Does a sealed, but scruffy box make much difference to price?

milamber

Quick question. I have a few new and sealed sets I've decided to sell on for a variety of reasons, which are in fairly scruffy boxes. I didn't care about the box condition as I was going to build them, but I know it matters if I sell them on. What with all the posts about people pinching Lego and carefully re-sealing I'm a bit concerned about passing these on without making sure everything is present, as I bought them from re-sellers.

So, is a set in a sealed scruffy box worth more than a set in a scruffy box that has been opened and checked, with all the contents new and sealed, please? None of these are particularly rare sets, though mostly retired.

FowlerBricks

It really depends on the person. I personally don't care if the box is super nice because I don't keep them for very long. Other people may think differently. Do you mind me asking what sets they are?

milamber

Nothing especially valuable, just needing to make room or so I'm told. Depends on how much I can get away with, but definitely a 70738, Final Flight of Destiny's Bounty, probably a 70615 Fire Mech, 70617 Temple, a few smaller Ninjago sets like 70606/07/29, maybe a 10254 Winter Train.

It's just basically whether opening the box to check the contents (where I purchased it from a re-seller - not bothered about shop purchases so much) will affect the value if the box is already too scruffy to be suitable for a collector.

canon03

If there is a question at all about whether the set has all the proper contents, I would open, verify the contents then sell as an open box...sealed bags.  

milamber

canon03 said:

If there is a question at all about whether the set has all the proper contents, I would open, verify the contents then sell as an open box...sealed bags.  

I've never had an issue before and no reason to believe there is a problem, just got a bit worried with the discussions on here about shady re-sellers resealing boxes. Open box, sealed bags is the way I was leaning, even if it knocks a few pounds off the value.

FowlerBricks

With the sets you listed, the boxes don't have a lot of value, so I don't really think it matters all that much.

SumoLego

Yes. 

Most folks (collectors) have ridiculous expectations on the condition of a box - if they are buying for that purpose.  Many of us have horror-stories relating to box condition nonsense.  Just make sure to be very, very clear when dealing with such folks.

(Admittedly, I am that way with smaller sets and seasonal sets.)

In terms of perspective, my UCS SW collection hasn't left their caaepack shipping boxes.

Gremer

I would imagine it really depends on the person. I don't really care about the box condition unless it's a really expensive set ($200+).

mountebank

In my view it depends whether the set is currently available or retired. Builders will often not care but any whiff of collectibility and you can easily be looking at 20%.

milamber

I'm not entirely sure I phrased my question correctly. I realise box condition can make a difference. I've already benefited from that disparity in value when I bought them. What I wondered though, was that if the sealed box was already in a poor condition and unsuitable for a collector, would it make much difference to the value if I opened it to confirm the contents were present and correct for my own peace of mind before selling?

SumoLego

I usually ask the potential buyer if it is alright to debox the set.   In terms of checking for completeness of the bags - I'd break the seals upon reciept!

mountebank

milamber said:

I'm not entirely sure I phrased my question correctly. I realise box condition can make a difference. I've already benefited from that disparity in value when I bought them. What I wondered though, was that if the sealed box was already in a poor condition and unsuitable for a collector, would it make much difference to the value if I opened it to confirm the contents were present and correct for my own peace of mind before selling?

I tihink that approach would be fine. I'd give a different answer for long-retired rarer sets.

ryjay

if i'm buying it, then it makes a huge difference.  If i'm selling, no big deal, whats a lil scruff, it's not hurting anything...it's what inside that matters.

Renegade007cjh

SumoLego said:

I usually ask the potential buyer if it is alright to debox the set.   In terms of checking for completeness of the bags - I'd break the seals upon reciept!

This is the way to go!  When selling - ask the buyer before taking the plunge.  When buying, open when you get it.

As others have said, if it's a rare / discontinued set, box condition can make a lot of difference.  I am very critical of condition and reflect this in my descriptions / grading when selling.  I've had people on BrickLink ask for photographs from multiple angles, which is fine (I do that before packing them up, anyway)... others just don't care!

77ncaachamps

If the intent is to sell it at a later date, unopened, then yes.

alaskaguy

If someone can buy the set in a nice box for the same price, why would they buy the beat up box at that price?

kbenjes

If I'm buying a retired unopened set, I want it for display purposes more than likely. Box matters.

snowhitie

I think I agree with others and ask the buyer if he would like you to check the contents.

Bumblepants

Some sets are always a little scruffy looking

SumoLego

I would also make sure you're not selling to a stuck-up, half-witted Nerf herder.

milamber

I might have done, but they checked it over and gave me cash so I don't really mind :)

SumoLego

Renegade007cjh said:
As others have said, if it's a rare / discontinued set, box condition can make a lot of difference.

I should also note, that weighing the box is another way to circumstantially confirm that the contents are what they purport to be.

(I have a photo of a UCS Star Destroyer on a USPS mail machine somewhere in my Flickr account.)