captaintau Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 Who else has built entire models from parts bought from Bricklink? I recently finished building Gasgano's Podracer and am now just starting on Watto's Junkyard, both 100% from Bricklink parts. I'm find it (mostly) cheap and initially quite fun. Its great having LEGO parts in the post every day, but its very quickly gotten tedious. Without committed searching and buying, it takes weeks to get all the parts together. Quote
SavaTheAggie Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 Many, many times. I built James Mathis' Pullman Pleasure Dome car for the Santa Fe: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=1684997 My American 4-4-0: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=185601 My TexLUG Tanker (about $30, not bad, almost as if it were a set): http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=181005 All but one of my trees: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=161800 I was even paid commission to recreate my Polar Express MOC, which I bought 90%, possibly all, off BL: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=175545 --Tony Quote
blueandwhite Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 While I can't say that I have scratch-built anything from 100% bricklink parts, I do use bricklink extensively. In fact, it is my primary source of bricks in recent years (owing to bley of course). Bricklink offers a wealth of choice that the primary market can't possibly match. Yes, buying sets can be fun, but collecting the bricks you absolutely need for your next MOC can be just as exciting. Bricklink for LIFE *wub* !! Quote
gylman Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 I've done it tons of times, usually for technic sets, less often for town or castles. Instructions from Peeron or the other site (forgot the name). The problem is this.... I build the model from spare parts. Then, I love it so much that I end up feeling like I need to have one with a good box and nice instructions. So, most of the time I end up buying it either MISB or MIB on eBay or Bricklink . Money saved = NIL! Rarely, the model disappoints and I end up glad I built it from spares. Quote
lostcarpark Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 Not generally for Official sets (except filling in a few missing parts), but I have built quite a few of my own designs mostly from BrickLink parts. The problem tends to be finding sellers with enough of the parts I need to justify the postage. I usually end up buying a load of parts I "might need someday" to make the order up to a reasonable size. It can get expensive, but at least you get all those lovely parts. Quote
mutley777 Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 I have bought quite a few sets in this way on BL. My most recent being an star wars AT-TE for about Quote
Brick Miner Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 I have bought quite a few sets in this way on BL. My most recent being an star wars AT-TE for about Quote
mutley777 Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 My guess would be he parted-out the set when it was readily avialable as the set was less than Quote
Brick Miner Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 ah, no minifigs... that could explain the profit margin he was looking for ;-) - BrickMiner Quote
Norro Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 any thoughts ??? The parts could also come from Legoland or pick a brick (some I recently received were still in a pick a brick bag). Also I would be surprised if those parted out sets were bought at near full retail... Another factor is that many BL sellers are themselves hobbyists after specific pieces and trying to recoup costs, not make a profit. God Bless, Nathan Quote
blueandwhite Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 For the most part, Bricklink offers better value than actual sets. Its only when one is looking for sought after parts (usually minifigs or older bricks) that the prices skyrocket. Any desireable minifig goes for around $5.00+! Some are marked well above $50. Its the basic bricks that can be had at a bargain if you shop carefully. Trying to pick up an original Princess Leia can be a costly affair. Picking up a few hinges or jumper plates generally isn't. A few tips though. Don't place a large order with a store you don't know or trust. Like ebay, even Bricklink is prone to some level of fraud. Losing a few dollars can be a disappointment, but losing $100+ would be a nightmare. Look at the seller's profile, and read his or her feedback/comments. Bricklink is incredible if you shop smart. I would say that the savy builder can amass a large collection of USEFUL bricks for a fraction of what it would cost via set purchases. Bricklink allows you to buy what you need, and discard what you don't. Later. Quote
dunamis Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 I buy from bricklink constantly and have never had a problem. I think the advice above is great, i.e. check the seller's feedback. I use it to acquire all my basic bricks and any specialty bricks I might be looking for. I'm always on the lookout for discounted bricks that I might use later. Quote
Brick Miner Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 The parts could also come from Legoland or pick a brick (some I recently received were still in a pick a brick bag). Also I would be surprised if those parted out sets were bought at near full retail... Another factor is that many BL sellers are themselves hobbyists after specific pieces and trying to recoup costs, not make a profit.ya, i've talked with sellers that get some of there parts from LEGOland PaB. but they only sell basic bricks and plates through those outlets... i doubt you could actually build an official set with just those elements... definitely not a SW set ;-) BaW put it well... i think the minifigs are the difference in copmike's example... that is where all the mark up comes... at least it seems. -------------------------------------------------- however, i am also curious where some BL sellers get their "special colored elements". i have purchased several items that are not offered by LEGO in certain colors. so, obviously not all pieces on BL are aquired from "parting out". does anyone know where these "special colors" come from ??? for example, the red and tan kepi, or the green bandana. - BrickMiner Quote
blueandwhite Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 however, i am also curious where some BL sellers get their "special colored elements". i have purchased several items that are not offered by LEGO in certain colors. so, obviously not all pieces on BL are aquired from "parting out". does anyone know where these "special colors" come from ??? for example, the red and tan kepi, or the green bandana.- BrickMiner From what I understand, these parts are also from the LEGOLAND parks. They were never intended for any specific set, and may have been used in one of the LEGOLAND models. It also means certain sellers have an abundance of seemingly rare parts. Alot of these are also marked up significantly due to their relative rarity, and the difficulty one must go through to obtain them. Quote
CopMike Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 Brick Miner wrote: BaW put it well... i think the minifigs are the difference in copmike's example... that is where all the mark up comes... at least it seems. Errh - what example would that be 8- Quote
Brick Miner Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 Errh - what example would that be 8- Quote
mutley777 Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 WOW copmike 4 RGS and 4 ATT's, that good going! Do you keep all your sets assembled or dismantled? Quote
larry marak Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 My wife and I have the advantage of being regular purchasers at Legoland California. Often scads of long out of production elements are surplused out into childrens work bins at the Club House, and end up by the score in our home work bins. Lately we've even been able to purchase segments of a section of miniland that has been replaced with the new Welcome to Los Vegas theme area. Quote
Brick Miner Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 I would be surprised if those parted out sets were bought at near full retail...hmmm... i think i you have something there. check this out... Precious Princess Palace (one of the largest "parted out" set sellers on BL) has a bunch of AquaRaiders sets listed at less than retail.hmmm... it seems (at least in some cases) these BL sellers, who "part out" sets, have access to retail accounts that lets them buy at wholesale. interesting. unless, of course, it's a gimmick, and they make up there loss in jacked-up shipping fees past on to the buyer. -------------------------------------------------- I Quote
CopMike Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 Brick Miner - No, not less than retail if you mean US prices - but yes if you mean Swedish prices. It Quote
mutley777 Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 hmmm... i think i you have something there. check this out... Precious Princess Palace (one of the largest "parted out" set sellers on BL) has a bunch of AquaRaiders sets listed at less than retail.hmmm... it seems (at least in some cases) these BL sellers, who "part out" sets, have access to retail accounts that lets them buy at wholesale. interesting. unless, of course, it's a gimmick, and they make up there loss in jacked-up shipping fees past on to the buyer. -------------------------------------------------- 8- Quote
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