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In lugnet.announce, Dan Jezek writes:
> Folks,
>
> I've been working on a more sophisticated version of what you see here:
> http://www.aloha.net/~danjezek/lego_sale.html
> Only it will be a fully automated multi-seller version written in ASP/VB
> Script connected to a back-end DB where once sellers register, a link will be
> created to their store on the main page with their store name and the number
> of parts they have available. They will be able to start building their
> inventory through forms and will get exactly what can be seen above only much
> more efficient.
> A search box will be located on the main page that will search the whole site
> for the parts you need and list that for example John has it for $0.05 cents a
> piece and Joe for $0.10.
> The full features and benefits are described below:
>
> For the buyers:
>
> * Easy way to buy parts through a shopping cart
> * First-time buyers will have to register and pick a login name/password.
> Your address will be stored and next time you come and buy something, you just
> have to supply your login/password and won't even have to fill in your address
> again.
> * No more of this: "sorry, I don't have those pieces. They were sold a while
> ago before I could update my page". The inventory will be updated
> automatically as people submit their orders.
> * Log into myBrickbay and view your all your orders/order status online and
> leave comments to the sellers about a particular order online also.
>
> For the sellers:
>
> * Once registered and approved, a link will be created on the main page to
> your store. Your store will be made up of what you see below:
> http://www.aloha.net/~danjezek/lego_sale.html
> The left frame will display your parts and part counts. The right frame will
> be your own to either supply with an HTML page hosted on the server or on your
> own site (this will be an option when registering as a seller) listing your
> shipping/payment/etc. info or anything else.
> * Log into myBrickbay and start building your inventory through pull-down
> menus. When registering, you will have the option to supply a URL where your
> images are hosted or use the ones currently available.
> * View/update/delete items in your inventory and adjust the quantity/price for
> each item.
> * View orders placed and have the ability to "backout" an order which will put
> all items in that order back in your inventory by clicking a button. Adjust
> the order status to "shipped", "completed", etc. and leave comments to the
> buyers.
>
> Basically you'll be able to buy/sell anything there that's Lego-related
> including parts, complete sets or custom kits. The system is now about 95%
> completed. What I'd like to know is how many people who sell parts/sets (or
> would want to sell parts/sets) would be interested in selling there?
>
> Thanks for reading this.
>
> D.
I was admiring your site last week, very nice. I'd be very interested in
selling pieces there. Can't wait to here more info!
Julie
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In lugnet.market.shopping, Julie Krenz writes:
> In lugnet.announce, Dan Jezek writes:
> > Folks,
> >
> > I've been working on a more sophisticated version of what you see here
To reiterate. Someone's going to get first mover advantage. Dan has a great
head start. Todd, if you let this slide because you want to get it just so, you
are going to have to be WAY better to catch up.
Remember, Serious Collector is WAY better than eBay. But who had first mover?
This market is lockupable and this market has huge N**2 connectivity
advantages. Get lots of users first and you will be unstoppable... Move it or
lose it.
Just thought I'd toss that grenade out and now I have to board my 747.. see you
from Germany, perhaps...
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In lugnet.market.shopping, Larry Pieniazek writes:
> In lugnet.market.shopping, Julie Krenz writes:
> > In lugnet.announce, Dan Jezek writes:
> > > Folks,
> > >
> > > I've been working on a more sophisticated version of what you see here
>
> To reiterate. Someone's going to get first mover advantage. Dan has a great
> head start. Todd, if you let this slide because you want to get it just so, • you
> are going to have to be WAY better to catch up.
>
> Remember, Serious Collector is WAY better than eBay. But who had first mover?
>
> This market is lockupable and this market has huge N**2 connectivity
> advantages. Get lots of users first and you will be unstoppable... Move it or
> lose it.
>
> Just thought I'd toss that grenade out and now I have to board my 747.. see • you
> from Germany, perhaps...
"Would Passenger Pieniazek please report to the security desk..."
KL
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Larry Pieniazek <lar@voyager.net> wrote in message
news:Fuq5HG.Lu9@lugnet.com...
> In lugnet.market.shopping, Julie Krenz writes:
> > In lugnet.announce, Dan Jezek writes:
> > > Folks,
> > >
> > > I've been working on a more sophisticated version of what you see here
>
> To reiterate. Someone's going to get first mover advantage. Dan has a • great
> head start. Todd, if you let this slide because you want to get it just • so, you
> are going to have to be WAY better to catch up.
>
> Remember, Serious Collector is WAY better than eBay. But who had first • mover?
>
> This market is lockupable and this market has huge N**2 connectivity
> advantages. Get lots of users first and you will be unstoppable... Move it • or
> lose it.
>
> Just thought I'd toss that grenade out and now I have to board my 747.. • see you
> from Germany, perhaps...
I concur that the first one to do it right will win. Dan's site looks like
the best shot of that. I for one will be doing a lot more parting out in
the future if I can find a way to make it easier. Your site looks like it
would do that. I also want to part out large sets, but I don't because of
the time involved in selling so many pieces. I could foresee myself parting
out a lot of sets through this...
Mike Poindexter
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In lugnet.market.shopping, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> Remember, Serious Collector is WAY better than eBay. But who had first mover?
I think it's debateable that SC is better than eBay, especially WAY better.
And I think there's more to eBay's success than simply 'first mover'
advantage.
Steve
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Steve Bliss <blisses@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:3us7isc8mfhor45mm5c81utd3bggh4c4d8@4ax.com...
> In lugnet.market.shopping, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
>
> > Remember, Serious Collector is WAY better than eBay. But who had first • mover?
>
> I think it's debateable that SC is better than eBay, especially WAY • better.
> And I think there's more to eBay's success than simply 'first mover'
> advantage.
>
> Steve
I must agree. Snipers or not, I like having fixed ending auctions. As a
buyer and a seller, I like to know when auctions will close. This allows me
to plan when to stop bidding or listing so I won't have to have open
auctions during vacations or business trips.
I would like to see an option for minimum orders on Dan's site, as I don't
want to be filling 25 cent orders all the time.
Mike
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In lugnet.market.shopping, Mike Poindexter writes:
>
> I would like to see an option for minimum orders on Dan's site, as I don't
> want to be filling 25 cent orders all the time.
That is a good point. I'm going to include that as a part of seller
preferences in myBrickbay. Among other preferences will be:
* Your store name
* Selling either spare parts, official sets or custom sets
* Shipping in the U.S. only or anywhere in the world
* Methods of payment accepted
* Minimum order amount (applicable to when only selling parts)
If anyone has any other preferences that they would like to see, let me know
and I'll take them into consideration.
Originally this site was planned to be able to sell only parts but now it will
include the ability to sell official sets and custom kits.
The parts and sets will be stored in a centralized database so that sellers
can easily select them from drop-down menus. This means there will have to be
an internal partsref and set reference guide.
I'm also thinking about including a "condition" rating system (ex: mint, near
mint, good, bad, etc.) that everyone would follow and it would be selected
when adding items to their inventory.
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In lugnet.market.shopping, Dan Jezek writes:
> In lugnet.market.shopping, Mike Poindexter writes:
> >
> > I would like to see an option for minimum orders on Dan's site, as I don't
> > want to be filling 25 cent orders all the time.
>
> That is a good point. I'm going to include that as a part of seller
Good, I'd hope to be able to control as much as possible about my store.
> preferences in myBrickbay. Among other preferences will be:
>
> * Your store name
> * Selling either spare parts, official sets or custom sets
Do you mean _or_ or do you mean any combination? I'd like to have folder tabs
allowing me to sell any of the three options. And what about other LEGO
stuff: clothing, posters, bookbags, masks, instructions, etc?
> * Shipping in the U.S. only or anywhere in the world
> * Methods of payment accepted
> * Minimum order amount (applicable to when only selling parts)
Why only when selling parts? I should be able to have parts, and set available
and set a minimum order for total orders, if I want to...right? If someone
buys by Alpha Centauri Outpost and they also want 20 2x4s in dark grey, I think
they've fulfilled my minimum order reqs.
> I'm also thinking about including a "condition" rating system (ex: mint, near
> mint, good, bad, etc.) that everyone would follow and it would be selected
> when adding items to their inventory.
If you do, you'll have to make it optional, or include very specific guidlines
so that all your merchants will hold to the same meaning.
By the way, we're all keen to hear even an estimate of your fee structure.
Chris
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In lugnet.market.shopping, Christopher L. Weeks writes:
> > preferences in myBrickbay. Among other preferences will be:
> >
> > * Your store name
> > * Selling either spare parts, official sets or custom sets
>
> Do you mean _or_ or do you mean any combination?
Any combination, obviously :-)
> I'd like to have folder tabs allowing me to sell any of the three options.
Yes that is what it will eventually end up. I've got a rough outline how the
adding of parts will look like here: (only some parts and categories are
defined).
http://www.aloha.net/~danjezek/partsAdd.html
VBScript generates JavaScript code depending on what parts and categories are
in the database which in turn generates a cascading selection menu. When
selecting sets, it will be a three-way cascading menu where you select the
theme first followed by the subtheme followed by the set.
This might create a problem with loading time if there are a lot of parts and
sets in the DB.
This model is based on eBay (see the 3-way cascading menu when selling and
choosing from all categories at once (old method). Quote here:
"The old Sell Your Item form had over 4,000 categories and could take 21
seconds to download. We updated the Sell Your Item to 2 pages so that you can
choose your category, which would then download the appropriate subcategories.
This would reduce download time for Sell Your Item from 21 seconds to 6
seconds on average, depending on the category."
I don't think there are close to 4,000 sets or pieces ever made so when you
want to sell parts/sets, it might take 21 seconds (or less) to download. I
can also provide an alternate method where you pick the category/theme first
and then followed by the rest.
> And what about other LEGO
> stuff: clothing, posters, bookbags, masks, instructions, etc?
Hmmmm, I haven't thought of that. Instructions and boxes could be included in
the set selection process where you pick if you're either selling the whole
set, the instructions or the box only. As for the other stuff, I guess that
could be a whole other section having categories books, masks, etc. or just
have everything under category "other".
> > * Shipping in the U.S. only or anywhere in the world
> > * Methods of payment accepted
> > * Minimum order amount (applicable to when only selling parts)
>
> Why only when selling parts? I should be able to have parts, and set • available
> and set a minimum order for total orders, if I want to...right? If someone
> buys by Alpha Centauri Outpost and they also want 20 2x4s in dark grey, I • think
> they've fulfilled my minimum order reqs.
Why only parts.... Do you want to set a limit on sets also so that you only
sell two or more at a time? But yes, that is a good point. The minimum order
should be for everything.
> > I'm also thinking about including a "condition" rating system (ex: mint, near
> > mint, good, bad, etc.) that everyone would follow and it would be selected
> > when adding items to their inventory.
>
> If you do, you'll have to make it optional, or include very specific guidlines
> so that all your merchants will hold to the same meaning.
> By the way, we're all keen to hear even an estimate of your fee structure.
A fee structure... haven't thought of it yet. I'll come up with something
when everything is completed and all bugs are worked out. It will be
definitely competitive though.
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In lugnet.market.shopping, Dan Jezek writes:
> In lugnet.market.shopping, Christopher L. Weeks writes:
> > Do you mean _or_ or do you mean any combination?
>
> Any combination, obviously :-)
OK, good. Actually, I thought it might be possible that due to the way you're
setting things up, we would (for whatever reason) hvae to run different stores
for each of the catgories - like maybe it would speed up DB access or
something. But I'm glad that's not the case.
> or just have everything [else] under category "other".
That's probably best.
> > > * Minimum order amount (applicable to when only selling parts)
> >
> > Why only when selling parts?
> Why only parts.... Do you want to set a limit on sets also so that you only
> sell two or more at a time?
Maybe. If I were selling pollybags, that might be the case.
> A fee structure... haven't thought of it yet. I'll come up with something
> when everything is completed and all bugs are worked out. It will be
> definitely competitive though.
Cool. I'll look forward to seeing more in the future (days, weeks,
months...what's your estimated timeframe?).
Chris
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In lugnet.market.shopping, Christopher L. Weeks writes:
> Cool. I'll look forward to seeing more in the future (days, weeks,
> months...what's your estimated timeframe?).
The site is almost completed except for a seller registration section and
contains 40 pages but so far, you can only sell parts there (it was originally
designed for parts only). It should be up and running with an internal set
reference guide and a partsref with the ability to sell anything Lego-related:
parts, sets, boxes, instructions, t-shirts, masks, posters, software, etc. in
about 3 weeks. There is so much more stuff to add though like selecting from
multiple layouts that you want your store to look like (rebadging), the
ability to punch in a set number and getting a result of all the parts in it,
color and quantity and let you select only the parts and quantity you want
from it. That is not hard to do but will not be included in version 1.0.
Before the system goes live:
I'll need testers: about 10 people who would go in and start banging against
the database all at the same time by building up their inventorys, adjust
prices/quantities, buy items, and basically try to destroy the system to see
if it can handle the traffic. I can test most functions of the system myself
but can't test when more than one person is using it at the same time since I
got only 1 computer. Also, it would be cool if someone tried to break into
the members section (without having the proper priviledges) by whichever means
necessary to test the security setup. Would anyone be up fot this?
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In lugnet.market.shopping, Dan Jezek writes:
> It should be up and running...in about 3 weeks.
Great. Maybe I'll be done with this round of auction by then and will be ready
to start a small shop on your site.
> There is so much more stuff to add though like selecting from
> multiple layouts that you want your store to look like (rebadging), the
Are you just letting us design whatever - with plugins to the DB, or are you
writing a shop design wizard or somesuch?
> ability to punch in a set number and getting a result of all the parts in it,
This feature all by itself will have lots of little features to attend to. It
is important that there be some kind of independent and multiple user
verification and that when I punch in a set number, it tells me how many people
have confirmed the counts.
> Before the system goes live:
> I'll need testers: about 10 people who would go in and start banging against
> the database all at the same time by building up their inventorys, adjust
> prices/quantities, buy items, and basically try to destroy the system to see
> if it can handle the traffic.
Well, if you need us to literally bang on it at the same time, scheduling might
be a problem. Also, since your going to be conducting this as a pay service,
you might consider offering something (like three months free service, or
whatever) to reward the time spent for the folks that help test to certain
criteria. I'll gladly help if I'm available when you need the help.
Chris
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In lugnet.market.shopping, Christopher L. Weeks writes:
> In lugnet.market.shopping, Dan Jezek writes:
>
> > It should be up and running...in about 3 weeks.
>
> Great. Maybe I'll be done with this round of auction by then and will be • ready
> to start a small shop on your site.
>
> > There is so much more stuff to add though like selecting from
> > multiple layouts that you want your store to look like (rebadging), the
>
> Are you just letting us design whatever - with plugins to the DB, or are you
> writing a shop design wizard or somesuch?
More like a selection of layouts you can pick from.
> > ability to punch in a set number and getting a result of all the parts in it,
>
> This feature all by itself will have lots of little features to attend to. It
> is important that there be some kind of independent and multiple user
> verification and that when I punch in a set number, it tells me how many • people
> have confirmed the counts.
>
> > Before the system goes live:
> > I'll need testers: about 10 people who would go in and start banging against
> > the database all at the same time by building up their inventorys, adjust
> > prices/quantities, buy items, and basically try to destroy the system to see
> > if it can handle the traffic.
>
> Well, if you need us to literally bang on it at the same time, scheduling • might
> be a problem. Also, since your going to be conducting this as a pay service,
> you might consider offering something (like three months free service, or
> whatever) to reward the time spent for the folks that help test to certain
> criteria. I'll gladly help if I'm available when you need the help.
Yes I guess I could offer some kind of reward: free parts. I think I also
have 700 light grey slopes left over from an ebay auction which didn't meet
the reserve price. And let's make it fun.
For every bug you find I'll give you a buck worth of free parts.
Whoever can _first_ break into the members section and accomplish some task
example: listing all my orders received and order details and putting all
members in "suspended mode" will get $20 worth of free parts. Of course then
you'll have to tell me how you did it so I can fix it.
To make sure that more than 1 person doesn't report the same bug, I'm going to
have to design a bug-reporting section which will list the name, page URL and
bug description sorted by date entered. Whoever enteres the bug first will
get the reward.
This means that people could also report any bugs that occur ON the bug
reporting page :-)
Of course this means that I could be focusing more on other more useful
features instead of stupidity but if we're going to go this route then let it
be interesting.
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In lugnet.market.shopping, Dan Jezek writes:
> > > It should be up and running...in about 3 weeks.
> > > Before the system goes live:
> > > I'll need testers: about 10 people who would go in and start banging against
> > > the database all at the same time by building up their inventorys, adjust
> > > prices/quantities, buy items, and basically try to destroy the system to see
> > > if it can handle the traffic.
I'd be interested in testing.
Thanks,
Julie
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In lugnet.market.shopping, Christopher L. Weeks writes:
> Well, if you need us to literally bang on it at the same time, scheduling
> might
> be a problem. Also, since your going to be conducting this as a pay service,
> you might consider offering something (like three months free service, or
> whatever) to reward the time spent for the folks that help test to certain
> criteria.
I'll happily test the system when the time comes. I figure my "reward" will
be the added ease and convenience of having a custom system handle my parts
sales and accounting/shipping. If a little of my time helps bring that about,
well, bring it on.
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In lugnet.market.shopping, Dan Jezek writes:
>
> Before the system goes live:
> I'll need testers: about 10 people who would go in and start banging against
> the database all at the same time by building up their inventorys, adjust
> prices/quantities, buy items, and basically try to destroy the system to see
> if it can handle the traffic. I can test most functions of the system myself
> but can't test when more than one person is using it at the same time since I
> got only 1 computer. Also, it would be cool if someone tried to break into
> the members section (without having the proper priviledges) by whichever means
> necessary to test the security setup. Would anyone be up fot this?
I'd be interested.
Jeff
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In lugnet.market.shopping, D. Jezek wrote:
> I don't think there are close to 4,000 sets or pieces ever made so when you
> want to sell parts/sets, it might take 21 seconds (or less) to download.
The current Pause set lists (see <http://www.lugnet.com/pause/lists.html>)
have 3656 sets listed. And Pause is known to be incomplete.
TLC has released information about the number of parts in production at one
time. The information was in a press release, from the last year or two.
I don't remember the exact number stated, but it was between 2000 and 3000.
So call it 2500. That's the parts in production at one time. Which is a
good number for your purposes, because the vast majority of parts sales are
going to be un-used parts extracted from recent sets.
So you've got 3600 sets + 2500 parts = 6100 core items as a rough lower
estimate. Just an FYI.
Steve
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