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the advice given so far is awesome. i would only add one suggestion going forward. Use delivery signature confirmation. i tell buyers up-front the $2.95 is required along with insurance. it's another layer to help avoid these problems. it has helped me in the past. ...and if the delivery man doesn't get the signature, let his manager deal with it as it was out of your control obviously, you wouldn't use signature confirmation on lower priced purchase. it's up to you where to draw the line and require that option. for me, I usually require it on $100 purchases. however, i do use it when my gut feeling tells me to on a lower purchase like last weekend with a used $74 Harry Potter Dumbledore's Office set.

I guess I must be in the minority these days and showing my age. But to me the physical models that were used for all the ships, and the actual real sets and locations built for the OT are far better than the too clean, too shiny, way too smooth computer generated scenery and ships used in science fiction movies from about 2000 to 2010. Maybe it's because many of you have grown up with computer generated scenery in just about every movie and have spent countless hours playing computer games with computer generated content that it actually looks more real to you than Real [tm] physical models and sets... I will admit though, that some productions from the last couple of years have come a long way towards challenging and maybe even surpassing physical models and sets. Star Trek into the Darkness, Battlestar Galactica, Game of Thrones all being examples that I think are finally starting to look better -- but certainly not the sw prequels.

Call the delivery post office branch yourself - you can find the phone number by typing the buyer's zip code and "post office" into Google. Sometimes, I like to check up on a buyer's story. If he has been "going round" with USPS, the branch office should be able to verify that and describe what steps they are taking to help locate the "lost" package. In some cases, buyers claim to have done a lot more legwork than they actually have. If I found that a buyer really had been raising the roof at the post office and doing everything he could on his end to get an actually lost package, it would affect my subsequent energy level in helping him, even though you don't "have" to in this case since the item shows delivered.

I'd get 2 haunted Death Stars. They just won't die.

Let's not give Ed all the credit. He was just the loudest Many of us have been saying for a while to get this set. The time to have bought was last month especially after the Sandcrawler release date news.

I can't wait for the new saggy slave Leia minifig.

Check it out: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lego-TMNT-Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Custom-Metalhead-/191140371489?pt=UK_Construction_Toys_Kits&hash=item2c80da9c21 Regards Alpha.

If the item is less than $250 and the buyer claims it wasn't delivered, but tracking shows it delivered, you will win the case anyways, regardless of signature.

Absolutely! And a 10% discount definitely more than makes up for that, albeit insignificant, damage. SSD is a great set for those who are willing to risk that much on a set. If by some chance Lego puts these on sale sub-$400 I`m probably in, that would be 20%, then VIP and Darth Reven. But I personally can`t justify $500 on 1 box all in. Doesn`t mean I don`t think it`s a great long term investment, but it`s not for me at that price.

Hells yes. Call their customer service right now and offer to send them pics. Say it's a birthdays present for your son. The nicer reps will give you a 10% gift card (or more) depending on their mood and your shopping history Bottom line is that despite the hole, the set is sealed. The bags are sealed. CHA CHING

I think part of the confusion is my fault, USPS requires signature conformation on any insured item over $200, has nothing to do with PayPal or eBay, I will at times require signature conformation on a less expensive item because 1) they get lost less 2) if a buyer knows that a signature will be required I have found that it tends to reduce fraudsters. I offer "free" shipping, so the cost is factored in. I nearly always use USPS as most sets that I sell are used and with smaller boxes USPS is less expensive.

A few thoughts... We are talking about items closer to $200 than $100. Obviously, Priority gives you $50 fee (or more) insurance and other carriers give you $100 (or more) depending on the service. Signature conformation is more about the paypal claims process for items , again, closer to $250 than $100. Some of us don't want to deal with paypal claims that could be avoided especially if we lose that claim and USPS fights is on the insurance. Time spent is also a factor. Generally speaking in my experience, buyers who are informed of what their sellers are requiring with shipping are less likely to cause troubles Credit to Ed (Emazers)... I'm also starting to seriously consider USPS Global Express for international sales. I've had too many close calls with $500+ sales including 2 $1100 ones.

Read this. http://blog.brickpicker.com/the-impact-of-box-condition-on-lego-investing/

good advice by migration. furthermore, paypal 'recommends' signature confirmation for orders over $250. having that signature option even for a $200 order will help you win nearly every claim. sometimes peace of mind is worth the $3 as some buyers might think twice about delivery lying. i then consider the insurance as protection in-case the package does get actually loss or stolen. I had a seller mail me a loose Tower Bridge. Only prob was the box arrived empty. The seller was covered by the insurance. https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/security/seller-protection-learn-more

hey all, i just posted a bump codes video for the simpsons minifigures series. hope this helps you out in finding the ones you want

Lol...from your pic I'm guessing you collect Totoro too? I've been wanting a cat bus forever...

Just took the profits from Simpsons minifigs and from a monster fighters haunted house and picked up 7784 at a GREAT price! New in sealed box. Sent from my iPhone using Brickpicker

JP already shipped from Kmart. thanks again for posting P!!!

May want to give it a day or three, I've had items magically appear after calling the local post office. Just be sure to contact your buyer and let them know what's up.

Only had this happen to me once so far(knock on wood), I told the buyer I would call their post office and see if they can find out the location. The buyer responded within an hour and said they received the package and to not do that. If you have insurance on the package, you shouldn't have too much to worry about.

Just be polite and let them know that you cannot do anything. If they open a case, you will win. If they leave negative feedback, you will be able to get it removed.

Press them to follow through with USPS and then go through the insurance claim process, if it doesn't turn up. I had one of these during the holidays last year. They buyer finally found it, which left me scratching my head.

Have you called EBay? As per their policy they should remove it.

I don't care it cost a dime. People have the right to complain if they are spending their money and expect to receive undamaged product in return.

Personally, I never believed in the hobbit sets. I hate the movies and the sets just are not appealing to me. So I do not own a single one of them. I hope one day you all make me regret not buying them and you may all swim in profits. I rather invest in something else.

At a call to the german lego customer service, they said, that the Camper Van and Tower Bridge will be available this year. Could be speculation. But to be sure, i bought 20 T1 and 20 TB.

Clone lieutenant polybag for $9

This is only true for sellers who would otherwise offer their own international shipping - many, many sellers don't, either because they've been burned enough times or they were too nervous ever to start. For them, every sale is "more sales" than "none". And, reports of less international sales are definitely overblown. Until end of 2013, I did all my own international shipping on eBay. My international sales dropped at about the same time the very large price hike for international hit from USPS in January 2014. When I started with the GSP, I was (and still am) getting nearly as many international sales, with no more hassle than shipping domestically. eBay is a dicey environment at times - my comfort level in offering international shipping through, say, Bricklink is far higher than it is through eBay. I am well able to handle my own international, but GSP means that in eBay's environment I don't have to. Other sellers may feel perfectly fine about selling internationally via eBay, and of course those folks shouldn't go with GSP.

If the buyer leaves bad feedback for something that's eBay's responsibility (shipping time, breakage, shipping fees, etc.), eBay will remove it.

Did they remove reserve? Interesting - I almost never run auctions, and never never reserve auctions. Buyers in general loathe them, with good reason. "Guess the real starting price" ain't a fun game.

Mark Hamill's acting was not very good in the OT, but it was Oscar worthy compared to the hack who played Anakin. And better F/X does not a better story make. Sent from my iPhone using Brickpicker

It basically costs whatever it would cost for you to ship the item to Kentucky. After that, the buyer flips the bill. Otherwise for other shipping methods, you have to do all the legwork, figure out shipping cost to whatever country, do the customs forms, use proper shipping method to cover insurance/signature, and then cross your fingers.

I love the GSP, the only way I'll ship international.

Provided you shipped what you said you would with a trackable method to Kentucky, there's no reason for concern - it's as safe as sending the item anywhere within the U.S.

No way to find out unless I can buy 4 of them.

Why should we promote a site that doesn't even respond to Jeff's emails? They have new ownership now and Jeff reached out to them about some possible ideas and nobody responded. Money? This site costs tens of thousands of dollars to run every year and all we ask is for people to click on our affiliate links once in awhile. We don't ask for money or donations, yet thousands of people profit from the information on this site. Sorry for my tone, but this site doesn't happen without money or the thousands of hours Jeff has put into it for zero money. Sent from my iPhone using Brickpicker

To offer up a counter argument, when it comes time to sell, it's a lot easier for someone to spend $400 on a HH, than it is to spend $800 on a DS.

Okay, but you know how much it hurts me when y'all don't have snotty enough backchat to hand them. "I lost a bet." "It's a condition of my parole." "That's what I keep asking the voices in my head, but they won't tell me. Do YOU know why I need four?" You're welcome.

Curiosity rover x 4 5% off at the Lego store. The punk kid at the register asked why I needed 4........I said nunya. True story.

I'm a full time editor and I own both iStop Motion and Dragon Frame. The features of Dragon Frame are absolutely killer and worth the price to help make high quality stop-motion videos. Dragon Frame offers a wealth of camera support options and has some incredibly useful animation features that can save you from headache while animating. However, iStop Motion seems like more appropriate software for your basic animation needs. iStop Motion is simpler and more straightforward, but in turn has less options and has a more limited collection of supported cameras. Start with iStop Motion and see if animating is your bread and butter, if it is, you'll want to upgrade to Dragon Frame at some point...Just my two cents

Honestly I'd trust almost anyone more than Lucas...

Way to go Jason ... Well played

Welcome, there's nothing like Taco In A Bag!

Don't know if anyone has posted a "feel" guide yet so I thought I would in case it would help anyone. I have felt up (poor choice of words) two cases in my local Walmart trying to find complete sets. I have listed the difficulty level and the item in the bag to find for each. Homer - Easy - Donut - Small and round. Nothing like it in any other bag Bart - Easy - Wheels - The wheels are separate from the skateboard Marge - Easy - Hair - Long and round. Nothing like it in any other bag Grandpa - HARD - One of the 3 that have square accessories. Grandpa is taller than Milhouse and Ralp. Feel for his longer legs that move. Krusty - Easy - Pie- Completely round. Milhouse - HARD - Square accessory. For Milhouse and Ralph I had to use the flashlight to see his face in the bag. His head is bigger than Ralph's. Ralph - HARD - See above. Had to use flashlight at home for confirmation. Apu - Medium - Find his coffee cup. Similar to Flanders cup but you can tell the difference. No handle. Nelson - Easy - Baseball bat. Similar to Wiggum's club but longer. Itchy - Easy - Club Big and oddly shaped with narrow handle. Nothing like it in any other bag. Scratchy - Easy - Ax - Long with the ax head at the end. Chief Wiggum - Easy - Find the club or find the bullhorn. Mr.Burns - Easy - His rod of radioactive material is easy to find. Small and cylindrical. Lisa - Easy - Sax - Feels funny in the bag. Find the end piece. Maggie - Medium - Bear - This can be confused with other small items. You can feel the arms of the bear. Also note that maggie has no legs so you can feel for that. Flanders - Easy - Tool box - Very distinctive rectangular shape. Overall it's not that bad. Grandpa, Ralph, and Milhouse will cause you problems but other than those three it's fairly easy.

Bump codes anyone? This is from the UK, I grabbed 5 bags yesterday and had a good idea of who I got, checked bump codes against these and 100% correct. http://unusual-encounters.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/hunting-for-lego-simpsons.html I decided to create a crib sheet that I could save onto my phone so was accessible easily, PDF attached (images credited to @PaulTinyJackson from the Random Encounters blog). Hope this helps if you are searching for the odd one or two bags. SBC.pdf

No, but they pay for the site and help keep many of you informed. I don't know of another site that caters to LEGO investors and resellers. Try to start a thread about reselling on Brickset or Eurobricks and you will have your thread locked. Throw us a bone once in awhile and click on our links when buying. It helps keep the site free and in existence. Sent from my iPhone using Brickpicker

This weekend, I built Emma's Horse Trailer (3186) with my 6 year old daughter. Actually, all I did was apply the stickers. She built the entire thing. She loved building it. Playability seems solid. She digs the horse, and the trailer, and the car that is attached. For myself, I built 10177 Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Wow! What a build. I really enjoyed building this thing. It's massive, too. 2 feet long, with a 2 foot wingspan. I wasn't sure I'd enjoy putting it together, but I really did. It was a bit more complicated, but still a lot of fun.

Yeah, I heard the rumor it will be bundled with this exclusive item:

Staples Coupon Code 58112 works for $30 off $60 for Corrugated Cardboard Shipping Boxes I went with the 12x10x6 which are exactly $15 for 25 boxes...came out to $30+tax for 100 boxes. Taking a quick look at the Uline catalog, the same size box is about $0.60 per box, not including freight. [The following link should be modified with affiliate info] http://www.staples.com/Corrugated-Shipping-Boxes/cat_CL211969

To find the most expensive parts in a set, use the part out set feature as if you were going to sell the set for parts (here's the link): http://www.bricklink.com/invSet.asp?itemType=S&itemNo=10214-1 Pick out a pricing scheme under "Default Prices to:" and on the next screen you will be able to see the average price for any one part. Remember to factor in shipping costs, since even "inexpensive" parts can become costly when it comes time to replace them.