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| | | Author: | Teup  | | Posted: | Oct 21, 2014 03:10 | | Subject: | Please implement dimension database quickly | | Viewed: | 224 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | | Status: | Open | | Vote: | [Yes|No] | |
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| As there is going to be automated check-out next year (don't think they'll
make it in Q1 but maybe somewhere in 2015 it might actually happen) I think it's
a good idea if the new part dimension extension of the catalog gets implemented
as quickly as possible, even if it's just an empty database. This way, we
can already start contributing by measuring parts and entering dimensions. Several
members here including me occasionally measure parts on the other site, and it'd
be very convenient if we could enter the numbers on both sites simultaneously.
The reason why I'm asking for extra priority for this one is because I suspect
that in many countries sellers could work with auto check-out just fine without
the dimensions since their shipping methods are not volume-based, while for other
sellers (such as all the Dutch sellers) the dimension database is a prerequisite
to even begin considering using auto check-out. If the auto check-out feature
hits only shortly after the implementation of the database, there will be a long
span of time in which part of the sellers can use auto check-out while the others
still have to wait. While of course they can stick to the traditional method
for as long as needed, this does create a span of time with unfair competition
as buyers may prefer auto check-out.
So let's keep things fair and open the database for contribution quickly
so by the time auto check-out hits, we are all equal and able to use it!
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| | | | | Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Oct 21, 2014 03:16 | | Subject: | Re: Please implement dimension database quickly | | Viewed: | 46 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | As there is going to be automated check-out next year (don't think they'll
make it in Q1 but maybe somewhere in 2015 it might actually happen) I think it's
a good idea if the new part dimension extension of the catalog gets implemented
as quickly as possible, even if it's just an empty database. This way, we
can already start contributing by measuring parts and entering dimensions. Several
members here including me occasionally measure parts on the other site, and it'd
be very convenient if we could enter the numbers on both sites simultaneously.
The reason why I'm asking for extra priority for this one is because I suspect
that in many countries sellers could work with auto check-out just fine without
the dimensions since their shipping methods are not volume-based, while for other
sellers (such as all the Dutch sellers) the dimension database is a prerequisite
to even begin considering using auto check-out. If the auto check-out feature
hits only shortly after the implementation of the database, there will be a long
span of time in which part of the sellers can use auto check-out while the others
still have to wait. While of course they can stick to the traditional method
for as long as needed, this does create a span of time with unfair competition
as buyers may prefer auto check-out.
So let's keep things fair and open the database for contribution quickly
so by the time auto check-out hits, we are all equal and able to use it!
|
A very good call, same applies to UK postage too.
As a side note there are a huge number of items to be measured!!! I wonder how
the coding should work, will it reject auto-checkout if items on the order are
missing dimensions and divert the order to manual shipping pricing?
Robert
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| | | | | | | Author: | Teup | | Posted: | Oct 21, 2014 03:41 | | Subject: | Re: Please implement dimension database quickly | | Viewed: | 41 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | As there is going to be automated check-out next year (don't think they'll
make it in Q1 but maybe somewhere in 2015 it might actually happen) I think it's
a good idea if the new part dimension extension of the catalog gets implemented
as quickly as possible, even if it's just an empty database. This way, we
can already start contributing by measuring parts and entering dimensions. Several
members here including me occasionally measure parts on the other site, and it'd
be very convenient if we could enter the numbers on both sites simultaneously.
The reason why I'm asking for extra priority for this one is because I suspect
that in many countries sellers could work with auto check-out just fine without
the dimensions since their shipping methods are not volume-based, while for other
sellers (such as all the Dutch sellers) the dimension database is a prerequisite
to even begin considering using auto check-out. If the auto check-out feature
hits only shortly after the implementation of the database, there will be a long
span of time in which part of the sellers can use auto check-out while the others
still have to wait. While of course they can stick to the traditional method
for as long as needed, this does create a span of time with unfair competition
as buyers may prefer auto check-out.
So let's keep things fair and open the database for contribution quickly
so by the time auto check-out hits, we are all equal and able to use it!
|
A very good call, same applies to UK postage too.
As a side note there are a huge number of items to be measured!!! I wonder how
the coding should work, will it reject auto-checkout if items on the order are
missing dimensions and divert the order to manual shipping pricing?
Robert
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Good point, on the other site all items have "pessimistic" dimensions by default,
which in practise always result in the largest volume shipment when an order
contains any one of those. But I've attached a note to that shipping method
that if the buyer thinks the order isn't really big they should ask for a
shipping quote instead of checking out with that costly method. Not sure if people
ever read that though.. and it's not pretty when someone puts a screw driver
in their cart and it shows up 11 EUR shipping.. 
Another problem is the minifigs. I think the system should not include minifigs
and instead calculate them as the sum of their parts. Why? There are endless
numbers of different figs and they increase in number constantly, so it'd
be a complete waste of time to have to add dimensions for all of them. If you
just do the parts, and prints are ignored (adding torso dimensions once is adding
them for all of them), you only have to do a fraction of the work.
I'm not saying sellers should be forced to ship their figs non assembled,
they can still ship them assembled except in the rare case that it really makes
a difference for shipping, in which case it's logical that you'd take
them apart as a service for the buyer.
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| | | | | Author: | Hunny1 | | Posted: | Oct 21, 2014 03:40 | | Subject: | Re: Please implement dimension database quickly | | Viewed: | 51 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | As there is going to be automated check-out next year (don't think they'll
make it in Q1 but maybe somewhere in 2015 it might actually happen) I think it's
a good idea if the new part dimension extension of the catalog gets implemented
as quickly as possible, even if it's just an empty database. This way, we
can already start contributing by measuring parts and entering dimensions. Several
members here including me occasionally measure parts on the other site, and it'd
be very convenient if we could enter the numbers on both sites simultaneously.
The reason why I'm asking for extra priority for this one is because I suspect
that in many countries sellers could work with auto check-out just fine without
the dimensions since their shipping methods are not volume-based, while for other
sellers (such as all the Dutch sellers) the dimension database is a prerequisite
to even begin considering using auto check-out. If the auto check-out feature
hits only shortly after the implementation of the database, there will be a long
span of time in which part of the sellers can use auto check-out while the others
still have to wait. While of course they can stick to the traditional method
for as long as needed, this does create a span of time with unfair competition
as buyers may prefer auto check-out.
So let's keep things fair and open the database for contribution quickly
so by the time auto check-out hits, we are all equal and able to use it!
|
Maybe a bit out of topic.
But, how should it work with auto checkout?
When the order is for 430gr at Bricklink it would calculate for letters up to
500gr instead the total weight would be more than 500gr?
I am a bit skeptical.
Additional, when foreign buyers order a few parts for 2-3 EUR only and I have
to charge them the minimum postage of 3.45 EUR then I contact them before invoicing.
I write that they can add some more up to about 350gr order weight without increase
the postage. Many buyers are very happy to get this information.
There are a few more details why I'd prefere manual invoicing.
Markus
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| | | | | | | Author: | Teup | | Posted: | Oct 21, 2014 03:47 | | Subject: | Re: Please implement dimension database quickly | | Viewed: | 42 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, Hunny1 writes:
| | In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | As there is going to be automated check-out next year (don't think they'll
make it in Q1 but maybe somewhere in 2015 it might actually happen) I think it's
a good idea if the new part dimension extension of the catalog gets implemented
as quickly as possible, even if it's just an empty database. This way, we
can already start contributing by measuring parts and entering dimensions. Several
members here including me occasionally measure parts on the other site, and it'd
be very convenient if we could enter the numbers on both sites simultaneously.
The reason why I'm asking for extra priority for this one is because I suspect
that in many countries sellers could work with auto check-out just fine without
the dimensions since their shipping methods are not volume-based, while for other
sellers (such as all the Dutch sellers) the dimension database is a prerequisite
to even begin considering using auto check-out. If the auto check-out feature
hits only shortly after the implementation of the database, there will be a long
span of time in which part of the sellers can use auto check-out while the others
still have to wait. While of course they can stick to the traditional method
for as long as needed, this does create a span of time with unfair competition
as buyers may prefer auto check-out.
So let's keep things fair and open the database for contribution quickly
so by the time auto check-out hits, we are all equal and able to use it!
|
Maybe a bit out of topic.
But, how should it work with auto checkout?
When the order is for 430gr at Bricklink it would calculate for letters up to
500gr instead the total weight would be more than 500gr?
I am a bit skeptical.
Additional, when foreign buyers order a few parts for 2-3 EUR only and I have
to charge them the minimum postage of 3.45 EUR then I contact them before invoicing.
I write that they can add some more up to about 350gr order weight without increase
the postage. Many buyers are very happy to get this information.
There are a few more details why I'd prefere manual invoicing.
Markus
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I too prefer manual invoicing, but there are other advantages to auto check-out
so in the end I don't really mind either way. I didn't post this to advocate
one or the other, but given the fact that Bricklink has decided on going this
way, the database has to be in place in an early stage.
Of course Bricklink will never be able to know how heavy our shipping materials
are or how large in volume an order could be for a particular method, this all
depends on your packaging materials, preferences and skills.
What the system can do, is provide a calculation for the order volume,
just like it provides a weight calculation. That should be where the job of the
system ends. A seller can then specify which weight and/or volume band has which
kind of shipping. This is how it works on the other site. Sometimes it's
still off, but that is mostly because the catalog is incomplete. Adding and maintaining
dimensions should be taken very seriously, it takes community effort to keep
this up. New parts are released every year, and many parts will have incorrect
dimensions because of human error. If we all contribute, it'll work, though.
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| | | | | | | Author: | yorbrick | | Posted: | Oct 21, 2014 06:25 | | Subject: | Re: Please implement dimension database quickly | | Viewed: | 44 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| | | Maybe a bit out of topic.
But, how should it work with auto checkout?
When the order is for 430gr at Bricklink it would calculate for letters up to
500gr instead the total weight would be more than 500gr?
I am a bit skeptical.
Additional, when foreign buyers order a few parts for 2-3 EUR only and I have
to charge them the minimum postage of 3.45 EUR then I contact them before invoicing.
I write that they can add some more up to about 350gr order weight without increase
the postage. Many buyers are very happy to get this information.
There are a few more details why I'd prefere manual invoicing.
Markus
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The seller would probably set their first band to be 0-420g, 420-650g, etc. for
when the postal service bands are 500g, 750g, etc. That way packaging is allowed
for in an automated cart.
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| | | | | Author: | cosmicray | | Posted: | Oct 21, 2014 09:09 | | Subject: | Re: Please implement dimension database quickly | | Viewed: | 37 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | As there is going to be automated check-out next year (don't think they'll
make it in Q1 but maybe somewhere in 2015 it might actually happen) I think it's
a good idea if the new part dimension extension of the catalog gets implemented
as quickly as possible, even if it's just an empty database. This way, we
can already start contributing by measuring parts and entering dimensions. Several
members here including me occasionally measure parts on the other site, and it'd
be very convenient if we could enter the numbers on both sites simultaneously.
The reason why I'm asking for extra priority for this one is because I suspect
that in many countries sellers could work with auto check-out just fine without
the dimensions since their shipping methods are not volume-based, while for other
sellers (such as all the Dutch sellers) the dimension database is a prerequisite
to even begin considering using auto check-out. If the auto check-out feature
hits only shortly after the implementation of the database, there will be a long
span of time in which part of the sellers can use auto check-out while the others
still have to wait. While of course they can stick to the traditional method
for as long as needed, this does create a span of time with unfair competition
as buyers may prefer auto check-out.
So let's keep things fair and open the database for contribution quickly
so by the time auto check-out hits, we are all equal and able to use it!
|
You can't do dimensions for parts very easily. BL is missing a key number
(which is not easily obtained). For lack of a better name, I call it 'clumping
factor'. How easily various parts can clump together to form a whole. It
tells you how much actual space a quantity of a given part needs for shipment.
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| | | | | | | Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Oct 21, 2014 09:21 | | Subject: | Re: Please implement dimension database quickly | | Viewed: | 54 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, cosmicray writes:
| | In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | As there is going to be automated check-out next year (don't think they'll
make it in Q1 but maybe somewhere in 2015 it might actually happen) I think it's
a good idea if the new part dimension extension of the catalog gets implemented
as quickly as possible, even if it's just an empty database. This way, we
can already start contributing by measuring parts and entering dimensions. Several
members here including me occasionally measure parts on the other site, and it'd
be very convenient if we could enter the numbers on both sites simultaneously.
The reason why I'm asking for extra priority for this one is because I suspect
that in many countries sellers could work with auto check-out just fine without
the dimensions since their shipping methods are not volume-based, while for other
sellers (such as all the Dutch sellers) the dimension database is a prerequisite
to even begin considering using auto check-out. If the auto check-out feature
hits only shortly after the implementation of the database, there will be a long
span of time in which part of the sellers can use auto check-out while the others
still have to wait. While of course they can stick to the traditional method
for as long as needed, this does create a span of time with unfair competition
as buyers may prefer auto check-out.
So let's keep things fair and open the database for contribution quickly
so by the time auto check-out hits, we are all equal and able to use it!
|
You can't do dimensions for parts very easily. BL is missing a key number
(which is not easily obtained). For lack of a better name, I call it 'clumping
factor'. How easily various parts can clump together to form a whole. It
tells you how much actual space a quantity of a given part needs for shipment.
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Indeed and the actual clumping factor will be different for every different combination
of parts and how a seller packs them. I think each seller would need to set his
own average clumping factor and even then there will be extremes that throw out
funny results. One recent order I can think of would be interesting... 3 Bionicle
cans plus a load of parts. I had a box that the 3 cans would safely fit into
but little room for parts... except they could go into the cans! This stuff will
only at best be a rough guide, if sellers want to use this option they (and their
customers) will have to accept that "actual shipping cost" at checkout will not
always be achieved. It will be interesting to see how customers react - I suspect
many will still want sellers to offer the option of post order shipping calculation.
We'll try and do what the customer wants, if it is auto-checkout/auto shipping
calculation then we'll find a way of making sure the customer does not loose
out but if we loose on a few odd sized orders we could probably live with that
without needing to up prices.
Robert
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| | | | | Author: | Teup | | Posted: | Sep 18, 2015 08:18 | | Subject: | Re: Please implement dimension database quickly | | Viewed: | 51 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| Sorry for being a broken record... but... bump.....
In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | As there is going to be automated check-out next year (don't think they'll
make it in Q1 but maybe somewhere in 2015 it might actually happen) I think it's
a good idea if the new part dimension extension of the catalog gets implemented
as quickly as possible, even if it's just an empty database. This way, we
can already start contributing by measuring parts and entering dimensions. Several
members here including me occasionally measure parts on the other site, and it'd
be very convenient if we could enter the numbers on both sites simultaneously.
The reason why I'm asking for extra priority for this one is because I suspect
that in many countries sellers could work with auto check-out just fine without
the dimensions since their shipping methods are not volume-based, while for other
sellers (such as all the Dutch sellers) the dimension database is a prerequisite
to even begin considering using auto check-out. If the auto check-out feature
hits only shortly after the implementation of the database, there will be a long
span of time in which part of the sellers can use auto check-out while the others
still have to wait. While of course they can stick to the traditional method
for as long as needed, this does create a span of time with unfair competition
as buyers may prefer auto check-out.
So let's keep things fair and open the database for contribution quickly
so by the time auto check-out hits, we are all equal and able to use it!
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Netherlands, Utrecht
United Kingdom, England
Germany, Sachsen
USA, Florida