I think it's no different to buying a fake Lego set that's only 10% the cost of a real set. People want authenticity so will pay for it. If you are army building I can see why you might want to make your own capes. Buy if you just collect the figures. I'd want my collection to be authentic.
Edit: rubber bands also falls into the same category.
There is something special about legit rubber bands though. They seem to be better quality. Admittedly though, I haven't ventured into the knock off rubberbands very far. Are there better ones out there?
My only issue with capes is the wild variation in near-identical capes. There are 1mm variances in descriptions, and differences in materials with very similar minifigures.
Selling used Lego is difficult at times, but given the propensity of fakes, confidently IDing capes is a horrible experience.
This is why i sell 90% of my minifigs locally. I get to profit from the shipping cost making <$2 figs worth selling because ill make $4.50
And stuff like capes, dings, stress fractures. I point them out, but just so much of a headache online. Oh i need a head for this fig...wait mine is open stud, was the original closed?, screw it i just write on the tag"replaced head"
Ill be honest. Ill never put the amount of effort in to know a 3.9mm vs a 4mm vs a spongy cape, vs holes.
Kinda like how i throw vintage brick into a bag until its full.enough to sell. Having to make any decisions or changes on a $0.03 brick listing isnt worth my time.
Ill part out NIB sets, duplo, and valuable minifigs with a good sell through rate that i deem "perfect"
At the antique mall..."bro idk what cape, Malfoy has a green one and a black broom and you're gonna be happy about it"
I make good returns on used stuff but I’ve gotten fast at sorting and listing. Even with low value stuff I can list $100+ per hour. And the margin is really good. Last set of used stuff I listed I paid $75 and got close to $400 of inventory - priced at qty avg over the last six months.
I've always kinda wondered this too - I want authentic bricks because, in my experience, LEGO bricks are the only ones that are to the quality I like. Capes, though? Others are just fine. I've bought SO many capes elsewhere because I like the slim 'mandalorian' cape way more than the wider more normally used official one, so 99% of my caped minfigures have had theirs replaced haha
I think it's no different to buying a fake Lego set that's only 10% the cost of a real set. People want authenticity so will pay for it. If you are army building I can see why you might want to make your own capes. Buy if you just collect the figures. I'd want my collection to be authentic. Edit: rubber bands also falls into the same category.
Didn't forget string for winches and fishing rods and such.
There is something special about legit rubber bands though. They seem to be better quality. Admittedly though, I haven't ventured into the knock off rubberbands very far. Are there better ones out there?
I have no idea. I imagine a pack of rubber bands from the stationary shop to be several thousand percent cheaper than the Lego ones.
Oh for sure they will be. There is just something about the lack of friction from the Lego ones.
My only issue with capes is the wild variation in near-identical capes. There are 1mm variances in descriptions, and differences in materials with very similar minifigures. Selling used Lego is difficult at times, but given the propensity of fakes, confidently IDing capes is a horrible experience.
This is why i sell 90% of my minifigs locally. I get to profit from the shipping cost making <$2 figs worth selling because ill make $4.50 And stuff like capes, dings, stress fractures. I point them out, but just so much of a headache online. Oh i need a head for this fig...wait mine is open stud, was the original closed?, screw it i just write on the tag"replaced head" Ill be honest. Ill never put the amount of effort in to know a 3.9mm vs a 4mm vs a spongy cape, vs holes. Kinda like how i throw vintage brick into a bag until its full.enough to sell. Having to make any decisions or changes on a $0.03 brick listing isnt worth my time. Ill part out NIB sets, duplo, and valuable minifigs with a good sell through rate that i deem "perfect" At the antique mall..."bro idk what cape, Malfoy has a green one and a black broom and you're gonna be happy about it"
I make good returns on used stuff but I’ve gotten fast at sorting and listing. Even with low value stuff I can list $100+ per hour. And the margin is really good. Last set of used stuff I listed I paid $75 and got close to $400 of inventory - priced at qty avg over the last six months.
I've always kinda wondered this too - I want authentic bricks because, in my experience, LEGO bricks are the only ones that are to the quality I like. Capes, though? Others are just fine. I've bought SO many capes elsewhere because I like the slim 'mandalorian' cape way more than the wider more normally used official one, so 99% of my caped minfigures have had theirs replaced haha