Frequently Asked Question
I get a lot of the same questions from people messaging me and someone suggested that I put up an FAQ. Whether you find the answers to your questions here or not, feel free to message me. I love interacting with people through my site.
What do I get if I buy the instructions?
The instructions come as a .PDF file and a parts list text file. The parts list file lists the LEGO® number (not the Pick-a-Brick number, but the number stamped on the part itself) a description, the color and quantity needed by the set. While I prefer to email links to the file, I can also ship a CD with the files on it.
Do you sell the pieces (i.e. the set) with the instructions?
Sometimes I sell the sets. Right now I currently am. You can always tell if a set is available for sale because it will say "Full Set" under "Purchase Details" on the page for a given set.
What do I get if I buy a set?
The set comes unbuilt in ziplock plastic bags (I don't have boxes for the sets) and includes an instructions CD with the instructions and the parts-list file.
Why are the sets so expensive?
Shopping for pieces to fulfill the list required for a given set takes a lot of time. Once shopping is complete I then have to sort and count the pieces and then I always double-count for accuracy. For an average set this can take quite a few hours. On top of that, LEGO® pieces are not cheap even if they are used. People who have shopped for their own custom sets will understand 
.
Can I save money by buying the pieces myself?
Absolutely! I will say, however, that if you haven't done it before and you don't plan on doing it very often my prices are fairly competitive with what you will spend (that includes your time which I assume is valuable.)
Where can I find the pieces?
I almost always shop for pieces on bricklink.com and not LEGO.com Pick-a-Brick.
What is bricklink.com?
Bricklink is a site which hosts online LEGO® stores (and *ONLY* LEGO® stores.) There are thousands of stores worldwide. You can find almost anything ever made by LEGO Group on bricklink.
Why shop at bricklink and not LEGO Pick-a-Brick?
Two reasons: 1) LEGO.com is usually significantly more expensive, and 2) LEGO.com carries a very limited stock of pieces and colors which they have produced throughout the years. Even some common pieces which are very easy to find either new or used on bricklink are simply not available on LEGO.com.
Do you use common or 'easy-to-find' pieces?
Yes. There are times when I build a set and then find that I used pieces that are hard to find and so I figure out another piece (or set of pieces) to use. One caveat is that sometimes pieces will become more rare after I have already released a set and it is difficult for me to keep up, but I do my best.
If I order more than one set can I get a discount?
Unfortunately not. Due to the nature of ordering after-market LEGO pieces, it is actually more difficult and expensive to order more than less.
How long do I have to wait for the set to arrive after I order it?
I don't keep a full stock of sets on hand and even sets that I have are usually 90%-95% complete, meaning that I have to order a few more pieces once you order a set. This process usually takes a couple of weeks. If I have to order a whole set (especially the larger ones) it can take longer. I've never gone more than five weeks from the time of receiving an order to when I shipped to my buyer.
Do I ship internationally?
Absolutely. Let me know which set(s) you want and I can calculate the shipping for you.
Can I get the instructions in a printed format?
I don't print them. I looked into it when I first started doing this and found that it was VERY expensive (more than $1.00 per page).
Do the sets come as a boxed LEGO® set?
No. I do this with my family and we don't have any real production, packaging, etc.
Something is inaccurate on one of your planes.
First I will say, I am not even close to an aviation expert. I am an enthusiast (and a fairly weak one at that.) With that said I welcome feedback and can take and constructive criticism which you would like to offer. Hopefully if you're offering suggestions you know what you are talking about . I may or may not make the time to change a set to be more accurate.
Is the F-35 better than the F-22?
This is not really related to my site specifically, but I hear enough about it that I want to set the record straight. The F-35 is NOT a replacement for the F-22 and is NOT "better" than the F-22. They have different roles. The F-22 is intended to be the world's top air-superiority fighter. The F-35 is intended as air support, interdiction and ground attack. I think of it as the F-35 is equivelant to the F-16 while the F-22 is equivelant to the F-15. I realize this is all a gross simplification but it is how I see it. There are lots of sources, but here is one that I thought was particiularly clear. (http://www.afa.org/professionaldevelopment/issuebriefs/F-22_v_F-35_Comparison.pdf)