How used is "used" on bricklink?

[antsiranean]

I left the dark ages a couple of months ago, and after having built the motorized excavator 8043 and being in the process of building a wheel loader, I am thinking about building a castle as a fall project. So, I need to buy loads of grey bricks and panels from Bricklink. Buying used is a bit cheaper than new, but how used is used? Do I run the risk of teeth marks, heavily scratched or discolored bricks? Or, if that is the case, does it say so on Brick link? I want a shiny castle, not one with bite marks in it...

[AndyC]

It depends on the seller, though most I've noticed generally work on the principal that it's 'used, but still in good condition' with any exceptions explicitly mentioned. If you're unsure and it's not spelt out in the store terms just contact the seller beforehand, I think you'll find that most if not all of the good sellers will be happy to let you know their policy and possibly even send pictures of specific pieces if you'd like.

[freakwave]

I left the dark ages a couple of months ago, and after having built the motorized excavator 8043 and being in the process of building a wheel loader, I am thinking about building a castle as a fall project. So, I need to buy loads of grey bricks and panels from Bricklink. Buying used is a bit cheaper than new, but how used is used? Do I run the risk of teeth marks, heavily scratched or discolored bricks? Or, if that is the case, does it say so on Brick link? I want a shiny castle, not one with bite marks in it...

this is the question of the question...

Buying used can get you everything from nearly "new" down to parts being dirty and coverd in bitemarks respectively having no corners anymore...

So you will need a seller you can trust or ones that add some further decription.

I had parts I bought for NEW (Transparent quartes panels and 6x6 dishes) that were really in bad condition, i.e. lots of scatches etc.

However I had used parts that were great.

So for me: Expensive transparent big items: Check before the purchase, may be even request pics.

If you build castles you might even want some "weathered" bricks not to get an all too smooth wall.

fW

[Skipper]

If you need a lot of the same basic brick, you could try getting one of these.

[davee123]

Unfortunately, nobody can agree on a standard. A lot of people have tried to create standards over the years (like "class A", "class B", etc), but it's very difficult to hold people to any such standard, and then similarly difficult to arbitrate that (especially when all the parties are remote). Hence, "used" is anywhere from PRISTINE to UNUSABLE.

A good way to check is to:

1) Check out the seller's feedback.

2) Ask the seller how the parts were sourced.

3) Ask for pictures (this can get annoying for sellers)

4) Ask for detailed descriptions

5) Look at the nature of the items they're selling. If they're high-quantity and available within the last 5 years, chances are the elements are pretty good (most high-quantity sellers just buy new sets and part them out for selling). If a lot of what they're selling is low quantity, older parts, then be wary and ask more questions.

And of course, keep in mind that while you can't restore broken/bitten pieces, you CAN restore yellowed pieces!

DaveE

[CP5670]

Yes, "used" can mean just about anything. Even more specific descriptions like "excellent condition" don't tell you much. If you want to buy large amounts of used stuff from someone, one option is to buy a small order of representative parts as a test and then place a larger order if you're happy. I have done this with ebay sellers many times.

I had parts I bought for NEW (Transparent quartes panels and 6x6 dishes) that were really in bad condition, i.e. lots of scatches etc.

I've had a couple of cases of this too, such as my last Bricklink order. Most of the parts were great, but a few expensive pieces were obviously used. I only found out after I left feedback. This has happened a few times in the past too and the seller may sometimes claim that "new does not mean mint", but I don't buy that. The kind of wear and scratching you see on new pieces is very different from that on used ones.

[Hoboman]

So far on brick link I have found that checking the seller's feedback was the best indication of what used means to them.

So far, I have had some "used" bricks that seems new and unused even. But as others have said it is really a wide ranged and subjective area.

[Mythos]

According to my husband used on BL is a very subjective term from like new to something he would throw away or use in a junk scene.

[Artanis I]

My experience on used PIECES has been mostly very good, sometimes used SETS (I am talking vintage - 15+ years) can be a bit shabby. Not as often as eBay though. I have never received heavily scratched or bitten parts through Bricklink. (Vintage minifigs can have worn prints and loose joints though.) You can usually tell from a good seller's item description or in their Store Terms.

One thing no one else has mentioned that you may not know (having just left the dark ages) is that the grey colour changed a few years back. The old grey & the new grey don't look very good next to each other. Sometimes the new grey is referred to as "blue grey" or "bley". So, if you want to build a big grey castle you should probably decide whether you want to go with the older or newer grey. I am of course assuming that your dark age began before this change!

[Follows Closely]

I left the dark ages a couple of months ago, and after having built the motorized excavator 8043 and being in the process of building a wheel loader, I am thinking about building a castle as a fall project. So, I need to buy loads of grey bricks and panels from Bricklink. Buying used is a bit cheaper than new, but how used is used? Do I run the risk of teeth marks, heavily scratched or discolored bricks? Or, if that is the case, does it say so on Brick link? I want a shiny castle, not one with bite marks in it...

This may interest you as well: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=42844&st=0&p=765464&fromsearch=1entry765464

[antsiranean]

My experience on used PIECES has been mostly very good, sometimes used SETS (I am talking vintage - 15+ years) can be a bit shabby. Not as often as eBay though. I have never received heavily scratched or bitten parts through Bricklink. (Vintage minifigs can have worn prints and loose joints though.) You can usually tell from a good seller's item description or in their Store Terms.

One thing no one else has mentioned that you may not know (having just left the dark ages) is that the grey colour changed a few years back. The old grey & the new grey don't look very good next to each other. Sometimes the new grey is referred to as "blue grey" or "bley". So, if you want to build a big grey castle you should probably decide whether you want to go with the older or newer grey. I am of course assuming that your dark age began before this change!

That I did not know. I suppose I will go for blue grey, since the current version of grey ought to be easier (and cheaper) to get. Thanks for the advice!

[Follows Closely]

That I did not know. I suppose I will go for blue grey, since the current version of grey ought to be easier (and cheaper) to get. Thanks for the advice!

The bley is a lot cheaper. If you have a LEGO store close by, then the $70 boxes are the way to go. Not all stores sell by the box and stores do not advertise the box rate. Get to know the PAP manager and go from there. 1x3, 1x4, 1x6, 2x4 and 2x6 you can now get in the $70 box.

Edited July 29, 2011 by Follows Closely

[Karto]

Although you would expect from a specialized site such as Bricklink to get much better used parts than elsewhere (eBay...) you might be a bit disappointed. The difference lies at the service level. Bricklink sellers often offer some sort of guarantee and packaging is better.

I collect sets so I try to pay attention to the type of parts I use to 'restore' older sets. Sets from the late 70s / early 80s for example have lots of parts with molding marks on the side instead of on the top of a stud. A few brickling sellers make these differences (with the prices going along). You would expect from a store with 1000+ positive feedbacks, higher prices and paying such attention to details to provide quality items? No... One of my last orders was a mess. About 40% was pure trash including heavy bitemarks, discoloration and even glue leftovers... About half of my orders (always used parts) are missing items or have the wrong ones. I get used to this, so I usually order more than I need and that's actually a shame.

In the end, it's about finding the good store - which is consistent in its quality (if someone knows one for used parts?). I buy from both sites and each one has its advantages. Bricklink offers the possibility to select by peace but buying for the first time at a store is a real shot in the dark. Lots on eBay come usually much cheaper and atleast, you can see from pictures what you get. On the quality level, I've got better 'used' parts from eBay.

Note: For new parts, it's obviously another story...

Edited July 29, 2011 by Karto

[CP5670]

Even among AFOLs, there are huge differences in what people consider to be bricks in good condition. I also prefer ebay for used sets and parts due to the pictures, although they have to be reasonably large and sharp to give a clear idea of the condition of the bricks.

One of my earliest orders on Bricklink (from this guy, 8 years ago) was all used parts and they were practically in new condition, including some hard to find ones like a trans-blue 6990 canopy extender. Since then however, I've been burned on used BL parts too many times. Today, I only consider them if I want something very rare that cannot be found new.

[charlieboy]

Until recently Bricklink had always worked well for me. Sadly two orders I received within a week were total let downs. One classic Futuron set descibed as excellent condition and a large order of used space related parts from two separate sellers both arrived with very badly yellowed white pieces. When ever ive seen this in the description ive always looked elsewhere so if I were you I would ask for a detailed description before commiting to buy, I will be from now on when using new sellers.

Edited July 30, 2011 by charlieboy

[escortmad79]

I've had mixed experience buying used bits on BL.

Some of the used bits I've bought have been nearly new, others I've bought have been chewed half to death & ended up binned!

Unfortunately some of the people I've dealt with on there have been smokers so needed to air bits! These users I have put a marker next to their name to warn me of the fact for any further items I buy on there.

[Lego_Hero]

I don't buy there often, but I've had pretty good luck with all but one store. It's been so long that I don't remember which, but I had several problems.

I wanted blank yellow heads (new) so I could use my own decals, but they gave me old heads with the faces worn away. Not the same thing, I argued. I got them to send replacements.

All three leg assemblies were chewed on. Who chews on legs? I'm guilty of the occasional bite-on-stud to get a piece loose, but why would anyone put legs assemblies in their mouth? I suggested that they were beyond the seller's definition of used and got replacements.

This represents one negative story against probably ten satisfied transactions.

[ziljin]

Okay I have now ordered over 200 minfigures from bricklink and from around 11 different sellers. And some shields/helmets/horse barding/plumes.

All marked as used (I think so), my experience so far from my orders(mostly applies to minfigs). I am just guessing on the percentage though.

40% = like new

40% = some playwear, minor nicks/scratches, stress marks, loose limbs, stuck helmets/heads

10% = heavy playwear just like the above but "more"

5% = faded torso printing almost exclusively on Crusaders and Crusader Axes (around half of my crusaders have faded printing).

2% = seller ran out of item

1% = wrong pieces

1% = missing pieces

1% = cracked torsos

Overall positive experiences, and so far the sellers have been very helpful with any problems so far and send out replacement/missing pieces or discounts, or partial/full refunds. And sometimes all of the above. I have only notified sellers about missing/wrong pieces and damaged pieces. I have not made any complaints about the nicks, stratches, or faded printing as that as the price of buying old used castle minfigures that are 5-20 years old.

Something that I find odd. The sellers are all good feedback, but the same seller will have like new, light to heavy playwear, and even occasional damaged/faded torso minfigs in their store all as used. Perhaps they did not notice the defects or thought I wouldn't.

[ButterMelon]

I've bought plenty of used parts that were in production during my DA. I've yet to recieve a part with bite marks on it. I have seen some yellowing, and some heavy scratches before. But I've also recieved plenty of parts that were listed as used, that didn't appear to every be used at all. I have also bought a few "new" parts that obviously were not. I have been shorted parts. And I've recieved the wrong parts. But overall, I've been very pleased with my experiences BrickLink.

One thing I have noticed is that parts that are in current production, one's that you can go down to the store and buy new anytime, often cost more when listed as used. It doesn't make any sense at all, but I think it's caused by people excluding new parts from their searches. They just set "condition" to "used" and assume that new parts are going to cost more. If you look at the price guide for a part, you'll see these irrational purchases where people paid more for used parts pretty regularly. And I think some sellers are listing new parts as used, just because of that.

Granted, "new" is almost always going to cost more than "used" if you're buying a vintage part that is out of production.

[sonicstarlight]

Like many people here, I've had mixed results. I order almost exclusively new bricks, but the few times I have gotten used they are usually ok. At this point I have about a half dozen preferred sellers where I know that their definitions of 'new' and 'used' are the same as mine so I try to stick to them when I can. You'll always get a few items here or there that are either wrong or more chewed up that you thought, but I can honestly say that after 40+ orders that I have never had a truly bad experience on the site.