Updating catalog (again)

Hoddie

Sorry if it sounds like I'm harping on about this but I have several catalogue amendments waiting to be authorised, and I just realised some have been there for ages, including one - an image - that's been there for months. Stranger still, I added the inventory for the new Exo-Suit set on Saturday but curiously only 14 items from the entire inventory have been authorised. Perhaps this is a cache issue or something?

Perhaps a speedier way of authorising updates is needed?

Lawrence

I'm afraid it is limited to how much is time I have. Simple submissions, where it is obvious whether it is correct or incorrect, are usually dealt with in a day or two. Anything more complex, can take much longer. So in the case that picture, I was unsure as to whether it should be submitted against the aqua colour, or the uncoloured version. With the inventory, I thought I would wait a few days to see if it is done automatically, so then I don't have to really carefully check it for any inaccuracies.

I do understand the annoyance this causes though, putting in effort into the catalogue, and then having it just sit there.

Hoddie

Okay, I wasn't aware that you pulled inventories in automatically, I wouldn't have bothered doing it if I'd known! If they are pulled in from TLG isn't there a danger that they sometimes include alternatives because the original pieces are no longer available? Certainly some Brickset inventories appear to do so. I suppose this only affects older sets though.

Are there any plans to implement a system whereby trusted people other than yourself can authorise catalogue submissions? I don't know if anyone would be interested in such a position but it can't be easy keeping the entire inventory of Lego - past and present - up-to-date yourself.

Thanks for the response.

Lawrence

The mold variations system is used, so if an inventory contains an item, that is a mold variation, the variation of the item will automatically also be included. This way, an inventory should not be incorrect, but it can give you an excessive amount of variations that may not necessarily actually vary within that set, but it is very difficult to disprove a variation.

I have previously considered the possibility of giving others the ability to approve submissions, but it isn't very practical. The submissions that are obvious whether they are incorrect or correct, are easy to approve quickly. the submissions that are not obvious, would need me to decide or do something about. So there wouldn't necessarily be much of a time-saving, and a big risk of making incorrect decisions.

I would say it is good that the majority of submissions are approved quickly, and it is only the edge cases that are delayed. Annoyingly though, there is an awful lot of edge cases.

Hoddie

I personally think you need to re-consider. I understand the desire to ensure all catalogue amendments are correct, but it's obviously more than a one man job. There must surely be a middle ground where you allow a small trusted team the ability to do this on your behalf. Perhaps it might require the approval of 2 of the team before amendments are approved. There's nothing to stop you reviewing (and reversing if necessary) the submissions at a later date, at the timescale you currently do.

As an example of why I don't think the current method is sustainable. I wanted to add the new Lego Movie Vitruvius minifigure to my store yesterday only to realise it wasn't in the database. This figure has been around for at least 2-3 weeks now so I was quite surprised. I have asked for the figure to be created, but in the mean time the figure has already been sold 42 times at 'the other place', with a combined sale value of £569. That's a lot of potential income and commission being lost.

I'm still waiting for the opportunity to part out an Exo Suit set

Lawrence

Unfortunately having more people to approve submissions wouldn't have much benefit as submissions that can be approved, usually are done within a few days. Submissions that need some further action are what get delayed. I should mention, we don't have any "reversing" or "reviewing" functionality, just approve and deny.

Hoddie

Okay, it's hardly a great system but if it's all there is and there are no plans to improve it then I suppose we have to work with it.

Loremonger

I have several primary images awaiting approval. I believe some of these may be a little off because of the white balance. Should I resubmit better quality photos, or would that just slow things down further?

Lawrence

If you can resubmit better quality photos that's probably best