Locating Element IDs on Bricklink

[blackpyre]

Have you ever noticed that the part number that Bricklink and Peeron use for a part doesn’t necessarily match the ID number found in the back of the LEGO instruction manuals?

This is because the number Bricklink and Peeron use only refers to the piece type. The instruction book number identifies piece type and the color of that piece.

Now, you may ask why the more specific number is important? There are two reasons for this.

First, if you have to work with LEGO customer service to replace a piece or to order it in bulk, this number will significantly make it easier for the LEGO representative in finding the exact piece.

Second, if you participate in the LUGBulk program, it is a required field to fill in when ordering pieces.

So, here’s the quick and dirty way to find that element ID number on Bricklink.

First, find the element you want. I typically go through “Catalog” then “Parts.” Once I find the category and specific piece I should end up on the piece’s Catalog Entry. You can get here in a variety of ways. However you search it is important to get to the Catalog Entry.

If you’ve never been to an entry page, simply click on the image of a part you want. The larger picture will always have a link to the Catalog Entry page.

Okay, once you are at the entry page, look at the links below where the picture is. One of these links should read “View Smaller Images.” Click on it. This will bring up all the pictures of the piece in all its colors.

Below the pictures is a list of colors. To the right of the color name is a number. That is your element ID. If you copy and paste this number in a Bricklink sarch, you will pull up that particular piece in that exact color.

One more note. Sometimes the same color is listed multiple times. This indicates that the color was issued, discontinued, and reissued a number of times. To the right of the Element ID should be another number. This will tell you which entry came out before others.

For example, you can have three entries. They will have a 1, 2, and 3 to the right of their ID. This means the one labeled “1” is the oldest and “3” is the newest since it was issued last.

In cases like these, it is best to only take the element ID that is the newest when using it to deal with LEGO. Otherwise, their system will just tell you that the piece is discontinued.

Will