Collecting MISB sets

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

Well, I know a few AFOLs collect MISB sets. Personally, I don't find any reason to do so. However, I would like to understand the reasons of the people who do.

So, why do you collect MISB sets, or why don't you? If you could afford it, would you do it?

As for me, I find it hard to justify having a set ready to be assembled, and not assembling it. I feel like I'm enjoying 5% of the set, if at all. The only sets that I could keep MISB are those from the era in which Lego made boxes that had beautiful parts in display, but still, I don't. I only keep a couple of polybags sealed, and that is because I own others that I have opened. I do keep some keychains MISB, but those don't need to be opened in order to be assembled.

So what are your thoughts?

By the way, I'm sure that many collectors are proud of their MISB set collection, so let's all try to be respectful of their preferences. I think that none of us would like anybody telling us that he thinks there is no point in keeping our collection.

Edited June 7, 2012 by johnnyvgoode

[L@go]

I don't really collect MISB sets. However, I've currently got a couple lying around, for different reasons:

I bought a 21100 (the Cuusoo submarine) for myself, and had it shipped from Japan. It was reasonably cheap, and shipping for three wasn't all that much more expensive, so I thought 'well, I can afford a couple of spares, and these might appreciate in value over time.' This is, as I say, not something I normally do, but in this case it seemed like a good idea.

And I've got a Taj Mahal, which I intended to build at the time I bought it, but it's just so darn big that I haven't really had the room to build or display it. Thus it stays untouched in its box, and as much as I'd love to build it (after all, it's the biggest set ever) I don't really see any more room miraculously showing up in my apartment any time soon. So I'm considering leaving it in the box until I can actually make money on it...

[art_apples]

I do keep extra MISB's for the sole purpose of reselling them at a later point, it's just something I've done more in recent times.... The way the UCS Falcon went up in price made me look at the UCS Imperial Shuttle in a different way, and in the end having narrowly missed out on getting a second Falcon I've now bought 2 extra Shuttles.

So yes for this reason MISB has an importance for me.

On my own collection there is a different issue with MISB. I only buy SW Lego and have over the years basically bought every set, however as I don't have the room, the majority of my collection (95%) are still in their sealed boxes and I've actually only opened about 30-40 sets. In fact I've got so many MISB's that I have to use a storage depot to keep them.

My intention with them is of course to open them all, and display them (when I eventually move to a bigger house)... but when I first used to buy sets there wasn't really a huge difference in price with the opened set or the sealed sets on eBay etc... Now however the difference in price has grown to something significant and my original intention of opening them all will now result in quite a loss of value.

I'm in the possible dilemma of maybe selling them as MISB and then buying them again as opened so that I don't lose a lot of value... I know that sounds strange but I've got sets like 4-5 original At-At's, UCS x-wings (2 in fact), UCS Tantive IV, UCS ISD and so much more all MISB, so the potential loss of value is hundreds and hundreds.

My inherent idea about MISB is that I'm opposed to it.... a toy for me only lives when it's open and played with or displayed. I have a friend who collects other toys apart from Lego, and in his house he has shelf after shelf of figures lined up in their sealed packets.... It just looks weird to me.

I of course totally understand why people keep MISB.... and that is of course to retain value, and sadly money has cretead this side of collecting, and in future people buying MISB will obviously keep it as MISB to retain it's value, and so on, and in the toys entire existence it will forever remain in the box.... , a sad thought in a way for something that would've given great fun as a play item or otherwise have made a lovely display piece.

[22kane]

I have many sealed sets mainly because I don't have the room to display them all. Some of the sets, I'm just in no rush to open them so they are more or less saved for a rainy day. I do own a few duplicate sets just to see what their value may be years down the road however I have not bought all sets for that purpose. Sometimes I find it quite difficult to actually open a particular set in fear that it will become worthless. All in all I collect to collect, I don't do it as a get rich scheme because there really isn't a lot of money in turning sets over. If I like a set I buy it with the thought that I might build it someday.

[Mrlegoninja]

I only keep some of my Collectable Minifigures sealed. Other than that, I don't get duplicate sets, so I have no reason to keep the sets MISB. I do display my sets, and once they've gone there life span (Or I don't have enough room ), I put them disasembled into they're boxes and store them in an attic or basement.

[J_Bro83]

I do have a lot of sets that are still boxed. I didn't mean for it to be that way, but I ended up buying sets faster than I could build them and then space became an issue. Now that I've seen the value on some of them creep up, I've decided to keep them boxed (like my Grand Carousel) and am starting to buy some with the idea that they have a good chance of going up in value once they're discontinued (like the Medieval Market Village).

There were a couple that I bought duplicates of just to have as a back up if the original wore out or faded (Dwarves' Mine and Cargo Plane), that I love to have displayed.

The one exception to all of this are my collectible minis. I have a defective collector's gene (I can't just have one of a set, I need them all, multiple times over) so I have to have full, sealed sets...like boxes of them...and those are to be resold some day...maybe...I don't know...I just like having them...I might borderline on hoarding them...just having them stashed away brings me joy.

But any selling is kind of a moot point for me. I work for Lego and I'd have to be done working for them if I wanted to sell anything...and even then I think I have to wait 5 years (or some relatively long period of time) before I can sell anything (if I wanted to go back and work for them again at some point). And the only way I'll stop working for them is if they fire me or I have to move somewhere far, far away.

[prateek]

No set goes unopened in my house, even duplicates. I think it's a waste of space if it's not opened

[LEGO Guy Bri]

I don't seek out MISB, at least for discontinued sets, as they are way to much for a budgeted Lego consumer. I do have many newer city sets sealed for the same reason others do... No more room. I do plan to one day install my city in a much lager room and add the sets left in their boxes. If I did have the financial backing, I probably would buy MISB for all sets. Nothing like opening a brand new 6399 monorail... or so I hear. I also save a few MISB's for a later resale but, only to throw more money back into this hobby

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

I don't seek out MISB, at least for discontinued sets, as they are way to much for a budgeted Lego consumer. I do have many newer city sets sealed for the same reason others do... No more room. I do plan to one day install my city in a much lager room and add the sets left in their boxes. If I did have the financial backing, I probably would buy MISB for all sets. Nothing like opening a brand new 6399 monorail... or so I hear. I also save a few MISB's for a later resale but, only to throw more money back into this hobby

When I look for a set, even if it is discontinued, I try to get it MISB, if I can afford it. I think that I collect much less sets than most people here (only own about 140), and I don't feel the desire to buy all good Lego sets even if I like them. So, there aren't that much sets I would like to buy from Lego's current waves right now. Furthermore, my main aim is minifigures.

However, if I buy a MISB set, I open it! There's nothing like opening a box that has been sealed for decades. And I don't feel bad at all: since I would never sell it, I don't mind it losing commercial value. But you get play value and you get to see it displayed. Otherwise, there are pictures of sealed boxes of most sets on the internet.

[fyrmedhatt]

I have a few MISB sets that I have stashed away as a rainy day fund. The way I see it, keeping them around is a win-win situation, if for some reason they do not increase in value (highly unlikely for the sets I choose to buy for resale), then I get to open new copies of these sets with all the enjoyment that brings.

Mind you, these sets are mainly duplicates of sets that I already have built and enjoyed, such as the fire brigade, MMV, Emerald Night, I don't think I could just let them sit there and not build them, as the building process is what I really love. I really do see why new set collecting is satisfying, I love to look at my shelf of boxes, and I'm sure I will do so far more in the future when these have not been on store shelves for a few years.

I very much appreciate MISB collectors for the service they provide to our community, without them I could not live in the hope of being able to open the sets I dreamed of through my childhood, and that I hope I will be able to buy at some time in the future when I have more financial security.

[Peppermint_M]

I buy to MOC, very few sets are 100% what I want in a model so I rarely purchase them for any other reason. (The Agents Comman Centre, the Speed Racer Cars and MMV being the exceptions). MISB collectors seem to defeat the purpose of LEGO, I understand that some people are investing, not collecting but it seems an odd thing to do with such a toy. Unless you are a Toy Museum and they are for display.

[Justin1]

Hi guys i collect both, i,m collecting every small sw set misb and minty packaging. I also like them open for display, the only problem i,ve found is storage and i,ts an expensive way of doing it but thats how i like it and i do think it,s a good investment, well thats what i tell my wife anyway.

[Peppermint_M]

Hi guys i collect both, i,m collecting every small sw set misb and minty packaging. I also like them open for display, the only problem i,ve found is storage and i,ts an expensive way of doing it but thats how i like it and i do think it,s a good investment, well thats what i tell my wife anyway.

Hey Justin, just a quick heads up, there is a little issue with your use of punctuation and some missing capitals. It is turns in to it's ' not , Apostraphe, not comma. I and any acronyms must also be capitalised, thanks. Just to let you know.

Mint SW sets really are in an investment. I mostly buy the battlepacks and the polybags for cheaper figures I can sell on at a good price if needs must, I just can't leave them sealed up!

[Ralph_S]

I don't think I'd see stashing away MISB sets with the sole intention of selling them at a profit as collecting, but I too know people who have large collections of unopened sets in a shed or their loft and go up there to stare at them every once in a while.

I don't get that. In fact, I have a hard time understanding collecting sets in the first place, irrespective of whether they're bought to be kept sealed or to display the built-up model. Consequently, I don't get people complaining about the set design, there not being enough female figs in a set, there not being enough carriages to go behind their Maersk train, etcetera. LEGO is the ultimate customisable toy. You can build pretty much anything you want with it and through bricklink, you can buy most of the parts. You can build your own carriage and buy your female figs on bricklink!

For me sets are first and foremost parts packs and most of mine get parted out without me even opening the instruction booklet. Building my own stuff is an order of magnitude more fun than building from instructions and as far as I am concerned, that is an order of magnitude more fun than having a shiny box full of LEGO to look at. If you don't build your own stuff, you're missing most of the fun. If you don't even open the box, perhaps you're missing the whole point of LEGO.

Cheers,

Ralph

[Follows Closely]

A few months back I purchased a couple Medieval Market Village sets to store away. The reason being that this is the first set my girls built, the set that introduced them to LEGO. Fast forward 15-20 years when they have there own kids. I will surprise them with a unique gift. That's the plan anyhow.

I also have a few MISB that we have just not gotten around to building. Saving them for a rainy day.

[Blondie-Wan]

I have a slew of MISB sets (not that the boxes themselves are all mint, mind you, but they're sealed) - well over a hundred, I think, making up perhaps a quarter (or even more) of my entire collection. It's not because I'm hung up on keeping them as sealed, virginal "collectible" things; it's just that up until recently, I lived in a tiny studio apartment and simply had way too little space to properly build and play with and display sets (finding time to build was and continues to be an issue, but primarily it was just a matter of not enough space). I'm happy to report I recently moved into a house with my girlfriend, and though we still have less space than we'd like for LEGO (and everything else!), we have so much more than either of us did before (especially me), so I'm eagerly anticipating diving into my "back inventory" of new, unopened sets. We're still in the process of getting settled in, though - we have lots of boxes and bags all over the place, and we only just recently decided to switch around two of the three bedrooms we'd chosen to be the "fun room" (where the LEGO will reside, along with other hobby stuff like games and computers - we're both gaming enthusiasts) and her bedroom (we use separate bedrooms during the week, since I go to work much earlier than she does and don't want to disturb her too much with my morning routine). So, the wait continues... but hopefully not for much longer! Once we get the new "fun room" set up, with shelving and building table space and all, I plan to spend a lot of time going through all the sets I've gotten over the last several years that I haven't gotten around to opening yet.

I do also have a bunch of sealed Minifigures and polybagged sets that I could've opened and built anytime, but I kind of like to keep a small cache of such small sets that I can dig into every once in a while and pull something out to semi-surprise myself with, just for kicks. These include at least a few unopened minifigures from each series, and though I know what I feel-selected in stores and so on and so therefore know what's in the overall pool, I don't necessarily know what's in each specific packet I might randomly pick out of the pile. I think I'm going to enjoy digging into that little pile to add to my assortment of minifigures for quite some time to come, even if I already have opened copies of each of them anyway.

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

I have a slew of MISB sets (not that the boxes themselves are all mint, mind you, but they're sealed) - well over a hundred, I think, making up perhaps a quarter (or even more) of my entire collection. It's not because I'm hung up on keeping them as sealed, virginal "collectible" things; it's just that up until recently, I lived in a tiny studio apartment and simply had way too little space to properly build and play with and display sets (finding time to build was and continues to be an issue, but primarily it was just a matter of not enough space). I'm happy to report I recently moved into a house with my girlfriend, and though we still have less space than we'd like for LEGO (and everything else!), we have so much more than either of us did before (especially me), so I'm eagerly anticipating diving into my "back inventory" of new, unopened sets. We're still in the process of getting settled in, though - we have lots of boxes and bags all over the place, and we only just recently decided to switch around two of the three bedrooms we'd chosen to be the "fun room" (where the LEGO will reside, along with other hobby stuff like games and computers - we're both gaming enthusiasts) and her bedroom (we use separate bedrooms during the week, since I go to work much earlier than she does and don't want to disturb her too much with my morning routine). So, the wait continues... but hopefully not for much longer! Once we get the new "fun room" set up, with shelving and building table space and all, I plan to spend a lot of time going through all the sets I've gotten over the last several years that I haven't gotten around to opening yet.

I do also have a bunch of sealed Minifigures and polybagged sets that I could've opened and built anytime, but I kind of like to keep a small cache of such small sets that I can dig into every once in a while and pull something out to semi-surprise myself with, just for kicks. These include at least a few unopened minifigures from each series, and though I know what I feel-selected in stores and so on and so therefore know what's in the overall pool, I don't necessarily know what's in each specific packet I might randomly pick out of the pile. I think I'm going to enjoy digging into that little pile to add to my assortment of minifigures for quite some time to come, even if I already have opened copies of each of them anyway.

That "fun room" sounds awesome!

It's very interesting to read about the different ways in which people enjoy Lego. I've had a fun time reading all the answers.

[CP5670]

I have a slew of MISB sets (not that the boxes themselves are all mint, mind you, but they're sealed) - well over a hundred, I think, making up perhaps a quarter (or even more) of my entire collection. It's not because I'm hung up on keeping them as sealed, virginal "collectible" things; it's just that up until recently, I lived in a tiny studio apartment and simply had way too little space to properly build and play with and display sets (finding time to build was and continues to be an issue, but primarily it was just a matter of not enough space).

I was in the same situation some years ago. I still have lots of MISB sets in storage, but now it's more due to a lack of time to build them than a lack of space. I do break out a set every now and then and stopped adding to the collection a while ago, so the pile is at least slowly getting smaller.

I always got the sets with the intention of keeping them, so I am not concerned with them "losing value." I stick to MISB sets since I am usually too picky about brick quality to gamble on used ones, but I also got most of them 7-10 years ago, when ebay was less popular than today and the prices were generally lower.

[Blondie-Wan]

I was in the same situation some years ago. I still have lots of MISB sets in storage, but now it's more due to a lack of time to build them than a lack of space. I do break out a set every now and then and stopped adding to the collection a while ago, so the pile is at least slowly getting smaller.

I always got the sets with the intention of keeping them, so I am not concerned with them "losing value."

Same here. Like many who've posted in this thread (including the OP), I view LEGO as something best appreciated by fully using it, putting it together, taking it apart, etc. I may have a lot of sets still MISB right now, but I don't intend for any of them to stay that way forever.

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

How do you all manage to keep your hands off from sets you want to open for so long? I have barely waited 4 months for a few sets because of space limitations. More often than not, I build a set and then, somehow, manage to do magic and find a place to store it. Not very wise... But I just can't resist the urge! Then again, I don't usually have repeats. If I had more than one set, then maybe I'd be able to resist the temptation longer.

[brickmack]

The only MISB sets I have are the Raanu and Ackar BIONICLE sets, which I got for christmas with no receipt, so I figured I'd keep them and sell them later. Since they were free, even if the price falls I still make a profit, which can be turned into more LEGO.

[wokajablocka]

Ive got about 30 MISB sets that I find hard to make time and storage for (the biggest is the Imerial Shuttle that im waiting for my birthday in October to build). Ive got way more built though over 200 sets. I mainly dont have space and time but my son like to get his hands on them and then elements fall off and get lost. If they are sealed there are no way of loosing elements. Im currently buying bulk lots off the internet and this takes up most of my Lego time sorting through elements and building colmpete sets.

I when I have time I will pick a MISB set and get building. Its nice to know I dont need to take a trip to the shop and fork out heeps of cash to get my Lego fix. Its always good to stock up when they are having sales to make it a bit of a caheper hobby. In the case I get into any finacial difficulties I can always sell them off at a better price than when I have opened them.

[Ralph_S]

If you stretch the definition of collecting MISB sets to having some that you haven't opened yet, but will open in the foreseeable future, I collect MISB sets too! I have about a dozen sets I bought at a discount or received as presents that I haven't opened yet.

The two biggest sets are the Taj Mahal and the Grand Carousel. The main reason why I haven't opened those two yet is because it seems a shame to part them out straight away without building the actual model first, but I unfortunately don't like building from instructions and haven't brought myself to tackle them yet. If I have them lying around untouched for yet another year, I will probably part them out without building the models first! For most of the other sets I simply haven't needed the parts yet. I always have a long list of things I want to build and most of the things on that list will get built eventually, which undoubtedly means those sets will be parted out at some point too.

Now, is there actually somebody here who doesn't intend to open or sell his/her MISB sets because simply having them and being able to look at them is enough? Because that's what I would consider collecting MISB sets.

Cheers,

Ralph

Edited September 22, 2011 by Ralph_S

[Karto]

I don't get that. In fact, I have a hard time understanding collecting sets in the first place, irrespective of whether they're bought to be kept sealed or to display the built-up model.

If you don't build your own stuff, you're missing most of the fun. If you don't even open the box, perhaps you're missing the whole point of LEGO.

Cheers,

Ralph

tbh, I have a hard understanding of how some people seem to think that their way of enjoying a toy is better than someone else's. The only purpose of LEGO is to be sold. I guess everyone has his own way, some like to destroy their bricks, others like to build and a few like just to own them. Every time someone speaks about sealed sets, we got a bunch of people basically insulting the guys who like collecting them (that might seem a little harsh, but that's how I feel when I read comments with such negative opinions about other AFOLs ways). Is it really that hard to understand that LEGO sets can be collected just as coins, Coca-Cola stuff or paintings? I really don't get it.

Sorry this not very constructive, but once in a while, I'm in the mood to answer

To answer the first question of the thread: I collect sets, usually near mint or sealed (who would have guessed thath? ) and I've reached my goal of owning all town and train sets produced between 1978 and 1997. Maybe it's time for me to start collecting MegaBlo... no, just kidding.

[Ralph_S]

tbh, I have a hard understanding of how some people seem to think that their way of enjoying a toy is better than someone else's. The only purpose of LEGO is to be sold. I guess everyone has his own way, some like to destroy their bricks, others like to build and a few like just to own them. Every time someone speaks about sealed sets, we got a bunch of people basically insulting the guys who like collecting them (that might seem a little harsh, but that's how I feel when I read comments with such negative opinions about other AFOLs ways). Is it really that hard to understand that LEGO sets can be collected just as coins, Coca-Cola stuff or paintings? I really don't get it.

Sorry this not very constructive, but once in a while, I'm in the mood to answer

Perhaps you can dial down the indignation and read again what I wrote, including the bits where I make it clear that I am writing from my perspective, as somebody who enjoys building with the stuff far more than looking at it stored in boxes. You know, the bits you edited out when you quoted me. I've tried to imagine what it would be like to have a large collection of MISB sets, but all I could imagine myself doing is ripping them open to build something. I don't see the attraction of collecting MISB sets and I don't understand why you see that as an insult.

I never wrote that I think my way of enjoying a toy is better than somebody else's. That's your interpretation. As far as I am concerned, you can enjoy your hobby any way you like.

Ralph

Edited September 22, 2011 by Ralph_S