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Found a couple decent used technic deals on Craig's recently...and decided to try building--instead of my usual standard inventory using bricklink. Well that...and I didn't want to count out a hundreds of tiny parts...many that needed to be measured! So....the biggest were the 2 super cars. The black and the red. The black wasn't too hard...but took about 6 hours. I loved it...and the family thought it was great...so we did the red one. My moly! This is the hardest and most rewarding build of any hobby type thing I have ever done. I am a 38 year old manufacturing engineer with 20 years of industrial automation and robot experience. This build took me a good 10 hours. I loved (nearly) every minute of it! It was genius the way they lay out the build sequence! Building a normal lego kit (especially large Star Wars) is tedious, predictable and boring. This was great! The way you go around the vehicle, instead of following the more symmetrical lego build logic was incredible. The integration of the power functions, levers, gears, working real differentials, and the use of all manner of joints--including spherical bearings, and working suspension! I can't say enough about this build. I was so nervous it wasn't going to work at the end--but every power function was flawless. The doors, hood, and trunk all opens and closed perfectly. The suspension and rack/pinion steering were fabulous! Paid about 75 for each....I don't think I can bare to sell them for 150--going rate on eBay--pocketing just 120 if lucky. After building these wonderful projects...I have most nearly decided to pop open one of my crawlers. Nearly. I love technic...and will be sinking more money into these sets in the future. I think the target market is what 14 for these sets? No way I could have done these when I was that age. At least not right the first time. The instructions leave a bit (too much) open to interpret.

Among the more recent eBay seller protection improvements are some regarding feedback protection. I have had a fair few colleagues reporting that these are working well for them in some cases, and tonight I had one to try out myself: On this listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jerald-P-Stowell-Beginners-Guide-American-Bonsai-miniature-tree-gardening-/230920415588 A buyer left neutral feedback, "Not enough color illustrations, overpriced". The listing makes no mention or promises of illustrations, color or otherwise, in either the item specifics or the description. And, she knew the price when she bought it. I brought this to the attention of "John" at eBay over the phone a few minutes ago, joking with him that the listing also didn't promise a pony and it would be fairly silly if the buyer left feedback complaining about that, and John agreed and removed the feedback entirely within 1 minute of the end of my call, including any low DSRs this buyer may have left. eBay can be a difficult environment and no question there are times when we as sellers are between a rock and a hard place, but I like to give credit where it's due, and alert other sellers that if you did everything right and got smacked by the buyer anyway, there is, at least some of the time, some recourse.

And mobile meth labs.

I would like to thank all the wonderful people who told me about PRICE MATCHING at Target! Today I took the Heartlake High set to the customer service desk. They did a price match with Amazon--price down to 39.99. Then I used my $5 off of $29.99 and up Target Lego coupon. Then I used my Target red card. Grand total after all of that was $35.57!

I been getting alot of questions on how I box up my Lego sets to be mailed. First thing I only use Bubble Wrap on maybe 5% of the sets I mail. I use that Brown and White Packaging paper that alot of companies use to ship stuff. I get mine from those GNC Vitamin stores, they throw boxes of it away. I put the Lego set in the box, then I take the paper and stuff it in between the Lego set and the box, then I put a few layers on top of the Lego set, then I take a Priority mail, Fedex box on top. and then close and tape the box up. Now I have mailed thousands of boxes this way, and none have ever got damaged, plus with this size box there is not enough room to use Bubble Wrap, except for the real thin Bubble Wrap that is no good. So on the sets like the Helm's Deep, VC, Black Pearl etc I use the 24x4x16. And for the Volkswagen camper,Olivia's House, batcave, Etc I use the 20x4x16. Since Bubble Wrap is not cheap I save Hundreds of Dollars and more on using the Paper. Check the Pictures Below. Ed

hey everyone, i went to http://www.designercon.com this past weekend and once again they had an amazingly impressive showing of some really awesome lego built creations! check the video out here...

Am I the only one who has no idea what a tru receipt means? I don't know if I did well, or took it in the hoop every time I set foot in the place lately. They had series 11 2 for 5. And bogo skylanders at 40% off...and the plush for 5 after spending fitty. I have no idea what I paid for anything. I am assuming I missed out on the mini fig sale...or heard the guy wrong...didn't see a sign...but kid happened by and mentioned they were 2 for 5 so grabbed a couple.

I have bought some thing from TRU, and whenever I look at the receipt, I have no idea what it means. You are not the only one.

New Video by Jason at The Brick Show

I have no doubts that they have their eye on you now. Making a purchase like any other customer in a normal quantity, those people are the most likely to suspect. Suspect for what, I'm not really sure. Maybe that you are a customer.

Everything is amazing.

They screwed up their b1g1 50% off promo. They had two codes and if you put two items that cost the same price, it would take 50% off each item.

OR IS IT!?!?!?

Be honest in debate. Yes that would be an incredible return if you wired into a brokerage account and wired it out. But you aren't You are buying a used toy Then you spend a couple hours checking it, and building it...and replacing any missing parts. Then time to photo, describe and list it..then waiting...then packing and shipping...then hoping there is no scam or picky buyer as you WILL lose. I am with you...I do it too...but if you sat down and figured your time at 10 an hour you probably wouldn't do this....as it would show a loss. Posting things like "easy 250" for a used castle...when you know for a FACT that you will clear 215 best case...after a minimum of an hour to inventory and list. And I know you both make much more than 10 an hour as do I. If I figured it out at the $25 an hour I really make at my job I would shoot myself! My excuse is my 5 year old loves building the used stuff we buy, so we use it--before we sell it for a small profit---not taking into account our time.

Dude, you're old.

Big things have small beginnings...

My son and I doubled-up the TMNT: Turtle Lair and made it a little more substantial. I like how the dojo turned out, but I need to figure out what I'm going to do with 2 pizza ovens?

I didn't do my homework, now I have to sell second hand lego to supplement my income. :)

  They do upmark them over Lego price, the ones around me are usually $219.99. Unless you mean mark them up even higher than that. I grabbed probably my only one from Amazon UK for $170 shipped.