Buying and Selling UCS sets

[interestedpen]

Hi.

I've noticed that most UCS sets seem to sell at a much higher price a few years after being discontinued.

Do you think it'd be worth buying a few UCS sets, not opening them. and then selling them a few years later for a higher price?

Would there be much chance of losing money on it?

[Front]

There might be a difference between what people want for the sets and what they are actually selling for.

[woolie]

Unlikely you would lose money, but probable that the returns are far more pedestrian than you'd imagine from the asking prices. Look at completed transactions and stock levels to get an idea of how quickly they move. Also, the AFOL fanbase is much larger now than it was in the past. You will be just one of thousands of people buying these sets as an "investment," which is a very different situation than several years ago.

[brickmack]

It might make some money, but I doubt it would be very significant unless it's a LONG time (A decade or more), which might test your self control a bit-- I know I couldn't keep a UCS closed that long.

[Sir_Basil_Ashton]

I agree that losing money is highly unlikely. The great thing about LEGO is there's always someone coming out of the Dark Ages or someone that missed out on a particular set. The only thing you have to do is exercise a little patience and sell when the price is right.

Edited February 27, 2012 by Sir_Basil_Ashton

[interestedpen]

Hmm. I s'pose I may as well buy at least one to sell, as you say it's highly unlikely that I'll lose money. I bought a sandcrawler a few years ago on ebay for £70 and people are now buying them for over £200! So I may as well give it a go I think.

[Vindicare]

Hmm. I s'pose I may as well buy at least one to sell, as you say it's highly unlikely that I'll lose money. I bought a sandcrawler a few years ago on ebay for £70 and people are now buying them for over £200! So I may as well give it a go I think.

Is £200 the average, or just one case? I think people just coming into this hobby think too much of this plan. I'm not saying it's not exactly a means to live, but it will add some money to your pockets. I think people just get too excited over this. Not to be a Debby Downer or anything. Who knows when the next 10179 will hit shelves...

[fyrmedhatt]

There can be big profits in buying and selling sets, especially in the US where sets are as cheap as they are. I think there are several threads on these boards where various aspects of selling and investing is discussed, so search around.

Be aware that many sets, even UCS sets move slowly and do not appreciate in value that soon, so you could be sitting on sets for a while. The likelihood is greater now than even a year ago that this will happen as there are many AFOLs out there that are buying dozens and even hundreds of certain sets. That being said, it seems many sets still do well in the aftermarket, the recently discontinued Emerald Night and Imperial Flagship have both made sellers money, and it would be hard to imagine the Death Star and the Imperial Shuttle doing the same when they are discontinued. I wouldn't make it into a substitute for regular savings though, as the storage required and time consumed when selling is significant, but to sell some sets to finance this expensive hobby makes sense, and if a set does not appreciate you can simply absorb it into your collection.

[The Blue Brick]

I always invest in lego. I usually buy two complete series of the more popular themes, one to use for parts and display, and one to keep sealed. About two years ago, I sold the first Batman line and made an easy 3,000 dollars, even a bit more. I then used that money to invest in more Lego though. So anyways, I really think you should invest.

Edited February 28, 2012 by The Blue Brick

[LEGO Guy Bri]

There are many topics like this. More recently THIS or THIS. Maybe a Mod can merge them into one main one. Perhaps retitling it into Resale of Discontinued Sets or something that generally encompasses other years, etc

Edited February 28, 2012 by Lego Guy Bri

[Palathadric]

If you are going to be waiting such a long time you must keep inflation in mind.

Although, again, it is not likely to cost you...if you don't overdo it.

Besides, it's always nice to have a few extra sets around that you can break into if you ever feel the need.

[Andy D]

I always invest in lego. I usually buy two complete series of the more popular themes, one to use for parts and display, and one to keep sealed. About two years ago, I sold the first Batman line and made an easy 3,000 dollars, even a bit more. I then used that money to invest in more Lego though. So anyways, I really think you should invest.

I'm always curious when I read things like this...

Was that $3,000 profit (above what you paid), or a selling price of $3,000?

What was the original cost?

How many sets did you sell to make the $3,000?

Do you do this as a business, or strictly to support your hobby?

Andy D

Edited February 28, 2012 by Andy D

[Follows Closely]

...

Do you do this as a business, or strictly to support your hobby?

Andy D

I do this to support my hobby addiction. Although it is not as lucrative as you may think. You need to store for a long period of time; 1 year or more, usually more. You also need a safe place to store. You also have to take the time to list, sell and ship. If you are going to do it the UCS sets are a safe bet. But it has been mentioned, more and more people are doing it, and more supply will lower the price. Which is a good thing for LEGO fans everywhere.

[The Blue Brick]

I'm always curious when I read things like this...

Was that $3,000 profit (above what you paid), or a selling price of $3,000?

What was the original cost?

How many sets did you sell to make the $3,000?

Do you do this as a business, or strictly to support your hobby?

Andy D

I do this more to support my hobby. For example like I said, I usually tend to buy doubles of sets, one to display and use, and one to sell or keep sealed.

This is what I did for the Batman line. When they came out in 2006, it cost around $500 to $600 for the whole series, but I bought two of each set, so it ended up costing me around $1100. Then just about two years ago, I decided I needed the money. This is when I sold one line on Ebay, each set individually. I made around 3,000 dollars, but about $400 dollars went to Ebay and also shipping mixed in. In the end, I made around $1,500, but used that money towards new lines and Bricklink orders.

Edited February 28, 2012 by The Blue Brick

[Edmond Dantes]

I do this more to support my hobby. For example like I said, I usually tend to buy doubles of sets, one to display and use, and one to sell or keep sealed.

This is what I did for the Batman line. When they came out in 2006, it cost around $500 to $600 for the whole series, but I bought two of each set, so it ended up costing me around $1100. Then just about two years ago, I decided I needed the money. This is when I sold one line on Ebay, each set individually. I made around 3,000 dollars, but about $400 dollars went to Ebay and also shipping mixed in. In the end, I made around $1,500, but used that money towards new lines and Bricklink orders.

Not only did you make the $1500 (subtract a little for inflation), the Batman line you kept was effectively free.

I do this all the time as well - except I buy many copies of minifig heavy licensed sets and sell the figs - the pieces are then in effect free.

[Legoman]

I do this all the time as well - except I buy many copies of minifig heavy licensed sets and sell the figs - the pieces are then in effect free.

I find this an intresting one. I often buy Lego to re-sell (Thats how I fund my hobby), and the idea of selling figures off has always been on my mind. I've even bought sets purposely to sell the figures. But For some reason, I just can't bring myself to actually do it - to part out a set - I just can't do it. So I end up with heaps of parts and figures (but not much money )

The other reason I don'r really do much with the figures is that it seems to require far more time input than Large sets

[interestedpen]

Is £200 the average, or just one case?

Nearly all of the ones in good condition were going for over £200, or £150 at the very least.

I think about buying either: 10193 medieval market village or 10197 fire brigade to re-sell in a few years time. Which do you think would be best to invest in?

I'm also considering buying the 10211 grand emporium at a later date.

[Follows Closely]

Nearly all of the ones in good condition were going for over £200, or £150 at the very least.

I think about buying either: 10193 medieval market village or 10197 fire brigade to re-sell in a few years time. Which do you think would be best to invest in?

I'm also considering buying the 10211 grand emporium at a later date.

10197 will take 2+years to get over $300, that's my prediction. That set had a couple more production runs than any previous modular.

[Vindicare]

Nearly all of the ones in good condition were going for over £200, or £150 at the very least.

I think about buying either: 10193 medieval market village or 10197 fire brigade to re-sell in a few years time. Which do you think would be best to invest in?

I'm also considering buying the 10211 grand emporium at a later date.

I'm not completely sure, but I believe 10193 is retired already.

[cerebus76]

I'm not completely sure, but I believe 10193 is retired already.

Nope! Still actively available and Amazon has gotten refills of stock in several times recently.

Edit: Also still available on Lego.com, of course.

Edited March 1, 2012 by cerebus76

[Sir_Basil_Ashton]

I think about buying either: 10193 medieval market village or 10197 fire brigade to re-sell in a few years time. Which do you think would be best to invest in?

I'm also considering buying the 10211 grand emporium at a later date.

Both are really good sets and I don't believe you'll go wrong with either. Both have been around for a good amount of time so you'll have to go into it thinking that it may take a few years to make the amount you're seeking.

[cerebus76]

Both are really good sets and I don't believe you'll go wrong with either. Both have been around for a good amount of time so you'll have to go into it thinking that it may take a few years to make the amount you're seeking.

I was all set to pick up a Fire Brigade today and Amazon is sold out (only 3rd party vendors at $199). I think there was a run on them because Town Hall was being released. Hopefully they get more stock in. I wish Lego shop at home was tax free for me. Given the double VIP points and free shipping window that will be coming up soon, it may be worth getting directly from Lego anyway.

[Sir_Basil_Ashton]

It's still available through S@H. Plus you get the double VIP Points.

Fire Brigade

Edited March 1, 2012 by Sir_Basil_Ashton