Where do Rare/HTF Parts come from?

[Junpei]

I was looking at a store called Magicbricks and I found that there are really weird color parts that shouldn't exist e.g. a black universal joint and a trans-clear curved train rail! Does anybody know if Magicbricks has Lego molds and uses different plastics? Does anyone have experience with this store?

[1974]

It's a legit store, fake bricks is NOT tolerated on BL

Also, see this thread :

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=64656

And this :

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=10689

[Fugazi]

All related threads now merged for your convenience!

[Bioslayer]

http://www.eurobrick...attach_id=10978 I found this in the PAB wall at my local lego store. It is my third favorite part, after my two prototype bionincle glatorian helmets I got at brickfair. Edited June 14, 2013 by Bioslayer

[nayrsllim]

the not to distant future

[Scrib]

I've often wondered how some sellers on Bricklink obtain such huge quantities of certain parts, primarily minifig accessories, that are only offered as one-ofs in expensive sets. Take for example the hood piece in dark red. The only set it appears in is the 75025 Jedi Defender-class Cruiser, which isn't even out yet in most parts of the world and will likely retail for over $100 USD. I bought four of the hoods from one of my favorite Bricklink sellers earlier in the week, and at the time of this posting he has 357 of them in stock. Does Lego offer some sort of bulk parts program for minifig accessories in potentially desirable colors like this?

Can anyone shed light on how certain sellers stockpile such huge quantities of rare parts? I apologize if this has previously been answered elsewhere.

[Infernum]

I was wondering the same thing. The only possibility I know is LUGbulk.

[jimmynick]

But you're not supposed to sell what you get from LUGbulk. I admit, I have been wondering about how Bricklink sellers generate massive inventories too.

[Lego Otaku]

Or someone who works at LEGOLand park?

I wanted some 1x1x4 ariel (#3957, the one that's been around for over 30 years) in green color but it was never released in any set yet a seller has 270 of it. (too pricey IMO)

#2580c01 old 2x2x5 lattice pillar was also seen in green, blue, yellow, and while when only black, old-grey, and red are the only ones in official sets.

[II5hyena]

I've never really though about it that way, or even realized that sellers had such amounts of pieces that aren't even out yet. I just thought they gathered all the pieces from their collection, but then I remembered I bought 80 of these http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?colorID=115&itemID=2144, and they only came in one set. It couldn't be LUGbulk, because you're not allowed to sell those. Maybe they gather large amount of these sets?

[MKJoshA]

I know that you can get rare bulk parts at Legos stores by buying the Pick-A-Brick buckets. I asked a worker at my local store how they decide what parts to offer and she said they change one or two piece selections a week depending on what Lego sends them. Could be that these Bricklink users are getting lucky at their local stores.

[Scrib]

Most of the parts I've seen in the Build-A-Minifig bins (which are more relevant here, as I am referring to minifig accessories) are either fairly generic or from earlier Collectible Minifig serieses. I'm not saying it never happens, but I've never seem parts like hoods, rarer hairpieces, or armor plates in the BAM bins. Over several years of Bricklinking I've come across several sellers that have very large inventories (in the hundreds) of parts I would consider difficult to stockpile in large quantities.

[tkatt]

Perhaps the Brinklink seller works at or lives near a Lego factory and are able to collect the pieces straight from the factory.

http://www.ebay.com/...=item1e7e45b6c3

Have you ever seen listings like this on eBay? Some of the elements look unfinished or like they may have been rejected by quality control. My guess is that they end up in the garbage and this seller either works in the factory and is able to take the rejects home, or is dumpster diving in the alley behind the Lego factory.

It may explain how the seller gets pieces that aren't readily available yet, as they may have been part of a pre-production test run that was discarded. I bought an all white Friends Hedgehog before the hedgehogs were actually in any Friends set (that was probably a prototype or error) from one of these Hong Kong sellers.

FREE SHIPPING

Mouse over image to zoom

LOT Of 21 LEGO FRIENDS OLIVIA Emma Action Mini Figure 2" Loose by random

Edited October 10, 2013 by tkatt

[jluck]

Hmm, now I'm really curious! I really feel there must be some connection to direct from source type of purchases. Hypothetically they could buy several sets and sell the pieces but I feel they would be left with an excess of useless, non sellable parts.

[LEGO Historian]

Some folks do appear to have an "inside connection"... but Bricklink sellers would NEVER divulge their source... it may get them (source) into trouble or worse... the Bricklink seller would lose their source of rare parts.

When I say inside connection... it could be something as simple as LEGO store PAB employees who are savvy enough to know what is really rare... and save those rare parts for their seller friend. Or it could be someone connected with model shops... or as someone has stated "dumpster diving" at a LEGO factory... although TLG rarely throws out parts... unless they are totally useless.

Although there is the tragic story of LEGO Australia who (in the late 1990s) threw away 3 dumpsters full of old LEGO inventory that was used as replace parts inventory, that were missing from customer sets.... a truly disturbing story....

About 2 years ago I remember one European Bricklink seller selling (with one buyer buying the lot) of 100 black 1x2x2 classic windows... only ever sold in a few early 1980s train sets. These were 7727, 7730, 7750 and 7810 sets. These windows would likely sell for $25-$50 today... one buyer got all 100 for $1000. These parts could only have been either from model shop old inventory, or a LEGO replacement service company mail order location.

Edited October 10, 2013 by LEGO Historian

[Scrib]

These hoods appear to be completely legit. They're not mismolded, discolored, or repainted. Knowing how purist a lot of Lego fans (including myself!) can be, I imagine that there would be a large outcry if it was known that sellers were dealing in counterfeit parts.

Note that I'm talking about Bricklink. Anything goes on eBay...

Edited October 10, 2013 by Scrib

[JopieK]

they have connections with LEGO production facilities, that is for sure... sometimes the factory produces small batches for testing or prototyping (for designers) in rare colors.

[zux]

Take for example the hood piece in dark red.

Remember you can try getting these through LEGO Customer Service website (these hoods are Out of stock at this moment), so you don't have to pick enormous number of sets to get this amount of special parts you need.

[1974]

they have connections with LEGO production facilities, that is for sure... sometimes the factory produces small batches for testing or prototyping (for designers) in rare colors.

That's one of their sources. Many parts are produced in colours not available in sets for the model builders in the parks etc. They may also be stocked up in Billund awaiting to be used in sets in 2014/15/16 etc ..

I have many such parts (like pneumatic cylinders in many different colours), I even have parts that are NOT found in any sets at all but are verified genuine LEGO parts. most of these come from (former) employees in Billund and have not been purchased at Bricklink

[JopieK]

I e.g. have brown hinge plates 1 x 4, never been in any set... Very nice for a brown version of the blue car from 4563

[1974]

It came in brown in 7184

You can search a BL store using HTF (hard to find) or RARE in the comments. Some stores have quite a lot of those parts, like this shop :

http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=icemanr

[kermit]

If they have insider connections with lego personnel does that make it ok by lego? I always thought they get so many pieces by buying stuff off ebay.

[cimddwc]

Sometimes rare parts also show up for regular sale in the Legoland "factory" store - both new ones like the 1x2 grille brick in tan in 2012 that later appeared in the Palace Cinema set in 2013, as well as old ones like 2x8x3 arches in old dark gray which must be leftovers from the Legoland builders themselves.

[1974]

If they have insider connections with lego personnel does that make it ok by lego? I always thought they get so many pieces by buying stuff off ebay.

I'm quite sure that (primarely german) sellers that have large quantities of rare parts are selling them with TLG's knowledge

Edit : Why would the buy them off ebay? They buy them close to the source

Edited October 10, 2013 by 1974

[Scrib]

Remember you can try getting these through LEGO Customer Service website (these hoods are Out of stock at this moment), so you don't have to pick enormous number of sets to get this amount of special parts you need.

https://service.lego.com/en-us/replacementparts#WhatIndividualBrickBuy/98011

Wow, you learn something new every day! I didn't know this was an option.