Really? It's not doing that much for me, though admittedly I only got one 2008 boxed set and Bulkhead (on the way) Maybe I need more. I felt pretty good about my two 2007 sets.
Lucky. You were faster about it than I was. SOMEONE woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.
Think we're all in the same boat there... Anyways, on topic, the sets are sold out and those who don't have them don't have them. The 'have nots' only recourse now if they want this set is the aftermarket. Sense they missed out they have to expect to pay higher than market value even if the set starts out at market value. No one's forcing anyone to buy this off of eBay and the people who bought extra are well in their right to sell them... for whatever the market will pay them. Don't have the money to pay? Sucks to be you. That's life... no matter what you're going through and no matter how angry it makes you... life comes before your hobby. Couldn't get the money together because of monatary issues... that's life. But it's not the people who bought them's fault that you can't get one either. Again, no one is entitled to have this set of toys or any other toys for that matter. You got a set and you're going to resell it? Good for you. You had the money to get an extra set to resell. The market will decide how much you get for it in the end and, if you can afford that risk, that's how the world works... it's called Capitalism and Economics people.
As a philosophical exercise, that may well hold true... But as far as I know, no one has shown this to have practical application in the real world. No attempt at socialism has yet shown itself to be more effective than capitalism.
I wasn't able to get the boxset because of credit card problems(waiting for a replacement one) and even though I really want a set, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. It's done, it's over with, I lost. If I really HAFTA have this set, I'll get it one day, but for now I'm not gonna get upset over it, stuff happens.
AGREED! I won't be losing any sleep over this one. And my money shortage will come to an end soon when my tax return arrives. Plus, I'm that much more ready for when those Seacons arrive in April!
Toy collecting isn't really that difficult. And it shouldn't be stressful. There are multiple ways to get around availability problems. My favorite is to have some real-human friends in my local area who are also toy collectors that will pick up items for me. I can also use resources from other online friends to assist me in getting items who do not charge me a fee to get items I can't find in my neighborhood. A couple guys - gasp! - have even not charged me for shipping on items! You (in the most generic sense, not anyone specific) have to lose the "gotta have it NOW" mentality unless you want to play the actual real game of scalpers, people who want one MOC one loose and one to customize, little kids who want the toys, online purchasing, etc. Also, missing out on one or two figures has never hurt me. There are always other chances. Many figures from Armada through Cybertron are cheaper than retail through the boards here. Local toy shows. Botcons. Flea markets. Swap meets. Craigslist. Trades. The frenzy that people feel about having them all and having them now is what allows other people to profit from those desires. The people who buy 80 Bumbleebees or diecast Cars figures will eventually get what they deserve. I don't mind Botcon stuff. There is no reason that I have to have it all - and since I can afford it, I get it. If I couldn't afford it, I would just skip it and let it go, like Black Zarak or japanese only Headmasters. And if you do want it, you have to put yourself out there - the same things I have already said - make friends. Stop making sarcastic comments to every post. Help other people with their collecting. Stuff a banana in a scalper's tailpipe when you see his car at the flea market. We'd like to think its all scalpers who get the stuff we went to the store to find, but there are MILLIONS OF PEOPLE collecting this stuff. The scalper not buying all ten Bumblebees wouldn't guarantee you getting one. Should I be mad that there is always "THAT GUY" who outbids me on eBay? I'm rarely ever the third bidder - I always get beat by that one guy who wanted it more than I did. Everyone needs to stop making collecting stressful and let it be fun. There are plenty of easier hobbies out there to get involved in. John K.
QFT. A big part of the reason I was able to get my Botcon set this year was due to the effort I put into the Official MP Starscream thread in the Sales Forum. Being nice pays off!!
