Redisplay Messages: Compact | Brief | All | Full Show Messages: All | Without Replies| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh  | | Posted: | Mar 16, 2021 05:41 | | Subject: | Re: Two Weeks?! | | Viewed: | 33 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, Teup writes:
| | In Catalog, yorbrick writes:
| | | | Just curious, I wonder how this works for those that sell on multiple platforms
and don't use remarks as stock locators but rely on a catalog sequence to
find parts on orders.
|
Even for tiny stores, this is a clear indication as to why storage should never
be based on the (current) catalogue.
|
I think that leaves remarks sorting as the only alternative, and it has many
drawbacks. I would certainly never work with a remark based store. Even if it'd
be only because there are bugs with the field and populating it probably requires
Brickstock, which means no accurate priceguide which matches Bricklink. It's
really not an option for me.
|
In 15+ years never had a single problem with the remarks field.
Robert
|
 |
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 16, 2021 05:03 | | Subject: | Re: Two Weeks?! | | Viewed: | 34 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, Teup writes:
| | In Catalog, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Catalog, Teup writes:
| | In Catalog, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Catalog, Teup writes:
| | This is not a big deal for me personally as I am not currently selling here,
so I can plan it when I want.. but... really?!
The catalog changes are scheduled for April 1. That's only 2 weeks away.
I noticed that this is a DRAMATIC catalog update that will throw the entire store
upside down. Definitely won't be able to take my entire 1.2 million parts
store apart and piece it back together just casually within these next two weeks
between sorting orders. Especially moving all the wedges will be be fun puzzle.
Not gonna object against any changes, they seem alright to me. Except that there's
one change clearly missing from that list: Moving the 2x2 corner brick to Brick,
Modified.. (since plate and tile are there)
I hope this really was THE update everyone was waiting for, and now we're
satisfied..
|
Am I missing something here? Why does a catalog update mean I should be worried
about making physical changes to my store set up?
It does concern me though that the updates might cause some other unexpected
system problems, I hope there will be tech staff monitoring this when it goes
live.. April 1st doesn't sound too reassuring.
Robert
|
I guess you're a remarks sorter then? In that case no, your layout doesn't
change.
|
Just curious, I wonder how this works for those that sell on multiple platforms
and don't use remarks as stock locators but rely on a catalog sequence to
find parts on orders.
Robert
|
That's a good point, that was my main objection for making dramatic changes
in the first place. Also from a buyer / AFOL perspective I would prefer if we
don't get a tower-of-babel situation. In the past running BL and BO alongside
each other was easy, with just minor differences (BO grouping some catagories
under Scenery being the main difference). For most orders, the picking list appeared
the same. Now they are drifting apart and if I would start platform selling again
I guess I would need to choose which one to go with.
I am running my own webshop and so I am just keeping my catalog aligned in order
to be able to keep selling on Bricklink. Right now I'm debating whether that
is something worth doing. I don't mind planning a day off to adjust, but
there will be a third edition of this moving around and nobody knows how many
more will come after that...
|
You could instead just start allocating remarks to each item independently of
the physical location assuming the system your webshop uses could handle that
too. Then you would have flexibility to either make physical changes or not and
still keep open.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 16, 2021 04:39 | | Subject: | Re: Two Weeks?! | | Viewed: | 37 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, Teup writes:
| | In Catalog, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Catalog, Teup writes:
| | This is not a big deal for me personally as I am not currently selling here,
so I can plan it when I want.. but... really?!
The catalog changes are scheduled for April 1. That's only 2 weeks away.
I noticed that this is a DRAMATIC catalog update that will throw the entire store
upside down. Definitely won't be able to take my entire 1.2 million parts
store apart and piece it back together just casually within these next two weeks
between sorting orders. Especially moving all the wedges will be be fun puzzle.
Not gonna object against any changes, they seem alright to me. Except that there's
one change clearly missing from that list: Moving the 2x2 corner brick to Brick,
Modified.. (since plate and tile are there)
I hope this really was THE update everyone was waiting for, and now we're
satisfied..
|
Am I missing something here? Why does a catalog update mean I should be worried
about making physical changes to my store set up?
It does concern me though that the updates might cause some other unexpected
system problems, I hope there will be tech staff monitoring this when it goes
live.. April 1st doesn't sound too reassuring.
Robert
|
I guess you're a remarks sorter then? In that case no, your layout doesn't
change.
|
Just curious, I wonder how this works for those that sell on multiple platforms
and don't use remarks as stock locators but rely on a catalog sequence to
find parts on orders.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 16, 2021 04:28 | | Subject: | Re: Two Weeks?! | | Viewed: | 42 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, Teup writes:
| | In Catalog, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Catalog, Teup writes:
| | This is not a big deal for me personally as I am not currently selling here,
so I can plan it when I want.. but... really?!
The catalog changes are scheduled for April 1. That's only 2 weeks away.
I noticed that this is a DRAMATIC catalog update that will throw the entire store
upside down. Definitely won't be able to take my entire 1.2 million parts
store apart and piece it back together just casually within these next two weeks
between sorting orders. Especially moving all the wedges will be be fun puzzle.
Not gonna object against any changes, they seem alright to me. Except that there's
one change clearly missing from that list: Moving the 2x2 corner brick to Brick,
Modified.. (since plate and tile are there)
I hope this really was THE update everyone was waiting for, and now we're
satisfied..
|
Am I missing something here? Why does a catalog update mean I should be worried
about making physical changes to my store set up?
|
|
| | | | It does concern me though that the updates might cause some other unexpected
system problems, I hope there will be tech staff monitoring this when it goes
live.. April 1st doesn't sound too reassuring.
Robert
|
I guess you're a remarks sorter then? In that case no, your layout doesn't
change.
|
Phew, thanks! Yes indeed we use remarks as locator tags, we allocate SKU locations
based on a number of factors including availability of space, likely order pick
frequency and separation of similar looking parts. To the untrained eye it looks
random and disorganised!
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 16, 2021 04:15 | | Subject: | Re: Two Weeks?! | | Viewed: | 62 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, Teup writes:
| | This is not a big deal for me personally as I am not currently selling here,
so I can plan it when I want.. but... really?!
The catalog changes are scheduled for April 1. That's only 2 weeks away.
I noticed that this is a DRAMATIC catalog update that will throw the entire store
upside down. Definitely won't be able to take my entire 1.2 million parts
store apart and piece it back together just casually within these next two weeks
between sorting orders. Especially moving all the wedges will be be fun puzzle.
Not gonna object against any changes, they seem alright to me. Except that there's
one change clearly missing from that list: Moving the 2x2 corner brick to Brick,
Modified.. (since plate and tile are there)
I hope this really was THE update everyone was waiting for, and now we're
satisfied..
|
Am I missing something here? Why does a catalog update mean I should be worried
about making physical changes to my store set up?
It does concern me though that the updates might cause some other unexpected
system problems, I hope there will be tech staff monitoring this when it goes
live.. April 1st doesn't sound too reassuring.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Feb 25, 2021 11:20 | | Subject: | Re: Why many shops fail at accuracy | | Viewed: | 67 times | | Topic: | Inventories | |
|
| In Inventories, Heartbricker writes:
| | With LEGO moving to utilize different sustainable raw materials: you will see
more sellers who rely on scales failing to provide accurate counts to customers.
Sellers should be mindful of that.
Example attached
|
That is a very good point. There has always been a weight variation on some parts
with mould variation but changes in materials will certainly add to the problem.
Good counting scales will give a warning if parts are not added in accurate multiples
of the average sample weight but the operator needs knowledge and care to avoid
errors for sure.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Dec 2, 2020 04:47 | | Subject: | Re: In sales posts disclose all fees | | Viewed: | 51 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, bje writes:
[snip]
Reflecting on this one...
We've been successfully trading on here for 15 years and have seen, commented
on (and even complained about  ) many poor (and some illegal) selling practices.
In all that time we've never had or even felt the need to have a sale.
Like everywhere else some sales are genuine opportunities to get a bargain but
most are not. I don't think it is possible without removing aspects of the
free market to regulate sales or descriptions of what constitutes a sale here,
there are too many variables. I think the vast majority of BL buyers are smart
enough to watch out for the small print as they have to with or without sales;
I think it is some of the ridiculous add-on charges themselves that are the problem
rather than the sales here. Complex fees are a turn off to buyers and maybe it
is many of those stores that resort to them that need to have sales to offset
the negative effect of them on orders. I'm not sure a fix is needed here
but if it is then perhaps the easiest way would be simply to remove the sales
feature altogether but I'm not suggesting that.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Nov 21, 2020 10:28 | | Subject: | Re: Painting parts? | | Viewed: | 27 times | | Topic: | Colors | |
|
| In Colors, Ninepartsred writes:
| | In Colors, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Colors, WhiteVanMan writes:
| | Hello.
I have a huge dilemma.
Yes, I know that I can do what I like when it comes to my own LEGO, and I really
NEED to find out the best way to get 2 specific parts coloured to the colour
I need.
I've built a Harry Potter "Knight Bus" in the same manner as the Creator
"London Bus" set, and this has been 99% successful, with the exception of this
part:-
This element NEEDS to be in Dark Purple
As I'm based in the UK, I really need to find the nearest and best product
to use to get this covered in Dark Purple (paint, or even some kind of wrap/lacquer)
Other than trying to get someone to 3-D print one, I'm stuck.
|
| | Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
Paul
|
I've never done it but maybe (after lockdown) take a dark purple part to
a paint supplier that has a colour analyser and can mix paint to match. An automotive
paint supplier can even make you up a rattle can. Don't know what the cost
would be but probably the best way to get a match.
HTH
Robert
|
I get paint mixed for my day job and the colour can vary a lot depending on the
item being scanned and the product it's being mixed into. It often needs
tweaking.
If available, the code for the official Lego colour would be a starting point
though.
|
Colour reference codes are available here:
http://www.peeron.com/inv/colors
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Nov 21, 2020 07:30 | | Subject: | Re: Painting parts? | | Viewed: | 35 times | | Topic: | Colors | |
|
| In Colors, WhiteVanMan writes:
| | Hello.
I have a huge dilemma.
Yes, I know that I can do what I like when it comes to my own LEGO, and I really
NEED to find out the best way to get 2 specific parts coloured to the colour
I need.
I've built a Harry Potter "Knight Bus" in the same manner as the Creator
"London Bus" set, and this has been 99% successful, with the exception of this
part:-
This element NEEDS to be in Dark Purple
As I'm based in the UK, I really need to find the nearest and best product
to use to get this covered in Dark Purple (paint, or even some kind of wrap/lacquer)
Other than trying to get someone to 3-D print one, I'm stuck.
|
| | Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
Paul
|
I've never done it but maybe (after lockdown) take a dark purple part to
a paint supplier that has a colour analyser and can mix paint to match. An automotive
paint supplier can even make you up a rattle can. Don't know what the cost
would be but probably the best way to get a match.
HTH
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jun 23, 2020 17:54 | | Subject: | Re: Changing rules of feedback | | Viewed: | 54 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Rick_S. writes:
| | As it goes a rule not allowing retaliatory feedback should also be added for
removal of said feedback since as the rules stand retaliatory feedback is allowed:
Feedback you Received:
The following are currently the only valid reasons for which you can request
feedback you received to be removed:
Feedback you received contains vulgar language.
Feedback you received contains personally identifying information including your
name, address, e-mail address or telephone number.
You are the seller and the buyer has not paid. Non-Paying Buyer Alert has been
completed or the buyer has accepted the NPB penalty via NPX.
You are the buyer and the seller has not responded or shipped. Non-Responding
Seller Alert or Non-Shipping Seller Alert has been completed.
Feedback you received was posted by a duplicate account of a user who had their
membership terminated.
Feedback you received was posted by a duplicate account of a user who was on
your Stop List before the order was placed.
If you're requesting feedback to be removed for the last 2 reasons above,
you should contact the Help Desk before you submit the request and let us know
the original username of the duplicate account.
Requests can be submitted until the order is purged from the system - up to 6
months from the order date. Requests are submitted to the BrickLink Administration
for approval. If the feedback is removed, it cannot be reposted. Each request
has a status:
|
How and who decides if feedback is retaliatory or not and what would be the criteria
for that?
I would agree that purely retaliatory feedback is wrong but there then becomes
an issue where there are 2 sides to a story..
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jun 10, 2020 04:57 | | Subject: | Re: SH622 Alternative collar? | | Viewed: | 27 times | | Topic: | Inventories | |
|
| In Inventories, TallyToyBricks writes:
| | I just checked the 14 I have and at first I thought you were right. But, when
I took them outside they were black.
On mine, one side has more shine to it and at certain angles it does look dark
brown.
Joe
|
Many thanks for checking this out Joe. I've looked again and mine do look
more black in natural light but in certain artificial light they look exactly
like dark brown. I guess this is simply a quality issue with the material used
rather than an actual colour variation. I can see this causing customer complaints
so I think I'll list them with a warning about the colour in the comments.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jun 9, 2020 11:27 | | Subject: | Re: SH622 Alternative collar? | | Viewed: | 39 times | | Topic: | Inventories | |
|
| In Inventories, axaday writes:
| | In Inventories, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | I just opened 5X
and in all 5 copies this minfig
contains a collar/cape
in Dark Brown, not Black as inventoried. This cape comes in the square card box
together with the red cape for Thor.
Please can others who have this fig check them.
should this be inventoried as alternative?
Thanks,
Robert
|
What is the number on the square card box?
|
6294951
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jun 9, 2020 10:52 | | Subject: | SH622 Alternative collar? | | Viewed: | 73 times | | Topic: | Inventories | | Status: | Open | |
|
| I just opened 5X
and in all 5 copies this minfig
contains a collar/cape
in Dark Brown, not Black as inventoried. This cape comes in the square card box
together with the red cape for Thor.
Please can others who have this fig check them.
should this be inventoried as alternative?
Thanks,
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Apr 16, 2020 11:31 | | Subject: | Re: Buyer Lock In | | Viewed: | 41 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, edeevo writes:
... the auto closing of the store is
| | something that is already kind of set up, no? (I think if a Seller hasn't
logged in during a certain amount of days, it gets locked... unless I'm mistaken)
|
That feature does indeed exist, I guess my suggestion is linking into that but
using an additional trigger of "seller has not responded to buyer within x days"
where x is the number of days the seller has set as his response time. The response
could either be the issuing of an invoice or sending a message in the BL system
or similar criteria.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Apr 16, 2020 10:11 | | Subject: | Re: Buyer Lock In | | Viewed: | 60 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Wolffe72 writes:
| | I'm relatively new here, but I have about 10 purchase orders completed and
on-the-go right now. I'm not finding Bricklink overly intuitive to be honest
but I haven't goofed since my first order.
So I understand committing to a purchase. As soon as I place an order I take
the seller's item off the market which means a potential lost sale (or more
likely a delayed sale) if I don't follow through.
However, as a buyer, I now find myself in a position where I've committed
to purchase something from a non-responding seller. It has been a week and I
haven't heard a single response. The store's terms do not mention anything
about possible slow response times. I'll consider this my second goof because
I didn't pay attention to the fact that the store also had no selling history
(only purchase history). Fine.
So now I can post an NRS in an attempt to cancel my order -- but now my understanding
is that I have to wait another 2 weeks for it to be truly cancelled! There is
a really good chance that I'll miss out on picking up this item at a reasonable
price from another store during that time. If the seller doesn't come through,
I might now have to spend a lot more to get this item. On the other hand, if
I choose to buy from someone else the original seller could come in at the 11th-hour
and still ding me as a non-paying buyer (at least that's my assumption on
how this works). Right now, I'm thinking I should just take that chance.
Unlike the store who has potentially limitless buyers, item availability is
*definitely* limited and prices just tend to go up over time.
Personally, I think that if a seller doesn't respond within a minimum time
(and I think a week is plenty) a buyer should be given the option to simply cancel.
Maybe it's something the store could configure so buyers can be made aware
of stores that are not managed frequently. If the seller has at least acknowledged
the buyer during that time, then perhaps different rules could apply.
|
I agree with you that this can be an issue. Personally I would like to see a
feature where all sellers have to state an order response time in their terms
(a required field) and if they do not respond within that time then the buyer
can just cancel the order with no risk of NPB or bad feedback and the store automatically
closes until the seller wakes up.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Feb 28, 2020 04:15 | | Subject: | Re: March Project - Sticker Sheet Restructuring | | Viewed: | 49 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, StormChaser writes:
| | At long last, it is time. By the end of March, my goal is to eliminate duplicate
catalog entries for sticker sheets:
https://www.bricklink.com/catalogRelList.asp?relID=15
You can see that this has been moved from Section 11.1 to 11.2 on the roadmap:
https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2476
I have some ideas, but I'd like to hear yours - especially those of you who've
given this some thought over the past decade or so that some of us have wanted
it.
Sticker sheets are handled quite consistently at the present moment. How can
we retain that consistency while eliminating duplicate entries with the least
amount of disruption?
As a side note, how do you feel about the NA/International duplicate entries?
These are the same sticker sheets, but have different item numbers, differently-sized
paper backing, and in some cases a slightly different finish (matte vs. glossy).
I don't want to get too distracted with this particular side discussion,
but do we need to maintain separate catalog entries for these sheets? Do you
want us to?
Looking forward to hearing some discussion and seeing some ideas other than my
own to get these duplicate entries handled.
|
Many thanks for starting this! My preference would be to eliminate the NA/international
entries for consistency, maybe notes could be used to mention differences and
sellers could specifiy in listings if they wish. I'd also like to see used/incomplete
tags for part sheets, again where sellers specify in the listing what is actually
included or missing.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Dec 14, 2019 06:05 | | Subject: | Re: URGENT MESSAGE TO LEGO RE BRICKLINK | | Viewed: | 110 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Admin_Russell writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | Before doing anything else with this site I suggest, as I have many, many times
before:-
There needs to be a proper 24/7 help desk and a proper SLA with members.
When something goes wrong with the site there is just no way of alerting anyone
out of USA working hours and even after that often nobody responds. This is no
way to run a global e-commerce site of this scale.
Currently I cannot access the BL catalog using any browser on PC or tablet...
and this has being the case for hours...surely this requires a response at least
from someone, somewhere!!!!!
Robert
|
| | Hi Robert,
I got your email and have started the alert process after testing the problem
on several devices. So we know this is going on and are in the process of fixing
it.
This seems to be the very same bug we had yesterday after the launch of the new
TOS.
|
|
Great, thanks for the response, that is at least good to know. I still stand
by my original post though and with respect if the problem is known then it would
be really helpful if there were a message/banner on the site advising members
of this..especially those who don't use the forum.
Thanks again for your quick reply though, much appreciated.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Dec 14, 2019 05:51 | | Subject: | URGENT MESSAGE TO LEGO RE BRICKLINK | | Viewed: | 420 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | | Status: | Open | | Vote: | [Yes|No] | |
|
| Before doing anything else with this site I suggest, as I have many, many times
before:-
There needs to be a proper 24/7 help desk and a proper SLA with members.
When something goes wrong with the site there is just no way of alerting anyone
out of USA working hours and even after that often nobody responds. This is no
way to run a global e-commerce site of this scale.
Currently I cannot access the BL catalog using any browser on PC or tablet...
and this has being the case for hours...surely this requires a response at least
from someone, somewhere!!!!!
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Nov 26, 2019 04:21 | | Subject: | Re: "Fast Shipper" badge for Sellers | | Viewed: | 47 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, searme writes:
| | Dear Bricklink,
There are certain dishonest shops that really ruin the BL experience for shoppers.
It's hard to prove, but some sellers apparently sell pieces they don't
have in their stock and only order them from elsewhere when you place an order
with them. Apologies if that sounds like unfounded accusation, but my LUG is
aware of a number of shops whose stock is always suspiciously similar to current
LEGO PaB stock, who delay shipping when PaB runs out of stock, and who generally
take around 3 weeks to ship anything, no matter how common and widely available.
Because I see no reliable way to denounce such sellers, I suggest a different,
easily implemented solution. Just like sellers who offer instant checkout are
marked with a special badge, why not create another badge that marks sellers
who ship e.g. 3 days after payment on average? We as buyers have no access to
sellers' shipping times, we can only look up their feedback and see if people
are complaining about slow service. But your system has dates of all payments
and shipments. Simply calculate days between payment and shipping for all seller's
orders and you can get a nice average. And I'm sure this average is going
to show that certain shops typically ship after 2-3 weeks while others ship after
2-3 days. Hell, I had a seller ship an order 30 minutes after payment once. Quality
service deserves recognition, and we as buyers deserve the right to be informed
whether a particular seller provides such service or not. Transparency is the
name of the game. Right now there in no reliable way to determine that, and picking
a wrong seller can mean that your MOC will get hold up for weeks.
I sincerely hope that you will consider this simple, easy to implement request
that would drastically improve Bricklink's overall transparency for buyers.
|
This has been mentioned before and I certainly support identifying and warning
buyers of stores who do not operate by the rules of the site - you must have
all listed stock on hand.
The suggested solution however is not foolproof as cheating stores can simply
mark orders as shipped before they have been. IMO Bricklink should force sellers
to commit in their terms to shipping lead times at least so buyers can avoid
slow (for what ever reason) stores if they need parts quickly. Unfortunately
with any system there will always be stores that try to cheat as well as genuine
postal delays to deal with of course.
As a lug you can at least share your data with other members so they can least
favourite these stores and favourite those who have proven to ship as promised.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Sep 13, 2019 03:51 | | Subject: | Re: We have a new Catalog Associate! | | Viewed: | 44 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
| | Hello everyone,
I'm very pleased to announce that we have appointed longtime member BricksThatStick
to the Catalog Associate position. Paul served as the site's 4th Inventories
Admin during 2010 to 2011 alongside Emma (SimplyBricks). He effectively replaced
Dan Jezek, the site's founder, who had a special fondness for inventories
work and who of course left very big shoes to fill.
If you take the time to scroll through Paul's 900+ inventories changes:
https://www.bricklink.com/catalogInvChangeItem.asp?chgUserID=44744&v=3
...you will notice a sea of green, followed by a sea of blue, followed by another
sea of green. This means he continued to contribute to the catalog after having
once been an admin, which is (unfortunately) something rather uncommon. But it
demonstrates a great and correct attitude, the kind of attitude we wish to model
for all of our other contributors out there, especially the ones still cutting
their teeth.
Paul has, over the years, been very active as a seller and many of you will know
him also from his activity in the Forum. We look forward to his practical insights
and we are confident he will play a vital role in our growing catalog team.
Please welcome him back! 
Russell
|
Excellent news, excellent choice!
Thanks for taking this role Paul
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jul 1, 2019 04:17 | | Subject: | Re: Connecting to Royal Mail | | Viewed: | 50 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
| | In Suggestions, NorthJ90 writes:
| | It would be so much easier if BrickLink could connect to Royal Mail and download
orders like you can on eBay. I’d be happy to pay a little more on fees to accommodate
it.
|
I wouldn't pay higher fees for this, so voted no.
Also, there are not that many active UK stores. For BL to implement this for
such a small number of sellers is unlikely.
|
+1
I would not pay higher fees for this either. Also I don't think it really
practical as different sellers interface differently with RoyalMail depending
on which business or consumer services they use. Our online business account
uses a SAP based UI for example.
If We had hundreds of orders per day maybe we'd be looking for more automated
tools specific for our setup but for the volume most BL stores handle I can't
imagine where significant savings would come from.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jan 24, 2019 10:47 | | Subject: | Re: Feedback removal | | Viewed: | 54 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, mattkaupke writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, mattkaupke writes:
| | Maybe it’s just me but I’m not sure it’s fair to allow buyers who use the Instant
Checkout feature to leave poor feedback relating to shipping costs. I totally
understand being surprised by a high shipping cost when being invoiced but there
are no surprises with instant checkout. It’s totally in the buyers court to make
the purchase with the costs known up front. Also, if invoicing and the shipping
and handling charges are clear in the terms tab, it should also be removable.
I’d really like to see a change made to the feedback policy that allows for removal
of feedback when the purchase is made through the Instant Checkout function.
It’s not reasonable to allow a buyer to damage the reputation of a seller for
something the buyer agreed to.
I'm underwhelmed with the support from BrickLink as far as feedback is concerned.
If the buyer or seller can show that they are completely without fault BrickLink
should be able to remove feedback that is unwarranted.
|
Just because a buyer agrees to something, it does not neccessarily mean he/she
loves it.
Just because buyer or seller is not at fault it does not mean a transaction is
neccessarily positive.
Robert
|
It still doesn’t warrant damaging the reputation of the seller. The buyer didn’t
“not love it” enough to go to another seller or not make the purchase. It’s an
agreed upon thing. It wasn’t a lack of service or any justifiable reason.
|
Feedback reflects the feelings of the person who left it. It only damages the
reputation of the seller if you think many others (buyers) will see it in the
same way as that particular buyer in which case it is valuable feedback..
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jan 24, 2019 08:10 | | Subject: | Re: Feedback removal | | Viewed: | 36 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, mattkaupke writes:
| | Maybe it’s just me but I’m not sure it’s fair to allow buyers who use the Instant
Checkout feature to leave poor feedback relating to shipping costs. I totally
understand being surprised by a high shipping cost when being invoiced but there
are no surprises with instant checkout. It’s totally in the buyers court to make
the purchase with the costs known up front. Also, if invoicing and the shipping
and handling charges are clear in the terms tab, it should also be removable.
I’d really like to see a change made to the feedback policy that allows for removal
of feedback when the purchase is made through the Instant Checkout function.
It’s not reasonable to allow a buyer to damage the reputation of a seller for
something the buyer agreed to.
I'm underwhelmed with the support from BrickLink as far as feedback is concerned.
If the buyer or seller can show that they are completely without fault BrickLink
should be able to remove feedback that is unwarranted.
|
Just because a buyer agrees to something, it does not neccessarily mean he/she
loves it.
Just because buyer or seller is not at fault it does not mean a transaction is
neccessarily positive.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jan 13, 2019 05:45 | | Subject: | Re: Automated Feedback. | | Viewed: | 62 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, tpr writes:
| | Hi all.
Suggestion ….
Feedback is not always left by the customer. Positive is left most times, and
a customer will always leave negative or neutral if there is something wrong.
One assumes that if nothing is heard from the customer, it must have been delivered
and was ok. Therefore - Can we have an automated positive feedback say after
2 months(or whatever length of time is felt suitable) of order being delivered
for all orders still showing as shipped. It could also be implemented if the
seller has not given feedback.
Thanks
Tracy
|
No thanks for this one, sorry but if a buyer (or seller) does not leave FB it
does not mean the transaction was positive. Many choose not to leave FB if they
were not completely satisfied as they are worried about retaliation FB if they
leave non positive.
Overall FB is optional, it is not a requirement that FB is left for every order.
Elsewhere (other shopping sites eg Amazon) I rarely leave FB for purchases unless
the experience was particularly good or bad. On here I only want to receive positive
FB if the buyer chose to leave it otherwise it would mean nothing to me and I'd
have no idea what my customers think of my service.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Nov 23, 2018 11:15 | | Subject: | Re: Part out value may not always be accurate | | Viewed: | 44 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, shovhans writes:
| | Dear bricklink development team,
Currently the "Part Out Value" page shows the value in average, which may not
be accurate if any seller posts an item with very high, or inaccurate price.
To better represent the part out value of a set, we need to add the following
additional metrics:
1. Standard deviation of the Average value shown
2. Median value
3. Breakdown list of all items with the above metrics for each item. Additionally
we would like to see the count for each item.
Thanks
shovhans
|
Way too much attention is paid to average prices as it is. Just consider what
the average sold price is...
across markets/ countries
all stores big and small
stores that price fairly and those that charge add ons
all orders - single lot/ multiple lot
It is also dangerous to purchase based on part-out sold prices anyway as many
parts might have sold for an average prixe of X but in some cases there are many
100's of times of the part for sale than have ever sold!
Focusing on making the average "more accurate" is IMO a diversion and not a good
way of optimising inventory investment decisions. If it was just a mathematical
excercise to determine what to buy this place would be even more swamped with
inventory and prices would drop further.
I always vote no to these enhancements to averages for these reasons, I think
these average values mislead many.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Nov 8, 2018 11:47 | | Subject: | Re: Try that again | | Viewed: | 39 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, calsbricks writes:
| | In Catalog, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Catalog, calsbricks writes:
| | - Not swure thie is correct in the catalogue. In all 3 sets that
it comes in there is an white rubber band which holds the two halves
together. The instructions show the rubber band being used in each case. Should
there be an inventory for the part?
|
As currently set up in the catalogue 29112pb01 is for 1 piece i.e. half of the
assembly and the band is just another separate part. For an assembly the inventory
would need to be 2 x 29112pb01 plus one band but typically assemblies like this
are not catalogued.
Robert
|
Hi Robert - I thought there was all this talk and discussion about assemblies
a short time ago and that has changed but I will bow to your knowledge and separate
them out.
|
Not sure about that discussion but thinking about it the picture may confuse
some buyers into thinking they get 2 halves when ordering 1.. so I'm going
to make that clear in our description.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Nov 8, 2018 11:43 | | Subject: | Re: Try that again | | Viewed: | 37 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, calsbricks writes:
| | - Not swure thie is correct in the catalogue. In all 3 sets that
it comes in there is an white rubber band which holds the two halves
together. The instructions show the rubber band being used in each case. Should
there be an inventory for the part?
|
As currently set up in the catalogue 29112pb01 is for 1 piece i.e. half of the
assembly and the band is just another separate part. For an assembly the inventory
would need to be 2 x 29112pb01 plus one band but typically assemblies like this
are not catalogued.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Dec 11, 2017 07:51 | | Subject: | Re: For Your Consideration: A Suggestion | | Viewed: | 89 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, StormChaser writes:
| | After careful thought, I believe I have come up with a suggestion which will
resolve a couple of issues.
My suggestion is that BrickLink take one of the two following courses of action:
(A) Convert all of your official volunteer positions to paid positions (as full
or part-time employment, whether on-site or telecommuting from across the world).
Pay all those who contribute catalog items/inventories/approved changes to your
website, whether in cash or some other benefit. Keep the BrickLink catalog as
your property.
(B) Continue operating off volunteer labor to expand and maintain the catalog
and perform other site functions like forum moderation and language translations.
Return the BrickLink catalog to the community as an open source database or
some other form of community-owned property. Consult with the community regarding
changes to their catalog and take their input seriously.
In the case of (A), it doesn’t matter what brands you add to the website. It’s
your website and you’re paying people to work here. If I don’t like your decisions,
then I can shop elsewhere. I’d probably be okay with adding other brands, though,
because, after all, BrickLink is your property to do with as you see fit. And,
honestly, the BrickArms product integration into the catalog was actually handled
well if these things must be added.
In the case of (B), I wouldn’t like adding other brands and would say so. However,
I would accept the additions because I knew that you cared about and had done
right by the community and just wanted more profit. And, honestly, some people
do want a BrickLink-style website for Playmobil and other similar products –
this has been expressed in the forum several times. I don’t mind sharing the
catalog if I can ignore what I don’t want to see (and I would ignore anything
not LEGO).
For me the BrickArms discussion has revealed a deeper dissatisfaction that I’ve
had with BrickLink for years, but never could properly articulate. For me, I
have only recently realized, it’s not fully even about other brands. For me
it’s this: it is not morally right to expect people to work unpaid for something
they do not own.
The fact that some of us (or even one of us, but for some contributing to BrickLink
is a part-time job and I am one of them) have worked unpaid for years is something
we should be ashamed of.
When one guy owned the website he needed help, but times have changed. BrickLink
is a large business now. Act like one. BrickLink has had the best of both worlds
for years, but enough is enough.
|
First off, I'm sorry you are quitting as an admin and would like to thank
you for your contributions including way before you had that role.
I'm voting no to your suggestion though as I don't think the system is
that broken. For A I'm not sure that will give us the quality resources,
just those who want to get paid for uploading something rather than being passionate
about the content. For B I don't agree open sourcing the catalog will help
maintain it, just open it up to more wannabe Bricklinks and diluting the revenue
for both the site and its sellers. That is not a good strategy for the success
of BL IMO.
I think there is scope to open up catalog contribution to more members, maybe
there could be some form of recognition for this but I would not want to see
that linked to any conflict of interest like individual store promotion for example.
At the end of the day it is in all our interests to help maintain the catalog
but I'd be less happy to help if it were then available for other people
to just help themselves to and use it to sell elsewhere - my contributions could
be encouraging sales to be taken away from BL which is really not what I want
to achieve, if I contribute to BL that is where I want to see any benefit.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Dec 9, 2017 05:08 | | Subject: | Re: Admin: complete Store verification process | | Viewed: | 73 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Brickwilbo writes:
| | Admin please complete the Store verification procedure completely and confirm
to the new sellers.
Daily new sellers complain about the lack of communication of BrickLink customer
service.
In the forum they read it's normal the Verification process takes about 6
weeks.
Many discover they CAN be accessed via the bypass password.
They're not open regularly because Bricklink didn't apply all settings
correctly in the Verification process.
This long and incompleted process is hurting Bricklinks reputation and business,
because the items in these stores don't come up in searches.
We want scammers stopped not a discouraging process for normal people.
Admin,
Please complete every setting of the process and confirm once the process is
completed to these new sellers.
Thank you.
|
+1 well said.
This needs to be a priority, sellers are also buyers. There are way too many
complaints in the forum from new members about this, it will drive many of them
to sell (and buy) on other sites.
I would add that many other urgent help desk requests are taking too long, it
recently took 2 weeks to get an account merged that we requested whereas it used
to take a day or two. Appreciate that the issue is not the individual(s) responsible
but there is a lack of resources allocated to help desk; this is going to hurt
the site and needs to be addressed...sorry to link this but if BL can afford
to allocate someone to building a catalog for Brickarms then perhaps they should
take a step back and look at the core business 1st.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Nov 29, 2017 06:18 | | Subject: | Re: No Instant Checkout = Force must offer Quote | | Viewed: | 50 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
| | | | | | But rather than force sellers to give quotes (if they don't do IC), I'd
prefer it that buyers are allowed to cancel once invoiced for the order total
- so invoices essentially become quotes, but also allow a buyer to checkout straight
away if they agree with the total order cost.
|
Hmmm, then you could tie up a store's inventory with no intention to buy
making it unavailable to other buyers. I think quote still has a role here (especially
for those stores who don't offer IC).
Robert
|
Yes it would. But you can do that already.
|
True. It would work OK if stores and buyers were responsive and the seller could
set a time limit for the order having to be "accepted" after invoice after which
the inventory would get released. Buyers that keep placing orders with no intent
to buy would just get stoplisted I guess. Overall, the quote avoids that issue
by not tying up the inventory in the 1st place and it works well enough. Having
the option of quote and firm order seems to cover buyers' needs but over
time I guess most orders will be IC anyway.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Nov 29, 2017 05:33 | | Subject: | Re: No Instant Checkout = Force must offer Quote | | Viewed: | 40 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
| | | | On this particular
issue, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect a buyer to be able to know
how much an order will cost before committing to buying, a legal requirement
in some places anyway! Perhaps the answer is to provide simple search filters
for buyers here, we can already search for stores offering instant checkout,
maybe combine with that one offering quotes too.
|
Even knowing whether a store does quotes would be a benefit. At the moment it
seems you have to add something to your cart, then progress through checkout
until the last step to find out.
|
Agreed.
| | But rather than force sellers to give quotes (if they don't do IC), I'd
prefer it that buyers are allowed to cancel once invoiced for the order total
- so invoices essentially become quotes, but also allow a buyer to checkout straight
away if they agree with the total order cost.
|
Hmmm, then you could tie up a store's inventory with no intention to buy
making it unavailable to other buyers. I think quote still has a role here (especially
for those stores who don't offer IC).
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Nov 29, 2017 04:33 | | Subject: | Re: No Instant Checkout = Force must offer Quote | | Viewed: | 55 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, chetzler writes:
| | | |
I agree with the suggestion but note you are not "legally obliged" to pay for
an order online if you change your mind and no longer want it. The only problem
here is those sellers that try to enforce you to pay for all those add-on fees,
won't let you cancel and give you an NPB saying an order is legally binding
and their fees were stated (or hidden) in their terms somewhere. Although those
sellers are the minority that is why your suggestion gets my support.
Robert
|
So you are actually OK with allowing a few bad sellers to dictate terms to the
rest of us? Why is that it OK with you? I find it unacceptable. This is just
totally backwards! Why can't anyone think of a way to penalize the FEW bad
sellers instead of the MANY good sellers?
|
You make a very good point there and generally I agree with you. Yes I wish someone
would come up with a way of penalising or removing the bad sellers, the minority
that give the site a non-deserved reputation.
| | Where does it end? Will you be as supportive of this attitude when you are forced
to ship every order with insurance or tracking because of a few untrustworthy
buyers?
|
I note you don't ship to my country but here that is by law a seller decision
to insure or not - you cannot pass the risk to the buyer. You can of course include
costs for insurance in your shipping charges.
| | I don't particularly like receiving large orders in bubble mailers
because the mailers are prone to damage and the pieces get scratched; I think
every order should be shipped in a box. In fact, I think we should FORCE every
seller to ship orders in boxes because that's what I do for 99% of my orders
already--no skin off my back! That's not a big deal, right?
|
I know that one was just to prove your point but we ship in boxes anyway; due
to UK postal size limits many of our small orders would cost 3X as much to ship
in bubble mailers, other countries may vary and some sellers can pack some small
orders well enough in bubble mailers. "Large" order is not defined but common
sense says heavy orders do not ship well in bubble mailers.
| | We just HAVE to get away from this one-size-fits-all make-everyone-conform mindset.
This attitude is why most all of our governments are bloated and ineffectual.
I will again put forth the idea of a probabtionary period for new sellers and
problem sellers (an idea that actually addresses the root cause!) Once you've
shown you are a good actor, restrictions are lifted. As for the rest of us,
please just leave us in peace and let us run our stores as we see fit!
|
More probationary control I do support.
I know BL is just a platform but from all the issues that get raised here it
is clear self-regulation alone is not enough, all the good stores are not distinguished
from the dodgy or even illegal ones. A good marketplace has sufficient regulation
to keep standards up. For us experienced with the site it is easy to avoid getting
ripped off but over the years we have seen on this forum so many new buyers who
have purchased on price guide only, complained and not returned. On this particular
issue, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect a buyer to be able to know
how much an order will cost before committing to buying, a legal requirement
in some places anyway! Perhaps the answer is to provide simple search filters
for buyers here, we can already search for stores offering instant checkout,
maybe combine with that one offering quotes too. An updated help guide with some
good advice for buyers would be a good thing too.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Nov 28, 2017 05:22 | | Subject: | Re: No Instant Checkout = Force must offer Quote | | Viewed: | 58 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, PaulOfBricks writes:
| | In Suggestions, PurpleDave writes:
| | In Suggestions, PaulOfBricks writes:
| | I think it should be mandatory by Bricklink that any seller not using Instant
checkout will
Automatically will have the Quote option enabled.
What is the harm in that?
|
I voted No. On the surface, I don't really care if sellers enable the Quote
function, but I don't want to see it become a mandatory part of my shopping
experience. I have zero interest in Instant Checkout. If someone doesn't
have one key element that is the only reason I placed the order, I'd rather
be able to just cancel out of it without having my money even get involved, much
less having to wait for refunds to clear (something which can take a few weeks
if PayPal flags the refund for investigation like I've had happen a few times
in the past), where IC forces you to pay up front and hope your seller has their
inventory locked down.
For Quote, my main concern would be that if everyone is forced to have it turned
on, and sellers start getting thoroughly sick of having quotes auto-cancel because
elements end up being short due to other orders coming through during the turnaround,
we might see stores restricting sales to quoted orders, preventing me from being
able to just place my order and be done with it.
I'm looking at the amounts you're talking about, and in the one example
all I can see is maybe a $2 difference. I'm not big on just throwing away
money, but I've run into stores where simply placing the order could cost
$20-50 more for very basic parts. $2 extra in shipping costs seems like a bargain
at that point. I've placed orders where the cost of the parts was less than
1% of the invoiced total, not because the seller decided to rake me over the
coals on shipping, but because the order was for maybe $0.25 in parts. Generally,
that would be a very cost-prohibitive way to order parts, but sometimes I find
that there's literally only one store without a massive minimum buy that
has something I need for a MOC, and they have absolutely nothing else I want
to buy from them. So, I can either suck it up and pay shipping on maybe one
or two pieces, I can scrap my plans and see if I can come up with a new design,
or I can play the long game and hope someone else lists that part under more
favorable conditions...and probably cut my output down to nothing in the process.
|
I should of made it clearer but everybody seems to be missing that fact I'm
only saying it quote should be 'offered'
Buyers do not have to use it.
If you don't care about all the fees, or which shipping charge you will get,
and you want to guarantee the parts are yours, fine you can check out as normal.
I'm just saying Quote should be enabled if your fees and postage are not
calculated (by instant checkout) before being legally obliged to pay
|
I agree with the suggestion but note you are not "legally obliged" to pay for
an order online if you change your mind and no longer want it. The only problem
here is those sellers that try to enforce you to pay for all those add-on fees,
won't let you cancel and give you an NPB saying an order is legally binding
and their fees were stated (or hidden) in their terms somewhere. Although those
sellers are the minority that is why your suggestion gets my support.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Oct 24, 2017 06:15 | | Subject: | Re: Convert all units to Metric | | Viewed: | 44 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, nectara writes:
| | In Suggestions, WhiteHorseMatt writes:
| | In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
| | In Suggestions, Brickler writes:
| | Hi,
I do prefer the metric system, hands down, but in the US we have standard measurement
system.
So all our weights and sizes for the mail are in Standard. Changing it make no
sense.
|
In the rest of the world we also have a standard and universal measurement system,
the metric system.
|
Sort of, but when was the last time you were out for the night and bought 0.568
litres of beer?
Fortunately metric / imperial isn't the end of the world to convert.
Matt
|
A glass of beer? One beer? A bottle of beer?
|
my preference:
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Oct 20, 2017 09:46 | | Subject: | Hide multiple shipping methods within bands | | Viewed: | 86 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | | Status: | Open | | Vote: | [Yes|No] | |
|
| Hi Admins,
Please consider-
We have set up multiple shipping methods to handle different shipping box sizes
and weights, all these have been "grouped" as one as they all refer to one shipping
option for the buyer that being UK domestic 1st class. The system is designed
to offer only the lowest priced option within the group to the buyer and so far
this seems to work well
However it makes the shipping terms look very messy with rows of options looking
exactly the same of which only one will be offered to the buyer at checkout (see
our shipping terms as an example). Would it be possible to "hide" all these options
and just show a summary description of the shipping method by "group" in the
displayed shipping methods?
Thanks,
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Aug 24, 2017 07:58 | | Subject: | Inventory Change Request for Set 60154-1 | | Viewed: | 21 times | | Topic: | Inventories Requests (Entry) | | Status: | Open | |
|
| Please make changes to the following inventory:
* Add 3 Part 3068bpb1105 White Tile 2 x 2 with 'THE LEGO NEWS' and 'The greatest hero ever!' Pattern (Alternate) (match ID 1)
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Aug 23, 2017 09:07 | | Subject: | Re: make box entry for gear as sets have too | | Viewed: | 32 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, ToddMyers writes:
| | | |
You only need to look at sets (sorry, gear) like this to see why ...
[g=3866]
|
Or this one:
[g=852293]
The box was given it's own gear item number instead
[g=852293stor]
Also... it just boggles my mind that an item with 2,292 LEGO pieces is classified
as gear and not a set. Whoever thought that was a good idea needs a good, swift
backhand.
|
Well at least it says "set" in the title and it is not described as a "chess
gear"...perhaps they were hedging
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Aug 19, 2017 11:12 | | Subject: | Re: Make NPB procedure shorter | | Viewed: | 56 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, _legoloco_ writes:
| | Since January i have the same part bought 3 times now by a new buyer and i get
no reply on invoice or messages....
This time it is Jeremybryan , regitered on August 11 and placing the order within
10 minutes.
Never logged in since and as said above no reaction on invoice, message or email...
I started and will cmpl the NPB incl a negative Feedback.
Only bad thing is that within the system the parts are stuck for a min of two
weeks.....even three weeks if he/she reply's to the NPB with a "bogus" message.
In my eyes this procedure should be a lot shorter,
My suggestion would be:
-Make starting the NPB possible after 3 days instead of 7!
-Make completing he NPB possible after 3 days of starting it.
-If buyer reply's to the NPB within the three days then make completing it
possible 3 days after that.
This way the parts are not stuck so long.
It's especially annoying wenn the new buyer doesnt log in inbetween the order
and the completion of the NPB.
It's a cmpl waste of time.
|
I sympathise with the problem but voted no. In this specific case I can see the
logic but there are other cases where this would not be appropriate and the buyer
could be "abused". We have some sellers here who take more than 3 days to send
an invoice! What I would agree though is that if a buyer responds to an NPB (but
still doesn't pay) then the 2 week limit for the seller completing the NPB
should be reduced to one week, just as for cases where the buyer does not respond.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jul 25, 2017 05:42 | | Subject: | Re: Get shipping costs BEFORE final checkout | | Viewed: | 46 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | Actually, I think it would be nice if quotes can be answered with "to be determined".
That way I can give out accurate quotes 80% of the time and not end up sorting
a whole order and go through administrative hassle in the other 20%.
|
As a buyer asking the shipping cost.. "to be determined" would be as useful as
no reply.
If you ask us for a quote you will get a clear final price.
Robert
| |
In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | In Suggestions, TheBrickGuys writes:
| | In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | And is your guess always correct? Or do you guess pessimistically?
|
For parts it isn't really guessing but just adding a little bit of weight
and figuring the shipping cost. Envelops are easy to add into the total weight
of the order and so are small boxes for parts, it takes just a couple of seconds
per quote.
|
Well, for us it's not; maximum thickness for letter mail is somewhere between
3 and 4 studs, and it's not rare that it's hard for me to imagine how
it would look in an envelope. In these cases I really just need to piece things
together and see how I can make it fit most efficiently. The trouble is that
it will almost always work out, but in case it won't, it will immediately
be some €15 more expensive. So that's quite tricky to quote.
|
|
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jul 20, 2017 03:28 | | Subject: | Re: separate picking list by New and Used | | Viewed: | 51 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, BRWA writes:
| | Hi Robert,
so what your saying is I should change the remarks on 40k+parts so that it easier
for BL...surely the option of item no. and condition is not a hard one to implement,
consider we are dealing with computers - we are in the 21st century I would have
thought - or is have I screwed up and I have set the TARDIS coordinates wrong
again...
Kind regards,
Dave
Brick Recycling WA
|
Hi Dave,
I'm not saying you should change anything. I just posted what we do, sorry
the suggestion did not help. We certainly don't do it that way because it
is easier for BL, we do it that way because it saves huge time for us and optimises
storage. When we set up our store we saw no need to store parts by item number
order, few big inventory managers do it that way as new part numbers get introduced
frequently, stock levels change, etc; they utilise storage locations by availability
and suitability (e.g. frequency of item on orders = use of prime picking locations,
size/volume requirement of inventory item, etc, etc). Remarks is simply "item
location" and any part can be placed in any location, the picking list comes
off in location order making picking simple. Other advantage is that you can
avoid similar parts being located next to each other which can significantly
avoid or virtually eliminate picking errors (picking the wrong part/colour).
No problem with you asking BL to do it your way though if that works better for
you but BL was never designed that way. I can understand that builders would
organise their inventory that way and this has cropped up many times here over
the years because many builders have converted their building inventory into
a store so BL offering an alternative sort on the order/picking list would certainly
be off use in those cases where the seller wants to organise their inventory
in that way.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jun 23, 2017 03:20 | | Subject: | Re: separate picking list by New and Used | | Viewed: | 32 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, logansbricks writes:
| | Howdy guys! I was wondering if it is possible to have our picking list separated
into New and Used But still be in order of item number? For example, all the
new would be at the top of the list but be in the correct item number order,
then the used (in correct order) would be after the new. It would be soooo helpful
since the New and Used are obviously in different places in our physical stores.
Yikes, dare I say this BUT, that is how Brickowl does it and it is just much,
much easier to pull.
thanks for lending an ear
sherry
|
We do it using sort by remarks. Remarks are used for stock locations for each
part. For us used parts get alpha locations, new get numerical. Our picking list
(order) is sorted by used 1st in order of location then new in order of location.
We follow that with our picking cart and picking an order is just one lap of
the storage locations. You can store any part anywhere in the system (except
used have to go in used locations, new in new locations but that is good practice
to avoid crossover anyway).
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Apr 22, 2017 02:45 | | Subject: | Re: Where are our manners gone?! | | Viewed: | 76 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, legoman77 writes:
| | In Suggestions, BRWA writes:
| | Where are our manners gone?!
Thank you for your time,
Kind regards
Dave
Brick Recycling WA
|
We do not have manners now, we have cell phones.
John P
|
I blame those things too although we don't all have to buy in to poor standards
just because others think it's trendy. Hopefully phones will soon have AI
and they'll be able to communicate with each other in their own rude language
without our involvement leaving us humans to go back to human interaction.
I agree with the OP's sentiment though, we always try to put basic niceties
in our messages even if they are problem related like NPB's
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 22, 2017 17:45 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 44 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, SylvainLS writes:
| | In Suggestions, Pher writes:
| | How could I forget the famous Grand Marnier?
|
Or Cointreau. Let’s not be partial… but still French
Okay, okay, there’s also Curaçao…
Funnily, Cointreau, Curaçao, or triple sec make me think of cocktails whereas
Grand Marnier makes me think of desserts (though I don’t especially like strong
alcohol, in desserts or not).
|
This thread is getting interesting again.
Now what is all this stuff about you French buying up our cider orchards in the
south of England and turning them into vineyards for your Champagne houses? How
does that work, I thought you protected Champagne and it can only be made in..
well Champagne? Champagne region is forecast to get too warm over the next 50
years to grow the grapes we are told... and someone else mentioned our cider
makers are going to Cambodia. Hmmm if the 6 month global average Lego price goes
in the opposite direction to global warming I'll be able to make a living
growing cider apples up here in the wild north (well I won't if it takes
50 years!). Now what was all this originally about, have we established you can
still buy Lego on BL yet without red and green indicators? If not can someone
please decide one way or the other, I'm more interested in the discussions
about fruit now.
I'll be back tomorrow for an update
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 22, 2017 12:33 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 51 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
| | | | Because it's easy.
There are a lot of manual things to do with having a store, people probably just
want one mindless thing to do.
But pricing is probably the most important, right?
|
I often use the six month average to part out, but as a baseline for cheap parts
I cannot be bothered to price manually.
If I have 10 of something that have sold for the 6 month average of 3p each,
then I'm not going to bother looking into pricing. I'll list at that
price. I might be able to do two minutes worth of work and decide I might be
able to get 4p instead, but it is not worth it. Same idea if I have one thing
with an average of 50p - if I could have got 60p with a bit more effort, so what.
Whereas if I have have 100 of something with an average of 50p, then I'll
spend a bit more time on the price of those. And for minifigures I always do
a bit more manual analysis, looking at what is available, what the sales rates
are, thinking about what other stock might be listed soon (is it a current or
old set), etc. I find it probably saves 90% of the time compared to if I manually
priced each part individually.
It is also a good tool for deciding what not to sell when parting out. If I see
something is worth only a small amount on average and there is a possibility
I might use it, I'll just delete it from the part out and keep it. I find
I often build up personal bins full of small parts this way, that I then go on
to use for greebling or other details on models.
|
OK thanks, that makes a lot of sense. With cheap common parts we usually list
them at our existing price and review those prices as a separate process so I
guess similar. What I hear though is people using it as a total solution, maybe
they don't tell the whole story and actually use it as a "guide" too.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 22, 2017 12:23 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 50 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, mgiglio writes:
| | this guy is catching a lot of flack for his attitude here, but he's right.
the value of the item is not based on how much it's worth in my heart of
hearts. the value is based on past sales
|
In every other market place it is based on current availability and how badly
you (and everyone else) wants it. Past sales are a guide based on supply and
demand...in the past and those past sales prices for all sorts of reasons do
not always reflect what was actually paid.... that said it is a guide but not
one you can use to definitely price an item with, it never has been, too many
other variables and unknowns in the data.
As you re based in the USA the global average price will be showing at least
20% higher than the average sales price locally in your market from my experience
(excluding shipping an other add-ons)
apart from that, he's nuts (well he might not be, just it looks like it
from that post!)
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 22, 2017 12:09 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 49 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, TokerSays writes:
| | | | I just look back at him and blink.
|
|
I do the same
Here the price is quite seasonal and varies dependent on the weather
I've learn't to live with it but it would be really great if there were
no seasons...hang on, I quite like the seasons really
sometimes I have to settle for green ones
the green ones aren't so shiny though
perhaps I should use one of those price comparison sites... hmm maybe not, nearly
got ripped off on my car insurance using one of those last year, cheapest result
was actually significantly more expensive than what I eventually paid and was
a crap policy (another story but people probably don't want me to write an
essay on it)
what the??? is this place going insane? No, it might look that way but there
are 10's of thousands of people going about their business as usual in the
transacting sections, probably that fake news phenomena thingy on the internet.
never mind worse things in the news to be concerned about today, "I'm out"
as they say, got to post all those packages.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 22, 2017 10:42 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 54 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Brettj666 writes:
OK..but really?
| | There are a lot of manual things to do with having a store, people probably just
want one mindless thing to do.
But pricing is probably the most important, right?
|
Probably yes.
| | Someone else in this thread said something akin to "if one seller is willing
to sell a part for this low, maybe all sellers should be able to", to that I
would say "If one buyer is willing to buy a part for 3x the average price, maybe
all buyers would be able to"
While a price spiral down may look attractive to buyers, in the end when sellers
see the effort vs reward, they slow down on selling and then those buyers now
have less options.
|
Yes, I don't have any problem with the effect of that because I believe demand
and supply mechanics always corrects things like that in the long term and we've
been here for a relatively long time! My initial interest in this thread was
simply that buyers were being misled more than a worry about the long-term impact
on prices. The whole thing has had no impact on our prices. What worries me more
now is that this green/red thing was implemented and now, after 15 years of BL
not having it before it has been removed and buyers think they are being conned
in some way when in fact it seems to me removing it did the opposite and.....
is it just me or have sales gone off a bit since it was removed? If I was just
worried about short term sales I would have been asking for it to be reinstated.
I still love this site but it sure can behave "oddly" sometimes!
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 22, 2017 10:06 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 63 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, mgiglio writes:
| | In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
| | | | You are mistaken. Sellers do not have the ability to part out a set and automatically
list the pieces at the 6 month average, using any BrickLink tools. It's possible
to do so with 3rd-party tools (off BrickLink), but those tools are available
to buyers as well. The access to pricing information is identical for buyers
and sellers.
|
What am I missing here? Is it interpretation of words?
Sellers can use the part out a set tool and set their part prices at the (worldwide)
six month average price, using Bricklink.
|
this is correct. i did it last night. it's a very useful feature for a seller.
don't know why someone is saying this can't be done right in bricklink.
|
I concur it can indeed be done but in over 10 years of selling here I've
never understood why people want to set their prices at 6th months average worldwide
prices. Many do so but no one has ever explained why they do... is it just because
they can? I know this feature originates from the early Dan years and maybe back
then the dynamics were different - mainly USA only data, less stores, less items,
etc. Not singling you out but I'm just interested in hearing why sellers
do this and value this feature.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 22, 2017 06:13 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 66 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
| | | | | | A few years ago, most sets parted out for 2x the retail price of the set. Today,
that number is maybe 1.3x. I certainly would not say that prices on parts are
inflated. The opposite -- they're depressed.
|
1.3x ?
If any sellers are parting out sets on that multiple they are heading for a loss.
They'd have to sell most of the set just to break even without any compensation
for their time.
|
Or not pay retail price.
|
"and" not pay the retail price 
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 22, 2017 05:13 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 68 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
| | In Suggestions, mgiglio writes:
| | of course i am not suggesting that parts be given away for free. i'm saying
maybe part prices are inflated if sellers are actually willing to sell for less.
as a seller, if i think a part is too cool to sell for a nickel, i keep it, cause
i know no one's gonna pay a quarter for it. or if i have a ten dollar minifig
and i dont want to sit on it for a year, i'll list it for 9 and try to move
it out.
|
For those of us whose BrickLink stores are trying to support us as a full-time
job, that a part being too cool doesn't factor into it. It's a business.
I try to sell for more than I paid.
A few years ago, most sets parted out for 2x the retail price of the set. Today,
that number is maybe 1.3x. I certainly would not say that prices on parts are
inflated. The opposite -- they're depressed.
|
1.3x ?
If any sellers are parting out sets on that multiple they are heading for a loss.
They'd have to sell most of the set just to break even without any compensation
for their time. It is quite easy to sell half of the parts in a set but the others
take quite some time. I think some must blindly price without any business consideration
and that won't last, they'll soon realise they are working for someone
else not themselves. I agree some of the recent system tweaks have encouraged
some into this but at the end of the day I do believe demand and supply rules...
and that is the real problem - over supply. Some seem to think that if 100 of
part XXX sold for average 10c each over the last 6 months there is a market for
BL'ers to part out 10000 of them when in reality there is little price elasticity
of demand and if the price was 5c the 6 month demand might still not be more
than 100. That is why many are getting frustrated, having rash sales and trying
to get their investment back that they thought would make them a quick profit.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 22, 2017 04:53 | | Subject: | Re: Counterfiet Set Reporting | | Viewed: | 76 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, WoutR writes:
| | In Suggestions, qwertyboy writes:
| | In Suggestions, rofreder writes:
| | Hello All, and to my recent seller please accept my appologies.
Got in some other sets today straight from lego.com and compared elements. Couldn't
distinguish any serious differences. I suppose there is a little variation among
genuine lego factory molds and plastic composition.
Thank you all for your help and concern. Got my first set in the 70's and
thought I was an expert. Guess not.
|
Thank you for reporting back.
Nowadays, especially in online discussions, I see far too few people willing
to admit a mistake. I really appreciate this.
Niek.
|
+1
Thanks.
|
sorry to add yet another +1 to the thread without further comment but in this
case I think it is well warranted.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 21, 2017 08:56 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 64 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, TokerSays writes:
| | In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
| | In Suggestions, TokerSays writes:
|
Can we elect a new Overseer? Someone to settle Forum disputes, consolidate a
consensus, and speak to the Administrators on the Forum's behalf in one voice.
The Overseer would of course have to ability to kick people like me off the
forums. O_O
|
That is pretty much what that role did. We used to call it "flooding" when one
member constantly posted the same thing over and over again despite getting responses
from the community.
yes, really good idea
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 21, 2017 08:48 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 48 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, TokerSays writes:
| |
What's your honest answer?
|
Because it only compared one element of the price. If it compared all elements
of the price it would be better but of course. Mostly people compare prices then
go to the store. The tool was misleading to the buyer and causing unsustainability
for the site as a whole IMO.
If you actually read at least 10 of the answers you got already instead of ignoring
the bits you didn't want to hear you'd find that would already have been
answered however, I think that is what he meant by cherry picking.
Also, as I said before the answer you are looking for would only come from the
site administration, not the membership (forum being a subset of).
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 21, 2017 08:40 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 51 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, TokerSays writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, SylvainLS writes:
| | In Suggestions, TokerSays writes:
| | […]
This 'forum base' you mention, who are they and who is their leader? […]
|
Yes, please someone. Take him to their leader.
|
Not sure about leader but I'm missing the community overseer role at the
moment.
Robert
|
I'm not sure I understand. You are the community overseer or we are missing
a community overseer?
|
Missing
(certainly not volunteering BTW)
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 21, 2017 07:32 | | Subject: | Re: Counterfiet Set Reporting | | Viewed: | 126 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, rofreder writes:
| | I've been had!!!
Suggestion: Counterfiet Seller's Registry
First time user of Bricklink. Was excited to buy "new sealed" discontinued star
wars set on behalf of my son at what I thought was a fair price.
Posted positive feedback immediately because item was sealed and appeared to
be in authentic packaging. All logos present with circled R and tm etc.
Upon inspection of parts even noticed "LEGO" on all studs. However edges were
sharper than genuine parts, also in general parts felt lighter, minor differences
in shapes of familiar elements. Amazed at the attention to detail of the fakers.
But, in my heart of hearts I know it's a fake set. Instructions and promotional
items all there etc. I don't think my son even knows or cares. I've also
compared the seals and box to "youtube speed build" of the same authentic set
and noted differences in seals and packaging(e.g. barcoded box seals).
Is there a way to report a seller if you believe they are selling fake sets?
I would like to report this person so that others don't fall victim as I
have. I would never want to pass this set or it's elements on as authentic.
I don't even care to fight for my money back, but I don't want this to
happen to others. It has eroded my trust in bricklink at this point.
Thanks for listenting to my rant,
Duped in NC
|
I agree with the other responses, I believe you have received a genuine set here
but if you are still concerned I would -
1. Contact the seller, share your concerns and ask where he obtained the set
from.
if you are still concerned -
2. Contact Lego Customer Services, I am sure they will be able to quickly determine
that the item is genuine or not by asking you a few detailed questions about
the product and/or packaging. To fake a set in the way you describe including
all TLG branding in the moulding would take a pretty large operation and investment
as injection moulding tooling is not cheap to put it mildly, I'm certain
they would know about it.
HTH
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 20, 2017 12:58 | | Subject: | Re: BrickLink you are losing business | | Viewed: | 88 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
| | In Suggestions, technoluddite writes:
| | I don't think BL could concoct a system to account for all the variances
of each postal system in the EU, North America etc. to allow immediate posting
of shipping costs.
|
BL doesn't need to. The sellers would. The solution ALREADY EXISTS on other
sites, so we know that it is possible.
|
Yes we know it can be done (reasonably OK) on other sites but we so far don't
know if BL can deliver it here... just because the other guys do it doesn't
mean that is what we will get here as the site has a different structure/programming.
I'm just patiently waiting and will form an opinion on whether here it will
be a good or bad thing, or something in between when I see how it is going
to work here, not on another site.
Robert
|
Actually, it already exists on BrickLink as well. It just isn't customer-facing.
--
Marc.
|
well when it faces this customer I'll evaluate it, until then it might as
well face the moon
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 20, 2017 12:02 | | Subject: | Re: BrickLink you are losing business | | Viewed: | 75 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
| | In Suggestions, technoluddite writes:
| | I here what you're saying about listing shipping fees but in many places
it's complicated by the local Postal System requirements.
Here in Canada, I can ship anything that fits in an envelope less than 3/4" (2
cm) thick for about $2. However, anything thicker (even some minifigure headgear
and/or accessories) bumps it up to a parcel and the costs at least double!
The weight is relatively unimportant up to about 500 grams, it is all about the
dimensions.
I don't think BL could concoct a system to account for all the variances
of each postal system in the EU, North America etc. to allow immediate posting
of shipping costs.
|
BL doesn't need to. The sellers would. The solution ALREADY EXISTS on other
sites, so we know that it is possible.
--
Marc.
|
Yes we know it can be done (reasonably OK) on other sites but we so far don't
know if BL can deliver it here... just because the other guys do it doesn't
mean that is what we will get here as the site has a different structure/programming.
I'm just patiently waiting and will form an opinion on whether here it will
be a good or bad thing, or something in between when I see how it is going
to work here, not on another site.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 20, 2017 07:33 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: Customs Acknowledgment in Checkout | | Viewed: | 36 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, DadsAFOL writes:
| | There was another thread today about customs/VAT on import, and I thought
I had suggested this in the past but I couldn't find it in searching the
suggestion history, so I'm submitting it now.
Quick & Easy:
1. Create a simple pop-up in the checkout process for international orders that
warns the buyer that they are fully responsible for any customs/duties/VAT/collection
fees etc that their country may charge for importing goods. Buyer must check
the "I acknowledge" button before being allowed to complete checkout.
Further Enhancements:
2. Store a table with the known thresholds for each country (e.g. £15 for UK,
€22 for Netherlands, etc). This data can be simply crowdsourced. Only display
the popup when the order value exceeds the threshold for the buyer's country.
3. Show the customs warning message in English AND the national language of the
buyer's country in the message box.
4. Add a database element to the orders table to record the timestamp that the
buyer acknowledged the customs warning. Display the Edit Order UI page for seller's
reference.
5. When a buyer is adding items to cart that exceed the customs threshold, display
a warning icon in the shopping cart indicator. Mouseover text on the warning
icon should show "This order may be subject to import duties for {buyer's
country}"
I am NOT suggesting that BL get in the business of managing customs and import
duties. This is simply a warning message to the buyer to educate them. The
goal of this suggestion is buyer satisfaction and reducing frustration/surprise
for buyers that aren't aware of their own country's rules.
-Jason
|
|
Found it:-
https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=592577
can't believe that is over 5 years ago, time flies here!
I think I'd make some detail changes if I wrote that today but I'd stand
by it all in principle and it is very similar in many ways to what you have suggested.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 20, 2017 07:09 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: Customs Acknowledgment in Checkout | | Viewed: | 40 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, DadsAFOL writes:
| | There was another thread today about customs/VAT on import, and I thought
I had suggested this in the past but I couldn't find it in searching the
suggestion history, so I'm submitting it now.
Quick & Easy:
1. Create a simple pop-up in the checkout process for international orders that
warns the buyer that they are fully responsible for any customs/duties/VAT/collection
fees etc that their country may charge for importing goods. Buyer must check
the "I acknowledge" button before being allowed to complete checkout.
Further Enhancements:
2. Store a table with the known thresholds for each country (e.g. £15 for UK,
€22 for Netherlands, etc). This data can be simply crowdsourced. Only display
the popup when the order value exceeds the threshold for the buyer's country.
3. Show the customs warning message in English AND the national language of the
buyer's country in the message box.
4. Add a database element to the orders table to record the timestamp that the
buyer acknowledged the customs warning. Display the Edit Order UI page for seller's
reference.
5. When a buyer is adding items to cart that exceed the customs threshold, display
a warning icon in the shopping cart indicator. Mouseover text on the warning
icon should show "This order may be subject to import duties for {buyer's
country}"
I am NOT suggesting that BL get in the business of managing customs and import
duties. This is simply a warning message to the buyer to educate them. The
goal of this suggestion is buyer satisfaction and reducing frustration/surprise
for buyers that aren't aware of their own country's rules.
-Jason
|
Yes, I suggested something similar in the past too. I also suggested making deliberate
customs fraud a punishable offence to discourage people from using this to enter
into customs form fudging negotiations though.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 20, 2017 06:00 | | Subject: | Re: BrickLink you are losing business | | Viewed: | 139 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, WoutR writes:
| | In Suggestions, BricksDirect writes:
| | Dear BrickLink admins and members,
We see it every day. BrickLink is losing business because it's still not
possible to pay immediately after checkout. We have to cancel our orders because
new members can't find shipping fees. They expect that the shipping fee will
be automically displayed when they put items in their shopping cart. The also
expect that they can pay immediately for their orders. The way it is going now
is way too complicated for new members.
Why is it so hard to create software to let members pay immediately and tell
them the shipping fee. BrickOwl and BrickScout are doing it. They are taking
BrickLink's business over.
What I hear from other sellers is that it's impossible to create it because
not al items have their weight in the BrickLink catalog. Why not solve this with
a standard weight for items that don't have their weight in the BrickLink
catalog? (0.5KG for a set, 0.2KG for a part etc.)
Please, BrickLink do something at this.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Niels Roest
Owner of BricksDirect
|
I think the problem is not item weight but size.
|
+1 the main issue here in UK too. Weight is quite simple to fix - just fill in
the missing ones.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 17, 2017 04:01 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 68 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, SylvainLS writes:
| | In Suggestions, TokerSays writes:
| | […]
This 'forum base' you mention, who are they and who is their leader? […]
|
Yes, please someone. Take him to their leader.
|
Not sure about leader but I'm missing the community overseer role at the
moment.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 16, 2017 10:59 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 78 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, TokerSays writes:
| | Niek - I am not here to annoy you. I'm annoyed. I am a grown man posting
on a forum for a child's toy trying to figure out why a tool I used to save
money has been removed.
|
The forum cannot answer that for you. Only the Administration can answer that
if they choose to and I think they might have seen your request(s) by now. Continuing
to post the same point over and over and over again will only frustrate the user
base and ultimately probably yourself too. I would personally figure I've
made myself heard and wait for the outcome. Just my advice from learning how
this place operates over many years.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 16, 2017 07:50 | | Subject: | Re: Better Forum | | Viewed: | 58 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, ranarn writes:
| | Yes absolutely, i have a few friends that looked at it, and decided to never
look at it again, cause it looks like a mailing-list discussion from before they
where born.
For me personally it works good, i have no major problem with it now. And to
create a new post is not that hard, i think most will manage it they try.
But what the problem is not you and me or the older generation. It's the
younger generation that today is used with things like facebook, instagram, disqus,
reddit, where everything is simplistic, easy to understand, modern looking and
a minimal learning curve.
|
Don't underestimate the talents of young people.
I have a nephew and niece who are too young to join this website and can find
their way around Facebook and the like better than I can (probably partly because
it interests them more than it does me) but they can also very quickly understand
and add value in old technology discussions too. I would say overall it is easier
for the young minds to understand and engage with us than it is for many older
people to adapt to new technology.
Or course there is a balance to be struck somewhere along the line. My parents
could never program a video recorder but the current young generation have both
iPods and vinyl.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 16, 2017 05:39 | | Subject: | Re: Better Forum | | Viewed: | 59 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, ranarn writes:
| | Yea lets not embrace the future and newer technology's, let stay in the past.
Everything was better before, don't change anything that works.
If everyone had that mindset we would still live in the stone-age.
|
I guess the opposite of that is-
Let's change everything for no reason other than that there is something
newer available.
Both are wrong IMO and I didn't say don't change anything... I just like
changes to be for the right reasons not just because of technology. Many people
still ride horses despite the invention of the motorcycle
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 16, 2017 05:32 | | Subject: | Re: Better Forum | | Viewed: | 58 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Smron writes:
| | In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
| | In Suggestions, ranarn writes:
| | Good Question, and of course i should have stated some examples, instead of just
saying that it's bad.
First, the tree approach, it's not a bad thing, and works pretty good when
a discussion is kept relatively small and you read each post.
But when more and more people join, and you get multiple levels of replies, each
tend to go it's own way when it branches out from the main tree. And a tree
structure makes really hard for someone that is coming into the discussion later
to see the latest "talk" or get a overview what has been replied earlier, you
often need to check each branch of the tree. I am more into the "reddit" approach,
where the hot or popular replies is what is showed at the top. Or the "standard"
flat forum approach with pages and not creating branches of replies.
|
I very much disagree there, at least compared to a flat view. Having a branching
tree is a huge benefit. One improvement would be to be able to collapse a branch
(as on reddit). But if this is your major concern, I think you are way off. The
branching structure is a huge benefit of the current format. It is not a fault
at all.
| | Second is style, it looks outdated and not very modern. I know that the "CORE"
users of the forum at the moment like it, and is happy with what it is, but to
broaden the usage from new users, it needs to be made more modern and easier,
explainable icons instead of text links maybe, Simplicity is the key.
|
To me, that's largely irrelevant. I care much more about content than style.
For the site itself, the style is important, because it's a commercial website
that is looking to make money for its sellers (myself among them). But for the
forum? Who cares. The appearance is neither a positive nor a negative. It's
irrelevant.
| | Some technical features that would be nice is, notification, unread message tracking,
templates, tags, ability mention or reference other people, online status of
users, avatars etc...
|
Notifications and message tracking, absolutely. Those should be added. Tags already
exist for catalog items. Referencing other users: meh. Online status of users:
meh. Avatars? Please no. There are way too many juvenile forums where 50% of
the "content" is animated gift and signature files. That contributes nothing
to actual discussions, and we are better off without them.
So ... Yes, we could use the ability to track read/unread status, and receive
notifications.
That's about it.
--
Marc.
|
More or less agree. I'm not sure we need a 'new forum', but our current
forum could use some upgrades.
Top things I would like to see...
1) Ability to collapse threads.
2) Ability to edit posts
|
For me please no on that one, there is nothing worse than reading a thread that
no longer makes any sense as all the replies refer to something that has been
changed by a member who saw the replies so decided to change his message. If
you make a mistake or want to change your opinion after the event I think it
is fine to state that via another post later in the thread after all surely that
is what debate is for.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 15, 2017 12:57 | | Subject: | Re: Better Forum | | Viewed: | 47 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, viejos writes:
| | In Suggestions, ranarn writes:
| | Just when you say: Once you learn to use it, your argument fails.
Have you used any other modern communication platform? There shouldn't be
any learning curve, if just a few people are having problem with it, then something
is wrong.
And its not perfect, nothing ever is. There is always room for improvement.
|
What I meant by perfect, was that the type of forum that we have now is a perfect
fit for this site. The kind of discussions we often have on BrickLink lend themselves
to the tree structure. I also think it's important to have people's ID
cards displayed prominently along with all the other information about the post
itself.
And yes, I do use other forums quite heavily. I have over 10,000 upvotes on my
Disqus profile and every few weeks I have to clear my block list (max 1000 users)
because I block and flag constantly. I could barely name a handful of profiles
I have gotten to "know" over the years.
Contrast that to BrickLink where I've never blocked anybody, and I recognize
at least half of all the people who post in the forum. The BrickLink forum has
a personal feel to it, and we risk losing that if we import something generic.
|
+1 you said it perfectly for me too
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2017 12:48 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 50 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, TokerSays writes:
| | Perfect, then we agree! Bricklink is a legal free market and in a legal free
market a Buyer should have easy access to the average price per piece. Any measures
to limit that access would delegitimize the legal free market of Bricklink.
|
OK, I get that you want it back, really!
But, believe me there are many free markets in the world that don't have
it and it doesn't
"delegitimize the legal free market" status.
Which business school's definition of "free market" are you using? A free
market does not have to provide its' traders with any analysis tools, just
a place to trade where entry is fee for all and everyone can buy and sell at
prices they wish.
Keep it grown up please, this is not a junior school debating society or an election
campaign. BTW, no we don't agree, LOL!
Robert
|
Hmm, that was an unfortunate typo on my part, I did of course mean "free", not
"fee" for all, sorry!
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2017 12:29 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 65 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, TokerSays writes:
| | Perfect, then we agree! Bricklink is a legal free market and in a legal free
market a Buyer should have easy access to the average price per piece. Any measures
to limit that access would delegitimize the legal free market of Bricklink.
|
OK, I get that you want it back, really!
But, believe me there are many free markets in the world that don't have
it and it doesn't
"delegitimize the legal free market" status.
Which business school's definition of "free market" are you using? A free
market does not have to provide its' traders with any analysis tools, just
a place to trade where entry is fee for all and everyone can buy and sell at
prices they wish.
Keep it grown up please, this is not a junior school debating society or an election
campaign. BTW, no we don't agree, LOL!
Robert
| | Vote to bring back the legal free market at this link: https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1031088
In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, TokerSays writes:
| | Let's remember that we are not in a legal free market.
|
Nonsense, of course it is legal and it is a free market!
|
|
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2017 12:11 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 54 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, TokerSays writes:
| | Let's remember that we are not in a legal free market.
|
Nonsense, of course it is legal and it is a free market!
| | If we were in a free
market the average pricing tool would be forcing Sellers who are over charging
out of the market. If we were in a legal free market there would be a lawsuit
over Sellers purposely attempting to hide or make it more difficult to find the
actual average price per piece. So we are not in a legal free market, so let's
discuss suggestions on how to keep the market open without an undue burden placed
on Buyers or Sellers.
Vote to bring to bring the average pricing tool back on this link: https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1031088
In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| |
The other 2 options below would not even be legal in most free markets apart
from anything else.
| | Option 2: Flat Profit Charge. For every piece you buy you pay a penny to the
Seller as flat profit. This penny won’t be reflected in the average price.
It’s a penny applied to every piece. It allows the Seller to earn a profit on
every piece while also allowing the Buyer an option in price. I don’t have access
to the site’s financials so if that flat profit charge needs to be 2 or 3 cents,
I can understand.
Option 3: Transaction Charge. Give the Buyer the average pricing tool but charge
them a flat fee for every purchase they make. I’m thinking like $0.25 cents.
That $0.25 cents is split between Bricklink and the Seller however they see
fit. I think I might lose the support of Buyers on this one, but as someone
pointed out – Lego is not a traditional marketplace. If Buyers or Sellers leave
the marketplace there is no one to take their place. We all gotta give a little
bit.
|
Robert
|
|
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2017 10:46 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 85 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, TokerSays writes:
| |
Option 1: Bring back the average pricing tool on an order total. Average price
wouldn’t be listed for individual prices but on the total order. I think this
will make it harder for the Buyer to pick and choose individual cheap pieces
and drive those prices down while also allowing the Buyer to avoid the store
with the 250% markup that is driving prices high.
|
That would make a lot of sense if we have final shipped order prices in the calculation
- i.e. automated checkout but without it, it's a nonsense.
The other 2 options below would not even be legal in most free markets apart
from anything else.
| | Option 2: Flat Profit Charge. For every piece you buy you pay a penny to the
Seller as flat profit. This penny won’t be reflected in the average price.
It’s a penny applied to every piece. It allows the Seller to earn a profit on
every piece while also allowing the Buyer an option in price. I don’t have access
to the site’s financials so if that flat profit charge needs to be 2 or 3 cents,
I can understand.
Option 3: Transaction Charge. Give the Buyer the average pricing tool but charge
them a flat fee for every purchase they make. I’m thinking like $0.25 cents.
That $0.25 cents is split between Bricklink and the Seller however they see
fit. I think I might lose the support of Buyers on this one, but as someone
pointed out – Lego is not a traditional marketplace. If Buyers or Sellers leave
the marketplace there is no one to take their place. We all gotta give a little
bit.
|
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2017 10:35 | | Subject: | Re: price overview when buying a wanted list | | Viewed: | 71 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Admin_Jaclyn writes:
| | Just to clear things up - we did remove this intentionally. Please vote on this
suggestion if you would like to bring it back and feel free to post comments/feedback
below.
Thanks!
-Jaclyn
BrickLink Customer Support
|
I'm sure the majority of buyers who express an opinion will vote in favour
of anything that they think will make Lego cheaper. On the other hand I'd
expect the majority of sellers to think the opposite.
Those of us who both buy and sell can argue with ourselves about it
Overall I think BL should decide what is best for the long term health of BL
as a business which is probably in everyone's interest. Seriously, I don't
have a lot of confidence in the outcome if decisions are made on votes on things
like this.
My opinion: Too many buyers and sellers are looking at averages blindly, not
taking into account other factors like some countries having purchase taxes and
others not. e.g. a global average price does not take into account that a USA
price does not include VAT when a European price does so, for a European buyer,
a price in Europe that is "average" is actually about 20% lower than a USA located
price that is the same in the price guide (as a normal buyer in Europe would
likely have to pay 20% on top of the USA price to import the items). There are
many other factors such as add-on fees, different postal costs in different markets,
etc, etc. BL should IMO not be encouraging more emphasis on these blind comparisons
based on the PG which is and always has been "a guide". The feature in question
I personally support deleting as at best it was misleading based on the above
issues and more.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Mar 3, 2017 05:48 | | Subject: | Re: "Help" and "To Top" icons, what gives? | | Viewed: | 47 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, chetzler writes:
| | I've seen the "To Top" floating button when in stores and found it to be
only mildly annoying, but now it seems to be in the lower right of EVERY screen
along with a "Help" button. There is already a link to "Help" at the bottom
of every page, why do we need another one (that moves around no less)? Additionally,
I think I can manage manually scrolling to the top of my home screen without
the aid of a bow and arrow.
Is this a recent change or have I just not noticed it before? Do we have to
have these controls that hover and move around on the screen erratically? It's
especially frustrating on a small mobile screen--it's just clutter.
Can we drop them or at least have an option in our settings to turn them off?
|
Yes, not helpful to have a help button on top of other things you are trying
to use/read. These should be "off active screen"
Robert
|
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Feb 8, 2017 04:30 | | Subject: | Re: Notification of buyer's order comments | | Viewed: | 61 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, NDToys writes:
| | Hello,
Would it be possible to get a notification (in the inbox) of a buyer's comments
when an order is submitted? Currently, when an order is submitted with a comment,
sellers aren't notified that the buyer left them a comment. The only way
for a seller to know the buyer said anything is to discover the comment by opening
the order page. On the other hand, if a buyer places an order and then sends
the seller a message later on, the seller is notified. So, can we treat the original
comment submitted in an order the same way as a message and notify the seller?
I can also understand that sellers may be opposed to this because often times
the comments submitted with an order do not require a response, such as a simple
"Thank you." However I believe it is more important to have these comments show
up in a seller's inbox to ensure that the message is at least read and responded
to, if necessary.
Best regards,
Netaniel
|
I would personally not want the "no action needed" comments made on many orders
to be notified as messages. To me a comment on an order is something to be dealt
with, if need be, when you look at the order for processing. Separate messages/questions
on the other hand are typically something that need to be answered quickly and
separate to order processing, I would personally not want those diluted. That
is not to say we ignore messages on orders of course. Maybe if there was a separate
optional notification of comments on orders that sellers could choose to highlight
in their action box (or not) it would be OK but we would not use it as we look
at ALL incoming orders for anything unusual ASAP after receiving them in case
WE have a question for the buyer which we need answering before processing the
order - and these questions can arise whether or not the buyer left a comment
on the order so notification of such an order comment would not change our work
process at all.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Feb 4, 2017 04:46 | | Subject: | Re: Order stores by alphabet | | Viewed: | 33 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, VicMic writes:
| | When I search for stores in the Netherlands I get a list by province, but then
it is not ordered by alphabet. It would help if I could list all the stores within
a country by alphabet and preferrably have the option to sort by number of elements.
|
Not sure of the need for by alphabet but you can sort by number of items or number
of lots within country here:-
http://www.bricklink.com/storeFilter.asp#?utm_content=subnav
set:-
Seller is located in "Netherlands"
Sort stores by "Number of items, lots" or "number of lots, items"
HTH
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jan 31, 2017 11:56 | | Subject: | Re: Date of parts listed within a store | | Viewed: | 36 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, mandr writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, mandr writes:
| | In Suggestions, WhiteVanMan writes:
| | Hi.
Is there any real reason WHY the date is shown when an item is listed within
a stores' inventory?
I've kept the option on when I've sold out of an item, it's retained
within my store's inventory, so that when I add more stuff, I know that of
the 2 listings that I have for that particular item (used and new), the USED
listing is always above the new, ensuring that I don't add used stock to
the NEW listing.
I can't understand why this option is there, but it does seem strange, because
when I'd first listed an item within my inventory 4 years ago, and have since
added more of that kind in the years between then and now, but to a Newbie buyer,
it will give the impression that my NEW stock is 4-6 years old, whereas it could
actually be 2 days old!
Can this feature be given the option of being updateable when new stock is actually
added to the retained listing?
Regards,
Paul
|
I would agree with this suggestion as this has caused me problems as well in
so far as the "Newest Items" button in the store does not show that I've
just recently added new items because the listing date is so old. I like the
"Newest Items" button, but it doesn't show the newest items published in
the store if the listing date is old (well it shows them, but way way way down!).
For example: I'm selling sets, and I listed them in my inventory about a
year ago, so they have the original listing date. However, it might be 6 months
or a year before I actually make the set available in my store (as I'm double-checking
it, etc.). When I finally get around to putting it in my store, if a customer
were to click "Newest Items" to see what I've recently put in my store, they
don't see the item because it has an old listing date. So I have to delete
the item from my inventory, and re-enter it.
|
That is not the same issue as Paul mentioned. Showing the date in WL is a new
function however BL has always AFAIK used the 1st listed date to sort inventory
displayed to a buyer in new store listings. Also if you retain lots then add
to them after selling out this will not prompt a notify message as a new listing
does.
Robert
|
Maybe I completely misunderstood. I do get that his issue is different than
my scenario, but I thought his solution to his issue is to allow the seller to
modify the listing date, in which case, it would solve my issue? Or have
I misunderstood? I would like to modify the listing date because I'd prefer
it to be the date when I actually send out the notifications, which is the date
that I've made it available in my store.
|
I don't agree that a seller should be able to modify a listing date.
I do agree that the listing date does not need to be shown on the buyer's
WL data though.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jan 31, 2017 11:17 | | Subject: | Re: Date of parts listed within a store | | Viewed: | 30 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, mandr writes:
| | In Suggestions, WhiteVanMan writes:
| | Hi.
Is there any real reason WHY the date is shown when an item is listed within
a stores' inventory?
I've kept the option on when I've sold out of an item, it's retained
within my store's inventory, so that when I add more stuff, I know that of
the 2 listings that I have for that particular item (used and new), the USED
listing is always above the new, ensuring that I don't add used stock to
the NEW listing.
I can't understand why this option is there, but it does seem strange, because
when I'd first listed an item within my inventory 4 years ago, and have since
added more of that kind in the years between then and now, but to a Newbie buyer,
it will give the impression that my NEW stock is 4-6 years old, whereas it could
actually be 2 days old!
Can this feature be given the option of being updateable when new stock is actually
added to the retained listing?
Regards,
Paul
|
I would agree with this suggestion as this has caused me problems as well in
so far as the "Newest Items" button in the store does not show that I've
just recently added new items because the listing date is so old. I like the
"Newest Items" button, but it doesn't show the newest items published in
the store if the listing date is old (well it shows them, but way way way down!).
For example: I'm selling sets, and I listed them in my inventory about a
year ago, so they have the original listing date. However, it might be 6 months
or a year before I actually make the set available in my store (as I'm double-checking
it, etc.). When I finally get around to putting it in my store, if a customer
were to click "Newest Items" to see what I've recently put in my store, they
don't see the item because it has an old listing date. So I have to delete
the item from my inventory, and re-enter it.
|
That is not the same issue as Paul mentioned. Showing the date in WL is a new
function however BL has always AFAIK used the 1st listed date to sort inventory
displayed to a buyer in new store listings. Also if you retain lots then add
to them after selling out this will not prompt a notify message as a new listing
does.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jan 9, 2017 09:33 | | Subject: | Re: Retain Messages Sent to HelpD, want a COUPON? | | Viewed: | 45 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, WoutR writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, WoutR writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, WoutR writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, udenbricks writes:
| | In Suggestions, WoutR writes:
| | In Suggestions, dewertz writes:
| | I sent several Messages to the help desk, admin@bricklink.com and even to support@bricklink.com
with screenshots and my probelm that we couldn't paid the monthly fees throught
the BL link.
No reaction too.
| | I have send several messages to helpdesk but not any answer 
But i cannot refer to these send-messages because of this bug
|
|
See:
http://helpdesk.bricklink.com/Main/Default.aspx
A separate helpdesk, separate MOC shop forum, separate Stud.io forum... I wish
everything would just be integrated into the main website.
|
Very interesting, never heard about this. (searched for a link but where????)
Is there a link from within Bricklink to this???
The first who can show me this link inside Bricklink (not from within MOC-shop
or Studio) will get a EURO 5.00 coupon . (valid only today)
regards,
Nico
|
Hi Nico, I've tried but I've failed too.
I look for all links from the "My BL" screen as that is the start point for everything
I do on BL.
I see in the menu:
- Help Centre
- Help and get this
http://www.bricklink.com/helpDesk.asp
Maybe the menu links need sorting out and that maybe part of the problem - some
messages ae being tracked by help desk and some not??
Robert
|
I usually use "Report a bug" or "Technical Issue" (what is the difference?).
Those are tracked in this system. I do not know about the others.
|
I've used those too (user defines the difference?) but it goes back to the
OP's point - it's just an email and I get no copy or confirmation. If
they are tracked, great but I don't know that and have no reference to quote
for follow up, how do you get the ticket number?
Robert
|
There is no information until 1) you receive an e-mail with the ticket number,
or 2) you know about the system and sign in to view your tickets.
I think there was an automatic confirmation e-mail, but it looks like those are
not used any longer. If that is true, they must have stopped using that part
of the system somewhere in the past 3 months because I received one in October.
I did not receive a confirmation e-mail with ticket number on my issue/bug report
that I sent yesterday.
There is much room for improvement on how this system is used.
|
Many thanks, now I'm getting it! Solution looks to me like: Maybe replace
the old links in the MY BL screen with direct access to the tracked system so
you have to login to raise an issue and in so doing you'll get a ticket number
issued by the system. I think this might save the helpdesk a lot of time/emails
from users who currently just don't know how it works and are getting frustrated
with it. If everything is not going through the "new" system properly it won't
be giving BL a true picture of call volume hence not helping them resource plan
either.
Robert
|
I have tried discussing how tickets are tracked without success.
Maybe someone should -at least- send a bug report about not receiving the confirmation
a-mail any longer. As a result of the last discussion I do not feel like opening
up that can of worms again.
|
Understood, I've no energy for going beyond making suggestions either, that
gets into arguing with those whose ultimate decision it is and it is their business
not mine, just trying to help/provide my thoughts.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jan 9, 2017 09:02 | | Subject: | Re: Retain Messages Sent to HelpD, want a COUPON? | | Viewed: | 27 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, WoutR writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, WoutR writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, udenbricks writes:
| | In Suggestions, WoutR writes:
| | In Suggestions, dewertz writes:
| | I sent several Messages to the help desk, admin@bricklink.com and even to support@bricklink.com
with screenshots and my probelm that we couldn't paid the monthly fees throught
the BL link.
No reaction too.
| | I have send several messages to helpdesk but not any answer
But i cannot refer to these send-messages because of this bug
|
|
See:
http://helpdesk.bricklink.com/Main/Default.aspx
A separate helpdesk, separate MOC shop forum, separate Stud.io forum... I wish
everything would just be integrated into the main website.
|
Very interesting, never heard about this. (searched for a link but where????)
Is there a link from within Bricklink to this???
The first who can show me this link inside Bricklink (not from within MOC-shop
or Studio) will get a EURO 5.00 coupon . (valid only today)
regards,
Nico
|
Hi Nico, I've tried but I've failed too.
I look for all links from the "My BL" screen as that is the start point for everything
I do on BL.
I see in the menu:
- Help Centre
- Help and get this
http://www.bricklink.com/helpDesk.asp
Maybe the menu links need sorting out and that maybe part of the problem - some
messages ae being tracked by help desk and some not??
Robert
|
I usually use "Report a bug" or "Technical Issue" (what is the difference?).
Those are tracked in this system. I do not know about the others.
|
I've used those too (user defines the difference?) but it goes back to the
OP's point - it's just an email and I get no copy or confirmation. If
they are tracked, great but I don't know that and have no reference to quote
for follow up, how do you get the ticket number?
Robert
|
There is no information until 1) you receive an e-mail with the ticket number,
or 2) you know about the system and sign in to view your tickets.
I think there was an automatic confirmation e-mail, but it looks like those are
not used any longer. If that is true, they must have stopped using that part
of the system somewhere in the past 3 months because I received one in October.
I did not receive a confirmation e-mail with ticket number on my issue/bug report
that I sent yesterday.
There is much room for improvement on how this system is used.
|
Many thanks, now I'm getting it! Solution looks to me like: Maybe replace
the old links in the MY BL screen with direct access to the tracked system so
you have to login to raise an issue and in so doing you'll get a ticket number
issued by the system. I think this might save the helpdesk a lot of time/emails
from users who currently just don't know how it works and are getting frustrated
with it. If everything is not going through the "new" system properly it won't
be giving BL a true picture of call volume hence not helping them resource plan
either.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jan 9, 2017 08:41 | | Subject: | Re: Retain Messages Sent to HelpD, want a COUPON? | | Viewed: | 27 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, WoutR writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, udenbricks writes:
| | In Suggestions, WoutR writes:
| | In Suggestions, dewertz writes:
| | I sent several Messages to the help desk, admin@bricklink.com and even to support@bricklink.com
with screenshots and my probelm that we couldn't paid the monthly fees throught
the BL link.
No reaction too.
| | I have send several messages to helpdesk but not any answer
But i cannot refer to these send-messages because of this bug
|
|
See:
http://helpdesk.bricklink.com/Main/Default.aspx
A separate helpdesk, separate MOC shop forum, separate Stud.io forum... I wish
everything would just be integrated into the main website.
|
Very interesting, never heard about this. (searched for a link but where????)
Is there a link from within Bricklink to this???
The first who can show me this link inside Bricklink (not from within MOC-shop
or Studio) will get a EURO 5.00 coupon . (valid only today)
regards,
Nico
|
Hi Nico, I've tried but I've failed too.
I look for all links from the "My BL" screen as that is the start point for everything
I do on BL.
I see in the menu:
- Help Centre
- Help and get this
http://www.bricklink.com/helpDesk.asp
Maybe the menu links need sorting out and that maybe part of the problem - some
messages ae being tracked by help desk and some not??
Robert
|
I usually use "Report a bug" or "Technical Issue" (what is the difference?).
Those are tracked in this system. I do not know about the others.
|
I've used those too (user defines the difference?) but it goes back to the
OP's point - it's just an email and I get no copy or confirmation. If
they are tracked, great but I don't know that and have no reference to quote
for follow up, how do you get the ticket number?
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jan 9, 2017 08:34 | | Subject: | Re: Retain Messages Sent to HelpD, want a COUPON? | | Viewed: | 33 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, udenbricks writes:
| | In Suggestions, WoutR writes:
| | In Suggestions, dewertz writes:
| | I sent several Messages to the help desk, admin@bricklink.com and even to support@bricklink.com
with screenshots and my probelm that we couldn't paid the monthly fees throught
the BL link.
No reaction too.
| | I have send several messages to helpdesk but not any answer
But i cannot refer to these send-messages because of this bug
|
|
See:
http://helpdesk.bricklink.com/Main/Default.aspx
A separate helpdesk, separate MOC shop forum, separate Stud.io forum... I wish
everything would just be integrated into the main website.
|
Very interesting, never heard about this. (searched for a link but where????)
Is there a link from within Bricklink to this???
The first who can show me this link inside Bricklink (not from within MOC-shop
or Studio) will get a EURO 5.00 coupon . (valid only today)
regards,
Nico
|
Hi Nico, I've tried but I've failed too.
I look for all links from the "My BL" screen as that is the start point for everything
I do on BL.
I see in the menu:
- Help Centre
- Help and get this
http://www.bricklink.com/helpDesk.asp
Maybe the menu links need sorting out and that maybe part of the problem - some
messages ae being tracked by help desk and some not??
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jan 9, 2017 05:36 | | Subject: | Re: Retain Messages Sent to Help Desk | | Viewed: | 39 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, ToriHada writes:
| | Unlike messages sent to any other member, messages sent to Admin or the BrickLInk
Help Desk through the BL message system are NOT sent to the sender or copied
to the sender's BL messages outbox. Please fix this so that they are. If
I send a BL message to Admin or the Help Desk, I would like to have a record
of that message here on BrickLink. Thus, it should be copied to my outbox just
like messages sent to any other BL member.
Thor
|
+1
along with a 24/7 (or as close as possible to that) help desk with defined service
level agreement and client visible ticket tracking status please. IMO the business
volume warrants this now and it would also help fix a lot of issues (such as
problem new stores, bugs like mentioned by Dirk) that get reported here before
they develop into bigger issues/problems.
Has been suggested before but I think worth a bump.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Dec 20, 2016 10:08 | | Subject: | Re: Save for later option, in checkout | | Viewed: | 41 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, PaulOfBricks writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, Brickwilbo writes:
| | In Suggestions, PaulOfBricks writes:
| | Similar to the way amazon checkout works, it would be helpful in situations where
I have to meet a sellers shipping weight/price bands..
For Example.
If I find parts or sets in a shop I want but I know the postage for upto 1000g
is $20, but upto 1500g is $35
my cart is 1.050g, I would now be able to select 50g of items to (save for later)
and when I next shop with the seller, if still available the parts would be ready
for me to (add to cart) again thus saving postage.
At the present time if my cart is too much I have to remove Items I actually
want, complete checkout and then find the parts again later. Finding and adding
parts can be time consuming.
|
Items in carts aren't reserved until the actual checkout is done.
You could just checkout with a message you would like to add to your order.
|
Yes, same problem with quotes; one part sells and the whole quote gets wiped.
I think the solution Paul is looking for it to be able to "split" an order so
the 1st 1kg order can be checked, out, paid for and shipped leaving the remaining
parts in a new order that can be added to later.
As a buyer I can see the benefit of that and as a seller I can also see that
it would encourage customer loyalty so no bad thing. I would, as a seller, like
to be able to approve (or not) use of such a feature on an individual order or
buyer basis however as well as turn it off if I was planning to go on holiday
and close the store for example.
Alternatively, yes just ask the seller if the whole order can be left open works
as long as you don't need some of the parts more quickly. Again, I would
like the option to set order open duration by order or customer or again limit
it if I was planning to close.
Robert
|
Just an option in the cart to (save for later) individual pieces. I would check
out but leave remaining items im not ready to buy yet in the cart. Without having
to delete them, find them again in the shop, and then add to cart again.
|
OK, that ought to be simple, store would not even know. Only problem then is
that the parts would likely just sell to another buyer before you returned to
store.
Robert
|
That is no different to putting them in a cart and leaving them, which you can
do right now.
|
Not exactly. If you have items from a store in your cart all are taken to checkout,
there is no choice to "leave some in cart". OK so you can wait until your order
is marked "paid" then start a new cart but that does not quite do what the OP
wanted.
| | Quite a few online stores have "save for later", including amazon. This is essentially
the same thing.
|
Do they reserve the item or not? On the whole I suspect they don't so
It's just like leaving items in a cart here except the cart perhaps stays
there for some time after you logged out.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Dec 20, 2016 08:34 | | Subject: | Re: Save for later option, in checkout | | Viewed: | 36 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, PaulOfBricks writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, Brickwilbo writes:
| | In Suggestions, PaulOfBricks writes:
| | Similar to the way amazon checkout works, it would be helpful in situations where
I have to meet a sellers shipping weight/price bands..
For Example.
If I find parts or sets in a shop I want but I know the postage for upto 1000g
is $20, but upto 1500g is $35
my cart is 1.050g, I would now be able to select 50g of items to (save for later)
and when I next shop with the seller, if still available the parts would be ready
for me to (add to cart) again thus saving postage.
At the present time if my cart is too much I have to remove Items I actually
want, complete checkout and then find the parts again later. Finding and adding
parts can be time consuming.
|
Items in carts aren't reserved until the actual checkout is done.
You could just checkout with a message you would like to add to your order.
|
Yes, same problem with quotes; one part sells and the whole quote gets wiped.
I think the solution Paul is looking for it to be able to "split" an order so
the 1st 1kg order can be checked, out, paid for and shipped leaving the remaining
parts in a new order that can be added to later.
As a buyer I can see the benefit of that and as a seller I can also see that
it would encourage customer loyalty so no bad thing. I would, as a seller, like
to be able to approve (or not) use of such a feature on an individual order or
buyer basis however as well as turn it off if I was planning to go on holiday
and close the store for example.
Alternatively, yes just ask the seller if the whole order can be left open works
as long as you don't need some of the parts more quickly. Again, I would
like the option to set order open duration by order or customer or again limit
it if I was planning to close.
Robert
|
Just an option in the cart to (save for later) individual pieces. I would check
out but leave remaining items im not ready to buy yet in the cart. Without having
to delete them, find them again in the shop, and then add to cart again.
|
OK, that ought to be simple, store would not even know. Only problem then is
that the parts would likely just sell to another buyer before you returned to
store.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Dec 20, 2016 07:38 | | Subject: | Re: Save for later option, in checkout | | Viewed: | 41 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Brickwilbo writes:
| | In Suggestions, PaulOfBricks writes:
| | Similar to the way amazon checkout works, it would be helpful in situations where
I have to meet a sellers shipping weight/price bands..
For Example.
If I find parts or sets in a shop I want but I know the postage for upto 1000g
is $20, but upto 1500g is $35
my cart is 1.050g, I would now be able to select 50g of items to (save for later)
and when I next shop with the seller, if still available the parts would be ready
for me to (add to cart) again thus saving postage.
At the present time if my cart is too much I have to remove Items I actually
want, complete checkout and then find the parts again later. Finding and adding
parts can be time consuming.
|
Items in carts aren't reserved until the actual checkout is done.
You could just checkout with a message you would like to add to your order.
|
Yes, same problem with quotes; one part sells and the whole quote gets wiped.
I think the solution Paul is looking for it to be able to "split" an order so
the 1st 1kg order can be checked, out, paid for and shipped leaving the remaining
parts in a new order that can be added to later.
As a buyer I can see the benefit of that and as a seller I can also see that
it would encourage customer loyalty so no bad thing. I would, as a seller, like
to be able to approve (or not) use of such a feature on an individual order or
buyer basis however as well as turn it off if I was planning to go on holiday
and close the store for example.
Alternatively, yes just ask the seller if the whole order can be left open works
as long as you don't need some of the parts more quickly. Again, I would
like the option to set order open duration by order or customer or again limit
it if I was planning to close.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Nov 18, 2016 12:08 | | Subject: | Re: Istructions/boxes look too much like sets | | Viewed: | 39 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, 4_Freedom writes:
| | I have noticed that now when I am looking at instructions or original boxes in
a store, they look very similar to the sets. The only differences are that when
looking at a set, it has the complete/incomplete marker and the "all items -
sets - etc."
I think you should add "Instructions for set" or Original box for set" to the
description.
|
Agree. It used to before the last updates.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Oct 28, 2016 10:40 | | Subject: | Re: Add feedback link to order detail screen | | Viewed: | 20 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
| | In Suggestions, JulieK writes:
| | In Suggestions, Brickwilbo writes:
| | In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:
With a 'leave feedback'-link on top of the Orderdetailpage it's easier
to leave feedback such as 'please cancel order' or 'is it shipped?'
instead of scrolling down the page to the 'contact seller about this order'-link
and type a short message.
|
1.Both a contact link and a feedback link should be up top.
2.Feedback link should only appear on orders marked shipped.
If they program the above, it should eliminate your examples of being against
the suggestion.
My suggestion said "Maybe have it appear after the order is marked shipped."
If I could edit the suggestion, I would remove the word "Maybe".
Julie
|
That wouldn't work well, because it would be exploited by scam sellers --
they would never mark the orders as shipped, so they would not get negative feedback
and could extend their scam. or, for a less extreme example, a seller.who thinks
they might get a negative could avoid it by not marking the order as shipped.
--
Marc.
|
In that case the seller deserves to get an NSS!
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Oct 28, 2016 09:57 | | Subject: | Re: Add feedback link to order detail screen | | Viewed: | 26 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, JulieK writes:
| | In Suggestions, Brickwilbo writes:
| | In Suggestions, JulieK writes:
| | Please add a link to leave feedback to the newly re-designed Order Detail screen.
Maybe have it appear after the order is marked shipped.
Thanks!
Julie
|
No, feedback will then be used to communicate as it's the first option they
see to contact the seller.
|
Maybe they can move the link to contact seller up to the top too.
|
I like that idea, contact seller IMO should be the 1st and most obvious option
shown.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jul 15, 2016 12:03 | | Subject: | Re: Do away with Lego | | Viewed: | 190 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, cosmicray writes:
| | … as it is known today.
The feedback system goes back to the earliest days of BL. It was probably copied
from eBay, who copied it from somewhere else.
It only provides 3 stark choices. That is insufficient in many cases.
Replace it with a numerical number, either 100 to 0, or possibly 50 to 0 to -50.
Something that allows for a more nuanced scoring of the transaction (without
going nuclear).
I hope this provokes people to think about the current system, whether it is
serving our needs, and what improvements can be applied.
Ray
|
Why don't do away with Lego and replace it with digital files that we can
just email to each other and 3D print? Shipping bricks is surely old-fashioned
from a time long before electronic media.
Hmmm, in a world where everything seems to change every 30 secs it is kind of
nice to have some things that remain familiar.
That was meant to be a little tongue in cheek but I would personally like to
keep some of the old BL and changing FB after 16 years seems like making everyone
newbies again. I actually like what they have done in the stores highlighting
the last 6 months FB without scrapping the old system, maybe that provides a
platform for future enhancements but I would not vote for a numerical rating
system, those are useless elsewhere.. someone takes a dislike to one aspect of
something and rates everything as -50 out of spite. Overall I'd like to see
some stability before any more changes.
A simple extension of the field lengths might give a lot of bang for the buck.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jul 14, 2016 04:32 | | Subject: | Re: Change search in stores | | Viewed: | 38 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, therobo writes:
| | In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:
| | The new search within a store is not helping buyers and can be long winded. If
you want to search a store for all pieces in a certain colour you could spend
quite a bit of time on it. As when you open up the more filters section it shows
all colours not the colours that the store has to offer. So if you want to look
for all Dark Green pieces you select that colour and lo and behold the store
doesn't have any - in the past the navigation pane on the left hand side
showed the colours that the store had available - that ne4eds to be brought back
- it has been eliminated in the new search.
|
It's still there, simply click on "By Color" next to "By Category".
The old store search also let you search for colors that the store didn't
have.
The main difference now is that several links are not noticeable as links.
Did you know that you can click on the headings (Sets, Parts...) in a store?
| |
This falls in line with other suggestions concerning highlighted categories etc.
Bring back the old method or change the new method so their is a subject of colours
in store available. It makes life so much easier for a buyer if they are looking
for pieces in a particular colour for a project.
|
|
and again...
cut/paste:-
http://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=999979
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jul 11, 2016 05:18 | | Subject: | Re: Keep order open status | | Viewed: | 33 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Daave writes:
| | Is it possible to add 'keep order open' as a status on order screen..
As a reminder that the customer doesn't want an invoice yet?
Simply adding it to the drop down list for manual use would be good, but adding
automatic functionality and a button at the buyers end to request an invoice
would be ideal.
|
Voted yes, this has been suggested before but if we are going to have auto-checkout
at some point (??) we would need to have this status offered at checkout anyway?
Ideally I would like this linked to store terms, set by the seller. e.g. if I
offer orders open for up to 5 days I would like the system to allow that and
"close" the order to additions after that unless over-ridden by myself - i.e.
buyer has to communicate with me to agree any extension, not be just able to
add $1 in parts every 7 days in an attempt to over-ride store terms (doesn't
happen often but there are some out there).
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jul 5, 2016 04:05 | | Subject: | Re: Lego v Bricklink colours | | Viewed: | 33 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:
| | I am aware that this has been suggested many times before by various people and
unfortunately nothing has ever been done about it but perhaps now is the time
to bring it back up.
When a new used comes to Bricklink they are faced with lots of hurdles - they
will not recognise the Bricklink part numbering system; and in lots of cases
the colours as many of them have totally different names.
The Lego stores also call colours differently e.g. Dark Blue to them is their
standard blue brick and if you ask for Earth Blue - they often look at you with
a puzzled look, even though that is an official Lego Colour name. The same with
Green etc.
So, with that in mind could the Bricklink developers not come up with a better
idea than the current colour chart for the catalogue. Perhaps similar to the
very old and outdated Peeron one.
It would help the new buyers - and after all we give them the option to key in
the number at the back of the Lego instructions to find a part (and little do
they know by using that number they get the part in the correct colour).
Bricklink want to encourage new buyers and as a store we want that as well -
but let us give them the tools do make it easier for them not more complicated.
|
I would not favour "changing" any BL colour names but I would like to see a user
friendly colour reference section explaining colours (especially as you say for
new users).
Overall, to me this is a "help" issue. BL has never been strong on its user guide/help
guide but a succession of changes to the functionality and navigation of the
site have left it with a useless one. This remains a complex site with many different
areas including colours which old hands take for granted but must confuse the
hell out of new users. Overall... new intuitive help guide please.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jun 30, 2016 12:11 | | Subject: | Re: Exclude unpaid orders from PG | | Viewed: | 41 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, cosmicray writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, cosmicray writes:
| | Please provide the ability to exclude orders which are not indicating payment
(including those in NPB or NSS) from the Price Guide. These orders allow a relatively
simple way to manipulate the PG numbers, and do not reflect real sales.
thanks
|
I don't know about NSS but if you complete an NPB and in doing so cancel
the order I thought the order is then removed from the sold results in the PG.
I just checked an order we cancelled at a buyer's request a few days ago
and those parts do not show in the sold results.
Robert
|
In reality, we only want the highest quality transactions in the left columns
on the PG. Orders not paid for and orders not shipped (which get to NSS), do
not meet the litmus test of a legitimate Sale.
Ray
|
OK, I misunderstood. In this case I vote no. A sale is a sale independent of
payment status (payment terms can stipulate buy now pay later amongst other options
such as trades for store credits, etc, etc) unless/until it is later cancelled.
I cannot see how BL could determine when an order was paid for, that is open
to manipulation from the seller declaring it paid or not. When would fees be
applied .. only when the seller declared it paid... after all risk of chargebacks,
returns and bounced payments?? Keep it simple please, items move from inventory
to sold not via some pending status.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jun 30, 2016 10:38 | | Subject: | Re: Exclude unpaid orders from PG | | Viewed: | 37 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, cosmicray writes:
| | Please provide the ability to exclude orders which are not indicating payment
(including those in NPB or NSS) from the Price Guide. These orders allow a relatively
simple way to manipulate the PG numbers, and do not reflect real sales.
thanks
|
I don't know about NSS but if you complete an NPB and in doing so cancel
the order I thought the order is then removed from the sold results in the PG.
I just checked an order we cancelled at a buyer's request a few days ago
and those parts do not show in the sold results.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jun 29, 2016 11:42 | | Subject: | Re: Problem with onsite PayPal: grand totals | | Viewed: | 30 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, enig writes:
| | Yes, I was thinking among the same lines. But we do have a few other currencies
in EU. The Law, I guess, is intended for the shops operating in Germany OR perhaps
also for shops that are also in EU and, in one way or another, targeting the
German market too. Whethet the Law covers the second part or no, and whether
there is a requirement for the grand total to be displayed in EUR (even if it's
not the currency used in the transaction), is another question.
To me this is a very simple question with straight-forward answer. Grand total
is Grand total is Grand total. The bottom line of what was quoted and the bottom
line and the amount charged must be the same. That's the essence of the Law,
the way I understand it. If I am right or wrong.. is another matter.
What and where exactly the "bottom line of the Grand total" may also be debatable,
once you involve more than one currency.
|
| | yep, put another way, I suspect that specific law requires a firm price in a stated currency (usually the local one) but is unlikely to require a local company to guarantee a price in another currency "as well". For cross border shipments within the EU then if the price is offered in an EU currency (not just Euro) then I suspect no issue. But this whole point is about a quote in USD in terms of an export out of the EU in which case I can't see why that law has anything at all to do with it. Going back a few posts, I think the net outcome is an exporting business can quote in whichever currency it chooses to satisfy a potential buyer and can choose whether it will cover any currency movement or not, simple international trade. What tools BL provides to help its' sellers to do that (or not) is upto BL I guess.
|
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jun 29, 2016 10:29 | | Subject: | Re: Problem with onsite PayPal: grand totals | | Viewed: | 34 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, enig writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, enig writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, enig writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, enig writes:
| | In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | Whenever a buyer uses onsite PayPal, I do not receive the amount I instruct in
the invoice, but an up to date conversion of the Bricklink grand total field
in the currency that the buyer chooses. Tax-wise, this is a problem.
Please allow setting a grand total in the actual currency that a buyer chooses
to pay in. This way, the figures of the invoice and the actual payment will match.
I think this is a high priority issue, because technically, it currently forces
us to do something that is technically illegal.
Or is there a way to prevent this that I didn't think of? Retroactively changing
the invoice is the best solution that came to my mind, but that's pretty
tedious.
|
Also recently had an issue where quoted amount (via our brilliant) differed from
invoiced amount because of USD/EUR fluctuations.
And I thought the quoting feature can not possibly be broken any more than it
already was. But they did it. Now quoted amount is no longer the amount showing
up once the quote is accepted. What was the single most important purpose
of the quoting system again?
Anyone who is still thinking that we have competent people working on BL needs
to wake up.
I am sorry I can not be more positive. I know someone up there is trying. But
you need ti try harder. PLEASE.
|
I can't see how it could do better in this case. The quote and the order
are the same value in your store currency. The fact that the USD rate changed
between the 2 events is outside BL's control. The only other way would be
to fix the USD amount then return a different EURO amount which makes no sense
to me, IMO the local store currency is your "offer" and the buyer risks exchange
difference (either way) by delaying placing an order.
Robert
|
Has it always been like this?
Anyways.
The purpose of the Price Quote feature is to provide an option for buyers
to request a quote before entering into an order contract. The buyer will know
the final cost of an order before placing the order, while the seller
can suggest a final price without holding inventory.
http://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2437
In this case a buyer was looking at the quoted amount and clicked "accept". The
amount changed at that instant.
|
Yes I think it has always been like that but good point! I think the wording
should include something that says the "store price quote is fixed but if paying
in a different currency than the store's the rate might fluctuate between
quote and order, the actual conversion will be done using BL/XE rate at time
of order submission"... in line with what is stated for ordinary unquoted orders.
I don't think it would be fair to hold sellers to a currency converted quote
as anything could happen between quote and order with the rate, the buyer on
the other hand has the option simply not to go ahead if his currency collapses.
Robert
|
Just to be clear - this is in no way a rant because I am getting a few cents
less, in case anyone is wondering I had the quote feature enabled temporarily
and simply forgot to turn it off. This was the very fist quote ever accepted
at this store, and it was actually my customer who brought this up - he was confused.
I would have never noticed. First quote, first customer (less than 10 FB), first
hiccup.
Where I am getting is - I do not believe that no one has asked this question
before. How long ago have we had the quoting feature implemented?
I'd say the quoting should work exactly as currently described. The exact
quoted amount, (in whichever currency the buyer has requested) should be carried
into the invoice. That's the reason for the quote as I see it. The quote
is for the buyer, not for the seller.
You are right - BL has no control over the currency fluctuations. It has always
been the case. Seller's prices are in EUR, buyer selects USD. Between the
time of order/invoice and the payment, the amount the seller is getting (if he
were to exchange immediately) is almost always a little + or -. At the same time,
same is true for the buyer if he's paying in other currency than he's
holding. The amount going out of his pocket depends on the currency ratios at
the time of payment.
Shouldn't quotes work in the same principle? I see quote as a draft for the
invoice. Seller quotes the amounts minus the payment details. If the buyer accepts
the quoted amount (in the currency he requested the quote in), he gets the payment
details.
It should not matter if the currency ratios change. Buyer is requesting a final
amount before committing to the order. It should be exactly that. The currency
ratio at the time of the quote should be carried into the invoice.
My two cents.
|
It depends on what a seller intends to quote. If he is simply quoting goods plus
shipping in his store currency and he is not intending to make a forex quote
then current set up seems correct. If on the other hand he wants to give a fixed
foreign currency quote then the current system does not do that. Maybe the system
should offer both options?? We don't use it anyway for other reasons at the
moment so I'm open minded on a debate about enhancing the feature.
Robert
|
I am not fond of the quotes either, to say the least. Left it enabled by mistake.
I think I will try asking my buyers directly whether they would have placed the
orders regardless of the quote option at my store, and decide what I do then.
As for how it should work - perhaps someone should look into (German?) law and
see if there is a section covering this very matter. That's the reason why
BL was cursed with this thing in the first place. It should work exactly as the
Law requires.
I would guess that the Law needs the quoted price at the bottom of the equation
to be final, but it's only a guess.
|
German law, I am almost certain, will require the price to be shown up front
in Euro as that is their currency, I don't think it will concern itself with
prices quotes in other currencies as, in most cases, these would be exports outside
of Germany. I think other EU countries may have similar law too. I can't
think why they would want to legislate for a German business quoting on a sale
to the USA for example, that is not a German/EU consumer protection issue.
Might be wrong, just my 2 cents
Robert
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jun 29, 2016 10:06 | | Subject: | Re: Problem with onsite PayPal: grand totals | | Viewed: | 25 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, enig writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, enig writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, enig writes:
| | In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | Whenever a buyer uses onsite PayPal, I do not receive the amount I instruct in
the invoice, but an up to date conversion of the Bricklink grand total field
in the currency that the buyer chooses. Tax-wise, this is a problem.
Please allow setting a grand total in the actual currency that a buyer chooses
to pay in. This way, the figures of the invoice and the actual payment will match.
I think this is a high priority issue, because technically, it currently forces
us to do something that is technically illegal.
Or is there a way to prevent this that I didn't think of? Retroactively changing
the invoice is the best solution that came to my mind, but that's pretty
tedious.
|
Also recently had an issue where quoted amount (via our brilliant) differed from
invoiced amount because of USD/EUR fluctuations.
And I thought the quoting feature can not possibly be broken any more than it
already was. But they did it. Now quoted amount is no longer the amount showing
up once the quote is accepted. What was the single most important purpose
of the quoting system again?
Anyone who is still thinking that we have competent people working on BL needs
to wake up.
I am sorry I can not be more positive. I know someone up there is trying. But
you need ti try harder. PLEASE.
|
I can't see how it could do better in this case. The quote and the order
are the same value in your store currency. The fact that the USD rate changed
between the 2 events is outside BL's control. The only other way would be
to fix the USD amount then return a different EURO amount which makes no sense
to me, IMO the local store currency is your "offer" and the buyer risks exchange
difference (either way) by delaying placing an order.
Robert
|
Has it always been like this?
Anyways.
The purpose of the Price Quote feature is to provide an option for buyers
to request a quote before entering into an order contract. The buyer will know
the final cost of an order before placing the order, while the seller
can suggest a final price without holding inventory.
http://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2437
In this case a buyer was looking at the quoted amount and clicked "accept". The
amount changed at that instant.
|
Yes I think it has always been like that but good point! I think the wording
should include something that says the "store price quote is fixed but if paying
in a different currency than the store's the rate might fluctuate between
quote and order, the actual conversion will be done using BL/XE rate at time
of order submission"... in line with what is stated for ordinary unquoted orders.
I don't think it would be fair to hold sellers to a currency converted quote
as anything could happen between quote and order with the rate, the buyer on
the other hand has the option simply not to go ahead if his currency collapses.
Robert
|
Just to be clear - this is in no way a rant because I am getting a few cents
less, in case anyone is wondering I had the quote feature enabled temporarily
and simply forgot to turn it off. This was the very fist quote ever accepted
at this store, and it was actually my customer who brought this up - he was confused.
I would have never noticed. First quote, first customer (less than 10 FB), first
hiccup.
Where I am getting is - I do not believe that no one has asked this question
before. How long ago have we had the quoting feature implemented?
I'd say the quoting should work exactly as currently described. The exact
quoted amount, (in whichever currency the buyer has requested) should be carried
into the invoice. That's the reason for the quote as I see it. The quote
is for the buyer, not for the seller.
You are right - BL has no control over the currency fluctuations. It has always
been the case. Seller's prices are in EUR, buyer selects USD. Between the
time of order/invoice and the payment, the amount the seller is getting (if he
were to exchange immediately) is almost always a little + or -. At the same time,
same is true for the buyer if he's paying in other currency than he's
holding. The amount going out of his pocket depends on the currency ratios at
the time of payment.
Shouldn't quotes work in the same principle? I see quote as a draft for the
invoice. Seller quotes the amounts minus the payment details. If the buyer accepts
the quoted amount (in the currency he requested the quote in), he gets the payment
details.
It should not matter if the currency ratios change. Buyer is requesting a final
amount before committing to the order. It should be exactly that. The currency
ratio at the time of the quote should be carried into the invoice.
My two cents.
|
It depends on what a seller intends to quote. If he is simply quoting goods plus
shipping in his store currency and he is not intending to make a forex quote
then current set up seems correct. If on the other hand he wants to give a fixed
foreign currency quote then the current system does not do that. Maybe the system
should offer both options?? We don't use it anyway for other reasons at the
moment so I'm open minded on a debate about enhancing the feature.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jun 29, 2016 08:46 | | Subject: | Re: Problem with onsite PayPal: grand totals | | Viewed: | 27 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, enig writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, enig writes:
| | In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | Whenever a buyer uses onsite PayPal, I do not receive the amount I instruct in
the invoice, but an up to date conversion of the Bricklink grand total field
in the currency that the buyer chooses. Tax-wise, this is a problem.
Please allow setting a grand total in the actual currency that a buyer chooses
to pay in. This way, the figures of the invoice and the actual payment will match.
I think this is a high priority issue, because technically, it currently forces
us to do something that is technically illegal.
Or is there a way to prevent this that I didn't think of? Retroactively changing
the invoice is the best solution that came to my mind, but that's pretty
tedious.
|
Also recently had an issue where quoted amount (via our brilliant) differed from
invoiced amount because of USD/EUR fluctuations.
And I thought the quoting feature can not possibly be broken any more than it
already was. But they did it. Now quoted amount is no longer the amount showing
up once the quote is accepted. What was the single most important purpose
of the quoting system again?
Anyone who is still thinking that we have competent people working on BL needs
to wake up.
I am sorry I can not be more positive. I know someone up there is trying. But
you need ti try harder. PLEASE.
|
I can't see how it could do better in this case. The quote and the order
are the same value in your store currency. The fact that the USD rate changed
between the 2 events is outside BL's control. The only other way would be
to fix the USD amount then return a different EURO amount which makes no sense
to me, IMO the local store currency is your "offer" and the buyer risks exchange
difference (either way) by delaying placing an order.
Robert
|
Has it always been like this?
Anyways.
The purpose of the Price Quote feature is to provide an option for buyers
to request a quote before entering into an order contract. The buyer will know
the final cost of an order before placing the order, while the seller
can suggest a final price without holding inventory.
http://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2437
In this case a buyer was looking at the quoted amount and clicked "accept". The
amount changed at that instant.
|
Yes I think it has always been like that but good point! I think the wording
should include something that says the "store price quote is fixed but if paying
in a different currency than the store's the rate might fluctuate between
quote and order, the actual conversion will be done using BL/XE rate at time
of order submission"... in line with what is stated for ordinary unquoted orders.
I don't think it would be fair to hold sellers to a currency converted quote
as anything could happen between quote and order with the rate, the buyer on
the other hand has the option simply not to go ahead if his currency collapses.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jun 29, 2016 08:24 | | Subject: | Re: Problem with onsite PayPal: grand totals | | Viewed: | 29 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, enig writes:
| | In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | Whenever a buyer uses onsite PayPal, I do not receive the amount I instruct in
the invoice, but an up to date conversion of the Bricklink grand total field
in the currency that the buyer chooses. Tax-wise, this is a problem.
Please allow setting a grand total in the actual currency that a buyer chooses
to pay in. This way, the figures of the invoice and the actual payment will match.
I think this is a high priority issue, because technically, it currently forces
us to do something that is technically illegal.
Or is there a way to prevent this that I didn't think of? Retroactively changing
the invoice is the best solution that came to my mind, but that's pretty
tedious.
|
Also recently had an issue where quoted amount (via our brilliant) differed from
invoiced amount because of USD/EUR fluctuations.
And I thought the quoting feature can not possibly be broken any more than it
already was. But they did it. Now quoted amount is no longer the amount showing
up once the quote is accepted. What was the single most important purpose
of the quoting system again?
Anyone who is still thinking that we have competent people working on BL needs
to wake up.
I am sorry I can not be more positive. I know someone up there is trying. But
you need ti try harder. PLEASE.
|
I can't see how it could do better in this case. The quote and the order
are the same value in your store currency. The fact that the USD rate changed
between the 2 events is outside BL's control. The only other way would be
to fix the USD amount then return a different EURO amount which makes no sense
to me, IMO the local store currency is your "offer" and the buyer risks exchange
difference (either way) by delaying placing an order.
Robert
|
|
| Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jun 29, 2016 07:51 | | Subject: | Re: Problem with onsite PayPal: grand totals | | Viewed: | 26 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, maninblack writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rob_and_Shelagh writes:
| | In Suggestions, maninblack writes:
| | In Suggestions, Teup writes:
| | Whenever a buyer uses onsite PayPal, I do not receive the amount I instruct in
the invoice, but an up to date conversion of the Bricklink grand total field
in the currency that the buyer chooses. Tax-wise, this is a problem.
Please allow setting a grand total in the actual currency that a buyer chooses
to pay in. This way, the figures of the invoice and the actual payment will match.
I think this is a high priority issue, because technically, it currently forces
us to do something that is technically illegal.
Or is there a way to prevent this that I didn't think of? Retroactively changing
the invoice is the best solution that came to my mind, but that's pretty
tedious.
|
Nearly all of my orders are paid in a different currency to my listed prices
as they are in US$ and I am a UK seller. Mainly GBP but I accept many currencies.
The only price difference I have received different the invoice was for Japanese
Yen. I expected this as (I believe) they cannot pay the .xx part of the amount
but must round up (or down?).
If you are setting your own currency rather than using XE.com then this could
account for the difference. Especially as the markets are so volatile just now
due to Brexit.
Neil
|
I thought sellers had to use the BL exchange rate.... and BL does not allow sellers
to use their own exchange rates, the "funny money people" from a few years back
were legislated against in the ToS.
Robert
|
I was just checking that to make sure it's still there and they do have to
use the BL exchange rate provided by XE.com
Quote from ToS 'Using other exchange rates is prohibited. Currency conversion
is done the same way using the same exchange rates in all stores'.
Neil
|
OK, I hope this has not opened up a loophole in that. To clarify, the exchange
rate comes from XE.com at time of order batch submission, my understanding is
that a seller cannot use a rate (even from XE.com) from a different point in
time... as you stated, currencies can move quite quickly at the moment.
Robert
|
I remember the days of "funny money people".. frustration number one for me
The problem is that I use the exchange rate at the moment of invoicing, so that
should account for the discrepancy. I currently can't think of a way to have
my software use the exchange rate of the moment of submission.. (also, I think
in theory this would also be a slight legal problem as for the tax agency the
purchase takes place at the date of invoice, nothing that happens before that
has any legal status to them.. but that is pretty theoretical, very unlikely
they'd make a fuss over that as long as people have businesses in Panama
)
|
Your reasoning may be honourable but the intent of the ToS is that it is calculated
at submission.
Think about it from your customer's POV. He is informed of the amount he
has to pay in the currency he selects at the time of purchase and that is what
he is contracting to pay. If he then gets invoiced a different (let's say
higher) amount later that is wrong.
Sorry but you should go with the BL rate like everyone else.
Robert
|
I understand that, I only once had a question about it and when I explained the
customer fully agreed, though. Well, let's put this aside and say that I
am willing to change to the BL policy even if that technically violates tax law
in this country (I personally don't really mind whether I am scenario A
or scenario B inaccurate  as long as I can be consistent) - I'm not sure
how I can change it, because BL does not have an exchange rate tag in the invoice
that I can use. I will need to know the used exchange rate in order to know what
the shipping & handling costs would look like with that same rate. Currently
I can only infer it after I've sent the invoice and look at that "pay grand
total"..
|
Your shipping and handling costs are not calculated and entered in your own store
currency? Then they are converted by BL to the pay currency at the BL exchange
rate?
I think you just need to change your procedure. Also note you are creating a
BL valid reason for a buyer to request cancellation of an order.
Robert
|
|
Next Page: 5 More | 10 More | 25 More | 50 More | 100 More
|
United Kingdom, England
