buying from pick-a-brick

[bemuser]

What's "plan B" if p.a.b. don't stock the colour of a piece you need? Ebay isn't really an option as it's just a few select pieces I want.

[dr_spock]

What's "plan B" if p.a.b. don't stock the colour of a piece you need? Ebay isn't really an option as it's just a few select pieces I want.

"B" for BrickLink (www.bricklink.com) or Brick Owl.

[NathanR]

Lego customer service also includes "Bricks and pieces"

https://service.lego.com/en-gb/replacementparts#BasicInfo[\URL]

(enter age and country, select "I want to buy a piece" then "Bricks and pieces selection") You need to know either the design or element ID for the piece you're looking for, but basically if Lego have it in stock they will sell it to you. And if it's not in stock, just check back in a week or so and it will probably be in. They also have an amazing array of minifigure torsos listed, some which seem to go back years.

But bricklink is an excellent alternative, it can be a lot cheaper then purchasing direct from Lego,especially if you are buying in bulk. You sometimes have to really shop around for a good deal on parts though, and you have to make sure that the shipping fees don't get too expensive (e.g. shipping from USA to UK wasn't too bad, but then I got stung on the import duty and Parcel Force's "handling fee")

[bemuser]

Don't use parcel force when importing from America... insist on using *another certain* parcel company who invoice you the legal charges plus their fee after you've received the item. You pay what you're legally entitled to pay, then write a letter/email stating you're not paying the fee that was levied on you without your consent.

Thanks for the info on bricks and pieces - it certainly fills my quest for the harder to find pieces - they sure ain't cheap though!

Edited April 5, 2015 by bemuser

[iamwhoiam]

Bricklink is often cheaper than PAB Online anyway. I wanted to buy some DBG 2x1x3 slopes today. They were $0.28 CDN each but I found them new on Bricklink for $0.11 CDN each! That's less than half of the PAB Online price!!!

[motokokawaii]

I use PaB for most stuff because it is easy and you know everything is gonna be factory new.

Also use Bricklink for parts that are not on PaB and those occasions when I need a lot of parts that are a lot cheaper on there. I also try to buy from the smallest possible number of sellers to keep postage and packing down as that can nullify the savings you make If you dont watch out!