Buying Limits from S@H

[menoknow3]

In general, most sets seems to have a 5 per order limit. I've seen within various threads mentions of being black-listed and such. If an item has no (99) limit, should I be hesitant to buy 99 in one shot? I'm looking to potentially stock pile 100+ of some sets as investments to supplement by everyday Amazon selling of toys/games/trading cards. Will continue flipping many items as soon as I get them including some Lego sets but also want to have longer holds for larger gains.... just don't want to set any records for being the fasted to getting a LEGO Shop at Home account closed/black-listed

 

While I await response(s).... back to making shelf space in the basement (as opposed to garage/storage unit) for heaps of Lego sets :-)

[stephen_rockefeller]

Which sets are you looking to buy that many of?

[menoknow3]

Which sets are you looking to buy that many of?

1 particular one... I rather not say until I've completed my purchase though. Overall, (not including sets I plan to flip before Christmas) I'm focusing on 4 digit set numbers. Last couple days in a notebook I made a list of every 4-digit set that showed up by theme on LEGO Shop at Home and wrote down price (if in stock) on LEGO Shop at Home, target.com, walmart.com, toysrus.com, and amazon.com. Been buying various sets from said sites (whichever was cheapest of course... upset I didn't snag any Batcaves on TRU when I noticed them in stock yesterday... they were sold out again by last night though) and when going to physical stores been taking my notebook with me for comparison shopping and such. 

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

I think its playing with fire for sure. I mean, people have been banned for buying a lot and staying within limits.

[legoman12323123]

1 particular one... I rather not say until I've completed my purchase though. Overall, (not including sets I plan to flip before Christmas) I'm focusing on 4 digit set numbers. Last couple days in a notebook I made a list of every 4-digit set that showed up by theme on LEGO Shop at Home and wrote down price (if in stock) on LEGO Shop at Home, target.com, walmart.com, toysrus.com, and amazon.com. Been buying various sets from said sites (whichever was cheapest of course... upset I didn't snag any Batcaves on TRU when I noticed them in stock yesterday... they were sold out again by last night though) and when going to physical stores been taking my notebook with me for comparison shopping and such. 

 

Why are you not telling us which sets you are going to buy .. it would be key information which will determine which advise we should offer you ...

[stephen_rockefeller]

A) I don't think any of the sets that you can buy that many of is a good investment. B)Highly doubt S@H will let an order that big go through even on sets without limits.

[@rtisan]

I think its playing with fire for sure. I mean, people have been banned for buying a lot and staying within limits.

A) I don't think any of the sets that you can buy that many of is a good investment. B)Highly doubt LEGO Shop at Home will let an order that big go through even on sets without limits.

I`m inclined to agree with these guys here, because they are right. People used to be able to buy large quantities of sets (I.E. battle packs in particular) but Lego has since changed their policies. If you ordered 50 of any set, that`s going to immediately send up a red flag. Doesn`t matter if you genuinely were a collector only. It will raise attention levels. All the resellers today have done this, albeit unintentionally for the most part. No one needs 50 of any set, the jury is still out on whether sets like Battlepacks or Uruk-hai could be considered exceptions, given their purpose (to build armies). Pretty much any other set will give you away easily, in all likeliness.  

 

There are a few possible ways around this that I can think off. Hesitant to post them here, but will post the most legit one. Have friends/family buy for you and repay them. Different addresses (or they could send it as a gift, although that may also raise questions as to why #X of sets are headed to one place) and different credit card/payment info. Doubt you could get the quantity you desire from this, but it would open up the possibility to obtain more. I`ve bough 8 of a set once at a Lego store (Winter Cottages at 1/2 off) and the cashiers didn`t raise an eyebrow (whether or not they did behind my back, who knows) so there really is no guarantee that you`de be caught attempting to buy so many yourself. Though that is the highest possibility. 

[menoknow3]

Why are you not telling us which sets you are going to buy .. it would be key information which will determine which advise we should offer you ...

Same reason a stock market investor would be unlikely to post his big play/pick on a high traffic site before he buys into the stock himself.

 

While not the set I'm currently eyeing.... 3 different Monster fighter sets (Swamp Creature, Hearse, Castle) also have no (99) limit. Would like to stock up on those too but if I do can probably do so cheaper through various sales/promotions from TRU. 

 

A) I don't think any of the sets that you can buy that many of is a good investment. B)Highly doubt LEGO Shop at Home will let an order that big go through even on sets without limits.

A) At current market conditions, I could sell it today and profit 20%

Is there a 'general rule of thumb' that should be 'safe' regardless of set? It isn't an exclusive/hard to find just a set that I believe is at or very near EOL. 

 

 

I`m inclined to agree with these guys here, because they are right. People used to be able to buy large quantities of sets (I.E. battle packs in particular) but Lego has since changed their policies. If you ordered 50 of any set, that`s going to immediately send up a red flag. Doesn`t matter if you genuinely were a collector only. It will raise attention levels. All the resellers today have done this, albeit unintentionally for the most part. No one needs 50 of any set, the jury is still out on whether sets like Battlepacks or Uruk-hai could be considered exceptions, given their purpose (to build armies). Pretty much any other set will give you away easily, in all likeliness.  

 

There are a few possible ways around this that I can think off. Hesitant to post them here, but will post the most legit one. Have friends/family buy for you and repay them. Different addresses (or they could send it as a gift, although that may also raise questions as to why #X of sets are headed to one place) and different credit card/payment info. Doubt you could get the quantity you desire from this, but it would open up the possibility to obtain more. I`ve bough 8 of a set once at a Lego store (Winter Cottages at 1/2 off) and the cashiers didn`t raise an eyebrow (whether or not they did behind my back, who knows) so there really is no guarantee that you`de be caught attempting to buy so many yourself. Though that is the highest possibility. 

I've had plenty of cashiers at various retailers ask me a lot of questions but usually just out of curiosity and other than a couple of store managers, no retailers have ever limited me on anything (excluding of course advertised deals with a printed limit). One exception I suppose.... I was buying 5 of the same Lego Friends set, Heartlake Flying Club I think... and some 18x18x24 inch boxes. The mail cashier asks/states: "you're buying these for yourself aren't you." As I never have any issues, I simply state that I sell them online. "Ohhhh you shouldn't have told me that. I have to see if I can sell these to you now." CSM comes over, he asks if he can sell them to me... CSM looks at him confused... ummm...yea...?? "Ok just wanted to make sure." I was in a good mood so left it alone and paid and went on my way. 

 

I also often get asked by other customers while in line why I'm buying so much stuff and/or, while shopping, they start asking me questions thinking I'm an employee. Just today while in the Lego section at Toys R Us with a cart overflowing of almost JUST Legos, another customer walks about and asks me where Play-Doh is. Then someone else about 45 seconds late asked me where a fart gun was which i was actually able to help them. Also helped a mom and grandma shopping for lego sets locate what they were looking for and suggesting where else to buy (such as Olivia's Tree House which, last I checked, was sold out everywhere online except Amazon so passed on that information to them). I also let 2 different people check out ahead of me that had 2 items and 1 item as I was of course going to take awhile and was in no rush. Was just worried it was going to start pouring rain before I got out of the store but everything worked out fine :-)

[justafrog]

If it's not exclusive or hard to find, there's no reason to try to buy them all from LEGO Shop at Home - Amazon has limits but they reset weekly and there are no reports of them banning anyone for buying within those limits; Walmart, Kmart, Target - all can have good online deals, along with many other sites.

 

LEGO Shop at Home is still in the Keystone Kops stage of banning people, but I personally wouldn't get too aggressive with shopping there if you want to continue to be allowed to do so. If you "look like a reseller" (and, presumably, they'll get more competent about spotting those of us who aren't cautious as time goes on), you run the risk of a ban.

 

Anyway, the short answer to your question is: just because LEGO Shop at Home says you can buy 99 doesn't mean they won't promptly remove your buying privileges if you do it.

[azalon]

A) I don't think any of the sets that you can buy that many of is a good investment. B)Highly doubt LEGO Shop at Home will let an order that big go through even on sets without limits.

I once made two purchases from LS@**** for 99 sets of the Cement Truck #7990 within maybe a few minutes of each other and wound up with 198 in total. Sure, this was about 4 years ago, but I didn't mind holding them for a year or two before making a great profit on them. Perfect size to ship in a free Priority box. It would be nice to have them all right now, but I probably have about 2-4 left. And I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

 

If Lego allows you to buy 99 of a particular set, go for it. If they ban your account, are you really at a loss? I mean, if someone thinks that not being able to purchase from LS@**** is the end of profits or acquiring sets, they probably aren't very savvy for purchasing sets to begin with.

 

It's just not a very big deal if you really think about it.

[legoman12323123]

Same reason a stock market investor would be unlikely to post his big play/pick on a high traffic site before he buys into the stock himself.

 

While not the set I'm currently eyeing.... 3 different Monster fighter sets (Swamp Creature, Hearse, Castle) also have no (99) limit. Would like to stock up on those too but if I do can probably do so cheaper through various sales/promotions from TRU. 

 

A) At current market conditions, I could sell it today and profit 20%

Is there a 'general rule of thumb' that should be 'safe' regardless of set? It isn't an exclusive/hard to find just a set that I believe is at or very near EOL. 

 

 

I've had plenty of cashiers at various retailers ask me a lot of questions but usually just out of curiosity and other than a couple of store managers, no retailers have ever limited me on anything (excluding of course advertised deals with a printed limit). One exception I suppose.... I was buying 5 of the same Lego Friends set, Heartlake Flying Club I think... and some 18x18x24 inch boxes. The mail cashier asks/states: "you're buying these for yourself aren't you." As I never have any issues, I simply state that I sell them online. "Ohhhh you shouldn't have told me that. I have to see if I can sell these to you now." CSM comes over, he asks if he can sell them to me... CSM looks at him confused... ummm...yea...?? "Ok just wanted to make sure." I was in a good mood so left it alone and paid and went on my way. 

 

I also often get asked by other customers while in line why I'm buying so much stuff and/or, while shopping, they start asking me questions thinking I'm an employee. Just today while in the Lego section at Toys R Us with a cart overflowing of almost JUST Legos, another customer walks about and asks me where Play-Doh is. Then someone else about 45 seconds late asked me where a fart gun was which i was actually able to help them. Also helped a mom and grandma shopping for lego sets locate what they were looking for and suggesting where else to buy (such as Olivia's Tree House which, last I checked, was sold out everywhere online except Amazon so passed on that information to them). I also let 2 different people check out ahead of me that had 2 items and 1 item as I was of course going to take awhile and was in no rush. Was just worried it was going to start pouring rain before I got out of the store but everything worked out fine :-)

 

Last time I checked this website was all about helping each other out ... its like saying why link deals to fellow bp'ers .. when you can just snag them all up yourself?

[menoknow3]

I once made two purchases from LS@**** for 99 sets of the Cement Truck #7990 within maybe a few minutes of each other and wound up with 198 in total. Sure, this was about 4 years ago, but I didn't mind holding them for a year or two before making a great profit on them. Perfect size to ship in a free Priority box. It would be nice to have them all right now, but I probably have about 2-4 left. And I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

 

If Lego allows you to buy 99 of a particular set, go for it. If they ban your account, are you really at a loss? I mean, if someone thinks that not being able to purchase from LS@**** is the end of profits or acquiring sets, they probably aren't very savvy for purchasing sets to begin with.

 

It's just not a very big deal if you really think about it.

It would seem silly to have limits on most things and then take action if someone buys a bunch of something not limited. Sounds like that's a reasonable possibility though :-

 

And yea... pretty limited percentage of buying opportunities that I am finding where LEGO Shop at Home is the best option. Couple monster fighter sets and 'the set that shall not be named' are the only few I can think of off hand. Picked up some Kingdoms Chess sets the other day too. If Lego 'ties' for price then with VIP points they win. At present, if buying from LEGO Shop at Home, I get VIP points, 1% cash back from credit card. 

[justafrog]

if someone thinks that not being able to purchase from LS@**** is the end of profits or acquiring sets, they probably aren't very savvy for purchasing sets to begin with.

 

 

I don't think I've ever seen anyone on this forum express any such concern. Nobody spends more than five minutes here before realizing there are a lot of place to buy Lego besides LEGO Shop at Home. And it doesn't take a lot longer than that for anyone paying attention to realize there are many ways around a ban from Lego.

 

However, for many people, bans are an inconvenience they'd rather avoid. Using a little common sense and caution rather than cause ourselves unnecessary problems is an intelligent approach.

[stephen_rockefeller]

Last time I checked this website was all about helping each other out ... its like saying why link deals to fellow bp'ers .. when you can just snag them all up yourself?

I'm certain that 95% of the members here buy what they want and then post the deal in the forums.

[justafrog]

Last time I checked this website was all about helping each other out ... its like saying why link deals to fellow bp'ers .. when you can just snag them all up yourself?

 

Some folks are under the impression that if they give other people information or opinions, those people will become significant competition. I know from many years of experience that you can tell people EXACTLY what to buy and how to make money and they still won't do it (whether lack of skill, lack of interest, the realization that it takes actual work, whatever.)

 

However, there's no need to insist that menoknow share his "secret" set with any of us. It's not really a secret, Lego sells it, the same information he's using is out there. Check Amazon and eBay prices, figure out what sets could be flipped for 20% profit (too small a margin for me personally to take the risk on a large number of sets, but I'm lamentably cautious), and you, too, will know the "secret" (and can come back and taunt me if you like, I don't mind.   ) Let him have his fun thinking he's holding the keys to the kingdom. 

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

 

If Lego allows you to buy 99 of a particular set, go for it. If they ban your account, are you really at a loss? I mean, if someone thinks that not being able to purchase from LS@**** is the end of profits or acquiring sets, they probably aren't very savvy for purchasing sets to begin with.

 

It's just not a very big deal if you really think about it.

 

This might have been true until the Exclusive buying limits fiasco (Assuming retailers will not discount large exclusive sets anymore). Look at October. If you wanted an SSD, on Amazon you are paying $400 even if no tax state. If you bought it at the middle of the month from the Lego store in October, you got double VIP ($40 in points), a christmas set and a clone trooper lieutenant. 

 

Whats the better deal?

 

You can still get around them, I just think its a bigger deal than it used to be. And if Lego starts going further and telling retailers to not discount other sets, this could become even bigger.

[justafrog]

You can still get around them, I just think its a bigger deal than it used to be. And if Lego starts going further and telling retailers to not discount other sets, this could become even bigger.

 

What I hope will happen in this case is the retailers will vie for our dollars by adding "bonuses" to the purchase - not reducing the price of the sets, but giving us gift cards, points to be used later, shiny baubles, free hamsters, etc.

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

What I hope will happen in this case is the retailers will vie for our dollars by adding "bonuses" to the purchase - not reducing the price of the sets, but giving us gift cards, points to be used later, shiny baubles, free hamsters, etc.

 

I'm there - Hamster with purchase is an epic deal.

[Jackson]

I'm there - Hamster with purchase is an epic deal.

 

Eh...I'd only be interested if it were Lemmiwinks.

[MartinP]

If you want to buy certain sets in that many numbers, I would advise to buy most of them through other retailers other than LEGO Shop at Home like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Kmart, etc. They sometimes have limits but they won't ban you for buy that much, while at LEGO Shop at Home you have a chance of being banned if you buy within the limits. I would not try to buy that many sets from LEGO Shop at Home, because the risk of being banned is so high.

[sadowsk1]

I'd say go for it if there is no limit on whatever it is you want.  The resellers day is done, but there is no harm in trying for those who have money to burn.

[menoknow3]

If you want to buy certain sets in that many numbers, I would advise to buy most of them through other retailers other than LEGO Shop at Home like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Kmart, etc. They sometimes have limits but they won't ban you for buy that much, while at LEGO Shop at Home you have a chance of being banned if you buy within the limits. I would not try to buy that many sets from LEGO Shop at Home, because the risk of being banned is so high.

Well in this case, I would have to pay $10 more per set to buy it from the only other online retailer with it in stock. So in this case, it's LEGO Shop at Home or bust. A lot of the Toys R Us prices this week are looking for attractive though 

[justafrog]

Oh, I see. I've been buying Funhouse Escapes as I can, too. (Don't worry, everyone here already knows about them, for both investing and parting out.) Best bet on these if you don't want to wait on TRU to bring them down to 39.99 is to have family and friends order for you. I haven't been able to find them at my nearest Lego stores, either.

[Ed Mack]

If you want to buy certain sets in that many numbers, I would advise to buy most of them through other retailers other than S@H like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Kmart, etc. They sometimes have limits but they won't ban you for buy that much, while at S@H you have a chance of being banned if you buy within the limits. I would not try to buy that many sets from S@H, because the risk of being banned is so high.

Basically this.  No need to awaken the sleeping dragon.  If you can get your mass amount of sets from other major retailers, do so.  Make sure to click on our links when doing so(either way), it helps pay for the site.  Thanks.

[MartinP]

Well in this case, I would have to pay $10 more per set to buy it from the only other online retailer with it in stock. So in this case, it's LEGO Shop at Home or bust. A lot of the Toys R Us prices this week are looking for attractive though 

That does pose a challenge. If you HAVE to use LEGO Shop at Home, do not buy to much at one time. Another possibility is to buy some sets from LEGO Shop at Home and the rest from other retailers.