Where to Buy Used Lots of LEGO Pieces

Posted on December 17, 2015 by BrickingTips

Whether you’re looking for inventory to build up your LEGO business or just want to find some hidden gems for your personal LEGO collection, used lots can be an affordable option. Here’s a rundown of some common places to find used LEGO lots.

Craigslist
Sometimes you can find used LEGO locally on Craiglist. Craiglist can be a bit of hassle since you need to drive to contact the Craiglist poster, arrange to meet up, and pay cash.

eBay
Buyers can find many used LEGO lots on eBay. Be careful, many sellers have removed valuable minifigs and components from “random” lots. You may be able snag a good deal by bidding on an auction at the last minute.

Goodwill (in store and online) and Other Thrift Stores
You just might find a freezer bag full of LEGO pieces at your local thrift store. Some thrift stores, like Goodwill, occasionally sell new LEGO sets that Target didn’t want anymore.

Garage Sales, Yard Sales, Estate Sales and Flee Markets
These in person, one-shot sales are probably some of the best opportunities to find a good deal on used LEGO piece. The problem is you may not even know if the sale will have any LEGO to begin with! Show up at the sale early before all the good items (LEGO or otherwise) get sold.

Friends and family
Ask friends and family if they have any old LEGO lots. Who knows, they might even cut you a good deal since you know them!

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Baby with the Bathwater: Labeling Packing Material to Prevent Buyers from Throwing Away LEGO Pieces

Posted on December 10, 2015 by BrickingTips

The last thing you or your eBay buyer wants is for them to accidentally throw away part of their order or believe they received an incomplete order (it’s painful to even read about, right?). That’s why whenever you pack LEGO orders using cardboard or any non-transparent packing material, make sure you label the item inside.

Multiple pieces packed in one box (per LEGO manufacturing)
Some minifig capes or rubber belts are packaged two to a box. A buyer may assume the pieces are only packed one to box, though. Labeling the box or including a note saying “two capes in each box” can help prevent a confused or angry email from a buyer who thinks they received an incomplete order.

LEGO instructions, stickers, minifig capes or fragile packed pieces in cardboard
Sandwiching fragile LEGO pieces and LEGO paper products between two pieces of cardboard helps prevent creasing and damage during mailing. Unfortunately some buyers will mistake your safe cardboard packing for trash! Yes, that means a $150 Millennium Falcon UCS sticker sheet could get tossed in the garbage bin. Ouch! Labeling the outside of the cardboard with “Sticker Sheet” can prevent these painful and costly “throwing out the the baby with the bathwater” blunders.

Further reading:
What’s the damage?: How to Identify and Prevent LEGO Piece Deterioration (BrickingTips.com article)

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Still Haven’t Found What They’re Looking For: Helping Your eBay Customers find LEGO items you don’t have in stock

Posted on December 3, 2015 by BrickingTips

Sometimes customers will contact you looking for LEGO pieces in colors or quantities you don’t have in your inventory. Rather than just sending a standard “Sorry, I don’t have that item in stock” message, you could roll up your sleeves and point the buyer in the right direction.

Type the item name into the eBay search box
Sometimes as a seller you may know how search for items better than your buyer. Linking to a simple search within eBay may help your buyer find the item they need.

Build goodwill with your customer
Sure, you don’t need to help the buyer out, but many members will genuinely appreciate your effort to help them find an item. The search will be easy for you–it should only take a minute or two of your time–but really help the buyer out! If the search becomes complicated and takes you beyond a minute or two, then just send a standard “Sorry, I don’t have that item in stock” message.

Follow the linking policies of Ecommerce Sites
Some ecommerce sites, like eBay, don’t allow users to link to items for sale outside of their site. That means no linking to Bricklink or Brickowl items on eBay. Make sure you follow a site’s linking rules. You might get away with linking outside of eBay a few times, but if your policy violation is ever reported or discovered, then you’ve put your selling status in jeopardy.

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How to Avoid Buying Knockoff LEGO Minifigs on eBay

Posted on November 26, 2015 by BrickingTips

Knockoff LEGO minifigs and pieces run rampant in the eBay marketplace. Many buyers find distinguishing authentic LEGO minifigs from cheap knockoffs confusing and challenging. Educating yourself on the common signs of knockoff LEGO minifigs is key to preventing inadvertently buying cheaply made fakes. Here are some tips on spotting knockoff minifigs.

The order ships from China
The vast majority of infringing listings ship from China. Shipping from China is one of the first indicators that the “minifig” may be a cheap knockoff.

Item is listed in “LEGO” Category, but the description doesn’t say LEGO
The eBay sellers offering knock offs are clever. They list their knock off products in the LEGO category, but don’t use the word LEGO anywhere in the actually listing. Putting the item in the LEGO category means that buyers can find the knock off listing by using “LEGO” in the eBay search box.

Suspiciously low prices
Some sets fake Avengers minifigs cost $9 for 8 minifigs with free shipping from China. An authentic Hulk minifig alone sells for $20! Question any minifig listing that only costs one or two dollars for each minifig. Most authentic LEGO minifigs co-branded with powerhouse names like: Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, Indiana Jones, etc. cost at least $3 or $4 all the way up to $10 or $20 or more depending on demand and scarcity of the minifig.

Seller feedback comments referencing “fake LEGO” or “cheap quality”
Read the eBay seller’s neutral and negative feedback. If you see buyers mentioning “fake LEGO”,  “cheap quality”, or writing any similar comment, the seller might be selling knock off pieces. Not all sellers listing knock off LEGO pieces receive negative feedback, though, so feedback alone is not enough of an indicator of authenticity.

Don’t trust minifig appearance alone
Knock off minifigs can look NEARLY IDENTICAL to authentic LEGO pieces! So just because a minifig “looks” like LEGO, don’t assume it is LEGO.

When in doubt, ask the seller if it’s an authentic LEGO piece
If you’re not sure if the minifig is authentic, contact the seller with the eBay contact form asking them if the piece is genuine LEGO. The seller should tell you the truth. If the seller tells you the piece is authentic LEGO and you receive a knockoff or counterfeit item, then you can file a claim through eBay’s resolution center.

Report fake items to eBay
If you find a fake item on eBay, report it! Fake minifigures both clutter the eBay marketplace with poor quality pieces and infringe upon the copyright of companies like LEGO, Marvel, Disney, DC, etc.

Further reading:
How and Where to Buy Authentic LEGO Minifigures (BrickingTips.com article)
The Genuine Article: Proving LEGO Authenticity to eBay Buyers (BrickingTips.com article)
LEGO vs. Mega Bloks: Tips on Distinguishing Real LEGO from Knockoff Brands and Custom Pieces (BrickingTips.com article)

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Shipping Insurance 101 for eBay, Bricklink and Brickowl Sellers

Posted on November 19, 2015 by BrickingTips

Many first time sellers on eBay, Bricklink or Brickowl worry about lost or damaged shipments. They fear wasting time and losing hard earned money. Here’s what you need to know before decided to insure your shipments.

Secure packing and proper shipping labels minimize lost packages
Using low quality packing material or printer ink may save money in the short term, but in the long term significantly increases your odds of lost packages. Occasionally, your shipment could get rained on or dropped in a puddle, causing the label ink to bleed or smudge. Unlike inkjet printers, laser printers and thermal label printers don’t bleed. Cheap envelopes or thin cardboard can get torn by mail sorting machines. Lost packages either mean you’ll need to absorb the costs or endure the time consuming and stress inducing hassle of filing an insurance claim.

Only some international shipments may be insured
If you ship internationally only shipments to some countries may be insured. Some sellers only ship to countries where shipments may be insured. Before deciding to ship to a country, understand your insurance options (or lack thereof) for that country. Also consider your lost sales opportunity by choosing NOT to ship to some countries.

Priority Mail includes some insurance for FREE
Priority Mail includes insurance coverage up to $50 and Priority Mail Express includes insurance coverage up to $100. Some exceptions do apply.

When you DO insure, get proof of shipping
Many insurance companies will only process insurance claims if you have proof of shipping. Some common acceptable forms of proof include: a tracking number (must be scanned as Accepted), a USPS receipt, Paypal screen shot of label, etc. Read the terms and conditions of the insurance company to find out what they accept as proof of shipping.

Many new sellers insure packages more often than necessary
Despite stories you may hear, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is actually very good at delivering your packages to buyers. Yes, sometimes the packages take the scenic route, delaying delivery by a few days for domestic packages to a few weeks for international packages. Nevertheless nearly all packages arrive. I ship hundreds of packages each month around the world and only experience lost packages a few times a year.

Usually insuring a shipment only makes sense for orders valued over $100 or whatever value you feel would “hurt” you. How much would a lost $10 shipment hurt you? How about $20 or $50? Choosing when to add shipping insurance is a personal choice, but consider both your added costs (insurance typically costs between $1 and $3 for each $100 of coverage) AND the headache of filing an insurance claim if you ever do need to collect.

Further reading:
It’s Not USPS, It’s Me: Why Some of Your eBay Packages Get “Lost” in the Mail (BrickingTips.com article)
8 Reasons NOT to Ship Internationally (BrickingTips.com article)

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How to Prevent “New” LEGO Pieces from Becoming “Used”

Posted on November 12, 2015 by BrickingTips

Your new LEGO pieces can easily become used, or perceived by your buyers as used, if you’re not careful. Here are some ways to keep your new pieces in new condition.

1. Dust or dirt accumulation
If you don’t store LEGO pieces sealed in boxes or bags then they will get dusty over time. Your buyers could easily perceive your “new” pieces as used. Just store pieces properly and you won’t have this problem.

2. Scuffs and scratches
Some LEGO pieces can get scuffed or scratched easily. Easily scratched pieces include: tiles, panels, glass, etc. Store these pieces so they don’t shift around or rub against each other. Alternatively, just give up and sell the pieces as used. It’s better to under promise and over deliver.

3. Fingerprints, hair and pet fur
It’s easy to put fingerprints on pieces or even let hair or pet fur slip into an order. Gross. Always wash your hands before handling pieces of your LEGO inventory. Some sellers will even wear latex gloves while handling inventory to keep pieces clean.

4. Stacking pieces during storage and shipment
If LEGO pieces are stacked together, then they’ve become used. Avoid stacking LEGO pieces! Either store and ship the pieces loose in a bag or consider nesting the pieces together.

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7 Things to Know Before You Start Selling LEGO (or anything else) on eBay

Posted on November 5, 2015 by BrickingTips

Some people may think that selling on eBay part or full time is an “easy” gig. In reality selling is much more complicated than many new sellers expect. Here are seven things to know before you start selling on eBay.

1. You WILL make mistakes
Strive for excellence and accuracy, but understand you will make mistakes along the way, especially early in your selling career. You could misidentify the part. You might even ship the wrong item! Fix mistakes quickly and exceed the buyer’s expectations. Then figure out what caused the mistake and see if you can prevent making a similar mistake in the future.

2. Selling is a marathon not a sprint
Building up your inventory, your brand and customer base takes time. Don’t expect to achieve success overnight. Forming a profitable company takes: strategizing, constant learning, hard work and even a little luck.

3. One percent of buyers will demand 99% of your time
If you ship items quickly and accurately, the vast majority of orders will arrive safely and you’ll never hear from the buyer again. Great! Every now and then a buyer (or prospective buyer) will flood your inbox with questions and price haggling. Occasional high maintenance buyers come along with the selling territory. Treat everyone with patience and respect even when you secretly feel like pulling your hair out.

4. Selling IS harder than it looks
As the saying goes, “If it were that easy, then everyone would be doing it.” Many individual orders will be smooth and easy. More difficult and time consuming tasks include: research, customer service, problem solving, strategizing, etc. Whether you’re a hobbyist, selling off spare parts to fund your LEGO projects or a serious full time seller,

5. Selling internationally IS harder than selling domestically (but may be worth the effort and risk)
Selling internationally is harder than selling just domestically many reasons including: longer delivery times, customs clearance fees and delays, language barriers, etc. For a more comprehensive list of the difficulties related to shipping internationally see 8 Reasons NOT to Ship Internationally. Difficulties aside, shipping internationally also drastically expands a seller’s customer pool and boosts earning potential.

6. You will have to pay estimated taxes (both Federal and State) and sales tax (in many states)
Your eBay income is not tax free. Employers typically withhold earnings for their employees, but as an eBay seller you will need to pay the IRS yourself. If you expect to owe more than $1000 in a year to the IRS, then you’re required to send in estimated quarterly payments otherwise you will face stiff penalties. For more information see Income Tax for eBay Sellers: Paying Your Estimated Taxes Accurately and On Time. Refer to your state’s website for procedures for paying estimated state income tax and state sales tax.

7. Full time eBay sellers: You must buy health insurance and save for retirement yourself
A big perk of traditional employment is the health insurance and retirement package. If you become a full time eBay seller, then you will have to buy health insurance (or join your spouse’s plan) and save for retirement yourself. For more information about self employed retirement planning, refer to: Self Employment Retirement Accounts for eBay sellers: An Overview of SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA and Solo 401(k) Plans.

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It’s Not USPS, It’s Me: Why Some of Your eBay Packages Get “Lost” in the Mail

Posted on October 29, 2015 by BrickingTips
ripped USPS package

Amazingly, this order from Germany arrived complete despite multiple holes to the outer envelope.

It’s easy to blame the United States Postal Service for missing packages, but sometimes a lost package is going to be your fault. I know it’s not easy to hear, but it’s true. Here are four reasons within your control that your USPS packages may be getting “lost” in the mail.

1. Bad Printer Ink
If you’re using an inkjet printer, make sure your ink is waterproof. Some off brand replacement ink will run when it’s exposed to water. That means your buyers address could become illegible. No bueno. If your buyer’s address become illegible, then your package may not arrive to it’s destination.

2. Bad boxes or envelopes
Thin cardboard boxes and cheap bubble mailers can get dented and ripped up during routine USPS sorting. As a buyer, I’ve received beaten up boxes and envelopes with more holes than Swiss cheese. Buyers, tell the seller about the damaged box or envelope even if your order arrives complete. Telling the seller, or even sending them a photo, may help them assess whether they need to choose better packing material.

3. Adhesive failure
Self sealing bubble mail may be handy, but can you trust the adhesive to stay closed during shipping? Consider taping over the seal to reinforce the closure.

4. Overstuffed boxes or envelopes
It may be tempting to overfill envelopes or boxes, especially USPS Flat Rate envelopes and boxes, but overfilling packages is dangerous. Boxes lose structural integrity when they are bulging, increasing the likelihood that the package will get damaged or lost altogether.

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The Genuine Article: Proving LEGO Authenticity to eBay Buyers

Posted on October 22, 2015 by BrickingTips
LEGO snakes

These authentic LEGO snakes lack the LEGO copyright and, unlike many other animals, don’t fit onto LEGO studs.

Every now and then an eBay buyer will message you something along the lines of, “Hey, I received pieces that aren’t real LEGO. What gives?” But they are real LEGO pieces, because you only sell genuine LEGO pieces. So how can a seller prove to the buyer that the piece is authentic LEGO?

Direct the buyer to the “© LEGO” on the piece
The easiest way to prove authenticity is to direct the buyer to the LEGO copyright on the piece (i.e. “© LEGO”). LEGO bricks display “LEGO” on the studs. Many LEGO minifig hair and headgear pieces display “LEGO” on the underside. Find the copyright on the piece and describe the location to your eBay buyer.

Link to a few a examples of other eBay sellers offering the same piece
If the piece doesn’t display the copyright (not all authentic LEGO pieces do!), then the second best option is to link to other sellers listing the same piece on eBay. DO NOT link to other marketplace websites like Bricklink, BrickOwl, or even shop.lego.com! The eBay terms of service state, “We don’t allow links to non-eBay sites where other items are offered for sale.”

Figure out what caused the buyer questioned the authenticity
Usually the buyer will question the authenticity of non-traditional LEGO pieces that don’t “look” or “seem” like LEGO pieces. For example: LEGO string, LEGO rubber belts or bands, pieces not made out of ABS plastic, or other oddball pieces may confuse some buyers.

I had a buyer tell me my LEGO snakes weren’t authentic. They doubted the authenticity since the snakes don’t fit onto LEGO studs. Although the LEGO snake is one of the few animals that doesn’t fit onto LEGO studs, the piece was designed to fit into a minifig’s hand.

Consider adding additional details or photos to the listing to prevent future confusion
Additional details or measurements can sometimes prevent confusion from future buyers. For example, you might add to the snake listing, “These official LEGO snakes are not designed to fit onto LEGO studs, but do fit into a minifig’s hand.”

Further reading:
LEGO vs. Mega Bloks: Tips on Distinguishing Real LEGO from Knockoff Brands and Custom Pieces (BrickingTips.com article)

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5 Benefits of Writing a LEGO Themed Blog

Posted on October 15, 2015 by BrickingTips

Whether you’re buying or selling LEGO online, launching your own LEGO themed blog boasts many personal and professional benefits.

1. Showcase your MOCs
Many LEGO sellers are also LEGO builders. Why not create your own online gallery, featuring your homemade constructions and building tips for fellow LEGO fans?

2. Gather your thoughts, reinforce your knowledge and learn something new
Writing, like teaching, helps to reinforce your knowledge. In the process of researching for one of your blog posts you might even learn something new! I didn’t know that FedEx, UPS and DHL can now deliver to P.O. Boxes (written in address form) until I researched and wrote 5 Benefits of Getting a Post Office Box for Your Online eBay Business.

3. Hone your writing skills, increase your job marketability and boost your resume
The more you write, the better you become at writing! Create a schedule of when you will write and new post and stick to it. A consistent stream of online content demonstrates to prospective employers that you can be dedicated, consistent and see a long term project through. Before you know it you’ll develop a database of useful and original content!

4. Provide useful LEGO information to others and yourself
After you’ve blogged for many weeks, months or years you may find yourself referring back to your own articles. I might not remember 7 Expensive LEGO Pieces That WILL Break the Bank, but I can reread my own article in the future. The more time passes, the more foreign your own writing may seem to you (“Did I really write that?”).

5. Make some money (maybe)
As you expand your readership, you may be able to monetize your blog through: Google Adsense, Amazon affiliate or other affiliate programs. Don’t assume you’ll be able to quit your day job. Building a popular site takes time, quality content (and quantity), and/or a devoted following. Stay focused and write the blog as if you’ll never make a dime. There are many other highly beneficial reasons to write a blog. Honing your writing skills alone is a benefit that will serve you for the rest of your life!

Final Thoughts: Anyone Can Write a Blog Including You (Yes, you!)
Some people dismiss the thought of writing their own blog because they don’t think they’re capable of writing a blog post. If you can read this blog post, then you can write your own! Don’t worry that it’s not perfect. The world won’t end because you missed a comma or misspelled “pieces”. Just type some words onto the page and try to be yourself. The first posts might take a long time to write and you might feel like quitting. Don’t give up! Work through the initial discomfort and your writing will become easier and better over time.

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