BrickLink Discussion Forum

I have has weird orders before, and have has scammers on here and other places.
I has a similar request some years ago, which was ok - someone wanted one brick,
to pay and get the feedback. I Cannot remember what I did, but I found it wrong
so I probably cancelled

Now this - 0 feedback, but actually ordered a set and something else.

But - what do people here think?

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Jan 24, 2024 16:07

Subject:

Re: Important proposal regarding catalog variants

Viewed:

56 times

Topic:

Catalog

Looking at the list, a picture example for help would be useful

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2629

It is just codes and numbers - I feel lost

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:

Hello everyone,

As a platform, we have decided to take a hard look at some of the mold variants
that we are currently asking you to recognize. For sellers, more variants means
extra sorting and extra work while pulling orders, plus the issues that arise
from variant misunderstandings.

For buyers, excess variants mean that it's harder to assemble a wanted list,
find stores, and ultimately obtain the parts you are looking for.

I have put together a quick Help page to outline these proposed changes:

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2625

Notice the date on this is coming up quickly (Feb 1), so I'm not giving a
lot of time for discussion. I'm aiming for about 1 week of discussion and
then we'll give sellers 2 weeks to adjust the descriptions on affected items
if they wish to retain the distinctions.

I plan to construct a full FAQ page with answers to all your questions. This
will serve to inform users about what was done here in February 2024, and also
help point the catalog in the right direction in the future.

To get started, I'll list a few here:

1. This sounds like you're dumbing down the BrickLink catalog to make
it easier for new users. Is that what is going on?

Not really. There are many, many other variants we expect people to sort and
care about. These ones don't really seem to matter much, and some of them
(e.g., the minifigure heads) actually cause problems for the catalog that cannot
be corrected otherwise.

2. What if I really care about a certain variant that is going away? Can I
still buy and sell that variant?

Absolutely! You can add notes to your listings to make them as "determined"
as you wish. Buyers can still search within notes for extra details, or they
can simply observe them as they browse listings.

3. How do I know which exact variants will be merged? I only see one example
in each category.

Please ask in this thread and I can be very specific. Usually we are talking
about a handful of parts and the printed versions.

4. Has a merge like this ever been done before?

Yes, there was a precedent - the Headlight Brick with Slot:

https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1016584

It was marked for deletion a few years ago and was finally merged last August.

5. Are these the only parts up for consideration, or are there other variants
that will be merged as well?

This is all for now. Based on how well this goes, we may elect to remove other
entries later. However, we will keep all functional variants and important cosmetic
variants.

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 22, 2023 15:44

Subject:

Re: Weight in order

Viewed:

32 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, SylvainLS writes:

In Suggestions, sonnich writes:

[…]
I still see it like this

Maybe “show item weight” here: https://www.bricklink.com/orderSettings.asp?viewFrom=P

If you don’t show the weight of each item, there’s no column for weights and
no place for the total at the bottom.

Looks like this was it.
Now I see weight for both items and total

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 21, 2023 16:15

Subject:

Re: Weight in order

Viewed:

31 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, jennnifer writes:

In Suggestions, sonnich writes:

Hi all

I find it useful to have the weight in the order, so I can immediately see the
weight of the order and estimate shipping.

Bricklink has weight of bricks, and even if it is a bit off in total, say in
my case a few grammes, it will still give me a good estimate.

I know that some bricks might be missing the weight, but then it could be listed
too how many percent have weight listed. If it is 100, then I know I can trust
it

WBR
Sonnich

Already there I think...

And also this...

I still see it like this

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 21, 2023 16:11

Subject:

Re: Weight in order

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, jennnifer writes:

In Suggestions, sonnich writes:

Already there I think...

And also this...

I have this now, and got 2 new orders, and it is still not there... any better
ideas?

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 18, 2023 11:43

Subject:

Re: Order paid but not visible in BL

Viewed:

31 times

Topic:

In Help, peregrinator writes:

In Help, sonnich writes:

My customer managed to pay in a way that it is not visible on BL, using Paypal.
Usually this goes automatically.

How do I change the order paid or shipped?

It sounds like the customer should have paid onsite (due to owing sales tax or
VAT) but paid you directly through PayPal? The way to handle this is to refund
the customer through PayPal and ask him or her to pay onsite.

One issue here is, that I Can repeat it, but if the customer does not know how
to pay, then I will get the same situation.
I have a feeling, that is yet another customer, who cannot really use computers,
so I cannot even ask how they do it, as they cannot explain it.

The best thing for such first time buyers would be an instructional video.

We use it for our customers at work.

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 18, 2023 11:38

Subject:

Re: Order paid but not visible in BL

Viewed:

30 times

Topic:

In Help, SylvainLS writes:

In Help, sonnich writes:

[…]
I will let it be this time.

If there’s taxes and BL should have collected them, it’s not your choice: it’s
tax evasion.
See: https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1401495

And if there’s no taxes, as the order is not in the Paid status, I think you
should be able to change the payment method or the status, maybe by editing the
invoice or something (don’t know, not a seller

The right thing here would be a video, for first time buyers. I see this often,
that people do not know how to do this and that.
We should have a video on YouTube, that could share to new buyers.

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 18, 2023 11:06

Subject:

Re: Order paid but not visible in BL

Viewed:

37 times

Topic:

In Help, peregrinator writes:

In Help, sonnich writes:

My customer managed to pay in a way that it is not visible on BL, using Paypal.
Usually this goes automatically.

How do I change the order paid or shipped?

I will let it be this time. It is a first time buyer, and some people these days
are not good with IT, so it would be more trouble for him.
I see many buyers that ask on help how to pay, and they have no idea to so complete
orders or give feedback

I was more wondering whether I can update the order in question to the right
state

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 18, 2023 05:57

Subject:

Re: Weight in order

Viewed:

39 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, jennnifer writes:

In Suggestions, sonnich writes:

Already there I think...

And also this...

Thanks

Do that work on already present orders?

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 18, 2023 05:53

Subject:

Order paid but not visible in BL

Viewed:

95 times

Topic:

My customer managed to pay in a way that it is not visible on BL, using Paypal.
Usually this goes automatically.

How do I change the order paid or shipped?

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 17, 2023 16:41

Subject:

Weight in order

Viewed:

119 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 14, 2023 16:58

Subject:

Re: My item was removed - why?

Viewed:

46 times

Topic:

In Help, SylvainLS writes:

In Help, sonnich writes:

Hi all

Hi,

Disclaimer: Non authoritative answer, I’m just guessing (not talking for BL or
LEGO).

I made some custom instructions and but them on BL. 2 days later they were removed.
[…]
They pointed out
http://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=103

Well, IP infringement isn’t explicit in that list but…

Now I wonder what it the reason.
[…]
Talking of other brands, it should be Lego. This is car, as I wrote, it is _based_
on Ford T, but as with Lego for Town, not 100% correct, and there are a lot of
models of Ford T.
The brand Ford is mentioned, but not directly.

I would say that’s enough to be deemed IP infringement. The model doesn’t need
to be even 1% correct, just saying “based on Ford model T” is enough.

Secondly, as for models and custom
models, they have inspiration on real life.

Yes, but to claim you modelize X (even if you fail), you need to have a licence
from X. Unless X is free/libre (a tree, a bird, something generic).
You’ll notice Miro says “1930s era Delivery Truck.” Not a brand.

[…]
I have tried to contact any bricklink help or admin for a week, and they do not
answer.

I guess they think the motivation they gave is sufficient.

I do not expect any answer or help from them, as I spent 7 or so years explaining
them that the Estonian Kroon was history, we got the Euro, but Bricklink kept
showing me prices in Estoian Krooni for app 7 years into Euro times. I wrote
to them so many times, but either they ignore me or do not read at all.

Admins changed a few times since then….

What is IP infringement?
What is IP short for?

I am not a native English speaker

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 14, 2023 16:02

Subject:

Re: My item was removed - why?

Viewed:

36 times

Topic:

In Help, yorbrick writes:

The brand Ford is mentioned, but not directly.

How did you mention Ford indirectly? You don't have thevrights to the Ford
name, so you cannot use it. You can list an "vintage car".

Well, now I try without name:
https://store.bricklink.com/sonnich&itemID=383480100#/shop

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 14, 2023 15:58

Subject:

Re: My item was removed - why?

Viewed:

57 times

Topic:

In Help, yorbrick writes:

The brand Ford is mentioned, but not directly.

How did you mention Ford indirectly? You don't have thevrights to the Ford
name, so you cannot use it. You can list an "vintage car".

I can do that, but as it state if first rule, it seems like it does not apply
to custom sets. Secondly it is "based on".

I did not do that, as they can remove that too and I can try forever, so I preferred
to ask and verify with BL. Otherwise we could end in an endless ring which is
annoying for them as well as for me.
But if they choose not to answer, then I guess that is the way to go.

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 14, 2023 15:46

Subject:

Re: My item was removed - why?

Viewed:

49 times

Topic:

I cannot edit so:

I had the offer of PDF by email, or printed version by mail

This text is from the printed version.

In Help, sonnich writes:

Hi all

I made some custom instructions and but them on BL. 2 days later they were removed.

I wrote:
Custom instructions, PDF, for this vintage car based on the Ford T.
The instructions will be sent as printed papers to the buyers address.
The instructions comes as 12 pages.
Perfect for old style town or Winter Village
And a picture (attached here)

I looked at this for how to do things:
https://store.bricklink.com/Miro78?itemID=103847637#/shop

Now I wonder what it my difference.

They pointed out
http://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=103

Now I wonder what it the reason.

The first statement is:

LEGO® Brand Only: All items listed for sale must be LEGO® brand products unless
they fall into either of the two categories listed below – 5. (Custom Sets) or
6. (Non LEGO Items). Other brands of building toys are not permitted.

It is instructions for Lego Bricks, made with the Studio downloaded from Bricklink.
The instructions do not matter, the advertisement does.

Talking of other brands, it should be Lego. This is car, as I wrote, it is _based_
on Ford T, but as with Lego for Town, not 100% correct, and there are a lot of
models of Ford T.
The brand Ford is mentioned, but not directly. Secondly, as for models and custom
models, they have inspiration on real life.
Also it fall under the category of custom sets (instructions).

The statement also refers to a list that is not there. I pointed that out, but
I have never got any answer from Admins.

Can anyone explain, what it could be?

I have tried to contact any bricklink help or admin for a week, and they do not
answer.

I do not expect any answer or help from them, as I spent 7 or so years explaining
them that the Estonian Kroon was history, we got the Euro, but Bricklink kept
showing me prices in Estoian Krooni for app 7 years into Euro times. I wrote
to them so many times, but either they ignore me or do not read at all.

Therefore I do not expect any help from the Admins.

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 14, 2023 15:41

Subject:

My item was removed - why?

Viewed:

219 times

Topic:

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 14, 2023 15:27

Subject:

Re: Retiring Croatian kuna

Viewed:

59 times

Topic:

Administrative

In Administrative, CE_Anastasia writes:

Dear members,

On December 18, 2023, BrickLink will be retiring Croatian kuna. It will no longer
be available for selection as store currency and wanted list max price.
Additionally, inventory prices will be automatically converted from kuna to euro.
We have notified everyone with inventories that will be affected by this change.

The BrickLink Team

Interesting.
I told bricklink for years that the Estonian Kroon was gone, but is existed some
10 years on Bricklink after it was gone.

I wrote numerous times to admins and help group, but I was ignored by admins
I guess. I never got an answer

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 9, 2023 14:45

Subject:

Re: Adding custom instructions

Viewed:

35 times

Topic:

In Help, sonnich writes:

Hi

How do I add custom instructions, such as here:
https://store.bricklink.com/Miro78?itemID=103847637#/shop

I am used to finding the parts or sets for sale, but how do I add a custom
item like this?

I found it - click "Custom Item" when adding a new empty part

Author:

sonnich

Posted:

Dec 9, 2023 14:14

Subject:

Adding custom instructions

Viewed:

58 times

Topic: