Why Original LEGO® Boxes Boost Second-Hand Value of Sets

Nostalgia, rarity, and display factor these are just three of the reasons you should keep your LEGO® set boxes. It’s just a fact that most of us hate having old boxes lying around taking up valuable space, but this might be one of the rare cases where keeping the box is a good idea! In this brief article, we will be discussing why keeping your original LEGO® set boxes is a good idea and how you can maximise the value of your second-hand LEGO® sets.

If you are a LEGO® collector, or you just enjoy the occasional build, you will know that a LEGO® set box is more than just packaging. Every LEGO® set box is carefully designed to form a crucial part of each set; every box offers a glimpse of the finished product, information about the set and its background, and, of course, a safe place to store the bricks themselves.

So, why does the original box maintain or add value to the LEGO® set itself? We have broken down the key reason a LEGO® set's box is important for its second-hand value:

Proof of Authenticity

With the improvement of technology in recent years, counterfeit or “fake” LEGO® sets have been on the rise. Original boxes are a great way to identify genuine LEGO® sets, as they sport unique barcodes and offer a glimpse of the box’s content.

Completeness Appeals to Collectors

Completeness is an important factor in the value of LEGO® sets. The box itself should be considered an integral part of the set. If it is missing, it will impact the value in the same way that a missing brick might.

Rarity Due to Scarcity

As you might expect, many people throw away the box when they build a set; this has inevitably led to original boxes being rarer, and as we all know, rarity means value.

Display Appeal

People collect LEGO® for different reasons: some for the joy of building, some for the investment, and some for display purposes. In the case of the latter, original boxes are crucial for the displayability of a LEGO® set; after all, who wants to display a plastic bag?

Nostalgia

One of LEGO®s biggest selling point for the cough older cough generations is the nostalgia; the feeling of going to Toy’R’us and picking out your favourite boxed LEGO® set hits differently, and what better way to experience that walk down memory lane than with the original cover art.

Better Investment

As we mentioned earlier, LEGO® sets are often seen as a financial investment, and original packaging is crucial for maintaining a set’s investment-grade quality; therefore, collectors are willing to pay more for LEGO® sets in their original packaging.

Box condition matters

As with the bricks themselves, the condition of the box itself matters; a box in poor condition, whether from dampness, exposure to sunlight, or just poor handling, is likely to have lower desirability than sets with boxes in mint condition, and this reflects in value.

So, if you are looking to invest in some second-hand LEGO® sets, or you want to sell yours, it’s worth remembering to give the original packaging the attention it deserves, because it has the potential to make or break the value of your second-hand sets.

Have you ever stopped to wonder how much your LEGO® sets are worth? Well, now you can in just a few seconds with WeBuyBricks. Find your set by entering its set number in the search bar on the WeBuyBricks homepage, and fill out a few condition details; when you’re done, you will receive an instant quote. It really couldn’t be easier.