Bricklink/BrickOwl - Discussion, questions, & answers

[gregpj]

Oops - how do I post a link? It's not showing up. The thread was called 'What sets are you piecing together from bulk'

It's showing up... The forum software takes a moment sometimes to display the "summary box" of the thread you're link to in a post. You just copy & paste the URL with or without the parts added to the end. For example your post has the following URL:

http://community.brickpicker.com/topic/13646-bricklink-discussion-questions-answers/?do=findComment&comment=500771

If you want to link to a specific comment, you paste the URL. If you want to link to the thread (and let the forum decide where the user ought to end up) you can remove everything after the question mark (?) and it'll decide for you.

[Alpinemaps]

This one?

Thank you!  Yes, that's the thread I was looking for.  I kept referencing Bricklink or Bricklinking, instead of "bulk" so I wasn't hitting the thread.

Okay, headed over there now.

[4cs]

I'm curious if anyone out there regularly parts out larger sets: Modulars, Exclusives, etc.  I would think there would be a demand for the exclusive minifigs, rare parts, or exclusive parts that one would need to piece together some of the builds with their existing inventory.  We regularly part out 10-20 each of the smaller sets and I would like the challenge of something larger.

For example, I'm thinking of parting out multiples of Tower Bridge, Helicarrier, Imperial Star Destroyer, and others.  Just curious on everyone's thoughts, experiences, pros & cons.

[thoroakenfelder]

I'm curious if anyone out there regularly parts out larger sets: Modulars, Exclusives, etc.  I would think there would be a demand for the exclusive minifigs, rare parts, or exclusive parts that one would need to piece together some of the builds with their existing inventory.  We regularly part out 10-20 each of the smaller sets and I would like the challenge of something larger.

For example, I'm thinking of parting out multiples of Tower Bridge, Helicarrier, Imperial Star Destroyer, and others.  Just curious on everyone's thoughts, experiences, pros & cons.

It looks like most of the modulars have fairly cheap minifigures. The Helicarrier has some figures that are pricy. I got a partial Detective's Office with no minifigures, but it doesn't seem like they are where the big money is.

[Stragus]

I'm curious if anyone out there regularly parts out larger sets: Modulars, Exclusives, etc.  I would think there would be a demand for the exclusive minifigs, rare parts, or exclusive parts

The modular minifigs are not valuable, most of them are fairly standard city minifigs.

Though, some modulars have large quantities of unusual parts and/or unusual colors. Study the inventory carefully. And don't get banned from Lego S @ H for ordering 40 modulars!

Edit: how come we can't type S-@-H without it being replaced automatically as "Lego Shop at Home" by the forum? Don't do that, that's darn annoying.

Edited October 4, 2015 by Stragus

[4cs]

I should have clarified: I'm thinking the exclusive minifigs (like the Helicarrier example) or just quantities of the harder to find parts. I've seen some pics of people parting out 20x Detectives Office or 10x Tumblers and always thought there should be good $ in that approach. Our BrickLink and BrickOwl stores do pretty well with parts like Technic and Hero Factory when we part larger set quantities. 

[Huskers1236]

This is more of a complaint than discussion piece, but seriously, what's the point of the message system?  I find that about 1 in 10 sellers even pay attention to it. 

[2x4]

That's interesting!

I'm no big time seller, but I find I use the messaging more than my customers...

[Stragus]

This is more of a complaint than discussion piece, but seriously, what's the point of the message system?  I find that about 1 in 10 sellers even pay attention to it. 

In all my purchases, over 300, I have only encountered two sellers that were awfully slow to reply (and ship!). What are you asking in your messages?

As most sellers, I pretty much always reply within 24 hours, even to messages like "if i make a BIG order like $50 can I get a discount? thx bye".

[Huskers1236]

Generally it will be about condition of a particular piece or to keep an order open if the option is not selectable. It's not about slowness to answer, it's about complete lack of an answer to a question.  I know what the order page looks like, the message line at the bottom is pretty clear to see. 

[Alpinemaps]

That is weird.  I guess those are the sellers to put on your least favorite list?

I have a store, but don't anything but the occasional sale.  I also like to use the message system of the platform I'm selling on (eBay or Bricklink) so everyone has a record of what's going on. But, on top of that, it's just good customer service to get back to people right away.

I guess in these days of smartphones, I don't see a reason why I can't get back to someone in 4 hours or less (baring a meeting at work or sleeping).

[chinothegeeko]

Generally it will be about condition of a particular piece or to keep an order open if the option is not selectable. It's not about slowness to answer, it's about complete lack of an answer to a question.  I know what the order page looks like, the message line at the bottom is pretty clear to see. 

I've noticed some bigger sellers in germany do not reply at all or can take almost a week. Everyone else I've not had issues with.  I also prefer the messaging system for the same reason alpine does.

[Alpinemaps]

I've noticed some bigger sellers in germany do not reply at all or can take almost a week. Everyone else I've not had issues with.  I also prefer the messaging system for the same reason alpine does.

You bring up a good point too - you mention sellers in Germany.

With Bricklink, I almost always only deal with North American sellers. And even then usually just US sellers. I will occasionally buy from Canadian sellers.

I also don't sell internationally, only to the US.

I know I'm missing a huge market segment but I haven't had the time to figure out all the International stuff for Bricklink. ebay makes it so easy I just deal with it there.

[justafrog]

The BL message system is quite good - it's very clear when you're on the site if you have messages, and I've never had a copy of the message fail to come through to my email (as I have it set up to do).

So, sadly, you're simply dealing with some bad sellers. My own policy when I am trying to contact a seller pre-sale on any venue for any product is: if they don't answer my question in a timely manner, I shop elsewhere.  I figure if they can't be bothered to spend a little time on me before the sale, they're very unlikely to bother if I have a question after they have my money.

 

[Deadfraggle]

Can I ship out a purchase a buyer made on Bricklink if the Bricklink invoice and Paypal info are not exact matches. The shipping address is the same on both accounts, but the purchaser name and emails are different. Purchase was made by a Bricklink Store, so I'm not sure if this is a husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend/business partners type situation.

Edited October 19, 2015 by Deadfraggle

[Hansomebricks]

The emails shouldn't be an issue. I know my store email is different than my paypal email. But there is a reason for that. The names shouldn't be an issue either that I know of, could be a few reasons for that I suppose. Message the buyer with your concerns and wait for a response. Someone else might have better advise too.

[Thumper]

Can I ship out a purchase a buyer made on Bricklink if the Bricklink invoice and Paypal info are not exact matches. The shipping address is the same on both accounts, but the purchaser name and emails are different. Purchase was made by a Bricklink Store, so I'm not sure if this is a husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend/business partners type situation.

That's quite common, what I do is create the shipping label as PayPal has it but add another (1x3 address size) separate label with just the name of the Bricklink user just above the shipping label.  It's often just a case of the Bricklink user using their parents/spouces/etc. Paypal account for payment or just keeping personal exchanges different from their own store's.  Shipping to the full paypal address keeps your protections in place.

[2x4]

Hey Bricklink sellers and buyers-

I want to make sure I'm doing my best on packing orders for people. I've only made a handful of purchases on bricklink, and I know I ship out orders much faster than average. However, I also want to make sure I'm doing well on packing orders. What do you usually do/expect on this front?

Thanks!

[Thumper]

Hey Bricklink sellers and buyers-

I want to make sure I'm doing my best on packing orders for people. I've only made a handful of purchases on bricklink, and I know I ship out orders much faster than average. However, I also want to make sure I'm doing well on packing orders. What do you usually do/expect on this front?

Thanks!

Shipping out fast is kinda nice, but it's much better to ensure total accuracy in the order & quality of the parts is essential... 

Accuracy in the order goes beyond just getting the counts correct, it's also correct identification of sub-species of the part, correct colour identification, & accurate description of condition - Keep in mind you can't rely on "new" right outta the box being mint anymore you still have to check parts & watch for defects - the rate of damaged new parts, short-shots, marble-affects, poor colour saturation & warped plates is sky-rocketing now adays.

[TomOOO]

Hey Bricklink sellers and buyers-

I want to make sure I'm doing my best on packing orders for people. I've only made a handful of purchases on bricklink, and I know I ship out orders much faster than average. However, I also want to make sure I'm doing well on packing orders. What do you usually do/expect on this front?

Thanks!

The quality of the packaging is important, I have bought a mint item in a box before now only for it to be trashed by myHermes (UK's worst courier) ; the box was very badly damage, and even the instructions.   Not really helped by lack of response from the seller but that is a different issue.

[2x4]

Shipping out fast is kinda nice, but it's much better to ensure total accuracy in the order & quality of the parts is essential... 

Accuracy in the order goes beyond just getting the counts correct, it's also correct identification of sub-species of the part, correct colour identification, & accurate description of condition - Keep in mind you can't rely on "new" right outta the box being mint anymore you still have to check parts & watch for defects - the rate of damaged new parts, short-shots, marble-affects, poor colour saturation & warped plates is sky-rocketing now adays.

Thanks for your response!

I definitely cover those areas as well. Once or twice I've disappointed a brickowl customer because the specific part "subspecies" I like that didn't carry over from bricklink to brickowl, but I always have contacted them prior to shipping to let them know and resolved from there.

I guess what I'm looking for is whether you put all the plates in one bag, all the bricks in another, the tiles in a 3rd and accessories in a 4th?

[Guest betsy805]

 

 

Thanks for your response!

 

I definitely cover those areas as well. Once or twice I've disappointed a brickowl customer because the specific part "subspecies" I like that didn't carry over from bricklink to brickowl, but I always have contacted them prior to shipping to let them know and resolved from there.

 

I guess what I'm looking for is whether you put all the plates in one bag, all the bricks in another, the tiles in a 3rd and accessories in a 4th?

I separate when feasible.  If they're only ordering 10 pieces, they all go in one bag.  But if they order 10 tiles and 10 bricks and 10 plates I'll go ahead and separate them.  I also bag the minifigures individually as well as minifigure parts (head, torso, legs).  And then into bubble envelope if it's in first class range, box if it will end up being priority anyway.

[Thumper]

 

I guess what I'm looking for is whether you put all the plates in one bag, all the bricks in another, the tiles in a 3rd and accessories in a 4th?

it depends...  I generally try to keep each lot separated so the buyer doesn't have to spend more than a wink on their end (why not, you've already spent the time sorting your inventory - might as well pass that effort on to the receiver). small lots I do sometimes combine together if they are significantly visually different, such as obvious colour or distinctive shape. I don't package small parts with much larger parts or where they might get missed of stuck inside of. never ever never mix used & new.  I always package printed parts isolated from other parts & if at all possible with opposing printed sides to reduce chance of scratches.

most parts go into 2mil Ziplocs (I keep a supply of 8-10 different sizes) but minifigs always go into individual 2x3 4mil ziplocs (or 6mil if they are of significant value)

when packing plates I always place them stud-side to stud-side so they don't get "assembled" in transit so to speak, also conserves space, likewise slopes when in small quantity I'll place face against flip-face.

for windscreens I'll usually put a piece of light foam in to protect it's surface, you can get a roll of very lightweight laminate flooring foam underlay from the BORG for next to nothing & the roll will last years of packaging!  (BORG = Big Orange Retail Giant, ie: Home Depot)

Ziploc baggies are real cheap but some buyers don't like to see over packaging either so it's basically a judgement call on your part.  I always use new first-use packaging myself rather than used baggies - baggies are cheap & it's kinda depressing to find your items packed in crumpley or worse dirty old used baggies.

[gregpj]

 

Ziploc baggies are real cheap but some buyers don't like to see over packaging either so it's basically a judgement call on your part.  I always use new first-use packaging myself rather than used baggies - baggies are cheap & it's kinda depressing to find your items packed in crumpley or worse dirty old used baggies.

This statement probably doesn't get enough attention... I appreciate bagging valuable pieces well but I don't worry about the lesser value pieces. Generic plates, bricks, slopes, just toss them into bags in a way that makes sense.

Things I appreciate being bagged separately:

- Minifigures
- Tiles & Cheese Slopes (especially printed tiles .. but feel free to throw them all in the same bag)
- Translucent pieces such as windscreens
- Stickered pieces (if buying used)

The key is to ensure the envelope/box is tightly packed to reduce the amount of bouncing the parts do. If they don't bounce, they won't get damaged.
 

[2x4]

Thanks for all the feedback so far everyone, basically it sounds like there are a few things I can improve here and there, but generally doing a good job. This particular round of feedback is particularly relevant since I just received an order with just over 900 bricks! All bricks. It's funny, the minifigs might be where all the big money is, but I really enjoy the all brick orders.

I kind of think it's tied to why I like reselling this way better than just buying and reselling sets, I feel like shipping 1,000 bricks to someone, I can be pretty confident they are going to become a part of some cool MOC or other exciting project. That feels a lot better to me than the feeling of profiting on some kids present. (I do both, this just "feels" better to me)

The key is to ensure the envelope/box is tightly packed to reduce the amount of bouncing the parts do. If they don't bounce, they won't get damaged.

 

This in particular is something I've strived for from the outset. Which brings me to plant parts... Oh plant parts... Anyone else have anxiety over shipping these parts? I just shipped a bunch of Palm tree leaves and bamboo 1x1 rounds. I am already waiting for the buyer to let me know they arrived safely.