Looking for alternative markets

[AmazonSucks]

So after my issue with Amazon it's my wakeup call and I think it's time to diversify. Looking for some of the smaller outfits as an alternative to Amazon or eBay.

I plan on listing here on these brick classifieds, but was looking at other options as well... casting a wide net with low fees.

Anyone have any experience selling LEGO on eCrater, ebid, iOffer, Bonanza, or etsy?

Any other good options out there outside of the big players?

[Jackson]

I would describe sales on eBay as slow, so I can't imagine how slow the other sites would be, but I'm guessing very sloooowwwwww.

[Val-E]

44 minutes ago, AmazonSucks said:

So after my issue with Amazon it's my wakeup call and I think it's time to diversify. Looking for some of the smaller outfits as an alternative to Amazon or eBay.

I plan on listing here on these brick classifieds, but was looking at other options as well... casting a wide net with low fees.

Anyone have any experience selling LEGO on eCrater, ebid, iOffer, Bonanza, or etsy?

Any other good options out there outside of the big players?

TRU car park.

Apart from Lego specialist sites, people also sell with varying levels of success on Facebook marketplaces.

[BarryZola]

Was wondering about this the other day

Anyone had any joy getting rid of smaller/cheaper sets at Car Boot Sales (swap meet in the US?)? I mean the kind of city starter sets etc that you could occasionally pick up for a couple of quid in sales. Was thinking about trying to knock a load out for around £5 a piece or something at a car boot along with other general items. Anyone ever sold any Lego at Car Boot's?

P.S - I sell on FB occasionally (Lego groups) and it can be very useful. Save on Ebay fees and quick transactions. Just make your price clear including all Paypal fees and postage.

Edited April 30, 2017 by BarryZola

[Deadfraggle]

7 minutes ago, Val-E said:

TRU car park.

Apart from Lego specialist sites, people also sell with varying levels of success on Facebook marketplaces.

The Facebook marketplace idea is really interesting. I also collect Funko Pop! items (let the ridicule begin) and although I don't personally sell Funko on FB, I do belong to multiple Buy-Sell-Trade groups as a means to acquire items I want for my personal collection. I will say this. At least within the Funko collection niche, these are really vibrant groups. People simply post pics of the items they have for sale and their asking price, which is often the Pop Price Guide website price.

This an area, where we as LEGO resellers could stand to gain some market share. Imagine snapping a pic of the item, throwing a post-it note with the most recent Brick Picker value written on it, and waiting for your PayPal money to come in.

[mizeur]

6 hours ago, AmazonSucks said:

Any other good options out there outside of the big players?

In addition to Facebook groups and FB Marketplace there's also Craigslist, OfferUp, and LetGo. FB groups are a more targeted, curated audience and has the transparency advantage because most people aren't anonymous. But you're also subject to the group owner's rules and whims. FBM has a less targeted audience but does provide you page views so you can at least get a sense of the traffic. I've found that FBM traffic is comparable to or better than eBay.

CL, OU, and LG are a step above the Wild West.

In general, buyers on those platforms are less likely to make impulse purchases compared to AZ and EB. They're more likely to be looking for a bargain, so you can expect them to offer 25-50% below your asking price.

[LeiaOrgana]

Can anyone share some Facebook Lego buy/sell groups?

[MarleyMoose]

 

49 minutes ago, LeiaOrgana said:

Can anyone share some Facebook Lego buy/sell groups?

Usually they're local area FB groups in which you must request admission to. 

[Deadfraggle]

9 hours ago, MarleyMoose said:

 

Usually they're local area FB groups in which you must request admission to. 

That's where someone needs to create a nationwide Lego for sale FB page. A couple of of the Funko pages I belong to are national and have 50-60k+ members

[marcandre]

I have been selling on nextdoor.com with some luck. They have a free classified section. You'll need to live in a decent sized city for that though. 

[donbee]

That's where someone needs to create a nationwide Lego for sale FB page. A couple of of the Funko pages I belong to are national and have 50-60k+ members

That sounds like a job for the Mac brothers. An official BPer Facebook group and marketplace.

[Sfcommando14]

1 hour ago, Deadfraggle said:

That's where someone needs to create a nationwide Lego for sale FB page. A couple of of the Funko pages I belong to are national and have 50-60k+ members

There are some, but they aren't that big.  I'm sure there are others I don't belong to, but a few I belong to that are US or global:

LEGO Brick Traders club (Buy & Sell or talk)

-2500 Members

-So far very reliable and I've grabbed some decently priced minifigs/swapped sets with a couple people

BrickGeekz Marketplace (good prices and a place you can trust)

-10,000 Members

-Can be a lot of UK-based sellers, but I've managed to grab some good things and had them shipped to the US because the exchange rate is so good right now

27 minutes ago, donbee said:

That sounds like a job for the Mac brothers. An official BPer Facebook group and marketplace.

I like the idea, but please put up the pay-wall before you bring my customers here