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 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Oct 5, 2018 09:45
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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 Topic: Suggestions
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Teup (6602)

Location:  Netherlands, Utrecht
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 6, 2004 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: BLOKJESKONING
So, you are saying it is difficult. We're talking about sellers here, people
who decide that they can handle selling Lego. Not every person who signs up on
Bricklink has to understand how to set up shipping methods. But I think it is
only fair that for the small portion of those members who really are serious
enough to get into selling, it should be expected of them that they're able
to handle it. If they're not, they should either ask for help or just use
some other way to sell Lego that they do understand (In fact, I think setting
things up at Brickowl is easier than at BL.)


In Suggestions, tEoS writes:
  I grow tired of reading the old "it's not rocket science" argument, as if
it somehow substantiates a person's claim.

  And I think on the seller's side of the interface, it should also warn that
not all weight/volume/value/country combinations are covered. I think it's
the sellers responsibility to make sure that they have it all covered, it's
not rocket science. But it is true it takes some concentration and staring at
the screen to make sure everything is OK, so an algorythm that checks if there
are no holes sounds like exactly the type of thing we have computers for.
 Author: LearnedBrick View Messages Posted By LearnedBrick
 Posted: Oct 5, 2018 08:04
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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LearnedBrick (7485)

Location:  USA, Kentucky
Member Since Contact Type Status
Oct 20, 2015 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: The Learned Brick
In Suggestions, npl writes:
  Twice today I spent time making LARGE orders (two different vendors) for about
$30 or so USD+. The first had a shipping box size restriction I didn't see
until I was checking out and the seller did not respond to a query for a 'bypass'
in time to be useful. I bought what I wanted on Amazon instead. It will be
here day after tomorrow! Just now I put together another order of over 150 items,
spent 20 min, only to learn it had a ^%#^*^ LOT average of a dollar, and again,
I was required to ask for a bypass. Screw that. I don't have the time for
this nit-noid nonsense. So here's the suggestion: Price your stuff for
what you want and either make the restriction clear on the main page or can the
restrictions. As for me, I'm head for e-bay where I am sure I can get what
I want and where any restrictions are clear.

Sorry to hear that. Certain stores have their reasons for their restrictions
and terms, and your frustration and anger are valid but hopefully short-lived.

We have just one rule: Spend a dollar.

Spend a dollar, and I'll figure out the rest.

I hope you find a store that meets your needs.
 Author: tEoS View Messages Posted By tEoS
 Posted: Oct 5, 2018 07:59
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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tEoS (5297)

Location:  USA, Michigan
Member Since Contact Type Status
Dec 24, 2002 Contact Member Seller
No Longer RegisteredNo Longer Registered
Store Closed Store: The Elements Of Surprise
No Longer Registered
I grow tired of reading the old "it's not rocket science" argument, as if
it somehow substantiates a person's claim.

  And I think on the seller's side of the interface, it should also warn that
not all weight/volume/value/country combinations are covered. I think it's
the sellers responsibility to make sure that they have it all covered, it's
not rocket science. But it is true it takes some concentration and staring at
the screen to make sure everything is OK, so an algorythm that checks if there
are no holes sounds like exactly the type of thing we have computers for.
 Author: Abels_Bricks View Messages Posted By Abels_Bricks
 Posted: Oct 5, 2018 07:42
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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 Topic: Suggestions
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Abels_Bricks (1269)

Location:  United Kingdom, Scotland
Member Since Contact Type Status
Oct 2, 2017 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Abel's Bricks
In Suggestions, Teup writes:
  In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
  In Suggestions, tEoS writes:
  Instant checkout isn't so simple. You can think you have all bases covered,
but later discover something that prevents a buyer from ordering.

In addition, we have no way to test our setup or see a buyer's cart to troubleshoot
an issue.

I use instant checkout, though I would never recommend, as I'm certain to
have lost orders because of it not functioning quite right.

This is where IC could be improved. The current postage cost could be displayed
when in the store and get updated after each addition, and flagged up if an item
is included that stops the IC working. This is pretty much how it works on BO
- it is great to see if adding one part increases the postage costs, you can
then decide whether the real cost for that part is worth it.

And I think on the seller's side of the interface, it should also warn that
not all weight/volume/value/country combinations are covered. I think it's
the sellers responsibility to make sure that they have it all covered, it's
not rocket science. But it is true it takes some concentration and staring at
the screen to make sure everything is OK, so an algorythm that checks if there
are no holes sounds like exactly the type of thing we have computers for.

The best thing that Bricklink could do and I am amazed that BL has not done this.

A sandbox for sellers to test postage options.

This would allow us all to check out settings and tweak them to make sure they
are correct for the way we want to sell.
 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Oct 5, 2018 07:09
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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 Topic: Suggestions
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Teup (6602)

Location:  Netherlands, Utrecht
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 6, 2004 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: BLOKJESKONING
In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
  In Suggestions, tEoS writes:
  Instant checkout isn't so simple. You can think you have all bases covered,
but later discover something that prevents a buyer from ordering.

In addition, we have no way to test our setup or see a buyer's cart to troubleshoot
an issue.

I use instant checkout, though I would never recommend, as I'm certain to
have lost orders because of it not functioning quite right.

This is where IC could be improved. The current postage cost could be displayed
when in the store and get updated after each addition, and flagged up if an item
is included that stops the IC working. This is pretty much how it works on BO
- it is great to see if adding one part increases the postage costs, you can
then decide whether the real cost for that part is worth it.

And I think on the seller's side of the interface, it should also warn that
not all weight/volume/value/country combinations are covered. I think it's
the sellers responsibility to make sure that they have it all covered, it's
not rocket science. But it is true it takes some concentration and staring at
the screen to make sure everything is OK, so an algorythm that checks if there
are no holes sounds like exactly the type of thing we have computers for.
 Author: yorbrick View Messages Posted By yorbrick
 Posted: Oct 5, 2018 06:27
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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 Topic: Suggestions
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yorbrick (1184)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 11, 2011 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Yorbricks
In Suggestions, tEoS writes:
  Instant checkout isn't so simple. You can think you have all bases covered,
but later discover something that prevents a buyer from ordering.

In addition, we have no way to test our setup or see a buyer's cart to troubleshoot
an issue.

I use instant checkout, though I would never recommend, as I'm certain to
have lost orders because of it not functioning quite right.

This is where IC could be improved. The current postage cost could be displayed
when in the store and get updated after each addition, and flagged up if an item
is included that stops the IC working. This is pretty much how it works on BO
- it is great to see if adding one part increases the postage costs, you can
then decide whether the real cost for that part is worth it.
 Author: tEoS View Messages Posted By tEoS
 Posted: Oct 5, 2018 06:08
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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 Topic: Suggestions
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tEoS (5297)

Location:  USA, Michigan
Member Since Contact Type Status
Dec 24, 2002 Contact Member Seller
No Longer RegisteredNo Longer Registered
Store Closed Store: The Elements Of Surprise
No Longer Registered
Instant checkout isn't so simple. You can think you have all bases covered,
but later discover something that prevents a buyer from ordering.

In addition, we have no way to test our setup or see a buyer's cart to troubleshoot
an issue.

I use instant checkout, though I would never recommend, as I'm certain to
have lost orders because of it not functioning quite right.

  A size restriction sounds ridiculous, I never saw that... How can a buyer possibly
anticipate this? There's no way of knowing how big your order is going to
be, nor is it the job of the buyer to be a mathematician even if it was. I think
sellers should have shipping methods ready for all sizes.

But sounds like the lot average problem could actually be fixed by Bricklink
itself. If they flag stores who use it properly, it will solve this frustration
instantly for every store that uses it. And is this lot average indicated in
the listings, in the same way that minimum order is? I really think it should
be.
 Author: yorbrick View Messages Posted By yorbrick
 Posted: Oct 5, 2018 06:01
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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yorbrick (1184)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 11, 2011 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Yorbricks
In Suggestions, Bricks_NW_UK writes:
  As a seller your terms should be clear and transparent. I don't get this
"lot" charge business to be honest. I sometimes think it is a case of sellers
offering silly discounts and recouping their money through these fees. it could
also be a way of avoiding BL fees!

For our part, we charge Royal Mail rates plus a nominal amount to cover packaging
& printing cost, and don't have any minimum order sizes.

It is all about transparency and honesty!

Lot minimums are there to ensure that sellers can offer good prices, but not
be picking orders consisting of 100s of lots, each of a single 1p part. Now sellers
can easily input lot minimums, and these are shown to buyers, so any extra lot-related
fees not declared this way should be banned.
 Author: yorbrick View Messages Posted By yorbrick
 Posted: Oct 5, 2018 05:58
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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 Topic: Suggestions
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yorbrick (1184)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 11, 2011 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Yorbricks
  Just now I put together another order of over 150 items,
spent 20 min, only to learn it had a ^%#^*^ LOT average of a dollar, and again,
I was required to ask for a bypass. Screw that. I don't have the time for
this nit-noid nonsense. So here's the suggestion: Price your stuff for
what you want and either make the restriction clear on the main page or can the
restrictions.

Did you not look at the top of the screen by the cart when you were in the store?
It should identify the minimum buy and the lot average price needed to check
out. BL has made changes so that these restrictions are made clear.
 Author: Bricks_NW_UK View Messages Posted By Bricks_NW_UK
 Posted: Oct 5, 2018 05:46
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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Bricks_NW_UK (1366)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Sep 28, 2016 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store Closed Store: Bricks NW UK
As a seller your terms should be clear and transparent. I don't get this
"lot" charge business to be honest. I sometimes think it is a case of sellers
offering silly discounts and recouping their money through these fees. it could
also be a way of avoiding BL fees!

For our part, we charge Royal Mail rates plus a nominal amount to cover packaging
& printing cost, and don't have any minimum order sizes.

It is all about transparency and honesty!
 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Oct 5, 2018 05:32
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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Teup (6602)

Location:  Netherlands, Utrecht
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 6, 2004 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: BLOKJESKONING
In Suggestions, npl writes:
  Twice today I spent time making LARGE orders (two different vendors) for about
$30 or so USD+. The first had a shipping box size restriction I didn't see
until I was checking out and the seller did not respond to a query for a 'bypass'
in time to be useful. I bought what I wanted on Amazon instead. It will be
here day after tomorrow! Just now I put together another order of over 150 items,
spent 20 min, only to learn it had a ^%#^*^ LOT average of a dollar, and again,
I was required to ask for a bypass. Screw that. I don't have the time for
this nit-noid nonsense. So here's the suggestion: Price your stuff for
what you want and either make the restriction clear on the main page or can the
restrictions. As for me, I'm head for e-bay where I am sure I can get what
I want and where any restrictions are clear.


A size restriction sounds ridiculous, I never saw that... How can a buyer possibly
anticipate this? There's no way of knowing how big your order is going to
be, nor is it the job of the buyer to be a mathematician even if it was. I think
sellers should have shipping methods ready for all sizes.

But sounds like the lot average problem could actually be fixed by Bricklink
itself. If they flag stores who use it properly, it will solve this frustration
instantly for every store that uses it. And is this lot average indicated in
the listings, in the same way that minimum order is? I really think it should
be.
 Author: SezaR View Messages Posted By SezaR
 Posted: Oct 5, 2018 03:36
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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SezaR (1392)

Location:  Canada, British Columbia
Member Since Contact Type Status
Jan 15, 2015 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Sezar's trains
So frustrating.

Read first their terms. Most good sellers do have good and clear terms and nice
feedback. I know many of them.
By taking a quick look at terms, you can know if it is a good store or not.
I have found good stores and nice sellers. Honestly, the quality of Lego and
service you get on BL is much better than on Ebay where most sellers don't
know much about Lego.
Good luck.

In Suggestions, npl writes:
  Twice today I spent time making LARGE orders (two different vendors) for about
$30 or so USD+. The first had a shipping box size restriction I didn't see
until I was checking out and the seller did not respond to a query for a 'bypass'
in time to be useful. I bought what I wanted on Amazon instead. It will be
here day after tomorrow! Just now I put together another order of over 150 items,
spent 20 min, only to learn it had a ^%#^*^ LOT average of a dollar, and again,
I was required to ask for a bypass. Screw that. I don't have the time for
this nit-noid nonsense. So here's the suggestion: Price your stuff for
what you want and either make the restriction clear on the main page or can the
restrictions. As for me, I'm head for e-bay where I am sure I can get what
I want and where any restrictions are clear.
 Author: StarBrick View Messages Posted By StarBrick
 Posted: Oct 5, 2018 02:37
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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StarBrick (7069)

Location:  Netherlands, Gelderland
Member Since Contact Type Status
Oct 18, 2008 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: StarBrick's BrickShop
RTFM ?
 Author: MidwestBrick View Messages Posted By MidwestBrick
 Posted: Oct 5, 2018 00:17
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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MidwestBrick (1855)

Location:  USA, Wisconsin
Member Since Contact Type Status
Oct 17, 2016 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store Closed Store: Midwest Brick Factory
In Suggestions, npl writes:
  Twice today I spent time making LARGE orders (two different vendors) for about
$30 or so USD+. The first had a shipping box size restriction I didn't see
until I was checking out and the seller did not respond to a query for a 'bypass'
in time to be useful. I bought what I wanted on Amazon instead. It will be
here day after tomorrow! Just now I put together another order of over 150 items,
spent 20 min, only to learn it had a ^%#^*^ LOT average of a dollar, and again,
I was required to ask for a bypass. Screw that. I don't have the time for
this nit-noid nonsense. So here's the suggestion: Price your stuff for
what you want and either make the restriction clear on the main page or can the
restrictions. As for me, I'm head for e-bay where I am sure I can get what
I want and where any restrictions are clear.+

I understand your frustration. There are some sellers with so much going on
in their terms that I X out and never go back. But there are many more sellers
here that are straight forward, simple, and quick to pull, invoice, and ship.


As a seller myself, I believe my store is easy to understand, has a quote section
available, and I respond to inquiries quickly.

I can only suggest to weed out the stores you do not like and find the diamonds
in the rough that work for you. There are many out there to choose from. Best
of luck!
 Author: Build_Zone View Messages Posted By Build_Zone
 Posted: Oct 4, 2018 23:18
 Subject: Re: Restrictions kill sales! I'm outta here!
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Build_Zone (867)

Location:  Ireland, Westmeath
Member Since Contact Type Status
Sep 20, 2017 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Build☘️Zone-Store💸NO FEES
In Suggestions, npl writes:
  Twice today I spent time making LARGE orders (two different vendors) for about
$30 or so USD+. The first had a shipping box size restriction I didn't see
until I was checking out and the seller did not respond to a query for a 'bypass'
in time to be useful. I bought what I wanted on Amazon instead. It will be
here day after tomorrow! Just now I put together another order of over 150 items,
spent 20 min, only to learn it had a ^%#^*^ LOT average of a dollar, and again,
I was required to ask for a bypass. Screw that. I don't have the time for
this nit-noid nonsense. So here's the suggestion: Price your stuff for
what you want and either make the restriction clear on the main page or can the
restrictions. As for me, I'm head for e-bay where I am sure I can get what
I want and where any restrictions are clear.


What is wrong with those sellers here:/ I am new seller but I'm not hiding
anything if i want add handling fee so I'll say for what if i have the reason
to do it. Some orders can be big for example but everything else in my store
is negotiable. Sellers please care about your customers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 Author: Tech_M View Messages Posted By Tech_M
 Posted: Oct 2, 2018 23:05
 Subject: Brickheadz Prints in Stud.io
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 Topic: Suggestions
 Status:Open
 Vote:[Yes|No]
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Tech_M (30)

Location:  USA, Pennsylvania
Member Since Contact Type Status
Aug 20, 2016 Contact Member Buyer
Buying Privileges - OK
I and some of my friends are a bit disappointed by the lack of prints from the
Brickheadz series, especially the eyes. Does anyone else want these added?
 Author: Etown View Messages Posted By Etown
 Posted: Oct 1, 2018 15:22
 Subject: Re: Note to seller is not very good
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Etown (1740)

Location:  Canada, Alberta
Member Since Contact Type Status
Feb 4, 2014 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store Closed Store: E-Town Bricks
In Suggestions, randyipp writes:
  I would love it if the "note to seller" when a buyer is checking out were handled
more like a message and show up in the messages inbox, with the notification
number. The note looks like a message when using "contact your buyer about this
order" link but can easily be missed by sellers. It has happened to me a few
times, and can be frustrating if you see it too late!

Thanks,

Randy

I voted yes. I have been guilty of missing a message until I'm ready to invoice.

Ron
 Author: Etown View Messages Posted By Etown
 Posted: Oct 1, 2018 15:16
 Subject: Re: 90-percentile as new average price ?
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Etown (1740)

Location:  Canada, Alberta
Member Since Contact Type Status
Feb 4, 2014 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store Closed Store: E-Town Bricks
In Suggestions, Gaston.La.Brick writes:
  I noticed the highest prices of items sold (or of items that are on sale), have
an out of proportion influence on the average prices.
Example: when 9 people sell (or have sold) an item at €0.10 but 1 person has
sold that item for €10.00, the average price would be €1.09
You may say this example is not realistic, but it's not that unrealistic
either. Check out item 6558. The avg used price of last 6 month sales is €0.023,
while the majority of the sales are for less as €0.02
If you look more closesly, you see a few sales at a high price, but not a lot.
(Note: someone even sold a few of these for €1.00 !)

It's my suggestion to change the calculation of avg price to use the 90-percentile
method. So only the 90 percent (lowest prices) are taken into account. That way,
the top 10-percent highest prices are not taken into account when calculating
the avg price.
To avoid weird behaviours, the rule could be in place only when there are 10
items sold/for sale.
Example would become an avg price of €0.10

Another somewhat more complex method would be the use the median. Not the mathematic
average, but the middle price: 50% of the sellers have a lower price, 50% of
the sellers have a higher price.

What do you guys think?

I voted no because I am hesitant to support anything that would expedite the
race to the bottom. It's getting more and more difficult to find sets with
a large enough margin to make it worth while. Besides, adding something that
makes the calculations even less transparent isn't a good move for Bricklink
in my opinion.


Ron
 Author: bb1158246 View Messages Posted By bb1158246
 Posted: Oct 1, 2018 12:47
 Subject: Like feature
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 Topic: Suggestions
 Status:Open
 Vote:[Yes|No]
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bb1158246 (7)

Location:  USA, New Jersey
Member Since Contact Type Status
Jun 13, 2018 Contact Member Seller
No Longer RegisteredNo Longer Registered
Store Closed Store: Plastique Paradise
No Longer Registered
I'm sure someone has suggested this before, but since I can't find an
earlier post that suggests this, I'll just make a new one.

Why not add a 'like' feature to the forum? So many times I read a comment
that I like, but I don't feel like responding to the comment to show I agree.
A like button would add a level of convenience.
 Author: Bricks_NW_UK View Messages Posted By Bricks_NW_UK
 Posted: Oct 1, 2018 11:10
 Subject: Re: 90-percentile as new average price ?
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Bricks_NW_UK (1366)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Sep 28, 2016 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store Closed Store: Bricks NW UK
I agree with the point Teup makes on this.

"The race to the bottom" is something that concerns us as well.

Constant "sales" just harm the overall selling prices. Same goes with
store clearance, liquidation sales, closing shops etc.

Other have commented that the selling price is just going down

The same goes with the stores that overprice and then offer silly discounts.

We have already seen the damage caused to set prices where incomplete sets are
included in the average price and then driving down the set prices.

None of this gives any credibility to Bricklink at all.
 Author: yorbrick View Messages Posted By yorbrick
 Posted: Oct 1, 2018 10:56
 Subject: Re: Price offer
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yorbrick (1184)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 11, 2011 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Yorbricks
  
In my opinion this wouldn't work!

They have this function on eBay and it is a nightmare to be honest.

The sellers have set their prices and if you don't want to pay the listed
price then you simply buy elsewhere.

I suppose if you want to make someone an offer you could do this via the quote
function and ask if they are prepare to sell for "x"

Bricklink needs to stay well clear of this.

Just my thoughts!

I think it could work if:

1) Sellers opted into it on an item by item basis.

2) Sellers could set two extra prices where (i) the offer is automatically rejected
if below and (ii) the offer is automatically accepted if above. So for example,
if a seller lists at $25 and would definitely accept $23.50 but wouldn't
want to be bothered by offers lower than $22, then they would enter those three
numbers. If a buyer offers $24, they would purchase instantly. If a buyer offers
$22.50, the seller needs to consider it. If a buyer offers $21.50, the buyer
is rejected instantly and the seller need not bother with it. A seller could
always set the definitely accept price to their normal price, to consider all
offers over their absolute minimum threshold. Of course, there would need to
be some checks in place to limit the number of offers, so a buyer doesn't
just offer $20, then $20.25, then $20.50, ... etc going up in small increments
to hit the minimum price the seller will accept.

It would be good for those rarer items where pricing is difficult due to lack
of similar sales. I don't think it would work at all well for general parts
or orders where you are likely to have multiple items. But for one-off, expensive
items (presumably either sets or rarer minifigures) it might be a good idea.
 Author: yorbrick View Messages Posted By yorbrick
 Posted: Oct 1, 2018 10:45
 Subject: Re: 90-percentile as new average price ?
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yorbrick (1184)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 11, 2011 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Yorbricks
  You are jumping to conclusions. I never said prices are unfair. I'm saying
the average calculation, although mathematically correct, is not a good indication
of what a piece is actually sold for most of the time.

Throwing away data using some other biasing gives an even worse indication of
what it has sold for.

  Because that is what the average amount implies: the average price to which an
item is sold for most of the time.

The average value reports the average (mean) value - it is exactly what it says
it is. The average is not the value an item is sold for most of the time. Although
sellers might want to know a more reasonable price to list their items at, the
average is there as a guide, not a definitive value.

  For me, I use the average price to set my pricing. But currently it becomes unreliable,
when you have to verify how many items have been sold at a price that's not
realistic (or at least: that has something strange going on -- $1.00 for
a typicall $0.02 item, seems strange to me).

Why is it unreliable? It is reporting the average of all sold prices. If a $0.02
item frequently sells for $1.00 then it should be included as the sales are frequent.
If it is a one off, then it will hardly affect the average price at all if the
item is commonly sold at $0.02.

  You are not for, because it would make the calculation less transparant. But
it doesn't have to be clear how it was calculated, as long as it's accurate.

There is no such thing as an accurate average when data has been removed. You
don't want an accurate average price, you want an accurate average based
on a 90-percentile, so only taking the lowest 90% of the data. What happens if
there are low outliers? Why do you want to include those, but not the high end
of the distribution. If you average over the lowest 90% then base prices on that,
then average over the lowest 90% and base prices on that, then average over
the lowest 90% and base prices on that, and iterate so on, then prices will necessarily
tend towards zero, even if the price distribution is Gaussian each month.

  In the end, to me, it still feels the average price as a purely mathematical
average, is not very useful.

Any statistic like this has to be mathematical. Your suggestion is also mathematical.
The algorithm you suggest is to take the lowest 90% of prices and take the mean.
That is no less mathematical than take all the prices and average.

Averages are a bit pointless for distributions that are not Gaussian / bell-shaped,
and on BL many have either long tails left or right, or are bi-modal (or worse).
There are other ways of getting averages, such as fitting a Gaussian distribution
to price regions with dense sales, ignoring others. Or fitting the middle 95%,
or 90% or 60%, etc. You can do this, as BL supplies all the data you need to
choose your own algorithms.

A much bigger problem is that the data you are using to fix your sales prices
are worldwide, yet prices vary by region. Some regions include tax, others do
not. For example, why base your price on an average mainly coming from US sales,
when the EU market might be willing to pay more?
 Author: MidwestBrick View Messages Posted By MidwestBrick
 Posted: Oct 1, 2018 10:33
 Subject: Re: 90-percentile as new average price ?
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MidwestBrick (1855)

Location:  USA, Wisconsin
Member Since Contact Type Status
Oct 17, 2016 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store Closed Store: Midwest Brick Factory
In Suggestions, Gaston.La.Brick writes:
  
  I really don't think prices on Bricklink
are unfair at all considering all the work that goes into running a store.

You are jumping to conclusions. I never said prices are unfair. I'm saying
the average calculation, although mathematically correct, is not a good indication
of what a piece is actually sold for most of the time.
Because that is what the average amount implies: the average price to which an
item is sold for most of the time.

For me, I use the average price to set my pricing. But currently it becomes unreliable,
when you have to verify how many items have been sold at a price that's not
realistic (or at least: that has something strange going on -- $1.00 for
a typicall $0.02 item, seems strange to me).

You are not for, because it would make the calculation less transparant. But
it doesn't have to be clear how it was calculated, as long as it's accurate.
It's like Google search engine: you don't need to know the algorithm
behind it, as long as the results are accurate (which they typically are).

Your remark about why not the middle 90p (so 5p-95p range), is valid but I'm
in doubt about that. It still is a seller/buyer market. So a low price actually
does mean a very solid competition that influences the seller/buyer market. This
in contrary to a very high price, which is not relevant for the seller/buyer
market.
The reason I wouldn't include the lowest 5p, I give you that, is to exclude
the sellers who price very low but add a ridiculously high fee per lot.

In the end, to me, it still feels the average price as a purely mathematical
average, is not very useful. You imply it's good for sellers, since the buyer
gets an (unrealistic) idea about the amount he should spend on the item. Unless
it's a smart seller that looks at other stuff than average amounts... (and
I think most of them do).

A low price puts in all those sales where people are "selling out".

Overall, to each their own on pricing. I have my own methods which vary from
color to color, type to type and category to category, and use multiple buckets
to put items into rather than one. If I have a piece and want to sell it for
$1 when the market is $0.05 and it sells. That's a great business decision.
Price is only one factor of many when buyers choose your store.
 Author: Gaston.La.Brick View Messages Posted By Gaston.La.Brick
 Posted: Oct 1, 2018 09:57
 Subject: Re: Price offer
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 Topic: Suggestions
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Gaston.La.Brick (1841)

Location:  Belgium
Member Since Contact Type Status
Nov 12, 2016 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: The Rolling Bricks
In Suggestions, Bricks_NW_UK writes:
  In Suggestions, mikmo writes:
  Can you imagine getting 2000 messages offering you 3$ for your Chrome black Darth
Vader minifig ?

There should at least be a min. amount if this option is implemented.

Kind regards

Mikael / MikMo

In my opinion this wouldn't work!

They have this function on eBay and it is a nightmare to be honest.

The sellers have set their prices and if you don't want to pay the listed
price then you simply buy elsewhere.

I suppose if you want to make someone an offer you could do this via the quote
function and ask if they are prepare to sell for "x"

Bricklink needs to stay well clear of this.

Just my thoughts!

I'm not a seller on eBay, but I have used the "Make an offer" as a buyer
a few times (with always reasonable offers) and sellers have accepted my offer
in about 50% of the cases. Or made a counter offer that I thought was still acceptible.
Of course, you are right: this is ridiculous to do for common items. But for
items that aren't that highly available (often very expensive items), I find
it useful.

But to be honest: I think there are more urgent items to be implemented on BrickLink
(Responsive Design please!)
 Author: Gaston.La.Brick View Messages Posted By Gaston.La.Brick
 Posted: Oct 1, 2018 09:54
 Subject: Re: 90-percentile as new average price ?
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 Topic: Suggestions
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Gaston.La.Brick (1841)

Location:  Belgium
Member Since Contact Type Status
Nov 12, 2016 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: The Rolling Bricks
  I really don't think prices on Bricklink
are unfair at all considering all the work that goes into running a store.

You are jumping to conclusions. I never said prices are unfair. I'm saying
the average calculation, although mathematically correct, is not a good indication
of what a piece is actually sold for most of the time.
Because that is what the average amount implies: the average price to which an
item is sold for most of the time.

For me, I use the average price to set my pricing. But currently it becomes unreliable,
when you have to verify how many items have been sold at a price that's not
realistic (or at least: that has something strange going on -- $1.00 for
a typicall $0.02 item, seems strange to me).

You are not for, because it would make the calculation less transparant. But
it doesn't have to be clear how it was calculated, as long as it's accurate.
It's like Google search engine: you don't need to know the algorithm
behind it, as long as the results are accurate (which they typically are).

Your remark about why not the middle 90p (so 5p-95p range), is valid but I'm
in doubt about that. It still is a seller/buyer market. So a low price actually
does mean a very solid competition that influences the seller/buyer market. This
in contrary to a very high price, which is not relevant for the seller/buyer
market.
The reason I wouldn't include the lowest 5p, I give you that, is to exclude
the sellers who price very low but add a ridiculously high fee per lot.

In the end, to me, it still feels the average price as a purely mathematical
average, is not very useful. You imply it's good for sellers, since the buyer
gets an (unrealistic) idea about the amount he should spend on the item. Unless
it's a smart seller that looks at other stuff than average amounts... (and
I think most of them do).

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