8485 Control Centre II - missing bits in "Complete" set

[Chilly]

Hi all, I need your advice please.

I've just bought, and received, the Control Centre II 8485, as a "complete" set from an online auction!. After checking the contents against the Peeron (http://www.peeron.com/inv/sets/8485-1) and Rebrickable (http://rebrickable.c...ilding-set-1995) inventories, the following items are missing.

3023 black 1 x 2 plate - missing 2

3023 oldgray 1x2 plate - missing 1

x89 black rubber belt large - missing 2

3704 black axle 2 - missing 1

4519 black axle 3 - missing 3

6587 olddkgray axle 3 with stud - missing 1

3706 black axle 6 - missing 3

3708 black axle 12 - missing 2

3700 oldgray 1x2 brick with hole - missing 2 or 8

3713 oldgray bush - missing 1

4265b oldgray bush 1/2 - missing 10

3651 oldgray connector - missing 1

6643 olddkgray flex end - missing 1

4274 oldgray pin 1/2 - missing 2

6558 pin, long friction - missing 1

4442 oldgray plate 1x8 with holes - missing 1

6578 black tyre - missing 1

3483 black tyre small - missing 1

There is one odd tyre present that is not on the inventory, it was on the wheel that is really missing a proper tyre.

Before I complain to the vendor, I'd like to know if anyone has a different inventory that shows different quantities of these items, as I don't know what the vendor has checked the contents against - if anything. There isn't one printed in the instruction book, and I want to savour the build not rush it so I can complain if there are crucial parts missing. I've been looking forward to getting this set for a long time.

Apart from the tyre and the flex-end, I have all of the missing items in my collection already, but as I am away from home and have had my new toy delivered to my current location, I can't borrow from my collection.

Edited July 25, 2013 by Chilly

[The_Skirrid]

I can't say I use Peeron much these days, but the rebrickable one is pretty accurate and agrees with the BL one [Full disclosure I've never had one of these MISB, and help with the inventories for Rebrickable]. The Peeron inventory has a few minor errors. Personally I'd negotiate a discount, I've never had much luck with missing pieces from auctions, the vendors are usually moving on sets, and don't know much more, or have the spares to hand. As long as you have the rare expensive bits like the flex cable, steering arm and control box that would be my advice.

EDIT:- If you want some tyres and a flex end PM me your address, I just got a load in a bulk buy of dirty bits [which are now all clean!].

Edited July 26, 2013 by The_Skirrid

[Kumbbl]

i have also bought a second hand 8485 as complete and checked against peeron - and mine is complete - so i would say you should complain...

generally spoken: in my experience peeron part lists are quite reliable...

[Tubby]

That's a lot of missing parts, so definitely complain to the vendor and if it was Ebay start a complaint through them as well.

One or two pins or bushes is sort of acceptible but that many is just not on.

[kieran]

have had this in the past, get a discount and buy the bits on bricklink, talk to them, most people are ok and not out to scam you. if you get no where then start a complaint with the site

[allanp]

Yeah, that many pieces missing seems to be grounds for complaint. The vender should find, purchase and post to you all those missing parts in good condition for free.

[paul_delahaye]

I hate to say it, but it's the risk of buying from Auction or Bricklink. Unfortunately what one person calls complete and what I call complete can sometimes vary.

I recently received from a reputable UK bricklink seller two 1x6 plates which turned out to be a clone brand. Unless you paid seriously top dollar for the set, I think you might be better spending your time bricklinking the missing items.

When you complete it though, it's a great set. I only made the helicopter so far. But the Dinosaur looks great.

[Blakbird]

There is no guarantee that an online inventory is accurate. I have bought many used sets in which I found that the Peeron inventory (for example) was way off. It said I was missing parts but I wasn't. With older sets that have no inventory in the instructions, the only way to know for sure is to build the model. Since this is a Universal set, that really means building 3 models.

Of course, I've also bought used sets which really were missing lots of parts. The worst was an 8880 which was missing more than 80 parts. I finally figured out that it was all the parts for an entire seat. The seller did not have the parts boxed, he used the instructions to pick the parts from his pile of LEGO one by one. He forgot that the seats said "2x" in the instructions. He sent me the parts and all was well.

[Doc_Brown]

Good luck with getting the pieces! Let us know how things turn out.

[nychase]

Just some of my thoughts as I probably have the largest collection of second-hand technics of all the members on this forum.

When you are missing that many parts but none are important there is a large chance that the seller said "complete" because the model was built and was functional (and looked complete). To the average Joe that fully qualifies as complete. You can't bark down someones throat because we are all die-hard lego fanatics and know that even though one model of the set was complete there were a few small parts used on an alternate model that are missing. True, its frustrating that a few parts are missing but honestly, you probably purchased second hand legos from a housewife who had the model built from the years her son lived in the house and is just getting around to selling it.

I know you were innocently asking about the differences between inventory databases so please don't take my above sentence's to be attacking. I am really trying to address some of the other commenters telling you to notify ebay and paypal etc.

I never trust anyone to say that a set is complete. Even sets I purchased from BL sellers were rarely complete per BL's inventory.

Also, don't forget that there is always a question of is a set complete if it has all the parts it originally came with (including extras that were never used) or complete if it has everything needed to build all official models? Many of the parts you listed appear to be potential extras and therefore extremely unlikely to be included in an 18 year old set purchased at auction.

[Chilly]

Hi all

Thanks for your comments, you echo most of my thoughts on this.

I've looked and looked through the instructions, and quite clearly need three tyres for the helicopter, but as it doesn't need to roll along the floor, the "odd" tyre isn't really a problem. I also cannot see why I'd need 12 flex ends. I've counted and counted through the dino instructions and can't get that high a number. There are seven of the flex wires, which are the rare and expensive part of this set, so as for the rest, I really can't be asked to check.

I priced up the missing pieces from BL, and they'd cost less than £2 plus postage. Trouble is, you can't get them all from one shop, so postage costs would mount up higher than the value/worth. I know I've got all the rest of the pieces at home - if I needed them all. I also got it for a really good price, so generally I'm happy with it. (I know a good auction price shouldn't mean missing parts but.........life's too short, and I'm wasting good building time )

I have contacted the vendor to see if he's got any bits lying around, depending on his level of reply I probably won't take it any further.

[allanp]

Sounds good, tho if you have 7 flex wires you will need 14 ends. If I remember correctly you need 12 of the dark grey type and 2 of the black ball joint socket type to build the dino.

[Chilly]

@allanp The maths works, but no model uses all the flex wires, and I've got the two black ends, just one of the dark gray is missing, and counting through the dino instructions, I can't see where I'd need to use them all. Unless I can't count properly!!

[Chilly]

Been away from home for most of the summer, only popping back to water the tomatoes - so thought I'd tell you what happened.

While I was away I did have enough parts to build the hovercraft. It is such fun to play with, it got my dad laughing after a bad week of his hospital visits and mum going into care, so if you need therapy, start by building that one.

Anyway, following some communication with the vendor, I received a partial refund. I've now spent about half that on most of the missing items, except for the large rubber (silicon) belts - in black they are rare, in other colours they are only in small quantities from each store or expensive. The rubber bands that come round spring onions work OK, they just don't last as long!

So, I'm really happy, just waiting now for the nights to draw in and for the wet cold weather to make me light the woodburner and sit in front of it and play.......

[The_Skirrid]

Chilly try using some silicone bands. I get mine from ebay in packs of 100 from hairdressing suppliers. Ones designed for afros are perfect for replacing the small white belts for example. I double them up. they last longer then as they slip a lot less.