BrickLink Discussion Forum

That's a know quality issue.

Many tires from the end of 90s to the early 2000s are oily and sometimes sticky.
No matter if there were used or not.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Dec 7, 2021 03:37

Subject:

Invoice 0$ - @BL-admin, what shall I do?

Viewed:

133 times

Topic:

Help

Two days ago, I received an invoice from "billing@bricklink.com", total amount
$0.00

?

I stopped selling many years ago, and I had one purchase in 2021, which is fully
paid.

The mail also says:
"If you have any questions, check out our Help Center or email us at admin@bricklink.com."

Well, the help center doesn't help in this case.
So I mailed to admin@bricklink.com, but there was no response.

What shall I do? Dump the mail and forget about the issue?

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Dec 13, 2020 07:12

Subject:

Re: Why not Inventory the Levi's Dots Bag?

Viewed:

49 times

Topic:

Catalog

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:

To my knowledge, the LEGO Group does not have sealed-set contents data that they
can pass on to us. They know what is supposed to come in any given set, but BrickLink
inventories are based on what is actually found inside a sealed product.

That's the weirdest answer I've ever heard.
TLG is able to print a fill inventory at the end of many building instructions.
Why not start with this data?
If real sealed sets show differences (how often did this happen?), then the initial
data can be corrected or enhanced.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Dec 13, 2020 06:42

Subject:

Why new inventories not directly from Lego?

Viewed:

105 times

Topic:

Inventories

Status:

Open

As we all know, Bricklink was bought by Lego Company a while ago.

So, I am wondering, why does it take so long ("inventory pending") until the
inventories of new sets are online here at Bricklink? What's the problem
to take them directly from the mother company and put them online from release
day #1?

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Apr 10, 2018 05:48

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7824-1

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, Jojo writes:

Hello!

In Inventories Requests, StormChaser writes:

To anyone reading this in the future, since these messages are permanently saved:
the finger hinges for this set have been moved around, added, and deleted in
nearly every possible way. They're fine now. Leave them alone.

Regardless of how often the inventory for this set has been changed in the past,
both hollow and closed studes on these hinges are possible to be in this set.
This means both versions should be included in the inventory, one as regular,
one as alternate. Since closed studes were the original when this set was released,
hollow studs were the "alternate" done by Lego themselves. There you have it.

Bye
Jojo

I totally agree on that.
But in general, I‘ve given up on this issue.
Correcting the inventories could be done so fast and smoothly, if admins would
choose a better process...

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Mar 9, 2018 17:53

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7735-1

Viewed:

44 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, elias3 writes:

in all those years I have never considered that there is a difference here between
3241c and c+ till now but is it needed to split them?
Stefaan

Well, please let me explain my opinion.

Part 3241c (without "+") is rather common, it has been used for the sets 7725,
7727, 7730 and 7740 for about 3 or 4 years (from 1981 or 1982 until 1984).

Part 3241c+ is rather rare, because it was used only for 1 year in only two sets
7735 and 7745. From 1986, parts 2371a and/or 2731b were used.

So, adding part 3241c adding to 7735 and 7745 feels totally wrong to me. Because
in most cases, people might consider that the first version of 3241c should be
used for 7735 and 7745, which is absolutely incorrect.

But right now, if someone has a 7735 or 7745 set from 1985 which comes with 3241c+,
bricklink inventory tells him that his is set is incorrect or incomplete, because
2731a/b is missing.

So, splitting up that the part 3241c into two versions is imho the best way to
get correct inventories subsequently.

If yes then we need to split a lot of more tracks...

That's true.
My approach would have been
step #1 add all missing part variants to BL database
step #2 identify all sets that are affected by those parts (that's what my
Excel file does)
step #3 change the BL inventories of the affected sets in one non-interruptable
action, to ensure consistency among all affected sets. Afaik, such action can
only performed by ad admin.

That would have been an efficient and time-effective approach to get correct
inventories, within only a few days (or maybe weeks).

Nut now, we have lots of single ICRs, lots of discussion, lots of misunderstanding.
I bet the invs will not be correct (and free of inconsistencies) before year
2020.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 25, 2018 08:19

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7735-1

Viewed:

34 times

Topic:

Would you mind to sell one of the "+" parts to me?

Because I don't buy mixed lots, therefore it is hard for me to get one.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 25, 2018 08:16

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7735-1

Viewed:

32 times

Topic:

Well, the plastic supports under the contacts improve the handling and quality
of the electric connections. Therefore I would say "yes", there is a functional
difference.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 25, 2018 05:33

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7735-1

Viewed:

55 times

Topic:

Second try for the pictures:

Picture 1:
3241c without additional supports

Picture 2 (from SezaR):
3241c+ with additional supports

Pictures 3 and 4:
General overview over the 4 types.
Types 1 and 2 were produced from 1980 to 1984, types 3 and 4 from 1985 to 1990.
Types 3 and 4 have the additonal plastic supports under the contacts.
From the top, they can also be recognized, because the metal bars have visible
holes.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 25, 2018 05:29

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7735-1

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

Unfortunately, I don't own a 3241c+. It is hard to find, because it was only
produced in 1985. And BL doesn't distinct between the two types, it is difficult
to selective find and buy one.
But I can provide pictures that show the differences in general:

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 25, 2018 04:58

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7735-1

Viewed:

31 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, Admin_Russell writes:

In Inventories Requests, CrazyChris writes:

In Inventories Requests, SylvainLS writes:

So, for you, it’s either flooding the admins with a big impractical Excel file
or flooding them with inventory requests?

The Excel file is only impractical for people that are unskilled.
And it's intention was (and still is) to AVOID a flood of ICRs.

As I said before: it was an offer, not a request.
Bricklink decided not to accept it, and to go the complicated way instead.
If it goes on like this, we will see 50% correct/complete inventories not before
the year 2020, and probably never 100% correct and complete inventories.

It was never not accepted. The fact that I had received the document from you
(both an early and a late version) made Sezar's requests go through more
easily. When the requests came up in the queue, I had already familiarized myself
with the parts and change logs.

Okay, I see.
If you are still interested - the latest version of the document can always be
downloaded from my FTP space:
http://www.124er.de/lego/train_parts_master_table_online.xlsx
There are quite a number of updates and changes, compared with the version you
have.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 24, 2018 20:46

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7735-1

Viewed:

33 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, SylvainLS writes:

So, for you, it’s either flooding the admins with a big impractical Excel file
or flooding them with inventory requests?

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 24, 2018 18:28

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7735-1

Viewed:

38 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, Admin_Russell writes:

Before submitting volleys of requests, it is better to contact an admin to make
sure you are on the same wavelength.

That's funny, because that's what we already did sending the big Excel
file... but there was NO response. Later on, you told us that we should use the
ICR form.
So what method do you prefer? And what is the reason for your lack of communication?

I really admire Reza due to his power fo endurance - many other people (incl.
me) would have resigned. It is very disappointing.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 24, 2018 07:26

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7735-1

Viewed:

35 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, StormChaser writes:

Sometimes hypothesis and speculation are necessary in inventory work, but when
adding part variants there is a high standard.

Again, that makes me feel that you want to express, that my/our knowledge is
not driven by these high standards.

I am a collector, and I want my sets to be as close to original inv as possible.
There are many variants out there that BL database isn't aware of, so I believe
that my level of standards is at least as high as BL levels.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 24, 2018 07:20

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7735-1

Viewed:

49 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, SezaR writes:

The part 3241c were used since very early 80s until the end of 1985. In 1996,
the new variant 2731a was released which also included a cable. The set 7735
was first released in 1985, until the end of 1990.

Photos of a MISB set, provided by the owner of Bluxe. See the 6th photo.
The member go4bob has this set in its original set and can confirm this.

In Inventories Requests, SezaR writes:

Please make changes to the following inventory:

7735-1 (Inv) Freight Train
492 Parts, 2 Minifigures, 1985
Sets: Train: 12V

* Add 1 Part 3241c Light Gray Train, Track 12V Conducting Rail Curved, interference-free (match ID 1)
* Change 1 Part Light Gray 2731a Train, Track 12V Conducting Rail Curved with Connection Wire and Short Connector {Regular to Alternate} {match ID 0 to 1}

But please note that this part isn't exactly 3241c, because there are two
types of 3241c which Bricklink doesn't differ.
The picture shows the (very rare) version of 3241c+ with additional with plastic
reinforcements under the connecting metal pins.
The normal version 3241c without these reinforcements is NOT approprioate for
7735 and 7745. So, at first Bl should introduce the new part.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 24, 2018 04:47

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7735-1

Viewed:

32 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, Admin_Russell writes:

The BrickLink system was built by collectors - there is no such thing as an unimportant
collector.

Well, but your behaviour makes me fell like this. It is really annoying.
As I wrote before, what we are doing is not a request. It is an offer to Bricklink.
But you are treating us like annoying beggars.
That's why I am not in the mood anymore for contributing knowledge to the
database.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 23, 2018 20:33

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7735-1

Viewed:

38 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, PurpleDave writes:

In Inventories Requests, CrazyChris writes:

It is common knowledge that the hinges with hollow studs were introduced around
1987.

Introduced =/= exclusive. Old molds can be run alongside new ones for various
amounts of time. Old parts can be in inventory for years as they bleed the stock
down, and until the stock hits a low threshold they might not order up a new
run of parts using the newer mold in that color. I shouldn't own one of
these in dark-bley...but I do:

4085b Plate, Modified 1 x 1 with U Clip Thin (Vertical Grip)
Parts: Plate, Modified

I know, but I refuse this kind of reasoning. Because it does not explain, why
set A is affected, but not set B. These parts were quite common and exist in
not too many colours. So, if old stock ever existed, please explain why it should
have been used only for certain sets, and not for all?
Back in those days, I got lots of sets, and the hollow studded hinge plates where
contained quite everywhere, while the older version never appeared in any set
after 1987.
But of course, this is not an hard proof, just some knowledge from an unimportant
collector...

Now I see why many people stopped contributing to BL catalog.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 23, 2018 19:59

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7735-1

Viewed:

42 times

Topic:

But SezaR is right.

It is common knowledge that the hinges with hollow studs were introduced around
1987.
It is also common knowledge that the set 7735 was produced from 1until 1990.
(same as 7745, 7824 and some town/space sets that also were produced both before
and after the change).

So of course, the hinges with hollow studs must be alternate parts for all these
sets.
Some inventories already show this, it ist just logical to correct all affected
sets.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 21, 2018 11:13

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7750-1

Viewed:

33 times

Topic:

Very strange that people start to doubt the authenticity of a MISB bag, no?

Well, who guarantees that it is a MISB bag?
As the bag is loose, the set has been openend.

It is no problem to create such bags and fill them with whatever parts you want.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 21, 2018 05:04

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7750-1

Viewed:

37 times

Topic: