The white stress mark shows that the LEGO paddle has been bent back and forth.
Not all LEGO pieces are equal. Some pieces, even ones straight out of the box or new from Pick-a-Brick walls, are more easily scratched, snapped or torn than others. The best eBay and Bricklink sellers anticipate problems even before they happen, so let’s look at some easily damaged items.
Scuffed or scratched in storage or the set box
Even “new” pieces can arrive scuffed or scratched. Consider adding a scuffed and scratched disclaimer or selling some pieces as used. Easily scratched pieces include: window glass (it’s called glass, but made of plastic!), panels, tiles, windows and windscreens.
Some sellers individually bag scratch prone pieces to prevent damage. Individual bagging makes the most sense for pieces with higher price points. What exactly is a piece with a higher price point? That’s up to you, just know that bagging $0.05 pieces individually is not only mind-numbingly tedious, but uses up more bags and ultimately more money.
Pieces with long and thin extensions snap
Pieces with long and thin extensions are more prone to snapping, so thin pieces must be packed carefully to avoid breakage during shipping. Both antenna whips and bamboo leaves bricks are examples of pieces with thin extensions. Either add cardboard reinforcement in an envelope or consider shipping thin LEGO pieces inside a sturdy cardboard box instead.
Baseplates bend and break
Baseplates can bend or snap during shipping, especially if you’re shipping an individual baseplate. Reinforce a baseplate with sturdy cardboard so that it doesn’t bend during mailing. A group of multiple baseplates packed tightly might be strong enough to ship without cardboard. Use common sense: if you can be the baseplate, add enough sturdy cardboard until you’re can’t bend the baseplate anymore. Or just ship baseplates in a box.
Instruction booklets inside the set box fold or tear
“New” instruction booklets inside the set box can become folded or torn before the box is even opened. Avoid selling instruction booklets sight unseen from a new LEGO set box. Even though you bought the set new, selling a creased or torn instruction booklet to a buyer without a damage disclaimer could at best earn you a dissatisfied customer and at worst stick you with “Item not as described” chargeback on Paypal.
Round up the usual suspects
The more you sell LEGO, the more you’ll develop of sense of which “usual suspect” pieces are damaged more easily than others. Add a disclaimer to easily scuffed pieces like “Parts are new, but may contain minor scratches and scuffing from sorting”. When in doubt, list the item as used. Often you’ll be able to sell the item for the same price as a pristine new piece anyway.
Further Reading:
What’s the damage?: How to Identify and Prevent LEGO Piece Deterioration (BrickingTips.com article)
