Question about PAB and LDD

[phoenixrisin]

Newbie here. I was wondering if there was any difference in the parts selection between Pick A Brick and Lego Digital Designer.

Also, is it the same EXACT cost to buy from Factory, rather than Pick A Brick (assuming the parts bought are the same)?

Thanks in advance!

[hewkii9]

I believe that there's a warning telling you if you use a brick that can't be bought - otherwise, no difference.

[mrchris]

do you mean pick a brick online or in store?

in the stores, the selection (my local-ish store at least) the selection is poor and seems aimed at kids with mainly 2x4 bricks and no 1x* bricks but at least one part i cant find online, the shrub, unless i remembered wrong what i got last time! in store you also pay per volume rather than item. i dont know which is better value i guess it depends on selection, id love to buy a whole tub of tiles but they dont stock them near me (probably as it would be so cheap compared to online per piece!)

[Eilif]

Newbie here. I was wondering if there was any difference in the parts selection between Pick A Brick and Lego Digital Designer.

Also, is it the same EXACT cost to buy from Factory, rather than Pick A Brick (assuming the parts bought are the same)?

Thanks in advance!

Hi "newbie" welcome to Eurobricks

Online PAB and LDD selection.

It depends on what edition of LDD you are using. Earlier editions of LDD contained parts that are not available anymore because the palate (parts selection) has changed. As was mentioned, when you go to buy a set from LDD, you will be notified if it is unpurchasable due to certain parts being out of stock, or no longer in the palate.

Online PAB and LDD Prices:

Exactly the same, though it is often worthwhile -especially for larger quantities of "basic" brick- to see if the parts are available for less on Bricklink. Except for some of the more specialized pieces, LDD/PABonline has some of the highest prices for individual pieces.

Online (PAB and LDD) and in-store PAB prices:

Unless you are buying really huge pieces, it is almost always cheaper to buy PAB by the cup in a LEGO store. Of course the selection is not nearly as big, but the price per piece usually ends up being far cheaper, especially for smaller parts. If -as your profile suggests- you are in Chicago, you are near 3 LEGO stores. The Chicago store usually has an OK selection of parts, but the Woodfield store usually has a better selection of special elements. Finally, the Northbrook store is further away, but often has a very nice selection as good as -sometimes better than- the Woodfield store. The key is to stop in as often as possible, or to call ahead if you are looking for certain parts.

I check the LEGO stores often, and when they have good pieces, I stock up. It may not get me the pieces I want right away, but over the long haul I end up with many more pieces for significantly less money. I only use PAB online to order certain minifig parts, decorative elements, and architectural details.