The Energon Pub

Counterpunch wrote:

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.

I don't like it either, but what's the difference between an employee who swipes figures (but pays for them!) and the scalper in the first post of this thread? He uses a DCPI and gets whole cases from the back. So there may not be an actual law he's violating, but maybe there should be? If it hits the rack it should be fair game, but at the same time, stores should have a policy for buying multiples of one "hot" toy. Maybe it doesn't have to be enforced all the time, but then when a customer complains they can do something about it.

I use the DPCI# occasionally, but only buy what I need and put what if left on the pegs or back in the box to go back to the stockroom.

Bonger wrote:Is scalping TFs immoral? No.

Is judging and despising people you do not know immoral? Absolutely.

I love how scalpers are trying to justify their ways. Your post was gold. Criminals are saints, victims are ugly. For the record, any form of scalping is immoral. ANY FORM.

tacogrande wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:

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.

I don't like it either, but what's the difference between an employee who swipes figures (but pays for them!) and the scalper in the first post of this thread? He uses a DCPI and gets whole cases from the back. So there may not be an actual law he's violating, but maybe there should be? If it hits the rack it should be fair game, but at the same time, stores should have a policy for buying multiples of one "hot" toy. Maybe it doesn't have to be enforced all the time, but then when a customer complains they can do something about it.

Read what I wrote again, because I clearly explained the difference.

An employee of a toy store, has in all liklihood, signed a 'no competition' clause in his work paperwork. This means that he or she can not operate a competing business while employed with the company.

Individual stores of places like TRU that do not enforce this clause and allow employees to do large scale backroom shopping are essentially violating the business practices of their corporation.

Why? Why is it immoral? To me you can only play the morality card if there is a clear right and wrong. Cheating on your signifigant other is immoral. Rape is immoral. Groping little kid heinys is immoral. Curb stomping a dog because he doesn't fight is immoral. There are clear lines between right and wrong there. The same cannot be said about selling Transformers for profit. There is way too much grey area there. I can understand people not agreeing with the practice but the constant "it's immoral' cries befuddle me.

Whats this DCPI thing i keep hearing about?

Sonray wrote:Whats this DCPI thing i keep hearing about?

Target (store) has item numbers known as DPCI numbers.

When stores have exclusives, the items get individual numbers instead of case numbers, so you can go request the exact figure you want.

It's SO, SO easy to do. It's a scalper buster.

It's one of the reasons that so many of us are like, Scalpers? Not a problem.

Sonray wrote:Whats this DCPI thing i keep hearing about?

DePartment
Class
Item

It's a code used by Target stores for inventory control purposes.

Autobot032 wrote:

Sonray wrote:Whats this DCPI thing i keep hearing about?

DePartment
Class
Item

It's a code used by Target stores for inventory control purposes.

Oh..in which case we dont have that over here.

Sonray wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:

Sonray wrote:Whats this DCPI thing i keep hearing about?

DePartment
Class
Item

It's a code used by Target stores for inventory control purposes.

Oh..in which case we dont have that over here.

Nope. However, I'm sure they use the UPC and SKN systems. (TRU uses SKN) I don't know how Argos works (and whoever else) but perhaps they have an internal system (like SKN and DPCI). Next time you buy a figure at retail, keep the receipt so you can record the codes used on the slip. (It'll be next to the price) Ask others to give you those codes and you'll be able to amass a small database of info and hopefully figure out the system.

megatroptimus wrote:

Bonger wrote:Is scalping TFs immoral? No.

Is judging and despising people you do not know immoral? Absolutely.

I love how scalpers are trying to justify their ways. Your post was gold. Criminals are saints, victims are ugly. For the record, any form of scalping is immoral. ANY FORM.

Haha, I like how, with like 10-12 ebay sales this year, I am now a scalper.

This is a very good sample of the type of black and white, blame whoever you can find thinking that I was referring to earlier.

megatroptimus wrote:

Bonger wrote:Is scalping TFs immoral? No.

Is judging and despising people you do not know immoral? Absolutely.

I love how scalpers are trying to justify their ways. Your post was gold. Criminals are saints, victims are ugly. For the record, any form of scalping is immoral. ANY FORM.

Except if I do it.

There's an element of, how do you say, sexiness? when I make the sale. Everyone gets their rocks off lining my pockets.

http://www.tfans.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=75693

Apparently we're not the only board dealing with scalpers? Hmm. Isn't that something?

Although they were a tad smarter...they closed their thread.

Autobot032 wrote:http://www.tfans.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=75693

Apparently we're not the only board dealing with scalpers? Hmm. Isn't that something?

Although they were a tad smarter...they closed their thread.

Funny how you keep mentioning that, but keep posting your novel-like replies. Just an observation.

Xgamer wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:http://www.tfans.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=75693

Apparently we're not the only board dealing with scalpers? Hmm. Isn't that something?

Although they were a tad smarter...they closed their thread.

Funny how you keep mentioning that, but keep posting your novel-like replies. Just an observation.

And you've yet to post anything of importance, just a barrage of these needless, finger pointing quips that don't actually do anything for the conversation and adds fuel to the fire. You poke and prod and expect people to just sit there and take it.

You're a shining example of a troll, your posts aren't necessary. (When you finally figure out how to actually add to the thread, drop us a line.)

Since you're unwilling, there's the door.

This is such a good topic for debate, it makes me feel bad that I'm joining it 20 something pages late.
I just got back from Target and was again greeted by their entire Transformers section of the toy isles being empty again. AGAIN. The last time they had new stock out was a few days after the movie opened.
I peruse eBay and find movie figures that allegedly have already sold out in retail and I have never even seen them in stores yet, and it makes me wonder. Are my local Target employees just not stocking new stock, or is there really a screw up back at Hasbro or have they stocked these toys and then someone immediately came in and bought them all to 'scalp' them? Who knows?
I don't think there's anything wrong with the practice of buying things from a store and then selling them through legal channels outside of said store. IF you want to call that scalping then that's cool by me, becuase I don't care, but it does piss me off when I go to a store on a hunt and find literally nothing in the toy isle. Again though, I don't know if that's just my local retail workers not working or if someone is scooping up everything.
As far as the scalping thing goes, if its' real scalping shouldn't prices be outrageous? Truly, truly truly outrageous?? Any cursory glance at Botcon merch on eBay shows how this tremendous price inflating goes, especially for the saught after 07 Seekers. I saw a Botcon 07 Dirge last night for $235. $235! Wasn't the Iacon package if you were lucky enough to get one only like $300? Geez. I didn't get any Botcon package, but man, what a price hike! But, the beautiful thing about eBay or shopping in general is that we are able to compare prices and are not forced to buy something for a higher price if we can find it cheaper. I got Botcon Springer and Huffer and Wierdwolf altogether for less than $100, and then I saw someone selling Springer alone for $75. I wasn't forced to buy the more expensive figures, I just shopped around. For everyone that said the Botcon 07 package was a jip because you had to pay $65 or something for a $10 Seeker repaint, now have fun paying $235 for Dirge.
Ultimately, this is a question of supply and demand, and demand for Transformers toys is pretty high, so naturally people will be buying a bunch and selling them.
It's not immoral, becuase as has been said, raping or killing or that kind of thing is immoral, and I think if we argue the 'morality' of buying and selling toys we are all taking this hobby way too damn seriously and need cranial examinations.
To all of you 'evil' 'scalpers' out there, whatever. Ultimately, we collect toys, and for all of us that have ever bought a G1 Omega Supreme mint in the box or spent $60 on Alternators Swerve or got Lio Kaiser imported from Japan, we've all paid too much money for plastic robots. But if you're stealing **** from the backroom then you're a real jerk, and hopefully will be relieved of your employment responsibilities.
Hitler was evil. Purposely running over a puppy is evil. Buying and reselling toys in not evil, and it's probably an ethical neutral. Grocery stores buy produce for farmers and whatnot and resell it and no one sits around saying "F****ng Grocery stores! Immoral pukes, buying and then reselling items that I either want or need!!" They're just f'n toys, you know.

This is another great example of how generally unsatisfy-able we are as a fanbase. For months and months everything was about how the movie designs suck, and now it's all a-clamor because we can't find enough movie figures in stores because someone else is buying them and then selling us the figures we cried for months about how we hated. If Michael Bay raped my childhood, or even the memories of my childhood, that would be immoral. But he didn't.

Dagon wrote:Truly, truly truly outrageous??

JEM'D
























P.S. I couldn't resist. It was a lighthearted line and I went for it.

This is another great example of how generally unsatisfy-able we are as a fanbase. For months and months everything was about how the movie designs suck, and now it's all a-clamor because we can't find enough movie figures in stores because someone else is buying them and then selling us the figures we cried for months about how we hated. If Michael Bay raped my childhood, or even the memories of my childhood, that would be immoral. But he didn't.

I 100% agree with this whole section right here.

upther wrote:Why? Why is it immoral? To me you can only play the morality card if there is a clear right and wrong. Cheating on your signifigant other is immoral. Rape is immoral. Groping little kid heinys is immoral. Curb stomping a dog because he doesn't fight is immoral. There are clear lines between right and wrong there. The same cannot be said about selling Transformers for profit. There is way too much grey area there. I can understand people not agreeing with the practice but the constant "it's immoral' cries befuddle me.

Autobot032 wrote:

Xgamer wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:http://www.tfans.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=75693

Apparently we're not the only board dealing with scalpers? Hmm. Isn't that something?

Although they were a tad smarter...they closed their thread.

Funny how you keep mentioning that, but keep posting your novel-like replies. Just an observation.

And you've yet to post anything of importance, just a barrage of these needless, finger pointing quips that don't actually do anything for the conversation and adds fuel to the fire. You poke and prod and expect people to just sit there and take it.

You're a shining example of a troll, your posts aren't necessary. (When you finally figure out how to actually add to the thread, drop us a line.)

Since you're unwilling, there's the door.

I did add something to the thread, but because you view it as conflicting with your own view; it is not important to you- why dont you go back and read them (although with all these posts its easy to miss anyone's). When you finally learn how to not post such lengthy non-sense maybe I will care. Now if you are angry, oh well, like I said. It works both ways, since I dont feel your posts are necessary, b/c you say the same things over and over and over. Ooh...theres the door??? you really told me- so much for people and their so called morals. I am by no means a troll- I persistently post item availability to help out other members- you post moral nonsense. Its fine if people agree with your views, but not everybody does or even cares.

Xgamer wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:

Xgamer wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:http://www.tfans.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=75693

Apparently we're not the only board dealing with scalpers? Hmm. Isn't that something?

Although they were a tad smarter...they closed their thread.

Funny how you keep mentioning that, but keep posting your novel-like replies. Just an observation.

And you've yet to post anything of importance, just a barrage of these needless, finger pointing quips that don't actually do anything for the conversation and adds fuel to the fire. You poke and prod and expect people to just sit there and take it.

You're a shining example of a troll, your posts aren't necessary. (When you finally figure out how to actually add to the thread, drop us a line.)

Since you're unwilling, there's the door.

I did add something to the thread, but because you view it as conflicting with your own view; it is not important to you- why dont you go back and read them (although with all these posts its easy to miss anyone's). When you finally learn how to not post such lengthy non-sense maybe I will care. Now if you are angry, oh well, like I said. It works both ways, since I dont feel your posts are necessary, b/c you say the same things over and over and over. Ooh...theres the door??? you really told me- so much for people and their so called morals. I am by no means a troll- I persistently post item availability to help out other members- you post moral nonsense. Its fine if people agree with your views, but not everybody does or even cares.

Give it up Autobot032, there is no winning in this. And what's a troll, as used above?

Autobot032 wrote:Although they were a tad smarter...they closed their thread.

I did close it yesterday but was informed that it was on the front page therefore it cannot be locked unless it is upfrontpageafied...

*phew*

Toyotus Superion wrote:

Xgamer wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:

Xgamer wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:http://www.tfans.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=75693

Apparently we're not the only board dealing with scalpers? Hmm. Isn't that something?

Although they were a tad smarter...they closed their thread.

Funny how you keep mentioning that, but keep posting your novel-like replies. Just an observation.

And you've yet to post anything of importance, just a barrage of these needless, finger pointing quips that don't actually do anything for the conversation and adds fuel to the fire. You poke and prod and expect people to just sit there and take it.

You're a shining example of a troll, your posts aren't necessary. (When you finally figure out how to actually add to the thread, drop us a line.)

Since you're unwilling, there's the door.

I did add something to the thread, but because you view it as conflicting with your own view; it is not important to you- why dont you go back and read them (although with all these posts its easy to miss anyone's). When you finally learn how to not post such lengthy non-sense maybe I will care. Now if you are angry, oh well, like I said. It works both ways, since I dont feel your posts are necessary, b/c you say the same things over and over and over. Ooh...theres the door??? you really told me- so much for people and their so called morals. I am by no means a troll- I persistently post item availability to help out other members- you post moral nonsense. Its fine if people agree with your views, but not everybody does or even cares.

Give it up Autobot032, there is no winning in this. And what's a troll, as used above?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_%28internet%29

various types too

I approve the buying and selling of Transformers. Locating a hard-to-find figure is a thrill. Getting a good deal is a thrill. So is making a profit.


I also respect the opinions of others, even if I disagree. I wish more of the others here would offer the same courtesy.


I feel that some members here are standing too high on their moral pedestal. You don't like what people do, fine. Say so and agree to disagree. One's morals are contradicted, however, if one resorts to using deragatory remarks and insults.



One more point, a sort of gray area to consider. If a collector buys a figure and maybe even keeps it MISB under the rationale it will be more valuable later, isn't that person also fitting the so called "scalper" profile if he or she eventualy does sell it years later? After all, they might make a profit.

For those morally against scalping, I'd love a chance to buy some of your vintage MISB figures if you ever plan to sell them. Of course, I'd expect you to sell them at the original MSRP plus shipping. What are the chances of that happening?




Finally, a short lesson. Economics in a nutshell:
Unwanted goods and services are reduced in price until the goods or service is phased out.

Goods and services under high demand will fetch a higher price. If the regular supply channel is ineffective, a black market will evolve.

If money is not actively moving through an economic system, it will stagnate and eventualy crash.

The goods could be cars, diamonds, oranges, or Transformers. The same above principles will apply. We are merely in a high-demand, black market situation right now.

I have a real quick but silly question here. I'm the ebay seller from the original post in this thread. I've been reading alot of people saying that I am immoral, but at the same time there are people in this thread and on other tf boards making threats of violence against me. Now I do understand they are most likely joking, but the fact remains the same, people are saying that they should beat me up and what not. I simply bought some toys at a couple of targets and sold most of them on ebay. Why is it so morally wrong for me to do that but it's okay for someone to threaten me with bodily harm (whether they are serious or not) over a ten dollar toy?

this thread sure is like an energizer battery... keeps going, going, going, going.....