us…
New to Selling Lego? Here is a Basic Materials Guide to Help Get You Started
So, you have been buying LEGO sets non stop over the past few months, maybe even years, and you have noticed your Brickfolio has increased in value by 10,000% (exaggerating just a bit here).
What you should know about CyberSecurity Issues and how it affects Lego buying
I think at this point, we all know about all the scams that exist out there that we must tread as Lego buyers: Drop shippers, shipping scammers on Ebay, Craigslist scammers who want you to wire them money, and even companies that are…
Want to Know Who LEGO Drop-Shipping Scams Negatively Affect? It's Everyone
So I wanted to write up another article about drop-shipping scams, specifically on Ebay, that looked more at the problems it causes to everyone, not just the people directly involved.
The View From 20,000 Feet
I wanted to start a dialogue about what I think many people are missing when they discuss any myriad of topics on this and other sites and that is the view of our ‘business’ from a distance, the big picture if you will.
Lego 75017 Duel on Genosis - An Investment Victory, or a Crushing Defeat?
I know it has been a while, so I wanted to do a Set that I was really exited about for my next visual review/blog. I haven't been into Lego sets very long, but I am a huge Star Wars fan.
The Art of Cleaning LEGOs
Here's a topic we haven't seen here yet, and one that's near and dear to our heart... the Art of Cleaning LEGOs. After all, the difference between what looks clean, and what IS clean, isn't always black and white...
LEGO Layout
Ok, as some of you know I am building (or attempting to) build a HO train layout using Legos. The train set it self is not LEGO. So far I have drawn out the Star Wars section, and my mini city.
Making Money from LEGO Bricks...
People are always looking for the next hot investment. With today's volatile stock market and falling real estate prices, people are looking for someplace safe to invest their money. I'm here today to make a case for LEGOS.
A Crash-Course on Ebay Feedback: How to be a Mature Buyer and be Safe as a Seller
If you have used Ebay at all, you know how important Ebay's feedback and rating system is to the buying and selling process.
Optimising the Purchase Time and Price for LEGO
Over the last few weeks I've been looking into understanding how the time you decide to purchase a set for investment factors into your real investment returns.
Making Your Way Through the Brickpicker Wilderness: A Beginner's Guide to Brickpicker
"ED"itor's Note: This informative and well written article was a collaboration of Quacs and Fcbarcelona101... In 2006, a television show debuted in the US called Man vs. Wild. Originally a British show called Born Survivor, Man vs.
LEGO 10228 Haunted House - Investment Potential that is Scary
I think there are many types of investors and many types of investing strategies that those investors use. We all look at different sets in different ways and I think that 80% of Lego sets or more have an investor somewhere that believes…
LEGO 7965 Millenium Falcon - Is it an Investor's 10179 remake?
The Millennium Falcon is one of the most iconic ships in the Star Wars movies and it is personally one of my favorite ships.
Comparing LEGO Retail Purchase Prices Across Regions
The differences in retail prices that Lego attracts across different countries and regions is an often talked about subject.
The DeLorean: A Blast From the Past? Or a Failure in the Future?
I was recently lucky enough to pick up a Back to the Future Lego DeLorean on Ebay several days before it was released (for close to retail price!) and when I got it I couldn't help but open it.
Lego Dino Defense HQ 5887 - A Hunt for Profit
For my next visual review/investment article, I am doing one of my favorite sets (I finally got one to open!) 5887 Dino Defense HQ.
The Orc Forge 9476: A Set Forged Into a Masterpiece? Or Will the Resultant Burn Leave Your Investment in Ashes?
So I think it would be a little bit of an understatement to say that the Lego Lord of the Rings Orc Forge (9476) has caused a stir in the last couple of weeks.
Does offering returns on Ebay really matter?
I have done several articles about selling on Ebay, and several other BrickPicker members have as well. You can tell by just trying to sell on Ebay, or reading there articles that selling on Ebay includes quite a few different choices…
The LEGO Star Wars Fall Wave: Same Old Song and Dance? Part 1
For any of us who are into Lego investing, we know that the phrase "Lego has brand new Star Wars sets!" is not really deserving of the exclamation point.
The LEGO Star Wars Fall Wave: Same Old Song and Dance? Part 2
In part 1 of this set, we examined the 5 smaller new Star Wars sets to look at their pros an cons and, most of all, their future investment potential. In the second part, I will be examining the larger sets in a little bit more detail.
A Guide to Shipping Carriers: Its a drag, but you gotta do it!
Most of us here love when we sell a set online, no matter what it is. That sound of "cha-ching" comes and we are in Ecstasy. It brings a feeling like no other .
CITY Airport Sets: Investments That Fly High
In the LEGO investing world, the CITY theme is one of the least talked about and somewhat ignored by most investors. Other than the trains, it seems a lot of people simply don’t pay enough attention to the theme, maybe because there are a…
LEGO Arbitrage: Market Pricing Differences
Arbitrage is a term used to describe the practice of using price variances between different markets in order to make a profit. This may mean different geographic markets such as countries, regions, states, or even cities and towns.
The Costs of LEGO Investing
There have been several articles in the site about pretty much every single aspect of LEGO Investing: from how to store your sets to some of the "Hazzards", as Quacs explained in his blog article However, there are some other factors we…
Why We Invest in Lego Over Other Investments
So I think most everyone here would agree that every investment has it's pros and cons, I think there are still a lot of people who are hesitant about trusting toys as an investment.
Investing in Polybags/Small LEGO sets
One of the best ways to invest in LEGO is by buying polybags/small LEGO sets...To be precise seasonal/exclusive polybags and sets:
Second Wind: Retired LEGO Sets Experiencing a Growth Comeback
While I was writing a review for the 10174 AT-ST UCS set I came across a phenomenon that had me intrigued. It was quite evident that the set had experienced a recent surge in secondary market price growth.
Star Wars UCS: Playset Edition
There has been discussion and analysis in great quantities about the Star Wars Ultimate Collector's Series ever since the investment potential of the sets was discovered a few years ago.
Loser Analysis: Home One Mon Calamari Star Cruiser
So here we have one of the worst performers in the Star Wars LEGO theme, and that is something that many would not have expected while the set was still being sold at retail.
Analysis of How to get Top Dollar for your Used LEGO Sets on Ebay
When doing some research on Ebay for another article I did, Should I throw away the box from the set I just opened? I noticed some outrageously high prices for used sets on Ebay - way over the Brickpicker pricing.
LEGO LOTR: Will Middle Earth replicate the success of the Wizarding World?
There has been a lot of talk in the forums about the Lord of The Rings LEGO theme over the past few months, most of it enthusiastic and positive, but also with some doubters and skeptics.
Pick A Brick Cups: Can You Pack an Investing Punch?
Ever since a Lego store opened in my area, I have been fascinated with the concept of Pick A Brick (PAB) cups. The clear cups, coming in two sizes, offer the customer with the ability to not only choose what they want from a wall of…
Architecture: Will This Theme Rise to the Skies?
Well known towers, skyscrapers, residences, hotels and other famous landmarks. What do all these structures have in common? well, they all form part of their own dedicated LEGO theme: Architecture.
Lego Marketing: Why Ninjago and Chima Will Coexist in 2014 and Beyond
When I was a kid, I remember my younger brother wanted to be involved in everything I was. When I got a bike for my birthday, he wanted one. If I went to summer camp, he wanted to go, too.
The Impact of Box Condition on LEGO Investing
Will box damage reduce the value of my sets when it is time to sell them? We have all asked ourselves this question at some point, and it is actually seen on the forums relatively often, so I think it is time to evaluate a little more in…
Three Strikes and You're Out: The Case Against "Price Per Brick"
Throughout the Golden Age of Baseball, when Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays patrolled the game's outfields, baseball writers and fans used three primary statistics to explain a player's offensive prowess: runs, home runs and RBI.
Large Scale LEGO Sets: Do Big Sets Equal Big Profits?
Bigger is always better. Some of you may agree or disagree with that statement to some extent, but there is no denying that when it comes to LEGO investing, the larger the set, the greatest its possibilities of becoming a great performer.
UCS 10179 Millenium Falcon: A Performance Evaluation
For those of you who read my past review on the 10179 UCS Millenium Falcon, I will let you know upfront that this is mostly the same information I presented in the growth potential section.
A Linear Regression Attempt on the LEGO Ultimate Collector Series (+ Value Predictor)
There is something I have been wanting to apply to LEGO for a long time but that for some reason I could not find enough time to do: a regression analysis.
Retired Set Investing: A Worthwhile Strategy
Most often than not, we see people asking in the forums whether a particular currently available set is a worthwhile investment or not.
"Get your red hots!" A Beginner's Guide to Listing Your Lego Sets on eBay
For three years, I worked downtown and on my way home from work I would occasionally pass by a hot dog vendor named Ray who would stake out a corner near the entrance to the train station.
LEGO Modulars: Still worthy investments?
Modular buildings. Considered by some investors as the gold standard of LEGO investing along with the UCS line of Star Wars, have been around since 2007, when LEGO decided to release the first one of the line, the coveted 10182 Cafe…
Two Period CAGR and its Investing Applications
Ever since this since was founded, the CAGR figure has been the go to number in order to determine relative performance as well as forecasting future set growth.
Attack of the LEGO Clones
Remakes, clones, variants, redo’s, copies, call them what you will but they play a big part in the savvy investors thinking. Especially in the most beloved Star Wars theme.
LEGO CITY: Fire vs. Police
Whether it is an exaggeration or not, in popular culture there has always been the perception of some sort of a friendly rivalry between the two main public service branches, the police and fire departments.
Sharpe Ratio and its Application to LEGO Investing
In the world of finance, investors are usually interesting in measuring the performance of their portfolios against a benchmark or to at least compare them to some of the other investments they had available at some point.
LEGO Transportation Sets: A Viable Investment Vehicle?
Cars, trains, planes and ships, what do all these transportation methods have in common? They usually start depreciating the very moment you use them for the first time, especially so with cars but also true of all the others.
BrickIndex Spotlight: The Zombies #9465
On this second entry of the BrickIndex Spotlight I will be focusing on one of the last real sleeper sets of the past year or so: The Zombies from the Monster Fighters theme.
Decoding the Pleygo Effect: Secondary Market Segmentation
"You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes." These are the words of Morpheus, a…
Re-Make Impact Evaluation (2nd Edition): Jabba's Palace #9516
Welcome to the 2nd Edition of the Re-Make Impact Evaluation section. For those of you who read the 1st Edition, the purpose of this article is already clear, but if you are new to my blogs, I recommend you to at least read the intro…
LEGO Sleeper Sets: Potential Investment Returns That Fly Under The Radar
When it comes to LEGO investing, the investor usually has to deal with several different questions that make things more complicated; box condition, shipping and taxes are just some of those factors.
Re-Make Impact Evaluation (1st Edition): Sopwith Camel #10226
I decided to start a new kind of feature or at least semi-regular type of article that will focus in the impact of re-released models on their predecessors.
Beginner's Guide to Investing Lego Style
"Greed, for lack of a better word, is good." These are the immortal words of Gordon Gecko, a fictional maven from the movie "Wall Street" who made millions "parting out" struggling companies with asset-rich balance sheets.
Brickpicker Truths and Myths: Heavenly Advice or Devilishly Deceiving?
In a scene from the gut-busting movie History of the World, Part 1, Mel Brooks, playing the role of Moses, brings 3 stone tablets received from the hand of God down Mt. Sinai to the people of ancient Israel.
Free Shipping from LEGO S@H
I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have missed out on Free shipping from LEGO Online Shop. So many times I have said, "I will place that order tomorrow" only to see it come and go.
THE AVENGERS LEGO SETS: Are they "Iron" clad investments?
As a child, comics were a part of my daily life. I loved everything about them. I often escaped into the shadows with The Bat, learned with the other Mutants at the school for the gifted.
LEGO Investing: Complete Sets vs. Parting Out
J457GQKR7R25 LEGO investing is becoming more and more popular as both LEGO fans and even some more conventional investors begin to realize that there is more to our beloved bricks than just the fun to be had playing with them.
Legends of Chima: Legendary Profits or a Theme for the Birds?
In 2000, the news of Hollywood’s newest power couple, noted playboy Brad Pitt and America’s sweetheart Jennifer Aniston broke.
LEGO Creator Housing Market: Boom or Bubble?
One of the first things that I did when I got my hands on Lego bricks as a child was to build a house. Generally I liked to renovate quite a bit and keep my minifigures in quality digs.
LEGO Chess Sets: An Investment "Checkmate"?
As I sift daily through the various LEGO forums and blogs to keep informed on the latest developments in the LEGO world, one particular phrase commonly appears in a majority of the topics...MINI FIGURES. LEGO fans love mini figures.
My Quest to be an eBay PowerSeller
Building your eBay ProfileThere are a lot of sketchy sellers on eBay, and one of the best ways to avoid being lumped in with these types is to have a solid eBay profile.
JABBA THE HUTT LEGO SETS: "Prized" investments or Bantha Fodder?
Jabba Desilijic Tiure...AKA...Jabba the Hutt. The biggest Alien slug this side of Tatooine. But are the LEGO sets designed around this "festering, mountainous pustule"worth anything on the LEGO secondary market?
BRICK BRATS: The Teenage LEGO Investor's Blog
A new category in our Brickvesting Blog, BRICK BRATS: The Teenage LEGO Investor's Blog, will share some of the thoughts and words of some of our younger BrickPicker members.
LEGO Friends: Do the Purple and Pink LEGO Boxes Translate to Greenbacks?
Hi! For those who don’t know me(which is probably almost all of you, possibly even myself) I’ve been dabbling in collectibles for about two years.
Anatomy of a LEGO Investment Loser: The Bottom 50
We here at BrickPicker have often been accused of being too pro-LEGO investor. There are some Bearish LEGO collectors out there and they have let me know on several occasions that we never post about the negatives of LEGO investing.
The Fall of Lego... 3D Printing?
Anybody who buys LEGO sets and bricks daydreams about a future in which one does not need to go to the store to obtain them.
Drop Shipping LEGO: How To Avoid Being Scammed
In today's world, there are many swindlers and shysters trying to separate you from your money. This theft and deception even finds its way into the world of LEGO bricks.
Will Mickey Mouse Save LEGO STAR WARS Investing?
In a time, not so long ago, in a place, not so far away, the STAR WARS theme ruled the LEGO investment world. Iconic LEGO sets like the 10179 Millennium Falcon, 7191 X-Wing Fighter and 10030 Star Destroyer yielded fantastic returns on…
Is LEGO Minecraft 21102 Becoming a Flop?
There has been a flurry of activity with this set within the last couple days, and it seems to be causing a lot of LEGO investors to change their feelings toward it.
Money Saving Tips When Purchasing LEGO Sets
I have played with LEGO bricks since I was young(I am now 34), but never collected them in any way until recently. A couple of years ago, my wife got back into LEGO and started buying sets to build with our nieces and nephews.
2012
Do LEGO MONSTER FIGHTERS Sets Scare Away Profits?
There are certain LEGO themes that just seem to explode in growth on the secondary LEGO market. Most of the time, popular investment LEGO themes do well after the theme is retired or goes EOL (End of Line).
Maximizing Profits: The Who, What, When & Where of Selling LEGO
The point of investing in anything is to increase a person's net worth through the increased value of what we purchase. There's three main parts to an investment cycle where decisions need to be made, which affect its value: When you buy,…
Old LEGO Sets: Past Their Prime or Prime Investments?
There are over 9000 LEGO sets in existence. Of those 9000+ LEGO sets, the vast majority have been retired or in LEGO terms, gone EOL(End Of Line).
Investment Analysis of LEGO 10214: Tower Bridge
Big and bold, the 10214 Tower Bridge is one of the largest LEGO sets ever created. With 4287 pieces, the 10214 Tower Bridge is in fact the third largest LEGO set ever created.
LEGO 10185 Green Grocer: Ripe for the Picking?
The age old question in the LEGO investment world is should I buy a "new" LEGO set, one that has no track record or growth data to examine, or should a LEGO investor look to older LEGO sets that have appreciated well, but may have their…
LEGO Licensed Themes vs. LEGO Original Creations
Whether you are a wet-behind-the-ears AFOL(Adult Fan Of Lego) fresh out of the Dark Ages, or a seasoned brick veteran, there are two major classifications to consider when evaluating a good set for investment purposes: licensed franchises…
Investment Analysis of LEGO 10211: Grand Emporium
The LEGO Modular Buildings series came out in 2007, and has quickly turned into every investor's dream. The first three sets that have been retired have all skyrocketed in value in a relatively short time.
LEGO VIP Program and Maximizing Your VIP Rewards
As a LEGO investor and collector, there are many places where you can buy new LEGO sets. In the United States, large retailers like Amazon.com, Walmart, Target and Toys R Us sell massive amounts of new LEGO sets.
Shipping Wars and LEGO
You called in sick to work, hang out in the room closest to the front door, you turn down the volume on the TV. What are you waiting for?
LEGO vs. Mega Bloks and Other Clones
You are browsing in the construction toys aisle of your local retail or toy store. You carefully look at the three main choices of building blocks: LEGO, Mega Bloks and KRE-O.
LEGO Bricks and Barbie Dolls
I recently wrote an article, LEGO Bubble...Fact or Fiction, in which I compared the recent Baseball Card collectible's market bubble and its subsequent bursting, to a potential LEGO investment bubble.
LEGO NINJAGO: Are the Spinners Investment Winners?
"LEGO Ninjago, launched in 2011, maintained its success in all markets in 2012, with the ninja theme selling significantly better than expected."
LEGO Investment Bubble: Fact or Fiction?
Definition of "Speculative Bubble": A spike in asset values within a particular industry, commodity, or asset class. A speculative bubble is usually caused by exaggerated expectations of future growth, price appreciation, or other events…
LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector's Series
Before we get into the nuts and bolts of the LEGO STAR WARS Ultimate Collector's Series(UCS), let me tell you how a UCS set helped create Brickpicker.com...
LEGO Larcency: Scams, Schemes and Shady Sales Practices...
Anyone who steals, or with intent to defraud obtains by a false pretense, or whoever unlawfully, and with intent to steal or embezzle, converts, or secretes with intent to convert, the property of another … whether such property is or is…
Do LEGO Battle Packs Offer Any "BANG" for Your Investment Buck?
Bigger is better...Isn't that the saying? Big LEGO sets get all the love, especially when it comes to the investing and secondary LEGO market.
CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate and LEGO
BrickPicker.com was designed and created with the LEGO investor and collector in mind. Through the use of eBay's Terapeak data, we have given the LEGO enthusiast current prices and growth trends of various new and retired sets.
Investment Analysis of the LEGO Technic 8110 Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG U400
Very impressive name for a LEGO set! But does the set itself live up to its 'grandiose' name? Also, will the set, after it is retired, appreciate like a Mercedes-Benz or will a YUGO come to mind when you think of this set's investment…
The End of Life is the Start of Profits
As a casual LEGO collector, I always keep an eye out for sets that are worth investing in. Obviously, the intention and goal of LEGO investing is ultimately to make a profit.
LEGO Storage Wars
Editor's Note: Here is another great article written by one of our members, Mos_Eisley. This article covers an issue that many collectors face and answers questions for those that are just starting their LEGO collections.
AFOL Dark Ages and Renaissance in the 90's and 00's
[box type="shadow"]Editor's Note: This is the first article written by one of our members, Tim Mahoney(timinchicago). What a great contribution to the site.
LEGO 10184 TOWN PLAN: Are retired LEGO sets a worthy investment?
When I write an investment piece for the Evaluation Corner or Investor's Spotlight, I usually try to keep my "investment" LEGO set suggestions to new or recently retired sets.
Investment Analysis of LEGO Harry Potter 10217 Diagon Alley
What makes a LEGO set a good choice for 'investment' purposes? There are as many answers to that question as there are LEGO bricks in a 10179 Millennium Falcon, but several key factors can be found in common with the top appreciating LEGO…
Investment Analysis of LEGO 10188 Death Star
As an avid LEGO collector and investor, I like to read as much as I can about the various LEGO sets in existence, both new and old. I try to keep informed by reading the multitude of quality LEGO sites, forums and blogs out there.
LEGO Trains: An On-Track Investment or an Investment Derailment?
As I was sitting on my couch one day watching Robert Zemeckis's, The Polar Express, with my two-and-a-half-year-old son, I got to thinking about trains.
Insuring Your LEGO Collection
There comes a time, in some LEGO collector's lives, that their hobby of collecting LEGO sets and bricks becomes something a little more than a hobby.
Spotlight on LEGO 10197: Fire Brigade
Back in 2007, LEGO released the first of the 'Town Modular Buildings,' set 10182, Cafe Corner. Since that time, seven more modular buildings have been released, including the 10197 Fire Brigade in 2009.
7 Reasons to Invest in LEGO Bricks
An interesting article was released at the 2012 New York Toy Fair by The LEGO Systems, Inc. Basically, it describes LEGO's year-end highlights and illustrates LEGO's continued growth in the U.S. Toy Market. Let's take a look...
Holy Smokes! eBay Member Pays $4725 for USED #10179 Millennium Falcon!
Amazing how much money people have! Seriously, this goes to show the amazing appreciation and love for the world of LEGO Star Wars.
LEGO Star Wars Miniature Building Sets. Mini Models, but Major Appreciation!
Over the years, LEGO has released hundreds of 'mini' sets to the buying public. These mini sets usually were packed in small polybags and had approximately 25-75 pieces.
2011
Making Money off of Custom LEGO Models and Minifigures
Legos are an iconic toy. Through my work at www.BrickPicker.com, I have also found out they are valued as an investment vehicle for some very smart collectors out there.
LEGO Displays... Cool or for Fools?
I have to admit, I am addicted to LEGO store displays. I love them. I scour eBay and Bricklink for any sort of LEGO display. From Agents to Star Wars, they are awesome in my opinion.
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