Hobbes Posted November 14, 2005 Posted November 14, 2005 I've often wondered how people could build these huge kazillion-pieces MOCs. More often the answer was "Bricklink Bulk Order". So, since I finally want to start building some small MOCs (houses and stuff for my train/town layout) and miss some pieces in certain colors I checked out Bricklink. I even found a big seller (120k+ pieces) in my country - and started shopping. It was fun and he had lots of pieces that I thought I had use for. After a few minutes of clicking I checked my shopping cart - and almost choked: 3000+ pieces, $450+... OK, obviously shopping without a plan wasn't that a good idea. So, any tips? Or is it normal that you leave an arm or leg? How do you ppl do it? I can't LDRAW (or anything) my MOCs because I'm simply too stupid to use CAD-like programs, and, more importantly, I don't even know what my MOCs will look like. I just know that I definitely will run out of pieces or won't even have the ones I'd like to use. Still, putting all that stuff in my virutal shopping cart was fun ;)
Vader Posted November 14, 2005 Posted November 14, 2005 Well when i place an order i firstly make a list of what i need but its very rare that i find all of what i want in one shop, so it usually takes awhile and alot of orders im sad to say. :'(
ApophisV Posted November 14, 2005 Posted November 14, 2005 I always put the parts I REALLY need on my wanted list (most times those are single replacement parts or parts I use very often, e.g. the Battle Droid arms or dark orange 1x2x5 bricks) and put as much as I need (most times all the store has *wacko*) into my cart. THEN I check all categories if there are any more useful parts, but this lets the cart's size grow to a point where my financial conscience starts to shout "STOP! STOP!!!"... That's why I go through my cart and think about every type of part I took before and remove it from the list or reduce the amount if it isn't really important for my order. I do this several times till I'm satisfied with the price... (Mostly something like 10 - 15 Euro.... :'( )
The Middleman Posted November 15, 2005 Posted November 15, 2005 Ask the seller for a discount if you're buying truly huge amounts. It's worked surprisingly often for me, and has saved me probably about $70 to date, mostly in free/discounted shipping costs.
Hobbes Posted November 15, 2005 Author Posted November 15, 2005 I always put the parts I REALLY need on my wanted list If only I knew what I need! I have pix of the models I want to build in my head, unfortunately without instructions... THEN I check all categories if there are any more useful parts, but this lets the cart's size grow to a point where my financial conscience starts to shout "STOP! STOP!!!"... hehe, I know that feeling... That's why I go through my cart and think about every type of part I took before and remove it from the list or reduce the amount if it isn't really important for my order. I do this several times till I'm satisfied with the price... (Mostly something like 10 - 15 Euro.... :'( ) They all looked important to me, that's why I put 'em in the cart in the first place :/ Why do they always draw the wrong lottery numbers...
MattZitron Posted November 15, 2005 Posted November 15, 2005 What I do is imagine what I want, then build it up in my mind. Its quiet relaxing like meditation. :D
SuvieD Posted November 15, 2005 Posted November 15, 2005 You can do a number of things. Try building your idea with what you have now. This can sometime produce results you didn't think possible. Even if you are not satisfied with your moc you will have a better idea of what you need to fix it. Then go buy the items you want. Large seller who sell in bulk tend to be able to have higher prices. The have better selection, large quantities, and more rare parts usually which of course draws more customers. Smaller sellers just like in real life can't compete as well but often times have the best price on items you want to buy. Try placing several small orders that won't cost too much in added postage to get the parts your require. Or buy stuff from me. I need to sell some and I have a good selection of items from the 70's to today. I will customize your order to be affordable and will ship it too you without any hidden fees. All customs forms are marked used toys so you should never have to pay fees. If you are interested send me a list of what you want and I will add it to my store so that only you can buy it. I will then open the store to international orders and set it up so you can buy. If anyone in can match condition with price on any item I will match their price for you. You can also email the seller you are interested in and ask them to inform you when the have a sale. This could save you generally 10-25%.
TroyTMoore Posted November 15, 2005 Posted November 15, 2005 After a few minutes of clicking I checked my shopping cart - and almost choked: 3000+ pieces, $450+... He he, suprising how fast that adds up, eh? When I have a certain part that I need quite a few of, I use the BrickLink Catalog to hone in on the item I want in the colour I want, in the quantity I want, for the least amount of money I am wanting to part with..... If there are several items, I start with the item I want most of using the aforementioned method, then when I get to that seller's store I check and see if they have the other items I want..... I end up meeting in the middle, maybe paying a bit more, but getting it all from 1 store as to not pay multiple shipping charges. Shipping can be a reall killer. Actually there are some sellers that I am sure use the S&H to make up for their "sale prices".... Fact is BrickLink is just too handy... You can stay at home and have access to almost anything LEGO you want or never knew existed until you do a little "Windows" shopping. Without exception I never just stick to my wanted list, there are always a couple of things a seller has that I "need" (Well I am already ordering. I will have these parts too for what I may build later...and any other logical argument I use to convince myself it is OK to click a few more items into the cart).
languages Posted November 15, 2005 Posted November 15, 2005 I have built models and ordered bricks from bricklink, then realised I still dont have enough parts to finish my model..... And the price of the order starts to rise.... It can be a nightmare.....
snefroe Posted November 15, 2005 Posted November 15, 2005 After a few minutes of clicking I checked my shopping cart - and almost choked: 3000+ pieces, $450+... He he, suprising how fast that adds up, eh? When I have a certain part that I need quite a few of, I use the BrickLink Catalog to hone in on the item I want in the colour I want, in the quantity I want, for the least amount of money I am wanting to part with..... If there are several items, I start with the item I want most of using the aforementioned method, then when I get to that seller's store I check and see if they have the other items I want..... I end up meeting in the middle, maybe paying a bit more, but getting it all from 1 store as to not pay multiple shipping charges. Shipping can be a reall killer. Actually there are some sellers that I am sure use the S&H to make up for their "sale prices".... Fact is BrickLink is just too handy... You can stay at home and have access to almost anything LEGO you want or never knew existed until you do a little "Windows" shopping. Without exception I never just stick to my wanted list, there are always a couple of things a seller has that I "need" (Well I am already ordering. I will have these parts too for what I may build later...and any other logical argument I use to convince myself it is OK to click a few more items into the cart). that's basically my method as well... however, i also think about other elements: 1) i pay an extra 10
ImperialJohn Posted November 15, 2005 Posted November 15, 2005 I just call the LEGO production line and tell them what I need ;) :oD :oD :oD :oD Na. Just kidding. BL is a killer. Too many parts that could be used for something :$ I tend to be really careful to plan what I need. And the combine these in different "wanted" lists. And then of cause look out for any discounts! But since I havent bought a lot on BL I guess this not a "expert" advice *wacko*
JINZONINGEN73 Posted November 15, 2005 Posted November 15, 2005 The first few times I used BL, it was stressful. I go in with an ABSOLUTE dollar amount that won't be gone over. Once I'm done in a store, I usually end up with an order around $60... then the great pruning begins. I take a DAMNED long time to do just one order. It gets easier though every time. Now that there's a few stores I completely trust, the stressful search for buyers (whose payment types / country jives with mine) is completely cut out of the process. Instead of walking block after block through a large city, I now know where the stores I want are. Some stores consistently give you discount coupons every time you order. Missing Brick usually has a 5% off coupon if you do another order soon after the first. So yeah... go in with what you're going to spend already known. Oh... I also notice that if you start a shopping cart, but fall asleep or come back hours later, there's a GOOD chance that some items purge from your cart due to some time limit... as well as other people entering in that time and completing orders with some of what you wanted in their checkout. If you come back 24 hours after starting a cart... I DOUBT much if anything will be in there.
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