Slimeiest thing that's happened to you on ebay

MattsWhat

@TigerMoth You can say whatever you want about what you paid, or the value you attach etc. but in this case you are wrong. The fact is *at this moment in time*, breaking the seal on that box is costing you that money (or at least capital) as you do own an unbroken seal.  Fine if you can afford it, don't want the hassle or you just like brand new bricks but that value on the seal is a fact (or as close to a fact as can be when I just estimated a value from bricklink sales).
You can choose to just quote one sentence and change the meaning - I was suggesting that the money you can earn from the seal might be better with a charity rather than in the bin (as a cut seal).  Or you know, you can cut it and make yourself feel smug.  It's up to you.

TigerMoth

MattsWhat said:

The fact is *at this moment in time*, breaking the seal on that box is costing you that money (or at least capital) as you do own an unbroken seal.

No. I have spent the money. That was the end of it. Seven years ago I put myself in the position of owning a construction set, which I would build at some stage. There is no difference between the parts in that box and those, from opened sets, that I have sorted and stored.

It is YOUR fabrication, and that of people like you, which attaches any sort of value to the MISB label, a value which can crumble to virtually nothing in an instant and over which neither you nor I have any control whatsoever.

Or you know, you can cut it and make yourself feel smug.

I have absolutely no reason to feel smug about opening any set. Do you really think that, when slitting the seal on Green Grocer, I will give a nanosecond's thought for whether anybody else is doing, has done, or will be doing, the same thing? Or that I have ever done so when opening any set?

For goodness sake, does anybody do that? Do you?

mountebank

MattsWhat said:

... Or you know, you can cut it and make yourself feel smug.  It's up to you.

This isn't a set to be held in perpetuity as a sealed item for the enjoyment of the Brickset collective. It's just @TigerMoth's set. If he wants to open it no one will be harmed. There is really no need to come out with pointed comments like this.

MattsWhat

TigerMoth said:

No. I have spent the money. That was the end of it.

In that case what sets have you got for sale?  I'll take the Green Grocer for £100, almost £3 better of you'll be.  Can't say fairer than that.

In fact, what else have you got for sale generally? Your house only worth the value of the bricks is it? What about that bit of paper in your pocket with £10 written on it.  Bit of paper that size, got to be worth around 5p, I'll pay double.

It clearly isn't the end of it, what a load of poo.

tallblocktoo

@TigerMoth I would really enjoy opening that or any set just for the sheer enjoyment of building it.  Thats where the value is for me.  

Tearing down and rebuilding all the modulars would be quite the marathon!  

TigerMoth

MattsWhat said:

In that case what sets have you got for sale?

None. I have them so that I can use them.

In fact, what else have you got for sale generally?

Nothing. I have what I have so that I can use it.

Your house only worth the value of the bricks is it?

I don't attach a monetary value to it, nor am I particularly aware of what monetary value others would attach to it. Again, I have it so that I can use it. It's where I live - THAT is it's value. In the same way that the value of any LEGO set is that I will build it one day. They are both things to be used, not to be totted up.

TigerMoth

tallblocktoo said:

@TigerMoth I would really enjoy opening that or any set just for the sheer enjoyment of building it.  Thats where the value is for me.  

Tearing down and rebuilding all the modulars would be quite the marathon!  

Especially if mixed together.

And, if you think about, as it all fits together - it is, sort of, one set. The largest set ever produced by a long way - just released in parts, and being able to be configured in many ways.

The snag is that you'd have to do it all again next year.

MattsWhat

TigerMoth said:

MattsWhat said:

In that case what sets have you got for sale?

None. I have them so that I can use them.

In fact, what else have you got for sale generally?

Nothing. I have what I have so that I can use it.

Your house only worth the value of the bricks is it?

I don't attach a monetary value to it, nor am I particularly aware of what monetary value others would attach to it. Again, I have it so that I can use it. It's where I live - THAT is it's value. In the same way that the value of any LEGO set is that I will build it one day. They are both things to be used, not to be totted up.

I, I, I, I.  There is your issue - stuff does happen outside that bubble.

CCC

Pitfall69 said:

I don't see how building a used set is any different than building a new set other than opening the the numbered bags. Obviously, you have to sort all the parts instead of just the parts in the numbered bags, but the build experience is still the same.

It depends on whether there are stickers too. But even so, it is a great feeling to pop the seals on an expensive set.

You might as well ask why do people buy new cars, why not just settle for used?

Or why stay in a hotel where they launder the bedsheets after every guest?

TigerMoth

MattsWhat said:

TigerMoth said:

MattsWhat said:

In that case what sets have you got for sale?

None. I have them so that I can use them.

In fact, what else have you got for sale generally?

Nothing. I have what I have so that I can use it.

Your house only worth the value of the bricks is it?

I don't attach a monetary value to it, nor am I particularly aware of what monetary value others would attach to it. Again, I have it so that I can use it. It's where I live - THAT is it's value. In the same way that the value of any LEGO set is that I will build it one day. They are both things to be used, not to be totted up.

I, I, I, I.  There is your issue - stuff does happen outside that bubble.

But is totally irrelevant to what happens within it.

It doesn't matter in the slightest what you, or anybody else, thinks about the "value" of my assets, whether LEGO sets or my home. They are for me to use as I see fit, and as far a you are concerned, might as well be on Mars. And, as I said, they are for my use, not to be used as trading counters.

"I, I, I, I" because they are, quite simply, my assets.

You don't like any of that? Well tough - get used to it because you aren't going to change it. Only I can do that.

cheshirecat

^^But you understand there is a cost attached to each of those - buying a new rather than used car, staying in a nice hotel or popping the seals on an old LEGO set. They cost more but you value the experience/warranty/etc.

Saying that its throwing money away is too simplistic and somewhat argumentative, but irrespective of what an item was bought for it has a present value that can be realised. More power to anyone that wants to open their nice saved boxes of LEGO but not understanding they are attributing a value to that is crazy.

On one side you've got the value in opening that mint LEGO set and the time/effort/risk in selling and buying expensive LEGO sets and on the other side the difference between selling the new set taking in to account postage/fees etc and purchasing a good used copy. 

Clearly not throwing money in the bin, but assigning value to the experience and your time/effort/risk. Which is basically what we all do all the time.

pharmjod

TigerMoth said:

I don't attach a monetary value to it, nor am I particularly aware of what monetary value others would attach to it. Again, I have it so that I can use it. It's where I live - THAT is it's value. In the same way that the value of any LEGO set is that I will build it one day. They are both things to be used, not to be totted up.

But see, you must be particularly aware of what monetary value others attach to it because we have told you. It is not arbitrary (other than the fact that it is a plastic toy). These are verifiable, relatively predictable numbers. Honestly, I just get tired of your pedantry and semantics in nearly every single post you make. It comes across as pretty arrogant and quite irritating.

Look, I understand the value of opening a LEGO set and building it fresh and new. I am a collector before I am a reseller. However, to say that ones financial station has no bearing on the decision to open a set that has sat UNOPENED for 6 to 7 years or more (because you know, life) and has no appreciated on the secondary market to $950-$1300 depending on where you look (in the case of GG) or upwards of $2000-$2500 for CC, well THAT is what is silly. 

Normal people that look at life through the lens of practical and realistic lenses see an item that while once interesting and affordable that has sat unused for 7 years and is now worth a relative fortune compared to what was paid for it and say hmmm. Maybe the large sum of money I could get for this relative to the fleeting experience of building it might be the wiser more practical use of my resources at this time. Anyone that doesn't see that either 1) has ALOT of money and doesn't really care about the pittance generated from selling these sets or 2) has a borderline unhealthy obsession with a toy or maybe 3) truly doesn't have a particular awareness of the monetary value others would attach to it. I am sure there are other sub categories that can fit in these 3 but I'm not dissecting it any further. We all have a slightly borderline unhealthy obsession for a toy by virtue of the fact that we are even discussing this on a forum dedicated to said toy. 

For any of you that are married,  I would really love for you to have this conversation with your spouse. 
"Honey, you know I love LEGO right? Right. I've been thinking, I have this set that I bought 7 years ago for ~$140 that I still haven't gotten around to building because you know, LIFE. So, anyway, I typically am not aware of what monetary value others might attach to it, BUT it has been brought to my attention that this set is now worth $950-$2500. Can you believe that? Anyway, that's beside the point. I've decided that since we are in a financial situation where an additional $700-$2000 isn't really necessary or a big deal to us, I'm gonna open that sucker up at some point in the future (because you know, LIFE) which will then make it worth WAAAY less. Does that sound like something you would be OK with?"  Don't bother reporting back here because if your wife is OK with that, then you either are rich, or your wife is a worse fiscal steward than you are.

CCC said:

You might as well ask why do people buy new cars, why not just settle for used?

Anyone that buys new cars regularly (ie every couple of years) that isn't doing it under a business as a tax shelter is either a fool that always wants a car payment or is rich and doesn't care. If you buy new and drive the car into the ground over the course of 10 to 15 years you've not done all that much damage vs buy used. 

CCC said:

Or why stay in a hotel where they launder the bedsheets after every guest?

I can't believe you actually used that as an argument. You are so much more intelligent then that. You are trying to compare what amounts to a public health / sanitation issue with buying / selling new / used LEGO. Even @SumoLego 's orange comparison was better and it was terrible.

Pitfall69

I love the new car smell, but usually when you buy a used car, you are buying other people's problems. The wear n tear and the cost of maintainence if something goes wrong after the warranty expires. You can't really compare a LEGO set with a car.

SprinkleOtter

willobee498 said:

I have to agree with TigerMoth. Money is fine and dandy, but he isn't actually losing money (since he bought the set at a sane price). He's just saving himself a big hassle. 

... And losing out on around $500.

CCC

pharmjod said:

CCC said:

Or why stay in a hotel where they launder the bedsheets after every guest?

I can't believe you actually used that as an argument. You are so much more intelligent then that. You are trying to compare what amounts to a public health / sanitation issue with buying / selling new / used LEGO. Even @SumoLego 's orange comparison was better and it was terrible.

How do you know what someone else has done with the lego before you? From losing parts, allowing their cat to sleep in it / poop in it, or worse?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sESR8j6oVY

SprinkleOtter

Pitfall69 said:

I love the new car smell, but usually when you buy a used car, you are buying other people's problems. The wear n tear and the cost of maintainence if something goes wrong after the warranty expires. You can't really compare a LEGO set with a car.

The only real problems you could possibly have with buying a used LEGO set (or, in this case, Modular) are:
1. Cracked parts. However, if this wasn't mentioned in the listing, you'd get a refund on those anyway, so not much of a problem.
2. Missing parts. Same as above, so no problem.
3. Poorly applied stickers. I don't believe any Modulars come with stickers, sooo....

A car is a whole different story (unless it is made out of LEGO bricks).

SprinkleOtter

CCC said:

pharmjod said:

CCC said:

Or why stay in a hotel where they launder the bedsheets after every guest?

I can't believe you actually used that as an argument. You are so much more intelligent then that. You are trying to compare what amounts to a public health / sanitation issue with buying / selling new / used LEGO. Even @SumoLego 's orange comparison was better and it was terrible.

How do you know what someone else has done with the lego before you? From losing parts, allowing their cat to sleep in it / poop in it, or worse?

If you're that concerned about such things, simply wash it.

CCC

pharmjod said:

Look, I understand the value of opening a LEGO set and building it fresh and new. I am a collector before I am a reseller. However, to say that ones financial station has no bearing on the decision to open a set that has sat UNOPENED for 6 to 7 years or more (because you know, life) and has no appreciated on the secondary market to $950-$1300 depending on where you look (in the case of GG) or upwards of $2000-$2500 for CC, well THAT is what is silly. 

That CC might be worth $2K as an unopened set, but it still has value opened. Of course some of the value goes on opening as collectors that only want sealed boxed sets are no longer interested in it. However, many other collectors will still be interested in it.

You'll probably find that you can open a boxed CC, build it, display it for the next 1-2 years, then sell it used and still get what you could have for the boxed one a couple of years before (if you want to sell it). Or you could go without the enjoyment of building and displaying it and sell it after two years for a larger amount, or sell it now and reinvest the money. But why go through life without enjoying what you have? If the owner never plans on selling it, then value really doesn't matter too much (at least to him).

The alternative argument is sell it now and buy an already used one to get most value out of the sealed set. To do that implies making a sale and a purchase. So there is the hassle of selling an expensive set, along with the associated fees (~$300 in PayPal and eBay if used), shipping, insurance, and hoping the buyer isn't going to try to rip you off. So unless you have a local buyer with no fees for the sale that is willing to pay top dollar, then you are already eating into the savings of selling new and buying used.

Then you have to buy a used one, hoping the seller isn't going to rip you off, and also have the hassle of checking everything is there, maybe needing to clean and / or buy in missing parts, which can be detrimental to the fun of the build. There is also the huge downside that if you sell the sealed one and realise you have the money, then why buy a used one after all? You are now in a new situation. That money could be spent on something else. I find it a huge psychological barrier to pay 2-3 times more for a used set than I previously bought a new one for in the past (even if I did just sell the sealed one). Then you miss out on the building experience completely.

TheLoneTensor

I remember a discussion I had with my sister a couple years ago regarding #10199.  I had a few left at the time for which I paid $45 each.  She was looking for one for her daughter and suggested that I give one to my niece for xmas.  At the time, the set's market value was about ~$200, and our limit on gifts for our kids is about $40-$45.

SprinkleOtter

^ Not if one uses Bricklink. Fees are much lower, shipping costs are the buyer's charge, and almost all sellers are honest.

matticus_bricks

I know it's apples to oranges, but my experience with opening sealed sets is this: Awhile ago I bought a sealed #6959 Lunar Launch Site for around $100 because it was a good price and I always liked the look of the Spyrius theme. I bought it with the intention of (carefully) opening it right away and building it, even though it had been sealed since the year I was born. It was a wonderful experience to feel those crisp, brand new instructions and build such an old set with brand new, shiny parts and un-played-with minifigs with shiny new prints. I don't plan on selling the set, but if I do, I can probably sell for somewhere in the $60-$80 range for its condition. I think that loss of $20-$40 is definitely worth my experience. There's nothing quite like building a new set, and if you've done something you love, you haven't wasted any money. 

datsunrobbie

Several people seem offended that others will build one of these expensive MISB sets, and suggested that the owner of such a set buy a used one and sell the MISB set, yet none of these people has actually offered to purchase the MISB set from the current owner. LEGO is not currency. Unless a buyer makes an offer, the set has no cash value at all.

CCC

SprinkleOtter said:

^ Not if one uses Bricklink. Fees are much lower, shipping costs are the buyer's charge, and almost all sellers are honest.

Using bricklink for buying or selling? Sure the fees are lower, but sales prices tend to be slightly lower too.

And how long are you prepared to wait to sell the MISB one to be able to buy the used one?

TheLoneTensor

datsunrobbie said:

Several people seem offended that others will build one of these expensive MISB sets, and suggested that the owner of such a set buy a used one and sell the MISB set, yet none of these people has actually offered to purchase the MISB set from the current owner. LEGO is not currency. Unless a buyer makes an offer, the set has no cash value at all.

I see offense (great and personal, as if they kicked their kid kind of offense) from those that are holding these golden eggs.  Those suggesting otherwise don't appear offended, but are pretty much just tossing out opinions, not offers for sale.  It's a little obtuse to make that connection, implying that their side of the discussion isn't valid because they aren't backing it up with an offer to buy.

Secondly, some of the examples being tossed out are a bit extreme, and not the norm.  Selling a 2K+ set is indeed fraught with risk, but not so much when you're only talking a few hundred, which is far more likely the case.  Personally, if I were holding a MISB MF at this point, whether I'd want to build it or not, I'd never sleep.

MattsWhat

cheshirecat said:

Saying that its throwing money away is too simplistic and somewhat argumentative, but irrespective of what an item was bought for it has a present value that can be realised. More power to anyone that wants to open their nice saved boxes of LEGO but not understanding they are attributing a value to that is crazy.

Thank you to the cavalry for rocking up! For the record I didn't put it particularly eloquently in my original post because I wasn't trying to start an argument - I was just making the point that it seemed like a bit of a waste (to me).
And @pharmjod - Best. Post. Ever. If I could make points that well, I would charge people to read them.

dougts

CCC said:

But even so, it is a great feeling to pop the seals on an expensive set.

interesting. I've never felt that feeling.  I have certainly had great feelings *building* many many expensive sets.  None of them had anything to do with cutting the seals however.  I would have felt the same had a come along and found the parts all in a tote already

Pitfall69

willobee498 said:

I have to agree with TigerMoth. Money is fine and dandy, but he isn't actually losing money (since he bought the set at a sane price). He's just saving himself a big hassle. 

So, you would be perfectly happy with buying 15 shares of a stock for $10; have it go up to $100 a share; not sell and watch it go back to $10 a share? This would be "fine and dandy" because you actually didn't lose any money?

CCC

dougts said:

CCC said:

But even so, it is a great feeling to pop the seals on an expensive set.

interesting. I've never felt that feeling.  I have certainly had great feelings *building* many many expensive sets.  None of them had anything to do with cutting the seals however.  I would have felt the same had a come along and found the parts all in a tote already

That's fine, some people obviously like building new lego sets and others don't mind if they are used. I'm the same on BL. I much prefer buying new parts even if they are going to be hidden in a MOC, rather than risk buying used and getting scratched, faded or chewed parts.

So another question - why do you buy new sets (if you do)? Why not just wait a while and buy it used when someone else has had their fun with it and is getting rid of it?

madforLEGO

Look, I get it. There are reasons why it makes sense to sell it, I'm not oblivious to this. It is one reason why my Cafe corner is still in box to be honest (and I have not just opened it to open it). My Green Grocer is in a really beat up box, so I'm not worried about opening that one and the seals are practically broken anyway, same with my FB, GE, and HH.

One issue I have with buying a used set, so as to sell the original, is I have a hard time reconciling paying 700+ USD for a used Cafe Corner, or any, set. Even if I can sell one to pay for it. Illogical to some, likely, but not to me.

As for this huge financial windfall if I sell it: It is likely about a 600-700 USD 'windfall' after fees of selling mine to buy someone else's set. I use eBay, with the way it sounds like some BL buyers are, and the lesser amount of them compared to eBay, I'll choose eBay. 600 USD is a decent amount, but then you have to think about the effort to get it: Sell yours (hope no scammers hit you, or there is a legit shipping problem and insurance claims have to be resolved). Then get another one (hope no scammer gets you-even if paypal covers you you still have to jump through hoops a bit from what I understand-hope that it is not smoky, or bricklinked where some parts are not right -and will cost you to get the authentic parts). Is that 600 worth it? To some yes. To me, when I have a perfectly good copy in my closet? No.

Could I still sell it? Sure I will never say never as long as its in its box (or even out of its box). However, at this point I would rather not, I would rather open it.Last I checked that is my choice. I did not ask to convene a panel to discuss if I should open it or sell it.

As for spousal response. If people really want to speculate fine. I'm guessing someone's significant other would just be glad that they are not paying for a used one at 800-1K USD, even if just so they could sell their 'new' set. They would likely just say sell it and pocket the money not want them to buy a used copy at all.

Finally, all this talk about how someone could make this or that selling the new set and buying a used one.. Then why have the set at all? Just sell it all to begin with, never keep a retired set-new or used- because, shucks, there is money in them? I'm a fan and collector, and will not do that (at least I do not see myself doing that at this time). I'm guessing many here are as well-including the people calling folks crazy for not selling the NISB set for a used one. So I think much of this is a bit waste of time debating isn't it? Much of it is perspective isn't it.. 600,700-1K, 2K... most all mods have a larger value of what one paid for their set right? So why keep any? Just sell them all off, right?

Pitfall69 said:

willobee498 said:

I have to agree with TigerMoth. Money is fine and dandy, but he isn't actually losing money (since he bought the set at a sane price). He's just saving himself a big hassle. 

So, you would be perfectly happy with buying 15 shares of a stock for $10; have it go up to $100 a share; not sell and watch it go back to $10 a share? This would be "fine and dandy" because you actually didn't lose any money?

Apples and oranges IMO, or are you saying that the LEGO set is a little piece of electronic data with no other value other than to be bought and sold to make cash? Im sure there are those that treat LEGO solely like a stock; I think they are mostly found on sites like BP and not so much here though.

datsunrobbie

TheLoneTensor said:

datsunrobbie said:

Several people seem offended that others will build one of these expensive MISB sets, and suggested that the owner of such a set buy a used one and sell the MISB set, yet none of these people has actually offered to purchase the MISB set from the current owner. LEGO is not currency. Unless a buyer makes an offer, the set has no cash value at all.

I see offense (great and personal, as if they kicked their kid kind of offense) from those that are holding these golden eggs.  Those suggesting otherwise don't appear offended, but are pretty much just tossing out opinions, not offers for sale.  It's a little obtuse to make that connection, implying that their side of the discussion isn't valid because they aren't backing it up with an offer to buy.

Secondly, some of the examples being tossed out are a bit extreme, and not the norm.  Selling a 2K+ set is indeed fraught with risk, but not so much when you're only talking a few hundred, which is far more likely the case.  Personally, if I were holding a MISB MF at this point, whether I'd want to build it or not, I'd never sleep.

I did not mean to imply that anyone's opinion was invalid. Like all collectibles, LEGO only has cash value when a seller and a buyer agree on a price. If you were offering a MISB MF for sale and a potential buyer offered to pay your asking price for it, would you ask if they planned to open and build it? Would you advise that potential buyer to buy a used set from someone else if they are planning to build it?

Pitfall69

^^My example was about value in terms of dollars and cents and not LEGO's fundamental value. I know LEGO has value beyond that, but I am not comparing that with anything else. 

madforLEGO

^-maybe I'm being a bit thick (in which case I apologize) but don't you have consider LEGOs overall value more than dollars here? I mean LEGO is really mean to be a toy, or at least something to collect build and enjoy. A stock is nothing more than a bit of data saying you partly own a company. I wager you are not printing out records of your stocks and building a house with them right?

CCC

Pitfall69 said:

willobee498 said:

I have to agree with TigerMoth. Money is fine and dandy, but he isn't actually losing money (since he bought the set at a sane price). He's just saving himself a big hassle. 

So, you would be perfectly happy with buying 15 shares of a stock for $10; have it go up to $100 a share; not sell and watch it go back to $10 a share? This would be "fine and dandy" because you actually didn't lose any money?

That implies it was bought only as an investment, never to be used. You cannot use a share and then still sell it on (if you decide to get rid of it) for almost the same as the unused share.

Pitfall69

Let's just agree that it is offensive to tell someone they are crazy for opening an expensive sealed with no regard for its value. Likewise, it is offensive to less fortunate people that a person would HAVE no regard for the value of a set. 

Reminds of of that scene from "Pretty Woman"

Store manager: Just how obscene an amount of cash are we talking about here? Profane or really offensive?

Edward: Really offensive.

CCC

Are they showing Pretty Woman at pitfallcon2?

TigerMoth

pharmjod said:

It comes across as pretty arrogant and quite irritating.

And you don't find it arrogant to tell ME how I should value MY possessions. Isn't it strange how it only works one way?

SprinkleOtter said:

If you're that concerned about such things, simply wash it.

Perhaps some people have higher standards than yours and regard washed cat poop as being offensive ?

MattsWhat said:

I was just making the point that it seemed like a bit of a waste (to me).

And also calling @madforLEGO "officially crazy". It doesn't matter whether he may have used similar terms for himself - he's entitled to.

cheshirecat said:

More power to anyone that wants to open their nice saved boxes of LEGO but not understanding they are attributing a value to that is crazy.

The real point about value is that it's subjective and depends on circumstances. There's an old set that has interested me because of certain parts it contains; it's now probably double the original price. Was it worth that to me? Probably. Two weeks later, it isn't any more because there's something similar (for what I want it for) in one of this year's sets. I don't like the set; I don't like the theme; I liked the parts. Today I would only part with a quarter of what I would a couple of weeks ago. The value to me has decreased dramatically. According to BrickLink, the value has gone up.

Let's go back to Green Grocer. There are people who regret not having it. At the original list price, they'd bite your arm off at the elbow. I can understand that. However, according to the likes of BrickLink, the set's value is a lot more than that. I imagine that there's a few available, so why haven't those who regret not having it gone and bought it? Some people won't have quite enough money, but a good proportion simply think it's not worth paying the price asked. And different people will have different ideas about how much it is worth, and how much they will pay. They have different ideas about its value.

Nor is it down to straight monetary value. What happens when that set is a gift from somebody special or it commemorates a particular occasion? It's quite likely that the owner wouldn't part with it for double the price listed on any web-site, whether or not they could replace it with similar model and a load of cash in their pocket. It's value is beyond price.

Quite simply, everybody values things differently - from nothing, or next-to-nothing, right through to a lot more than what somebody else thinks is some sort of "official price". When it comes down to a particular example, the only person who can decide its value, or what they should do with it, is the owner.

madforLEGO said:

I did not ask to convene a panel to discuss if I should open it or sell it.

Precisely.

Is it yours? Then it's for you to decide how you value it and what you do with it.

TigerMoth

Pitfall69 said:

So, you would be perfectly happy with buying 15 shares of a stock for $10; have it go up to $100 a share; not sell and watch it go back to $10 a share? This would be "fine and dandy" because you actually didn't lose any money?

This is a tangent on a tangent on a tangent but if you can't say that you shouldn't be trading equities.

bandit778

This has been quite an eye opener to hear the different approaches that people have to their Lego collecting.
I can see the argument from both sides as
a) I have, and probably never will have, the resources to stash away large amounts of Lego sets but I have in the past brought other rare collectables that are worth a bit (to me and financially if I were ever to sell) so do get the monetary gain side of things.
b) I have got to a point in my life where I now only buy things I will use or get use out of, so get the I'm going to build it side of things.
I do wonder though , from all this discussion that has been going on, why nobody has brought up what the hypothetical buyer of @TigerMoth MISB CC is going to do with it when they get it.
If they just want to build it, what's the difference between them building it after paying however much they buy it for and @TigerMoth doing the same thing.
Of course they may be a collector of sealed Lego sets, but being as though he has just paid an extreme amount of money for the set, it is unlikely that it is ever going to offer the sort of return that the original seller got out of it so what is it's worth then? 

TheLoneTensor

Pitfall69 said:

Let's just agree that it is offensive to tell someone they are crazy for opening an expensive sealed with no regard for its value. Likewise, it is offensive to less fortunate people that a person would HAVE no regard for the value of a set.

That doesn't solve it though.  The problem is, some people think they have a right to not be offended.

dougts

CCC said:

dougts said:

CCC said:

But even so, it is a great feeling to pop the seals on an expensive set.

interesting. I've never felt that feeling.  I have certainly had great feelings *building* many many expensive sets.  None of them had anything to do with cutting the seals however.  I would have felt the same had a come along and found the parts all in a tote already

That's fine, some people obviously like building new lego sets and others don't mind if they are used. I'm the same on BL. I much prefer buying new parts even if they are going to be hidden in a MOC, rather than risk buying used and getting scratched, faded or chewed parts.

So another question - why do you buy new sets (if you do)? Why not just wait a while and buy it used when someone else has had their fun with it and is getting rid of it?

I never said anything about used.  I said the satisfaction I get from a NEW set has nothing to do with cutting the seals, and everything to do with the actual building experience.

I don't buy used sets or parts at all - only new.

MattsWhat

TigerMoth said:

MattsWhat said:

I was just making the point that it seemed like a bit of a waste (to me).

And also calling @madforLEGO "officially crazy". It doesn't matter whether he may have used similar terms for himself - he's entitled to.

I can't be bothered to argue with you @TigerMoth , but for @madforLEGO I would like to point out this is completely untrue and I never said that. I apologise if you thought that when I said you were "as crazy as your name suggests" I meant anything other than you were clearly mad for lego.

SumoLego

pharmjod said:

@SumoLego arguably not one of your finer arguments =) An orange? Seriously? (Note that I typically find your posts hilariously excellent).

You must be punished for making me agree with @TigerMoth.

SumoLego

For a consumable product, one cannot necessarily focus on some potentially higher value.  Consuming the product has its own non-monetary value.  (Like annoying people on an enthusiasts forum...)

pharmjod

@SumoLegoThere you go. Now you're back to making me Laugh =) Thank you 

willobee498

Pitfall69 said:

willobee498 said:

I have to agree with TigerMoth. Money is fine and dandy, but he isn't actually losing money (since he bought the set at a sane price). He's just saving himself a big hassle. 

So, you would be perfectly happy with buying 15 shares of a stock for $10; have it go up to $100 a share; not sell and watch it go back to $10 a share? This would be "fine and dandy" because you actually didn't lose any money?

If I could build little plastic buildings with stocks, it could be neither finer, nor dandy...er.

monkeyhanger

pharmjod said:

Anyone that buys new cars regularly (ie every couple of years) that isn't doing it under a business as a tax shelter is either a fool that always wants a car payment or is rich and doesn't care. If you buy new and drive the car into the ground over the course of 10 to 15 years you've not done all that much damage vs buy used. 

Call me a fool, I buy a new car every 2 or 3 years. The kind of cars I like coincidentally have strong residuals, so strong that there's coppers difference between buying new with a negotiated discount (I typically get 12% off list by letting my dealer know what the broker prices are, knowing what mine is really worth in p/x to them) or buying a year old model.

With the residuals being very good, and a decent discount on the relatively high list price, the depreciation is very manageable.

Mine is bought outright, saving a lot vs PCP. Im happy to put away £280 a month to cover the depreciation for when I want to change and in return I get a new German hot hatch (currently a VW Golf R) with a full warranty, nothing needs doing to it (tyres, brake pad/discs, MOT, Shocks etc.), all the latest tech (including lots of safety tech), decent fuel economy relative to output, lower insurance and I know no-one has ragged it. I've been burned by a few well used cars that have cost a fortune in repairs. All in i'm about £100 a month worse off than buying a 3 year old car and playing the "no warranty lottery", hoping that nothing big goes wrong with it.

Some might baulk at paying that a month, for me it is money well spent. What you spend your money on depends a lot on your circumstances, my mortgage is very reasonable, adding up to 1/6 of our household income. For some people a car is a hobby in itself, if they're driving something that puts a smile on their face every day.

I don't have £280 a month for Lego, but my car is infinitely more useful.

TheLoneTensor

What you just described is a form of insurance, which is usually the worst investment you can make, but occasionally can be the best investment you ever make.  Either way, you are purchasing piece of mind, so if that's worth the price to you, enjoy.

Btw, you sure about the fuel economy with that VW? :)

monkeyhanger

TheLoneTensor said:

What you just described is a form of insurance, which is usually the worst investment you can make, but occasionally can be the best investment you ever make.  Either way, you are purchasing piece of mind, so if that's worth the price to you, enjoy.

Btw, you sure about the fuel economy with that VW? :)

It's better than I had ever hoped for a 300hp 4wd petrol car, averaging 32mpg. I'm used to getting 45mpg on a 2WD diesel with just over half that output.

Buying new isn't all about "insuring" against reliability, there are other positives - the new R is considerably better than the previous version, a lot of progress has been made in handling/ride and standard tech. There's nothing out there i'd rather be driving for £280 a month depreciation.

Dad

If you're getting 32mpg you must drive like Miss Daisy!! But good on you for having one anyway. And its YOURS to drive how YOU like.

Jackad7

The item was marked  shipped february 2 and and was supposed to arrive on the 9th no tracking. Should I take the offer or continue my request for a refund?
I should also note they did not reply to either of my mails but replied to a case.