BrickLink Discussion Forum

In Inventories Requests, Admin_Russell writes:

I believe I've gotten everything lined up properly for you:

First version - 16 curved conductor rails 3241

Second version - 15 curved conductor rails 3241 + 1 special conductor rail 3241c

Correct?

Yes, correct. Thank you.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Jan 27, 2018 09:06

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7865-1

Viewed:

23 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, CrazyChris writes:

x461b is the newer part, x461 the older one (because x461b exists only in red and appeared not before 1983 in 7727).

Self-correction to avoid confusing: x461b exists in both colors, x461 exists
only in black.
Therefore, x461b must be the newer part, because the black ones x461 already
appeared in 1980s sets.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Jan 27, 2018 08:47

Subject:

Inventory Change Request for Set 7725-1

Viewed:

48 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Please make changes to the following inventory:

7725-1 (Inv) Electric Passenger Train
483 Parts, 1 Minifigure, 1981
Sets: Train: 12V

* Delete 1 Part 2731a Light Gray Train, Track 12V Conducting Rail Curved with Connection Wire and Short Connector
* Add 1 Part 3241 Dark Gray Train, Track 12V Conducting Rail Curved (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 1 Part 3241c Dark Gray Train, Track 12V Conducting Rail Curved, interference-free (Alternate) (match ID 2)

Comments from Submitter:
Parts 2731 was released in 1986, so it cannot be contained in a set from 1981. If it does, it should also appear in set 7727 from 1983, but it doesn't.

In 1981, the power came to the rails by using a simple 3241 conducting rail (=16x 3241)

In later revisions, the interference-free part 3241c was contained (same as invs from 7730 and 7740).
Therefore 15x 3241 and 1x 3241c as second alternative.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Jan 27, 2018 08:36

Subject:

Inventory Change Request for Set 7865-1

Viewed:

61 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Please make changes to the following inventory:

7865-1 (Inv) 12V Motor
19 Parts, 1980
Sets: Train: Supplemental: 12V

* Add 2 Part x461b Black Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with Steam Engine Cylinder, Round Surfaces, Interior Grooves (Alternate)

Comments from Submitter:
Inconsistency among sets.

x461b is the newer part, x461 the older one (because x461b exists only in red and appeared not before 1983 in 7727).

x461b is listed as alternate part in two short-produced sets 7730 and 7750. So, it must also be an alternate part for this set 7865, which was produced from 1980 to 1990.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Jan 24, 2018 15:46

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 180-1

Viewed:

27 times

Topic:

Thank you for these words.

However, what are the next steps from your side?
Is it okay if I upload the file to my FTP and post the link here?

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Jan 24, 2018 08:02

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 180-1

Viewed:

27 times

Topic:

I understand your point of view. But I really would appreciate, if you try to
understand my point of view, too:

1. The Excel file

I did not do this on my own. Instead, it is the result of hours of work, and
many E-Mails from and to other collectors.
When I sent the file to you, this was NOT a request. It was an offer to you,
an offer to Bricklink.
I waited for response. For questions, for a proposal of how to continue, for
any sign of interest.
But there was no response.

I don't say that the file is final or error-free. But it is a base to start
a discussion from - a better base than the current state of BL's inventories.

I am thinking about to upload the file to my FTP, and the provide the link here,
to spark a discussion. Does this comply with BL rules?

2. Quality

As I said before, I won't fill any ICRs or related. This is NOT because
of laziness. The main reason for my choice is: to ensure quality. For me, dealing
with the ICRs forms (and related) is like tumbling through a dungeon while blindfolded.
It is complex and hard to understand, I am not sure what I am doing. There is
a high risk of making mistakes (and therefore being rejected).
I don't want to make mistakes, I want to achieve a result with high quality.

3. Consistency among sets

Right now, BL inventories of the train sets show many inconsistencies. The reason
is obvious: many sets were treated as their own, and not as part of a group of
affected sets. The ICR process doesn't allow to handle things like "set group
consistency" (if it does, I haven't found it yet). Every affected set needs
to be treated in the same way, imho this is a very essential requirement in this
train topic. If the technical implementation doesn't help us, we need a workaround
to cover this requirement. Therefore, the changes should be done by the experienced
hands of a single admin person, and not by the users.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Jan 24, 2018 05:08

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 180-1

Viewed:

18 times

Topic:

Well, I just had the hope that a comprehensive document and questions/answers
would simplify things (in case that there is REAl interest from BL side). Not
1000 single steps, but 1 big (and efficient) step that is done by you.

The inv change request form and the other forms for adding new parts, I don't
get along with them, they are just too complicated (for me).

So, everything will stay as it is (missing part variants, wrong inventories,
etc...).

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Jan 23, 2018 03:55

Subject:

Re: Sample pictures

Viewed:

66 times

Topic:

here are some example pictures

conducting rails

type 1
no holes on the sides
no supports under the contacts

type 2
holes on the sides
no supports under the contacts

type 3
holes on the sides
with supports under the contacts
notches at the bottom of the metal parts

type 4
no holes on the sides
with supports under the contacts
notches at the bottom of the metal parts

remote switches

type 1
with metal rings
no notch at the bottom of the housing

type 2
no metal ring
with notch at the bottom of the housing

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Jan 23, 2018 03:25

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 180-1

Viewed:

26 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, StormChaser writes:

The problem here is that you provide no sources in your document, so I'm
just taking your word on all this. While I don't doubt your good intentions,
I hope you can understand why requests for changes to these older inventories
need some kind of evidence to support them.

Well, this is just a matter of „how to display“.
I have ecidences, and lots od hints.
Bur it is impossible to include this into the document.
Instead, I wrote a text that adeesses all this. But this text is very long an
written in german.
And I am wondering, why you didn‘t ask for this by E-Mail?
For me, it looked like as if there was no interest from your side.

By the way, both of you say that new parts or variants of existing parts still
need to be added to the catalog. These parts should be added before any changes
are done to inventories.

Well, this is something you could prepare by reading the table.
The additional motor variant is well known, I don‘t think that an evidence is
needed.
The missing variants of the conducting rails - I can provide pictures.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Jan 22, 2018 16:51

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 180-1

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

Hi Stormchaser,

this is exactly what I already offered in the 7730 discussions thread:
https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1065172
I sent a mail with the huge excel sheet to two BL inventory admins, but never
got any response.
Of course, I may send the file to you again, please contact me by E-Mail.

kind regards, Christian

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Dec 15, 2017 13:48

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7730-1

Viewed:

32 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, StormChaser writes:

In Inventories Requests, CrazyChris writes:

If added a screen snippet as preview. The table is too huge to create a single
picture of it. The best option would be to send it to you by E-Mail.

Looks interesting! I'll PM you with an email address.

I am confused with the mail adresses. The one you sent me by message, it doesn't
work (SMTP error: the email account that you tried to reach does not exist).
I replied to a mail from Stefan and to a mail from Robert. Not sure if you received
the document.

I'm afraid a drop-down menu wouldn't be effective because things would
still need to be looked up and it would be nearly impossible to find things on
a drop-down menu. I believe there are over 800,000 Inventory Item IDs (a unique
ID assigned to each inventory item), for example, and something like 48,000 parts
in the catalog - imagine trying to find 1 of 48,000 parts on a drop-down menu.

Well, the dropdown menu should containt self-descriptive texts instead of acronyms
and technical terms. It should be usable without the need to look something up.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Dec 13, 2017 12:50

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7730-1

Viewed:

43 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, StormChaser writes:

If you can format the table as a photo (jpg or png) that would be great.
You can post it here as a reply if you'd like.

If added a screen snippet as preview. The table is too huge to create a single
picture of it. The best option would be to send it to you by E-Mail.

Is there a way we can make it easier and less painful? I once thought so also,
until I understood and became comfortable with the form. Now it seems pretty
streamlined to me.

You have to type in strange things and acronyms:
Item ID? Inv Item ID? Color ID? Action? What the heck?
Everything must be looked up and typed manually.
It looks like a admin interface, not like a user-friendly interface.
Using drop-down menus instead of text fields would be a good start.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Dec 13, 2017 04:57

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7730-1

Viewed:

40 times

Topic:

In Inventories Requests, StormChaser writes:

You are welcome to correct inventories any time you
wish by submitting inventory change requests.

I will not do this, because
- the process of creating a inventory change request is very painful and time-consuming
- very many ICRs would nbe required
- every ICR could be rejected
- to understand the situation, the whole "picture" is required

Instead, I can offer to send a table (Excel, PDF, whatever you want) that shows
the variety of parts (and the ones that BL is missing right now) and their assingment
to the sets.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Dec 12, 2017 06:59

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7730-1

Viewed:

36 times

Topic:

Well, I think that Sezar is right. However, there will be no definite proof until
someone opens/checks a MISB set that contains the second version.

But I am wondering why you are ignoring the facts and the conclusion.

Fact #1: Many 7730 sets are offered with the second version of the cones.
Fact #2: At all of these offers, the condition and the circumstances vary a lot.
You can find everything in a range from "complete with good box" to "incomplette
rubbish".

So, the next question is:
WHY are so many 7730 offered with the second version of the cones?

Maybe all of these sellers lost or replaced the original parts.
Is that possible? Yes, it is.
Is it likely? No, absolutely not.
Because:
1. What should have been the reason, that all these sellers should have lost
/replaced just these special parts? There is no valid explanation for that.
2. Where shall all the replacement parts (with axle holes) have come from? In
yellow, they were released only in a set from 1987 (which is rather rare) and
another one from 2007. If the parts were taken from these sets, there must exist
a lot incomplete ones, where just these special parts are missing. Again, this
is possible but unlikely.

To be honest, I lost my belief in the accuracy of the BL inventories, regarding
trains from 1980-1990. There are so many items missing, incorrect, unknown. I
have to admit that it was a good base to start with, but meanwhile I set up my
own parts and variants list. I also offered it to BL inventory admins, but there
was no interest...

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 15, 2017 10:31

Subject:

Re: Expanding Bricklink towards Playmobil

Viewed:

43 times

Topic:

Maybe you meant to use the Bricklink "engine" for other brands (e.g. Playmobil),
but not necessarily Bricklink itself.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Feb 15, 2017 09:37

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 853-1

Viewed:

30 times

Topic:

That's useful Information. Could you put it (text+pictures) into a downloadable
PDF document?

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Dec 10, 2016 12:33

Subject:

Re: Pls create a kind of watch list for items

Viewed:

24 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Brickwilbo writes:

In Suggestions, CrazyChris writes:

Hi,

this one is very basic: I'd like to have a watch lists, that allows to "save"
certain items from certain sellers, to find them easily again.

Favourite the store and add the item to a wanted list.
In the settings you can change it to have favourites shown on top.

That's too weird.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Dec 10, 2016 09:40

Subject:

Pls create a kind of watch list for items

Viewed:

94 times

Topic:

Status:

Already Exists

Hi,

this one is very basic: I'd like to have a watch lists, that allows to "save"
certain items from certain sellers, to find them easily again.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Dec 10, 2016 09:39

Subject:

Pls add individual sorting to each wantedlist

Viewed:

66 times

Topic:

Status:

Implemented

Hi,

I am using lots of wanted lists. Some contain sets, some contain parts, others
contain catalogs and gear.
Unfortunately, the sorting criteria for the contents of wanted lists are set
globally. So every time, I have to switch the sorting when switching between
my wanted lists.
Because imho, sets are best sorted by set numbers. While parts are best sorted
by color or description. Finally, it makes sense to sort catalogs by description
or by year.

Adding sorting criteria individually to each wanted list, would improve the handling
a lot.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Dec 10, 2016 09:32

Subject:

Wanted lists are always sorted "newest up"

Viewed:

68 times

Topic:

Status:

Discarded

Hi,

I don't know if this is a bug or not. But every time I open the "wanted
list" area, all my wanted lists are sorted in newest order. This is really annoying,
I'd like to set another sorting order by default. And that sorting order
(e.g. alphabetically) should be saved and remembered every time I enter my "wanted
lists" area.

kind regards, Christian

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Jan 3, 2016 05:51

Subject:

Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 710-3

Viewed:

27 times

Topic:

No problem, both parts are the "a" variants.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Jan 2, 2016 16:34

Subject:

Inventory Change Request for Set 710-3

Viewed:

41 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Please make changes to the following inventory:

710-3 (Inv) Universal Building Set
376 Parts, 2 Minifigures, 1983
Sets: Universal Building Set: Basic Set

* Add 2 Part 3710 Red Plate 1 x 4
* Add 4 Part 3024 Blue Plate 1 x 1
* Add 2 Part 3023 Black Plate 1 x 2
* Add 2 Part 3010 Blue Brick 1 x 4
* Add 1 Part 4529 Black Minifig, Utensil Saucepan
* Change {3 to 4} Part Blue 3004 Brick 1 x 2
* Change {2 to 6} Part Blue 3023 Plate 1 x 2
* Change {2 to 6} Part Blue 3710 Plate 1 x 4
* Change {2 to 4} Part Blue 3020 Plate 2 x 4
* Change {3 to 6} Part Red 3004 Brick 1 x 2
* Change {4 to 8} Part Red 3040 Slope 45 2 x 1
* Change {1 to 2} Part Red 3044 Slope 45 2 x 1 Double - Undetermined Underside
* Change {1 to 2} Part Red 3048 Slope 45 2 x 1 Triple - Undetermined Underside
* Change {4 to 12} Part Red 3039 Slope 45 2 x 2
* Change {1 to 2} Part Red 3043 Slope 45 2 x 2 Double
* Change {8 to 10} Part Red 3037 Slope 45 2 x 4
* Change {2 to 4} Part Red 4287 Slope, Inverted 33 3 x 1
* Change {2 to 4} Part Red 3069b Tile 1 x 2 with Groove
* Change {26 to 30} Part White 3005 Brick 1 x 1
* Change {28 to 36} Part White 3004 Brick 1 x 2
* Change {12 to 16} Part White 3622 Brick 1 x 3
* Change {14 to 20} Part White 3010 Brick 1 x 4
* Change {8 to 12} Part White 3009 Brick 1 x 6
* Change {2 to 4} Part White 3008 Brick 1 x 8
* Change {1 to 2} Part White 3307 Brick, Arch 1 x 6 x 2 - Thick Top with Reinforced Underside
* Change {6 to 8} Part White 3069b Tile 1 x 2 with Groove
* Change {1 to 2} Part White 3039 Slope 45 2 x 2

Comments from Submitter:
Hello, I got this set in pristine condition with box, and compared the parts to instructions, sorting tray and box pictures. Also compared to Peeron.

Link to forum:
http://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=959427

kind regards, Christian

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Jan 7, 2015 12:27

Subject:

Inventory Change Request for Set 8868-1

Viewed:

31 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Please make changes to the following inventory:

8868-1 (Inv) Air Tech Claw Rig
955 Parts, 1992
Sets: Technic: Model: Construction

* Add 5 Part 4697b Light Gray Pneumatic T Piece New Style (T Bar) (Alternate)
* Add 52 Part 4265b Light Gray Technic Bush 1/2 Toothed Type II (Alternate)
* Add 2 Part 4265b Light Gray Technic Bush 1/2 Toothed Type II (Alternate)

Comments from Submitter:
Got a MISB 8868 set, and it contained 4697b and 4265b instead of 4697a and 4265a. Also applies to the extra parts, don't know how to fill the form to express this (combined extra+alternate).

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Mar 29, 2014 09:40

Subject:

Re: Rejected Catalog Submissions

Viewed:

34 times

Topic:

I absolutely agree to that. It is just disappointing, if you struggle 1 hour
with that complex catalog change request process, and after that your work is
dumped and you donÄt have any idea 'bout the reason.
- catalog change request process must be made easier and needs more transparency.
The database if THE base for all Bl activities, but due to the currecnt situation,
the qualitiy of the database is not as good as it could be.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Apr 18, 2013 11:17

Subject:

Re: Multiple address

Viewed:

36 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, mabccc writes:

In Suggestions, Timothy_Smith writes:

In Suggestions, Steinor writes:

What about the ability to have multiple addresses?

What about the ability to ONLY use your PayPal address if you use PayPal?

I have multiple (confirmed) addresses in my PayPal account. I just select the
one I want the package sent to when checking out with PayPal. I also leave a
comment when checking out at BL to use the confirmed paypal address, and copy
it into the comment too. I don't think I have ever had a seller use the wrong
address.

Well, I don't use Paypal for all Bricklink Orders, due to some (high) fees some
sellers request when paying by Paypal.

Moreover, some sellers don't care about the checkout-comments... they stick to
the adress of the order summary.
It is not even possible to change the adress dynamically, because sellers from
recent (!) orders will be notified that my adress has changed... *argh* not a
bad idea at all, but absolutely not suitable for this special use case.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Apr 18, 2013 04:43

Subject:

Re: Multiple address

Viewed:

39 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Steinor writes:

What about the ability to have multiple addresses?

Absolutely YES.

When buying from international sellers, my standard adress should be used.
When buying from national sellers, I often use shipping to a local Packstation.
Until now, it is not possible to manage this by Bricklink.
Of course, I am using the "comments" textbox to specifiy an alternate shipping
adress, but some powersellers don't seem to be able to read this... they ship
to the wrong adress anyway.

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Sep 13, 2012 14:02

Subject:

Re: Handling of more than one shipping adresses ?

Viewed:

24 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Brettj666 writes:

I think that this can just be communicated to the seller before you submit payment..

As I wrote before, I explicitely did that.
But obviously, the sellers weren't able to read it...

Author:

CrazyChris

Posted:

Sep 13, 2012 12:42

Subject:

Handling of more than one shipping adresses ?

Viewed:

123 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]