Author:  constructibles  Posted:  Jan 30, 2024 21:14  Subject:  Variants Merge and the API  Viewed:  148 times  Topic:  Catalog  Status: Open Cancel Reply

BrickLink ID Card constructibles (604) Location:  USA, South Carolina Member Since Contact Type Status May 8, 2018 Seller Store: Constructibles Custom Sets

Hello everyone, I’ve been reading up on the multiple threads about the proposed merge of variants. Setting aside the pros and cons of the change, I have a question that may have material impact for any stores that are using the API function. From what I can read it appears that one step in the merge plan is to actually merge lot numbers together in a sellers inventory. That can create huge problems for API users, as there is no function to link an inventory lot ID number to a different inventory number. My recommendation would be to leave all lot IDs existing and not merge them, but just change the part number on both lots to the new post-merge item ID number. So, for example, if a seller had one lot of 3747a and another lot of 3747b, then, after the merge they would simply have two lots of 3747, and be able to make the decision to physically combine those, keep them separate with notes, or just leave the two lots in place. Can we please get some specific technical information on the proposed actions within the database and as someone commented previously it may be worthwhile to send a targeted email to all API users alerting them of the detail of the change, as some may not be reading the forum. Thanks. -Jason

Message Has 3 Replies:

Re: Variants Merge and the API - Nubs_Select (3783)

unless im mistaken thats whats happening. bricklin is only mergin the entries not any lots for sale. before 1 lot of exampe1 1 lot of example2 after 1 lot of example1 1 lot of [...] (4 months ago, Jan 30, 2024, to Catalog)

Re: Variants Merge and the API - Give.Me.A.Brick (10611)

[...] That's not the plan. Russell said a few times already that lots will not be merged in stores: "When catalog entries are merged, they do not combine lots in [...] (4 months ago, Jan 31, 2024, to Catalog)

Re: Variants Merge and the API - Stellar (3505)

[...] Only item ID and names are changing, you will end with 2 lots of the final entry: (URL) (4 months ago, Jan 31, 2024, to Catalog)

4 Messages in this Thread:

 Msg 1 « - constructibles (604) 4 months ago Jan 30, 2024 to Catalog
 Msg 2 - Nubs_Select (3783) 4 months ago Jan 30, 2024 to Catalog
 Msg 3 - Give.Me.A.Brick (10611) 4 months ago Jan 31, 2024 to Catalog
 Msg 4 - Stellar (3505) 4 months ago Jan 31, 2024 to Catalog