My new bricklink store

MinifigsMe

Hey, I've been doing a few trades on here, and trying to keep my lego costs down, but I need to start selling as well as accumulating. So I've got a bricklink store here:

http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=Savage_steel

I'm still adding stuff, especially lots of parts etc...so please check back later (in fact, I'll probably be cheeky and bump this thread!)

If you're interested in buying from there, PM me (or add a note on checkout that you're from here) and I'll either waive the 0.75p handling fee or give a 5% discount. Which ever is the most.

Also, I'm not particular attached to most of the sets I own (except the camouflage outpost, black monarch's castle and vladek's castle) so feel free to make me an offer or ask a price for sets I own, but bare in mind, with older sets, I probably don't have the box, I might not have the instructions and not always all the minifigs (wow, that makes it terribly appealing doesn't it!?) But I'm happy to do trades as well as cash :)

cheers,
Savage

Edited by @Matthew - 09/09/11 18.01 BST - Reason: Updated Link

prevere

Good luck with the store and be patient. As a Bricklink store owner (and big-time buyer) it takes time to build supply - the sales will come if you stay with the average price.

MinifigsMe

Thanks @prevere :) I'm happy to be patient, and I'm definitely sticking with the lower end of prices (based on the current lowest UK price as well as the average) to build up my feedback. I'm pleased to have had a few sales already.

Some sets I'm going to add at higher prices as I'd like to keep them, but could let them go if the price was right. do you think some sets at higher prices will put people off the whole store?

ryan498

Good luck with the store :) i hope it works out okay, i used to buy quite a lot on bricklink after I was comoing out of my dark ages, byt i had to limit my spendings, i'm running out of money :P

Bricklink, in my opinion is the best place to buy lego, so You should do fine on it :)

Istokg

Just an FYI Savage_Steel.... July and August (and you can add June to that list)... are the worst months for LEGO sales on Bricklink... many folks have other pursuits during the summer.

collect_that

Good luck with the store!!

MinifigsMe

Thanks for the good wishes dudes!
I'm in no rush to sell, as I want to get organised with my parts first, but I've had a few little sales so far, which have been useful. In fact, just had my first bit of (negative) feedback by email - hoping to resolve it before official feedback.

Apparently a £0.09 4x12 grey plate, that I described as usual playwear and nicks to edges, was in worse condition than she was expecting. I guess in my mind playwear means kids have played with it, I guess I need to review my descriptions. I would have thought for a 25 year old piece the condition was expected.

I'd really appreciate if one of you would check my new splash for my descriptions guide and see if it's clearer what conditions might be now. Many thanks!! :)

drdavewatford

I think that people shopping at Bricklink expect absolutely top-notch quality unless any deficiencies are crystal clear in the description. And beware - if you think some of the people on here seem obsessional, you ain't seen nothing yet; the level of anal retentiveness among some builders, e.g. can't tolerate fingermarks on new bricks, able to spot microscopic scratches etc. makes me smile. I'm not sure I could deal with all that, so don't have a Bricklink store.

I like the friendly, informal feel of your store. I'm wondering if you've forgotten a word in the following sentence, though, i.e. "New - parted from a new set, will have been stored with other [NEW ?] bricks". The descriptions look OK to me overall, although to be on totally safe ground, if you can find pre-existing descriptions on the pages of well-established stores it might be better than making up your own.

MinifigsMe

Thanks - that's ace DrDave - I think I'll adjust my splash again, and make it clear that fastidious people probably shouldn't buy from me! I do my best, but my idea of good condition is going to be different from others. I've bought a few things from brick link and not always been amazed at the quality, but not really cared enough, if I'm replacing parts for a 30 year old set, I'd expect the piece to reflect that...

Istokg

Savage_Steel... there are some "purist" who think that the only "new" brick is one that has been just gotten out of a sealed package. Others find the mere act of snapping 2 bricks together as making them used....

But from time to time I have to remind some of those folks that PROVENANCE (the history of a part)... is not as important as part condition.

As with every other toy collectible (all collectibles actually)... it's all about CONDITION CONDITION CONDITION. The simple fact that 2 bricks may have been snapped together at one point thus rendering them "technically" used... well lets just say that the next owner of that brick has no idea what the previons history or provenance is... so it should NOT be used for determining condition.

MinifigsMe

Thanks, I agree - I have new bricks from new sets that don't look as good as some used one, just because they've clearly rubbed together in the bag. Bricks are also able to snap together in the bag. (anyone who's washed a load of bricks in the washing machine can tell you how easy it is for random structures to be created from bricks self-assembling - though of course it's rarer in a lego bag)

But frankly, in order to part out a set, it's going to get handled, put into bags with other bricks etc...it won't be factory fresh.

All I can do is be honest about my parts. I sorted things out with the lady above and she's left me positive feedback - so that's nice :)

prevere

Thanks @prevere :) I'm happy to be patient, and I'm definitely sticking with the lower end of prices (based on the current lowest UK price as well as the average) to build up my feedback. I'm pleased to have had a few sales already.

Some sets I'm going to add at higher prices as I'd like to keep them, but could let them go if the price was right. do you think some sets at higher prices will put people off the whole store?

Definitely not. Price as you need too, the supply of retired sets fluctuates, and you're headed into the pre-Xmas season.

madforLEGO

Not to veer too far away from this post but I think the issue with BL users are they fail to realize that this is a mostly used parts emporium... I mean all parts are not going to be perfect and I only rally complain if I get a completely destroyers piece or the piece clearly has bad wear and it is something I wouldn't try to sell as just 'used' but there are really anal people on BL and that worries me as I have been toying with the idea of making a BL store...

Si_UKNZ

^ I wouldnt worry, most people dont leave bad feedback because they'll certainly get bad feedback in return, and there is no appeal mechanism for tit-for-tat or unfair feedback.

brickmatic

the level of anal retentiveness among some builders, e.g. can't tolerate fingermarks on new bricks, able to spot microscopic scratches etc. makes me smile.

I would venture to guess that the AFOL community has more people with Asperger syndrome or tendencies than you would find in the general population. That might explain some of that specificity to condition you may encounter.

MinifigsMe

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm open to any more help and tips. I've only just found 'brickstore' but not yet had chance to try it. I was wondering how people manage to upload heaps of used parts. I'm hoping this will be helpful.

I've also taken the plunge and started buying new sets specifically for selling on. I have no idea of the tax implications of this, but I'm hoping that since my expenditure at the minute is massively more than my incomings I'm ok *fingers crossed*

MinifigsMe

Also, I'm trying to find advice on the bricklink forum, but it's horrendous to read/search, and there doesn't seem to be any newbie's stickys or anything. Am I being a bit dim and missing something?

Matthew

^ No you're not, I find the website horrendous to use, although I'm working on a new store there.

richo

Hi Savage_Steel. I would be really interested in seeing how people like you choose between setting up on bricklink or ebay? I know bricklink is the place for purists, but surely commercially, if you want a shop, ebay offers a vastly bigger market place? Sounds like good fun either way, and good luck with your store.

MinifigsMe

Thanks Richo. The trouble with ebay is that it's a pain to list things (because you have to describe them etc...) and the fee's are horrific (same with amazon - about 15-20%) Plus with ebay you have to keep re-listing if it fails to sell. Whereas with bricklink it's fairly straight forward, and you can leave the listing indefinitely, and maybe adjust the price or put on ebay if you really need to shift it. Depends on your priorities I guess.

prevere

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm open to any more help and tips. I've only just found 'brickstore' but not yet had chance to try it. I was wondering how people manage to upload heaps of used parts. I'm hoping this will be helpful.

I've also taken the plunge and started buying new sets specifically for selling on. I have no idea of the tax implications of this, but I'm hoping that since my expenditure at the minute is massively more than my incomings I'm ok *fingers crossed*

I have a small Bricklink Store; and a giant eBay store so I am on both all day long (besides family and the "real" job...). Uploading Bricklink parts individually is definitely a long process, the more sorting you do the better before you upload. And it takes an hour a day for 3 to 4 months to get a good "girth" of product. Bricklink is a lot of work for a little bit of money IMO.

I buy a lot more than sell. But I do love the "part-out" feature - where you can take a new or used set that's complete and BL will automatically upload all parts at once into your store at prices you set (below, at, or above average). Very nice and a great way to buy new sets, keep what you want, and sell the rest.

eBay is eBay. Lots of people. Lots of fees. Great buyers. Evil buyers. etc.

madforLEGO

Thanks Richo. The trouble with ebay is that it's a pain to list things (because you have to describe them etc...) and the fee's are horrific (same with amazon - about 15-20%) Plus with ebay you have to keep re-listing if it fails to sell. Whereas with bricklink it's fairly straight forward, and you can leave the listing indefinitely, and maybe adjust the price or put on ebay if you really need to shift it. Depends on your priorities I guess.

Only eBay auctions make you have a definite end to a listing. If you are doing store or Buy it now listings (selling for a fixed price) you can leave it up until it sells, out or you end the listing...
The fees are still a pain, but you can make more on certain parts on eBay than BL.

MinifigsMe

That's really good to know, thanks. I'm still just finding my feet. Been a LONG day trying to sort my parts out for BL...Brickstore is v helpful.
I'm assuming the most expensive parts go well on ebay? I'd really appreciate any advice.

johnsbricks

@s_s, there are tax implications. Buying to sell that generates income is taxable. Depends on the way in which the 'business' operates but you could technically, if making a loss write it against other taxable income. Be warned that with UK coffers running short, the taxman is starting to aim at the second businesses on ebay that don't declare income tax. Bricklink may be a target in the future. Of note, selling your own unwanted lego, lets call it casual selling, isn't taxable.

MinifigsMe

I promise I'm not doing a bump to get more traffic, but a couple of people have messaged me asking if I've closed. Nope! But it's renamed, so now at this address, not the one in the first post (could a mod please change it? muchos thanks)

http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=Savage_steel

Totally appreciating your support and custom! Much more to add....one day...

richo

I would love to one day have a bricklink store. Unfortunately I have a day job, and don't have the time. lol
I think the key would be running it initially as a hobby and as a link to your love of lego, as I imagine making decent money is rather harder than one might initially think.

Nice store by the way, some very reasonable prices!