Returns on used sets over time...

henrysunset · 2014-01-07T08:28:21.000Z

I was lucky enough to acquire 50 lbs of used mostly unsorted lego without manuals this xmas for 150$, including the small Star Destroyer 6211. Most of the Lego is from the last 2-3 years, so we aren't talking about especially vintage sets. Some bricks were dirty and a few bricks were damaged, but overall it seemed to be a good lot with lots of minifigures. I've painstakingly sorted out the minifigures and sorted the bits into about 100 different bags to aid in parting things out. I've been able to reverse-engineer many of the sets based on unique parts, minifigures and stickers. (I think I have: 6918, 7869, 8084, 9525, 8098, 7868, 7913, 4187, 8089, 7094, plus at least 6 more sets.) I'm sure I will get 600+ dollars if these are complete sets, especially if I am willing to spend a little money on manuals and/or missing bricks to make the maximum number of complete sets. (I will need to sell a few sets soon to "Recoup" the 150$ investment soon and appease the spouse, but I can sit on most of the sets longer to get better returns if that would help. I also plan to build most of the models before I sell them; there's no loss in value in building them since they're already used...) Question: Has anyone done any in-depth analysis of appreciation of used Lego sets over time? My cursory review indicates that used sets can sell well below MSRP when the set is still in production, but most sell at or above MSRP soon after retirement. I'm curious if the same growth 3-5 years after retirement for unopened sets has historically applied for opened/used sets as well. (I'm hoping to pick a # of months/years after retirement where used sets tend to mature, and sell them once they reach that age.) Thanks, ---tom (see my Lego Architecture Studio 30-day challenge @ http://tomalphin.com/ )