A young college student recently disclosed that he has successfully sold £300,000 worth of Lego figures on eBay over the past year. Jamie Bell, who started selling toys he outgrew at the age of 13, identified the potential to profit from Lego pieces specifically. At 18, he sources kilograms of the plastic toys online and from various connections to sell them to collectors or individuals.
In a recent sale on May 2, Jamie auctioned off a 95kg collection of Lego Star Wars figurines, claiming it to be the most extensive mini-figure lot ever listed on eBay globally. The listing, starting at £1, eventually fetched an impressive £22,428 after attracting 65 bids. His business, JTB Collectables, generated £300,000 in revenue in the last tax year, resulting in a profit of around £50,000 after accounting for expenses.
Recognizing the rapid growth of his earnings, Jamie and his father hired an accountant when he was just 16. Currently, he sells approximately 100kg of Lego monthly through bulk sales and individual auctions online. Despite his success, he intends to focus on studying History at university in the upcoming year rather than turning his hobby into a full-time occupation.
Jamie, hailing from Wandsworth, South London, finds excitement in the auction process, noting that both collectors and resellers actively participate. He mentions the importance of maintaining financial stability by saving most of his earnings for his future home and investing in an ISA. As a passionate collector himself, Jamie plans to continue selecting high-value figures for his personal collection while concentrating on selling bundles for profit.
His eBay account showcases various successful sales, with one notable transaction involving two Lego Batman figures selling for £751. Jamie’s strategic approach to leveraging his hobby into a profitable venture has not only earned him substantial revenue but has also provided valuable lessons in entrepreneurship and financial management.