Discussion Forum: Messages by Teup (6600)
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 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Jan 28, 2022 06:20
 Subject: Re: Need some help with instant checkout
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 Topic: Help
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In Help, Bricks_And_More writes:
  Finally set my mind to do the instant checkout thingy

Since Bricklink has no test function for this(as far if I know), could someone
place a bogus order, without checking out, to see if it works and if it's
correct?

Would appreciate it!

Regards,
Henk

- At first glance, lettermail and boxed parcels NL seem to be calculated correctly!

- You're allowed to make a separate account for the specific purpose of testing
your store

- Be aware that Bricklink centimeters are not real centimeters That is, Bricklink's
volume calculation is extremely optimistic. I have set letter shipment method
to 20 x 21 x 2.8cm, which is less than half the real max volume, but from trial
and error, it seems to amount to the same thing.
 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Jan 28, 2022 04:23
 Subject: Re: Just a thoought
 Viewed: 59 times
 Topic: General
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In General, calsbricks writes:
  On the other hand eliminating a large part of the market based purely on payment
method does not make good business sense. You can collect the sales tax in a
more conventional method - like bill us for it., or is that too difficult .


I am unsure whether or not the modern system should be compatible with offsite
payment methods, but on the topic of eliminating parts of the market because
of payment methods: We already know Bricklink is extremely comfortable with doing
that. They don't even do the most obvious and straightforward thing they
have to do: Simply add more onsite payment methods - iDEAL, Klarna, Giropay,
Bancontact... They are losing a whole lot of business because consumers don't
see the payment methods they're familiar with and trust (I know, because
they come to my webshop ) .

It took the BrickOwl admin a day, maybe a couple of days to implement them. It
took me 15 minutes to add them to my webshop. Bricklink has been wanting to add
them for several years now and has still not succeeded..... clearly, with Bricklink
not even doing the most obvious, no-loss, first thing they can do, I don't
see a point in discussing the more complicated stuff...

Yes, I'm going to be a broken record on onsite payment methods until the
day Bricklink has finally succeeded (= pressed "ok" in Stripe)
 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Jan 27, 2022 10:40
 Subject: Re: How to upload 71741-1 for partout?
 Viewed: 32 times
 Topic: LEGO products
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In LEGO, beaverbrick writes:
  
  Today I decided to try and figure out BrickStore. Not precisely to solve the
(still unsolved!! Bricklink come on!) problem of parting out large sets but for
a slightly different purpose. I'm looking to see if I can do a part-out of
a set into an existing bsx file. I'm having a hard time with the last step
above - what exactly do I copy from my inventory and how? My inventory list doesn't
match the much shorter set inventory list of course.. and why is comments relevant
for consolidating? Isn't that just about the lot ID? I would expect I have
to add the lot IDs from my inventory to the set inventory list somehow, and add
my existing quantities to the quantity in the set, then export that new amount
with correct lot ID? Is that wrong or right and if right how exactly do I do
that? BrickStore is pretty tough to understand if you've never worked with
it or any of its previous iterations before

  and why is comments relevant for consolidating?

Comments is relevant for consolidating as that is one of the fields that BrickLink
uses in order to consolidate e.g. if you had 2 lots that were identical except
for different comments, you would end up with 2 separate lots in your inventory.

  I would expect I have to add the lot IDs from my inventory to the set inventory list somehow, and add my existing
quantities to the quantity in the set, then export that new amount with correct lot ID?

BrickLink takes care of all that for you during the upload process.

  what exactly do I copy from my inventory and how?

In BrickStore;
If you have't already, import your store inventory.
You need to have your store inventory file open.
Then from your parted-out file, on the Edit menu select 'Copy Values from
Document'.
A pop-up will appear showing a list of all the open files. Select your inventory
file from the list and hit Next.
You will then see a list of all the fields that you can copy.
Set the Comments field to Copy.
Make sure you set the other fields to Ignore.
Hit Finish.

This will copy all the comments from your store inventory to the parted-out file
(where parts match of course), allowing BrickLink to consolidate correctly.

Hope this helps

Aha I see, thanks! So it's creating a lot-id-less XML update and Bricklink
handles consolidating same as with an on-site part-out, so no need to gather
the lot ids from the inventory. I just noticed those options on the upload screen.
Haven't paid attention to them before as I've only been using these XML
updates to target specific lots.

And thanks for pointing out that copy feature, there's zero chance I would
have found that on my own

I was trying out BrickStore today not for this part-out problem specifically
(although I will in a few months, still have 20 Ninago City Gardens sitting around
) but to use it for some offline inventory management for a stock of parts
that is not connected to any Bricklink shop. As far as I can see, doing part-outs
into that stock bsx file entails nothing more than just Ctrl+C Ctrl+V (unless
I'm missing something).

Only thing is the price guide keeps showing up in USD even though I set the default
currency to EUR.. and I can't see whether or not it includes VAT.. (I know
this issue was addressed because I raised it, and resolved, I just haven't
looked at the result of that discussion until now)


  
  8. Final check that you're happy with the data (everything has a price etc.)
9. Select item 1, scroll down to e.g. item 500, shift-click to select all items
from 1 to 500.
10. Export to BrickLink Mass-Upload XML to Clipboard.
11. Open BrickLink - Inventory - Upload.
12. Paste the XML into the upload box.
13. Set your consolidate options (old or new pricing etc.)
14. Verify File.
15. BrickLink will check the data and show you what it will upload (or any errors).
16. Once that batch has uploaded, go back through steps 9 to 15, selecting items
501 to 1000, 1001 to 1500 etc.
 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Jan 27, 2022 06:16
 Subject: Re: How to upload 71741-1 for partout?
 Viewed: 51 times
 Topic: LEGO products
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In LEGO, beaverbrick writes:
  In LEGO, Teup writes:
  In LEGO, beaverbrick writes:
  In LEGO, MXbricks writes:
  I have a problem with parting out 71741 NINJAGO City Gardens. When I try to verify
the items in the partout screen, it takes so long that server gateway times out.
I get error #504 gateway time-out. I was wondering if somebody has a solution
for this or a workaround.

Greetings Max

This issue comes up a lot in the forums... there's an additional note added
to the set (see pic).

Basically, you need to upload in smaller chunks.
If you use software like BrickStore, I'd recommend using that. If you do
it through the BrickLink part out screen you have to select/deselect an awful
lot of checkboxes.

  IMO that note is an embarrassment to Bricklink. No person is going to spend over
30 minutes clicking checkboxes. It would look better if the message would simply
say it's a known issue, they're working on it, and that you should use
third party software.

Yeah, having to click hundreds of checkboxes individually is beyond silly.

  I'm also interested in this set and a few days ago I actually sent a message
to the helpdesk asking for an ETA on the fix. This has been an issue for years
now, I really do hope a fix is around the corner, especially as LEGO sets are
gradually getting bigger and this many lots will become increasingly common.
Adding stock is really core functionality of a Lego selling platform, so they
better get their act together.

I have no experience using BrickStore, in case Bricklink will keep on not giving
a damn, could anyone tell me what the easiest route will be to parting it out
through BrickStock? Can I get it to generate an upload XML for the updated lots?
I suppose I would have to read an export of my existing inventory into it so
it can consolidate?


A very basic guide...

1. Import your store inventory (for use later).
2. Import the set inventory into a different tab; setting import options as desired.
3. Sort the set inventory by Status.
4. Scroll to the bottom and delete any counterparts, extras and/or alternate
items you don't want.
5. Select all and consolidate lots (so you don't have duplicate lots).
6. Select all and set prices to e.g. BL's 6 month average.
7. Copy Values from Document... copy comments, remarks etc. from your inventory
that was imported earlier. Make sure to copy comments as BL uses this field
for consolidating lots.

Today I decided to try and figure out BrickStore. Not precisely to solve the
(still unsolved!! Bricklink come on!) problem of parting out large sets but for
a slightly different purpose. I'm looking to see if I can do a part-out of
a set into an existing bsx file. I'm having a hard time with the last step
above - what exactly do I copy from my inventory and how? My inventory list doesn't
match the much shorter set inventory list of course.. and why is comments relevant
for consolidating? Isn't that just about the lot ID? I would expect I have
to add the lot IDs from my inventory to the set inventory list somehow, and add
my existing quantities to the quantity in the set, then export that new amount
with correct lot ID? Is that wrong or right and if right how exactly do I do
that? BrickStore is pretty tough to understand if you've never worked with
it or any of its previous iterations before

  8. Final check that you're happy with the data (everything has a price etc.)
9. Select item 1, scroll down to e.g. item 500, shift-click to select all items
from 1 to 500.
10. Export to BrickLink Mass-Upload XML to Clipboard.
11. Open BrickLink - Inventory - Upload.
12. Paste the XML into the upload box.
13. Set your consolidate options (old or new pricing etc.)
14. Verify File.
15. BrickLink will check the data and show you what it will upload (or any errors).
16. Once that batch has uploaded, go back through steps 9 to 15, selecting items
501 to 1000, 1001 to 1500 etc.


Sounds like a lot of steps, but it's pretty easy and pretty quick, especially
if you like your keyboard shortcuts
 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Jan 26, 2022 16:22
 Subject: Re: Is this a scam attempt or an Extorsion?
 Viewed: 115 times
 Topic: Problem Order
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In Problem Order, SezaR writes:
  Just saw this.
I already received a negative feedback from this buyer and there is nothing to
be done for this order but I thought other sellers wanted to know what headache
I had and decide to stoplist him (or not) based on what happened.

  I spend thousands of dollars a year on eBay and other collector sites buying
and selling on eBay and when someone orders an expensive item like this one and
when someone spends $540 (includes customs tax)you don't ship their item
in a flimsy beat up amazon box that it barely fits in with no cushioning to protect
it. This was a gift for my son who had to wait weeks for it to arrive and was
upset that it was broken so I ordered the same wheel from eBay when a seller
is careless in sending something the right way the 1st time I'm not going
to wait weeks in hopes that they might actually send a replacement part.

He ordered on 26th dec.
He paid on 29th dec.
I shipped on 5th January.
Based on the tracking, the package was received on 13th January. So he received
the package 15 days after he paid. See attached.
Based on my terms, it takes between 2-3 weeks for the package to be delivered
after it is paid.

So the buyer felt 15 days waiting for package sent from Canada to Germany as
like "weeks" and decided to order it from Germany!

I am not sure what "might" and "hopes" can mean here:
I'm not going to wait weeks in hopes that they might actually send
a replacement part.


but when the order was shipped, I sent a notification that if there is a problem,
please let us know. This is the most natural thing to do.

I believe (if I recall right) that consumers usually have an obligation to at
least let a business correct a mistake in a reasonable time frame. You were given
exactly no time frame at all. As for feedback, of course, everyone can leave
whatever feedback they wish at any time, but when it comes to customer service
and refunds, buyers do have obligations in the process too.

But it was a good move to link to the forum post in your feedback, so everyone
can see magical writer has magically disappeared when asked about pictures
 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Jan 25, 2022 13:39
 Subject: Re: Been away a full year, what's new?
 Viewed: 68 times
 Topic: General
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In General, MidwestBrick writes:
  In General, SylvainLS writes:
  In General, MidwestBrick writes:
  […]
Very helpful information and thank you for the post. I will have to track down
this session if it was recorded and available for re-watching.

Here it is: https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1321609

Perfect timing. I have a meeting coming up that I'm not a part of but have
to sit on so this will help pass the time!

It's about EU VAT so it won't be relevant to you, but maybe it's
interesting to see some of it anyway. As a result of that session, the idea was
to have such sessions more often, about various topics. Even though the session
didn't lead to any improvements, Bricklink's new attitude of honesty
- acknowledging things are not ideal and that it simply doesn't have the
ability to do better in the short term was very refreshing and to me. One of
the best things that happened on Bricklink in a while!
 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Jan 25, 2022 09:45
 Subject: Re: Been away a full year, what's new?
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 Topic: General
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In General, MidwestBrick writes:
  Happy 2022 everyone. 2021 was very busy for my family and I as we built a new
house and moved to a new area as well do i had to shut down the store in Feb
2021 to start packing everything up. There were plenty of delays in the home
building and overall a great experience but also an exhausting one too.

Just checking in to ask if someone is able to summarize what is new on BL from
early 2021 until now. Any big new develops or changes on how things are done
or is it pretty much the same as before? The last big thing I recall is implementing
the tax per sale based on the state making the purchase. Also, anything that
deals with international processes can be left of any summary. I only sell domestically.


Hope all is well with everyone. I built my new Lego room all by myself and am
very pleased with how it has turned out. Everyday I'm putting in the work
to get organized more and more and although I could probably open later this
week, I want to put in some more improvements so picking orders csn be sped up
even more than I had it organized prior which takes further planning and organizers.

Thank you in advance to anyone that responds to this too.

Business as usual, except that Bricklink now has a CEO from LEGO and LEGO wants
to have video sessions with the users with 'some' frequency, on hot topics
that arise or otherwise. The first session was at least refreshing. So hopefully
some long overdue things will finally start moving in the coming months/years..
 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Jan 24, 2022 09:49
 Subject: Re: Still a lot of cancelled payments......
 Viewed: 52 times
 Topic: Technical Issues
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In Technical Issues, Teup writes:
  I'm still having lots of cancelled payments on Stripe. Mostly from American
users, but also some European. There is one user who made 3 attempts in one day,
and did not end up placing an order. Every unsuccessful payment seems to say
"a check-out session has expired".

I receive payments for my own webshop through the same channel, and while I have
more orders, I have maybe one unsuccesful payment per month there.

I've tried to reach out to the buyers but most have not responded. Two told
me it was indeed intentional, but I still worry about the ones that didn't
respond, as there are quite many of these attempts. This could be a real problem,
right..?! Is it because of that last page that Bricklink has where you have to
(redundantly) confirm your payment? Often when I pay onsite I forget this step
exists and find it an hour later somewhere in my browser tabs.. but as it is
mostly American users, it could be because of sales tax changing the buyer's
mind, too.. I really have no idea. And even in the best case that all were somehow
intentional, it was still a lot of time wasted for the buyers.

I am surprised this thread is not getting more replies than it does. I think
that must mean that this affects only certain stores? Why mine, what could be
different about mine? I have these failed payments daily now..
 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 14:49
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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 Topic: Selling
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In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  In Selling, peregrinator writes:
  In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  I usually empty the big bag and all the little ones come out. Then find the category,
and empty that specific bag out (20-50 parts per bag). I find the piece and spend
20 seconds looking at the conditions (I keep all the parts together no matter
the condition).

Do you mean Used vs. New here, or various grades of Used (e.g. light playwear
vs. heavy playwear)?

In either case you should really keep them separated - that would save you at
least 20 seconds per lot. And with Used vs. New, I don't think it's possible
to reliably tell the difference between them without keeping them separate.

I separate everything New and Used in two separate bins. In the new is separated
by color then by piece.

Ohhh always separate by piece, then color.. not the other way around! Eyes can
easily spot colors (well, unless you sell mixed old and new grays) but spotting
1x1 bricks, 1x1 with stud, 1x1 headlight in all the same color is a nightmare.
Seriously, don't do it, and totally explains why it takes so long.
 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 11:27
 Subject: Re: Order direct invoice/laten betalen
 Viewed: 47 times
 Topic: LANG Nederlands
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In LANG Nederlands, smink45 writes:
  Hoi Allemaal,

Ik ben nu al een tijdje bezig met mijn store maar krijg steeds vaker orders die
worden gecanceld nadat ik de invoice heb verstuurd.

nu zat ik te denken als ik het direct laat betalen ziet heb ik dat natuurlijk
niet meer. hoe zou ik dat het beste kunnen instellen.

ik maak gebruik van paypal en iban betalingen, en als verzend opties bied ik
PostNL en DHL aan.

ik heb al het eea geprobeerd in te stellen maar wil mezelf niet in de vingers
snijden zodat ik de kosten van verzenden en paypal voor mijn rekening krijg.
het is voor mij nog een hobby shopje.

Graag wil ik dit instellen met behulp van iemand. misschien is het makkelijk
om dit via whatsapp of messenger te contacten

gr
Jeroen

Bricklink is al jaren bezig om iDEAL te implementeren en ze vinden het kennelijk
allemaal erg moeilijk om voor elkaar te krijgen. Als dat er eenmaal is kunnen
de Nederlandse klanten gewoon direct onsite betalen en heb je het probleem dus
niet meer. Tot die tijd moeten ze het zelf overmaken, maar een automatische betaalinstructie
(wat Bricklink een invoice noemt) te laten versturen kan dus wel.

Naar mijn mening is het het handigste om gewoon een paar vaste schijven te bedenken
voor de klant. Als je als uitgangspunt niet neemt "wat kost het allemaal precies?"
maar "wat zou ik er ongeveer voor willen hebben om mijn kosten te dekken?" maak
je je leven een stuk makkelijker. Er zijn zelfs verkopers die maar één vast verzendtarief
hanteren voor alle bestellingen. Dat is het uiterste, maar als je voor jezelf
bedacht hebt dat je zo onder de streep aan het einde van het jaar je kosten gedekt
hebt, waarom niet. Mooie van instant checkout is dat de klant direct ziet hoe
veel het kost en er akkoord mee gaat, dus het hoeft niet overeen te komen met
frankeerkosten, zoals op Marktplaats.

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