Finding More Information on specific LEGO sets
The LEGO® System is a toy with a rich and colorful past. It has an active fan base of adult hobbyists who avidly compile information about the elements, the sets, other products, and the company itself. If you are contemplating buying one of my items and you want to know more about the item beyond what my listing gives, you can use the same resources I used to find out more... These extensive databases may well give you information that I did not include for time or space reasons.
This page discusses some of the major resources and explains how you can search them to find out more about your set. There are other ones but these are what I use the most.
Finding the Set Number
You'll need the set number to start your investigation. All my listings include this, as well as the theme, in the listing title. For example, a listing title might be
LEGO Model Team 5533 MISB Red Fury new legos
The set number in this case is 5533.
I also give the set number in the listing text, at the very top, just under "Item Description":
5533 Red Fury - 1999, Model Team, 390 pieces, no minifigs, MSRP 50.00 USD
I also give the theme (in this case Model Team) and the year and how much it originally cost, if known.
Remember the set number information, you'll need it in your search.
Resource Site: LUGNET
Lugnet is the premiere adult LEGO fan site on the web and it has a section called the "Guide". The LUGNET Guide can be found at the following URL:
http://guide.lugnet.com/
Go there and then type in the set number in the set reference box as shown in this illustration:
Press the search button and you will be shown everything in the LUGNET database that is known about the set. You will also get some links to other resources, including Peeron, and links to discussion areas on LUGNET for the theme the set is in, as well as a chance to see what other fans think of the set, including fan based ratings.
In rare cases, LEGO made more than one set with the same number, and if that happens, you will be shown a list of sets to choose from. The information about the theme, year and MSRP usually will give you enough to select the right one.
Resource Site: Peeron
LUGNET is a general resource. Peeron is much more centered around what the set has in it. The Peeron database has detailed, piece by piece inventories by piece type and color, for many sets.
The Peeron Set Database can be found at the following URL:
http://peeron.com/inv
Go there and then type in the set number in the search box as shown in this illustration:
Press the search button and you will be shown the Peeron set inventory database entry. This will list all parts by their common names as well as their LDraw part numbers, colors, and quantities. There is a clickable link that will let you see part images for further reference just above the table.
The page also has links to other resources, including LUGNET and BrickSet.
Resource Site: BrickSet
Like LUGNET, BrickSet is a general resource, but since it's based in the UK, it has a European flavour.
It also has a searchable set database which can be found at the following URL
http://brickset.com/
Go there and then type in the set number in the search box as shown in this illustration:
Click on the set number you want in the "results" screen and you will be taken to an information page. If anyone has reviewed it, you will see reviews below the image at the top. Along the left will be a vast array of other resources.
Conclusion
Armed with this information you can make a better buying decision. AND, you may decide to get more active in the community as well!
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