Business Ethics Question(s)

[MainMan84]

Hey everyone how's it going? I have a couple more questions about some things. I live in Indianapolis and there's a guy that has like 2 or 3 different booths throughout Indianapolis at flea markets and emporiums and he specializes in all the vintage stuff. About a year ago I bought Major Bludd from him complete without file card for like 7 bucks and I wondered why it was so cheap and I took him home and noticed the back screw looked like it was glued in and when I replaced the screw the threading must have been stripped but the screw stayed in and the Major looks good on my Cobra army display shelf. Then a few months later I bought a loose figure of Chuckles for two bucks, same deal with the back screw and both leg screws were rusted beyond belief, I managed to replace the left leg screw but the right leg screw is stripped which was my own fault. Then a few months ago I bought a complete Rodimus Prime figure from him for 50 bucks. I get home and I look at the date stamps and the trailer portion of Rodimus is the original trailer but the vehicle/robot part of Rodimus is the is 2004 reissue vehicle/robot part. So I was curious to know if stuff like that is bad business because in terms of having a consistent place to go and get GI Joe and Transformers stuff he is about the only game in town and I don't want to do business with a guy that tries to rip off his customers.

[mightyjl]

I personally wouldn't have spent $50 bucks on something without doing a little research first. You should have properly inspected it before you purchased the Transformer.

As far as the Joes go, if he is only charging 2 bucks for them, than you can't expect them to be mint. The screws are going to rust out, and the plastic is going to become brittle.

[spiderpumpkin]

Your buying in person and should have looked things over and asked questions on your 2nd and 3rd visits that ended in repeat business.

Hey everyone how's it going? I have a couple more questions about some things. I live in Indianapolis and there's a guy that has like 2 or 3 different booths throughout Indianapolis at flea markets and emporiums and he specializes in all the vintage stuff. About a year ago I bought Major Bludd from him complete without file card for like 7 bucks and I wondered why it was so cheap and I took him home and noticed the back screw looked like it was glued in and when I replaced the screw the threading must have been stripped but the screw stayed in and the Major looks good on my Cobra army display shelf. Then a few months later I bought a loose figure of Chuckles for two bucks, same deal with the back screw and both leg screws were rusted beyond belief, I managed to replace the left leg screw but the right leg screw is stripped which was my own fault. Then a few months ago I bought a complete Rodimus Prime figure from him for 50 bucks. I get home and I look at the date stamps and the trailer portion of Rodimus is the original trailer but the vehicle/robot part of Rodimus is the is 2004 reissue vehicle/robot part. So I was curious to know if stuff like that is bad business because in terms of having a consistent place to go and get GI Joe and Transformers stuff he is about the only game in town and I don't want to do business with a guy that tries to rip off his customers.

[MainMan84]

As far as the Rodimus figure was concerned I actually did some research. You see for me, part of the drawback of going hunting for this stuff (especially Transformers) is most of the stuff are in glass cases so sometimes it's difficult to tell what comes with the figure because they're buried behind the other figures. With Rodimus I actually got on tfwiki.net through my cell phone and it told me Rodimus came with a gun, two shields for his trailer blaster, and the yellow wing for his car and the figure had all of those. So all I saw was a complete Rodimus Prime for 50 bucks and had at least 50 bucks to blow and I didn't know about the date stamp thing until I took it home and probably wouldn't have known about it unless I took a peak at the date stamps.

[Vegas]

It's buyer beware. If he's advertising Mint complete etc and it's not. Then he's a jerk. Not everyone who sells toys is a real expert or do they care about screws or mishmash parts and stuff. They just collect it up from garage sales, thrift stores and craigslist and put it out. Always look over each item carefully.

Actual stores have a reputation to presumably maintain and in theory would be more likely to be professional. There was a great toy store in Portland Oregon that was for collectors and his stuff was labeled properly. Dr Tongues 3D house of collectible toys. If there was a problem he was a pro and I'm sure would make it right. Too bad he closed shop --- it's hard to compete against ebay and flea markets :(

[Colonel Bludd]

It could be an honest mistake as well. If it fits the same, i don't see it as a rip off. is it any less of a rodimus prime because of it? Is it any less of a rattler if you put the 2008 missiles on the 1984 rattler?

[MainMan84]

In viewing these posts I'm starting to think maybe this guy doesn't rip people off but instead just knows that a lot of collectors in his area have poor impulse control when they see something they want (or maybe I'm the only one, lol). But one thing I found real confusing was about 5 months ago he had a complete Techo-Viper for 5 bucks and it was in good condition. Granted it didn't have the file card with it but I still can't believe I got a complete techo-Viper for 5 bucks when I've seen them on Ebay for more like 15. Anyone ever lucked out like that?

[ShadowNinja]

what part of indy you in?

[solid.wii]

Hey everyone how's it going? I have a couple more questions about some things. I live in Indianapolis and there's a guy that has like 2 or 3 different booths throughout Indianapolis at flea markets and emporiums and he specializes in all the vintage stuff. About a year ago I bought Major Bludd from him complete without file card for like 7 bucks and I wondered why it was so cheap and I took him home and noticed the back screw looked like it was glued in and when I replaced the screw the threading must have been stripped but the screw stayed in and the Major looks good on my Cobra army display shelf. Then a few months later I bought a loose figure of Chuckles for two bucks, same deal with the back screw and both leg screws were rusted beyond belief, I managed to replace the left leg screw but the right leg screw is stripped which was my own fault. Then a few months ago I bought a complete Rodimus Prime figure from him for 50 bucks. I get home and I look at the date stamps and the trailer portion of Rodimus is the original trailer but the vehicle/robot part of Rodimus is the is 2004 reissue vehicle/robot part. So I was curious to know if stuff like that is bad business because in terms of having a consistent place to go and get GI Joe and Transformers stuff he is about the only game in town and I don't want to do business with a guy that tries to rip off his customers.

I think I've been to his booth in the Circle City Flea Market correct? Its right next to a Hot wheels booth at the back of the store. I've bought stuff from him and he's not too familiar with TFs. He's mostly a Joes and Star Wars collector. I bought a Leader Class Brawl from him and he said he might have instructions somewhere and told me to look through this big box of booklets and I eventually found it. I really don't think he's dishonest as more the case he's just not an expert and doesn't have to time to research each item.

[MainMan84]

Yep, that's the guy. He seems friendly enough and I never had a chip on my shoulder I was just curious to see what other people know since I'm a bit of a lone wolf in the GI Joe/Transformers world. And ShadowNinja: I'm on the south side.

[Ruin]

It depends entirely on how it was represented.

Replaced screws and mismatched parts is okay as long as the seller doesn't attempt to lead you to believe otherwise...

[solid.wii]

Yep, that's the guy. He seems friendly enough and I never had a chip on my shoulder I was just curious to see what other people know since I'm a bit of a lone wolf in the GI Joe/Transformers world. And ShadowNinja: I'm on the south side.

There is also the booth at the right entrance. That guy gives me great prices on TFs and MOC figs. I picked up quite a few DC figs from him and minimates, all at retail and no tax. Thats the good thing about these flea mkts. No tax and wiggle room for haggling.

[MainMan84]

Ever go to the Southport Antique Mall? If you dig deep enough you can luck out on some junk lots if you're into that sort of thing. And yeah Dave is cool, I used to spend almost 30 bucks a week on comics at his booth and last time I bought from him I managed to get a Toxo-Zombie, a loose figure of the Protectobot Groove, and Laserbeak from the Armada line all for like 12 bucks.

[solid.wii]

Ever go to the Southport Antique Mall? If you dig deep enough you can luck out on some junk lots if you're into that sort of thing. And yeah Dave is cool, I used to spend almost 30 bucks a week on comics at his booth and last time I bought from him I managed to get a Toxo-Zombie, a loose figure of the Protectobot Groove, and Laserbeak from the Armada line all for like 12 bucks.

Thanks for the tip, I will have to check it out. I always thought it was just antique furniture and such. What other places do you recommend? They moved the County Line Emporium down south so its kinda far for me now. But that new place is huge. Not too many vintage toy booths though.

[CornDog_The_Ninja]

Your location tag says your in Indianapolis. Why not take the 50 mile trip to Kokomo Toys and quit buying from the same guy who you think is ripping you off.

[cobracobra]

As far as the Rodimus figure was concerned I actually did some research. You see for me, part of the drawback of going hunting for this stuff (especially Transformers) is most of the stuff are in glass cases so sometimes it's difficult to tell what comes with the figure because they're buried behind the other figures. With Rodimus I actually got on tfwiki.net through my cell phone and it told me Rodimus came with a gun, two shields for his trailer blaster, and the yellow wing for his car and the figure had all of those. So all I saw was a complete Rodimus Prime for 50 bucks and had at least 50 bucks to blow and I didn't know about the date stamp thing until I took it home and probably wouldn't have known about it unless I took a peak at the date stamps.

Allot of dealers have no clue what there selling and just purchase large lots of items and sell them off as quickly as possible. Even if they are toy collectors they might not know specifics on items like that. I wouldn't worry about a 2 dollar chuckles, but bummer on the 50 dollar Rodimis thats a pretty annoying thing to come home to.

Yeah I agree with Corndog the Ninja I would stop visiting that seller because it seems more like he is a tinkerer of toys which is always super annoying. Last year I bought 2 Iron Man figures off of ebay and some one bored into them with a Exacto knife thinking it would look like cool bullet wounds.
I read the entire ebay listing now and super inspect pictures.
Knollage is key bro.

[MainMan84]

Your location tag says your in Indianapolis. Why not take the 50 mile trip to Kokomo Toys and quit buying from the same guy who you think is ripping you off.

Kinda hard for me to go to Kokomo right now, but it's on my to do list.

[MainMan84]

Thanks for the tip, I will have to check it out. I always thought it was just antique furniture and such. What other places do you recommend? They moved the County Line Emporium down south so its kinda far for me now. But that new place is huge. Not too many vintage toy booths though.

I thought they moved the Emporium to Beech Grove???

As far as tips on other places I would recommend the Edinburgh Antique Mall. It's right off of I-65 past the Edinburgh Outlet Mall. There is a booth in there that is a gold mine and there's a few booths there where I saw some loose figures and junk lots. Other than that it seems like South Side is the only flea market in the city that has Joe's and Transformers.

[Havok]

First on the Joes, $2 to $7 is not bad. Also, $50 for a rodimus isn't terrible either. Even if it's half reissue. I'm a big Tranformer collector. Honestly, though. You could get a current reissue Rodimus on BBTS for $59, but that's besides the point. The bottom line is not everyone is an expert at every you line they resell. And chances are he's buying and reselling without the intention of ripping any one off.
However, what's his EBay name? There is a seller from Indiana that is trying to resell a KO Computron right now, and pass it off as legit. I hate people that do that kind of crap intentionally!!!

[Viper6]

to echoe others, its still 50.00 for a complete rodimus, win. who cares about the date stamp seriously unless your really a collector among collectors, then youd have looked more into it though so just enjoy it and be glad you even have that dude around.

[MainMan84]

I don't know what his Ebay ID but I know that's not him. Me and him already had the KO conversation and he doesn't sell them. Personally I try to destroy any KO that I come across so I can harvest the screws.

[solid.wii]

I thought they moved the Emporium to Beech Grove???

As far as tips on other places I would recommend the Edinburgh Antique Mall. It's right off of I-65 past the Edinburgh Outlet Mall. There is a booth in there that is a gold mine and there's a few booths there where I saw some loose figures and junk lots. Other than that it seems like South Side is the only flea market in the city that has Joe's and Transformers.


Yeah its down south now.
County Line Emporium - Locations (http://www.countylineemporium.com/Contents/Location.aspx)

[jogunwarrior]

I know guys like this. There is a guy here that sets up at the local flea market and sells a lot of vintage toys, he has earned a reputation among the community as someone that has glued figure or vehicle parts together before and tried to sell it as mint. Even though he may not do it consistently, it has hurt his reputation and he will not longer get top dollar for the items he sells.
I buy from him from time to time, but always look the item over carefully and always pay less than his asking price.

[SonOfMindbender]

I know this is collector 101 stuff but..When buying in person take the time, look it over, and you can always walk from the deal. The worst you end up with is the same. Most Flea market guys don't know what they're selling. As a collector it's up to you to know what they're selling.