If you’ve been to a Bricks & Minifigs store, then you might have been overwhelmed by the sheer amount of authentic LEGO® sets – in the best way, of course. New, old, retired, certified, and prebuilt LEGO sets all stock our shelves. That’s the unique draw of our LEGO certified stores, but it can be a little confusing for newcomers.
We’re here to help you understand the different kinds of sets we offer in stores, especially the difference between certified and prebuilt LEGO sets.
Used LEGO Sets
While Bricks & Minifigs has new LEGO sets for sale, our biggest draw is our unique collection of used LEGO sets. Some of these sets are even retired and hard to find now!
If you didn’t know, every couple years, LEGO sets are removed from production and retired, making them harder to find.
We have different names for some of our used sets, but the two you’ll want to know are certified and prebuilt. While they’re both technically used, there are a few differences which can help you find just the right set!
Certified Used LEGO Sets
A certified used LEGO set is one that has been sold to Bricks & Minifigs and has gone through a certification process. These are completed sets that are evaluated by our store employees and given a stamp of certification at the end of the process.
LEGO Certification Process at Bricks & Minifigs
So, what is the certification process for LEGO sets and why does it matter?
The certification of used LEGO sets is unique to Bricks & Minifigs.
When someone brings in a used LEGO set that can be certified, a Bricks & Minifigs employee goes through the set piece by piece to ensure that all of the elements are there. Once all the pieces have been verified, they are then bagged, sealed, and put back in a box, alongside the instructions.
These sets are given a stamp or sticker of being “Certified LEGO”, indicating that all of the pieces are included and authentic LEGO, in good condition, and found within the box.
In a sense, it’s like getting a brand new set, just one that’s been pre-owned and sometimes even retired for years!
Prebuilt LEGO Sets
A prebuilt LEGO set is also a used LEGO set, but it is sold as an already assembled LEGO set. That means you can sell prebuilt LEGO sets to Bricks & Minifigs! No need to disassemble or undo your hard work putting it together.
In fact, unlike certified used LEGO sets, we don’t require prebuilt LEGO sets to have the original box, instructions, or even minifigs.
If you’ve been to a Bricks & Minifigs, then you’ve likely seen shelves full of different assembled LEGO sets for sale, including some you haven’t seen for years. These prebuilt sets are one of the cornerstones of a BAM® store.
Not only are they a fun browsing experience, but they’re right there, ready for you to take home, no assembly required! Just purchase and begin to play!
Which Should I Choose?
We understand that there’s a lot of used LEGO sets to choose from at a Bricks & Minifig store, so we’re happy to help make it a little easier.
Buy Certified Used LEGO If:
- You want the experience of building your new set yourself.
- You’re a collector who wants every single part of a LEGO set, including the instructions and box.
- You’re buying a gift for a LEGO fan who also wants to build or collects all parts of a set.
Buy Prebuilt If:
- You love LEGO sets as decoration but don’t want to or don’t care about building it yourself.
- You want to play with it immediately instead of waiting to build it first. This includes taking it apart and building it again–double the play at a lower price!
- You’re buying a gift for someone who wants to play with the set as soon as possible.
Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong with a used LEGO set from Bricks & Minifigs.
Take Home the Set of Your Dreams
Our stores are a great place to view LEGO sets you’ve never seen before, to find the perfect addition to your collection, or to grab the next build you’ll start as soon as you get home. Whether you’re walking out with a certified set or a prebuilt one, there’s a fun discovery waiting for you on our shelves.
Head into your local Bricks & Minifigs location and see what sets are ready and waiting for you!