BrickLink Discussion Forum

In Buying, petersonfam writes:

Hello, can anyone tell me how to find stores that don't just accept paypal?
that take other methods of payment?

I do not have or want a paypal account.

I thought you could still guest checkout without a PayPal account, maybe that
is gone?

There is no list unfortunately or way to search. If you are buying by wanted
list you would still have to check every store first but it is quick to see at
the bottom of the terms page.

Feel free to shop in my NH store that accepts stripe. Even have some people
pick their orders up to save on shipping if you live near the Bedford area.

Good luck in your search!

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Feb 26, 2023 20:07

Subject:

Re: How is this not feedback manipulation?

Viewed:

71 times

Topic:

In Feedback, zorbanj writes:

If the parts aren't available to send suppose the buyer could ask for $100
and it would be fine because this is not feedback extortion but rather the buyer
using a tool to get what they are owed.

What? The buyer is asking the seller to complete the order as placed or they
will leave neutral/negative feedback.

If the buyer said: "Give me all my money back or I will leave neutral/negative
feedback" that would be extortion as it does not comply with the contract
of X dollars for X parts (aka the order that was placed).

You can't just straw man an argument to win it, use the facts on hand not
whatever you want...

Read the the site for yourself, pretty simple:

Feedback Extortion: As a Buyer, demand additional goods, services or refunds
over and above what was agreed in the original transaction with the threat of
negative Feedback if the Seller does not comply with such demand. Sellers are
not allowed to require Buyers to leave positive Feedback or revise existing Feedback
in exchange for shipping items, completing refund requests or providing monetary
compensation. Sellers are, however, allowed to ask the Buyer to leave positive
Feedback at the end of a successful transaction. Please note that we can't
accept reports of Feedback extortion received through email outside of the Site
because these can be easily falsified. In order to protect yourself, we recommend
you always use the BrickLink messaging system to communicate with your Buyer
or Seller. If you have experienced feedback extortion, please contact

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Feb 20, 2023 21:45

Subject:

Re: BrickStore

Viewed:

43 times

Topic:

Related Software

In Related Software, alexography writes:

Hello. I'm trying to update several lots in brickstore. I am just adding
remarks. If a lot had the remark field blank and I am populating it. When I
try to export the update it only shows a small portion of the updated items.
There aren't any errors when exporting and all have lotids. I've tried
with several different bunches of lots. But if I modify and export 20 lots,
only 6 show up with the reflected update after hitting the verify button. Any
ideas? Thank you!

If you select mass update it only mass updates any lines/lots with actual changes.
So if you grab 3 lots that don't need to be updated, mass update - you get
nothing. If you grab 3 lots that all have changes, you get all 3.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Feb 20, 2023 21:30

Subject:

Re: Brickstock

Viewed:

29 times

Topic:

Technical Issues

In Technical Issues, Ninjamantis writes:

Is anyone else encountering issues with brick store, 'copying values from
store document'?

Im new to using brick store and use it to upload new part out sets to my inventory
on brick link. I have copied the existing remarks from brick link to my new file
successfully numerous times before, but now its not working and doesn't upload
the existing remarks. I use this method to keep track of where my parts are located,
as i find it difficult to do part out sets on brick link.

Not sure why this is happening. Not completely ruling out user error, but was
wondering whether this is a known error to anyone else or not?

Cheers

Nope, just uploaded recently, what version are you on, are you up to date?

Latest is 2022.11.2

I have accidentally forgotten to change from Old remarks to New remarks when
uploading, that does happen if you move too quickly.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Feb 3, 2023 00:54

Subject:

Re: More reason to love Bricklink!

Viewed:

42 times

Topic:

In Off Topic, pcthurman writes:

Every time you or someone else on Bricklink bashes or makes fun of eBay, you
are also bashing or making fun of those Bricklink members who also use eBay.

Just my $0.02
Cass T

Strange that comments about the selling platform specifically reflect on those
who use it without specifically mentioning the people who use it?

If I make fun or poke at facebook (and not its users) and you have a facebook
account is there also a correlation there?

To me it seems like a very strange way to look at the world. I mean unless you
own eBay or facebook then maybe offence would be warranted.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Feb 2, 2023 12:07

Subject:

Re: Paypal Shipping

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

Shipping

In Shipping, Shiny_Stuff writes:

My favorite part of using a third party shipping vendor is earning back my 1%
from Paypal. That doesn't happen if you use Paypal/ShipStation (or at least
it didn't before the ShipStation changeover).

My little shop has done well by PirateShip as far as saving money for me and
my buyers. I have been using PirateShip for just a little less than 2 years.

Oh man, you just blew my mind....

I have been seeing so many small cash back notifications by using my PayPal debit
card and for some reason my brain never linked the fact that I use that debit
card to pay my shipping. I rarely use that debit card so I was wondering where
that cash back was coming from as I never stopped to think about it. This is
funny and quite obvious after you pointed it out to me.

Free cash back and I don't have to use shipstation, pirateship just got even
better.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Feb 2, 2023 01:29

Subject:

Re: Paypal Shipping

Viewed:

45 times

Topic:

Shipping

In Shipping, legoman84 writes:

Recently I noticed that I was getting substantially higher shipping cost for
USPS domestic mail when creating a shipping label on PayPal/ShipStation. For
example it will tell me that a Priority Mail Package is $8.82 but when I purchased
the label it is $12.99. Is anyone having the same problems with PayPal shiping?

I find it strange that I have to purchase the over price shipping label then
void it in order to purchase the shipping label at the correct price.

I have come to find it easier to paste a full address into Pirateship vs hoping
that shipstation works that day. All the help I can offer!

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Jan 31, 2023 21:43

Subject:

Re: Different Pear Golds?

Viewed:

38 times

Topic:

Catalog Identification

In Catalog Identification, krystensprouse writes:

In Catalog Identification, jennnifer writes:

In Catalog Identification, krystensprouse writes:

I keep seeing 2 obviously different color "pearl gold" studs in my collection

Is there another color I'm missing or are they that different

Ps, it's not metallic or chrome

https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1383134

Flat dark gold. Got it. Thanks!

The most important part of that entire post is this:

https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1383159

"People will debate the nuances, but for the purposes of selling they are
all
Pearl Gold. If you want to list them as two lots under Pearl Gold you can, with
notes for the different shades. Up to you."

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Jan 29, 2023 19:01

Subject:

Re: Double invoice text

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

In Help, BrickScope writes:

Question for all of you who use custom invoice messages. All sent invoices automatically
include standard BrickLink payment instructions in addition to the payment instructions
I provide in my custom template. This is rather annoying since the BL text basically
says the same as what I say later. I want the customer to read the start of my
message before blindly clicking on the "pay now" button. Any way to turn
off the auto text?

Zoe

If you edit your store you can change the message templates (last under shipping
options) and remove whatever default text you like from any of the templates.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Jan 29, 2023 13:52

Subject:

Re: Messages are not forward to email

Viewed:

36 times

Topic:

Problem

In Problem, peregrinator writes:

In Problem, randyipp writes:

DKIM is super important these days. I had to look into why our organization
was getting categorized as spam by gmail and it was due to DKIM not being setup.
The nice part is that it only takes an hour to do this. I too got a 10/10 (without
dmarc).

Really? I found DKIM to be incredibly tedious to set up. But now there are companies
that will do it for you (that is, you just relay through their email servers
rather than trying to do all the work on your own). And maybe the Windows tools
are better these days (10-15 years ago running Postfix on Linux was the only
really good option).

Well it might be tedious if you do it for free, but for $300 there is a tool
that walks you through the process from emailarchitect.net. It was worth every
penny and is a lifetime license. This is exchange, not sure about the Linux
world, my knowledge of Linux is super limited.

My 1 hour statement could be wrong though, it's like when you go into a situation
and you have to learn it all as you go you feel like it will take forever, then
next thing you know you are done. It was like one of those kind of hours.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Jan 29, 2023 13:16

Subject:

Re: Messages are not forward to email

Viewed:

30 times

Topic:

Problem

In Problem, Admin_Russell writes:

Unofrtunately what you are saying about the blservice email address is true.
We get blocked by many ISPs and it takes the user themselves to unblock us or
request that we be unblocked.

While this is technically true, the root of the problem is bricklink's email
configuration.

This is only going to get worse over time as more email hosts will require dkim
(anti-spoofing config).

I urge you to point the technical team/it dept towards this permanent solution:
https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1389918

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Jan 29, 2023 13:08

Subject:

Re: Messages are not forward to email

Viewed:

35 times

Topic:

Problem

In Problem, 1001bricks writes:

Sender Policy Framework (SPF)
DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM)
Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC)

Failed... (email from December 2022)

Authentication-Results: spf=pass (sender IP is 54.208.31.131)
smtp.mailfrom=bricklink.com; dkim=none (message not signed)
header.d=none;dmarc=pass action=none header.from=bricklink.com;compauth=pass
reason=100
Received-SPF: Pass (protection.outlook.com: domain of bricklink.com designates
54.208.31.131 as permitted sender) receiver=protection.outlook.com;
client-ip=54.208.31.131; helo=blsmtp.bricklink.com; pr=C
Received: from blsmtp.bricklink.com (54.208.31.131) by

DKIM is super important these days. I had to look into why our organization
was getting categorized as spam by gmail and it was due to DKIM not being setup.
The nice part is that it only takes an hour to do this. I too got a 10/10 (without
dmarc).

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Jan 28, 2023 17:44

Subject:

Re: I want the Model Team sets brought back.

Viewed:

43 times

Topic:

In Help, legoranger00 writes:

I missed out on the Model Team sets. I want Lego to make them again. Does anybody
else want them brought back? If so help me make it happen. Share your ideas and
suggestions on how we can get Lego to do it.

Honestly the only good thing about model team sets is the nostalgia, everything
else now a days is so much better. Some things are meant to stay history and
not be drudged back up from the depths of the 80's and 90's.

If you are feeling nostalgic pick up some of the sets in modern colors and parts,
with a few substitutions I bet they aren't too bad.

Do you at least have one of these?

40409-1 (Inv) Hot Rod
134 Parts, 2 Minifigures, 2020
Sets: Promotional

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Jan 18, 2023 19:39

Subject:

Re: star wars, star wars, STAR WARS!!!

Viewed:

34 times

Topic:

Sales

In Sales, Poncke writes:

In Sales, Bricks_Ahoy writes:

Want star wars minifigures? Well stock has arrived!

all 23 !!

Well to be fair there are 66 in 23 lots, sounds a lot better that way.

And FYI you may want to add a weight to Dwarf Spider Droid as that will prevent
instant checkout. Since you are an instant checkout store check out this feature
that may help avoid issues in the future. Located on your inventory page.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Jan 18, 2023 00:13

Subject:

Re: How much did I earn?

Viewed:

70 times

Topic:

Taxes

In Taxes, kayteelee3 writes:

Aside from adding up each order, one by one, is there a way to discover how much
in sales I had last year? I'm just not seeing anything.

Easiest way is to download your orders (next to mass drive through button) in
CSV or Excel format and it is totaled at the bottom.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Jan 17, 2023 00:05

Subject:

Re: "Ships to me" Issues

Viewed:

39 times

Topic:

In Help, holtning writes:

Howdy, All!
I've been having some issues with both national and international shipping.
The stores in question say they ship to me in the USA. When I checked out, the
stores said they don't ship to my state. I live in the middle of the USA,
and I'll even get this from other sellers in the USA. I've reached out
to a couple of the owners, and they have tried to adjust the settings with no
luck. Any info would be fantastic!

You can just tell them to add an onsite payment method to resolve this, either
PayPal or Stripe will resolve the issue. Basically this is needed to collect
sales tax.

Surprised after 2 years or so this is still the message they give and haven't
changed it to something that actually makes logical sense!

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Jan 12, 2023 20:08

Subject:

Re: Yellowed Clear Pieces - Brand New Sets

Viewed:

36 times

Topic:

In General, Big_Al writes:

Has anyone else run into this? Is this "normal"?

Unfortunately with trans-clear pieces there has been a ton of variation lately,
this is very common. You will also notice shade/color variations in trans light-blue.
Up to you to decide if you want to create a different lot and add notes. Personally
I consider it a normal variance, much like pearl light gold can have a range.
When I pick the parts I always try to grab like color variation parts to fill
an order.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Jan 11, 2023 00:26

Subject:

Re: Bricksync Load a Backup File

Viewed:

35 times

Topic:

Related Software

In Related Software, Groovyavalon writes:

Hi,

I re-used bricksync after not using it for a while, and had some issues anyway
seems I got it to ‘work’ but lost around 3000parts of the most recent I added.

I think I have found the correct back-up file.

I copied it into the main folder and renamed it bricksync.inventory and moved
the old one out, restarted and typed sync, but it seems to just reset it to the
current BL inventory.

Not sure what I am doing, can I ask it to verify, or add over and above items
from the back il file somehow?? I’m ok with computers but no expert either, Bricksync
works well if I keep it running and remember to use blmaster, otherwise seems
I’m struggling though!

Sounds like you are doing it right. Make sure your store is open when you do
this, you can just set a huge min buy if you don't want orders.

Old bricksync installs should never be used if they are too out of date, better
to start with a fresh install. You can save backups but delete everything else
as a safety precaution to never accidentally run an old bricksync with an old
state file.

Worse case scenario delete your inventory and mass upload the backup in chunks.
Then start with a fresh bricksync install. You'll lose historical data
like date added and last date sold but the inventory will be correct.

Bricksync is powerful and sometimes scary but the writer decided that it should
backup inventory like a crazy person, which is why I love it so much. Remember
that your data can pretty much never be lost as every time it does anything a
backup is taken. Finding the right one can be painful but just take you time
and be sure you found the correct one. And I can't stress this enough, never
run an old bricksync and never have multiple copies of the data folder (besides
the backup folders).

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Jan 7, 2023 20:43

Subject:

Re: New here

Viewed:

38 times

Topic:

In Feedback, Adjour writes:

Not sure who you are buying from but if you are bargain hunting you probably
get what you pay for.

Some variants just cause issues, just message a seller beforehand and ask them
to verify the variant (or in the note with the order). But no need to send a
novel about it. Just please verify part is XYZ not ZYX.

Strange post.

First this isn't a variant issue, it is correct or not. I mean if we have
to start sending messages to sellers to ask if all the new parts in a new minifigure
are correct then why even buy new?

Second, he told us exactly what he spent on the figure $17 and $27, so not really
bargain hunting.

Finally, when you say something like "Not sure who you are buying from but
if you are bargain hunting you probably get what you pay for." are you really
trying to tell people that this issue of wrong parts is on the buyer? That is
huge steaming pile and makes me angry to see.

And to the OP, sorry man, some sellers here are excellent. I'd say the majority
are but a handful also don't really care too much. I have found that success
rate here is better than most other platforms due to this being more of an enthusiast
place to shop. Since this is a marketplace do yourself a favor and check the
feedback left BY sellers as well, this will indicate how they handle issues and
give you an idea if they are a bit crazy or not.

In the end there is no reason why a used figure should ever be sold as new, some
people honestly have no ethics. Usually you can flush out those sellers by their
feedback, sometimes you just have to look close.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Jan 6, 2023 00:42

Subject:

Re: Seller privileges revoked- New owner trying t

Viewed:

58 times

Topic:

Selling

Not super helpful but can you download your inventory with Brickstore in the
mean time?

I think you made the right move, creating a post that will hopefully gain some
attention.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Dec 21, 2022 20:27

Subject:

Re: "FIGURE IT OUT" SITE

Viewed:

52 times

Topic:

In General, pitz8008 writes:

That website to help find torsos "Figure It Out" all of a sudden stopped
working for me. When I input the torso color, everything shows up as normal.
But when I input the arm or hand color, it says that "No items were found".
Anybody else recently experience this problem?

Looks like they changed the way the search works with quotes, it doesn't
work with them at all any more.

I also agree that it is much faster, though that is not really relevant to the
post.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Dec 12, 2022 09:13

Subject:

Re: Buyers, do yourself (and sellers) a favor.

Viewed:

54 times

Topic:

In General, tons_of_bricks writes:

It all depends on what you view as fair. Pulling orders in a linear order in
which case a 1 lot order might have to wait for a 400 lot order to get done first?
Having people with strict time limits wait while we do other orders where the
customer doesn't mind waiting simply because they got their order placed
first? As long as we're shipping orders out within our stated time-frame,
I don't see how we're being unfair.

I suppose the same could be said for a 1 lot order having to wait because a 400
lot order asked if you could ship asap.

Linear is not really fair or unfair, it is by timestamp. It also does not involve
you coming on to a forum asking people to send a message if they need their order
sooner, to me that seems strange. How about asking people to send a message
that says "no rush" if they don't need it by Christmas, that seems more logical
to me. I mean if they all start coming in with "please ship asap" then what
has really changed?

Luckily this is a big store problem, not a little guy one so I don't have
to deal with it.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Dec 10, 2022 22:12

Subject:

Re: Common Courtesy

Viewed:

78 times

Topic:

This is why I always think those who are buyers who in turn become sellers are
the best places to shop from. They know what it's like to be shortchanged
a part or two with zero options, sometimes almost no communication and just outright
bad service. The phrase "easier to ask forgiveness that permission" is an overused
and frankly obnoxious way to live for everyone on the other side of it.

I know with instant checkout this site is inching ever closer to the anonymous
amazon type experience but how hard is it to send a message? I have always found
it simple to send a quick message with issues and in turn am very happy with
a seller who does so before refunding a part and shipping it anyway. This very
basic understanding of customer service seems to be something that is dying.

The only real negative feedback I ever left was due to this very reason. This
was also the first time it ever happened, like I was supposed to be happy about
a $.23 refund that would cost me at least $4 to fix. Seller didn't even
say they didn't have the part they just sent the refund and figured I'd
be delighted. Much less tightly wound these days so I generally just avoid giving
any feedback if I am bit disgruntled. Funny though when I pull up the emails
from 2014 on this transaction I instantly jump back into annoyed when I read
the messages sent, lol. Still I think back to this every time I make a mistake
and know exactly how the buyer feels.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Nov 23, 2022 00:19

Subject:

Re: Storage Options - Akro-Mils prices way up ???

Viewed:

30 times

Topic:

In General, randyipp writes:

In General, ImperialFleet writes:

Ha, just look at these

https://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10144-20-Inch-16-Inch-Hardware/dp/B003P2UOCO/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=Akro%2BMils%2Borganizer&qid=1669073905&sr=8-6

I only have one set though, I found a WAAAAY cheaper alternative

MBA

2018, those were the days. I guess it is true, you don't know how good you
have it until its gone.

Ugh, can barely make that out... try number 2

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Nov 23, 2022 00:14

Subject:

Re: Storage Options - Akro-Mils prices way up ???

Viewed:

39 times

Topic:

In General, ImperialFleet writes:

MBA

2018, those were the days. I guess it is true, you don't know how good you
have it until its gone.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Nov 9, 2022 16:24

Subject:

Re: Fix contradictory rules - assembled minifigs

Viewed:

46 times

Topic:

Suggestions

In Suggestions, SylvainLS writes:

In Suggestions, cosmicray writes:

An oblique reply to your scenario, and a reason why pre-assembly may be in the
best interest of all parties ….

About a year back, I parted out a 70111-1. In it is the Furty minifig. When I
attempted to assemble the Furty, the torso snapped and cracked. That was during
the period in which some colors have been described as brittle. While
that was unusual, it did prevent a problem from being sold, and then having to
be remedied. All the subsidiary bits were then listed and sold on their own.
The torso was round filed.

Nita Rae

So, assembling dozens? hundreds? thousands? of minifigures in 22 years helped
you not sell ONE bad torso?

And the exact same reason could serve for other parts: I assembled all your (Blue,
Reddish Brown…) bricks because I wanted to see if they would break.
But you don’t assemble other parts than minifig parts, do you?

I am still yet to hear a good reason to assemble new figures. I think my favorite
is to stop the parts from rubbing together, even though they were removed from
a plastic bag filled with other parts.

I have always had the mindset that no one ever cares if they get an unassembled
figure, but if 1 in 1000 cares it's assembled why even take that chance?
Also it doesn't bother me if the seller actually notes that the figure is
assembled because at least then it is impossible to miss.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Nov 6, 2022 18:16

Subject:

Re: Trimble SX10 Scanning Total Station

Viewed:

223 times

Topic:

In Help, 1P writes:

In Help, randyipp writes:

In Help, TheCuteGiraffe writes:

Doesnt look like lego, there isnt a lego logo on the box and from what I can
see, no logo on the parts.

The Cute Giraffe

May not be an endorsed Lego set but those all look like actual Lego parts from
the photos.

Probably not worth much more than the parts unless you find the right buyer.

The 1x1 modified bricks in the photos have a hole in the top, the official lego
ones don't

Good point, I was thinking it was a 1x4 modified but even that doesn't have
hollow studs.

Who knows what I was thinking!

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Nov 6, 2022 17:09

Subject:

Re: Trimble SX10 Scanning Total Station

Viewed:

45 times

Topic:

In Help, TheCuteGiraffe writes:

Doesnt look like lego, there isnt a lego logo on the box and from what I can
see, no logo on the parts.

The Cute Giraffe

May not be an endorsed Lego set but those all look like actual Lego parts from
the photos.

Probably not worth much more than the parts unless you find the right buyer.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Oct 29, 2022 14:49

Subject:

Re: Annoying Feedback

Viewed:

27 times

Topic:

In Off Topic, ImperialFleet writes:

Yeah, I tried explaining, but haven't heard anything. I haven't left
them feedback and am tempted to leave them neutral as well. I don't want
to be vindictive, but I also want to show how my feelings were about the situation.
What would you do, I'm genuinely curious.

It's all about communication. Part of it was the lead up to how long the
missing order took to be refunded and part of it is how it was dealt with during
the process and after. As someone not involved in this transaction I can't
tell you much other than you could try explaining to the buyer that a neutral
might as well be a negative due to the feedback system we have in place.

I'd also never leave a reply that looks like that, it sounds Aggressive and
in this case neither one of you are to blame for the loss. You have to try to
leave emotion out of it or try to view it from the buyers perspective, they placed
an order and didn't get what they want and that kind of sucks too. Sometimes
you just have to walk away and come back in a bit with a clear head. Leave your
positive feedback, the buyer paid and did their job. Now it is up to you to
convince them to see it from your perspective, as politely as possible.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Oct 29, 2022 13:48

Subject:

Re: Annoying Feedback

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

In Off Topic, ImperialFleet writes:

I just received a neutral feedback because the post office lost a package. Fully
refunded order and everything, plus now I am out the shipping and parts. 2 cases
were opened with USPS and never found. I know it can't be fixed, it's
just annoying.

So often this time of year, nothing like a increase in price and worse service!

Honestly I don't blame the carriers I blame the daily "I'm a candidate
vote for me" mail. I counted 13 in one day this week alone.

All you can do is explain and hope the buyer deletes it.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Oct 21, 2022 10:51

Subject:

Re: Misprint Blue Torso 6½ buttons

Viewed:

33 times

Topic:

In Help, yorbrick writes:

In Help, ImperialFleet writes:

Hello,

This part [973p26c01] comes with six buttons. I have heard of some with 6 and
a half. Is it rare or common misprint? I've come across one in pretty good
shape where part of the button is showing on front and continues on the underside.
I could be horribly wrong, so please let me know!! Thanks!

P.s. I'll post a picture if anyone is interested!

Going by the amount of threads started about it, it is very common.

To be fair I am pretty sure it is all from the same person posting about the
same part.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Oct 18, 2022 21:26

Subject:

Re: Paypal Fees - Rather High

Viewed:

56 times

Topic:

Payment Methods

In Payment Methods, peregrinator writes:

In Payment Methods, SDF_Bricks writes:

I tried to setup a Stripe account and it's asking for more questions than
I care to answer.

Last time I tried to set it up I got as far as it asking for my EIN. I don't
have an EIN (sole proprietor).

Strange to then give your opinion on something you've never used.

Stipe is basically the same as Paypal, but does not offer a way to hold your
money or shipping options. I get payouts directly into an online back I setup
for business use (Ally) similarly to the frequency of eBay these days. Stipe
setup requires a tiny bit more work, you need to link to Bricklink privacy policy,
terms, and your store.

For some stats, I signed up in 2018 and have had $20k+ in gross sales with $0
in chargebacks or fraud. People without issues rarely report how things are
going.

Also if you pay your fees by card, you use stripe, kind of says it all doesn't
it?

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Sep 22, 2022 15:05

Subject:

Re: Anyone use this to store lego? Good or bad?

Viewed:

45 times

Topic:

In General, LMAinFLA writes:

I'm considering buying a number of these parts organizers from Harbor Freight
this weekend and wanted to know what experience other Lego collectors and sellers
have had with this product.

Thanks

When it comes to drawers you will be sliding in and out frequently do not go
cheap. I tried one of these years ago and each drawer stuck and slid like trash.

Personally I'd recommend going super cheap zip lock bags first and using
your profits to buy decent drawer units.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Sep 20, 2022 21:51

Subject:

Re: Buyer complained before I could respond

Viewed:

62 times

Topic:

Posts like this are always concerning to me. This entire issue is just miscommunication
and will only take basic communication skills to fix it. Do not quote your buyer
on a public forum.

First off, take a deep breath, walk away from the computer for a bit to calm
down if you need to so you can think clear-headed and rationally about this situation.

Now, check to see if the order is cancelled, this is not a gray area it is or
is not cancelled. Looks to me that it is not, I see 0 cancelled orders in your
store.

If not cancelled it is time to type up a short, polite message communicating
this. No need for too much text in detail, just also make sure you send the
order out asap. After sending this and the order just wait, be patient and let
them contact you in their own time. Eventually you can apologize again and drop
the link for feedback removal and hope they change their mind. Sometimes people
can act irrational at first and will eventually be able to look back at a situation
and realize that they made a mistake. To put it bluntly sometimes being a seller
is just finding a way to talk someone off a ledge, you aren't just selling
little pieces of plastic you're selling happiness.

Something like:

I'm sorry about the delay and confusion, your order has not been canceled
just a partial refund was issued. This refund was given due to a personal issue
that did not allow me to provide the level of service I expect to provide. You
order will be in the mail tomorrow with tracking number xxxxxxxxx.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Sep 19, 2022 10:51

Subject:

Re: Do I have reason to get this Neutral removed?

Viewed:

41 times

Topic:

In Feedback, electricbaer writes:

Indeed, may just have to get on with it and go flat rate. I did reach out to
the buyer to try to make amends, we'll see what happens there too.

Zone is the biggest argument for instant checkout I see. Bricklink is the ONLY
online marketplace that is or ever has been concerned with exact shipping. I
guess when dealing with parts that are potentially pennies getting shipping just
right was a priority back in the day. These days you are talking about $1 or
$.50 or potentially even less, in the grand scheme of things I'd gladly pay
that convenience fee to know my exact price when I checkout.

Sets are a lot trickier when it comes to instant checkout.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Sep 15, 2022 21:27

Subject:

Re: Finally, some changes in Bricklink Website

Viewed:

41 times

Topic:

In General, iprice writes:

In General, BricxaLot writes:

As a web designer and avid user, I could not help but noticed they are finally
updating some fonts and interfaces at Bricklink website! Thank you!

Am I right in thinking that some icons have disappeared too? I'm sure there
were small images in the Market Menu that no longer appear.

Am I just imagining that? Are other people seeing them and not me? FireFox, latest
update on Windows 11.

Here is the site from 4-9-2020, don't see any images.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Sep 14, 2022 23:05

Subject:

Re: Break sets in set?

Viewed:

43 times

Topic:

Selling

In Selling, FlipLego writes:

When parting out.... what does this mean exactly. 'Break Sets in Set'

Prime candidate for this is any:

60352-1 (Inv) Advent Calendar 2022, City
24 Sets, 2022
Sets: Holiday & Event: Advent: City

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Sep 13, 2022 19:59

Subject:

Re: did your Bricklink font change too?

Viewed:

48 times

Topic:

In General, RedTardis writes:

did your Bricklink font change too?

Yes, it finally matches when you go to studio gallery, it used to change my font
when I clicked into gallery and then back when I was anywhere else.

I like the look.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Sep 9, 2022 16:59

Subject:

Re: First LEGO set you got

Viewed:

28 times

Topic:

In Off Topic, LEGOfan1138 writes:

So I’m curious to know what y’all’s first set was. I’ll go first: mine was 9496
Desert Skiff. I remember getting it from a close friend back in the day. Still
own my Luke Skywalker and Boba Fett from that set. Sadly the rest has went to
the bin which I sold a few years ago. ( I remember having a 2014 Grand Inquisitor
in there too! 😕

I could guess but probably never be certain. I can say that I 100% remember
getting this set:

6276-1 (Inv) Eldorado Fortress
462 Parts, 8 Minifigures, 1989
Sets: Pirates: Pirates I: Imperial Soldiers

I was completely blown away by how huge and amazing it was, that was a special
Christmas. Honestly makes me wonder if I am spoiling my kids now.

I dug out all the parts about 10 years ago and put it together again, I kind
of want to do a search for it again. Its one of those sets (along with the forestmen
ones) that really just bring me back.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Sep 9, 2022 00:59

Subject:

Re: Pizza Contest! with an actual prize!!!

Viewed:

32 times

Topic:

$90.21

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Sep 8, 2022 20:06

Subject:

Re: WARNING: Young Maxx picture!

Viewed:

25 times

Topic:

In General, maxx3001 writes:

From 2013, for the new people that don’t know my history and wonder why I collect
2x4 bricks, this is how it started:

Just found an old picture of when I was younger under a bunch of 3001olds.
(weirdly enough, all pictures are from when you were younger)

I was wondering where that picture had ended up.
That's an old picture of me with my dad.

And in case you are wondering, yes, that is my Mum in the background, shaving
her legs with my dads axe, he would not let her use the chainsaw again after
the unfortunate trouble she got into the last time with the daughter of our next
door down neighbours son in law.

My 2x4 collection started that day a long, long time ago in a far of galaxy where
this brick came out of the sky.
(or it might have been in our backyard, can't remember exactly, it was a
long long time ago after all)
I asked Pa what it was, he scratched his head and got his cigarettes out.
Lit one in a straight line and made a smoke square in the sky next to the crop
circle we found surrounding this weird brick.

Did I mention he was a very square guy, everyone around him thought so.
They used to get round him to keep him from taking a swing into the house which
my mother thought should be outside in the grassy knoll.
After a few puffs he said: "I don't know son..."

My dad has always been a very helpful guy he has.

So from that day forward I took upon me the mission of fighting crimes against
unwanted 2x4 bricks.
Going to places no one had gone before, seeking new bricks and new collections,
getting balder in the process.
Making a better place for those multicolored bricks in a blue, yellow, white
and red dominated world.

So far I have liberated many bricks from oppression, being locked up in dusty
old places and being mistreated.
You should see the scars on some of them as they come in, like they were bitten
or chewed.
Some are black and blue or even worse.

But after a nice welcome, a fair treatment and a nice warm bath in my place they
soon settle down and enjoy the view.
After all those years of being abused they now find themselves in the good company
of my pa, whom had stopped smoking after I told him it was bad for my bricks.
He just looked empty glassy eyed at me and asked me if that was some kind of
slang for balls, filling up his cup again after draining the pond for the coming
winter?

We both build a box to house the bricks in and lit his one to keep us warm and
used mine to sit on in the field to not get wet bottoms.
Pa hated a wet bottom he ones said, I did not ask, but now I knew why mother
always chose that spot close to the fire place.

"Did you ever think of that brick from the sky", I asked him?
"Where it might have come from, were it was going, why it was blue?"
He took him empty bag of cigarettes and lit one, puffed a nice triangle of smoke
to let me notice he thought I was gay for asking.

Now every time a new 2x4 brick arrives, I am feeling very gay, but to make it
so obvious a statement in the air for everyone but my ma to see, she was in the
house making dishes from that fight she had with pa over UFO's.
"No such thing as flying saucers" he said, plates flying over his head, smashing
into the wall behind me.

After a while you got used to the weekly trips to Ikea and started wondering
why we even owned a dishwasher.
He only cost money, so I decided to let my brother go, he could try and earn
a living somewhere else washing dishes.

After putting out his empty and now burned package of cigarettes he koffed and
finally answered my question.
"No," he said being the level minded person he was, he sat down and got back
out into the house using the stairs to go up into the basement, leaving me in
there looking down at the night sky, wondering why me....

The only disappointing part is that this story consisted of 3000 characters,
without spaces. I mean it was so close, a true oddity.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Sep 7, 2022 15:50

Subject:

Re: (C) on Droid legs?

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

Catalog Identification

In Catalog Identification, stearns writes:

Hey all,
just picked a

42687 Legs Mechanical, Super Battle Droid - Solid between Feet
Parts: Minifigure, Legs, Modified

out of a flea market crate, and noticed it has no writing whatsoever on it. So
I'm asking: can anyone confirm they come without (C), "LEGO", part no. or
anything else? Seems strange to me, since the smaller ones (30376) have their
crotches printed all over...
Thanks!

Many of the older ones do not have Lego in the mold. Most of mine have never
had a logo, I think only the newer ones do.

I have intentionally purchased some fake ones to check and those don't usually
have the injection point on the crotch.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Sep 5, 2022 15:40

Subject:

Re: 20 Million orders today. THANK YOU BL !!!

Viewed:

52 times

Topic:

In Buying, helge writes:

The first order in my store:

07/08/2000 BL Order ID 70

I have no clue what I sold though.

Wow, a double digit order is very cool.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Sep 5, 2022 15:27

Subject:

Re: 20 Million orders today. THANK YOU BL !!!

Viewed:

46 times

Topic:

In Buying, Schredder writes:

Do You still know, what You sold first on Bricklink?

I had to look it up, my first sale back in 2016 was:

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Aug 31, 2022 21:18

Subject:

Re: figuring out minifigs from inventory

Viewed:

27 times

Topic:

In General, Brettj666 writes:

I am wondering if there is any solution out there that is like Rebrickable for
minifigs.

By that, I mean, you put in your torsos, legs, heads, accessories and whatnot,
and it spits out "you can make these minifigs"

I know I can go through the catalog, pick a torso, find out what parts it uses
for a mini-fig, but that's really labour intensive.

Rebrickable will take all your bricks and tell you what sets you build, I just
want the same thing for minifigs.

Any and all suggestions are very appreciated.

https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1305485

If you search "Rebrickable for minifigs" in this forum you'll get more info.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Aug 25, 2022 23:24

Subject:

Re: Multiple listings of the same part.

Viewed:

54 times

Topic:

In General, legomalego writes:

Makes total sense..... Still hitting the back button

Don't forget to favorite!

Drives me crazy unless they have actual reasons for it such as quality, but 9
lots with the same new part, yeah I'm not shopping there. So glad they gave
us a unique lot column when buying by wanted list.

There was a seller on here, not sure if they are still selling but they actually
never parted out a set, they didn't consolidate any lots, they just put the
set number in the comments. Then they went to each set the needed to to fulfill
an order, I am assuming randomly searching bags frantically looking for parts.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Aug 24, 2022 22:29

Subject:

Re: Let's give away $100 to a fellow BL member!

Viewed:

26 times

Topic:

In Contests, randyipp writes:

I'll go 483

466

451

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Aug 23, 2022 21:16

Subject:

Re: Let's give away $100 to a fellow BL member!

Viewed:

29 times

Topic:

In Contests, randyipp writes:

I'll go 483

466

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Aug 23, 2022 12:13

Subject:

Re: My store is destroyed now or is it?

Viewed:

95 times

Topic:

Selling

In Selling, Tracyd writes:

There can also be legal aspect to giving too much information. So speculate
away. You can imagine any nefarious schemes you want on both sides. At the
end of the day every USER be they buyer or seller are here at the whim of the
owner of the site. I am not saying they are acting capriciously but they do
not have to give any reason for their actions. More information on their actions
while nice is not mandated. And yes some sellers livelihood is provided by this
site, the sites concern is for the sites reputation and not anyone's livelihood.

I can't help but think that there would be little to no speculation if this
was handled a bit better. A simple message to the seller at the same time as
the store suspension should make it clear as to why a store was closed. This
type of communication would certainly cut down on the "why was my store suspended?"
posts on the forum, leading to much less speculation.

Author:

randyipp

Posted:

Aug 22, 2022 22:08

Subject:

Re: Let's give away $100 to a fellow BL member!

Viewed:

24 times

Topic: