Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
No, because some pieces are just so much cheaper than LEGO's Pick a Brick
site and also BL is often so much faster than LEGO as well (especially for standard
pieces). I'm confident our community is here to stay.
Regards,
Deon
In General, BrickPhaisan writes:
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
No, because some pieces are just so much cheaper than LEGO's Pick a Brick
site and also BL is often so much faster than LEGO as well (especially for standard
pieces). I'm confident our community is here to stay.
LEGO is actually pretty fast for European users now. And prices are better on
some (newer) parts, especially if wanted in large quantity. And Insider points,
free delivery, and count towards GWP thresholds.
But of course, there are two big factors in BL's favour: (1) PAB tends not
to have licensed parts and (2) PAB is no good once parts are no longer in production
and stocks have gone. And a weaker point (3) PAB doesn't do sticker sheets,
printed instructions, etc.
No, because some pieces are just so much cheaper than LEGO's Pick a Brick
site and also BL is often so much faster than LEGO as well (especially for standard
pieces). I'm confident our community is here to stay.
LEGO is actually pretty fast for European users now. And prices are better on
some (newer) parts, especially if wanted in large quantity. And Insider points,
free delivery, and count towards GWP thresholds.
But of course, there are two big factors in BL's favour: (1) PAB tends not
to have licensed parts and (2) PAB is no good once parts are no longer in production
and stocks have gone. And a weaker point (3) PAB doesn't do sticker sheets,
printed instructions, etc.
I understand, but I think that not only can you maintain a good business of selling
old parts and less of instructions and stickers... Lego bought bricklink, so
it has all the BL sales big data in its favor, to replicate what is most in demand
and thus keep the entire market...
No, because some pieces are just so much cheaper than LEGO's Pick a Brick
site and also BL is often so much faster than LEGO as well (especially for standard
pieces). I'm confident our community is here to stay.
LEGO is actually pretty fast for European users now. And prices are better on
some (newer) parts, especially if wanted in large quantity. And Insider points,
free delivery, and count towards GWP thresholds.
But of course, there are two big factors in BL's favour: (1) PAB tends not
to have licensed parts and (2) PAB is no good once parts are no longer in production
and stocks have gone. And a weaker point (3) PAB doesn't do sticker sheets,
printed instructions, etc.
I understand, but I think that not only can you maintain a good business of selling
old parts and less of instructions and stickers... Lego bought bricklink, so
it has all the BL sales big data in its favor, to replicate what is most in demand
and thus keep the entire market...
You kind of answered your own question. I have no insider knowledge, but I think
a major reason for TLG buying BL was for the data. If you're a seller whose
inventory heavily overlaps with Pick A Brick you could have a problem but BL
offers so much more than Pick A Brick would ever be able to do.
Also, I've ordered from Pick A Brick several times, and I'll be charitable
in saying that their service is rough and needs more work.
No, because some pieces are just so much cheaper than LEGO's Pick a Brick
site and also BL is often so much faster than LEGO as well (especially for standard
pieces). I'm confident our community is here to stay.
LEGO is actually pretty fast for European users now. And prices are better on
some (newer) parts, especially if wanted in large quantity. And Insider points,
free delivery, and count towards GWP thresholds.
They are introducing some kind of wanted list too and getting rid of the Standard/Best
Seller split.
But of course, there are two big factors in BL's favour: (1) PAB tends not
to have licensed parts and (2) PAB is no good once parts are no longer in production
and stocks have gone. And a weaker point (3) PAB doesn't do sticker sheets,
printed instructions, etc.
I think there’s also a longer delay for new parts/colours.
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
PAB is a sloppy service. It's tough to find what you need. You rarely get
an accurate order. Pieces are never separated- even if you order hundreds of
each lot. Its a fast service but I'm always frustrated when I open the box.
BL however, is pretty accurate, has thoughtful packing(most of the time), and
better prices(especially for bricks and plates). I could go on...better selection,
better communication, I can ask for a coupon and get an even better deal...I
like BL.
Pieces are never separated- even if you order hundreds of
each lot.
I think this depends on the volume of the parts and how much of a bag they take
up. I've bought 200 of larger parts in the past, and they came in their own
large ziplock bag, even if the bag is only about 30-50% full.
PAB is a sloppy service. It's tough to find what you need. You rarely get
an accurate order. Pieces are never separated- even if you order hundreds of
each lot. Its a fast service but I'm always frustrated when I open the box.
BL however, is pretty accurate, has thoughtful packing(most of the time), and
better prices(especially for bricks and plates). I could go on...better selection,
better communication, I can ask for a coupon and get an even better deal...I
like BL.
+1, and I would add that the PAB ordering process is tedious.
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
No because Lego constantly seeks to evolve with little interest in tapping back
into the discontinued parts market nor do they have the will or storage capacity
in stocking, listing and selling everything that is currently available here
besides even if they wanted to they would require ridiculous numbers of staff
and still wouldn't come close to being able to meet the ever growing demands
of the consumer!
In the U.S. it takes a good month or so for PaB orders to arrive so it'd
need to get much faster than that. One time I ordered from a seller on BL who
was in Denmark shortly after making a PaB order and the BL order got here in
about half the time it took PaB (if I'm remembering correctly.)
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
Is it possible Bricklink "parts only" sales will decrease, sure it's
possible. But I think not and I think Bricklink is secure for several reasons:
1. Bricklink is actually a data management tool for the Lego Group. They see
what people want and when they want it.
2. Bricklink is a revenue source from various avenues. Take BDP for example,
every 3 months the "gross" income based on 5 AFOL designs averaging 250.00
each is 25 Million dollars (3 times a year). This is expressed in Canadian dollars
and assuming only 100,000 sets are produced, when it could be as high as 150,000.
Negating any fees and costs Bricklink and Lego group make from Bricklink, that
is 75 million reasons to support Bricklink at a minimum.We all know that number
is a lot higher.
3. Lego at the PAB level does not supply and cannot supply retired parts for
sets.
4. The site offers both retired parts and retired sets, which Lego itself cannot
do.
5. Lego has worked too hard in the production of sets and themes such as Star
Wars and Ninjago to name but 2 since its financial desperation 20 years ago.
It will not allow Bricklink to fail the brand.
6. PAB whilst used by many on Bricklink is a business model designed for enthusiasts,
not suppliers of the brand.
The answer is the likelihood of anything negative occurring to Bricklink and
its sellers and buyers is minimal. The increase in productions and PAB advertising
is more consistent to brand growth by themes and age groups, opposed to greater
market control. Because Lego already has market control.
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
No, lego is putting money into bricklink to continue to develop it which if they
planned on messing with bricklink they wouldn’t do. Lego pab will continue to
grow as is natural tho Lego probably makes more money by first selling the sets
to people who then part them out then if Lego sold the parts and had to do all
the storage and labor costs (or machine costs). Plus the selection on bricklink
isn’t something that can realistically (or possibly legally when you involve
IP specific parts) replicated via lego
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
No, lego is putting money into bricklink to continue to develop it which if they
planned on messing with bricklink they wouldn’t do.
I can confirm, the other week some dudes from TLG marketing wanted to talk to
me about how BL can be improved and my thought on some changes for the future.
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
Lego can do various things that hurt sales on Bricklink. They could help with
a little advertising. I don't think they are really very concerned about
Bricklink's operations.
But accidentally killing it? Amazon hasn't killed Walmart. The market is
big enough for a lot of players.
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
It's a very good, albeit predicatively provocative question. So much so,
that I took some time to ponder it.
Just don't see any impetus for commercial incentive, now or moving forward,
for the current owners to "end" the site. All scenarios point to them
maintaining control of what is the largest secondary marketplace for their
product.
Were they to close it down, it's fairly certain other interests would opportunistically
fill the void, beyond BO that is... I'd consider getting the investors together
Were they to close it down, it's fairly certain other interests would opportunistically
fill the void, beyond BO that is... I'd consider getting the investors together
Ebay is now free for private users here in the UK. I've noticed a significant
increase in LEGO for sale on there. With no BL fees and no paypal fees, sellers
retain a lot more of the sale price. Not so good for self selections of parts,
but for sets and minifigures it could be the way to go.
Were they to close it down, it's fairly certain other interests would opportunistically
fill the void, beyond BO that is... I'd consider getting the investors together
Ebay is now free for private users here in the UK. I've noticed a significant
increase in LEGO for sale on there. With no BL fees and no paypal fees, sellers
retain a lot more of the sale price. Not so good for self selections of parts,
but for sets and minifigures it could be the way to go.
Good point. For me, it simply highlights the new enigmatic ebay "scriptwriters"
showing their cards, regarding their newest commercial online sales interest
I'd actually use your example to help raise money for a new (proper) secondary
LEGO online marketplace.
Were they to close it down, it's fairly certain other interests would opportunistically
fill the void, beyond BO that is... I'd consider getting the investors together
Ebay is now free for private users here in the UK. I've noticed a significant
increase in LEGO for sale on there. With no BL fees and no paypal fees, sellers
retain a lot more of the sale price. Not so good for self selections of parts,
but for sets and minifigures it could be the way to go.
Good point. For me, it simply highlights the new enigmatic ebay "scriptwriters"
showing their cards, regarding their newest commercial online sales interest
I'd actually use your example to help raise money for a new (proper) secondary
LEGO online marketplace.
The few times I have ordered from PAB it’s a month wait and multiple shipments.
When I order from TLG there is a solid 75% chance the contents are damaged at
minimum.
My experiences confirm Bricklink is far superior in speed, service, and offering.
Updating the site from 2001…. Not so much.
Were they to close it down, it's fairly certain other interests would opportunistically
fill the void, beyond BO that is... I'd consider getting the investors together
Ebay is now free for private users here in the UK. I've noticed a significant
increase in LEGO for sale on there. With no BL fees and no paypal fees, sellers
retain a lot more of the sale price. Not so good for self selections of parts,
but for sets and minifigures it could be the way to go.
Good point. For me, it simply highlights the new enigmatic ebay "scriptwriters"
showing their cards, regarding their newest commercial online sales interest
I'd actually use your example to help raise money for a new (proper) secondary
LEGO online marketplace.
The few times I have ordered from PAB it’s a month wait and multiple shipments.
When I order from TLG there is a solid 75% chance the contents are damaged at
minimum.
My experiences confirm Bricklink is far superior in speed, service, and offering.
Updating the site from 2001…. Not so much.
Why omit the pertinent portion of the thread
"Just don't see any impetus for commercial incentive, now or moving
forward, for the current owners to "end" the site. All scenarios point
to them maintaining control of what is the largest secondary marketplace for
their product.
Hopefully, not just to reinforce some point you wish to make?
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
In the long term, perhaps, partly.
Art. Int. and robots are improving as we speak and who knows how this will help
to increase the Pick a Brick performance over the coming years.
My main point of concern with Bricklink is the ever increasing amount of shops
and decreasing prices.
Some recent sets are for sale in large amounts in shops all over the globe. Thousands
of sets sometimes with only very few actual sales.
The same goes with parts, more and more parts only selling for a few cents each.
Where does this end? How many (newer) shops are actually making money?
My main point of concern with Bricklink is the ever increasing amount of shops
and decreasing prices.
Some recent sets are for sale in large amounts in shops all over the globe. Thousands
of sets sometimes with only very few actual sales.
The same goes with parts, more and more parts only selling for a few cents each.
Where does this end? How many (newer) shops are actually making money?
Over supply is an issue, I imagine partly fuelled by youtube and other social
media channels showing how easy it is to double money in six months and so on,
when the reality is different especially if you don't know what you are doing.
This has led to a growth in stores, often all trying to sell the same product.
Another important factor will be the buying side. LEGO is on a high at the moment.
The fanbase has increased dramatically over the past decade or so. Whether
it is at the peak or not is anyone's guess. Demand could keep going up but
then something else could come along and the people in it as a fad will soon
stop buying and follow the new trend. When will it happen? Nobody knows. There
will no doubt always be a hard-core of people that love LEGO as they love to
build with it, but again nobody really knows how much of the current user base
that describes. I get the impression that as the fan base has increased there
is shift in emphasis on collecting rather than building, and so "collectables"
such as minifigures, complete sets and harder to find vintage parts have increased
in value, whereas regular parts have decreased in value. Of course builders still
build and the glut of cheap parts is no bad thing for them but the number of
people in it for the sake of collecting has clearly gone up. They could cause
a crash if something else comes along and collections are sold off. It has happened
in many collectables in the past, especially when companies start pumping out
too many made-for-collectors items. I don't think LEGO is at that point yet
but maybe some licensed themes are getting close. The view of people as builders
or collectors is rather binary and of course in reality it is a spectrum. If
the collectable side starts to slide, the product still has a use unlike other
collectables but the desirability (and values) of those collectable LEGO products
could still crash.
So I don't think current bricklink users have much to fear from what LEGO
might do, but much more to fear from what other people might do whether that
is even more new sellers or a loss of buyers.
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
In the long term, perhaps, partly.
Art. Int. and robots are improving as we speak and who knows how this will help
to increase the Pick a Brick performance over the coming years.
My main point of concern with Bricklink is the ever increasing amount of shops
and decreasing prices.
Some recent sets are for sale in large amounts in shops all over the globe. Thousands
of sets sometimes with only very few actual sales.
The same goes with parts, more and more parts only selling for a few cents each.
Where does this end? How many (newer) shops are actually making money?
Peter
I believe the biggest threats to BrickLink sellers are: postage costs, inexperienced
sellers selling at a loss, and sellers sourcing items thru indirect means. Many
EU shops seem to have found one hell of a wholesale market.
I believe the biggest threats to BrickLink sellers are: postage costs, inexperienced
sellers selling at a loss, and sellers sourcing items thru indirect means. Many
EU shops seem to have found one hell of a wholesale market.
I may have misunderstood something, but the axample you gave is not anybody getting
sets indirectly; if you are a retailer, as many Bricklink sellers are, you can
order as many of those as you like. And the current prices on Bricklink gives
a reasonable profit (though a bit on the low side).
I believe the biggest threats to BrickLink sellers are: postage costs, inexperienced
sellers selling at a loss, and sellers sourcing items thru indirect means. Many
EU shops seem to have found one hell of a wholesale market.
I may have misunderstood something, but the axample you gave is not anybody getting
sets indirectly; if you are a retailer, as many Bricklink sellers are, you can
order as many of those as you like. And the current prices on Bricklink gives
a reasonable profit (though a bit on the low side).
Regards,
Helge
Ah! Well let me rephrase then. I mean that the overall value of items is lower
and going to remain so when some sellers are can get items below retail cost
and sell them below retail cost and still make a profit. There's no wholesale
program like this in the whole US? It would seem so by the dirge of US listings
for these items on BrickLink or even ebay. Maybe I am wrong? So, I will struggle
to make a profit on these because they are being valued so low somewhere else.
I used to be able to buy a box of collectors minifigs and be sure of some nice
sales.
I believe the biggest threats to BrickLink sellers are: postage costs, inexperienced
sellers selling at a loss, and sellers sourcing items thru indirect means. Many
EU shops seem to have found one hell of a wholesale market.
I may have misunderstood something, but the axample you gave is not anybody getting
sets indirectly; if you are a retailer, as many Bricklink sellers are, you can
order as many of those as you like. And the current prices on Bricklink gives
a reasonable profit (though a bit on the low side).
Regards,
Helge
Ah! Well let me rephrase then. I mean that the overall value of items is lower
and going to remain so when some sellers are can get items below retail cost
and sell them below retail cost and still make a profit. There's no wholesale
program like this in the whole US? It would seem so by the dirge of US listings
for these items on BrickLink or even ebay. Maybe I am wrong? So, I will struggle
to make a profit on these because they are being valued so low somewhere else.
I used to be able to buy a box of collectors minifigs and be sure of some nice
sales.
I used to be able to buy a box of collectors minifigs and be sure of some nice
sales.
For a while now the best bet on that is that it attracts customers. If you make
a profit on a CMF case now, you are valuing your work at under minimum wage.
I used to be able to buy a box of collectors minifigs and be sure of some nice
sales.
For a while now the best bet on that is that it attracts customers. If you make
a profit on a CMF case now, you are valuing your work at under minimum wage.
For now, I am only listing the Dragonborn Paladin CMF becuase the rest do not
sell for even what I paid for them... I Will probably list them after they retire
fo a little more than I paid...
Ah! Well let me rephrase then. I mean that the overall value of items is lower
and going to remain so when some sellers are can get items below retail cost
and sell them below retail cost and still make a profit. There's no wholesale
program like this in the whole US?
I would imagine that there is wholesale like that in the USA, as it is how shops
get hold of stock to sell for RRP. The difference is that much smaller businesses
are able to get old of boxes in Europe hence there is the competition. I know
of one US reseller that gets boxes and sells on either sealed boxes below retail
value or sets of 12 at retail value. Presumably they get enough volume that they
can still take small margins and make a profit.
It might also be that those European sellers are VAT registered and so appear
to list at the ex-VAT price to people outside the EU, but for UK for example,
VAT gets added back on. Maybe EU buyers see a different price when logged on.
Ah! Well let me rephrase then. I mean that the overall value of items is lower
and going to remain so when some sellers are can get items below retail cost
and sell them below retail cost and still make a profit. There's no wholesale
program like this in the whole US?
I would imagine that there is wholesale like that in the USA, as it is how shops
get hold of stock to sell for RRP. The difference is that much smaller businesses
are able to get old of boxes in Europe hence there is the competition. I know
of one US reseller that gets boxes and sells on either sealed boxes below retail
value or sets of 12 at retail value. Presumably they get enough volume that they
can still take small margins and make a profit.
It might also be that those European sellers are VAT registered and so appear
to list at the ex-VAT price to people outside the EU, but for UK for example,
VAT gets added back on. Maybe EU buyers see a different price when logged on.
Interesting! I didn't think of that.
I guess the main issue I am referring to is the compound problem of some items
being listed very low, sellers just following the resulting low price guide when
listing items even when they didn't get them low, and a lot less profit left
for the rest of us. I certainly no longer expect to be able to part out new sets
bought locally for any reasonable profit.
That leaves me with used items (whose profit is negated by sorting and listing
time) and new items I store for at least 3-5 years before I try and list them.
Not much success for small - medium size stores here anymore.
That leaves me with used items (whose profit is negated by sorting and listing
time) and new items I store for at least 3-5 years before I try and list them.
Not much success for small - medium size stores here anymore.
~Jen
Might be time to pack it in then.
I did a few test buys of new sets and bulk used lots to part out. IMO, neither
one is worth doing anymore unless you don't mind working for below minimum
wage.
Increasing portions of the catalog consist of worthless 1 and 2 cent pieces that
will not sell no matter what you do. I'm currently selling off some of my
personal collection which was purchased years ago. When that's done it will
be time to close, unless a much needed shakeout occurrs.
I guess the main issue I am referring to is the compound problem of some items
being listed very low, sellers just following the resulting low price guide when
listing items even when they didn't get them low, and a lot less profit left
for the rest of us. I certainly no longer expect to be able to part out new sets
bought locally for any reasonable profit.
I think that is probably correct for most new sets these days. The part out value
might still appear acceptable but in reality it won't all sell. Unless sellers
get a decent discount, I doubt parting out current new sets is worth it. But
if you have old new stock, or used, part outs might be better. But I think for
new sets, they might as well be kept sealed for a few years, or minifigures parted
out and the rest of the set sold as a single unit. Although too many people are
doing that for a quick return.
I guess the main issue I am referring to is the compound problem of some items
being listed very low, sellers just following the resulting low price guide when
listing items even when they didn't get them low, and a lot less profit left
for the rest of us. I certainly no longer expect to be able to part out new sets
bought locally for any reasonable profit.
I think that is probably correct for most new sets these days. The part out value
might still appear acceptable but in reality it won't all sell. Unless sellers
get a decent discount, I doubt parting out current new sets is worth it. But
if you have old new stock, or used, part outs might be better. But I think for
new sets, they might as well be kept sealed for a few years, or minifigures parted
out and the rest of the set sold as a single unit. Although too many people are
doing that for a quick return.
You are 100% correct. The resale market for sets after retirement is 3-9 months
after
retirement, then again around 2-3 years after retirement. With the exception
of certain
UCS & BDP sets. After 2-3 years the market is smaller because the price is unaffordable
for some.
As you correctly point out there are many that do this for a quick return in
the 1st 30-60 days. They just want to make a profit and towards the end of the
2-3 initial months they begin to drop prices and that creates a benchmark for
lower pricing.
Of course this analogy is also based on the time the set was on the market, its
original price point and its level of interest to a collector or builder.
I also think there has been a surge in people thinking they can make quick money
from Lego. I think it's not a get rich quick scheme but rather a good return
for being patient. Patience is measured in years in a high majority of instances.
Parts and minifigs share the unfortunate position of they are wanted/marketable
as the retired sets age, parts are lost of broken and need to be renewed. That
basis alone suggests your argument is well founded. The exception being private
projects and mock ups.
This marketplace will not change and I doubt any serious price increases and
returns will occur because it is also based on expendable income and various
economies.
Sellers may search out the more valuable figures and put them aside, then sell
the less popular figs cheap to recoup their investment. maybe.
In General, jennnifer writes:
In General, Northwinds writes:
In General, BrickPhaisan writes:
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
In the long term, perhaps, partly.
Art. Int. and robots are improving as we speak and who knows how this will help
to increase the Pick a Brick performance over the coming years.
My main point of concern with Bricklink is the ever increasing amount of shops
and decreasing prices.
Some recent sets are for sale in large amounts in shops all over the globe. Thousands
of sets sometimes with only very few actual sales.
The same goes with parts, more and more parts only selling for a few cents each.
Where does this end? How many (newer) shops are actually making money?
Peter
I believe the biggest threats to BrickLink sellers are: postage costs, inexperienced
sellers selling at a loss, and sellers sourcing items thru indirect means. Many
EU shops seem to have found one hell of a wholesale market.
If you think these are underpriced, why don't you buy out one or more of
the EU sellers and list them here and on ebay? You would probably get a volume
discount from the buyer too.
If you think these are underpriced, why don't you buy out one or more of
the EU sellers and list them here and on ebay? You would probably get a volume
discount from the buyer too.
Shipping would probably be a killed. Those are priced at $4.30 (CAD) each but
here in Canada you can buy them by the case for $4.99 each so unless shipping
was less then .70 per box then it would be cheaper to buy them locally
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
No, it will not quit making sense as it sells both new and used. I doubt LEGO
will remove the site (now that they own it) because there are competing sites
and LEGO would just be taking itself out of a market that is providing revenue.
The LEGO site quit selling individual DUPLO pieces.
Good afternoon, I've been thinking about this for a while. For some time
now, Lego has not stopped increasing the pick a brick section on its official
website, adding more and more references. Do you think that one day, in the medium
or long term, maybe not so long, bricklink will stop making sense?
I don’t think so but it is very possible. Pick A Brick is nice but has nowhere
near the capacity and flexibility that Bricklink has. The problem in do see however
is the lack of unification. Why do we still have two different color lists? This
could end up being what ultimately crushes BrickLink, it is a basic lack of support
from the parent company.
[…]
The problem in do see however
is the lack of unification. Why do we still have two different color lists? This
could end up being what ultimately crushes BrickLink, it is a basic lack of support
from the parent company.
No one wants to use the LEGO colour names!
And we don’t want to lose the info BrickLink has and LEGO doesn’t care about.
Also, LEGO handles references (notably PCCs/Element IDs) very differently from
BrickLink.
Studio is confronted to that at each new BDP palette. I’m sure the catalogue
admins are too.
LEGO can’t directly use the BL catalogue/colours and the BL catalogue/colours
can’t be the ones LEGO uses.
[…]
The problem in do see however
is the lack of unification. Why do we still have two different color lists? This
could end up being what ultimately crushes BrickLink, it is a basic lack of support
from the parent company.
No one wants to use the LEGO colour names!
I want!
More seriously, though, what I would really like would be an unified BrickLink-LEGO
colour name.
I think that the move from Flesh to Nougat was a right move from BrickLink and
there should be more like it.
It wouldn't shock me if BrickLink would use Light/Medium/Dark Stone Gray
or even Brick Yellow.
Although on the latter I would prefer that LEGO would go with Tan.
But in case LEGO doesn't ever change the name of its colours, I think BrickLink
should, to match LEGO's.
(Knowingly that that is not possible for some legacy colours of the past.)
And we don’t want to lose the info BrickLink has and LEGO doesn’t care about.
Also, LEGO handles references (notably PCCs/Element IDs) very differently from
BrickLink.
Studio is confronted to that at each new BDP palette. I’m sure the catalogue
admins are too.
LEGO can’t directly use the BL catalogue/colours and the BL catalogue/colours
can’t be the ones LEGO uses.
More seriously, though, what I would really like would be an unified BrickLink-LEGO
colour name.
I think that the move from Flesh to Nougat was a right move from BrickLink and
there should be more like it.
It wouldn't shock me if BrickLink would use Light/Medium/Dark Stone Gray
or even Brick Yellow.
Although on the latter I would prefer that LEGO would go with Tan.
But in case LEGO doesn't ever change the name of its colours, I think BrickLink
should, to match LEGO's.
(Knowingly that that is not possible for some legacy colours of the past.)
LEGO color names were never designed with the end user in mind. BrickLink color
names are.
LEGO names are too long, often obscure, use modifiers like 'With Opalescence",
and have no consistent rules for capitalization or abbreviation. In other words:
a nightmare for our Catalog.
LEGO color names were never designed with the end user in mind. BrickLink color
names are.
Are?
LEGO names are too long, often obscure, use modifiers like 'With Opalescence",
and have no consistent rules for capitalization or abbreviation. In other words:
a nightmare for our Catalog.
Agreed 100%, won't ever be able to use LEGO color names.
"Bright Reddish Lilac"? oh...
LEGO names are too long, often obscure, use modifiers like 'With Opalescence",
and have no consistent rules for capitalization or abbreviation. In other words:
a nightmare for our Catalog.
Agreed 100%, won't ever be able to use LEGO color names.
"Bright Reddish Lilac"? oh...
Even so, eventually there may come a time when modifiers like "Light,"
"Medium," and "Dark" will not be sufficient. Either some new
modifier will be needed, or the adoption of additional naming schemes will have
to be implemented.
For example, the names given to crayons or artist's paints and colors, or
the names used by the paint and coatings industry for automotive and house paint.
Or, adding numbers to the names of colors, such as: Dark Red 59 - Dark Red 256,
Dark Red 328, Dark Red 380, etc.
LEGO names are too long, often obscure, use modifiers like 'With Opalescence",
and have no consistent rules for capitalization or abbreviation. In other words:
a nightmare for our Catalog.
Agreed 100%, won't ever be able to use LEGO color names.
"Bright Reddish Lilac"? oh...
Even so, eventually there may come a time when modifiers like "Light,"
"Medium," and "Dark" will not be sufficient. Either some new
modifier will be needed, or the adoption of additional naming schemes will have
to be implemented.
For example, the names given to crayons or artist's paints and colors, or
the names used by the paint and coatings industry for automotive and house paint.
Or, adding numbers to the names of colors, such as: Dark Red 59 - Dark Red 256,
Dark Red 328, Dark Red 380, etc.
LEGO names are too long, often obscure, use modifiers like 'With Opalescence",
and have no consistent rules for capitalization or abbreviation. In other words:
a nightmare for our Catalog.
Agreed 100%, won't ever be able to use LEGO color names.
"Bright Reddish Lilac"? oh...
Even so, eventually there may come a time when modifiers like "Light,"
"Medium," and "Dark" will not be sufficient. Either some new
modifier will be needed, or the adoption of additional naming schemes will have
to be implemented.
For example, the names given to crayons or artist's paints and colors, or
the names used by the paint and coatings industry for automotive and house paint.
Or, adding numbers to the names of colors, such as: Dark Red 59 - Dark Red 256,
Dark Red 328, Dark Red 380, etc.
Spain, Comunidad Valenciana
Canada, Alberta
United Kingdom, England
USA, New Jersey
France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Netherlands, Zuid-Holland
Norway
Portugal
)
