Legofan4ever88 Posted June 19, 2011 Posted June 19, 2011 After not being able to find 4X4 curve pieces(http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID=47878&colorID=85) on ebay at a good price and the quanity i need(8), i've decided to venture onto BL to possibly buy something for the first time ever from the site. I know a lot about buying from eBay(bought stuff earlier this month and tracking an auction as i'm typing this.) and have bought several things(lego and non-lego), however, I have no clue to how BL works and wondering if anyone could let me know a few things: 1) How can I tell if a seller accepts paypal as a payment option? I like using paypal since it's a quick tidy process that's safe. And what about shipping costs? 2)Is there any sellers that are highly recommended or not recommended? Why? 3) Also as a note: I'd appreciate no tips that are along the lines of "Compare prices", "watch shipping costs", "see if combined shipping is offered" or "check seller ratings". i've shopped on eBay enough that these are on the top of my "to check list" when I begin looking around for more then just one item from a seller. Oh, and for those curious on why i need 8, i'm interested in making my own hot tub like the one at the Brickhouse: http://www.reasonablyclever.com/2006/10/27/10272006/
hanzocloud Posted June 19, 2011 Posted June 19, 2011 (edited) 1) How can I tell if a seller accepts paypal as a payment option? I like using paypal since it's a quick tidy process that's safe. And what about shipping costs? i also only discovered bricklink only recently (about 8 months ago). and have been a big ebay user for purchasing lego prior to it's discovery. Upon discovering bricklink, i can say that my lego purchases on ebay has dropped to 1% and bricklink has risen to 99%. This is due to cheaper prices and ability to purchase any parts i wanted. I have purchased from 83 sellers over these past 8 months and all of them offer paypal as a payment method. When you click on Checkout, you will be able choose from a list of payment methods that the seller offers and also from a list of shipping methods. Most sellers only offer like 2 or 3 methods with paypal being one of them in all occasions that I have encountered. And you can always go back from that page. The purchase is not made until you goto the next page from that page. Usually shipping prices are set out under the Splash or Store Terms tabs in the stores. However not always there. So best thing to do is to ask the seller for shipping prices before you purchase. But what I do is submit my order (always choosing paypal) and cheapest shipping method whereever possible. And then wait for an invoice from the seller which includes the shipping price. I'd say most of the time shipping prices are fair and are pretty close to the actual cost for the seller to post. 2)Is there any sellers that are highly recommended or not recommended? Why? It usually doesn't matter who the seller is. Most will have high feedback ratings. You don't usually shop by searching sellers. You shop by searching products. And whichever seller has it, you'll buy it from that seller. Usually choosing the cheapest priced one is smart. 3) Also as a note: I'd appreciate no tips that are along the lines of "Compare prices", "watch shipping costs", "see if combined shipping is offered" or "check seller ratings". i've shopped on eBay enough that these are on the top of my "to check list" when I begin looking around for more then just one item from a seller. All orders are combined shipping. It is not like ebay. Each item you put in your cart is not actually purchased until you 'check out'. So you can have multiple items in your cart when checking out. and then the weight and size of bag/box required for all those items purchased is calculated for postage together. Edited June 19, 2011 by hanzocloud
treeboy Posted June 19, 2011 Posted June 19, 2011 After not being able to find 4X4 curve pieces(http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID=47878&colorID=85) on ebay at a good price and the quanity i need(8), i've decided to venture onto BL to possibly buy something for the first time ever from the site. I know a lot about buying from eBay(bought stuff earlier this month and tracking an auction as i'm typing this.) and have bought several things(lego and non-lego), however, I have no clue to how BL works and wondering if anyone could let me know a few things: 1) How can I tell if a seller accepts paypal as a payment option? I like using paypal since it's a quick tidy process that's safe. And what about shipping costs? 2)Is there any sellers that are highly recommended or not recommended? Why? 3) Also as a note: I'd appreciate no tips that are along the lines of "Compare prices", "watch shipping costs", "see if combined shipping is offered" or "check seller ratings". i've shopped on eBay enough that these are on the top of my "to check list" when I begin looking around for more then just one item from a seller. Oh, and for those curious on why i need 8, i'm interested in making my own hot tub like the one at the Brickhouse: http://www.reasonablyclever.com/2006/10/27/10272006/ It seems that most if not all sellers on BL take PayPal but hereis an informative link. Next to the sellers name (the name of the admin for the seller) is a feedback rating brick. Hereis another link regarding feedback.
hanzocloud Posted June 19, 2011 Posted June 19, 2011 (edited) deleted. double post... Edited June 19, 2011 by hanzocloud
Legofan4ever88 Posted June 19, 2011 Author Posted June 19, 2011 i've decided to go ahead and register and email a seller. however, i'm being asked for my shipping address info. Will it just be private info that only the person i'll buy from can access? I'm really not comfortable giving out private information of that matter.
Legofan4ever88 Posted June 19, 2011 Author Posted June 19, 2011 (edited) edit: double post Edited June 19, 2011 by Legofan4ever88
Legofan4ever88 Posted June 19, 2011 Author Posted June 19, 2011 (edited) EDIT: GAH! triple post Edited June 19, 2011 by Legofan4ever88
hanzocloud Posted June 19, 2011 Posted June 19, 2011 dude it's no different to having your shipping address in your ebay account.
Legofan4ever88 Posted June 19, 2011 Author Posted June 19, 2011 So the info is kept private? Good. Oh, and i'm a female.
Piranha Posted June 19, 2011 Posted June 19, 2011 i've decided to go ahead and register and email a seller. however, i'm being asked for my shipping address info. Will it just be private info that only the person i'll buy from can access? I'm really not comfortable giving out private information of that matter. Hi I have been a member of Bricklink for 5 years it is a very safe and good site most of the time. Yes your personal info is only shown to those whom you place an order with. Each store is different and usually you can click store policies in store in the tab to see shipping costs and payment options. Usually sellers with the more positive feedback the better but do not be biased against small sellers with less feedback their bricks are just as good.
Legofan4ever88 Posted June 19, 2011 Author Posted June 19, 2011 Cool. I'm planning on dropping Black Swamp Bricks an email after I register. They have the best price for the number of pieces I need plus a few cool things i'm thinking about scooping up.
Sokratesz Posted June 19, 2011 Posted June 19, 2011 (edited) I've bought a few small things on BL and I have to say for small parts it easily beats eBay. On larger sets its more difficult to get a good price on BL (because prices are usually fixed) than on eBay, you might always get lucky in an auction there! - Sok. Edited June 19, 2011 by Sokratesz
streifen Posted June 21, 2011 Posted June 21, 2011 Bricklink is best for parts (in large quantities and varieties). if u are only looking for 1 or 2 pieces, try your local store (if they do stock parts). as for recommending sellers, the ones i have dealt with have been great. How did i buy from them in the 1st place? through gut feel. i happen to buy regularly from this seller in Edinburgh and he has been great throughout.
roamingstop Posted June 21, 2011 Posted June 21, 2011 And dont forget BL also offers the use of 'wanted lists'.... For example I have 4 projects in progress, each with a 'wanted list' of items. When I visit a BL store, I can also see what else they have in my wanted lists; and purchase them to minimise the shipping costs. You can also search BL stores based upon how many items match the contents of one or more of your wanted lists; which helps reduce costs. This means you may not be paying the cheapest price per item; but on average you will be paying less shipping and getting better value. Oh and you also discover it is addictive.
Legofan4ever88 Posted June 23, 2011 Author Posted June 23, 2011 I put a lego head i'm after on the wanted list already. I'm beginning to look at different stores. I found a couple w/ series 1 skateboarders at a good price and lego series 1 wrestlers and I found a couple w/ cheap mermaid tails. I'm just waiting for the money i'm sending via paypal to get to the seller and my first order there will offically be paid for. I'm not going to do another one right away however, it is in the back of my mind. and I notice that it's quiet addictive. I'm there a lot more then EB at this time.
Legofan4ever88 Posted June 23, 2011 Author Posted June 23, 2011 I put a lego head i'm after on the wanted list already. I'm beginning to look at different stores. I found a couple w/ series 1 skateboarders at a good price and lego series 1 wrestlers and I found a couple w/ cheap mermaid tails. I'm just waiting for the money i'm sending via paypal to get to the seller and my first order there will offically be paid for. I'm not going to do another one right away however, it is in the back of my mind. and I notice that it's quiet addictive. I'm there a lot more then EB at this time.
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