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Need help pricing a possible amazing loose lot find

Chuckles21Chuckles21 Member Posts: 19
in Buying & Selling Topics
Recently I went into a small thrift store and asked the guy if he had any Lego's, specifically Star Wars is that is all I collect. He informed me that he bought a big lot of them from a guy a few years ago. They are all loose in totes mixed together and have been sitting in a room upstairs since he bought them.  He then said that the lot came with many build instruction manuals. I asked if I could see them and he pulls out instructions for the sets listed below. There are some serious holy grail Star Wars items that I want badly. The rest of the sets I don't care about but he wants to sell it all together. He was going to come up with a price and call me.

What I am hoping for is a rough estimate from people here on what they would pay for such a lot. Keep in mind there is no guarantee that all the pieces for these sets are in the totes. It is a fair assumption that they are but is not a guarantee so it is a risk. Any feedback would be appreciated.

P.S. If anyone would be interested in any of the non Star Wars sets let me know as I would be looking to sell them if I buy this lot. I would obviously first confirm all the pieces are present. 

Star Wars:
10144, 8098, 8039, 7664, 7661, 10030, 10179

City: 
4995, 7642, 7733, 7633, 4210

Creator: 
4958

Aqua Raiders: 
7772, 7774, 7775

Indiana Jones: 
7626

K'nex: 
8063

ExoForce: (Never even had heard of)
8108

Thanks for any help

Comments

  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    try bricklink.com for rough prices.
    madforLEGO
  • Boardshorts85Boardshorts85 Member Posts: 183
    edited July 2017
    The bulk of the value is obviously tied up in the SW sets, but without confirmation of completeness, I'd be a little wary paying top dollar.

    Looking just at the price data on Brickset and Bricklink, Brickset gives an estimated value of $2274 for the SW sets, Bricklink $2875

    Per Brickset, everything else sums up to about $650 for a total of $2900.

    You got a better look at it than any of us, so it boils down to your confidence that the sets are complete.  Are the UCS Falcon minifigs all there?  That could be a huge blow to the value right away if they are missing.

    I'd probably start with asking what the seller wants for the lot, knowing that its (potentially) worth upwards of $3000 if the big money items are complete.
  • BumblepantsBumblepants Member Posts: 7,634
    Also check for the real radar dish and grey mast grids thingies and other rare parts on the falcon.
    Lego_StarMAGNINOMINISUMBRASumoLegodougtsIceCreamCloneFollowsClosely
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    Boardshorts85 said:
    Are the UCS Falcon minifigs all there?  That could be a huge blow to the value right away if they are missing.


    They are not that big a deal, they were all in the old Death Star.
    FollowsClosely
  • Chuckles21Chuckles21 Member Posts: 19
    Bumblepants said:
    Also check for the real radar dish and grey mast grids thingies and other rare parts on the falcon.
    This is a very good thought. Can someone point me to the most rare parts for the SW sets so that I can at least try and confirm these are in the bins. I agree this could be either a big find but with possible big risk. 
  • LobotLobot Member Posts: 1,029

    @Chuckles21

    10179 - From memory:

    1 x 3456 Dark Red Plate 6 x 14
    2 x 47966 - Light Bluish Gray Boat Mast Rigging Long 28 x 3
    1 x 50990pb03 - Light Bluish Gray Dish 10 x 10 Inverted (Radar) Dish
    60 x  4592c05 Light Bluish Gray Lever Small Base with Light Bluish Gray Lever
    16 x 32555 - Yellow Technic, Brick 5 x 5 Right Angle (1 x 4 - 1 x 4)

    10030 - From other comments I've seen:

    28 x 73092 Black Magnet Cylindrical
    14 x 2607 Black Magnet Holder 2 x 3
    4 x 4424 Light Gray Container, Barrel Half Large
    2 x 30208 Light Gray Cylinder Hemisphere 4 x 4 Multifaceted
    2 x 30342Light Gray Rock Arctic Globe, Bottom
    3 x 2573 Light Gray Wheel Hard Plastic Giant (71mm D. x 47mm)
    14 x 30159 Tan Magnet Holder Plate 2 x 2 Bottom
    3 x 44375a Trans-Light Blue Dish 6 x 6 Inverted (Radar) - Hollow Studs

    Chuckles21bandit778
  • Chuckles21Chuckles21 Member Posts: 19
    @Lobot :

    Thank you very much. I am looking up these parts right now in order to be able to look for them. 
  • Mr_CrossMr_Cross Member Posts: 1,688
    If it's the bley variant of Star Destroyer some of the rarer parts for that are obscenely priced now.
  • Chuckles21Chuckles21 Member Posts: 19
    @Mr_Cross
    Could you explain the bley varent. 
  • LobotLobot Member Posts: 1,029
    edited July 2017

    @Chuckles21 - 'bley' refers to 'Bluish Gray'.......

    10030 was in production during the transition between Grey colours:

    'Dark Gray' became 'Dark Bluish Gray' and 'Light Gray' became 'Light Bluish Gray'

    Apparently some of the sets actually included a combination of both old/new!

    MAGNINOMINISUMBRAMr_Cross
  • MAGNINOMINISUMBRAMAGNINOMINISUMBRA Member Posts: 993
    I'd bite the bullet and offer him something like $200 for it then work your way up from there - force him to counter your offer and go up to a price you're comfortable with.  If he says he needs time, say you're going out of town, your nana died, WHATEVER!  You NEED to control this negotiation process.  DONT start high or seem TOO eager or knowledgeable.  The minute he starts doing his own research (which in all likelihood will be the two thickest instruction books) - you're NOT going to be getting a bargain. I would expect if he IS allowed to research, the lot won't be available to buy anymore and the guy will be building more LEGO than he EVER anticipated which, in turn, you may be given the opportunity to purchase for many times what you could have if you controlled the sale.
  • bobabricksbobabricks Member Posts: 1,842
    Mr_Cross said:
    If it's the bley variant of Star Destroyer some of the rarer parts for that are obscenely priced now.
    I did a lot of research of this when I had obtained a sealed 10030 trying to figure out what grey it was. Some of the bluish grey exclusive parts are priced a little higher than the old greys, but if one was to part together a full 10030, all of the other old grey parts makes the old grey 10030 technically worth much more than the bley set. 
    MAGNINOMINISUMBRAMr_Cross
  • samiam391samiam391 Member Posts: 4,492
    edited July 2017
    MAGNINOMINISUMBRA said:
     If he says he needs time, say you're going out of town, your nana died, WHATEVER! 
    Nope, no sir, and no. Hoping this is just exaggeration, but if it isn't- to the OP please stay honest in all negotiations.

    Personally, as a seller or buyer, if I ever get a whiff of dishonesty I'm out.

    Per everyone else's suggestions, I would look up Ebay completed listings (make sure the description matches what is being offered to you), look through the lot to find the important pieces to make sure they are there, and also check condition of everything. Good luck!
    MattDawson
  • Chuckles21Chuckles21 Member Posts: 19
    I tried buying them right away for $800 and he wouldn't let them go without looking into prices as he was informed enough to know their were some nice sets in there. He called me back a little bit ago and said he sees them valued total $2700 based on loose Ebay auctions and that he would sell them for $1500. Before any agreement I said that I would have to confirm key pieces and minifigs. He did mention he wasn't sure on the minifigs status. I honestly don't care as much about the minifigs but it would be a very useful negotiation tactic if some of them are missing. 

    Based on our discussions so far, I could see him going down to $1200. So I am asking others if they would take that deal if they were offered it?
  • MAGNINOMINISUMBRAMAGNINOMINISUMBRA Member Posts: 993
    ^ It was a TOTAL exaggeration.  I was however trying to impress upon the OP the ABSOLUTE importance of controlling the purchase. The exact second that seller types 10179 into google then it's game over.
      Another bit of free advice specific to being honest in ALL dealings -  ALWAYS assume the other party is being dishonest or deceptive or inaccurate (though not always deliberately).  Less than 15% of deals are accurate and 100% honest.
    Source - Statistical Analysis of nearly thirty years being a Realtor, Business Broker and Venture Capital investigation and assessment Advisor.
    SprinkleOtterpharmjodJackad7
  • MAGNINOMINISUMBRAMAGNINOMINISUMBRA Member Posts: 993
    @Chuckles21
    At $1200-$1500, and assuming that I could see that most of the rare elements (dish, rigging, hemispheres, globes, giant wheels and dishes) were there- I'd be all over it in a heartbeat!
      In a worst case scenario it's hard to believe you wouldn't recoup your outlay on selling as a mixed lot.
      Good luck and May the Force be with you!
    FollowsClosely
  • HanzoHanzo Member Posts: 607
    Interesting, here thrift stores just sell donated items for dirt cheap.  Never heard of a situation like this.  Almost just sounds like a junk shop.  I can't imagine the shopkeeper paying a ton for something like this, so I'd keep your offers low.  Good luck!
    SprinkleOtter
  • Chuckles21Chuckles21 Member Posts: 19
    @Hanzo

    I probably should not have used "thrift store" as a description. It is essentially a guys very disorganized business where he sells things second hand. He has a ton of records, glassware, old video games etc. It is all very disorganized and the "business" is run by him solely. 

    I'm torn what I'm going to do and am taking the weekend to think about it. If I can get it for a reasonable deal I'm going to pull the trigger after verifying certain key pieces are present. Ideally I'm hoping to get it for $1000 but more than likely see $1200. Either of those prices would be a deal give the Falcon and Star Destroyer. 
    Hanzobluedragon
  • Jackad7Jackad7 Member Posts: 555
    It's hard to say. About how much would all the parts weigh? Does it look like there are enough parts to contain a majority of the parts to complete the sets?I guess I am more of a visual person but anything but keep in mind you're going to have one heck of a time sorting that. You could use that as a negiotation point as well. I would spend a good amount of time (if he lets you) sifting through the parts before you but it to feel out how much your missing. If it's just superficial stuff then 1200 sounds like a great deal but if your only at 75% completion in the larger sets then try and work it down.
  • Mr_CrossMr_Cross Member Posts: 1,688
    I hope you can get the lot. Sounds like the dream! I'd definitely stress the hassle of sorting through it all and the high level of esoteric knowledge involved in identifying and sourcing any missing and therefore potentially expensive pieces.
  • MAGNINOMINISUMBRAMAGNINOMINISUMBRA Member Posts: 993
    Congrats mate - sounds like an incredible deal even if you're a bit short of 100% complete.  Make sure you make a post after you've had time to build this magnificent haul.  The only thing that could have made this story better is if your negotiations were accompanied by a near imperceptible wave of the hand as you stuck to your guns before upping the pot to meet his counter!
    *Insert Alec Guiness "These are not the droids" meme here.
    gmonkey76
  • Chuckles21Chuckles21 Member Posts: 19
    My wife and kids started to help me sort it all last night. It will take a bit as all the pieces took up 4 medium size totes. So far I have been very encouraged by what has been found while sorting. It was awesome to see how excited my 3 girls were when I brought it all home and then when we started to sort. 
    Jackad7bandit778Mr_Cross
  • Switchfoot55Switchfoot55 Member Posts: 3,354
    This scenario is dream scenario for me. As tedious as sorting bulk bricks are, there is something very relaxing about the process for me. Add on top of that the thrill of seeing what will come together from the heaps of bricks! 

    I'd love to see some pictures as well of what you manage to put together and any other sets that manage to find as well. 
    Jackad7BillyBricks84gmonkey76bandit778Mr_Cross
  • RecceRecce Member Posts: 923
    Nice update. I would say this has to be the best deal ever! Congrats. 
  • Mr_CrossMr_Cross Member Posts: 1,688
    Hooray! Fantastic stuff, well done, that's a brilliant deal!
    If you can, it would be great to see some pics of the haul and/or your sorting.
    No where near as cool, but I found a Hagrid's Hut 4754 in a local charity shop for £5 this week!
    khmellymelLEGO_Dad77
  • Chuckles21Chuckles21 Member Posts: 19
    I'll try and get some pictures up tomorrow or this weekend. So far I am through sorting 2 of the 4 bins. So far everything I found has been very promising that the vast majority of the pieces are there. 
    bandit778SumoLego
  • LobotLobot Member Posts: 1,029

    @Chuckles21 - You're welcome, I'm glad it's worked out that sounds like an incredible deal if they're near complete and in decent condition.  I'm looking forward to seeing your photos.

    .... and how much do you want for Indiana Jones? ;-)

  • Mr_CrossMr_Cross Member Posts: 1,688
    It's a great lot. Will probably take some time to sort fully but looks like it's going to be really rewarding!
  • MAGNINOMINISUMBRAMAGNINOMINISUMBRA Member Posts: 993
    ^^ 7662 As well? nice - a quite valuable set with some rare parts also!  
  • ecmo47ecmo47 Member Posts: 2,101
    That certainly is a treasure-trove of sets. Congratulations! Please continue with updates.
    SumoLegoMr_Cross
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