DarknessSpreads

Does anyone know the deal with Harrods? It looks like they have stopped selling Lego's completely. Is that the case or are they more seasonal and sell only in the fall?

I've ordered 3 times... $1,100...$1,500...$1,900. Never an issue. Filled without question, packaged amazingly well and in really big strong boxes. No issues.

Harrods packaging is top class!! Only thing to watch for with Harrod's is ordering large and small sets together in one order. I ordered several sets and they ended up sticking the James Bond Aston Martin with 2 Taj Mahals. The Taj Mahals were in separate shipping cases and arrived perfect. But they stuck the Aston, with no shipping case, between the 2 Tajs and it had a perfect ringed crease around the sides of the box where it was squeezed. Same thing happened with another smaller set in a different box. So if ordering several sets I would split into two orders based by size. Downside is an additional $30 for shipping. Also with this weekend's 10% off sale with Harrod's, you can add Rakuten to get an additional 10% off.

I didn't have time to take more pics this morning and didn't even look long enough to see the number change. I don't mind opening the shipper, what's the fun of collecting if you can't even enjoy the artwork.

Received my Saturn V from Amazon. Set is sealed in a cardboard shipping box and then placed in a second box with loose packing paper. Arrived in perfect condition. Below are the labels on the sealed shipping box. Not sure if any insight can be gained...

If you are shipping a Technics Mercedes Benz Arocs (42043) or Technics Liebherr (42100), you would be crazy to ship that single boxed and expect it to arrive without multiple creases and smashed corners. They are way too big and heavy, and the LEGO boxes are way too weak to support its weight. If someone paid $500 plus $50 shipping, and you could not double box the set for $50, at worst you are being greedy and at best tempting fate. Just my opinion.

If the set on auction is relatively new and the box is damaged, then I don't even look at it. Non-starter. If's it's older and the damage is minor then I think about it. I don't know the spread on costs but there are tons of ads on eBay for damaged sets that turn over every month and I don't imagine damaged sets sell very hot on Bricklink. I have started to message the seller before I bid and ask if they will double box. If they say no, I don't bid. If they say yes, then I will bid and if I win send a follow up email with the information I provided in the message above. I keep a stack of boxes hidden in my apartment for my shipments. Best way to ensure I have a proper fitting box when I need it. And there are actually stores in cities that sell used shipping boxes...fortunately for me it is 1 mile away. After I win an auction I will send the seller an email with my address and ask them to confirm their shipping cost. If they need more money for the larger double box then I will pay, I just ask to see a receipt of the final shipping cost to make sure the seller is not trying to rip me off. I am not writing these emails to pontificate but there is certainly ways to ship a mint set and have it arrive as such at the buyer. I agree with capsa77 that it sucks spending good money on a mint set and getting it with creases, it takes all the fun out of buying that set. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a total box snob, I have accepted sets with damage...they were single boxed. Now I insist on double boxing.

If you have a set in mint condition the safest thing to do is to double box it. If double boxed and packaged properly then it will arrive in top shape. Put the LEGO set a slightly larger box and reinforce around the sides of the set with firm packaging material like cardboard. This is very important so the LEGO box itself cannot expand sideways. If there is empty space on the face of the LEGO set then add some very loose packing paper or bubble wrap. The box needs room to collapse if it is squeezed. Then put that box in a bigger box with air bags or packing paper around the sides to absorb energy if it is dropped on its side or on a corner. On the face of the box, again, add in some packing paper or bubble wrap very loosely so the box has room to collapse. People make the mistake of wrapping the LEGO sets in several layers of bubble wrap thinking it is helping but it actually makes things worse. If a heavy box is placed on top of a single boxed LEGO set and there is no free space in the box because it is full of bubble wrap then of course the LEGO set is going to get crushed. The entire weight of that heavy box is being supported by the LEGO set. If you leave empty space on the face of the LEGO set to account for the box collapsing then the chance of crushing the set is much lower. If you double box, leaving room for both boxes to collapse, then almost guaranteed for it to arrive in mint shape. I am one of the those "minty" box guys. If I pay top dollar on eBay for a retired set then I expect to receive a mint set. If I wanted creases then I would bid and buy accordingly. And if the second box is just a bit bigger than the interior box, the cost of shipping may not be more expensive or just slightly higher. Just my two bits gained from plenty of experience receiving damaged sets...

I am new to eBay...how do I search by store? I cannot seem to find VIP Outlet.