BrickLink Discussion Forum

In Technical Issues, Teup writes:

In Technical Issues, yorbrick writes:

In Technical Issues, Teup writes:

The usual pattern for bugs I report is: Bricklink says "ah, well that's funny!",
nothing happens, and I give up, but this time I will try again, since this one
really is a nuisance. I need to go over all of my shipping methods one by one
and change it every time I adjust my minimum order (and lose the old settings).
So, one more time...

Bricklink, please, remove this pointless restriction. There is no reason why
my minimum order can't be higher than my shipping method minimum orders.
The store minimum should simply override it.

In fact it frustrates the bypass procedure, because I cannot control which shipping
methods become available when someone gets the bypass password (not sure if they
get any at all - they might end up with none). Simply allow shipping methods
to have a low minimum. Should be a simple change.

It is also a pain if you temporarily want to have a high minimum order value.

Exactly. I just wanted to increase it for a week to catch up with errands, but
it makes me check and modify 10 shipping methods, twice.. I always hope I didn't
forget one when I'm putting it back.

To be fair the entire design of the shipping methods and chosen countries is
not the best. For a store with multiple boxes (we have 3 LL and 11 SP) it would
be a nightmare and a half to set up for IC. They got the design wrong and have
continuously decided against changing it. Design is key in development but understanding
the application from a users perspective is also a vital cog. When the site is
finally re-written, (if and when, of course) we hope things like this will be
taken into account.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 26, 2021 08:19

Subject:

Re: Refusing to sell or ship because of location.

Viewed:

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Topic:

In Problem, mcmcmahan writes:

I just finished spending about 30 minutes placing an order only to be informed
that they were unable to find any shipping methods from Pennsylvania to Washington.
Imagine my surprise to find out that this is still going on. I think it's
time for Bricklink to put an end to vendors, who for some reason or another(mainly
politics), won't ship too places that they don't like. Bricklink needs
to set a policy that simply states "If you are unwilling to ship to every Bricklink
user then you need to leave and sell your wares elsewhere". It's your site
not theirs - time to shut this down once and for all.

Bit confused here. All stores have a banner on their header which clearly states
whether they ship to me or not. If this store says they ship to you then there
may be a technical glitch - if not then you do not spend time filling a cart
only to find they will not ship. The store in question has now responded and
it appears to be a technical glitch.

As for forcing all stores to ship everywhere that simply is not feasible. Stores
are independent businesses and they make their own decisions on who and where
they ship to. Almost never a good idea to force something on people.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 15, 2021 13:42

Subject:

Re: UK - Buying overseas post Brexit own goal.

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48 times

Topic:

Buying

In Buying, SylvainLS writes:

In Buying, yorbrick writes:

In Buying, calsbricks writes:

In Buying, monkypaws writes:

ANyone had any experience of buying from overseas from UK - either Europe or
other. 3x3 turrets are non-existent here and having found a seller in Norway
with a number I chanced it and a month later still waiting. Happy that the seller
was genuine and posted in good faith.

3 Swiss orders - no problems; 4 Canada orders - no problems No IC and no onsite
payment methods, works fine.
1 very unhappy USA customer who wanted some 'rarish items' and we could
not help - no onsite payment method (Our choice)

Switzerland is not in the EU, so not affected by EU country VAT collection. They
pay any taxes on import. Same for Canadian users, pay on import.

And the question is by a UK denizen who wants to buy from out-of-UK sellers,
not to sell…

fully aware of that as well
.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 15, 2021 13:41

Subject:

Re: UK - Buying overseas post Brexit own goal.

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

Buying

In Buying, yorbrick writes:

In Buying, calsbricks writes:

In Buying, monkypaws writes:

Switzerland is not in the EU, so not affected by EU country VAT collection. They
pay any taxes on import. Same for Canadian users, pay on import.

fully aware of that

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 15, 2021 12:36

Subject:

Re: UK - Buying overseas post Brexit own goal.

Viewed:

48 times

Topic:

Buying

In Buying, monkypaws writes:

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 4, 2021 08:41

Subject:

Re: Please add Variant poicy to mandatory terms

Viewed:

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Topic:

In Suggestions, cosmicray writes:

In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:

To avoid issues such as what we mentioned yesterday why not get Bricklink to
add to the stores terms page a variant policy statement from the store. I am
sure we will see everything from no policy to a complete novel, but at least
it is something that can be looked at by potential buyers and it may even add
clarity to the current situation.

We very strongly believe this is a stores responsibility and not the buyers.
A buyer should have confidence in the fact they are getting what they ordered.
or a notice from the store to alert them they aren't.

Of course mistake can and will happen but if a policy statement is at least on
the mind of the store maybe it will help them to focus

I do agree that buyers, if concerned could ask for details but of 6 stores who
were asked none replied is not a good result.

The problem with this suggestion, is how do you handle backwards compatibility
?

If a part exists in the Catalog, as a singular unitary definition ... and then
one day it becomes recognized that variants exist ... how do you go back and
tell all those sellers you need to go thru your parts and divide them up by
variant ? You can't.

With the existing paradigm (of how the catalog works), there is no way but to
make the old catalog entry locked (for additions), schedule it for removal, and
then create all new variant based catalog entries. That bifurcates existing listings,
and is non-optimal in the long run. It does recognize the existence of variants,
but it does not solve the issue of previous un-specified inventory.

Nita Rae

Hmm - this would all have to be date based then and that means development work
on the catalogue - not a good idea unless it becomes a re-write and that is not
going to happen anytime soon. LOts of things need adding or changing there but
not on the schedule or outwardly under discussion. Pity really

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 4, 2021 07:10

Subject:

Re: Please add Variant poicy to mandatory terms

Viewed:

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Topic:

In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:

In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:

Any variant policy will need to define exactly what a variant is. Otherwise,
what does it apply to?

Concerning the 1x2 jumpers, the parts are:

15573 Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with 1 Stud with Groove and Bottom Stud Holder (Jumper)
Parts: Plate, Modified

3794a Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with 1 Stud without Groove (Jumper)
Parts: Plate, Modified

3794b Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with 1 Stud with Groove (Jumper)
Parts: Plate, Modified

3794 Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with 1 Stud, Jumper (Undetermined Type)
Parts: Plate, Modified

Is 15573 a variant of the 3794 types? I think not, it is a different part entirely
that happens to look the same from above but not below. I don't think it
would be covered under a variant definition, since they are just similar and
not variants. Sellers sending 15573 instead of 3794/a/b are just doing a bad
job at part identification.

If they are variants, then what about these parts ...

60596 Door, Frame 1 x 4 x 6 with 2 Holes on Top and Bottom
Parts: Door, Frame

30179 Door, Frame 1 x 4 x 6 with 4 Holes on Top and Bottom
Parts: Door, Frame

They are similar in mould type to each other (and noted as such) but not really
variants of each other. There are many, many groups of similar parts in the catalogue.
Without defining these as variants rather than similar to, a variant policy doesn't
really help when sellers cannot tell the difference.

Don't disagree with what you say. But if Bricklink list it as a variant then
it should belong within a policy statement. So if 15573 is classed as a 3794
variant then that is a Bricklink issue not a store issue. (By the way we agree
with you on that one).

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 4, 2021 03:18

Subject:

Please add Variant poicy to mandatory terms

Viewed:

127 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 3, 2021 15:12

Subject:

Re: Newish sellers - if not all - take your time

Viewed:

53 times

Topic:

In Problem, EmblaRonja writes:

Sorry but I don’t get your point all the way.

First you tell you did a mistake in your own inventory and then you complain
about other sellers who did the exact same thing??

never said there was a mistake in our inventory. we have an offline inventory
management system -unfortunately we cannot always agree with Bricklink.

Also you claim you bought the part listed as un-specified - well to me un-specified
might be any jumper even if the part number isn’t the same.

not sure where you got that we bought the part as 3794b - that is not unspecified

Last want to say that BrickLink s parting out system usually is why this is happening.
Inventory says one variant but in reality the sets might have any other or mixed
variants in the same set. So if a seller don’t check all parts for accuracy this
will happen to their inventory again and again.

if you have proof of that you should provide that info to Bricklink development
to investigate and resolve.

As other stated - if important - ask first prior to placing that order.

/Niclas

no buyer should have to ask pre-ordering a part which is clearly labelled as
the variant required. that is and always should be the responsibility of the
seller - otherwise what is the point

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 3, 2021 12:50

Subject:

Re: It is just one of those days

Viewed:

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Topic:

In Problem, yorbrick writes:

I know the lawmakers were after the Amazons of the world but is it really necessary
to clobber the 'bit players' in this way.

I guess it depends on your perspective. Rather than the sellers, I think they
were after the customers importing stuff to avoid paying VAT and for higher value
but still under £135, simplifying the collection so it is done before rather
than at the time of import. It will take some time for everyone to learn what
they are doing and hopefully it will settle down. When it does, it will be cheaper
than it used to be before the whole OMP tax collection started as there will
not be a Royal Mail collection fee.

There are small sellers on amazon and big sellers on 'small' sites. Surely
they are all doing the same thing though.

Not sure anyone has got it absolutely correct yet eg sales exemptions in the
USA are not catered for yet. Exempt items in the UK are also not yet catered
for. There is a long way to go with the actual details of this - in the short
term it is messy and a bit unpredictable - people paying twice etc IOS numbers
or what ever . Bit sloppy really but you are right in the end it will settle

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 3, 2021 12:28

Subject:

Re: Newish sellers - if not all - take your time

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Topic:

In Problem, firestar246 writes:

In Problem, Leftoverbricks writes:

How long are you around on BL? Two months? Because that is what it looks to me
when I read your message.

When I want a particular part variant I always send a mail to the seller
prior to ordering. I suggest that you should do the same in the future
instead of complaining about 'bad' sellers in the forum.

Given your 13 years presence on BL and knowing that you read the forum on a daily
basis, I think you should have known better. That's why I have no compassion
at all to your complaint - Sorry!

Best wishes -
Martin

I don't think a buyer should be required to check with a seller to make sure
they listed something correctly; that is the seller's responsibility. That's
what the "This Item is similar in mold type to the following Item(s):" is for,
to alert sellers to make sure they list correctly.

If I'm going to purchase an item, I'm going to assume the seller has
listed it correctly, unless the seller is very new; then I might check.

Agreed

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 3, 2021 12:27

Subject:

Re: Newish sellers - if not all - take your time

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Topic:

In Problem, Leftoverbricks writes:

I am now out the cost of those and still do not have parts. Whether the original
saller responds to our message - all of this extra and additional work should
not be necessary if people just took their time and got it right in the first
place. No one is perfect, we accept that, but really is it that difficult to
get it right? Should you be selling on Bricklink if you cannot get a simple variant
like this right?

I should have added it the seller had listed these as 3794 (Unid) I would have
asked for a photo or comments but to list as 3794b is not right.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 3, 2021 12:23

Subject:

Re: Newish sellers - if not all - take your time

Viewed:

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Topic:

In Problem, Leftoverbricks writes:

How long are you around on BL? Two months? Because that is what it looks to me
when I read your message.

I think you might find a lot longer than you.

When I want a particular part variant I always send a mail to the seller
prior to ordering. I suggest that you should do the same in the future
instead of complaining about 'bad' sellers in the forum.

We did not complain about bad sellers we suggested people should take their time
in identifying items they list. With well over 1100 orders placed on the site
we think we are well aware of how to purchase and get what we ordered.

Given your 13 years presence on BL and knowing that you read the forum on a daily
basis, I think you should have known better. That's why I have no compassion
at all to your complaint - Sorry!

Compassion is probably not the best word in these circumstances.

Best wishes -
Martin

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 3, 2021 12:09

Subject:

Re: Newish sellers - if not all - take your time

Viewed:

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Topic:

In Problem, ryanaitch writes:

In Problem, psusaxman2000 writes:

In Problem, calsbricks writes:

Had an urgent requirement for 50+ 3794b's in white. Our inventory showed
we had enough but when checking there were some which were actually 15573. Went
to replace those and found about 20 suppliers in the UK who had (supposedly)
enough to solve our shortage.

Ordered in 50 - they arrived quickly but they are all 15573's. The moral
of the story is if you are going to list as a variant make sure they are the
variant.

That is why we have a catalogue with comparison photos.

While I agree with the catalog and sort my inventory based on the different variants,
many many many store that I've visited for one reason or another state
in their terms that they do not list variants for parts like this. In the past
I had a need for a specific variant of another part to complete an older set
and I would suggest that if you are looking for a specific variant that you spot
check with the seller to confirm that you are actually getting that part unless
you can see that they list the variants in there store.

That's why we have this listing:

3794 Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with 1 Stud, Jumper (Undetermined Type)
Parts: Plate, Modified

IMO if a seller knows that they aren't going to differentiate, they should
make sure that their actual listings reflect that.

Ryan

As an absolute minimum we agree and that is why those unidentified codes were
left in the catalogue.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 3, 2021 11:45

Subject:

It is just one of those days

Viewed:

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Topic:

Just looked at the major sellers in usa and europe - but to buy from usa I think
I am going to pay sales tax, and import duty and a handling fee and a similar
situation from EU.

I know the lawmakers were after the Amazons of the world but is it really necessary
to clobber the 'bit players' in this way.

This saga has shown us it is no longer viable to buy outside the UK and I am
sure lots of others see it that way as well.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 3, 2021 11:28

Subject:

Re: Newish sellers - if not all - take your time

Viewed:

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Topic:

In Problem, yorbrick writes:

In Problem, psusaxman2000 writes:

In Problem, calsbricks writes:

I can understand not sorting variants when they are very similar and difficult
to check, especially if you only have one type in hand. But the new and older
style jumpers are easy to tell apart.

I'd take 3794 a/b as variants of each other, but 15573 as a different part.

The comparison photo does a good job in this case and yes there is an argument
they could be different parts, but how to id them is clear enough.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 3, 2021 11:26

Subject:

Re: Newish sellers - if not all - take your time

Viewed:

47 times

Topic:

In Problem, psusaxman2000 writes:

In Problem, calsbricks writes:

Did all that and there was nothing in the terms of the store to suggest they
did not bother with variants. What I did not do is ask for contformation from
them - but why list as 3794b when it is clearly 15573 (not that difficult to
determine that).

Should it be the buyers responsibility or should it be th4e sellers to get it
right. It only takes seconds to determine the differences here

I am now out the cost of those and still do not have parts. Whether the original
saller responds to our message - all of this extra and additional work should
not be necessary if people just took their time and got it right in the first
place. No one is perfect, we accept that, but really is it that difficult to
get it right? Should you be selling on Bricklink if you cannot get a simple variant
like this right?

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 3, 2021 11:03

Subject:

Newish sellers - if not all - take your time

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Topic:

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Oct 27, 2021 09:25

Subject:

Boxes and Bags from Davpack (UK)

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Topic:

For those of you who use Davpack for your zip lock bags and boxes,, please note
they are having extreme difficulties in getting items delivered. so much so that
they have cancelled our last order which Tuffnells lost twice and refunded our
payment.

They know about the problems but currently saying they are under contract and
cannot deviate from that . despite the fact they are losing business

Whoever negotiated that contract wants shooting. Tuffnells must be in breach
which should give Davpack options but they are telling us they do not have any
options. We have been using them for over 10 years and up til now have never
had any problems

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Oct 16, 2021 10:56

Subject:

Add My favourite stores to find stores/find i

Viewed:

100 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

Could we have ann additional filter on these screens please to restrict the search
to our favorite stores.

Thanks

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Oct 11, 2021 11:50

Subject:

Re: Really ?????

Viewed:

97 times

Topic:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10079553/Lego-says-remove-gender-bias-toys-survey-showed-boys-fear-fun-of.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ico=taboola_feed_article_desktop_news

In General, SimplyBricks writes:

What a load of utter rubbish. And people get funded to do things like this. Boys
are boys and girls are girls we were created differently and we will always be
different - so what. As long as people are treated equally who cares (Obviously
the author of this article) The world has changed dramatically in the time that
I have been around and it will be different again in the next era - so what -
life evolves - sometimes it gets better and sometimes it doesn't.

Hi Mike/Emma -Thanks for bringing this article to our attention we don't
normally read the Mail.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Sep 20, 2021 12:56

Subject:

Re: BrickLink Marketplace Newsletter

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Topic:

In General, Stellar writes:

Just in case you didn't get the email, here it is a link to see it:

https://mailchi.mp/32946fcbe5f6/marketplace-newsletter-september-2021

Check this page and see if you have Newsletter checkbox enabled:

https://www.bricklink.com/pref_contact.asp

Unfortunately the survey is entirely US based. Bricklink you are a world wide
organisation serving the globe not just the USA. In fact Europe including the
UK has more stores in total than the US. Think global - that will serve you and
us much better.

Your questions are not structured properly as they do not allow a not applicable
as a response. In order to move to the next question you must offer a response
which is, in several cases, nonsense.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Sep 13, 2021 12:08

Subject:

They rarely work but ........

Viewed:

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Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

Most eCommerce sites we use here in the UK ask us to confirm we have read and
accept the terms and conditions of the site when we are placing an order. Bricklink
currently does not - it just previews those terms,. Should we have a checkbox
which is mandatory so that buyers confirm their acceptance. Might help if and
when there are disputes

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Sep 11, 2021 05:27

Subject:

Re: Find order for pieces already bought

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Topic:

In Help, osamot writes:

Hi

I need to know which is the order that I did (and the seller of course...) for
a determined part.

Is it possible to search the part (and the orders i did for it) without look
at the single order line in the orders page?

There is another way as well. ON the my orders page at the top right there is
a Find Orders command. If you click on that it takes you to a page where you
can define the part you are looking for and over what time frame. Once you make
your choices and click go all orders that meet the criteria will appear. We
find that slightly less clumsy than the price guide method.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Sep 9, 2021 10:17

Subject:

Re: Error message "No payment methods available"

Viewed:

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Topic:

In Help, STEEL writes:

In Help, BasKrie writes:

In Help, STEEL writes:

In Help, BasKrie writes:

In Help, STEEL writes:

Why do I keep getting customers messaging me to say they can't buy and they
are getting THIS error message: "No payment methods available" ??

I ship worldwide, always have. I have not changed ANYTHING and up until about
4-6 weeks ago everything was fine, but this has happened about 6 times in the
last few weeks, I can't figure out why and I am losing sales !!!

I contacted Bricklink when it was first happening about a month ago, but no one
has replied!

HELP PLEASE

are you sure that they are getting the stated error?
And from what countries do they come?

I do see a notice:
Seller does not support orders shipping to Netherlands when item total is equal
to or less than €150 (~AU $240.82).

But once above that total I see no other errors.

You don't offer PayPal onsite, so that would be the reason for the note.
And it makes that US buyers cannot buy from you. I'm not sue what error they
would get, I guess something like no shipping to their state/country

This is VERY weird. I did have pay-pal Onsite set up and somehow the box for
it in my settings has been "unchecked"? Anyway, I have now fixed that.

BUT...

I get this issue from people in my home country (Australia) and I have had it
with UK buyers, a guy from India yesterday and also new Zealand.

Now that I have fixed (I hope) the issue, would you mind checking again for me?
THANKS!!

The notice does not appear anymore

So that's fixed.

But doesn't explain the other issues.
You will have try and get more info from the potential buyers.

Thanks for your help!!

Just a short added comment. You do not require an onsite payment method unless
you are selling to the USA (states that have a sales tax) and the EU - not needed
for Switzerland, for example.

Bricklinks logic is if you are selling to either of those categories you must
provide them with a method of collecting the applicable tax. If not then all
is normal/

Their philosophic on this is it is a more modern way to run a marketplace (online
payment methods) - that might be the case but the terms of these marketplace
'deals' are still not suitable (Handing full control of the stores funds
to the marketplace owner)

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Sep 9, 2021 09:44

Subject:

Re: Yet another store function broken.

Viewed:

45 times

Topic:

Technical Issues

In Technical Issues, Hypertrophy writes:

Also, I can no longer scale / enlarge an order page to remove the margins when
I print. I'm stuck having to print orders on extra paper. I've tried
different browsers and it doesn't work. Anyone else having this issue?

Yes we are as well - this is what we have done to solve it. We print on Microsoft
Edge using the save as pdf 'printer'. We click on more settings and increase
the scale from 100 to 150. We then save that and it is fine. Long winded and
totally unnecessary but it works.

I do wish they would stop tinkering

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 26, 2021 10:17

Subject:

Re: Just a thought

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Topic:

In Problem, Turez writes:

In Problem, calsbricks writes:

What would have been helpful if when clicking on the little green box after his
name it told you what h is previous username was and or whether or not it was
merging multiple accounts.

I am sure we used to be able to do this but perhaps GDPR has stopped it. Be nice
to have that feature back.

https://www.bricklink.com/memberLog.asp

Thanks for that forgot about that log.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 26, 2021 08:59

Subject:

Re: Just a thought

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Topic:

In Problem, SylvainLS writes:

In Problem, calsbricks writes:

[…]
More worrying why did they say they had placed lots of orders on Bricklink and
why did Bricklink put the little icon after their name to indicate either username
change or merge accounts. All this made it high risk and we bailed on it.

If I’m not mistaken, the icon is also for new users.

So:
— name change,
— merged account,
— OR new member.

I believe I said he had commented that he had placed lots of orders on Bricklink.
His registration date confirmed 25 Aug 2021 but his comments were as if he was
a seasoned buyer.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 26, 2021 08:16

Subject:

Re: Just a thought

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Topic:

In Problem, Leftoverbricks writes:

In Problem, calsbricks writes:

Had an order this morning from a 0 feedback buyer for 400 parts over 140 lots.
No problem, however he said in his comments he had placed lots of orders on
Bricklink but was moving from one store to another due to incorrect parts being
sent.

I thought okay but lets do a bit of digging. He only registered on Bricklink
yesterday - so it is unlikely he had placed lots of orders. Dig deeper and it
appears he has changed his username within the last 30 days - warning bells or
he has had multiple accounts merged. More warning bells - might be nothing but
140 lot order takes time to pick and we process first .

I messaged him for more info and unfortunately he did not reply, so I cancelled
the order with a full explanation and left no feedback.

What would have been helpful if when clicking on the little green box after his
name it told you what h is previous username was and or whether or not it was
merging multiple accounts.

I am sure we used to be able to do this but perhaps GDPR has stopped it. Be nice
to have that feature back.

The order came this morning. You emailed him but he did not reply, so you cancelled.
Which rises the question: How much time do you allow from someone to read and
reply to emails? Sounds like an hour max. One day or two seems more appropriate
to me.

You may be right but we deemed it extremely high risk so the easiest thing to
do was cancel. (We normally allow up to 3 days for replies) - but in this case
we considered all the facts and chose early cancellation.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 26, 2021 07:57

Subject:

Re: Just a thought

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Topic:

In Problem, peregrinator writes:

In Problem, calsbricks writes:

I am sure we used to be able to do this but perhaps GDPR has stopped it. Be nice
to have that feature back.

It sounds like the buyer created a new account entirely - if you only change
your username you definitely do not have your feedback reset to zero, nor does
your registration date change.

More worrying why did they say they had placed lots of orders on Bricklink and
why did Bricklink put the little icon after their name to indicate either username
change or merge accounts. All this made it high risk and we bailed on it.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 26, 2021 07:55

Subject:

Re: Just a thought

Viewed:

49 times

Topic:

In Problem, Stevemac1976 writes:

I would have fulfilled the order i think, but when i am a little cautious for
whatever reason, i take photo evidence of the picked parts, then them packed
up and ensure it is sent with full tracking. But would depend on the total value
as well.....

In Problem, calsbricks writes:

If it had been a higher value we might have done that but it wasn't and their
lack of response concerned us.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 26, 2021 07:39

Subject:

Just a thought

Viewed:

225 times

Topic:

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 5, 2021 12:32

Subject:

Re: Brickstock help

Viewed:

42 times

Topic:

In Help, TechnicBuilt writes:

In Help, Zab3uk75 writes:

Hi,
I am just wondering why Brickstock appears to adjust my prices for me!!
ie list an item in Brickstock for 0.01 and it will adjust to 0.015 or similiar.
Thanks for your help.
June

Check the exchange rate settings, I believe it is set to USD by default.

Also check the settings for rounding - should be set to 2 decimal places not
3.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 19, 2021 08:26

Subject:

Re: The page cannot be displayed...

Viewed:

30 times

Topic:

In Problem, Brick_Wizard writes:

The page cannot be displayed because an internal server error has occurred.

Anyone else getting this message when trying to view your Orders Received page?

OK Gere - what browser are y ou using?

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 16, 2021 10:09

Subject:

Inventory Movement Log (QBF - Sellers tools)

Viewed:

63 times

Topic:

This might be easier to read and understand.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xouyzacy23j59pl/Draft_Inventory_Movement_Log.pdf?dl=0

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 16, 2021 10:06

Subject:

Re: Marketplace Panel meeting minutes

Viewed:

70 times

Topic:

In Administrative, ErwinNL writes:

In Administrative, CE_Tanja writes:

Dear BrickLink members,

Please find the minutes from the first Marketplace Panel meeting.

Minutes from the first Marketplace Panel meeting May 20th. 2021

Agenda

- Panel member introductions

- Marketplace panel program presentation

- Workshop

- BrickLink vision

- Marketplace plan 2021 & Prioritization discussion

- Next steps

Ad. 1 Panel member introductions

We have selected the initial panel members based on criteria such as: Having
both buyers and sellers represented, BrickLink experience, ability to engage
in constructive dialogues about the future of BrickLink and ability to consider
the greater good for the BrickLink sellers and buyers.

The initial panel members are:

Constructibles, SimplyBricks, Dcarmine, Calsbricks, Erkiles, Legoman77, Faro,
BrickCoast

During this first part, all panel members introduced themselves and it is clear
that this is a diverse, multitalented group that are all passionate about BrickLink.

No doubt that this select group will be a fantastic first Marketplace panel.

Ad 2. Marketplace panel program presentation

The structure of the program had been shared with the panel ahead of the meeting,
so in this session, we mainly dug into the basics of the program and collaboration
principles:

4 annual meetings with an opportunity to impact the future development of the
BrickLink Marketplace

Between the meetings we will collaborate through a Teams channel, making it possible
for us to engage outside the meetings as well.

We aim to increase the number of members in the panel to a max of 14 people throughout
the next 1-2 years.

We will invite new members to the Panel annually, to ensure fresh perspectives
by shifting 50% of the panel members with new members meeting above criteria.
We will be promoting the opportunity to sign up for the panel in Q1 2022.

In our collaboration, we will be looking to the future as opposed to the past.

We will be mindful of one another in the dialogues we have, remembering that
we are all in this with the best of intentions.

This panel is focused on the Marketplace specifically. There will be other initiatives
similar to this one, that focus on e.g. Studio, The Catalog, etc.

Ad 3. Workshop

This being the first Panel meeting, we felt a need to make sure we got the frustrations
out of every one’s system, in order to be able to focus on the future of BrickLink,
as opposed to being stuck in the past. This was done in a workshop where everyone
was able to share frustrations but also the things, they love about BrickLink.

Ad 4. BrickLink vision

Marvin Park shared thoughts related to the vision and mission of BrickLink as
a platform through which LEGO fans can also realize their dream designs. As for
the long-term roadmap, it was highlighted how BrickLink marketplace and Studio
can evolve to meet diverse needs of the AFOL community and become an integral
part of the entire LEGO ecosystem.

Ad 5. Marketplace plan 2021 & Prioritization discussion

BrickLink’s new Senior Product Manager Stephen Wilhelm presented the current
Marketplace roadmap. This roadmap is now mainly focused on development related
to VAT compliance rules (initiatives that we are bound to by law and that we
are not able to de-prioritize) and initiatives intended to support e.g., the
ability to lower response rate for new seller verifications, etc. There are several
user experience related initiatives the BrickLink Marketplace team plans to work
on, but we are looking to the Marketplace Panel members to help us prioritize
what enhancements would provide the most value.

Aside from above, several focus areas that we have picked up based on input from
the BrickLink members in general were presented with the intention to prioritize
them. We were not able to finish the prioritization discussions completely at
this meeting, but a couple of things were highlighted as being critical to prioritize:

Seller tools (e.g., Inventory management, store management, seller page updates)

Continue modernization of the BrickLink platform. This is already ongoing, but
we aim to apply more resources later this year.

A few less critical but still impactful areas were introduced:

Telephone support and the ability to have expert engagers to reach out to

Order Item Refund Request (OIRR) & Refund enhancement

Rewriting storefront pages to support mobile / native.

Provide BrickLink shipping methods (preferably one shipping cost per customer)

Overhaul/update payment processes

The above list varies greatly in level of complexity, and we will need to take
all input in to consideration in upcoming plans. Status on above and long-term
plans will be shared in minutes from the next Panel meeting.

A few other things we will be looking in to due to the input from the panel:

Ability for Sellers to make use of BrickLink’s access to Google Analytics.

On-site payment and why some sellers choose not to use this option.

Shipping price calculations based on zones instead of weight (US specific)

Ad 6. Next steps

It was decided to disclose the BrickLink panel members to the general BrickLink
membership base, this is not to be seen as an invitation to reach out to the
panel members directly with input for the Panel, but a way to be transparent
about who is in the panel as per the request of many members. Any ill manor
targeted directly at the Panel members may result in abandonment from BrickLink.

We need everyone’s input!

We have recently taken input from all BrickLink members in the survey, and we
take input regularly in the NPS survey, this input has already played a huge
part in shaping the focus for BrickLink in general and will be part of shaping
the future of BrickLink also.

During the upcoming Panel meetings, we might come across items to prioritize
that are not straight forward, in terms of defining what is best for the majority
of BrickLink members, in these cases, we will have a poll among the members in
general in order to ensure solid facts to back the decisions.

Upcoming meetings

The next meetings are planned for August and November.

Reflections

No doubt that we are blessed to have members on BrickLink that are prepared to
spend hours in their busy lives, participating in dialogue to make sure that
we have the best outside-in perspective we can when deciding how to prioritize
our efforts on BrickLink going forward. This is not something we have been able
to prioritize to the same extent in the past (hence numerous understandable frustrations),
but it is something that we are committed to prioritizing going forward!

BrickLink members, you can be proud of your Panel members, they did an amazing
job in representing you. Everyone spoke freely about critical issues to be addressed,
this is highly appreciated because then we won't have to waste time (mis)interpreting
this and we can get moving on the things that matter.

We hope that you will read this and share any feedback you might have, in this
topic or directly to ce_tanja. We have just started this journey and we are happy
to take your input to the process and adjust along the way.

Thank you!

The BrickLink Team

This was a good read (full thread), thank you for doing this!

I am with Teup, fix the bugs, I am so frustrated about reported bugs not being
fixed, or even being acknowledged that I stopped reporting them.

Hi there

If you send us a pm I can provide further informationwhich may interest you and
Teup

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 16, 2021 08:32

Subject:

Re: Sellers tools - Query by Form (QBF)

Viewed:

35 times

Topic:

In General, calsbricks writes:

Sellers Tools – Query by Form

Here is an idea which could help both sellers and buyers using a simple Query
by form (qbf)

I am not a software screen or form designer but the fields could be something
like this:

Top half of screen

Lot No/Product Code Lot no brings up product description, clour and condition;
Product
code lets you key in colour and condition
Colour Bricklink colour
Condition Bricklink conditions
Date Range Could include all or various ranges including custom
Sort on Could have default or by any of the array fields
Transaction Type Should show Manual add, order, adjustment; part out; mass upload,
etc

Once those key choices are made the system then goes and finds the transactions
that fit your criteria

The array fields should show at least the following

Qty
Date
TransType
Reference
Unit Value
Total value
Balance

Could make the array a lot more complex with avg value calculated etc, costing
etc but initially this QBF would be of value to sellers and could be used by
buyers to see their buying history by product

If I forgot anything you think might be useful, please feel free to comment/add.

Okay - a private message said pictures are worth a lot more than words as well
as offering some additional thoughts. Please see embedded (done in Word)

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 15, 2021 11:01

Subject:

Sellers tools - update

Viewed:

132 times

Topic:

Just had an interesting PM regarding the above. Feasible ? don't know but
it could deal with lots of the requirements.

Technology has moved on in leaps and bounds since the original B:L was written
- we are all aware of that. One of the tools that lingers around now in a variety
of forms is the use of dashboard. There are a significant number of 3rd party
vendors who produce tools for creation as well as implying their software will
provide dashboards for most database applications

Worth a look Bricklink ?

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 15, 2021 10:48

Subject:

Re: Sellers tools - Query by Form (QBF)

Viewed:

24 times

Topic:

In General, ErwinNL writes:

In General, calsbricks writes:

I made a search feature like this, one that you can use to filter orders and
it is really useful for administration, research on what sells, finding orders
with specific pieces, etc.

+1

We have something similar in our internal system and it works great. Would be
very useful here.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 15, 2021 10:31

Subject:

Sellers tools - Query by Form (QBF)

Viewed:

97 times

Topic:

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 10, 2021 03:37

Subject:

Re: Sellers Tools ?????

Viewed:

58 times

Topic:

In General, jhess writes:

i guess the bottom line is this: if you want all that stuff then sign up to be
a legit lego retailer and they'll hook you up.

https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/help/fun-for-fans/more-about-us/selling-lego-products-in-your-shop-408100000008300

Tried that many years ago when we had a sore front - just joined the queue. Having
said that the TLG employees that we have spoken to think Bricklink is wonderful
for getting at information, so what does that tell you?

In General, calsbricks writes:

Sellers tools – what should that Include

We think the following minimum areas of functionality should be included

1. Allow stores to have staff with their own password and levels of access
2. Allow more parameters for stores in all areas on the site, especially store
settings, and templates
3. Inventory management – complex area perhaps split between standard and advanced
4. Sales metrics
a. Ability to see the reality of what is selling and where and of course , for
how much
5. Costing – could be included in advanced inventory management
6. More queries by form
7. Changes to My Inventory page including multidimensional filters and more update
capabilities especially to do with pricing
8. More printing and report options both for the seller, with other filters available
such as country, region, all etc, as well as buyers.

Those items, which are by no means exhaustive, are fine for starters. What could
happen is polls to be run to consolidate the multitude of opinions and suggestions
from which design work could take place, ultimately leading to programming, testing,
documentation and release.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 9, 2021 14:10

Subject:

Re: Sellers Tools ?????

Viewed:

40 times

Topic:

In General, ErwinNL writes:

In General, calsbricks writes:

Your comments are noted and in the main very factual. You never, however get
anything that you don't ask for (or something like that.) The tools were
promised by JK in his takeover in 2013 but MP had other ideas and we got Mosaick
Stud.io, and other bits and bobs no one wanted. They continue working on xp -
another project which, in many peoples view is not wanted, so with the myriad
of what is going on now and the involvement TLG are now taking who knows.

I agree, keep asking, you never know, and it can start a nice discussion between
sellers and, who knows, BL admins

agreed and never fear it wI'll stay in front as fa as we are concerned.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 9, 2021 14:08

Subject:

Re: Sellers Tools ?????

Viewed:

35 times

Topic:

In General, KaijuHunter writes:

In General, calsbricks writes:

While the sellers might not care for XP, there are more people buying than selling,
and those people would be much happier buying from a site that doesn't look
like a geocities shopping cart.

you might find that buyers go where the product is and I think it is more than
fair to say if xp, as it currently stands, becomes the standard, will not be
here

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 9, 2021 14:04

Subject:

Re: Sellers Tools ?????

Viewed:

35 times

Topic:

In General, Mevitsbricks writes:

In General, calsbricks writes:

In General, ErwinNL writes:

In General, calsbricks writes:

This is work for multiple years, I have implemented some of these things in my
project, and I am nowhere close to finished. Some of the things you suggested
will never be added, it is just not financially interesting to spent huge amounts
of time on features that are rarely used.

BL is really busy with their Tax & VAT implementations, XP is still being developed,
they are way too busy with their designer project, I doubt they will have time
for huge (enormous) projects like this but I wish they would implement some of
it.

I have also learned that there are as many workflows on BL as there are sellers,
and it is impossible to make everyone happy. making a top-wanted-feature list,
one with good arguments and descriptions, wouldn't be a bad idea, I'd
love to see what sellers want, but I am not expecting BL to implement any of
it, there needs to be a major change in how BL communicates and works before
that happens.

As a developer, BL is not really helpful either, their API is incomplete and
outdated, ToS is restrictive, and the number of calls you can make is not enough
to make real management tools possible, I rarely get replies from support, and
bugs aren't fixed.

As you might notice, I am not full of confidence that either BL or independent
devs would get this done.

Sorry, rant.

have no fear :d

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 9, 2021 12:27

Subject:

Re: Sellers Tools ?????

Viewed:

53 times

Topic:

In General, ErwinNL writes:

In General, calsbricks writes:

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 9, 2021 11:19

Subject:

Re: Sellers Tools ?????

Viewed:

35 times

Topic:

In General, enig writes:

* Allow multiple VAT percentages *and* to exclude certain items from VAT all-together.
In many countries different product categories have different VAT% than the standard
rate

I.e. Printed Media ; Used goods ; Clothing/footwear

* Re-work lot consolidating when uploading inventory. I have not tested it to
see what exactly is going on, but if you have multiple lots of the same item
it seems that consolidating defaults to the smallest lot ID. Even if there already
is a newer bulk-lot and even if it matches the bulk-size

Good points especially on the VAT UK systems have either a vat code against each
product or each type of expense (Partially exempt organisations)

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 9, 2021 11:16

Subject:

Re: Sellers Tools ?????

Viewed:

54 times

Topic:

In General, mooselover writes:

In General, calsbricks writes:

Sellers tools – what should that Include

We think the following minimum areas of functionality should be included

1. Allow stores to have staff with their own password and levels of access

I think that around 99% of stores would not need this functionality. It would
be nice to have, but in terms of need vs time spent making it happen, this would
probably be a very low-priority item

Not sure where you got your figures from but small stores are not what Bricklink
are interested in. Some of the larger stores in Germany have 20+ employees and
a suitable system would be helpful. If a smaller store does not need it then
they wouldn't use it.

2. Allow more parameters for stores in all areas on the site, especially store
settings, and templates

This is vague. What, specifically, would you like to see here? - Meant to be - far too many areas to mention. Would come out in the polls.

3. Inventory management – complex area perhaps split between standard and advanced

Again, vague. What would you like it to do? - far too comlicated to get into detail here - oncde again the polls and ultimately the design docuent.

4. Sales metrics

YES YES YES YES YES - well we can see where y our interest lies. Maybe after you have been her a bit longer and gained a lot more excperience you will change your opinions.

My most wanted feature isn't seller-specific, but applies to the whole site.
I'd love to see better/easier ways to find the specific part I want. I'm
currently inputting my initial inventory and even when I know the part number
(or think I do), it can be next to impossible to find that part.
Example: parts with multiple molds. Put in the part number and you get an error
saying it can't be found. You have to know in advance that it's the number
with an a, b, c or something after it. It should be able to still find the part
from the number, then show you links to the variations of it.
I find myself using rebrickable for this functionality... it's far, far,
FAR easier to find parts on there, and they provide a bricklink link right on
their page. That gets me to the right spot on BL, but it's a pain, especially
when you've got 100K pieces to input.
Worse: pieces that are printed. On rebrickable, you put in the part number for
the main part, then it shows you thumbnails of all the printed variations of
that part (especially helpful for tiles!). BL's method of finding a specific
print is time-consuming, frustrating, and difficult. Again, I tend to launch
rebrickable, find the piece on there, then use their link back to bricklink.

Here is a perfect example of lack of experience. If you are looking for a part
that has variants or not sure whether it does or not simply use the part number
e.g. 4085 followed by an * and they will all appear.

Perhaps BL has better searching tools or tricks that I'm not aware of and
all of the things I mentioned are already 'fixed.' If that's the
case, then what needs to change is the user interface that makes users aware
that these tools exist and makes it easier to find them... because it's not
intuitive at all right n

Most people would agree the user interface needs modernization and the documentation
also needs updating but thaqt should be part of their overall goals, not specific
to sewllers tools..

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 9, 2021 10:20

Subject:

Sellers Tools ?????

Viewed:

242 times

Topic:

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 9, 2021 09:21

Subject:

Re: Bricklink Part Out feature

Viewed:

56 times

Topic:

In Problem, Teup writes:

In Problem, calsbricks writes:

The Bricklink part out feature needs work and a revisit

For almost 10 years we have been using Brickstock to do our part outs and then
uploading the xml file to Bricklink. Due to the recent changes to the catalogue
surrounding minifig to minifigure this has become laborious (Minifig images and
price information will not load into Brickstock). I know about Brickstore and
am considering it but the part out in BL is archaic to say the least. No permanent
record of the parting out other than a part out log which says you parted out
this set with no backup information whatsoever. It also causes problems with
pricing because you cannot see your existing prices without a lot of fiddling.

Bricklink needs to combine the features of the 3rd party products to offer a
fully functional part out facility and it needs to store the results of the part
out not just a date in the log.

I wonder if this is in the “sellers tools” functionality that has been talked
about for 8 years now and really has not materialised.

Lots of development time on conformance – fine that is required but what else
is going on? Please do not tell me it is XP

You're right, this is long overdue. It's error prone and doesn't
offer a lot of functionality. But since it apparently takes 10 months and counting
to even fix parts appearing in the correct order like they have for 20 years
(e.g. plates in ascending dimensions), I'm not even in the mood to start
brainstorming on what needs to be done. However, if LEGO wants my input, on a
panel or something, they can ask for it and I will give it.

Is that a hint? ??

Tanja are you listening?

For one thing, it's just silly that there even are boxes for things like
prices or remarks when on the previous screen you've said you want to use
the old data. So that's a whole lot of UI greebles that don't do anything.
Just a small thing but it contributes to making it confusing.

Yesw I am sure we could all go on about what is needed adn would be willing to
help draw up a list of requirements for them to build a design around - maybe
the panel is the place for that. We shall see.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 9, 2021 09:17

Subject:

Re: Bricklink Part Out feature

Viewed:

46 times

Topic:

In Problem, SylvainLS writes:

In Problem, calsbricks writes:

[…] Due to the recent changes to the catalogue
surrounding minifig to minifigure this has become laborious (Minifig images and
price information will not load into Brickstock). […]

Hmm, are you sure it’s not because BrickLink ditched insecure TLS 1.0 on its
servers and BrickStock has not been updated in a while and is thus unable to
use TLS 1.2 or 1.3?

No we are not sure however everything other than minifigs works, so it would
be difficult to see how all other items would work and minifigs will not - especially
as that had a category name change to minfigures

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 9, 2021 08:48

Subject:

Bricklink Part Out feature

Viewed:

157 times

Topic:

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 2, 2021 12:38

Subject:

Re: In a nutshell

Viewed:

43 times

Topic:

In General, Teup writes:

In General, calsbricks writes:

In time maybe the missing features will be added, only Bricklink knows that at
present.

Come on, don't overestimate Bricklink

Would I ever

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 2, 2021 10:26

Subject:

The nutshell we were referring to

Viewed:

203 times

Topic:

Try this one for size

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 2, 2021 10:17

Subject:

Re: In a nutshell

Viewed:

69 times

Topic:

In General, popsicle writes:

In General, calsbricks writes:

More points than what fits "in a nutshell" but okay. I'm interested in this
statement "Seeing a pattern? We do" would you mind expanding on it?

-Clueless (member formerly known as popsicle

)

Yes - we will leave it to your very vivid imagination

In time maybe the missing features will be added, only Bricklink knows that at
present. In the meantime we have a great deal of sympathy for those that are
caught up in this, both buyers, who are going to pay more and sellers who will
have an additional administrative burden and cost landed on them (You pay Paypal
or Stripe fees based on the total value of the orger (Which includes VAR, where
appropriate. Still that isn’t a lot is it?

I have left out lots of complicated bits here as that was not the point, How
is Bricklink going to know if a sellers turnover reaches 10k in a 12 month period,
for example unless the seller declares it.

Good fun and always, yes always a challenge.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 2, 2021 06:15

Subject:

In a nutshell

Viewed:

286 times

Topic:

OK the EU Marketplace VAT changes are released and in the throes of being examined,
and as pretty much normal, there are things missing. That is not new. We are
still waiting for the sales tax exemption for the US and that was a long time
ago. We are also still waiting on the zip code pricing for the US, as well as
weight and volume based pricing for most of Europe (Lots have workarounds for
this). We must not forget the margin scheme in all of tjhis – yet another complication

All sellers who have not implemented an onsite payment method are not affected
by these changes as Bricklink has limited the payment methods to either Paypal
or Stripe, where they have an arrangement to collect the monies directly before
the seller gets paid.

If you have implemented onsite payments then you are affected one way or the
other. Depends on what country you are in or selling from and also has a dependency
on your cumulative turnover in the EU currently 10k euros, (That hasn’t been
implemented yet either) Seeing a pattern ? we do. Big picture design and programming
works well in some circumstances but not all, the same as agile development

In time maybe the missing features will be added, only Bricklink knows that at
present. In the meantime we have a great deal of sympathy for those that are
caught up in this, both buyers, who are going to pay more and sellers who will
have an additional administrative burden and cost landed on them (You pay Paypal
or Stripe fees based on the total value of the orger (Which includes VAR, where
appropriate. Still that isn’t a lot is it?

I have left out lots of complicated bits here as that was not the point, How
is Bricklink going to know if a sellers turnover reaches 10k in a 12 month period,
for example unless the seller declares it.

Good fun and always, yes always a challenge.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 1, 2021 07:16

Subject:

Re: New EU Marketplace Tax Solution is Now Live

Viewed:

66 times

Topic:

In Administrative, Erikmax writes:

In Administrative, Stellar writes:

In Administrative, kaat writes:

In Administrative, Teup writes:

In Administrative, Brick.Store writes:

Affected are all sellers in the EU that are over 10,000 €.

Although there's no excuse for it not working, as far as I can see it doesn't
need to be a serious problem, right? I mean, you already had to do your invoicing
outside of Bricklink (if only for the fact the invoice on Bricklink cannot include
an invoice number). So you can also apply the buyer country's VAT percentage
manually. So, the inc.VAT amount would remain the same for all EU buyers but
on the backend you charge a different VAT percentage.
Also, I think the sales up to July don't count for the limit, so you still
have some time to use the old system (if not the full remainder of this year,
and a part of next year if your book year starts in January).

This is exactly what I end up doing. Simply remove 21% dutch VAT for non-domestic
EU sales and readd the correct EU VAT myself. This means I'll lose a bit
on sales to countries with a higher VAT % and gain a little when the VAT % is
lower. At least then you can track sales with the correct VAT in your own book
keeping and report it at the end of the quarter.

OneStopShop is voluntary when below 10K but I already subscribed simply because
I don't want to have to start using all the different VAT percentages in
the middle of the quarter (when you're about to go over the threshold). And
when you already know you need to do it sooner or later, better do it from the
start.

So you need to work around it for now

Most likely automate it, as it's
not funny doing this manually.

Yeah, as I expected Bricklink to not comply with EU law to this date that is
what I thought to do too. Hope no worker from EU VAT compliance checks Bricklink's
big sellers and they don't display prices with the correct VAT...

Deep inside me I had still a bit of faith, but I don't know why...

And there is another point. What consequences will this have for the non-registered
sellers? I presume all files of export sales will now have to be handed over
to the taxman. I wonder what solutions Bricklink will have to tackle both the
margin regulations and the privat sellers.

There is a little bit of a twist to that. Non registered sellers who do not offer
onsite payments cannot make sales to any one other than domestic and a few countries
where tax is not in situ.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jul 1, 2021 06:37

Subject:

Re: New EU Marketplace Tax Solution is Now Live

Viewed:

68 times

Topic:

In Administrative, Teup writes:

In Administrative, Brick.Store writes:

In Administrative, Teup writes:

In Administrative, Brick.Store writes:

Affected are all sellers in the EU that are over 10,000 €.

It is no more time to use the old system because:

Determination of the turnover threshold 2021
For the assessment of the place of supply in the taxable period 2021, the following
must also be included to be included, which were executed in the calendar year
2020 and in the 1st half of 2021.

This means that if the turnover threshold has already been exceeded in the calendar
year 2020 or in the 1st half of 2021, from July 1, 2021 onwards, from the first
turnover onwards, for all within the EU

or

Do I fall under the obligation to report to the OSS if I have already exceeded
the threshold of 10,000 euros in 2020?

Yes. The supply threshold of 10,000 euros (net) also applies in advance. If the
threshold of 10,000 euros was exceeded in 2020, then the obligation to report
to the OSS applies from July 1, 2021.

Here is an excerpt from a FAQ

3. from when is the tax liability due?

The sale that leads to crossing the delivery threshold is the sale from which
the tax liability becomes due. If the threshold has already been reached in 2020
or in the first two quarters of 2021, then any sale will be subject to tax from
July 1. If the delivery threshold of 10,000 euros (net) is not reached until
September 2021, for example, then tax is not due until then.

4. When must the first report and the first payment be made in the OSS procedure?

The first report covering the 3rd quarter of 2021 (July, August, September) must
be submitted no later than October 31. 30 days after the end of the reporting
period, the payment period ends.

5. Is it possible to waive claiming the delivery threshold and pay tax directly
from the first euro in the destination country?

Yes, this is possible.

6. Do I fall under the obligation to report to the OSS if I have already exceeded
the threshold of 10,000 euros in 2020?

Yes. The supply threshold of 10,000 euros (net) also applies in advance. If the
threshold of 10,000 euros was exceeded in 2020, then the obligation to report
to the OSS applies from July 1, 2021.

7. Are shipping costs used to calculate whether the delivery threshold has
been exceeded?

Yes.

8. I have already exceeded the delivery threshold of 10,000 euros in Q1 2021.
Do I now have to report every remote sale through the OSS starting July 1?

Yes. If you have already exceeded the delivery threshold in 2021 or already in
2020, then you must report through the OSS starting July 1, 2021 if you want
to use the OSS.

Example 9: A German trader sells goods to Austria and France. When does he
become liable for tax in the two EU countries?

As long as the sales to Austria and France together amount to less than 10,000
euros, the German VAT rate of 19 percent or the reduced rate of 7 percent applies.
As soon as the sales to other EU countries exceed 10,000 euros, for example if
the entrepreneur has sold goods worth 6,000 euros to Austria and goods worth
4,001 euros to France, the entrepreneur becomes liable to pay tax in both countries.

Then each additional euro must be taxed in France at the French VAT rate (usually
20 percent). Each additional euro earned in Austria must be taxed at the Austrian
rate (usually 20 percent).

However, reporting and taxation can be done together via the One-Stop-Shop and
the taxes for both Austria and France are then forwarded to the Tax Office, which
handles the distribution of taxes to the respective EU countries.

Quelle: https://www.haendlerbund.de/de/news/aktuelles/rechtliches/3769-faq-one-stop-shop-umsatzsteuer#meldepflicht%202020

Thanks for that info, I just studied the page of the Dutch tax agency closely
and it seems these implementations vary per country. According to the Dutch tax
agency, you must use VAT per coutnry once you have passed the 10.000 limit in
that booking year. So, technically, you could use domestic VAT every year until
you reach the limit and then switch to VAT per country (it says you would need
to do so starting from the first invoice that exceeds the limit in that year).

Okay you are now just serving hobbyists on Bricklink and we are now only serving
domestic customers (No onsite payment option). Good fun and maybe, just maybe
other doors will open. Straanger things have happened.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jun 25, 2021 05:00

Subject:

Re: Warning, be careful sellers using Stripe.

Viewed:

110 times

Topic:

Payment Methods

In Payment Methods, GraysBricks writes:

This has been mentioned before but I thought it best to let others sellers know
my latest experience.

Stripe seem to have targeted me are not satisfied with my bricklink store url
or domain redirect to ' verify ' my business. They are therefore stopping
payouts so I have had to disable for now on Bricklink .

I have been very clear to them about Lego and Bricklink and invited them to look
to see its all genuine but that don't seem interested.

It would be very helpful to have an alternative in the future so sellers could
choose between services.

Below is the email that started the talk with them that is still ongoing. I
have responded to their questions but it doesn't look promising.

----------------------

Thanks for using Stripe!

We're reaching out today to request some information about your company’s
business model that we couldn’t verify using your website and Stripe account
details.

It is important that Stripe knows what businesses are selling, in order to make
sure that your transactions abide by our Terms of Service and are appropriately
categorized in the payments ecosystem. We would appreciate if you could please
reply to this email with the following information:

What products or services do you plan to sell through Stripe?

We’d like to learn about your typical customers. Who’s your target audience?

Specifically, could you provide details around products/inventory, pricing, shipping
details, and customer-vetting processes, if applicable?

We have paused payouts to your bank account until we are able to verify what
you’re selling. Once we hear back from you, we will review your information within
24-48 hours. We’ll let you know when we’ve confirmed your business information
and resumed payouts to your account.

Let's see now - we have Paypal for Marketplaces whose terms are ridiculous,
providing complete control of your funds to the marketplace facilitator and Stripe
who do not seem to be aware that Bricklink is part of Lego now - good choices,
really

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jun 24, 2021 02:41

Subject:

Re: BrickLink and the new EU VAT e-commerce rules

Viewed:

67 times

Topic:

In Administrative, Admin_Russell writes:

BrickLink VAT Changes Due to new EU VAT e-commerce Rules

Dear BrickLink members,

Following the introduction of the new rules for online marketplaces, BrickLink
will enable its VAT collection for goods imported into the European Union (EU)
on July 1, 2021 to comply with the new EU VAT Marketplace rules. Below is an
overview of these changes:

Changes at a glance:

1) EU buyers will see VAT exclusive prices from non-EU sellers and EU buyers
will see VAT inclusive prices from VAT-registered EU sellers.

2) BrickLink will collect and remit VAT on orders delivered to EU addresses imported
into their EU Member State from a non-EU country up to a value of €150 (not including
additional costs i.e. shipping insurance, etc.). For orders over €150 imported
to their EU Member State, the seller/buyer may need to pay VAT consistent with
the import country’s standard VAT rate as part of clearing the goods through
customs.

3) EU VAT will be added during the checkout process (where applicable) and at
the receipt of the final invoice and will not be included in the item price.

4) Where BrickLink is responsible for collecting VAT on orders sent to an EU
delivery address, this amount will be shown separately at checkout.

5) EU sellers that sell more than €10,000 of goods within the EU (but excluding
domestic transactions) per year will be required to be VAT registered in each
EU Member State it sells to or will need to register for the One Stop Shop (OSS)
scheme.

What this means for sellers:

1) If you are a non-EU seller and you want to sell goods to EU buyers, you will
need to opt-in to BrickLink’s on-site payment method.

2) In case of refunds, we encourage sellers to use the BrickLink refund feature
to ensure the correct amount of VAT gets refunded. The refund page can be accessed
from the Issue Refund link on the order detail page.

3) Sellers should list the items in their inventory exclusive of VAT and any
other taxes/fees to ensure price consistency in the Price Guide.

More information will be posted on dedicated Help and FAQ pages closer to the
release date.

Thank you,

The BrickLink Team

Hiya

Although not currently the 'law' for display of vat prices the recommended
practice is shown below.

Sites that sell to both consumers and businesses such as Staples ask the question
when you log on as to whether you wish to see vat inclusive or exclusive prices.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jun 19, 2021 01:27

Subject:

Re: Packing Dimensions - Seller Tools

Viewed:

52 times

Topic:

In Catalog, BigBBricks writes:

Thanks for the awesome update Russell! I'm looking forward to all the announcements
and especially more emails in the future. Keep up the great work!

I was wondering if the development team had thought about the differences between
European/Asian shipping requirements vs. USA and how that effects the order?
We depend a lot less on the dimensions of an element and primarily on the weight
in part-based selling. The problem arises when the element/part in the catalog
gets listed as volume based (not set, that makes sense) and automatic checkout
no longer works for that element, discouraging people from buying.

Since the team is just really starting to dig into the seller tools and seem
to be taking requests, please consider using different zones based on shippers
location when BL forces an element to the volume based shipping. It causes more
issues stateside (your primary market) by limiting sale of that element via auto-checkout
until dimensions are entered or the seller manually changes it back to weight
based.

We're all just trying to sling our brick as quickly and accurately as possible,
things like changing elements to volume without having dimensions makes that
more difficult. Thank you for your time.

- Big B

Hiya Big B

Just ran this on our inventory and came up with 1050 lots - lots of work to do.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jun 15, 2021 01:44

Subject:

New UK CN22

Viewed:

117 times

Topic:

If not registered for VAT what should go in the VAT registration box?

Thanks. Not applicable or not registered - are we allowed to do that? or are
the new silly rules about registering overseas now in effect?

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jun 13, 2021 03:18

Subject:

Re: A sad day to say the least

Viewed:

97 times

Topic:

In General, wildchicken13 writes:

In General, calsbricks writes:

[…] and total for the moths wewre between 2000 and 3000. […]

That's a lot of moths!

I wouldn't necessarily assume this to be indicative of long-term trends,
though. Summer is always slow, and with many countries relaxing COVID-19 restrictions,
I expect this summer to be even slower.

certainly is

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jun 11, 2021 09:08

Subject:

Paypal issues

Viewed:

149 times

Topic:

Not affecting everyone it seems but at least 500 of us in the UK have not been
able to log into Paypal since 0700 this morning. First they told us it was a
security issue, then they changed their mind and said it was an issue with one
of the phone companies and just now they said no chance of it getting fixed today
- try tomorrow. What a way to run a business.

Good grief Charlie Brown.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jun 3, 2021 10:56

Subject:

The New Brickstore

Viewed:

206 times

Topic:

Related Software

Are print templates created in Ntickstock supported in the new Brickstore?

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

May 27, 2021 13:46

Subject:

Re: Lego Ownership of Bricklink

Viewed:

79 times

Topic:

Announce

In Announce, StickyBrickit writes:

So it's been quite a while now since the bolt out of the blue announcement
that Lego had acquired this site. I remember at first there was quite a lot of
concern that they would ruin the site, or at least have an overall negative impact.
However I haven't really noticed any difference so far (perhaps a bit more
downtime from the server?).

Just wondering what other people's thoughts are now that they've had
control of the site for a while. Better, worse, about the same?

Probably still too early to tell, Large corporations take a long time normally
to assimilate small acquisitions. Although the product is the same, that is where
the similarity ends. Different styles, thoughts and vision need to find common
ground to move forward and that may not be the case yet.BL is also a very mixed
and diverse community with small hobbyist sellers and much larger stores with
multiple employees. It still is the best place to find product but not the best
for certain types of stores who rely on information not the 'seat of their
trousers' to develop.

Having read the entire thread it is a good and very relevant question , but the
answers are not as easy as understanding the OP post.

Check back in a ouple years time

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

May 16, 2021 13:20

Subject:

These don't normally get too far but ....

Viewed:

321 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

Could the programmers take a half hour and add the following information to the
my inventory detail pages as appropriate. It would be a step that would help
in reconciling inventory quantities (It won't do it all but it will help)

The information has to be held somewhere in the system and it only, for the moment,
needs to populate when someone adds to a lot. It can help sellers to back track
to when they last added this item.

It is not a complex programming effort.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Apr 22, 2021 10:40

Subject:

Brown (Old) 3957

Viewed:

75 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

We have 2 of these in stock and were about to submit a photo (none in catalogue)
when we saw that whilst it is listed as a known colour it is not shown in any
sets. I thought that was not the policy - if not in set not a known colour???

Clarification, please.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Apr 6, 2021 09:57

Subject:

Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature

Viewed:

63 times

Topic:

In Catalog, jennnifer writes:

In Catalog, tec writes:

My friend here likes this post

That's a beauty! I definitely need one of those.

Jen

Or you might want one of these

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Mar 21, 2021 08:45

Subject:

Just a thought

Viewed:

146 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

In 13 years on the site I do not believe much as been implemmented that has been
suggested but here is another one to ponder.

Several times a year there are problems on the site regarding e-mails being sent
out. That pertains to either notifies, order notifications, etc. Most recently
there is a problem again with notifies. With orders you can simply check your
order detail page and see if there is something new on there. But with notifies
if you do not receive an email you have nothing. No idea whether the messages
went out nor to how many buyers. And even more importantly you cannot re-do it.
Opportunity lost for both your store and of course, Bricklink. Quite a dilemma
really as apart from your store page (And that is more than limited for this
day and age)there is no other marketing tool available to sellers.

What if the following were implemented

Create a notify log similar to the part out log (which is pretty underwhelming,
but at least it is something).

The notifies log could be created using a query on the SQL transaction log and
it could look something like this in the first instance:

Date No Lots (uniques) No Notifies Status
20/03/2021 333 1257 Success
21/03/2021 158 754 Success

This might take a non-sql person an hour or so to write the code but it would
be worth its weight in gold to sellers. The no of notifies could be a link to
the calendar file which shows the uniques listed and the status, provided it
shows success at least lets you know they were sent out.

Any thoughts?

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Feb 22, 2021 06:15

Subject:

Re: Brexit

Viewed:

54 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, bje writes:

In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:

In Suggestions, patpendlego writes:

...

The OMP is liable. Not just for VAT, but also for the transaction to the buyer.
A BrickLink Order has become a transaction between 3 parties: the buyer, the
(overseas) seller, and BrickLink is now involed too.

All this because governments/countries want to VAT low valued transactions because
of the high volume and thus high 'income' there is to gain by taxing.

So, what does the seller's invoice look like?

The seller is not invoicing anymore. BrickLink is. The seller is merely a third-party
provider allowing BrickLink to sell their items. The customer buys from BrickLink.
E.g. like bol.com

If that becomes the case, and it has already been said by admin it won't
be (at least for the UK)

Hmm, no actually, irrespective of admin says, there is something called a law.

As long as BL is registered as a marketplace, then they have to collect the VAT,
invoice the customer and be responsible for the goods, as Arnoud said. Sellers
are only fulfillment partners, like on Amazon.

If they do not meet ALL of the requirements for an OMP, they should not have
registered as such. They can still change their registration to an ordinary vendor
and actually inform sellers what they are doing while waiting. This dense wall
of non-communication about what they are doing is what is causing the confusion,
not HMRC or tax experts or whatever.

If they jumped the gun and thought they are the same as an American marketplace
for sales tax purposes, then they should just say so and fix it. It does not
take months and years to fix either. Tax is after all a question of law and fact.
If you factually do not meet the requirements for a legal registration, then
you go change it until you meet what is required. This is not a tax issue, it
is not a tax expert issue, it is not an HMRC issue, it is not even a VAT issue.
It is a management issue which must be managed for the benefit for all stakeholders.

Here is what an online marketplace for UK VAT purposes is - note the requirements
must ALL be met, else the platform cannot collect VAT as a platform and can only
collect VAT on their own turnover.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-and-overseas-goods-sold-to-customers-in-the-uk-using-online-marketplaces
What is a marketplace?
"HMRC’s definition of an online marketplace is a business using a website
or mobile phone app (such as a marketplace, platform or portal) to handle the
sale of goods to customers which meets all of the following conditions:

in any way sets the terms and conditions on how goods are supplied to the
customer
is involved in any way in authorising or facilitating customers’ payments
is involved in the ordering or delivery of the goods

A business will not be classed as an online marketplace if it only provides one
of the following services:

processing of payments for the supply of the goods to the customer
listing or advertisement of goods
redirection or transferring of customers to other websites or mobile phone
apps where goods are offered for sale, without any further involvement in any
sale that might take place on that website or app"

then a lot of stores will disappear. They have said
repeatedly that they have no plans on charging vat on orders in the UK, other
than import/export situation.

It would be dependent on what the domestic situation is for fulfillment partners
in terms of the actual laws enacted. Here, the platform takes the sale, is responsible
and collects and pays VAT, irrespective if the local partner is registered or
not. The VAT status of the domestic partner is immaterial.

With all due respect, that is what XP will be anyway, and because they are dumping
all the V3 stuff to the classic site to amke XP work, it will have to go that
way. What is the use of saying you do not have to have onsite as a store, but
then buyers cannot checkout if you do not have onsite?

Mind you all of this is total speculation and that was mentioned by Russell in
this thread. They are lagging behind on getting this done, which is also increasingly
worrying. When it comes to making progrtammin chnages haste makes waste and they
are very much aware of that.

I don't think there is a development team. There is a maintenance team (probably
plumbers) who comes in once a month and sweeps the floor.

Hi Jean trust you are keeping safe and well

I pretty much agree with all you are saying but even that leaves all kinds of
questions. How have they registered as an OMP or not - they haven't said
directly. Russell has maintained in several threads and messages that the UK
will be treated differently to the EU. We will see about that.

As for collecting vat on orders he has denied that on several occasions. Hard
to go back on that now and it would be worse than spaghetti code trying to sort
that out. UK sellers prices are inclusive of VAT otherwise the seller is writing
off 20^ off the top and that is not healthy. So major changes would have to be
put in place to create fairness and transparency in pricing.

As for xp it has now been around for several years and to be honest we have nothing
- the claims that it will sit alongside classic are just to keep stores happy
as no one wants to maintain 2 separate systems. XP, in ours, and many others
opinions will not succeed for the majority of parts stores - it might work for
sets and one time buyers but the concept is wrong and unless they go back to
the drawing board (and they are not known for doing that) it will kill the site,
in our opinion or at least change the dimensions.

Having said all that the crystal ball is very murky over this entire thing. Lack
of detailed communication and much speculation just creates 'fake news'
really and we have had enough of that.

They definitely need to work more closely with the 'stakeholders' which
we thought would happen when TLG took over, but Bricklink are a small element
of a very large corporation so how much weight they carry remains to be seen.

Anyway take care of yourself and family - get your jab when you can and in the
meantime keep safe

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Feb 22, 2021 03:56

Subject:

Re: Brexit

Viewed:

64 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, patpendlego writes:

In Suggestions, Teup writes:

In Suggestions, patpendlego writes:

In Suggestions, Teup writes:
[snip]

Everything is just so backwards, I am not a tax expert by a long shot but let's
just look at this from a logic perspective:

If it was legally valid to write "Bricklink order" on your invoice, then the
EU and the UK would have had an emergency meeting by now because they realised
that almost all of the international trade is being labelled "Bricklink order"

It can't work like that. So yeah, EITHER Bricklink is the seller and WE sell
to Bricklink - thus a US export, export to US rules apply - OR we sell to the
customer in their country AND that country's rules apply.

From the persective of the seller, these are simply the only two ways. As a seller
you need to have invoices that mention the country, and then apply the rules
for THAT country. There is only "United States" or "United Kingdom". There's
simply no such thing as "United Kingdom-but-it's-a-Bricklink-order-and-Bricklink-said-it's-fine"

Or am I too pessimstic about the amount of patience tax agencies have when doing
audits and people come up with stories about platform selling (without hard evidence)?

Read the link below, this is not something new. The UK already started in 2016
with quote: "special provisions for online marketplaces".

http://kluwertaxblog.com/2020/02/26/online-marketplaces-and-eu-vat-global-reach-but-compliance-still-local/

These changes to come have been known for 4 years up until Jan 1, 2021.

The OMP is liable. Not just for VAT, but also for the transaction to the buyer.
A BrickLink Order has become a transaction between 3 parties: the buyer, the
(overseas) seller, and BrickLink is now involed too.

All this because governments/countries want to VAT low valued transactions because
of the high volume and thus high 'income' there is to gain by taxing.

So, what does the seller's invoice look like?

The seller is not invoicing anymore. BrickLink is. The seller is merely a third-party
provider allowing BrickLink to sell their items. The customer buys from BrickLink.
E.g. like bol.com

If that becomes the case, and it has already been said by admin it won't
be (at least for the UK) then a lot of stores will disappear. They have said
repeatedly that they have no plans on charging vat on orders in the UK, other
than import/export situation.

Mind you all of this is total speculation and that was mentioned by Russell in
this thread. They are lagging behind on getting this done, which is also increasingly
worrying. When it comes to making progrtammin chnages haste makes waste and they
are very much aware of that.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Feb 21, 2021 09:02

Subject:

Re: Brexit

Viewed:

88 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, patpendlego writes:

In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:

In Suggestions, patpendlego writes:

In Suggestions, bje writes:

In Suggestions, patpendlego writes:

In Suggestions, Teup writes:

In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:

In Suggestions, mvfisker writes:

Just wondering.
Chose "European Union" as seller - and Great Britain sellers still came up. Shouldn't
that be changed now after Brexit?
Cheers, Morten

Bricklink time is currently somewhere in about 2004.

I think they already had websites with timezones in 2004..

TLG had big plans with BrickLink but is choking now..

BrickLink is busy with USA sales taxes, we really should not expect multitasking
in their attempts to break things. They did say they will address the Brexit
issues before 5 February (they did not say which aeon though).

No, we should expect. After all we pay fees for this site. It was long time known
Brexit was coming, they should have been ready for it.

As almost everyone on this forum knows I am not Bricklink's biggest fan as
far as developmenet work goes however I think in this case it is fair to say
that the UK hasn't yet got it right and neither does the rest of the EU -
Just look at the below from a site we use regularly. (Don't forget we still
have VAT to look forward to

Yes, true. UK hasn't got it on the track. EU does however. On the short term
EU draws the longest straw, more and more companies are moving away from UK in
favor of EU or elsewhere. That is a loss for the UK regrettably, but needles
to say UK wanted the Brexit no the EU. On the long run it is inconclusive if
this development is a good thing. Cooperation is imo the better road how complicated
it might be.

So maybe it is the best of worst to exclude UK for now. Until they got their
things together. But I give you this, it is very complicated.

We will bide our time before we make up our mind on the way forward - a lot depends
o how BL deal with it and that, according to them, is still pretty much unknown.

We have turned away a few orders since Jan 1 from different areas in the EU -
ione we processed and a simple cn22 - posted it and the buyer got it in good
time and here were no snags (Switzerland - which isn't really part of the
EU but all went okay).

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Feb 21, 2021 05:18

Subject:

Re: Brexit

Viewed:

78 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Admin_Russell writes:

In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:

In Suggestions, patpendlego writes:

In Suggestions, bje writes:

In Suggestions, patpendlego writes:

In Suggestions, Teup writes:

In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:

In Suggestions, mvfisker writes:

Just wondering.
Chose "European Union" as seller - and Great Britain sellers still came up. Shouldn't
that be changed now after Brexit?
Cheers, Morten

Bricklink time is currently somewhere in about 2004.

I think they already had websites with timezones in 2004..

TLG had big plans with BrickLink but is choking now..

No, we should expect. After all we pay fees for this site. It was long time known
Brexit was coming, they should have been ready for it.

I recently promised more details on our Brexit solution, but I will just be frank
with you, that what you have described is exactly the case. We are waiting to
hear from our tax professionals as to how we need to proceed, and they are waiting
to hear from the authorities. It feels as if we are actually further from a solution
at this point than we were at the beginning of the year.

I think most of us who are following this issue are well aware of the issues
you are facing. Personally I would much rather wait till more is known and all
aspects of the vat introduction are dealt with e..g non-registered vat stores.
I believe I worked out that there are possibly less than 1% of UK stores who
are registered and , in the main, their registration is not based on Bricklink
turnover alone.

So maybe with the delay we can sort out other things that are not working as
intended, or simply broken.

Using the development method that you guys do requires almost a constant stream
of patching and whilst that method has its followers and believers not everyone
agrees and the crux of using your chosen method is the need to patch and patch
and patch - and that does not look like it is happening.

Anyway good luck with the vat - in the meantime, like many others we have stopped
selling to non-domestic buyers - which has to be hitting BL's bottom line
as more and more stores choose that route.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Feb 21, 2021 03:41

Subject:

Re: Brexit

Viewed:

103 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, patpendlego writes:

In Suggestions, bje writes:

In Suggestions, patpendlego writes:

In Suggestions, Teup writes:

In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:

In Suggestions, mvfisker writes:

Just wondering.
Chose "European Union" as seller - and Great Britain sellers still came up. Shouldn't
that be changed now after Brexit?
Cheers, Morten

Bricklink time is currently somewhere in about 2004.

I think they already had websites with timezones in 2004..

TLG had big plans with BrickLink but is choking now..

No, we should expect. After all we pay fees for this site. It was long time known
Brexit was coming, they should have been ready for it.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jan 19, 2021 10:35

Subject:

Re: monthly maintenance downtime

Viewed:

40 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, SylvainLS writes:

In Suggestions, novabrick writes:

[…]
wait... did I mix up east and west?
[P=3070bpb106]

Yep.... Well then it's around New York and -5 hours.

New Jersey, where BL was incorporated.

[…]
PS: I have never used a compass since I was born in the GPS generation *downs
head in shame*

Pfough, compasses! No need for technology: use the sun or the stars¹ and moss
on trees!

(¹Yes, it’s a problem when it’s cloudy or when you don’t know the time….)
(²Yes, it’s a problem where there’s no tree… or no moss… or you’re _in_ the forest
and moss is all around every tree and rock…

as most everyone has a phone nowadays - just look on there

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 27, 2020 09:46

Subject:

One last thought for today

Viewed:

98 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

Currently when an order is placed there is an original order date on that order
however when someone updates the order, say with another batch, the order date
changes to the date of the change and we lose the original order date. It would
be better if the original order date was held - that way the orders would stay
in chronological order rather than orders jumping all over the place.

No more for today but we might be back over the weekend. Lots going on at present.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 27, 2020 09:25

Subject:

Another one for the sellers

Viewed:

122 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

Those of us who still use the order detail page would like the following changes
to make our lives easier and us more productive

Instead of a single filter line at the top please add an 'and/or' to
allow multiple conditions to restrict the lines you are working on. For example
we use this filter to switch to all orders packed to alter the status to shipped
but if we could add another condition we could do packed to shipped - mass drive
thru and feedback all in one'ish operation

Secondly please make the column headings on the orders themselves clickable to
allow sorting by any of the columns (as you have done on the inventory front
page)

And lastly, please add color on the inventory front page as one of the filters
(a drop down list box would be fine). I am aware that you may already be able
to do this with the keyword field but why does it need to be so complicated -
just give us a chance to choose the colors.

Thank you

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Nov 17, 2020 10:18

Subject:

Please allow stores to order shipping methods

Viewed:

117 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

Currently there is not an easy way for a store to order their shipping methods.
The system appears to take the last one created and make that the default. This
is not helpful. Please ask your development team to take a few minutes and add
a list order to this feature so stores can choose a default or an order.

We appreciate development is extremely busy at present with the tax changes and
correcting issues (Order status changes, refund (altering print order detail
screen, my inventory pages, etc so we believe you are busy, however this has
long been needed and should not take a developer long to add).

Thanks.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Oct 27, 2020 14:56

Subject:

Re: Minifigure names and punctuation

Viewed:

30 times

Topic:

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:

In Catalog, calsbricks writes:

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:

In Catalog Requests, qwertyboy writes:

In Catalog Requests, Hygrotus writes:

In Catalog Requests, yorbrick writes:

I know BL is quite strict about names and using the correct diacritics, umluats,
accents, and so on.

For example, ages ago I asked if "Mesut Özil" could be called "Mesut Özil (Mesut
Ozil)" (and similar requests for the others) to help out English speakers searching
for him but it was denied and only the correct spelling retained.

When typing German, if umlaut letters are not available, it is usual to replace
them with the underlying vowel followed by an ⟨e⟩. So, for example, "Schröder"
becomes "Schroeder"
So should be correctly then Oezil not Ozil

Yes, that would linguistically correct, but the issue is that people need to
be able to find items in the catalog. If they know it is officially called Özil
they are far more likely to search for Ozil instead of Oezil.

Niek.

And for that reason, we did the following:

BL19001-1 (Inv) Löwenstein Castle
2002 Parts, 3 Minifigures, 2019
Sets: BrickLink Designer Program

It ain't pretty, but it works.

I thought some time ago the site was considering tags in the catalog. They would
be much more useful and not clutter the description

Was this discarded?

Not discarded, but postponed.

Shane this is a classic reason for implementing it

one day it might be useful to review the postponed enhancements and re-evaluate

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Oct 27, 2020 13:47

Subject:

Re: Minifigure names and punctuation

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:

In Catalog Requests, qwertyboy writes:

In Catalog Requests, Hygrotus writes:

In Catalog Requests, yorbrick writes:

And for that reason, we did the following:

BL19001-1 (Inv) Löwenstein Castle
2002 Parts, 3 Minifigures, 2019
Sets: BrickLink Designer Program

It ain't pretty, but it works.

I thought some time ago the site was considering tags in the catalog. They would
be much more useful and not clutter the description

Was this discarded?

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Oct 12, 2020 12:04

Subject:

Re: Afterthoughts on Part Movements

Viewed:

36 times

Topic:

In Catalog, Gmid writes:

In Catalog, calsbricks writes:

In Catalog, StormChaser writes:

In Catalog, calsbricks writes:

surely this is more appropriate in Bricks, arch
it just seems odd that they are now in slopes

I understand it's frustrating when you get used to something being in one
place and it's somewhere else. Defining categories with written definitions
is something new on BrickLink and did/will require moving some things around.
It's likely to be a work in progress for a while and we may make some missteps
along the way.

In this case, the curved slopes that are now curved slopes are curved slopes
and, even though it will take a little getting used to, I think we got that part
right. By the way, this has been a curved slope since it was added to the catalog
in 2005 and no one seems to mind:

54095 Slope, Curved 8 x 8 x 2 Double
Parts: Slope, Curved

We mentioned the possibility of moving some parts in June:

https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1200979

We gave everyone the month of August to provide commentary on the proposed change
in this 150+ message thread:

https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1213696

We provided multiple reminders of the coming changes during September:

https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1221489

The parts were moved on October 1st and now it is October 12th.

As for the concern that these parts should be Brick, Arch: they came from the
Brick, Modified category and we weren't inundated with requests to move them
to Brick, Arch prior to them moving to Slope, Curved.

Understand that completely but a couple of things for you to coonsider

1. Not everyone is as into the technicalities of the catalog as you and your
colleagues are - nothing wrong with that but it does mean many of the threads
etc were only casually looked at.

2. We are noticing on orders we receive the changes that you have implemented
and it means we have to re-organise our storage system as our main filing elements
are colour and then category with part no being the final .

So for example the 6091 which I referred to and is referred to by TLG as Brick,
Arch was stored in our bricks modified section. The first order that came in
after 1 oct with that a a slope curved meant we went to the brick modified section
and took all the 6091's (Lots of them) and moved them to the various colour
sections as slopes curved.

We, like others will cope with the catalog changes cause that is what you have
done and we leave that to the cat techies. It simply seemed strange for that
part to be moved to slopes, curved when it clearly is not a slope, even according
to Lego

I know you're much bigger, and have had many more orders than I did, but
I do question your storage here. Genuinely curious, why do you rely on an arbitrary
category assigned by Bricklink in the 90's, over a location system, numbered
shelfs/drawers/whatever, added to the remark?

I would be very nervous leaving my parts somewhere in a black hole, trusting
myself when order picking to head to the right category/subcategory.

Interesting - we do use the remarks for location but our storage system may not
be what you think. We have a section for bulk items (lots of standard parts are
held in bulk) that is all drawers. The rest of the system is organizer trays
from Really Useful Products which in the first instance are broken down into
colour sections and then category withing colour. This has worked fine for us,
although we are always trying to improve it with more drawer units rather than
trays.

Our orders are printed to pdf in the order that suits our system - and that is
what the chaps in the picking department want to keep - personally I would opt
for changing it all to drawers but we would have to close for a while if we did
that and they are against it.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Oct 12, 2020 11:49

Subject:

Re: Reasons for

Viewed:

36 times

Topic:

In Catalog, Leftoverbricks writes:

In Catalog, calsbricks writes:

In Catalog, Stellar writes:

In Catalog, calsbricks writes:

6091 Slope, Curved 2 x 1 x 1 1/3 with Recessed Stud
Parts: Slope, Curved

being moved to slopes - surely this is more appropriate in Bricks, arch

What if the category was named Slope, round? Would that fit better all slope,
curved plus a couple more items?

Really not sure. TLG call slopes - roof tiles;

6091 is called Brick with Arvh - it just seems odd that they are now in slopes

You are long enough around here to know that TLG names are very vague and not
really helpful for people searching for certain bricks.
That's one of the reasons Bricklink was created.

2423 Plant Leaves 4 x 3
Parts: Plant

is called LIMB ELEMENT SMALL by TLG

4085d Plate, Modified 1 x 1 with Open O Clip Thick (Vertical Grip)
Parts: Plate, Modified

is called: PLATE 1X1 W. HOLDER by TLG

Please tell me what a limb is or a holder and how those terms would be helpful
in identifying a LEGO element.

Personally I consider your post as not helpful at all. Please read the
posts (with extensive explanations) from catalogue admin Stormchaser.

I see no reason why the post was unhelpful. It simply asked for the reasons why
that was moved. How is that unhelpful

(and install a spell check plug-in to your browser or phone --- "arvh")

There is one that just got missed No one, including you , is perfect.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Oct 12, 2020 11:44

Subject:

Re: Afterthoughts on Part Movements

Viewed:

32 times

Topic:

In Catalog, StormChaser writes:

In Catalog, calsbricks writes:

surely this is more appropriate in Bricks, arch
it just seems odd that they are now in slopes

54095 Slope, Curved 8 x 8 x 2 Double
Parts: Slope, Curved

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Oct 12, 2020 11:00

Subject:

Re: Reasons for

Viewed:

38 times

Topic:

In Catalog, Stellar writes:

In Catalog, calsbricks writes:

6091 Slope, Curved 2 x 1 x 1 1/3 with Recessed Stud
Parts: Slope, Curved

being moved to slopes - surely this is more appropriate in Bricks, arch

What if the category was named Slope, round? Would that fit better all slope,
curved plus a couple more items?

Really not sure. TLG call slopes - roof tiles;

6091 is called Brick with Arvh - it just seems odd that they are now in slopes

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Oct 12, 2020 10:19

Subject:

Reasons for

Viewed:

139 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

6091 Slope, Curved 2 x 1 x 1 1/3 with Recessed Stud
Parts: Slope, Curved

being moved to slopes - surely this is more appropriate in Bricks, arch

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Sep 7, 2020 08:40

Subject:

Re: Create a Technical Issues forum topic

Viewed:

50 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, jenwick writes:

Thanks Russell!

+1

How about a knowledgebase topic where responses to common (and oft repeated)
threads can be put.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 16, 2020 05:41

Subject:

Re: Bricklink admin - please help us out here

Viewed:

65 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, SylvainLS writes:

In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:

[…]
Not sure where you got that idea from. The onsite payment thing, at the moment,
is only for US sales tax purposes (Ca and Co, initially).

“Co” meaning Connecticut, so CT

(Just to prevent the “OMG! Colorado too now?!

”)

Admins have said they
are still looking at other payment methods including offsite. This thread was
started to encourage them to give us some data on currently used payment methods
as a 'usage guide' and Russell has said he is going to ask.

Ooops forgot - you are right - but I am sure it won't be long for all of
them to jump on the bandwagon.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 16, 2020 04:03

Subject:

Re: Bricklink admin - please help us out here

Viewed:

75 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, kzinti writes:

In Suggestions, Golbsbricks writes:

Stopping using PayPal would cripple you. it's the standard for online transactions.

I just stopped using Stripe because while it provides all the sales info you
could need, it doesn't integrate with anything outside of USA. It's pointless
in the UK.
Payouts are SLOW and you can't export shipping data to print labels with.
This means you have to transfer addresses manually to something like Royal Mail
Click & Drop, which is it's own disaster of a website. Paypal is the best,
and pretty much only option.

Also, i'm not sure the admins have any spare time to deal with any more of
your complaints /S

Since we've been told that any store NOT using an onsite payment method will
be unable sell in the near future, and we wish to continue to do so, we've
been forced to enable them.

Not sure where you got that idea from. The onsite payment thing, at the moment,
is only for US sales tax purposes (Ca and Co, initially). Admins have said they
are still looking at other payment methods including offsite. This thread was
started to encourage them to give us some data on currently used payment methods
as a 'usage guide' and Russell has said he is going to ask.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 15, 2020 04:37

Subject:

Re: Bricklink admin - please help us out here

Viewed:

93 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Admin_Russell writes:

In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:

We, along with others, are investigating payment methods as an alternative to
Paypal who are going through a raft of changes to do with new EU regulations
(PSD2 and SCA).

One such method being looked at is Stripe, however we can find no real information
about its penetration into our UK market/stores as there is no current capability
to set that as a payment method in the find store search page.

One suggestion, and a good one, has been to ask Bricklink to do a one off query
to show some facts and figures of payments processed by which methods (By region)

This might even help you convince people online payment methods are worth looking
at.

Can you, or are you willing to help here? I know it can be done.

No promises, but I can ask.

Thanks Russell - will wait to hear from you guys.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 14, 2020 12:42

Subject:

Re: Bricklink admin - please help us out here

Viewed:

84 times

Topic:

In Help, calsbricks writes:

BTW - not asking for anything company confidential here %'s will do nicelyu.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 14, 2020 11:49

Subject:

Bricklink admin - please help us out here

Viewed:

265 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 13, 2020 06:13

Subject:

Re: Do not default new parts as weight bound

Viewed:

26 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, bje writes:

In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:

In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:

Weights are additive. It doesn't really matter if one part is 1g and another
100g. The order is 101g. And while volumes are (approximately) additive if all
the parts individually fit into a certain box size, individual part dimensions
cannot necessarily be warped. A 5x5x5 cm part is not the same as a 1x5x25 cm
part, even though the volume is the same. If the total parcel size doesn't
matter, the seller need not have a restriction and all parts will pass that size
check. Whereas if the parcel size does matter, then the size check is necessary.

Are there situations where weight bound is important?

When IC was launched we sent a message to BL development asking why they had
not included weight/volume as a packaging method and were told that did not fit
the design. That is because they used the US postal system as their focus., and
this is why we have always suggested that a regional based system would have
been better - taken longer for sure, and more complicated, of course, but much
better for those that want to automate their checkout.

We recently went from no volume restrictions for postage to freight restrictions
with additional restrictions on top of that. Freight has always used the volume
restrictions with those 5 000 factors, so for domestic, we've never had a
purely weight bound system. The USA changed over to a volume system last year.
So personally, I do not see any reason for any shipping method with only a weight
restriction.

As a buyer, I do have a forwarder which use a weight only system, but of course
it still has to be shipped in the country of origin, so again, even where the
extraordinary circumstance exists, it is negated by the fact that the regional
setting would need to be applied first and foremost.

Software design is more critical to development tnan any other aspect. Over the
years people have tried sophisticated design and farm the programming out to
the masses as well as solid design and fewer more experienced programmers who
have an element of system design in them. What works for one doesn't always
work for all and, of course, there is a cost both in monetary terms as well as
time to consider. I don't believe any of that was taken into consideration
for IC, with all due respect the shipping methods element is deeply flawed, the
dimensions should have been a prerequisite , with the community being much more
heavily involved than they have been - and there were volunteers for this.

Hindsight always has 20/20 vision in these matters but we believe all of this
should have been dealt with pre the release of IC, as well as extended sandbox
evaluation.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 13, 2020 05:56

Subject:

Re: Do not default new parts as weight bound

Viewed:

19 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, paulvdb writes:

In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:

Hmm, I never really understood these "volume bound" and "weight bound" concepts
very well,

Weight bound - measures for IC by weight only so if you have a volume/size restriction,
it gets ignored on checkout.
Volume bound: first checks for weight then for your volume/size restrictions.
If no packing dimensions, no IC, if packing dimensions are set, weight is ignored
at checkout insofar as the restrictions go, but not total package weight.

I've also never really understood the need for weight bound. Surely volume
bound as described is best for all parts - check if the part size fits individually
into a particular shipping method, then collate the total volume and weight of
the order.

Weights are additive. It doesn't really matter if one part is 1g and another
100g. The order is 101g. And while volumes are (approximately) additive if all
the parts individually fit into a certain box size, individual part dimensions
cannot necessarily be warped. A 5x5x5 cm part is not the same as a 1x5x25 cm
part, even though the volume is the same. If the total parcel size doesn't
matter, the seller need not have a restriction and all parts will pass that size
check. Whereas if the parcel size does matter, then the size check is necessary.

Are there situations where weight bound is important?

I think it was primarily introduced in the beginning to get IC working for most
parts. Since many don't (or at least didn't) have dimensions it would
be almost impossible to use IC. But in my opinion the goal should have been to
get dimensions for all parts in the catalog and then gid rid of weight bound.

Of course that would have required additional programming effort to make it easier
to submit missing dimensions. It's taking a lot of work to post these in
the forum and then wait for someone at BL to manually add them. There really
should have been shipping dimension fields in the add and change item forms so
that we could submit them there like most other changes to the catalog.

Agreed - totally.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 13, 2020 05:40

Subject:

Re: Do not default new parts as weight bound

Viewed:

23 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:

Hmm, I never really understood these "volume bound" and "weight bound" concepts
very well,

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 10, 2020 12:24

Subject:

Re: We know these don't work but .....

Viewed:

41 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Teup writes:

In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:

Suggestions have not worked on the site for quite a period of time, however we
have yet another one which is becoming pressing.

The part-out log. ~It really does need looking at. You cannot search to find
sets that you think you have parted out without walking through all pages - boring
and tedious,

once you find what you are looking for all you get is the date instead of a copy
of what was done. - boring and not very helpful

Please look at this as an area that needs a rethink.

We certainly should be able to search and once you find it you need to be able
to see what was done - e.g. which parts - at what price etc. etc.

Would be nice if it could be downloaded as an xml / spreadsheet. I can imagine
this is the sort of data people would like to feed into their administration
for tax purposes, or run stats on. Especially if it could save the details that
you suggest.

Also, it's hard to find, you really need to know it exists or you'll
never really notice it.

I always enter every part-out in a spreadsheet manually (set, amount, part-out
value) in order to keep track of the value of my inventory.

We use both Brickstock and our own internal software and have the ability, currently
to go through the entire part-out and look at what we have done - what prices
what alternatives etc. All of this should be available here.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 10, 2020 10:37

Subject:

Re: We know these don't work but .....

Viewed:

50 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, axaday writes:

In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:

For the first little while I store my pieces for sale in the box they came in,
except merging lots of the same piece. I was pulling an order last night and
a lot was missing and it was reasonable (and accurate) to assume that I had merged
lots and then dropped them in the wrong box. I found a workaround that didn't
take TOO long, but it occurred to me at the time that it would be nice to have
a tool to tell me the sets I have parted out with this very common piece.

You are right and that is something that should also be added to the list of
changes required.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Aug 10, 2020 08:44

Subject:

We know these don't work but .....

Viewed:

216 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jun 13, 2020 06:21

Subject:

Re: Please add the following features as appropri

Viewed:

36 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:

I wish Bricklink would take a closer look at Brickstock and incorporate at least
some of the features that exist there.

For example the use of multiple filter capabilities would be superb for the order
detail page as well as lots of other areas e.g. part identification etc.

If you look at the image I have attached you will see what I mean. It is a natural
element of SQL and when we had goatleg and miniconfigurator that is how both
of them worked (with some modifications)

It really is not a difficult feature to add and would save hundreds if not thousands
of hours work on behalf of the stores for a small amount of time for developers.

Anyone else feel the same?

The 'and/or' filter is a great tool - is easy to learn and use and with
the catalogue getting more and more complex and populated with data this is really
a must.

BTW - we would have expected something like this in the long delayed (and probably
forgotten about) sellers tools

Editing posts would be a nice feature and long overdue. I put the wrong image
I n - try this one.

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

Jun 13, 2020 06:17

Subject:

Please add the following features as appropri

Viewed:

84 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

Author:

calsbricks

Posted:

May 28, 2020 11:28

Subject:

Re: XML file

Viewed:

23 times

Topic:

Inventories