Bricksetters' Bricklink stores

KingAlanI

Today I learned something about Drive Thru.
Onsite payment by PayPal has the same fees as PP in general. That way it's automatically marked as Paid. Sometimes buyers send a PP payment the regular way.

graphite

I think onsite is great (and yes, free). What onsite does is create a "pay" link next to the buyers order line on their "placed" order page once the seller has invoiced.  Otherwise when you accept paypal, you either have to build up the link to send them in the invoice so they can click it, issue a paypal invoice, or just send them the "please send $xx.xx to [email protected]". For the first the buyer has to trust you that it is all filled out correctly, the second is a pain, and the third is prone to errors since the buyer might not copy/paste and get something wrong, and has to type it out etc.

I only accept paypal and money order/cashier check and I only accept paypal through the onsite option.  I've only had a couple people out of the last couple hundred people ask to send it the old way because they've had issues with onsite.  Plus it automatically puts the BL order # into the comment field which is really nice.

On another note, since I'm already posting.  I'm having 15% off parts and 10% off minifigs through the memorial day weekend.

http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=graphite37

ColoradoBricks

Onsite payment is also useful as it automatically picks the account for "normal" or micro payments

Many times the buyer doesn't read payment instructions in the invoice and send the payment to the wrong email address (even though I have a direct link that uses the proper email with amount and description .,etc).

Onsite payment solves that.

CCC

Yeah, onsite payment is great for buyers and sellers. 

Phonebooth

Lobot said:

Phonebooth said:

Lobot said:

I'll add mine to the list:

Bespin Bricks: http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=Lobot1626

Currently 31,000 items in stock, mostly Star Wars related! Fast shipping, usually next day!

Just got my order from you this week!  I'll send you a pic of the finished mosaic if you're interested :)

@Phonebooth - Would that be the 128 Dark Red Plate 1x2s?  I'd be very interested to see the end result :-)

Finally done, framed and hung. 

Lobot

Incredible work @phonebooth, they all look amazing!  Thanks for sharing :-)

graphite

Those look awesome.

SumoLego

(Shuttle photobomb!)

KingAlanI

@graphite

I put my PayPal email address, and mailing address, in my BrickLink invoices. With some of my early orders, there was confusion on how to pay me, but that seems to have been resolved.

Even without BL order # in PP comments, buyers sometimes put it in anyway. Even without it, I don't have trouble matching a payment to an order. I pack one order at a time to avoid confusion.

ColoradoBricks said:

Onsite payment is also useful as it automatically picks the account for "normal" or micro payments

Many times the buyer doesn't read payment instructions in the invoice and send the payment to the wrong email address (even though I have a direct link that uses the proper email with amount and description .,etc).

Onsite payment solves that.

Hadn't heard of PayPal micropayments until now. 5c+5% is better than 30c+2.9% for payments less than $11.90, and nearly all my orders are that small. I have no minimum buy, and a handling fee, which works out well, but this would be better. Apparently you sign up for a new PayPal account with a different email address and bank account, but how do you convert it to a micropayments account?

0.05+0.05x=0.3+0.029x
0.021x=0.25
x=11.9
See, I used algebra

ColoradoBricks

@KingAlanI it is an account setting, but only works with Business account, not personal.
I have about 1/2 of my sales that are less than $12, sometimes as low as $4 (also no minimum) over the years it really adds up.

77ncaachamps

ColoradoBricks said:

@KingAlanI it is an account setting, but only works with Business account, not personal.
I have about 1/2 of my sales that are less than $12, sometimes as low as $4 (also no minimum) over the years it really adds up.

This has tax implications, I'm assuming.

If you are a BL seller and accept PP, isn't the threshold something like $20k+ or # transactions a year for PP to send the IRS and you a tax statement?

ColoradoBricks

Business and Personal accounts have the same rule 20K AND 2000 transactions for tax reporting. You do not need a registered business to have a business account.

KingAlanI

https://www.paypal.com/us/merchantsignup/upgradeBusinessAccount
So I start upgrading to a Business account, and it asks for 'legal business name' and 'business address'. My search results indicate that PP asks for other business information later.
This would be a great idea if I was doing this on a larger scale.

brumey

people have problems with onsite-payment in my bricklink store!

anybody else? thinking of deactivating the feature!

ColoradoBricks

KingAlanI said:

https://www.paypal.com/us/merchantsignup/upgradeBusinessAccount
So I start upgrading to a Business account, and it asks for 'legal business name' and 'business address'. My search results indicate that PP asks for other business information later.
This would be a great idea if I was doing this on a larger scale.

It is not that much, I used my store name and address (no need for a registration or tax id). I am a small store and my BL, BO and eBay stores all use that same micro payment account.

Rebelego

Thanks @brumey! Finished it yesterday!

wunztwice

I'll put my store down too:
WunzTwice Bricks: http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=wunztwice

US-based, 5% off for Bricklinkers who mention BrickSet in the order comment section.  I also do a 10% off deal on subsequent orders if you partake in our "Coupons for Creations".  Details on our splash page!  Quick service!

KingAlanI

ColoradoBricks said:

KingAlanI said:

https://www.paypal.com/us/merchantsignup/upgradeBusinessAccount
So I start upgrading to a Business account, and it asks for 'legal business name' and 'business address'. My search results indicate that PP asks for other business information later.
This would be a great idea if I was doing this on a larger scale.

It is not that much, I used my store name and address (no need for a registration or tax id). I am a small store and my BL, BO and eBay stores all use that same micro payment account.

I might try it soon, then.
Speaking of BrickLink expenses, bubblemailers. I often cut one in half and use a lot of packing tape on the other end. I got tired of getting them at the dollar store, so I looked to buy in bulk. sunuku.com is no frills and dirt cheap and I haven't read anything bad about them. 250 #0's (which I use the most of) for $15 and $11.12 shipping! I'll still get other sizes at the dollar store.

ColoradoBricks

I used to get mine at PaperMart.com, but got a really bad batch (seam on one side will open when trying to get any parts in.
I mostly get my #0 and #000 from Amazon along with zip bags, however I have those on my watch list and prices really fluctuate (double) and I always buy them when they are a low point if I down to half of my stock.

However I am now shipping minifigs and expensive orders/parts in boxes (Amazon: Aviditi Corrugated Mailer, also lot of fluctuation in prices). They are more expensive than mailers but lot of buyers seems to appreciate it. My most used is 5x4x2 and the dymo shipping label is perfect on it.

SprinkleOtter

I'm running a "I have too much inventory for my storage system" sale at my store, Set_You_Up. Almost everything is 10-30% off (I have already discounted some sets, so this is off those discounts). If you see something you want, make me an offer.

I have loads of CMFs, UCS, Super Heroes, Star Wars, City, Trains, Bionicle, etc.

I also feel like I should mention that proceeds from my store benefit my charitable endeavors, which now include almost 100 Bionicle figures to donate this Christmas.

^First batch.

SprinkleOtter

I have a question to ask of other Bricklink store owners. I have been doing exclusively sets and the odd minifigure until now. Sales have been pretty good, but now I have on my hands several thousand parts to newer sets. Sets that are no worth that much. I have been wanting to open a parts division of my store for quite a while but I need to know:

How often to parts stores get orders?
When you get orders, how much are they for?
How long does it take to process an order?

Thanks in advance guys.

ColoradoBricks

How often to parts stores get orders?

I am not a large store, rarely got more than 10 orders on a day (BL & BO combined), probably average 3 orders a 

When you get orders, how much are they for?

I have no minimums, I got orders for a single 10c parts and order to 2000+ parts in 300+ lots for $200 and everything in between. I tend to receive larger orders on BL but in average 10-15 lots, 25-100 parts.

How long does it take to process an order?

Depends of your organization, the number of lots and the lot distribution. An order of 100 lots with brick only (all 1x1, 1x2 ,etc of many colors) will be much faster than 50 lots all over the place (one dish, one minifig head, one etc...)

I have never timed it but I have seen in forums 45 to 60 sec per lot in average and that seems appropriate.

CCC

Note that BL now have a formal lot limit that sellers can turn on. This will help reduce one of this and one of that type orders.

graphite

^ I think it is an average lot value, not lot limit.

CCC

Yes, that's right. Same thing.

bluedragon

The number of orders correlates positively with the number of parts in your store and inversely with the price. I notice a spike in orders when new inventory is added as my inventory satisfies more users' wishlists.

I have a minimum order value of $5 and my store is smaller than ColoradoBricks' so I have less orders, approximately 2/day on average.

Processing time depends on lot number. I have no minimum $/lot limits therefore I have had low value orders that took 1h+ to pick because there are 100 lots with 1-2 parts/lot. Unfortunately, for every 4 Tumbler tires you sell, there will be 100 black technic pins :-).

I started selling parts because I collect minifigs and not always like/have room for the sets they come in.  Sometimes when I get a $10 order that takes 45min to pick I regret having 70K parts in my store. But then there are also the low lot high value orders to make up for it. For the most part I find it relaxing to handle the Lego and not a chore at all. Give it a try- if you find it's too much work, just raise your prices slightly or set a minimum $/lot.

CCC

It also helps to part out a lot of sets that are the same. Much quicker to pack and the high numbers of the same parts can be attractive to buyers.

SprinkleOtter

CCC said:

It also helps to part out a lot of sets that are the same. Much quicker to pack and the high numbers of the same parts can be attractive to buyers.

Thanks, but I am working with a bunch of used sets.

SprinkleOtter

Also, what percentage of orders contain minfigs and parts? I have a lot of desirable minifigures.

CCC

Minifigures sell very well. Often much faster than parts. They are worth pricing at 6 mo average or above to start, especially if you have a lot from the same theme.

SprinkleOtter

^ Thanks for the advise. :)

SprinkleOtter

I have one more question- I can tell that these parts are going to be a monster to organize. My sorting system for putting together sets isn't really going to cut it for this.

Are there any cheap drawer systems? Or what do others use?

CCC

I guess it depends how serious you are in future. Plastic bags (labeled) in boxes (labeled) work and take up less room than shelving systems and are much cheaper but are less efficient (time) when it comes to packing orders.

Phonebooth

CCC said:

I guess it depends how serious you are in future. Plastic bags (labeled) in boxes (labeled) work and take up less room than shelving systems and are much cheaper but are less efficient (time) when it comes to packing orders.

I can't help but notice that you haven't offered up your BL store, yet seen to be chock full of recommendations. 

SprinkleOtter

One more thing. Is there a program that will automatically fill in a price for my parts (say I want to list everything for 80% of its 6-month average, then adjust any rare parts and such)?

ColoradoBricks

I use brickstock, you can part out a set (remove parts/minifigs if you want) then download the 6 month average and then multiply prices by 0.8 or do whatever manipulation you want

CCC

SprinkleOtter said:

One more thing. Is there a program that will automatically fill in a price for my parts (say I want to list everything for 80% of its 6-month average, then adjust any rare parts and such)?

You can also do it through BL if you don't want to use third party software. If you select part-out a set, set price to 6-mo average. That will part out at 6-mo averages, no sale.

However, if you put a unique comment in the remarks box during the part-out process, then go to your inventory page, and go to the bottom of the page and use the "update my inventory" section. Use the "put items on sale" box, but also enter the unique comment in the update only items with "   " in the remarks field. That will just put stock with that unique comment on sale.

samiam391

SprinkleOtter said:

Sellers beware, @Matthismcfly is out for revenge at being blocked from here, and has tried to make a fraudulent purchase with fraudulent feedback from my Bricklink store.

He is going by the username of Camille Cavallier, and claims that the minifigures I sent him (from an order he made minutes before the feedback was left) were in bad condition. I would block this account immediately.


Shame on you, man.

Not related to BL this time...

But it appears mattthismcfly took the time to find me on flickr and write "bad condition" on one of my minifigure photos taken over two years ago.

Some people have way too much time on their hands...

SprinkleOtter

samiam391 said:

SprinkleOtter said:

Sellers beware, @Matthismcfly is out for revenge at being blocked from here, and has tried to make a fraudulent purchase with fraudulent feedback from my Bricklink store.

He is going by the username of Camille Cavallier, and claims that the minifigures I sent him (from an order he made minutes before the feedback was left) were in bad condition. I would block this account immediately.


Shame on you, man.

Not related to BL this time...

But it appears mattthismcfly took the time to find me on flickr and write "bad condition" on one of my minifigure photos taken over two years ago.

Some people have way too much time on their hands...

Wow. When will this ####@## realize that he is wasting more of his time than ours?

KingAlanI

CCC said:

It also helps to part out a lot of sets that are the same. Much quicker to pack and the high numbers of the same parts can be attractive to buyers.

I love finding several copies of a set on sale.

It's hard to assign costs to parts orders (except for shipping expenses) since so much time and money is for a set/batch as a whole. I don't want to rule out any size or complexity of order. Inventory sorting depends on how much one has overall and of particular parts, which changes. It makes sense to sort by color since orders are listed that way. I use zipepr bags, clean pill bottles, plastic store bags and LEGO tubs.

Does a micropayments PayPal account still let you print shipping labels?

bluedragon

It does.

SprinkleOtter

One more question- does brickiefficiency still work with the new Bricklink?

ricecake

SprinkleOtter said:

One more question- does brickiefficiency still work with the new Bricklink?

As one data point, I just loaded it up and tried to get it to import my wanted list, and it's not logging in, so I would say no.

samiam391

Curious if anyone would be interested in this offer I've got as parts to resell. I have approximately 500 #30211 Ballistas available. Figure taken out of bag, and then pieces were transferred into a bag in lots of 10 and 20. Some nice pieces included in this lot. If you're interested shoot me a PM and we can work out a good price for you. Thanks.

KingAlanI

The Sunuku bubblemailers arrived. They were simply wrapped in heavy plastic - well, damage during shipment isn't a concern. ;)
I've used a few by now. They seem as sturdy as the ones I've been using.
Sometimes I cut bubblemailers in half, taping the open end, for small orders. It's almost not worth the trouble at this price. Pocketknife and ruler works better than scissors for that.

I listed a sealed #40221 and parted out a #70324

SprinkleOtter

Okay, I am trying to use Bricksync, but I have no idea where to find any of the following: bricklink.consumerkey = "";
bricklink.consumersecret = "";
bricklink.token = "";
bricklink.tokensecret = "";

Bricklink has been remarkably unhelpful, by telling me all about APIs, but not once mentioning where to find mine...

palmers9grb

What do people do with all the boxes from the sets they part out? Is it worth selling them as well or just binning them Mite as well add my store to the list Bricks on wheels

ColoradoBricks

@SprinkleOtter  it is all detailed on the BrickSync home page, you need to go to this page to set it up: http://www.bricklink.com/v2/api/welcome.page

graphite

palmers9grb said:

What do people do with all the boxes from the sets they part out? Is it worth selling them as well or just binning them Mite as well add my store to the list Bricks on wheels

I keep a few and cut them up as needed to protect stickers when people order them, but other than that they go into the recycling.  I always wonder whether the recycling guys notice how many LEGO boxes I've put out or if they just blindly throw the stacks into the truck.

SprinkleOtter

ColoradoBricks said:

@SprinkleOtter  it is all detailed on the BrickSync home page, you need to go to this page to set it up: http://www.bricklink.com/v2/api/welcome.page

Thanks, ColoradoBricks. You've been a huge help in all this. If you ever come by my store, let me know. I'll repay the favor.