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| | | Author: | Starlite  | | Posted: | Feb 2, 2013 03:16 | | Subject: | Adding more info and links when buying | | Viewed: | 193 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | | Status: | Open | | Vote: | [Yes|No] | |
|
| Dear all,
I've been using BrickLink to research and buy sets and parts for over 6 months
now, and I've noticed some areas that could use a bit of improvement. Interestingly,
most of these relate to the buying process.
1. When visiting a store, categories of sets are displayed on the left, but some
categories are subcategories and some encompass a number of subcategories. I
suggest making the super-categories bold so they stand out (eg: "Space", "Castle",
"Star Wars").
2. There is some inconsistency in what data are displayed for a part (or set)
when shopping, depending whether it's a category listing, your Shopping Cart,
matches to your Wanted List, or something else. I suggest that a number of things
should always be shown, no matter where you are viewing it. These include: the
part/set number, a link to the catalogue entry for the part/set, the price asked
in the shop's native currency, the price converted to the buyer's native currency,
and the weight of the part/set. I don't know why these are not currently included
in all views, but they would all be very useful!
3. I've noticed that some vendors take a long time to mark orders as paid and
later as Completed. The same is probably true for buyers. I suggest emailing
reminders a week or so after each status update.
4. The images at the top of each set's inventory listing are really very very
small by today's standards. I recommend increasing their size, either by default
or as an option, to a standard size (perhaps 512 pixels across), and possibly
updating the catalogue with still higher resolution images -- something that
could be printed as a catalogue of one's own collection.
5. I think it would be very valuable to have high-resolution box scans for each
set, both front and back, particularly for the older sets (where alternate build
were shown on the back). With such a large proportion of sets sold without boxes,
this would be a very valuable resource.
6. Most trade on BrickLink is presumably in second hand sets, which are often
missing the box, and sometimes the instructions. A missing box can have a large
effect on the weight estimate of an order. I suggest providing the option of
removing the box and/or instructions from the weight calculation for a set. This
could be set by the vendor when they upload a set, or it could be a radio button
or check-box array in a buyer's shopping cart.
7. Since I live in Australia, I'd really like a tool for estimating postage for
an order before I actually Check Out. I know USPS and presumably most other postal
services provide downloadable tables of their parcel rates. I wonder if this
information could be incorporated into BrickLink, at least for the major countries
(based on BrickLink sales volumes). Obviously, you would need a number of volunteers
to make sure the data is updated when it changes.
8. I really don't like the format in which data are organised when order details
are downloaded. I use this function to speed up incorporation my purchase tracking
database. My two main issues are that the Excel format version (which includes
useful text formatting absent from the CSV version) uses merged cells for some
data. This makes it impossible to rearrange columns without first removing the
merged cells. Secondly, I don't like the way the vendor details push the details
of a parts order off the page to the right. I think this could be reassessed.
9. I have plans to build an Access database to manage my Lego inventory, as I
find Brickstore a bit limited compared to what I want. My biggest difficulty
is that BrickLink won't accept wildcards when downloading set inventories. In
other words, I'd like to ask for the ability to download inventories for multiple
sets at once. It would also be useful to be able to download the full listing
of catalogued parts, along with their known colours -- I think at least part
of that is already possible.
10. My biggest problem when buying parts and minifigs is that there are no subcategories
for the condition of a used part. I think it would be useful to come up with
some consensus on this. The categories/flags I use personally are basically as
follows: as-new, worn (light scratches, mottling), scratched (tooth/nail marks),
cracked, bent, broken, plus various levels of discoloured. I'll be going into
more detail when I eventually set up my own shop.
11. In posting to this forum for the first time, I'm slightly confused as to
what notifications I will receive when someone replies to my posts. Many forums
provide "subscribe to a thread" options, which can be listed when you log in,
or with links that get emailed out when a reply comes in. If none of this exists
here, it might be worth adding some functionality along those lines.
I hope there's some useful suggestions in there. Please feel free to ask for
clarification.
In the meantime, please discuss!
Starlite
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| | | | | Author: | MathBuilder | | Posted: | Feb 2, 2013 03:40 | | Subject: | (Cancelled) | | Viewed: | 45 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| | (Cancelled) |
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| | | | | |
| | | | | Author: | MassBricks | | Posted: | Feb 2, 2013 05:12 | | Subject: | Re: Adding more info and links when buying | | Viewed: | 63 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Starlite writes:
| | Dear all,
I've been using BrickLink to research and buy sets and parts for over 6 months
now, and I've noticed some areas that could use a bit of improvement. Interestingly,
most of these relate to the buying process.
1. When visiting a store, categories of sets are displayed on the left, but some
categories are subcategories and some encompass a number of subcategories. I
suggest making the super-categories bold so they stand out (eg: "Space", "Castle",
"Star Wars").
|
This is difficult because some sub-categories can also be the top level category
for an item. For instance, in this set:
"Service Packs" is a subcategory of "Educational & Dacta," but in:
"Service Packs" is the top level.
| | 2. There is some inconsistency in what data are displayed for a part (or set)
when shopping, depending whether it's a category listing, your Shopping Cart,
matches to your Wanted List, or something else. I suggest that a number of things
should always be shown, no matter where you are viewing it. These include: the
part/set number, a link to the catalogue entry for the part/set, the price asked
in the shop's native currency, the price converted to the buyer's native currency,
and the weight of the part/set. I don't know why these are not currently included
in all views, but they would all be very useful!
|
I mostly agree with you on this point.
| | 3. I've noticed that some vendors take a long time to mark orders as paid and
later as Completed. The same is probably true for buyers. I suggest emailing
reminders a week or so after each status update.
|
Buyers and sellers can email each other if one is taking too long to complete
some phase of a transaction. Also, while the "Completed" status can be set by
a seller, in most cases, it should be set by the buyer. Sometimes a buyer won't
mark an order as complete, but it really isn't a big deal.
| | 4. The images at the top of each set's inventory listing are really very very
small by today's standards. I recommend increasing their size, either by default
or as an option, to a standard size (perhaps 512 pixels across), and possibly
updating the catalogue with still higher resolution images -- something that
could be printed as a catalogue of one's own collection.
|
Agreed on that point too. I'm not sure if bricklink has ever increased the size
of images since the site was founded, but it's been too long since the standards
were updated.
| | 5. I think it would be very valuable to have high-resolution box scans for each
set, both front and back, particularly for the older sets (where alternate build
were shown on the back). With such a large proportion of sets sold without boxes,
this would be a very valuable resource.
|
This is pretty much the same point as above. Images on bricklink are provided
by the members. Aside from having higher resolution images, you can help by adding
any images of sets you have through the catalog add page.
| | 6. Most trade on BrickLink is presumably in second hand sets, which are often
missing the box, and sometimes the instructions. A missing box can have a large
effect on the weight estimate of an order. I suggest providing the option of
removing the box and/or instructions from the weight calculation for a set. This
could be set by the vendor when they upload a set, or it could be a radio button
or check-box array in a buyer's shopping cart.
|
Sellers can already add custom weights for items, though it is disabled by default.
Enable it on the "my store settings" page.
| | 7. Since I live in Australia, I'd really like a tool for estimating postage for
an order before I actually Check Out. I know USPS and presumably most other postal
services provide downloadable tables of their parcel rates. I wonder if this
information could be incorporated into BrickLink, at least for the major countries
(based on BrickLink sales volumes). Obviously, you would need a number of volunteers
to make sure the data is updated when it changes.
|
Bricklink sellers don't all use the same postage methods, so making one list
for all US sellers wouldn't work. I think it would be great if bricklink had
a way for sellers to enter their own charts for shipping costs and automatically
give buyers a payment link. It seems very silly to me that for any first-class
mail order I receive, all I have to do is copy the price from the chart on my
store terms page into the box on my orders page, click "submit changes" and click
"invoice." No part of that could not be done by a computer.
| | 8. I really don't like the format in which data are organised when order details
are downloaded. I use this function to speed up incorporation my purchase tracking
database. My two main issues are that the Excel format version (which includes
useful text formatting absent from the CSV version) uses merged cells for some
data. This makes it impossible to rearrange columns without first removing the
merged cells. Secondly, I don't like the way the vendor details push the details
of a parts order off the page to the right. I think this could be reassessed.
|
I don't use these, so I can't comment one way or the other.
| | 9. I have plans to build an Access database to manage my Lego inventory, as I
find Brickstore a bit limited compared to what I want. My biggest difficulty
is that BrickLink won't accept wildcards when downloading set inventories. In
other words, I'd like to ask for the ability to download inventories for multiple
sets at once. It would also be useful to be able to download the full listing
of catalogued parts, along with their known colours -- I think at least part
of that is already possible.
|
Why not write a script to download multiple set inventories?
| | 10. My biggest problem when buying parts and minifigs is that there are no subcategories
for the condition of a used part. I think it would be useful to come up with
some consensus on this. The categories/flags I use personally are basically as
follows: as-new, worn (light scratches, mottling), scratched (tooth/nail marks),
cracked, bent, broken, plus various levels of discoloured. I'll be going into
more detail when I eventually set up my own shop.
|
Different sellers have different standards for what "used" is. Most decent sellers
will include notes on items listed as used if they have anything more than a
few knicks.
| | 11. In posting to this forum for the first time, I'm slightly confused as to
what notifications I will receive when someone replies to my posts. Many forums
provide "subscribe to a thread" options, which can be listed when you log in,
or with links that get emailed out when a reply comes in. If none of this exists
here, it might be worth adding some functionality along those lines.
|
Agreed. This has been brought up a few times.
| | I hope there's some useful suggestions in there. Please feel free to ask for
clarification.
In the meantime, please discuss!
Starlite
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| | | | | | | Author: | therobo | | Posted: | Feb 2, 2013 13:30 | | Subject: | Re: Adding more info and links when buying | | Viewed: | 30 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, MassBricks writes:
| | In Suggestions, Starlite writes:
| | 4. The images at the top of each set's inventory listing are really very very
small by today's standards. I recommend increasing their size, either by default
or as an option, to a standard size (perhaps 512 pixels across), and possibly
updating the catalogue with still higher resolution images -- something that
could be printed as a catalogue of one's own collection.
|
Agreed on that point too. I'm not sure if bricklink has ever increased the size
of images since the site was founded, but it's been too long since the standards
were updated.
|
Hi,
BrickLink's standard size for thumbnails is 80x60 (60x80 for minifigs).
Standard for large images is 240x320 for minifigs, 320x240 for most parts and
max. 640x480 for anything else.
My 4 years old notebook has a screen resolution of 1280x800, and I guess that
even more modern notebooks don't have a much higher resolution in height.
The height resolution of screens is the most limiting for image sizes in BrickLink.
If you browse any store the net height on the right side isn't more than 480
pixel.
From the 800 pixel height of the secreen you have to subtract:
Windows task bar, browser status bar, address bar, tab bar, menu bar, titel bar.
Then store title and the BrickLink navigation bar.
~480 pixel remain.
As for the thumbnails, increasing their size would lead to less rows of thumbnails,
actually I have 6 rows of 8 thumbnails.
The whole BrickLink site design is 800 in width (with some exceptions like on
order overview pages). This is something which I wish should be increased in
BL2.0
But it wouldn't allow larger thumbnails without loss of rows.
As for larger set thumbnails in inventories, it would require a 2nd set of thumbnails,
generated out of more than actually 10,000 set images.
| |
| | 5. I think it would be very valuable to have high-resolution box scans for each
set, both front and back, particularly for the older sets (where alternate build
were shown on the back). With such a large proportion of sets sold without boxes,
this would be a very valuable resource.
|
|
Although BrickLink has quite a lot of reference character, I don't think more
alternate images of all box sides wouldn't result in higher numbers of set sales,
so the benefit would be quite low.
Ronald
| |
This is pretty much the same point as above. Images on bricklink are provided
by the members. Aside from having higher resolution images, you can help by adding
any images of sets you have through the catalog add page.
|
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Author: | Starlite | | Posted: | Feb 19, 2013 02:40 | | Subject: | Re: Adding more info and links when buying | | Viewed: | 15 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, therobo writes:
| | As for the thumbnails, increasing their size would lead to less rows of thumbnails,
actually I have 6 rows of 8 thumbnails.
|
I've never actually used this feature. However, it's quite easy to change the
display size of an image independent of its stored resolution. It can even be
scripted. The key is to have a higher-resolution version underneath, which can
be used when more detail is needed.
| | As for larger set thumbnails in inventories, it would require a 2nd set of thumbnails,
generated out of more than actually 10,000 set images.
|
I may not have been clear. I only meant the image of the whole set that appears
at the top of each inventory. I would prefer this were a large image of the set
rather than a thumbnail. Admittedly this is most useful when printing out inventories
(so I can make notes for missing or damaged pieces -- should probably use BrickStore),
but even on-screen it looks odd to have such a tiny picture of the set at the
top, IMO.
| | Although BrickLink has quite a lot of reference character, I don't think more
alternate images of all box sides wouldn't result in higher numbers of set sales,
so the benefit would be quite low.
|
It might encourage more box sales? No, I agree it's not a sales driver. However
BrickLink is not purely a site for sales. It is the most complete repository
of Lego information on the Net. There's no reason to limit one set of functionality
just because it wasn't part of the original spec. And people (like me) who initially
visit for reference info hang around to become buyers and sellers.
|
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| | | | | |
| | | | | Author: | Brickwilbo | | Posted: | Feb 2, 2013 05:43 | | Subject: | Re: Adding more info and links when buying | | Viewed: | 44 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Starlite writes:
| | Dear all,
I've been using BrickLink to research and buy sets and parts for over 6 months
now, and I've noticed some areas that could use a bit of improvement. Interestingly,
most of these relate to the buying process.
1. When visiting a store, categories of sets are displayed on the left, but some
categories are subcategories and some encompass a number of subcategories. I
suggest making the super-categories bold so they stand out (eg: "Space", "Castle",
"Star Wars").
2. There is some inconsistency in what data are displayed for a part (or set)
when shopping, depending whether it's a category listing, your Shopping Cart,
matches to your Wanted List, or something else. I suggest that a number of things
should always be shown, no matter where you are viewing it. These include: the
part/set number, a link to the catalogue entry for the part/set, the price asked
in the shop's native currency, the price converted to the buyer's native currency,
and the weight of the part/set. I don't know why these are not currently included
in all views, but they would all be very useful!
|
Links to the Catalog while browsing a store wil not be implemented.
You don't see stores displaying the prices of the competition.
The solution is easy, open an extra tab.
Stores do show the prices in the sellers currency and prices converted to buyers
currency.
The solution is to login before browsing Bricklink.
| |
3. I've noticed that some vendors take a long time to mark orders as paid and
later as Completed. The same is probably true for buyers. I suggest emailing
reminders a week or so after each status update.
|
It's easy to send an email/message yourself as it is now.
Many probably wouldn't answer an automated email.
If the store doesn't respond file a problem report and least favorite that store.
| | 4. The images at the top of each set's inventory listing are really very very
small by today's standards. I recommend increasing their size, either by default
or as an option, to a standard size (perhaps 512 pixels across), and possibly
updating the catalogue with still higher resolution images -- something that
could be printed as a catalogue of one's own collection.
5. I think it would be very valuable to have high-resolution box scans for each
set, both front and back, particularly for the older sets (where alternate build
were shown on the back). With such a large proportion of sets sold without boxes,
this would be a very valuable resource.
6. Most trade on BrickLink is presumably in second hand sets, which are often
missing the box, and sometimes the instructions. A missing box can have a large
effect on the weight estimate of an order. I suggest providing the option of
removing the box and/or instructions from the weight calculation for a set. This
could be set by the vendor when they upload a set, or it could be a radio button
or check-box array in a buyer's shopping cart.
|
Bricklinks Catalog weights are intended for reference only.
| | 7. Since I live in Australia, I'd really like a tool for estimating postage for
an order before I actually Check Out. I know USPS and presumably most other postal
services provide downloadable tables of their parcel rates. I wonder if this
information could be incorporated into BrickLink, at least for the major countries
(based on BrickLink sales volumes). Obviously, you would need a number of volunteers
to make sure the data is updated when it changes.
|
Bricklink is only a venue for sellers and should't get involved in postage issues
wich will come then.
| | 8. I really don't like the format in hich data are organised when order details
are downloaded. I use this function to speed up incorporation my purchase tracking
database. My two main issues are that the Excel format version (which includes
useful text formatting absent from the CSV version) uses merged cells for some
data. This makes it impossible to rearrange columns without first removing the
merged cells. Secondly, I don't like the way the vendor details push the details
of a parts order off the page to the right. I think this could be reassessed.
9. I have plans to build an Access database to manage my Lego inventory, as I
find Brickstore a bit limited compared to what I want. My biggest difficulty
is that BrickLink won't accept wildcards when downloading set inventories. In
other words, I'd like to ask for the ability to download inventories for multiple
sets at once. It would also be useful to be able to download the full listing
of catalogued parts, along with their known colours -- I think at least part
of that is already possible.
10. My biggest problem when buying parts and minifigs is that there are no subcategories
for the condition of a used part. I think it would be useful to come up with
some consensus on this. The categories/flags I use personally are basically as
follows: as-new, worn (light scratches, mottling), scratched (tooth/nail marks),
cracked, bent, broken, plus various levels of discoloured. I'll be going into
more detail when I eventually set up my own shop.
|
Discussed before and also recently.
Contitions for used are very subjective.
| | 11. In posting to this forum for the first time, I'm slightly confused as to
what notifications I will receive when someone replies to my posts. Many forums
provide "subscribe to a thread" options, which can be listed when you log in,
or with links that get emailed out when a reply comes in. If none of this exists
here, it might be worth adding some functionality along those lines.
|
The forum doesn't send any notifications.
Solution is to keep an eye on the interesting threads.
| | I hope there's some useful suggestions in there. Please feel free to ask for
clarification.
In the meantime, please discuss!
Starlite
|
|
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| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Author: | Starlite | | Posted: | Feb 19, 2013 02:49 | | Subject: | Re: Adding more info and links when buying | | Viewed: | 21 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Brickwilbo writes:
| | In Suggestions, Starlite writes:
| | 2. There is some inconsistency in what data are displayed for a part (or set)
when shopping, depending whether it's a category listing, your Shopping Cart,
matches to your Wanted List, or something else. I suggest that a number of things
should always be shown, no matter where you are viewing it. These include: the
part/set number, a link to the catalogue entry for the part/set, the price asked
in the shop's native currency, the price converted to the buyer's native currency,
and the weight of the part/set. I don't know why these are not currently included
in all views, but they would all be very useful!
|
Links to the Catalog while browsing a store wil not be implemented.
You don't see stores displaying the prices of the competition.
The solution is easy, open an extra tab.
|
First, the Catalog is not the same as the list of prices for an item.
Second, in many cases it's necessary not just to open another tab but to also
manually type in the part number since there's nowhere to cut and paste from.
| | Stores do show the prices in the sellers currency and prices converted to buyers
currency.
|
Only in the stock list. The converted prices are NOT displayed when you click
View Cart.
| | | | 6. Most trade on BrickLink is presumably in second hand sets, which are often
missing the box, and sometimes the instructions. A missing box can have a large
effect on the weight estimate of an order. I suggest providing the option of
removing the box and/or instructions from the weight calculation for a set. This
could be set by the vendor when they upload a set, or it could be a radio button
or check-box array in a buyer's shopping cart.
|
Bricklinks Catalog weights are intended for reference only.
|
That's not true. They form part of the check-out process as an estimate of the
weight of an order. This is an enormous factor when shipping to/from Australia.
| | Bricklink is only a venue for sellers and should't get involved in postage issues
wich will come then.
|
Not true. Bricklink is for many different types of visitors. And the first rule
of marketing to make it easy to buy. That means making it easy for the buyer.
| | Conditions for used are very subjective.
|
I was hoping to introduce a bit of objectivity. It's not impossible, though I
appreciate it could be a lot more work for sellers. Giving them the option wouldn't
compel them to use it.
I understand I have a very particular perspective on BrickLink, but I don't think
it is any less valid than other people's perspectives. I haven't seen things
from the seller's side yet, but the buyer's perspective I represent at the moment
is also, I think, worth keeping in mind.
|
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| | | | | |
| | | | | Author: | Kevin.NXT | | Posted: | Feb 2, 2013 07:42 | | Subject: | Re: Adding more info and links when buying | | Viewed: | 30 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| I am sorry to tell you, but you probably wasted quite a bit of your time on that,
as none these suggestions will be implemented, probably not even looked at by
admin. There is a hope that they will be in BL 2, but that would be quite a lot
of changes, and most of them will be purged by then. 
|
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Author: | D.Rae.McCormick | | Posted: | Feb 2, 2013 08:39 | | Subject: | Re: Adding more info and links when buying | | Viewed: | 34 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, kevin_nxt writes:
| | I am sorry to tell you, but you probably wasted quite a bit of your time on that,
as none these suggestions will be implemented, probably not even looked at by
admin. There is a hope that they will be in BL 2, but that would be quite a lot
of changes, and most of them will be purged by then.
|
You are not only being a downer, but your information
is incorrect as well. Suggestions are *not* being purged.
~Rae
|
|
| | | | | |
| | | | | Author: | Timothy_Smith | | Posted: | Feb 2, 2013 10:53 | | Subject: | Re: Adding more info and links when buying | | Viewed: | 32 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Starlite writes:
| | something that
could be printed as a catalogue of one's own collection.
|
Why in the world would you want a printed catalog of your collection?
Get up and go look at the pieces.
Plus, a printed collection would be out of date immediately.
Unless you printed on cards, maybe? And then filed them?
But again, why? What would be the point to using outdated technology for this?
|
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Author: | Starlite | | Posted: | Feb 19, 2013 02:29 | | Subject: | Re: Adding more info and links when buying | | Viewed: | 17 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Timothy_Smith writes:
| | In Suggestions, Starlite writes:
| | something that could be printed as a catalogue of one's own collection.
|
Why in the world would you want a printed catalog of your collection?
Get up and go look at the pieces.
|
To show off at LUG meetings, perhaps?
Different media are good at different things.
|
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|
Australia, Queensland
USA, New York
Germany, Berlin
Netherlands, Gelderland
