Adding New Custom Items to the Catalog

RBCustoms

Hi guys,

Yesterday I submitted several requests for new custom items (capes) to be added to the catalog, and haven't heard any updates on the request's status.

Have they been approved yet?

Please let me know!

Thanks,

~RBC

robernat

Why do you assume they will be approved?
BO homepage:
http://www.brickowl.com
First Line says: Brick Owl is the new place to buy and sell LEGO Parts, Minifigures and Sets.

Are your items made out of LEGO? No...

It will remain Admin's descision, but personally I hope this will not happen, as it opens doors to 'real' replicas of existing LEGO capes (and other items).

JoeRocco

I'd really hate to see this site's catalog get fouled with custom items - that happened over 'there' and it was just such a mess. Maintain the purity of the catalog - if it doesn't come from Billund then it doesn't belong in the catalog.

-J

robernat

@RBCustoms: as a sidenote: any good reason why your store has been suspended on BL ?

jayneflakes

Wow, what a response.

I will keep quiet about the parts I modify or make for my models then. To think I was wondering about asking about non lego parts that also fit with lego bricks when I looked at this thread.

JoeRocco

@jayneflakes: There are various levels of purity in the LEGO building community. Some don't see a problem with using 'off-brand' clones mixed with LEGO. Others think nothing of cutting or modifying parts. Still others, like myself, believe that it should only be LEGO, unaltered, uncloned, unsullied. So be it, whatever works for you is fine, no problem.

Our comments were directed at adding any type of clone or 'customized' part to the site's catalog database. The site is dedicated to buying\selling LEGO - we'd rather not see the catalog get overrun with 'custom' parts like fake capes, chromed bits, or copies of parts that LEGO makes in non-released colors.

-J

Stragus

Although such items should never be part of the catalog, I could see the value in allowing the sale of certain custom items. Aluminum technic beams, metal gears and axles, custom LEDs, HiTechnic sensors...

This is a contentious topic in any case, it's difficult to define precisely what would be allowed or forbidden, without a huge gray area in between.

Hoddie

I don't see any issue allowing custom items, so long as they're clearly marked CUSTOM rather than LEGO. Don't understand why we want to turn those potential customers away, who might come back and order from the rest of us after first coming here to order a custom cape.

Lawrence

http://www.brickowl.com/help/custom-items

robernat

@ Hoddie: In my personal experiance, most of these 'fabricators' usually don't sell LEGO, they only sell their 'product'. So why do they come to sites like this: Publicity... A site like this brings in a lot of potential customers, who might end up in their store. If those customers end up in their store, they will spend their budget on 'non LEGO' items because they get charmed and tempted to buy such 'customs', so a potential loss for any other seller in selling 'LEGO'.
Don't see why any seller should pay fees to support such, and offer a platform for it (after all, most costs of the platform are covered by the fees sellers pay), while these kind of 'customisors' usually don't contribute to the developpement of a site like this (pictures / sizes / weights of LEGO items), they only (ab)-use the platform as 'vultures' (apology fur the use of the word, but that IS my point of view), to get a potential deal.
I have nothing against a regular LEGO seller making a custom instruction, or a customs set, not even custom decorated parts (I know a Belgian seller who does this) as they have the intend to sell 'LEGO', they are just being creative with it.
I also have nothing against a seller who customises real LEGO capes (and other items), if on low bases (low quantity), but most of these 'customisors' usually sell by the hundreds. If so, they should be considered a manufacturer, and if considered that way, they can only be looked at as a 'clone' brand...

@jayneflakes: you're welcome to modify parts, I've actually cut up some stuff myself in the past (baseplates mainly). And you're welcome to buy any clone you want (I even have some nice clone parts aside, allthough I doubt I will use them one day), it's a free world (for many at least) and you can do whatever you want. Will it be frowned upon, yes by some, but that's not important, the whole point is not to have a site like this flooded with customs, and looking at Admin's message and link it seems quite clear to me what the definition of 'custom' stands for (but then again, my English is not refined enough to understand the small letters ).

@Stragus: Allowing items like with the seller above, is opening doors and creating 'precedents', the easiest way is to say 'no' right from the start (personal opinion) and there will be no gray area, only black or white.

Stragus

@RobErNat I disagree that allowing custom items implies necessarily "stealing" budget from LEGO items, that's only true for clone brands or parts. For example, if it weren't for LEGO-compatible aluminum/steel/electronic custom parts, I wouldn't be buying as much LEGO as I do.

But I also agree with keeping BrickOwl strictly LEGO-only. It's obviously the easiest solution, without having to deal with a nebulous gray area of what's acceptable. But darn, I love having metal parts , they really extend what is possible in terms of scale with LEGO.

DagsBricks

I think any debate here is pointless. Look at the number of votes this thread has received. That should be more telling than anything.

Brian