Bricklink or Lego Pick a Brick?

[Captain Pirate Man]

I'm a huge brink linker, and here is another valuable piece of advice, paying more for a piece or parts from a store in your home country is generally cheaper than buying from an over seas store, plus it will arrive much sooner. As an American, I have found many European stores will sell their products significantly cheaper, just to charge you a fortune in shipping. Plus you don't get a final Bill until after you have checked out, and by that time you are on the hook. The biggest exception I have found is UK stores, I have had pretty decent experience with them. But I recently bought 16 flesh colored hands from Turkey. Each hand cost like 19 cents or something reasonably cheap. Well the shipping costs we're over 20 bucks, so it far exceded my actual order, which is really aggravating. Moral of the story, buy from your own company and as few of stores as possible.

[dr_spock]

You can also send the seller an email asking for a quote with shipping before committing to the BrickLink order. It's more work and slow down the process for instant gratification. Also depending on your country you could be hit with import duties if buying internationally from certain countries and not others (depending on trade agreements and stuff). Do your homework or pay more.

[SearchFunction]

Have not read the whole thing, but there is three major benefits to using PAB:

• Reliability: You will get exactly what you ordered 99% of the time and everything will be in pristine condition
  
• Free shipping: If you order enough. This is key to saving money, as shipping usually is 30% or more of the total price (when I buy on BL)
  
• Best average prices: Bricks can be found cheaper on BL, but on average, PAB gives you a better choice. There are no overly expensive parts (for the most part).
  

[Hive]

I'm a huge brink linker, and here is another valuable piece of advice, paying more for a piece or parts from a store in your home country is generally cheaper than buying from an over seas store, plus it will arrive much sooner. As an American, I have found many European stores will sell their products significantly cheaper, just to charge you a fortune in shipping. Plus you don't get a final Bill until after you have checked out, and by that time you are on the hook. The biggest exception I have found is UK stores, I have had pretty decent experience with them. But I recently bought 16 flesh colored hands from Turkey. Each hand cost like 19 cents or something reasonably cheap. Well the shipping costs we're over 20 bucks, so it far exceded my actual order, which is really aggravating. Moral of the story, buy from your own company and as few of stores as possible.

You make it sound as if European Bricklink stores deliberately use underhanded tactics to cheat you out of money. Shipping from Europe simply is more expensive than from USA, especially overseas. Nothing clandestine about it. As dr_spock mentions, you could just PM the vendor and ask for a shipping quote before buying, if the store does not list it.

[AFOLguy1970]

Just my observations.....

(1) European stores tend to have the greater selection and availability of parts, at least for what I am seeking

(2) Many do charge extra for use of Paypal, and sometimes shipping can be expensive. However, in most stores, they do itemize any additional costs. I sometimes find a calculator is necessary in order to gauge an exact amount

(3) Now for the disadvantage--and it has nothing to do with European sellers themselves, you have a marked increase in the probability that your package will get delayed or even lost. I had one never show up last year, and one is over a month late to me right now. It has tracking, but no evidence it has entered the US. An international package unfortunately has to use two postal carriers in addition to going through customs. I am fully prepared for someone to comment that they have made hundreds of orders and received every package, maybe some with delays. Of course you did, but not everyone will be that lucky. So if you order internationally, you might want to figure in the cost of insurance as well, especially if the money spent is significant.

For Lego online PAB

(1) It can take two or three weeks, because it ships from Poland. However, it does include tracking. No shipment has ever been lost, and the orders have been accurate a vast majority of the time. Only one discrepancy ever happened where they shorted me a part, but sent the replacement promptly.

(2) Prices tend to be higher. 30 cents for a 2x4, nothing cheaper than 10 cents. There is also no bulk discount. However, if you make a S&H order for more than $75, shipping will be free. If I am making an order, and I have not achieved $75, I often make up the difference with a PAB order. In a couple of cases, adding some PAB to the order actually made it cheaper, because shipping became free.

(3) Online PAB selection is probably greater than most given BL stores, but they too are limited. Most of the parts are fairly common, and they often will not have what you are looking for.

[Captain Pirate Man]

You make it sound as if European Bricklink stores deliberately use underhanded tactics to cheat you out of money. Shipping from Europe simply is more expensive than from USA, especially overseas. Nothing clandestine about it. As dr_spock mentions, you could just PM the vendor and ask for a shipping quote before buying, if the store does not list it.

I realize that shipping costs more overseas, but their are plenty of bricklinkers that do in fact make money off of the shipping (not just in Europe, But all over the world). Its an old eBay scam, make a profit on shipping. But when I go on bricklinks and see prices for the same item significantly cheaper in Europe, you know they are profiting on shipping.

Besides the order I spoke about in my original post I am still waiting to receive, been over a month to get an order from Turkey...

[Hive]

I realize that shipping costs more overseas, but their are plenty of bricklinkers that do in fact make money off of the shipping (not just in Europe, But all over the world). Its an old eBay scam, make a profit on shipping. But when I go on bricklinks and see prices for the same item significantly cheaper in Europe, you know they are profiting on shipping.

You know, I find these accusations wildly offensive and insulting (as a European Bricklink seller myself). You don't know a damn thing - and if you are unpleasantly surprised by high shipping costs, be sure to only shop when 1) the shop clearly lists shipping prices and/or 2) you ask the shop for shipping costs beforehand. Don't go around painting all European Bricklinkers as dirty cheats because you've had a few bad experiences (which, at least in part, is your own fault for not researching shipping costs beforehand).

Shipping is damn expensive from Europe, that's just the way it is. If we sellers could reduce shipping costs, we'd naturally gladly do it - as it would mean more sales.

[antp]

Postage costs are rather high in Western Europe indeed.

Except UK.

In postal services, all is paid in the country which sends the package. So if you send a package between countries A and B, A get the money and has to send the package to B, B gets the package and has to deliver it to the final recipient... for free.

Generally it works well because you can suppose than in average each country sends as many package and they receive.

However, nowadays it is not true anymore: Europe receives a lot of packages from China, and many from USA too. And it is not so common to send package there.

So postage costs from China to Europe are very low for example.

UK is cheaper because it is often used as intermediate platform for sellers who import from China and then send to other EU countries, so UK probably sends much more package (postal service getting then more money) than other EU countries.

For example if I want to send something to USA, for more than 350g it already costs me at least 20 € ! (and 40 € above 1 kg).

[Captain Pirate Man]

You know, I find these accusations wildly offensive and insulting (as a European Bricklink seller myself). You don't know a damn thing - and if you are unpleasantly surprised by high shipping costs, be sure to only shop when 1) the shop clearly lists shipping prices and/or 2) you ask the shop for shipping costs beforehand. Don't go around painting all European Bricklinkers as dirty cheats because you've had a few bad experiences (which, at least in part, is your own fault for not researching shipping costs beforehand).

Shipping is damn expensive from Europe, that's just the way it is. If we sellers could reduce shipping costs, we'd naturally gladly do it - as it would mean more sales.

Man chill out, I never said you were cheating anyone, I don't think I've ever bought something from you anyways...

You can find my accusations "wildly offensive" all you want, but I AM entitled to my opinion. I don't doubt that the shipping costs are higher in Europe, I never said they weren't. But if you don't think that SOME bricklinkers (from all over the world, not just Europe) don't sell their items cheaper than add additional shipping costs to them, then you sir are dillusional. Its the oldest trick in the book, started as soon as internet shopping was invented, not just on bricklinks. People do sell items intentionally cheaper, than add extra costs in the shipping to make up for those earlier losses. That way they still make money, But the lower retail price allows them more business.

That is why, my original point (which seems to be lost here thanks to your little tirade) is that most often you are better off paying more for a product from your own country than buying it cheaper from over seas, because the shipping costs will negate any original savings, plus you have to wait so much longer for the item. I know European bricklinkers out there don't like people saying these things, especially in a site where other shoppers could read it, but I'm sorry but it is true. Why should I not share my experiences with other potential shoppers, because some people don't like these truths? I'm not trying to effect anyone's business, But if you live in a country that has high shipping costs, than perhaps being a bricklink seller is not the best idea...

Also I want to add, I never said "All European brickliners are cheats." that was Hive putting words in my mouth. Is also said in my original post that I have had many pleasant exchanges with UK stores. If you are a US shopper and looking overseas, UK is good, but mainland Europe (from my experiences) is about 50\50. But yes I have had good experiences with many of them as well, but not always.

On a side note, I've bought things from Australia and had no problems as well, decent shipping rates. So why is Europe getting the shaft?

Edited March 30, 2015 by Captain Pirate Man

[Hive]

Man chill out, I never said you were cheating anyone, I don't think I've ever bought something from you anyways...

This isn't about me personally, this is about you generalizing and trying to give European sellers a bad reputation.

You can find my accusations "wildly offensive" all you want, but I AM entitled to my opinion. I don't doubt that the shipping costs are higher in Europe, I never said they weren't. But if you don't think that SOME bricklinkers (from all over the world, not just Europe) don't sell their items cheaper than add additional shipping costs to them, then you sir are dillusional. Its the oldest trick in the book, started as soon as internet shopping was invented, not just on bricklinks. People do sell items intentionally cheaper, than add extra costs in the shipping to make up for those earlier losses. That way they still make money, But the lower retail price allows them more business.

Sure, you are entitled to an opinion - just as I am entitled to question your groundless accusations against an entire continent worth of Bricklinkers.

Yes, lots of European shops have lower prices to offset the higher shipping costs. That's pretty basic business sense: if you cannot compete with the price of X, lower the price of Y instead. But you need to realize that no Bricklink shops get a cut from the local post office. And sure, there are some shops here and there that have low prices but instead charge excessively for shipping, packing and an assortment of other fees - but to claim that it's a general thing done by Europeans is a nasty and groundless accusation. I'd wager that I can find just as many American shops doing that as European. And at any rate, those shops are *not* an accurate represenation of the general Bricklink shop, neither in Europe nor in USA.

That is why, my original point (which seems to be lost here thanks to your little tirade) is that most often you are better off paying more for a product from your own country than buying it cheaper from over seas, because the shipping costs will negate any original savings, plus you have to wait so much longer for the item. I know European bricklinkers out there don't like people saying these things, especially in a site where other shoppers could read it, but I'm sorry but it is true. Why should I not share my experiences with other potential shoppers, because some people don't like these truths? I'm not trying to effect anyone's business

Of course you're often better off buying from your own country/region due to lower shipping costs. But not because Europeans have come up with some kind of clever scheme to rip you off, as you suggest - but because of factors we simply cannot control.

But if you live in a country that has high shipping costs, than perhaps being a bricklink seller is not the best idea...

Thankfully, that's none of your business.

Also I want to add, I never said "All European brickliners are cheats." that was Hive putting words in my mouth. Is also said in my original post that I have had many pleasant exchanges with UK stores. If you are a US shopper and looking overseas, UK is good, but mainland Europe (from my experiences) is about 50\50. But yes I have had good experiences with many of them as well, but not always.

Oh so now it's merely half of the European shops who are nasty cheats?

On a side note, I've bought things from Australia and had no problems as well, decent shipping rates. So why is Europe getting the shaft?

I don't know, but I'd like to repeat this again - since you seem incapable of comprehending it: we do not affect shipping costs in any way. We have no control over such aspects. If you want to know, ask our state post offices.

[Captain Pirate Man]

This isn't about me personally, this is about you generalizing and trying to give European sellers a bad reputation.

Sure, you are entitled to an opinion - just as I am entitled to question your groundless accusations against an entire continent worth of Bricklinkers.

Yes, lots of European shops have lower prices to offset the higher shipping costs. That's pretty basic business sense: if you cannot compete with the price of X, lower the price of Y instead. But you need to realize that no Bricklink shops get a cut from the local post office. And sure, there are some shops here and there that have low prices but instead charge excessively for shipping, packing and an assortment of other fees - but to claim that it's a general thing done by Europeans is a nasty and groundless accusation. I'd wager that I can find just as many American shops doing that as European. And at any rate, those shops are *not* an accurate represenation of the general Bricklink shop, neither in Europe nor in USA.

Of course you're often better off buying from your own country/region due to lower shipping costs. But not because Europeans have come up with some kind of clever scheme to rip you off, as you suggest - but because of factors we simply cannot control.

Thankfully, that's none of your business.

Oh so now it's merely half of the European shops who are nasty cheats?

I don't know, but I'd like to repeat this again - since you seem incapable of comprehending it: we do not affect shipping costs in any way. We have no control over such aspects. If you want to know, ask our state post offices.

Please, just shut up. I never said "European bricklinkers are nasty cheats." quit putting words in my mouth. I said that selling products for a cheaper price than having higher shipping rates is a tactic used by many sellers, on many sites, all over the world. Do some European sellers employ that tactic as well? Yes I'm sure they do, but I'm not saying they all do. I would never generalize an entire continent as dirty rotten cheats, that is something that you are spinning my words to try and fit your little agenda.

Frankly I'm sick of this conversation and I'm sick of your little hissy fits. At no point in all of my posts did I say anything close to what you are accusing me of, bottom line...

[ShaydDeGrai]

I realize that shipping costs more overseas, but their are plenty of bricklinkers that do in fact make money off of the shipping (not just in Europe, But all over the world). Its an old eBay scam, make a profit on shipping. But when I go on bricklinks and see prices for the same item significantly cheaper in Europe, you know they are profiting on shipping.

First, I don't know what stores you've been dealing with, but from my personal experience, I've gotten _Refunds_ from Bricklink shops with people telling me that actual shipping was less than their initial estimate and they apologize for overcharging me. The refund is usually at most on the order of a dollar or two, but it says something about the character and honesty of the people one is usually dealing with on BrickLink. I obviously can't speak for all dealers, but of the ones I have dealt with, they bargain in good faith, occasionally err on the side of caution with respect to shipping charges and, if they overcharge me, they make up for the error in a timely fashion even though I'm usually completely unaware that the error occurred in the first place.

Second, and I think this is something the average American (and many elsewhere) ether don't realize or take for granted, The United States has literally poured billions of dollars into transportation and shipping infrastructure since the end of WWII. Fast, cheap, domestic shipping and international port management is considered a strategic economic resource. Our rail system is optimized for cargo, not passengers, We subsidize fuel for aircraft, and we've passed laws allowing for (most) cargo to cross state lines without customs inspections or tariffs. Compared to large parts of the world, postage in most parts of the US is dirt cheap (in part because everyone who isn't sending a package is still subsidizing it through their tax dollars).

It is a mistake to assume that other parts of the world have the luxury of an economy of scale, strong infrastructure, favorable laws and a broad base of taxpayers willing to subsidize delivering your next bag of parts to you. Even in remote parts of the US, such as Hawaii or Alaska, the price to move goods goes up. So, I don't blink twice when I see that shipping something from, say, Turkey might cost as much as my order itself - I'm perfectly willing to believe that _their_ costs are higher and they they are simply passing that cost back to me. If I'm uncomfortable with the postage-to-parts price ratio, I just look for a closer supplier.

Ripping off people with bogus shipping and handling charges is certainly a staple of late night "as seen on TV" ads in the US and may be "a thing" on eBay (I have no basis to judge this one way or the other as I never deal with them), but it's unfair to assume that a non-US based vender is price gouging on the postage simply because they charge more (sometimes even significantly more) than a US vender shipping domestically would. Usually, it's just a reflection of actual costs in a "different" economy.

[Captain Pirate Man]

First, I don't know what stores you've been dealing with, but from my personal experience, I've gotten _Refunds_ from Bricklink shops with people telling me that actual shipping was less than their initial estimate and they apologize for overcharging me. The refund is usually at most on the order of a dollar or two, but it says something about the character and honesty of the people one is usually dealing with on BrickLink. I obviously can't speak for all dealers, but of the ones I have dealt with, they bargain in good faith, occasionally err on the side of caution with respect to shipping charges and, if they overcharge me, they make up for the error in a timely fashion even though I'm usually completely unaware that the error occurred in the first place.

Second, and I think this is something the average American (and many elsewhere) ether don't realize or take for granted, The United States has literally poured billions of dollars into transportation and shipping infrastructure since the end of WWII. Fast, cheap, domestic shipping and international port management is considered a strategic economic resource. Our rail system is optimized for cargo, not passengers, We subsidize fuel for aircraft, and we've passed laws allowing for (most) cargo to cross state lines without customs inspections or tariffs. Compared to large parts of the world, postage in most parts of the US is dirt cheap (in part because everyone who isn't sending a package is still subsidizing it through their tax dollars).

It is a mistake to assume that other parts of the world have the luxury of an economy of scale, strong infrastructure, favorable laws and a broad base of taxpayers willing to subsidize delivering your next bag of parts to you. Even in remote parts of the US, such as Hawaii or Alaska, the price to move goods goes up. So, I don't blink twice when I see that shipping something from, say, Turkey might cost as much as my order itself - I'm perfectly willing to believe that _their_ costs are higher and they they are simply passing that cost back to me. If I'm uncomfortable with the postage-to-parts price ratio, I just look for a closer supplier.

Ripping off people with bogus shipping and handling charges is certainly a staple of late night "as seen on TV" ads in the US and may be "a thing" on eBay (I have no basis to judge this one way or the other as I never deal with them), but it's unfair to assume that a non-US based vender is price gouging on the postage simply because they charge more (sometimes even significantly more) than a US vender shipping domestically would. Usually, it's just a reflection of actual costs in a "different" economy.

Which I understand and agree with pretty much everything you said. That's why, in my original post, I have found (from my experiences) that you tend to be better off paying more for a product from the US (if you live in the US) as opposed from an over seas company. Which that is not always the case, sometimes you can get great prices and shipping rates from over seas companies. But other times, you pay around 5 dollars for flesh hands but then get a final Bill saying you owe 36 dollars due to shipping costs. And as I sit here, 6 weeks later, the package has still not arrived. Which the seller I bought them from, was selling them very cheaply, that was why I chose him. But after the extreme shipping costs (Which perhaps he profited off the shipping, or perhaps he did not, I can't say either way)and long delays on receiving my products, I would of been better off paying 15 dollars for the products with 3 dollar shipping. As opposed to 5 dollars for the products But 31 dollars for shipping...

[Captain Pirate Man]

On a side note, I order something from China, the same day as the package from Turkey. Well the Chinese New Year is in early March, and they literally shut down everything for a week or so. Well I received that package in the mail today, but still nothing from Turkey. But that goes to show that particular sellers inadiqucies, not generalizing the entire continent.

Also to be fair, I had an order from an American bricklinker and the seller told me that I had to pay 2 extra dollars because she had to buy New envelopes, and therefore I had to pay for the charges, and I would receive a receipt for the envelopes in my order. Well I never received the recept for the envelopes and it also looked like an older envelope, so IMO, the sellers whole story was just bs. So my point is, that sellers from all over the world will often hide extra charges in your order, I'm not against just Europeans.

Edited March 30, 2015 by Captain Pirate Man

[Hive]

Please, just shut up.

Thank you for your kind suggestion, but I think I'll pass.

I never said "European bricklinkers are nasty cheats." quit putting words in my mouth. I said that selling products for a cheaper price than having higher shipping rates is a tactic used by many sellers, on many sites, all over the world. Do some European sellers employ that tactic as well? Yes I'm sure they do, but I'm not saying they all do. I would never generalize an entire continent as dirty rotten cheats, that is something that you are spinning my words to try and fit your little agenda.

What you said was:

As an American, I have found many European stores will sell their products significantly cheaper, just to charge you a fortune in shipping. Plus you don't get a final Bill until after you have checked out, and by that time you are on the hook.

What you do is suggest that many European vendors dump prices on goods and instead artificially beef up shipping costs to make up the difference. Your use of the phrase "on the hook" more than implies deliberate malicious intent on behalf of the sellers.

Here is a definition of said phrase:

Adj. 1. on the hook - caught in a difficult or dangerous situation; "there I was back on the hook"

dangerous, unsafe - involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm; "a dangerous criminal"; "a dangerous bridge"; "unemployment reached dangerous proportions"

Frankly I'm sick of this conversation and I'm sick of your little hissy fits. At no point in all of my posts did I say anything close to what you are accusing me of, bottom line...

Yes and I'm tired of unfair and completely unreasonable accusations made towards most of an entire continent. Especially since they are mainly based on faults of your own. I mean, who doesn't check for shipping costs before ordering an item? I have yet to encounter a single Bricklink store that did not list shipping costs on the splash page. Prices are there, simply have a look. If the shop owner overcharges you, demand the transaction cancelled. And if in doubt, contact the seller and ask for clarification.

[CorneliusMurdock]

Let's all settle down.

I think we can all agree that you should look into shipping costs from any BrickLink shop (or from other sites as well) before placing an order, especially if the store isn't on the same continent that you are.

While there are some dishonest people out there that might try overcharge on shipping, I don't think we can generalize that any one group of people are more likely to do so than any other.

Before this gets any more heated, I think this particular part of the discussion can be considered closed. Let's move on. Thank you.

[Zusammengebaut]

I have been in the Legoland Billund on saturday.

The "Lego Shop" inside the park is not an official one, but there are many, many sets.

But the "Pick ab brick"-"Wall" is more expensiv than the "normal" one in regular Lego Stores. But: If there is a special brick you need and you find it there, it is fine, as well. Because you are allowed to buy as many bricks you want, you have to weigh the bricks.

I think, there are "Pick a brick"-areas in other Legolands as well, right?

[The Kumquat Alchemist]

Oh, I seem to have weighed in too early. I'll just remove this.

Edited March 31, 2015 by The Kumquat Alchemist

[KringlesBricks]

I tend to lean towards a few favorite stores on Bricklink. I mostly go to Bricklink to help support those favorite stores of mine that have the pieces I'll utilize and use in my city/MOC. If they do not have my pieces, then I'll order from PaB. I just like supporting the "small business" who cater to AFOL's more first...then turn to Lego.

[Nacho]

I've ordered from bricklink and from the S@H site and for me if the part is available on the S@H site I would always go there first.

Few reasons;

Quite often its cheaper - as mentioned above parts and shipping come to quite a lot on bricklink

Quantity - I needed like ~100 tiles and no single bricklink seller had enough in stock, buying in small quantities from individual sellers means extra postage costs.

Quality - I've had bricklink orders delivered in used sticky bags, wrong pieces, printed parts etc. etc. and this is from stores with good ratings!

[AFOLguy1970]

I've ordered from bricklink and from the S@H site and for me if the part is available on the S@H site I would always go there first.

Few reasons;

Quite often its cheaper - as mentioned above parts and shipping come to quite a lot on bricklink

Quantity - I needed like ~100 tiles and no single bricklink seller had enough in stock, buying in small quantities from individual sellers means extra postage costs.

Quality - I've had bricklink orders delivered in used sticky bags, wrong pieces, printed parts etc. etc. and this is from stores with good ratings!

I too have had my fair share of wrong parts. Typically the mistake is either the wrong color of the right part, or I get something like a 4070 instead of an 87087 or vice versa. If I need 100 of something, I now know to order 110 of them in anticipation that something will be the wrong color, or the order will be short, or it will be the wrong part, or a part will look like it has buried in the back yard for 50 years. And yes, this even happens with stores with impeccable feedback.