If you're wondering whether BrickLink or eBay costs more to part out a LEGO set, here's the short version: BrickLink charges a flat 5% commission on the item price plus payment processing fees, while eBay's standard rate runs around 13.6% plus a small per order fee, and Collectibles listings can run even higher. For high volume part outs where you're selling dozens of individual pieces and minifigures, that fee gap adds up fast.
I've parted out sets on both platforms enough times to know the fee sheet only tells half the story. eBay's broader audience often means faster sales on common pieces, while BrickLink's specialty crowd will pay closer to real market value for the parts that matter. The right answer depends on what you're selling, how fast you need the cash, and how much of your margin you're willing to give up for reach.
Key takeaways:
- BrickLink's baseline commission is about 5% of the item price, not the total order.
- eBay's standard final value fee sits around 13.6% plus roughly $0.40 per order, and Collectibles categories can run higher.
- Payment processing (PayPal, credit card, or bank transfer) adds another 2% to 3% on top of either platform's base fee.
- Promoted listings on eBay can push your real take rate closer to 25% of the sale.
- The best platform depends on the part: common bricks move faster and cheaper on BrickLink, while rare minifigures and sets often do better with eBay's bigger audience.
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What Does It Mean to "Part Out" a LEGO Set?
Parting out a LEGO set means breaking it down into individual pieces, minifigures, and rare elements, then selling each piece separately instead of listing the whole set as one lot. Sellers do this because the sum of the parts is almost always worth more than the set sold intact, especially when a set includes one or two valuable minifigures.
I started parting out sets after noticing how much a single minifigure could be worth compared to the rest of the box. A set that sells whole for $40 might contain a minifigure worth $25 on its own, plus $20 or more in individual pieces once you add it all up. The tradeoff is time. Parting out means more listings, more shipping, and more fees, which is exactly why the fee structure of the platform you choose matters so much.
How Much Does eBay Charge to Sell LEGO Parts?
eBay's standard final value fee is around 13.6% of the total sale plus about $0.40 per order, though the Collectibles category, where a lot of LEGO minifigures and rare parts get listed, can run closer to 14% to 15% depending on your store subscription level. That fee applies to the item price, shipping charged to the buyer, and sales tax combined, not just the item price.
In my experience, the number that actually stings isn't the final value fee, it's promoted listings. If a listing doesn't get buried, that's fine. But when I sell parts that don't show up in top search results without a boost, ad rates can push my real take rate close to 25% of the sale once you add ad fees on top of the base commission. eBay's reach is enormous, which is why sellers still use it even with a higher headline rate, but you should always check eBay's current fee page before you price a listing, since these percentages get adjusted periodically.
How Much Does BrickLink Charge to Sell LEGO Parts?
BrickLink charges a flat 5% commission on the item price only, not on shipping or tax, which is meaningfully lower than eBay's headline rate. On top of that 5%, you'll pay payment processing costs that vary by method, typically around 2% plus a small flat fee for credit cards and closer to 3% plus a flat fee for PayPal.
I personally think this is why BrickLink earned its reputation as the Wall Street of LEGO. It's the platform built specifically for individual parts and minifigures, so the fee structure reflects a marketplace of specialists rather than a general auction site. There are no monthly store fees or listing fees on top of that, and no inventory limits, which matters if you're parting out several sets a month and listing hundreds of individual pieces.
BrickLink vs eBay Fees: A Side by Side Comparison
The short answer is BrickLink's base commission is lower at around 5%, while eBay's standard rate runs around 13.6% to 15% depending on category and store level. But the full cost picture includes payment processing, promoted listings, and how fast each platform actually moves your inventory.
| Cost factor | BrickLink | eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Base commission | About 5% of item price | About 13.6% of total sale, higher for some Collectibles listings |
| Per order fee | None | Roughly $0.40 per order |
| Payment processing | About 2% to 3% depending on method | Built into the final value fee |
| Promoted listings | Not applicable | Can push total take rate near 25% |
| Monthly store fees | None | Optional, lowers final value fee |
| Audience size | Smaller, specialist LEGO buyers | Massive general marketplace |
Always confirm current rates directly on BrickLink and eBay before you price out a big part out job, since both platforms adjust fee schedules from time to time.
Which Platform Keeps More of Your Part Out Profit?
For most individual parts and common minifigures, BrickLink keeps more of your profit because its 5% commission undercuts eBay's roughly 13.6% to 15% rate by a wide margin. For rare or high demand pieces where broad exposure drives up the final price, eBay's bigger audience can still win even after the higher fee.
From what I've seen, the math flips based on rarity. A common brick or cheap minifigure sitting at $3 to $5 barely covers eBay shipping and fees, so it sells better on BrickLink, where sellers are happy to move sub $5 items because the buyer pays shipping and fees stay low. A genuinely rare minifigure worth $100 or more often does better on eBay, because more eyeballs usually means a higher final sale price, even after the bigger cut goes to fees.
What About Payment Processing and Hidden Costs?
Payment processing fees are the cost most part out sellers forget to factor in, and they typically add another 2% to 3% on top of whatever commission the platform already charges. On BrickLink, that means credit card payments run about 2% plus $0.20 per transaction, while PayPal runs closer to 3% plus $0.30 per transaction.
Heads up: This is not financial or legal advice. We're sharing what we've learned from the LEGO reselling community.
I use a simple rule when I sell in bulk: I subtract 20% from my expected total to cover commission, payment processing, and shipping supplies before I decide if the time investment is worth it. That buffer has saved me from more than one part out job that looked profitable on paper but barely broke even once every fee was counted.
Should You Part Out on BrickLink, eBay, or Both?
Most experienced resellers use both platforms rather than picking one, listing common parts and cheap minifigures on BrickLink while sending rare pieces, complete minifigures, and anything with broad appeal to eBay. Splitting inventory this way plays to each platform's strengths instead of forcing every item through the same fee structure.
A seller I know who parts out several sets a week lists bulk common pieces on BrickLink in big batches, since the low commission makes even $1 and $2 sales worthwhile, then reserves eBay for the standout minifigures that are worth fighting for eyeballs. Facebook Marketplace and Whatnot can round out the mix too, especially for bulk lots you don't want to sort piece by piece.
A Quick Part Out Profit Checklist
Before you commit hours to parting out a set, run through a short checklist to make sure the math actually works once fees are subtracted. This takes a few minutes and prevents you from sinking an evening into a set that was worth more sold whole.
- Check the set's total part out value against its sealed or used resale price
- Identify any minifigures worth more individually than the whole set
- Subtract an estimated 15% to 25% for platform commission and payment processing
- Factor in your time for sorting, photographing, and listing each piece
- Decide whether common parts go to BrickLink and rare pieces go to eBay
- Set aside packaging and shipping supply costs before you calculate final margin
How brick'em Helps You Price a Part Out Faster
brick'em speeds up the slowest part of parting out a set, which is figuring out what every individual minifigure and piece is actually worth before you decide where to list it. Instead of manually searching each part, you get pricing support built on BrickLink integrated data so you're not guessing at values set by set.
I learned this the hard way sorting bulk lots by hand for years before building tools to speed it up. If you want to see what a set or lot is worth before you spend an evening breaking it apart, brick'em's LEGO collection value calculator and haul calculator give you a fast estimate, and the minifigure database helps confirm exactly which figures you're holding before you price them. You can sign up free to try the full workflow on your next part out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to part out LEGO sets on BrickLink or eBay?
It depends on the part. Common pieces and cheap minifigures usually net more profit on BrickLink because the 5% commission is lower than eBay's roughly 13.6% to 15% rate. Rare or high demand minifigures often do better on eBay, where a bigger audience can push the final sale price higher even after fees.
How much does BrickLink charge in total fees?
BrickLink's base commission is about 5% of the item price, and payment processing adds roughly 2% to 3% depending on whether the buyer pays by credit card, PayPal, or bank transfer. There are no monthly store fees or listing fees, so total costs usually land under 8% per sale.
Does eBay charge more to sell LEGO minifigures than regular parts?
Collectibles listings, which is where most rare LEGO minifigures get categorized, can run a percentage point or two higher than eBay's standard rate of around 13.6%. Add promoted listings, which many sellers use for visibility, and your real take rate can climb closer to 25% of the sale.
Is parting out a LEGO set actually more profitable than selling it whole?
Often yes, especially when a set includes even one valuable minifigure, since the sum of individual parts frequently exceeds what the same set sells for intact. It takes more time for sorting, photographing, and listing, so it's worth running the numbers before committing to a part out.
What other platforms can I use besides BrickLink and eBay to sell LEGO parts?
Brick Owl is another dedicated parts marketplace similar to BrickLink, while Facebook Marketplace and Whatnot work well for bulk lots you don't want to sort individually. Mercari is also an option for smaller sellers, though LEGO specific demand there is lower than on BrickLink or eBay.
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