Lego fans and collectors often buy older, usually retired sets at a higher price from sellers all over the world. Throughout the last 15 years or so, the return on the investing in Lego sets has been greater than investments in gold.
“Savers who invested in gold received a 9.6 per cent annual gain over the past decade and a half,” said Dan Hyde from the Telegraph. “By contrast, Lego sets kept in pristine condition have increased in value 12 percent each year since the turn of the millennium.”
While Lego sets that are kept in their original packaging sell for the largest profit, sets that are being sold second-hand also perform well if the quality is sufficient. The reason why Legos are a great investment is that all sets are eventually retired, big or small, and there will always be people who are looking for the older sets that aren’t sold in stores, even if it means paying a price that is exponentially larger than the original.
The most popular theme of resold Lego sets is the Lego Star Wars theme, which accounts for 10 out of 20 of the most expensive sets. With the recent release of “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens,” investment in these Star Wars sets are expected to rise.
“The Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon is the most expensive, having gone from a retail price of $467 in 2007 to $3907 today,” said Hyde. “Some Lego sets that once sold for less than $144 now fetch thousands on the secondary market.”
“I have sold some old Lego minifigures on eBay in the past for a handsome profit,” said William Hart High School sophomore Kyle Peterson, who happens to be an avid Lego fan. “I am pleased at the fact that my childhood hobby could benefit me financially in adulthood. I am sure any Lego fan would be overjoyed to know he’s been sitting, or painfully stepping on, a gold mine.”
Peterson sold a single minifigure for over $150 as a child, testifying to the effectiveness of a Lego investment. Successful Lego investment tips include collecting limited edition sets; investing in sets released after 1999 (Lego sets prior to 1999 tended to be simple); and keeping the pieces, instructions, and boxes in prime condition.
“If Lego decides to regard their product as a precious commodity and limits production, I believe that they will ultimately lose their loyal fans who use Legos for recreational purposes,” Peterson said. “Personally, I will continue to occasionally purchase a set here and there for my amusement. I could never see myself, or any true Lego fan buying a set purely for the reason of selling it later to make some money.”
