Just Starting to Use BrickLink - Question

[rockethead26]

OK, so I've figured out a way to enter a wishlist and I have for example, 30 lots. I see by clicking on the "Shops" tab, it will provide me with a lit of shops which have some or all of the lots that I need. So far, so good, but the best prices on each lot are spread all over the list of shops.

Now, is there any way I can sort so that I can get a list of shops with the best prices on the lots I'm looking for, or do I just have to search through the list of shops provided and see who has the best price on each lot?

For example, the search might kick out a list of 5 shops that between them, have all my lots at the best prices.

It seems like this could be automated, but I can't figure out how to do it.

Thanks,

Jim

[Faefrost]

There is a way to specify the sorting by pricing, quality, number etc. But it might be when looking at your full list and not in the "wanted by shop" sub section.

[ummester]

Brickficiency could help, there is a thread here

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82975&st=50

I only know how to sort Bricklink search results by a single argument - lots, unique lots, price, location - etc. I think you a are looking for a solution that sorts a wanted list by 2 arguments, namely unique lots and price. I don't know how to do this, or create some kind of exclusion list so that Bricklink only displays results with over X amount of unique lots, for instance.

Edited August 14, 2014 by ummester

[rockethead26]

There is a way to specify the sorting by pricing, quality, number etc. But it might be when looking at your full list and not in the "wanted by shop" sub section.

I think you're right. Thanks.

Brickficiency could help, there is a thread here

http://www.eurobrick...pic=82975&st=50

I only know how to sort Bricklink search results by a single argument - lots, unique lots, price, location - etc. I think you a are looking for a solution that sorts a wanted list by 2 arguments, namely unique lots and price. I don't know how to do this, or create some kind of exclusion list so that Bricklink only displays results with over X amount of unique lots, for instance.

I'll look into Brickficiency. Thanks for the link.

[fred67]

Bricklink doesn't really like to give you the ability to get best prices for lists of things... they would never sort by wanted list prices, they won't even link directly to the catalog from items in someone's store, so you can't look up if it's a good price from there, unlike when you browse the catalog. It's stupid... it takes two seconds to open a new window and look it up, but sellers would be mad if they linked directly.

Another thing is that, even though you can find cheapest individual pieces, Bricklink wants to make money, and they take a percentage, so the higher the sale, the more they make.

So people have suggested these changes on the bl forums before, they always get shot down.

[rockethead26]

I just ran Brickficiency for the first time (v0.94) and had great results.

I was searching for 74 different items with a total piece count of about 4400.

I let it run a 1,2,3-store solution and it came up with 10 combinations, the best which was $513 from 3 vendors. It found no single store or two store solutions.

I then ran a 4 store solution and let it run all night. It was still running this morning after 1.3 billion combinations checked. I stopped the calculation and the report returned 10 solutions under $490 with the best at $483. I would have to check for shipping charges to make a final decision, but this software works nicely.

I'm impressed.

[Yzalirk]

I also have a few questions about BruckLink, if you don't mind me asking.

1.) Do you have to register an account?

2.) Is there are way that you can checkout your orders at once if you've ordered from multiple stores?

[fred67]

Yes, you need an account.

No, you order from each store individually, as each store has different terms and conditions (some have minimum buys, minimum per-lot requirements, required insurance for certain orders, some have specific add on fees). Think of them as individual stores tied together through a common interface.

Some stores have instant checkout with pre-calculated shipping, but unlike shopping elsewhere, you submit an order and the seller usually figures out how much shipping is and THEN bills you. It can be scary not knowing exactly how much you're committing to - I think that's what keeps most people away, but it's generally not that bad... most stores let you know how they calculate shipping so you can at least estimate.

Edited August 15, 2014 by fred67

[Yzalirk]

Yes, you need an account.

No, you order from each store individually, as each store has different terms and conditions (some have minimum buys, minimum per-lot requirements, required insurance for certain orders, some have specific add on fees). Think of them as individual stores tied together through a common interface.

Some stores have instant checkout with pre-calculated shipping, but unlike shopping elsewhere, you submit an order and the seller usually figures out how much shipping is and THEN bills you. It can be scary not knowing exactly how much you're committing to - I think that's what keeps most people away, but it's generally not that bad... most stores let you know how they calculate shipping so you can at least estimate.

Alright, thanks! I'll have to register an account soon.

[Hrw-Amen]

I have to say I have never had any problems with shipping prices. I do stick to stores in my own country though so I do have a rough idea of the cost. I usually stick to a group of tried and tested half a dzen or so stores with which I have built up a good relatonship over time.

I find it is not uncommon to get a message from the store especially if it is a large amount so then I can choose if to use the post office, signed for, insured, private delivery service and so on. Some of them even send the parcel now before get home and pay. I have had a parcel turn up a couple of times before I have even seen the invoice. It really does pay to have a good relationship with just a handful of stores. Between them I can normally get everything I want as far as parts go.

[rockethead26]

I have to say I have never had any problems with shipping prices. I do stick to stores in my own country though so I do have a rough idea of the cost. I usually stick to a group of tried and tested half a dzen or so stores with which I have built up a good relatonship over time.

I find it is not uncommon to get a message from the store especially if it is a large amount so then I can choose if to use the post office, signed for, insured, private delivery service and so on. Some of them even send the parcel now before get home and pay. I have had a parcel turn up a couple of times before I have even seen the invoice. It really does pay to have a good relationship with just a handful of stores. Between them I can normally get everything I want as far as parts go.

Good to know. I'll just be starting to use BrinkLink for purchases very soon.

[ummester]

I have never had an issue with shipping prices either - I have more often found that Bricklink sellers will try and help you get the most from shipping. Many stores have given me the grams left in my shipping and the option to add to the order without increasing the shipping cost.

9 times out of 10, Bricklink orders are packed with great care to protect the bricks on their journey and some stores even throw bonus parts in for big orders.

Currency conversion can impact shipping costs a great deal and cost me far more on a 5500 piece MOC than store handling fees or individual store variants.

Being from the US rockethead, you will likely find that a lot of your inventory can be filled locally and shipping will be relatively low. I found that the US and German stores had the most extensive stock, by nation.

[rockethead26]

Being from the US rockethead, you will likely find that a lot of your inventory can be filled locally and shipping will be relatively low.

Yes, it seems that most of the BrickLInk stores that I've checked all have very reasonable shipping policies/costs. I'm looking forward to placing a 4200 piece order soon.

[Roger_Smith]

Another question:

I currently have a Wanted List with 190 different items in it that I want to clear (by buying the parts) in the next few weeks. Now my question is, is there a way to have bricklink automatically remove the items in an order from the Wanted list, if the bought amount matches or exceeds the amount specified in the Wanted list?

I only used bricklink for smaller orders up until now, and remember I always had to remove the items from the Wanted list manually after buying. Doing that for such a large amount of pieces seems very impractical.

Edited August 17, 2014 by Roger_Smith

[ummester]

I'm pretty sure when you check out there is an option to remove the parts from your wanted list.

[Roger_Smith]

That would be very cool. Must've missed that on my first few orders, will keep an eye open for it.

Thanks

[fred67]

Even if you missed the link on checkout, you can get it back again. It's another BL oddity that they don't make this easier; the new owners of BL have made some really nice new pages (like the MOC pages), but the old site still looks like from 1995, and it's not just cosmetic changes that it could use.

Anyway, on your "Orders Placed" page (so click the "Orders" tab, then "My Orders Placed"), there's a link there called "Customize Display." On that page, make sure the "Items in Order on My Wanted List Icon" is checked.

Back on the orders placed page, where your orders are shown line by line, there should be a little unrolled scroll like looking icon (you can hover over each icon to get a description - on my page it's the last icon before the seller name) that will take you to the items in your order that are on your wanted list.

[rockethead26]

Even if you missed the link on checkout, you can get it back again. It's another BL oddity that they don't make this easier; the new owners of BL have made some really nice new pages (like the MOC pages), but the old site still looks like from 1995, and it's not just cosmetic changes that it could use.

Anyway, on your "Orders Placed" page (so click the "Orders" tab, then "My Orders Placed"), there's a link there called "Customize Display." On that page, make sure the "Items in Order on My Wanted List Icon" is checked.

Back on the orders placed page, where your orders are shown line by line, there should be a little unrolled scroll like looking icon (you can hover over each icon to get a description - on my page it's the last icon before the seller name) that will take you to the items in your order that are on your wanted list.

Nice tips, thanks!!!