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This whole thread is going to find itself being retired with the way how the conversation has gone.

Modular strip club!

My significant other has been a tax professional for quite some time and what justafrog is saying is spot on. Keep good records, be honest about what you're doing and generally if you get audited and you show the IRS agent your documentation you're good to go. In my case I have basically 3 set routes for my LEGO investing: * I have a rather long work commute, so once a week on my way home I go ahead and stop off at all the targets and walmarts along my commute to check their clearance aisles. I just used google maps to find out what the mileage is from work to home, and than I setup a route that goes from work, through each of my regular stops, than to home. I subtract the mileage I would have accrued anyway from the longer business route and log the difference as mileage. * My other two routes are big loops out from my home, one in the opposite direction of my work. The third is off to the side, basically I've got mountains to my west and metro to my ******, E, S -- the ****** is covered on my way home from work, the other two I have big loops that I can hit in a single morning or afternoon. For the two non-work related loops, again I just used google maps to map a route and count that as the mileage each time I make those loops. I usually hit them every other week, or whenever the daily deals explodes with info about a particularly good deal at Target, Kmart (or less often at TRU) If making a business trip out of town for work, you can always use the two map routes trick to find out how much mileage you would have racked up without LEGO shopping and how much you did with the shopping, and just log the difference. Also try not to mix purchases on your receipts -- if you see a bargain on beer and pretzels at walmart while picking up some clearance LEGO -- go ahead and ring them up separately so your LEGO purchases are on "clean" receipts.

LEGO is expensive. LEGO has always been expensive. LEGO will always be expensive. Those of you with large collections can thank LEGO for increasing the value of your collection with the price increases. Sent from my iPhone using Brickpicker

You are a "small set bigot."

So I've noticed recently that LEGO has been making several changes. Some may be good, some may be bad, but they don't exactly hurt us as investors, except for maybe #3 which is could technically. But let me know if you have some more to add to the list, or is it just me that these things are happening? 1) Condensed boxes. It seems like that the most recent sets I got were almost bigger. This may be because the boxes themselves were smaller to actually fit the set better. I'm not POSITIVE, but I am pretty sure that boxes for most sets (except for battlepacks or $13 sets) have gotten smaller and are a better fit with the set you buy. A couple years ago, I remember buying a $30 Star Wars set and the box was huge! I don't remember which one, but I remember it felt smaller than I was expecting because of the size of the box. A week ago, I picked up the new General Grievous Wheel Bike for $25, but the box seemed so much smaller, and same thing for the Batman: Riddler Chase set (which I got at the same time). You can tell just buy swooshing the boxes around (sealed of course), that it's harder to hear the pieces floating around in there, because it's more condensed. 2) HIGHLY detailed figures. We all like minifigures and I think most of us appreciate authenticity, but it just might be getting out of hand. The new Luke Skywalker that comes with the Sand Crawler will have Mark Hamil's mole (beauty mark etc., someone correct me if my terminology is wrong) on his face. A MOLE! I don't really know if this is a good thing or not. I appreciate authenticity, but that seems really odd to me. And the new Darth Vader and Obi-Wan in the Summer 2014 wave will have printed on cloaks. Vader gets a cape (because he actually wears one, I guess), but all of Obi-Wan's garments are screen-printed. I DON'T like that in the LEAST. 3) Separation of Figs and Set In case you were wondering, that was supposed to be sort of a pun like "Separation of Church and State" (not to get political, but as a joke, but I went to the dentist and got nova cane, so none of this may make any sense...). Anyways, the sets are separated in numbered bags to make building simpler, which as a collector I like, and the figures are also separated in said bags. I appreciate this, as a teen who still plays with LEGO. It adds more anticipation in building the next part, rather than wanting to use the minifigs for hours and THEN build the set. But as a parter-outer, which some of you are, but I am not, it makes selling minifigs apart from sets difficult since you have to open 2, 3, or 4 bags to get 1 or 2 figures. It does help with selling the model parts though, since having a dozen bags all opened at once to build a tiny section is time consuming. 4) DC Comics (no longer DC Universe as it was in 2012-13) Overall, I appreciate this because I am a huge DC fan and comic reader. I don't read EVERY comic, but I read the biggest story arcs and know several characters (including the Martian Manhunter which has caused some stir in the investing world). Many characters have been given interesting looks that some did not expect, such as the Flash. His design is somewhat based on the New 52 (which is DC's relaunch of comic books, negating some things that happened in original comics, and starting fresh). If it wasn't, he would probably have been given the same helmet as in the LEGO Batman 2: The Videogame. Other characters with a New 52 look include: Martian Manhunter, Nightwing, Damian Wayne Robin, Batgirl, and (sort-of but not quite) SDCC Green Arrow. This is probably an effort of WB to streamline the New 52 into all aspects of DC, which now includes LEGO sets/minifigures. 5) Chinese Manufactured Parts I am not talking about the fake figures you see going for $0.03 on eBay, I am referring to LEGO approved parts that are not exactly the quality standard of normal Denmark manufactured LEGO. Some have wondered how to identify for sure if it was manufactured in China or not. Apart from just noticing look and feel differences, there's some branding you can look for. As seen in picture 1, I have compared 2 new, recently unpackaged and built, DC Super Heroes 2014 minifigures, Batman and Martian Manhunter. Manhunter is the Chinese manufactured figure. In picture 2, compare the right arms of the figures. On Batman, you can see the first thing very close to his hand is a number (not sure what the number means exactly), and then the word LEGO. On Martian Manhunter, you can see closer to his armpit (I don't know what it's called...arm pin maybe?) there is an indentation with a number. I didn't want to remove the arm in the event I might damage the torso. In picture 3, the legs of Batman feature the LEGO branding and numbers. Manhunter's legs do not. That is summary is how to identify a Chinese manufactured minifigure. So is it just me? Did you catch any of those before? Learn something new? I want to hear anything you noticed happening in recent years of LEGO history.

I've been watching the stock levels in a few places for a few of the more key/likely/older items people are hoping to retire soon. SInce I'm in the UK, I'll go through that, but perhaps you might extrapolate across the pond! Whilst these are still in stock on the LS@**** in the UK, it's interesting to see what stock levels of the other retailers are doing... 1. VW Camper Van (John Lewis Exclusive) - This is argubly the most interesting that I've been looking at. It's been out of stock twice in the past couple of weeks. I cheekily even phoned up to see what was going on with it. (but they'd got it back in stock before I can ask if it was coming back in again) However they only got a small number (12 possibly) which have all gone again. 2. Sopwith Camel (John Lewis Exclusive) - 32 in stock, though I'm sure that a few weeks ago there were a 200+ so I'll watch the speed at which these are sold and see if I can spot any trends there. 3. Town Hall (John Lewis Exclusive) - 142 in stock, previously above 250 a couple of weeks ago, so plenty of supply for last minute stocking up if LEGO EOL's it. 4.Tower Bridge (John Lewis Exclusive) - 19 in stock, hovers around 20 or so at any time, I've not seen it less than 10 but not more than 20 either. 5. Pet Shop (TRU and Smyths Toys) - Smyths let me put 999 in the basket so I'm guessing their checkout software doesn't know current stock levels. - TRU had 20 a week or so ago, currently 18, so a slow seller recently, but then why would it go down during Double VIP points except for the 2*

Blasphemy!!!! The only thing better than bacon is: bacon wrapped in bacon.

Southwest Airline is the best US based airline currently in operation. Why shouldn't he fly the best ?

but what if tru only gets large sets modulars exclusives and such then short term flippers will benefit and long term large set investors will be in the toilet because then you will be saying i should have bought small sets and not all the large sets since they are available with tru in the long run and will be around for a lot longer and people that hold for the long term will have to hold longer and the short term flippers will be flipping and making money faster (edited for run on sentence to help long term investors that read emazers posts understand better)

Bacon is expensive too. Pigs are a monopoly. Turkey bacon is gross.

But the first rule is " we can't talk about the club" Sent from my iPhone using Brickpicker

LEGO is just delaying the inevitable. Then we have to wait 1 more year until stocks dry up. So what? Yeah, I get it, without capital it will be harder to get in the game. But once you are in and the sales begin, you can have a steady cash flow allowing you to finance the business further.

Amusement park series. Could be a summer seasonal like the Winter Village is.

A lego college campus theme would be interesting. Chem/bio/geo labs, mechanic/shop labs, dental/nursing labs, fraternities/sororities, gymnasium, library (some of these were already mentioned), on campus coffee shop, ampitheater, basketweaving workshops (for the less ambitious), track and field, drama etc. You could insert what ever and it would work for a college theme.

Well, I am afraid I won't ever be able to put it that simply

For 95% of re-sales, condition of the boxes isn't a major concern as long as there aren't gapping holes and the factory seals aren't broken. Some collectors would have an issue with 'shelf wear' but not too many. Just be honest about the condition if and when you decide to advertise them.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/LEGO-Grand-Emporium/17353273?action=product_interest&action_type=title&placement_id=irs-srp-1&strategy=PWVAV&visitor_id=74285189797&client_guid=b39a582e-c80c-456a-b80e-3e0c9a393810&config_id=8&parent_item_id=23763794%2C17353281%2C32703659%2C33605965%2C17353271%2C25582157%2C20552243%2C17353280%2C35758654%2C29315343%2C32703652%2C29315342%2C22663995%2C34793423%2C17324475%2C23740680&guid=29a731d4-3f58-4b88-af29-5a0670008b42&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n

I want one + the poster Batmobile from Adam West era is no brainer easy

When searching Wal-Mart.com I am not seeing it. Tried, Lego 10211, Lego Grand, Lego Modular. Nothing returns showing it in stock

Welcome to our anonymous online meeting. You have come to the right people.

I BL'd this myself and have all the parts and started building a couple days ago. Have the base and the dome done, working on the main structure right now. It's a LOT of white pieces, which I'm not a huge fan of because white seems to have to many different shades to it in Lego that they never match perfectly. Anyway, it's huge and will look awesome when done. I did one big order from Shop@Home for parts that were hard to find or cheaper there, and then about a dozen Bricklink orders. Not too bad with shipping and have new parts throughout. It's essentially a new set. I really like how the base is modular so you can take it apart and move it pretty easily. Just not sure where it's going to go. Great find! I was very happy to find 7939's on sale when Amazon had them for about $125, but adding the tracks makes it a great deal.

Mine too. I hope the box is relatively rectangular when it arrives.

I think the City Mine is a nice set and one of a kind to my knowledge. So when it does retire it will go up in value after some time. I am convinced about that. So when I see one on discount I will buy it without a doubt. Offcourse when you bought it quite early you have to wait and sit out the ride.

if you care enough you check out my epic pics. Or ask those who know me on here in real life. Holleman and Emazers do. Every time Emazers sees me he's like youngster your one bicep is as big as my whole lego collection. I be like thanks gramps. I'm a few month away from having my personal certification degree. I'll train you for lego. Or we csn just continue debating my looks but it seems most don't get my above humor and are getting sad. I was being facious Damnit.

Didn't your mother ever tell you that real gangsters don't flex nuts because real gangsters know they got 'em.

lol...why do I get the feeling that you are fat and pudgy:)

Buffet likes mega-blocks. He really likes that call of duty stuff.

I try and try but I just can't get the troll icon like you.

Oldie but a goodie:

Isn't hxckid88 always laughed at? Sorry...I couldn't resist. Just be nice. I don't want to have to pull my Patrick Swayze video clip out! Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Yes, that's how they do it on the internets. I am off to CNN comments section P.S. I will try to refrain from posting snarky (and hilarious to me) comments. You are trying to run serious investment site for adults here, after all

check one page back - lego hoarder has listed the breakdown. The rarest simpson figures will be the ones that came with the house that are slightly different than the ones that come in separate packs. That and the homer with the inappropriate golden member like star wars card green series 207.

My fault is that i really didn't pay attention to the 23 he had listed. My bad, i will now go light all my big sets on fire. Everyone is much smarter than me.

Maybe I'm crazy, but that would be a $200 vs. $1700 return. 23 smaller sets would take approximately an hour or two to package. You could sell all of this under 1 listing by simply changing the quantity. So basically one would be making $1500 more off of smaller sets for maybe 2 hours more of work. I love both big and small sets, but in that example 23 smaller sets sounds much more appealing to me than one $400 set.

So... you're telling me there's a chance!

Only one??? that's terrible odds!

Welcome and congrats on your finds. Out of curiosity, which retailer had the sale? Also, your best bet is to wait until each of these goes EOL (end of life) and are no longer available at retail pricing. That way you can sell at 15-20 and make a great ROI. These being super light sets, you can likely box them and keep it under 13 ounces to save on shipping cost within the US via first class mail (as opposed to Priority). They won't be HUGE $$$ sets, but they will bring you great ROI. Start looking for stacks of small sturdy boxes (that have already been emptied) at your local Walmart, ask politely if you can have them, and stash them away until its time to sell. This will save you $ on packing supplies. Good luck to you!

Well I found someone who tried to mod the original design of the 'in-progress' apartment ....a little ....and in LDD. I'm honestly surprised nobody seems to have tried adding furniture to the empty room before. I did find this design that reverses the Pet Shop and changes it into an eatery.

I just wish they would go public. to own stock in Lego

you lift more weights THAN

This might be a cool statistic to track in the Tools section. Top 10 held sets on Brickpicker and maybe other top 10's by theme.

How's this for a t-shirt? Ha.

"security" like McDonalds used for their monopoly game pieces: http://lubbockonline.com/stories/082201/nat_0822010041.shtml

Today we gave Gavin his new sets and the minifigure shelf. He was so happy to get the Sea Cow and Ewok Village! You could tell by his reaction those were definitely on his wish list :-) The Super Heroes sets were also a big hit! I want to once again say thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. The family was very grateful for this. We talked a little bit about their plans to begin an annual LEGO based fundraiser to keep the spirit alive. I believe this is the start of something very special. I'll keep everyone here updated as the plans develop. Please keep Gavin and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

That's too bad. I do wish they would just sell the cups outright because I enjoy them for storage. I don't do pick a brick as much anymore just because for as good as the sales have been it's more cost effective to buy sets for resale. I enjoy the pick a brick though if they have a part I'm into, like the textured brick pieces.

I wish I still had a Kmart. :resent:

Assuming they did, it's because it's Working as Intended. TLG isn't a helpless bystander watching their outsourced contractors destroy their brand while they wring their hands and sob, "Oh, if only we had known!" They give specifications, they accept finished product based on their own internal quality control assessments, and they authorize the product for shipment. It doesn't mater if they contract out to a factory in China, Japan, Germany, Bangladesh, the U.S., Canada, or Outer Mongolia - they say how it's to be made, the contractor makes it and hands it back, TLG looks it over and say, "Yep, that's fine" or "Nope, not good enough, change this and this." It's weird to me that a Chinese contractor is getting the blame for product that was specified by TLG and subsequently rubber-stamped as a-ok by TLG.

A zoo. Why can't LEGO create zoo sets that are not DUPLO ?

Yeah, what's up with that, from what I can tell Stephanie has a plane, horse, sport car, and apparently a beach house. Must be a Kardashian :-/