Redisplay Messages: Compact | Brief | All | Full Show Messages: All | Without Replies Author: | Saitobricks.ca | Posted: | Apr 13, 2024 17:23 | Subject: | 42163 extra parts | Viewed: | 59 times | Topic: | Catalog | Status: | Open | |
| Just bought one copy of the set and received 3 spare,
Should I make a inventory change request?
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Author: | Saitobricks.ca | Posted: | Apr 12, 2024 13:13 | Subject: | Re: Reaction to the R.R. Slugger video | Viewed: | 61 times | Topic: | Catalog | |
| Look at what you have done!!!😭😭😭😭😭
https://youtu.be/wtICr7eVIoU?si=hPdPyVKqi3fKDzN9
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
| Hello again everyone,
This is my official response to the video from R.R. Slugger concerning the merging
of part variants in the BrickLink catalog:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGRxNX8Cg_o&t=1s
Here is an initial response to the video, specifically regarding the set inventory
for the Core Magnetizer:
https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1450164
Here is today's response:
*************************************
I’ll start with a couple points I actually agree with Slugger on:
1) BrickLink certainly is an invaluable tool, and one of the things that has
motivated me to invest in the catalog over the years, long before I became a
community admin or started working in the BrickLink office, was knowing that
whatever corrections or additions I would make would instantly circle the globe
and potentially benefit thousands of fans everywhere.
2) Regarding the suggestion to double down on accuracy – that is actually what
we’re doing, if you look at the big picture. I remember discussing with one of
the authors of the LEGO Collector books that came out a few years ago:
and one of the points we discussed was why certain things weren’t included in
a publication that was so comprehensive. The answer was that if a particular
data field didn’t have at least 80% of the data, then there were questions raised
as to how useful that field would be.
Of course this case does not cover all of the changes being made to the BrickLink
catalog, but it does pertain to some of them. The smooth slopes and frosted bricks,
even after 20 years of accepting data from the community, have a very weak connection
to our inventory system. Many of the parts are not represented even a single
time, and of those that are represented, there are serious questions as to the
accuracy of the inventory change requests.
The biggest obstacle in separating variants on BrickLink, especially the older
ones, is lack of real data. So the question comes up, should we have entries
on BrickLink that can’t or never will be represented sufficiently in the inventory
system?
Being orphaned or partially orphaned from the system is a bad thing, and our
stance on that is one of the things that has really changed since Dan built the
inventory system in the early 2000s. It used to be acceptable to have entries
floating around just for buying and selling, but over time we have realized the
power of our inventory system, to the extent that we now use artificial inventories
to represent certain parts (like BAM parts):
By removing some of these variants, the accuracy and inclusiveness of the inventory
system goes up, and that is the primary driving force behind these current changes.
Why not just fill out the data instead of consolidating entries? Because we simply
do not have the data, and if we did, we couldn’t handle it all anyway. There
is no way we can add thousands of new minifigure inventories to the system simply
to accommodate different types of studs.
Next I’d like to give an actual example or something that WILL be lost in
the transition.
Slugger is right – just because the example he gave may not have been the perfect
example, it doesn’t negate the point that something will be lost. So here goes:
Set 7171 from 1999 (Mos Espa Podrace):
is one of the celebrated early Star Wars sets and as such we may consider it
to be at the pinnacle of collector interest. In that set is a yellow dome with
a “blocked open stud” which is part no. 30151a:
[p=30151a,3]
The next version of that part by all accounts was introduced around 2010,
[p=30151b]
and by that time, the Mos Espa Podrace had long been retired. So we can say with
reasonable certainty that this set came originally with domes with blocked open
studs. If you see a copy of the set sitting on someone’s shelf and the domes
on Anakin’s podracer have hollow studs (no little Mercedes symbol), that is a
sure sign that the parts, and maybe even the whole set, is not original.
So if the BrickLink catalog stops distinguishing the “a” from the “b” version,
someone might build it wrong and wouldn’t even know it! However, as a quiz question
for savvy readers, why would this scenario never actually happen in the real
world? What do we know about these the 30151 variants that puts this problem
completely into the realm of the hypothetical?
Next example, set 4778-1 from 2005 (Desert Biplane):
This is not Star Wars buts it’s still a classic in my book. There is a different
kind of dome on the front of this plane (553), but it has the same issues as
the previously mentioned dome part.
[p=553b,5]
This set is from 2005, so it’s not likely that it ever came with the “c” variant.
The 2008 appearance is in the first UCS Death Star which had a really long production
run and has over 50 lines of variants in the BrickLink inventory:
But if this little set were produced up through 2010, there might be a real possibility
of seeing one with a “c” variant.
[p=553c,5]
So with the current merges, this is data that would be lost. People wouldn’t
know about the stud variants, and someone could get any of 3 different stud types
– blocked open, hollow, or even vented. All three exist in red.
[p=3262,5]
Next up is set 6745-1 from 2009 (Propeller Power).
This also has a red 533 on the nose of the plane, but here the inventory system
says it could have either the “b” or “c” variant. Check the change log to see
if you recognize any of the people who added these variants to the set:
https://www.bricklink.com/catalogInvChangeItem.asp?itemType=S&itemNo=6745-1&viewDate=Y&viewStatus=1
We’re pretty sure this came with both “b” and “c” types. It didn’t come with
a vented stud, and someone might mistakenly put one on this model if BrickLink
doesn’t educate them about it, right? That is the premise on why we need these
variants in the catalog, correct?
The thing is, how can we tolerate the difference of stud type in this model,
and not in other models where it is historically incorrect? In this plane model
from 2009, both are correct, so what does that say about the mixing of variants
in other models?
True collectors know that there actually is no replacement part that will ever
perfectly replace a part that is lost. The only truly correct part is the part
the set originally came with. It’s nice to get as close as possible to a correct
replacement part, but it’s a futile attempt.
So I will admit that something is lost in the catalog by harmonizing all the
hollow studs types. But the second message is that whatever is lost is quite
unimportant in relation to the effort it takes for the BrickLink community to
recognize these variants.
We weighed it up, and decided that stud types are not important enough. They
have some importance, and there are some workarounds available for the people
who really want to go down that path. But overall, what we seem to be losing
is less than what we believe we are gaining.
**************************************
One more detail about the video – in navigating around the BrickLink catalog,
I noticed Slugger used the new inventory tab on the catalog page instead of the
proper inventory page accessible by the link at the top of the page.
https://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemInv.asp?S=6989-1
There are multiple problems with this version of the inventory. First, there
is no link to the change log, which for specialists is a must. Reading the change
log lets you determine the accuracy of the data you are consuming.
Second, the match IDs do not line up with the inventory notes, so any mention,
for example, of “match ID 99” (which is critical to understanding variant inventories)
doesn’t make any sense.
Indispensable
Some of my colleagues were surprised to see such a strong reaction from our users
on this topic. But the fact is, variants are an indispensable feature of the
BrickLink catalog and they are one of the main reasons for the “sealed set” standard
we maintain for new inventories. Keeping this standard comes at a cost, and it’s
important for people to know that all of this work and energy is appreciated.
https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=1103
BrickLink is not descending into a parts oblivion where nothing is distinguished.
I made that very clear from the very first announcement. This is simply a mid-way
correction to enable us to do better at what we already do. I trust that over
the coming months and years you will come around to believing me on that point.
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Author: | Dhobeck | Posted: | Apr 12, 2024 12:06 | Subject: | Re: Movements in Item Type and Category #7 | Viewed: | 29 times | Topic: | Catalog | |
| In Catalog, crazylegoman writes:
| It's true that those 2 parts are the least similar to the other parts in
the arch category, but I think they fit there much better than they would in
the Plate, Modified or Tile, Modified categories.
-1
David
|
That means we still have 0.000000000000000000000000001
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Author: | crazylegoman | Posted: | Apr 12, 2024 12:04 | Subject: | Re: Movements in Item Type and Category #7 | Viewed: | 30 times | Topic: | Catalog | |
| It's true that those 2 parts are the least similar to the other parts in
the arch category, but I think they fit there much better than they would in
the Plate, Modified or Tile, Modified categories.
-1
David
|
|
Author: | Dhobeck | Posted: | Apr 12, 2024 11:43 | Subject: | Re: Movements in Item Type and Category #7 | Viewed: | 29 times | Topic: | Catalog | |
| In Catalog, Leftoverbricks writes:
| Today we received this update of items that were moved to another category:
https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2599
I strongly object to the movement of below parts to the Arch category.
and
The definition of an arch according to the Oxford dictionary is:
a curved symmetrical structure spanning an opening and typically supporting
the weight of a bridge, roof, or wall above it.
Neither of those parts fulfil that description. They do not span an opening.
They maybe help to raise an adjoining element.
This becomes more obvious if you look at the 39 parts that are now categorized
as Arch.
There are exactly two parts that don't look like any other part in this category,
the other 37 parts do.
See picture below or this link: https://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?catType=P&catString=6
I strongly suggest to undo the movement since it is not at all logical, not following
the definition of an arch and certainly doesn't a help a user to search for
an item like 4190 or 73682.
My suggestion is to move these items to Plate, Modified or Tile, Modified.
Please support my suggestion by replying with an upvote -- no need to cite
my post, just say +1
|
+1.0000000000000000000000000010000
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Author: | Leftoverbricks | Posted: | Apr 12, 2024 11:38 | Subject: | Movements in Item Type and Category #7 | Viewed: | 78 times | Topic: | Catalog | Status: | Open | |
| Today we received this update of items that were moved to another category:
https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2599
I strongly object to the movement of below parts to the Arch category.
and
The definition of an arch according to the Oxford dictionary is:
a curved symmetrical structure spanning an opening and typically supporting
the weight of a bridge, roof, or wall above it.
Neither of those parts fulfil that description. They do not span an opening.
They maybe help to raise an adjoining element.
This becomes more obvious if you look at the 39 parts that are now categorized
as Arch.
There are exactly two parts that don't look like any other part in this category,
the other 37 parts do.
See picture below or this link: https://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?catType=P&catString=6
I strongly suggest to undo the movement since it is not at all logical, not following
the definition of an arch and certainly doesn't a help a user to search for
an item like 4190 or 73682.
My suggestion is to move these items to Plate, Modified or Tile, Modified.
Please support my suggestion by replying with an upvote -- no need to cite
my post, just say +1
|
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Author: | popsicle | Posted: | Apr 12, 2024 06:22 | Subject: | Re: Merge 88009 and bb0892c01 | Viewed: | 42 times | Topic: | Catalog | |
| In Catalog, elias3 writes:
| In Catalog, popsicle writes:
| In Catalog, elias3 writes:
| In Catalog, popsicle writes:
| In Catalog, elias3 writes:
| In Catalog, Ziegelmeister writes:
| In Catalog, Nubs_Select writes:
| In Catalog, Ziegelmeister writes:
| Unless I'm missing something, these are the same exact thing yea? One is
listed as a set, the other as a part.
|
One you could buy as a set and the other you could receive in a set, would be
really weird to merge them
|
Fundamentally agree. I assume that means a "new" 88009 would come in
some sort of box? There is an entry for it but no photo or sales history.
|
Hi
https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?O=88009-1#T=S&O={%22rpp%22:%22500%22,%22iconly%22:0}
Stefaan
|
In fairness to Thomas, I added the pic just after and in response to his query.
|
Hi
thanks for adding
I was going to take a picture of my set but you beat me to it.😉
Stefaan
|
It's a known fact that folks with cats are always a step behind those without
|
Hi
That's right
Unfortunately, I have to announce that my 19 year old cat passed away last month
(that one in the profile photo)
Stefaan
|
Sorry about the loss of your friend. Sad to hear. Nineteen years old! Long life
for the cat. Though, unjustly short it must seem to you.
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Author: | Stellar | Posted: | Apr 12, 2024 04:30 | Subject: | Re: Stickers Package Type | Viewed: | 35 times | Topic: | Catalog | |
| In Catalog, Give.Me.A.Brick writes:
| In Catalog, yorbrick writes:
| In Catalog, Give.Me.A.Brick writes:
| In Catalog, yorbrick writes:
| In Catalog, Give.Me.A.Brick writes:
| Sorry if I have missed something, but who and why is changing Stickers Package
Type from Weight To Volume Bound thus making Instant Checkout unavailable?
Thank you.
|
The sticker sheets I have appear to be a mixture of both volume and weight bound.
The majority of the volume bound ones have dimensions, but not all.
Ideally, these probably all should be volume bound. Or at least the larger ones
that might get creased more easily and/or not fit in a regular bubble mailer.
|
All my orders ship in a box.
I set all my stickers' package type to Weight and that works for me.
When someone changes it to Volume Band (without dimensions) it disables Instant
Checkout, which is annoying.
I'm not sure why someone would that? It should be at store's discretion,
right?
|
Volume bound for any parts with large dimensions makes sense to me, and it should
probably be consistent. Individual items are always at the store's discretion
as you can set them manually to weight or volume bound.
|
For some years now, whenever I add a sticker to my Inventory I set Package Type
manually to Weight, and then when someone change it to Volume Bound it changes
my initial setting.
It shouldn't, should it?
|
I think it shouldn't, report the behavior here please:
https://www.bricklink.com/helpDesk.asp?helpDeskID=114
|
| Of course, if the dimensions
are entered then the IC issue goes away.
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Author: | elias3 | Posted: | Apr 12, 2024 04:07 | Subject: | Re: Merge 88009 and bb0892c01 | Viewed: | 34 times | Topic: | Catalog | |
| In Catalog, popsicle writes:
| In Catalog, elias3 writes:
| In Catalog, popsicle writes:
| In Catalog, elias3 writes:
| In Catalog, Ziegelmeister writes:
| In Catalog, Nubs_Select writes:
| In Catalog, Ziegelmeister writes:
| Unless I'm missing something, these are the same exact thing yea? One is
listed as a set, the other as a part.
|
One you could buy as a set and the other you could receive in a set, would be
really weird to merge them
|
Fundamentally agree. I assume that means a "new" 88009 would come in
some sort of box? There is an entry for it but no photo or sales history.
|
Hi
https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?O=88009-1#T=S&O={%22rpp%22:%22500%22,%22iconly%22:0}
Stefaan
|
In fairness to Thomas, I added the pic just after and in response to his query.
|
Hi
thanks for adding
I was going to take a picture of my set but you beat me to it.😉
Stefaan
|
It's a known fact that folks with cats are always a step behind those without
|
Hi
That's right
Unfortunately, I have to announce that my 19 year old cat passed away last month
(that one in the profile photo)
Stefaan
|
|
Author: | Nubs_Select | Posted: | Apr 12, 2024 03:02 | Subject: | Re: Merge 88009 and bb0892c01 | Viewed: | 28 times | Topic: | Catalog | |
| In Catalog, Ziegelmeister writes:
| In Catalog, Nubs_Select writes:
| In Catalog, Ziegelmeister writes:
| Unless I'm missing something, these are the same exact thing yea? One is
listed as a set, the other as a part.
|
One you could buy as a set and the other you could receive in a set, would be
really weird to merge them
|
I still say they're the same thing. Just one came in it's on bag
and the other doesn't.
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