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| | | Author: | Lego.my.eggo  | | Posted: | Nov 20, 2022 17:23 | | Subject: | Advice wanted from current sellers | | Viewed: | 166 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| Can a non-AFOL (someone who wouldn’t know a slope from a cylinder) successfully
sell a large inventory on BrickLink?
Here’s the background: I need to get rid of a large inventory that is taking
up way too much space in our two-bedroom NYC apartment. I’ve already shipped
several large boxes to Lego’s donation program, and I could conceivably donate
the rest, but I have a recently retired relative with way too much time on their
hands who could also use a little cash and they’ve expressed interest in opening
a store on BrickLink using the inventory. The problem is that the individual
in question isn’t acquainted with Bricklink’s parts classification system, which
has a steep learning curve and can frustrate even the most dedicated users.
Assuming that I pre-bag and label all of the parts for sale with the part number
and color, and pre-sort everything into bins ordered numerically by part number,
is it feasible for someone to be a seller using solely that information (e.g.,
without knowing whether something is classified as a modified plate versus modified
tile)? Thanks.
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| | | | | Author: | 1001bricks | | Posted: | Nov 20, 2022 17:28 | | Subject: | Re: Advice wanted from current sellers | | Viewed: | 61 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, Lego.my.eggo writes:
| | Can a non-AFOL (someone who wouldn’t know a slope from a cylinder) successfully
sell a large inventory on BrickLink?
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Yes! See my shop!
No - joking, I'm fond of LEGO since I sinked figs in my bath 50 years ago
| | Here’s the background: I need to get rid of a large inventory that is taking
up way too much space in our two-bedroom NYC apartment. I’ve already shipped
several large boxes to Lego’s donation program, and I could conceivably donate
the rest, but I have a recently retired relative with way too much time on their
hands who could also use a little cash and they’ve expressed interest in opening
a store on BrickLink using the inventory. The problem is that the individual
in question isn’t acquainted with Bricklink’s parts classification system, which
has a steep learning curve and can frustrate even the most dedicated users.
Assuming that I pre-bag and label all of the parts for sale with the part number
and color, and pre-sort everything into bins ordered numerically by part number,
is it feasible for someone to be a seller using solely that information (e.g.,
without knowing whether something is classified as a modified plate versus modified
tile)? Thanks.
|
Download and use BrickStore, free, open-source.
You make your list locally, see the pictures, it's really easy.
You can do it.
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| | | | | | | Author: | Lego.my.eggo | | Posted: | Nov 20, 2022 21:21 | | Subject: | Re: Advice wanted from current sellers | | Viewed: | 52 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| Woohoo! I’d better get sorting…. 😉. Thanks!
In Selling, 1001bricks writes:
| | In Selling, Lego.my.eggo writes:
| | Can a non-AFOL (someone who wouldn’t know a slope from a cylinder) successfully
sell a large inventory on BrickLink?
|
Yes! See my shop!
No - joking, I'm fond of LEGO since I sinked figs in my bath 50 years ago
| | Here’s the background: I need to get rid of a large inventory that is taking
up way too much space in our two-bedroom NYC apartment. I’ve already shipped
several large boxes to Lego’s donation program, and I could conceivably donate
the rest, but I have a recently retired relative with way too much time on their
hands who could also use a little cash and they’ve expressed interest in opening
a store on BrickLink using the inventory. The problem is that the individual
in question isn’t acquainted with Bricklink’s parts classification system, which
has a steep learning curve and can frustrate even the most dedicated users.
Assuming that I pre-bag and label all of the parts for sale with the part number
and color, and pre-sort everything into bins ordered numerically by part number,
is it feasible for someone to be a seller using solely that information (e.g.,
without knowing whether something is classified as a modified plate versus modified
tile)? Thanks.
|
Download and use BrickStore, free, open-source.
You make your list locally, see the pictures, it's really easy.
You can do it.
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | Akir | | Posted: | Nov 21, 2022 13:53 | | Subject: | Re: Advice wanted from current sellers | | Viewed: | 26 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| I wouldn't start out with Brickstore as a newbie - I uploaded my first inventory
via the bricklink page - it took ages and was a terrible drag, but I learned
so much about variants, similar pieces, colors,... that I would never have noticed
on Brickstore. Once you have a hang of the whole thing, absolutely Brickstore,
never want to be without it anymore. But to learn about Lego, the page works
better (well, "works better" is maybe not the phrase that comes to mind first,
but that one job it does well...  )
In Selling, Lego.my.eggo writes:
| | Woohoo! I’d better get sorting…. 😉. Thanks!
In Selling, 1001bricks writes:
| | In Selling, Lego.my.eggo writes:
| | Can a non-AFOL (someone who wouldn’t know a slope from a cylinder) successfully
sell a large inventory on BrickLink?
|
Yes! See my shop!
No - joking, I'm fond of LEGO since I sinked figs in my bath 50 years ago
| | Here’s the background: I need to get rid of a large inventory that is taking
up way too much space in our two-bedroom NYC apartment. I’ve already shipped
several large boxes to Lego’s donation program, and I could conceivably donate
the rest, but I have a recently retired relative with way too much time on their
hands who could also use a little cash and they’ve expressed interest in opening
a store on BrickLink using the inventory. The problem is that the individual
in question isn’t acquainted with Bricklink’s parts classification system, which
has a steep learning curve and can frustrate even the most dedicated users.
Assuming that I pre-bag and label all of the parts for sale with the part number
and color, and pre-sort everything into bins ordered numerically by part number,
is it feasible for someone to be a seller using solely that information (e.g.,
without knowing whether something is classified as a modified plate versus modified
tile)? Thanks.
|
Download and use BrickStore, free, open-source.
You make your list locally, see the pictures, it's really easy.
You can do it.
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| | | | | | | | | | | Author: | Nubs_Select | | Posted: | Nov 21, 2022 14:03 | | Subject: | Re: Advice wanted from current sellers | | Viewed: | 27 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, Akir writes:
| | I wouldn't start out with Brickstore as a newbie
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Or even an experienced seller  that thing is so complicated
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | Author: | 1001bricks | | Posted: | Nov 21, 2022 14:08 | | Subject: | Re: Advice wanted from current sellers | | Viewed: | 26 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, Nubs_Select writes:
| | In Selling, Akir writes:
| | I wouldn't start out with Brickstore as a newbie
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Or even an experienced seller that thing is so complicated
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Pfff - a bacteria could use it!
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Author: | Nubs_Select | | Posted: | Nov 21, 2022 14:10 | | Subject: | Re: Advice wanted from current sellers | | Viewed: | 30 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, 1001bricks writes:
| | In Selling, Nubs_Select writes:
| | In Selling, Akir writes:
| | I wouldn't start out with Brickstore as a newbie
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Or even an experienced seller that thing is so complicated
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Pfff - a bacteria could use it!
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ohhh so your a bacteria? interesting
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Author: | 1001bricks | | Posted: | Nov 21, 2022 14:27 | | Subject: | (Cancelled) | | Viewed: | 30 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| | (Cancelled) |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Author: | Nubs_Select | | Posted: | Nov 21, 2022 14:44 | | Subject: | Re: Advice wanted from current sellers | | Viewed: | 34 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, 1001bricks writes:
| | In Selling, Nubs_Select writes:
| | In Selling, 1001bricks writes:
| | In Selling, Nubs_Select writes:
| | In Selling, Akir writes:
| | I wouldn't start out with Brickstore as a newbie
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Or even an experienced seller that thing is so complicated
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Pfff - a bacteria could use it!
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ohhh so your a bacteria? interesting
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A paramecia.
Paramecie is my account name on Steam.
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | krystensprouse | | Posted: | Nov 24, 2022 15:01 | | Subject: | Re: Advice wanted from current sellers | | Viewed: | 51 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, Lego.my.eggo writes:
| | Woohoo! I’d better get sorting…. 😉. Thanks!
In Selling, 1001bricks writes:
| | In Selling, Lego.my.eggo writes:
| | Can a non-AFOL (someone who wouldn’t know a slope from a cylinder) successfully
sell a large inventory on BrickLink?
|
Yes! See my shop!
No - joking, I'm fond of LEGO since I sinked figs in my bath 50 years ago
| | Here’s the background: I need to get rid of a large inventory that is taking
up way too much space in our two-bedroom NYC apartment. I’ve already shipped
several large boxes to Lego’s donation program, and I could conceivably donate
the rest, but I have a recently retired relative with way too much time on their
hands who could also use a little cash and they’ve expressed interest in opening
a store on BrickLink using the inventory. The problem is that the individual
in question isn’t acquainted with Bricklink’s parts classification system, which
has a steep learning curve and can frustrate even the most dedicated users.
Assuming that I pre-bag and label all of the parts for sale with the part number
and color, and pre-sort everything into bins ordered numerically by part number,
is it feasible for someone to be a seller using solely that information (e.g.,
without knowing whether something is classified as a modified plate versus modified
tile)? Thanks.
|
Download and use BrickStore, free, open-source.
You make your list locally, see the pictures, it's really easy.
You can do it.
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WELLL...
I have severe ADHD... like SEVERE! I "hobby hop" which is basically sparking
an interest in something, just like any other normal human being. I don't
just ease in, dip my toes in the water, feel it out and then slowly spend my
money. No no no... I literally take every available penny that I have, throw
it at the hobby and spend every waking moment doing said hobby. That being said,
when I opened my Bricklink store in August, my son and I had been interested
in Legos maybe 2 weeks. I then threw thousands of dollars on assortments of random
pieces and opened the store. I knew almost nothing about Lego and absolutley
nothing about Bricklink other than it was an website I found on Google. Here
I am today.. still doing the d**m thing.
Basically you don't have to know much, just be a quick learner. Better if
he has ADHD... he'll learn in a day or 2 and know more than we do.
THAT IS ALL
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| | | | | Author: | Nubs_Select | | Posted: | Nov 21, 2022 00:36 | | Subject: | Re: Advice wanted from current sellers | | Viewed: | 48 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| Yup, I only was a normal LEGO collector as a kid and wouldn’t say I was above
average for knowledge LEGO related and mostly learnt as I continued selling so
it’s defiantly possible to sell without prior knowledge. It will take some time
to learn parts but if you have the money something like an instabrick unit could
help you identify many LEGO parts easily
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| | | | | Author: | kzinti | | Posted: | Nov 21, 2022 00:49 | | Subject: | Re: Advice wanted from current sellers | | Viewed: | 54 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, Lego.my.eggo writes:
| | Can a non-AFOL (someone who wouldn’t know a slope from a cylinder) successfully
sell a large inventory on BrickLink?
Here’s the background: I need to get rid of a large inventory that is taking
up way too much space in our two-bedroom NYC apartment. I’ve already shipped
several large boxes to Lego’s donation program, and I could conceivably donate
the rest, but I have a recently retired relative with way too much time on their
hands who could also use a little cash and they’ve expressed interest in opening
a store on BrickLink using the inventory. The problem is that the individual
in question isn’t acquainted with Bricklink’s parts classification system, which
has a steep learning curve and can frustrate even the most dedicated users.
Assuming that I pre-bag and label all of the parts for sale with the part number
and color, and pre-sort everything into bins ordered numerically by part number,
is it feasible for someone to be a seller using solely that information (e.g.,
without knowing whether something is classified as a modified plate versus modified
tile)? Thanks.
|
You can always start with the basics. Plates and bricks are a solid pillar to
start a shop, and if that goes well, start learning the rest as you go. Like
spelling words in school, learn a new one every day. Same for most colors, basics
are simple, with exotic colors being learned over time.
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| | | | | Author: | jennnifer | | Posted: | Nov 21, 2022 10:46 | | Subject: | Re: Advice wanted from current sellers | | Viewed: | 49 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, Lego.my.eggo writes:
| | Can a non-AFOL (someone who wouldn’t know a slope from a cylinder) successfully
sell a large inventory on BrickLink?
Here’s the background: I need to get rid of a large inventory that is taking
up way too much space in our two-bedroom NYC apartment. I’ve already shipped
several large boxes to Lego’s donation program, and I could conceivably donate
the rest, but I have a recently retired relative with way too much time on their
hands who could also use a little cash and they’ve expressed interest in opening
a store on BrickLink using the inventory. The problem is that the individual
in question isn’t acquainted with Bricklink’s parts classification system, which
has a steep learning curve and can frustrate even the most dedicated users.
Assuming that I pre-bag and label all of the parts for sale with the part number
and color, and pre-sort everything into bins ordered numerically by part number,
is it feasible for someone to be a seller using solely that information (e.g.,
without knowing whether something is classified as a modified plate versus modified
tile)? Thanks.
|
Yes, but you should make a good plan to deal with any issues that crop up. Make
sure your new seller documents as they go: take images of the order contents
and the completed package with label so you can help troubleshoot mistakes.
Also, I think sorting by part number would be very difficult. I'd be curious
to hear from anyone who sorts their store that way. Category and location via
Remarks are really the only two methods I have heard people use.
Good luck,
Jen
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| | | | | | | Author: | Brickitty | | Posted: | Nov 21, 2022 16:17 | | Subject: | Re: Advice wanted from current sellers | | Viewed: | 29 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, jennnifer writes:
| | Also, I think sorting by part number would be very difficult. I'd be curious
to hear from anyone who sorts their store that way. Category and location via
Remarks are really the only two methods I have heard people use.
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How about by Bricklink category, then by part number inside each category? I
have over 2,000 plastic drawers of various sizes (with over 3,000 individual
areas using drawer dividers), from the small 64-drawer Akro-Mils size to enormous
Sterilite bins. I have overflow bins on top of each column for parts that exceed
their drawer size, and I store oversized parts, minifigures, torsos, books, etc.
separately. Bionicle parts have their own system as well. It's very efficient
for parting out and for picking, whether it's a 2-lot order or a 200-lot
order. No offense to anyone who sorts with nested ziplocs and/or by location
via remarks, but those methods sounds horribly inefficient and labor-intensive
to me. Maybe it works better for a small store? But I've tested it, and it
would double the time it takes me to fill a typical order.
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| | | | | Author: | Shiny_Stuff | | Posted: | Nov 21, 2022 13:38 | | Subject: | Re: Advice wanted from current sellers | | Viewed: | 43 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, Lego.my.eggo writes:
| | Can a non-AFOL (someone who wouldn’t know a slope from a cylinder) successfully
sell a large inventory on BrickLink?
Here’s the background: I need to get rid of a large inventory that is taking
up way too much space in our two-bedroom NYC apartment. I’ve already shipped
several large boxes to Lego’s donation program, and I could conceivably donate
the rest, but I have a recently retired relative with way too much time on their
hands who could also use a little cash and they’ve expressed interest in opening
a store on BrickLink using the inventory. The problem is that the individual
in question isn’t acquainted with Bricklink’s parts classification system, which
has a steep learning curve and can frustrate even the most dedicated users.
Assuming that I pre-bag and label all of the parts for sale with the part number
and color, and pre-sort everything into bins ordered numerically by part number,
is it feasible for someone to be a seller using solely that information (e.g.,
without knowing whether something is classified as a modified plate versus modified
tile)? Thanks.
|
Like Jennnifer says, storing by part number may not be very sensible.
But, if the interested person has decent intelligence, I see no reason why they
couldn't learn the basics of LEGO parts and BL inventory. There is always
stuff to learn, even for long time Lego fans, because LEGO is the most complicated
toy product ever made. The list of parts is endless, and the list of colors
is pretty long, too.
The weird part about having to pick and pack orders from somebody else's
inventory is being able to trust 100 percent that the items actually exist.
For example, if they are having trouble locating at item that may be stored in
the wrong place, how much effort is it worth to keep looking if you cannot be
sure the item can ever be found?
Over the past 20 years, I have hired myself out to work for 6 different BL sellers,
and one of the hardest things for me was figuring out where the other person
may have misplaced an item that has gone missing. Everyone's brain and logic
path works a bit differently, so what may be logical places to look for one person
may not be the logical places to look by another person. Sorry if this is hard
to understand.
The person to which you transfer your inventory to should be involved and engaged
in putting the items into a storage system that makes sense TO THEM. After all,
they will be the one left trying to find stuff long after you are gone.
* * *
Aside from the Lego part of the business of selling on BL is the PACKING and
SHIPPING aspect. That may be the hardest part of selling to learn about.
Knowing how to best pack stuff for safe, lowest-cost materials to use, and lowest-price
shipping rates is a BIG thing to have to learn. There are also the challenges
in learning where to purchase storage and shipping supplies. For example, does
it makes sense to buy wholesale cases of bubble mailers in 5 different sizes
if it takes over one year to use them all up and to have to store the excess
all that time, too? For me, I have used 3 cases of size 00 bubble mailers and
half a case of size 0 this past year, but the cases of Size 1 and 2 that I bought
three years ago are still half full.
I know one BL seller who thought it would be smart to buy a case of 30 rolls
of package tape -- and over ten years later, they are still storing half
of them. So, I learned from that and buy packing tape in a retail pack of 6
rolls that gets used up in about one year. I also learned that the cheapest-grade
shipping tape actually works better than "premium grade" shipping tape with a
name brand label and a name brand high price.
In short, a new seller may not know what supplies to buy and in what quantities.
And if having to find storage space for the excess is a problem, that can ruin
what might have seemed like a good idea or a bargain purchase.
Also, even experienced sellers have difficulties determining the best shipping
rates for packages sometimes. Shipping rates change over time, and sellers have
to learn how to manage package dimensions, destination zones, as well as package
weights and also deciding when it makes (financial) sense to use other shipping
companies. I bet most BL sellers learn new things about packing and shipping
on a fairly regular basis and there is always more to learn.
So, good luck to your interested person. If they are willing to learn about
LEGO and learn about packing and shipping, I see no reason they cannot be reasonably
successful.
____
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USA, New York
France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Austria, Steiermark
Canada, Ontario
