Bricklink Seller Review - fred brick

Cognitive dissonance is fun. It's kind of like an oxymoron but still makes sense on both ends. Or maybe it occurs when someone creates a really bad oxymoron. Things like a cat named Spot. Or a Donald Trump sticker on a Prius. Of course the expectation applies to culture as well. Watching a Malaysian eat a taco is a little bizarre for me. Or a Romanian making origami. When I think French I always think of names like Pierre and Francois and the trills and draws that the sounds of the names inspire. I do not however, think of... Fred.

Profile
Seller: fred brick -Free delivery*
Store: https://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=drumbug
Feedback (at time of writing): 987
Feedback Ratio: 98.7% positive
Location: Limousin, France
Prices: Below average

My Order
Order Size: 71 items, 36 lots
Condition: 100% Used
Shipping Charge: Seems to be exact per LaPoste. Free for orders that are $9+ AND under 60grams
Extra Fees: $1 for orders under $2. $0.40 extra for packaging.
Other: none
Final Cost per Part: $0.12

Timeline
Order Date: Sep 9
Invoice Date: Sep 9
Payment Date: Sep 9
Shipping Date: Sep 10
Delivery Date: Sep 21

Order Details
Why this store: Looking for a specific chromed part for a MOC
Packaging: Everything in one clouded non sealable bag, wrapped in bubble wrap and placed in a paperboard box. Then mummified in packing tape.
Part condition: Mixed
Communication: Quick
Feedback left:
Odd telltale signs:
Issues: Part condition undisclosed

Recommendation

Very quick with communication and fixing invoices. Seller ended up not having 1 of the 2 key parts for entering the store. Also was missing at least half a dozen other pieces. Plus I got 2 of something when I had only ordered a single part. I think inventory maintenance is not a strong point. Condition of the chrome was not disclosed but a few of the 8 pieces were dinged and one badly scratched. Another piece was completely mislisted (Technic fig helmet was actually a minifig helmet). A piece of track had some undisclosed traction tape on it. Luckily it came off clean. There were some neat gems at low prices here but the inventory is small and quality is a B minus. Caveat Emptor.

Bricklink Seller Review - Nice Bricks From Nice

A catchy name. This may be my first purchase from a French seller.  It's not that I have anything against the French.  I love French toast, French fries and french kissing.  It's just that I was raised a certain way and taught certain things about certain subjects.  One of those was that the French hated Americans.  I've now learned that everyone hates Americans.  But in the world of LEGO, there are no nationalities, right?  So with reckless abandon I took the plunge and experienced a whole load of je ne sais quoi.


Profile
Seller: Nice Bricks From Nice
Store: http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=Dolice
Feedback (at time of writing): 463
Feedback Ratio: 100%
Location: France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Prices: 6 month average or lower

My Order
Order Size: 6 lots, 30 pieces
Condition: 100% Used
Shipping Charge: Actual cost
Extra Fees: Flat, 0.78€ (~$1.04) for orders under 15€ (~$20)
Final Cost per Part: $0.23

Timeline
Order Date: Feb 5
Invoice Date: Feb 6
Payment Date: Feb 6
Shipping Date: Feb 7
Delivery Date: Feb 12
Issues: None
Issue Communication?: N/A
Issue Resolved?: N/A

Order Details
Why this store: Had enough quantity of one specific part that I needed for an impending convention.
Packaging: Paper envelope taped well, all parts bagged together and then wrapped in bubble wrap.
Part condition: Excellent
Communication: Excellent
Feedback left: Positive
Odd telltale signs: none

Recommendation
Proprietor includes phone number with invoice for more transparency.  No Paypal fees, no hidden fees.  Lets you know how close over or under the next weight bracket you are to maximize your shipping fees.  Very friendly and good communication.  My inhibitions towards the French are completely gone.  I will definitely consider this store in the future.