Bricklink/BrickOwl - Discussion, questions, & answers

[supergman]

Is it just me or is the quality control on Bricklink going down?  I swear anytime I buy a used part I get something that has been drug behind a car.  I don't mind general use on a brick, but dents and scratches should not be sold or marked as such.  Got 3 orders in today.  1 good, 1 missing pieces, 1 with wrong pieces.  There's no way I would sell half the crap that comes to me in the mail.  I got a stickered piece last week that had hair in it.  WTF?!?!

Ha!  So true!  I bought some baseplates a few months ago and there were a bunch of hairs in them.  I asked the seller and he replied back that his son washed them in their shower - gross.  I always clean things upon receipt, but that was disgusting.

[Grolim]

Is it just me or is the quality control on Bricklink going down?  I swear anytime I buy a used part I get something that has been drug behind a car.  I don't mind general use on a brick, but dents and scratches should not be sold or marked as such.  Got 3 orders in today.  1 good, 1 missing pieces, 1 with wrong pieces.  There's no way I would sell half the crap that comes to me in the mail.  I got a stickered piece last week that had hair in it.  WTF?!?!

I've started avoiding used parts now whereve possble for this reason.  It's just too hit and miss with the condition.  It would be much better if they had pics of the actual pieces for used ones rather than the stock piece photo.  I've also started sticking to larger stores that have very high positive feedback ratings and large inventories, they usually provide a very professional service and problems rarely happen.

[tractorboy]

Is it just me or is the quality control on Bricklink going down?  I swear anytime I buy a used part I get something that has been drug behind a car.  I don't mind general use on a brick, but dents and scratches should not be sold or marked as such.  Got 3 orders in today.  1 good, 1 missing pieces, 1 with wrong pieces.  There's no way I would sell half the crap that comes to me in the mail.  I got a stickered piece last week that had hair in it.  WTF?!?!

I bought 4 rare green BURP pieces recently for €10 each, which were supposed to be new, and they're clearly not as they have some quite noticeable scratches. Around 8 of the last 10 orders I've made have had wrong pieces, wrong colours, pieces missing etc. Getting a BL order with everything right is rare for me these days. Is it really so hard to count out a few bricks without making a mistake? I really wish sellers would take more care.

[hendrikdejager]

Is it just me or is the quality control on Bricklink going down?  I swear anytime I buy a used part I get something that has been drug behind a car.  I don't mind general use on a brick, but dents and scratches should not be sold or marked as such.  Got 3 orders in today.  1 good, 1 missing pieces, 1 with wrong pieces.  There's no way I would sell half the crap that comes to me in the mail.  I got a stickered piece last week that had hair in it.  WTF?!?!

Never had any problem on Bricklink since i order from one specific store. I have placed over 10 orders at this store http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=KepesBricks

All orders have been shipped within 24 hours, nicely packed and USED doesn't mean destroyed.

[TomOOO]

So far I have had only good quality stuff from Bricklink, I have lower expectations from ebay (some cheep stuff going now I buy for myself) which is often dusty.  I usually hand wash second hand lego in washing powder containing peroxide in a laundry net - then slow spin them in the washing machine wrapped up in the laundry net and towel (to protect them).  Works a treat. So am a little surprised at your experience, I guess I have been lucky.

[Fcbarcelona101]

I've had a few issues with BL in the past, but not many. I just got back into completing some old sets I still have after a long pause, so we'll see if things have changed

[Huskers1236]

I've gotten to the point that if it's a common part and I need, say 5 of, I will order 10-15 and used the best ones.  If new prices are close, I always pick new to avoid this.  It just seems that "new" pieces you know what you are getting and "used" pieces is the wild west.  I receive many used pieces that look darn near new, and that's awesome.  But in that same order I will get something that is beat to hell and unusable causing me to have to create another order.  I try to use one of a handful of sellers.  The same ones do seem to normally have what I need and have good stuff, but there will be some pieces in there that I just shake my head at.  Sorry to take the topic off track a bit, but I needed to vent after a bad batch of orders in what is a seemingly disturbing trend. 

I understand there is a bottom line and throwing away pieces as a seller is costing you money.  I totally get that.  But certainly there has to be a part of you, as the seller, that feels guilty for throwing junk in somebody's order when most sellers claim to be "collectors" and "lovers of lego" and you are giving them your rejects.

[znjndmawn]

""In order to keep our prices low, we require your order to be at least $1 per item".
Due to some abnormal orders we are going to implement a 8.00 per page minimum for larger orders
Updated YET AGAIN; We have a 1.00 PER LOT need! That means a 10 lot order needs to be 10.00. This is ONLY based upon the number of lots, not the number of items in those lots. I am sorry if this is a problem for some people, but it takes up to 5 minutes per lot per person to pull orders, and we only have a limited staff due to the overhead costs."

Need some help. I don't understand what a "lot" is. Is it the total amount based on X number of pieces a specific part?

Edited July 13, 2015 by znjndmawn

[DadsAFOL]

A lot is a specific color/part. Every line on the order (or in your cart) is a lot.

[znjndmawn]

A lot is a specific color/part. Every line on the order (or in your cart) is a lot.

Thank you! That clears things up.

[Alpinemaps]

""In order to keep our prices low, we require your order to be at least $1 per item".
Due to some abnormal orders we are going to implement a 8.00 per page minimum for larger orders
Updated YET AGAIN; We have a 1.00 PER LOT need! That means a 10 lot order needs to be 10.00. This is ONLY based upon the number of lots, not the number of items in those lots. I am sorry if this is a problem for some people, but it takes up to 5 minutes per lot per person to pull orders, and we only have a limited staff due to the overhead costs."

Need some help. I don't understand what a "lot" is. Is it the total amount based on X number of pieces a specific part?

Honestly, when sellers pull this crap, I leave their store.  I don't care if they have lower prices, I don't care if they're one of the few that have the part I need.  When they make it overly complicated, I just don't feel like figuring it out and I move on.

My store is easy - you buy and that's it.  Maybe it's because I don't have 100K+ in parts, but I just can't get behind all that confusion.

[znjndmawn]

I found out the hard way. Entered 89 parts only to be rejected. =(

Is there a consolidated list of BrickLink stores owned by BP members?

[gregpj]

I found out the hard way. Entered 89 parts only to be rejected. =(

Is there a consolidated list of BrickLink stores owned by BP members?

I don't think so, but your first stop should be a stored called genteelfrog ... "We have no minimum order and no lot limit fees. "

Don't be afraid to mention you were referred from BP.

[newbie77]

I don't think so, but your first stop should be a stored called genteelfrog ... "We have no minimum order and no lot limit fees. "

Don't be afraid to mention you were referred from BP.

usually stores with lot limit and lot of complicated rules have lowest price.

stores with average or above average price/parts have none of those BS. order what you like no limit no restriction. that has been my experience.

[gregpj]

usually stores with lot limit and lot of complicated rules have lowest price.

stores with average or above average price/parts have none of those BS. order what you like no limit no restriction. that has been my experience.

True, but the owner of that particular store is very well respected around these parts.

[Guest brickcrazyhouse]

I've bought from this frogs BL store. You won't find better.

 

 

Edit: The list idea sounds good

Edited July 14, 2015 by brickcrazyhouse

[BrickMarket]

Anyone else seeing the new skin on Bricklink?

It appears most of the navigation/functionality is the same, but the classic HTML facade is fading away...

[Alpinemaps]

Anyone else seeing the new skin on Bricklink?

It appears most of the navigation/functionality is the same, but the classic HTML facade is fading away...

They sent out a Tweet this afternoon. I haven't looked at it yet, but it should be live for everyone now.

[Thumper]

Anyone else seeing the new skin on Bricklink?

It appears most of the navigation/functionality is the same, but the classic HTML facade is fading away...

It will take some getting used to.  it's supposed to be more "modern" looking in someone's opinion I guess, Unfortunately that doesn't necessarily mean it's any better - just more tailored for the younger crowd.

[gregpj]

It will take some getting used to.  it's supposed to be more "modern" looking in someone's opinion I guess, Unfortunately that doesn't necessarily mean it's any better - just more tailored for the younger crowd.

The facelift is a joke. Some nicer colours, new icons, more "whitespace" .. but they totally missed the mark on the current trend of "metro" user interfaces.

The only thing they really changed was the search results... for me, jury's out on whether it's better. Their claim is to make it easier for new people to find & buy but I'm not too sure about that. For BL vets, it might be better, but for new people I think it may cause initial confusion. Oh well, at least it's "vibrant" (whatever that means).

[@rtisan]

Some things really are just better left alone. The new site looks good, but, well, it`s not the old site, you get me? I get what they`ve tried to do of course, and on-site payment is a very good additional feature, but it`s just not the same site in feel. Will definitely take some time to get used to. It had to happen sooner or later, right? 

[justafrog]

Honestly, when sellers pull this crap, I leave their store.  I don't care if they have lower prices, I don't care if they're one of the few that have the part I need.  When they make it overly complicated, I just don't feel like figuring it out and I move on.

My store is easy - you buy and that's it.  Maybe it's because I don't have 100K+ in parts, but I just can't get behind all that confusion.

I have over 200K in parts and growing, and I can't get behind that confusion either.  

Pulling 1 each of 1000 parts is much, much more time consuming than pulling 1000 of 1 part, but that's what separates the women from the girls, and with a sufficiently organized filing system it's not something any professional store should have trouble with.

[JosephMali]

How do you organize that many pieces? Amazed!

[justafrog]

I have missed you people. Been freakishly busy, which is great, but I need dawdling time, darn it!

Update on us for my friends here - we're done with books! Yay! The last of the donations are out the door and the inventory space is all LEGO and room for expanding LEGO.

We're pretty much a non-presence on eBay these days, which is a total sea-change for us. We'll continue to use the eBay account for some clearance with our 20 free/month, but to be out of that Cassini search nightmare and the twice-yearly hoop-jumping sellers changes is an amazing weight off.

Two years ago (yes, it's only been that long!) when I wandered onto this site to say, "Hey, guyz, wut's going on in this thread?" I knew nothing about selling LEGO. Today, it's our family's entire income.

So much growth yet to do, but it's all exciting, and every time I get a little frustrated with this problem at BrickLink or that problem at Brick Owl, I have to stop and laugh at myself. It could be WAY worse, like... on eBay!

I did have a surreal eBay-like experience on Brick Owl the other day, customer contacted me and asked if he placed $100 or more in his order could he have 50% off and free shipping. I don't know why he didn't ask for one of my daughters, too, must have been an oversight. 

Anyways, popped into this thread since the topic is nearest and dearest to me these days to catch up, hope to be around a little more often!

How do you organize that many pieces? Amazed!

We did go through a few iterations until we settled on our current one. This photo is from right after we upgraded to "real" inventory boxes (rather than recycled, added our pulling carts, etc. Works like clockwork, four of us can work together in the space now filing parts, pulling parts, counting and packing parts. We still do our shipping and parting out at home, someday we'll buy a house that can incorporate the entire business (first choice) or lease a little commercial/light industrial space (second choice) but this does well for us at our current income/size.

[Alpinemaps]

Nice to have you back Frog, and nice to hear about your success. That is just downright awesome.