USPS Tracking says “Delivered”, but my eBay buyer never received the item. What should I do?

Posted on September 11, 2014 by BrickingTips
USPS Shipment Details Screenshot

If a package is marked “Delivered” the eBay seller is typically not liable for a lost package.

On rare occasions eBay buyers will tell you that they never received a package that USPS tracking marked as “Delivered”. This has happened to me a handful of times over the years. What’s a seller to do? Here are some steps for sellers to take in this uncommon, but certainly not unheard of, eBay shipping problem.

1. Ask the buyer to search for the package
First, have the buyer check the address that they provided on the Order Details page to verify that they entered a current shipping address. Also, ask the buyer to talk to family members, roommates, neighbors, etc. to see if anyone recalls picking up a package on the date the package was marked as delivered.

2. Request that the buyer contacts their local post office
The buyer can either talk to their mail carrier directly or call their local post office to report a misplaced package. It’s possible that the mail carrier recalls delivering the package. It’s also possible that package was accidentally delivered to the wrong address. Oops. I know I’ve received mail intended for neighbors on several occasions (sigh). How about you?

3. The buyer searched for the package and contacted their local post office. No luck. Now what?
The next steps are largely up to you. If the buyer decides to file an “Item Not Received” (INR) claim, eBay will rule in your (the seller’s) favor so long as:
a. tracking marked the package as “Delivered” (packages scanned as “Acceptance” or “Sorting Complete” or anything other than “Delivered” DO NOT count!)
b. items valued at $250 and above MUST also include signature confirmation

Taking no further action at this point is perfectly acceptable since you’ve done everything in your power to get the item to the buyer. Nevertheless, an upset buyer may leave you negative feedback or never buy items from you again.

If you’d like go above and beyond the call of duty, you could offer a replacement item or a refund (partial or full). A replacement or refund may help salvage your relationship with buyer, but there are no guarantees.

Thankfully, missing “Delivered” packages are a rarity, nevertheless the odds are you’ll experience a few false positive scenarios at some point during your eBay selling tenure.

Posted in Customer Service, Selling Tips, Shipping Tips | Leave a comment

The Hidden PayPal Merchant Rate: Are you missing out on Paypal fee discounts?

Posted on September 4, 2014 by BrickingTips
LEGO green money tiles dollar bills

The PayPal merchant rate discount can save you cash each month.

UPDATE: Paypal eliminated all Merchant Rate discounts on October 1, 2015. This article serves as historical reference.

Are you getting purchase payments of over $3000 each month on PayPal? If so, then you might qualify to save at least $12 each month in PayPal fees through PayPal’s discounted Merchant Rate program. Paypal DOES NOT automatically give you the discounted merchant rate, which means thousands of poor shlubs are giving Paypal more money than necessary (PayPal knows this, of course, and they don’t mind taking more of your money, thank you very much.). Don’t be a poor shlub.

Rundown of PayPal Merchant Rate discounts based on monthly purchase payments received
$0.00 USD to $3,000.00 USD 2.9% + $0.30 USD
$3,000.01 USD to $10,000.00 USD 2.5% + $0.30 USD
$10,000.01 USD to $100,000.00 USD 2.2% + $0.30 USD
Over $100,000.00 USD 1.9% + $0.30 USD

How to get PayPal Merchant Rate discounts
1. Make sure your account is in good standing (i.e. you’re not under investigation). You will know if you are under investigation.
2. Check to see that you received at least $3000.01 in purchase payments during the previous calendar month.
3. Fill out a one time short application. Copy and paste this link into your browser (you’ll need to sign into your Paypal account)*:
https://www.paypal.com/row/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_fees-rate-about

Did you sign up yet? Great! Get ready to save money in fees each month without even lifting a finger. If you get purchase payments of $3000.01 each month, you will now save $12 each month ($144 each year). For purchase payments of $5000 each month, you’ll save $20 each month ($240 each year). The sky’s the limit for your newfound PayPal fee savings!

You only need to sign up once for PayPal Merchant Rates
If you fall below the $3000 threshold one month because of your two week vacation in Costa Rica (Pura Vida!), don’t worry, you’ll be able to qualify for the discounted rates again later when you return home with a suntan and your sales increase again. PayPal looks at the previous calendar month’s sales in order to determine your merchant rate level.

Note: All of this information in this article is current, to the best of my knowledge, as of September 4, 2014.

* I made you copy and paste the URL, rather than just posting a clickable link, for your own internet safety. When you copy and paste a URL you can see that you are going to the genuine PayPal domain.

Paypal Merchant Rate Fee Screenshot

Screenshot of current PayPal Merchant Rate fees (as of Sep. 4, 2014)

Posted in Cost Cutting Tips, Selling Tips | Leave a comment

“Mondrian Lost His Head” Colored Pencil LEGO Drawing On Display at 2014 Minnesota State Fair

Posted on August 28, 2014 by BrickingTips
Mondrian Lost His Head colored pencil artwork

“Mondrian Lost His Head”, by Scott Krohn, is on display in the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Center until September 1, 2014 (Labor Day).

A photorealistic colored pencil drawing of LEGO pieces, entitled “Mondrian Lost His Head”, is now showing at the 2014 Minnesota State Fair. The artwork, created by New Brighton, Minnesota resident Scott Krohn, is on display in the Fine Arts Center for the duration of the fair (until September 1, 2014).

If you’re coming to the Minnesota State Fair, check out Scott’s artwork in person so that you can see the attention to detail and ornate shading up close. A photo doesn’t do the piece justice!

The Minnesota State Fair runs from August 21, 2014 through September 1, 2014 (Labor Day).

Minnesota State Fair address and contact info:
1265 Snelling Ave N, St Paul, MN 55108
(651) 288-4400
http://www.mnstatefair.org

You can find “Mondrian Lost His Head” and other colored pencil artwork by Scott Krohn on mnartists.org.

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How to Pack Your LEGO Items: Using Boxes vs. Bubble Mailers

Posted on August 21, 2014 by BrickingTips
Cardboard Boxes vs. Bubble Mailers

Cardboard boxes and bubble mailers each have benefits and drawbacks when it comes to shipping LEGO items.

Should you pack your eBay LEGO orders into bubble mailers or cardboard boxes?Good question! The short answer? Bubble mailers are an inexpensive, lightweight option that works well with many common LEGO parts orders. Cardboard boxes, on the other hand, are better at protecting sealed LEGO set boxes as well as more fragile and delicate LEGO pieces. The long answer is…well, let’s stroll through the rest of the article to find out.

Using Bubble Mailers to Ship LEGO items
Many LEGO items can be packed safely and economically in bubble mailers. Bubble mailers are packing envelopes lined with bubble wrap. Use caution, however. Occasionally you will encounter more fragile pieces such as antennae that could potentially break without reinforcement like extra bubble wrap or stiff cardboard. If you’re shipping LEGO instruction manuals, reinforce them with extra cardboard so that they do not bend in the mail.

PROS OF BUBBLE MAILERS
– bubble mailers are inexpensive: bubble mailers can cost $0.10-$0.30 each if you buy them in quantities of 100 or more
– bubble mailers are more light weight than boxes, which reduces shipping costs
– bubble mailers take up less storage space than boxes
– USPS Flat Rate Padded envelopes are free (you need to order them through the USPS website)
CONS OF BUBBLE MAILERS
– bubble mailers cannot be recycled, making them less eco-friendly than boxes
– bubble mailers may require extra padding or cardboard reinforcement for more fragile items

Using Cardboard Boxes to Ship LEGO items
You will use boxes mostly to ship larger orders, some fragile items, and new in the box LEGO sets. Boxes are heavier and much sturdier than using padded envelopes. You will also need to use additional packing material inside the box so that the contents do not shift during shipping. Inside the box packing material can include: packing peanuts, bubble wrap, crumpled newspapers, etc.

PROS OF USING CARDBOARD BOXES
– boxes are much sturdier than bubble mailers
– boxes can be recycled, making them more eco-friendly than bubble mailers
– the post office provides free USPS Flat Rate Boxes (you can pick some up in the post office or order them online)
CONS OF USING CARDBOARD BOXES
– boxes cost more than bubble mailers
– boxes require more storage space than padded envelopes
– boxes require additional packing material inside to secure the shipment (e.g. packing peanuts, bubble wrap, crumpled newspaper, etc.)

Whether you choose boxes or bubble mailers largely depends upon the item you’re shipping and your own discretion. Just remember that if the item arrives to the buyer broken due poor packaging, you will be responsible for refunding the buyer. If you’re not sure whether the item will break or not, always err on the side of packing safer. Both your buyers and your Paypal account balance will thank you.

Posted in Packing Tips, Selling Tips, Shipping Tips | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Shades of Gray: How to Distinguish “Gray” from “Bluish Gray” LEGO Pieces

Posted on August 14, 2014 by BrickingTips

Back in the early 2000s, LEGO tweaked the coloring of their gray pieces. Since the color change was minor adjustment rather than a major overhaul, many LEGO builders to this day cringe at the thought of distinguishing “old” grays from “new” grays–the colors just look so brickin’ similar! Still, the original gray bricks appear smokier in color while newer gray bricks boast a more a bluish tinge. The older, smokier gray bricks are called “light gray” and “dark gray.” The newer bluish gray bricks are called “light bluish gray” and “dark bluish gray.”

LEGO Light Gray and Dark Gray vs. Light Bluish Gray and Dark Bluish Gray

“Old” gray LEGO pieces are shown on the left, while “new” gray pieces are featured on the right for comparison.

Selling Gray LEGO Bricks on eBay
As you list gray bricks for sale on eBay, make sure to use the proper terminology. Sometimes sellers label pieces as “old light gray” or “classic light gray” in order to further emphasize the color difference to buyers. Although the “old” and “classic” labels are not official terms, using them can help avoid confusion from buyers.

Gray Confusion and Mislabeling
Ebay sellers, sometimes unwittingly, confuse the old grays with the new bluish grays. The best way to verify the color of a brick is to keep a sample light gray piece and a light bluish gray piece, and a sample dark gray piece and a dark bluish gray piece. Hold your brick of questionable color next to the sample light gray piece and then next to the sample light bluish gray piece. When you find a match, you’re in business! If your brick of questionable color didn’t match either sample brick because it was actually dark purple…well, you’re on your own there. Most people can already distinguish between dark purple and gray.

Lighting Matters When Sorting LEGO Grays
Your lighting can immensely help or hinder your gray sorting process. Natural light works best when trying to distinguish grays, so sort during day time whenever you can. Also, sorting grays in fluorescent lighting is easier than sorting in halogen lighting. Halogen light bulbs makes grays and bluish grays blend together. Sorting under halogen bulbs will not only make your sorting task harder, but will also increase the likelihood that you’ll misidentify the color.

Sorting gray LEGO pieces can kind of be a pain, but savvy buyers know the difference between the colors. If a buyer orders “dark gray” bricks and receives “dark bluish gray bricks”, he will likely complain. Accurately identifying your gray pieces will not only help avert headaches and potential negative feedback from buyers, but also reinforces your LEGO expertise and precision in the eyes of buyers to come.

Posted in Buying Tips, General Reference, Selling Tips, Sorting Tips | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Few Tips for LEGO Sellers Who Smoke or Have Pets

Posted on August 7, 2014 by BrickingTips

Smoking and pets will make your job as an eBay seller more difficult. Both smoking and pet dander can trigger allergies in some of your buyers, which is nothing to sneeze at. Seriously, though, you don’t want to be that seller that triggered someone’s allergies do you? The only way to eliminate the smoke smell or pet dander is to quit smoking and give away your pets. Major lifestyle changes aside, there are a few preemptive measures that smokers and pet owners can take to decrease the likelihood of problems.

dog-on-carpet

Store your LEGO far away from Fido.

For eBay Sellers Who Are Pet Owners
As a pet owner, ideally, you will confine your inventory to a space that Fluffy or Fido cannot access, such as a spare room or closet where you keep the door closed at all times. Confining your inventory to a pet free space will lessen but not fully eliminate the chance of pet hair getting mixed in with your orders. LEGO can also be a choking hazard to your pet, so keeping your inventory in a separate space is safer for both your buyers and pets alike. As you are packing your orders, keep a sharp eye out for stray pet hair and also human hair. Think of your LEGO orders as sandwiches. People don’t want to find hair (pet or human) in their sandwiches. People also don’t want to find hair in their LEGO orders. Gross.

For eBay Sellers Who Are Smokers
Your inventory smells like smoke. Trust me. Don’t believe me? Get a non-smoking friend to give your inventory the sniff test and you’ll see what I’m talking about. You may not smell the smoke, but your buyer will and where there‘s smoke there‘s fire. Buyers who smell smoke in their orders are not happy campers.

As with pet owners, keep your inventory in a separate room or closet away from smoking. Smoke tends to conquer and linger in all of the nooks and crannies around the house, though, so your LEGO pieces still may acquire a smell of smoke. Some sellers Febreeze their orders. Febreeze eliminates the smoke odor, replacing it with some type of “fresh” scent. In other words, your buyer will know you Febreezed the order and smell the “clean linen” scent or whatever scent you picked instead of the smoke.

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LEGO vs. Mega Bloks: Tips on Distinguishing Real LEGO from Knockoff Brands and Custom Pieces

Posted on July 31, 2014 by BrickingTips

Spotting non-LEGO parts isn’t always easy, but following a few simple guidelines can aid you on your quest to distinguish authentic LEGO pieces from other toy construction parts. Will the real LEGO pieces please stand up?

LEGO brick plate example

Genuine LEGO bricks and plates feature “LEGO” printed on the pegs.

clone: a term used to describe LEGO knockoff brands like Mega Bloks, Kre-O or Best-Lock. Some LEGO clone pieces are compatible with LEGO bricks.
custom: an unofficial piece made out of LEGO or made to be compatible with LEGO. Custom pieces widely vary in quality and craftsmanship.

1. Look for the LEGO logo on the piece
Most LEGO pieces say LEGO somewhere on the piece. LEGO will commonly be written on a peg, if the piece has pegs. Be careful–occasional LEGO pieces DON’T SAY LEGO anywhere. You will learn these exceptions on a case by case basic over time. If you’re not sure if a piece is LEGO, just ask! One way to find out if a piece is genuine LEGO or not is by posting a photo on the BrickLink forum. Your friendly neighborhood BrickLink users will respond, identifying the piece for you.

2. Evaluate the the color and quality of the pieces
LEGO bricks have deeper, richer colors than Mega Bloks or other clones. Mega Bloks also feel lighter and are more cheaply made than LEGO.

3. Check the theme of the pieces
LEGO holds licensing agreements with popular franchises like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. Mega Bloks, the largest LEGO competitor, holds agreements with HALO, Hello Kitty, Barbie, Hotwheels, World of WarCraft and others. If you spot a Hello Kitty, that’s not LEGO. Be careful, there are some exceptions! SpongeBob Squarepants licensed with LEGO from 2006 to 2012, but switched to Mega Bloks, releasing the first Mega Bloks sets in 2014.

4. Not all LEGO “looks” like LEGO
Over the years LEGO has produced some unconventional pieces that can get confused with other toy brands. There are LEGO dolls and LEGO toy cars that look like Hotwheels. Other official LEGO pieces like string or rubber bands could easily be mistaken for garbage, so keep a sharp eye.

5. NEVER assume an eBay or garage sale lot is 100% LEGO
Many lots advertised as “LEGO” on eBay, Craigslist or at garage sales will include at least a few non-LEGO pieces. Even if you ask the seller directly if the lot is 100% LEGO, some sellers naively assume that all plastic bricks are LEGO. Check the seller’s other items. If the seller has sold many other LEGO items then they are more likely to know the difference between LEGO an non-LEGO. On the other hand, if the the seller is using eBay basically as a garage sale and the “LEGO lot” is their only LEGO item, then that seller may have low LEGO expertise.

6. Watch out for bulk LEGO stock photos on eBay 
Some sellers on eBay will post photos showing an example of what you’ll receive. “Example” photos of bulk LEGO lots are basically worthless since you’re blind to what you’re buying. How can you be sure the pieces you get will be authentic LEGO without seeing them? If you buy bulk lots with example photos, keep your expectations low and don’t expect to find any hidden gems like a 2002 Jango Fett minifig.

7. Ask for more detailed photos of LEGO lots
Your eyes are your best line of defense against LEGO impostors. Ideally you’d be able to examine pieces in person and up close, but seeing detailed, high resolution photos is your next best option.

custom LEGO-compatible helmet

This custom plastic helmet is compatible with LEGO minifigs.

8. Proceed with caution when buying “custom” items
Since custom items are not sanctioned by LEGO, quality of custom items widely varies. Read feedback comments and see if any buyers mention the quality of the custom item. Custom items should be listed as “custom” on eBay. If you buy an item advertised as genuine LEGO and receive a custom item, get a refund from the seller. Bait and switch tactics are both unethical and against the rules.

Posted in Buying Tips, General Reference, Inventory Acquisition, Selling Tips | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

LEGO at San Diego Comic-Con 2014 Photo Gallery

Posted on July 29, 2014 by BrickingTips

Here are some LEGO photos, hot off the presses from San Diego Comic-Con International 2014. Comic-Con, which ran from July 24 to July 27, 2014, featured an extensive exhibit hall display along with behind the scenes panel discussions throughout the duration of the convention.

Posted in Events, LEGO Photo Galleries | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Easy Target: Why you shouldn’t use the LEGO name or logo on outgoing packages

Posted on July 17, 2014 by BrickingTips

Over the decades LEGO toys have become hot property. Guess who also knows about LEGO’s popularity? Thieves! Keep your outer shipping box or envelope neutral and without reference to LEGO. Markings related to LEGO can attract the attention of thieves during shipping.

Here are three pitfalls to avoid when shipping your LEGO orders:

LEGO shipping box left at doorstep

Avoid shipping orders in boxes that say “LEGO”. Deliveries are sometimes left at a buyer’s doorstep. The LEGO logo can attract the attention of thieves.

1. Reusing a box that says LEGO
Although reusing packaging material can save money, avoid reusing boxes that say “LEGO” on the outside. Packaging that says LEGO could either take the form of a box from a case of LEGO sets or the actual box from a LEGO set. The former is made out of sturdy corrugated cardboard, but will draw unwanted attention. The latter is made out thin, flimsy cardboard, ill-equipped for the riggers of shipping (i.e. the notoriously abrasive USPS sorting machine). Using a LEGO set box also makes your package look tacky and cheap.

2. Using a shipping label that says LEGO
Some sellers advertise their online stores on the return address of their shipments. The label features their username, an image of a brick, and/or a slogan referencing LEGO. Branding is OK–in fact, branding is an excellent idea–just keep anything LEGO related on the INSIDE of the package.

3. Writing “LEGO” on a customs form
Writing “LEGO” on the customs form of your international and APO/FPO orders is not necessary. I’m NOT suggesting that you lie on the customs form. Falsifying a customs form is illegal (follow the law, kids!). I AM suggesting that you DESCRIBE the pieces in the order rather than using the brand name. For example, I usually write “toy construction parts” in the description box on the customs form. You could write something similar, if you’d like. Pack a detailed invoice of the order on the inside of the box or envelope, in case the shipment is inspected by customs officials.
* * *
If you make a purchase from LEGO Shop at Home, the official online LEGO store, look closely at the shipping box. Did you spot the LEGO logo or name? Probably not, since it doesn’t exist! You read right–you won’t find the LEGO name or logo ANYWHERE on the outside of a shipping box from LEGO Shop at Home. The return address on the box doesn’t even say LEGO.

If The LEGO Group itself doesn’t mark their shipping boxes with ‘LEGO’, then you probably don’t need to either. Don’t make yourself a target. Whenever possible, avoid mention of LEGO on the outside of your LEGO shipments.

Posted in Selling Tips, Shipping Tips | Tagged , , | Leave a comment