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 Author: infinibrix View Messages Posted By infinibrix
 Posted: Nov 16, 2020 07:23
 Subject: Re: Minifigue Complete Build Inconsistencies?
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 Topic: Inventories
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infinibrix (5000)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
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In Inventories, yorbrick writes:

  If rules are there to be broken though, why not have yet another version?

We now have a listing for
the head
the head, body and trash can lid
the head, body, trash can lid and trash can.

So might as well go for a full house and have the head and body. It makes it
harder to list and buy/sell by spreading the listings like this. And there are
other characters that come with things that might be important/unimportant depending
on the buyer/seller. It just shows how much an incomplete minifigure feature
is needed. In this case, the complete figure could be the group of four items,
and anything else is incomplete.

In truth the Oscar probably only warrants one entry which in my opinion is of
course the more complete one! though I don’t have a major issue with this as
long as there are no more than two entries for any one minifig however the thing
I have a bigger issue with is that we are using a completely different reference
number for each? idea078 and idea079 when they are both centred around the same
minifig and so it might be an idea if we’re going to do this sort of thing that
we just use idea078 for the fully accessorised entry and then just add a ‘b’
or something for any alternative barebone entries - idea078b

If the same additional letter is used each and every time at least people can
look to check to see if there is a barebone version of the same minifig and know
how to search for it

We already have some examples of this in the catalog where these minifigs are
the same and use a similar refernece to define a different colour:-

 
Minifig No: sw0011  Name: Chewbacca (Brown)
* 
sw0011 (Inv) Chewbacca (Brown)
Minifigures: Star Wars: Star Wars Episode 4/5/6

 
Minifig No: sw0011a  Name: Chewbacca (Reddish Brown)
* 
sw0011a (Inv) Chewbacca (Reddish Brown)
Minifigures: Star Wars

And here it’s the same minifig but without the proton pack though again it would
benefit from using the same letter at the end each time - gb001b instead of gb001i

 
Minifig No: gb001i  Name: Dr. Egon Spengler - Plain Arms
* 
gb001i (Inv) Dr. Egon Spengler - Plain Arms
Minifigures: LEGO Ideas (CUUSOO): Ghostbusters

And then from there a minifig like this would benefit from an additional non
backpack entry - sw0824b

 
Minifig No: sw0824  Name: Moroff
* 
sw0824 (Inv) Moroff
Minifigures: Star Wars: Star Wars Rogue One

or at least thats my thinking....
 Author: infinibrix View Messages Posted By infinibrix
 Posted: Nov 16, 2020 06:44
 Subject: Re: Minifigue Complete Build Inconsistencies?
 Viewed: 34 times
 Topic: Inventories
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infinibrix (5000)

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In Inventories, bje writes:

  I fully agree, for what it is worth. I have no problem with BL defining what
a minifigure is, what it must consist of, how it must inventoried or indeed how
it must be listed. But then BL must have clear written rules and they must allow
catmins to actually apply those rules consistently.

But defining clear written rules for how ALL minifigs MUST be listed doesn’t
always serve its purpose for the benefit of the catalog as the Oscar minifig
has shown and it’s better to have a catalog that best serves those customers
who shop here rather than blindly following strict rules that are detrimental
to the way a particular minifig appears in the catalog?

I also have full confidence in the catmins judgement as to what they feel should
constitute the final minifig for each catalog entry as they still follow the
same guideline rules set out for the majority or minifig entries but that doesn’t
mean that other members of the community shouldn’t be able to challenge a minifig
entry or voice an opinion on what parts they feel should or should not be included.
In the end the catmins will decide whether a minifig entry warrants special circumstances
or not but once decided we then all adhere to what is expected based on the final
photo and so it’s not as if rules are not in place for us all to follow?
 Author: infinibrix View Messages Posted By infinibrix
 Posted: Nov 15, 2020 09:35
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sw0074
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 Topic: Inventories Requests
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infinibrix (5000)

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In Inventories Requests, Hygrotus writes:
  In Inventories Requests, Stellar writes:
  This part, for example, is not attached but neither can it fall from the minifig.

And this is importand thing in the character as it is character brain
https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/B%27omarr_Order

Yes I think the part should remain included as should the trash can for oscar:-

https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1232979
 Author: infinibrix View Messages Posted By infinibrix
 Posted: Nov 14, 2020 05:55
 Subject: Re: Minifigue Complete Build Inconsistencies?
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 Topic: Inventories
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infinibrix (5000)

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In Inventories, chetzler writes:
  
  In the end rather than following hard and fast rules I would go with what seems
worthy of being complete enough for the catalog and what someone unfamiliar with
Bricklink would expect to be included.

I've thought this for a long time. There are some some strange minifigure
entries in the catalog. For catalog purposes, guidelines are better than rules.
If the rules are always blindly adhered to, there seems little need for a catmin--anybody
could do the job by just following the rules. I'd rather have thoughtful
people make a decision about what is the most reasonable inventory for a figure
without being bound to a set of rules that can't possibly account for all
current all future cases.

Below is what I always thought was a reasonable exception to the "no hand-held
accessories" rule as the accessories are meant to be an extension of the fig's
alien arms. This exception has existed for a long time, so clearly there is
precedent for going with reasonable vs pedantic.

 
Minifig No: gs014  Name: Mantizoid
* 
gs014 (Inv) Mantizoid
Minifigures: Space: Galaxy Squad

and maybe extending that further to characters that are always seen to look a
certain way for instance Shredder always wearing gauntlets, Karlof always shown
with big fist hands, and a werewolf with claws etc...

Vader on the other hand is'nt always weilding a Lighsaber thereby making
it more of a handheld accessory intended to be added/removed

Either way we have many Ironman minifigs with blue boosters under their legs
but are they any more essential to those minifigs compared to some of the other
parts I've mentioned? I guess in the end those parts don't matter too
much one way or the other as everyone will just follow and include what is shown
in the picture but yes descisons made on a case by case basis is better than
sticking to strict rulings that trip over themselves with their own inconsistencies
especially where key componenets for certain minifigs appear to be missing?
 Author: infinibrix View Messages Posted By infinibrix
 Posted: Nov 13, 2020 15:52
 Subject: Re: Minifigue Complete Build Inconsistencies?
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 Topic: Inventories
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infinibrix (5000)

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In Inventories, runner.caller writes:
  
  In Inventories, axaday writes:
Two admins pointed out the rule that every part of
a minifig has to attach together. The trash can is flat inside and cannot attach
to Oscar. He only stays in by gravity.

What about the dolla dolla bill in this fig's bag?

 
Minifig No: cty0890  Name: Mountain Police - Jail Prisoner 86753 Prison Stripes, Aviator Helmet, Backpack with Money
* 
cty0890 Mountain Police - Jail Prisoner 86753 Prison Stripes, Aviator Helmet, Backpack with Money
Minifigures: Town: City: Police
Marked for Deletion

Yes the Dollar in the bag should'nt be included as to me its no different
to any other minifig tile accessory such as a map, catapult, gamer pad etc...
 Author: infinibrix View Messages Posted By infinibrix
 Posted: Nov 13, 2020 11:32
 Subject: Re: Minifigue Complete Build Inconsistencies?
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 Topic: Inventories
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infinibrix (5000)

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In Inventories, BulbaNerd4000 writes:
  
Is it too much to ask for both?
-Tony Stark


Why don't we make just make an entry for each one?

I'm not against this idea but I have a feeling the Admins/Bricklink will
be plus you also have to consider how far we can stretch things because if you
give every minifig two entries does that actually benefit Bricklink for the better?
I mean do we really want to see caped and non caped versions for each and every
minifigure for example? Well I would'nt have a problem with that either but
there are certainly some minifigs that would benefit a lot more from having two
entries and it may be better starting at these before overcomplicating the catalog
with too many entries when there is only one single part different between them
 Author: infinibrix View Messages Posted By infinibrix
 Posted: Nov 13, 2020 11:16
 Subject: Re: Minifigue Complete Build Inconsistencies?
 Viewed: 28 times
 Topic: Inventories
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infinibrix (5000)

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In Inventories, popsicle writes:
  In Inventories, infinibrix writes:
  In Inventories, axaday writes:

  In MY era, Oscar never came out of the trashcan. He was just a hand puppet,
not a costume. But also in my era, Snuffy was never seen by anyone except Big
Bird and was possibly an imaginary friend. I know he now walks around in the
open. So I don't know what change may have come for Oscar in that time.

Either way given TLG only gave him a very basic minifig head as a body and did'nt
include arms or even his legs if he has them I think its clear that this area
of the minifig is supposed to be hidden out of view therefore making him seem
incomplete without the trash can to serve its purpose

You make a very good point. So I'm back to where I started, confused

What I'm less confused about, is that it can't be easy for those
making catalog listing policies.

Ha ha yeah but I think thats the thing, maybe we need less stict policy/rules
on how minifigs are handled and deal with them on a case by case basis by cataloging
them in a way that best serves the majority of the community. If I'm alone
with suggesting Oscar should have a trash can then by all means we should leave
him without it though I'm not sure if that is the case?
 Author: infinibrix View Messages Posted By infinibrix
 Posted: Nov 13, 2020 10:49
 Subject: Re: Minifigue Complete Build Inconsistencies?
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 Topic: Inventories
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infinibrix (5000)

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In Inventories, axaday writes:

  In MY era, Oscar never came out of the trashcan. He was just a hand puppet,
not a costume. But also in my era, Snuffy was never seen by anyone except Big
Bird and was possibly an imaginary friend. I know he now walks around in the
open. So I don't know what change may have come for Oscar in that time.

Either way given TLG only gave him a very basic minifig head as a body and did'nt
include arms or even his legs if he has them I think its clear that this area
of the minifig is supposed to be hidden out of view therefore making him seem
incomplete without the trash can to serve its purpose
 Author: infinibrix View Messages Posted By infinibrix
 Posted: Nov 13, 2020 10:35
 Subject: Re: Minifigue Complete Build Inconsistencies?
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 Topic: Inventories
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infinibrix (5000)

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In Inventories, axaday writes:
  I have sympathy with you and the admins are discussing all of this right now
and I believe you will get some of what you are asking for.

I added the non-can Oscar. Two admins pointed out the rule that every part of
a minifig has to attach together. The trash can is flat inside and cannot attach
to Oscar. He only stays in by gravity.


Okay that explains a lot because I did'nt realise it was'nt actually
attached to the trash can though that said I think if we want to try and make
the catlog minifig entries appear as complete as possible then I'd personally
say that the trash can should probably be included with the rest of the minifig
but saying that as mentioned I would'nt have a problem with two entries for
certain minifigs either although whether the Oscar warrants the need for two
compared to some of the more elaborate entries I'm not so sure.

The ghostbusters minifigs are a good example of where there is a benefit for
two entires (with/without proton pack) and I hope this can be followed through
to other similar minifigs of which we're probably only talking about less
than 1% anyway

In the end rather than following hard and fast rules I would go with what seems
worthy of being complete enough for the catalog and what someone unfamiliar with
Bricklink would expect to be included. Both a chima eagle without wings and Oscar
without a trash can I'm sure most people would see as incomplete especially
if it then means they then end up having to buy the additional parts (handheld
items aside) separately which almost defeats the purpose of a complete minifig
entry

On the otherhand jay without a jet pack and Moroff without his backpack still
seem complete enough to be worthy of being cataloged barebone and in truth I
think this would be the most common way to buy and sell them anyway if users
were given the choice?

But thats just my take on the subject...
 Author: infinibrix View Messages Posted By infinibrix
 Posted: Nov 13, 2020 07:29
 Subject: Minifigue Complete Build Inconsistencies?
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 Topic: Inventories
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infinibrix (5000)

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Whilst I’m sure we all understand and appreciate that minifigs have to be listed
as per the instructions and whilst for the most part this might be a good guideline
to follow can we not also try and gauge what we feel the majority of the community
would consider more fitting as a complete minifigure along with what might be
considered unnecessary as part of a complete minifigure?

For instance we have Oscar the Grouch in his trash can marked for deletion??

 
Minifig No: Idea078  Name: Oscar the Grouch
* 
idea078 (Inv) Oscar the Grouch
Minifigures: LEGO Ideas (CUUSOO)

To be replaced with this:-

 
Minifig No: Idea079  Name: Oscar the Grouch (without Trash Can)
* 
idea079 (Inv) Oscar the Grouch (without Trash Can)
Minifigures: LEGO Ideas (CUUSOO)

I’m not sure anyone would consider the newer entry complete for instance would
anyone actually display the Oscar minifig without the trash can either way the
instructions point to the parts being arrow directed down into the trash can
anyway?
Then compared with these minifigs that have non-essential accessories:-

 
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: njo079  Name: Jay - The Final Battle, Jet Pack
* 
njo079 (Inv) Jay - The Final Battle, Jet Pack
Minifigures: NINJAGO: The Final Battle

The yoda has a part only useful with the actual build and if you want Jay In
his kimono outfit you have to specifically purchase him with the multiple part
jet pack whilst the other ninja characters in matching outfits are sold standalone
as should be the same for all?

I’m then confused further as we have Ghostbusters characters in the catalog with
and without their proton packs so are they supposed to be fully accessorised,
barebone or a mix of both, which is it?

 
Minifig No: gb001  Name: Dr. Egon Spengler - Plain Arms, Proton Pack
* 
gb001 (Inv) Dr. Egon Spengler - Plain Arms, Proton Pack
Minifigures: LEGO Ideas (CUUSOO): Ghostbusters

 
Minifig No: gb001i  Name: Dr. Egon Spengler - Plain Arms
* 
gb001i (Inv) Dr. Egon Spengler - Plain Arms
Minifigures: LEGO Ideas (CUUSOO): Ghostbusters

To be honest I like the two options given for the Ghostbusters minifigs and whilst
the majority of minifgs should only have one entry I think it would make sense
to have two entries for certain minifigs like the Jay without jetpack and other
minifigs like this one with an option to buy with and without a backpack:-

 
Minifig No: sw0824  Name: Moroff
* 
sw0824 (Inv) Moroff
Minifigures: Star Wars: Star Wars Rogue One

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