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100% Complete Truth in Advertising

mooman66mooman66 Member Posts: 122
in Buying & Selling Topics
I mostly sell small sets picked up at yard sales and flea markets.  When listing them on ebay I refer to them as 100 % complete because all of the pieces are there.  I assume they are original pieces.
Recently I was checking out some Modulars and saw that people who bricklinked Cafe Corner also called that 100% complete.
To add more confusion, I picked up a large mixed lot hoping to sort out sets and sell them.  I'll try my best to match color shades, molds, etc to the proper set, but I am bound to mix pieces between the 50+ sets in the lot.  Can I call these 100% complete?  I just want to be as honest when listing without saying I may have accidentally stuck a yellow 2x2 plate from 1985 into your 2001 TIE fighter.

For those of you that sort and sell, how do you describe the sets?

Comments

  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    For the love of God man!!! You did not just start this discussion??? @piratemania7 can you believe it?
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,787
    This is an ongoing debate on the forum, but I believe if the set has the appropriate color pieces and part types it is 100%. However, '100% complete' IMO does not always mean 100% accurate parts to the set.
    I see this with bricklink'ed sets on eBay as well, where 100% complete is not really accurate. Specifically with the part types (such like those selling #10190 as 100% complete but using regular windows vs train windows of the period, and white hoses without tabs etc).
    Also on older sets where part types are type 2 instead of type 1 (like eyelets and clips)
    So as a rule of thumb when it doubt ask a question and do not assume with some sellers.
    I know of a seller that was putting in mixed type clips and eyelet saying the set is 100% complete. Technically if the set has all of the parts to build it, regardless of part type, or color even, it could be thought of as complete but I do not like that because it is not 100% accurate.
    I sell old LEGO sets. I try to match the brick to the time period for shading reasons and that some parts of the period are much different than parts today.
    A good example was a 375 castle I got from someone who clearly replaced some yellow brick with new brick. How could I tell? Not just any shading differences, but there is some brick with the holes in the reenforcing posts that can be seen looking at the bottom of the brick, that is a newer brick. Also they had bley plates instead of classic (old) gray.  Drives me nuts that I have to replace those, but if a brick is missing a sprue mark I tend to overlook that. I'm not getting that crazy over sprue marks, though I know some that do.
    But I always try to ensure that the set has the right 'type' of the part for that time period and note if it does not.
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/comment/296115#Comment_296115
    madforLEGO
  • MAGNINOMINISUMBRAMAGNINOMINISUMBRA Member Posts: 993
    Isn't a yellow 2x2 plate from 1985 EXACTLY the same as one from 2001?
  • binaryeyebinaryeye Member Posts: 1,831
    I think this comes down to the definition of "100% complete" and whether it infers the parts are original. To me, as a buyer, it doesn't. Given the nature of LEGO, if I'm looking for sets with original parts, I feel it would be my responsibility to query the seller to verify the parts are original to the set.

    That said, I don't think it's fair to suggest to a buyer that the parts to a set are original if you, as a seller, can't be 100% sure of it. Because unless you bought the set new and never mixed it with any other sets, you have no way of knowing.
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,787
    MAGNINOMINISUMBRA said:
    Isn't a yellow 2x2 plate from 1985 EXACTLY the same as one from 2001?
     a 2x2 plate maybe be, but larger plates have different types of support of the plate if I am not mistaken.
    Plus (aside from the obvious old gray vs new gray) the 1x1 eyelet type pieces and 1x1 clip pieces have variations from their inception to now, I think they are on type 4 if I am not mistaken. To some collectors that matters a lot.
  • mooman66mooman66 Member Posts: 122
    So what I am reading is that if I do my research, try my best to check stems, posts, color, stamp locations and sequences then I should be able to list the sets as 100% complete. However, if I make a mistake I should be prepared to locate the more accurate piece from the mixed lot. I'm fine with that.
    drdavewatford
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    Bricklink is not as reliable as I once thought. I was under the assumption that the Classic Minifigure head went through a transformation when the Classic Pirates line came out. The solid studded heads changed to a hollow stud and the head became more rounded. This is also the first time the Lego Minifigure had facial hair and expressions. All my Classic Pirates had the hollow studs. This is also what Bricklink says, but recently I uncovered some Blue and Red Coats with Classic smiley faces that had solid studded heads. I asked my friend to see if any of his had solid studs and he made an interesting discovery; his Red Coat Officer w/ facial hair had a solid studded head. This is a huge game changer for me.
    piratemania7
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    ...Because of this finding, it throws my parts bin divided by era off. I was under the assumption that all heads pre Classic Pirates were solid studded and that made life easier. Now I need to take a closer look. My initial thought is that Lego was just trying to use up excess solid studded heads with classic smiley faces and they reserved the hollow studded heads for the new face printing. Now I see that they indeed used new faces on the solid studded heads for a period of time. How long and in what sets they did use them is a mystery at this point.
  • piratemania7piratemania7 Member Posts: 2,146
    Ok so @mooman66 if you take set "X" and have the instructions, box, any applicable inserts, stickers all pieces and the small handful of extras that TLG always gives you then set "X" is in theory complete.

    Now, if you had to go to a garage sale, yard sale, BrickLink, etc, in order to complete the set then you don't actually "own" it. Even if you check off all of the above criteria.

    Game changer? I hope so.
    Mordoor
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    I am currently putting together information about the Minifigure 1978-Current. Head, Torso, Legs. Most everything one would want to know about changes in molds and what not. I also would want info from other Bricksetters as well. I think this info should be added to some sort of database once completed. This will be very useful in trying to piece together a Minifigure from a certain era.
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    @mooman66 , trying to make everything perfect is noble. I do the same thing. I do see your dilemma. Not everyone is as anal as I am about my Lego; in fact, I probably make up a small percentage of people. If I received a set that didn't have the right era specific parts or minifigures, I wouldn't be happy. With your luck, you would have someone like me buy your set and then complain. Although, I probably wouldn't buy an unsealed set because of of not knowing if these are the original pieces. This is also problem for me selling my own sets. It is a vicious circle ;)
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    If you are selling sets from a lot you bought, I would disclose that info somehow. I would also say that there are no extra parts. What does 100% Complete really mean? All the parts are present to complete the model or all parts are present according to how many were included in the box? A real anal person would probably complain that the extra pieces are not present.
  • brickscapebrickscape Member Posts: 18
    Pitfall69 said:
    ...The solid studded heads changed to a hollow stud and the head became more rounded...
    I've noticed this difference in heads, too. Some are more squared off while others are more rounded but I've never seen any info on exactly when this change occurred. I thought that the more square heads were the older ones but the minifigs in my copy of 6073 Knight's Castle (which belonged to my brother-in-law as a kid and was never mixed with later sets) all have the more rounded head. And I've seen plenty of the more rounded type with solid studs. Any info you can dig up on this difference in head shape would be great.
  • oldtodd33oldtodd33 Member Posts: 2,694
    MAGNINOMINISUMBRA said:
    Isn't a yellow 2x2 plate from 1985 EXACTLY the same as one from 2001?
       No, they are not. There are differences in the mold numbers and styles that make them different to a collector.

    @Pitfall69 I can tell you that Captain Red Beard that came in my #6270 does have that solid stud head and the rest of the minifigures all have hollow stud heads. I know this for a fact because I opened it brand new in 1990. 
    Pitfall69
  • mooman66mooman66 Member Posts: 122
    Gah! I remember asking a while back about tracking stud changes by year and learning that there were so many varieties at one time or in which line of sets it was ridiculous.
    I can't win here! I want to give the buyer the best product but don't want to lose 50% of my profit. I got burned on a classic Kings castle. I was 99.9% certain I pulled the correct pieces from a small mixed lot but I put the disclaimer on. Mine sold for significantly less than other past auctions. I spent hours reading mold numbers and comparing studs and supports. I could have earned the same just picking the right color and forgetting about everything else.
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    Another confirmed "sighting". This is excellent news indeed. The Classic Pirates theme "broke the mold" so to speak for not only minifigures, but other parts as well.

    Let us go back in time. The year is 1989 and it was a great year for Lego fans. This is the year that the Pirates theme was introduced and the first time we actually had a female minifigure with lipstick. This female pirate minifigure came in the legendary #6285 Black Seas Barracuda and #6251 Pirate Minifigures set. All female heads with lipstick were solid studs until 1991 I believe. 1990 was the last year for the solid studded female with lipstick head. By 1990, all other minifigures had hollow studded heads. By 1991, all minifigures had hollow studded heads.

    My guess is that Lego was trying to use up their supply of solid studded heads, so some made it into sets with hollow studded heads. I can only imagine that Lego had a lot solid studded female with lipstick heads left over and used them in #6071 Forestmen's Crossing, which was only available in North America supposedly. This might explain the "rarity" of this little gem ;)
  • mooman66mooman66 Member Posts: 122
    That "gem" has clearly been photoshopped. Those lips are way too full.
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    ^I just took a pic of the figure from my collection. Definitely not photoshopped.
  • oldtodd33oldtodd33 Member Posts: 2,694
    ^ Maybe she's had enhancement injections.
    Pitfall69bobabricksSirKevbags
  • Sethro3Sethro3 Member Posts: 995
    That's what LEGO ladies used to look like. Until they added eyelashes that is.
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,787
    edited March 2015
    Pitfall69 said:
    ^I just took a pic of the figure from my collection. Definitely not photoshopped.
    Though it should also be noted that there were reprints of this figure (forest maiden) in a LEGO minifigure set, though I am sure @pitfall69 is showing an original from the 80's (a telltale sign I believe is the green bandana piece it looks a bit different from the original).

  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    I will have a gander at the bandana, but the torso on the reissue distinguishes it from the original; much like the Black Falcon reissues.
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    edited March 2015
    Another Maiden from my collection. This minifigure came with #6081 King's Mountain  Fortress. Released the same year as #6071, but this minifigure has the hollow stud. According to Bricklink, she is supposed to have a solid stud. This is from my personal collection and I can tell you that this is incorrect. She may have had a solid stud, but she also had a hollow stud.
  • binaryeyebinaryeye Member Posts: 1,831
    @Pitfall69

    The heads in the few Pirates sets I have are a mix of solid and hollow studs. Although my childhood collection was all mixed together, the Pirates were the only minifigures in my collection to have non-smiley heads. So in some cases, I know exactly which heads came in which set:

    Captain Red Beard from #6251: solid
    Woman from #6251: solid
    Brown beard from #6251: solid
    Eye patch and stubble from #6257: hollow

    I also have four of the heads with the long mustache and stubble; one from #6235, one from #6251, and two from #6257. Two of these are solid and two are hollow.

    In the case of that head, I don't know for sure which heads came with which set. But I bought #6235 and #6251 at a shop in Germany while on vacation there in October of 1989, and #6257 some time later in the US. With three of the heads in #6251 having solid studs, this leads me to believe the sets bought in Germany had solid stud heads, while the set bought in the US had hollow stud heads. Obviously, I can't say that for sure, but it's a definite possibility since the numbers work. It would be interesting to get more information on sets bought in Europe vs. North America to see if it has any bearing on solid vs. hollow studs.
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    That's it. Everyone that has sealed Classic Pirate sets, open them all up, so we can check the minifigures!!! And.....Go!!! ;)
    Sethro3
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    I've started up a discussion about minifigures in general.

    http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/19360/the-evolution-of-the-lego-minifigure#latest
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