Polybag distinctions possible?

Odindusk

I've quite taken to collecting these damn impulse sets, and I was just wondering if any consideration has been given to making it so these sets are somehow labeled as polybags and could be searched for in the database? I get the sense that I'm not the only one who pursues these things.

As-is, I find it difficult to seek them out on my own. Especially if the database uses a stock photo that doesn't show the packaging. I end up doing a lot of cross-referencing on eBay to see other photos to find out if a set is a poly or not.

Not a huge deal, but it would be a neat addition.

LegoFanTexas

Something else I've noticed... The same polybag set is packaged in more than one size bag... unless of course I'm losing my mind. :)

Anyone else seen that?

Odindusk

Yeah I've definitely seen that.

I've seen the Atlantis diver in a smaller bag with a hole for hanging on a peg. And I've seen the same set in that larger size poly with no hole.

Matthew

Have you seen @atkinsar's Polybag BrickLists? I find them quite useful myself.

http://brickset.com/brickLists/?6054 - 2012 Polys

http://www.brickset.com/brickLists/?4966 - 2011 Polys

http://brickset.com/brickLists/?4972 - 2010 Polys

http://brickset.com/brickLists/?4984 - 2009 Polys

http://brickset.com/brickLists/?5076 - 2008 Polys

These aren't perfect however (no offence Andy :o) ) because they only date back to 2008, and aren't a part of a sets information. I agree with you that it might be useful to have a little flag for polybags in the database, or even have them classed under for example, instead of City - Fire, maybe City - Polybags - Fire or just City - Polybags.

I've also seen the differently packaged ones. I think what happened was that the ones with the clear top bottom and centre stripe were standard everywhere, until May 2011, when (possibly in preparation for the Sun Golden Brick competition) UK polys became completely opaque. Polys for other markets kept the clear with shelf hook hole, as polys are almost never sold in shops in the UK, but are almost never not in the USA. I would be interested to see what the ones from Holland were like, as I think at least one was previously given away in an opaque bag by the Sun in the UK.

Hope this helps

Huw

It would be useful information and it's something I've been thinking of adding.

Sets could be given a 'Packaging' attribute: Box, polybag... any others?

And while I'm at it, what other useful information should we start recording?

- Availability: Retail, promotional, store exclusive, LEGO exclusive... any others?
- Availability: US only or Europe/ROW only

Maybe...

- Number of bags
- Stickers/not stickers

Not sure if that would be useful information but it seems people ask here how many bags a set has quite often so presumably it is for some.

One thing's for sure: I'll have to open up editing to more people if we are to gather this information, and that's something I'm working on at the moment. I need to make a few code changes and also implement a change log so we can see who's doing what. Actually the change log is already in place but it's not exposed anywhere yet. So, if you're up for a bit of data gathering and input, reply here!

LostInTranslation

@Huw, I'm not a techie or very knowledgeable about availability etc, but if you need a data-entry monkey to add details about stickers and bags I'm happy to help :)
I do open and build all my stuff so could make a note in future of no of bags, stickers etc.

What do you call the packaging for the Ninjago spinners ? It's not a box or a bag...

dimefield

Having done a few overseas trades i noticed that the packaging is different across the pond on polybags. No display hanging hole, no piece count or item description.

Matthew

^

I've also seen the differently packaged ones. I think what happened was that the ones with the clear top bottom and centre stripe were standard everywhere, until May 2011, when (possibly in preparation for the Sun Golden Brick competition) UK polys became completely opaque. Polys for other markets kept the clear with shelf hook hole, as polys are almost never sold in shops in the UK, but are almost never not in the USA. I would be interested to see what the ones from Holland were like, as I think at least one was previously given away in an opaque bag by the Sun in the UK.

LIT - There is a name for that type of packaging, but my brain has blanked. Perhaps someone else remembers?

@Huw - I'm also up for being 'upgraded' (sounds like Hero Factory...) to database admin if there's anything you want doing.

LostInTranslation

^ sounds more like Cybermen to me: "if you will not upgrade, you will be deleted" :)

Thezoofox

@LostInTranslation I think they're normally called blister packs.

Matthew

^^ I'd better upgrade then :o)

^ That's it! *kicks self for not remembering*

LostInTranslation

Thanks @thezoofox. Vaguely remember reading that term somewhere in one of the deadly dull patents at work but it wasn't in relation to Lego so I wasn't that interested :)

Yellowcastle

I agree that number of bags is important but does anyone know if this is really s static attribute? And for the modulars, etc. the plates come loose and some but not all of the bags are numbered. I'm not sure how best to track all of that.

Huw

Good call on blister packs. I guess once we start collating this information more will come to light.

Yellowcastle

We'll need an "other" too for that Cars build a set Torque, etc....

Legogeek

Regarding 'Packaging'

I see someone already came up with the blister packs.
Not sure what to call them, but don't forget the CANISTERS from Bionicle and Hero Factory (and perhaps others too, I recall some dinosaurs and maybe some racers?). And I think the new Hero Factory come in large size POLY BAGS.

Matthew

I'm not sure how best to track all of that.

Photo?

There's also the CM and Booster Pack bags, not a polybag according to Andy, so what are they called???

Yellowcastle

There's also the CM and Booster Pack bags, not a polybag according to Andy

@Matthew - When did Andy become king? I didn't vote for him...Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony. ;o)

collect_that

@Yellowcastle - And we all thought Americans didn't get python? ;-)

brickmatic

I'm in for data input! I like the idea of adding more types of information to database entries. CM and Booster Pack bags, could they be foil bags?

Huw

OK, so I've added some attributes to the database:

- Packaging: {Not specified}, Box, Polybag, Canister, Blister pack, Foil pack, Other
- Availability: {Not specified}, Retail, Promotional, LEGO Exclusive.

I can add more if we identify a need for them.

This is how they manifest themselves in the set listing/details pages:

http://www.brickset.com/browse/themes/?theme=Ninjago and http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=2111-1 (sidebar)

In time, I'll add a means to filter the listings to show all polybags or whatever, but won't do so until we have a decent amount of data.

I've also created a new role on the site for set database administators (as opposed to administrators who can do everything). LostInTranslation and collect_that are testing that this works OK and if so I will open it up to more people.

atkinsar

Great stuff Huw, I think this will be very useful and will over time negate the need for my poly bricklists (sniff!). Here's the inevitable questions:

Sometimes sets are both promotional and available at retail, this is particularly true of polys that may be a promotion only in the UK and available at retail in the US. How should those be defined?

Is it worth considering adding different polybag packaging of the same set as set variants of the same set? This would really add another level of completeness to the database.

Can we discuss examples of foil packaging, for example, is this foil packaging?

Coolsplash

Great stuff Huw, keep it up :)

Huw

> Sometimes sets are both promotional and available at retail

True, but I don't want to make it too complex. Generally the current 3xxxx sets are promotional even if they are available retail in the USA in one specific shop: the co- promotion could be considered to be with the shop in question.

> Is it worth considering adding different polybag packaging of the same set as set variants of the same set? This would really add another level of completeness to the database.

A layer of complexity I don't think we need. Unless the contents are different I'd like to avoid that. Same goes for SW and Toy Story sets that were repackaged half-way through their lifecycle.

> Can we discuss examples of foil packaging, for example, is this foil packaging?

Yes, that is in foil, as are the CMFs and current HERO factory sets.

atkinsar

Righto, understood I think.

So the new Stephanie poly and Anakin's podracer poly that were recently sold at TRU in the US and then shortly after part of a promotion with $20 spends are more appropriately classified as promotional rather than retail?

Huw

Yes, I would say so. The definition of 'Retail' for the purposes of the database is 'in the retailer's catalogue/ a set that any retailer can order to sell' which both of these are not. They are TRU co-promotional sets in the USA.

On second thoughts the set you link to is a polybag, having just looked at mine: it is
'5 PP' polypropylene, the same as normal polybags.

atkinsar

Ok thanks, as long as we all agree to adhere to the same set of guidelines, we will end up with more consistency in the database.

Steve_J_OM

This may be drifting slightly off-topic, but it is in relation to polybags and I wasn't sure it warranted its own thread so here it goes:

The White Bobba Fett, chrome Stormtrooper, and chrome Darth Vader are under the theme of 'Minifigures' with 'Star Wars' as a sub theme. But the ARF Trooper polybag is under the theme of 'Star Wars' with 'Minifig Pack' as a sub theme (the forthcoming Darth Maul polybag is the same).

Any chance the White Bobba, chrome Stormie and Vader could be listed under Star Wars for theme, and Minifig Pack for subtheme like the others? Just for consistency for us pedantic folk, and because I'd like them to be grouped together in the Gallery View when I'm looking at my sets.

atkinsar

^ done.

Steve_J_OM

Much obliged, thank you :)

scratchdesk

I think it would be hugely beneficial having sets with stickers marked in some way as @Huw mentioned earlier. It buying second hand one doesn't always know so it can help while looking at or asking questions.

Thanks!