BrickLink Discussion Forum

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:

If you already sort a particular variant, simply add the descriptor to your listing
notes for each item. You can still sell them even though they are not distinguished
in the catalog. No need to lose money.

With respect, that is incorrect. I know my store very well and have extensive
data on the sales patterns due to being an Excel nerd. And I already have comments
for quite a few minor variations that Bricklink doesn't differentiate in
the catalog, and almost none of them sell (the only real exceptions being misprints
and Old Dark Red, which regularly sells better than the New Dark Reds even at
a higher price point).

Sure, if I price the 3747a variant the same as the 3747b variant under the new
umbrella entry, they'll both sell. But any markup for vintage variations
will almost certainly stop selling, and I have hundreds of these lots, many of
which are good or great sellers. Please trust me to know my business, and
make no mistake -- these changes will cost me hundreds in sales every month.
If you'd like, I will take the time to go through every order for the last
month and add up my sales for the parts to be changed, and then add up the sales
in February for the same parts when they're only differentiated with listing
notes.

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Jan 10, 2024 12:39

Subject:

Re: Important proposal regarding catalog variants

Viewed:

49 times

Topic:

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:

In Catalog, TakeAbricK writes:

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:

In Catalog, Brickitty writes:

In Catalog, zorbanj writes:

I read through this thread with great interest. Looks like there is some confusion
as to what the end result will be. Maybe you could make an addition to the Help
page that shows what the end result will be for the parts shown?

Yes, +1 on that.

I was already going to post a request that every single change be listed in advance
so that many of us can adjust our listings before the automatic changes mess
up our inventory systems. That way it'll only take a couple hours to fix
these entries, rather than a day or two of work.

Ok, I've started to build out the list:

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2626

Please let me know if this type of list is sufficient.

It is sufficient, will the list be complete before the two weeks start for sellers
to add notes and members who want to create their own database of removed variants
found in sets?

The list should be complete by tomorrow.

Thank you very much; this will be extremely helpful for preparing.

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Jan 9, 2024 16:55

Subject:

Re: Important proposal regarding catalog variants

Viewed:

74 times

Topic:

First, thank you very much for the thorough and clear response. I really appreciate
it, and I feel a bit better about the proposed changes. I have just a few more
things to say, and thanks for your attention.

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:

No. For the 4 basic parts represented by the last example on the Help page, no
merges will take place, just a renaming and renumbering of the current "b"
variant.

That's a relief!

We're not even thinking of touching the jumpers. They are all considered
first class cosmetic variants. Even the stud holders on the 15573 are considered
cosmetic due to uses like:

21036-1 (Inv) Arc De Triomphe
386 Parts, 2017
Sets: Architecture

And an even bigger relief!

Yes. But for the record, the 32064 entry currently is an umbrella entry anyway.
If you just want the the modern version, there is no entry on BrickLink that
will guarantee that.

To be clear, for entries like this that will be merged, there will be a note
added, correct? A note to clearly say that there are multiple variants of the
part, some with different axle holes and some with inside side supports?

In general, I agree. And in general, we aren't changing BrickLink's commitment
to variants. But I would ask, for example - what do you feel about the hinges
with teeth? Do you really think it matters?

Functionally? No. For MOCs? No. For the purpose of set inventories? Yes. As a
collector and a buyer, I would NOT want to receive a used set from 2010 with
7-tooth hinges.

It can only matter when someone is being super fussy about period variants, but
the reality is that BrickLink does not recognize most variants. Getting the exact
period element is not something BrickLink ever supported. Take, for example,
the solid and hollow pins on the bottom of 1 x X plates and bricks. This is actually
one of my favorites, and I very much appreciate the correct parts. But BrickLink
has never and likely will never distinguish to such a degree, because it's
impractical.

And the hinges with teeth are impractical. Academically they are interesting,
but they function exactly the same, and who uses hinges for cosmetic reasons?
The only use case is collectors wanting to fill out an old set, and we are so
very far from being able to provide that level of distinction on BrickLink.

I recognize that this is a very good point. Bricklink doesn't support fully
period-accurate inventories, and can't in any practical way. As a detail-oriented
person, though, I've always appreciated that the catalog tries to differentiate
down to the minutiae. Even though most of the language I'm hearing is trying
to minimize the effect that this will have on inventories, I believe that the
changes will make things significantly more difficult and frustrating for many
collectors.

Lastly, please recognize that for some of us sellers, these proposed changes
will directly hurt our bottom line. I've put a lot of time and money into
investing in certain variants that can be hard to find, and I have suppliers
that specifically search bulk for some of these soon-to-be-deleted variants,
which I pay a premium for. For example, over the years I've put a lot of
resources into having a huge stock of 4032b. It's been a best-selling part
for me for years, and if it's merged with 4032, all that time and money will
be wasted -- I know I can differentiate them with comments, but I also know
that my sales will drop drastically due to the part not being separated in set
inventories. Another example is part 553a. I don't know if that one's
going away, but I've invested a lot in having those verified parts, separate
from 553b and 553c, because buyers want them for certain old sets. Same for vintage
46212 in non-transparent colors. Same for certain blocked-open heads. Same for
3747a.

I estimate that these changes will cost me hundreds of dollars in sales every
month, not to mention all the work I've done in the past being negated. Please
understand that this is very, very frustrating and disheartening.

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Jan 9, 2024 15:59

Subject:

Re: Important proposal regarding catalog variants

Viewed:

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Topic:

In Catalog, zorbanj writes:

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Jan 9, 2024 12:48

Subject:

Re: Important proposal regarding catalog variants

Viewed:

128 times

Topic:

Hi,

I'm opposed to this. As one of the sellers who differentiates every part
carefully, I frequently get messages asking me to confirm which variant I'm
sending. Buyers do want period-accurate mold differences, including ones on that
list. I realize I could still list these differences in the comments, but the
problem is that they're presumably going to be removed from inventories,
so buyers and collectors won't know which sets are supposed to have which
variants.

Before continuing, I would like some clarification on a few points, please.

1) For the tiles with/without groove, does this mean that 3068b 2x2 Tile With
Groove will become 3068 2x2 Tile, but that 3068a 2x2 Tile Without Groove will
still be an entry? Or will 3068a be deleted and merged?

2) For Blocked and Vented studs, does this mean merging those two categories,
or does it mean merging Blocked, Vented, AND Hollow studs into one entry? Will
all non-solid stud minifig heads be considered the same? Or will Blocked/Vented
and Hollow still remain two separate entries?

3) If merging is happening to both X-shaped axle holes and Inside Side Supports,
does this mean that all 3 variants of 32064 will be considered the same part?

4) Will the Inside Side Supports cause 2454 and 46212 to be merged?

5) What will happen to 1x2 jumper plates? Will 3794a, 3794b, and 15573 all be
merged into one entry? I think that's absolutely ridiculous if so, and I
would be very annoyed if I received 15573 in a used set from the '90s. Most
collectors would.

Some of these entries I understand changing, like the Smooth Slopes. For others,
though, I think it is very irresponsible to collectors to change the inventory.
It's one thing to make 3068b the default 3068, for example, but a totally
different thing to eliminate the entry for 3068a and remove the differentiation
in set inventories. And that goes for most of these variants. The variants are
there so that collectors can have a more accurate set and buyers can find period-accurate
parts. Like I said, I receive a lot of these orders and I know how detail-oriented
Lego collectors can be.

-Jordy

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Dec 20, 2023 16:20

Subject:

Order batch after coupon expires

Viewed:

76 times

Topic:

Hi,

Does anyone know what happens if a buyer makes an order from a seller that allows
open orders and applies a 10% coupon, then the coupon expires, then the buyer
adds another batch to the order and checks out after the expiration?

1) Does the coupon only apply 10% off for the first batch, but not the second
batch after expiration?

2) Does the coupon apply 10% off for both batches (the entire order) because
it was initially applied before it expired?

3) Does the coupon not work at all for either batch?

Not looking for guesses, only anecdotal experiences or facts. Thanks!

-Jordy (Brickitty)

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Nov 13, 2023 20:05

Subject:

Re: Your "Fav. Store" with the Highest feedback?

Viewed:

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Topic:

In General, Brickman4you writes:

Just curious - shout yours out?

I know most large stores make our "Least fav. list", but was happily
surprised of mine...

- Bricks on the Dollar -

For New parts, BrickVibe is absolutely fantastic. I get what I order every time,
and they're fast for such a large store. BAHP Store is a close second.

For Used parts, it's Tons of Bricks (GDM). Always fantastic, love their coupon
system, love the free shipping on large orders, love the constant new stock.
Also wanna give a shout-out to ACE of BRICKS and Brick Brokers (you rock, Michelle!)

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Nov 9, 2023 12:17

Subject:

Re: Login From New Device emails

Viewed:

55 times

Topic:

In General, SylvainLS writes:

In General, Brick_A_Brac writes:

[…]
because the "Stay logged in for this browser" checkbox seems to do nothing
will just mean we start ignoring them.

Hi,

Have you accepted the Preference cookies here: https://www.bricklink.com/v3/cookies.page
?

All of my cookies are accepted and on, and the "stay logged in" checkmark
has been irregular for years. Now I'm getting the emails even if I didn't
need to log in, just by visiting the site on my phone or tablet or laptop for
the first time in a few hours. I don't believe the site is actually remembering
devices.

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Oct 25, 2023 17:36

Subject:

Re: seller has got my buying privileges revoked

Viewed:

98 times

Topic:

In Buying, jonsogel2fun writes:

In Buying, Brickitty writes:

In Buying, TheBrickGuys writes:

I have to point out that even if all you say is true, it would be hard to feel
any sympathy for you considering that a little over 2% of your buyers have left
either a neutral or negative (117 total)feedback against you for doing the exact
same thing, and a lot worse, to your customers.

Jim

+1

Yeah, this store was one of the first I ever least-favorited. Even though I've
never ordered from them, looking through their feedback just makes me angry.
It's a huge gigantic bright red flag when someone always has an aggressive
and self-righteous response to any complaint or criticism, in business or in
life. And it makes the dishonesty the seller described and showed above entirely
believable. THATS FUNNY BECUASE YOU ON MY LIST AS WELL FOR BEING WAY TO EXSPENSIVE. SO YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT A NEUTRAL PARTY AND I MUST HAVE BOUGHT FROM YOU IN THE PAST

Wow, that caps lock sure doesn't support my point about your aggression at
all. You're really coming across as calm, reasonable, and trustworthy here.

I wasn't going to mention it, but buddy guy, your store was one of the influences
on my pricing model. "If this irresponsible seller with horrible feedback
can charge these prices, I'll offer the same prices with much better service."
So that's not quite the insult you think it is.

According to my records, you've never bought from me. Which makes sense,
since you've been stoplisted as a buyer since before I had inventory in my
store. I don't trust anyone who responds to feedback like you do.

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Oct 25, 2023 17:08

Subject:

Re: seller has got my buying privileges revoked

Viewed:

79 times

Topic:

In Buying, jonsogel2fun writes:

In Buying, Brickitty writes:

In Buying, TheBrickGuys writes:

+1

Yeah, this store was one of the first I ever least-favorited. Even though I've
never ordered from them, looking through their feedback just makes me angry.
It's a huge gigantic bright red flag when someone always has an aggressive
and self-righteous response to any complaint or criticism, in business or in
life. And it makes the dishonesty the seller described and showed above entirely
believable. Thats funny because you are on my least favorite store list as well and my reason was way to exspensive.

Ah, and there's the aggressive and self-righteous (not to mention irrelevant)
response I mentioned, right on time. Thanks for supporting my point.

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Oct 25, 2023 16:59

Subject:

Re: seller has got my buying privileges revoked

Viewed:

91 times

Topic:

In Buying, TheBrickGuys writes:

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Oct 25, 2023 16:22

Subject:

Re: seller has got my buying privileges revoked

Viewed:

102 times

Topic:

You have under 98% positive feedback, not 99%. No reason to fib when we can all
see it, especially if you're so honest. And somehow... you're never at
fault for any of them?

Based on the copious feedback that you regularly send out damaged parts and respond
poorly to customer feedback, well, it looks like karma to me.

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Oct 10, 2023 15:54

Subject:

Re: Inventory turnover rate?

Viewed:

34 times

Topic:

Selling

In Selling, LegoVolunteer writes:

How quickly does your inventory turnover? That is, when you add something to
your store's inventory, how long does it sit there before it sells? (just
looking for estimates...I assume there is a lot of variety). Thanks!

Honestly, it depends on way too many factors for an answer to be meaningful.
For a very-low-demand part, just a handful of copies might take 10 years to sell.
Or a single buyer could come along and purchase every copy you have at once,
after a week or a month or 5 years. For a high-demand part, you might sell it
within minutes of listing it, as I've done many times, or you might not sell
that one copy for a year or two. Copies might sell one at a time, or you might
sell a thousand-plus copies in one day. My best-sellers are constantly flying
off the metaphorical shelves, but at least once a week I sell something I've
never sold in 2+ years. Then you have to take into account type of part, store
size, pricing, location, store feedback, etc. There's really no way to set
an expectation unless you're more specific. Otherwise the answer is meaningless.

If what you want is an average across all parts, like others in this thread have
assumed, I've sold approximately 60% of my starting inventory size in a little
over 2 years. But I've also added almost that many parts back into my inventory
in that time, and many of the parts I've sold were ones I added after launch.

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Sep 13, 2023 17:14

Subject:

Re: Confirm multiple variations in same set

Viewed:

26 times

Topic:

Catalog Identification

In Catalog Identification, unrefined writes:

Here is another fun mold change that I would love to know the years for:

I have these mold differences separated in my store. As best as I could trace
it a few years ago, the one with the embossed logo in the center was the only
variant up until around 2008-2009, when they introduced the one with no logo.
Both molds were included in sets until around 2011-2012, when the one with the
embossed logo was fully phased out. Note that these years are just my best estimations
based on a variety of sets, when new colors of the part were introduced, etc.

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Sep 12, 2023 17:16

Subject:

Re: Confirm multiple variations in same set

Viewed:

27 times

Topic:

Catalog Identification

In Catalog Identification, unrefined writes:

I am rebuilding some old sets and I would like to confirm that sets from the
1980s and 1990s used multiple mold variations of the same part in the same set.
Primarily I am looking to confirm that these older sets used pieces (plates)
with both solid posts and hollow posts.

My main goal is to rebuild some older sets as accurately as possible but seeing
as how there is no confirmed answer to when the hollow posts started being made,
and how long it took to phase out the solid posts, I am unsure of my accuracy.

I think the best way to confirm this is with someone who owns a new, open-box
set from this period, and can look through the unopened bags to confirm that
both molds are present in the same bag/set.

I realize that this is a big ask but I feel like it would help the community
greatly. If someone is willing to provide photo evidence of this I will use it
in a website that I am making to help with identifying parts.

Thank you!

Yes, I have opened sealed sets from the mid-to-late-'90s and '00s that
included both hollow and solid bottom pins in plates, modified plates, bricks,
and modified bricks in the same set.

For the '80s, I have only opened a couple of sealed sets, but every single
part had solid bottom pins. Based on available evidence, including discussion
forums, part release dates, and experience with sets that weren't sealed
but had been kept built for decades, I believe that hollow bottom pins didn't
exist until sometime in the early '90s.

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Sep 11, 2023 16:53

Subject:

Re: What are those? Are they even lego?

Viewed:

46 times

Topic:

Catalog Identification

In Catalog Identification, BricxaLot writes:

Please see attached picture.
Not really sure if they are LEGO but wanted to check...

They're the sprues from 36752:

36752 (Inv) Minifigure, Utensil Wand, 2 on Sprue
Parts: Minifigure, Utensil {Dark Orange}

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Sep 1, 2023 21:09

Subject:

Re: Very specific parts - very small order

Viewed:

68 times

Topic:

In Buying, caincha writes:

Hi

I want these specific parts for a personal custom project but seems most sellers
have a minimum $$ order purchase… And I am in New Zealand so it would be needed
to ship overseas…
Any help?

Parts list:

5x LEGO Black Technic Pin Connector Round with 4 Clips (15646 / 90202)

5x LEGO Black Hinge Arm Locking with Single Finger and Friction Pin (41532 /
57697)

18x LEGO Medium Stone Gray Bar 1L with Handle (23443 / 49755)

18x LEGO Flat Silver Small Horn (53451 / 88513)

I have all of those in stock, I have no minimum buy, and I ship to NZ.

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Aug 31, 2023 16:50

Subject:

Re: CAN'T PRINT POSTAGE ON PAYPAL

Viewed:

26 times

Topic:

In General, Brickitty writes:

In General, pitz8008 writes:

I saw the post earlier about someone not being able to transfer money out of
paypal. Well I'm currently not able to print postage on paypal. Is anybody
having this issue?

Yes, I just started shipping orders this afternoon and ran into the same problem.

It's working now!

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Aug 31, 2023 16:42

Subject:

Re: CAN'T PRINT POSTAGE ON PAYPAL

Viewed:

27 times

Topic:

In General, pitz8008 writes:

I saw the post earlier about someone not being able to transfer money out of
paypal. Well I'm currently not able to print postage on paypal. Is anybody
having this issue?

Yes, I just started shipping orders this afternoon and ran into the same problem.

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Aug 30, 2023 19:10

Subject:

Inventory Change Request for Set 75958-1

Viewed:

26 times

Topic:

Inventories Requests (Entry)

Status:

Open

Please make changes to the following inventory:

75958-1 (Inv) Beauxbatons' Carriage: Arrival at Hogwarts
412 Parts, 4 Minifigures, 2019
Sets: Harry Potter: Goblet of Fire

* Change 1 Part Reddish Brown {4532 Container, Cupboard 2 x 3 x 2 (Undetermined Type) to 4532b Container, Cupboard 2 x 3 x 2 - Hollow Studs}

Comments from Submitter:
From my original sealed copy of the set

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Aug 29, 2023 19:51

Subject:

Re: What the....

Viewed:

50 times

Topic:

In Shipping, Brickitty writes:

And for any of y'all who are curious about those some of those stats:

Most orders in any half-hour of the day: 17:00-17:30 MST (19:00-19:30 EST)

Least orders in any half-hour of the day: 5:00-5:30 MST (7:00-7:30 EST), exactly
12 hours earlier than the most orders

Most orders for a state compared to expected orders by population: Virginia (4.44%

2.58%)

Least orders for a state compared to expected orders by population: Texas (6.27%

Busiest day of the week: Monday, and it's not even close

Slowest day of the week: Tuesday

Oops, the formatting didn't work there. The states are Virginia (4.55% instead
of expected 2.58%) and Texas (6.27% instead of expected 8.75%).

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Aug 29, 2023 19:49

Subject:

Re: What the....

Viewed:

26 times

Topic:

2.58%)

Least orders for a state compared to expected orders by population: Texas (6.27%

Busiest day of the week: Monday, and it's not even close

Slowest day of the week: Tuesday

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Aug 29, 2023 19:41

Subject:

Re: What the....

Viewed:

29 times

Topic:

In Shipping, popsicle writes:

In Shipping, Brickitty writes:

In Shipping, popsicle writes:

~ Buyer places order using IC @ 14:15 PST

~ Order handed to USPS with acceptance scan @ 14:43 PST

~ Order status marked as shipped and Thank you Drive Thru with tracking
link provided @ 14:48 PST

Put another way: 28 minutes after the order is placed, it’s on it's way to
the buyer. Thirty three minutes after order, they get their already activated
tracking link, and Thanks

Not our best time, but pretty good

Very nice! I love orders that come in just before I go to the post office every
day (2:00-4:00 MST) because I can really impress with the speed. My current record
is 6 minutes from order time to Drive-Thru & tracking, left right away, dropped
off at the post office 10 minutes after order time.

Now that is impressive. Well done! Think you got me beat too. Damnit!

Even better though, is not having to travel, but handing it off to your well-timed
mail carrier just outside your front door, as we did today

Now that's convenient! I've never done that, partially because our local
post office is only 2 minutes away. It's tiny and grandfathered in without
a lot of modern post office amenities, but it gets the packages to Denver's
USPS distribution center even faster than the bigger post offices I've used
in the past.

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Aug 29, 2023 19:38

Subject:

Re: What the....

Viewed:

28 times

Topic:

In Shipping, sasquatch_eater writes:

In Shipping, popsicle writes:

Not our best time, but pretty good

Very nice! I don't know my best time but it was probably nowhere below an
hour. Out of curiosity, any particular reason why you use military time?

--Claude

Can't speak for Popsicle, but I use 24-hour time too. The primary reason
is that all of my order info goes into a gigantic spreadsheet, and then I can
easily generate cool stats like a bar graph of the amount of orders I get during
each hour of the day. My partner and I enjoy working on the spreadsheet together
and coming up with new ways to visualize the data.

My favorite so far involved inputting state populations from the 2020 census,
dividing each state by the total U.S. population to determine each state's
percentage of the population, doing the same with the percentage of orders we
get from each state, and then juxtaposing those on a graph so we can see which
states are over/under the expected sales based on population. Stats are so much
fun!

Author:

Brickitty

Posted:

Aug 29, 2023 19:01

Subject:

Re: What the....

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Topic: