Discussion Forum: Messages by Admin_Russell
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 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: May 25, 2020 13:02
 Subject: Re: Disable Buyer's Ability to mark order Paid
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 Topic: Suggestions
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In Suggestions, Mistress_Lisa writes:
  In Suggestions, Teup writes:
  In Suggestions, Mistress_Lisa writes:
  Someone just ordered from me and marked the order paid when I haven't even
sent an invoice yet! But now the line is grayed out, and I am unable to send
an invoice!

I'm pretty sure that's a bug.. buyers can't change the order status
to paid, only sellers or onsite payment can.

  Why is there even the option for a buyer to mark the order paid?
As a seller, it doesn't matter to me if the numbers are in bold (showing
'paid' since I don't think it is paid until I check Paypal to make
sure it is in my account. (or received the check in the mail or whatever).
Like Scrooge, I don't ship until I have the 'cash in hand', so I
should be the only one to mark it paid. (or the Paypal link, that is fine too,
just not the buyer).

Lisa at Brick Dungeon

So.. are you talking about the order status, or about the grand total showing
in bold because the buyer submitted the payment? You'd want to remove the
latter just because you don't need it? Well, I need it.. not everyone
works with PayPal. If buyers send me bank transfers, I need to see that so that
I can ship their order or verify the payment. It's a pretty important feature
to me.

Well, drats. I guess that isn't the solution either. But I have checked my
Paypal account, and there is NO payment from the buyer. And yet, since he marked
it paid, everything is grayed out and I cannot add a shipping amount or send
an invoice! Frustrating!! Okay, so a better solution may be that BrickLink does
NOT gray out the options!!

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

You should be able to send an invoice. One of the changes we made last week was
to allow an invoice regardless of order status:

https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1198619

(7) b. Sellers can send an invoice independent of order status

This has also been reverted to the way it was originally. And sending an invoice
will not automatically change the Order Status.


So if you can't send an invoice, that's a bug and we'll need to get
it fixed.

Regarding being able to change the charges on an order after the order has been
paid, this is something we did not revert last week, and a number of sellers
have come forward with situations where they still would like to use this option.
I will gather up these comments and re-open this issue with the team this coming
week to see if we can be more flexible.

Although, my understanding of the "Paid" status would be that the seller would
have to mark it as paid, or it would be marked as paid as a result of an onsite
payment transaction. I would not consider a buyer marking something as "Paid"
as something that should limit the seller's options in any way. Maybe there
is some confusion on this depending on whether the seller has enabled the option
of separating payment status from order status.

Also, and I extend this to anyone who has an order status that is stuck for whatever
reason. Please contact me and I will change the order status for you manually.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: May 14, 2020 12:36
 Subject: Re: Pink, light pink and paradisa pink
 Viewed: 62 times
 Topic: Colors
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In Colors, Miro78 writes:
  In Colors, StormChaser writes:
  In Colors, WoutR writes:
  I don't know what the current status is of the planned catalog color project,

Still planned.

It would probably be best to update all the existing catalog guidelines before
doing much of anything else major and that's what we're working on.

I've attached a photo showing where we are on this.

No highlighting = not updated, but should be relatively easy updates
Yellow highlighting = not updated and will be controversial/difficult updates
Pink highlighting = expected completion by June 1st
Green highlighting = completed updates

Will Colors (#10) and/or Colors Additional Notes (#11) include having both BL
and Official Lego naming & lego color ID on this list? https://www.bricklink.com/catalogColors.asp?utm_content=subnav

It would be beneficial if it contained real image examples in some sort of grid
format perhaps on a separate page as a visual aide of what the colors look like,
for those that are new or unsure on some of these.

You can click "with images" or "thumbnail gallery" and you will see this sort
of display:

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogColors.asp?v=1&itemType=P&itemNo=

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogColors.asp?v=2&itemType=P&itemNo=

  I know Ryan Howerter has done
excellent job at this already.

He does. That is a great resource.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: May 14, 2020 12:29
 Subject: Re: Pink, light pink and paradisa pink
 Viewed: 53 times
 Topic: Colors
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In Colors, WoutR writes:
  I don't know what the current status is of the planned catalog color project,
but in preparation here is a photo of some pink parts.

The parts on the left are LEGO Light Reddish Violet. The parts on the
right are LEGO Rose. Both are called pink on BrickLink.

Rose is commonly called "Paradisa Pink" and is often sold as "Light Pink" on
BrickLink.


I am not sure if BrickLink's Light Pink actually exist. I suspect many are
misidentified.

One of the solutions is to simply start using Light Pink for the early pink color.
Some sellers are already doing this.

However, the bigger problem is fitting the new color into our inventory system.
It would be great if the first two set years of Paradisa (1992-1993) the sets
only contained the early pink. But later copies of even the earliest Paradisa
sets have been found with the new pink.

So then we would be stuck with the same situation as the 2003-2004 color changes,
where large parts of an inventory are labeled color alternates. This presents
a very practical problem in that mold variants would compete for space in the
inventory. We give preference to mold variant over minor color variant, but it's
a choice no Inv Admin wants to make.

BrickLink did a survey of these colors in Brickworld Chicago in 2018. It was
called the Pink Challenge and participants were asked simply to sort by color
a dozen pink colored parts in a tray. These included the modern Bright Pink.
Almost everyone clearly distinguished the early pink color, though there was
little consensus on what to call it. I think we ended up with about 50 different
name suggestions by the end of the event.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: May 11, 2020 00:20
 Subject: Re: No Dimensions in Catalog
 Viewed: 61 times
 Topic: Suggestions
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In Suggestions, SchmickBricks writes:
  Can we please have a function to search for items in our inventory with no catalog
dimensions? We already have one to search for weight, but not dimensions for
some strange reason.

I'm getting tired of bulky items sneaking through Instant checkout at letter
rates because they're missing catalog dimensions, and I have no way of finding
which items need me to manually enter their dimensions.

The solution is already there for you. Be sure you have dimensions / weight turned
on for your store and then select the "Instant Checkout Unavailable" box in the
Show More Options section in your store inventory.
 


 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: May 10, 2020 02:27
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig con004
 Viewed: 33 times
 Topic: Inventories
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In Inventories, randyf writes:
  In Inventories, Admin_Russell writes:
  In Inventories Requests, Give.Me.A.Brick writes:
  Please make changes to the following inventory: [M=con004]

* Delete 1 Part 3840pb01 Yellow Minifigure, Vest with Black Upward Chevron Pattern (Stickers)
* Add 1 Part 3840pb18 Yellow Minifigure, Vest with Black Chevron Pattern

Comments from Submitter:
MIB set from my childhood.

We don't usually change the minifig inventories themselves. Instead we create
a new minifig:
 
Minifig No: con013  Name: Plain Blue Torso with Blue Arms, Black Legs, Red Construction Helmet, Yellow Vest with Black Chevrons (Printed)
* 
con013 (Inv) Plain Blue Torso with Blue Arms, Black Legs, Red Construction Helmet, Yellow Vest with Black Chevrons (Printed)
Minifigures: Town: Classic Town
I have added it to this set because you mentioned MIB contents from childhood:
 
Set No: 607  Name: Mini Loader
* 
607-1 (Inv) Mini Loader
14 Parts, 1 Minifigure, 1979
Sets: Town: Classic Town: Construction

Please let me know if this is not correct.

That inventory is still wrong. The regular minifig should be one without the
stickers on the vest so that the one with the stickers becomes a counterpart.

Yes. It's the same situation we solved with the yellow castle set a few years
ago:
 
Set No: 375  Name: Castle
* 
375-2 (Inv) Castle
706 Parts, 14 Minifigures, 1978
Sets: Castle: Classic Castle
 
Minifig No: cas088a  Name: Classic - Yellow Castle Knight Red
* 
cas088a (Inv) Classic - Yellow Castle Knight Red
Minifigures: Castle: Classic Castle
 
Minifig No: cas088s  Name: Classic - Yellow Castle Knight Red - with Vest Stickers
* 
cas088s (Inv) Classic - Yellow Castle Knight Red - with Vest Stickers
Minifigures: Castle: Classic Castle
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: May 9, 2020 20:19
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig con004
 Viewed: 40 times
 Topic: Inventories
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In Inventories Requests, Give.Me.A.Brick writes:
  Please make changes to the following inventory: [M=con004]

* Delete 1 Part 3840pb01 Yellow Minifigure, Vest with Black Upward Chevron Pattern (Stickers)
* Add 1 Part 3840pb18 Yellow Minifigure, Vest with Black Chevron Pattern

Comments from Submitter:
MIB set from my childhood.

We don't usually change the minifig inventories themselves. Instead we create
a new minifig:
 
Minifig No: con013  Name: Plain Blue Torso with Blue Arms, Black Legs, Red Construction Helmet, Yellow Vest with Black Chevrons (Printed)
* 
con013 (Inv) Plain Blue Torso with Blue Arms, Black Legs, Red Construction Helmet, Yellow Vest with Black Chevrons (Printed)
Minifigures: Town: Classic Town
I have added it to this set because you mentioned MIB contents from childhood:
 
Set No: 607  Name: Mini Loader
* 
607-1 (Inv) Mini Loader
14 Parts, 1 Minifigure, 1979
Sets: Town: Classic Town: Construction

Please let me know if this is not correct.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: May 5, 2020 17:03
 Subject: Re: Part Lists
 Viewed: 66 times
 Topic: Suggestions
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In Suggestions, pete_brick writes:
  I never use the online Lego inventories, in fact I wouldn't know where to
find them. What I do is print or photocopy the pages in the set instructions
and use those as my primary list for parts that should be in a set. I augment
that with Brickset and bricklink lists.
The 3D function on briclink is especially helpful.

peter

For most sets, Brickset = online LEGO inventories
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: May 4, 2020 21:21
 Subject: Re: Prevent buyer from setting status as.....
 Viewed: 101 times
 Topic: Suggestions
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In Suggestions, toontexas writes:
  With the recent changes re. the order statuses, is it possible to prevent buyers
from setting an order as Complete BEFORE the seller has set the order as Shipped?

Many sellers follow their own protocols when processing orders, and orders that
show up as Complete even before they've actually been pulled can really throw
a spanner in the works.

Your suggestion was already part of the new order status work that was done,
but there is a bug allowing buyers to do this. This was never intended and will
be corrected at the next deployment.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 25, 2020 17:55
 Subject: Re: set 558 - counter part drum with sticker
 Viewed: 50 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, edk writes:
  In Catalog, sebastianlego writes:
  gray color comparison, from top:
Dark bluish
Light bluish
Light gray
Dark gray on sword
unknown gray on drum

That color of LG also appears in classic space sets in this part.
 
Part No: 4085a  Name: Plate, Modified 1 x 1 with Open O Clip Thin (Vertical Grip)
* 
4085a Plate, Modified 1 x 1 with Open O Clip Thin (Vertical Grip)
Parts: Plate, Modified

Yes. This is due to the different type of plastic. It should be listed in BrickLink
inventories as Light Gray.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 25, 2020 14:41
 Subject: Re: Item Type Discussion
 Viewed: 62 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, cosmicray writes:
  In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  In Catalog, wahiggin writes:

  So each car from Cars could become minifigs too?

 
Set No: 9485  Name: Ultimate Race Set
* 
9485-1 (Inv) Ultimate Race Set
122 Parts, 4 Minifigures, 2012
Sets: Cars: Cars 2

Some of them already are:
 
Minifig No: crs018  Name: Lightning McQueen - Red, 'Rust-eze' in Fancy Script
* 
crs018 (Inv) Lightning McQueen - Red, 'Rust-eze' in Fancy Script
Minifigures: Cars: Cars 3
 
Minifig No: crs013  Name: Junior Moon
* 
crs013 (Inv) Junior Moon
Minifigures: Cars: Cars 3
 
Minifig No: crs016  Name: Tow Mater - Hinges Boom
* 
crs016 (Inv) Tow Mater - Hinges Boom
Minifigures: Cars: Cars 3

So, the sellers who are listing individual cars from
 
Set No: 8639  Name: Big Bentley Bust Out
* 
8639-1 (Inv) Big Bentley Bust Out
439 Parts, 7 Minifigures, 2011
Sets: Cars: Cars 2
should create
catalog entries, and move those listings out of the 8639 set (where they are
cluttering things up) ? Out of the first 25 listings, 14 are individual cars.
A few of them, it would appear, already have catalog entries.

Can I do the same thing for
 
Set No: 4579  Name: Ice Ramp Racers
* 
4579-1 (Inv) Ice Ramp Racers
110 Parts, 2 Minifigures, 2001
Sets: Racers: Xalax
, and (finally) have a home for the two
racers ? (which to date I have in Custom listings)

Nita Rae

The cars entries, together with the sp00x line are an experiment. We needed the
cars to be minifigs so we could easily compare with partout value over a period
of time.

But at this moment, we do not want such things to be added. We need to figure
out the best way moving forward first.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 25, 2020 00:55
 Subject: Re: Item Type Discussion
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 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, wahiggin writes:

  So each car from Cars could become minifigs too?

 
Set No: 9485  Name: Ultimate Race Set
* 
9485-1 (Inv) Ultimate Race Set
122 Parts, 4 Minifigures, 2012
Sets: Cars: Cars 2

Some of them already are:
 
Minifig No: crs018  Name: Lightning McQueen - Red, 'Rust-eze' in Fancy Script
* 
crs018 (Inv) Lightning McQueen - Red, 'Rust-eze' in Fancy Script
Minifigures: Cars: Cars 3
 
Minifig No: crs013  Name: Junior Moon
* 
crs013 (Inv) Junior Moon
Minifigures: Cars: Cars 3
 
Minifig No: crs016  Name: Tow Mater - Hinges Boom
* 
crs016 (Inv) Tow Mater - Hinges Boom
Minifigures: Cars: Cars 3
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 25, 2020 00:41
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 107-1
 Viewed: 24 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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In Inventories Requests, SezaR writes:
  Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 107  Name: 4.5V Motor Set (Universal Motor Set/Complete Motor Set)
* 
107-1 (Inv) 4.5V Motor Set (Universal Motor Set/Complete Motor Set)
25 Parts, 1976
Sets: Universal Building Set: Supplemental

* Delete 2 Part bb0141c01 Blue Electric, Connector, 2-Way Male Rounded Narrow Type 1 with Cross-Cut Pins (match ID 2)
* Delete 1 Part x466 White Electric, Wire 12V / 4.5V with two Leads, unspecified length (match ID 2)
* Add 1 Part bb0141ac11 White Electric, Wire 12V / 4.5V with 2 Leads, with 2 Blue Electric, Connector, 2-Way Male Rounded Narrow Type 1 with Cross-Cut Pins, 11 Studs Long (match ID 2)

Comments from Submitter:
This is the first variation of wire/connector assembly for this train.
bb0141ac11 was indeed first used for this set in 1975 (and appeared as alternate for other sets)

No, this wire should be longer. The short wires were just used for trains.
 
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 23, 2020 15:51
 Subject: Re: Images/Renders Part 4447
 Viewed: 35 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, randyf writes:
  In Catalog, SylvainLS writes:

  All the colour images look like LEGO renders and if you look closely, the studs
aren’t hollow, it’s the angle and the logo that make a shadow that may look like
they are.

Those are not LEGO renders. They are renders from something else. And the images
definitely show hollow studs. I don't know how they could be interpreted
as anything else. If the part really has solid studs, all of the images need
to be replaced.

Cheers,
Randy

Those are Studio renders from the 2017 image project. We retained all photographs
in that project and only replaced render with render. In this case there were
no official LEGO renders available and our only guideline for accuracy was the
lo-rez LDraw render that was just deleted.

I agree, if the actual part only ever had solid studs all of these images need
to be replaced.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 23, 2020 13:20
 Subject: Re: Instructions
 Viewed: 52 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, starbeanie writes:
  But we differentiate between
 
Part No: 76065stk01a  Name: Sticker Sheet for Set 76065 - International Version - (25916/6143838)
* 
76065stk01a Sticker Sheet for Set 76065 - International Version - (25916/6143838)
Parts: Sticker Sheet
 
Part No: 76065stk01b  Name: Sticker Sheet for Set 76065 - North American Version - (25917/6143840)
* 
76065stk01b Sticker Sheet for Set 76065 - North American Version - (25917/6143840)
Parts: Sticker Sheet
and the only difference is the number tells you whether it was formatted for
printing on US vs. EU standard paper.

just the same as the instructions.

Sticker sheets are considered parts - that's why there is this fussiness.
I agree - this is really splitting hairs, and I have commented on more than
one occasion that you could switch the two entries around back and forth and
likely no one would notice.

But fixing something like this is like removing a variant from the catalog that
people have spent time distinguishing. I actually have a list of parts (other
than stickers) where the variant is clearly out of the BrickLink scope, but removing
them from the catalog is something I'm not ready to pursue at this time.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 23, 2020 11:48
 Subject: Re: Instructions
 Viewed: 63 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, starbeanie writes:
  Why aren't there separate catalog entries for the US vs. Foreign instructions
on set entries? They have different id codes printed on them. Lego differentiates
between them if you are reprinting them.

Print Versions
Building instructions labeled "NA" or "V39" may be printed on US standard letter
size paper
Building instructions labeled "IN" or "V29" may be printed on EU standard A4
paper

BrickLink as a rule does not differentiate between minor variations when it comes
to sets. Boxes, instructions, and even contents can be slightly different, but
there is usually only a single entry.

BrickLink's primary focus as a marketplace has always been parts, and so
you'll find more variations present in that Item Type.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 22, 2020 02:09
 Subject: Re: Torso and Leg Assemblies Categories Split
 Viewed: 43 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, MasterMinifigs writes:
  Good to know, I just spent 10 minutes trying to figure out why my printed legs
were showing up in my searches but not in my store separately. I'll check
back tomorrow.

Now that nightly maintenance has run, I just checked and the printed legs category
is showing in the store front. It is simply a cache issue.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 20, 2020 23:55
 Subject: Re: A few more Preference options
 Viewed: 105 times
 Topic: Suggestions
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In Suggestions, JWBDolphins writes:
  
  
  
Secondly, along these lines, I would like to see a few more preferences saved
when I select a part. Specifically, a lot of times I have to click "More Options"
and I always have to select "Seller Location". I would like to see both of those
as saved options so I don't have to select them every time I bring up a new
part.

You can select location:
https://www.bricklink.com/wantedSettings.asp?viewFrom=P



I Have found that setting in my wanted lists and that works well - thanks! I
would like to see that added to the Catalog/Parts screen when I pick a specific
part too. Just less clicking, I'm lazy!

Keep poking around. You'll find a wealth of personalized settings on BrickLink:

https://www.bricklink.com/searchSettings.asp?viewFrom=P

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogOptions.asp?viewFrom=P

https://www.bricklink.com/v2/settings/pref_settings.page
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 19, 2020 20:04
 Subject: Re: Varaitions of window 29
 Viewed: 48 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, SezaR writes:

  Overall, we have 5 variations but 6 entries:
 
Part No: 29  Name: Window 1 x 1 x 2
* 
29 Window 1 x 1 x 2
Parts: Window
 
Part No: 29a  Name: Window 1 x 1 x 2 with Extended Lip and Solid Stud, no Glass
* 
29a Window 1 x 1 x 2 with Extended Lip and Solid Stud, no Glass
Parts: Window
 
Part No: 29b  Name: Window 1 x 1 x 2 with Extended Lip, no Glass
* 
29b Window 1 x 1 x 2 with Extended Lip, no Glass
Parts: Window
 
Part No: 29c01  Name: Window 1 x 1 x 2 with Trans-Clear Glass (29 / 29glass)
* 
29c01 (Inv) Window 1 x 1 x 2 with Trans-Clear Glass (29 / 29glass)
Parts: Window
 
Part No: 29ac01  Name: Window 1 x 1 x 2 with Extended Lip and Solid Stud, with Fixed Glass
* 
29ac01 Window 1 x 1 x 2 with Extended Lip and Solid Stud, with Fixed Glass
Parts: Window
 
Part No: 29bc01  Name: Window 1 x 1 x 2 with Extended Lip, with Glass
* 
29bc01 Window 1 x 1 x 2 with Extended Lip, with Glass
Parts: Window

Shall I just request the names of there entries to be changed to indicated the
thier type of lip, stud and with/without glass?

There is some work to be done on all early windows and doors. This means entries,
photos, inventories, etc. But first, and most importantly, it means knowledge
of the parts and knowledge of what the current BrickLink entries mean.

To get knowledge of the parts, you need to obtain all different colors and types.
Don't get angry with sellers if they send you the wrong type. Sometimes you
will find a new type that way.

To understand what the BrickLink entries mean, take the Item Name literally.

so for this:
 
Part No: 29c01  Name: Window 1 x 1 x 2 with Trans-Clear Glass (29 / 29glass)
* 
29c01 (Inv) Window 1 x 1 x 2 with Trans-Clear Glass (29 / 29glass)
Parts: Window

The glass could be fixed or not, the stud could be solid or not, and the lip
could be extended or not. Do not imply meaning based on other entries or the
image, especially if it is a render.

What needs to be done is to make a chart of all possible 1 x 2 window variations,
and place next to it a chart of all current variants on BrickLink. Then we have
to decide which new entries we need and which need to be decommissioned. It is
not wise to simply change the item names, because the listings could then become
wrong as a result.

Some basic background on early windows - removable "glass" was only used in the
very earliest of windows. It later became "fixed", i.e. not removable, and in
some cases, the latest versions came with no glass, for example with the 1 x
1 window.

As a disclaimer, I do not know the history of parts of the sixties like I know
those from the seventies. If I did a project like this, I'm sure I would
learn a lot about those earlier parts and be able to give a lot more background.
If you can find Gary Istok's guide, you will learn a wealth of information
about this and similar subjects.

I know it's tempting to want to just start submitting changes based on what
you see in the BrickLink catalog already, but if it were that simple, someone
already would have done it. Usually these kinds of projects need the help of
several different people, and to do that, the best way is to get the project
on the catalog roadmap.

Another point of consideration here is the place / need for subparts. BrickLink
is very inconsistent on this, and the reason is mostly practical. If you have
to break an item to get photos for the entries of subparts, you're probably
going too far. Some subparts are useful if sellers have a market for them, but
when you start making entries just to have complete inventories of every part
with a "c" in the Item Name, you are filling up the early parts sections with
entries that might never be used, or even worse might be misunderstood by either
the buyer or the seller. We've got a number of subpart entries on BrickLink
that have a rendered image because it's almost impossible to find an actual
example of the part.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 18, 2020 23:36
 Subject: Re: Does 726-1 have any minifigure?
 Viewed: 25 times
 Topic: Inventories
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In Inventories, randyf writes:

  
  I would agree that it would be easier if we just started with minifigs in 1978
with the moveable arms and legs. After all, we don't list these as minifigs:
 
Part No: 685px3c01  Name: Homemaker Figure / Maxifigure Torso Assembly with Yellow Head with Black Eyes, Freckles, and Smile Pattern (792c03 / 685px3)
* 
685px3c01 (Inv) Homemaker Figure / Maxifigure Torso Assembly with Yellow Head with Black Eyes, Freckles, and Smile Pattern (792c03 / 685px3)
Parts: Homemaker

The problem, though, is that the stiff minifigs *were* the original minifigure
as described by the LEGO Group in their literature. Are we really going to remove
those figures from the catalog?

Could you point me towards some literature that shows this? I am interested in
learning more.

From this 1976 catalog:
 
Catalog No: c76us  Name: 1976 Large US (98.400-US)
* 
c76us 1976 Large US (98.400-US)
Catalogs: 1976
see attached photo.

  
  Minifigs as a whole sell much better than the
separate parts, and the tendency of the market would actually be to go the other
way and start listing the large figures in inventories as well.

I agree, but what kind of a market are we talking about for these types of minifigs?

Most vintage items will never sell like the newest minifig series or even the
early Star Wars sets. There just wasn't the volume of sales in the 1970's
as there is today, so it has to be seen in context.

But I think most sellers would jump at the chance to list the big figures from
the 1970's if they occupied the minifig position in inventories. But right
now, each part of those figures is listed separately. In reality the head, torso,
arms and hands came fully assembled in every market outside of Canada. See here
for more info:

https://www.bricklink.com/aboutMe.asp?u=viejos&pageID=16500
 
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 18, 2020 20:01
 Subject: Re: Does 726-1 have any minifigure?
 Viewed: 29 times
 Topic: Inventories
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In Inventories, randyf writes:
  In Inventories, Admin_Russell writes:
  In Inventories, randyf writes:
  In Inventories, SezaR writes:
  There is no minifigure built in this set. The legs of two minifigs are not built
under their torso. The third minifig does not even have a minifi.

Should rather the parts of the minifigs appear in the regular section?

According to the instructions, I agree with your assessment. Although, it could
be argued that the first two minifigures use the black 1x2 bricks as their legs.
I would not consider the third one to be a minifigure at all. I would like to
hear other opinions on this before we make changes.

Cheers,
Randy

There is an exception with these early "stiff" minifigures. Because they often
had to be built into the model, we don't use the instructions as the final
word on how they are listed in the inventory. So I would say the two with offset
legs should absolutely be listed as whole minifigs, because this is how these
figures were often made to "sit".

In the early days of BrickLink inventories, sometimes these types of cases resulted
in minifigures being listed as counterparts. But that's a bad precedent to
set, and most or all of these have since been moved to the regular section.

The one on the horse is tough, because of examples like this:
 
Set No: 617  Name: Cowboys
* 
617-1 (Inv) Cowboys
37 Parts, 1 Minifigure, 1976
Sets: LEGOLAND: Western: Cowboys
...which I personally verified from a sealed set. There is no extra legs piece.

Or this is even worse:
 
Set No: 372  Name: Texas Rangers
* 
372-1 (Inv) Texas Rangers
259 Parts, 1977
Sets: LEGOLAND: Western: Cowboys
Here, no minifigs have ever been added, presumably because it would be strange
to list this set as having only 2 or 3 minifigs when it could be argued that
there are 6. So until now, this set has been treated like those LEGO Education
packs where no minifigs are defined and everything is just loose parts in the
inventory.

Since there is so much confusion with these early stiff figures, I wonder if
it is even necessary to list them as full minifigures unless they were ever shown
as full figures in the instructions. It seems like the parts were just meant
to be used to build a lot of different play scenarios instead of actually represent
a whole figure. I hate exceptions, and an exception for these early figures seems
uncalled for. This probably needs to be wrapped into Project 23 on the Catalog
Roadmap.

Cheers,
Randy

I would agree that it would be easier if we just started with minifigs in 1978
with the moveable arms and legs. After all, we don't list these as minifigs:
 
Part No: 685px3c01  Name: Homemaker Figure / Maxifigure Torso Assembly with Yellow Head with Black Eyes, Freckles, and Smile Pattern (792c03 / 685px3)
* 
685px3c01 (Inv) Homemaker Figure / Maxifigure Torso Assembly with Yellow Head with Black Eyes, Freckles, and Smile Pattern (792c03 / 685px3)
Parts: Homemaker

The problem, though, is that the stiff minifigs *were* the original minifigure
as described by the LEGO Group in their literature. Are we really going to remove
those figures from the catalog? Minifigs as a whole sell much better than the
separate parts, and the tendency of the market would actually be to go the other
way and start listing the large figures in inventories as well.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 18, 2020 19:37
 Subject: Re: Does 726-1 have any minifigure?
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 Topic: Inventories
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In Inventories, randyf writes:
  In Inventories, SezaR writes:
  There is no minifigure built in this set. The legs of two minifigs are not built
under their torso. The third minifig does not even have a minifi.

Should rather the parts of the minifigs appear in the regular section?

According to the instructions, I agree with your assessment. Although, it could
be argued that the first two minifigures use the black 1x2 bricks as their legs.
I would not consider the third one to be a minifigure at all. I would like to
hear other opinions on this before we make changes.

Cheers,
Randy

There is an exception with these early "stiff" minifigures. Because they often
had to be built into the model, we don't use the instructions as the final
word on how they are listed in the inventory. So I would say the two with offset
legs should absolutely be listed as whole minifigs, because this is how these
figures were often made to "sit".

In the early days of BrickLink inventories, sometimes these types of cases resulted
in minifigures being listed as counterparts. But that's a bad precedent to
set, and most or all of these have since been moved to the regular section.

The one on the horse is tough, because of examples like this:
 
Set No: 617  Name: Cowboys
* 
617-1 (Inv) Cowboys
37 Parts, 1 Minifigure, 1976
Sets: LEGOLAND: Western: Cowboys
...which I personally verified from a sealed set. There is no extra legs piece.

Or this is even worse:
 
Set No: 372  Name: Texas Rangers
* 
372-1 (Inv) Texas Rangers
259 Parts, 1977
Sets: LEGOLAND: Western: Cowboys
Here, no minifigs have ever been added, presumably because it would be strange
to list this set as having only 2 or 3 minifigs when it could be argued that
there are 6. So until now, this set has been treated like those LEGO Education
packs where no minifigs are defined and everything is just loose parts in the
inventory.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 14, 2020 11:09
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 10066-1
 Viewed: 51 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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In Inventories Requests, paulvdb writes:
  In Inventories Requests, Turez writes:
  Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 10066  Name: Castle Accessories
* 
10066-1 (Inv) Castle Accessories
30 Parts, 1 Minifigure, 2002
Sets: Bulk Bricks: Castle

* Change 1 Part White 6265 Arm Skeleton {Regular to Extra}

Comments from Submitter:
I think it it obvious that this is an extra part.

Correct. Only two of these are supposed to be in the set in they are in the minifigure.
This also brings the part count down to 36 which is what it says on the packaging.
 
Original Box No: 10066  Name: Castle Accessories
* 
10066-1 Castle Accessories
Original Boxes: Bulk Bricks: Castle

That is one of the very first inventories submitted to BrickLink. The Inv IDs
are in the double digits.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 8, 2020 17:51
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 6775-1
 Viewed: 33 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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In Inventories Requests, randyf writes:
  In Inventories Requests, Dino1 writes:
  In Inventories Requests, randyf writes:
  In Inventories Requests, brixaway writes:
  Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 6775  Name: Alpha Team Bomb Squad
* 
6775-1 (Inv) Alpha Team Bomb Squad
177 Parts, 3 Minifigures, 2001
Sets: Alpha Team

* Delete 1 Part 3673 Light Gray Technic, Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise (match ID 99)

Comments from Submitter:
Can not find where this part is used in the instruction manual.

This set was redesigned during production. The first version of the set has all
of the parts in the Regular Items section with Match ID 99, and the second version
of the set has all of the parts in the Alternate Items section with Match ID
99. It sounds like you have the second version of the set. Since the inventory
is correct, this request will not be accepted.

Cheers,
Randy

I think the 2nd version is wrong. The changed parts do not fit.

I am the one who discovered the differences in 2012, and I was the one who compared
the two inventories originally. I would hope that I would have gotten it right
back then, but I can check again.

I'm pretty sure you did get it right. I found both sets of instructions a
few years ago and worked through the differences as well.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Mar 26, 2020 12:44
 Subject: Re: ToysRUs & Barnes&Noble Build Event Sets
 Viewed: 46 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, fooleeze writes:
  Thank you all for the replies. I will certainly consider listing as 'custom'
items.

If you don't mind me asking, why do they choose not to add these to the catalog?
(Maybe you won't know, but I am curious anyways). They are official Lego
sets with Lego pieces, and the instructions have Lego logo and trademark all
over it. I thought it fit into the requirements for adding to the catalog.
Thanks for your time, I'm just trying to understand the guidelines for the
catalog.

Todd

I believe it has to do with the fact that they were not originally a sealed,
packed product.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Mar 26, 2020 03:16
 Subject: Re: ToysRUs & Barnes&Noble Build Event Sets
 Viewed: 53 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, Legoboy_II writes:
  How rude... I collect sets like these and would be interested in seeing what
this seller has; I might wish to purchase one, or more, and that would be profitable
for everyone, I would think?

So, since this site is not willing to assist a seller list their items, what
methods are available for us collectors to patronize sellers without violating
any of the site's "rules"?

Thanks for your consideration...

You can sell them in the Custom Items section.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Mar 21, 2020 21:36
 Subject: Re: Clips Ahoy, part three.
 Viewed: 181 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, popsicle writes:
  In Catalog, mfav writes:
  http://v4ei.com/brickref/clips-w-k.php

A very nice site you’re constructing. The detail of information and quality is
amazing!

I’m curious though, why do all of the active links on your fup page, link
to Law’s site, Brick Owl?

That is a very good and important question.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Mar 21, 2020 21:34
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 148-1
 Viewed: 33 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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In Inventories Requests, normann1974 writes:
  
  The inventory note is correct. I remember when these were added to the inventory.
The original post is purged, but there were several very good cases where this
alternate plate combination had been found.

If that's true, shouldn't the alternates then be added to the inventory
again? Again, why would you make a reference a match ID that does not exist?

/Jan

The note was written by an Inventories Admin years ago. I don't think leaving
the note in was intentional.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Mar 21, 2020 21:25
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 148-1
 Viewed: 30 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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In Inventories Requests, normann1974 writes:
  In Inventories Requests, paulvdb writes:
  In Inventories Requests, SezaR writes:
  In Inventories Requests, SezaR writes:
  Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 148  Name: Central Station
* 
148-1 (Inv) Central Station
266 Parts, 5 Minifigures, 1975
Sets: Train: 4.5V

* Delete 8 Part 3036 Light Gray Plate 6 x 8 (match ID 1)
* Delete 1 Part 3456 Light Gray Plate 6 x 14 (match ID 1)
* Change 7 Part Light Gray 3036 Plate 6 x 8 {Alternate to Regular} {match ID 1 to 0}
* Change 1 Part Light Gray 3033 Plate 6 x 10 {Alternate to Regular} {match ID 1 to 0}
* Change 1 Part Light Gray 3028 Plate 6 x 12 {Alternate to Regular} {match ID 1 to 0}

The box art clearly shows that one light gray
 
Part No: 3033  Name: Plate 6 x 10
* 
3033 Plate 6 x 10
Parts: Plate
and one light gray
 
Part No: 3028  Name: Plate 6 x 12
* 
3028 Plate 6 x 12
Parts: Plate
are used on the roof. I believe this is an evidence that the inventory of this
set was changed before the first production run as the box art shows it.
By the way, my neat used copy also confirm this. I think this inventory request
should be accepted and it is correct. If one day, somebody finds a reliable evidence
that this set came with the light gray plates shown in the instructions, then
we can switch this back (but I doubt)
If you need a high quality photo of the box, let me know.

I have looked at photos of used sets and did not find any with the 6x14 plate.
At least none where the photo quality was good enough to recognize the individual
plates. Some photos where very low quality so I could not determine which plates
were used in those sets.

Could someone update the note on the inventory? It doesn't make sense any
more because there are no bricks with match ID 1.

Anyway, I remember clearly that two of my childhood sets came with other bricks
than the instructions showed. One was this set and it were indeed the light gray
roof plates in question.

BTW - the other set was 928, that also had a different LG plate, but I can't
find anyone that has been able to confirm this in other sets than mine.

/Jan

The inventory note is correct. I remember when these were added to the inventory.
The original post is purged, but there were several very good cases where this
alternate plate combination had been found.

We wouldn't consider it another version of the set, though, unless we could
find another version of the instructions.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Mar 19, 2020 12:56
 Subject: Re: Add paper flyers to set inventories
 Viewed: 55 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog Requests, Leftoverbricks writes:
  Quite a few of today's sets not only contain instructions (= booklets or
single sheets of paper) but also other paper items. These are included to promote
the product line or to provide information about what you can do with the set.
Currently there's no way to add these to a set inventory which means that
--as a seller-- you cannot sell a set as 'complete' until these
items are part of the catalogue inventory.

No, no, no... Sets are considered complete without catalogs or flyers or any
of that type of content. In fact you can list a set as complete with no box and
no instructions, as long as you mention it in the listing notes.

  Example:
 
Set No: 41906  Name: Pencil Holder
* 
41906-1 (Inv) Pencil Holder
351 Parts, 2020
Sets: Dots
contains an instruction sheet https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?I=41906-1#T=S&O={%22ss%22:%22NL%22,%22rpp%22:%2250%22,%22iconly%22:0}
and a leaflet/flyer --whatever you want to call it-- with building ideas
and a product overview.

For the above set I added this paper sheet to the catalogue under number 6317480.
I can't add a link to this item in the form of p=xxxx or whatever because
it's not supported in the macro tags. See https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=1147

Yes, it is:
[c=m20dots]
  Also: this item is nowhere linked to the sets in which it appears.

StormChaser approved it with the item number 'm20dots' and description
'2020 Mini Dots (6317480)'. BTW: I don't think this is very helpful.

I was the one who approved this and changed the title to conform with BrickLink
standard. This is a mini catalog, and this is how they are listed. There are
over 400 mini catalogs now in the catalog:

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogListOld.asp?q=mini&catType=C&catID=

  I think we need a way to add those paper leaflets to the inventory of a set.
There are two ways to do this:
1. make items like this a part of the inventory or
2. extend the current set description [set entry | instructions entry | box
entry]
with '| other included items' or whatever you want
to call it.

We've tinkered with the idea of adding catalogs to sets in the past, but
there is too much variability to standardize this for all catalogs.

However, we have also considered inventorying which sets appear in which catalogs.
This would give sets (and by extension, parts) a full chronological spectrum
instead of simply the starting year.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Mar 19, 2020 12:35
 Subject: Re: Just a little something to BRIGHTEN your day
 Viewed: 115 times
 Topic: Colors
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In Colors, akunthita writes:
  So, I recently placed an order at S&H to get the DOTS bracelets, and some other
stuff, and I accidentally found these key chains. The pictures are terrible and
totally inaccurate, but the descriptions intrigued me; iridescent and metallized
key chains?

I didn't know what to expect, but I put them in my shopping cart. This is
what I got, and I couldn't be more delighted. The iridescent one is especially
stunning. I put Sweet Mayhem there too because of her similarly holographic hair.
I have a full review with more pictures for those of you who are interested:
http://thebrickblogger.com/2020/03/lego-iridescent-blue-chrome-black-key-chains/

Neither of these key chains are in the BrickLink database as of yet, but if they
do get added I recommend replacing LEGO's stock images with actual photos.
They are too beautiful to be hidden like that. I think 2x4 collectors would be
very interested.

Thanks for sharing this! There is a new range of iridescent colors starting this
year. Official they are called Opal. We have been calling them Satin (for now,
anyway). But yes, we do want actual photos of any exotic color whenever possible.

Unfortunately we do not inventory items that make up key chain parts since they
are glued/screwed together. But maybe we can put the color name in the gear Item
Name so at least people can find it through a general search.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Mar 15, 2020 19:11
 Subject: Re: Will someone inventoryJurassic park 75936 set
 Viewed: 84 times
 Topic: Inventories
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In Inventories, Legobuying84 writes:
  In Inventories, jennnifer writes:
  In Inventories, Legobuying84 writes:
  Now that Lego owns bricklink can I request this set be inventoried and it will
get done? I’m wanting to part out 5-10 of them and have been checking for months
but it hasn’t been inventoried. I don’t know if I need to offer someone $20 to
inventory it or what to do so that’s why I’m here posting

Funny, I have this set in a sealed box just right here staring at me. Guess I
could dust off some cobwebs on my inventory skills...

Jen

I figured by now it would be pretty instant for inventories to get listed with
lego now owning this site. I’m hoping this site isn’t still using volunteers
to do inventory

I wondering what your thought process is on this subject. What does the recent
acquisition have to do with the speed at which inventories are completed on BrickLink?
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Mar 8, 2020 19:43
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig con004
 Viewed: 40 times
 Topic: Inventories
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In Inventories Requests, Give.Me.A.Brick writes:
  Please make changes to the following inventory: [M=con004]

* Delete 1 Part 3840pb01 Yellow Minifigure, Vest with Black Upward Chevron Pattern (Stickers)
* Add 1 Part 3840pb18 Yellow Minifigure, Vest with Black Chevron Pattern

Comments from Submitter:
MIB set from my childhood.

Would you mind posting a photo of your minifig, front and back?
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Feb 29, 2020 08:20
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 396-1
 Viewed: 46 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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In Inventories Requests, anathema writes:
  Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 396  Name: Thatcher Perkins Locomotive
* 
396-1 (Inv) Thatcher Perkins Locomotive
438 Parts, 1976
Sets: Hobby Sets

* Add 1 Part trainrim Black Train Rim for 4.5V & 12V Locomotive Wheels

Comments from Submitter:
Clearly visible in the instructions

It's probably this part, since rim and wheel usually came together at this
point in time:
 
Part No: wheel2ac01  Name: Train Wheel Spoked for Motor with Black Train Rim for 4.5V & 12V Locomotive Wheels (wheel2a / trainrim)
* 
wheel2ac01 (Inv) Train Wheel Spoked for Motor with Black Train Rim for 4.5V & 12V Locomotive Wheels (wheel2a / trainrim)
Parts: Wheel & Tire Assembly {Black}

See here:
https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1159848
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Feb 28, 2020 12:36
 Subject: Re: March Project - Sticker Sheet Restructuring
 Viewed: 69 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, starbeanie writes:

  I would also like that color be required for sticker sheets. And that it be based
on what the sticker is printed on. So, white, trans-clear, Chrome Silver, Chrome
Gold. it's useful for MOC builders.

Regarding listing these with color, one of the things we would lose by doing
it this way is the rather dependable position that sticker sheets occupy at the
top of the inventory.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Feb 20, 2020 13:04
 Subject: Re: Bionicle Head Pictures
 Viewed: 43 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, 69transamman writes:
  On a lark, I have posted a picture showing of 8 of the 9 colors (Missing the
Trans Dark Blue) for part #32554
 
Part No: 32554  Name: Bionicle Head Connector Block Eye / Brain Stalk
* 
32554 Bionicle Head Connector Block Eye / Brain Stalk
Parts: BIONICLE
.
Howard

I have added that image as an additional image. Thank you!
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Feb 19, 2020 13:01
 Subject: Re: Custom prints/stickers ...
 Viewed: 96 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, yorbrick writes:
  There is still something I do not understand about custom items and LEGO/BL rules.

Modified Parts: All parts listed in your store must be genuine LEGO parts
in their original, unmodified condition. Custom printed, engraved, chromed, or
painted parts are not permitted.

Non LEGO Items: Certain non LEGO items that are deemed by BrickLink to be part
of LEGO fan culture may be listed. These include literature about LEGO products,
LEGO memorabilia, and items used to make custom sets (e.g. stickers, instructions,
and boxes).


As I read the rules, a custom printed (or painted) minifigure with genuine LEGO
parts is banned. However, the exact same design can be printed onto a sticker
and would then be allowed if it is used to create a custom set. This set could
be a minifigure - so minimally a head, torso assembly and legs. So custom printed
minifigures are banned if the print is direct on the minifigure, but minifigures
with custom prints attached to them via stickers are allowed.

Is this a correct view of LEGO's new rules?

Strictly speaking, a sticker is considered a "part" on BrickLink, and so a custom
sticker would not be allowed. However, an exception was made for stickers (and
boxes, and instructions) that allows them to be used if they complete a custom
set.

There is indeed a gray area as to how far the "sticker exception" applies. For
minifig stickers I'm going to say "no". For lots that are just custom stickers
for other parts, these will be fine as long as they are not dependent on LEGO
IP or any other IP.

  Custom stickers would obviously be non-LEGO, but how does anyone know if a new
design they create will be deemed by someone that works at Bricklink to be part
of LEGO fan culture (whatever that means).

Any custom set will qualify under this rule, even LCP sets and other sets that
have been mass produced. However, sets can be disqualified for thematic reasons,
or because they use non-LEGO parts, or because they use IP that they don't
have permission to use.

  For example, I have a load of Brickforge custom sticker decals for torsos. They
have existed for years - are they part of fan culture? What if I create a new
torso sticker design, is that part of fan culture because stickers have been
used to decorate torsos (both officially and unofficially) in the past, or not
part of fan culture as the new design has no history and is not part of fan culture.

The minifigure is a very special thing when it comes to LEGO IP, so like I mentioned
above, custom stickers for minifigures will not be allowed.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Feb 17, 2020 20:51
 Subject: Re: Mass email for wanted list notification
 Viewed: 53 times
 Topic: Suggestions
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In Suggestions, jbroman writes:
  There should be an option to confirm that you really want to send a mass email
for wanted list notification.

I accidently hit the button after uploading new stock.
I was hoping that there would be another screen/button asking if I really wanted
to send this email. I take these emails as "spam" and I really didn't like
that I was the perpetrator.

Only people who want to get those emails will get them. Each lot in a wanted
list can have notifications turned on or off.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Feb 10, 2020 16:49
 Subject: Re: Inventory change on minifig
 Viewed: 48 times
 Topic: Inventories
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In Inventories, FreeStorm writes:
  In Inventories, Admin_Russell writes:
  ...there are two different versions of instructions, showing two different sticker
configurations. It is likely that both minifigures in the catalog are correct.

Should we add a note to set 641-1 to explain that it can come with different
instruction and sticker sheet?

How can I modify inventory for minifig?

You can see the problem there:
https://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=3840pb01&in=M

Actually, I mispoke. It's this set here:
 
Set No: 670  Name: Mobile Crane
* 
670-1 (Inv) Mobile Crane
46 Parts, 1 Minifigure, 1978
Sets: Town: Classic Town: Construction
There is a note about the change in parts, but without having two sticker entries
confirmed for that set, it would be hard to add the sticker info into the two
"versions".

The problem with this set is there is a lack of evidence. You can look up on
swooshable to see some other things I've written about it there.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Feb 10, 2020 15:33
 Subject: Re: Inventory change on minifig
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 Topic: Inventories
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In Inventories, FreeStorm writes:
  In Inventories, FreeStorm writes:
  In Inventories, randyf writes:
  In Inventories, FreeStorm writes:
  What is the procedure when the inventory of a minifig is wrong?

Should I make the inventory change request like with set, or create a new minifig
and mark for deletion the older one?

Of course, the picture is also wrong.

-Fred

Which minifig?


and

[m=con004]
[m=con007]


Sticker on one side only of the vest (if sticker sheet is the right one):
[m=pln056]

Just be aware that the issue with those early stickers is really tricky. For
that one power shovel set you referenced:

https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1179905

...there are two different versions of instructions, showing two different sticker
configurations. It is likely that both minifigures in the catalog are correct.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Feb 8, 2020 21:24
 Subject: Re: Description standardization note
 Viewed: 76 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, mfav writes:
  It would be good for consistency in the catalog description if all instances
of numbers were either integers or words, not arbitrarily some of each.

So:

Three eyeballs, Three earlobes

or

3 eyeballs, 3 earlobes

not

Three eyeballs, 3 earlobes

...that kind of thing.

There are pros and cons for each option. Please investigate how the search mechanism
works to see which option yields better results.

Unfortunately, single digits are thrown out of many of the search results. But
I think in general one would find more numerals in item names than the words
spelled out simply because it makes the name shorter.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Feb 3, 2020 15:07
 Subject: We have a new Catalog Associate!
 Viewed: 426 times
 Topic: Catalog
 Status:Open
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Hello everyone,

Today I am very pleased to announce we have a new Catalog Associate! As you may
see from the Hall of Fame, StormChaser has previously held two catalog-type admin
positions - Inventories Admin and the legacy Catalog Admin - and has recently
returned to the site.

We're delighted he has decided to come back, and I know many of you missed
him as well. He has many ambitious plans for the catalog, and now that we have
more staff on board, it's looking as though we can start making some serious
headway.

So please join me in welcoming him. You can see his familiar profile in line
with the others here:

https://www.bricklink.com/memberAdmins.asp

StormChaser is also the first member to officially join our new Community Expert
Program. We hope to see the other catalog admins joining in the next day or two,
and the rest of our admins within the week.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Feb 3, 2020 12:13
 Subject: Re: Nougat is the new Flesh -> incorrect listing!
 Viewed: 79 times
 Topic: Colors
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In Colors, StarBrick writes:
  In Colors, Admin_Russell writes:
  
I am sorry, but the only way you can really know if you have Dark Nougat is if
you collect several pieces that are unmistakably Earth Orange and then make a
comparison. It's better that you leave the listings as Earth Orange than
to list something incorrectly as Dark Nougat, because collectors will buy up
that color just to have it. And they will be disappointed if it's not really
Dark Nougat.

This is getting more bizar by the day....

We are now adviced to incorrectly list items so buyers will not be disappointed?

That must be against some basic rule here, isn't it?

If you can't distinguish between the two colors, list the items as Earth
Orange. It's the most common of the two colors, and thus less of an issue
if a buyer gets Dark Nougat instead of Earth Orange than the other way around.

This isn't bizarre, it's common sense.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Feb 3, 2020 01:27
 Subject: Re: Nougat is the new Flesh
 Viewed: 158 times
 Topic: Colors
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In Colors, WEYLAND_YUTANI writes:
  Thank you for the update Admin_Russell.

One question though, can you be a bit more specific about separation of certain
Earth Orange parts? As I understand it, most of the Earth Orange colored parts
stay Earth Orange colored only specific Earth Orange colored parts need to be
changed by hand.

Your description:

If you perchance have the type of Earth Orange from the early 2000's,
you should separate out these parts and relist them under Dark Nougat. This color
is retired and quite rare

is a bit vague to me.

1. Can you give us the precise years of the Earth Orange colored parts that are
now considered to be Dark Nougat.
2. Also (if the list is not to big, which it should be, based on your earlier
message) can you give us the exact sets and/or parts?

Thank you.

I am sorry, but the only way you can really know if you have Dark Nougat is if
you collect several pieces that are unmistakably Earth Orange and then make a
comparison. It's better that you leave the listings as Earth Orange than
to list something incorrectly as Dark Nougat, because collectors will buy up
that color just to have it. And they will be disappointed if it's not really
Dark Nougat.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Feb 1, 2020 21:28
 Subject: Re: Nougat is the new Flesh
 Viewed: 187 times
 Topic: Colors
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In Colors, BigBBricks writes:
  In Colors, Admin_Russell writes:
  For those who may have missed this recent change, we have decided to change the
name "Flesh" to another color name in the BrickLink catalog. I'm not going
to get into the reasons why this was done - the purpose here is to inform you
of what the changes were and how they may affect your BrickLink user experience.

Russell, is there any way in the future we can be alerted to major changes like
this through the new email alert system we were asked to sign up for?

For many of us adding or changing a color is important to know about since it
concerns inventory for sale and the forum is difficult to track if it is not
kept up with.

Thank you for the consideration,

Big B

We have talked about a notification system for years where not only would you
be altered to major changes but also small changes that might affect you as a
seller of "X" in a big way. Sellers of course would be able to opt in / opt out
of notifications on several levels, including whether they had a given item (or
color) in stock.

However, one of our goals in any catalog work (which by its nature involves change)
is to minimize the impact that the changes will have on sellers. So in regard
to this change, the effects of it were weighed up. We had two major colors that
got a name adjustment that shouldn't have caused any serious seller any trouble.
And the other changes (though major) affected a relatively small number of listings.

If we decided to call the new colors Light Gray, Dark Gray, and Brown, and put
the distinguishing terms on the old colors (Light Yellowish Gray, Dark Yellowish
Gray, Stately Brown), THAT would be a huge process that involved an extensive
notification procedure.

But if we changed all "Gray" to "Grey", it would almost be worth not mentioning.
The "Flesh" name we handled today is somewhere between the two in actual effect
on sellers, but I would say much closer to Gray / Grey in scale.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Feb 1, 2020 18:41
 Subject: Nougat is the new Flesh
 Viewed: 1190 times
 Topic: Colors
 Status:Open
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For those who may have missed this recent change, we have decided to change the
name "Flesh" to another color name in the BrickLink catalog. I'm not going
to get into the reasons why this was done - the purpose here is to inform you
of what the changes were and how they may affect your BrickLink user experience.

The changes are 5 in number:

1. Light Flesh becomes Light Nougat

2. Flesh becomes Nougat

3. Medium Dark Flesh becomes Medium Nougat

4. Dark Flesh becomes Medium Brown

5. Dark Nougat is added to the BrickLink catalog, which is currently included
with BrickLink's Earth Orange.

Changes to the color names in Item Names are forthcoming. No changes to inventories
are necessary except to give Dark Nougat a place in the system.

How this may effect you:

1. If you rely on any of BrickLink's list pages that can be sorted by color
(set inventory, catalog search, catalog item detail page, etc.) some items may
be listed in a different order.

2. If you have your physical parts inventory sorted by color, you may need to
relabel. Dark Flesh is relatively rare, but if you have it, you will need to
change the labels to Medium Brown. That's the tough one, although renaming
it to a type of brown is a big step in the right direction.

3. If you perchance have the type of Earth Orange from the early 2000's,
you should separate out these parts and relist them under Dark Nougat. This color
is retired and quite rare.

Thanks to our BrickLink color enthusiasts for their input. They've given
invaluable advice over the years and we're happy they were willing to give
some advice this time around as well.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Jan 28, 2020 16:35
 Subject: Re: Lego AMA Should we +1 questions?
 Viewed: 84 times
 Topic: Suggestions
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Please do not "+1" or otherwise comment on the AMA questions. If you want to
ask a question that has already been asked, ask it again in your own words as
a reply to the original post.

Thank you!

In Suggestions, infinibrix writes:
  With regards to the below part of the announcement Lego says they will update
the FAQ with our ‘MOST’ top-of-mind questions does that mean those questions
that get asked the most will more likely get answered? and in which case if I
have the same question as what someone else has already asked should I just +1
it or would that cause more confusion?
I would assume that all the main questions will remain on the far left and easy
for Lego to spot in fact any staggered +1’s underneath it should actually indicate
to Lego that several people are showing an interest in the same question but
at the same time I don’t know if it’s a good idea or not? Only repeating the
same questions again would seem even more confusing? Any thoughts?


“Please do add your questions in the thread below*. We will update the LEGO FAQ
on an ongoing basis with your most top-of-mind questions, until the closing of
the AMA on 31st January 2020 at 9AM EST.”
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Jan 22, 2020 21:41
 Subject: Re: Attack of the Blusers
 Viewed: 148 times
 Topic: Suggestions
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In Suggestions, BLUSER13161 writes:
  In Suggestions, dcarmine writes:
  I noticed this user name a few weeks ago. I wondered what is going on because
the users have some feedback but is no longer registered.

Can you share what you learned?

Recently there was a secret clearing-out of old BrickLink accounts, presumably
related to the site sale to TLG. No information was released, but members noticed
that the number of registered users suddenly dropped dramatically.

The criteria for removing accounts was not shared, but I assume it was based
on the last time a member logged into the site. So perhaps if a member had not
logged in for five years, for example, their account was deleted (or, if not
deleted, somehow removed from the list of registered users).

Around the same time I noticed these Bluser accounts as contributors. I didn't
connect the two events until today when I looked at the contributions page for
inventories and figured out what was going on. The site needed to maintain credit
for catalog work completed, but with accounts deleted/disabled there was no username
to credit.

Note that this page, last updated in 2010, claims that accounts cannot be deleted
if certain conditions have been met. Some of those conditions are contributing
to the catalog:

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=129

So certain accounts were renamed, although it doesn't look like they were
deleted. Not sure why they needed to be renamed, since this was all done (as
usual) in secret.

Here's what the Bluser accounts mean:

BLUSER_40105 = BrickLink USER ID 40105

All of the above is pure speculation, but it is based on reasonably solid logic.
Hope it helps.

Many accounts were recently deactivated if they had not logged in for a considerable
length of time (several years). In order to preserve the integrity of the catalog
and database in general, the accounts were not deleted, but were fully anonymized
instead.

If people choose to reactivate their account, their old username will reappear
on their account just as they were originally. All they need to do is follow
the instructions on the email they were sent. We may change the BLUSER_######
format in the near future to be less conspicuous on catalog credit pages. Probably
something lowercase, not so predictable, and shorter.

Many historic accounts, such as major contributors or Dan's own personal
account were intentionally untouched by the process.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Jan 16, 2020 17:50
 Subject: Re: Element 6286835 wrong colour
 Viewed: 66 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, Drudatz writes:
  In Catalog, axaday writes:
  Everything above seemed to refer to inventories getting
made. For instance the set that we were talking about, 10270, has never been
reserved. The inventory is not pending. No one has decided to do it.

well now that BL belongs to TLG such things should be automated by pulling the
partlists directly from the source now, shouldnt it? ^^

We have been pulling parts lists from official sources for years.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Jan 13, 2020 21:04
 Subject: Re: Element 6286835 wrong colour
 Viewed: 64 times
 Topic: Catalog
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In Catalog, Drudatz writes:
  In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  that is because BrickLink inventories are based on sealed set contents, and they
have features that other systems do not have, such as complete minifig and minifig
part data, stickers, counterparts, and extras. This is the reason that sellers
prefer to part out using BrickLink inventories, even if it means they have to
wait a while.

Sorry but BL has always been VERY slow when it comes to do inventorys (or rather
the Pending Approval).
Recent example: 40395 - 23 lots aka 67 parts. A set is out since 8 days and even
up on Legos site should be up including part list on BL by now imho.

Well right now we have a sort of "situation" which is slowing things down more
than normal. But also, that is not really an important set. Nowhere near the
importance of the latest collectible minifigures. If someone has to wait until
February for that one, it's not the end of the world. Besides, like you say,
other sites have it. So let people use those other sites.

  I dont know how the policy is about naming other websites (especially now that
TLG owns BL) but the biggest lego moc site has the part list which includes no
stickers, minifigs or any new parts.

The new Terms of Service include the Discussion Forum Rules, and they haven't
changed. You can name anything you want. Just don't promote a competitor
site.

  thats no critic of your work Russel just my 2 bricks.

I don't take criticism personally - this is a community effort.

We could import the data just like Brickset and other places do, but that's
not the kind of inventory data our users have come to expect. BrickLink inventories
first and foremost are for parting out new sets. Because we know what a monkey
wrench it throws into the system when people part out an inventory with an error
in it, we do EVERYTHING we can to prevent an error in an inventory. It has to
be complete, complete, complete, with no errors.

We will not divulge the measures we take to check our inventories, but I will
say that the steps we take are considerable and when an inventory rolls off the
assembly line it is virtually bulletproof. And with our continual updates, it
will remain bulletproof as long as the catalog exists.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Jan 13, 2020 20:46
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 6543-1
 Viewed: 42 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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In Inventories Requests, SezaR writes:
  In Inventories Requests, axaday writes:
  Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 6543  Name: Sail N' Fly Marina
* 
6543-1 (Inv) Sail N' Fly Marina
673 Parts, 7 Minifigures, 1994
Sets: Town: Classic Town: Harbor

* Change 1 Part Black {x77a String, Cord Thin (Undetermined Length) to x77ac75 String, Cord Thin 75cm}
* Change 1 Part Black {3962 Minifigure, Utensil Radio (Undetermined Handle Type) to 3962b Minifigure, Utensil Radio with Extended Handle}
* Change 5 Part Brown {2536 Plant, Tree Palm Trunk - (Undetermined Connector Version) to 2536b Plant, Tree Palm Trunk - Short Connector, no Axle Hole}
* Change 4 Part White {2453 Brick 1 x 1 x 5 - Undetermined Stud Type to 2453a Brick 1 x 1 x 5 - Blocked Open Stud or Hollow Stud}

Comments from Submitter:
My string is actually 77.5 cm.

Pics to Follow

The string on my new 7838 is 76cm. This is why the length of wires and strings
should be rather given something like "about 75cm", not "75cm" or not "15 studs".

That's what the entry means. 75cm means about or at least 75cm long.

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