Discussion Forum: Thread 349437

 Author: WhatAMess View Messages Posted By WhatAMess
 Posted: Oct 30, 2023 20:00
 Subject: Advice needed on Lego collection-what to do?
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WhatAMess (0)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Sep 28, 2023 Contact Member Buyer
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Hi All
I'm looking for some advice on what to do with a ton of Lego I've found
in boxes.The children/grandchildren have moved out and I've downsized and
I feel I should do something with it all. Ideally I think I'd like to put
all the Lego sets together that they've had over the years. But what with
the missing parts and so much Lego to sort through that's all mixed up, I'm
not sure where to start. Any ideas? I've started sorting some but its a lot
to do. It would be great to know what people think on how to get started. Are
there people who sort out Lego - is that a thing?

Thanks
 Author: kyliewood4 View Messages Posted By kyliewood4
 Posted: Oct 30, 2023 20:10
 Subject: Re: Advice needed on Lego collection-what to do?
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kyliewood4 (11)

Location:  USA, New York
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Oct 26, 2023 Contact Member Buyer
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Hi there-
This is the first time I'm replying, so I hope I do it right! We were recently
given a few boxes of Lego that are half put together. I started with one build
and grabbed the instructions off of the Lego website. I then checked to see what
pieces I have/need then ordered the ones that I need. It was a bit of a process,
but it'll be worth it, as it's a pretty rare and old set! Good luck!

In Help, WhatAMess writes:
  Hi All
I'm looking for some advice on what to do with a ton of Lego I've found
in boxes.The children/grandchildren have moved out and I've downsized and
I feel I should do something with it all. Ideally I think I'd like to put
all the Lego sets together that they've had over the years. But what with
the missing parts and so much Lego to sort through that's all mixed up, I'm
not sure where to start. Any ideas? I've started sorting some but its a lot
to do. It would be great to know what people think on how to get started. Are
there people who sort out Lego - is that a thing?

Thanks
 Author: Adjour View Messages Posted By Adjour
 Posted: Oct 30, 2023 20:15
 Subject: Re: Advice needed on Lego collection-what to do?
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Adjour (2567)

Location:  USA, Tennessee
Member Since Contact Type Status
Aug 1, 2016 Contact Member Seller
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Store: The Chili is a Bit Spicy
In Help, WhatAMess writes:
  Hi All
I'm looking for some advice on what to do with a ton of Lego I've found
in boxes.The children/grandchildren have moved out and I've downsized and
I feel I should do something with it all. Ideally I think I'd like to put
all the Lego sets together that they've had over the years. But what with
the missing parts and so much Lego to sort through that's all mixed up, I'm
not sure where to start. Any ideas? I've started sorting some but its a lot
to do. It would be great to know what people think on how to get started. Are
there people who sort out Lego - is that a thing?

Thanks

There's no real trick, sort by color or brick type and just use the inventories
here to put the mess back together. Personally I prefer to sort by color, I also
make piles of stuff I suspect goes together.

The trick someone here taught me was to make a wanted list with all the sets
parts and then delete them off the list when you find them.


GL

Crystal
 Author: SylvainLS View Messages Posted By SylvainLS
 Posted: Oct 30, 2023 20:20
 Subject: Re: Advice needed on Lego collection-what to do?
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SylvainLS (47)

Location:  France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
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Apr 25, 2014 Contact Member Seller
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In Help, WhatAMess writes:
  Hi All

Hi and welcome

  […]

There’s already good answers so I won’t expand on that… except: sorting by colour
first is nuts
(Try finding a small Black piece in hundreds of small Black pieces….)


  Are there people who sort out Lego - is that a thing?

If you are just asking if there are people who sort out LEGO:  Yes, everyone
who plays with LEGO has to do that from time to time

If you are asking if there are people who do that as a job:  Yes, they are called
“BrickLink sellers”

If you are asking if you can hire someone to do it for you:  Maybe, but that
would be a question for people around you.  (Also, why did you have children
if not for sorting LEGO for you? 🤔)
 Author: Nubs_Select View Messages Posted By Nubs_Select
 Posted: Oct 30, 2023 20:23
 Subject: Re: Advice needed on Lego collection-what to do?
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Nubs_Select (4249)

Location:  Canada, Ontario
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Mar 15, 2016 Contact Member Seller
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In Help, SylvainLS writes:
  In Help, WhatAMess writes:
  Hi All

Hi and welcome

  […]

There’s already good answers so I won’t expand on that… except: sorting by colour
first is nuts
(Try finding a small Black piece in hundreds of small Black pieces….)

+1
 Author: rtzx9r View Messages Posted By rtzx9r
 Posted: Oct 30, 2023 21:36
 Subject: Re: Advice needed on Lego collection-what to do?
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rtzx9r (1056)

Location:  USA, Arizona
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 1, 2002 Contact Member Seller
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Store: Sunshine Builders Supply
In Help, Nubs_Select writes:
  In Help, SylvainLS writes:
  In Help, WhatAMess writes:
  Hi All

Hi and welcome

  […]

There’s already good answers so I won’t expand on that… except: sorting by colour
first is nuts
(Try finding a small Black piece in hundreds of small Black pieces….)

+1

Welcome to Bricklink. You have a few options…

1. Maximum profit:
It’s slow. It’s painful. It’s fun. You’ll need to figure out what sets you have,
and then pull the parts for each. You can do this via instructions or using Bricklink
set inventories. For any set missing parts, you can create a wanted list of parts
needed for that set, and the qty of each part. Once you do this for a bunch of
the sets, you can search on Bricklink using your wanted list. Find a store (or
stores) that have what you need at a fair price.

Buy the parts. Assemble the sets, and sell them on Bricklink. It may take some
time to sell them. But you’ll get maximum $$/££ for them. Note I got into Bricklink
doing #1, but for replacing missing parts from sets I grew up with. I got hooked
and have created a monster of Lego around the house.

2. Easy Liquidation
Weigh the parts all together. Sell them as bulk LEGO pieces on either Bricklink
or your local trading website / garage sale. You’ll be lucky to get $5-10 per
pound, or the equivalent in £.

3. In Between
Similar to #1, but just sort out the parts you have for the sets. Take pictures,
list what is missing, and sell on Bricklink as used incomplete sets.

If you can give us a few set numbers of what you have we can point you in the
right direction.
 Author: calebfishn View Messages Posted By calebfishn
 Posted: Oct 31, 2023 00:13
 Subject: Re: Advice needed on Lego collection-what to do?
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calebfishn (2187)

Location:  Canada, Ontario
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Feb 17, 2009 Contact Member Seller
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Store: Barbie's Brick Store
In Help, WhatAMess writes:
  Hi All
I'm looking for some advice on what to do with a ton of Lego I've found
in boxes.The children/grandchildren have moved out and I've downsized and
I feel I should do something with it all. Ideally I think I'd like to put
all the Lego sets together that they've had over the years. But what with
the missing parts and so much Lego to sort through that's all mixed up, I'm
not sure where to start. Any ideas? I've started sorting some but its a lot
to do. It would be great to know what people think on how to get started. Are
there people who sort out Lego - is that a thing?

Thanks


I started my Bricklink journey in much the same place as you are now. Here are
some thoughts.

1. If you think you just want to sell individual parts, I don't recommend
it, unless you really want to open a store, and go into the business, or hobby
of running a store and selling. You can get some money for your bulk lego parts
without a lot of sorting.

2. Completing used sets, and selling them on Bricklink is a real option. You'll
ultimately get more money from the lego, and you won't have to worry about
an unsold inventory of individual parts. You can sell the sets one at a time,
as you complete them.

3. To complete sets, I recommend first trying to identify which sets are represented
in your trove of lego. Then, start by concentrating on the sets with the most
potential value, and which ones seem easiest complete. Here's a tip: look
for the minifigures. For many sets, minifigures make up the largest percentage
of the re-sale value, and also may be the hardest or most expensive parts
to replace if they are missing. If you think you have most, or all of the minifigues,
then definitely consider completing the set for sale. If you are missing most
of the figures, or some key figures, it might not be worth it to buy those considering
what you'll likely get for the set. Also, its a bonus if you have the instruction
manuals.

4. You can sort your Lego. We all do it. I know it looks daunting at first,
but it can be fun to learn about all the odd shapes and colors available. Plus,
there is always good advice on the forum, if you are not sure. (My advice, sort
by type.)

5. I remember the first big star wars set I put together out of a pile of unsorted
lego. I bought the missing parts from Bricklink, and then, I sold the set on
Ebay. I wish now, that I had sold that set on Bricklink. It would have been a
much more enjoyable experience.

Good luck!
 Author: yorbrick View Messages Posted By yorbrick
 Posted: Oct 31, 2023 03:05
 Subject: Re: Advice needed on Lego collection-what to do?
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yorbrick (1196)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
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Apr 11, 2011 Contact Member Seller
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In Help, WhatAMess writes:
  Hi All
I'm looking for some advice on what to do with a ton of Lego I've found
in boxes.The children/grandchildren have moved out and I've downsized and
I feel I should do something with it all. Ideally I think I'd like to put
all the Lego sets together that they've had over the years. But what with
the missing parts and so much Lego to sort through that's all mixed up, I'm
not sure where to start. Any ideas? I've started sorting some but its a lot
to do. It would be great to know what people think on how to get started. Are
there people who sort out Lego - is that a thing?

Thanks

To start, check which instructions, boxes or minifigs you have to help identify
which sets you have. Then look up the value of those sets before you decide whether
it is worth sorting them out.