The Energon Pub

I say we ACTUALY scalp them!!!
Letm see them steal our toys without any scin on thier heads!!!

the "scalpers" for lack of a better term, are in some way providing a service for those who are in areas that cannot get them. Ie, I am in canada, so if I want a fig that is only available at target...I have to hassle a friend or buy off ebay. However, I will look around and try to get the best possible price for something...so this includes sniping.

Edit:

I'll play the poor card...but that is because I do have some health issues that has me sort of unemployed. Things are looking up though.

lookjerk wrote:I'm a Native American and I take offense to the term 'scalper'.

Technically...All your bases are belong to us.

(Oh, the most appropriate use of that phrase, ever!)

Counterpunch wrote:

lookjerk wrote:I'm a Native American and I take offense to the term 'scalper'.

Technically...All your bases are belong to us.

(Oh, the most appropriate use of that phrase, ever!)

I am canadian... I take offence to american

Good call counterpunch

lookjerk wrote:I'm a Native American and I take offense to the term 'scalper'.

And I find the term "offense" offensive. What did a fence ever do to you? XD

To be honest every race/nationality/gender etc has a term that they find offensive that other community's use as an everyday word.

Do you use the term Eskimo??? I believe (though I could be wrong) that was a term meaning "cannibals", used by the people of some land, possibly Canada, to describe the Inuit tribes when English travelers asked who they were... I don't know, mix that around till it makes sense, It was long ago I read this so my facts are iffy.
My point is, yes "scalpers" is something you take offense at, but there are other meanings to the word, I don't think many people are going to stop using the word just because it can also mean something completely different to how we use it. Will the world stop using Eskimo & move onto Inuit???

Wow, that was longer than I though.... I was only supposed to make a bloody joke XD

an interesting discussion with a lot of venom behind some of the words. i've been amused though by some people who try and and justify and delineate the word 'scalper', saying that if you only sell 1 or 2, you're not a scalper. it only applies if you buy cases, or in this situation, 18.

it reminds me of this old joke:-

Churchill: "Madam, would you sleep with me for five million pounds?"
Socialite: "My goodness, Mr. Churchill… Well, I suppose… we would have to discuss terms, of course…"
Churchill: "Would you sleep with me for five pounds?"
Socialite: "Mr. Churchill, what kind of woman do you think I am?!"
Churchill: "Madam, we’ve already established that. Now we are haggling about the price."

flat out, the definition of the word is for people who sell items for a profit (ie more than retail). sure, you can be a 'smaller' scalper than someone else, but it doesn't change the fact. the people in the extremes get more flak, and rightly so, but most of us (if not all) have engaged in profiteering at one time or another.

let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

don't complain about it. channel your energies into the positive: make friends in the area, share your hunting grounds, help each other out. trust me, it's a lot more fun that way.

--B-- wrote:

Cyber Bishop wrote:

upther wrote:I can't help but wonder if the majority of the people up in arms about this debate would be as vocal if they had all the toys they wanted. Although I imagine none of them will admit it at this point.

I find all the toys I want via retail and I do not agree with the idea of scalping.
I am not saying that they are evil either.
I am not up in arms and want an angry mob to boil them in oil.
They do what they do and I do what I do..


And again for everyone, please refrain from personal attacks (and that means playing this "poor card" I keep seeing mentioned) too.

QFT.

I would not descibe myself as "poor" and I am definatly a "have" not a "have not", but I went to school, worked hard, got a good career going, and have nice things.

What I do not have is a set of Botcon Classics.

Why? Is it because the evil scalpers bought two sets and sold some?

No.

Is it because I can't just justify spending that much on toys. Some people can. I can afford it, I just choose not to buy them because of the cost. Many of you can afford to spend 18 bucks on a G1 Jazz, but choose not too.

I don't sit around a call people names and disrespct them because I am frustrated that I can't get my way.

Do I envy some of you that can buy these things? Absolutly. Do I call you a scumbag? No.

I go to Target, TRU, K-Mart, Kohls, Boscov's and Wal-mart every week, and I got the toys that I wanted on the shelf, retail. I live in an area that has all of those stores because I work hard and I bought a house where there are nice places to shop. I work hard, so I get what I want.

Some people can't do that for whatever reason, and that sucks for them, and I'm sorry for that. I've been there. Just a few years ago I lost my job and I sold my entire G1 collection because I was a have not and had to make the tough decision to put a roof over my family's head and food on the table.

Try to put things into perspective. See things from the other point of view.

And lay off the personal attacks, because it is just not cool.

QFT!

I am adding you Cyber Bishop's elite club: people I will hug when I meet them! (hug may be exchanged for a hand-shake at time of introductions. No offenses inteded. Cash value of the hug or hand-shake 1/100th of $0.01)

P.S. Everyone, and I mean everyone, please read posts slowly and carefully! A very high percentage of the swearing, flaming, etc is being caused skimmed-over posts and hasty replies posted in anger/emotion.

Thanks,
S.P.

Sunstar wrote:the "scalpers" for lack of a better term, are in some way providing a service for those who are in areas that cannot get them.

Original scalper description wrote:Ticket resellers use several different means to secure premium and previously sold-out ticket inventories (often in large quantities) for events such as concerts or sporting events. Established resellers often operate within vast networks of ticket contacts, including season ticket holders, individual ticket resellers and ticket brokers. They make a business out of getting customers hard-to-find and previously sold-out tickets that are no longer available through the official box office.
Ticket scalpers work outside events often showing up with unsold tickets from brokers' offices on a consignment basis or showing up with no tickets at all and buying extra tickets from fans at, or below face value with their own money on a speculative basis hoping to resell them at a profit. There are many full-time scalpers who are regulars at particular venues and even have a following. These full-time scalpers are often sought out by fans hoping for a last minute deal and are comfortable buying from a familiar face knowing they are not likely to be ripped off by a stranger with counterfeit or stolen tickets. However, there are plenty of scam artists that sometimes follow a concert tour from city to city selling fake tickets to unsuspecting buyers for whatever they can get.

The term "Scalper" and it's present meaning came from the above paragraph. Guys that bought tickets at "face value" and resold them outside sporting events, concerts, etc to make a profit were called "scalpers".
When toy collectors started doing that the name migrated and now we have "toy scalpers".

And Lookjerk
"I'm a Native American and I take offense to the term 'scalper'."

The the has been around in it's present meaning for years.. See paragraph above.

noob wrote:flat out, the definition of the word is for people who sell items for a profit (ie more than retail).

Yup, again for those that do not understand, see above paragraph.

Noob makes a great point

don't complain about it. channel your energies into the positive: make friends in the area, share your hunting grounds, help each other out. trust me, it's a lot more fun that way.

I have been doing that for years and it helps out tremendously. And you make new friends to boot!

hey i think that maybe thay jus dont want us to have some of these limited time only offers.i think they want some of the figures for themselves knowin that 20 years l8r thay could be holding a rare bumblebee figure thats worth $1,000. i say all fans go to hasbro and riot steal all the toys and beat the truckers ass who ship the toys to these stores. my nephew wants optimus prime with robovision god damnit hell get it after i get one
javascript:emoticon(':-?')
Thinking

I would buy to sell to make a bit of money from it. It is called free enterprise. I do believe that is what the USA was founded on? Correct me if I am wrong.

If I see a bunch of figures cheap, I will sell them, at least double to make it worth while. I would also charge shipping and handling costs.

However, I have usually sold at a reasonable price. Funny enough, this has got me some flak because people question how I obtained my goods to sell at those prices.

The botcon figures for example. There is no way in hell I would pay the after market prices that are being asked for them. If I could afford that, I would have bought them when they originally came up.

Those who collect for investment purposes, the MISB collectors, when they sell thier collections, for inflated prices when that time comes, are they considered scalpers? I should hope not.

Some toy stores sell for inflated prices, are they considered scalpers?

Dealers who sell at conventions for inflated prices, are they considered scalpers?

Stores in canada who sell toys for inflated prices despite the two currencies being almost the same... are they considered scalpers?

Or is it just the person who has found an item that is not available to everyone, figures he would sell it to those who want it, but at a cost--for the conveniance...are they considered scalpers?

I think the problem lies in the fact that hasbro has a tendancy to make wanted items only available at specific stores or clubs.

As for dealing with "scalpers" if you don't want to pay $$$ for something, then wait and shop around, usually paitience pays off. If a scalper cannot sell an item at his or her inflated price, they will often lower it until it is bought.

So again...anyone out there who can find a G1 repaint movie Starscream, sell it at cost plus reasonable shipping. PM me. I live in canada.

xshot wrote:hey i think that maybe thay jus dont want us to have some of these limited time only offers.i think they want some of the figures for themselves knowin that 20 years l8r thay could be holding a rare bumblebee figure thats worth $1,000. i say all fans go to hasbro and riot steal all the toys and beat the truckers ass who ship the toys to these stores. my nephew wants optimus prime with robovision god damnit hell get it after i get one
javascript:emoticon(':-?')
Thinking

Welcome to Seibertron!

Interesting first post.. I don't think Riots will solve anything though.

prowlstreak wrote:he has hasbro boxes in the back he must work there or something but to scalp that is horrible

in a world of power and money will no one sell me a g1 jazz repaint for store price...DAMN YOUZ DAMN YOUZ ALL TO HELL!!!.....?

Yes but scalping is against most stores Policies & will get you fired in many cases

tmthor wrote:

prowlstreak wrote:he has hasbro boxes in the back he must work there or something but to scalp that is horrible

in a world of power and money will no one sell me a g1 jazz repaint for store price...DAMN YOUZ DAMN YOUZ ALL TO HELL!!!.....?

Yes but scalping is against most stores Policies & will get you fired in many cases

Except TRU..

McFarlane collectors never have a chance.

(Not that I am one.)

Counterpunch wrote:Except TRU..

McFarlane collectors never have a chance.

(Not that I am one.)

I know exactly what you are saying.
We had this problem and it was discovered that a McFarlane collector was paying employees to hold boxes for him so he could pick what he wanted to keep and resell.

When the case was built and they had enough tape on the security cameras the employees were fired on the spot.

Cyber Bishop wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:Except TRU..

McFarlane collectors never have a chance.

(Not that I am one.)

I know exactly what you are saying.
We had this problem and it was discovered that a McFarlane collector was paying employees to hold boxes for him so he could pick what he wanted to keep and resell.

When the case was built and they had enough tape on the security cameras the employees were fired on the spot.

There is someone around here, who is a 'business man' with a job at TRU at nights.

Guess how many good things get to the shelves these days?

You know what though? The employees that 'shop from the back' on a regular basis and essentially run a business off of it, are in clear violoation of the no competition clause in most work agreements.

While I don't care what most individuals do, I have a problem with businesses who do not enforce this.

In that instance, there is an actual rule of law or contract being broken.

Autobot032 wrote:Ryan and his buddy bought two full cases of Starscream, and some will be resold. This does not make them bad people. Not a great plan, but it doesn't make them evil. I can think of many others who do less and are more evil that this.

The idiot on eBay with 18+ figures...oh yeah, BAD BAD BAD, downright evil BAD.

So what is the cut-off?

Am I ok because I want to have 4 Starscreams for myself? Only because I don't want to sell it? Are you SURE about that?

According to you, it appears there is a grey area somewhere between buying 8 and 18 of any one figure at a time. So what is the cut off? 11? 12?

Don't make me find a double standard here.

noob wrote:an interesting discussion with a lot of venom behind some of the words. i've been amused though by some people who try and and justify and delineate the word 'scalper', saying that if you only sell 1 or 2, you're not a scalper. it only applies if you buy cases, or in this situation, 18.

it reminds me of this old joke:-

Churchill: "Madam, would you sleep with me for five million pounds?"
Socialite: "My goodness, Mr. Churchill… Well, I suppose… we would have to discuss terms, of course…"
Churchill: "Would you sleep with me for five pounds?"
Socialite: "Mr. Churchill, what kind of woman do you think I am?!"
Churchill: "Madam, we’ve already established that. Now we are haggling about the price."

flat out, the definition of the word is for people who sell items for a profit (ie more than retail). sure, you can be a 'smaller' scalper than someone else, but it doesn't change the fact. the people in the extremes get more flak, and rightly so, but most of us (if not all) have engaged in profiteering at one time or another.

let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

don't complain about it. channel your energies into the positive: make friends in the area, share your hunting grounds, help each other out. trust me, it's a lot more fun that way.

I like noob!

Starscream wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:Ryan and his buddy bought two full cases of Starscream, and some will be resold. This does not make them bad people. Not a great plan, but it doesn't make them evil. I can think of many others who do less and are more evil that this.

The idiot on eBay with 18+ figures...oh yeah, BAD BAD BAD, downright evil BAD.

So what is the cut-off?

Am I ok because I want to have 4 Starscreams for myself? Only because I don't want to sell it? Are you SURE about that?

According to you, it appears there is a grey area somewhere between buying 8 and 18 of any one figure at a time. So what is the cut off? 11? 12?

Don't make me find a double standard here.

I'm sure no one will be surprised at this, but I simply adore double-standards.

Seibertron wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:

zatara1701 wrote:What a major A-hole... He must either work at the store or the distibution center.

Or bribed an employee. It happens. You'd be amazed at what people will do for $20-50.00 even with a job giving them a constant paycheck.

TRU stockers have been known to do it, many times.

It's nice to have an inside connection. Too bad none of us can get the same deal. =\

Or he did the same thing that my buddy Paul and I did last week. We called around to a couple of Targets here in Chicago last Friday. I gave them the DCPI # for Movie G1 Starscream. They pulled out 3 cases of the figure. We each bought one case and left the other case there. We didn't bribe anyone. We didn't do anything that any of you can't do. Stop blaming the stockers and the so-called "scalpers". Be proactive with your toy hunting, just like my buddy and I were last Friday.

Seibertron, up here in CT, when we see things like this, we have an urge to throw something large and heavy at the guy, because we do not have TFs up here...However, due to Amendment #1, he is safe from us psychotically ranting transfans... FOR NOW

Seibertron wrote:Or he did the same thing that my buddy Paul and I did last week. We called around to a couple of Targets here in Chicago last Friday. I gave them the DCPI # for Movie G1 Starscream. They pulled out 3 cases of the figure. We each bought one case and left the other case there. We didn't bribe anyone. We didn't do anything that any of you can't do. Stop blaming the stockers and the so-called "scalpers". Be proactive with your toy hunting, just like my buddy and I were last Friday.

We didn't do anything that any of you can't do

For what reason would I need that many Starscreams?
If I really wanted it one should be sufficient enough for me.
I mean if I collected one to open and one to keep sealed then I could see picking up 2.

Cyber Bishop wrote:

Seibertron wrote:Or he did the same thing that my buddy Paul and I did last week. We called around to a couple of Targets here in Chicago last Friday. I gave them the DCPI # for Movie G1 Starscream. They pulled out 3 cases of the figure. We each bought one case and left the other case there. We didn't bribe anyone. We didn't do anything that any of you can't do. Stop blaming the stockers and the so-called "scalpers". Be proactive with your toy hunting, just like my buddy and I were last Friday.

We didn't do anything that any of you can't do

For what reason would I need that many Starscreams?
If I really wanted it one should be sufficient enough for me.
I mean if I collected one to open and one to keep sealed then I could see picking up 2.

Sell the rest.

I understand some of you don't like the idea of buying some extra figures to make a profit. I don't know where the line is anymore between making a few extra bucks and scalping. My biggest point is that I wish some of you would complain less about scalpers and ask for some advice about how you can get figures first before other people do. It's not impossible. The area you live in is no different than any of the other areas really. I've offered to help you guys analyze the toy sightings data.

I even essentially proved yesterday that the toy sightings feature does indeed work, even for Houston, but I'm still met with resistance and excuses of why the toy sightings section isn't helpful. When I offer to personally help and am met with resistance and told my tool isn't helpful or it is useless, I can only feel disappointment and frustration. Scalpers aren't your problem and it's also irrelevant whether "scalping" is right or wrong.

I've figured out how to use the toy sightings section to my advantage so that I can get figures first. It's serving my purpose at least and I'm really bummed that some of you won't take advantage of this tool and figure out how to make it work for yourselves. The subject of scalpers has turned into typical Internet mob-mentality where the people complaining won't listen to the advice and suggestions or use the tool(s) available that will resolve their problems. All some of you seem to want to do is complain about Scalpers instead of trying to figure out how to improve your personal toy hunting situation.

If at some point, one of you wants some assistance finding some figures and will quit blaming scalpers for your woes, then please feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help show you how I can make you a believer in the toy sightings section as well and show you how you can get figures first before other people.

As I have said before I do fine the way I have always have.
I always manage get what I want.

I know how to work the DCPI system, make friends with employees, network with other collectos, etc.. etc.. I have been collecting toys for well over 20 years now and I know how to "work it".

I used the old action figure times area reports years before seibertron ever existed to find out when toys start hitting the market. I knew where they hit and figured about how long it would take them to start making there way into New Orleans.
I always succeeded in my toy hunts.

Sometimes it takes time for the toys to filter into all markets so something could pop up in Cali today BUT not see it down here until mid next month, it all goes with how it is distributed. Eventually it does make it into all markets.

And the scalper thing is not just an internet mob mentality, it is a real life mentality as well. I have watched fights erupt in the action figure isle because a known scalper is grabbing everything and not leaving anything for anyone else. Is this mature to fight over toys..
No.
Some people are passionate about their hobbies and get over emotional.

Geekee1 wrote:

Bonger wrote:Sure, 95% of the time, I just buy one item for myself too, when the money to be made is 5 10 bucks. But what about situations like Botcon, where there were thousands to be made. Did you pass on those as well if you did go?

Just to chime in, I passed on buying extra sets, even though I had the money. Actually I wanted to buy other stuff. But I also didn't have a problem with the people selling off their extras. I guess I just see it as something that happens. And all of the people that I met that were doing that were cool individuals. Just because they sold some toys does not make them bad people.

I guess this is how I essentially justified the extra Alternator Rodimus I sold and the extra Target G1 Starscreams. I bought an extra set of the BotCon exclusives for Jedi Kermit. He got them for exactly what I paid for them plus he threw in a few extra bucks my way for shipping. I got his figures for him and then stood in line again for him when I found out that there would be extra Alpha Trion sets and Springer sets. I didn't have to do that. I didn't have to sell them at retail. I could've easily bought the set and sold them on eBay but I wanted to help out a friend. It wasn't about morals or anything spectactular, I just wanted to help out someone who has been a loyal member of Seibertron.com just about since it launched.

Target G1 Starscream and Alternator Rodimus? Yeah, I wanted to make a few extra bucks on those to offset some of the other losses that I've had on eBay (such as the hardcover of "The Best of Simon Furman" that I paid $50 for 3 weeks ago and sold on eBay for $27). You win some. You lose some. Snagging those extra Starscreams was a smart financial decision at the time. I don't think anything is wrong with that. These are just toys at the end of the day!

Seibertron wrote:

Geekee1 wrote:

Bonger wrote:Sure, 95% of the time, I just buy one item for myself too, when the money to be made is 5 10 bucks. But what about situations like Botcon, where there were thousands to be made. Did you pass on those as well if you did go?

Just to chime in, I passed on buying extra sets, even though I had the money. Actually I wanted to buy other stuff. But I also didn't have a problem with the people selling off their extras. I guess I just see it as something that happens. And all of the people that I met that were doing that were cool individuals. Just because they sold some toys does not make them bad people.

I guess this is how I essentially justified the extra Alternator Rodimus I sold and the extra Target G1 Starscreams. I bought an extra set of the BotCon exclusives for Jedi Kermit. He got them for exactly what I paid for them plus he threw in a few extra bucks my way for shipping. I got his figures for him and then stood in line again for him when I found out that there would be extra Alpha Trion sets and Springer sets. I didn't have to do that. I didn't have to sell them at retail. I could've easily bought the set and sold them on eBay but I wanted to help out a friend. It wasn't about morals or anything spectactular, I just wanted to help out someone who has been a loyal member of Seibertron.com just about since it launched.

Target G1 Starscream and Alternator Rodimus? Yeah, I wanted to make a few extra bucks on those to offset some of the other losses that I've had on eBay (such as the hardcover of "The Best of Simon Furman" that I paid $50 for 3 weeks ago and sold on eBay for $27). You win some. You lose some. Snagging those extra Starscreams was a smart financial decision at the time. I don't think anything is wrong with that. These are just toys at the end of the day!

QFT.

Not too mention, it is almost imposible to be a TF fan and not ever having sold any figures. Chances are, when yu did, it had appreciated since when ou bought it. Someone pointed out a little earlier, that selling even one makes one a scalper. I point out, that is just silly. What the hell am I supposed to do with my duplicates? Being a G1 collector, I always buy out everything I se at yard sales and what not in the hopes of upgrading an existing specimen. Naturally, I ebay a lot of G1s after the fact.

So, a question for the moral people here. Would you leave the G1s for a dollar each at the yard sale for someone else?
Also, does scalping apply to loose product as well or just stuff aquired of a store shelf.

Also, I have never bumped into any of the situations with scalpers and store employees in any store here. However, I must admit, bribing someone at a store for toys and running to registers with cases is pretty damn low.

Still, I have never seen it in the TF aisles, and I like to think that this is not as widespread in our community as the hotwheels and SW ones.

To set the record str8. I have a simple strategy. Every Sat. I go to one TRU, one Target, one Walmart. Thats it. I have o date, never missed out on anything I have wanted at retail except for Tit. UM who I believe never made it to the shelves in this area.

Bonger wrote:Not too mention, it is almost imposible to be a TF fan and not ever having sold any figures. Chances are, when yu did, it had appreciated since when ou bought it.

I sold a extra mint 100% complete G1 Blaster (I found in our storage facility in a box) for $20 on ebay once. I did not make profit off it.

Bonger wrote:Someone pointed out a little earlier, that selling even one makes one a scalper. I point out, that is just silly.

That makes no sense.. That thinking is silly, a scalper sells to make a profit. If that is the case then anyone and EVERYONE that helps or has helped others out by picking up toys for them (for retail prices of course) can be considered a scalper.

Bonger wrote:What the hell am I supposed to do with my duplicates?

I only buy one of what I want ( the above mentioned extra Blaster was a gift years ago that was packed up and forgotten)

Bonger wrote:Being a G1 collector, I always buy out everything I se at yard sales and what not in the hopes of upgrading an existing specimen. Naturally, I ebay a lot of G1s after the fact.

I guess I am fortunate to have gotten most of my G1's in the 80's.. I only needed to pick up a couple from ebay.

Bonger wrote:So, a question for the moral people here. Would you leave the G1s for a dollar each at the yard sale for someone else?

If and when I come across this bridge I can answer this question better.

Bonger wrote:Also, I have never bumped into any of the situations with scalpers and store employees in any store here. However, I must admit, bribing someone at a store for toys and running to registers with cases is pretty damn low.

It is low, and when you are collecting as a hobby it can be frustrating to see this.

Bonger wrote:Still, I have never seen it in the TF aisles, and I like to think that this is not as widespread in our community as the hotwheels and SW ones.

From my experiences it happens with any toys that are deemed "collectible"..

Bonger wrote:To set the record str8. I have a simple strategy. Every Sat. I go to one TRU, one Target, one Walmart. Thats it. I have o date, never missed out on anything I have wanted at retail except for Tit. UM who I believe never made it to the shelves in this area.

A very good strategy as I do pretty much the same thing. And of course I do have my little collectors group.