BrickLink Discussion Forum

This issue does crop up quite often, and the reason shops will have a min buy
(mine included) is that if an order comes in for a very small amount then the
shop will actually be paying to send the order out (it's all to do with min
Paypal fees etc).

What I would suggest is if there's a shop with items you want but under their
min buy just talk to them, most will be accommodating. I've had plenty of
people message me this and always allow the purchase to go through as long as
I am able to tag on an axtra 50p to make sure I don't run at a loss. It's
just a practical

I know it can seem frustrating but it is just the mechanics of running a store
without hitting a loss. It is not the shops profiting or any bad marketing decisions.

In Suggestions, Brickochet writes:

This is a fairly bad marketing idea for shops that probably don't work out
in the shops favour. I know a majority of my browsing has ended up in me taking
my business and money to another shop. Where I am either buying from someone
without a min buy, or selecting other items I actually want to hit that minimum
purchase amount. So my suggestion is to add a donation field/possibility to finish
passing the required purchase line.

I have only made 3 purchases since I joined but these 3 people are profiting
by shop deterrence over the min buy. One of which was a difference of 3 cents
to the min buy vs. paying 1 cent more for the same thing because it didn't
have one.

Author:

nectara

Posted:

Jun 1, 2019 06:42

Subject:

Re: Option to Donate to reach min. buy

Viewed:

45 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Brickochet writes:

If a few cents deter you to buy then maybe Lego hobby it's too expensive
for you.
Regards
Nectara

Author:

axaday

Posted:

Jun 1, 2019 04:12

Subject:

Re: Option to Donate to reach min. buy

Viewed:

33 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Brickochet writes:

In Suggestions, axaday writes:

In Suggestions, Pretty_Pieces writes:

So good idea, but doesn't really need a separate feature, in my humble opinion.

It does for instant checkout.

not all shops offer: the above mentioned work-around, or instant check out.
Kinda missing the point =/

I am pretty sure you missed my point. PrettyPieces says it doesn’t need a special
feature because she will adjust the invoice. I say it does need a special feature
for instant checkout.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Jun 1, 2019 04:06

Subject:

Re: Option to Donate to reach min. buy

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Brickochet writes:

Can't you just buy some extra parts you are likely to need in future?

Author:

Brickwilbo

Posted:

Jun 1, 2019 03:06

Subject:

Re: Option to Donate to reach min. buy

Viewed:

40 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Brickochet writes:

This hasn't been implemented yet because having a store minimum doesn't
have to be intended for the money, it's often there to save time for not
having to pick small orders.

Author:

bb1404048

Posted:

Jun 1, 2019 02:51

Subject:

Re: Option to Donate to reach min. buy

Viewed:

43 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, axaday writes:

In Suggestions, Pretty_Pieces writes:

In Suggestions, Brickochet writes:

Hi Brickochet,
I've had this in place since I opened, though my minimum buy has crept up
since then. On my home page I list a minimum buy bypass password, along with
a notification that if it is used, I will add a $ amount to their order to hit
the minimum. I only have people take me up on it about once a year. It was more
often when my minimum was lower.

So good idea, but doesn't really need a separate feature, in my humble opinion.

It does for instant checkout.

not all shops offer: the above mentioned work-around, or instant check out.
Kinda missing the point =/

Author:

axaday

Posted:

Jun 1, 2019 00:24

Subject:

Re: Option to Donate to reach min. buy

Viewed:

50 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Pretty_Pieces writes:

In Suggestions, Brickochet writes:

It does for instant checkout.

Author:

Pretty_Pieces

Posted:

Jun 1, 2019 00:19

Subject:

Re: Option to Donate to reach min. buy

Viewed:

49 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Brickochet writes:

Author:

bb1404048

Posted:

Jun 1, 2019 00:09

Subject:

Option to Donate to reach min. buy

Viewed:

190 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

Author:

iprice

Posted:

May 28, 2019 13:54

Subject:

Re: Embedding pictures in contact function

Viewed:

36 times

Topic:

In Help, CCBricks writes:

Good morning all,

Is there a way to send photos via the contact option? I have a potential buyer
interested in a certain minifigure and wants photos. I'm happy to oblige,
but can't figure out how to send photos. I dont have the email address so
I can't send then that way. I tried using the Help section. But was unsuccessful.
any help is appreciated.

Brian

Can't you just ask the buyer for their email address?

Author:

Brickwilbo

Posted:

May 28, 2019 11:19

Subject:

Re: Embedding pictures in contact function

Viewed:

74 times

Topic:

In Help, CCBricks writes:

Upload images to your My Images and add the links into your message.
https://www.bricklink.com/v2/myimages_modal.page?CKEditor=splash-editor-6013&CKEditorFuncNum=1&langCode=nl

Author:

bje

Posted:

May 28, 2019 08:46

Subject:

Re: Embedding pictures in contact function

Viewed:

42 times

Topic:

In Help, CCBricks writes:

I've never been able to that. Add the images as additional images to your
inventory (select the inventory item, click on "edit more" and then "upload image")
or ask that person to send you his/her e-mail address so you can send the images
direct.

Author:

CCBricks

Posted:

May 28, 2019 08:39

Subject:

Embedding pictures in contact function

Viewed:

72 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

Author:

Brickwilbo

Posted:

May 28, 2019 05:21

Subject:

Re: Warning to seller for inconsistent config

Viewed:

51 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, alexbinary writes:

Hello,

After some time as a buyer, I just opened my store on BrickLink.

At first I was only shipping domestic so I configured domestic shipping method
and checked only the domestic checkbox for PayPal payments.

I am now opening to international sales, so I configured international shipping
methods, but I had forgotten about the international checkbox for PayPal and
did not check it.

I got messages from potential buyers saying they could not checkout because I
had not configured a payment method.

I do not understand how enabling international shipping without international
payment can make sense, so I would assume that anyone who did this made a mistake.

My suggestion is to have BrickLink check for this inconsistent configuration
and at least warn sellers about it, or maybe even prevent it from happening.

Thanks
Alex

BrickLink can't know the intention of the seller for certain configurations.
It's the sellers responsibility to make sure that the settings are correct.
There should be a proper way to test settings though.

Author:

alexbinary

Posted:

May 28, 2019 01:23

Subject:

Warning to seller for inconsistent config

Viewed:

189 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

Author:

DeLuca

Posted:

May 27, 2019 20:46

Subject:

Rewording of Forum Rule #4

Viewed:

184 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

I recently noticed that the wording of Forum Rule #4 is quite odd. While I do
understand the meaning of the existing version, it is structured awkwardly and
ambiguously (such that, for example, it could indicate that offensive
words are not to be replaced with pornography!).
A revised version of Rule #4 (such as I have drafted) would clarify what, precisely,
is defined as "offensive" (as this is a highly subjective term), as well as making
the sentence-structure more understandable - Particularly to non-native English-speakers.

Existing:
"Posts should not include foul language, lewd, or other offensive content, or
links to such content. This includes replacing offensive words with alternate
letters or characters, pornography, or any kind of racial/prejudicial content."

Revised:
"Posts should not include offensive content, nor any links to such content, including:
Profane, foul, lewd, pornographic, violent, or prejudicial language or images.
Replacing censored words with alternate letters or characters, or editing images
to obscure forbidden content with pixilation or black bars, is also prohibited."

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

May 27, 2019 13:39

Subject:

Re: Helpful but ....

Viewed:

48 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, bje writes:

In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:

Optionally included where?

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=22

That is not how it works when we upload our xml file from Briokstock. The file
has the category number in it but leads with the itemid.

Knowing how the tables work and what is in them would be helpful to get this
sorted, but suffice to say that when the xml data comes along Bricklink has to
make up its mind what to do with it and it cannot do that without the itemid
e.g. part no. It requires part no, colour and condition to see if the data submitted
is a new lot or matches an existing lot. So the item id is used somewhere - it
cannot just work from the category id.

It is a mandatory field out of Brickstock for an xml
update inventory. The only time lot numbers come into it are if you wish to update
existing inventory. Niek is right - the system is doing a lookup to pick up the
description so it can look up the product id quite easily.

It performs a lookup on the category only, nothing else.

Sorry that cannot work - the category could have hundreds of items in it so how
is it going to know which item to either add or update? It simply isn't logical.

Yes according to Bricklink
we sell lots but according to reality we sell items which make up lots.

In reality there has never been a single catalog item sold on BL

Mind blowing
I know, but download your orders with full detail - there is no such thing in
the catalog as a "Red Technic, Brick 1 x 14 with Holes" as a separate catalog
item, yet that is the only description on your invoice.

The catalogue is made up of many related tables - the order detail download is
useless as far as we are concerned and has been set up by Bricklink to offer
info they wish to offer not the info we need.

The fact
that this platform has no real inventory system available to stores does not
mean we cannot look at elements of the catalogue when we are bringing in data.
A schema would clearly establish this - Product ID cannot be duplicated and
therefore can be read easily when a lookup to that table is done.

What do you mean by Product ID - the lot ID or the catalog item ID? These are
two different things altogether and bear no relation to each other.

The lot id is a bricklink generated number assigned to each store for each item
no, colour and condition. That then represents , lets call it a stock item and
that is what we sell. Lot nos, however are cumbersome and clumsy, so we use Lego
design id nos or (Bricklink part nos) to refer to our items. No one uses lot
nos other than the system.

If I modify the xml file we created when we export xml to Clipboard - the mass
upload will not work - we get an error message that the file format is invalid.
If I put the itemid back in it works.

Export with a comment and delete the item field again, it will work. You could
conceivably list your entire inventory without a single catalog item id.

No, I am afraid it doesn't - the system tells us it is an invalid file format.

We have moved off the original point - the only real resolution to this is if
someone at Bricklink who understands the code

is willing to share that info
out in the forum.

Whilst I am confident nothing will happen over this suggestion it would be welcome
for BL to comment.

Admin ?

Author:

qwertyboy

Posted:

May 27, 2019 13:35

Subject:

Re: Helpful but ....

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

To illustrate, see attached picture of an upload of a yellow 2x4 brick. The program
knows it is part 3001, it even shows the picture, and if you hover over that
picture, the title says "Part No: 3001 Name: Brick 2 x 4". So don't tell
me that when showing this page it is difficult to add "Part No: 3001" somewhere
in clear text on that line.

Niek.

Author:

qwertyboy

Posted:

May 27, 2019 13:24

Subject:

Re: Helpful but ....

Viewed:

35 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, bje writes:

In Suggestions, qwertyboy writes:

In Suggestions, bje writes:

I voted yes, but I am not entirely sure this would be as simple as is believed
on first glance.

The reason that part number gets dropped is because in BL world, that part number
is not something used to differentiate inventory items.

That would be a valid argument, if BL weren't already showing the item description
on that exact same screen. If the program is able to show the description (which
is a lookup into the items table), it already knows the part number (or at least
grab it from the same table the description came from).

So yes, it is a request easily implemented.

Niek.

But the item number is optionally included, it is not even a required field.
And from what I can see, only the category field ties to the item number in the
catalog. As a matter of fact, you can list everything in your store without a
single catalog item number, so long as you have the category and comments fields,
mass uploads will work. We sell lots, not catalog items.

You are missing the point. The issue here is that, when uploading a common "2x4
brick" (part 3001), the screen shows "2 x 4 Brick" - the official BL description
of part 3001. Obviously at that point the program knows it is dealing with part
3001 (as it had to look up that description) and it also shows a picture of that
part. As it has all the info, it is indeed easy to just add "3001" somewhere
on that line item.

Niek.

Author:

bje

Posted:

May 27, 2019 12:57

Subject:

Re: Helpful but ....

Viewed:

33 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:

Optionally included where?

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=22

It performs a lookup on the category only, nothing else.

Yes according to Bricklink
we sell lots but according to reality we sell items which make up lots.

In reality there has never been a single catalog item sold on BL

The fact
that this platform has no real inventory system available to stores does not
mean we cannot look at elements of the catalogue when we are bringing in data.
A schema would clearly e4stablish this - Product ID cannot be duplicated and
therefore can be read easily when a lookup to that table is done.

What do you mean by Product ID - the lot ID or the catalog item ID? These are
two different things altogether and bear no relation to each other.

If I modify the xml file we created when we export xml to Clipboard - the mass
upload will not work - we get an error message that the file format is invalid.
If I put the itemid back in it works.

Export with a comment and delete the item field again, it will work. You could
conceivably list your entire inventory without a single catalog item id.

Whilst I am confident nothing will happen over this suggestion it would be welcome
for BL to comment.

Admin ?

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

May 27, 2019 12:40

Subject:

Re: Helpful but ....

Viewed:

30 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, bje writes:

In Suggestions, qwertyboy writes:

In Suggestions, bje writes:

Optionally included where? It is a mandatory field out of Brickstock for an xml
update inventory. The only time lot numbers come into it are if you wish to update
existing inventory. Niek is right - the system is doing a lookup to pick up the
description so it can look up the product id quite easily. Yes according to Bricklink
we sell lots but according to reality we sell items which make up lots. The fact
that this platform has no real inventory system available to stores does not
mean we cannot look at elements of the catalogue when we are bringing in data.
A schema would clearly e4stablish this - Product ID cannot be duplicated and
therefore can be read easily when a lookup to that table is done.

If I modify the xml file we created when we export xml to Clipboard - the mass
upload will not work - we get an error message that the file format is invalid.
If I put the itemid back in it works.

Whilst I am confident nothing will happen over this suggestion it would be welcome
for BL to comment.

Admin ?

Author:

bje

Posted:

May 27, 2019 12:02

Subject:

Re: Helpful but ....

Viewed:

34 times

Topic: