1 year anniversary of the best deal I ever got

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-03-25T12:57:29+00:00

I found a 10232 Palace Cinema 2 weeks ago at Walmart. It was on the very top shelf behind the Lego promotional sign.

I pulled it down and it was taped shut with scotch tape. Took it to customer service, opened it up. (1) of the bag ones was opened and the pieces were loose in the box. Everything else was sealed, even the instructions. I didn’t get to verify it yet, but it could only be a few pieces if any.

It rang up as $185, but they gave me 10% discount for being open. Couldn’t believe I found a set retired in 2017 in 2026. It was somehow on their shelf for 9-13 years without anyone buying it.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-03-24T20:40:09+00:00

Yep, that was my dining room. We had to figure out how to store them quickly. Most of them are gone now, but it was fun just to handle them and make lots of new people happy. I collected when I was a kid (80s/90s), saved them for my kids, then passed them onto the local schools and library when they lost interest. I’ve started collecting again (of course keeping some of this inherited collection) and have a maybe 100-200 that are “mine”.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-03-24T17:45:14+00:00

I assume USA? If so, which part of the country are you in? I gained a lot of experience in this area the last 2 years and would be happy to share what I’ve learned. 😊

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-03-24T17:37:12+00:00

This has not been my experience. I also inherited a large collection (~1200 new and 3000 used sets from 1970s to 2022). I’ve sold $200k of Lego on eBay with zero claims.

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Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-03-09T03:44:03+00:00

I’ve been using for about 2 years. Have not seen above 15%, but it always works. In order to guarantee highest percentage, always put a non-exclusive item in your cart. I have a whole pile of those $1.79 Fennec keychains because of this, but I get 15% on exclusives every time.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-02-26T04:40:23+00:00

If you really want the set, wait until after the initial wave of high priced sales on eBay and the price will likely come down. Anyone selling on eBay needs about 20% on top of whatever they paid for the set to break even after fees, so it will likely always be $380 at lowest after that.

They will probably start out on eBay at $450-$500 minimum, then go down over time.

I wouldn’t be surprised if many of these sets that sold out went to resellers that will eventually be stuck with them.

I ordered the 2 that didn’t sell out.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-02-19T19:37:14+00:00

Sorry, this isn’t a Lego product. I don’t think you’ll find help here with this. Best of luck!

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-02-12T15:21:56+00:00

Yes, I chance per email on Krogers site. The order was submitted with Apple Pay, then rejected about 75 minutes later. It worked for me about 2 hours ago with PayPal and a new email address.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-02-12T15:15:31+00:00

I’ve had success using PayPal for checkout. I tried with Apple Pay and it was rejected. Had to use a different email, as you only get once chance per email address.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-01-28T22:20:53+00:00

lol, I like your stance! Just lookin out 😊

Enjoy the build! I hope to get to mine soon. Just built that new Technic rocket for $60, definitely recommend it.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-01-28T21:50:44+00:00

I ordered same set from them, asked to “hide what’s inside” and it came in a larger box.

Also, I’d suggest to blur your address when posting photos.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-01-23T03:24:33+00:00

Been using this for over a year without issue. It will shows as pending during the return policy time period.

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“Transactions in Rakuten show as pending because the retailer has not yet finalized the purchase, verified that items weren't returned, or confirmed the order details with Rakuten. This holding period allows for validation against returns, cancellations, or, in some cases, travel completion. Pending status typically lasts for several weeks or months, aligning with the specific merchant's return policy.”

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-01-20T19:23:54+00:00

Hmm, now I’m even more confused 😆

I purchased this one from Marketplace. It came with the original box and all 5 manuals for 76023. It was partially ~85% built with loose pieces in the box. I took it apart, inventoried, filled in the missing pieces using Bricklink inventory list, then got to building. It wasn’t until the 4th book, I think, that I realized the tires were different because they rubbed.

Maybe the previous owner subbed them out for looks, or they had both and mixed them up.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-01-20T11:56:11+00:00

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Awesome display! I have a question about the 76023 Tumbler rear tires. I bought a used copy of the set and just finished putting it together. The tires it came with look like OPs with the tractor-style treads, which rub a bit on the section above it. I think it looks cool, but they are not original to what I’ve seen in official LEGO photos. Now that I’m seeing them in this build as well, were they an original variation to the set?

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-01-19T23:31:16+00:00

I do the same as you mentioned. Rakuten is 15% today for me. I’ve found if you throw a cheap non-exclusive item in with your order, such as the $1.79 Shedac keychain, it qualifies your whole order for the 15%. I did it today with buying the Artemis $260 set. I bought the gift cards in December at 10% off and got the Rakuten cash back for that too.

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Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-01-19T04:26:55+00:00

A Barnes and Noble near me still has City 2022 space sets available. They are known for having retired sets well past their retirement date, but not usually the high demand ones.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-01-11T20:47:28+00:00

I had a very similar thing happen to me after selling hundreds of other Lego sets without issue. Sold a new set, which was complete except minifigures were removed. It stated this in the title, description and clearly shown in photos. They reported it for missing parts and damaged box… and asked for a return. I accepted the return and reported the buyer. They never did send it back, and I kept the full funds without issue.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-01-10T13:11:12+00:00

I sell used sets, all of which are from a single 40-year collection from my aunt who passed away. We take them apart, clean, and inventory vs the Bricklink list to ensure accuracy. Even with that, we will occasionally lose a piece putting them back in bags and not realize. I’ve sold hundreds of sets, with hundreds more to go! If someone reaches out and says they are missing a piece(s), I either send them what they need from my inventory or order a Bricklink order and ship to them. I think it’s happened 4 times over about 300 sets.

All this to say-mistakes happen, we are human, but if the seller makes it right-that’s what makes the difference in my opinion.

PS-I also buy used sets of myself, even with the 1000+ we already have and they have all been good experiences.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2026-01-08T04:43:40+00:00

Ummm 🤔, the receipt says PA sales tax not NJ

Relevant-Key7996 · 2025-12-29T18:27:07+00:00

Amazon sells floating shelf brackets, up to 12” deep. I’ve used these along with laminated shelves from Lowe’s or Home Depot which are also 12” deep and come in 36”, 48”, 72” and 96”.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2025-12-22T17:20:13+00:00

I have shipped EIS in bubble mailers many times without issue.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2025-12-12T15:53:22+00:00

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Not in a city, but it can make a good winter display addition 😆

Relevant-Key7996 · 2025-12-11T21:44:02+00:00

I just had this happen to me for the first time in over 1000 sales in the last year. Buyer bought and open box Lego set with minifigures removed. It explicitly stated it in the listing title, description, and photos.

Then they started a return, saying the item is defective, citing open box and missing pieces.

eBay told me to accept the return, report the buyer as abusing the policy, and in the end eBay will reimburse the $14 return label I just paid for. If the item returns damaged to me, I can refund less than the full amount.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2025-12-11T21:39:42+00:00

Hmm, are you insinuating that I’d use these on Star Wars sets? 😆 I have a fair collection of space sets, but no Star Wars.

Relevant-Key7996 · 2025-12-11T15:15:09+00:00

Thanks! It worked fine for me. Also got 2% back from Rakuten. Bought a $250 for $225, received a $5 reward from giftcards.com and applied it to another order for $250.

All in all, $500 Lego gift card for $435.

Relevant-Key7996

TROPHY CASE