| Discussion Forum: Thread 114567 |
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| | | Author: | FigBits  | | Posted: | Jun 9, 2011 20:21 | | Subject: | A different way to handle Vintage variants | | Viewed: | 192 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | | Status: | Open | | Vote: | [Yes|No] | |
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| I'm not a "collector", but I understand the mindset, and the desire to have the
catalog reflect the true range of items that exist.
I am a seller here, and I completely agree that adding multiple vintage variants
would cause significant confusion.
So here's a solution: Leave the catalog as it is, but provide somewhat-difficult-to-access,
BrickLink-standardized information about the known variants, so that buyers and
sellers can ensure that they are speaking the same language, and to make it easier
for them to find each other.
Here's how I imagine it working, using just 3001 as an example.
At the bottom of this page: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=3001 there
should be a link stating "See all known 'vintage' variants of this part, and
how to find or list them" or something similar.
This link would take you to a page which lists the variants of this part, and
a name that it should be referred to. (i.e. "3001_old_f" or whatever). On this
page, along with pictures of each variant and a thorough description, there is
a blurb that lets sellers know that if they want their buyers to know that this
is the variant they have in their store, they should include the variant name
in the Description field. There are also instructions for buyers who are looking
for a particular part on how to include Description field parameters within their
search. Maybe even include a link that does the search for them for each variant
(ex: http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?q=3001_old_f&searchComments=Y )
This would completely avoid messing up the catalog. It uses existing structure
to solve the problem (though it requires adding one new page for each part that
has vintage variants). It lets buyers filter their searches to find just the
parts they want. And it allows sellers who want to reach that market ensure that
they are listing their parts correctly, by following the guidelines on the Vintage
Variants page.
The only downside I can see is the work needed to set up those pages, and the
standards to identify variants. But if there is enough demand for a solution
to the problem, then there must be enough interest in contributing that work.
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Marc.
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| | | | | Author: | toontexas | | Posted: | Jun 9, 2011 21:09 | | Subject: | Re: A different way to handle Vintage variants | | Viewed: | 34 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
Only problem I can see now is that the rare vintage parts are included in the
price guide with the newer parts....
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| | | | | | | Author: | FigBits | | Posted: | Jun 9, 2011 21:20 | | Subject: | Re: A different way to handle Vintage variants | | Viewed: | 40 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, toontexas writes:
| | In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
Only problem I can see now is that the rare vintage parts are included in the
price guide with the newer parts....
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Yes, but that happens already.
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Marc.
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Canada, Ontario
USA, Texas