DrJB Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 (edited) I've been looking at my many sets (100+) and pondering the actual cost of owning them. This goes way beyond the actual $$ I spent to acquire them. Think about it: We have a 'dedicated' room just for Lego, it was supposed to be a guest bedroom, but we found a better use for it. At times, the room is rather busy, especially when the kids are off school. During most of the year however, and because of work and other obligations, it remains unoccupied. Yet, it is being heated in the winter and cooled in the summer ... let alone it taking a chunk of the monthly mortgage and other utilities. So, what 'other' hidden costs do you associate with your large collection? Edited February 7, 2016 by DrJB Quote
M_longer Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 So, what 'other' hidden costs do you associate with your large collection? Time. Spent on sorting and rebuilding sets/MOCs. Quote
Zerobricks Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 The sorting trays and drawers, lights and equipment to take photos/videos, computer to make/edit/download instructions/photos/videos, batteries to power the models, and like M_longer said...time, which is usually well spent (or else we wouldnt do what we do). Quote
mpfirnhaber Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 Heating and cooling that room has nothing to do with its contents. Lego or guests or just empty beds - it is what it is. Quote
Boettner Builds Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 Shelving, tables, different storage solutions... These are also associated costs. But as I see it, it just goes with the hobbie. I have yet to get an actual LEGO room but these sore of things are on my mind and bank account constantly... Quote
Interceptor Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 Repairing the display models. I mean broken wires, broken thin LEGO pieces, cracked stickers, yellowed white pieces by time, even they are kept hidden from direct sunlight... Quote
technical Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 Today I ordered $90 worth of batteries and charger for my EV3. I went through 70 AA batteries in 2 months, so it's time to put a stop to that waste. Quote
Samer Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 I agree that "Time" is the most valuable resource LEGO eats greedily. Quote
miguev Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 Interesting, what insurance exactly? Time is indeed the most valuable asset we spend on our LEGO collection, but so long as it is a hobby that we enjoy, it is time well spent. It is invested for good. Yes, even time spent taking builds apart and sorting the pieces back into their designated places in our storage system. When well organized, I find it relaxing enough that it is not a chore. But time will go by anyway, it will be spent no matter what, LEGO or not, just like heating and cooling and the monthly mortgage... So if we are to talk about money spent in the hobby, other than to buy LEGO sets and parts, I'd say storage systems eat most of the cake. But then again, if it helps you making the most out of the time you spend, it is money well invested. Battery are part of the hobby, so I count them as parts, just like the li-po batteries. I have 3 of those ($$$) and then a bunch of Ni-Mh AA and AAA batteries, but those are not just for LEGO, at least 6 of them are in the Wii (1 remote + balance board) at the moment; TV and other remotes are the top AAA "spenders", so it's not a cost associated with the hobby, maybe a small increment. I wouldn't count lights and equipment to take photos and film videos, let alone the computer to edit these, unless your LEGO hobby is the only one reason why you have that camera and/or that computer ─ which may well be the case for people who get serious (e.g. Sariel) but that's the cost of something else than owning your collection Quote
ctx1769 Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 My marriage only joking, got the wife building now. Although I don't have as many sets as you guys Quote
geezerman402 Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 My better half isn't the biggest fan of my hobby, particularly the price. But then any time she buys a tiny piece of jewelry, the tables turn and I get the advantage! Quote
xboxtravis7992 Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 Time can be an asset, over 16 years since my first set I now have a big collection. Quote
Markalus Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 Yes to all of the above. But really, can you put a price on enjoyment, happiness and mental health? Quote
dr_spock Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 Didn't a financier named JP Morgan once said to a reporter, "If you have to ask, you can't afford it."? Mortgage and home insurance are part of owning a home. You're paying them whether you own LEGO or not. If you insured your LEGO separately but then it wouldn't be hidden. If you have central heating and cooling, you're paying regardless. Cameras and flashes can be used for family photos or a photography hobby. Storage can be cheap if you find freebie shelves and recycle containers from other things. I suppose there can be a hidden social cost if your collection expands outside of the agreed to space with spousal unit. My costs: Pirate set: $25 Technic flagship set: $250 Time to build them: priceless Quote
Andy D Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 Hidden costs! What hidden costs? I remodeled the bedroom with built-in cabinets and a building desk and custom shelving ($$$). Then there's lighting and storage. Nope, no hidden costs here! The only thing hidden are the sets and parts in storage not on display. Good luck hiding anything... Andy D Quote
Sid Sidious Posted February 8, 2016 Posted February 8, 2016 In a lot of places, property taxes are determined by the square footage (meterage in some places?) of the house or the value of the property (which is then determined by the square footage of the house). So if an extra room for the Lego room was a consideration while buying a house or if you would be living in a smaller house instead of one with a Lego room and if the Lego room put you in a higher tax bracket (if your area does that for property taxes), you're paying hidden tax costs for the hobby. If your Lego room is just a converted bedroom/closet that you would have paid taxes on anyway, I wouldn't count it as a hidden cost. Quote
Andy D Posted February 8, 2016 Posted February 8, 2016 ?..snippage I suppose there can be a hidden social cost if your collection expands outside of the agreed to space with spousal unit. My "spousal unit" has laid down the law... My LEGO hobby is not allowed to expand beyond my designated space! Andy D Quote
Japanbuilder Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 No cost as long as you have kids!!! Oo It is for them honey "honest!" Naw I kid my wife doesn't mind them and actually spends time browsing Duplo and stuff herself to put on a short list for Birthdays/Holidays etc. I also don't heat the room where I keep them nor cool the place when it is hot. I forgot the sun yellows things but hey...that can be treated....and it is fun just to build. Having recently been brought back in the fold I can honestly say, the time with my kids building things wrecking things and building things again and the relaxing feeling of just building is priceless. Rather than cost I see an investment in my sanity and my kids lol. Quote
paul_delahaye Posted February 14, 2016 Posted February 14, 2016 I've often contemplated whether my collection should be insured…..but and storage solutions are the big costs so far. Quote
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