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​This is how I swallowed a flower piece.

I have a common dilemma that I'm sure others here have faced: I have a huge, sealed Lego inventory and in moments of weakness, I get the urge to build a set. Staring for months at my rack of sealed Death Stars, Tumblers, and Sandcrawlers can break down the resistance of even the most hardened investor. Anyway, once you've made the foolish decision to build a kit, I think there's some things you can do to preserve as much value as possible for later resale. Here's a couple of thoughts and ideas: 1) Face it, you're going to lose some value. This is unavoidable. A sealed kit with unopened bags will always be worth more than a built kit, no matter what else you do. If at all possible, try to buy the same kit already used, or with an open box, or some other variant. Break the seals on your new kits as a last resort. That said, here's some further ideas... 2) Obvious things are keep the box in as good a shape as you can (I store my opened boxes right along with my sealed kits), as well as the instructions. If the kit includes stickers, bite the bullet and don't use them. Keep all stickers on the sheet. For things like UCS nameplates, you can use color xerox copies for display, keeping the stickers intact. And this goes without saying: don't lose any parts or minifigs, including the few bits of extra parts. 2a) When selecting a kit to build, if you have multiple in your collection, build the kit with the worst-shape box. Also, obvious, but I carefully evaluate all my copies, and pick the one with the most damage, perhaps a broken seal, maybe some crease marks or a bit of crush-age. 3) Not so obvious things. I carefully open each sealed bag with a pair of scissors (more on this, below), and I SAVE ALL THE BAGS. Once the novelty has worn off and I decide to break down the kit, I re-use the bags. Here's the tricky part: I also use the instructions to reverse-build the kit, and I carefully place the disassembled parts back into the original, numbered bags. The goal is the next builder opens each, numbered bag and all the right parts (including extras) are present. This may seem excessive, but it certainly can't hurt value, and I think it will help on resale. 3a) For those kits that have multiple bags for each, numbered step, I've often taken pics of the bag contents prior to build. I'll try to re-package parts back into the same bags, but this isn't strictly accurate, and probably overkill. 4) All those tiny parts that come as extras in each bag? When building, I put the extras back into the appropriate numbered bag, then store them with the box. That way, the extra bits will be in the right place when I disassemble. 5) Make sure on disassembly that your kit is as clean as possible. This can be tough if its gotten dusty. I use soft-bristle brushes first to clean, followed by compressed air if needed. As a last resort, I'll run parts in the sink with the sprayer and warm water, followed by towel-drying and the blowdryer to remove excess water. 6) If you cut open bags with scissors along the long, non-sealed edge (the part that's continuous and wraps around), I've found you get a beautiful, clean re-seal of the bag using clear packing tape. I wrap the tape around the cut, then use scissors to trim the tape even with the sealed edge of the bag, top and bottom. Harder to describe than show (and I could get a picture of this if anyone is interested). When done, the bags look fantastic. You're not going to fool anyone into thinking its a sealed set, but it will look like the best, built set you can sell. 7) Much of this effort is for naught if you don't take good pics of the kit, both built, and after disassembly. Put these pics in your auction, if you're selling on eBay. It works wonders, at least for the half-dozen sales I've done in this manner. 8] Maybe all this is overkill and I'm anal. You're probably right. None-the-less, the steps above won't hurt, and there's a bit of extra fun in disassembling kits carefully and getting them back to as close to as-recieved condition as you can. BTW, the few sales I've had of kits given this treatment have all gone slightly above the usual resale prices on eBay, and 2 of those kits went for almost (within 5%) of new, sealed prices. Thoughts? What do you do when the urge to build strikes? Figure 1. End result of foolish Lego investment decisions... edit: Thought a few pictures might help illustrate my suggestions. Here's a Volvo 42030 Loader I built, then disassembled. Note the sealed bags. This particular kit didn't have numbered bags, but you'll get the idea. It's very hard to tell this has been opened and resealed, as you can see. I find buyers really do respond to this care, and it doesn't take much effort.

Did I hear for an encore? Just for you Ex. ............The Tower Bridge is Falling Down Falling Down Falling Down............ ............The Tower Bridge is Falling Down Falling Down Falling Down............ My Fair Lady

​I purchased complete sets. But, my reason was I don't care for the small transactions. If it is not > $100 I don't want to wast time. I will be selling lots of complete Series 1.

Some good tips, thanks. In general, time = money. You probably will eke out a few extra dollars by saving the plastic bags and photo-documenting the whole process. But the time you will spend doing that could be spent on other endeavors (building something else or buying/selling to make more $, for example). This strategy to maximize value on used sets ultimately will take more time, so it's a matter of how much time you have and how you choose to spend it. (Also, refer back to the CAGR discussion on quick flip vs. long-term hold, and note that your stance there is that quick flipping is too much work. So that is too much work, but saving & taking pictures of bags isn't? Conclusion: to each his own.)

FYI: The 10214 TB has a new limit of 2 at LEGO Shop at Home US. So, from 5 to 2.

appreciate the insight. when i open a set, I go all in,stickers included. I like to enjoy the sets that are for my personal collection and I really dont worry about how much they will depreciate down the road as I am yet to consider selling any of them. I keep the boxes in great condition along with instructions as much as humanly possible. I agree about choosing a box in a rough shape, that is a smart move and to me seems pretty logical. Some choose to buy used sets to save some money, that is not a bad idea especially for retired sets. Call me old school but I still believe Lego sets are meant to be played with and I am 35..lol p.s: open that sandcrawler and enjoy it. The build process is one for the books

Not mine, but something I came across and wanted to share.

Kind of like Life Hacks, but pertaining to our beloved hobby, I thought a thread for simple but useful tricks would be cool. I'll start: Make your own mini "space saver" bags with a ziploc and a straw. Put the pieces into the bag, zip it up with the straw barely inside the bag. Then, suck all of the air out of the bag. Quickly remove the straw and zip up that last bit in the same motion. Now, you have a super-skinny airless bag that won't rattle at all when shipped.

What about building the set inside the box, kind of like those ships in a bottle? I think that would probably help the resell value, as you could state that the seals are not intact, but the set was never taken out of the original box? Just a thought...............

I've been stocking up on the MF, SD and X Wing. So far the SD has been the most popular seller for me.

​Actually I meant this in a subjunctive way, I don't really have an opinion about this particular topic. I just wanted to point out what I thought Inversion meant without agreeing or disagreeing with him. It just felt like the conversation was turning into something neither of you two intended.

My stash is in Hungary and I am in the UK. New orders end up in parents' unused storage room. Problem solved.

06 by oasisv JO

Another tip if you're going to build it anyway, go into a LEGO store and ask if they have any damaged boxes for sale. Ask them which day they get their shipments in and go in the next day so you have a higher chance (mine is Tuesday). You either get a discount (10-30%) or points. Or if yours happens to arrive damaged, take it to the store and they'll give you points.

​Youngster. I turn 50 in 2 weeks. ​Yes, yes, yes! You've broken down my resistance! I shall obey your command. The Sandcrawler will go perfectly on the shelf below the other UCS kits in my picture, above.

​well 25% OF 24.49 is 6.12 but I guess you could word it 75% OFF 24.49 if you prefer. Whether or not that warrants a Joker Bumper Car is another story lol

​Do I get a Joker Bumpcar for mentioning that you meant 75% off?

I got all these 3 months ago in Mexico City, I guess the Mixel mania is not there yet.....

Carpet was just for the quick pic, and I don't own pets. I've posted pics of my storage racks a few months back if you're more interested. My sales experience has been pretty good using this method. I have several data points, including sales of CC, MS, and 8043 in this "reconstituted" condition. In each case, I've gotten about 20-30% higher than used prices. My reconstituted 8043 sold for $400; while my CL lot 8043, no box and instructions, went for $260; my reconstituted MS sold at $1400; I sold 2 other MS w/box and instructions at $950 and $1050 (BTW, many of these sales were also posted here for trade). CC has been even better: I have 3 sales of used CC with box/instructions and they averaged about $1200; my reconstituted CC brought $1800. I can only guess that seeing kits in original bags, carefully packed, appeals to some buyers. Communication is super-easy. The pics speak for themselves. When looking at used sets, good pics and condition are everything. Buy hey, this is all optional. If you don't want to go through the hassle, by all means, don't bother. My intent was simple, to show some of things you can do to preserve value, and it works. Glad to see I'm not alone in keeping original bags, etc.

I've only seen 2 seal codes for this set, one in late 2014, the other in January 2015. I, too, would love to know about a TRU 20% off coupon which is good for this set.

​If it was very limited release, it would be difficult to get by now. IDEAS hasn't had a limited release since RI/Exo, which were subsequently overproduced in new production runs. BTW, what is this 20% off coupon you speak of? I must have missed that, and the forum search isn't helping.

​If you're buying at MSRP, moving those funds toward an exclusive is probably a better option. This is a slow grower at best.

I deal with so much bulk I rarely have the urge to build any new sets. In the last couple years the only new set I bought for a personal build was Ecto 1. All my other display sets came from bulk lots.

All this effort might save you an average of 3% or less on your resale, if that. Enjoy your build and just make sure all the contents are there in the best condition possible when you sell it. If the box is a little banged up, it won't make that much difference.

I have only two of these in my inventory, and they were bought years ago when I first got into this hobby. I've had no recent desire to buy more, but I was thinking about this set last night and saying to myself, this set is $240 for 4200+ pieces. Sure, a lot of those pieces are tan cheese slopes but that's a lot of pieces for the price. If and when this set gets retired, it should do really well even if it's been out way longer than the standard two year life cycle. Now I'm in the mode of wanting more. Go figure.

If I want a set for my collection, I just buy it and build it... Usually they end up in our collection before they end up in "inventory" anyways. I don't worry about secondary market value because well, it's for me and the family and at that point I really could care less if it retains it's value. I won't sell any of them anyways - they'll all be stored away and given to the kids when they are older like my LEGO bricks were given to me (though it paled in comparison to what we have collected). You all are free to do your own thing with boxes and bags... but I couldn't be bothered to keep the numbered bags and boxes are flattened and stored (except those stupid new Bionicle boxes that you have to rip apart to flatten, those get recycled). When we take a set apart, we just put all the parts in one great big ziplock bag (protecting stickered or printed parts). Makes it more of a challenge to rebuild!

Although some of the tips given are useful, I get nervous already if I have to do these nitty gritty things to preserve the used set. I almost have no time to build a set. Let alone to follow all of these instructions. When I open a sealed legoset I preserve the boxes in their original condition. If I have multiples of a set I also choose the less nice box to open. I keep all the bags and the extra bits and pieces. I collect them all and put them in one bag and tape it to close it. I am in the opinion that if you choose to open a set you should just accept your decision and go all the way. With stickers and the whole chabang. Otherwise keep them sealed and maybe buy a used one. This detailed approach from the OP will help you with selling faster I think. But I do not expect you will get more money.

​I was going to use whiney for Luke, but since I'd already used it went for something else.

​That is why most keep their inventory behind closed doors. "Out of sight, out of mind." I imagine some however in their sleep and at times waking hours seem to hear the sound of LEGO bricks sifting about through the box in the same manner as the beating hallucination of The Tell-Tale Heart.

It is amazing the high level of reverence people hold the original trilogy of Star Wars at; sometimes to the point where a person on the outside looking in would be creeped out and slowly stepping away. I understand for many of us, Star Wars was our childhood and nobody likes it when those memories possibly get distorted or altered (slightly to greatly) or even challenged therefore when the prequels originally came about, we were excited for more stuff taking place within the Star Wars universe while reservedly apprehensive at the same time. Let's be honest, expectations for anything remotely relating to Star Wars were (and still are) so high, the prequels never had a chance. True there are a number of items that could have been done better in the prequels but truth is the originals are far from perfection themselves between a handful of clichés and awkward scenes (all of which Family Guy and Robot Chicken have done a great job poking fun at respectfully). However despite any and all imperfections, they continue to be enjoyable films. The complaints about the time taken for political debates and senate talks in the prequel trilogy I find amusing because apparently for Star Wars having those areas of focus were just wrong yet with the last iteration of Battlestar Galactica everybody raved about all that banter making the series. I can hardly wait for all the rage mail when the Disney trilogy (or "Disogy") hits theaters. ​Which strangely reflects his son, Luke Skywalker's own trip of starting out as a whiny boy living on a farm to becoming the badass Jedi knight by Episode 6. ​Human nature dictates even if the three were compacted down to one, you still would have complained; only less material to do so with. (Now I feel like we are having the same discussion as the complaints over The Hobbit trilogy in being 'too long'.) ​Going off-topic in an already off-topic thread, I do enjoy stories that throw you right into the action from the start and you learn about the world as the story progresses. It can help to have some references explained at the beginning but not so much where it bogs down the tale to a sputtering crawl already leaving you asking "so at what chapter does this thing actually start?".

When I was a kid many many years ago I used to hang planes in battle mode from my bedroom ceiling with fishing line. You could make some nice reenactments.

I spent big bucks today. Got 3 Death Star sets. http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Death-Star-Troopers-75034 Cost me $8 delivered from Kmart. I also bought $1,000 of Baseball Cards today and this weekend bought $2,000 of makeup but that's for another board.

Nice post diablo. I also "never" use stickers except for the kwik e mart I figured with 50 of them I would go all in. If it is a set I am building that I know I am going to sell I do not use the instructions. I am talking about more expensive sets with sealed cardboard backed instructions. For these I use the ipad. I do not think that will be an easy task with the Sandcrawler with the different shades of brown.

Plus, it takes the fun out of the hobby to just buy big sets and sit on them. You should build a few of them and keep them for yourself. Those three you have on your shelf look awesome together. Why not just keep going with it! Those things are going to still be iconic 20 years from now. I plan on letting my son decide what to do with the UCS sets we've opened. He's still too young to play with many of the UCS star Wars sets, but they are his for the long term. So build a few! Can't make an omelet without scrambling a few eggs, right : )

I tend to agree with your technique, although I recycle the lego bags, and when I break one down, use ziplocks and number them with a permanent black sharpie. With many of these exclusive sets, I like to have at least three, then once I land the third set, I always open the one with the worst box.

The answer is quite simple. Buy a used set and build it. If you can't stomach Lego that has been touched by someone else get an open box/sealed bag set to build.

​Couldn't agree more. However after all this talking, it occurred to me. As their father, it's your job to teach them life lessons. Like more expensive doesn't mean better. And old movies without fancy CGI don't make them worse. You should show them 1 2 3. Then, in 10 years, you show them 4 5 6. They may hate you for a week, but it'll make for a good story.

Your bumper car poly's will pair nicely with those 6863's

I recommend everyone watch Mr. Plinkett's reviews of the Prequels. He's pretty spot on but it can seem a bit crass at times.

Just sold 21010 - Robie House on eBay for $379.95 Sad to say I have only one left...

​The OT is not that great story wise either. Guess what propelled Star Wars back then? Visuals and atmosphere. It was new back then, seeing stuff like that. EPV was somewhat not that cheesy, but still nothing extraordinary. The flow of the story, the Empire's status and power relations are all messed up, pretty much to serve great action scenes. Ad-hoc stuff thrown together to look cool, which was a success. SW was always about the action, visuals AND coolness, which the ewoks and jar jar go against. Why do you think Boba Fett is popular? Because he is cool. People have to look behind the mist of nostalgia and memories. SW was a memorable flick, a first of its kind, just as cheesy and about visuals as the movies people like to criticise. I am not saying I don't like SW, but I don't go there for the story. It has to make sense on a level, but great stories are for more serious movies where there is time to develop them.

4 5 6 and spare them from 1 2 3.

76000 Arctic Batman for US $71.30 (total with $8 shipping). Bit baffled on this one... It was auction style, i expected $25-40... Buyer paid too.

2016 at the earliest

More pictures here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/titanscreations/sets/72157652011179380

By the way by not releasing an UCS falcon LEGO can surely achieve one thing. It's the "I did not buy it when it was being produced and now it is so expensive" argument. It's the set you can always point at when you want to sell your product. The living example for people to buy sets before they are retired. By now almost everybody and their dog knows about the giant expensive LEGO Falcon. As long as LEGO can induce the regret in people for missing these sets the firm is sitting on a gold mine. If there is a set they should keep forever retired for this reason then it is the Falcon.

Amazon is a perfectly reasonable option. I haven't used that route, because to date, I've been able to sell everything I need via eBay at good prices. Here's a hint on ebay: good pics are everything. Even for NIB sealed sets like Lego. Good box pictures + competitive price = easy sales. Doing a "virtual garage sale" via ebay to build feedback and get a hang for selling is a great idea. Sell a dozen or two items that way to get your feet wet, then dive in with the Lego....

Stop motion build, Slow motion killed! Micro Snow Speeder 75074

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