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In lugnet.market.theory, Paul Klenk writes:
> I've seen a few -- but very few -- LEGO builders offering their own original
> creations on eBay and elsewhere, and I wonder whether there is a decent
> market for such things? What do you think?
I'll speak on this as one of those who isn't affiliated with the Guild of
Bricksmiths. I've sold custom kits both through the retail channel and via ebay.
The retail channel worked better for my purposes as I could set the price rather
than depending on the need for bids. All 10 kits (2 different mecha models) sold
rather briskly.
> By decent market, I mean, the ability to actually make a profit based on the
> price of acquiring the bricks (purchase/shipping) compared to the final
> sales price of your creation. (I imagine it wouldn't be worth it without
> marking it up 100% or more. If I did it, I would set a high reserve price.)
In my case, the markup was approximately 125% for the retail version. The ebay
versions barely covered costs.
> Probably the items that would sell the best would contain a modest amount of
> pieces, a relatively low number of special (i.e., expensive) pieces and high
> number of cheap pieces, and ones that use a lot of colors and are
> well-photographed. Also ones that reflect the most popular themes (Town,
> Vehicles, Robots, etc.).
My two models varied from 200 to 400 pieces. Offering them with color options
wold have fetched a higher price, but the cost of acquiring parts at the time
wasn't worth it. These days it is worth the trouble to hunt down such parts.
>
> It occurs to me that there are also some potential challenges and issues to
> be resolved, such as:
>
> 1. Would you ship them assembled or not? If not, would you supply
> instructions? Or at least some high-quality photographs are various angles
> and building stages?
Mine were sold in modified RoboRider cans and specialized boxes. All were
unassembled except for the display models which sold for a bit less but included
everything the non assembled kits had. Printed instructions were included.
> 2. Would you include a list of parts? (I imagine it might help you get
> parts customers in the future.)
I didn't do this at that time, but I would include it if I sold kits today.
> 3. Would you disclose that your set was never issued by LEGO, and that it is
> in fact your own creation? What would be the best way of doing that?
I ALWAYS disclosed this fact. My customers looked at this as 'art with
instructions' rather than a custom Lego kit.
My way of putting it: 'This is a custom built kit withinstructions created by
me. It is built from Lego bricks, but not endorsed by them in any way'.
> 4. Would you ever include used pieces, or only new bricks? Might this pose
> problems if you needed very unusual parts (how would you find them)? Would
> you disclose to the customer whether the bricks were new or used, or just
> not say anything? Perhaps one should disclose, "Set comprises 103 pieces,
> not more than 5 of which are used -- all else are new."
Used parts were a must simply because I couldn't find certain parts new. I
disclosed this fact as well. Most of the parts were new. Only 3%-5% of the parts
were used.
> DISCUSS.
>
> Second question:
>
> Would you find value in swapping stories about successful (or unsuccessful)
> sales of MOCs? For instance, if someone built and sold a house over eBay,
> might it not be valuable to everyone to see the final auction details, see
> how the item was photographed and presented, and see the final price?
>
> YOUR THOUGHTS.
Having done this I can say that the information is valuable to parties
interested in selling custom kits.
My info made public:
The models that were sold (5 each)-
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=60109
Price in the retail channel (sold 4 of each): $50 for the blue Warthog model,
$75 for the yellow Xerxes model.
Price for the same models via ebay (sold 1 of each): $28.37 for the blue Warthog
model, $60 for the yellow Xerxes model.
Both models included instructions, minifig pilots, and packaging. I have no
pictures of the packaging I had for these models as I promised that it would be
a truly limited addition creation.
Would I like to sell custom models again? Yes, if I could find a way to sell
enough to make it worth my time.
Would I make models limited additions? Yes and no. I'd offer both options with
alternate color limited editions if possible.
Would I suggest trying to selling via retail outlets? Yes, but only if you could
find a reliable, high traffic way of doing so. I was fortunate enough to have a
part time job with the shop in question. Most people aren't that fortunate.
Am I considering offering alternate colored versions of these models at
BricksWest? Yes, but only if I think I can get the proper parts quickly enough.
Also, I'd need to re-make the cans and instructions to reflect the new colored
kits.
-Dave (Who loves the idea of custom kits, but acknowledges that it is an awful
lot of work to do it right.)
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