BrickLink Discussion Forum

In Suggestions, athornberg writes:

Replace "decorated" categories with 2 new categories, "printed" and "with stickers".

I think for now learning to use search terms would be easier than adding loads
of new categories.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Mar 11, 2020 14:12

Subject:

Re: Purist Custom Figures

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Topic:

In Suggestions, DrDrewBlood writes:

I suppose someone could submit a photo that uses non-purist parts (even though
the rules would specify "official LEGO components only". But if the hair color/style
wasn't available in that color, the system would limit the selection to existing
components.

Multiply the number of headgear by the number of heads by the number of torsos
by the number of right arms by the number of left arms by the number of hands
squared by the number of legs. Just purist parts mean an almost unlimited number
of figures. And that is without things attached to neck brackets and so on.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Mar 11, 2020 12:55

Subject:

Re: Purist Custom Figures

Viewed:

27 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, DrDrewBlood writes:

Wouldn't the part inventory just correspond with the official parts listed
in the Market? Just like official figures, you'd click on the figure and
see what the components are and what figures and sets they come from.

There is an almost infinite number of combinations of headgear / heads / torso
assemblies and legs. They cannot all be added and if they were, then they end
up being useless as you cannot possibly view them all.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Mar 6, 2020 09:45

Subject:

Re: Build Feature For Casual Sellers

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43 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, axaday writes:

I realize this a high level coding idea, not something quick and easy, but it
just occurred to me when I saw something shown here on the forum. I think it
attract business to Bricklink from eBay and Craigslist and various other platforms.

We could make a feature where one item could be casually sold without becoming
a store, offered on the forum or some other way, and the sale could be official
and register for fees and everything. Buyer would know it was different from
buying from an established store, but it would make it easier for someone who
just wanted to sell 3 sets from their childhood or just wanted to get rid of
a box of their children's used Lego. Right now someone just has to tell
someone in the forum that they'll have to make a store and I expect 98 times
out of 100, they shrug their shoulders and go to eBay or Craigslist.

They shelved auctions about ten years ago.

It would be a good idea for job lots but I guess the problem is that people might
use it to scam. If there is no seller verification (the barrier to open a store)
then it wouldn't surprise me if we saw lots of listings for UCS MFs and the
like. Similarly, people might try to use it to sell license based MOCs that are
not allowed on the site any more. So presumably someone would have to police
it to ensure that LEGO is not allowing the sale of anything not allowed on the
main site.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Mar 5, 2020 11:09

Subject:

Re: Have an inventory for instruction books

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Topic:

In Suggestions, StarBrick writes:

In Suggestions, Threewit writes:

When I need a full set of books and a seller only has 1. I feel like I should
be able to buy the full set or it should be easier to find a full set.

Indeed, make it possible to add 'complete/incomplete' to the standard
selection criteria, so: add it to the database for this category

I imagine people might also list ones with missing pages as incomplete. Although
if there is a description of what is missing, it should not be too bad.

Of course the alternative is individual entries for each instruction book.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Mar 2, 2020 08:40

Subject:

Re: March Project - Sticker Sheet Restructuring

Viewed:

44 times

Topic:

Another issue might be sticker sheets that come with gear sometimes have the
same numbers on different sheets. I guess these can have A's and B's
added if needed.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Feb 29, 2020 15:56

Subject:

Re: Inventory Backup/Restore/Deletion Prevention

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38 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Miro78 writes:

To prevent accidental deletion of inventory or restore of store's inventory
for various reasons like accidental deletions, price changes, etc. Currently
changes cannot be undone and a self administered restore function would be beneficial.
Requiring administrative assistance in restoring one's inventory is inconvenient
on both the seller and the BL team.

Remedy Option 1
To prevent strain on the infrastructure of constant periodic backups of everyone's
inventory, the backup would only initiate when a user enters their store's
inventory page, and limited to certain time intervals (once a day, once per hour,
or whatever the system can handle). The seller would have the option of self
initiate backup as needed.

Remedy Option 2
If the infrastructure cannot handle backups on their own system, perhaps Bricklink
can prompt user with an option to download inventory prior to deletion or major
changes being done to it, and self administer restore function.

Remedy Option 3
At the least, the system should require a re-login to the account when inventory
deletion function is selected to prevent accidental deletion of the store's
inventory.

The above options are no mutually exclusive and can be implemented in tandem
depending on what Bricklink system/team can implement.

Or maybe LEGO can see money in it. $5 a month for insurance against accidental
deletion.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Feb 28, 2020 11:14

Subject:

Re: what is Dark Tan called on Lego.com?

Viewed:

26 times

Topic:

Colors

In Colors, yorbrick writes:

I would almost never buy parts from Lego as parts on Bricklink are way less expensive.
You might even save money for buying the (very nice) train set on this website.

For many basic / plain parts that is true. However, some printed parts and other
plain parts that are highly sought after in some colours are often cheaper direct
from LEGO. While there is a little variation in price depending on colour for
most basic bricks from LEGO, there is often a larger discrepancy in price for
the same bricks on BL with the non-AFOL-like colours being cheap and the AFOL-wanted
colours expensive.

I don't know what tiles he is after but tan 2x2 tiles, for example, are 7p
on PAB for UK buyers. That is not so bad compared to UK BL sellers that have
any serious quantity. One has them at 6p, another at 8p so the LEGO route might
be better in that case. Some Canadian sellers have similar prices here, slightly
lower but not that low. Plus shipping will be free from LEGO if he is qualifying
for the promo set.

Just realised that he is after dark tan not tan - and LEGO has made an error
in their online PAB. £1.10 for a single 2x2 tile, when all other colours are
7p. If it is 2x2 dark tans, I'd avoid LEGO!

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Feb 28, 2020 11:08

Subject:

Re: what is Dark Tan called on Lego.com?

Viewed:

25 times

Topic:

Colors

I would almost never buy parts from Lego as parts on Bricklink are way less expensive.
You might even save money for buying the (very nice) train set on this website.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Feb 28, 2020 08:59

Subject:

Re: March Project - Sticker Sheet Restructuring

Viewed:

31 times

Topic:

In Catalog, axaday writes:

In Catalog, yorbrick writes:

From a buyer's point of view, I don't think it does make sense.

Seller too. The going price for the same sticker might be higher on a different
listing and you might not even know.

Yes, true. It also increases the number of people looking for the one you list
as, although of course also increases the number of competitor sheets being sold.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Feb 28, 2020 08:28

Subject:

Re: March Project - Sticker Sheet Restructuring

Viewed:

33 times

Topic:

1) I wouldn't eliminate duplicates because it makes sense to have 4444stk01
and 4445stk01 even if they are the same.

From a buyer's point of view, I don't think it does make sense. If a
sticker sheet has come in five different sets, then you have to look at five
different listings if you want to know the going price / best price or availability.
If you have one on a wants list then you might miss it completely in a store
if a seller has one of the other numbered but exactly the same sheets.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Feb 28, 2020 06:39

Subject:

Re: March Project - Sticker Sheet Restructuring

Viewed:

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Topic:

I don't see a NEED for separate listings for NA on its face, but eliminating
them complicates my preferred solution to the other part, which is adopting the
5 digit number on the sheet as the item number. The name being "Sticker Sheet
for 40175 40176" may not get too cumbersome. I don't know how overused some
sheets are. But "40175-40176-40177stk01" is not a fun item number.

Would the part number need to be that long if it is used that way? If it first
appeared in set 40175, call it 40175stk01. If it appears in lots of sets at the
same time, use the lowest set number.

Although I am not against using a number actually on the sheet to identify it,
it is often the first thing to type in if you are unsure of what you have. That
should also be searchable.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Feb 28, 2020 04:01

Subject:

Re: March Project - Sticker Sheet Restructuring

Viewed:

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Topic:

In Catalog, StormChaser writes:

At long last, it is time. By the end of March, my goal is to eliminate duplicate
catalog entries for sticker sheets:

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogRelList.asp?relID=15

You can see that this has been moved from Section 11.1 to 11.2 on the roadmap:

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2476

I have some ideas, but I'd like to hear yours - especially those of you who've
given this some thought over the past decade or so that some of us have wanted
it.

Sticker sheets are handled quite consistently at the present moment. How can
we retain that consistency while eliminating duplicate entries with the least
amount of disruption?

As a side note, how do you feel about the NA/International duplicate entries?
These are the same sticker sheets, but have different item numbers, differently-sized
paper backing, and in some cases a slightly different finish (matte vs. glossy).
I don't want to get too distracted with this particular side discussion,
but do we need to maintain separate catalog entries for these sheets? Do you
want us to?

Looking forward to hearing some discussion and seeing some ideas other than my
own to get these duplicate entries handled.

Personally, I'd like to see duplicates removed. If a sheet appears in one
set then call it "Sticker Sheet for 10001". If it then appears in another set,
call it "Sticker Sheet for 10001 10002". For NA/International sheets, a single
entry is fine for me unless there are actual differences in the stickers on the
sheet.

I'd also like to see the word sheet go in there, to indicate that these should
be sticker sheets as supplied by LEGO, and not stickers removed from sheets and
applied to parts. Plus while we are at it, incomplete sheets should not be allowed
to be listed under the complete sheet listing unless the system is changed to
allow incomplete items to be excluded from searches / price guide.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Feb 20, 2020 05:51

Subject:

Re: Custom prints/stickers ...

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Topic:

Stickers stink anyway...leave them on the sheets.

Sure, some people might not like stickers, but others do use them. LEGO produces
them, so they are part of LEGO culture.

Solution: NO STICKERS unless produced by TLG.

That would be fine, if they impose it as a rule. And it is clear and easy to
follow. However, a rule is in place that custom sets can contain custom stickers
so that is the rule that needs to be followed. We now have an unwritten amendment
to the rule that custom stickers for minifigures are not allowed, as they are
special things. It would be good to have clarification in the seller terms as
to what parts custom stickers can be designed for when they appear in sets. Especially
if a seller is going to spend time and/or money on design and production of such
items, the rule as to what is and isn't allowed to be sold here should be
clear rather than applied in an ad hoc way.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Feb 19, 2020 17:49

Subject:

Re: Custom prints/stickers ...

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Topic:

There is indeed a gray area as to how far the "sticker exception" applies. For
minifig stickers I'm going to say "no". For lots that are just custom stickers
for other parts, these will be fine as long as they are not dependent on LEGO
IP or any other IP.

So a custom figure made from only unmodified LEGO parts would be allowed (with
no extra decoration) in a set, with say a shield with a sticker designed to go
on it? Or does a shield count as a minifigure too, as it is in a minifigure
parent category? I'm thinking here of something like heraldry on shields.
Where the design does not infringe on one of LEGO's or any other modern IP,
but might be similar to something from 1500's.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Feb 19, 2020 09:31

Subject:

Custom prints/stickers ...

Viewed:

207 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

There is still something I do not understand about custom items and LEGO/BL rules.

Modified Parts: All parts listed in your store must be genuine LEGO parts
in their original, unmodified condition. Custom printed, engraved, chromed, or
painted parts are not permitted.

Non LEGO Items: Certain non LEGO items that are deemed by BrickLink to be part
of LEGO fan culture may be listed. These include literature about LEGO products,
LEGO memorabilia, and items used to make custom sets (e.g. stickers, instructions,
and boxes).

As I read the rules, a custom printed (or painted) minifigure with genuine LEGO
parts is banned. However, the exact same design can be printed onto a sticker
and would then be allowed if it is used to create a custom set. This set could
be a minifigure - so minimally a head, torso assembly and legs. So custom printed
minifigures are banned if the print is direct on the minifigure, but minifigures
with custom prints attached to them via stickers are allowed.

Is this a correct view of LEGO's new rules?

Custom stickers would obviously be non-LEGO, but how does anyone know if a new
design they create will be deemed by someone that works at Bricklink to be part
of LEGO fan culture (whatever that means).

For example, I have a load of Brickforge custom sticker decals for torsos. They
have existed for years - are they part of fan culture? What if I create a new
torso sticker design, is that part of fan culture because stickers have been
used to decorate torsos (both officially and unofficially) in the past, or not
part of fan culture as the new design has no history and is not part of fan culture.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Jan 24, 2020 13:37

Subject:

Re: 2FA or some other additional login security

Viewed:

43 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, SylvainLS writes:

In Suggestions, bje writes:

[…]
+1^google*1^google
Enough said

Er, Jean, I’ve noticed you already used “+1^google*1^google” or something similar
a couple of times.
You do know 1^(whatever) is always 1, don’t you?

Not if it is 1^8 because then it is an emoticon wearing glasses doing a headstand.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Jan 22, 2020 13:43

Subject:

Re: Attack of the Blusers

Viewed:

90 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, SylvainLS writes:

In Suggestions, mfav writes:

In Suggestions, dcarmine writes:

I figured it out finally, but it would be helpful to have a brief explanation
of Blusers in the Help Center somewhere.

Can you share what you learned?

Blusers = BL Users

Yes, it’s just part of the anonymisation of unregistered users. (GDPR)

It looks like the numbers are all in order of the date of registration too. So
it wouldn't surprise me if we all have our bluser numbers assigned already
but just happen to be known by our chosen usernames instead.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Jan 10, 2020 14:08

Subject:

Re: Taj Mahal 10256 too much extra parts?

Viewed:

52 times

Topic:

Inventories

In Inventories, DmitryD writes:

Hi,

maybe it will sound strange but after a long, long break I've returned to
my youth craze and bought the Lego Taj MahaL.
Now it really matters to me to build by the instructions, means I want the build
to be 100% as intended. While I still haven't finished the build, I have
6 extra 1X1 transparent plate (3024). I've looked at the extra's inventory
on this site and damn it. I haven't seen those 6 extra parts listed

Now it drives me crazy, I retraced my steps but I haven't noticed that I
missed something. How that could be? is there a possibility the inventory list
on this site isn't right?

Thanks in advance!

As others mentioned, probably extras. But you can always tear it down and start
again!

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Jan 10, 2020 13:22

Subject:

Re: Element 6286835 wrong colour

Viewed:

45 times

Topic:

In Catalog, Dino1 writes:

In Catalog, Drudatz writes:

In Catalog, Classicsmiley writes:

In Catalog, Drudatz writes:

In Catalog, Duq writes:

Element 6286835 is 28870 in black, not medium azure.

you sure about that? https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=28870
and https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/replacementparts/sale shows that the part
doesnt exist in black but only in Dark Blue, Trans-Dark Blue, Trans-Light Blue,
Trans-Neon Green, Trans-Orange and Pearl Gold????

It just hasn't been added to Bricks & Pieces yet. 6286835 is indeed 28870
in black. It comes in the new Bookshop set.

I see but the bookstore isnt parted out on BL yet so op has to wait for that
(sadly BL is the worst side speed wise when it comes to adding inventories...)

Maybe it will be better if TLG uses its own admins.

I doubt it. The catmins especially know their stuff. Significantly more than
LEGO customer service reps do. When older parts are not available, the LEGO CS
often suggest replacement parts that are nothing like what they are meant to
replace.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Jan 6, 2020 15:18

Subject:

Re: Analysts Ruin Everything

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51 times

Topic:

I'll stick with analyst I cannot, for the life of me,understand why there
is such open hostility towards that. it's as if what everyone wants - improvement
is just going to happen. we have had 6 years of very little, if any real improvements
(blamed on spaghetti code) and tangent developments like mosaick and the afol
design program which certainly helped the cash situation for BL but did little
for the stores.

If it was the AFOL design program that got LEGO interested in the purchase of
BL then it might have done a huge amount for the stores here, at least in the
long term if not the short.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Jan 6, 2020 14:49

Subject:

Re: Ability to search through order history

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34 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Brick.Door writes:

In Suggestions, badlego writes:

to enable me to see what I've already purchased, it would be good to search
my completed orders.

It already exists.
On your orders placed page, click on "Find Orders"

Although that only works for orders that have not been purged - so six months.
An alternative is to search through emails for past orders, although part numbers
are missing in favour of names.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 26, 2019 17:21

Subject:

Re: BRICKS & PIECES availability and price

Viewed:

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Topic:

. Finally, specialized parts
like printed parts and minifigure parts from licensed sets are never available
at B&P.

They are. They shouldn't be, but they are. Less so these days, but it is
often still possible to buy some licensed parts.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 23, 2019 11:46

Subject:

Re: How does BL handle new BaM parts?

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Topic:

You can check the log of new parts here:

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogListOld.asp?sortBy=D&sortAsc=D&catType=P

I don't see them in the pending queue either.

Adding these torsos is not dependent on any acquisition process - it's just
a matter of people submitting them.

Surely it depends on the submitters acquiring them first!

And Happy Christmas

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 23, 2019 04:57

Subject:

Re: Torso's v Legs - assembled or not

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Topic:

Why is it not possible to have all leg variants in the catalogue.

If you can have torso's, arms, hands as separate items why can it not be
done for hips and legs. (Lego only supply torso's complete with arms and
hands)

They do come apart, its not a problem easing them apart, no different than trying
to take arms out of torso's.

If I have a hips/legs combination with one leg marked or bitten, why can't
I just buy the leg I need?

I find legs are much harder to remove than arms. At least, if you want it so
that they can be used again. There is a little bit of the hips that gets damaged
when you pop the legs off, and they never seem to go back on as well and are
regularly loose after that.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 17, 2019 05:12

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw1030

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Topic:

It's snowing where I live. City planners will sometimes go out after a snowfall
and look at the paths pedestrians create through the snow. These paths often
do not follow the paved paths that have been laid out by the planners. They reveal
what the actual users prefer to do. When you can see that most people cut across
the corner of the block because it's the shortest path between the coffee
shop and the subway station, you can better plan your city

Hopefully they don't do the same thing when planning public toilets.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 17, 2019 05:08

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw1030

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Topic:

This is where you and I diverge in our thinking. I don't need to have a strict
set of rules and policies to describe every single decision for every single
item in the entire BrickLink catalog. It is overkill and frankly takes a certain
amount of joy out of the hobby. I would agree with you more if we were in the
scientific community having to create a taxonomy to describe all life, etc.,
but we aren't. Even though I love this catalog as much as you do, it is still
just a resource for those who enjoy a toy.

I have the same feeling. It is better to break rules where it makes sense to,
than to stick to a rule that doesn't make sense in 100% of cases. Of course,
having a rule that works in 100% of cases is better still although that is unlikely
to work too - either something new will break the rule or it will be too loose
in some cases to be ambiguous.

To me if a rule break helps both buyers and sellers, then it is fine. It wasn't
so long ago that complete "sets" of CMFs were not in the catalogue as LEGO did
not sell them that way. It showed common sense to add them (finally) to the catalogue,
to allow people to buy / sell complete sets without using unfair pricing via
superlots.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 17, 2019 05:02

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw1030

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Topic:

So there is talk of progress on this issue. Glad to hear it. I still stick
with my position for now that attempting middle-ground policies on figure inventories
may only continue to provide the rewards such policies have offered so bountifully
in the past.

But who knows, maybe it is possible to come up with a set of rules that will
(a) satisfy members and (b) cover the wide range of figures that exist. I look
forward to reading the discussion about such policies when it occurs.

And surely this is the healthiest way to do it too. It is better to discuss ideas
that are eventually shot down (with good reasons) than no ideas at all.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 16, 2019 11:47

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw1030

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Topic:

In Inventories Requests, axaday writes:

I like this idea in most contexts. It doesn’t cover Louis and the Ghost from
the Ghostbusters firehouse that each have 2 heads and 2 hairpieces that just
get orphaned into the set. I would like a listing that had all of it.

Yeah, that also happens with characters like Sweet Mayhem and her hair / helmet
and the characters with multiple types of wings, like Space Batman.

It would be good if the alternative parts were somehow linked to the figure but
only having one entry per (unique) figure.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 16, 2019 11:16

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw1030

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Topic:

But when you look at

Minifig No: sh620 Name: Mysterio - Light Aqua Head, Trans-Clear Helmet

sh620 (Inv) Mysterio - Light Aqua Head, Trans-Clear Helmet
Minifigures: Super Heroes: Spider-Man

you find a minifig wearing a neck bracket with
nothing on it. And Chima and Superheroes are FULL of people like that. They
have brickbuilt backpacks are built immediately in the instructions and installed
on the minifig. ... I do not believe that any customer wants the neck bracket and not the
backpack. Zero market. There would be a market for the plain minifig and a
market for the minifig with backpack and those are the only things people actually
want to buy and both require a comment and the latter requires letting your minifig
go to the second or third page in the listings because you don't want to
give away the backpack for free.

There would also be a market for the minifigure AND the backback as separate
entities. Here, it would be helpful if the minifigure was listed alone, and there
was a note in the catalogue along the lines of "You may also be interested in
..." and a link to the backpack, which could be listed as a special assembly
(if brick built) and not a single piece). That would mean just one entry for
each unique minifigure, no confusion for buyers as to what they are getting,
no pushing onto the next page if you are pricing a figure with a backpack included.
It would also mean buyers can compare prices more easily, and wanted lists would
work properly for a unique figure, even if it comes with various and multiple
different accessories in multiple sets.

Such a system would also work well with CMF. So a set entry, then a minifigure
entry. However, the minifigure entry could mention "You may also be interested
in ..." and have a link to the parts that come as accessories with that minifigure
in the set but not necessarily with the minifigure.

This would work consistently for the CMF too. Take S18 for example, if the rule
was that they need to be somehow attached in the instructions, the balloon girl
would get both the balloon and the present, as she is attached to both. Whereas
the balloon boy is not attached to the present in the instructions, so he would
get the balloon and tile, but not the present. Surely it is better to have a
single plain minifigure entry, with a note/link to what accessories the minifigure
might require, rather than one minifigure entry and another minifigure entry
with the attached accessories. In addition to another entry for the whole set.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 16, 2019 10:59

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw1030

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Topic:

In Inventories Requests, axaday writes:

In Inventories Requests, yorbrick writes:

So there would be three listings for this Elsa, for example?

Those aren't the instructions. Those are box pics. And in any case, no.
If those were instructions pics, there would be the basic Elsa and the Elsa
with the hairbrush AND ice.

OK, I checked the instructions. For the brush, she doesn't hold it in the
instructions. For the ice, she does. So this would be a distinct figure from
the one without the ice. LEGO might intend it to be a completely different figure,
they might not. I guess only they know. They just refer to the one with ice as
"Elsa". And their online service doesn't have any figures, just figure parts,
so that is no help either.

The problem still remains whether it is two or three entries: one is a mini-doll
with a cheap part, the other is just the mini-doll. If they want the best price,
the buyer has to check two listings. If they want to add it to a wanted list,
they have to choose one or the other, or add both; there is no way of having
one entry cover both otherwise identical mini-dolls. This doesn't help buyers,
especially new buyers.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 16, 2019 08:55

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw1030

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Topic:

Minifig No: min009 Name: Steve - Dark Purple Legs

min009 (Inv) Steve - Dark Purple Legs
Minifigures: Minecraft

I guess that leaves us with the minimalist approach, which I don't think
anyone will go for.

Yeah, he is probably worse than the various Luke Skywalkers that I had in mind
when writing it.

Personally, I would go with common sense beating rules when adding figures. I
think most figures are currently fine as they are. The yoda with neck bracket
- I'd remove the neck bracket. Does it really matter that you have to take
of the head to attach him to the jumping feature of that set? To me, it doesn't.
With Wolverine, I would have included the claws even though it goes against the
BL rule. He cannot put them down in the sense of removing them from his body,
even though he can retract them. They are not really "hand held" even though
he holds them in his minifigure hands. Similar to Yoda, I don't see the need
for backpacks as I don't mind removing heads then replacing them. To me that
is just the figure taking off the backpack. But I know to others this is seen
as decapitating figures, which is not allowed.

I guess really it is down to whether rules beat common sense, or vice versa.
Even with some irregularities and variations coming in from applying common sense,
I'd still prefer rule breaking to be allowed where it makes sense. Although
it can cause arguments when you don't agree with someone else's common
sense (uncommon sense?)

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 16, 2019 08:29

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw1030

Viewed:

26 times

Topic:

So there would be three listings for this Elsa, for example?

A standard one, one holding the brush and one holding the ice? To me, that seems
overkill for one figure. It wouldn't be buyer (or wanted lists) friendly.

The CMF get two listings - but only one of those is as a minifigure. The other
listing is as a set and needs to contain the other parts such as the stand, instruction
leaflet,...

Plus, I know he is an animal at the moment, but what if Sven was a figure. What
would the accessory be? He is holding the carrot, so presumably that would be
included. Then there is the hitch and the saddle but that is also connected to
the sleigh. So if he was a figure, would that all be the accessory?

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 16, 2019 08:17

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw1030

Viewed:

26 times

Topic:

I can see some backlash from buyers and sellers about accessories.

If a minifigure comes in three sets and in one he is pictured without an accessory,
then he is holding accessory A in another set, and B in the third set, then that
is three different minifigures. The basic one, the A one and the B one. This
is fairly common, for example, having sets where a SW figure holds a blaster
in one and a lightsaber in another. Some buyers will complain that BL/LEGO are
just increasing the number of figures for collectors to need to collect without
the minfiigures actually being different. Sellers might complain at having to
hold stocks of multiple figures when they are the same. Buyers might complain
that they have to look at prices for all three before deciding which one is the
best price. Sellers might complain at having to do the same to work out how to
sell the figures.

Of course, this already happens in some cases where a small almost irrelevant
part can make the prices very different:

Minifig No: sw0471 Name: Yoda - Olive Green, Open Robe with Large Creases, Neck Bracket

sw0471 (Inv) Yoda - Olive Green, Open Robe with Large Creases, Neck Bracket
Minifigures: Star Wars: Star Wars Episode 2

Minifig No: sw0707 Name: Yoda - Olive Green, Open Robe with Large Creases

sw0707 (Inv) Yoda - Olive Green, Open Robe with Large Creases
Minifigures: Star Wars

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 16, 2019 08:00

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw1030

Viewed:

24 times

Topic:

Also what do you with the rest of the stickersheet
once you have now taken the one off to sell your minifigure as complete? I think
also you will be hard pressed to find stickered assembleis as new parts. So will
a stickered torso now be part of a used minifigure or is it new?

I don't think it needs to be that complicated. For example:

30196-1 (Inv) Shell F1 Team polybag
34 Parts, 3 Minifigures, 2012
Sets: Racers: Ferrari

contains three different minifigs and these are listed with both stickered and
non-stickered torso assemblies, such as:

Minifig No: rac051 Name: F1 Ferrari Pit Crew Mechanic

rac051 (Inv) F1 Ferrari Pit Crew Mechanic
Minifigures: Racers: Ferrari

Minifig No: rac051s Name: F1 Ferrari Pit Crew Mechanic - with Torso Stickers

rac051s (Inv) F1 Ferrari Pit Crew Mechanic - with Torso Stickers
Minifigures: Racers: Ferrari

The seller can either sell the unstickered one, the stickered one (presumably
without attaching the sticker if new) or part each minifigure out.

There is a seller selling this new torso assembly (stickered), but it is not
clear whether stickers are applied or not.

973pb1702c01 (Inv) Torso Racing Suit with Ferrari and Shell Logos on Front, Scuderia Ferrari and Santander Logos on Back Pattern (Stickers) / Red Arms / Yellow Hands
Parts: Minifigure, Torso Assembly, Decor.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 16, 2019 06:37

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw1030

Viewed:

31 times

Topic:

•Figure inventories should include all items shown in the complete figure
assembly in the set instructions, including any accessories. In the absence
of instructions, other sources such as set packaging may be used to determine
the inventory.

Presumably this would allow any hand-held accessories and things like skis too?

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 16, 2019 06:34

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw1030

Viewed:

25 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, StormChaser writes:

In Inventories Requests, yorbrick writes:

Once LEGO takes over, I imagine the "minifigures" section will need to be relabelled
as something else - probably "figures".

I asked for that a year ago. I then created a page showing my frustration with
labelling everything as a minifigure and it still exists:

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2489

Yeah, although I think the new owners might be more keen to change this than
the old ones.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 16, 2019 06:08

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw1030

Viewed:

28 times

Topic:

As for this particular figure, it is an example of both problems. Should it
even be a figure? Considering the classic space droids, probably so. But who
knows? The catalog Help pages are silent.

Once LEGO takes over, I imagine the "minifigures" section will need to be relabelled
as something else - probably "figures". Droids are not minifigures. Unikitty
and her friends are not minifigures. Skeletons are not minifigures. LEGO makes
this clear in the descriptions.

For example

21154-1 (Inv) The Blaze Bridge
330 Parts, 4 Minifigures, 2019
Sets: Minecraft

contains 4 minifigures here, yet LEGO states it contains one - an Alex minifigure.
It also contains a wither skeleton and 2 blaze figures, but these are not called
minfigures by LEGO.

Same with Unikitties:

71023-1 (Inv) Minifigure, The LEGO Movie 2 (Complete Random Set of 1 Minifigure)
1 Set, 2019
Sets: Collectible Minifigures: The LEGO Movie 2

The blind bags for TLM2 said "characters" not minifigures like other CMF, as
there was a possibility that it contained a unikitty and not a minifigure.

I guess that this is to protect the legal definition of a minifigure, so that
they do not lose control of it.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 16, 2019 05:16

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw1030

Viewed:

35 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, StormChaser writes:

In Inventories Requests, OliS writes:

Please make changes to the following inventory:

Minifig No: sw1030 Name: Dwarf Spider Droid - Light Bluish Gray Dome, Mini Blaster / Shooter

sw1030 (Inv) Dwarf Spider Droid - Light Bluish Gray Dome, Mini Blaster / Shooter
Minifigures: Star Wars: Star Wars Episode 3

* Change {2 to 4} Part Trans-Red 4073 Plate, Round 1 x 1

Comments from Submitter:
According instruction, page 30 there are two more round plates used as amo.

This would set something of a bad precedent, I think (if it hasn't already
been set elsewhere). What BrickLink considers a minifigure is already ill-defined
(in spite of extensive written policies) and the inconsistencies in the catalog
regarding figure definitions and part inclusions have sparked some serious arguments
in the past.

To add stray parts like loose ammunition to a figure inventory . . . just not
a good idea, in my opinion.

I agree, to add completely unattached parts to "minifigures" such as these, when
other items that are attached to minifigures are not included would be a strange
precedent.

Although those instructions make it clear that this piece is used (even if just
placed on the floor) and is not an extra.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 16, 2019 04:03

Subject:

Re: Who now “owns” copyright?

Viewed:

85 times

Topic:

I bought an old Lego display on ebay and it had the tag on it, and the tag was
shown in a picture. I got an email from a lawyer at Leg wanting it back. I
called the number and had an interesting discussion with the "lawyer." After
I basically said no way, she told me that as I am a collector and lover of Lego
(I didn't tell her about the Barbies)that I should return it to Lego. I
believe that they destroy store displays when they get them back. I was buying
thousands of dollars worth of Lego each month at that time and I called customer
service and they said they would check. Next day I got an email from the lawyer
saying never mind.

Surely the onus would be on them to prove that you had received stolen goods.
Which would mean an entire investigation into how so many of these things had
escaped from destruction in the past. I know of store employees that were allowed
to take these things home - so managers and/or employees would have been breaking
LEGO's internal rules about their return.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 11, 2019 05:30

Subject:

Re: Parts Category Tree

Viewed:

36 times

Topic:

In Catalog, paulvdb writes:

In Catalog, yorbrick writes:

the names for torsos are often useless.

So you don't know what I'm talking about when I say Mini Upper Part,
No. 4420? It's obviously the one that comes after Mini Upper Part, No. 4419
and before Mini Upper Part, No. 4421.

Yep, torsos are fairly useless. However, some of the other parts have fairly
algorithmic names, if only LEGO was consistent (just like BL or any other site
trying to catalogue parts). Plus some of LEGO's names are quite funny.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 11, 2019 04:51

Subject:

Re: Parts Category Tree

Viewed:

40 times

Topic:

Colors should not necessarily be limited to any one institution's nomenclature.
The colors are indexed by an integer value. Any one value can carry multiple
labels. Thus XXX can be both Medium Stone Gray and Light Bluish Gray.

Without meaning to be pedantic, LEGO calls that colour "medium stone grey" not
"medium stone gray". So if BL are using LEGO's colour names, shouldn't
they use the correct LEGO spelling too, based here on British and not American
spelling?

Of course, they could also add both. And the same could happen with longer titles,
LEGO's official names could be used now they are known for new items - and
again there are many things such as tires that are not actually tires, they are
tyres. Of course, some LEGO names are a bit bizarre - for example steering wheels
are not steering wheels, they are consoles. The names of hinges varies wildly
depending on what they are and the names for torsos are often useless.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 10, 2019 06:32

Subject:

Re: Parts Category Tree

Viewed:

32 times

Topic:

- Riding cycle

The name of this one has always struck me as odd. It is a riding cycle as opposed
to some other type of cycle? Like a life cycle or weather cycle?

It is also strange that, for example, three wheelers would go there whereas four
wheels like a quad bike, and it goes into vehicle. After all, a trike has 50%
more wheels than a bicycle but is only lacking 25% of the wheels needed for a
quadbike so is closer to 4 than 2!

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 10, 2019 04:20

Subject:

Re: Parts Category Tree

Viewed:

27 times

Topic:

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:

In Catalog, yorbrick writes:

This is a good idea and follows our Family level above categories which we put
into the forum a very long time ago. but whether anything will ever get done
about it remains to be seen. Since your departure and recent return nothing much
has happened on the development side and with the Lego acquisition due shortly
it may be some time before anything actually does. We have done this offline
with our own database system.

It does work and is not clumsy nor long winded - after all unless your are really
into the catalogue you probably don't even know that much about all the sub
menus. A 'soccer mom' might want a star wars set for her son but will
she know which one of the sub menus it is under - not likely - that is for collectors
and enthusiasts.

I think it needs a complete rethink and a more modern idea - where something
can be more than one thing.

That is the flexibility we would get by using a tag system. But the tree still
needs to be there in the background to provide stability. I believe this conversation
is about what that tree should look like.

For a long time we have needed a stepping stone approach to handle the massive
numbers of entries in the catalog. Instead of being presented with 300-some categories,
new users (at least) should start with a few basic choices that lead to other
more detailed choices and perhaps even another level or two to drill down into
what we have come to accept as a "BrickLink category".

During this "drilling" process, they need the option of searching by tag to make
sure they are not missing things due to semantics.

I have often thought that because there are such different types of BrickLink
users, that we should offer several different methods of finding things, perhaps
even including ones developed by certain well known members of the community
(cough, cough) who have already developed third party searching aids.

But these would necessarily be a function of a tag system and not a tree, because
the tree provides its own browsing mechanism, which is of special value to those
maintaining the catalog - who need the ability to work through things section
by section.

Yeah, I don't think that this would need a huge reorganisation. For example,
currently we have:

Brick
Brick, Arch
Brick, Arch, Decorated
:
:
Brick, Round, Decorated

They are all bricks. So why not have a parent "Bricks", then all these as sub-categories
within bricks. "Technic, Bricks" could also be linked into it while also remaining
under the technic parent too.

It would be easier if you just wanted to browse bricks. Similar it would also
work if you wanted to search just within bricks - sometimes you have to run multiple
searches in multiple categories to find what you want.

There are quite a few parent categories that could be chosen - minifigures, slopes,
technic, plates, tiles, vehicles, electric, duplo, etc.

Tags would be preferable, but I guess that is going to need a lot of data added.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 9, 2019 12:02

Subject:

Re: How does BL handle new BaM parts?

Viewed:

35 times

Topic:

Isn't that one this ... ?

973pb0089c01 (Inv) Torso Shirt with Orange Collar and 3 Flowers over Yellow and Silver Curved Stripes Pattern / Yellow Arms / Yellow Hands
Parts: Minifigure, Torso Assembly, Decor.

Some of these seem to be "cheap" versions of existing torsos, just missing off
back printing or arm printing or similar.

I don't think it is the same as the new one that is exclusive to BaM in store
is from the same factory as most of these parts (think China) and doesnt have
the black neck notch.

BL treats the with and without the neck blotch in the same way.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 9, 2019 06:58

Subject:

Re: Parts Category Tree

Viewed:

40 times

Topic:

In Catalog, calsbricks writes:

In Catalog, yorbrick writes:

In Catalog, calsbricks writes:

In Catalog, StormChaser writes:

I've been pondering the category trees. When you click on Parts from the
main catalog page you get hit with 230 categories. It's hard to justify
adding further categories, even though needed for some existing categories, because
there are already too many.

I've also been thinking about simple fixes that maintain the BrickLink look
and feel and imagined what it might be like with some submenus (the large image
below with the selections shrunk from 230 to only 85). The little plus signs
might not be the best way to do this - they just indicate for the purposes of
discussion that this category can be expanded or leads to another menu.

I've also imagined a Themed Parts menu and a Minifigure Items menu (those
menus happen when you select those options from the main menu) and added those
images.

Of course, I would always want to be able to see the entire category tree by
default if I chose that option.

Good things: you don't have so much to wade through - allows quicker selection
of exactly what you're looking for. Also, the categories within submenus
could be significantly expanded to make finding items even easier without fear
of adding to the existing mess.

Bad thing: you have to click into more menus to get where you're going.

Thoughts?

I think it needs a complete rethink and a more modern idea - where something
can be more than one thing. So for example, I'd like to see one category
called "Bricks", and inside this, there can be all the existing types of bricks
categories. This would allow someone to search just through the "Bricks" parent
category but all of them at once. However, there are also technic bricks, which
don't get called "Bricks, technic", rather they are "Technic, bricks". They
are also bricks, so should be searchable under a "Bricks" parent, but also under
a "Technic" parent too.

That is pretty much the way our system works. We decide what the families are
(level above categories) and what goes in them. All of our analysis is done by
family but if we want to take it lower we can. We have bricks, Minifigs, Other,
Plates, Sets (Small polybags), Slopes, Technic and tiles. Other is obviously
the catch all for items that don't fall into any of the others. It does work
and it makes it very easy for us to see what is moving and what isn't

We think the level above categories should be user definable as not everyone
will want to combine the same things. It isn't that complicated to program
and lots of the big high end inventory management systems have it built in, so
there is excellent code examples out there to accommodate.

I think the only real thing we can say is - no harm in dreaming.

It will be interesting to see if LEGO change anything. After all, their online
PAB has very different structure (and often just as confusing as BL's if
you are not used to it).

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 9, 2019 06:46

Subject:

Re: Parts Category Tree

Viewed:

43 times

Topic:

In Catalog, calsbricks writes:

In Catalog, StormChaser writes:

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 9, 2019 06:39

Subject:

Re: How does BL handle new BaM parts?

Viewed:

46 times

Topic:

In Catalog, Sheffbricks writes:

Here's another one not listed.

Isn't that one this ... ?

973pb0089c01 (Inv) Torso Shirt with Orange Collar and 3 Flowers over Yellow and Silver Curved Stripes Pattern / Yellow Arms / Yellow Hands
Parts: Minifigure, Torso Assembly, Decor.

Some of these seem to be "cheap" versions of existing torsos, just missing off
back printing or arm printing or similar.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Dec 4, 2019 09:15

Subject:

Re: Show the set from which a piece was ordered.

Viewed:

39 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Lilbeastie22 writes:

Please show in the order details, the set from which pieces were ordered. As
a seller, this would be hugely helpful in finding the ordered pieces and sending
the order within a reasonable time.

Also voted no, as the current way is more flexible than what you propose. If
you want the set number, just add it as a remark. Also if you are not checking
inventories and sorting the parts out when you part out, watch out for variants
and extra parts.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Nov 26, 2019 05:19

Subject:

Re: "Fast Shipper" badge for Sellers

Viewed:

31 times

Topic: