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Dave,
This sounds like a very interesting venture... and you sound like you really
got enjoyment out of it!
One small question: Did you set a reserve in your ebay auction? I ask as I
have noticed that the Bricksmith’s Guild tend to either set high reserves or
have high starting prices (which I have no problem with). Perhaps this angle
could improve your ebay sales?
Scott A
(Who wishes he’d bid $29 on your ebay auction!)
In lugnet.market.auction, Dave Johann writes:
> 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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