Has there ever been a LEGO® set you really wanted, but after seeing the price, you realised it might be a while before you could afford it?
The good news is that enjoying LEGO® sets doesn’t have to break the bank. Buying a pre-loved LEGO® set can be just as exciting as getting a brand-new one, especially when you find a seller you can trust.
The second-hand LEGO® market gives builders and collectors another way to enjoy the hobby without always paying the full price of a brand-new set. At WeBuyBricks, we believe pre-loved LEGO® sets and bricks can make building more affordable while also giving existing pieces another chance to be enjoyed.
Used LEGO® sets can offer great value, particularly when you buy from a specialist seller that checks the condition and authenticity of the pieces before listing them. And there’s a simple reason why second-hand LEGO® bricks can still be in great condition, even after years of use: they’re designed to last.
Buying second-hand LEGO® set can be considerably cheaper than buying a brand-new equivalent, although the exact saving depends on the set, its condition, rarity and demand.
The current WeBuyBricks range includes used LEGO® sets and bricks at great prices. Pre-loved sets can make it easier to enjoy the hobby without breaking the bank, particularly as buying brand-new sets can quickly become expensive.
As one member of the WeBuyBricks team explains:
It's a whole new market, the used LEGO® market. We're trying to build awareness and growing the used LEGO® market. It makes LEGO® sets more affordable for everybody .
However, a lower price doesn’t necessarily mean a lower-quality product. There are several reasons why a used set may cost less than a new one. A second-hand set doesn't carry the same new-product premium as a brand-new set and may not come with the original packaging. Its price can also be influenced by factors such as condition, completeness, age and current demand. A set with missing pieces or instructions may cost less, while sets in excellent condition and with all their pieces and instructions can still offer good value.
Of course, not every used LEGO® set will be cheaper. Rare, retired and highly collectible sets can sometimes command high prices on the second-hand market.
One of the biggest concerns people can have about buying second-hand LEGO® sets is whether the bricks will still be in good condition. But LEGO® bricks are particularly durable. They are designed to be built, taken apart and rebuilt repeatedly, meaning a used piece can still have plenty of life left in it.
As our team puts it:
People sometimes are worried that, “Oh my God, I'm buying a used product.” These are LEGO® bricks. It's slightly different. They're durable. They're hardwearing.
The durability of LEGO® bricks means that age alone doesn't necessarily tell you much about their condition. A set that is several years old can still have bricks that are in great condition, particularly if they have been stored carefully and looked after over the years. This means an older set can still offer plenty of enjoyment and value, even if it is no longer available to buy brand-new.
We see pieces that can be 20 years old. You put them against a new piece and it's hard to tell the difference.
This is one of the reasons the second-hand LEGO® market works so well. A brick that has already been used doesn't necessarily become a worse brick simply because it isn't new.
Buying second-hand LEGO® sets is much easier when you know the sets you're receiving have been checked. WeBuyBricks says every used set is inspected and verified using genuine LEGO® parts before it is listed. The team checks the elements, confirms authenticity and assesses the overall condition. If a set isn't complete, this is stated on the product page.
The team also uses a machine called Brick-o-matic to help identify damaged pieces:
The machine has blemish detection technology built into it. If it sees a piece with a deep scratch or a crack, it will automatically reject that piece.
This inspection process is particularly important when buying used LEGO® sets, as condition can vary between different sellers and marketplaces. WeBuyBricks' own guidance recommends checking for issues such as cracks, discolouration, scratches and other signs of wear when assessing second-hand LEGO® sets.
There isn't one typical second-hand LEGO® set buyer. For some people, buying used LEGO® sets is about collecting. Others are looking for a more affordable way to enjoy their favourite hobby, while some buyers choose pre-loved bricks because they want to make a more sustainable choice.
As the WeBuyBricks team explains:
Typical customers would be collectors who have a room in their house dedicated to all the sets they’ve built, with glass cases displaying their collections.
Collectors may be searching for retired sets, older themes or specific pieces that are no longer available to buy new. But second-hand LEGO® sets aren’t just for serious collectors.
You’ve also got people who care about sustainability and deliberately choose to buy used LEGO® sets. Then you’ve got people who are on a tighter budget.
For families, casual builders and anyone who simply wants to build without spending as much, buying pre-loved LEGO® sets can make the hobby more accessible.
The price of new LEGO® sets can make the hobby expensive, particularly if you're building a large collection or buying multiple sets.
Second-hand LEGO® sets give builders another option. Instead of always buying new, you can look for pre-loved sets and bricks that have already been enjoyed by someone else. WeBuyBricks currently sells a range of second-hand LEGO® sets, including modern favourites and retired sets, with every set checked before being listed.
The company also sells its Build-it Box, which contains approximately 700 or more genuine pre-loved LEGO® parts and pieces and is positioned as a lower-cost alternative to buying new.
As the team says:
Used LEGO® sets are quite a bit cheaper than buying new sets and that makes it available to more people.
This means you don't necessarily need to choose between enjoying LEGO® set building and sticking to a budget.
There is another reason to consider buying second-hand: reuse.
Every pre-loved LEGO® set that finds another builder gets another opportunity to be enjoyed. Rather than sitting forgotten in a loft or being thrown away, the bricks can continue to be used. WeBuyBricks describes its mission as making the used LEGO® set market more accessible and sustainable, helping keep pre-loved bricks in circulation.
As our team puts it:
We’re taking pre-loved LEGO® sets and pre-used LEGO® bricks and allowing them to be used time and time and time again.
It’s a simple idea, but one that makes sense for a product designed to be durable. Instead of being left unused, pre-loved LEGO® sets and bricks can find new homes and continue to be enjoyed by other builders.
Used LEGO® sets are often cheaper than buying the equivalent sets brand new, although the exact saving varies depending on the set, condition, rarity and demand. WeBuyBricks' Build-it Box, for example, is priced at around half the cost of the closest equivalent new LEGO® set.
Yes, used LEGO® sets can still be in excellent condition. LEGO® bricks are designed to be durable and withstand repeated building and rebuilding. At WeBuyBricks, used sets are inspected and verified using genuine LEGO® parts before being listed.
Yes. WeBuyBricks says every set is checked and verified by its team. The condition and completeness are assessed, and if a set is incomplete, this is stated on the product page.
Buying second-hand LEGO® sets can be a more affordable and sustainable way to enjoy the hobby. You can get more bricks for your money while helping keep existing LEGO® sets and bricks in circulation for longer.
No. The price of a used LEGO® set depends on factors such as its condition, completeness, rarity and demand. Some rare and retired LEGO® sets can actually be worth more than their original retail price. The “around half the price” claim specifically applies to the WeBuyBricks Build-it Box compared with the closest equivalent new LEGO® set.
Second-hand LEGO® sets appeals to all kinds of builders, including collectors, families, casual builders, people on a budget and those who want to make a more sustainable choice.
Buying LEGO® sets doesn't always have to mean buying them brand new.
Whether you're looking for a retired set, trying to grow your collection on a budget or simply want to find a more sustainable way to enjoy your hobby, second-hand LEGO® sets can be a great option.
At WeBuyBricks, we believe LEGO® sets and bricks are made to be enjoyed again and again. By checking, preparing and reselling pre-loved sets and bricks, we help keep them in circulation and make LEGO® set building more accessible.
Because used doesn't have to mean worse. Sometimes, it just means someone else enjoyed it first.
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