BrickLink Discussion Forum

In Buying, Amazingly writes:

In Buying, yorbrick writes:

I think most do not make the right claims with Bricklink for them to take action
though. I see people with the worst feedback where they didn't send all the
parts and it only takes 3 people to make the right claim for them to be suspended.
At least that is what I thought.

If the seller refunds for the missing / damaged / wrong parts and shows proof
of it, then the NSS will be removed. However, the buyer might still leave negative
feedback. So the store can have a poor feedback score without being suspended.

I know but 3 NSS and you are suspended until it is resolved. Then you submit
proof and how long do you have to wait? One guy was waiting 3 weeks to reopen.
If they all did an NSS the bad stores would be gone more often.

I don't know how long you have to wait. I know we get reports here of people
waiting multiple weeks, but I don't know how common that is. Similarly I
don't know how many buyers go on to complete a NSS after they start one,
especially when there is evidence a parcel was delivered or money has been refunded.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 23, 2024 11:12

Subject:

Re: Why does Bricklink not support buyers at all?

Viewed:

75 times

Topic:

Buying

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 23, 2024 10:32

Subject:

Re: Why does Bricklink not support buyers at all?

Viewed:

65 times

Topic:

Buying

In Buying, aimeekey4 writes:

I have filed a couple of complaints over the last 2 years that I filed with Bricklink
after trying to resolve the situation with the sellers over numerous weeks.
One issue was they shipped bootleg minifig parts and we even submitted clear
pictures of what was shipped. The second order with a different buyer, they
shipped minifigs with the wrong colored parts. I've lost a total of $65
over these two orders - both of which were gifts for my son. There's no
buyer support and no protection from scammers. This last guy had 12 complaints
in the last year for the same issues and Bricklink is doing NOTHING about it.
The guy is a jerk and I'm out the money. Anyone else having this trouble?

Bricklink does support buyers in that it bans sellers if they have performance
issues reported and completed in the correct way by buyers. PayPal will refund
you if you make a complaint to them, as they are the one that deals with the
finance side (if you paid that way).

Bricklink also supports buyers through publishing feedback from previous customers.
If a seller obtains lots of negative feedback for issues before you buy, then
you are warned about it if you look at the feedback. The seller you bought from
had already received quite a bit of negative feedback before your order was placed
and would have had a low percentage rating. Did you look at it before you bought?

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 23, 2024 08:13

Subject:

Re: Creating a diagonal striped pole/block?

Viewed:

43 times

Topic:

My Own Creation

In My Own Creation, toolman123 writes:

Hi there,

I am wanting to create a striped pole that would be used in a Christmas build
as a "North Pole". I wanted to create the stripes angled rather than
straight and then possibly put a light brick in the top surrounded by transparent/translucent
blue bricks. However, I am struggling to create the stripes in a cube.

Can anyone recommend the best way to do this, or suggest which brick number(s)
I could use?

Many thanks!

The old macaroni bricks could be used staggered, so that might work, but it would
be rather large, much bigger than minifigure scale.

On a smaller scale, you could use one of these in white:

43888 Support 1 x 1 x 6 Solid Pillar
Parts: Support

and wrap a long thin red sticker around it to create the candy cane effect. Or
use a red one and wrap a white sticker around it.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 23, 2024 04:55

Subject:

Re: Selling vintage sets with replica stickers?

Viewed:

53 times

Topic:

Selling

- Is it acceptable / legal to offer vintage sets which use replica stickers?
(Of course with the explicit note in the offer listing that replicas were used.)

Not really. At the very least they should be listed as incomplete sets, as they
are not complete if they are missing the original stickers. Personally, I think
the replica stickers should be removed so as not to cause confusion later on.

I think third party direct copy replacements for official LEGO parts to be problematic.
You know they are not original and you may say this when you sell them, but when
the next person comes to sell them, they might not have realised when they bought
it or they find it years later and sell it as having the original stickers, when
in reality they have replica or fake parts (as in copies of the genuine LEGO
items masquerading as the originals). In that sense, I find custom created items
that are different to genuine LEGO products less a problem, as they are not pretending
to be something that they are not and there should not be confusion as to whether
they are genuine.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 23, 2024 02:33

Subject:

Re: Updating Store Inventory Pricing

Viewed:

32 times

Topic:

Price Guide

In Price Guide, Ladyandabrick writes:

Hey All

re: Update my store inventory section.

The following option can be selected:-

Make sale prices (and all tier prices) the base prices.
Round results to 2 decimals.

Does this option work across the whole store inventory by selecting the Current
Items for Sale pricing?

Thanks in advance to all.

It works on whatever categories you select.

If you are not sure what you are doing, then download your inventory and close
your store before you try it. That way, you can restore if you mess up.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 22, 2024 15:14

Subject:

Re: Can't mark order as shipped

Viewed:

19 times

Topic:

Problem

In Problem, Blue82Da writes:

In Problem, Nubs_Select writes:

In Problem, Blue82Da writes:

I have an order that has been paid for thru PayPal and the money has cleared.
The order didn't make as paid and I now can not mark as shipped. Please
help? Thank you in advance!

Were taxes involved? If so did they pay with PayPal onsite or just PayPal you
directly? If taxes were involved it has to be paid directly on bricklink so bricklink
can collect sales tax otherwise the buyer sends you the sales tax which is not
allowed.

Thank you so much for your answer ...yes there was sales tax of 1.68 on the order
which is probably exactly what my problem is. New problem is...how do I correct
it now? I guess I need to put in my terms that you have to pay me directly onsite
with PayPal to avoid this moving forward. Thank you so much for your help, it
is very appreciated!

You have to refund the PayPal payment and ask the buyer to pay again using the
onsite button.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 22, 2024 10:09

Subject:

Re: Seller not shipping and not sending refund

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

Problem Order

In Problem Order, peregrinator writes:

In Problem Order, yorbrick writes:

If from your bank, I'd email the seller saying you want the order cancelled.
Then tell the bank that you have told the seller to cancel the order. Also complete
the NSS anyway.

Isn't there an option to cancel the order when the NSS is completed?

It is more abut the bank here. They cannot tell whether an order is cancelled
on BL or not. However, if they are asking if it is cancelled, the buyer giving
a seller notice that they want to cancel (and the order has not been sent) then
it should be enough for the bank.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 22, 2024 08:42

Subject:

Re: Seller not shipping and not sending refund

Viewed:

59 times

Topic:

Problem Order

In Problem Order, Mkwill96 writes:

Hi, I am having an issue with a seller that does not respond to any of my messages
and is refusing to ship the order after payment. It has been a month since payment
was made and seller constantly lies about shipping dates, says they'll be
shipped in 2 days only to delay it and not respond to me after. On one of the
orders I've cancelled he's said that he's initiated a refund, it
has been 2 weeks since and I haven't received my money back so I contacted
my bank, only to be told that no refund was initiated.

I have filed a dispute but my bank is telling me to cancel the order, only then
can they do something about it but if I cancel the order, I have to mark the
NSS as complete eventhough it isn't.

These orders are about £2.5k in total and I really need some advice and guidance
on what to do here. Any help is appreciated, many thanks!

Seller 'Collectabrick'

That seller has been suspended for almost two weeks for "preventative action".

Did you pay by bank transfer through PayPal, or direct from your bank?

If from your bank, I'd email the seller saying you want the order cancelled.
Then tell the bank that you have told the seller to cancel the order. Also complete
the NSS anyway.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 19, 2024 11:14

Subject:

Re: Spam

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, popsicle writes:

Circling back to: https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=145974

Seems to me anyway, that simply restricting zero feedback members the use of
links in the forum, would immediately eliminate most current spam posts and deter
future ones. Haven’t been looking that close at these posts, but from what I’ve
seen, it’s presenting links they have as a common purpose or motivation. Removing
motivation is often a subtle yet effective tack in life.

Could be that it’s not all that simple, technically to implement. I don’t know,
but if doable, why not? Personally don't find the spam posts all that bothersome.
Many do though, and if there's an easy fix to tidy things up a bit...

-popsicle

The spam posts tend to get removed really quite fast, at least at the times of
day when I see them (and report them). Links only work if people click on them.
If nobody clicks on them then there is no motivation to post more. Yet still
they post and post.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 18, 2024 15:47

Subject:

Re: Possible Scam??

Viewed:

48 times

Topic:

Selling

They then sent an email saying that they had sent the payment to me via email.

I don't think it is possible to send money by email.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 18, 2024 10:52

Subject:

Re: add LEGO PaB website to stores

Viewed:

54 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Ra writes:

In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:

Not to mention that stores on BL can not have more than one physical location
from which they ship from.

That is for regular people and companies. I'm sure they could find a way
round if they wanted to do it. Such as having three different LEGO BL stores,
one for standard parts, one for bestsellers Europe and one for bestsellers North
America, or however many locations they ship from.

But it would still go back on what they said originally, and I think would damage
new parts sales from regular sellers who would then shift their stores completely
to brickowl. Moving both used and new parts sellers, moving customers and losing
BL fees.

We don't know how lucrative PaB is, but I am sure it isn't just for the
benefit of lego enthusiasts. If TLG were to capture more actual sales then just
fees, I am sure they would be making more money then just fees alone. So if a
brick only costs a few cents to manufacture and they can capture the same profit
as PaB that will be more than 3-2% of what a part sells for on here.

Example:
PaB part cost to manufacture, 5 cents, sells for 10 cents that is 5 cent profit.
Where a seller sells that part at 10 cents TLG makes 2 cents (from a major seller).

Sure you can say but TLG has overhead, where? They are already manufacturing,
storing, sorting for sets and PaB so no additional overhead.

TLG has a global foot print, way more than any seller has on here along with
better shipping rate options.

Sure they could try to capture more of the market for inividual new parts, but
at what long term cost? They cannot keep up with PAB standard as it is. PAB best
seller is OK for speed but that s relatively small inventory.

If they aim to kill small businesses selling on bricklink then there is little
point in owning bricklink. Longer term,it would be worse for sellers and buyers.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 18, 2024 07:46

Subject:

Re: Closing in on purple brick

Viewed:

51 times

Topic:

General

In General, Stuart9 writes:

Made it.

Congratulations!

The downside is that it is even further to the next change.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 18, 2024 07:45

Subject:

Re: add LEGO PaB website to stores

Viewed:

58 times

Topic:

Not to mention that stores on BL can not have more than one physical location
from which they ship from.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 17, 2024 18:30

Subject:

Re: Closing in on purple brick

Viewed:

40 times

Topic:

General

In General, Stuart9 writes:

Didn’t think I’d get there as I’ve been closed for two years or more.

Opened again recently and orders have been good, more than enough orders without
feedback to get me there.

Not long now!

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 17, 2024 02:19

Subject:

Re: Pay to sort

Viewed:

56 times

Topic:

Help

In Help, The_Boyz_Bricks writes:

Hello all! How much would you pay someone to sort a 12 gallon tub of Lego?
I buy Lego at about $2 - $4 a pound if that helps.

I wouldn't. I'd cherry pick the figures, pick any obvious decent / expensive
parts and sell the rest as bulk.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 17, 2024 02:05

Subject:

Re: add LEGO PaB website to stores

Viewed:

53 times

Topic:

Why would LEGO care whether any third-party stores (i.e. competitors of LEGO's
PaB website) close down?

Also, third-party stores would still be indispensable, because there are so many
parts that are unavailable from the PaB website.

When taking over bricklink, LEGO claimed they wouldn't interfere with the
marketplace, implying they wouldn't compete with sellers. If they want to
compete with sellers, then many sellers will leave and move to the independent
marketplace.

They would also need to behave like other BL sellers. I'd leave them negative
feedback unless they improved their order turn around times.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 16, 2024 11:38

Subject:

Re: Store suspended - Fees

Viewed:

53 times

Topic:

Help

In Help, peregrinator writes:

In Help, yorbrick writes:

In Help, zorbanj writes:

This is the one bill I pay immediately, as soon as I receive it.

Same here. You get, what is it, about 6 weeks to pay it so there really shouldn't
be any excuse to missing it. Especially if going away, paying it before leaving
is sensible. You don't have to remember once you are back.

One feature that might be helpful here is the ability to pre-pay fees.

It might cause issues with paying in the wrong financial year. If you pay a lot
in one year, then ask for a refund the next.

For anyone using the site frequently, maybe just a different coloured notice
on a screen if you have fees due that disappears when you pay.

Doesn't the banner go red if you are a month late? I know I missed making
a payment a few years ago when ill, and I'm sure the banner went red after
a month but before the final deadline which i noticed and paid so I didn't
get a suspension. Lesson learned, and I tend to pay on receipt.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 16, 2024 10:50

Subject:

Re: Retirement Sale

Viewed:

33 times

Topic:

Sales

In Sales, Brickpickers writes:

My grandkids say I'm too old to play with Lego now!!!

Tell them they are too young to play with LEGO. Or wait until after they have
gone to bed.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 16, 2024 10:47

Subject:

Re: Store suspended - Fees

Viewed:

48 times

Topic:

Help

In Help, zorbanj writes:

This is the one bill I pay immediately, as soon as I receive it.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 16, 2024 06:02

Subject:

Re: Royal Mail Postage Changes

Viewed:

45 times

Topic:

In Shipping, tjb01527 writes:

To insure a parcel up the value of £50 for small parcels in the UK is now £12.95
[special delivery} with Royal Mail. Thats up from £4.65!! Reluctantly, I've
started using Evri. Since RM have gone into private ownership, prices have shot
up & the service down hill. One way to kill a business.

For ~£50 parcels I am still using RM but just the basic Tracked 48 version at
£3.39 (plus 20p extra as I often drop off at PO for convenience). When booking
online it still says that it has compensation to £150. Tracking is enough to
protect against "not delivered" claims and I feel insurance is probably
overkill for damage although it does mean I tend to package boxed sets so they
shouldn't be damaged. I find that decent enough for up to 2kg parcels and
never had an issue with late or lost deliveries with the parcel service (unlike
the large letter service).

I know Evri is slightly cheaper if dropping off light parcels, but there is no
convenient drop-off point for me.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 15, 2024 16:05

Subject:

Re: Royal Mail Postage Changes

Viewed:

49 times

Topic:

In Shipping, stevetq2 writes:

Hi

Just a quick heads up for those sellers who may not have noticed (LIKE ME until
today !!) that since the beginning of April, Royal Mail have reduced the compensation
on 'signed for' postage DOWN from £50 to £20. The main option to provide
cover over £20 is to use the new 'tracked' service (now up to £150 cover).
This new service was supposed to be available at Post Offices from the beginning
of April but it's been delayed so the only way at the moment is use the online
'click and drop' service.

Cheers

Steve

And it now costs £1.70 on top of the postage price to add signed for. Crazy.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 15, 2024 15:59

Subject:

Re: Incorrect Shipping Classification

Viewed:

34 times

Topic:

In Shipping, puffenuff writes:

Yes I am aware of this, and have done that on the past. The issue is not with
my settings. The item in question says the incorrect dimensions. I am wondering
who I can talk to about changing the dimensions.

You don’t need to talk to anyone, just fill in a change request.

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

You can also enter your own dimensions in your inventory if it is causing an
issue still.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 15, 2024 11:47

Subject:

Re: Min-Buy not working

Viewed:

30 times

Topic:

In Shipping, 1001bricks writes:

In Shipping, yorbrick writes:

So anyhow, we added a min-buy for shipping outside our country, but it seems
not to be working.

You cannot have a minimum buy for shipping internationally and no minimum buy
for domestic. You can only have one minimum buy value for the store. If you try
to do it through the shipping settings, it will normally offer whatever default
shipping method you have when all other shipping methods fail. So if you only
have an international shipping option above a certain cart value, you will still
get orders below that, but that shipping option won't be offered. They are
still valid orders though, in that they reach your minimum buy for the store
(of zero, since you don't have one).

Yes but no - see my post:
https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1464775

I thought you could set up a fail safe international method with a minimum.
If it doesn't allow you to buy, then there's no shipping method, then
the buyer won't be able to buy.

I'm not sure, never tried, no minimum or such here, but it seems logical
to me?

I don't know now, maybe possible you can. I don't ship internationally
any more to try.

But whatever they do, the default shipping if everything else fails should have
the international shipping destinations turned off.

Author:

yorbrick

Posted:

Apr 15, 2024 04:53

Subject:

Re: Min-Buy not working

Viewed:

37 times

Topic: