58 Ways to Buy LEGO Bricks and LEGO Sets
From kids to adults, and brand new builders to experienced masters, LEGO has something for everyone! At some point, you may need to replace individual LEGO bricks, purchase missing pieces, or buy LEGO bricks in bulk. You may also be hunting for that hard to find brand new LEGO set, or want to add rare or vintage retired sets to your collection. Fortunately, with the popularity of LEGO continuing to increase, there are so many options available to buy almost any LEGO brick or set you are looking for. You may need to have some creativity and patience, but we believe it is possible!
Below we will cover 58 different ways to purchase the LEGO bricks or LEGO sets you may be looking for. We have divided these up into several broad categories. You can click the appropriate link in the table of contents to jump directly to that section.
Buy LEGO Bricks From Those Around You
You don’t have to go very far to find your first buying opportunity. I bet you probably know someone that has LEGO sets sitting around at home collecting dust!
1. Yard Sales
Yard sales or garage sales can be a great opportunity to buy LEGO sets. There is no guarantee they will be for sale, but if you can find some you can score some great deals. You can also find big plastic bins full of LEGO bricks to buy in bulk. If just buying bulk LEGO is your goal, check out our How to Buy Bulk LEGO guide which can help you grow your collection fast!
2. Friends and Family
There is a strong possibility that almost everyone you know has purchased LEGO at some point in their lifetime. Sometimes after kids grow up and move out they may not want their sets anymore. Your friends and family may have boxes of LEGO in the attic! It can’t hurt to ask them and see if they will sell or give them to you for yourself and your kids!
3. Word of Mouth
You can quickly become “the LEGO person” that everyone knows and you might be surprised at how many people will talk to you about LEGO! You don’t have to run a LEGO blog like me, but just try talking about your or your family’s love for LEGO with people you know. The next time they want to get rid of or sell their old LEGO collections they might give you a call!
Official LEGO Shop
Everyone knows about the online LEGO shop and the brick and mortar stores. But, there are also some lesser known ways to buy specific individual bricks or even bricks in bulk both in store and online!
4. LEGO Store
The LEGO Group recently reported their 1H 2021 performance and stated that the total number of LEGO retail stores as of June 30, 2021 was 737. You can click the link above to see if you are lucky enough to live near one. If you do, this is one of the best ways to purchase new releases as long as they have them in stock! While you are there, don’t forget to ask an employee for the free LEGO passport so you can start getting cool stamps from each store you visit.
5. Pick & Build Wall
Inside of each LEGO store there is a wall full of different canisters of bricks, called the “Pick & Build Wall.” The inventory of each wall varies and is changed out from time to time. But, if they have pieces you are interested in, this is a great way to buy bricks in bulk. You can pick from a small or large cup to fill up with bricks as you choose. In May 2021, I was able to experience the pick & build wall during COVID-19 with all of the special precautions.
6. LEGO Shop Online
If you do not happen to live near a LEGO Store, you can always visit the one online! Whether you shop online or in the store, be sure to sign up for the LEGO VIP program so you can take advantage of any special offers, promotions, or gifts with purchase. You will also earn points on your purchases to redeem for special rewards, discounts, or collectable items. For a quick start on finding the best prices on sets check out our guide on how to find LEGO sales and deals.
7. Pick a Brick Online
The online version of the pick & build wall is called “Pick a Brick.” One of the main advantages of this online catalog is the inventory and selection. Currently, there are over 1400 elements to choose from. All of these bricks are individually priced, as opposed to the pick & build wall where there is a set price for a small or large cup. You are able to purchase any quantity from 1 to 999 of each brick. It’s a good idea to at leach purchase enough to meet the minimum free shipping cost. Let’s say you only want to purchase one or two sets online and it isn’t enough to meet the threshold, one strategy is to add one or two pick a bricks to your cart to get free shipping.
8. Bricks & Pieces Online
A lesser known way to buy individual or bulk bricks from LEGO online is called “Bricks & Pieces.” This is part of their customer service section and allows you to replace missing bricks from new sets, replace broken bricks, or purchase replacement bricks. This area of the site works a bit differently because you actually have to enter the set number of the set you want to view the bricks for. Also, the quantity available for purchase only ranges from 1 to 200. Pieces may only be available for recently released sets. If you need bricks for older sets be sure to check out our guide on how to find missing LEGO bricks.
Online LEGO Marketplaces
Being able to buy retired sets, hard to find pieces, bulk items, and pretty much anything else related to LEGO has become a lot easier with the advent of online marketplaces. These are areas where other adult fans of LEGO (AFOL) can sell their items directly to you, and you can have some guarantee that you are receiving official LEGO items as described.
9. BrickLink
BrickLink started in 2000 and is the most well known and trusted online LEGO marketplace. In 2019, it was acquired by the LEGO Group. Even if you are not looking to purchase something, they have a catalog and inventory of basically anything ever made by LEGO and a handy price guide. I have personally placed several orders on this site and have had a great experience.
10. Brick Owl
Brick Owl is probably the second best known LEGO marketplace online. I have not personally used it, but they have an extensive inventory for sale with over 1,600 individual storefronts.
11. BrickScout
BrickScout is a smaller site based in Germany. There are only a handful of storefronts but with a nice user interface.
12. Facebook Marketplace
You can find a lot of great local deals on Facebook Marketplace. Both local pickup and shipping are available. It may take some time and searching to find the deal you are looking for. I have seen bulk bricks, complete sets, minifigs, and everything in-between up for sale.
13. Reddit LEGO Marketplace
Reddit’s LEGO Marketplace subreddit r/Legomarket is a place to buy, sell, swap, or give away LEGO. With over 27,000 members this is a thriving community.
14. Craigslist
Browse local classified advertisements to find almost anything, including LEGO! You never know what bargains you might dig up. Be sure to verify what you are getting and confirm it is an official LEGO product.
15. Etsy
The global online marketplace Etsy sells custom LEGO gifts such as personalized minifigures, and also has LEGO by the pound for sale.
16. Poshmark
Social marketplace Poshmark also has LEGO items such as gear, books, clothes, sets, and bulk brick lots.
17. Nextdoor
Neighborhood networking site Nextdoor is a place where you can browse local listings of items for sale. Frequently, free items are also listed here and if you are lucky enough maybe you can find some LEGO sets or containers full of loose bricks.
18. Bonanza
Bonanza is on online marketplace for entrepreneurs. There is large selection of LEGO items to choose from including loose brick lots, sets, instructions, and more.
Mobile Marketplace Apps
Mobile apps offer a great experience for buying and selling LEGO items. These marketplace applications are very convenient to quickly browse newly listed items and set up alerts for when LEGO lots are posted.
19. OfferUp
This app offers a nice user experience and a quick way to browse LEGO items near you or able to be shipped to you. One of the great features is setting up an alert matching your keywords for when new LEGO listings are posted. We have an in-depth guide to buying bulk LEGO with the OfferUp app which should help you get started.
20. Mercari
LEGO items of all kinds can be found on the Mercari mobile app. You are able to filter search results directly by the brand name which is helpful.
21. Wish
The Wish app allows you to filter results not only by brand but also by subtheme. This makes it easy to browse for specific sets you may be on the lookout for.
Online Auction Websites
Online auctions can be an excellent way to find great deals, rare sets, and large bulk LEGO lots. It takes time to find the right auction and manage your bids appropriately, but it can definitely pay off in the end.
22. eBay
You should check out the largest and most well known auction site, eBay, when looking for bulk LEGO lots or specific sets. Pay attention to the shipping costs and place your bids wisely!
23. Catawiki
Weekly auctions are offered at Catawiki, which the most visited curated marketplace in Europe. They have many different bulk LEGO lots up for auction.
24. LiveAuctioneers
An eBay alternative, LiveAuctioneers has a handful of LEGO lots up for auction.
Retail Stores
Other than the official LEGO store, another main option to purchase new LEGO sets are through other retailers. In general, they have a large selection and you can find items on discount, sale, or clearance. They are also more accessible and in more locations. In fact, over half of our list is made up of these retail stores. We have further subdivided them up into different sections based on their type.
Online Retailers
For online LEGO shop alternatives, turn to these online retailers. Sometimes you can find sets on a discount and have another place to check if sets are hard to find or are on backorder.
25. Amazon
Amazon has a great selection of new sets, and frequently has items listed for less than the retail price. You can also find some bulk LEGO lots for sale from their third party sellers. If you have Amazon prime the shipping may also be faster than ordering directly from the LEGO Store.
26. Zavvi
I have only recently heard of the online retailer Zavvi. They frequently have LEGO sets on sale and you can find some good deals.
27. Vitacost
Vitacost is a discount online health food retailer, but they also have a relatively large selection of new LEGO sets for sale.
28. StockX
StockX is similar to an online marketplace where buyers and sellers are brought together, but they also independently verify each item. They are well known for sneakers, but they also have many different old and new LEGO sets. There are a lot of highly coveted retired sets listed here as well.
General Merchandise Retailers
These big box retailers carry almost everything, LEGO sets included! Even if you find yourself shopping for something else, at least stop by the clearance section to see if you can pick up some LEGO on a discount.
29. Walmart
Walmart is a great place to buy new LEGO sets. Their online store also has bulk LEGO for sale from third party retailers, but beware these are typically way overpriced. A fair price to buy LEGO bricks is typically anywhere from $5 to $10 a pound and it’s likely you won’t find that price here.
30. Target
Another great retailer with a large selection of LEGO is Target. We also have had great luck with finding discounts, such as LEGO Dots on Clearance and sales on many different themes such as LEGO Star Wars, Art, Harry Potter, and Ninjago.
31. Kmart
There are only a handful of Kmart stores still open, but if one is closing near you it might be worthwhile to look for some LEGO closeout sales.
Warehouse Clubs
Even the wholesale membership clubs will have LEGO sets, typically listed for less than the retail price. You should check for these items around the holidays and whenever you see lots of new toys on the shelves.
32. Costco
I am a member at Costco and have taken advantage of the great LEGO sets on sale. Recently we have found sales on many different themes including LEGO Super Mario, Star Wars, and Marvel; and even LEGO Technic and Friends. Costco is also a wonderful place to do some early Christmas shopping and save on LEGO Advent Calendars. Even though you can’t buy individual bricks, you can expand your bulk LEGO collection with LEGO 10717 Classic Bricks Bricks Bricks which is typically available for purchase all year.
33. Sam’s Club
Another wholesale retailer with new LEGO sets for sale is Sam’s Club. I am not currently a member here, but the shopping experience is similar to Costco.
Department Stores
The toy section at department stores is a nice area to look for LEGO sets. You never know what they might have in their clearance section, or if they brought out some retired sets in the back to the floor for sale. So while you are out shopping for clothes, it’s worth it to take a peek. Besides, you can’t go shopping with your kids without stopping at the toy section anyway, right?
34. Kohl’s
Kohl’s stores have a nice toy area typically in the back right corner. I’ve seen sets on clearance here before and also some on sale. Can you use Kohl’s Cash for LEGO items? Yes, you can! Although, this brand is excluded in the fine print for other promotional offers and discounts.
35. Macy’s
LEGO toys and sets can be found at Macy’s, and you should search their clearance and sale areas as well, such as Backstage and The Last Act. I have also found cute LEGO Kid’s clothes on sale here also.
36. JCPenney
I have been surprised to find LEGO clearance sales at JCPenney before, so stop by the next time you go shopping at the mall.
37. Sears
Sears stores are continuing to close down but you can check for any last minute LEGO deals.
Consumer Electronics Retailers
Even electronics stores are in on the LEGO craze!
38. Best Buy
Surprisingly, Best Buy has great deals on LEGO sets, frequently offering discounts from up to 30% or more.
Pharmacy Stores
Add some LEGO items to your pharmacy bill the next time you stop by.
39. Walgreens
Walgreens has a small toy area but it’s worth checking out. For example, I recently found the coveted new LEGO Marvel collectable minifigures in stock there, after being sold out everywhere else I looked.
Book Stores
Booksellers sell a lot more than books, including toys and collectables. Not everybody thinks to look there for LEGO sets, so they are top place to discover rare or hard to find sets.
40. Barnes & Noble
You will find a great selection and inventory of LEGO sets at Barnes & Noble. They carry a lot of new releases and seasonal items such as the LEGO Advent Calendars. If you have a keen eye, you can even find the occasional retired set. I have seen retired LEGO Harry Potter and LEGO Toy Story 4 sets on the shelves.
41. Books-A-Million
This book store also carries some LEGO sets, although the selection does not seem to be that large.
Arts and Crafts Stores
LEGO is a great hands on building project, so it is not that unusual to think that hobby stores would have them on the shelves.
42. Michaels
Michaels has a significant inventory of new LEGO sets which you can purchase online or in stores.
43. Jo-Ann
JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores has a substantial collection of LEGO sets for sale. They even have a nice Classroom Decor section with things like LEGO brick desk drawers and shelves.
44. HobbyTown
Another arts and crafts store with LEGO for sale is HobbyTown. Their website doesn’t appear to be up to date (a lot of retired sets are still listed), so you will need to check in the store for what is available.
Discount Retailers
These LEGO shopping trips are a lot of hit and miss as the inventory is very unpredictable. However, you can find retired sets, amazing sales, and wonderful deals you cannot find elsewhere.
45. Nordstrom Rack
Nordstrom Rack has a small toy section in the back where LEGO sets have been known to show up.
46. TJ Maxx
It might take several different trips to find LEGO sets on sale here, but if you do they will probably be for a great price.
47. Marshalls
The same as above applies to Marshalls as they are both owned by the same parent company.
48. Tuesday Morning
It is not very frequent, but LEGO products can also be found at Tuesday Morning, where new inventory is added weekly.
49. Ross
Ross is another discount clothing store where you can hunt for LEGO deals.
50. Big Lots
In the past, Big Lots has been known to have great deals on LEGO Dimensions. They still have a descent selection of LEGO sets which you can find on sale.
51. Five Below
It is not guaranteed to always find LEGO products at Five Below, but if you do they will be for a great price.
52. Dollar General
Dollar General has LEGO sets, but keep in mind they may be on sale for the actual retail price.
53. Thrift Stores
If you are feeling lucky, it is possible to find LEGO at your local thrift store. It is highly likely that you will not find individual sets here and the pieces will not be inventoried. But, you can find bags of bulk LEGO this way. Check your locally owned thrift store, or there is also Goodwill or The Salvation Army.
Specialty Stores
Specialty stores are those that focus on selling a particular type of product. This can also include LEGO!
54. Disney Store
Many standalone brick and mortar Disney Stores have closed, however you can still shop online. In addition, some Target stores have Disney Stores already opened up inside of them, with more on the way. The Disney Stores will only carry some of their branded products, but with their partnership with LEGO on their Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel themes there are many sets to choose from. In fact, I recently found a retired LEGO Star Wars set at one of the last remaining Disney Stores.
55. Bricks & Minifigs Stores
Bricks & Minifigs is an aftermarket LEGO shop where you can buy, sell, and trade anything LEGO. They have bulk bricks, minifigures, and new and retired LEGO sets. With locations across the US, you might have one near you!
56. Boutique Toy Store
There is a strong possibility that your local boutique toy store sells LEGO. Support small businesses and shop locally!
57. Toys R Us
Growing up, I loved the LEGO section in Toys R Us because it was huge! Toys R Us is making a comeback and is opening up shop-in-shops in over 400 Macy’s stores starting in 2022. It will be interesting to see what kind of a LEGO selection they have.
Supermarket Chains
58. Grocery Stores
Add a LEGO set or two to your food purchase at grocery stores such as Ralphs, Kroger, and Meijer. Check the toy section but also look at the ends of the food aisles as sometimes toys on sale can hide out there.
With the ubiquity and popularity of LEGO, there are so many different options to buy LEGO bricks and sets. No matter where you go, keep a close eye out for those sales, deals, and rare finds. We hope that this list helps you complete that LEGO set with missing parts, or allow you to discover that hard to find set in time for a birthday party or holiday. We would love to know if your favorite way to buy LEGO is not listed here. Let us know in the comments and we will add it!
