Discussion Forum: Messages by Proprietor (1698)
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 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Jan 30, 2016 00:08
 Subject: Re: Uniform Fee Disclosure Statement for Sellers
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 Topic: Suggestions
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The average invoice and shipping times?

I'm not too wedded to anything in particular
being included in the chart, just that we have
some sort of uniform disclosure chart so that
store terms can be considered quickly and
accurately. So my suggestion is for the concept,
not any specific wording. Or was it something
else you objected to?

In Suggestions, tEoS writes:
  Voted no, because of the last line in your picture, which links a different idea
into this one.

In Suggestions, Proprietor writes:
  BL should create a uniform fee disclosure template that will appear on each seller's
Store Terms page. It should be the same format for every store, and once sellers
enter the various fees into their store settings the chart would automatically
populate and appear on the seller's page.

ONLY fees that are clearly disclosed on the chart could be included in an invoice,
and a buyer would have the right to cancel any order when invoiced with undisclosed
fees, without fear of receiving negative feedback. Same for sellers who cancel
orders when the buyer cancels over fees that were validly charged.

Here's an idea of what a chart COULD look like; anything clear and uniform
works, not unlike the fee disclosure information that must be included with credit
card and home mortgage offers in the US:
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Jan 29, 2016 17:25
 Subject: Uniform Fee Disclosure Statement for Sellers
 Viewed: 326 times
 Topic: Suggestions
 Status:Discarded
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BL should create a uniform fee disclosure template that will appear on each seller's
Store Terms page. It should be the same format for every store, and once sellers
enter the various fees into their store settings the chart would automatically
populate and appear on the seller's page.

ONLY fees that are clearly disclosed on the chart could be included in an invoice,
and a buyer would have the right to cancel any order when invoiced with undisclosed
fees, without fear of receiving negative feedback. Same for sellers who cancel
orders when the buyer cancels over fees that were validly charged.

Here's an idea of what a chart COULD look like; anything clear and uniform
works, not unlike the fee disclosure information that must be included with credit
card and home mortgage offers in the US:
 


 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Jan 22, 2016 09:59
 Subject: Re: Add Complete/Paid order to Not Yet Shipped
 Viewed: 17 times
 Topic: Suggestions
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In Suggestions, ToddMyers writes:
  In Suggestions, Steineflut writes:
  In Suggestions, CPgolfaddict writes:
  For PayPal onsite with Order Status = Paid. If I mark payment status as complete...the
order should appear on my Not Yet Shipped list. http://www.bricklink.com/orderReceived.asp?viewShip=Y&orderFiled=A

I'm most interested in a link showing on my My Action Items area of the My
BrickLink page. I don't really care if it is part of "Orders Not Yet Shipped"
or some other label.

I can back up an order status from Paid back to Ready and it shows in the Not
Yet Shipped list and the link shows in the Action Items.


I am not sure if I understand you correctly, but you are not supposed to mark
an order as "complete". That's for the buyer to do when he received and checked
it.


- Nadine

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, Nadine, but if this option is only
for a buyer to do, then why is the seller even able to select this status?

Probably more due to BL's less-than-cutting edge design. There are all sorts
of quirks on this site that don't fully comply with policy. So while the
seller can change the status to complete, this page clearly and fully puts the
burden on the buyer:

http://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=1138

Buyer and Seller each have tasks to do during the lifetime of an order. These
tasks called "Action Items" are located by default on your myBrickLink page (if
there are any). The following is an explanation of what each action item means:
Buyer:

Change Order Status to Completed - When you have verified the contents of your
package and consider the order completed. You can also change order status to
Received when you have received your package (but have not yet verified its contents
or there is a problem). The option to change order status on your Orders Placed
page appears when order has status of Shipped or Received. The myBrickLink action
item includes orders you placed where the order status is Shipped or Received.
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Jan 22, 2016 09:54
 Subject: Re: Add Complete/Paid order to Not Yet Shipped
 Viewed: 18 times
 Topic: Suggestions
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In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
  
  
I am not sure if I understand you correctly, but you are not supposed to mark
an order as "complete". That's for the buyer to do when he received and checked
it.


While it might make sense that buyers should mark orders as complete, sellers
can do it too. BL help doesn't say that sellers should not mark them as complete,
and doesn't say that buyers should do it either.

http://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=41

Wrong link. It's a Buyer obligation:

http://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=1138

In part:

Buyer and Seller each have tasks to do during the lifetime of an order. These
tasks called "Action Items" are located by default on your myBrickLink page (if
there are any). The following is an explanation of what each action item means:

Buyer:

Change Order Status to Completed - When you have verified the contents of your
package and consider the order completed. You can also change order status to
Received when you have received your package (but have not yet verified its contents
or there is a problem). The option to change order status on your Orders Placed
page appears when order has status of Shipped or Received. The myBrickLink action
item includes orders you placed where the order status is Shipped or Received.
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Nov 18, 2015 10:31
 Subject: Re: Buyer status when recieving an order
 Viewed: 38 times
 Topic: Suggestions
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Seems the BL rules consider it an obligation of buyers to update status:

Buyer and Seller Action Items

Buyer and Seller each have tasks to do during the lifetime of an order. These
tasks called "Action Items" are located by default on your myBrickLink page (if
there are any). The following is an explanation of what each action item means:

Buyer:

Pay for an Order - Instructions on where to send payment are located on the invoice
that you receive from the seller. Checking the checkbox and clicking the "submit
changes" button on your orders placed page under column "Paid" will change the
payment status to "Paid". The myBrickLink action item includes orders where the
order status is Ready, order has been invoiced and payment status is none.

Change Order Status to Completed - When you have verified the contents of your
package and consider the order completed. You can also change order status to
Received when you have received your package (but have not yet verified its contents
or there is a problem). The option to change order status on your Orders Placed
page appears when order has status of Shipped or Received. The myBrickLink action
item includes orders you placed where the order status is Shipped or Received.

Post Feedback (optional) - Post Feedback to your seller when you receive your
items. The myBrickLink action item includes orders you placed where the order
status is Completed and you have not yet posted feedback.

Full page here: http://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=1138&q=completed

In Suggestions, 1974 writes:
  Hi gang!

I think it would be nice if a buyer MUST change status from "shipped" (when recieving
an order) to "completed" before making a NEW order

It's okay that a buyer do not wish to leave feedback (allthough I don't
understand why as I allways leave feedback once I've been paid - which anyway
can always be chnaged in 30 days if the buyer is .. hmm .. problematic)

But I DO like to know if the order have been recieved

But currently I have several orders that still say "shipped". I do not know if
the buyer have actually recived the order, or is satisfied

This annoys me a great deal!

What do you think? I'd be okay with this as buyer, but then again I allways
leave feedback

Cheers,

Ole
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Oct 23, 2015 19:32
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 7171-1
 Viewed: 20 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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In Inventories Requests, maggiec writes:
  In Inventories Requests, ziddi writes:
  Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 7171  Name: Mos Espa Podrace
* 
7171-1 (Inv) Mos Espa Podrace
831 Parts, 10 Minifigures, 1999
Sets: Star Wars: Star Wars Episode 1

* Change 2 Part {Purple to Dark Purple} 3942c Cone 2 x 2 x 2 - Completely Open Stud
* Change 2 Part {Purple to Dark Purple} 3070b Tile 1 x 1 with Groove
* Change 13 Part {Purple to Dark Purple} 2412b Tile, Modified 1 x 2 Grille with Bottom Groove / Lip
* Change 1 Part {Purple to Dark Purple} 3070b Tile 1 x 1 with Groove (Extra)

Comments from Submitter:
I checked the set and the color is dark purple, I compare it with purple parts of set 5370

I just checked and I believe the inventory is correct as is. Yeah, I know, lame
pic, I was trying to show you the color compared to a Dumbledore torso from
 
Set No: 4729  Name: Dumbledore's Office
* 
4729-1 (Inv) Dumbledore's Office
429 Parts, 3 Minifigures, 2002
Sets: Harry Potter: Chamber of Secrets

Maggie

Dark Purple doesn't start showing up until 2003, long after the run of this
1999 set.
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Aug 27, 2015 16:46
 Subject: Re: Prohibit Vigilante Orders
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 Topic: Suggestions
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In Suggestions, derzy writes:
  Second, these vigilante orders mess up the Price Guide by validating the bogus
prices to the detriment of others who rely on the Price Guide later.

actually these orders don't affect the price guide.as I told you already
the priceguide resets after an order is cancelled.so your talking pure BS.
better to have 'forum police' as you put it rather than allowing OBVIOUS
scammers to operate on bricklink.

The price guide gets messed up regardless.

Does anyone really believe 2 new UCS Falcons were sold in March for US$700?
Or even the 1 for $1,000?

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?S=10179-1&ColorID=0

Not a chance, but for whatever reason, those orders weren't cancelled even
though I'm sure the store was closed and the sale was never consummated.
Also, some of these scammers actually sell all of their fake sets, so having
a vigilante buy them instead doesn't help or hurt the price guide any more
than the "sale" to the scammed buyer.
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: May 13, 2015 09:51
 Subject: Inventory Change Request for Set 365-1
 Viewed: 30 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests (Entry)
 Status:Open
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Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 365  Name: Wild West Scene
* 
365-1 (Inv) Wild West Scene
552 Parts, 8 Minifigures, 1975
Sets: LEGOLAND: Western: Cowboys

* Add 1 Part BA45pb01 Yellow Stickered Assembly 4 x 1 x 2 with 'WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE' Pattern (Sticker) - Set 365 - 1 Brick 1 x 4, 1 Brick 1 x 2 (Counterpart)
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: May 13, 2015 00:21
 Subject: Inventory Change Request for Set 365-1
 Viewed: 33 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests (Entry)
 Status:Open
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Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 365  Name: Wild West Scene
* 
365-1 (Inv) Wild West Scene
552 Parts, 8 Minifigures, 1975
Sets: LEGOLAND: Western: Cowboys

* Add 1 Part BA45pb01 Red Stickered Assembly 4 x 1 x 2 with 'WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE' Pattern (Sticker) - Set 365 - 1 Brick 1 x 4, 1 Brick 1 x 2 (Counterpart)
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Apr 14, 2015 02:26
 Subject: Re: Ban sellers asking for Friends PayPal payment
 Viewed: 61 times
 Topic: Suggestions
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In Suggestions, legoman77 writes:
  In Suggestions, ScootersBricks writes:
  In Suggestions, legoman77 writes:
  In Suggestions, cs_amanda writes:
  This is really a violation of the TOS for Paypal not BL, however, it's certainly
not a practice we want to see here on BL. If you come across a seller doing this,
please notify Admin through the help desk with the details so we can address
these issues directly. The account will be suspended, they will be told that
this practice is not acceptable, and will need to remove this information from
their store to get it reactivated.

Thanks
Amanda
CS Team

How about when the buyer asks for a lower value on the customs forms? Why does
BL not care about that? Asking a seller to lie and so the sellers that do have
an advantage over honest sellers. Should BL not care about that?
John P

And if we refuse to do so, that buyer can threaten (and succeed in) leaving negative
or neutral feedback because we refused to be complicit in a felony.

I believe that if an order is cancelled by the seller a buyer cannot leave feedback.
I think.
John P

Sadly wrong. Both parties can leave feedback on cancelled orders,
and Admin is not very generous when considering removal requests.
If you cancel an order for a buyer who doesn't want to pay but don't
file
and complete an NPB, that buyer can leave negative feedback and good
luck getting it removed.
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Mar 24, 2015 09:01
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 41076-1
 Viewed: 26 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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Seems to be an issue with these clips:

http://www.bricklink.com/messageThread.asp?ID=185957&nID=900104

In particular

 
Part No: 4085b  Name: Plate, Modified 1 x 1 with U Clip Thin (Vertical Grip)
* 
4085b Plate, Modified 1 x 1 with U Clip Thin (Vertical Grip)
Parts: Plate, Modified

Clearly having gone back into production,
at least for a short amount of time.

In Inventories Requests, paulvdb writes:
  In Inventories Requests, viejos writes:
  In Inventories Requests, paulvdb writes:
  In Inventories Requests, viejos writes:
  Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 41076  Name: Farran and the Crystal Hollow
* 
41076-1 (Inv) Farran and the Crystal Hollow
171 Parts, 1 Minifigure, 2015
Sets: Elves

* Change 1 Part Tan {61252 Plate, Modified 1 x 1 with Clip Horizontal (thick open O clip) to 6019 Plate, Modified 1 x 1 with Clip Horizontal (thick open U clip)}

Comments from Submitter:
Sealed set.

Really? Lego brought that part variant back in production? In that case it should
be added as an alternate. The sets that I parted out all had part 61252.

Yep, and I checked against the newer type just to be sure. Thanks for the info
from your sets, though - I'll add it back in.

Russell

Interesting. I'm curious why they would bring that part back now. Or maybe
they just found some old stock and decided to use it in these new sets.
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Mar 4, 2015 22:55
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig cas121
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 Topic: Inventories Requests
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In Inventories Requests, therobo writes:
  In Inventories Requests, viejos writes:
  In Inventories Requests, therobo writes:
  In Inventories Requests, viejos writes:

  
  I would be inclined to agree with you on your first point, except for the fact
that the "b" entry for the head *is* a determined version, expressly stating
"Stud Hollow".
[p=3626bp01]
So it's not a question of sellers adding more specifics to their listings.
The specificity is built into the Item Name.

It is a question of adding more specifics to the name in the *minifig* listing,
as the minifig names do not specify the head stud type.
http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=therobo&itemID=64925049

But if sellers are not bound by the variant in the inventory, then why would
it be an issue at all to change the head? I realise a lot of people never really
look at inventories closely when selling, but all along I have thought this was
the main objection to change - that it may cause some people's listings to
be in error.

Sellers are bound to minifig inventories as long as they don't add a more
specify comment.
Most sellers of vintage minifigs don't add comments so it can be assumed
that they have the hollow studded head. OTOH which buyer would complain when
getting a solid stud head, knowing that it would be more original

But that's the problem; they don't know it because the BL inventory states
otherwise. And there have been threads here about buyers complaining about getting
the "wrong" head, ie the one with a solid stud. In my early days I sold a bunch
of solid stud heads because I thought they weren't correct for any figures,
per the BL inventory. Doh!

I appreciated the opinions expressed in this thread but the issue is very simple.
Classic minifigs that were sold before a certain date (and not thereafter)
NEVER had "b" heads so their inventories are wrong. Those figures never came
in a set with a "b" head and therefore the policy of yore preferring the "b"
head just because one exists is not really justifiable and has lead to a lot
of confusion. And now with "c" heads it makes even less sense. We're talking
about a finite number of minifigs. Let's fix them.

There's really no gray here; wrong is wrong, even when it's been that
way for a long time.
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Feb 23, 2015 13:02
 Subject: Inventory Change Request for Set 8133-1
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 Topic: Inventories Requests (Entry)
 Status:Open
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Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 8133  Name: Rally Runner
* 
8133-1 (Inv) Rally Runner
51 Parts, 2007
Sets: Racers: Tiny Turbos

* Add 1 Part 54200pb064R Lime Slope 30 1 x 1 x 2/3 with Black Air Intake Double Faded Pattern Model Right Side (Sticker) - Set 8133 (Counterpart)

Comments from Submitter:
You can see the part in the large image of the set; it's on the front bumper. Found in a random lot; don't have the left one.
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Feb 11, 2015 04:51
 Subject: Inventory Change Request for Set 70811-1
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 Topic: Inventories Requests (Entry)
 Status:Open
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Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 70811  Name: The Flying Flusher
* 
70811-1 (Inv) The Flying Flusher
339 Parts, 3 Minifigures, 2014
Sets: The LEGO Movie

* Add 2 Part 3069bpb356 White Tile 1 x 2 with Black 'LS 11 256' License Plate Pattern (Sticker) - Set 70811 (Counterpart)
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Feb 11, 2015 04:50
 Subject: Inventory Change Request for Set 70811-1
 Viewed: 21 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests (Entry)
 Status:Open
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Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 70811  Name: The Flying Flusher
* 
70811-1 (Inv) The Flying Flusher
339 Parts, 3 Minifigures, 2014
Sets: The LEGO Movie

* Add 1 Part 3037pb036 White Slope 45 2 x 4 with Blue 'Octan's JOE'S PLUMBING' and Drainpipe Pattern (Sticker) - Set 70811 (Counterpart)
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Feb 11, 2015 04:48
 Subject: Inventory Change Request for Set 70811-1
 Viewed: 18 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests (Entry)
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Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 70811  Name: The Flying Flusher
* 
70811-1 (Inv) The Flying Flusher
339 Parts, 3 Minifigures, 2014
Sets: The LEGO Movie

* Add 1 Part 60581pb046 White Panel 1 x 4 x 3 with Side Supports - Hollow Studs with 'Octan's JOE'S PLUMBING' and Light Blue Drain Pipe Pattern (Sticker) - (Counterpart)
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Jan 12, 2015 09:21
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 375-2
 Viewed: 41 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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In Inventories Requests, 62Bricks writes:
  In Inventories Requests, Proprietor writes:
  Since these figures are already grandfathered in wrong, why not leave the current
version as is, which includes the stickers, and approve a new version with a
"u" for unstickered to follow the item number. That way, there's no problem
of 2 different versions having shared the same number and people can sell the
unstickered version separately and the light gray vest is recognized by the catalog.
Win/win no?

That sounds reasonable to me, although the current figures could still be fixed
to follow the convention. As long as no new entry uses the old number there would
be no problem with the logs, right?

You mean renumber the figure altogether and "retire" the old number? So cas081
is retired and the new one is cas538 and cas528s? Possible but confusing to
the sellers who don't know about the change.

My suggestion would make cas081 into cas081 for the stickered and cas081u for
the non-stickered version.
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Jan 12, 2015 00:52
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 375-2
 Viewed: 33 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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Since these figures are already grandfathered in wrong, why not leave the current
version as is, which includes the stickers, and approve a new version with a
"u" for unstickered to follow the item number. That way, there's no problem
of 2 different versions having shared the same number and people can sell the
unstickered version separately and the light gray vest is recognized by the catalog.
Win/win no?
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Jan 10, 2015 22:43
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 375-2
 Viewed: 24 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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In Inventories Requests, 62Bricks writes:
  In Inventories Requests, viejos writes:
  In Inventories Requests, 62Bricks writes:
  Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 375  Name: Castle
* 
375-2 (Inv) Castle
706 Parts, 14 Minifigures, 1978
Sets: Castle: Classic Castle

* Add 14 Part 3840 Light Gray Minifig, Vest
* Add 2 Part 3840pb04 Light Gray Minifig, Vest with Shield with White Cross on Red Background Pattern (Stickers) (Counterpart)

Comments from Submitter:
Source: Instructions and set images. 3840pb04 is included in minifig inventories for two of the figures in this set, but is not currently listed as a counterpart.

Set images show 14 vests with stickers, but 3840 is not listed as a regular
part.


This is one of those "irreconcilable situations" I mention in this post:
http://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=870374

I see that now - And it's especially irreconcilable in this case because
these classic castle figures have no unstickered entries like other similar figures
with vests. That means while there are several light gray 3840s with stickers
in the catalog, there is no plain light gray 3840. http://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=883281

But plenty for sale so no issue there.

Do we know that a non-stickered version of those figs won't be approved?
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Nov 11, 2014 00:52
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sp007
 Viewed: 36 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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Great project and beautiful pix. Thanks for sharing.

Maybe the issue is predictability and consistency.

We have a 3001 and 3001old in the catalog. Functionally identical (I believe),
but a distinction is made.

Should inventories be as correct or accurate as possible or not? Either way,
they should be consistent.

And while no one asks about the molds in your display, I do get asked by buyers
of vintage sets if the parts are correct (eg patent pending, pip location, etc.).
At the very least, a price guide that means anything needs to be based on consistency.
Sure the comments help, but if replacement parts are allowed in complete sets
then the price guide will get skewed down, which isn't accurate or fair.


I understand that the rule is (or was) no more undetermined items, that they
were remnants of the old days for variations that can't be confirmed. I
actually think every part with a variation should have an undertermined category
for buyers and sellers who don't care (even though those items won't
be linked to any set) and so that when a part is listed as a or b or c it actually
is.

And when the distinction is clear, like the a heads for classic space and castle,
the inventories should be correct. Also, eliminate the now outdated preference
for the b head.

Onward!

In Inventories Requests, Andy_Bell writes:
  In Inventories Requests, Andy_Bell writes:
  
This is just my opinion.
I'd have one 2x4 for inventories and general use and then a reference chart
that shows introduction dates of differing variants and let sellers/re-creators
use that as a guide for which variants are correct for the age of the set.

There are few hard transition dates.

All the variants are there for use by sellers and buyers as they see fit. This
gives those who care the information and ability.

Andy

I say this an AFOL who likes the era in question - -

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asbpics/sets/72157645805524096/

I am right now putting together the January 2015 setup-
The goal is all Classic Town sets from 78-88 with a few 88-89 sets.

It's fun, but once the hat or wig is in place the open or solid stud does
not matter. In the 3 years I set up the 6000 Idea Book. I was never asked if
they were all the right (mold) parts.
Most common question - Are those yours from when you were a kid? (yeah right!)
or from AFOLs are those original stickers?

Andy
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Nov 5, 2014 15:23
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sp007
 Viewed: 32 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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Still, there are windows of predictability.

Did LEGO change the grays or browns prior to 2004? I know they mixed for a
while, but it's safe to assume that sets from the 90's and earlier are
always the old colors. And that sets that stopped being sold years before the
introduction of the "b" head never had that head in its inventory. Why let
the cusp situations control? And why continue with the "b" default?

In Inventories Requests, Andy_Bell writes:
  In Inventories Requests, viejos writes:
  In Inventories Requests, 62Bricks writes:

  I think the reason for this rule was to cover a shortcoming in the design of
the database which did not allow for alternate parts in Minifig inventories.

This was not an issue of not being able to do so, but an unwillingness to do
so. Dan could have programmed minifig inventories to have alternates, just like
he could have enabled counterparts to be selected when parting a set. But he
didn't. He had his reasons, I am sure, but one of them was *not* that it
couldn't be done.

  Please fix it. Please update the inventory with the correct part.

I agree. At least the figs up to 1992 should have the solid stud head.

Nope it is more that LEGO rarely identifies mold variants* - even when it makes
a difference to a build. Sets are packed with what ever parts are on hand and
shipped out. Very common to get parts in different variants in the same package.

The idea that there is a 'right' inventory adds a level of 'black
and white' to these mold variants that LEGO never worked from.

Andy

And they don't always observe the color variants the way BL and other AFOLs
want to. Been discussed more than once that several 'different' colors
on BL are the same color internally at LEGO.
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Nov 5, 2014 15:07
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sp007
 Viewed: 32 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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Maybe, but the early space and castle minifigs were only ever sold with the solid
stud "a" head.

And the preference for the "b" head was decided at a time when that was the current
head. For a "c" head only figure it would make no sense to only use the equivalent
"b" head (if there is one), yet that's the rule.

Maybe it's time for alternate parts to be allowed in minifig inventories
but if not, then maybe an "a", "b" etc suffix for variations, eg SP006a, SP006b,
etc.

In Inventories Requests, TakeAbricK writes:
  In Inventories Requests, RobErNat writes:
  In Inventories Requests, 62Bricks writes:
  In Inventories Requests, therobo writes:
  In Inventories Requests, 62Bricks writes:
  Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Minifig No: sp007  Name: Classic Space - Yellow with Air Tanks
* 
sp007 (Inv) Classic Space - Yellow with Air Tanks
Minifigures: Space: Classic Space

* Change 1 Part Yellow {3626bp01 Minifig, Head Standard Grin Pattern - Stud Hollow to 3626ap01 Minifig, Head Standard Grin Pattern - Stud Solid}

Comments from Submitter:
This minifig last appeared in sets in 1987, before the hollow stud version of the standard grin minifig head was in production (c.1991)

I assume, you will then message 85 sellers to check their figs?

No, I will not.

Is that the reason these inventories have never been fixed? Because someone might
have relied on the wrong inventory when assembling their minifigs?

If so, it's not a very good reason.

Actually, it's because the way Minifigs have been inventoried in the past
has been placed in a Standards for Inventorying a Minifig 'rule': check
under 'heads'.

http://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=200&q=minifig

The 'rule' is oudated as now there is a 'c'-type head... but
on old figs it has always been done like that, doens't mean you're not
right, but it's simply not done that way... Any change to such figs would
impact the listings of many sellers, probably the reason why this 'rule'
was made in the first place... Some sellers do specify the head type in their
listing.

I think this rule was made because otherwise there would be (at least) twice
as much Minifigs in the catalogue. Most Figs from the early days were released
with solid stud heads and later on with Hollow stud heads.

It's about the same as Santa right now.

 
Minifig No: col122  Name: Santa, Series 8 (Minifigure Only without Stand and Accessories)
* 
col122 (Inv) Santa, Series 8 (Minifigure Only without Stand and Accessories)
Minifigures: Collectible Minifigures: Series 8 Minifigures

First with head:
[p=3626bpb798]

and in set 10245 with head
[p=3626cpb798]

Diana
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Nov 5, 2014 14:36
 Subject: Re: Inventory Change Request for Minifig sp007
 Viewed: 47 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests
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In Inventories Requests, 62Bricks writes:
  Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Minifig No: sp007  Name: Classic Space - Yellow with Air Tanks
* 
sp007 (Inv) Classic Space - Yellow with Air Tanks
Minifigures: Space: Classic Space

* Change 1 Part Yellow {3626bp01 Minifig, Head Standard Grin Pattern - Stud Hollow to 3626ap01 Minifig, Head Standard Grin Pattern - Stud Solid}

Comments from Submitter:
This minifig last appeared in sets in 1987, before the hollow stud version of the standard grin minifig head was in production (c.1991)

There is a note on the catalog page for this figure:

Additional Notes:
Production of this minifigure ended in 1988, but some of the parts comprising
it have been in production since that time in modern variations. A figure composed
of parts completely authentic to the period would have a solid stud head as well
as a torso with small (or no) prongs for attachment to the legs. Buyers to whom
such details are important should verify with the seller before purchase. Likewise
sellers may wish to indicate if the minifigs they are listing are composed of
parts authentic to the period rather than modern replacement parts.

But I agree that the rule makes no sense, never did, and should be changed.
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Oct 26, 2014 18:56
 Subject: Inventory Change Request for Set 8155-1
 Viewed: 26 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests (Entry)
 Status:Open
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Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 8155  Name: Ferrari F1 Pit
* 
8155-1 (Inv) Ferrari F1 Pit
482 Parts, 2008
Sets: Racers: Ferrari

* Add 1 Part 3008pb138 Red Brick 1 x 8 with Ferrari Logo and 'SF SCUDERIA FERRARI' Pattern (Sticker) - (Sets 8153/8155) (Counterpart)
 Author: Proprietor View Messages Posted By Proprietor
 Posted: Oct 26, 2014 18:55
 Subject: Inventory Change Request for Set 8153-1
 Viewed: 24 times
 Topic: Inventories Requests (Entry)
 Status:Open
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Please make changes to the following inventory:
 
Set No: 8153  Name: Ferrari F1 Truck 1:55
* 
8153-1 (Inv) Ferrari F1 Truck 1:55
270 Parts, 2008
Sets: Racers: Ferrari

* Add 1 Part 3008pb138 Red Brick 1 x 8 with Ferrari Logo and 'SF SCUDERIA FERRARI' Pattern (Sticker) - (Sets 8153/8155) (Counterpart)

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