Where to Buy LEGO Parts: Taobao, 1688 and Replacement Channels
The hardest part of building an MOC isn't finding instructions — it's having the instructions and still not being able to gather the parts. Getting stuck on the last handful of pieces is genuinely frustrating. Knowing your brick parts buying channels is therefore essential homework for every builder. Here are the four routes — e-commerce, loose-parts shops, official replacement and secondhand — explained properly, along with the money-saving tactics.
1. E-commerce channels: Taobao and 1688
Taobao is the main channel for individual parts: search for "loose LEGO parts" or "brick parts" and you'll find plenty of shops selling by weight or by piece. Before ordering, look closely at the buyer photos and the descriptions of brick quality in the reviews. 1688 (Alibaba) is the bulk route: common bricks are bought by the kilogram and the unit price is more than a third lower than retail. Heavy builders who are stocking up a parts library almost always start here. Be aware that 1688 shops vary a lot in quality — always place a small trial order and confirm the brick quality before committing to a large one.
2. Loose-parts shops and fill-by-parts-list services
Among all the brick parts buying channels, the most hassle-free is "filling by parts list": send a shop the parts list for your MOC and they pick and pack everything for you. Here's how it works:
- Open the Parts List for your instructions on Rebrickable and export it as a CSV or XML file;
- Send it to a shop that supports filling by list, and confirm in advance how out-of-stock parts will be substituted;
- When the parcel arrives, sort and check by colour, and contact the shop for a reshipment if anything is missing.
3. Official replacement channels
LEGO offers a free replacement parts service (Bricks & Pieces, or via customer service), so missing parts from a set can be requested directly; major Chinese brands offer similar after-sales support. When you're only one or two key pieces short on a set you already own, the official route is the safest option — the wait is a little longer, but the brick quality and colour match are exact.
4. Secondhand and offline channels
Secondhand channels are good for hunting discontinued parts and whole sets broken down for parts: on Xianyu, builders often sell off complete boxes of parts at a unit price far below that of new bricks. Brick shows and physical stores also frequently offer pick-a-cup loose parts by weight, handy for topping up common pieces on the spot. Check condition before buying — scratches and yellowed or discoloured parts will affect how the finished model looks.
5. Money-saving summary
The core of saving money across all brick parts buying channels is trading volume for price: stock up on common bricks by the kilogram, buy rare parts individually, and try official replacement first when something is missing. Keep your own list of frequently used parts and restock as needed rather than buying on impulse. Spend your budget where it counts and the fun of MOC building doubles.
A few last words
No matter how many channels you have, keeping your list in order matters more. If you want to organise your parts library systematically and quickly fill gaps against an instructions list, come to BrickPlan (brickplan.cn) — the BrickPlan blog shares more parts-list tips and hands-on channel testing.
FAQ
Q: Which platform is cheapest for buying individual brick parts? A: For bulk purchasing, 1688 (Alibaba) comes first — common bricks bought by the kilogram have the lowest unit price. For small top-up orders, go to Taobao loose-parts shops and search "loose LEGO parts" or "brick parts"; check the buyer photos and brick quality notes in the reviews before ordering.
Q: Is there a service that fills a whole parts list from instructions in one go? A: Yes. First open the Parts List for your instructions on Rebrickable and export it as a CSV or XML file, then send it to a shop that supports filling by list. The shop picks and packs everything; when it arrives, sort and check it against the list.
Q: What should I do if a set is missing parts? A: The official replacement route is the safest. LEGO offers a free replacement parts service (Bricks & Pieces or customer service), and missing parts from a set can be requested directly; major Chinese brands offer similar after-sales support.
Q: How do I save money when buying brick parts? A: The key is trading volume for price: stock common bricks by the kilogram, buy rare parts individually, and use official replacement first when parts are missing. Build your own list of frequently used parts and restock as needed instead of buying on impulse, so your money goes where it counts.