Pacific Ledger
Lego investing is booming - How to get into Lego investing for beginners
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LEGO isn’t just for kids anymore—it’s a serious investment opportunity for those who know what to look for. LEGO sets, especially retired ones, have become highly sought-after collector’s items, often outpacing traditional investments like stocks or gold in terms of ROI. If you’re curious about LEGO investing, this guide will walk you through the basics of getting started.
How can you make money off LEGO?
Buy and hold brand new or used complete sets, and minifigures, to gain "equity" in the increasing market value over time
Find underpriced sets or bulk Lego on the secondary market to re-sell at full-market price
Re-sell individual parts and minifigures on sites like Brick Link
Refurbish incomplete sets from the secondary market to sell at full-market value
Collect promotional sets from Lego or Comic-cons
Buy brand new sets that are "retiring soon" to re-sell in a few months for a profit after they are no longer available in stores or online (must keep sealed)
Why LEGO?
High Demand: LEGO has a dedicated and growing fan base of kids, adults, and collectors.
Limited Production Runs: When a LEGO set retires, its supply becomes fixed, while demand often increases over time.
Proven Returns: Many LEGO sets have historically appreciated by 5-20% annually after retirement.
Research the Market
Before jumping in, get to know the LEGO market. Here are some tips:
Monitor Retiring Sets: LEGO typically retires sets after a few years of production. Websites like Brick Economy and LEGO fan forums can help you track upcoming retirements.
Study Popular Themes: Themes like Star Wars, Creator Expert (modular buildings), and Technic have strong resale potential.
Track Popularity of New Releases: Research which sets have a lot of hype, which sets are selling the most, which sets have the best reviews, and which sets stand out among the new releases. These may have the highest increase in value over the long run.
Analyze Past Performance: Research retired sets to see how their value has changed over time depending on supply, popularity, theme, etc.
Start Small
You don’t need a massive budget to begin. Here’s how to ease into LEGO investing:
Focus on Smaller Sets: Start with affordable sets to minimize risk while you learn the market.
Build a Portfolio: Diversify by investing in different themes and sizes of sets.
Buy brand new: sets that are soon to retire have the most likelihood of increasing in value in the short-term if kept in mint condition.
Buy from garage sales or second-hand market places: People who have incomplete sets, or care more about cleaning out their space than maximizing the sale price, will offer the best deals.
Maximum Re-sale Value
Condition is critical in LEGO investing. To maximize resale value:
Keep Boxes Sealed: Unopened, mint-condition sets fetch the highest prices.
Store Properly: Keep sets in a cool, dry environment, away from sunlight or humidity, to prevent box damage.
Label and Organize: Track your inventory to stay on top of what you own and its potential value.
Timing Your Sales
Timing is everything in LEGO investing.
Hold for the Long Term: Most sets have a big jump in value after retirement, then don't see significant gains until they've been retired for 5-10 years.
Watch Market Trends: Use sites like eBay and BrickLink to gauge demand and price trends.
Sell Strategically: Consider selling during holidays, shortly after retirement, or when nostalgia resurges (e.g., anniversaries or reboots of popular franchises).
Step 5: Join the LEGO Community
Engaging with other LEGO enthusiasts can provide valuable insights.
Online Forums and Social Media: Join LEGO investment groups on Facebook or Reddit to exchange tips and strategies.
Attend LEGO Conventions: Networking with other investors and collectors can help you spot trends early.
Become a Lego Insider: Get access to early releases, exclusive promotional items, and significant discounts to boost your portfolio equity.
Final Thoughts
LEGO investing can be both fun and profitable, but like any investment, it comes with risks. Patience and thorough research are key to success. Whether you’re a fan of the bricks or simply looking for a unique way to grow your money, LEGO investing offers an exciting opportunity to build your portfolio—one brick at a time. Even by simply collecting your favorite sets to enjoy and un-box you will likely build equity or at least preserve your initial investment.
