Tracking down classic LEGO sets or even just recent sets you missed can be tricky, so Blocks is listing some of the best places and ways to buy retired LEGO sets, highlighting their pros and cons.
LEGO sets don’t last forever on shelves. There’s only so much space that can be dedicated to producing and selling sets, and with a constant barrage of new releases, older sets have to be discontinued to make way for the new. New sets are obviously nothing to complain about, but it can be frustrating when you’ve saved enough to grab that special LEGO set only to have it retire right before you can make it to the LEGO Store.
So where should you turn to get retired LEGO sets? Purchasing older sets has been made easier by all the various online marketplaces, though it is important to know the benefits and drawbacks of using each service — and old fashion brick-and-mortar stores shouldn’t be ignored, either. Blocks, the monthly LEGO magazine, picks out a few places for buying retired LEGO sets, along with their pros and cons.
Brick and mortar shops
Hunting for old LEGO sets at brick-and-mortar shops is both the most frustrating and most rewarding way to look for retired sets. If you’re lucky enough to be in the area of a third party LEGO store, they can be a great place to start. These shops often keep their prices consistent with market value and usually have solid selections that appeal to all sorts of fans. Flea markets and antique shops are the other place where retired LEGO sets may pop up, though you’ll be walking away empty handed more often than not. The trick with finding what you’re looking for is just plain old persistence. And do be sure to compare prices with what’s online. Buying a set in person is always a great feeling, but it’s not worth paying double what you would online.
eBay
eBay is a great spot to shop for retired LEGO sets, if you know what to look out for. A lot of listings will be far above what the set is worth, as sellers hope to catch inexperienced buyers who aren’t aware of a set’s actual value. The trick with shopping on eBay is to sort listings either by what’s cheap or what’s ending the soonest. Sorting either of these ways can occasionally have you stumble on a set listed well below market value or an expiring auction with no other bidders. But before placing any bids, triple check the images, descriptions and seller feedback to make sure the set is complete — and that you’ll actually get it. eBay is a great site to hunt for deals, but scams are something to watch out for — if something seems too good to be true, it most likely is.
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BrickLink
Flea markets and eBay are great for stumbling upon great deals, but for your everyday LEGO set shopping, BrickLink is by far the better option. The site sells LEGO products exclusively, so you get a level of specialisation you don’t with other sites. There is a bit of a learning curve with figuring out the site, as it’s not set up like other online shopping sites. You typically will search for the specific item — you can search by category, but a slightly clunky interface makes this a frustrating way to navigate the site. Once you find the set you’re looking for, you can explore the different stores, each run by an independent seller, to browse other stock. BrickLink makes it easy to compare prices, too, with price guides included for every item. And the site is owned by the LEGO Group, adding some extra piece of mind when shopping. The biggest things to watch out for with BrickLink are the shipping fees from individual sellers — these can sometimes be on the higher end and quickly add up if you’re buying from multiple sellers.
Brick Owl
If you’d prefer being able to browse like eBay while still having the specialisation of BrickLink, Brick Owl is a great choice. The site functions as a nice intermediary step between the generalised chaos of eBay and the hyper-specific searches of BrickLink. Much like BrickLink, Brick Owl manages a collection of independent sellers, but the site isn’t owned by the LEGO Group, offering a truly third-party option. You’re able to browse storefronts like BrickLink, but you’re not as limited in general searches. Brick Owl has a set up more akin to eBay, listing sets by theme or category with a user-friendly interface that makes general browsing easier than BrickLink — showing the lowest-priced lot for each set directly from the browsing tab is a great quality-of-life feature. The downside of Brick Owl is the stock can be limited due to a smaller number of sellers when compared to BrickLink, but it’s still well worth a visit on your next online LEGO shopping spree.
There are more options than just these four — something like Amazon may come to mind. But in the world of online LEGO shopping, going beyond eBay, Brick Owl and BrickLink can be risky. Prices on sites like Amazon — and Walmart, especially, for US shoppers — are often downright terrible, as those sellers know many people looking on those sites aren’t aware of LEGO-specific marketplaces. So when you decide to pull the trigger on buying some retired LEGO sets, check out your physical shops and eBay to see if you get lucky, then head to BrickLink and Brick Owl for the most consistent pricing and service.