Ok, I live in Japan.  Transformers have a lot of competition here, so they aren't that popular outside of crazy MISB collectors.  I'd like to know about other Asian countries (Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwai, China)

 

Lately, I've been getting lots of collectors from Singapore.  They are very aggresive in trying to price me down, but then they back out.  Does anyone else have this experience?    I send so many emails trying to set the deal and then bam! Nothin'.

 

I know this is a bit of a rant, but has anyone else had this bit of trouble? Are TFs crazy collectible over there and people are just out for bargains?

 

Any Asian Tf collectors here on this board?

Well, just from what i've noticed on ebay, folks from singapore tend to get everything that the US gets first....and they scalp it and charge an arm and a leg.  I'm guessing that if the profit won't be good enough in the end for them, that's why they back out.  Dunno why...but it's just singapore-ians...or something...

 

no doubt that you're dealing with folks who are either a) cheap, b) out to make money on a second transaction, or c) got it elsewhere for cheaper, aka refer to a)

 

edit - also, that's pretty shady to back out at the last minute.  It's just not cool.

 

-jin

1stly,SJ, its Singaporeans, not Singapore-ians =)

 

quiktake, since u say u are from japan, i take it you are selling Takara products? 70-80% of TF collected here are most likely takara. Its a small market, physically too, so most collectors know the prices/value and where to get them.

 

probably they're just testing the waters, to see how low u can go? If they didnt bid or anything, i dont see why there's anything wrong with asking about prices. Of course, im assuming you're talking about auctions. Are u running something else instead?

 

and SJ, about the scalpel - its a select few, doesnt apply to all =)

Never sold to singapore but buy from there, the ones I have dealt with are OK

I think the sole purpose of them buying is to take advantage of the simple motto:  "Buy low, sell high."  They are well aware of the demand for transformers here in the states.  After all, "transformers" is the #2 search word in all of Ebay. 

 

Of course, there are true TF fans out there in Singapore, but I'm just talking about those who are on EBay and approached quitake about it.

heh....like i said...i dunno. 

 

and yes, it doesn't apply to all...just saying what i noticed.  There is plenty of scalpers from other countries...heh.

 

-jin

Yeah I agree they are just testing the waters.  What usually happens is that I post something on ebay (lately MISB SL Buildrons).  They'll email me directly asking about shipping, buying multiples of the same item, or asking me about other items that may be available for purchase together.  This takes me a lot of running around checking prices, shipping fees, etc.  NOTHING in Japan is cheap or easy to do, so it gets to be a drag.  I dont mind helping out other TFans (and charging a comission to pay for my fees).  But it gets out of hand with some of these Singapore collectors I've had to deal with.  Then they just stop replying to my emails all of the sudden.  Not even a 'Im not interested now, but thanks for your help'.  It gets to ya after while...

 

By the way, anyone interested in an MISB Buildron? It'll be $75 U.S. including shipping.

IMO avoid as much as possible conducting transaction with people who have poor feedback history or for that matter no positive feedback here on TFans or other boards you visit. If they are noobs to you, then be professional, but firm in your communications.

 

Recently I've dealt with too many noobs on this board and others that express tons of interest, but FAIL TO PAY. :tdown DEADBEATS all of them. As such, don't waste your time, have prewritten form emails/pms. Just list your prices and only accept certain forms of payment within a reaosnable time like seven days. If international, insist on paypal due within 24 hours, where they pay the fees, if they don't screw them.

 

Also if they fail to maintain communication after you send them pms/emails, IMO after three days the deal is dead. The jerks backed out, typical irresponsible behavior.

 

Lastly, do all of us a favor especially if they are noobs on this board, detail and list their user name and what the transaction was for in your endcap thread if you have one. Thanks.