Lego Investing Is Booming. Here’s How It Works | Niche Markets | WSJ

Researchers say Lego grows in a similar way to other collectibles, like wine or art, but outperforms them over time.

Lego fans and collectors are buying and selling the plastic toys for profit, and seeing better average returns than for many other assets like stocks, gold and art. Here’s how Lego investing works, and why this lesser known market punches above its weight. Photo illustration: Adam Adada

#WSJ #Lego #investing

[MattApple_]

This piece should have covered how Lego bought Bricklink and effectively took control of its own resale market.

[BrickTsar]

The speculators tend to cause the Lego group to over estimate the demand for sets. Collectors and casual consumers are what grew the hobby. Speculators can ruin it. People see the returns and think they can do the same without knowledge. I’m glad we have people that resale parts and sets. It’s definitely not easy. But I think there are things that can harm the hobby.

Never thought I would see a video talking about Lego affordability. Odd way to describe it. Sealed set selling is too annoying for me. I prefer to sell by the piece

[ReidCoffman]

Biggest lesson of 2022 in the stock market: Nobody knows what is going to happen next, so practice some humility and follow a strategy with a long term edge.

[ManuelZ]

"Lego Tron" (points to the Voltron set). Today everybody and his grandmother are Lego investors.

[AelousFox]

I loved Lego when I was a kid and always thought I can buy good ones when I grow up. Then when I make my own money, the price of Lego increased dramatically. Then this...

[mountandbrick]

Biggest issue by far is people coming into the hobby with none of the love and expecting to just make money and scalp.

[fixerdrew]

When theres a video about Lego investing by the Wall Street Journal, then the market is far too saturated

[cammaster]

Quit messing with a toys price and jacking up a market that is already insane. scalpers suck and will never get any of my money.

[patgilroy]

It’s sad really. I respect those who take their time to do all of this, but as someone who loves to simply BUILD and display them, I feel a bit of emptiness when all anybody wants to talk about is how much they’re worth..

[Brickfilmer]

Knowing how to spot the set and knowing when to sell it is really key. I think it's a great hobby to make a little extra money on the side, but should really not be taken as a serious method of investment

[tylervelasquez]

Correction, she said like wine, no no, you can still sell it open because some like just wanna build but not pay the cost of new or go into lego trade in shop!

[chargerdave]

Hobbies should never be about " how much it's worth " just enjoy it

[BlackringIII]

What I love about Lego is their ability to meet demand, we've never had significant problems with scalpers while sets were in production.

[danielrossman]

Lots of storage space required for the average person to make any real money.

[vietrounder]

What most Lego investors don't realize is that, if they account for the money they front, storage space, the time and effort they put in, they would make more money from working part-time at McDonalds. Lego is a toy, meant to be opened, played with, and appreciate.

[Alex-jitf]

Imagine being his kid and not being allowed to play with all the legos

[KarthikRamKuttan]

This is just a scalper by a different name

[bricked]

It’s a really good investment for people who actually like to open and play with them. I buy most of the big sets, open them, build them with my kids, play with them, then sell them a couple of years later when my kids are sick of them. Even used, you make a huge profit, especially if you can sell locally and avoid shipping.

The huge earnings are a happy byproduct of actually enjoying the set for legitimate play collectors. I have made thousands all while actually enjoying the product.

[ferdatuyanik]

He's so happy about the Recession coming in, like he's super excited to be witnessing it.

[michaelfinny]

There are inaccuracies in this. The Lego TIE fighter helmet was not originally $30. Retail value was $60. Big difference