How a man made $500k from investing in Lego sets

Shane O'Farrell has turned his childhood love for Legos into a money-making side gig. This 35-year-old from New Jersey is one of many that buy and sell rare Lego sets, taking advantage of the skyrocketing prices for these iconic sets on the aftermarket.

O'Farrell's venture began with nostalgia for the Fort Legoredo set from his youth in Ireland. When he stumbled upon the same 1996 Lego kit going for $2,405 - way more than its original $85 price tag - he had a realization that led him to dive into the profitable world of buying and reselling Lego sets.

"I started trying to invest in stocks and realized the 8% a year that I'm making in the stock market is not really going to work," O'Farrell told The New York Post. "It's not really going to get me where I want to go. It would take decades".

In just two years, O'Farrell's Lego dealings have helped him pocket nearly $500,00. According to a 2022 report, the resale value of Lego sets has been climbing 11% yearly, outperforming stocks, bonds, and even gold.

O'Farrell shares his strategies on his YouTube channel, Brick Bucks. He publishes videos on Lego's financial and trend reports, retirement schedules, and collaborations with major brands. Limited-edition sets and those tied to major franchises like "Star Wars" and Marvel often reach premium prices once retired from the market.

"It was $60 before being retired in 2021. Then by about a year and a half of it being retired, it was $350," O'Farrell said of the "Star Wars" TIE Fighter Pilot helmet set. "You're talking about a 400% return on investment in a year and a half's time."

David G, a Chicago-based Lego reseller known as DG Bricks, likens the process to operating a wine cellar. "I'm purchasing products available today. I'm storing them safely in anticipation of some future customer, years down the line. It's a waiting game," he told The Post.

While acknowledging the impressive returns, DG cautions against viewing Lego flipping as a get-rich-quick scheme. Successful resellers must carefully select sets, monitor market trends, and exercise patience as values appreciate over time.

The Lego investment craze reflects the toy's enduring popularity and rising demand among adults. Recent data shows adult toy sales surpassed preschooler demand for the first time, reaching $1.5 billion from January to April.

As the world's most valuable toy brand, Lego's aftermarket continues to captivate investors seeking alternative paths to wealth. For enthusiasts like O'Farrell and DG, it's a passion project that pays, turning childhood nostalgia into a lucrative modern-day enterprise.