Scalpers. They are, apparently, the scourge of our hobby, swooping on stores, often in packs, as soon as new deliveries are made, buying as much as possible and laughing all the way to their fat, greasy Paypal accounts after selling the stuff on EBay.

 

But do they really exist? I mean, on what basis does anybody think that a guy buying toys in a toy store is anything other than another collector? Is there really that great a speculator market out there, even an immediate one?

 

I'm more inclined to think that people don't neccessarily know everyone in their area who might have other reasons for buying toys, than that there really are these hoardes of scalpers running about.

...

 

O.k., now.

 

1. Scalpers have existed since the collector's market began.

 

2. Several people just on this forum have reported seeing people do scalper like things at stores.

 

3. look at e-bay prices for new tfs not widely distributed. oftentimes they're incredibly high.

 

4. Every time a huge scalper topic starts here, a person has come out and either defended them or admitted to being one.

 

5. Do you really, honestly believe TF fans, and millions of toy fans(Regardless of what the toy is) would imagine this? Christ!

Well, I've never seen it - I've almost always got the TF I want, some way or another, and not by paying ridiculous amounts of money...

Most I spent on one TF was £20 for RiD Megs :) well, there was Primus and Unicron (both £40 ish), but that's different :D plus I got three others with Unicron :) Best. deal. ever. :D

So, no, I don't think they're that common in the UK, but then, of course, we're far more civilised :P

Well, I've never seen it - I've almost always got the TF I want, some way or another, and not by paying ridiculous amounts of money...

Most I spent on one TF was £20 for RiD Megs :) well, there was Primus and Unicron (both £40 ish), but that's different :D plus I got three others with Unicron :) Best. deal. ever. :D

So, no, I don't think they're that common in the UK, but then, of course, we're far more civilised :P

 

You've had good luck. I have too, actually, but scalpers certainly exist... The Alternators line was plagued by them.

I only ever wanted one Alternator: Shockblast. One Alternator of that class left at Argos. I go for it. It's Shockblast :) BOOYAH!

Yes, I'm a lucky git :P

Merriam-Webster Dictionary: scalp: to buy and sell so as to make small quick profits

 

by that definition, we're all scalpers or have been at some point. You use the word like a scarlet letter because you just hate he got to it first and now you can't pay retail or less for it.

 

i don't get the big debate on all forums. Is it denial of our own individual scalping here and there, or maybe self-righteousness?

Yes, all those high demand toys in current release, that are unfindable in many people's local regions, appear on eBay at 1.5-6x retail + s&h because the sellers are legitimate distributors offering real economic value in exchange for the markup. Those Wal-Mart exclusive Starscreams on eBay are all being sold by Wal-Mart.

 

Is it denial that you're wasting your own and everyone else's money on gas? Or self-righteousness trying to justify the "service" you provide everyone? :lol

 

I mean, on what basis does anybody think that a guy buying toys in a toy store is anything other than another collector?

The fact that old, fat guys in their 50s with white beards are rather far outside the demographic who cared anything about '80s toy properties during the time, and that few of even the most obsessed collectors return every day to buy shopping-cart-fulls of the same character every morning? But perhaps he's just army-building the characters who just happen to command the highest markups on eBay and Amazon at any time.

 

Is there really that great a speculator market out there, even an immediate one?

No offense, but if you don't know then I kinda have to doubt your justification in questioning its existence. :tflaugh

Yes, all those high demand toys in current release, that are unfindable in many people's local regions, appear on eBay at 1.5-6x retail + s&h because the sellers are legitimate distributors offering real economic value in exchange for the markup. Those Wal-Mart exclusive Starscreams on eBay are all being sold by Wal-Mart.

 

Is it denial that you're wasting your own and everyone else's money on gas? Or self-righteousness trying to justify the "service" you provide everyone? :lol

 

The gas factor is really not well thought out there. Most people actually buy other things while they are out for themselves, thus justifying the use of the car.

 

And by self-righteousness, it is meant for people like you, who enjoy branding others while they continue to believe they live the Puritan lifestyle and don't do the same thing when opportunity knocks.

 

You're too busy trying to debate that you misread the post.

I find opportunities for speculation fine, just not in the toy scalping biz. I'm a libertarian and a supporter of free markets. I'm just wondering what you're so frantically trying to defend here. The great spirit of capitalism by skimming a few dollars off of toy action figures? By all means, continue doing it. But questioning "do scalpers really exist?" or "maybe there's a little scalper in all of us?" is an attempt at what?

Merriam-Webster Dictionary: scalp: to buy and sell so as to make small quick profits

 

by that definition, we're all scalpers or have been at some point. You use the word like a scarlet letter because you just hate he got to it first and now you can't pay retail or less for it.

 

i don't get the big debate on all forums. Is it denial of our own individual scalping here and there, or maybe self-righteousness?

lol dude, not everyone does that

 

Anyone who buys something at retail for the express purpose of turning a profit on eBay or elsewhere = a douche-sucking ass bandit whose mom gives it up at after-prom parties for heroin