Most triumphant purchase

rocao

I suppose if I was going to make a depressing thread about regret, this positive one should accompany it. I'd love to hear about your most triumphant purchase. Triumphant is obviously left vague, so it could be the case that it was an extremely rare item, tremendously great value, most memorable set, etc.

For me, it would be a collection I bought on eBay of Classic Town. It's not often that one sees a substantial vintage collection go up for auction because, for anyone that cared enough to collect and maintain sets from so long ago, the sentimental value easily outweighs the monetary value. The sets in this collection were from 1979 to 1989, were all originally purchased by the owner, and in excellent condition. Moreover, he had two of every set! It wasn't a cheap auction win by any means... I think I paid $1500 for it, but I could have easily kept one copy for myself and sold the duplicates and actually stand to make a profit. There's nothing better than "free" Lego. Of course, I haven't yet let go of a single one ;)

natro220

I bought someone's collection on Craigslist last year for $300. It included pretty much all space sets between 1986 and 1990, including some great ones like the Futuron Monorail, all of Blacktron 1, all of Space Police 1, and all of Mtron. I ended up selling the sets I had duplicates of, and still made $200 off the deal (keeping the monorail and 50% of the rest of the sets.) Also, all sets were 100% complete, in mint condition, in their boxes. I know I'll probably never find a deal like that again...so I consider that to be a pretty triumphant purchase.

drdavewatford

Probably my UCS X-Wing I guess - bought for £50 in the sales in 2000, forgotten about in a cupboard during my Dark Ages, and rediscovered with the seals unfortunately damaged but all the bags still sealed a couple of years back.

rocao

I bought someone's collection on Craigslist last year for $300. It included pretty much all space sets between 1986 and 1990, including some great ones like the Futuron Monorail, all of Blacktron 1, all of Space Police 1, and all of Mtron. I ended up selling the sets I had duplicates of, and still made $200 off the deal (keeping the monorail and 50% of the rest of the sets.) Also, all sets were 100% complete, in mint condition, in their boxes. I know I'll probably never find a deal like that again...so I consider that to be a pretty triumphant purchase.

Wow, that does sound epic, and I hate using the word epic :P

When a collection like that is complete and boxed, I know the condition is probably pristine. It's increasingly harder to find "steals" like that because of the availability of information regarding their value. I've never had much luck at garage sales, and haven't brought myself to look into estate sales yet.

I distinctly remember a period of my childhood where I would run and just stare at the 6990 Lego Futuron Monorail on display every time I went to Toys R Us. I would study its picture in the catalog from the smaller sets I owned, also.

natro220

I know what you mean about garage and estate sales. Every one I've gone to - if they have Legos - it's either picked over already, obviously missing pieces, or they know how much they're worth and they're asking a ridiculous amount of money (well, not ridiculous, but Bricklink prices). Not to say you can't find a deal at one, but I think it's hard.

atkinsar

I bought someone's collection on Craigslist last year for $300. It included pretty much all space sets between 1986 and 1990, including some great ones like the Futuron Monorail, all of Blacktron 1, all of Space Police 1, and all of Mtron. I ended up selling the sets I had duplicates of, and still made $200 off the deal (keeping the monorail and 50% of the rest of the sets.) Also, all sets were 100% complete, in mint condition, in their boxes. I know I'll probably never find a deal like that again...so I consider that to be a pretty triumphant purchase.

One word, 'Incredible!'. Actually here's another, 'Jealous!'.

atkinsar

Probably my UCS X-Wing I guess - bought for £50 in the sales in 2000, forgotten about in a cupboard during my Dark Ages, and rediscovered with the seals unfortunately damaged but all the bags still sealed a couple of years back.

I would love that set, that is a great price. I'm green I tell you, green.

Mine would probably be buying 381 - Police Headquarters and 6970 - Beta 1 Command Base from a guy at work for £50. Both were boxed in great condition and 100% complete. He even chucked in a boxed set of 2 crater plates. I think he thought I was nuts paying him that much :0)

Farmer_John

I purchase many sets on sale through Lego and Amazon. I was just happy to get a couple Technic Loaders (8265) for around $43/each this past November from Lego. They now go for about $130-150/each on eBay. To open or not to open...that is the question.

Long story, but I was also able to pick up a Death Star (10188) for about half-price. (Thank the Maker). Never would have got it otherwise.

yys4u

Mine isn't a single purchase per say... but my most triumphant would be my collection of Pirate theme ships. I believe there are 10 in all, although I don't like to include the Armada flagship so I'd say 9. Of those 9 I have dilligently been searching for the best prices on ebay/bricklink and through the past 1-2 years I've purchased (and reconstructed old sets in my closet) to have 8 of the ships. Still missing the Skull's eye schooner which will probably be my most triumphant purchase when I finally get it.

And then sometime down the road I'll get the Armada ship just to say I have it...

Legoboy

This is a very interesting question and one that I have often wondered how it would be answered by others and if they'd been as fortunate as as me.

I would have to say my most "triumphant" purchase would be to find the last two sets I required to complete the Star Wars UCS range - well to complete at the time. It was two and a half years ago and a second hand 10026 Naboo Starfighter was listed on Ebay. It was in good condition and so contacted the seller asking whether or not he could apply a Buy-it-Now to the listing. During negotiation he added the fact that he had numerous sets he was getting rid of since he was moving home and was done with the Lego scene. The last set I'd then need to complete the series was 10018 Darth Maul. Can you believe he had that also? Although it was in excellent used condition, the seller confessed he'd mislaid three or four pieces and couldn't ask any more than £40?? What's more, he then went on to offer eveything he had (including the two we'd just agreed on for £220....and that included driving 350 miles to deliver it to me!! Well, you drive a hard bargain......but go on then!

When he arrived the next day with his very happy girlfriend, it turned out the majority of sets he had were in mint sealed condition dating between '99-'02. Well, two years on, coming up to the Christmas just passed, I decided to list individually on Ebay all but the two UCS sets - I'm not interested in any of the smaller sets. They sold for just under £2,000. Where did the money go? Depends whether the wife's within earshot!

Yellowcastle

My wife bought the UCS Falcon for my birthday, but it was at full price. However, it was then put on sale a few weeks later via the May 4th celebration. The local Lego Store let me bring it back in and repurchase it for 25% Off. The only downside was that I had to lug it through the mall and back. :o)

Rainstorm26

My most triumphant purchase was the UCS Millennium Falcon. I could get nearly triple what I paid for it. I almost passed on it thinking that if it was available in the morning after the big sale started, I would buy one. Of course they were gone, but I called my local Lego Store and they still had one which they held for me. I also took my son to a grand opening store event recently with a friend of his. The master builder asked silly questions and gave away sets. He asked "which star wars character am I thinking of". I told my 8 yr old son to guess Lando Calrissian. Of course he couldn't pronounce it correctly, but I was able to help. With that guess he won the Tantive IV. His friend also guessed which Harry Potter character he was thinking of and won a Hogwarts Express set, which we made a deal and I bought him a couple of Ninjago sets and he gave me the Hogwarts Express. So it is difficult for me to say which was the better experience as I still paid a good chuck of change for the MF UCS vs about $40 for the other two sets.

vynsane

I'd say my best deal was 3451 Sopwith Camel - paid $15 for it complete with instructions (no box) via Craigslist.

Though reacquiring two of my sets from childhood (6890 Cosmic Cruiser and 6941 Blacktron Battrax) was a little triumph...

rocao

Awww... that reminds me of the days of yore when Target clearances were a relatively untapped gold mine.

It wasn't uncommon to see Lego stay on the shelves until the 75% off level. I would drive a circuit of about 5-6 Targets on the markdown days. Eventually I got friendly enough with the staff that they would price adjust clearance items for me even though it was against their policy. So I'd buy at the 50% level and if it fell to 75% within 14 days, they'd adjust the price. 3451 Sopwith Camels for $15, 10019 Tantives for $50, lots of other SW and HP sets.

Nowadays, many more people are vigilant with the clearances and the stock barely survives the 30% discount level.

natro220

Ahhh...Target Clearance....gotta love it. I just picked up 2 Portal of Atlantis's for $49 each, and two of the new (2010) Technic motorcycles for $19 each.

Jonny2scarves

I think mine was buying a sealed X-wing with Yoda's hut set for £75 off ebay a few years ago. That is my favourite set and it's the only one that had Yoda's hut and Luke in Dagobah gear. I expect it cost half that price when it first came out!

Trawler

picked up last week at a car boot sale

Lego 7662 (MTT) for £30 :)

50missioncap

Mine isn't as exciting as many of the ones above, but I got all the blacktron II and spyrius sets (mint with instructions, unbuilt in ziplocks) including the bases on craigslists for $50.

dodge

I found Railway Express (4561) last year on a local used marketplace site. The set itself was about 80% complete but it did have the motor and regulator etc. The sale also came with 2 sets of 9v straight track, 2 sets of 9v curved track and 2 sets of 9v switch track... all for $125. Best find yet!

rocao

I found Railway Express (4561) last year on a local used marketplace site. The set itself was about 80% complete but it did have the motor and regulator etc. The sale also came with 2 sets of 9v straight track, 2 sets of 9v curved track and 2 sets of 9v switch track... all for $125. Best find yet!

That's funny: as I read your most triumphant purchase, I'm thinking it may lead to a triumphant sale for me :p

I purchased 6 of them on clearance at the end of their production run for ~$40 apiece.

tommyboa

The Exo-force 7709 Sentai HQ (MSRP $100) at $40 Marshal's which got trumped by my second purchase of $20 at TRU summer clearence. And even Dino Attack 7476 Iron Predator vs T-rex (MSRP $40) for $8 TRU.

rocao

The Exo-force 7709 Sentai HQ (MSRP $100) at $40 Marshal's which got trumped by my second purchase of $20 at TRU summer clearence. And even Dino Attack 7476 Iron Predator vs T-rex (MSRP $40) for $8 TRU.

The fact you bought those at TRU qualifies you for bonus points. Nowadays their "clearance" prices are about 10-20% off their originally marked up price

a_corb

I once picked up a near complete Monorail set in a box with at least 3 other near complete town sets for $30.00 from an antique store. I actualy talked the store owner down from $35.00.

drdavewatford

I once picked up a near complete Monorail set in a box with at least 3 other near complete town sets for $30.00 from an antique store. I actualy talked the store owner down from $35.00.

Shame on you - that's like taking candy from a baby, and then giving the baby a slap afterwards ! Good work, though - those monorail sets are worth a packet.

PaulTR

I know it's not a very rare set, but my favorite, most memorable set is my 6211 Star Destroyer. I begged and pleaded with my parents to buy it for me for Christmas, but it was sold out everywhere. On eBay, there were sets available, but they were going for insanely high high prices, and I refused to let my parents pay those insane prices. But it was that time of year, when miracles seem to spring up out of the woodwork: after literally weeks of searching, I managed to buy a brand new set from eBay for $110. When Christmas came, I spent 4 hours building the set, and when it was done, I just about fainted with joy. I had never seen a more beautiful set: its lines were perfectly accurate, and the minifigures even had my SW-hating brother impressed. The Star Destroyer now sits on my dresser, the pride and joy of my SW collection.

DwarfSleepy

Some of my most profitable purchases are lego trains on a local internet marketplace for less than only the track and motor is worth. These are nice for selling on and financing your hobby.

My most satisfying one is buying a complete Santa Fe train (2 locomotives, 5 cars), in near mint condition (built, but in always stored in ziploc bags out of the light) for €550. It almost felt like sacrilege to touch them... The kids definately do not get to play with them!

mackrel

This one is easy....$40 for the Indiana Jones Temple Escape brand new in the box from a lady off of Craigslist.

Lanthal

For me - I'm aiming to pick up the really old sets wherever I can and I found a complete http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=659-1 659 Police Patrol(1975) on ebay for about $30 - amazing deal.

On the downside I was filthy about missing out on http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=384-1 384 London Bus by someone who jumped in with a last second bid.

prof1515

I can name more missed deals than scores. Best I've had would be 50% off the Star Wars Episode II sets from 2002 (of course, then next day I went back and they were 75% off).

Lego_Lord_Mayorca

These last two years have truly seen some "triumphant" purchases for me. I entered thrice into vicious eBay bidding wars for three different "Holy Grail" Lego sets: Royal Knight's Castle, Super Car (1994), and Launch & Load Seaport. Thrice, I was victorious!

With the RKC, I won the auction with a final bid of little over $100. Considering how wonderful of a condition the "used" set (complete with box and instructions) was in, I think this was a steal AND a huge moment of joy for me. I had wanted this one castle since I first laid eyes on it in 1995. The little Lordling inside of me thinks it is the greatest castle Lego every produced.

The Technic Super Car and L&LS were not deals. After shipping, I paid $378 and $298, respectively, for each set. BUT, both were brand-new, never-opened time capsules of pure Lego nirvana. These were sets that I saw back when I first discovered Lego in kindergarten, and they always seemed beyond my reach because they were so big and expensive. To finally have those sets in my hands over a decade-and-a-half later is still mind-blowing for me. I just wish I had time to sit down and build them!

The same goes for a MISB Victory Cup Racers set I got last summer off eBay for $48. Again, not a deal, but this was a set I wanted really, really, REALLY badly as a kid. It was even more frustrating because even back in 1993-1995, when it was still available in stores, it wasn't even all that expensive for my parents to afford. It could've been mine, but I was too distracted by the sheer amount of other awesome sets Lego was putting out, especially the new Aquazone in 1995. I managed to get everything from that theme's first wave, but somehow, I couldn't get a Victory Cup Racers. I would groan, but I have the set now!

rocao

I once picked up a near complete Monorail set in a box with at least 3 other near complete town sets for $30.00 from an antique store.

Great buy! I usually only find broken trinkets at antique stores :P

My most distinct memory of drooling over a Lego set as a child was the Toys R Us display of 6990 Futuron Monorail. After coming out of my dark ages in 1999, I bought multiple copies of 6990, 6991, and 6399, as well as lots of spare track, stanchions, and motor assemblies.

rocao

BUT, both were brand-new, never-opened time capsules of pure Lego nirvana. These were sets that I saw back when I first discovered Lego in kindergarten, and they always seemed beyond my reach because they were so big and expensive. To finally have those sets in my hands over a decade-and-a-half later is still mind-blowing for me. I just wish I had time to sit down and build them!

Did I read that correctly? You're planning on opening MISB copies of Technic Super Car and Launch and Load Seaport?!

Hmm, I might even offer to send you my opened sets as a loaner just so you leave yours intact :P

rocao

Back in 2003, my girlfriend and I went on vacation to Hawaii. On the Big Island, one of the places she wanted to visit was a popular coffee & confection shop. It took us a while to drive around and find the place because it was little more than a store front attached to a warehouse. When we arrived, I noticed a little toy shop in the same row of buildings.

The unassuming exterior belied the treasure awaiting us inside. It was like stepping out of a time machine. There were seemingly all the great toys from the 70s and 80s in pristine condition. I quickly scanned the tightly packed shelves for Lego but didn't see anything.

The storekeeper greeted me with an "Aloha". I asked him if he had any Lego and his face lit up as if he had been waiting all this time for me and only me to make the 2500 mile journey to ask him. He pulled a small, crisp set out from behind the counter. Even before seeing the image clearly, I knew by the color of the box art that it was from the late 70s. He pulled out another box, and another. "Lemme kno' which ones you gonna' want" he said in his Hawaiian pidgin. "I'll take them all," I said, without even asking the prices.

He then voluntarily took out a pen and started marking down discounts for all the sets. That was really the only shame of it: he had affixed yellow price tags to each of the boxes.

Here was the haul, and all told, I think I paid ~$40 USD:



It was like all the stars had aligned: vintage sets in great unopened condition, voluntary reduction of prices that were already a steal, and finding them of all places during a tropical paradise vacation :P

oldtodd33

I said this on the brag forum a 10001 and 10002 plus 10 lbs of loose legos good complete for $50 plus $18 to ship and 5lbs of minfig parts good condition that yielded 500 complete minifigs plus extra parts and a purple jango for $80.00.

M4X1994

Mine would probably be the MISB 8285 Tow Truck that i picked up for only 65 euros in a store in the Netherlands, It must have been a mistake of the store to price it that low as it was supposed to be a little less than double that price.

drdavewatford

Oh, man - I had most of those sets as a kid and would pay handsomely to find them again, even opened in good condition, let alone MISB..... Fantastic find !

brickupdate

LOVE this thread. Last year I picked up a pretty amazing collection at a yard sale - a collection that 3 brothers had used - most of the town, castle, and space sets from about 1987-1990 or so. (I'd have to go back and check) Most were still built - and included the manuals. I have been slowly going through them, cataloging each part for each set, cleaning the pieces, etc. So many minifigs! I paid $75 for the lot - this is truly a huge setup.

Besides that, I benefited from all the great sales last fall/winter - especially the LEGO Store sales - 50% off or more.

Eric

On ebay I found the entire Slizer/Throwbots series (bar the big yellow one and the Millennium Slizer), 98% complete, with the boxes and manuals, for $20. That's $2 each. I'd been thinking about getting them of Bricklink slowly for around $10 each, so needless to say I was thrilled with this purchase. :)

prof1515

It was like all the stars had aligned: vintage sets in great unopened condition, voluntary reduction of prices that were already a steal, and finding them of all places during a tropical paradise vacation :P

My very first Lego set was that police car. Sadly the face and torso are worn clean from play when I was a kid and the parts are scattered across a couple MOCs. I also had two of the motorcycle set. Trailers and cycles are intact but the two trucks' parts are incorporated into other vehicles.

Endigo_Vandane

When the 10188 Death Star was released, I immediatly put it in my shopping cart at Lego.com. The next day I read about some new Sales and Deals on the site so I went over there and put a few in my cart. Then, I must have been in a hurry, I did the checkout procedure after which I thought to myself: "I didn't remove the Death Star. Oh o."
In all the time I have been buying online it has maybe happened 3 times that I didn't pay enough attention to what I was doing. So now I had spent a little more than I had intended.
The day after that I read an announcement that the Death Star had been incorrectly priced on the Lego website and that effective immediatly it would go up in price by €100.00. However, people that had ordered the item before the price increase would be charged the lower price.
When I read that I did a little dance in my head.

And about ten years ago I went into a shop and saw the 7317 Aero Tube Hanger with the same price tag as the 7316 Excavation Searcher. When I wanted to pay, the cashier said that the set had the wrong price on it, when I said that in that case all the boxes had the wrong price on them, she went over to check and gave me the set for the lower price. She then had to give my friend the same treatment as he was standing behind me with the same set.
As we were walking out of the store they were repricing all the remaining sets and a week later I started to see notices appear at cash registers stating that the scanned price was the correct price.
Coincidence?

Also last week I bought the 5985 Space Police Central set for €29.00. Original price €79.99.
Which was nice.

Iwantmorelegos

My best purchases have been clearance stuff. I picked up the Troll Castle for $6.00 after x-mas this year at Target. They gave me 90% off of the last listed price which was a Temporary makrdown price of $60 (Original price $100).
My other great purchase was the entire first series of Batman Sets for 75% off at Wal-mart. I bought 2 of each but I could have bought 5-8 of each set for that price (wish I would have now that the prices are insane).

fox171171

About a month ago I stumbled across the Midi Scale Imperial Star Destroyer 8099 in a clearance section in Walmart. They were $15 each, I bought all 5 of them. (Already had one for $50 some time ago.)

rocao

I picked up the Troll Castle for $6.00 after x-mas this year at Target. They gave me 90% off of the last listed price which was a Temporary makrdown price of $60 (Original price $100).

Wow! Was it while the clearance sale was still actively going (clearly marked), or did it seem more like old stock that was somehow found?

the entire first series of Batman Sets for 75% off at Wal-mart. I bought 2 of each but I could have bought 5-8 of each set for that price

... and double wow!

Iwantmorelegos

I picked up the Troll Castle for $6.00 after x-mas this year at Target. They gave me 90% off of the last listed price which was a Temporary makrdown price of $60 (Original price $100).

Wow! Was it while the clearance sale was still actively going (clearly marked), or did it seem more like old stock that was somehow found?

The troll castle was "Not on File" when I found it. It was after all the x-mas clearance was over. I think it might have been a return, or stashed in the back room some where. Box was mint and sealed.

legowin2010

Just brought Lego 6350 Pizza To Go - MISB from eBay for $56..

madforLEGO

Lego Statue of Liberty MINT IN BOX (broken box seal, but all inner boxes sealed and intact) at a store for $150... when it was going for $550 on eBay..
Also, same store, 2 10040 Black Seas Barracuda Legend sets for $75 each(when selling for about 150-200 on eBay) and the 10039 Black Falcon's Fortress for $40
ALSO 6 of Slave 1's from that store at about 55 each right when the had been sold out for about 1 month at Lego, and 7 train shed's too, for 65 dollars each..
Sadly they have moved their store to an online location as well, so little chance of finding deals like that at that store again...
LOTS of good deals from that place though.

davee123

Father's Day, 2003, Enfield, CT. Tent sale. BEST. EVER.

Back when LEGO's North American distribution was done at Enfield, they would have a once-a-year tent sale for employees. They'd get rid of old sets for big discounts, or so we were told. Jake McKee told us a few days before that he might be able to get us an invitation. But first, they'd make sure there was "enough" LEGO to be worthwhile, because if there were only a couple dozen sets left after the employees had ravaged it, it'd hardly be worth it for AFOLs to drive down to Enfield.

So we were told on that SATURDAY that we were good to go. That's the Saturday before Father's Day, mind you, so a lot of people on short notice, with plans for Father's Day, couldn't make it. But those of us WITHOUT plans (luckily I was one), managed to drive down.

We had no idea what to expect. Based on Jake's description, we figured maybe there'd be a couple tables or so of LEGO left over, and they'd be things that we didn't want like DUPLO or Jack Stone. I carpooled down (as did a few other people) with other AFOLs (BIG MISTAKE!).

They had a tent set up. A LARGE banquet tent. When we showed up, we peeked inside, and could see PALLETS of LEGO. It was massive. Then we were handed a "price sheet". We gawked.

Star Wars Final Duel: $0.50
Statue of Liberty: $50.00
Dobby's Release: $0.50
Metroliner: $26.60
Droid Developer Kit: $10.00
Minifig Sculpture: $25.00

The list went on. Sets were between 75% and 98% off. And as we started making our way through the tent, we saw, hidden behind the FIRST tent was a SECOND tent, ALSO filled with grossly discounted LEGO. There was an entire bin of sets for $0.25 each, and one right next to it that was a bin of $0.50 items.

It was insane. We literally filled the car to the brim. We bought until the car couldn't stand to FIT any more. I rode home with LEGO by my feet, in my lap, and LEGO on the rear windshield dashboard.

Best. Sale. Ever.

DaveE

drdavewatford

^ Wow ! A couple of those sets are still on my wish list, including the Statue of Liberty.

jgadget

I can't compete with that haul.
The best deal that I can recall is back in 2000 when an online toy store was going out of business and sold off its stock at half-price.
Very sad for the store, but good for me.
I bought the following:
5206 Speed Computer £14.99
9731 Vision Command £37.49
3409 Football Challenge £14.36
4561 Railway Express (with controller) £50.00
7181 TIE Fighter (UCS) £37.49
8457 Power Puller £34.50
7190 Millennium Falcon £37.49
8458 Silver Champion £50.00
7191 X-Wing Fighter (UCS) £57.50

brickupdate

@davee123 wow - great story! Wish you had taken pictures to share!

davee123

Well, here's some galleries of the 2004 tent sale (the last one we were invited to):

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=101980
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=98600

I can't find any pictures of the 2003 tent sale, but I recall some of people's trunks spilling over with LEGO bags. Anyway, the 2003 sale looked very similar, except there were far fewer people present.

DaveE