BrickLink Discussion Forum

Hi,

I wanted to confirm that the chat feature was disabled because it was one of
the ways hackers were able to get into the site a while back. Because of the
serious security concerns, there are currently no plans to return the chat feature
on the current BL website. I've seen this request come up a number of times,
and the feedback has been forwarded on to the BL Team. I agree that there are
many benefits to offering chat,and I'm hopeful that it will be available
again in the future.

Thanks

Amanda
CS Team

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

Jun 29, 2014 18:30

Subject:

Re: brokin lenk

Viewed:

66 times

Topic:

Thanks for letting us know. We'll send off a request to get it fixed.

Amanda
CS Team

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

Jun 27, 2014 17:22

Subject:

Re: for the health of BrickLink

Viewed:

83 times

Topic:

Hi Andy,

While I do feel the other thread has been bogged down in a lot of minutia and
semantic related disagreements, I don't feel it violates the intent of the
forum rule regarding promotion of a competitors website. What we want to avoid
is actively encouraging members to use a competitor site. While the statements
don't show BL in the best light, it certainly points to an area we need to
improve. In the end, a little competition can be good for business, as it often
encourages change and innovation.

Thanks

Amanda
CS Team

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

Jun 27, 2014 17:01

Subject:

Re: Ban sellers asking for Friends PayPal payment

Viewed:

126 times

Topic:

Hi everyone,

If you reported a member for suggesting friends and family payment, then it should
have been handled. However, there are times when things have been missed and
for that I apologize.

The current BL website has extremely limited admin related functions, which often
makes it difficult to do our job. For instance, there is no system in place to
flag members for future followup. We can leave notes about issues for future
reference, but this hasn't been an established procedure in the past. This
means that we may not have records for repeat problem members. To address this,
we have been developing set procedures for handling CS related issues, and also
working on an external system to allow the CS Team better tracking of problem
members and active issues.

I also checked with CS Sean, since he usually handles problem member reports.
He sometimes asks the seller to remove the friends and family info from their
terms before suspending the store. If they respond quickly and agree, he will
check to see if they are gone, and then consider the problem resolved. However,
there is nothing stopping them from going in later and changing them back or
burying them elsewhere in the terms or on the invoice. Many things have been
handled on the honor system around here, and unfortunately, some choose to abuse
it. In those cases, we can only ask that you report them again so we can take
further action.

I also wanted to let you know that the couple of members reported earlier today
in this thread have now been contacted and informed that this violates Paypal
terms and therefore is not allowed on BL.

I know these situations are frustrating for you, but please know that they are
also very frustrating for us. We don't want members violating the rules anymore
than you do.

Thanks

Amanda
CS Team

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

May 9, 2014 17:22

Subject:

Re: Implement a Validation Team for BL Changes

Viewed:

68 times

Topic:

Hello Amanda,
as this is your standard reply on each and evary issue

Yes, this is a standard response I post, and that's because this is exactly
what I do. I monitor the forum for issues that are posted and need to be addressed
and either research an answer or forward it on to the appropriate person/group.

- can you please explain
TO WHOM you'r forwarding all the time, WHO / WHICH PEOPLE will decide and
whenever there will be 'BACKWARDED' any answer?

I don't usually include specific details in my post regarding who it is being
forwarded to because that can vary depending on the situation. Some issues are
forwarded to the development team directly, sometimes they go to Admin Eric,
and sometimes they go to Admin Alice. Again, depending on the situation, they
may need to be forwarded from that person on to someone else for further assistance.
Since I don't know how soon a response will come back, there is no way for
me to state when we will have an answer. We are continuing to work on improving
the communication both internally between the BL teams and with the members,
however, this is a process and takes time.

At the moment this kind of processing seems 'a bit' like directing an
issue to the waste paper basket.

I'm sorry that it seems this way to you, but that just isn't the case.
We are well aware that the current communication between all the groups involved
has not been working as well as it needs to, and we are looking into the best
way to resolve that.

Amanda
CS Team

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

May 8, 2014 16:50

Subject:

Re: Implement a Validation Team for BL Changes

Viewed:

93 times

Topic:

I wanted to let you know that I forwarded this suggestion on for consideration.

Thanks
Amanda
CS Team

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

May 2, 2014 14:05

Subject:

Re: Chargebacks: Immediately Suspend Buying Privs

Viewed:

123 times

Topic:

I can certainly understand your concerns about this kind of fraudulent account
use and trying to protect both the buyers and the sellers. However, I don't
know that we need a new policy as much as including this scenario in an existing
policy. I discussed this with Admin Sean and we came to the conclusion that this
kind of situation is already acceptable to report through the Problem Order
or Problem Member pages. The admins will consider temporarily suspending an account
for things like under age use and incomplete account information, so something
like fraudulent purchases would certainly be a reasonable reason for the admins
to take action. I'll discuss this with the CS Team and look into expanding
the guidelines currently on the site.

Thanks
Amanda
CS Team

In Suggestions, fosterbengoshi writes:

Please implement a new policy of immediately temporarily suspending the buying
privileges of any member who files a chargeback claiming unauthorized use of
their PayPal or credit card or account. This is NOT to punish the buyer. It is
to protect the buyer from further unauthorized use of his PayPal card or account.
And to protect sellers against whoever is using the buyer's card without
the buyer's permission.

A chargeback is different and more serious than a reversal. For one thing, unauthorized
use of a PayPal account or credit card is a crime. Furthermore, while you can
defend yourself from a reversal by showing proof of delivery, you have no defense
to a chargeback. Even proof of delivery will not help you because the issue is
not whether the buyer received the order but whether the buyer even placed the
order at all.

Therefore, to protect both buyers and sellers, when a buyer claims their PayPal
or credit card was used without their authorization, BrickLink should immediately
suspend the ability of this buyer to purchase or at least use that particular
card on this website. This is necessary not only to protect sellers, but to also
protect the buyer from continued unauthorized use of his card. Buying privileges
should only be restored when the buyer contacts BrickLink to let it know that
he has resolved the matter with PayPal or his credit card company and that he
will thereafter be responsible for all future charges made on that or another
card.

Again, unauthorized use is a much more serious (and criminal) matter. It should
be treated differently then a mere reversal claim of non-receipt.

Thor

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

Apr 24, 2014 18:37

Subject:

Re: Fix search bar

Viewed:

53 times

Topic:

I wanted to let you know that we are aware of the serious issues related to the
existing search feature here on BL. I can assure you that this is on the list
of things that need to be fixed. Unfortunately, it's not a quick fix. The
entire search database needs to be rebuilt and the way matching is done needs
to be changed. If you take into account the number of different sets, themes,
parts, and so on that are in this database, it's a huge undertaking. Because
of this, I expect overhauling this entire system will be done for the future
BL website instead of the current site. That doesn't mean that some specific
fixes might not happen on the current site, just not correcting the entire search
database. I haven't seen the specific details yet, but I can also tell you
that the MOC shop will test a search feature with a limited number of elements.
This would then be used as a basis to build the entire new database for the future
website.

Thanks
Amanda
CS Team

In Suggestions, LordSkylark writes:

The search bar needs some sort of search function so that set categories can
be easily searched. (I know you can with an advanced search, but there is no
reason this cannot be done from the normal bar -- and it's going to deter
newbies who can't search for obvious things).

Example: If I type in "Chima", hardly any sets come up -- because "Chima"
is technically not in the set name, but the category of the set.

Please fix this.

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

Apr 12, 2014 20:05

Subject:

Re: Make it easier to report suspicious members

Viewed:

75 times

Topic:

Thanks for the suggestion. I can see how the current options in the Problem Member
Report would not cover every situation that arises. While I don't know what
limitations there are with editing the existing drop down box, I'll forward
on a request to see if we can add additional options or at least adjust the ones
we have to include an "All Other Reasons" type of option. In the mean time, any
issue that doesn't match an existing option can be sent through the Help
Desk (http://www.bricklink.com/helpDesk.asp). Just choose the last option "Ask
a Question or Other Inquiry" found at the bottom of the list and you can send
a full explanation of the situation.

Amanda
CS Team

In Suggestions, WoutR writes:

Please make it easier to report suspicious members or stores.

If I want to report a suspicious store I would go to the Problem tab and select
the Problem Member report. http://www.bricklink.com/problemMember.asp

The available "what is going on" options are not suitable to report several situations.
This leaves me feeling unsure about the reporting procedure. If I am unsure I
might not file the report.

Please add a few common options and a generic "different problem" option.

I think we could use:
- Member suspected of scam or fraud
- Member describes Custom fraud in store terms (lowering amounts, sending as
gift etc)
- Member asks for PayPal Friends and Family payment (no buyer protection)
- I wish to report a different problem

I guess the community can add a few other options.

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

Apr 10, 2014 19:18

Subject:

Re: Core operations or MOC Shop? (a survey)

Viewed:

59 times

Topic:

Marc, thank you for expressing this so clearly. I've posted a similar explanation
a couple of times in the forum, but I wasn't nearly as succinct.

When the full MOC Shop launches, it will include a lot of the framework and features
that are planned for the future BL website. I know it may seem like an odd choice
to many of our members, but the MOC Shop is a big development step toward the
new BL website. Even if you don't have an interest in buying or selling on
the MOC Shop, the site is going to test out features that will benefit you on
BL down the road.

In the mean time, we are also looking into issues that can be addressed here
on the current BL website to improve functionality. While it may not always seem
like it, all three websites (MOC Shop, current BL website, future BL website)
are being worked on simultaneously.

Thanks
Amanda
CS Team

Let's say that BL wants to put out a live version of the new interface, which
sellers can opt into, which will draw in new buyers and test out functionality
all without breaking existing stores.

What would that look like?

It would look like the MOC shop.

Frankly, I think this approach is brilliant.

--
Marc.

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

Apr 10, 2014 15:13

Subject:

Re: Search bar improvement?

Viewed:

47 times

Topic:

With the massive amount of individual items, sets, colors, series, etc., in the
catalog, it's a very big undertaking to correct the matching issues in the
Search feature. However, I can tell you that the development team is aware of
the search issues and has been working on them.

Thanks
Amanda
CS Team

In Suggestions, Kenopolis writes:

I've frequently tried to search for a set by the theme name, and have not
had any luck.

For example, when you search the catalog for "Teenage Mutant" you only get one
result.

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?G=p13ctytnt01

I know that there are categories by theme, but these are not listed as catalog
search results.

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?catType=S&catString=790

It would save me having to go to "that other site" for set numbers if searches
could be done this way.

Perhaps this is just that one theme, but I've encountered it before.

Thanks!

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

Apr 3, 2014 16:08

Subject:

Re: Ban sellers asking for Friends PayPal payment

Viewed:

181 times

Topic:

This is really a violation of the TOS for Paypal not BL, however, it's certainly
not a practice we want to see here on BL. If you come across a seller doing this,
please notify Admin through the help desk with the details so we can address
these issues directly. The account will be suspended, they will be told that
this practice is not acceptable, and will need to remove this information from
their store to get it reactivated.

Thanks
Amanda
CS Team

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

Mar 31, 2014 20:26

Subject:

Re: Add a Notes to Self Page

Viewed:

76 times

Topic:

I just wanted to let you know that I've added this suggestion to our list
for further review. As I've spent many hours going through stores here on
BL for parts, I can certainly see the benefit of a notes option like this. Thanks
for the suggestion and all of the replies with additional thoughts.

Amanda
CS Team

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

Mar 26, 2014 13:35

Subject:

Re: make Admin/official posts easier to find

Viewed:

121 times

Topic:

Alice and I agree making Admin Post more visible is important, so she's looking
into what can be done to address this.

Thanks
Amanda
CS Team

In Suggestions, Andy_Bell writes:

In Selling, AlbusDumbledore writes:

That's another thing, how about some kind of (easy to see against the grey
background) tag or shaded post background to highlight 'official' posts,
and then make these searchable with a query.

That is a great suggestion.
In the past you could easily search for all Admin posts

http://www.bricklink.com/messageList.asp?uID=5497&max=20

so perhaps a flag for admin to attach to the cs accounts would be beneficial.

perhaps a page like this
http://www.bricklink.com/memberAdmins.asp

somewhere in the forum - stats page? search page?
or some other easy way.

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

Mar 21, 2014 16:19

Subject:

Re: Request for Forum Roundtable with Mr. Kim

Viewed:

52 times

Topic:

To us, this seemed like all for naught. In a way it seemed like Bricklink asked
all the wrong questions because they were not really prepared to act on a great
majority of the answers. If they had just asked about the MOC shop or they
had started questions with something like "What features will be valuable to
you 18 months from now..." I think that the expectations would be different.

Yes, there has certainly been some confusion with this whole situation and communication
back and forth. With a little time, I think we can resolve these issues. Keep
in mind that the new ownership has been in place for less than a year and sorting
this out is new to all of us. We are figuring things out as we go, and may not
always choose the best option the first time. Let's face it, this is a very
unique website and community, and there is just no instruction manual for managing
all of the different aspects or how best to resolve all of the major issues it
currently has.

However, I can assure you that sharing your feedback was not a waste of time.
You may not have seen the changes you want, but that doesn't mean they aren't
being considered or even already in development for the future. I also know that
Alice is working on a survey with some of the members suggestions that will allow
members to rank them for priority. This will give us a baseline of which things
you would like to see sooner than later. I don't know when this will be posted,
but we started compiling and sorting through the feedback earlier this week.

As a final note, I wanted to mention that some of the big changes we all want
to see, are just not possible to fix in the existing BL website. This has to
do with the way it was originally designed. Some fixes we can do, but it does
limit our options.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Amanda
CS Team

Author:

bb469871

Posted:

Mar 20, 2014 19:36

Subject:

Re: Request for Forum Roundtable with Mr. Kim

Viewed:

101 times

Topic: