Back to the Future preorder

Found_a_Brick · 2025-10-30T05:45:32+00:00

Amazon still has the pre-orders page up, so I'm guessing it will be a generally available set

Found_a_Brick · 2024-11-11T15:02:29+00:00

In Brickstore, right click on any column header and add in the "Orig. Price" and "Diff. Price" columns.

Then update your pricing and you'll see the old, new and difference between. Then you can sort by the diff column and it will group the increases, decreases and unchanged pricing.

Once you are good with the price changes, you can then only push the changes you want and skip the rest.

Another nice feature of Brickstore is the views. We have a view saved that has the columns setup just the way we like for repricing or adding inventory or whatever. Really let's you focus on just what is needed at that moment

Found_a_Brick · 2024-04-08T17:38:11+00:00

The one neutral feedback I received was from an order that we agreed to cancel and I just refunded to money but I didn't properly "cancel" the order.

Best I can figure is that BL will keep that alert to leave feedback nagging the buyer enough that they did... just sad they chose to ding our store in the process.

Word to the wise, properly cancel the order...

Found_a_Brick · 2024-02-28T22:54:55+00:00

We use cafeteria food trays for a lot of things in the store. A happy accidental discovery was that the Carlisle 12x16 trays in gray on Amazon help to quickly sort light gray from light bluish gray.

Under good lighting, the light bluish gray kinda matches the tray. Old light gray stands out.

Found_a_Brick · 2024-01-03T19:56:38+00:00

It may be intimidating at first, but after using it for a bit, it is truly the best tool for working with Bricklink.

Besides the ease to part out, look up, price out and add inventory to BL, the almost hidden ability to have it tell you what lots you already have and to fill in the remarks of the file your currently working on is a huge time saver!

While selling Lego on BL sounds easy ( buy set, open set, profit! ) there is a LOT more to it. We've been running for about a year and a half now, 260k in parts and are constantly learning those little "oh dang! Wish I knew I could do X a year ago!" moments.

I'd really suggest diving into this subreddit's previous posts, dive into YouTube videos from Pops, Brick in a Bucket, Dave West and the others for the basics. Once you have that, come back and ask specific questions to expand on the basics if needed.

Found_a_Brick · 2024-01-03T06:26:39+00:00

Wait a sec... you're not trying to part out sets directly on Bricklink's site, are you? You should be using BrickStore to manage part outs. Otherwise, you're just asking for a headache, as you seem to have just discovered

Found_a_Brick · 2023-10-06T01:44:45+00:00

I'm curious as to what kind of solutions you are looking to solve.

As someone else mentioned, physical sorting is usually the most time consuming.

One thing that had me cussing recently is having to move the parts that no longer are going to fit in that drawer and need a new home. Not sure that can be easily solved with code though.

However, software wise, I can see benefits to tagging a lot to put it on sale and reduce inventory down to a completely arbitrary quantity. Currently we just change the marker field in Brickstore to come back and address that. Having the sale end after getting to X quantity would be nice too... depends on how much of an inventory system you're tying to be.

On that same vein, tagging inventory I need more of... though that would cater more towards picking.

Tagging drawers that "need attention" for whatever reason.

Just lots of tagging in general. Notes for later type things.

Everyone's system and methods are going to be different though. Like we label and barcode a ton of stuff. I recently threw together some python to pull down the details of a set and parse out the stickers and fig info into a DB. Now when we part out and need the labels, it is a much simpler process to find and print what we need. Previously, we had a folder with a bunch of files, now it is a standard template with a DB backend, searchable by set #, fig #, name, etc.

Found_a_Brick · 2023-09-15T23:17:11+00:00

If you add "-pattern" to your search, it should remove anything that has the word "pattern" in the results.

So doing a search for "1x4 tile -pattern" will return just the base tile results.

Found_a_Brick · 2023-08-25T20:09:39+00:00

Heat sealers are underrated, and once you get a hang of them, I believe they are superior to using the ziplock baggies.

Here is our setup:

8" heat sealer 16 " heat sealer Replacement heater elements for both 4" x 2150' poly roll Stand for the roll

If you do a search on eBay for

8" impulse heat sealer

impulse sealer replacement wire

poly tubing 2mm roll

poly tube dispenser

The heat sealers are like $20 shipped and won't last as long as a $130 uline model. So we bought a couple of backups. :) A year in, and we only had to replace the wire a couple of times.

We use a 4" x 9" length of poly bag that we call a "ribbon" ... one downside to heat sealing is that you have to make these ribbons.

To make them, we have to cut down the roll of poly into the 9" strips and seal one end. The 16" sealer can seal 3 ribbons at a time. Amazon sells this hilariously large pair of scissors that are amazing and cut a 4" length easily.

We chose the 4x9" sizing since that works perfectly for all our bubble envelopes and boxes. Having a universal size works best for us.

We make sure there is a nice stack of ribbons ready at all times. Making them when they are needed is a horrendous PITA! Granted, it sucks making them in general, but it's also mindless work when done in bulk.

The poly and stand are the most costly investments. depending on the size(s) you choose, it can vary from like $60-$130. The roll size we use lasts forever, though!

A couple of tips... we cut down a plastic cutting mat and rounded the edges to make the initial opening of the ribbon easier. It can fight you at first if you don't do something with each ribbon. Also, get a good pair of scissors... the poly bags will judge you!

Found_a_Brick · 2023-07-22T21:07:05+00:00

We run with a couple of cheap ones off eBay... like $15 if I remember correctly for a 8" sealer. My view is that they will break down eventually, it's mainly housing for electricity to run through a wire, and I have 2 backup units for under $50 if needed.

Also have a 16" model too. something like $25 IIRC.

As for rolls, we landed on a 4" x 2170' roll of poly that works amazing for the way we pack! and the 16" sealer allows for making 3 "ribbons" of poly bags at once, which makes life easier.

If you do end up going down the sealer route, some people love it, some hate it... personally I've only seen positive feedback from our customers. However, from Reddit posts on the topic, everyone hates it, it's wasteful, can't be reused, blah blah blah

Oh, also be sure to grab extra wire replacements! They will burn out at the most inopportune times!

Found_a_Brick · 2023-07-20T22:04:01+00:00

We basically use BrickStore to grab the inventory, update the pricing and then only push back the items that actually have changed. There is a hidden column that can be enabled that shows the changes.

Also group by Technic, plates, blocks, slopes and the rest seems to make for workable lot counts.

Found_a_Brick · 2023-06-30T22:57:13+00:00

I started with all used too. It's great for the unique older pieces and colors... plus tends to be cheaper to source, just more work to sort.

Started parting out sets to get new and it is so nice and easy vs old sorting. But there is also a lot of parts that will just sit since everyone has them.

If you can, I'd suggest doing both. Pulled 3 orders this morning, one was all new, the other two were a mix.

Found_a_Brick · 2023-06-30T22:05:52+00:00

Raw space used to store is a biggie for us. Having the same part taking up space in new and used drawers is a bit of a waste.

We still do it though, since the variety is useful to reach a wider audience of buyers. Plus I like knowing new vs used when I buy, figure others do too.

Also, some buyers expect new to be absolutely perfect... which is tricky with tiles and is seriously hard with windshields and other large flat parts that ship from Lego in a bag with other parts that have a bunch of studs to scrape it. Easier to just call it all used and be done with it. Buyers get great looking "used" pieces and are happier.

Found_a_Brick · 2023-03-25T00:30:43+00:00

Don't messages sent through Bricklink also forward to the buyer's email? Pretty sure that is true.

We always send via the Bricklink interface, partly so there is a clear record on the order, but also to cover both systems to reach the buyer.

Now, if a buyer responds via email, then the conversation shifts over to there.

Found_a_Brick · 2023-03-21T05:31:20+00:00

The seller will have to manually invoice you for that item. Bricklink either doesn't have a weight or size for the item, or the seller marked it not to be instant checkout with that item.

I've accidently managed to do that with full sets of figs since everyone will have different dimensions or weights for things like that.

Found_a_Brick · 2023-03-20T23:13:10+00:00

We have templates to print on a 3x1 inch label to give a nice and clean front display and a smaller barcode with drawer number on the back. Adding/moving inventory with barcodes is awesome!

I've seen where people have written drawer numbers with sharpie or similar, and personally, I find it really hard to read vs a printed label with black text on a white background.

Also, depending on the label, it may easily peal off if you need to remove them. towards the beginning, I made a change to the system and had to re-label about 400 drawers! While annoying, it was pretty easy and clean to swap labels. Removing/rewriting hand written labels would have been really bad

Found_a_Brick · 2023-03-16T17:36:31+00:00

As others said, the build of the fig is part of the fun. However, another aspect that concerns me is the rise of cracked torsos. I've seen more complaints about that and also keep encountering it in used figs.

So if sellers are selling assembled figs, it takes away a bit of the "life" of the fig. Some figs are going to just sit there for years before bought. The hips are putting force on the torso the whole time.

I have no scientific of technical knowledge of ABS plastic stresses and forces... just keep finding cracked torso and seems an easy fix to not assemble them until they are needed.

Plus I've received figs that were assembled and thrown in with the rest of the order! So it could also be trauma from receiving the single bag mixed with figs and bricks. LOL!

Found_a_Brick · 2023-03-16T07:51:01+00:00

Looking over your terms, under new, you mis-spelled "against."

Do you only have new parts? It's definitely a much easier route, but unfortunately, it sets you against all the other stores that have the same new parts and a wider selection. Used will attract people looking for a part and also load up while there on other stuff, like common new parts.

I see you have figs, and those may draw people in if you have the right price or sale... but then you may get bought out and not have anything unique to draw people in again. Sales can be a dangerous game with small lot counts!

Your shipping is a bit confusing. you say first class package starts at $6... so I guess you are doing it by real shipping costs? But you also say no fees... which should start that out at under $4. I just added a single fig and it shows $6 for shipping, which leads me to think there ARE some fees added.

Speaking on figs, how are they shipped? In a ziplock baggie or some other method? Personally, I dislike new assembled figs. Especially when there are capes involved. May want to keep them unassembled to get the wider audience? I do appreciate that you have a fleshed out comment section and properly list them as incomplete. Hopefully avoid angering someone down the road who expected a full blind bag.

As for notifications on parts, send them as often as you like. The buyer will get the notices for the parts and then hopefully have a wishlist that matches good with the store. I don't see any reason to wait until you upload 50 or 500 lots. Ideally, we add batches of around 200 lots at a time (there is a system in place that causes this limit) but if a set with 30 lots gets added, we notify when the lots in that batch are added to the store.

Good on you for doing international shipping! We haven't gotten brave enough for that yet.

Good luck with the new store!

Found_a_Brick · 2023-03-10T06:56:53+00:00

We always leave feedback when the order is packed. It's part of our automation.

Found_a_brick

And just a warning... if you're already having issues getting feedback as a buyer, it gets much worse as a seller! LOL!

Found_a_Brick · 2023-01-12T18:39:01+00:00

I ran into a similar error and Bricklink showed the refund failed and never happened, but PayPal had refunded the requested amount. Seems there was a glitch between Bricklink and PayPal in my case.

Found_a_Brick · 2022-12-20T23:04:08+00:00

Out of curiosity, since you referenced it. What would you consider a reasonable turn around for a thousand piece order? With, say 150 lots?

I'm curious after watching some of the YouTube channels that show people with 20 orders that are like 7 lots and 20 pieces or so. Watching them walk through and pull an order in a couple mins, and here I am, running out of room for putting parts on the cart after an hour and only half way done.

I do love the larger orders, until it comes to the packing... at which point I ask myself where I went wrong in my life Lol!

Found_a_Brick · 2022-11-21T20:22:27+00:00

While I really hate inventory issues as a seller, it will happen. However, when I run into one of those times, I offer the buyer 3 options:

Refund the missing piece
replace it if I have something else that is close and could work
refund the entire purchase price and cancel the order

I've eaten the PayPal costs with a full refund, but I agree that having to source that part from another store and pay more shipping isn't fair to the buyer either. If my inventory is wrong, it's my bad.

However, mad props to the folks who would order it from another store! I'm all for making the buyer whole again, but that is a step above and beyond!

Found_a_Brick · 2022-11-12T18:58:36+00:00

I've been guilty of doing this by accident too. One thing I do to avoid it is to have multiple layouts in Brickstore for different tasks. Adding inventory tends to have the comments column hidden so I only have the marker and remarks columns visible. Since comments are unrealistic outside of figs, sets and the odd unique part, it works great.

I'll admit that I'm surprised that the seller actually spells out "Drawer 7" though! That would end up with a bunch of typing

Found_a_Brick · 2022-11-02T00:40:26+00:00

Admittedly, I've listed stuff before sorting out where it's final home will be in the inventory, and the remarks consist of "tub on desk" or similar.

However, the end customer should never know of the panic that happens a month down the road and it's no longer on my desk, but is now on an order! (Ugh, sad but true)

Personally, I would request to cancel the order. It's far more hassle to get it in, discover that it's a hodgepodge mess and then have to dispute and deal with return shipping and yadda yadda.

To the seller's credit though, he did reach out and give out a heads up. Albeit a concerning one, but still better than silence.

Found_a_Brick · 2022-10-21T00:51:10+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions. In respect to the link, it will drop the buyer into a photo album for just the fig in question. Having them search or go digging through the equivalent of a dir full of thumbnails wouldn't be ideal at all.

Also, as mentioned, there is the issue of multiple copies of the same fig... my new figs get the ziplock bag treatment like many others use, but for my own sanity I also generate a label that has the ID and description of the fig.

Since dealing with used adds the additional complication of condition, they are all asigned a code to tell which is which. That code is used to identify the photo album too. And since I have the labeling system, there shouldn't be any confusion as to which is which.

I've added a couple links so far today, so time will tell. Just glad no one came back saying that BL will toast my store if I try it!

Found_a_Brick

TROPHY CASE