BrickLink Discussion Forum

In General, Nubs_Select writes:

In General, SDF_Bricks writes:

I've had a buyer potentially interested in 2 large sets I'm selling.
He asked for pictures. So, I went ahead, checked the inventory once again, took
several pictures, sent to him, unlisted the two items he was interested in (to
give him first dibs). It's been 4 days now and he has not even acknowledged
receipt of the pictures and what his intentions are. Be nice to people they said,
what did I get? I waisted 2 hours and now nothing. Yes, it's part of the
business/hobby, but next time someone asks for pictures well ... we'll see.

in general (not always) the buyers who ask for pictures are some of the least
likely to ever buy anything.

Thank you. I've learned my lesson. He haggled, wanted a discount if he bought
both items ... etc etc. Ah well. Next time I'll ask for a deposit, and a
restocking fee LOL

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Feb 2, 2024 19:39

Subject:

Modern Buyers?

Viewed:

241 times

Topic:

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Feb 2, 2024 14:09

Subject:

Re: To text; or not to text?

Viewed:

42 times

Topic:

In General, iprice writes:

In General, Ziegelmeister writes:

What's the general sentiment about texting a buyer/seller after a week of
no communication?

I'm coming up on a week for an invoice that hasn't been paid yet for
a large set. Messages are not read and it's a relatively old user with
very low feedback. (so they should know how the system works, but maybe it's
been a while?) There is a phone number attached to the address so I could call
or text but people get funky about that kind of stuff now-a-days.

Email/BL Message? Yes. Call/Text? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

If email/messaging fails, issue an NPB.

NPB is a very NASTY thing. Do NOT do it!!!

I would text them and put it in polite words.

Your set is packed and ready to go. Kindly remit payment and I'll ship it
out today. Thank You.

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Feb 2, 2024 13:03

Subject:

Re: Part 3037 in Dark Tan

Viewed:

60 times

Topic:

In General, Stuart9 writes:

Is the colour consistent underneath ?

In General, SDF_Bricks writes:

I have two of the following part, yet BrickLink does not even list that the color
was ever issued. Is this an issue with BL or am I sitting on a fortune?

https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=3037&name=Slope%2045%202%20x%204&category=%5BSlope%5D#T=S&O={%22iconly%22:0}

My mistake. It's actually Sand Red, at it came out only in one set in 2001.
The color is very similar to DarkTan ... at least to my eyes.

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Feb 2, 2024 12:34

Subject:

Part 3037 in Dark Tan

Viewed:

113 times

Topic:

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Jan 29, 2024 05:28

Subject:

Ninjago 9446: 3684c should be 3684a

Viewed:

61 times

Topic:

Inventories

Status:

Open

In set 9446 Destiny's Bounty, the current inventory lists part 3684c.
It should in fact be part 3684a.

This can be confirmed from the instructions manual, which clearly shows 3684
(with hollow studs).

I do have 2 copies of such set to support this as well.

https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=3684c&idColor=86#T=S&C=86&O={%22color%22:86,%22iconly%22:0}

https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=3684a#T=S&O={%22iconly%22:0}

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Jan 28, 2024 11:44

Subject:

Non-Paying NEW Members

Viewed:

222 times

Topic:

Lately I've seen a surge in NEW members (zero feedback), who end up non-paying.
I'd love to help newbies, but when I go through th effort of checking the
inventory, packing the set, and buying shipping, then the would be buyer cancels
.. that is really annoying.

Yes, I could wait for payment before buying the shipping label, but all of that
takes time.

Should we just ignore all new buyers with zero feedback?

I'd hate to tarnish their reputation and give a negative feedback, but at
the same time, I expect some 'courtesy/commitment' in return.

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Jan 22, 2024 14:41

Subject:

Re: Female minifigs more expensive

Viewed:

40 times

Topic:

In General, Nubs_Select writes:

In General, Saitobricks.ca writes:

In General, SylvainLS writes:

In General, SDF_Bricks writes:

[…]
So, I do not recall seeing any samurai in Lego.

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?catType=S&catString=284

More particularly

6013-1 (Inv) Samurai Swordsman
7 Parts, 1 Minifigure, 1998
Sets: Ninja

Aaa yes the original ninjago.

Much better.

Plus these 2
https://www.bricklink.com/v2/search.page?q=Samurai%20only#T=A

Wait ... a female samurai??? We managed to close the loop somehow.
Sadly, at $2.00-3.00 going price, she's not worth much ...

Maybe we prefer our heroins (female heroes) in female attire *wink*

https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?M=col206&name=Samurai,%20Series%2013%20(Minifigure%20Only%20without%20Stand%20and%20Accessories)&category=%5BCollectible%20Minifigures%5D%5BSeries%2013%20Minifigures%5D#T=S&O={%22iconly%22:0}

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Jan 22, 2024 13:59

Subject:

Re: Female minifigs more expensive

Viewed:

36 times

Topic:

In General, PlanetEarthToys writes:

In General, SDF_Bricks writes:

I've noticed that, mostly, female minifigs in any given set are MORE expensive
than male counter-parts. This is especially true if such minifig appears in one
set only. Any specific reason for this or ... is it because this is still a male
dominated hobby and we're all enamored by cute faces?

nope..
you all have fun with this one.. i'll get a ban..

This started as a 'fun' conversation ... and then we all learned about
medieval european armies and the japanese samurai. Beautiful, I had never anticipated
this discussion to pull in such aspects, but such is the beauty of 'plant
a seed/idea' .. and 'see how it evolves.

So, I do not recall seeing any samurai in Lego. Any reason why?
Yes, I know about Ninjago, but that theme is for the young kids. (no issue with
that)

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Jan 22, 2024 11:58

Subject:

Re: Female minifigs more expensive

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

In General, yorbrick writes:

In General, SDF_Bricks writes:

Sometimes they cost more, sometimes less. Price is usually related to supply
vs demand, not the gender. More expensive usually means a higher demand to supply
ratio. They could be more desireable because LEGO create more male figures so
it is easier to get generic male ones than female ones. Although with heads being
very cheap, male figures can usually be turned into female ones easily so long
as the torsos are not "macho" ones with muscle patterns. The other way
round is often harder due to the more specific female body printing on the torso
(cleavage and curves). The price difference could also be that the traditional
male hair pieces are very common and some of the new female ones are scarcer.
So even if the legs, torso and heads were exactly the same, the hairpiece would
make the female version more expensive.

So, in the end, what is YOUR answer? Male dominated hobby and cute females?

You gave many answers that explain supply and demand and the like. While all
of that is obvious and not new. I was asking more about the 'pull' for
such minifigs.

I have many female minifigs (Exo-Force, Agents, POC, POP) .. and in GENERAL,
females command higher prices than males.

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Jan 22, 2024 09:55

Subject:

Female minifigs more expensive

Viewed:

240 times

Topic:

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Jan 19, 2024 23:14

Subject:

Quite a dilemma

Viewed:

209 times

Topic:

I have a buyer from Korea interested in a small set (not too rare), and he wanted
to see pictures. In the middle of this, another member just went ahead and purchased
the set.

What is fair? Who should get the set?

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Jan 18, 2024 22:18

Subject:

Re: Zip lock bags

Viewed:

36 times

Topic:

In General, oak73 writes:

Wondering what size Ziplock bags do you recommend to someone new to selling Legos?

Check out Hobby Lobby. Theirs are a good value, though not very thick and would
wrinkle easily i.e., single use only.

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Jan 7, 2024 04:03

Subject:

Re: Have to pay VAT twice. What can be done?

Viewed:

55 times

Topic:

Taxes

In Taxes, popsicle writes:

In Taxes, Poncke writes:

I am in Ireland. Ordered from Indonesia, BL took the VAT on placing the order.
I told the seller to add a VAT invoice on the package to prevent double VAT.
Just got the email from customs, telling me to pay VAT otherwise the package
goes back to Indonesia.

I cannot check what the seller has done until I have the package. And as a private
individual I have no option to claim back VAT from Irish Revenue.

Any advice welcome, thanks.

It's typical incompetence throughout... And why we haven't yet opened
back up to transacting with other countries again. Just not worth the hassle.

Until the various global private/governmental systems sync up a bit more (iow,
get their act together) we'll continue selling domestic only. When I see
that the newest money-grab methods have somewhat normalized, we'll reopen
to global sales.

And yes, I'm fully aware the so called necessity of the "electronic"
input of the IOSS data over hard invoice, it's failures too

-popsicle

Not to derail the conversation, but this 'globalization' of commerce
has made this hobby (and others) extremely expensive. For example, I can't
buy/sell anything with Canada (just next door) as their taxes and SHIPPING are
just crazy. I recently sold a small part to a buyer in Montreal, the part itself
(thin flex cable for Power Puller) was $10.00, shipping was twice that amount.
So much for open borders and global trade.

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Jan 7, 2024 03:32

Subject:

Re: Recognize set

Viewed:

44 times

Topic:

Help

In Help, Ozzy222 writes:

Can anyone recognize which set it belongs to?

These are the only sets that have pat 44359 in Dark Bluish Gray. I somehow do
not recognize any. Can you identify few more unique/rare parts?

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=44359&colorID=85&in=A

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Jan 3, 2024 11:04

Subject:

Re: Can't please everyone

Viewed:

78 times

Topic:

In General, peregrinator writes:

In General, SDF_Bricks writes:

In the end, what buyers/sellers NEED to understand is that none of us is running
a FULL-FLEDGED like the lego company, and mistakes are bound to happen. I have
been buying lego sets for the past 40+ years, and I had my share of missing parts,
even from official/sealed lego sets. Lego 'compensates' for this but
putting 'extra' parts.

I've had maybe two missing parts (one in each of two sets) in 45 years. Ironically
both newer sets long after Lego stopped assembling by hand.

While I do think you handled this particular instance in a professional way,
I don't think buyers "need" to understand that sellers aren't
running "full-fledged" companies -- that just strikes me as a euphemism
for not being professional. If you list a set as complete it should be complete
(and not according to Rebrickable), and a buyer who pays for that set
has a right to expect it to be complete. (I see many sets listed elsewhere where
the seller won't guarantee completeness for exactly this reason.)

I think you would be justified in responding to the negative feedback, without
acrimony, with some of the points you've listed here.

Thank you very much for a very positive and constructive advice/feedback.

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Jan 3, 2024 10:25

Subject:

Re: Can't please everyone

Viewed:

64 times

Topic:

In General, peregrinator writes:

In General, SDF_Bricks writes:

Thank you very much for a very positive and constructive advice/feedback.

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Jan 3, 2024 10:06

Subject:

Re: Can't please everyone

Viewed:

80 times

Topic:

In General, ghyde writes:

In General, SDF_Bricks writes:

I had listed a large set as complete and sold it to an individual. Because of
the busy holiday season, I had made a mistake and forgot to include some parts.
I did ship the missing parts later, added a gift/freebie (~8.00), gave the buyer
a generous discount, and yet he decided to leave me a negative feedback. My first
ever. I guess you can't please crazy trigger happy cow-boys out there. Good
thing is all my other reviews are stellar.

** just venting ** ... Happy New Year everyone.

You should get busy checking every other set you have listed for sale, to make
sure all of the included parts are stored in one bag or container so that this
mistake doesn't happen again.

Chalk it up to a lesson learned, store the sets in the completeness in which
you have them described. The way in which you describe this case means you should
humbly accept the buyer's rightful wrath.

Cheers ...

ghyde

Before you all team up and try to skin me, here are some additional details:

1. I identified some of the missing parts and I notified the buyer and gave him
a discount, Which he was ok with.

2. IN the rush for the holidays, I was packing multiple sets and put one bag
in another order by mistake (mistakes happen). I then Bought NEW (not used) parts
and sent them to the customer .

3. I added a small lego set as a freebie with the parts I sent later.

4. I check my inventories based on Rebrickable. Somehow for this specific set,
Rebrickable and Brickink had small differences.

In the end, what buyers/sellers NEED to understand is that none of us is running
a FULL-FLEDGED like the lego company, and mistakes are bound to happen. I have
been buying lego sets for the past 40+ years, and I had my share of missing parts,
even from official/sealed lego sets. Lego 'compensates' for this but
putting 'extra' parts.

Live and Learn as they say.

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Jan 2, 2024 21:38

Subject:

Can't please everyone

Viewed:

337 times

Topic:

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Dec 24, 2023 16:56

Subject:

Re: SHE SAID YES!!! 💍

Viewed:

47 times

Topic:

Off Topic

In Off Topic, BricksOfFaith writes:

😁😁😁😁

Congratulations, and all the very best for the many many any years to come.

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Dec 24, 2023 14:38

Subject:

Re: Help Identify Pieces

Viewed:

36 times

Topic:

Help

In Help, janzenroth writes:

The one piece is:

14769pb374 Tile, Round 2 x 2 with Bottom Stud Holder with Lavender Paint Palette and Brush on Light Aqua Background Pattern (Sticker) - Set 41365
Parts: Tile, Round, Decorated {White}

You can do a multiple search with at most 3 specific parts, and Bricklink will
tell you the candidate sets those parts come from.

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Dec 24, 2023 00:58

Subject:

Re: How to close store for few days ?

Viewed:

56 times

Topic:

In General, wildchicken13 writes:

In General, SDF_Bricks writes:

Holiday break. How to close store for few days?

Go to your store settings under the Management tab:
https://www.bricklink.com/v2/mystore/management.page

Where it says Store Status click Closed and where it says Select
a reason for closure choose I am going on vacation.

Don't forget to click Save changes!

Hope that helps.

Thank you very much, and Happy Holidays.

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Dec 24, 2023 00:04

Subject:

How to close store for few days ?

Viewed:

90 times

Topic:

Holiday break. How to close store for few days?

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Dec 21, 2023 12:21

Subject:

Re: Some customers ....

Viewed:

55 times

Topic:

Off Topic

In Off Topic, popsicle writes:

Some vendors too...

LOL ... good point

Cheers people, these are the holidays, and we must be empathic.

Author:

SDF_Bricks

Posted:

Dec 20, 2023 18:23

Subject:

Re: Which Set is this?

Viewed:

31 times

Topic:

Catalog Identification