How do you feel about Scalpers?

[DaveViper]

Scalpers, how do you feel about them?


That evil S word is a dirty word in these parts buts its not really talked about so for once lets put this one one to discussion. Keep it civil but sound off. Some topics for discussion, how do scalpers hurt us collectors, etc? When is it ok to ask for big bucks for a chase/hard to find figure? What if he is still in the wild? Is he not in the wild anymore? We pay big bucks for some vintage figs so why not hard to find figures (playing devils advocate).Your thoughts girls and boys. Do you help your fellow collectors out, etc. Are we too quick to throw that evil S word out there sometimes. Do we have all the facts? Or are we rightfully warranted to do so because a scalper is a scalper? Well what do you think.......

[Trooper618]

quite simply they ruin the hobby. i refuse to by from anyone selling for more than they paid at retail unless said item is no longer available

[Balaclava]

As demonstrated by Spirit, I think "Scalper" is too cool of a name for them.

Perhaps a new name is in order...

[Smokebomb]

I'm on the fence with this one. To me there are different kinds. The ones who go and scoop up all they can and sell for inflated prices just to make a buck. Yes this is a legal activity but doesn't mean we have to like it. Then there are the guys who happen to find them in the wild either have extras or are cleaning house and just put them up and figure what the hay, "I might as well try to get some extra cash with these figures". Now a better approach for the latter would be just to post them and either start off at either a more reasonable price or just take some offers. Or put them on ebay with the scalpers and stay somewhat annonymous because the flaming will happen on here. I find it hard to believe that anyone would think otherwise. We all now the mentallity of "us" tankers when it comes to this subject. So when posting these HTF figures at what you may believe to be a good price....Well others may not think so and they're going to tell you about it regardless of posting rules. I'm guessing this post is in regards to the recent SS for sale posting where the OP got napalmed for his asking price? I For one don't necessarily blame the flaming due to the above mentioned knowing it was coming. I, and this is merely an opinion and not a hack on any involved, agree with the OP's counter attacks. He then stooped to the level if not a level lower than the "flamers" at that point. I'm not even sure if this was completely on topic, but I see both sides of yeasterday's arguement but OP didn't handle it as well as it should've been because like I said it's common knowledge that the flaming would be on it's way.

[Headman]

I think they're great.

[DaveViper]

I think they're great.

So does Tony the Tiger when he eats them for breakfast. :D

[Steve T]

It depends. I think it's ok to feed your hobby by buying extra figs for resale purposes.

I think it's lame if you are not a collector and just buy toys for scalping purposes.

I don't think that scalpers hurt the hobby, they buy figs which means sales for Hasbro and the retailers.

[Cloud Strife]

It's all part of living in a Capitalist society. It's their right to charge what they want, and it's my right to buy or not buy. Some people sell HTF figs to help with supplemental income and I can respect that. Some do it to be able to continue collecting. I can respect that. Others do it purely for the money, and I don't have a problem with that either. I don't like having to pay above MSRP for a figure, but if I really want it (i.e. SDCC Jinx this year), I'll pay above and beyond MSRP.

I have to remember, scalpers don't determine what's going to be popular or highly sought after, and they also don't determine the production number of a certain figure.

I don't think anyone likes paying more than MSRP (heck, a lot don't even like paying that!), but I will for something that I really want and can't find at MSRP. It can be unfortunate, but it's all part of the collecting experience.

[Colder Soldier]

I don't hate and loathe the fabled "Toy Scalper" as much as I see others do. The truth of the matter is, if it's a retail product, I'm at the stores, at open, on truck day to get what I want. So in a sense, I'm facing the Scalpers on equal terms. That, and I don't cherry pick. I like supporting the line because I like the products. I'm a "collect them all" type guy so I probably got that one per case figure in the case I ordered online. Instead of paying $45 shipped for 1 fig, just spend another $45 and get 11 more. Anyone who complains they had to pay that amount on a HTF fig, deserves to complain.

As for Con exclusives, that's a whole 'nother matter. I still don't blame the scalper so much as I fault Hasbro. How many years and still they can't do a little better supplying the demand? They know people will buy a bunch just to try and re-sell. So they should make enough extra for them too...

[Veedubguy83]

I am not a fan... showed that yesterday in the B/S/T and got an infraction for it, oh well, my bad for opening my mouth and not reading the rules :P ... On a better note, I got a Renegades SS for retail price from a local tanker, I hooked him up with a free MOC Zombie Viper, not only did I get an awesome deal, I made another great local connection and a new friend... I also got a Lowlight, Spirit and Quick Kicks this way, didn't pay a dime over what they paid retail for them... Maybe I am just spoiled by an awesome group of local tankers... If we work together, and pick up these figures to help each other out and not do it out of greed, we can strike back at the scalpers...

[DaveViper]

I'm on the fence with this one. To me there are different kinds. The ones who go and scoop up all they can and sell for inflated prices just to make a buck. Yes this is a legal activity but doesn't mean we have to like it. Then there are the guys who happen to find them in the wild either have extras or are cleaning house and just put them up and figure what the hay, "I might as well try to get some extra cash with these figures". Now a better approach for the latter would be just to post them and either start off at either a more reasonable price or just take some offers. Or put them on ebay with the scalpers and stay somewhat annonymous because the flaming will happen on here. I find it hard to believe that anyone would think otherwise. We all now the mentallity of "us" tankers when it comes to this subject. So when posting these HTF figures at what you may believe to be a good price....Well others may not think so and they're going to tell you about it regardless of posting rules. I'm guessing this post is in regards to the recent SS for sale posting where the OP got napalmed for his asking price? I For one don't necessarily blame the flaming due to the above mentioned knowing it was coming. I, and this is merely an opinion and not a hack on any involved, agree with the OP's counter attacks. He then stooped to the level if not a level lower than the "flamers" at that point. I'm not even sure if this was completely on topic, but I see both sides of yeasterday's arguement but OP didn't handle it as well as it should've been because like I said it's common knowledge that the flaming would be on it's way.


Yesterdays trainwreck was in the back of my mind, but this post is not in regardess to that one. I brought it up as point of discussion because the topic its self almost seems taboo and off limits to even bring up. Correction: Most of us hate scalpers but I think if you dig a little bit there is more to it then that, Its the social aspect on the tank I want to look at. I have my own answers to to the questions I asked in my original post but I want to see what you guys think.

[GeneralxRon]

If Someone is willing to go out..each morning, go to conventions, etc..get all the the stuff thats wanted or "hot"..and "Re-Sells" them to the public to make a profit..and makes it "Easily available"..

I say.. "thanks for doing the work".. Do you take cash or paypal.?

I paid for someone to get me these SDCC Zarana, Sgt. Slaughter, Cobra Commander, Destro Two packs etc..the amount of time, money, hassle in lines..etc..not worth it.. in my opion ..I prefer to open my wallet and have my items on my doorstep ..easy transition.


Now if someone goes out and gets all the "hot" items and just keeps it to themselves..thats still legal.. you're just called a Hoarder.. Nothing wrong with that..you're like the fat kid at the party who ate all the cake but didn't want to share. ..

It's america, trade and barter is still legit... If everything is equal..then this isn't America...live with it.

[Bryanm5150]

I don't buy from scalpers because I don't feel toys are worth the money they want. But since some people are willing to pay the extra cash and drive prices to astronomical figures then why blame just the sellers? What about the hoarders? Some people buy multiples of certain things which makes it harder for the rest of us to find. Is this fair? I put my Marvel Joe series on eBay starting at 99 cents. Some people bid up to 3-4 dollars. Issue 21, the silent issue went for $178 because some people wanted it that bad. Was I not supposed to take that much from the winner? If I took less from the winning bidder then would that be far to the other bidders? I love going on eBay and seeing stuff at high prices just to watch it never sell. It the price is too high then don't buy it. Besides if I do all the driving to find figures,which cost me in gas, then pay sales tax why should someone else get to sit at home and say "Hey grab me one and I give you retail price when you do all the work"?

[Bryanm5150]

Everything at Wal-Mart is bought at a lower price than what it is sold far. Are they Bad-Guy Scalpers too?

[Veedubguy83]

Yesterdays trainwreck was in the back of my mind, but this post is not in regardess to that one. I brought it up as point of discussion because the topic its self almost seems taboo and off limits to even bring up. We all hate scalpers but I think if you dig a little bit there is more to it then that, Its the social aspect on the tank I want to look at. I want to discuss things like when is it ok to sell a hard to find fig for a lot of money and some of the other questions I asked in my original post. I have my own answers but I want to see what you guys think?

I feel that if you are going to be on a Forum like this, communicating, talking with, working with other collectors, I feel that coming in here as a scalper is completely wrong... I don't care who you are or what you are scalping... Leave that to eBay... I feel that the Tank is for all of our GI JOE brothers and sisters to help each other out, the end... I shouldn't have said anything in that B/S/T, but oh well, live and learn!

[DaveViper]

As demonstrated by Spirit, I think "Scalper" is too cool of a name for them.

Perhaps a new name is in order...

lol, I agree with you.

[Smokebomb]

Yesterdays trainwreck was in the back of my mind, but this post is not in regardess to that one. I brought it up as point of discussion because the topic its self almost seems taboo and off limits to even bring up. We all hate scalpers but I think if you dig a little bit there is more to it then that, Its the social aspect on the tank I want to look at. I want to discuss things like when is it ok to sell a hard to find fig for a lot of money and some of the other questions I asked in my original post. I have my own answers but I want to see what you guys think?

Gotcha.

[kneroh]

Until you go to a SDCC you have no idea what kind of effort goes into getting the exclusives there. Pretty much any price someone offers is too little considering the headache in obtaining the piece.

[USAgent]

It can make it tougher for those of us that are more of "just one to play with" collectors to find at retail that 'one' figure: but once they(anyone) buys it(or all of them)- it's their property to do what they want with it. I paid $30 for a SpiderMan Shocker figure- if it wasn't for the 'scalper' I still wouldn't have the figure.... But it ticks me off too when I see scalping on the tank from people that I have supported in helping to find things or had discussions with about the difficulty in finding things -in those cases I will take note of their name and make sure that if they come to me for a custom or something on my B/S/T list I'm going to slam them with an outrageous price or trade. So I love 'em sometimes and hate 'em other times- depends on if it's in MY best interest at the moment i suppose...

[CrimsonGuard101]

In this world of peace and understanding among all men, all scalpers are welcome, all scalpers are welcome...walk into the light, there is salvation...in the light...

[Smokebomb]

Perhaps when someone lists an item the text should include the obstacles the seller had to endure to aquire said item. I've heard the horror stories of the cons.

[Smokebomb]

It can make it tougher for those of us that are more of "just one to play with" collectors to find at retail that 'one' figure: but once they(anyone) buys it(or all of them)- it's their property to do what they want with it. I paid $30 for a SpiderMan Shocker figure- if it wasn't for the 'scalper' I still wouldn't have the figure.... But it ticks me off too when I see scalping on the tank from people that I have supported in helping to find things or had discussions with about the difficulty in finding things -in those cases I will take note of their name and make sure that if they come to me for a custom or something on my B/S/T list I'm going to slam them with an outrageous price or trade. So I love 'em sometimes and hate 'em other times- depends on if it's in MY best interest at the moment i suppose...

I feel ya. I would always think it's a case by case thing. And frustration concerning your ability to find one on your own.

[DaveViper]

Everything at Wal-Mart is bought at a lower price than what it is sold far. Are they Bad-Guy Scalpers too?

I'm sure a lot of mom and pop stores hate wal-mart, and I can see where your going with this.

But I'm talking about someone on the individual level a guy goes into a store and buys all the chase figures to mark them up on ebay, keep in mind he isn't a collector. And now you go to the store looking for that figure and can't find him. Did he do the right thing should he have left some for collectors who are just looking for him. I call that guy something I can't even say on the tank let alone in front of my mom and IMO yes he should have left some figures at the store for others! But not everyone thinks like me and I understand that too.

[Smokebomb]

I'm sure a lot of mom and pop stores hate wal-mart, and I can see where your going with this.

But I'm talking about someone on the individual level a guy goes into a store and buys all the chase figures to mark them up on ebay, keep in mind he isn't a collector. And now you go to the store looking for that figure and can't find him. Did he do the right thing should he have left some for collectors who are just looking for him. I call that guy something I can't even say on the tank let alone in front of my mom and IMO yes he should have left some figures at the store for others! But not everyone thinks like me and I understand that too.

If this is the question then I do not care for these particular people. Remember the limits I think it was Target put on figures?

[DaveViper]

Perhaps when someone lists an item the text should include the obstacles the seller had to endure to aquire said item. I've heard the horror stories of the cons.

To me con items are a different animal. I have seen the horror videos of people waiting in line all day and Hasbro just shuts the line off and they get screwed not to mention all the other stuff they have to endure.

[sbartek1974]

I don't think Walmart could be classified as a "scalper." Walmart has actual employees and benefits offered to those employees. Plus, Walmart doesn't go into another store, buys an item for $5 and turns around and sells it for $75.

And Walmart gives to charity organizations. Do "scalpers" give a portion of their profits to charity?

[Smokebomb]

To me con items are a different animal. I have seen the horror videos of people waiting in line all day and Hasbro just shuts the line off and they get screwed not to mention all the other stuff they have to endure.

Much different then walking to the toy section of Walmart.

[CrimsonGuard101]

I'm sure a lot of mom and pop stores hate wal-mart, and I can see where your going with this.

But I'm talking about someone on the individual level a guy goes into a store and buys all the chase figures to mark them up on ebay, keep in mind he isn't a collector. And now you go to the store looking for that figure and can't find him. Did he do the right thing should he have left some for collectors who are just looking for him. I call that guy something I can't even say on the tank let alone in front of my mom and IMO yes he should have left some figures at the store for others! But not everyone thinks like me and I understand that too.

They can fix this, its called supply and demand of the scalper. Exceed the demand the scalper can justify buying at anyone one time and the figures will remain :0...in short...eliminate chase figures and limited run characters. Create equal amounts of each figure and make the figure cards small enough so you can put 5x the stock you can currently on the shelf. Kinda like the small VvV carded Joes they had a K-bee back a few years ago. And instead of 12 figures per box, youc an get 24-48 a box, and put the whole friggen years worth of figures out in one large wave, and when reordered, it has the same figures as the first wave till the following year. Walmart could take one row of current joes and go to 5x the number with that and not use anymore space. Lets see Mr. Scalper buy 45 Renegades storm Shadows instead of the one that was put out 5 months ago to never see a restock...its all about the peg population!

[Xenos]

Personally, I have no problem with scalpers. Is it annoying when I can't find a figure I want? Yeah, but it's not the end of the world. I mostly buy online nowadays anyways, so I'm pretty much guaranteed what I want, and the scalpers don't affect me.

As for convention scalping goes, I don't see anything wrong with that either. If you want to sell a $15 Zarana for $40, you're still losing money on that deal when you factor in the cost of the con ticket and travel. It is annoying when you go to a con and the exclusives are sold out on the first day though, but I see that as more of a problem with the seller, not the buyers. If they set good limits then that shouldn't be much of a problem. I can understand why they wouldn't want to risk being stuck with extras though, so I don't even begrudge them that much. I missed out on TTT Slaughter when I went to that Comic Con because I couldn't go on Thursday. It was annoying, but I managed to get one from the Joe Club, so it turned out ok. When I go to SDCC I always buy the limit of the Joe stuff, but I sell most of it for C+S to guys I know, or guys that have helped me out in the past. If I have any extras I'll toss them on eBay to get a few bucks back, but it comes nowhere near paying for the actualy cost of going and getting the figures.

[Veedubguy83]

To me con items are a different animal. I have seen the horror videos of people waiting in line all day and Hasbro just shuts the line off and they get screwed not to mention all the other stuff they have to endure.

I agree and disagree with this, if you are a scalper intentionally going out of your way to get said con item, you are putting yourself in that position, what if that person standing in front of you at the con is said scalper, and the line is cut off right as your the next person in line... It's things like that, that pisses me off...

[Dealer Destro]

Another thread about scalpers? Look the bottom line is if you don't like a sellers price, be they a 'scalper' or just some average JOE on Ebay, the easiest way to combat this type of behavior is to not buy from them. Period. The End. That's All Folks! and all of the above.

[Troynos]

Everyone's definition of scalper is different. Some people think anything above retail is scalping. I understand economics, I understand how volume affects pricing, I understand supply and demand, I understand chase figures. So with all that in mind, I understand why e-tailers charge more for some figures over others and I understand people going onto EBay and trying to make a couple bucks.

None of that bothers me.

My definition of scalping is selling something for 2x retail. That's for standard figures. But then I'm okay with market demand setting the price. I come across a desired figure and the market is saying it's selling for $45, I'll probably put it up for $30 or $35. Because in this case, WE are setting the price, not the seller. The price is that high because WE are buying it that high.

For exclusives, variants and limited release items, there is no such thing as scalping as it's all demand driven. If the demand for the figure is there, the price goes up. If no one wants it, the price goes down.

I do not agree with going to a brick and mortar (or even e-tailer) and buying up all the stock to create false rarity, to turn around and sell on EBay to make a profit. But if happen to come across a Renegades SS in Wally World and grab it, put it on EBay to sell for what the market demand is? More power to you.

End of the day, I don't like the price something is selling for, I'll just walk away.

If everyone did that, guess what, the price would come down.

With the internet and online e-tailers the scalper really shouldn't exist any more. Everything is pretty readily available (with exceptions of exclusives, variants, etc. which is to be expected) for retail or within the 1.5 range of above retail

[sharky]

In before the lock. This thread is not going to end well.

[starbuck]

I love, love, love the scalper that sold me my SDCC Zarana...

[DaveViper]

I feel that the Tank is for all of our GI JOE brothers and sisters to help each other out

I agree with you and that why I started the official I have a renegades storm shadow thread a while back I set it up as a place for tankers to buy and trade them there. But keep in mind not everyone helps there fellow tankers out in the way you or I would.
Almost everything is debatable on a public forum. In way I or you probably don't understand some people would say its ok to list a chase figure for a lot of money because they are helping find the figure in the wild and making it available to others even at a big price tag. I have seen this argument brought up before by fellow tankers.

Remember devils advocate.

[DaveViper]

In before the lock. This thread is not going to end well.

I would say if the mods are watching and I'm sure they are its good to discuss this and I think so far everyone has been civil. Interesting opinions on both sides of the fence some seem to be stuck right in the middle too. Were adults and so far that has been demonstrated here.

[Dealer Destro]

Hell if it weren't for these 'scalpers' I would not have my nice little bundle of SDCC joy.

Sgt Slaughters
Zaranas
SkyStrikers



Yeah I have to say they serve a purpose. Only time I deal with this type of seller is once a year and yes it is costly but I do it by choice. It's not like they are holding a gun to my head saying BUY OR ELSE.

[Veedubguy83]

I know, fortunately I have had more pleasant experiences on here than negative, for that I am thankful. There really are a lot of us there actually trying to help eachother out, and I love seeing that, it makes me proud to be part of the Joe community.

[Gung.Heaux]

easy and stress-free way to deal with "scalpers"....intelligence and logic instead of emotion and frustration.

start by not buying from them. period. and if you do...you chose that route, so you have no bitch.

i know, i know...

"yeah...but they buy everything and i cant get one!"

thats a bullshit excuse for not getting to the store fast enuff.

i own two reno SSs (both opened, 1 for each version) cuz i got there before someone else did.
had a ''scalper'' gotten there before me...idve never known they were there. id have no gripe. had a ''collector'' gotten there before me....same outcome.

also...what if a ''scalper'' only grabbed one of the two, three, however many, of what you want and proceeds to sell it for 100X the retail value........but you got the one you wanted....?
you wont give two squirts of piss what the ''scalper'' did with his.

so whats the difference if the person who gets there before you sells the item......or puts it on display at home?

your timing.

[Gung.Heaux]

oh and...........i went to TRU today.......

joes are now $9.99 brick and mortar too.

4minutes, by walking mind you, is walmart....$6.97.

that bothers me more than any scalping, secondary market or after-retail ive ever seen!

[Xenos]

easy and stress-free way to deal with "scalpers"....intelligence and logic instead of emotion and frustration.

start by not buying from them. period. and if you do...you chose that route, so you have no bitch.

i know, i know...

"yeah...but they buy everything and i cant get one!"

thats a bullshit excuse for not getting to the store fast enuff.

i own two reno SSs (both opened, 1 for each version) cuz i got there before someone else did.
had a ''scalper'' gotten there before me...idve never known they were there. id have no gripe. had a ''collector'' gotten there before me....same outcome.

also...what if a ''scalper'' only grabbed one of the two, three, however many, of what you want and proceeds to sell it for 100X the retail value........but you got the one you wanted....?
you wont give two squirts of piss what the ''scalper'' did with his.

so whats the difference if the person who gets there before you sells the item......or puts it on display at home?

your timing.
That is a good point. It's not as if there were no scalpers that Renegades SS would be clogging pegs all over the country. The collectors would have bought them all up.

Honestly, when you think about it, scalpers probably make up less then 10% of the sales of figures...even hard to find ones. There's only like 20-30 Renegades Storm Shadows up on eBay at any given time, and there were thousands of them made.

[Bryanm5150]

Some figures never make it to some areas. And some toys are bought at Christmas time by all types of people. Just because I didn't get the 30th Storm Shadow or Warhammer 40k Destro doesn't means I whine like a little girl with a skinned knee. I live in a great country. I have loads a freedom some people will never have. AND I have a great Joe collection. So maybe we need to appreciate what we have in stead of worrying about not getting a toy!

[Xenos]

oh and...........i went to TRU today.......

joes are now $9.99 brick and mortar too.

4minutes, by walking mind you, is walmart....$6.97.

that bothers me more than any scalping, secondary market or after-retail ive ever seen!

Yeah, but those scalpers over at BBTS charge like $7.50 a figure!!

[Novacaine]

They should be drawn and quartered.

[Deathsynger]

I came across another angle on it lately. I've got some dupes of Techno-Viper, Zombie-Viper, and Sci-Fi in my BST that I jacked the price up on. I'm on the fence as to sell them or not, I figured $20 is an amount I'd be comfortable letting them go for. Same thing with my SDCC Slaughters, I've been thinking of putting them up for $500. I know the market is $250-ish. But, if someone offered $500, I'd take it. Maybe I'll get more comfortable with selling them and bring the price down.

[DaveViper]

Hell if it weren't for these 'scalpers' I would not have my nice little bundle of SDCC joy.

Sgt Slaughters
Zaranas
SkyStrikers



Yeah I have to say they serve a purpose. Only time I deal with this type of seller is once a year and yes it is costly but I do it by choice. It's not like they are holding a gun to my head saying BUY OR ELSE.

I really should have been more clear this is not about Con items but were discussing that issue too, all good. If I buy a con item I look at all the factors going into getting them, plane ticket, hotel, time spent trying to get item etc. My original post was about the stuff you find at the retail level Walmart, Target etc

[DaveViper]

Some figures never make it to some areas. And some toys are bought at Christmas time by all types of people. Just because I didn't get the 30th Storm Shadow or Warhammer 40k Destro doesn't means I whine like a little girl with a skinned knee. I live in a great country. I have loads a freedom some people will never have. AND I have a great Joe collection. So maybe we need to appreciate what we have in stead of worrying about not getting a toy!

lol, I love America and all the great things we have here too but were talking about a toy in a toy forum. It apparently is an issue to some people or there wouldn't be any body posting in this thread right? Please try to stay on topic, thanks

[Shipshape1983]

I dont like em much.

[sharky]

I would say if the mods are watching and I'm sure they are its good to discuss this and I think so far everyone has been civil. Interesting opinions on both sides of the fence some seem to be stuck right in the middle too. Were adults and so far that has been demonstrated here.
This is Hisstank. Don't worry. It will get heated as scalper "discussions" usually get.

Why you were crazy enough to even start a thread like this is another issue.

[Headman]

I have erotic thoughts about scalpers.

[DaveViper]

This is Hisstank. Don't worry. It will get heated as scalper "discussions" usually get.

Why you were crazy enough to even start a thread like this is another issue.

It's my first one and there lies my tactical mistake. I thought we could discuss this in a mature adult like manner on the Hisstank. What the hell was I thinking!?


Well were still open for business.......

[DaveViper]

I have erotic thoughts about scalpers.

I believe that, lol.

And I do too the ones that involve auto erotic asphyxiation of the scalper

[sharky]

It's my first one and there lies my tactical mistake. I thought we could discuss this in a mature adult like manner on the Hisstank. What the hell was I thinking!?


Well were still open for business but for how long?
I guess you haven't been around long enough to partake in the last round of scalper debates. Yeah, I'm staying out of this one. It's not worth the frustration.

[DaveViper]

I guess you haven't been around long enough to partake in the last round of scalper debates. Yeah, I'm staying out of this one. It's not worth the frustration.

Missed it and didn't catch it in the search I did before hand either.

[sharky]

Missed it and didn't catch it in the search I did before hand either.
I don't think the thread titles of the juiciest ones were actually about scalping.

[Justus Prime]

I have mixed emotions definitely. When I've had an HTF that I didn't want, I sold it on Ebay at the scalpers going rate and was able to help pay for a few extra collectibles that I wanted. That was really cool. As a guy who builds troops, I kind of despise them though. HTS won't sell more than one or two figures per order (when they have the figures individually on their website) to protect us from scalpers (which I'm really thankful for) but then I can't troop build. If there weren't scalpers I could have a hay day buying a whole troop in one swift move over the internet and be on about my day. But that's really my fault, I'm a greedy bastard. (MUST HAVE MORE!) Kind of like a G.I. Joe version of the Cookie Monster. At the end of the day, I'm thankful that I can collect something I love. In "my" perfect world... scalpers wouldn't exist. But, they're not going away so I don't waste my emotional energy on them.

[Justus Prime]

In before the lock. This thread is not going to end well.

Good call.

[DaveViper]

Anyone ever see a scalper in the wild. Maybe in the act of scooping up all the good figures. Im sure walmart employees have seen this, I picture a guy with his shopping cart ready to go first thing in the morning like butt crack of dawn and he is grabbing everything he can as quickly as he can. He probably has that crazy scapler bugged out look I have pictured in my mind :D like he can see the dollars signs in his head. Man what a crazy sight that would be. Would you say anything to the scalper?

[Xenos]

I have mixed emotions definitely. When I've had an HTF that I didn't want, I sold it on Ebay at the scalpers going rate and was able to help pay for a few extra collectibles that I wanted. That was really cool. As a guy who builds troops, I kind of despise them though. HTS won't sell more than one or two figures per order (when they have the figures individually on their website) to protect us from scalpers (which I'm really thankful for) but then I can't troop build. If there weren't scalpers I could have a hay day buying a whole troop in one swift move over the internet and be on about my day. But that's really my fault, I'm a greedy bastard. (MUST HAVE MORE!) Kind of like a G.I. Joe version of the Cookie Monster. At the end of the day, I'm thankful that I can collect something I love. In "my" perfect world... scalpers wouldn't exist. But, they're not going away so I don't waste my emotional energy on them.

I think in that case you have more to worry about with other troop builders then with scalpers.
I know that when 25th first came out the first time I saw the Blueshirts on HTS I was willing to buy 100 of them, but I could only get like two.

[Gung.Heaux]

Anyone ever see a scalper in the wild. Maybe in the act of scooping up all the good figures. Im sure walmart employees have seen this, I picture a guy with his shopping cart ready to go first thing in the morning like butt crack of dawn and he is grabbing everything he can as quickly as he can. He probably has that crazy scapler bugged out look I have pictured in my mindless :D like he can see the dollars signs in his head. Man what a crazy sight that would be. Would you say anything to the scalper?

i did one time see a guy filling a basket with Star Wars when it came back mid-90s. id imagine his thought was ''the original stuff is worth a mint...this will be too!"

but that does bring forth another question about scalping....

one buys truly to collect, never intending to resell....then years later, decides it is no longer of interest. prices have risen just by the nature of the hobby.

how long of a period needs to go by before its selling at fair (secondary) market value..........or scalping?

[Balaclava]

In this world of peace and understanding among all men, all scalpers are welcome, all scalpers are welcome...walk into the light, there is salvation...in the light...

Is this a reference to The Brothers of Light episode from Renegades or is "the light" actually a surefire mounted on an assault rifle or light machinge gun? ("light" machine gun - pun intended...)

[DaveViper]

i did one time see a guy filling a basket with Star Wars when it came back mid-90s. id imagine his thought was ''the original stuff is worth a mint...this will be too!"

but that does bring forth another question about scalping....

one buys truly to collect, never intending to resell....then years later, decides it is no longer of interest. prices have risen just by the nature of the hobby.

how long of a period needs to go by before its selling at fair (secondary) market value..........or scalping?

In my opinion that is not scalping, first of because the items are no longer available in retail. If you grow tired of the collection and want to sell it then why not. Its the reason behind it are you driven to sell just to make money and you care nothing for the hobby and you never at any time did care for the it. This was kind of like one of the original questions I asked is it scalping if the item is no longer in retail and I would have to say in most situations no. Since the item is no longer sold at a store retail no longer sets the actual price. The market does.

[Troynos]

how long of a period needs to go by before its selling at fair (secondary) market value..........or scalping?

2 minutes.

If you sell it at market price, it's not scalping.

Ultimately the buyers determine market price.

[skinny]

My personal feeling is that no matter what someone did to acquire a figure, be it fly to SDCC wait in line getup at 7AM run to the store etc. It is all totally irrelevant.
Once you start to believe that others "deserve" to be compensated for their time travel expenses etc. to me it sounds more like a con job. (no pun intended)

[TheRealDubya]

Early bird gets the fucking worm.

[TheLongestDay]

Early bird gets the fucking worm.

Early bird gets eaten by a pack of ravenous Wolves.

[spazzy]

"scalpers" have been here and will always be here in this kind of hobby, I have sold as a scalper and I have bought from a scalper and I don't have a problem with it. IT helps e get the stuff I want, if I am not willing to pay the marked up prices I move on and look somewhere else or if it is not worth it to me I buy something else. Also something expensive today may not be that expensive in a couple years, scalpers profit becuase people have no patience especially around sdcc, of course there are always instances when a item will always increase but that doesn't that often (I atteneded 10+ sdcc so I know what happens)

[DaveViper]

Early bird gets eaten by a pack of ravenous Wolves.

Ah shit, that was good, ROFL!

[CrimsonGuard101]

Is this a reference to The Brothers of Light episode from Renegades or is "the light" actually a surefire mounted on an assault rifle or light machinge gun? ("light" machine gun - pun intended...)

No its from Poltergeist when that midget lady tells the ghosts to go into the light lol...I didnt watch any such Renegades episode...I stopped after they showed Dr. Mindbender....

[Balaclava]

No its from Poltergeist when that midget lady tells the ghosts to go into the light lol...I didnt watch any such Renegades episode...I stopped after they showed Dr. Mindbender....

Oh. So you stopped watching Renegades during episode 1 or 2. Poop! Well if it wasn't a Renegades reference, then I'd really hoped it was a reference to a surefire...oh, well.

I never saw Poltergeist. Are you sure she was a midget..? is that PC?

[DaveViper]

Guys kinda on the subject but I will be selling a storm shadow renegades on ebay tonight. 100% of the money will be going to charity. I will make a post with more information about it on the ebay board in the forum. I'm heading to work but more details will be shared later on.

[Smokebomb]

Guys kinda on the subject but I will be selling a storm shadow renegades on ebay tonight. 100% of the money will be going to charity. I will make a post with more information about it on the ebay board in the forum. I'm heading to work but more details will be shared later on.

Cool.

[1982]

Oh. So you stopped watching Renegades during episode 1 or 2. Poop! Well if it wasn't a Renegades reference, then I'd really hoped it was a reference to a surefire...oh, well.

I never saw Poltergeist. Are you sure she was a midget..? is that PC?

She not that small like 4 foot tall maybe dwarf but not a little person. That movie is creepy as hell go watch it, the little girl is really great in it ,sadly she died making the third one.

[Balaclava]

She not that small like 4 foot tall maybe dwarf but not a little person. That movie is creepy as hell go watch it, the little girl is really great in it ,sadly she died making the third one.

The little girl or the little woman? j/k

I'll mention it to my wife and see if she hits me again... j/k

[DaveViper]

She not that small like 4 foot tall maybe dwarf but not a little person. That movie is creepy as hell go watch it, the little girl is really great in it ,sadly she died making the third one.

Didn't most of the cast from that movie die in some weird accidents or was that the excorcism cast?

[Stuart_Selkirk]

Where's the problem?
I am the one who decides if the figure is worth what the seller is asking for it.
If I am willing to pay the price, it's my decision and everything is fine.

If somebody picks up all the HTF figures at the right place at the right time with the aim to make money, it is his risk. He pre-finances the purchase and runs the risk of not selling the figures at the price he charges.
I've done it with figures that were easy for me to find and hard to get in other places.
So what? In return, I've paid higher prices for figures I couldn't find in my area.

[Balaclava]

Didn't most of the cast from that movie die in some weird accidents or was that the excorcism cast?

I'm not sure...

Didn't one of the munchkins commit suicide in the Wizard of Oz?

[CrimsonGuard101]

I'm not sure...

Didn't one of the munchkins commit suicide in the Wizard of Oz?

Better yet...was that munchkin a yellow brick road scalper? DUN DUN DUN!

[Darth Awgmon]

If I own something, I can sell it for whatever I want to.

[TheRealDubya]

Where's the problem?
I am the one who decides if the figure is worth what the seller is asking for it.
If I am willing to pay the price, it's my decision and everything is fine.

If somebody picks up all the HTF figures at the right place at the right time with the aim to make money, it is his risk. He pre-finances the purchase and runs the risk of not selling the figures at the price he charges.
I've done it with figures that were easy for me to find and hard to get in other places.
So what? In return, I've paid higher prices for figures I couldn't find in my area.

God I love German sensibilities.

Well said sir.

People who blame scalpers for their collecting woes are sore losers. You just as likely got beat by a fellow collector/hoarder as a scalper. It's a catch-all boogeyman.

We got a legal black market now. It's called the interwebs. Al Gore inveted that shit. Keep up.

Pay the price the market sets or get out of the game. This isn't 1992 anymore.

Recent example: I wanted to get a couple of the TRU PoC Spirits and QKs that hit Rosstaliation in Dec & Feb. I hit stores once a day for a couple days. When I asked around in my state thread, it was revealed that a couple of Tankers were mopping them all up to give to their bros in nerd arms.

Not a scalper in sight. Just cool nerds buying cool toys and cool prices. I'm gonna bet that's 95% of your "scalpers" - just other nerds with more luck and time than you.

[Balaclava]

Better yet...was that munchkin a yellow brick road scalper? DUN DUN DUN!

LOL!!!

Surprisingly, we are back on track with the conversation. Well played, Sir. Well played.

We can stop calling them scalpers and call them munchkins. Its not nearly as menacing (unless you are afraid of the munchkins).

[Smokebomb]

Yes I believe it is anyone's option to sell an item for what they want just as it is also anyone elses option to not buy that item. With that being said it's also anyone's option to say whatever they want about said seller. Although in the proper thread. Capitalism goes both ways as does freedom of speech. If one is willing to do one then they need to be willing accept the other. Please take note that I'm not writing this out of any sort of anger. I'm just sitting here in a normal state of mind throwing another POV out there.

[Zarana]

From each according to his ability to each according to his need, that's my guiding principle.

[ShadowNinja]

I think a lot of people that complain about them have prob done it in the past. They just dont want to admit it. If you grab a extra figure when you are buying another for yourself I dont really see a prob with it even if your gonna sell it. Its when the losers go into the stores at 9 in the morning and fill there carts with every single figure from every single line is when I draw the line. I mean if you think about it how are we any different when we see like 3 renegade SS on the peg and grab all 3. I understand maybe two but what you gonna do with the other? Even though you might not sell it its still the same concept.

[CVdelgado]

has it really been that long since we had a good old SCALPER thread. :)

i'll resell some of what i find for a profit to help fund my collection. sometimes its just downsizing or whatever.

im not going to get worked up about people charging what they can get for items. ultimately we are talking about collectible toys, not food or water.

everyone wants to be your "friend" when you have something they want. tankers are no different.

[cobracobra]

Don't hate the player hate the game is what I say. On the Tank people use the term scalper too loosely. Anything over 10 dollars is a "scalpers fee" around here.

If you bought cases from BBTS you wouldn't deal with scalpers. I have a Renegades Storm Shadow that I paid 8 dollars for, I paid 8 dollars for my 3rd Fire fly, but Id rather have figures I kinda don't want than pay three times the amount of money for just one figure.

People here complain because there new to the scene, If you collect as long as I have, you would understand the circular pattern to all of this crap.

Again don't hate the player hate the game.

[jediz]

Just my opinion, but I've always thought of a scalper as someone who purchases something at retail for the sole purpose of reselling it (at a profit of course, why bother otherwise). This an also create artificial scarcity.

Scalpers create ill will towards the retail store that they clean out of product. They also create ill will toward the manufacturer who, in the consumer's mind, didn't meet demand. How that's a good thing long term for anybody is beyond me.

[Stuart_Selkirk]

I mean if you think about it how are we any different when we see like 3 renegade SS on the peg and grab all 3. I understand maybe two but what you gonna do with the other? Even though you might not sell it its still the same concept.

What's the problem?
I'm there and so are the 3 Storm Shadows. I pick them all up, keep one and sell the other two to finance the purchase of other figures I might want.
Did I miss some unwritten Code of Collector Conduct or anything which says "Don't buy rare figures for re-sale"?

[Lody]

No such thing-just people taking advantage of capitalism

[emags]

If you don't like paying scalpers more than MSRP, than don't. If enough people did that, than the scalpers business model would not work so well.

[ShadowNinja]

Wow Stuart why you getting so defensive? You would think I was talking about you personally. Relax bro. I was just saying its really no different then what scalpers do in some aspects. Dont get your panties in a bunch.

[rfarrell22]

has it really been that long since we had a good old SCALPER thread. :)

i'll resell some of what i find for a profit to help fund my collection. sometimes its just downsizing or whatever.

im not going to get worked up about people charging what they can get for items. ultimately we are talking about collectible toys, not food or water.

everyone wants to be your "friend" when you have something they want. tankers are no different.
could not have said it any better, so I won't

[KuuKuuSon]

chicken or the egg

[CrimsonGuard101]

chicken or the egg

Neither, land came first.

[Stuart_Selkirk]

Wow Stuart why you getting so defensive? You would think I was talking about you personally. Relax bro. I was just saying its really no different then what scalpers do in some aspects. Dont get your panties in a bunch.

Nope, didn't feel called out by you.
I just referred to your statement.

[Headman]

My personal feeling is that no matter what someone did to acquire a figure, be it fly to SDCC wait in line getup at 7AM run to the store etc. It is all totally irrelevant.
Once you start to believe that others "deserve" to be compensated for their time travel expenses etc. to me it sounds more like a con job. (no pun intended)


You're not paying them for the effort they put into acuiring it. You're paying them because you can't find the F#@king thing yourself. He can charge what he wants and you can spend what you're willing to pay.

[Darth_Risar]

lol, I agree with you.

Carpetbagger?

[DaveViper]

Carpetbagger?

Look at you with your fancy words, had to look that one up, us dumb southerns don't use big words like that! So Urban dictonary had a couple definitions. I went with someone who gets a lot of pussy :D Hey thanks for bringing me back into my thread. Have a great day :D

[DaveViper]

Ten pages and its still going wow I figured this one would be closed by the time I got off work.

[KingBiohazerd]

I love them so much! There the greatest I love everything about them there so awesome!

[DaveViper]

Mods shut it down the train is off its tracks, hell we had a good run. Next scalper thread in two years Ill bring the beer, lol

[Tollbooth]

I fucking hate them. The things they did to those por Indians was horrible!

[mightyjl]

I love them

[Headman]

I fucking hate them. The things they did to those por Indians was horrible!

The indians were the scalpers.

[kneroh]

The indians were the scalpers.

I've been to a few ball games in Cleveland. It was way cheaper than Yankees tickets in NY.

[WildWeaselZ06]

Time to throw in my two-cents, I guess. When it comes to collectors I'm usually able to help. When it comes to others I usually put my extras up at market cost. That is because when I tried to help out some tankers, when they had something I was looking for they refused to return the favor. That's why I have a network of collectors I work with and we help each other out.

[Headman]

I've been to a few ball games in Cleveland. It was way cheaper than Yankees tickets in NY.

I stand corrected.

[Jinx723]

I'm not gonna read eleven pages of stuff that I'll know is going to go off track of what the thread is really about.

I could care less about scalpers. If you don't get what you want because someone bet you to it, try harder next time. I have thrown the word scalper around, just like everyone else has. Then I realize that Collectors are no better than scalpers. I remember about four years ago when I was building my B.A.T.s army I would grab every single one in sight. I even purchased 6-7 at a time.

We like using the word scalper easily when we can't find stuff and we see them all over E-bay. We're the ones hurting ourselves by supporting these so called scalpers. We all know very well that they lurk the boards trying to find what's the hot figure because "we" can't shut up about it. I mean how many threads regarding Ren:Storm Shadow are there? I no longer hoard the way I use to because I get my stuff from e-tailers. When I do find stuff (that I already have) I pick up for other 'Tankers' in my area.

[Cobra80]

I'm on the fence with this one. To me there are different kinds. The ones who go and scoop up all they can and sell for inflated prices just to make a buck. Yes this is a legal activity but doesn't mean we have to like it. Then there are the guys who happen to find them in the wild either have extras or are cleaning house and just put them up and figure what the hay, "I might as well try to get some extra cash with these figures". Now a better approach for the latter would be just to post them and either start off at either a more reasonable price or just take some offers. Or put them on ebay with the scalpers and stay somewhat annonymous because the flaming will happen on here. I find it hard to believe that anyone would think otherwise. We all now the mentallity of "us" tankers when it comes to this subject. So when posting these HTF figures at what you may believe to be a good price....Well others may not think so and they're going to tell you about it regardless of posting rules. I'm guessing this post is in regards to the recent SS for sale posting where the OP got napalmed for his asking price? I For one don't necessarily blame the flaming due to the above mentioned knowing it was coming. I, and this is merely an opinion and not a hack on any involved, agree with the OP's counter attacks. He then stooped to the level if not a level lower than the "flamers" at that point. I'm not even sure if this was completely on topic, but I see both sides of yeasterday's arguement but OP didn't handle it as well as it should've been because like I said it's common knowledge that the flaming would be on it's way.

Well I was punished in yesterdays Renegades SS Gate along with DaveViper and a few other Tankers who all put their 2 cents in. I was wrong for "discussing" in a "non discussing thread" but I guess once I saw someone else had commented and the MODS didn't close the shop I put my comment out their.

I in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM meant to "Flame" the OP and I have sent him PM telling him that yesterday. All I was simply trying to state is when someone says I have a SS Renegades for $50.00 I HAVE THE LOWEST prices. Then when I look on evilbay and find several that had ended already $7-$12 cheaper, you are Not the lowest.

[youdoitimbusy]

in the long run...its all scalping in some form or fashion. Every middle man out there in any transaction you make is a scalper weather you realize it or not.

[Cobra80]

Yes, I have seen a scalper in the Wild. It was at Walmart of all places last year. I was looking for new wrestling figures and this guy came in who owns a booth at the flea market. Well around 10 pm the 2nd/3rd shirt started pulling pulling out skids to the floor. The guy walked up to one of the skids and opened up a case of DCUC.

He pulled everyone out of the box, then took the empty box to the checkout lane with him. So he paid around $15 for each figure. I went to the flea market that weekend and saw that he marked up the DCUC figures that he paid $15.00 up to $35-$40 each.

Anyone ever see a scalper in the wild. Maybe in the act of scooping up all the good figures. Im sure walmart employees have seen this, I picture a guy with his shopping cart ready to go first thing in the morning like butt crack of dawn and he is grabbing everything he can as quickly as he can. He probably has that crazy scapler bugged out look I have pictured in my mind :D like he can see the dollars signs in his head. Man what a crazy sight that would be. Would you say anything to the scalper?

[GI Flow]

I feel rather ambivalent about them.

[Crimson Gord]

i'm not sure what defines one yet, so i don't have an informed opinion on them. i would like to get poc low light for under $30 though, that i am sure of.

[kneroh]

i'm not sure what defines one yet, so i don't have an informed opinion on them. i would like to get poc low light for under $30 though, that i am sure of.

It's hisstank so I believe the working definition here is if someone wants to charge you the cost of shipping and the taxes they paid on the item they're a scalper.

[Crimson Gord]

It's hisstank so I believe the working definition here is if someone wants to charge you the cost of shipping and the taxes they paid on the item they're a scalper.

so if it's not given away at clearance price, you're basically a scalper then, lol.

[Darth Awgmon]

so if it's not given away at clearance price, you're basically a scalper then, lol.

You have to give it to the person for free, pay for shipping, and actually shed your blood onto the item as a sacrifice to the anti-scalping deity.

[Crimson Gord]

You have to give it to the person for free, pay for shipping, and actually shed your blood onto the item as a sacrifice to the anti-scalping deity.

Sounds painful, I'm in. :D

[WeEatOurDead]

My heart is decayed and hollow for the hate that I have for them.

[Vegas]

It's all part of living in a Capitalist society. It's their right to charge what they want, and it's my right to buy or not buy. Some people sell HTF figs to help with supplemental income and I can respect that. Some do it to be able to continue collecting. I can respect that. Others do it purely for the money, and I don't have a problem with that either. I don't like having to pay above MSRP for a figure, but if I really want it (i.e. SDCC Jinx this year), I'll pay above and beyond MSRP.




Well said. Personally I'd rather pay higher than MSRP than either:

1. spend $100 in gas and hours of time driving all over town to find a few figs.

2. Buy tickets to SDCC and plane tickets and hotel and time off etc to get a fig like jinx.



"Scalpers" have a role in the hobby. A role that for whatever reason Hasbro, brick-n-mortar stores, and online retailers are not filling.

[starbuck]

It's hisstank so I believe the working definition here is if someone wants to charge you the cost of shipping and the taxes they paid on the item they're a scalper.

Why should i pay your 9% sales tax when my state only charges 8%?!?!

[georox]

i'm not sure what defines one yet, so i don't have an informed opinion on them. i would like to get poc low light for under $30 though, that i am sure of.

I would try to help as I have a loose one I *never* touch, but your list has nothing that interests me :( And I'm not a huge fan of the whole filling out extra paperwork for shipping to Canada...

[DaveViper]

I saw this today at TRU, WTF! the pony's too. The scalpers have gone too far now!


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6842821654_3313d4c872.jpg

[gruppenfuhrer88]

Nice thread DavidViper, very entertaining, that's all I have to say for now, awesome!!!

[Crimson Gord]

I would try to help as I have a loose one I *never* touch, but your list has nothing that interests me :( And I'm not a huge fan of the whole filling out extra paperwork for shipping to Canada...

if you call the address, contents, and shipment method extra paper work, lol. no worries though dude, i'll be alright.

[georox]

if you call the address, contents, and shipment method extra paper work, lol. no worries though dude, i'll be alright.

I thought there was some form you had to fill out? I haven't shipped there in a while... I know once I got stuck footing a $20 shipping charge on some movies, and a few other bad experiences on how much shipping ended up being. Either way, if you had something I needed I'd probably trade it for 1 figure :P He just gathers dust on my shelf.

With that said.. anyone want a loose Lowlight that has a loose Zanya or something? :D

*runs*

Anyways, the scalper thing... it pisses me off a lot. I've encountered several in town, and it's really annoying knowing that friends and I can't find things because these chumps do this as a job/to supplement their income which screws over the rest of us who buy the line. But, with patience I tend to find *most* figures I want... just sometimes months later or in weird places.

Funny story, Cable with baby Hope I found in California... was in the Detroit airport... saw a tweet from Meltdown Comics about getting it in stock.. immediately asked them to hold it from me, sent a pic of me at the Los Angeles gate and said I was flying down now :P They held it for me, got it for $10 about two days later when I made it to Meltdown Comics. Yep, crossed the country to get figures :D I also saw... THE LEGENDARY ROSS STORE! My backpack had so many loose vehicles crammed into it... still wish I was back there to grab the canceled cycle guy and the mini hiss tank.

[gruppenfuhrer88]

I thought there was some form you had to fill out? I haven't shipped there in a while... I know once I got stuck footing a $20 shipping charge on some movies, and a few other bad experiences on how much shipping ended up being. Either way, if you had something I needed I'd probably trade it for 1 figure :P He just gathers dust on my shelf.

With that said.. anyone want a loose Lowlight that has a loose Zanya or something? :D

*runs*

Anyways, the scalper thing... it pisses me off a lot. I've encountered several in town, and it's really annoying knowing that friends and I can't find things because these chumps do this as a job/to supplement their income which screws over the rest of us who buy the line. But, with patience I tend to find *most* figures I want... just sometimes months later or in weird places.

Funny story, Cable with baby Hope I found in California... was in the Detroit airport... saw a tweet from Meltdown Comics about getting it in stock.. immediately asked them to hold it from me, sent a pic of me at the Los Angeles gate and said I was flying down now :P They held it for me, got it for $10 about two days later when I made it to Meltdown Comics. Yep, crossed the country to get figures :D I also saw... THE LEGENDARY ROSS STORE! My backpack had so many loose vehicles crammed into it... still wish I was back there to grab the canceled cycle guy and the mini hiss tank.

The "Legendary Ross Store", no doubt, you couldn't have said better Mr. Gods Warrior. Good ole Ross, love to visit one someday.

[DaveViper]

Nice thread DavidViper, very entertaining, that's all I have to say for now, awesome!!!

Glad you like it man, Yah it has been derailed a little bit but I think many good pov's where brought up. I have my views but I wanted to hear what my fellow tankers thought. I asked them to sound off and they did, lol. It didn't get too heated the mods haven't shut it down yet and I think everyone is still friends and some of us learned something today, so I call that a win.

[sbartek1974]

I have erotic thoughts about scalpers.

And I'm sure scalpers have erotic thoughts about collectors too. They're just thinking how hard they are going to fuck us!

[Veedubguy83]

is this thread really still going?

[DaveViper]

I saw this today at TRU, WTF! the pony's too. The scalpers have gone too far now!


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6842821654_3313d4c872.jpg

Nobody gives a shit that the ponies are all gone!

[DaveViper]

is this thread really still going?

The train is completely off the tracks now not sure how its still running?

[Veedubguy83]

I blame the scalpers...

[DaveViper]

The train is completely off the tracks now not sure how its still running?

And speaking of the train coming of the tracks.


In the news today a train full of scalpers crashed, sadly none of the scalpers made it, Rest in peace scalpers rest in peace.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6843024938_d2f86d4004_z.jpg

[thairestauranteur]

If being a scalper is somebody who puts figures up on ebay then I have to say I disagree. America is about the freedom of enterprise and these guys just put the item up.

Bear in mind, something is only worth what somebody else is willing to pay.

That said, in my area for example, there is no outlet for Joe figs. I am hosed. The only way I can get figures that I enjoy is through sites like ebay. So even though prices for figs may seem out of line at times, in most of my situations which I have come across, I have no choice but to pay or otherwise loose out on the chance of owning the figure.

Perhaps it is not the scalper but those people bidding early on an item and racking up the going rate of the figure. If everyone waited until the last 4 seconds of an auction, prices might be a little lower because most would not be able to get their bid in on time!!!

[Veedubguy83]

Ouch that looks like it could have been a tragedy... thankfully it was just scalpers!

[Veedubguy83]

I am talking about the eBayers who put figs up for 49.99 and up... I have seen plenty of auctions start @ .99 and end at $30 + That is still a good profit for the seller!

[DaveViper]

I 100 percent agree with everyone's right to buy and sell I understand capitalism. My gripe is the fact that people feel they need to buddy fuck the next guy because they have to grab all the good figures of the pegs. Do scalpers really need to grab them all and then mark them up on ebay? No need to be greedy is it to much to leave some for others. If so then fuck it, and fuck others too. And for the last time this was never about con items. Do they sell in retail? So how can they be scalped. Market value on them is what someone sells them for because we can not buy them at a store. Those who say scalpers give us a better chance to find the stuff we want well what if they actually left some of the stuff they snatch up in the wild at the store, Even if one collectors finds them because of that then I think its a win for collectors as a whole.

[Veedubguy83]

I think I am going to scalp all the Renegades CC and FF tomorrow... and wait till everyone wants them and sell them for big bucks!

[DaveViper]

I think I am going to scalp all the Renegades CC and FF tomorrow... and wait till everyone wants them and sell them for big bucks!

You will have to go all over the country grab them all up and then somehow maybe through some form of advertising let the country know that only you have them and then the bids would come in.

Sounds like a lot of work to me. :D

[DaveViper]

If being a scalper is somebody who puts figures up on ebay then I have to say I disagree. America is about the freedom of enterprise and these guys just put the item up.

Bear in mind, something is only worth what somebody else is willing to pay.

At this point I am beating the dead horse but you bring up very good points that are worth saying yep your right. I really don't think ebay sellers in general are wrong. Most are just paying the bills and its there right to do what they want with there stuff this goes back to the capitalism thing.

Scalpers just leave a couple for everyone else that's it and were all good. I'm sure there is better money in something else anyway. Try stocks or gold the price of gold is going up I hear.

[KingBiohazerd]

I want to make babys with them king sclapers it will be a whole new breed of scalpers! Ahh yes I can see it now!
There's a sucker born every day!

[DaveViper]

I want to make babys with them king sclapers it will be a whole new breed of scalpers! Ahh yes I can see it now!
There's a sucker born every day!



Man I'm so glad you posted I was getting tired of doing all the posting. Hopefully there some good looking scalper chicks your getting with. Nobody wants to get with an ugly chick. Unless your into that.

[KingBiohazerd]

Hell no my girl friend is hot. No ugly or fat chicks

[DaveViper]

Hell no my girl friend is hot. No ugly or fat chicks

Nice! I wish the mods would close this thread already its been dead for a while I guess I should stop posting in it. I should probably just go back to bed, got to get up early hit up all the stores, lol.

[KingBiohazerd]

Haha

[DaveViper]

Funny thought I bet you could get with any scalper chick no matter how hot they are since scalpers love money you could just pay them off. Make sure you cut a hole in the condom and bam now there trapped but only if they are super hot I'm talking Jessica Alba status. But I guess I wouldn't want to be with a scalper chick because they would take all my money. so I am re thinking the whole thing all over now.

[Loose Cannon]

I don't think the scalpers are to blame for lack of availability. Most of the time it's a combination of Hasbro and Walmart, TRU and Target.

Hasbro for including one cool figure with a case of crap, so then no one gets a Kamakura.

Walmart for thinking every case has to have a DUKE/SE/DESTRO/ in it.

Target for following suit but charging a $1 more.

TRU for well I don't know I'm just throwing themm under the bus as well.

Back when I could walk into a store a buy a figure there was never one there I wanted and then they backed up on crappy figures. I don't think the Scalpers stole evey figure. Hasbro just didn't make enough of the good ones. So I grew tired driving around looking for figures that weren't there. I just case order everything since in the long run it's cheaper.

If someone has the time to pick up figures and mark them up $2 I'm OK with it. Sometimes they can mark it up $10 like a Shock trooper for $19.99. Seems ridiculous, but in the end someone might pay that price, because they never even saw one in the wild. Not because the scalpers cleaned house, but because they live on an island with just a Ben Franklins and that's it for retail.

In the end the Shock trooper price goes down to like $14 because Hasbro actually made more than we thought. Sure it's more than the $8 retail price, but it's a troop builder everyone wants 3 or more.

[Tollbooth]

The indians were the scalpers.
Sir, if you read your history books the hite men scalped Indains and were paid or every scalp hey turned in, thank you very much. Either way scampers make money at the expense of the other people they are hurting, fook them all stop the scalpers! We need a revolution gentlemen we can start our own has to tea party!!!

[DaveViper]

Sir, if you read your history books the hite men scalped Indains and were paid or every scalp hey turned in, thank you very much. Either way scampers make money at the expense of the other people they are hurting, fook them all stop the scalpers! We need a revolution gentlemen we can start our own has to tea party!!!

Well in my Texas history book, indians were the scalpers and they eat small white babys they also would kill all the buffalo and then sell the meat to the white man at really high jacked up prices.

I am down for a anti scalpers tea party, viva la revolution baby!

[Tollbooth]

Well in my Texas history book, indians were the scalpers and they eat small white babys they also would kill all the buffalo and then sell the meat to the white man at really high jacked up prices.

I am down for a anti scalpers tea party, viva la revolution baby!
Let's do this the French kick ass! Let's burn these mother fuckers down!

[Raw Dog]

I don't envy scalpers. I doubt they make very much money. I wouldn't want to do what they do either. They are also villified by the community they service. I am glad they do what they do though. It isn't their fault there are adult collectors out there willing to pay top dollar for hard to find figures and sometimes a scalper is the only one you can find selling said figure. That said, I can understand why some people don't like them.

[Steve T]

Hell no my girl friend is hot. No ugly or fat chicks



Pics or it didn't happen.

[DaveViper]

Pics or it didn't happen.

Yah I let him slide on that one last night. No photo shop either! :D

[DaveViper]

Let's do this the French kick ass! Let's burn these mother fuckers down!

Hell yah, burn baby burn! down to the ground. I wish the scalpers had a HQ we could go occupy it, lol. I would bring my pitch fork and cattle brander teach them a lesson or too!

[In Like Flint]

VIVA LA FRANCE! Indigenous peoples should ALWAYS be exploited, damn it.

[DaveViper]

VIVA LA FRANCE! Indigenous peoples should ALWAYS be exploited, damn it.

Off with there heads!

[gruppenfuhrer88]

Wow, it just gets better and better, sweet!!!

[Rasstis]

Market dictates such enevitables. The way to slay them? Don't use'em. Time will give you all you desire, it's the trill of the chance that blinds the consumer. I have bought very few things at crazy prices (that damn yelow stalker) but aggain the "market" is what it is. And I paid about what I expected so there ya go. But as for them, well folks have an ability to rationalise anything so what can you do? Hate'em, yep. But I kinda loath all the exclusives more, for I like to think I am a completionist, so that means I just have to become better in my lifestyle (makin money and such) to do so. COBRA! but no matter how rich I get, I'll still look for the best deal, and scalpers are never that. COBRA!

[youdoitimbusy]

i cant wait tell the real war in the middle east kicks off and the fuel stops flowing. When businesses grind to a halt will all be bartering scalpers, and the rich ill be so screwed. Seriously, have you ever been into a millionaires house? They have nothing of value in a post apocalyptic world. Nice Picasso you d-bag whats that good for lighting your grand piano on fire to keep worm at night...ha, what was I talking about?

[DaveViper]

Wow, it just gets better and better, sweet!!! Yes it does vvvvvvvvvvvv ROFL!

i cant wait tell the real war in the middle east kicks off and the fuel stops flowing. When businesses grind to a halt will all be bartering scalpers, and the rich ill be so screwed. Seriously, have you ever been into a millionaires house? They have nothing of value in a post apocalyptic world. Nice Picasso you d-bag whats that good for lighting your grand piano on fire to keep worm at night...ha, what was I talking about?

[DaveViper]

COBRA! but no matter how rich I get, I'll still look for the best deal, and scalpers are never that. COBRA!

Hail Cobra! lol

[TTT]

Not my custom but - ya'll remember this ?

[CVdelgado]

Not my custom but - ya'll remember this ?

all time custom hall of fame material right there. LOVE it.

[TTT]

all time custom hall of fame material right there. LOVE it.

Oh hellz yeah, I lol every time I see this thing, never gets old.

[DaveViper]

Not my custom but - ya'll remember this ?

Thread winner! Lol

I just can't believe you waited 17 pages to show us that :D