| Redisplay Messages: Compact | Brief | All | Full Show Messages: All | Without Replies| Author: | calsbricks  | | Posted: | Mar 3, 2022 11:51 | | Subject: | Bricklink Product Family | | Viewed: | 184 times | | Topic: | General | |
| Product Family (Bricklink)
The vast number of categories that Bricklink incudes is great In some ways and
not so good in others. If you want to do a category analysis you will need lots
of paper or disk space and quite honestly it doesn’t make that much sense.
What we have done externally is set up groups of categories say for Bricks you
have modified, round, decorated etc. The same for Slopes, Tiles, Technic etc.
Our sales analysis automatically puts stats into each group as we sell items.
We have 10 families which is enough for us. We can drill down in each category
and get to the specifics e.g how many modified bricks did we sell at what value
etc, and from that we can look at individual parts.
Over our 11 years it has worked fine and gives us what we want and need. – In
inventory management terms it is like having a hierarchy where there isn’t one.
This is what we meant in our earlier post ' A Few questions'
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Mar 3, 2022 04:30 | | Subject: | A Few questions | | Viewed: | 197 times | | Topic: | Help | |
| What, if anything, do you use the following for:
1. Superlot
2. Unsorted lots
3, Do you use tiered pricing if so do you need all 3 levels or do you need a
different approach to this
4. Would you use an overall trade discount (for example by buyer)
5 What about setting min and max stock levels by item or type
6 Would you like a product family grouping capability where you define which
categories go into each e.g. Bricks as a family would include all brick subcategories,
etc.) The same for tiles, slopes etc. Kind of like creating a hierarchy outside
the catalogue
7 Would you use a separate field for your item location (rather than remarks)
8. How would you like to deal with your inventory costs (Would you use LIFO,
FIFO or weighted average - ((LIFO - Last In First out; FIFO - First in First
Out))
Very interested in comments/thoughts
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Feb 25, 2022 08:16 | | Subject: | What, if anything, do sellers use lot id for | | Viewed: | 198 times | | Topic: | General | |
| I know what the system uses it for but I am curious as to what sellers use it
for. It is unique per item (Item, colour, and condition). It has been around
since Dan put the software together (from an auction house system)
Just curious - if it wasn't there would that be a problem ?
I cam think of a couple of uses but they aren't all that important. Would
you want to track by lot (Cost analysis??)
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Feb 16, 2022 08:05 | | Subject: | Simple question - complicated answer ????? | | Viewed: | 156 times | | Topic: | General | |
| Anyone know what has happened to the XP project ? With MP gone, has this died
or is it still simmering on the back burner?
Never see anything on the forum about xp issues so I presume it is either not
being used or is code perfect (I seriously doubt that)
Just some food for thought.
There was a rumour at one stage that it was being rewritten
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Feb 10, 2022 10:09 | | Subject: | Inventory Change Request for Set 76088-1 | | Viewed: | 36 times | | Topic: | Inventories Requests (Entry) | | Status: | Open | |
| Please make changes to the following inventory:
* Add 24 Part 34816 Light Bluish Gray Brick, Modified 1 x 2 with Bar Handle on End - Bar Flush with Edge (Alternate)
Comments from Submitter:
2 Sets parted out today both with alternate part
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 27, 2022 13:16 | | Subject: | Just a thoought | | Viewed: | 243 times | | Topic: | General | |
| Currently due to Bricklink policy of 'must have onsite payment method enabled'
no store without that function can sell to anywhere in the USA. We would like
to suggest (not a formal suggestion yet) that BL splits the US shipping destinations
to with sales tax and without, so those of us who do not have onsite payments
enabled can still sell to the (9 states currently). We appreciate this will probably
change as everyone tries to get on the bandwagon - but because you cannot currently
remove an individual state this is not possible - we have had half a dozen enquiries
this month for shipping to USA - all from states with sales tax, unfortunately
On the other hand eliminating a large part of the market based purely on payment
method does not make good business sense. You can collect the sales tax in a
more conventional method - like bill us for it., or is that too difficult .
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 17, 2022 08:35 | | Subject: | New UK Prices on PAB cups | | Viewed: | 156 times | | Topic: | LEGO products | |
| Effective 1 Jan 2022 large cup prices have increased from £11.24 each to £14.24
each (That is on using returned cups). 30% ish hike
Hmmmm
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 14, 2022 06:20 | | Subject: | PAB & B&P Merging | | Viewed: | 190 times | | Topic: | LEGO products | |
| Could it possibly be a good thing for PAB & B&P merging? Currently the TLG Retail
store managers are restricted to an order form which only allows them to choose
a limited number of items from the 1600 that are available to PAB. With the addition
of the B&P elements might they have a wider choice to make available? Is that
good or not so good. Depends on how you want to look at ir really.
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 26, 2021 07:46 | | Subject: | Anyone recognise this | | Viewed: | 155 times | | Topic: | Catalog Identification | |
| Checked 14769* several times and cannot see this. Either the eyes have gone (good
possibility) or it isn't there.
Ot is definitely black and definitely Lego
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 16, 2021 02:36 | | Subject: | Does anyone know the answer | | Viewed: | 190 times | | Topic: | Related Software | |
| Reported a printing bug in Brickstore yesterday. Followed all the guidelines
on Github and the report was acknowledged by the author. Late last night received
an advice that the case was now closed. Bug 'fixed' and matter now over.
No program update to Brickstore and whilst I see a lot of code having been introduced
on Github when does the program get updated?
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 15, 2021 00:12 | | Subject: | Brickstock/Brickstore issues - update | | Viewed: | 91 times | | Topic: | Related Software | |
| Further to our original post we are delighted to advise thet with the help and
patience of Beaverbrick we now have a working labels template for Brickstore.
That has also revealed a bug in Brickstore which we are looking at how best to
report that.
The labels work wonderfully, but you can not selectively print them - it is
all or nothing. That happens whether using the label template from the extras
menu or the normal Brickstore print command. It seems to think a document is
the entire list not a selected item. Workaround is simple, copy the individual
item to another document and print from that, but it is a definite bug.
Thanks again Beaverbrick
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 14, 2021 03:59 | | Subject: | Change ,oftenbrings chaos | | Viewed: | 181 times | | Topic: | General | |
| Having looked back a long way in the forum (before the current lot of compliance
issues being addressed) I could find no real issues being brought up over sales
tax, vat etc. The stores where it applied were dealing with it with no real issues.
All of a sudden legislates get involved, without thinking things through, as
usual, and we have a degree of chaos here on Bricklink. How odd that the individual
stores, where applicable coped more than adequately, until this load of changes
emerged,
The moral of the story is let well enough alone. Yes they may have missed the
odd amount of tax or vat but things were being dealt with - no pressure on BL
to come up with a total solution and no forum posts raising holy hell.
Still there is no going backwards only forwards and we are all now waiting for
the issues to be dealt with - they are far more complicated than what people
believe but if others have dealt with it I am sure BL will in due course.
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 11, 2021 04:13 | | Subject: | What happens next | | Viewed: | 281 times | | Topic: | General | |
| TLG - Bricklink have recently announced a change of leadership at Bricklink
and thanks the previous CEO for all of his efforts. (Sorry to Interrupt the Monthly
Contests), etc.
We have a new gentleman coming on board - who we do not know a great deal about
other than he is a Lego guy. Ok good. Everyone who uses this site since JK's
takeover (2013) knows it needs a major re-write (Not XP) but both a redesign
and rethink. There have been a few (Including one by us) messages on here which
pointed the cost of doing that to be around 2 years in development terms at whatever
cost you wish to put on that.
There are differing views on development here some say use an agile methodology
(write code quickly and then patch, patch and patch.) Others say waterfall (The
old fashioned way) is best here - it takes more time and is less patch, (patch
and patch) . Agile is great when you are in a competitive environment (Can keep
you in front of the competition) but is that really required here? It also needs
2 sprint teams at least. One to write and release and the other to patch. Is
this the right environment for release, patch, patch and patch again (Even if
you have the people?)
Bricklink has several things going for it - e,g market pull, membership and now
the financial clout available through TLG, albeit we say that with tongue in
cheek.
Hire a senior analyst who has strong SQL skills/background and let them spend
some time putting together a decent system spec from which a business overview
can be published which asks all the right questions about direction etc and once
that is put together talk to your panels of advisors e.g Marketplace, Catalogue
and Studio as well as any future ones created. Make sure the spec includes strong
inventory management, and gives sellers the tools they need to operate successful
businesses as well as ease of use for buyers, etc. etc.
Get the spec costed and presented to TLG for approval (Let them worry about the
cost and time tables.)
Then go for it , really - lots of complications to this I am sure but in the
end analysis that is what is needed. Think more than carefully about the design
work- what it looks like is a matter of personal choice but what it does is not.
Design is everything in development4 and always calls for the highest level of
knowledge and experience
There are quite a few of us who would be willing to put time and effort into
this as this is a major project and needs lots of input and discussion. Not everyone
is going to get everything they want but working on the basis of discussion leads
to compromise and ultimately a quality product - this is the real way forward,
isn’t it?
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 10, 2021 23:26 | | Subject: | Brickstock/Brickstore - issues | | Viewed: | 165 times | | Topic: | Related Software | |
| We have been Brickstock users since Patrick took it on and in many cases worked
closely with him to iron out issues etc, however his main job really does prevent
him from carrying on with developments so the product is slowly but surely heading
for the archives. Current issues include not getting any images of minwfigures
(everything else is okay), and price guide guidelines are also not updating properly.
So we downloaded Brickstore and it 'cures/fixes' the current Brickstock
issues and adds some nice touches but and it is a big but. We cannot use our
print templates. Yes we know about modifying viewws etc but that doesnt work
when we need to print labels for our products - and it works very well in Brickstock.
. We worked with tsrateplayer (Alan) a long time ago to get these templates done
and have shared them with many Brickstock users. We have good documentation on
theme and a how to guide to create or modify them but have not got a clue how
to incorporate them into Brickstore.
Maybe we can actually reach out to Robert via this forum message and ask if he
is willing to incorporate these into Brickstore. (We print delivery notes as
well as product labels via the templates.
Thoughts/comments.
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 9, 2021 00:19 | | Subject: | Not convinved this is correct | | Viewed: | 231 times | | Topic: | Problem | |
| Had to place an order on an EU store yesterday knowing full well that we would
have to pay VAT on it. The order was of small value so the VAT wasn't going
to be significant. The store had an onsite payment method (Paypal). Order placed,
shipping costs agreed and normal Bricklink invoice received from store. That
invoice had a link on it to pay via PAYpal onsite which we used - okay fine,
Moments after making the payment a Bricklink VAT invoice arrived - this is where
it gets cloudy, that invoice (BL's) shows an invoice amount fine - but no
where does it show what we paid. Surely this invoice should be a sales receipt
otherwise what proof do I have that we paid the VAT?
It really does not appear that this was all thought through. The customer should
always have proof of payment and by calling the Bricklink invoice which is the
VAT invoice as being paid that would suffice, otherwise C&E have every right
to question it at arrival. They are not interested in an invoice they want to
know the VAT has been paid. .
Are we not reading this right?
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Nov 4, 2021 03:18 | | Subject: | Please add Variant poicy to mandatory terms | | Viewed: | 127 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | | Status: | Open | | Vote: | [Yes|No] | |
| 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.
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Nov 3, 2021 11:45 | | Subject: | It is just one of those days | | Viewed: | 148 times | | Topic: | Problem | |
| 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.
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Nov 3, 2021 11:03 | | Subject: | Newish sellers - if not all - take your time | | Viewed: | 254 times | | Topic: | Problem | |
| 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.
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Oct 27, 2021 09:25 | | Subject: | Boxes and Bags from Davpack (UK) | | Viewed: | 70 times | | Topic: | Problem | |
| 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
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Oct 16, 2021 10:56 | | Subject: | Add My favourite stores to find stores/find i | | Viewed: | 100 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | | Status: | Open | | Vote: | [Yes|No] | |
| Could we have ann additional filter on these screens please to restrict the search
to our favorite stores.
Thanks
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Sep 13, 2021 12:08 | | Subject: | They rarely work but ........ | | Viewed: | 209 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | | 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
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Aug 26, 2021 07:39 | | Subject: | Just a thought | | Viewed: | 225 times | | Topic: | Problem | |
| 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.
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jul 15, 2021 11:01 | | Subject: | Sellers tools - update | | Viewed: | 132 times | | Topic: | General | |
| 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 ?
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