![Servicing AFOLs around the world isn’t easy, but BrickLink owed its users more [Guest Editorial]](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.brothers-brick.com/2025/12/PinarPic.jpg)
Servicing AFOLs around the world isn’t easy, but BrickLink owed its users more [Guest Editorial]
BlockTalk Summary
BrickLink, the LEGO Group's online marketplace for buying and selling LEGO bricks, has implemented policy changes that will restrict access for users in 35 countries, including Türkiye. This decision has sparked disappointment and frustration within the LEGO community, particularly due to the lack of official communication regarding the changes. The initial announcement was shared through unofficial channels, causing confusion and concern among users who rely on BrickLink for sourcing LEGO parts.
The policy change impacts users like Pinar, a LEGO enthusiast from Türkiye who runs the BukaBricks blog and relies on BrickLink for acquiring specific parts. The platform has been a crucial resource for her LEGO collection and research. The absence of a Pick-a-Brick service in Türkiye further emphasizes BrickLink's importance as the primary source for acquiring individual LEGO elements. The lack of official announcements and the uncertainty surrounding account access after the changes have added to the community's frustration.
The decision to restrict access appears to be related to legal and financial factors, particularly the absence of PayPal services in Türkiye, which prevents BrickLink from collecting fees and ensuring tax compliance. Sellers like Erden Dinçerden, the founder of Halk Brick, and Alkan from AlkanBricks & More, have highlighted the challenges posed by the lack of a local PayPal presence. Other sellers, such as Furkan from Nazir Brick, have also pointed out issues related to tax avoidance and the presence of underage sellers.
The LEGO community's reaction underscores the significance of BrickLink as a global platform for LEGO enthusiasts. While the reasons behind the policy changes may be understandable from a business perspective, the lack of clear communication and the impact on users who depend on BrickLink for their LEGO-related activities have led to widespread disappointment. For those affected, consider exploring alternative platforms or local LEGO communities to continue your building endeavors.
On November 21, BrickLink - the largest community of online resellers of LEGO bricks, owned by the LEGO Group as of 2019 - quietly changed its policies on which countries would be allowed to operate stores on the platform as of December 12 (now updated to January 31) with 35 countries, including most of South America, Africa, the Middle East, and most of Asia. As the community learned of these changes, heartbreak and anger have rippled throughout the community, both for the poor way the...
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