The Energon Pub

Lapse Of Reason wrote:

megatroptimus wrote:

Lapse Of Reason wrote:

megatroptimus wrote:No sir, read harder : you cannot charge ANYTHING to cover Ebay fees (and that includes listing fees, not only final auction fees), even if the mark up is minimal. What you don't understand is that the topic also covers other situations as well. Lapse of Reason pretends he's free to charge the buyer what he wants to cover Ebay and Paypal fees; Ebay says no. Pretty simple.

You misunderstand the ebay rule.

They mean what upther said. Circumventing fees means inflating the shipping charge to cover the difference in the actual price of the product and the low listing amount. For example, selling a $50 for $5 plus $45 added to shipping is circumventing fees.

Adding $5 handling per transaction to cover expenses is not circumventing fees. I have been on eBay for 9 years and am a powerseller so I know what I'm talking about. You can either try to understand or refuse to, but there is a clear right and wrong answer here. I'm right. When you list an item where shipping is automaticaly calculated, eBay even provides a section for adding a handling fee that is tacked on to the shipping quote. Why would they say you can't do that, then build in a way for you to do it as a seller?

Let me know your ebay ID and I'll gladly add you to my blocked bidders list so you don't accidently take advantage of anything I offer to sell.

The only thing I'm seeing here is a powerseller that got it wrong for 9 years. Handling covers shipping material and handling. Handling does not include extras to cover listing fees and final auction fees.

And if I've never bought anything from you so far, it's probably because there was no real deal to be made.

Fair enough, you believe what you want, but I know what is right. I have not been ignornant for 9 years.

You should also know this: if there was no financial incentive for people to sell on eBay, then eBay would not exist. Sure, sometimes a buyer may come across a good deal but no seller says "hey, I'd like to lose some money today so let's sell a $10 toy on eBay for $10 and I'll pay all the costs too." Why would I spend $14 to sell someone a $10 item?

No gain, no eBay. So many people have this attitude that eBay is evil and profit is bad. I find it ironic, since I imagine at least 75% of all out-of-release Transformers transactions occur on eBay or a similar auction site.

Its hard to argue with someone who does not understand bussiness. Yes you can charge a REASONABLE handling fee. you know what I only buy from Ebay dealers who I know the shipping in advance if the shipping is to high I move on its realy not a big deal.

--B-- wrote:[quote="tmthor] Also if you don't like scalpers don't buy from them or better yet start a collecting club where the rules are NO SELLING Trading only (Where the value is only retail) or selling only at cost. face it is part of the hobby its also part of our free market scociety.

[/quote]

If only that were true. Try making a trade on here for a MISB Fortress Maximus, and only trading a MISB Leader Class Prime, and see how fast you get it. They are about retail prices.

Or try trading a peg warming movie deluxe for a Classics Starscream.

As soon as someone has something that someone else wants, the price goes up, trade or sell.[/quote][/quote][/quote][/quote][/quote][/quote][/quote]

Thats why I said start your own collectors club that way you & your members can make the rules . Also you cant compare most vintage toys with current what I ment was say the "G1 Movie jazz" for a Movie Arcee & yes that is just an example

megatroptimus wrote:Where do you see name-calling here? I don't see it. Scalper, plumber, drug dealer, clerk, it's all the same, just a word to designate one's job.

That's where it was headed...

'Scalper' is a generic word to designate a job. However, when used in a negative connotation in reference to a specific person or persons in a conversation it's name calling.

Especially in a discussion like this where many people have used it negatively.

the attitudes displayed in here by some of the fandom is starting to rather turn me off the fandom in general. The name calling, finger pointing, all round rudeness really...disgusts me.

I can understand differences of opinion, but when two parties disagree, it is much easier to agree to disagree and be done with it. I kinda wish a mod would simply cap this thread because its just going around in painful circles.

Sunstar wrote:the attitudes displayed in here by some of the fandom is starting to rather turn me off the fandom in general. The name calling, finger pointing, all round rudeness really...disgusts me.

I can understand differences of opinion, but when two parties disagree, it is much easier to agree to disagree and be done with it. I kinda wish a mod would simply cap this thread because its just going around in painful circles.

Don't let it turn you off of the fandom in general!

Sunstar wrote:the attitudes displayed in here by some of the fandom is starting to rather turn me off the fandom in general. The name calling, finger pointing, all round rudeness really...disgusts me.

I can understand differences of opinion, but when two parties disagree, it is much easier to agree to disagree and be done with it. I kinda wish a mod would simply cap this thread because its just going around in painful circles.

I have news for you, the scalper vs non scalper heated discussions happen not only in the TF fandom but in the entire realm of collecting.

And for the 1,000th time we cannot lock the thread.

http://www.seibertron.com/

It is featured spotlight story #3.. If you guys want it locked so badly EVERYONE PM Ryan and ask him to remove it from the featured spotlight and then we can lock it.

As long as members are being courteous to each other, the topic makes for good debate. I see no need to lock it. Obviously a lot of us have something to say about the topic.

ive read a few pages of this looooog-hoss thread.

1) if youre wasting 4 hours driving all over creation each night to buy stuff? isnt ebay scalper guy a better deal> whats your time worth to you?

i was at a comic show the other week and talked a guy down on a target jazz for 12 bucks (down from 15). it would have cost me 11 bucks in the store AFTER TAX? so why the heck not? give the guy his dollar. he now works for me,

i snagged 3 deluxes off ebay for 30 dollars and 8? shipping. the guy made... ummm well nothing on them after driving around and ebay paypal fees.

and i saved myself days of wandering around and being disappointed. and at 3 dollars a gallon thats a even better savings.

you dont have to buy from the scalpers. but if you have the self control of an unrepentant heroin addict? you will. and you'll pay a price to be first.

All you guys who are saying toys are for kids- i love you but we all know its a case of sour grapes. any one of y'all who goes to TRU/kohls/target/etc on a lunch toy run... youre not getting these for kids. be honest. As is we collectors are probably 40% of the market in toys right now. they wouldnt be doing gi style decos for the kids- theys do sunburst arbor day attack jazz in neon cause the kids like bright colors.

Lapse Of Reason wrote:
Fair enough, you believe what you want, but I know what is right. I have not been ignornant for 9 years.

You should also know this: if there was no financial incentive for people to sell on eBay, then eBay would not exist. Sure, sometimes a buyer may come across a good deal but no seller says "hey, I'd like to lose some money today so let's sell a $10 toy on eBay for $10 and I'll pay all the costs too." Why would I spend $14 to sell someone a $10 item?

No gain, no eBay. So many people have this attitude that eBay is evil and profit is bad. I find it ironic, since I imagine at least 75% of all out-of-release Transformers transactions occur on eBay or a similar auction site.

Profit is to be made on the final bid price, not on shipping. If you fear a loss, raise the initial bid accordingly.

Lapse Of Reason wrote:
I don't consider myself a "scalper". Did I ever claim to clear out store shelves? And yes, the way some toss around the term it is meant to be demeaning.

Well, you bought all the extra Botcon sets you could with the sole intent of reselling them for profit. That's scalping.

By the way, how come most big sellers can get away with selling their stuff for retail price plus actual shipping? Maybe they're legitimate businesses who obtain their goods through ethical/standard channels (read : not by going on toy hunts to clean the shelves of all the most wanted figures).

megatroptimus wrote:

Lapse Of Reason wrote:

megatroptimus wrote:No sir, read harder : you cannot charge ANYTHING to cover Ebay fees (and that includes listing fees, not only final auction fees), even if the mark up is minimal. What you don't understand is that the topic also covers other situations as well. Lapse of Reason pretends he's free to charge the buyer what he wants to cover Ebay and Paypal fees; Ebay says no. Pretty simple.

You misunderstand the ebay rule.

They mean what upther said. Circumventing fees means inflating the shipping charge to cover the difference in the actual price of the product and the low listing amount. For example, selling a $50 for $5 plus $45 added to shipping is circumventing fees.

Adding $5 handling per transaction to cover expenses is not circumventing fees. I have been on eBay for 9 years and am a powerseller so I know what I'm talking about. You can either try to understand or refuse to, but there is a clear right and wrong answer here. I'm right. When you list an item where shipping is automaticaly calculated, eBay even provides a section for adding a handling fee that is tacked on to the shipping quote. Why would they say you can't do that, then build in a way for you to do it as a seller?

Let me know your ebay ID and I'll gladly add you to my blocked bidders list so you don't accidently take advantage of anything I offer to sell.

The only thing I'm seeing here is a powerseller that got it wrong for 9 years. Handling covers shipping material and handling. Handling does not include extras to cover listing fees and final auction fees.

And if I've never bought anything from you so far, it's probably because there was no real deal to be made.

HA HA HA Burn!

megatroptimus wrote:

Lapse Of Reason wrote:
Fair enough, you believe what you want, but I know what is right. I have not been ignornant for 9 years.

You should also know this: if there was no financial incentive for people to sell on eBay, then eBay would not exist. Sure, sometimes a buyer may come across a good deal but no seller says "hey, I'd like to lose some money today so let's sell a $10 toy on eBay for $10 and I'll pay all the costs too." Why would I spend $14 to sell someone a $10 item?

No gain, no eBay. So many people have this attitude that eBay is evil and profit is bad. I find it ironic, since I imagine at least 75% of all out-of-release Transformers transactions occur on eBay or a similar auction site.

Profit is to be made on the final bid price, not on shipping. If you fear a loss, raise the initial bid accordingly.

There is no profit on a handling charge. At least not mine. It is only a few $ extra.

Toyotus Superion wrote:

megatroptimus wrote:

Lapse Of Reason wrote:

megatroptimus wrote:No sir, read harder : you cannot charge ANYTHING to cover Ebay fees (and that includes listing fees, not only final auction fees), even if the mark up is minimal. What you don't understand is that the topic also covers other situations as well. Lapse of Reason pretends he's free to charge the buyer what he wants to cover Ebay and Paypal fees; Ebay says no. Pretty simple.

You misunderstand the ebay rule.

They mean what upther said. Circumventing fees means inflating the shipping charge to cover the difference in the actual price of the product and the low listing amount. For example, selling a $50 for $5 plus $45 added to shipping is circumventing fees.

Adding $5 handling per transaction to cover expenses is not circumventing fees. I have been on eBay for 9 years and am a powerseller so I know what I'm talking about. You can either try to understand or refuse to, but there is a clear right and wrong answer here. I'm right. When you list an item where shipping is automaticaly calculated, eBay even provides a section for adding a handling fee that is tacked on to the shipping quote. Why would they say you can't do that, then build in a way for you to do it as a seller?

Let me know your ebay ID and I'll gladly add you to my blocked bidders list so you don't accidently take advantage of anything I offer to sell.

The only thing I'm seeing here is a powerseller that got it wrong for 9 years. Handling covers shipping material and handling. Handling does not include extras to cover listing fees and final auction fees.

And if I've never bought anything from you so far, it's probably because there was no real deal to be made.

HA HA HA Burn!

You haven't been here long enough to laugh at Burn.

Toyotus Superion wrote:
HA HA HA Burn!

No, no burn there.

Counterpunch wrote:

Toyotus Superion wrote:

megatroptimus wrote:

Lapse Of Reason wrote:

megatroptimus wrote:No sir, read harder : you cannot charge ANYTHING to cover Ebay fees (and that includes listing fees, not only final auction fees), even if the mark up is minimal. What you don't understand is that the topic also covers other situations as well. Lapse of Reason pretends he's free to charge the buyer what he wants to cover Ebay and Paypal fees; Ebay says no. Pretty simple.

You misunderstand the ebay rule.

They mean what upther said. Circumventing fees means inflating the shipping charge to cover the difference in the actual price of the product and the low listing amount. For example, selling a $50 for $5 plus $45 added to shipping is circumventing fees.

Adding $5 handling per transaction to cover expenses is not circumventing fees. I have been on eBay for 9 years and am a powerseller so I know what I'm talking about. You can either try to understand or refuse to, but there is a clear right and wrong answer here. I'm right. When you list an item where shipping is automaticaly calculated, eBay even provides a section for adding a handling fee that is tacked on to the shipping quote. Why would they say you can't do that, then build in a way for you to do it as a seller?

Let me know your ebay ID and I'll gladly add you to my blocked bidders list so you don't accidently take advantage of anything I offer to sell.

The only thing I'm seeing here is a powerseller that got it wrong for 9 years. Handling covers shipping material and handling. Handling does not include extras to cover listing fees and final auction fees.

And if I've never bought anything from you so far, it's probably because there was no real deal to be made.

HA HA HA Burn!

You haven't been here long enough to laugh at Burn.

HA HA nice one counterpunch! Well, at least I know who Burn is lol.

Isn't it kind of pointless to argue with someone whose name is Lapse of Reason?

megatroptimus wrote:

Lapse Of Reason wrote:
I don't consider myself a "scalper". Did I ever claim to clear out store shelves? And yes, the way some toss around the term it is meant to be demeaning.

Well, you bought all the extra Botcon sets you could with the sole intent of reselling them for profit. That's scalping.

By the way, how come most big sellers can get away with selling their stuff for retail price plus actual shipping? Maybe they're legitimate businesses who obtain their goods through ethical channels.

Yes I did. And I bought exactly what they allowed me to buy, and they still had plenty left. Clear them out I did not.


I'm not sure who the big sellers you are referring to are. As far as I'm aware, Target is the only seller allowed to sell Target exclusives through the regular supply chain.

I also don't think this whole issue is really an ethical debate. It seems to be more about etiquette than ethics.

Toyotus Superion wrote:Isn't it kind of pointless to argue with someone whose name is Lapse of Reason?

Is there really a lapse of reason, or just reason where there is a lapse.

megatroptimus wrote:

Lapse Of Reason wrote:
Fair enough, you believe what you want, but I know what is right. I have not been ignornant for 9 years.

You should also know this: if there was no financial incentive for people to sell on eBay, then eBay would not exist. Sure, sometimes a buyer may come across a good deal but no seller says "hey, I'd like to lose some money today so let's sell a $10 toy on eBay for $10 and I'll pay all the costs too." Why would I spend $14 to sell someone a $10 item?

No gain, no eBay. So many people have this attitude that eBay is evil and profit is bad. I find it ironic, since I imagine at least 75% of all out-of-release Transformers transactions occur on eBay or a similar auction site.

Profit is to be made on the final bid price, not on shipping. If you fear a loss, raise the initial bid accordingly.

Lapse Of Reason wrote:
I don't consider myself a "scalper". Did I ever claim to clear out store shelves? And yes, the way some toss around the term it is meant to be demeaning.

Well, you bought all the extra Botcon sets you could with the sole intent of reselling them for profit. That's scalping.

By the way, how come most big sellers can get away with selling their stuff for retail price plus actual shipping? Maybe they're legitimate businesses who obtain their goods through ethical/standard channels (read : not by going on toy hunts to clean the shelves of all the most wanted figures).

The only way most "big" sellers can get away with selling their stuff for retail prices is if they happened to have gotten it for much cheaper to begin with, or else they won't make any money. I'm no super Ebay seller, but I have used it in the past to make some extra money when needed. Now I will agree that many sellers jack up their shipping prices to try and make a little extra, but regardless many sellers are going to add a handling fee no matter what to cover buying the needed packaging material. If anyone is thinking that tons of people are making thousands of dollars selling on Ebay it really doesn't happen that often, unless you're a major seller who has a connection, and can sell something such like 30 Xbox 360's at a time because you got them much cheaper at a wholesale price to begin with.

if i call target and they tell me they have 16 starscream repaints in the back, than i or anyone is at fair right to buy all 16. You want the toy so bad, make calls and track them, down like the scalpers do. If there getting 100-150% profit on a figure, than blame hasbro for not making enough of them.

now as far as ebay, and handling fees.

deluxe figures fit in priority boxes that are from form any usps. so if you are charging anything more than the actually shipping fee than you are just making up non exsistant fees.


each package should weigh the same, so you should be able to figure out a shipping fee before the auction ends.


i laugh at these guys with shipping fees of 15 and 20 dollars on a 08 bumble bee.

from ny to cali is 8.50 with delivery conformation.

Sometimes I see auctions (NOT necessarily for Transformers) that sell a toy, say '08 BB for only $0.99, but their shipping cost is $24.99. Not internationally. These are domestic (US to within US) sellers. Don't let them trick you. I seen that on voyagers too in the past. That's wrong, but I suppose if your too stupid to pay attention to that, then you get what you deserve.

I don't personally mind if a seller asks for a dollar or two more for an item, but to double, or triple the original price is just greedy. Let the auction ride and take its own course.

I DO mind folks snatching everything they can get their hands on in as many stores as possible. It doesn't take that many people to clean out a Target. From what i understand, Target does not order things on a regular basis. They order, what, once, then distrubite it to their stores? Once that supply is gone, it will be a long time until they order more when the next wave comes out. Get a bunch of folks making their rounds, and it is possible.

I spoke to a lady who wors at a Target, and she said they sell out within 2 hours after they finish stocking them up. If your not there in the morning, they won't be there waiting for you to buy afterwards. At least, not where I live.

Sportimus Prime wrote:Sometimes I see auctions (NOT necessarily for Transformers) that sell a toy, say '08 BB for only $0.99, but their shipping cost is $24.99. Not internationally. These are domestic (US to within US) sellers. Don't let them trick you. I seen that on voyagers too in the past. That's wrong, but I suppose if your too stupid to pay attention to that, then you get what you deserve.

I don't personally mind if a seller asks for a dollar or two more for an item, but to double, or triple the original price is just greedy. Let the auction ride and take its own course.

I DO mind folks snatching everything they can get their hands on in as many stores as possible. It doesn't take that many people to clean out a Target. From what i understand, Target does not order things on a regular basis. They order, what, once, then distrubite it to their stores? Once that supply is gone, it will be a long time until they order more when the next wave comes out. Get a bunch of folks making their rounds, and it is possible.

I spoke to a lady who wors at a Target, and she said they sell out within 2 hours after they finish stocking them up. If your not there in the morning, they won't be there waiting for you to buy afterwards. At least, not where I live.

Its illegal to circumvent fees by charging large amounts for shipping on ebay. Next time- report the item- the seller will get suspended and have to go to "Ebay 101" school.

Xgamer wrote:

Sportimus Prime wrote:Sometimes I see auctions (NOT necessarily for Transformers) that sell a toy, say '08 BB for only $0.99, but their shipping cost is $24.99. Not internationally. These are domestic (US to within US) sellers. Don't let them trick you. I seen that on voyagers too in the past. That's wrong, but I suppose if your too stupid to pay attention to that, then you get what you deserve.

I don't personally mind if a seller asks for a dollar or two more for an item, but to double, or triple the original price is just greedy. Let the auction ride and take its own course.

I DO mind folks snatching everything they can get their hands on in as many stores as possible. It doesn't take that many people to clean out a Target. From what i understand, Target does not order things on a regular basis. They order, what, once, then distrubite it to their stores? Once that supply is gone, it will be a long time until they order more when the next wave comes out. Get a bunch of folks making their rounds, and it is possible.

I spoke to a lady who wors at a Target, and she said they sell out within 2 hours after they finish stocking them up. If your not there in the morning, they won't be there waiting for you to buy afterwards. At least, not where I live.

Its illegal to circumvent fees by charging large amounts for shipping on ebay. Next time- report the item- the seller will get suspended and have to go to "Ebay 101" school.

I didn't know you could report them for doing that. Thanks. Next time I see that, I will report it.

Sportimus Prime wrote:I didn't know you could report them for doing that. Thanks. Next time I see that, I will report it.

FYI :
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/lis ... pping.html

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/lis ... nting.html

Toyotus Superion wrote:

megatroptimus wrote:

Lapse Of Reason wrote:

megatroptimus wrote:No sir, read harder : you cannot charge ANYTHING to cover Ebay fees (and that includes listing fees, not only final auction fees), even if the mark up is minimal. What you don't understand is that the topic also covers other situations as well. Lapse of Reason pretends he's free to charge the buyer what he wants to cover Ebay and Paypal fees; Ebay says no. Pretty simple.

You misunderstand the ebay rule.

They mean what upther said. Circumventing fees means inflating the shipping charge to cover the difference in the actual price of the product and the low listing amount. For example, selling a $50 for $5 plus $45 added to shipping is circumventing fees.

Adding $5 handling per transaction to cover expenses is not circumventing fees. I have been on eBay for 9 years and am a powerseller so I know what I'm talking about. You can either try to understand or refuse to, but there is a clear right and wrong answer here. I'm right. When you list an item where shipping is automaticaly calculated, eBay even provides a section for adding a handling fee that is tacked on to the shipping quote. Why would they say you can't do that, then build in a way for you to do it as a seller?

Let me know your ebay ID and I'll gladly add you to my blocked bidders list so you don't accidently take advantage of anything I offer to sell.

The only thing I'm seeing here is a powerseller that got it wrong for 9 years. Handling covers shipping material and handling. Handling does not include extras to cover listing fees and final auction fees.

And if I've never bought anything from you so far, it's probably because there was no real deal to be made.

HA HA HA Burn!

Actually, Lapse is right. Thats what shipping and handling means. The cost of shipping, packaging and any other extraneous costs over and above the price paid for the product. Hence, all ebay aauctions have shipping as a cpl of bucks higher than actual shipping charges.

Also, if you do not like it, rather than try and bash a member of the forum, just do not buy from ebay sellers that you believe to be ripping you off. Problem solved.