Bought a U-Wing two years ago for $35, built it, displayed it, sold it last night used for $80 with $10 shipping on eBay.  Now it's time to tear it down, the less fun part.

I need to do more building and selling used.

Less profit but more fun and enjoyment. Plus, it’s easier to let go after you display something for a while and need that space for a new build.

20 minutes ago, BrickLegacy said:

I need to do more building and selling used.

Less profit but more fun and enjoyment. Plus, it’s easier to let go after you display something for a while and need that space for a new build.

Just be careful upon disassembly.. ugh I wrote the buyer, I'll see what they want to do.  Three of 4 of these broke.  $0.08 on BrickLink.  No big deal.

11 minutes ago, MusiKyle said:

Just be careful upon disassembly.. ugh I wrote the buyer, I'll see what they want to do.  Three of 4 of these broke.  $0.08 on BrickLink.  No big deal.

 

This happens way too much.  I forgot what set I took down but I had several maroon pieces break.  Still have to order the replacements.  Parts are cheap but you still pay $3-4 for shipping.

Old dark red & blue pieces, especially plates, are very brittle, taking apart an old modular can be frustrating & expensive. 

This happens way too much.  I forgot what set I took down but I had several maroon pieces break.  Still have to order the replacements.  Parts are cheap but you still pay $3-4 for shipping.

Those maroon (Dk Red) pieces are notorious for getting very brittle quickly. We've broken many over the years...even when trying to be cautious.

Don't get me started on the Haunted House issues. 

After taking this apart, plus the broken pieces, I think I'd have rather sold it for $20 less, built, cash and local.  I really just wanted the space more than the money.  It was about a 2 1/2 hour disassembly.  Feels like it takes longer taking it apart than putting it together.  Opposite of a road trip; getting there seems to take longer, getting home feels quick.

New 10728 Juniors Friends Mia's Pet Clinic $39+shipping. Buy In $11.

After taking this apart, plus the broken pieces, I think I'd have rather sold it for $20 less, built, cash and local.  I really just wanted the space more than the money.  It was about a 2 1/2 hour disassembly.  Feels like it takes longer taking it apart than putting it together.  Opposite of a road trip; getting there seems to take longer, getting home feels quick.

I never sell used sets without them being ready to ship. So if it’s a set that’s assembled, I take photos assembled, then break it down. After breakdown I will photograph the bag(s) the parts are in.

That way if there’s any problems, like missing or broken pieces, I know before I sell it.

After taking this apart, plus the broken pieces, I think I'd have rather sold it for $20 less, built, cash and local.  I really just wanted the space more than the money.  It was about a 2 1/2 hour disassembly.  Feels like it takes longer taking it apart than putting it together.  Opposite of a road trip; getting there seems to take longer, getting home feels quick.

I never sell used sets without them being ready to ship. So if it’s a set that’s assembled, I take photos assembled, then break it down. After breakdown I will photograph the bag(s) the parts are in.

That way if there’s any problems, like missing or broken pieces, I know before I sell it.

I never sell used sets without them being ready to ship. So if it’s a set that’s assembled, I take photos assembled, then break it down. After breakdown I will photograph the bag(s) the parts are in.

That way if there’s any problems, like missing or broken pieces, I know before I sell it.

I just break it down into major sections, bag those up, and buyers never complain. I haven’t sold many this way but the method has worked for me. Takes about 5 minutes or so.

I never sell used sets without them being ready to ship. So if it’s a set that’s assembled, I take photos assembled, then break it down. After breakdown I will photograph the bag(s) the parts are in.

That way if there’s any problems, like missing or broken pieces, I know before I sell it.

I just break it down into major sections, bag those up, and buyers never complain. I haven’t sold many this way but the method has worked for me. Takes about 5 minutes or so.

3 hours ago, odysea11 said:

3 hours ago, stackables said:

This happens way too much.  I forgot what set I took down but I had several maroon pieces break.  Still have to order the replacements.  Parts are cheap but you still pay $3-4 for shipping.

Those maroon (Dk Red) pieces are notorious for getting very brittle quickly. We've broken many over the years...even when trying to be cautious.

Reddish brown ones too. I broke one while breaking down a set for sale. Thankfully I had a spare one.

The Dark Red pieces are the ones I've had a lot of problems with over the years.  Broken several wing plates and quite a few tile pieces as well.  I've been breaking down several sets lately and I'm just thankful that thus far I have had replacement pieces in my personal inventory.

fbm-

friends heartlake grand hotel - $575 - this is about $65 more than what grand emporiums are going for.  lol.  wish i had more but this is last one.

also sold my last back to the future delorean - $299!!!  buyin $27.99 permasale.

 

 

 

 

Bunch of pre-owned Star Wars sets.  Wanted the display space back and was motivated to sell.  Did roughly half retail so $300 cash.  I think I bought at about half off anyways so to get to build, display and sell at cost works out for me.  Slow local market where I am also, so to secure this in a day on Craigslist felt great.

Oh and NO disassembly, whoo hoo!

Edited August 9, 20205 yr by MusiKyle

5 hours ago, MusiKyle said:

Bunch of pre-owned Star Wars sets.  Wanted the display space back and was motivated to sell.  Did roughly half retail so $300 cash.  I think I bought at about half off anyways so to get to build, display and sell at cost works out for me.  Slow local market where I am also, so to secure this in a day on Craigslist felt great.

Oh and NO disassembly, whoo hoo!

Almost the same for me today. Sold my loose Ewok Village for $250 local sale. I posted it yesterday. I didn't have to break it down and guy paid cash. Made about $10 less than I would off of eBay (my instruction manuals had writing on it from the previous owner and I had no box), but I'd pay $10 any day to save the hassle of breaking down a big set and boxing it up nice so it arrives safely. And no possible scamming!

On 8/8/2020 at 7:37 PM, cladner said:

also sold my last back to the future delorean - $299!!!  buyin $27.99 permasale.

Looks like I may never get around to building this one out of my collection, even though I have to take eBay prices.

Sold a Soldier's Outpost and Soldier's Fort for $155 combined for an $84 profit after expenses for a 236% return on a 12/27/2015 purchase

Today's slow mover was a 76060 Dr. Strange for $42 (damaged box) for a $4.51 profit after expenses for a return of 21% on a 12/3/2016 purchase - ( I have a pile of these)  

On 8/9/2020 at 1:37 AM, cladner said:

fbm-

friends heartlake grand hotel - $575 - this is about $65 more than what grand emporiums are going for.  lol.  wish i had more but this is last one.

 

 

 

 

 

This would explain why a US buyer was happy to pay a ton of shipping to buy 4 of these from me here in the UK, although they were my last few with battered boxes and burst seals. Still, you can get a brand new one on UK eBay for £200, or on BL from a multitude of places for a lot less than $575. People are muppets!

My first LEGO sale!  I picked up a Technic Air Race Jet (42066) from a local listing for $60 and sold it on eBay for $166 after shipping, for a nice 176% gain within 2 weeks.  It’s going to take a few more of these for my bone-headed mistake of spending $1500 on an Osprey 😳. Pray for me...

On 8/9/2020 at 2:37 AM, cladner said:

fbm-

friends heartlake grand hotel - $575 - this is about $65 more than what grand emporiums are going for.  lol.  wish i had more but this is last one.

I could still buy two of the Heartlake Grand Hotel for €160 + local shipping (each) here. Might just have to buy those and resell them internationally...

Sold a used 7781 Two Face's escape for $174. I had bought it for $100 as part of a used lot that included the 7781 and 7785 Arkham Asylum. Still waiting on a few pieces to complete the Asylum before listing.

9 hours ago, Crispyvelo said:

My first LEGO sale!  I picked up a Technic Air Race Jet (42066) from a local listing for $60 and sold it on eBay for $166 after shipping, for a nice 176% gain within 2 weeks.  It’s going to take a few more of these for my bone-headed mistake of spending $1500 on an Osprey 😳. Pray for me...

Was that the one listed on Facebook in Sacramento, CA for $75? I wanted to buy it, but I live in the SF Bay Area. Too far of a drive. Congrats on your first sale!

79004 The Hobbit Barrel Escape $60+shipping

8 hours ago, oneknightr said:

Was that the one listed on Facebook in Sacramento, CA for $75? I wanted to buy it, but I live in the SF Bay Area. Too far of a drive. Congrats on your first sale!

Yes!

40338 Christmas Tree for $49.00 procured with the Bat Mobile last year and after expenses of $16.61 a return of 32.39.

 

Mentally, I always have an issue putting a purchase cost with these freebies!  Do I consider the value of all sets against the purchase price of the item I got them with or do I go with Free.  I [picked Free but accounting wise I can see this being included as cost of goods sold and having a value (same as the bonus bat mobile i got with the purchase)