Discussion Forum: Thread 316134

 Author: Phantom_Buyer View Messages Posted By Phantom_Buyer
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 04:21
 Subject: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
 Viewed: 369 times
 Topic: Selling
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Phantom_Buyer (84)

Location:  USA, Illinois
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 13, 2020 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Sepi Bricks
I just spent the last 5 or so hours gathering pieces and packing an order of
"$11.86" with 156 pieces and 74 lots. Not even counting the hours I spent adding
them into my inventory.

I am not exaggerating when I say I could have gotten 5 times as more working
minimum wage here in Illinois...

I don't blame the buyer, I blame myself.

I spent the 5 hours packing without stopping. I organized everything into colors
and types of pieces as well. I picked them all out then really quickly wiped
it and packed it.

The picking took 4 hours!!!

Not only that, but I work 7 days a week and I just spent the little free time
I have packing this order.

Do any of y'all have any tips because I swear I was contemplating closing
my store down for good because I was in disbelief it took SO long!?

Thank you!

SB
 Author: beaverbrick View Messages Posted By beaverbrick
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 04:43
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
 Viewed: 129 times
 Topic: Selling
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beaverbrick (566)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Jan 2, 2014 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store Closed Store: Brick Beaver
In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  I just spent the last 5 or so hours gathering pieces and packing an order of
"$11.86" with 156 pieces and 74 lots. Not even counting the hours I spent adding
them into my inventory.

I am not exaggerating when I say I could have gotten 5 times as more working
minimum wage here in Illinois...

I don't blame the buyer, I blame myself.

I spent the 5 hours packing without stopping. I organized everything into colors
and types of pieces as well. I picked them all out then really quickly wiped
it and packed it.

The picking took 4 hours!!!

Not only that, but I work 7 days a week and I just spent the little free time
I have packing this order.

Do any of y'all have any tips because I swear I was contemplating closing
my store down for good because I was in disbelief it took SO long!?

Thank you!

SB

If picking 74 lots is taking around 4 hours, there's something seriously
wrong with your storage/inventory system.

That would be roughly 18 lots per hour, each lot taking over 3 mins.
That's way too long. You should be able to go straight to a drawer/box/bag
and pull a part out in seconds.

How does your setup/system work?
 Author: Wesman View Messages Posted By Wesman
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 04:55
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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 Topic: Selling
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Wesman (332)

Location:  Netherlands, Zuid-Holland
Member Since Contact Type Status
Aug 2, 2006 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Wesman
I have this x2 and it covers. Order picking is minutes this way. Also, working
with Lego is much more enjoyable when you are organised. It's a continuous
job of cleaning up, getting new items and letting go of items.



In Selling, beaverbrick writes:
  In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  I just spent the last 5 or so hours gathering pieces and packing an order of
"$11.86" with 156 pieces and 74 lots. Not even counting the hours I spent adding
them into my inventory.

I am not exaggerating when I say I could have gotten 5 times as more working
minimum wage here in Illinois...

I don't blame the buyer, I blame myself.

I spent the 5 hours packing without stopping. I organized everything into colors
and types of pieces as well. I picked them all out then really quickly wiped
it and packed it.

The picking took 4 hours!!!

Not only that, but I work 7 days a week and I just spent the little free time
I have packing this order.

Do any of y'all have any tips because I swear I was contemplating closing
my store down for good because I was in disbelief it took SO long!?

Thank you!

SB

If picking 74 lots is taking around 4 hours, there's something seriously
wrong with your storage/inventory system.

That would be roughly 18 lots per hour, each lot taking over 3 mins.
That's way too long. You should be able to go straight to a drawer/box/bag
and pull a part out in seconds.

How does your setup/system work?
 
 Author: Phantom_Buyer View Messages Posted By Phantom_Buyer
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 05:17
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
 Viewed: 118 times
 Topic: Selling
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Phantom_Buyer (84)

Location:  USA, Illinois
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 13, 2020 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Sepi Bricks
In Selling, beaverbrick writes:
  In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  I just spent the last 5 or so hours gathering pieces and packing an order of
"$11.86" with 156 pieces and 74 lots. Not even counting the hours I spent adding
them into my inventory.

I am not exaggerating when I say I could have gotten 5 times as more working
minimum wage here in Illinois...

I don't blame the buyer, I blame myself.

I spent the 5 hours packing without stopping. I organized everything into colors
and types of pieces as well. I picked them all out then really quickly wiped
it and packed it.

The picking took 4 hours!!!

Not only that, but I work 7 days a week and I just spent the little free time
I have packing this order.

Do any of y'all have any tips because I swear I was contemplating closing
my store down for good because I was in disbelief it took SO long!?

Thank you!

SB

If picking 74 lots is taking around 4 hours, there's something seriously
wrong with your storage/inventory system.

That would be roughly 18 lots per hour, each lot taking over 3 mins.
That's way too long. You should be able to go straight to a drawer/box/bag
and pull a part out in seconds.

How does your setup/system work?

Thanks for responding!

I have a big bag per color. Inside that back are little bags with similar parts
(plates, tiles, etc.).

I usually empty the big bag and all the little ones come out. Then find the category,
and empty that specific bag out (20-50 parts per bag). I find the piece and spend
20 seconds looking at the conditions (I keep all the parts together no matter
the condition).

I do need to somewhat change my system. At the same time, the order was 1-2 pieces
of EACH part all separate colors. My parts list was a Rainbow due to the amounts
of colors the buyer chose. I am not kidding when I said they bought one of each
item of each color. It looks as it if was almost on purpose 😂. Usually, it takes
me about an hour per order to pick, not 4.

Thank you!
 Author: beaverbrick View Messages Posted By beaverbrick
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 05:38
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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 Topic: Selling
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beaverbrick (566)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Jan 2, 2014 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store Closed Store: Brick Beaver
In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  In Selling, beaverbrick writes:
  In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  I just spent the last 5 or so hours gathering pieces and packing an order of
"$11.86" with 156 pieces and 74 lots. Not even counting the hours I spent adding
them into my inventory.

I am not exaggerating when I say I could have gotten 5 times as more working
minimum wage here in Illinois...

I don't blame the buyer, I blame myself.

I spent the 5 hours packing without stopping. I organized everything into colors
and types of pieces as well. I picked them all out then really quickly wiped
it and packed it.

The picking took 4 hours!!!

Not only that, but I work 7 days a week and I just spent the little free time
I have packing this order.

Do any of y'all have any tips because I swear I was contemplating closing
my store down for good because I was in disbelief it took SO long!?

Thank you!

SB

If picking 74 lots is taking around 4 hours, there's something seriously
wrong with your storage/inventory system.

That would be roughly 18 lots per hour, each lot taking over 3 mins.
That's way too long. You should be able to go straight to a drawer/box/bag
and pull a part out in seconds.

How does your setup/system work?

Thanks for responding!

I have a big bag per color. Inside that back are little bags with similar parts
(plates, tiles, etc.).

I usually empty the big bag and all the little ones come out. Then find the category,
and empty that specific bag out (20-50 parts per bag). I find the piece and spend
20 seconds looking at the conditions (I keep all the parts together no matter
the condition).

I do need to somewhat change my system. At the same time, the order was 1-2 pieces
of EACH part all separate colors. My parts list was a Rainbow due to the amounts
of colors the buyer chose. I am not kidding when I said they bought one of each
item of each color. It looks as it if was almost on purpose 😂. Usually, it takes
me about an hour per order to pick, not 4.

Thank you!

I wouldn't recommend storing by colour. Trying to find a 1x1 black plate,
amongst a sea of other black parts is not ideal for finding parts quickly. Also,
as you've already found out, when a buyer orders multiple colours of the
same part... ouch!

Depends on how far you want to take it, but store your parts as per the BrickLink
catalog.
So for me, I have a drawer/big bag for each BrickLink category and within that
container, further bags/containers for each part.

Taking plates as an example... I have a big drawer for plates. Within that drawer,
I have separate containers for each different plate. All 1x1's together,
all 1x2's together, all 2x6's together etc. regardless of colour. Then
I sort them smallest to largest.

When a buyer orders a bunch of plates, I can go straight to the plate drawer
and have everything at my fingertips.

For more complicated categories e.g. Plate, Modified, I will also label each
container within the drawer with the part number and sort the drawer by part
numbers.

It'll take a while to change your system, but once it's done it makes
life so much easier.

Good luck
 Author: peregrinator View Messages Posted By peregrinator
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 07:24
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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 Topic: Selling
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peregrinator (772)

Location:  USA, New Jersey
Member Since Contact Type Status
Jan 21, 2003 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Faber Family Bricks
In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  I usually empty the big bag and all the little ones come out. Then find the category,
and empty that specific bag out (20-50 parts per bag). I find the piece and spend
20 seconds looking at the conditions (I keep all the parts together no matter
the condition).

Do you mean Used vs. New here, or various grades of Used (e.g. light playwear
vs. heavy playwear)?

In either case you should really keep them separated - that would save you at
least 20 seconds per lot. And with Used vs. New, I don't think it's possible
to reliably tell the difference between them without keeping them separate.
 Author: Phantom_Buyer View Messages Posted By Phantom_Buyer
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 14:25
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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 Topic: Selling
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Phantom_Buyer (84)

Location:  USA, Illinois
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 13, 2020 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Sepi Bricks
In Selling, peregrinator writes:
  In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  I usually empty the big bag and all the little ones come out. Then find the category,
and empty that specific bag out (20-50 parts per bag). I find the piece and spend
20 seconds looking at the conditions (I keep all the parts together no matter
the condition).

Do you mean Used vs. New here, or various grades of Used (e.g. light playwear
vs. heavy playwear)?

In either case you should really keep them separated - that would save you at
least 20 seconds per lot. And with Used vs. New, I don't think it's possible
to reliably tell the difference between them without keeping them separate.

I separate everything New and Used in two separate bins. In the new is separated
by color then by piece.

Used are separated the same way but all parts no matter the condition are stored
together.
 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 14:49
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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 Topic: Selling
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Teup (6595)

Location:  Netherlands, Utrecht
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 6, 2004 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: BLOKJESKONING
In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  In Selling, peregrinator writes:
  In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  I usually empty the big bag and all the little ones come out. Then find the category,
and empty that specific bag out (20-50 parts per bag). I find the piece and spend
20 seconds looking at the conditions (I keep all the parts together no matter
the condition).

Do you mean Used vs. New here, or various grades of Used (e.g. light playwear
vs. heavy playwear)?

In either case you should really keep them separated - that would save you at
least 20 seconds per lot. And with Used vs. New, I don't think it's possible
to reliably tell the difference between them without keeping them separate.

I separate everything New and Used in two separate bins. In the new is separated
by color then by piece.

Ohhh always separate by piece, then color.. not the other way around! Eyes can
easily spot colors (well, unless you sell mixed old and new grays) but spotting
1x1 bricks, 1x1 with stud, 1x1 headlight in all the same color is a nightmare.
Seriously, don't do it, and totally explains why it takes so long.
 Author: zorbanj View Messages Posted By zorbanj
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 11:37
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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zorbanj (810)

Location:  USA, New Jersey
Member Since Contact Type Status
Dec 14, 2003 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: ZorbaNJ's Bricks
The only pieces I separate by color are basic colors (Black, Blue, Red, Yellow,
White, etc) I always have alot of, like bricks, plates, slopes and tiles. I also
separate colors I have very little of (ex Dark Turqoise). Everything else is
sorted by type.

If you do nothing else, separate the new and used inventory or just list everything
as used. I suspect this is what's killing your picking time. Keeping new
and used together is also an easy way to make a mistake and then have to deal
with an unhappy customer.

Also, see this thread:

https://www.bricklink.com/messageThread.asp?ID=315243

If you can pick an average 15-20 seconds per lot without using storage drawers
that's good.

In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  In Selling, beaverbrick writes:

Thanks for responding!

I have a big bag per color. Inside that back are little bags with similar parts
(plates, tiles, etc.).

I usually empty the big bag and all the little ones come out. Then find the category,
and empty that specific bag out (20-50 parts per bag). I find the piece and spend
20 seconds looking at the conditions (I keep all the parts together no matter
the condition).

I do need to somewhat change my system. At the same time, the order was 1-2 pieces
of EACH part all separate colors. My parts list was a Rainbow due to the amounts
of colors the buyer chose. I am not kidding when I said they bought one of each
item of each color. It looks as it if was almost on purpose 😂. Usually, it takes
me about an hour per order to pick, not 4.

Thank you!
 Author: calebfishn View Messages Posted By calebfishn
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 16:22
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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calebfishn (2141)

Location:  Canada, Ontario
Member Since Contact Type Status
Feb 17, 2009 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Barbie's Brick Store
If you did not store your parts by color, then an order of 10 1x2 tiles in different
colours would take you about 2 minutes or less even without other sophisticated
inventory management techniques.

Not sure what you mean about storing different conditions together, but it isn't
something I would find helpful. Better to sort and separate at the beginning,
when you are not pressured trying to pick an order.
 Author: Brickwilbo View Messages Posted By Brickwilbo
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 04:52
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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Brickwilbo (1534)

Location:  Netherlands, Gelderland
Member Since Contact Type Status Collage
Oct 24, 2007 Contact Member Seller
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Store Closed Store: Brickwilbo Betuwe Bricks
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In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  I just spent the last 5 or so hours gathering pieces and packing an order of
"$11.86" with 156 pieces and 74 lots. Not even counting the hours I spent adding
them into my inventory.

I am not exaggerating when I say I could have gotten 5 times as more working
minimum wage here in Illinois...

I don't blame the buyer, I blame myself.

I spent the 5 hours packing without stopping. I organized everything into colors
and types of pieces as well.

As base I use the Bricklink Category Tree: https://www.bricklink.com/catalogTree.asp?itemType=P
Bricks, Plates, Slopes, Wedges and a few others.
I don't sort by colour, but by Category, then Description.

  I picked them all out then really quickly wiped
it and packed it.

The picking took 4 hours!!!

Not only that, but I work 7 days a week and I just spent the little free time
I have packing this order.

Do any of y'all have any tips because I swear I was contemplating closing
my store down for good because I was in disbelief it took SO long!?

Thank you!

SB
 Author: Abels_Bricks View Messages Posted By Abels_Bricks
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 05:07
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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 Topic: Selling
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Abels_Bricks (1268)

Location:  United Kingdom, Scotland
Member Since Contact Type Status
Oct 2, 2017 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Abel's Bricks
In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  I just spent the last 5 or so hours gathering pieces and packing an order of
"$11.86" with 156 pieces and 74 lots. Not even counting the hours I spent adding
them into my inventory.

I am not exaggerating when I say I could have gotten 5 times as more working
minimum wage here in Illinois...

I don't blame the buyer, I blame myself.

I spent the 5 hours packing without stopping. I organized everything into colors
and types of pieces as well. I picked them all out then really quickly wiped
it and packed it.

The picking took 4 hours!!!

Not only that, but I work 7 days a week and I just spent the little free time
I have packing this order.

Do any of y'all have any tips because I swear I was contemplating closing
my store down for good because I was in disbelief it took SO long!?

Thank you!

SB

unfortunately this is the conundrum of running a lego parts store. 1 of the major
things to sort out is your storage and honestly yours is obviously not streamlined.
74 lots would take me about 10 to 20 mins to pick.
Right from the start I wanted this to be a business and to that end I spent about
£1000 on storage drawers, and spent time labelling them.

Maybe invest in a few stack-ons just to see how it goes, because unless this
is a hobby and your just trying to get rid of a few parts you got cheap then
you need to consider your own time as the next 74 lot order you get is going
to feel like a drag and your going to end up not enjoying what you are doing.

And in the end everyone should enjoy making a little cash from their own efforts.

I wish you well for the future and hope you find a solution that works for you.

David
 Author: Phantom_Buyer View Messages Posted By Phantom_Buyer
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 05:30
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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 Topic: Selling
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Phantom_Buyer (84)

Location:  USA, Illinois
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 13, 2020 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Sepi Bricks
In Selling, Abels_Bricks writes:
  In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  I just spent the last 5 or so hours gathering pieces and packing an order of
"$11.86" with 156 pieces and 74 lots. Not even counting the hours I spent adding
them into my inventory.

I am not exaggerating when I say I could have gotten 5 times as more working
minimum wage here in Illinois...

I don't blame the buyer, I blame myself.

I spent the 5 hours packing without stopping. I organized everything into colors
and types of pieces as well. I picked them all out then really quickly wiped
it and packed it.

The picking took 4 hours!!!

Not only that, but I work 7 days a week and I just spent the little free time
I have packing this order.

Do any of y'all have any tips because I swear I was contemplating closing
my store down for good because I was in disbelief it took SO long!?

Thank you!

SB

unfortunately this is the conundrum of running a lego parts store. 1 of the major
things to sort out is your storage and honestly yours is obviously not streamlined.
74 lots would take me about 10 to 20 mins to pick.
Right from the start I wanted this to be a business and to that end I spent about
£1000 on storage drawers, and spent time labelling them.

Maybe invest in a few stack-ons just to see how it goes, because unless this
is a hobby and your just trying to get rid of a few parts you got cheap then
you need to consider your own time as the next 74 lot order you get is going
to feel like a drag and your going to end up not enjoying what you are doing.

And in the end everyone should enjoy making a little cash from their own efforts.

I wish you well for the future and hope you find a solution that works for you.

David

Thanks for replying!!!

I understand what you are saying.

At first, I tested the waters to see if I could make a living off Bricklink and
it lasted 2-3 months. Bricklink and my store slowed down so I shifted more towards
a hobby to earn a little extra cash to spend back on LEGO sets for my own collection.
Now I am at the point where I give up. I am barely making anything. I can afford
to buy 2 LEGO sets a year...

Now that I think about it, this order took so long as the buyer bought something
of EVERY single color. I had to keep moving lots and colors, etc. My list became
a rainbow if I scrolled really fast 😂

I attached an image of all the parts. You will see how long it must have been
to pick a different part of every color.

Or maybe it's regular to you. For me, it's a first.

Also a quick tip I learned recently is to sort parts on rugs or blankets. Much
easier to grab the pieces than flat surfaces.

Take care,

SB
 
 Author: Teup View Messages Posted By Teup
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 05:58
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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Teup (6595)

Location:  Netherlands, Utrecht
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 6, 2004 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: BLOKJESKONING
In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  Now that I think about it, this order took so long as the buyer bought something
of EVERY single color. I had to keep moving lots and colors, etc. My list became
a rainbow if I scrolled really fast 😂

I attached an image of all the parts. You will see how long it must have been
to pick a different part of every color.

Well, those are actually my favourite orders. When buyers buy the same part in
multiple colours I can all pick them at once from the same bag. If an order is
50 lots but it's 5 colours of every part, it's essentially picking 10
lots for me. Plus, I can toss them all into the same bag without having to worry
if the buyer will be able to identify everything (I wouldn't do that if someone
buys only black things with minimal variations)
 Author: calebfishn View Messages Posted By calebfishn
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 16:29
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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calebfishn (2141)

Location:  Canada, Ontario
Member Since Contact Type Status
Feb 17, 2009 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Barbie's Brick Store
You can save some time by developing your sorting process as well. I don't
think very many people sort their lego inventory by laying everything out flat
on a table, or a floor. It will be too impractical when you are sorting a large
bin full of thousands of parts.

And of course, as everyone has mentioned, sort by types, not by colors. Color
sorting is really the final stage of organization.

Keep asking questions, and best of luck.
 Author: Shiny_Stuff View Messages Posted By Shiny_Stuff
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 16:37
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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Shiny_Stuff (1277)

Location:  USA, New York
Member Since Contact Type Status
Aug 14, 2016 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Shiny Stuff
In Selling, calebfishn writes:
  You can save some time by developing your sorting process as well. I don't
think very many people sort their lego inventory by laying everything out flat
on a table, or a floor. It will be too impractical when you are sorting a large
bin full of thousands of parts.

That's how I sort completely random bins of Lego. I cover a table with a
couple dozen cut-up Lego boxes as sorting trays and get to work. I don't
waste time with teeny-tiny useless cups. I been using some of the same cut up
Lego boxes for 15 or 20 years to sort Lego. For the initial sort, some categories
can be combined -- like animals with plants, cones with radar dishes and
containers, windscreens with vehicle parts, etc.


  
And of course, as everyone has mentioned, sort by types, not by colors. Color
sorting is really the final stage of organization.

Keep asking questions, and best of luck.
 Author: uvt203 View Messages Posted By uvt203
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 06:44
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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uvt203 (11758)

Location:  Denmark
Member Since Contact Type Status
Oct 4, 2005 Contact Member Seller
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Store: ASAP - Asger's SpAre Parts
In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  I just spent the last 5 or so hours gathering pieces and packing an order of
"$11.86" with 156 pieces and 74 lots. Not even counting the hours I spent adding
them into my inventory.

I am not exaggerating when I say I could have gotten 5 times as more working
minimum wage here in Illinois...

I don't blame the buyer, I blame myself.

I spent the 5 hours packing without stopping. I organized everything into colors
and types of pieces as well. I picked them all out then really quickly wiped
it and packed it.

The picking took 4 hours!!!

Not only that, but I work 7 days a week and I just spent the little free time
I have packing this order.

Do any of y'all have any tips because I swear I was contemplating closing
my store down for good because I was in disbelief it took SO long!?

Thank you!

SB

The organisation of your inventory is king as others have answered.

On top of that you might consider to implement some restrictions to buyers. Like
minimum sale, minimum lot average and max lots in one order. By manipulating
these 3 settings you can avoid having an 11$ order needing extensive time to
pick.

I have once had an 300 lot order with 1 part in each with a price of 1-2 cent.
It took me 6 hours to pick to have a sale of 5§. So I learned the hard way to
put up my restrictions and organise my inventory. My average time for each lot
is now about 30 seconds including packing and sending invoice manually. So your
74 lots order would have been close to half an hour in my store.

/Asger
 Author: yorbrick View Messages Posted By yorbrick
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 11:42
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
 Viewed: 78 times
 Topic: Selling
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yorbrick (1182)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 11, 2011 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Yorbricks
  Do any of y'all have any tips because I swear I was contemplating closing
my store down for good because I was in disbelief it took SO long!?


Either set a minimum lot value, don't sell individual penny parts, or group
penny parts into bags of 50 or 100 and sell only in those quantities. Or all
3.
 Author: Shiny_Stuff View Messages Posted By Shiny_Stuff
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 12:28
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
 Viewed: 83 times
 Topic: Selling
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Shiny_Stuff (1277)

Location:  USA, New York
Member Since Contact Type Status
Aug 14, 2016 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Shiny Stuff
In Selling, yorbrick writes:
  
  Do any of y'all have any tips because I swear I was contemplating closing
my store down for good because I was in disbelief it took SO long!?


Either set a minimum lot value, don't sell individual penny parts, or group
penny parts into bags of 50 or 100 and sell only in those quantities. Or all
3.

+1 All good ideas.

One idea nobody else has mentioned: I see from your most recent shop listings
that you parted out ONE COPY of two different sets. I would call that mostly
a waste of time. For the amount of effort it takes to sort and store one copy
of a set, only a tiny bit more time is needed to do 4 or 5 or 10 copies of the
SAME SET.

You said that you don't have much cash, and most everyone has that trouble.
But, it may make more sense to buy one or two sets at a time and then hold onto
them until you can buy a few more (of the same sets). For example, I wanted
20 copies of a certain set to part out last summer. Retail stores seemed to
only stock 3 copies of that set at a time, so 3 is all I could buy at a time.
Then, I had to wait for the stores to re-stock that set so I could buy 3 more.
So, for one specific set, it took me about 4 months to get the 20 copies I wanted.
Only then did I part them out (and I still have not added them to my shop. hahaha).
My minimum number of sets to part out is 4 copies; 10 or 20 copies is what I
prefer if the sets are available and I have enough money.

Good Luck and Have Fun. LEGO is supposed to be fun.

____
 Author: zorbanj View Messages Posted By zorbanj
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 14:03
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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 Topic: Selling
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zorbanj (810)

Location:  USA, New Jersey
Member Since Contact Type Status
Dec 14, 2003 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: ZorbaNJ's Bricks
In Selling, Shiny_Stuff writes:
  
One idea nobody else has mentioned: I see from your most recent shop listings
that you parted out ONE COPY of two different sets. I would call that mostly
a waste of time. For the amount of effort it takes to sort and store one copy
of a set, only a tiny bit more time is needed to do 4 or 5 or 10 copies of the
SAME SET.

You said that you don't have much cash, and most everyone has that trouble.
But, it may make more sense to buy one or two sets at a time and then hold onto
them until you can buy a few more (of the same sets).

Great point. If I were a seller starting out with limited funds, I would buy
used lots at first and grind it out until I had enough money to buy multiples
of new sets.

  For example, I wanted
20 copies of a certain set to part out last summer. Retail stores seemed to
only stock 3 copies of that set at a time, so 3 is all I could buy at a time.
Then, I had to wait for the stores to re-stock that set so I could buy 3 more.

When I used to buy multiples I would ask employees if there were any more sets
available in the back. Depends on who you get. Some employees say you have to
wait until it's on the shelf. Others were more than happy to bring out a
box crate so that they didn't have to unpack and price label them. Never
hurts to ask.
 Author: cosmicray View Messages Posted By cosmicray
 Posted: Jan 23, 2022 11:56
 Subject: Re: I spent 5+ hours on an $11 order 😐
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 Topic: Selling
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cosmicray (3491)

Location:  USA, Florida
Member Since Contact Type Status Collage
Oct 1, 2000 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
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Store: Cosmic Toys
In Selling, Phantom_Buyer writes:
  Do any of y'all have any tips because I swear I was contemplating closing
my store down for good because I was in disbelief it took SO long!?

My own view, and I learned this the hard way, is to not store by color, to not
store by shape (other than maybe for larger pieces) and assign a location code
to every lot. Store that code in the remarks field. When you get an order, every
item in the order will have a specific place to grab it from. If it takes more
than 30 seconds (on average) per lot, then there is room for improvement.

Nita Rae