BrickLink Discussion Forum

In General, enig writes:

By a pure chance from a channel that I occasionally watch - a short video about
USPS happenings lately. Maybe it will be of a little help/insight for some:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QSwjfRvw3o

Backs up what so many of us Illinois Bricklinkers are saying...the distribution
centers around here are in bad shape of late!
Interesting channel, the bird and the cat

Julie

Author:

Cob

Posted:

Jun 18, 2021 12:08

Subject:

Re: Online store that doesn't ship?

Viewed:

92 times

Topic:

Or is it as simple that the store doesn't have onsite payment, hence no shipping
to (almost all of) the US?

There is at least one store on Bricklink with around 1 million parts and only
has local pickup as the shipping option. I live in a non sales tax state, Missouri.
So online payments are not the issue.

Author:

cosmicray

Posted:

Jun 18, 2021 11:59

Subject:

Re: Online store that doesn't ship?

Viewed:

74 times

Topic:

In General, BasKrie writes:

In General, WildBricks writes:

How can you have an online/brick & mortar store in a town of less than 40,000
people, almost 45 min away from the largest city in the state (which has way
less than 1 million people) and NOT OFFER SHIPPING?

I'm confused about the business model. Obviously, your fees for BL would
be pretty small since you have just removed 99.9% of buyers. Are you using BL
for your inventory system? Cause if so, aren't there better software systems
out there?

Just curious.

Or is it as simple that the store doesn't have onsite payment, hence no shipping
to (almost all of) the US?

What are the odds, that some stores here are oblivious, and have not yet even
realized they have lost most of the USA.

Nita Rae

Author:

hpoort

Posted:

Jun 18, 2021 11:25

Subject:

Re: Let's think about LEGO storage solutions

Viewed:

59 times

Topic:

In General, VOTB writes:

This is the closest I have seen someone do that I have in my head. It is nice
to see one done to visualize. It looks to me like you used some angle metal
as drawer slides. Am I correct in that the whole drawer can come out and move
to your work station if needed?

I am impressed by the paper containers. I don't have the skill or patience
for that. But I do have a 3D printer.

Thanks for sharing

The 'angle metal' is actually PVC 25x25x2 mm profiles. This proved to
be strong enough for this purpose and slides better. But yes, it is a very simple
but effective design: a sheet of triplex but pine strips 7x27 mm or 7x55 mm glued
around and finished with a router bit. Just a tray with boxes. Usually when I
am building, these drawers quickly get spread out on the floor around me. They
are numbered now, so they are easy to put them back at the end of the day.

These paper containers are indeed slightly labor intensive, especially when gradually
filling 100 drawers with 30-65 containers each. Not as much work as figuring
out which LEGO to put where.
You might collect match boxes instead or other remnants from supermarket packaging.

The storage slowly grew from a few boxed and 10 trays/drawers, to around 200
in 9 cabinets now.

Author:

Vosblokjes

Posted:

Jun 18, 2021 10:55

Subject:

Re: Online store that doesn't ship?

Viewed:

98 times

Topic:

In General, WildBricks writes:

Or is it as simple that the store doesn't have onsite payment, hence no shipping
to (almost all of) the US?

Author:

VOTB

Posted:

Jun 18, 2021 10:52

Subject:

Re: Let's think about LEGO storage solutions

Viewed:

63 times

Topic:

Author:

WildBricks

Posted:

Jun 18, 2021 10:33

Subject:

Online store that doesn't ship?

Viewed:

199 times

Topic:

Author:

BrickCollection

Posted:

Jun 18, 2021 09:16

Subject:

Re: Let's think about LEGO storage solutions

Viewed:

73 times

Topic:

In General, alexbinary writes:

I have a growing collection of LEGO parts and I am still looking for the perfect
storage solution.

Lately I have been thinking about designing my own set of storage solutions,
and this is kind of a market study to see if there is a real need for new LEGO
storage solutions.

I would appreciate it if as many people as possible would take the time to answer
the following questions:

1. What do you use to store your LEGO parts?
2. Are you happy with it? Why/Why not?
3. What do you expect from a good storage solution?

Thanks for your participation!

Below are my answers:

1. What do you use to store your LEGO parts?

I use Papimax StackX, I have 46 of them.

Website: https://papimax.com/

Seems to be discontinued now.

2. Are you happy with it? Why/Why not?

Upsides:
- light, compact and space efficient
- the modular and stackable design allows one to build a storage module that
adapts to the available space while being strong and stable
- the drawers can be easily taken away on to the construction area, and this
also allows to easily reconfigure the storage by swapping drawers with one another
- compartments have an ideal size, not to small, not too big, and it is possible
to remove dividers to create largers compartments

Downsides:
- not cheap
- made of plastic
- construction and materials feel cheap and low quality, the drawers don't
always slide smoothly, the dividers tend to let parts creep out underneeth from
their compartment to the ones next to it
- cannot take away individual compartments, have to take the whole drawer or
nothing
- cannot move compartments, if you want to reorganize your parts you have to
pick up the parts and put them in another compartment, can be tedious

3. What do you expect from a good storage solution?

- modular, lets me build a storage module that adapts to my available space and
that I can extend and reconfigure as my storage need and stragey evolve
- compartments of different sizes, and I can create custom layouts easily
- I can take away only the compartments with the parts I want, and I can easily
reconfigure the storage layout without having to pick up parts and throw them
in another compartment
- construction and materials feel strong and good quality, mecanics (if any)
are smooth and reliable
- looks nice and environement friendly
- I don't really care about the price if it does all of the above

I use Harbor Freight storage containers with 40 drawers because they are super
cheap and only cost $15 but I think Harbor Freight is only in the USA so for
everyone else I recommend they check the cheapest hardware store in their area.

Regards,
BrickCollection

Author:

StephenB76

Posted:

Jun 18, 2021 06:52

Subject:

Re: Let's think about LEGO storage solutions

Viewed:

73 times

Topic:

In General, alexbinary writes:

1. What do you use to store your LEGO parts?
2. Are you happy with it? Why/Why not?
3. What do you expect from a good storage solution?

Thanks for your participation!

I'm not a store but have a massive collection.

1) I use a variety of containers (I don't tend to separate colours) I use
old 900ml Plastic Ice Cream tubs for some of the smaller but larger quantity
parts for other 1 x1 and 1 x 2 parts i use these or similar https://www.stanleytools.co.uk/products/detail/Products/STORAGE/Organisers+_+bins/STANLEY%C2%AE+Sortmaster+Junior+BlkfwdslashYel
I also use old plastic sweet tubs and some of the boxes that Lego basic or creator
brick sets came in

2) It is doing it's job however definitely think there could be better options
my main issue is space constraints and ease of searching for parts when looking
to work on a set

3) needs to be easy to move parts around when the quantity changes to utilise
space best, needs to be easily labelled for different sections and for those
labels to be secure but movable as well. to optimise the space available

Author:

hpoort

Posted:

Jun 18, 2021 06:50

Subject:

Re: Let's think about LEGO storage solutions

Viewed:

80 times

Topic:

In General, alexbinary writes:

My storage is for building, not for selling, which should make a huge difference
in how to efficiently store.

Essential is to have removable containers when you store loose bricks. If you
need more than a few parts from the container, just tip it over. Much easier
picking from a surface than out of a tight container.

As a builder, the same goes for the drawers: easy to take out, easy to spread
out around.

On the picture it is all home made from paper and wood. Upto 65 matchbox sized
containers in a single drawer. I uses various sizes to adjust for amount and
part size. Inside the bigger drawers I use the bottom 5 cm (2 inch) of empty
Tetrapack cartons. 20 or more in a single drawer. Overflow in zipbags in 40 liter
plastic containers.

The smaller drawers in the left of the image proved not to be as versatile as
the wide drawers with loose containers.

If you need more ideas, similar questions popup frequently on the forum with
lots of response. So you just for them.

Author:

alexbinary

Posted:

Jun 18, 2021 05:50

Subject:

Let's think about LEGO storage solutions

Viewed:

228 times

Topic:

Author:

SezaR

Posted:

Jun 17, 2021 22:50

Subject:

Re: Samsonite Lego Question

Viewed:

71 times

Topic:

In General, axmpxl writes:

I have a Canadian Samsonite set that is sealed in cellophane. However it also
has box seals at both ends of the set. European sets wrapped in cellophane do
not have seals. Is this normal for Samsonite sets or is this odd? I've
attached a picture. There clearly are seals under the cellophane. Any help
clarifying this would be much appreciated.

6450-1 (Inv) Mobile Police Truck
76 Parts, 1 Minifigure, 1986
Sets: Town: Classic Town: Police

E!!! item number:393219386763

Based on the other photos, this is not produced by Samsonite of Canada because:
- no French text such as "Jeu de construction" is printed on the box,
- Instead of "77 pieces", there is " 77 Interlocking pieces" printed,
- "Stratford, Ont. Canada" is not printed on the side of the box,

The Canadian boxes never had seals on the sides of the box. Small boxes were
not sealed, and for the bigger boxes, only the inner tray were wrapped with cellophane.

Attached are photos of Canadian boxed set

671-1 (Inv) Shell Fuel Pumper
63 Parts, 1 Minifigure, 1978
Sets: Town: Classic Town: Gas Station

Author:

axmpxl

Posted:

Jun 17, 2021 22:35

Subject:

Samsonite Lego Question

Viewed:

134 times

Topic:

Author:

enig

Posted:

Jun 17, 2021 10:14

Subject:

USPS issues

Viewed:

110 times

Topic:

By a pure chance from a channel that I occasionally watch - a short video about
USPS happenings lately. Maybe it will be of a little help/insight for some:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QSwjfRvw3o

Author:

zorbanj

Posted:

Jun 17, 2021 10:12

Subject:

Re: Old baseplates

Viewed:

52 times

Topic:

Buyer might not have known this. Found this out on the forums myself many years
ago.

In General, nallen44 writes:

In General, firestar246 writes:

In General, nallen44 writes:

I recently purchased a group of older Lego sets including some castle sets.
It was someone's childhood collection. The sets were mostly complete, some
missing a few small parts. Boxes and instructions in good shape. Sold a set
and the buyer thought two 8x16 base plates looked like they were cut from a 16x16
plate. Sent a partial refund but not fully convinced this was the case as when
I inventoried the set nothing jumped out at me as being wrong. I guess the question
is were the older base plates cut/manufactured differently than newer ones?

Yes, Lego used to create large baseplates then cut them to size. So many baseplates
will have that "cut" look on at least one side.

Thanks. That is what I thought. Have a feeling the buyer was looking for a
little extra discount. Oh well.

Author:

nallen44

Posted:

Jun 17, 2021 09:55

Subject:

Re: Old baseplates

Viewed:

47 times

Topic:

In General, firestar246 writes:

In General, nallen44 writes:

Yes, Lego used to create large baseplates then cut them to size. So many baseplates
will have that "cut" look on at least one side.

Thanks. That is what I thought. Have a feeling the buyer was looking for a
little extra discount. Oh well.

Author:

tons_of_bricks

Posted:

Jun 17, 2021 07:12

Subject:

Re: Old baseplates

Viewed:

59 times

Topic:

In General, nallen44 writes:

Yes, Lego used to create large baseplates then cut them to size. So many baseplates
will have that "cut" look on at least one side.

Author:

nallen44

Posted:

Jun 17, 2021 07:03

Subject:

Old baseplates

Viewed:

128 times

Topic:

Author:

Grego

Posted:

Jun 17, 2021 01:44

Subject:

Re: New or used? How do you see it?

Viewed:

43 times

Topic:

In General, Hurt writes:

In General, peregrinator writes:

In General, gwurst writes:

In your situation I might ask for a partial refund and then list them as used
but like-new and only stacked once.

BL policy discourages listing items as "like new":
https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=102

"Please do not use phrases such as "Like New" or "As New" in the description
of any item, regardless of whether it is being listed as NEW or USED."

I wonder why? It's clear for NEW items to not do this, but for USED ones?

Goes back to eBay listing rules ...it's called keyword SPAMMing

Author:

Daragh

Posted:

Jun 16, 2021 19:53

Subject:

Re: New or used? How do you see it?

Viewed:

53 times

Topic:

Unfortunately they are "used" in my mind.

At least they stagger-stacked them. I had a similar issue some time ago and over
1000 1x2, 1x3 and 2x2 plates were stacked. Boy did I have sore fingers after
separating them all.

I resold them as used after a partial refund from seller, but I understand that
might not suit you, so I would look to return the whole order.

Author:

bricknationtoys

Posted:

Jun 16, 2021 17:28

Subject:

Re: New or used? How do you see it?

Viewed:

46 times

Topic:

Of course the buyer wouldn't know but it isn't about if you can tell
the difference or not. You also wouldn't know if someone built a set first,
carefully took it apart and sold the parts as new.

In my dictionary Lego parts that were joined together count as used. Wheater
you build a stack for shipping or a tiny skyscraper. The moment you join two
new parts together you have two used parts. Hopefully the photo illustrates it
well.

Author:

Fr0stByt3

Posted:

Jun 16, 2021 16:11

Subject:

Re: New or used? How do you see it?

Viewed:

62 times

Topic:

I'm not picky about parts unless they're scuffed, cracked, or obviously
worn. Personally as a buyer I wouldn't mind it too much since I was used
to clicking parts together at the Pick-A-Brick wall in the local LEGO store anyway
to get more for my money. I'd rather clicked bricks than loose scuffed ones
but some buyers aren't like me and so OP's concerns are noted.

But this brings up a good point. How many sellers here would buy parts from the
Pick-a-Brick, click them together, then sell them new on Bricklink with or without
taking them apart before shipping them out? Would the buyer even know in most
instances?

Author:

tons_of_bricks

Posted:

Jun 16, 2021 13:31

Subject:

Re: New or used? How do you see it?

Viewed:

51 times

Topic:

In General, bricknationtoys writes:

it isn't a new seller. Over 300 orders in that store. 100% feedback. A partial
refund doesn't really fix the issue for me.

Does the store allow returns? I'd request then to return the whole order.

On one hand I feel slightly bad for the seller to be in this position, especially
for such a high value order. On the other hand, they should know better than
to do this.

I would show them this thread so they know it's not you just being overly
picky but that most people don't find this acceptable.

Author:

bricknationtoys

Posted:

Jun 16, 2021 13:27

Subject:

Re: New or used? How do you see it?

Viewed:

43 times

Topic:

Your probably right that the parts were stored that way. It's a 4000 parts
order so very unlikely that the seller sat down and put it all together just
for shipping.

Author:

bricknationtoys

Posted:

Jun 16, 2021 13:19

Subject:

Re: New or used? How do you see it?

Viewed:

49 times

Topic: