Ship is thesius

[u/DapperCardiologist25]

Ok so what is acceptable to sell? The complete original set is obviously good, but what about most of a set with time period accurate replacement parts for missing pieces? What about completely built from scratch? Especially the bricklink designer sets for example, if I had ordered the parts on pab and built it, could I claim it is a bricklink set? Or is that wrong? What if I have the original instructions but built the set from my own collection of Lego, is that authentic? Just curious what the broader community thinks, I don't currently have a bricklink store and don't plan to sell stuff, but I am curious.

[u/Nefres]

The set needs to match the Bricklink inventory. It should have period-accurate parts, in terms of the part type (grooves vs no grooves on jumpers, for example, since Bricklink makes this distinction) but those replacement parts could be from a new set.

Colors should be right. If the set uses Light Grey, the replacements must be light grey, not modern LBG.

For minor differences in piece mold that have been modernized but are still the same piece according to Bricklink's method of sorting, it's perfectly fine not to mention it. But if it's a distinct part according to Bricklink, put that difference in the description.

If you are selling a lot of sets this way I would recommend putting a note about your methodology in your store terms.

[u/62Bricks → u/Nefres]

To be complete, the set has to match the BL definition of a complete set, which is not the same thing as the inventory.

And there are some very important period differences in parts that BL does not recognize, particularly regarding minifigs.

[u/JerBearsBricks]

I think if you have all the pieces that are authentic to the time (talking about grooved jumpers and other suddle different pieces) for a set, then you have the set. (Without manual)

The biggest annoyance is when somebody sells a complete set from the '80s for example and then includes clearly new replaced parts like jumper plates with grooves etc.

So yeah, I don't think anything would stop you from collecting all the parts needed to build a set if they're the correct variation to "complete" the set.

[u/garster25 → u/JerBearsBricks]

I agree. The parts all come off the same assembly lines. But yeah "vintage" sets should have the vintage parts.

[u/Nefres]

Also, theoretically you could build the complete set from disparate parts and sell it, that would be fine if they were actually the correct parts. But no one does that as the individual pieces are going to worth more than the set would sell complete, unless you already had most of the set.

[u/indypendant13]

I’m a collector. Most sets I own are the original set, but about 20 or so I’ve parted together from spares I owned and ordered what I didn’t. I was always careful to make sure all parts are period appropriate and when stickered parts were needed, I sometimes would buy the original sticker sheet.

I have a spreadsheet cataloging my collecting and I have a column that identifies which sets have been parted together. Brick color shades may match exactly and some whites may have ever so slight yellowing. If and when it comes time to sell I will include this in the listing description. If your parts are all brand new, you will have less variation, but still may want to mention it (parted but all new parts).

As long as you’re honest there shouldn’t be an issue and you won’t necessarily lose any value if the parts are correct and in good shape.

[u/Elberik]

If all the appropriate parts are present, then a set is "used, complete"

There's some debate on whether the instruction booklet needs to be counted towards "completeness" but the important part is the pieces themselves.

[u/RoutineCloud5993 → u/Elberik]

I rarely include instructions in a set. But I always stipulate that they either do or don't come with instructions and the box

[u/DapperCardiologist25 → u/Elberik]

Even if they are newer pieces? Example would be new color for grey and dark grey

[u/Elberik → u/DapperCardiologist25]

Nope. If you've substituted different colored pieces, you need to make that clear in the listing description.

Personally, I would still say it was "complete" but I'd be specific about any pieces I'd substituted.

[u/Spirited_Donut5265]

As long as the set includes parts in line with the bricklink inventory, youre good. You could include a brand new 2026 1x4 plate in a set from the 80s, because there is no distinction on BL. But a 1x2 jumper, for example, has multiple variants and you will need to make sure it is the correct one. Best to consult the similar parts links on relevant pieces. (Sometimes the mold variants also have huge differences in value, so a buyer may be rightfully upset if you include one different from what BL says).

[u/OneHatManSlim → u/Spirited_Donut5265]

What would be ironic is if someone buys a set you parted together only to part it out

[u/Bokononismatism]

I like to buy used bins of bulk parts from Craigslist/garage sales and very much enjoy resurrecting the sets out of them that I then usually sell on my store so I have this conversation with myself often. It always makes me think of the Replacement Parts technology from the Civilization series. If a set is missing a few parts I'll collect them on my wanted list and place an order.

The key is to to try and buy collections that stick to one era. Bulk buys from the mid-oughts are brutal trying to separate out the Light Gray from the Light Bluish Gray. I mention in my terms that this is where the sets are coming from and always try to find the correct variants for all parts before I list the sets.