BrickLink Discussion Forum

In Announce, EmblaRonja writes:

Fellow BrickLinkers,

We are currently closing up to hit order No 25 miljon! What a ride and what a
great achievement from all you members - seller and buyers!

So as a number nerd - if the 25th million order happens to be placed at my store
I will refund all cost and ship it for free anywhere in the world! This offer
limits to an order value of maximum 200 $ or 200 €.

And also - if your store gets it and you post proof in this thread I will give
you 50 % off on an order for you too - up to order value of 200 $/€.

So, what day will it happen? Any day next week?

Also fun to hear if any have had any special order numbers in the past. I don't
think I have but had two orders in numerical order once!

/Niclas

I once got 3 orders in consecutive numerical order once. They all came in within
1 minute.

I put a post about it on the forum but i can't find it.

I hope i get the 25 millionth order!!

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Apr 15, 2024 08:48

Subject:

Re: What is this piece for?

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Topic:

In General, Stellar writes:

In General, SurplusParts writes:

I have been building 75379.

I for the life of me can't work out what the 2x4 black plate is for?

It doesn't show any use in the instructions and you can't see it in any
of the photos of the set anywhere.

Cheers

I think if you buy all the wave you can join the minifgis stands with the black
plate by the middle bottom.

Thanks, that makes sense.

Not super clear on the instructions.

Cheers
Douglas

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Apr 15, 2024 06:24

Subject:

What is this piece for?

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Topic:

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Apr 14, 2024 08:11

Subject:

Re: New Store! Any Feedback Appreciated!

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Topic:

Thanks so much for the advice!

In terms of the minimum spend, that does make sense. My thought process was around
ensuring enough profit to run viably based on less orders coming in due to being
new/less stock. And it has worked decent for minifigures but I can see how that
would limit part buyers which would most likely end up being a large chunk of
the buyer pools I would I assume?
Once I finish parting out all my remaining sets and stock for inventory, I should
have closer to 14,000 parts which still isn't a lot but should help provide
a good chunk more options for people than I have currently.

I can see where you are coming from. Most stores will include a packing fee
for orders, especially small orders. This will ensure that you will still make
a profit. Yes, a large proportion of buyers are parts buyers. Unless you have
lots of rare and hard to find minifigures of course.

That is a good point about letter shipping. I honestly didn't think about
it really as every person I have purchased from has always arrived in boxes or
bubble mailers..
I will have a look at adding letters as an option for domestic as that would
indeed drop shipping costs quite a bit for people buying parts..

Have a look at other stores terms and see there shipping costs and postage weight
ranges. Set a maximum price for letter shipping, and then if they spend over
that it has to come in parcel rate.

Yeah, that does make sense about international shipping. The main thought process
around opening up international was just about allowing more people the access
to see my store even though most won't really buy from my store.

Yep makes sense. Just maybe have a look at the list of countries you ship to.
When i shipped overseas, i just kept it too the main countries with good and
reliable postal services.

I do understand the difficulty I will probably have running a small store in
Australia. The main goals are to learn business & shipping, as well as I thought
it would be something fun to do. So I am not too concerned about getting regular
sales but do want to learn how to best optimize so I can learn the best way to
run a smallish business and shipping.

Makes sense and good luck with it all. Seems you don't have any unrealistic
expectations.

Thanks for all the feedback!

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Apr 13, 2024 22:05

Subject:

Re: New Store! Any Feedback Appreciated!

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Topic:

In New Stores, PhyreZtorm writes:

Hey Everyone,

Opened my store just over a month ago but didn't know about this forum, so
thought I might as well look out for any feedback people might have..

The store is based in Australia and I started selling just domestically whilst
I took the time to figure out what I need for international shipping, pricing,
etc.
To which I think have got the information I needed and have opened up international
today in hopes to invite a larger audience as Australia is quite small compared
to the overall market from what I can see(around 4%).

I do understand that having more stock will be really beneficial and I have around
the same lot count in extra-storage that I am still yet to sort and add to inventory.
But as I have started this as a partial hobby, to get used to business-style
selling, etc, I only put a set starting amount of $1000 to build inventory as
well as a good amount of stuff I already had and am using any money made from
selling to reinvest back into more inventory.

Any feedback would be appreciated, whatever it may be.

Thanks in advance!

Hey mate,

Just a couple of things.

Firstly, you have a high minimum spend for a small store. $10 is a lot for a
store with only 7,000 parts. Most of the bigger stores in Australia have no
minimum spend or maybe a $1. To have a high minimum spend you need to have lots
of parts on offer so people can collate an order with a number of different lots.

Secondly, you don't have letter shipping at all? 70 to 80% of my orders
are shipped in small and medium letters. To have the cheapest shipping on offer
in your store within Australia at $11 is going to deter a lot of potential buyers.
Whilst letters don't have tracking, it is rare for them not to arrive.

Lastly, international shipping is expensive. So for someone to purchase from
a store in Australia you need to have things that are unique and hard to find
elsewhere. Common parts will be usually cheaper in their own markets. There
is no problems having international shipping, but it is rare to get an order.

Whilst Australia only has 4% of users, it has a disproportionate amount of stores,
740 currently open to be exact. USA has 6103 stores currently open, yet has
a much, much larger user base. It is difficult to run a small store in Australia
and get regular sales.

Best of luck

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Apr 13, 2024 21:43

Subject:

Re: Brand new parts come predamaged :(

Viewed:

56 times

Topic:

LEGO products

In LEGO products, Saitobricks.ca writes:

Just opened the box on set 60430 and there are the two normal loose parts, but
they where both damaged and dirty

If I sold that new to a customer I would be in trouble, (the scuffs on the one
part are super obvious in real life) not good.

The dirty part i can't comment on. In the photo all i see is a bit of cardboard
dust which is perfectly normal on parts that come loose in a set. You just blow
it away. I have never seen a 'dirty' part in all my years using Lego.
Though you never know.

The scuff marks on the aircraft fuselage, whilst i can't see them in the
photo, are normal too. Black is the one of the worst offenders, and black parts
with large smooth areas even worse again. Between manufacturing, processing
and packaging, parts are constantly banging together causing this. I have had
to sell many a black part from a new set as a used part due to scuff marks and
scratches.

Whether it is acceptable or not is up to the individual. Lots of pros and
cons on both sides. Whilst i don't want to have scuff marks or scratches
on a windshield of a $500 set (which Lego has been trying to rectify to their
credit), a few scuff marks on a set like you have, which is a $20 set, well it
happens. The added costs to stop this happening would not be viable.

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Apr 7, 2024 20:33

Subject:

Re: what was your first LEGO set?

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Topic:

LEGO products

In LEGO products, CykillsGarage writes:

Everyone has a first LEGO set. weather it is a DUPLO train or a handmedown from
your older brother, every one has a memory of his or her first set. First LEGO
set was the 30013-1 Police Quad as a birthday present. I loved taking it apart
and putting it back together again and chasing invisible villains and bringing
them to justice! Then one day our dog got a hold of the police man and chewed
his head off.... Post your first LEGO set below!

Showing my age here, but

487-1 (Inv) Space Cruiser
158 Parts, 2 Minifigures, 1979
Sets: Space: Classic Space

Recently i purchased my nephews collective lego collection, there is 3 brothers
and there not interested in it anymore. I was unaware that a small box of Lego
that was mine as a child was mixed in with it.

So i ended up finding numerous old space pieces in there, including many decorated
parts in great condition from this original set, more than 40 years later!!

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Mar 20, 2024 03:53

Subject:

Re: My Store is Open - Love to hear feedback

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Topic:

In New Stores, ajfordgc writes:

Hey,

I have changed back to $2.40.

I appreciate you taking the time to review.

Thanks

All good mate.

It is working perfectly now.

Happy to help, it took me a little while to get all my instant checkout working
well.

Good luck with the store.

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Mar 19, 2024 07:38

Subject:

Re: My Store is Open - Love to hear feedback

Viewed:

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Topic:

In New Stores, ajfordgc writes:

Hey Surplusparts,

Thanks heaps for the advice, hopefully the postage pricing has been fixed.

Cheers

Hi,

It is now showing $4.50 for the small letter plus the the handling fee, so $3.00
plus $1.50.

This is correct pricing when the letter rate goes up on April 3rd.

However, until then, you want to put it back down to the current rate, so $2.40
plus $1.50.

So put the pricing down to the current rate and then change up to this rate on
April 3rd.

Hopefully this makes sense.

I am happy to check again for you once you change it. Leave another message
in the forum.

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Mar 19, 2024 01:16

Subject:

Re: My Store is Open - Love to hear feedback

Viewed:

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Topic:

Hey,

Your small letter postage calculation seems incorrect. A small letter is $2.40,
plus you have a $1.50 packing fee. So should be $3.90 in total. When i added
1 minifigure to my cart it said a total of $3.70.

Also, note that letter shipping in Australia will be increasing to $3.00 for
a small letter in a couple of weeks, on April 3rd. A stamp will be going up
to $1.50 each.

Cheers

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Feb 26, 2024 21:16

Subject:

Re: Methods of storage!?

Viewed:

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Topic:

In General, GranthamBricks writes:

In General, SurplusParts writes:

I had a similar concept to yourself with regards to storage in my earlier days
selling.

However, when i decided to get bigger a few years ago, i invested in increasing
the storage by...

Purchasing the shelfing system, quite a good deal from ALDI.

Then increasing the number of boxes for parts.

So you said you have 1 box for bricks, i have 17 different ones. They follow
the system for picking. 1x1, 1x2, 1x3 etc. etc, making it easier to find what
you need.

Then the whole layout is in alphabetical order. So when picking an order, the
first box in the top left is Aircraft, then it moves through alphabetically to
Arches, Brackets, Bricks etc etc. all the way to the bottom right which is Wedge
plates, Windows...

In each box will be plastic bags with the different colours seperated.

Then if i have parts that i have too many off to fit into these boxes i have
a serious of overflow drawers that you can see in the right.

It is far from perfect but works for me and was not expensive to set up. I topped
out at 220,000 parts, so not a whole lot more than you have.

Cheers

how much of your 190ish k parts are in that picture and also what happens when
you only have 1 or 2 of an item left e.g. a red apple?

I would say there would be about 150k of the parts in those boxes. At one stage
i did have 220k in parts with the same system, though i used the overflow drawers
more.

If i use the apples as an example, they are in a box with all the flags and food
and drink together. There is a big zip lock bag inside this box and inside of
that is all the parts in the food and drink category (and there is a seperate
bag for flags). So inside there will be a bag with apples in it. Once the bag
is empty and i've sold all the apples i put the empty bag into a storage
area.

Then we i part out new parts and there are apples, they go into another bag and
back into that food and drink section.

Hope this makes sense.

Cheers

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Feb 25, 2024 19:36

Subject:

Re: Methods of storage!?

Viewed:

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Topic:

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Feb 21, 2024 03:55

Subject:

x89?

Viewed:

81 times

Topic:

Catalog Identification

Hey,

I am pretty sure these are x89 in blue but as i have none to compare them with
i thought i would check with the forum. The size seems right at 3 1/4 studs.

They are worth a few dollars these days.

Cheers
Douglas

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Feb 9, 2024 17:49

Subject:

Re: colour identification

Viewed:

34 times

Topic:

Catalog Identification

In Catalog Identification, Brickman4you writes:

In Catalog Identification, randyf writes:

In Catalog Identification, SurplusParts writes:

Hey, what colour is this?

I was thinking Satin Trans Light Blue, but as i don't have something to compare
it too i am not sure.

Thanks
Douglas

You are correct.

I think if it was Glitter Trans-Light Blue you would see sparkles in the leading
edges.

Thank you both. I just looked it up in the colour guide and technically Glitter
Trans-Light Blue has never come in the 1x1 plate so yes, guess it is the Satin.
Cheers.

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Feb 9, 2024 07:07

Subject:

colour identification

Viewed:

112 times

Topic:

Catalog Identification

Hey, what colour is this?

I was thinking Satin Trans Light Blue, but as i don't have something to compare
it too i am not sure.

Thanks
Douglas

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Jan 27, 2024 21:37

Subject:

Re: Grand opening/NEW STORE IN AUSTRALIA!

Viewed:

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Topic:

In New Stores, Brickfannn writes:

In New Stores, peregrinator writes:

In New Stores, Brickfannn writes:

Hmm that's weird, I ticked all the boxes

Here's the problem - you only ship to Australia, but only have a payment
method set up for international customers:

Does it work now?

Yes.

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Jan 27, 2024 18:46

Subject:

Re: Grand opening/NEW STORE IN AUSTRALIA!

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Topic:

In New Stores, Brickfannn writes:

In New Stores, SurplusParts writes:

In New Stores, Brickfannn writes:

My brand new store UseBrix is now open!

Most of our parts are used, but in excellent condition. About 1/3 of the parts
arrre the cheapest in Australia! The store has no handling fees, no minimum buys,
no lot limits/lot averages AND no PayPal fees. I will be parting out a few used
sets in the near future/new parts will be added every day.
Maybe we have just the part you are looking for!

Link to the store:
https://store.bricklink.com/Brickfannn&utm_content=globalnav#/shop

Just a heads up, you haven't got your payment method correct. I added something
to a cart and said there was no shipping method available.

Have you ticked all the boxes on your shipping methods to activate them?

Hmm that's weird, I ticked all the boxes

Not sure, you will have to have a look through and see what's up. This is
what is shown after adding some parts to your store. I am in Australia of course.

Best of luck.

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Jan 27, 2024 06:49

Subject:

Re: Grand opening/NEW STORE IN AUSTRALIA!

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Topic:

In New Stores, Brickfannn writes:

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Jan 5, 2024 21:09

Subject:

Re: Fee left remaning after paying.

Viewed:

44 times

Topic:

Help

In Help, Admin_Russell writes:

In Help, SurplusParts writes:

I just received my monthly fees yesterday and paid today. It was for $43.71.

When i paid through Paypal they only charged me $43.70 which i thought was a
bit strange but went ahead. However now it says i still owe 1 cent in fees.

If i go to pay that 1 cent the pay link is greyed out and says i owe nothing.

Not fussed if it just sits there, however i don't want them doing something
like suspending my store for not paying fees over the 1 cent.

Just leave it and pay with next months fees?

Thanks for any help.

Douglas

Fixed this for you.

Wow, thanks Russell. Very much appreciated.

Author:

SurplusParts

Posted:

Jan 5, 2024 19:59

Subject:

Fee left remaning after paying.

Viewed:

126 times

Topic:

Help