5 ways we get our LEGO bricks and pieces (on a budget)! Building MOCs is the next step after we run out of sets we like, but buying LEGO pieces can be a real challenge. In this video, we share what we've learned about about saving money on LEGO.
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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:19 - The problem
0:45 - 1. The Pick-a-Brick wall
4:18 - 2. BrickLink
6:55 - 3. LEGO.com pieces
8:52 - 4. Basic bricks boxes
9:32 - 5. Parting out sets
10:59 - Can we build the wall?
Method 1: The Pick-a-Brick wall at the LEGO store
Here you pay by volume, instead of per piece. Depending on the type of part, this can get you 40 to 90% off of what you'd pay elsewhere.
Tips: Call before you go to the wall, and go when it's been restocked recently. Pack your cup well - fill all the spaces! And ask the employees for tape.
Method 2: BrickLink (bricklink.com)
BrickLink lets you buy exactly what you need, from third-party sellers. It can be way faster than LEGO.com, which also lets you buy specific pieces on demand.
Tips: Figure out how to minimize shipping costs. Buy in bulk. Use BrickLink wanted lists to maximize how many parts you can buy from each store. Definitely buy retired pieces here. Do due diligence on the seller's history.
Method 3: The LEGO.com online parts store ("Bricks and Pieces")
LEGO's first-party online parts shop. LEGO sells most of its non-retired parts here, split into categories they call "Bestsellers" and "Standard". Slow, but reliable. Free shipping over $35.
Tips: Use this for low piece counts (because there's no lot minimum) and for rarer colors (because all colors are the same price).
Method 4: Classic brick boxes, especially Bricks Bricks Plates 11717
Can be very cheap if all you need is generic bricks and plates. We've used these extensively for building out the bulk of the invisible infrastructure of our city.
Tips: 11717 comes with four 16x16 plates, and is always on sale at walmart.com!
Method 5: Parting out sets that are on sale or just a good price per piece
The overall price per piece for sets is cheaper than picking out individual pieces anywhere else, except the Pick-a-Brick wall.
Tips: Buy sets for parting if they're deeply discounted (like at least 30-40% off), or if they're very similar to what you're hoping to build.
And we finish off the video by seeing if we've assembled enough pieces to build a LEGO city wall! (Secret LEGO city update!)