Discussion Forum: Thread 204351

 Author: enig View Messages Posted By enig
 Posted: Apr 21, 2016 02:50
 Subject: Disable automatic quote cancellation
 Viewed: 126 times
 Topic: Suggestions
 Status:Discarded
Cancel Message
Cancel
Reply to Message
Reply
BrickLink
ID Card

enig (6322)

Location:  Lithuania, Panevėžys
Member Since Contact Type Status
Mar 3, 2012 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: enigma bricks - CHEAP S&H!
Well known problem
http://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=983078

solution
* If some item(s) get removed/sold/etc generate an automatic Item Removal Request
(IRR), stating what has happened. At the same time, give the buyer a singe click
solution to cancel the quote request all together, in case the missing item poses
an issue.

OR
* just create an action item for both buyer and seller, leave it for them to
solve it but DO NOT auto-cancel the whole thing. Make is so the invoicing is
impossible if the item(s) were not removed from the quote via IRR (I guess it
would require to create an item removal request process from a QUOTE)

OR
AUTO-CANCEL the quote, but give the buyer a single-click solution to place the
same quote request again, where the missing items are excluded.

OR
* whatever else.. just do it quick, please. Whatever it will be, please keep
in mind that new buyers often use the quote-request thing without having a slightest
clue what it's for. Whatever will happen after *items are now missing form
the quote request*, MAKE SURE that it is, first and foremost, new-user friendly.
 Author: calsbricks View Messages Posted By calsbricks
 Posted: Apr 21, 2016 03:19
 Subject: Re: Disable automatic quote cancellation
 Viewed: 38 times
 Topic: Suggestions
Cancel Message
Cancel
Reply to Message
Reply
BrickLink
ID Card

calsbricks (8500)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Aug 12, 2008 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: CalsBricks
In Suggestions, enig writes:
  Well known problem
http://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=983078

solution
* If some item(s) get removed/sold/etc generate an automatic Item Removal Request
(IRR), stating what has happened. At the same time, give the buyer a singe click
solution to cancel the quote request all together, in case the missing item poses
an issue.

OR
* just create an action item for both buyer and seller, leave it for them to
solve it but DO NOT auto-cancel the whole thing. Make is so the invoicing is
impossible if the item(s) were not removed from the quote via IRR (I guess it
would require to create an item removal request process from a QUOTE)

OR
AUTO-CANCEL the quote, but give the buyer a single-click solution to place the
same quote request again, where the missing items are excluded.

OR
* whatever else.. just do it quick, please. Whatever it will be, please keep
in mind that new buyers often use the quote-request thing without having a slightest
clue what it's for. Whatever will happen after *items are now missing form
the quote request*, MAKE SURE that it is, first and foremost, new-user friendly.

Voted no on this as we feel the entire quote feature should be scrapped. It is
flawed throughout, not least of which are the points raised in this suggestion.

For stores that process orders first before invoicing the quote is not required.
 Author: yorbrick View Messages Posted By yorbrick
 Posted: Apr 21, 2016 04:04
 Subject: Re: Disable automatic quote cancellation
 Viewed: 36 times
 Topic: Suggestions
Cancel Message
Cancel
Reply to Message
Reply
BrickLink
ID Card

yorbrick (1182)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 11, 2011 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Yorbricks
  For stores that process orders first before invoicing the quote is not required.

Why not? If I wanted to place an order and wanted to know the full price before
committing, would you be willing to cancel an order after having done all the
processing of the order?

The quote feature is there to let buyers know the total price of an order before
they commit, not after they commit. Unless sellers are willing to restock cancelled
orders if the buyer decides against buying after they have been told the postage
costs.
 Author: calsbricks View Messages Posted By calsbricks
 Posted: Apr 21, 2016 07:06
 Subject: Re: Disable automatic quote cancellation
 Viewed: 35 times
 Topic: Suggestions
Cancel Message
Cancel
Reply to Message
Reply
BrickLink
ID Card

calsbricks (8500)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Aug 12, 2008 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: CalsBricks
In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
  
  For stores that process orders first before invoicing the quote is not required.

Why not? If I wanted to place an order and wanted to know the full price before
committing, would you be willing to cancel an order after having done all the
processing of the order?

The quote feature is there to let buyers know the total price of an order before
they commit, not after they commit. Unless sellers are willing to restock cancelled
orders if the buyer decides against buying after they have been told the postage
costs.

Interesting point of view but not one we share. The quote system has been flawed
since its launch and that has been well documented. We are not going to process
a 100+ lot order (and we get a lot of these) to offer a quote and then have the
quote rejected or cancelled by the system as something has gone out of stock
during the quote process.

We provide a shipping options/costs message between 24 and 48 hours after receiving
an order. That provides the individual with a choice of shipping options and
their associated costs. Once they choose from that we invoice them and send the
order immediately upon receiving payment.

Our view is shared by many of the stores in the UK - we have made that point
clear to Bricklink - the quote system was really brought in for the German market
where the buyer is required to know the total value of an order before it becomes
an order. We do not have that problem in the UK.
 Author: yorbrick View Messages Posted By yorbrick
 Posted: Apr 21, 2016 09:18
 Subject: Re: Disable automatic quote cancellation
 Viewed: 32 times
 Topic: Suggestions
Cancel Message
Cancel
Reply to Message
Reply
BrickLink
ID Card

yorbrick (1182)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 11, 2011 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Yorbricks
In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:
  In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
  
  For stores that process orders first before invoicing the quote is not required.

Why not? If I wanted to place an order and wanted to know the full price before
committing, would you be willing to cancel an order after having done all the
processing of the order?

The quote feature is there to let buyers know the total price of an order before
they commit, not after they commit. Unless sellers are willing to restock cancelled
orders if the buyer decides against buying after they have been told the postage
costs.

Interesting point of view but not one we share. The quote system has been flawed
since its launch and that has been well documented. We are not going to process
a 100+ lot order (and we get a lot of these) to offer a quote and then have the
quote rejected or cancelled by the system as something has gone out of stock
during the quote process.

We provide a shipping options/costs message between 24 and 48 hours after receiving
an order. That provides the individual with a choice of shipping options and
their associated costs. Once they choose from that we invoice them and send the
order immediately upon receiving payment.

Our view is shared by many of the stores in the UK - we have made that point
clear to Bricklink - the quote system was really brought in for the German market
where the buyer is required to know the total value of an order before it becomes
an order. We do not have that problem in the UK.

I understand that. You give the buyer a choice of what they can pay for shipping,
but do you give them the choice of cancelling? Some buyers do want to know the
total price including shipping, before they commit.
 Author: calsbricks View Messages Posted By calsbricks
 Posted: Apr 21, 2016 10:10
 Subject: Re: Disable automatic quote cancellation
 Viewed: 35 times
 Topic: Suggestions
Cancel Message
Cancel
Reply to Message
Reply
BrickLink
ID Card

calsbricks (8500)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Aug 12, 2008 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: CalsBricks
In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
  In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:
  In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
  
  For stores that process orders first before invoicing the quote is not required.

Why not? If I wanted to place an order and wanted to know the full price before
committing, would you be willing to cancel an order after having done all the
processing of the order?

The quote feature is there to let buyers know the total price of an order before
they commit, not after they commit. Unless sellers are willing to restock cancelled
orders if the buyer decides against buying after they have been told the postage
costs.

Interesting point of view but not one we share. The quote system has been flawed
since its launch and that has been well documented. We are not going to process
a 100+ lot order (and we get a lot of these) to offer a quote and then have the
quote rejected or cancelled by the system as something has gone out of stock
during the quote process.

We provide a shipping options/costs message between 24 and 48 hours after receiving
an order. That provides the individual with a choice of shipping options and
their associated costs. Once they choose from that we invoice them and send the
order immediately upon receiving payment.

Our view is shared by many of the stores in the UK - we have made that point
clear to Bricklink - the quote system was really brought in for the German market
where the buyer is required to know the total value of an order before it becomes
an order. We do not have that problem in the UK.

I understand that. You give the buyer a choice of what they can pay for shipping,
but do you give them the choice of cancelling? Some buyers do want to know the
total price including shipping, before they commit.

Whilst we do not openly provide that information in our shipping message the
few orders that we have had in the 5 years we have been a store where the buyer
found the pricing of shipping too expensive were mutually cancelled or compromised
on with no problems whatsoever. We don't really need to get into the technicalities
of distance selling laws to be practical or in some case helpful.

The flaws in the quote system have prevented most of the UK's main stores
from adopting this feature. Bricklink did not get it right and I believe they
are aware of that. The original suggestion was a little like putting the finger
in the dyke rather than looking for a rethink from the BL development team on
how best to approach this.
 Author: FigBits View Messages Posted By FigBits
 Posted: Apr 21, 2016 14:50
 Subject: Re: Disable automatic quote cancellation
 Viewed: 29 times
 Topic: Suggestions
Cancel Message
Cancel
Reply to Message
Reply
BrickLink
ID Card

FigBits (3554)

Location:  Canada, Ontario
Member Since Contact Type Status
Nov 11, 2009 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: FigBits
In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:
  In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
  In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:
  In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
  
  For stores that process orders first before invoicing the quote is not required.

Why not? If I wanted to place an order and wanted to know the full price before
committing, would you be willing to cancel an order after having done all the
processing of the order?

The quote feature is there to let buyers know the total price of an order before
they commit, not after they commit. Unless sellers are willing to restock cancelled
orders if the buyer decides against buying after they have been told the postage
costs.

Interesting point of view but not one we share. The quote system has been flawed
since its launch and that has been well documented. We are not going to process
a 100+ lot order (and we get a lot of these) to offer a quote and then have the
quote rejected or cancelled by the system as something has gone out of stock
during the quote process.

We provide a shipping options/costs message between 24 and 48 hours after receiving
an order. That provides the individual with a choice of shipping options and
their associated costs. Once they choose from that we invoice them and send the
order immediately upon receiving payment.

Our view is shared by many of the stores in the UK - we have made that point
clear to Bricklink - the quote system was really brought in for the German market
where the buyer is required to know the total value of an order before it becomes
an order. We do not have that problem in the UK.

I understand that. You give the buyer a choice of what they can pay for shipping,
but do you give them the choice of cancelling? Some buyers do want to know the
total price including shipping, before they commit.

Whilst we do not openly provide that information in our shipping message the
few orders that we have had in the 5 years we have been a store where the buyer
found the pricing of shipping too expensive were mutually cancelled or compromised
on with no problems whatsoever. We don't really need to get into the technicalities
of distance selling laws to be practical or in some case helpful.

The flaws in the quote system have prevented most of the UK's main stores
from adopting this feature. Bricklink did not get it right and I believe they
are aware of that. The original suggestion was a little like putting the finger
in the dyke rather than looking for a rethink from the BL development team on
how best to approach this.


Despite the previous messages, I am still not clear on what is preventing "most
of the UK's main stores" from enabling quotes.


I agree that it would be a waste of time to "process" a 100-lot order, and then
have it cancelled. But, then ... don't process it. Just send a quote.


--
Marc.
 Author: Rarah View Messages Posted By Rarah
 Posted: Apr 21, 2016 16:32
 Subject: Re: Disable automatic quote cancellation
 Viewed: 31 times
 Topic: Suggestions
Cancel Message
Cancel
Reply to Message
Reply
BrickLink
ID Card

Rarah (572)

Location:  Slovakia, Trnavský Kraj
Member Since Contact Type Status Collage
Dec 2, 2004 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
View Collage Pic
Store Closed Store: ELFIK Minifigures
In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
  In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:
  In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
  In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:
  In Suggestions, yorbrick writes:
  
  For stores that process orders first before invoicing the quote is not required.

Why not? If I wanted to place an order and wanted to know the full price before
committing, would you be willing to cancel an order after having done all the
processing of the order?

The quote feature is there to let buyers know the total price of an order before
they commit, not after they commit. Unless sellers are willing to restock cancelled
orders if the buyer decides against buying after they have been told the postage
costs.

Interesting point of view but not one we share. The quote system has been flawed
since its launch and that has been well documented. We are not going to process
a 100+ lot order (and we get a lot of these) to offer a quote and then have the
quote rejected or cancelled by the system as something has gone out of stock
during the quote process.

We provide a shipping options/costs message between 24 and 48 hours after receiving
an order. That provides the individual with a choice of shipping options and
their associated costs. Once they choose from that we invoice them and send the
order immediately upon receiving payment.

Our view is shared by many of the stores in the UK - we have made that point
clear to Bricklink - the quote system was really brought in for the German market
where the buyer is required to know the total value of an order before it becomes
an order. We do not have that problem in the UK.

I understand that. You give the buyer a choice of what they can pay for shipping,
but do you give them the choice of cancelling? Some buyers do want to know the
total price including shipping, before they commit.

Whilst we do not openly provide that information in our shipping message the
few orders that we have had in the 5 years we have been a store where the buyer
found the pricing of shipping too expensive were mutually cancelled or compromised
on with no problems whatsoever. We don't really need to get into the technicalities
of distance selling laws to be practical or in some case helpful.

The flaws in the quote system have prevented most of the UK's main stores
from adopting this feature. Bricklink did not get it right and I believe they
are aware of that. The original suggestion was a little like putting the finger
in the dyke rather than looking for a rethink from the BL development team on
how best to approach this.


Despite the previous messages, I am still not clear on what is preventing "most
of the UK's main stores" from enabling quotes.


I agree that it would be a waste of time to "process" a 100-lot order, and then
have it cancelled. But, then ... don't process it. Just send a quote.


--
Marc.

I find the whole quete system completely unnecessary .. becasue you hava totally
the same amount of work adding the shipping cost to an existing order as you
would do to the quote .. I perosnally have no problems to cancell any order I
do not even need to know the reasons .. it´s 1 click problem solved issue ..
any buyer should be able to cancell existing order without a reason .. if you
are updating a quote or existing order the amount of work and time is totally
the same + if the quote is ok it must be transformed to order having the risk
of items sold out .. in order if the buyer accepts he just pays .. so it´s even
easier for both sides ... this is not worth the time I guess
 Author: FigBits View Messages Posted By FigBits
 Posted: Apr 21, 2016 16:43
 Subject: Re: Disable automatic quote cancellation
 Viewed: 30 times
 Topic: Suggestions
Cancel Message
Cancel
Reply to Message
Reply
BrickLink
ID Card

FigBits (3554)

Location:  Canada, Ontario
Member Since Contact Type Status
Nov 11, 2009 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: FigBits
In Suggestions, Rarah writes:
  In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
  Despite the previous messages, I am still not clear on what is preventing "most
of the UK's main stores" from enabling quotes.


I agree that it would be a waste of time to "process" a 100-lot order, and then
have it cancelled. But, then ... don't process it. Just send a quote.


--
Marc.

I find the whole quete system completely unnecessary .. becasue you hava totally
the same amount of work adding the shipping cost to an existing order as you
would do to the quote


Yes. But the quote system isn't meant to make things easier for the seller,
it's for the buyer.


   .. I perosnally have no problems to cancell any order I
do not even need to know the reasons .. it´s 1 click problem solved issue ..
any buyer should be able to cancell existing order without a reason ..

I completely agree. It's the same in my store. But most stores do NOT allow
this.


   if you
are updating a quote or existing order the amount of work and time is totally
the same + if the quote is ok it must be transformed to order having the risk
of items sold out .. in order if the buyer accepts he just pays .. so it´s even
easier for both sides ... this is not worth the time I guess


IF the buyer thinks that the shipping cost is reasonable, then yes -- it's
just as easy to make the purchase instead of using the quote feature. But if
the buyer DOESN'T KNOW if the shipping will be too much or if it will be
okay, then it makes sense for them to use the quote feature.


--
Marc.
 Author: Rarah View Messages Posted By Rarah
 Posted: Apr 22, 2016 00:22
 Subject: Re: Disable automatic quote cancellation
 Viewed: 24 times
 Topic: Suggestions
Cancel Message
Cancel
Reply to Message
Reply
BrickLink
ID Card

Rarah (572)

Location:  Slovakia, Trnavský Kraj
Member Since Contact Type Status Collage
Dec 2, 2004 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
View Collage Pic
Store Closed Store: ELFIK Minifigures
In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
  In Suggestions, Rarah writes:
  In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
  Despite the previous messages, I am still not clear on what is preventing "most
of the UK's main stores" from enabling quotes.


I agree that it would be a waste of time to "process" a 100-lot order, and then
have it cancelled. But, then ... don't process it. Just send a quote.


--
Marc.

I find the whole quete system completely unnecessary .. becasue you hava totally
the same amount of work adding the shipping cost to an existing order as you
would do to the quote


Yes. But the quote system isn't meant to make things easier for the seller,
it's for the buyer.


   .. I perosnally have no problems to cancell any order I
do not even need to know the reasons .. it´s 1 click problem solved issue ..
any buyer should be able to cancell existing order without a reason ..

I completely agree. It's the same in my store. But most stores do NOT allow
this.


   if you
are updating a quote or existing order the amount of work and time is totally
the same + if the quote is ok it must be transformed to order having the risk
of items sold out .. in order if the buyer accepts he just pays .. so it´s even
easier for both sides ... this is not worth the time I guess


IF the buyer thinks that the shipping cost is reasonable, then yes -- it's
just as easy to make the purchase instead of using the quote feature. But if
the buyer DOESN'T KNOW if the shipping will be too much or if it will be
okay, then it makes sense for them to use the quote feature.


--
Marc.

Hey Marc, if there would be the possibility that cancell is always allowed ..
that would solve the "expensive shipping shock" issue. It ´s like a quote ..
you make the order but the shipping is whoa 30% of order cost so you definitelly
should be able to cancell and I can understand that even for not such a logical
reason. this is not a huge company store where customers are being punished for
decision .. this is a hobby market where people should be friendly and understanding
.. when I cancelled the orders before people were happy and made a change
or a new order sooner or later.. it´s like karma. You give good you recieve good.
 Author: FigBits View Messages Posted By FigBits
 Posted: Apr 22, 2016 00:24
 Subject: Re: Disable automatic quote cancellation
 Viewed: 35 times
 Topic: Suggestions
Cancel Message
Cancel
Reply to Message
Reply
BrickLink
ID Card

FigBits (3554)

Location:  Canada, Ontario
Member Since Contact Type Status
Nov 11, 2009 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: FigBits
In Suggestions, Rarah writes:
  In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
  In Suggestions, Rarah writes:
  In Suggestions, FigBits writes:
  Despite the previous messages, I am still not clear on what is preventing "most
of the UK's main stores" from enabling quotes.


I agree that it would be a waste of time to "process" a 100-lot order, and then
have it cancelled. But, then ... don't process it. Just send a quote.


--
Marc.

I find the whole quete system completely unnecessary .. becasue you hava totally
the same amount of work adding the shipping cost to an existing order as you
would do to the quote


Yes. But the quote system isn't meant to make things easier for the seller,
it's for the buyer.


   .. I perosnally have no problems to cancell any order I
do not even need to know the reasons .. it´s 1 click problem solved issue ..
any buyer should be able to cancell existing order without a reason ..

I completely agree. It's the same in my store. But most stores do NOT allow
this.


   if you
are updating a quote or existing order the amount of work and time is totally
the same + if the quote is ok it must be transformed to order having the risk
of items sold out .. in order if the buyer accepts he just pays .. so it´s even
easier for both sides ... this is not worth the time I guess


IF the buyer thinks that the shipping cost is reasonable, then yes -- it's
just as easy to make the purchase instead of using the quote feature. But if
the buyer DOESN'T KNOW if the shipping will be too much or if it will be
okay, then it makes sense for them to use the quote feature.


--
Marc.

Hey Marc, if there would be the possibility that cancell is always allowed ..
that would solve the "expensive shipping shock" issue. It ´s like a quote ..
you make the order but the shipping is whoa 30% of order cost so you definitelly
should be able to cancell and I can understand that even for not such a logical
reason. this is not a huge company store where customers are being punished for
decision .. this is a hobby market where people should be friendly and understanding
.. when I cancelled the orders before people were happy and made a change
or a new order sooner or later.. it´s like karma. You give good you recieve good.


I agree 100%. I just wish all sellers felt the same way.


--
Marc.
 Author: ToriHada View Messages Posted By ToriHada
 Posted: Apr 21, 2016 16:44
 Subject: Re: Disable automatic quote cancellation
 Viewed: 35 times
 Topic: Suggestions
Cancel Message
Cancel
Reply to Message
Reply
BrickLink
ID Card

ToriHada (8887)

Location:  USA, North Carolina
Member Since Contact Type Status Collage
Feb 12, 2003 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
View Collage Pic
Store Closed Store: Thorz BrikTopia
I also voted no, and for the same reason. IMO, the quote feature should be eliminated
and replaced with either immediate full payment upon checkout or an indication
of what maximum shipping will be upon checkout if being invoiced later.

Thor
 Author: Brickwilbo View Messages Posted By Brickwilbo
 Posted: Apr 22, 2016 11:10
 Subject: Re: Disable automatic quote cancellation
 Viewed: 24 times
 Topic: Suggestions
Cancel Message
Cancel
Reply to Message
Reply
BrickLink
ID Card

Brickwilbo (1534)

Location:  Netherlands, Gelderland
Member Since Contact Type Status Collage
Oct 24, 2007 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
View Collage Pic
Store Closed Store: Brickwilbo Betuwe Bricks
BrickLink Discussions Moderator (?)
In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:
  In Suggestions, enig writes:
  Well known problem
http://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=983078

solution
* If some item(s) get removed/sold/etc generate an automatic Item Removal Request
(IRR), stating what has happened. At the same time, give the buyer a singe click
solution to cancel the quote request all together, in case the missing item poses
an issue.

OR
* just create an action item for both buyer and seller, leave it for them to
solve it but DO NOT auto-cancel the whole thing. Make is so the invoicing is
impossible if the item(s) were not removed from the quote via IRR (I guess it
would require to create an item removal request process from a QUOTE)

OR
AUTO-CANCEL the quote, but give the buyer a single-click solution to place the
same quote request again, where the missing items are excluded.

OR
* whatever else.. just do it quick, please. Whatever it will be, please keep
in mind that new buyers often use the quote-request thing without having a slightest
clue what it's for. Whatever will happen after *items are now missing form
the quote request*, MAKE SURE that it is, first and foremost, new-user friendly.

Voted no on this as we feel the entire quote feature should be scrapped. It is
flawed throughout, not least of which are the points raised in this suggestion.

For stores that process orders first before invoicing the quote is not required.

You only have to estimate the postage. There's no need to pick and pack.
Sometimes you loose, but mostly it's accurate to estimate.
 Author: calsbricks View Messages Posted By calsbricks
 Posted: Apr 22, 2016 14:10
 Subject: Re: Disable automatic quote cancellation
 Viewed: 32 times
 Topic: Suggestions
Cancel Message
Cancel
Reply to Message
Reply
BrickLink
ID Card

calsbricks (8500)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Aug 12, 2008 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: CalsBricks
In Suggestions, Brickwilbo writes:
  In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:
  In Suggestions, enig writes:
  Well known problem
http://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=983078

solution
* If some item(s) get removed/sold/etc generate an automatic Item Removal Request
(IRR), stating what has happened. At the same time, give the buyer a singe click
solution to cancel the quote request all together, in case the missing item poses
an issue.

OR
* just create an action item for both buyer and seller, leave it for them to
solve it but DO NOT auto-cancel the whole thing. Make is so the invoicing is
impossible if the item(s) were not removed from the quote via IRR (I guess it
would require to create an item removal request process from a QUOTE)

OR
AUTO-CANCEL the quote, but give the buyer a single-click solution to place the
same quote request again, where the missing items are excluded.

OR
* whatever else.. just do it quick, please. Whatever it will be, please keep
in mind that new buyers often use the quote-request thing without having a slightest
clue what it's for. Whatever will happen after *items are now missing form
the quote request*, MAKE SURE that it is, first and foremost, new-user friendly.

Voted no on this as we feel the entire quote feature should be scrapped. It is
flawed throughout, not least of which are the points raised in this suggestion.

For stores that process orders first before invoicing the quote is not required.

You only have to estimate the postage. There's no need to pick and pack.
Sometimes you loose, but mostly it's accurate to estimate.

Not sure we can agree with that. We are not in the business to 'lose'
as you mention, especially with margins the way they are. We are very happy not
using the quote system and cannot see any justification in turning it on. We
don't estimate shipping we process our orders and quote shipping, normally
within 24 - 48 hours - the number of orders in 5 years which have cancelled due
to high shipping costs is in single digits and that is on over 3000 orders, so
why should we bother? On top of that the quote feature is flawed. Why would you
have a quote cancelled when a single item goes out of stock against that quote?
Potentially costing you a reasonable order.

If someone wants a pre-order quote they can always ask for it and we will look
at that. Again the number of times someone has asked for a shipping quote can
be counted on two hands at most.

Someone in the forum has suggested they are getting a 50% hit rate against quotes.
I do not think that figure really has any true meaning. How many of those people
would have bought anyway without getting a quote, especially if the store has
just the items they want/need?

We, along with many others, think that Bricklink development have not got it
right with this and they need to go back to the drawing board. But then that
is just our collective opinion but we know that isn't going to happen. Development
have a mind of their own and are not really that communicative. Since Ryan's
departure development news is no news.


The quote system is there as an option and we are comfortable with not being
forced to turn it on and as long as it stays like that we do not have a real
problem. It may suit some and not others but it really was a gesture by Bricklink
to the German market place where total value of an order must be known before
it becomes a binding order. We do not have that requirement in the UK and hopefully
never will. So we do not really need a quote system. Some use it and some don't.
With nearly 10,000 stores working through Bricklink, I wonder how many have actually
turned it on and are using it. Not sure we will ever know that. So the story
really ends here until the next chapter from Bricklink development.