Nesting LEGO pieces saves space and allows for safer and more secure packing.
Many eBay and Bricklink buyers and sellers alike frown upon stacking LEGO pieces, especially if the pieces are sold as “new”. Brand new LEGO pieces, in theory, have never been assembled and stacking pieces is considered to be a form of assembly.
Even if the parts aren’t new, breaking apart stacked pieces takes the buyer extra effort. I once bought a few hundred LEGO flower pieces and the seller shipped them stacked. Ugh. About a half hour and two sore thumbs later, I’d managed to pry apart all of the flowers. To be fair, the seller’s terms stated that parts could be shipped stacked, but in retrospect saving a few cents per flower wasn’t worth my extra time, effort or thumb soreness.
Why stack LEGO pieces?
The main reasons a seller will stack LEGO pieces are for easy counting and for tighter packing. If you stack up bricks in groups of tens, you can easily count to one hundred with confidence. You can visually verify your counting accuracy and prevent sending the buyer 98 or 102 bricks by mistake. Stacked pieces pack more tightly than loose pieces. Tight packing not only saves space, but can also prevent pieces from scratching or rubbing against each other.
Why nest LEGO pieces?
Although stacking seems to have several attractive benefits, many of the same benefits arise from nesting LEGO pieces as well. Like stacking, nesting secures the pieces, saves space, and allows for easy counting. Unlike stacking, nesting doesn’t burden the buyer with the headache (and thumb ache) of prying the pieces apart. Also, nesting makes the order look clean and organized, leaving a positive impression on the buyer.
The Takeaway
If you must stack pieces, only stack used LEGO pieces. Also, tell the buyer in advance that the pieces will be shipped stacked. Write that you stack LEGO pieces in the item description or in the store terms and make sure your stacking disclaimer is clearly visible.
You don’t need to tell buyers that you nest pieces since the pieces are neither assembled nor require the buyer to pry pieces apart.