Question about Dacta Technic and Mindsorms

[Xan326]

Okay so I was looking on Bricklink and the Lego Education site, I keep seeing all these sets with gears and part sets that have multiple of chain pieces and clutch gears etc. Well I was wondering if those sets are worth the price, with some of them you get a ton of gears and beams and connectors and storage containers(Which I also need..) So is it worth the high price to go to Lego Education just for the pieces and such, or is it cheaper to go on Bricklink and buy from multiple sources? I know Bricklink is trusted, but I don't feel safe buying from even 3+ people at once not knowing who they are or if they're reliable. With Education I can buy from one source, that is trusted 100% of the time because its a division of Lego. So which should I go with?

[Technic Gearhead]

I have bought from a lot of different people on Bricklink and have never had any problems whatsoever. That said, I do pay attention to their feedback when I'm considering something they have although I don't remember ever not buying from someone because of it. Your mileage may vary.

[Xan326]

I keep thinking Bricklink is the Lego version of Ebay, and I've had issues with Ebay

[paul_delahaye]

I keep thinking Bricklink is the Lego version of Ebay, and I've had issues with Ebay

The main difference is most people selling on ebay are selling to make money, a lot of the people selling on Bricklink are selling to make money, but so many of them are doing it because they love lego, or because they buy a set in bulk to get a part they need for their own project and then they sell on the remainder of the bricks. This covers their own brick habit costs, and also provides us a cheaper source for parts than going direct to Lego,

Personally I have 167 positive bricklink transactions since 2005, for the first couple of years I only bought from the UK, but I'll happily buy from Europe as well now and have done on 10 - 20 transactions. My only bug bare is on buying from sellers in the USA (The USA is tempting, many sellers, many bricks not available in Europe in such large quantities and colours, many bricks are much cheaper than Europe, however my issue is not really with the sellers, (although some of them could be a little more helpful when it comes to customs descriptions and valuations). My issue is more with UK customs and Royal Mail.

If the seller is not really thinking and declares the goods as a Toy, you can almost guarantee you will pay import VAT on the goods, what is annoying is some sellers will declare the goods at the value you have paid. For example, I recently bough a MISB set from 1980, the true value of the set in 1980 was $20, they declared it at the price I paid them in 2011, $100, I'm sure it would not have been wrong to declare this at $20 and then I would have only paid 20% VAT on the original price.

My issue with customs is that when the seller in the USA originally purchased the toy, (unless they are a registered business) they are unlikely to have claimed the sales tax back from the government. Therefore when they ship it to the UK, it seems crazy that I pay sales tax (VAT) on the goods for a second time, but to another government, I totally understand if the original seller reclaimed the tax/VAT and that would be fair enough.

My gripe with Royal Mail on international shipments is they have a habit of adding at least a £5 customs handling charge onto every VAT bill, I had to pay them £38 on 1 shipment from the USA last year. (inc the VAT)

It's safe, just be sensible from a buying point of view

Paul

[Xan326]

Thanks Paul, that helps a ton! Now I just have to find the parts at a good price

[KEvron]

So is it worth the high price to go to Lego Education just for the pieces and such, or is it cheaper to go on Bricklink and buy from multiple sources?

you're gonna have to do your homework because there is no definitive answer. lego education can cost you more than a bricklink purchase, but some of their items are competitively priced. the last time i checked, chain links are much cheaper at lego edu than any bricklink seller, but you must buy in bulk.

shop and compare. you have to do the same when shopping only at bricklink.

KEvron

Edited June 10, 2012 by KEvron

[Xan326]

Gear chains, pneumatic air tanks, and possibly pneumatic hoses (I don't trust used hoses that much, I'm afraid that they might break) are cheaper so far. I haven't checked many of the gears, and I'll check when Lego education will sell the new style 16 tooth gear.

[S.I]

Speaking of hoses, whats the recommended source to pick up a fair amount? German ebay is flooded with 10-20m packs of "lego compatible" hoses, but I also remember being able to order hoses directly from lego 15-20 years ago, back when the shop at home catalog had parts packs. I've picked up two cheap 8455 backhoes for the cylinders, but need longer hoses for my crane than this included.

[DLuders]

@ S.I: Blokbricks.nl has an article on "Alternative hose for Pneumatic LEGO tubing".

[S.I]

Links just giving me adspam :(

[DLuders]

@ S.I: Have you looked at Blokbricks.com's selection of pneumatic tubing/hose? They come in various colors (besides the usual blue and black):

[S.I]

Was going to try to source the hose directly from a company specializing in compressed air stuff, and not from lego themed resellers, as these things usually have a huge markup just like in the watercooling business. Just was wondering what purists thought about using these hoses instead.