Redisplay Messages: Compact | Brief | All | Full Show Messages: All | Without Replies| Author: | MidwestBrick  | | Posted: | Jan 20, 2023 18:05 | | Subject: | Re: Is it ok to use wood base? | | Viewed: | 39 times | | Topic: | My Own Creation | |
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| In My Own Creation, Algold721 writes:
| | Hi. Kind of new to the world of designing unique Lego models. I am designing
a Lego model that includes a large change in elevation (a large hill, basically).
Although I could build the substructure of the hill out of Lego bricks, it would
take a massive number of them and am trying to keep costs reasonable. I am thinking
of building a sub structure out of bass wood that would go underneath that section
of the model, with the ground in Lego bricks above it. (so from the outside,
it would look like it was 100% Lego). Is that considered cheating? Or is it
commonplace to build foundation supports out of non-Lego material?
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You are your own judge, so do whatever it is gets the job done and makes you
happy.
Remember too that competitions don't start from the floor, they use a table
to start their displays. Your table might have a bump in it, nothing wrong with
that 
best of luck and feel free to share pictures with the community here with the
progress or final model
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| Author: | MidwestBrick | | Posted: | Jan 19, 2023 15:25 | | Subject: | Re: Problem order with Brickiton (Dutch shop) | | Viewed: | 44 times | | Topic: | Problem Order | |
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| In Problem Order, Nubs_Select writes:
| | In Problem Order, Leftoverbricks writes:
| | In Problem Order, Leftoverbricks writes:
| | Here are the facts:
order placed January 8.
order paid via bank transfer January 8.
Order was marked 'Ready'
After 7 days of no action form the seller (status still 'ready' I asked
him if there was a problem with the order. No answer.
January 14 I started a OCR because the seller did not respond to my previous
message and I asked him to cancel.
January 18 still not a single line from the seller. I sent him a message that
he could either still ship the order, or cancel it. No response whatsoever.
So I'm left with an order that I have paid for and a seller that doesn't
respond.
Since I've contacted him a couple of times without response I feel it is
OK to name the name the seller and I warned him that I would do so if he didn't
respond to my complaint.
It's Brickiton and he has run into more problems, see his feedback https://store.bricklink.com/Royroy#/feedback
Store closed on January 15..........
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I wrote above post without checking his recent feedback.
Now I did and this says all:
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Could be a medical emergency that let the store auto lose after x amount days
and he can’t respond maybe?
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This happened to me a few years ago. It wasn't life-threatening, but I was
in the hospital for an unexpected visit for 5 days (dislocated and broken ankle
and broken foot from playing sports) which of course disallowed me to get around
to pull any type of Lego order no matter how small for weeks. But, around 4am
on the 1st night, I logged in, messaged all orders that I had open what occurred
and promptly closed up shop. Thankfully they all understood and it was no big
deal, but in this case we have a store that has been running almost flawlessly
for years and then suddenly they stop answering? Seems something else is up
and hopefully all is okay in the end.
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| Author: | MidwestBrick | | Posted: | Dec 20, 2022 01:11 | | Subject: | Re: Acquiring boxes and packaging | | Viewed: | 41 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, OKCBrickDepot writes:
| | Hi All,
I'm opening a USA based BL store. What's the best resource for acquiring
various packing material, boxes, and either packing peanuts or something to fill
a void inside a box?
Thanks!
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Just thought of one more thing... I'm sure there are comparable costs here
elsewhere or maybe better deals elsewhere, but whenever Costco puts their Heavy
Duty packing tape on sale, I buy plenty to last over a year (enough to last until
the next sale). It is either a 6 or 8 pack for about $20-$25.
Always use Heavy Duty Tape... do not skimp on this, tape top and bottom at least
3 times to ensure a secure delivery (sometimes around the sides to (make your
package a brick that won't fall apart unless heavily tampered with). Just
do not go cheap on tape or amount of tape being used. Last thing anyone wants
is a box delivered that is falling apart upon delivery because cheap tape was
used.
Best of luck!!
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| Author: | MidwestBrick | | Posted: | Dec 19, 2022 13:45 | | Subject: | Re: Acquiring boxes and packaging | | Viewed: | 41 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, peregrinator writes:
| | In Shipping, MidwestBrick writes:
| | Priority Shipping - Pick up some flat rate USPS padded envelopes, they get used
rarely but do come in handy to have a few on hand at all times. Order other
priority mail boxes from USPS, they work great.
|
This is true but Priority Mail can be significantly cheaper if you use your own
boxes and get the commercial Cubic rate (which you can get through e.g. Pirate
Ship). The USPS's Flat Rate Priority boxes in particular are not ideal for
shipping Lego.
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I didn't say to use USPS flat rate boxes, only the bubble mailer flat rate.
I would agree that USPS Flat Rate Boxes are terribly priced.
But USPS has free boxes for priority mail shipping that fit the smaller lego
sets really well.
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| Author: | MidwestBrick | | Posted: | Dec 19, 2022 13:18 | | Subject: | Re: Acquiring boxes and packaging | | Viewed: | 42 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, OKCBrickDepot writes:
| | Hi All,
I'm opening a USA based BL store. What's the best resource for acquiring
various packing material, boxes, and either packing peanuts or something to fill
a void inside a box?
Thanks!
|
It's quite simple really.
#1 - before you buy something, know how you will ship it. This is a lesson many
of us have learned when buying those largest of sets. Just be prepared or have
that idea so that when it comes to sell, you are already prepared. It's
great to get a large set sale but isn't that fun when you don't have
a box on hand to ship it in. It just causes more work and time, so prepare yourself.
Boxes - I buy enough from online retailers that I have a variety of box sizes
from them to re-use. Only keep the good ones though and toss the bad boxes.
You'll know the difference.
Packing supplies - I rip up instruction booklets to pack with nearly every parts
order to protect the order more, but also to bulk the package up so that no one
at USPS gets the idea to run the order through their letter machines. I also
reuse all the bubble mailers or air-bags from online retailers shipped to me,
of course only using the good ones and tossing the bad ones.
Priority Shipping - Pick up some flat rate USPS padded envelopes, they get used
rarely but do come in handy to have a few on hand at all times. Order other
priority mail boxes from USPS, they work great.
First Class Package - someone below mentioned less than 13 oz, but it is less
than 16 oz to mail first class commercial packages. I buy mine from a variety
of places, usually Amazon these days but have done Uline or other online bubble
mailer suppliers (some of dried up).
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| Author: | MidwestBrick | | Posted: | Dec 19, 2022 09:32 | | Subject: | Re: Who has free shipping in the USA | | Viewed: | 57 times | | Topic: | Buying | |
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| In Buying, bluedragon1994 writes:
| | Who has free shipping in USA ? Thanks
|
Instant Checkout on everything and Free Shipping on orders of at least $25.
Also, the vast majority of orders ship by the next day (of course depends what
day of the week it is to make that possible).
(USA/domestic shipping only)
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| Author: | MidwestBrick | | Posted: | Sep 27, 2022 22:51 | | Subject: | Re: Adding shipping after order is paid | | Viewed: | 34 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, 1001bricks writes:
| | | | So, overall, my opinion is not to stress the pennies from the sellers perspective
because even though not every buyer may look up actual shipping costs, everyone
still has the ability to do so, and it is easier to retain a customer when they
can see things line up as expected.
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Don't mix: Postal Rates and Shipping Fees.
Shipping is a Service to ship at (eventually) the Postal Rate price.
To Ship is a task in itself, a service, and implies material (envelope, carton,
zip bag, chips, printing...)
Example: you can buy a single 0.02$ part in my shop.
I don't have any minimum, fee, or whatsoever.
But to ship, you'll get a Shipping fee which contains the price of an envelope,
the 2 mandatory stickers plus the eventual Customs, one or a few zip bags...
which is a different price than the Postal Rate.
So, what's the best to "retain a customer"?
Require a minimum order of 10$ (for a single part) or simply let them do what
they want but ask at the minimum to pay the packaging cost and the cost of the
service of shipping?
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I gotcha.
Overall, I am so thankful for Instant Checkout. Avoids all these scenario's.
Take care!
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| Author: | MidwestBrick | | Posted: | Sep 27, 2022 21:12 | | Subject: | Re: Adding shipping after order is paid | | Viewed: | 35 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, 1001bricks writes:
| | In Selling, MidwestBrick writes:
| | In Selling, 1001bricks writes:
| | In Selling, Nubs_Select writes:
| | you cant add shipping (or any other costs) after an order has been paid. You
can refund the payment then set the order payment status to none and then you
should be able to add shipping and reinvoice the buyer
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Refunding will cost.
If there's no tax involved, simply ask the buyer to make a separate payment
directly to your PayPal account for the shipping.
Maybe add 0.50$ for the extra base fee?
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Is 50 cents worth an argument or neutral/negative feedback if the buyer feels
like shipping charges are more than actual or that they are being ripped off
a little?
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You're confused, Sir.
Any shop can invoice ANY shipping price, it's not related to "actual price".
The out-of-TOS error is when you publish a 10$ price and then invoice 15$.
The fact it cost 2$ in reality is NOT a problem.
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I don't think I'm confused. I wouldn't worry about 50 cents and
during the time when I didn't offer free shipping (pre-Instant Checkout days),
never invoiced a penny more than actual shipping costs, and also didn't charge
extra for signature if I decided to go that route, as an example. The sale and
customer satisfaction was more important than a couple dollars or cents.
Anyway, I was just offering my opinion to the OP on another perspective on how
to get the shipping cost he would like. Remember, buyers can look up pricing
too (which is why it would be so annoying, as an example, seeing USA based sellers
invoice using Retail USPS shipping rates, when I know they are paying commercial
pricing). I would not return to those stores after being invoiced and then seeing
the postal slip which says right on it what kind of shipping is being used.
I also recall a seller charging around $20 for shipping once (which was reasonable
for what I bought) then shipping the items Media Mail which probably cost $5
tops and also takes days longer.
So, overall, my opinion is not to stress the pennies from the sellers perspective
because even though not every buyer may look up actual shipping costs, everyone
still has the ability to do so, and it is easier to retain a customer when they
can see things line up as expected.
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| Author: | MidwestBrick | | Posted: | Sep 27, 2022 18:18 | | Subject: | Re: Adding shipping after order is paid | | Viewed: | 32 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, 1001bricks writes:
| | In Selling, Nubs_Select writes:
| | you cant add shipping (or any other costs) after an order has been paid. You
can refund the payment then set the order payment status to none and then you
should be able to add shipping and reinvoice the buyer
|
Refunding will cost.
If there's no tax involved, simply ask the buyer to make a separate payment
directly to your PayPal account for the shipping.
Maybe add 0.50$ for the extra base fee?
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Is 50 cents worth an argument or neutral/negative feedback if the buyer feels
like shipping charges are more than actual or that they are being ripped off
a little?
No, no it is not.
Be grateful that they are working with you on coming to a conclusion together.
Best of luck!.
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| Author: | MidwestBrick | | Posted: | Sep 15, 2022 00:11 | | Subject: | Re: Minifigure Condition - New | | Viewed: | 42 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, maxx3001 writes:
| | In General, MidwestBrick writes:
| | In General, alex10552 writes:
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| | thus every mini-fig that is "new" in my shop is 100% always unassembled so the
buyer can have that joy passed on to them with their purchase.
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What about the assembled ones directly from LEGO or the heads on the torsos?
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Nothing I usually have to worry about as I buy all my Lego from Retail stores.
but of course it would be an outliner if they came from Lego already pre-assembled.
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