Selling on Bricklink

[Zithy]

I'm getting ready to open a Bricklink store and I have a few questions. I've been selling on Ebay, so am aware of that process, but have only been a buyer from Bricklink and not in quite a while.

Is the invoice process similar to Ebay that you send a combined invoice to the buyer and they follow that to Paypal to make the payment?

For those paying by Paypal (am assuming it's 99% of payment type), do I just go to Paypal and print labels the same way as for Ebay buyers?

I broke down a few sets and used the Part Set feature to make things super simple. But then I realized having a ton of items listed could backfire - I really don't want to get orders and have no idea how to have a smooth process for invoices and payments.

Any helpful information would be appreciated! I have looked at and read Bricklink FaQ's and information, but I just don't feel quite ready yet. . . If someone would prefer to PM, that would be fine as well.

I hate Bricklink's message board/forums style, if anyone wants to suggest for me to post there instead of here. :)

[pumbaugh]

I just opened a small store to unload some of the excess that I purchased this winter and it is pretty simple and straight forward. I received 2 orders this weekend/ invoiced them/ got paid and have them ready to ship Monday morning. All was very simple and I never checked any FAQ or forum....you should be able to figure it all out yourself. On the invoice there is a place for a note on how to pay...that is where i direct them to paypal...all is well so far.

[GORF]

I am also opening a brink link store for the first time. My question is what do you guys do for shipping? My concern is how do I give my customers an accurate shipping quote? Any other advice on handling or other aspects of brick link would be greatly appreciated! :D

[vynsane]

I've been selling for about six months now - you guys can take a look at my "Store Terms" page for a pretty accurate non-inflated shipping charge table:

http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=vynsane

Other than shipping, in order to make processing an order as smooth as possible, I suggest sorting all your pieces by type and putting them in ziplock bags or one of those tool/craft organizers (I use both right now), like all large plates in a gallon-sized bag, all tails/fins in this one, all cylindrical pieces in this one - it makes it easier to fulfill an order if they're sorted.

I've never used the paypal label thing, just write out their address on the envelope - most of my shipments go via padded envelope (all by USPS first class), as the pieces can withstand a bit of jostling and it keeps shipping costs down.

I used to have no minimum, but began to get a slew of orders that were for, like, $0.04, which means I made nothing on that sale after Paypal took their cut. I have a $1.00 minimum now, and have a handling fee structure that gives buyers an incentive to spend more (the more you spend, the less the handling fee is.)

[GORF]

Thank you vynsane that is exactly the info I was looking for.

I also have a few sets that are sealed in the box that I would like to sell. Would I need to make a separate chart for doing boxed sets rather than parts orders? Also does anyone recommend a good technique for packing boxed sets so they don't get damaged?

Thank you

[vynsane]

Not a problem! Glad to be of service.

I had a few sets for sale, but they didn't go as fast as I'd hoped, so I parted them out. I haven't sold any MISB sets.

If you order from Amazon a lot, I'm sure you'll receive some free packing materials (like those airbags). Hang on to them - they'll come in handy with shipping boxed sets.

[akunthita]

I have been selling on BL for a couple of years now, and my experience is that sets sell a lot slower that parts. Also, you usually make more money sellign parts.

But to be sure, I would suggest that you look at the set's selling history; see how much it goes for and how often it sells to give you an idea.

If you cannot afford to sell it as low as other sellers, I would part it out.

Also, parted out sets are a LOT easier to ship! Padded envelopes and small boxes work great. If you are planning to sell the sets as a whole, you can get boxes as department stores for free and cut them down to the correct size.

If you are planning to be a long-term seller there I would really suggest to get a scale. This way you can give accurate shipping quotes. I got my scale on eBay several years ago for about $ 20 and it still works great!

If you have any other questions don't hesitate to contact me. ;)
Oh, here is my BL store, in case you want to look at how I have things set up: http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=akunthita

Thank you vynsane that is exactly the info I was looking for.

I also have a few sets that are sealed in the box that I would like to sell. Would I need to make a separate chart for doing boxed sets rather than parts orders? Also does anyone recommend a good technique for packing boxed sets so they don't get damaged?

Thank you

[vynsane]

If you are planning to be a long-term seller there I would really suggest to get a scale. This way you can give accurate shipping quotes. I got my scale on eBay several years ago for about $ 20 and it still works great!

Good call. I have a "diet scale" that cost me like $8 and it works fine for estimating shipping costs. I think I've only under-estimated shipping once and over-estimated once.

[akunthita]

Great suggestion! I haven't thought of diet scales! LOL! :D

Good call. I have a "diet scale" that cost me like $8 and it works fine for estimating shipping costs. I think I've only under-estimated shipping once and over-estimated once.[/quote]