There's something inherently satisfying when playing with Lego® sets. With the tactile nature of building with Lego bricks and the limitless possibilities for creativity and imagination, it's no wonder that Lego has remained a popular pastime for generations. But aside from being a creative outlet, for some, Lego can be a source of income. When investing in Lego, one of the easiest ways to make money from Lego is to part out the Lego sets.
Parting out Lego sets means taking Lego pieces apart and selling the pieces individually, rather than keeping the set together as it was originally designed. In this guide, we'll go over the ins and outs of parting out Lego sets, we’ll explain what Lego Part Out Value (POV) is, and some selling tips. Whether you want to declutter your collection or turn your love of Lego into a profitable business, this guide will give you everything you need to get started.
Why Part Out Lego® Sets
To part out Lego® sets means to disassemble and break down each pieces, with the goal of finding valuable items contained within that set. Lego’s valuable items can be normal parts and minifigures and other unique items like:
- Exclusive Parts
- Sticker Sheets
- Instruction Booklet
- Exclusive Minifigures
Parting out a Lego set is a common practice among Lego enthusiasts. Here are some of the reasons why:
1. Space saving
Another reason to part out Lego® sets is to make more room for your Lego collection. You can make room for new sets without sacrificing your love of Lego by disassembling a completed set and selling the pieces individually.
2. Customization
If you’re a Lego® builder, parting out Lego sets can help you add specific pieces to your inventory, and use them in your Lego MOC (My Own Creation). You can customize your Lego collection to fit your personal preference and need.
3. Parts replacement
f you are in need of a specific Lego® piece or know someone who does, you can part out a set that contains that certain piece and use it as a replacement.
4. Profit
Some Lego® sets have unique pieces that can have a higher resale value when sold separately, especially if they are rare or in high demand among collectors or builders. Selling individual Lego pieces can also result in a higher profit margin than selling complete sets, especially for sets with high Lego POV. This is because the cost of packaging and shipping individual pieces is generally lower than the cost of packaging and shipping a complete set.
What is Lego® Part Out Value
The Lego® POV is the estimated value of a Lego set once all the individual parts are sold separately. Simply put, it is the total price you can get by selling all the individual Lego pieces that are included in a complete set.
Lego POV is usually determined by identifying all the individual pieces that are included in a Lego set, and then finding their current market value by checking online marketplaces like Bricklink or eBay.
Lego® POV vs Lego RRP
The RRP or Recommended Retail Price of a Lego® set refers to the value of selling the complete Lego set as one. It is determined by factors such as the popularity and rarity of the set, its condition, and the demand for it. The POV of a Lego set is generally higher than its RRP. For example, the Lego Creator Expert 10274 Ghostbusters ECTO-1 has an RRP of $199.99, while the POV is at $307.10.
Factors that affect the Lego® POV
There are several factors that can affect the Lego® Part Out Value. These factors include:
- Rarity
- Demand
- Popularity
- Collectibility
Unique or hard-to-find parts are often more expensive because they are often produced in smaller quantities compared to more common pieces. Hence, the cost of production for these pieces may be higher, which is reflected in their higher price. Also, if a set is highly sought-after by collectors or builders, the part out value will always be higher.
Tips for choosing the right sets to part out
In choosing the Lego® sets you should part out, it’s important to not just look at the POV of the set. Many Lego collectors and sellers quickly purchase sets with high POV, thinking that it will be a guaranteed sale, only to discover later that it will be stocked in storage for months or even years. To avoid this mistake, here are some tips to help you choose the right sets:
Check for discounts
In choosing which Lego® set to part out, it's worth checking the RRP of the Lego set against different platforms. By purchasing sets at a discounted price, you can lower your cost of goods sold and increase your potential profit. Purchasing Lego sets at a discounted price can also give you a competitive advantage once you part out the pieces.
You should also consider using tools like the Brickfact app allow you to keep track of the price history of the Lego sets, and see other details like the RRP and POV.
Consider the minifigures
Minifigures are often some of the most valuable parts of a Lego® set because they are highly collectible. Generally, parting Lego sets with unique or rare minifigures gives a higher return.
One sample is the Lego Harry Potter 76389 Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets which has an exclusive golden minifigure of Voldemort.
For other sets, even if the Lego set itself is not particularly valuable, the minifigures that come with it can still be sold at a good price. For more ideas, here’s a list of the most expensive Lego minifigures ever.
Check the age of the set
While Lego® sets that are already EOL may have parts that are no longer in production and can be valuable to collectors, there can be newer sets that are more in demand among current Lego builders.
Research the market
Check the prices of the individual parts on internet markets like BrickLink or eBay before deciding to part out your Lego® set. This can help you determine the set's potential profitability for division. To save even more money, you can also check the latest Lego deals so you can find sets that may be difficult to come by, and plan your Lego purchases more effectively.
Here are some recommended Lego sets to part out to give you some ideas:
Lego® Creator Expert 10307 Eiffel Tower Paris
The Lego® Creator Expert 10307 Eiffel Tower Paris is currently the largest Lego set with 10,001. Due to its massive size, the POV of the set is $1,784.33. The set also contains several pieces that are designed to look like wrought iron, which could be useful for building other models that require a similar aesthetic.
Check out our complete Lego 10307 Eiffel Tower Review.
Lego® Creator Expert 10294 Titanic
The Lego® Creator Expert 10294 Titanic has a POV of $1,439.02. The set also includes several large white pieces that are used to build the ship's hull, which could be valuable to someone building a custom Lego model that requires similar shapes and sizes.
Lego® Star Wars™ 75313 AT-AT
The Lego® Star Wars™ 75313 AT-AT has a POV of $1,310.41 for its complete set of 6785 pieces. The set also features a brand-new Technic liftarm with opposing pinholes, known as a "flip-flop" beam by Lego. The item has only ever been seen in black up until its recent introduction in 2021 in both 11 and 15-stud lengths. 16 of the 11-stud version in light grey are included in this package.
How to Part Out your Lego® sets
Once you’ve decided on the Lego® set you will part out, make sure to follow the below steps:
1. Gather the necessary tools
You'll need a flat surface to work on. You will also need some small containers or trays to sort the pieces and keep your work area organized. This will also prevent the pieces from getting lost. It may also be helpful to have a pair of gloves to protect the handling in pieces.
2. Disassemble the set carefully
It’s important to take apart the Lego® set piece by piece with caution to avoid some damage. Here are some other tips:
- Avoid using too much force or pulling too hard on a piece that won't budge, as this can lead to damage.
- Start with the larger pieces, such as the baseplates or walls, because these pieces are typically easier to grip and separate from the rest of the set.
- Disassemble one section at a time, so you can keep track of which pieces go where.
- Use a gentle force when separating pieces to avoid breaking or damaging them.
You also need to be patient when disassembling a Lego set, as rushing the process can lead to damaging the pieces.
3. Sort the pieces
Sorting the pieces when parting out a Lego® set is an important step in the process, as it allows you to organize the pieces and make them easier to find when you need them. You need to sort the item by color and by type.
For example, you can sort all the normal bricks together, all the plates together, and all the tiles together, all the minifigures together. You can also separate exclusive pieces and part.
4. Store the Lego® pieces properly
Once you've sorted all the pieces, make sure to label each storage box properly and store them in a safe spot. To avoid confusion, include all other relevant information such as the set number on the label.
Here are some Lego® storage ideas:
- Drawer cabinets offer the best capacity for large collections.
- You can stack plastic bins on top of each other or you can line them up to save space
- You can also hang plastic bins or baskets from a pegboard or from the ceiling using hooks, to keep your Lego off the floor and out of the way, while still making them easily accessible.
- Lego also offers Lego Brick Stackable Storage Box like the Lego Miscellaneous 5007126 8-Stud Storage Brick – Light Purple.
While parting out Lego sets can be time-consuming, you can efficiently and effectively part out your Lego sets by following these ideas and steps.
Conclusion
While parting out Lego® sets is a great way to earn profit while saving space from your home, it should be done properly to avoid losing and damaging your Lego pieces. It is important to do some research to find out what other sellers are charging for similar pieces, so you can price your pieces competitively and attract buyers. Earning money by parting out Lego sets requires time, effort, and patience. However, if you enjoy Lego and have a knack for organization and attention to detail, it can be a fun and rewarding hobby.
Looking for more tips for maintaining the value of your Lego sets? Here's a step-by-step guide on how to clean your Lego. You want to buy Lego sets at a low price? With Brickfact price comparison you can choose from a list of sellers and buy Lego sets at the best price. The Brickfact app informs you via push notification as soon as a new Lego deal is available. The Brickfact app is free and available for both iOS and Android.
