FansProject Warbot WB-002 Steel Core

Discussion in 'Transformers 3rd Party Discussion' started by Dark Skull, May 9, 2012.

  1. Jetstream

    Jetstream Well-Known Member

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    Though many people have reported receiving theirs even though their orders are still listed as 'Pending', so hopefully the last few orders have been shipped or should be this week. Though FPC announced on the 8th that "we are almost done shipping the last orders", it does seem to be taking a while.
     
  2. Transbot90210

    Transbot90210 Banned

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    You do realize we don't like scalpers in these here parts.

    Do it, don't advertise it.
     
  3. FCatCH76

    FCatCH76 Autobot

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    Was he supposed to tell people to stop bidding?
     
  4. Transbot90210

    Transbot90210 Banned

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    Did I say that? This is a collectors forum not a scalpers board.

    Ands I said, do it don't advertise it.
     
  5. FCatCH76

    FCatCH76 Autobot

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    oh Transbot, you called him a scalper, I stated the obvious when it came to an auction. Sometimes it would be best to keep your thoughts to yourself.
     
  6. Transbot90210

    Transbot90210 Banned

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    Who is this guy? Lol.

    When u buy figures that are rare with the sole purpose to flip them that us called....

    All together now...

    SCALPING.
     
  7. FCatCH76

    FCatCH76 Autobot

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    This is where most of your post go to shit. You assume you know everything. How do you know his sole purpose was to scalp/ flip? I bought two and since they are selling like this, I have considered selling my extra.

    I'm done.
     
  8. Transbot90210

    Transbot90210 Banned

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    He bought 7 he sold 3 and is still waiting fir another shipment. I don't know everything, I know this situation.
     
  9. mx-01 archon

    mx-01 archon Well-Known Member

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    NO.

    For the last time, that's not what scalping is.

    Or at least, how fandoms typically define scalping, anyhow.

    The detestable practice is actively buying out stock from everywhere imaginable (but usually local outlets), with the intent of becoming the sole outlet of the given item, so that anyone else who's looking for that item will have to buy it from that individual, at usually drastically inflated rates.

    Buying a handful of extras to sell on eBay is not generally considered scalping, as far as the collector's market is concerned. Profiteering, but not scalping.
     
  10. originaljk

    originaljk Technobot

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    The people in this forum who paid for an early run on these things can't even wait for them to be shipped. Its officially 20 days since the shipping started and a week or so after they officially started going out people were ready to go to FPC and burn it to the ground cause they hadn't received their Warbot yet. Why would you think that those 33 other people would wait for the next release wave? Btw order 952...still pending, still not here, still don't care how long it takes cause I got one coming eventually.
     
  11. Duomaxwell1017

    Duomaxwell1017 Lt. to Optimus Prime

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    No I ordered 4 and only got 3 so far one im keeping for myself
     
  12. Stygian360

    Stygian360 Well-Known Member

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    Purchasing multiples of a limited edition toy (this applies even more acutely to retail mostly because fans have even less idea when more of a given toy will reappear) simply to flip the extras at a profit is scalping, any way you slice it. Couch it in buying for friends if you like, but if you buy that toy(s) only to turn it around for a max profit on eBay (or a similar 3rd party reseller) I'd call you a scalper, at least as I understand the definition of this fan created term. And as someone who has been patrolling eBay recently for a Steel Core, only to see the price well in excess of Fansproject's original $80 shipped price, I can tell you some of these scalpers are disgustingly greedy. $300 for an $80 toy... really??! Anyway...
     
  13. Necare

    Necare Well-Known Member

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    I have to agree COMPLETELY. Whether you buy out the whole supply, or buy extra figures, if you purchase an item to then turn around and resell it immediatel for a profit...that is scalping..in fandom, sportsdom, kingdom, or dumbdom!
     
  14. mx-01 archon

    mx-01 archon Well-Known Member

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    Is it BIN $300, or bid $300?

    Because the other key element that usually distinguishes "scalpers" from "resellers" is the jacked-up prices.

    If you throw the item on eBay and the price naturally escalates, then that's generally considered legit. If you start the item at an incredibly bloated price, then you're a greedy scalper.

    *shrug* whatever. What Duomaxwell1017's done doesn't strike me as particularly out of the ordinary, and isn't the type of behaviour that's typically vilified. Except in Transbot's eyes, where everybody reselling is a scalper. He hasn't contributed to any drought in the figure or anything. 7 figures out of an 800+ production run isn't a significant portion, everybody had ample warning to get the figure before it sold out, and everybody who ordered the figure got theirs (or is in the process of receiving theirs), so it's not like he cut anybody off to get his batch of figures. And there's going to be significantly more on the market it the future.
     
  15. Transbot90210

    Transbot90210 Banned

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    I am calling him a scalper because in this situation he is. I don't know what magic number of items one needs to buy for YOU to consider them a scalper but in my eyes; you buy multiples of an item for the sole intent of reselling it for a higher price, that's scalping. He bought late (800s) and bought many knowing the item was near selling out. You call it profiteering, I call it scalping the rest is symantics.

    Let's hear what those people who didn't get one think on the subject. At the end of the day he took this figure away from 3 people who were going to open it and play with it and sold it to said excited fans at an over 200% mark up.

    You say he didn't use a BIN thus he isn't greedy or a scalper. I say anyone who knows fansproject knows this thing would have at least bumped up to $120 (garunteed profit). He is taking advantage of a market he understands very well.


    You added more..niiice.

    By your rationale, scalpers don't exist. You know a toy is due out, you know roughly when it hits shelves, and these not-scalpers only buy 50 out of 100,000 so they take nothing away from no one. He cut off three people from buying this figure. You can't twist that fact.
     
  16. CodeXCDM

    CodeXCDM Well-Known Member

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    Ebay:
    Good question regarding shipping for those that have been notified and/or received their Steel Core... did FPC ever email tracking information?

    Right now I'm really pissed off at my Post Office... because for whatever reason the d-bag responsible for deliver runs has been *constantly* leaving invisible notices at my door step, and despite several complaints the office has done *nothing*. For the past year I've had to go to the PO and pick up *every* package I receive from Japan/China... it's quite frustrating.

    I can't recall whether I picked USPS, UPS Ground, Fedex, or whatever... and neither the email nor order status page gives *any* information as to the ship type, only cost ($14.18 if that means anything to anyone in the States)...

    If it was sent via USPS... I think I'm in trouble. =/
     
  17. RedAlert Rescue

    RedAlert Rescue Banned

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    Some might have the money in the short term to buy an expensive toy like Steel Core but it might really stretch them - if someone has the means to buy 2 or 3 of them they can recoup the cost of the one they keep, have an extra to cover themselves in case the one they get is broken or fault even if you don't sell the spare at a huge premium it seems like a common sense way of being able to afford an expensive toy to me. and something that seems downright sensible on any premium purchase - if people are happy enough to give you more than you paid it's win-win the seller get the one they keep for nothing or much cheaper - the funds they get for the others allows to pay of their credit card bill on the others much earlier (unless your using existing funds or a tax refund or something like that).

    And at the end of the day giving more money to Fansprojects is a good thing the more cash they have coming in the more stuff they can make in the future - buying Steel Core is likely subsidising the redeco Insecticons or other stuff..

    The buyer wins as they get a toy they want and cheaply - the manufacture wins as they get paid the money directly with no middle man so have more funds immediately available to make more stuff - and if they only made a finite amount (remember this is the first time they have sold like this) then to those who only found out about it after they have shipped (and sold out?) has a way to get it after all.

    If everyone just bought one and kept it then no one who is late to the party would have much chance of getting one until or unless they decide to make more.

    And at this stage I don't think we even know if they intend to make more.

    Now maybe some might have a point if someone is listing it as a buy it now for $300.00 that might be taking the Michael - but if someone starts it as cost plus shipping cost - and someone happens to bid it up to past $200.00 I don't have a problem with that - bizarre behaviour on ebay in not uncommon after all I often see people pay over the odds for things that are listed much cheaper as BIN listings - which is a pretty silly thing to do - but it happens often.

    Besides there's plenty of people on this board I bet couldn't afford to maintain a toy habit at all without some sort of trading aspect to the hobby. If you have enough money coming in or not enough desire for a great many toys that's fine - but if your addicted to toys and on a fixed income trading or customising or the like is the only way some people can maintain that hobby without getting into debt.

    Besides It does seem a lot of people seem to think it's only Scalping when other people do it.
     
  18. Stygian360

    Stygian360 Well-Known Member

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    I just want to state that I'm not pointing fingers at any one person here or elsewhere when I refer to the practice of scalping. I mention it only because the definition appeared in doubt, and I wanted to lend some credence to the theory I support. That being said, I think it's a generally detestable practice. And to answer the question asked, it was a BIN of $300. Not sure if that makes any widespread difference, but if so I felt it worthwhile to mention.

    With respect to your opinion, this ever so slightly misses the point. Going into the purchase of multiple LIMITED EDITION collectibles knowing you plan to buy them low and sell very high kinda sucks- unless you're the enterprising seller of course. It's that kind of world I suppose and every collector (and his/her pocketbook) for themselves on all that, but still. I get that pouring more money into Fansproject is a worthwhile endeavor because it obviously equals more great product for all of us in the end, but again, /sort of/ taking advantage of other collectors at an egregious mark-up smells like opportunism. And I for one think that's not right. Just sayin...
     
  19. jbz

    jbz Well-Known Member

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    I sold mine. Call me a scalper all you want. I bought just one to keep for myself, but once I saw an opportunity to:

    1) more than double my money
    2) give someone else this toy that I didn't need that bad
    3) probably buy it later since FP said they would make more

    Why wouldn't I consider selling it? I'm going to be putting money right back into FansProject as the money I made will be saved up for Assaulter, Menasor, another Steel Core etc.
     
  20. gv1128

    gv1128 Active Member

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    So quick question. Did anybody have trouble when transforming Steel Core from robot to vehicle mode. The problem with mine is when one has to drop the legs down further. I am able to unplug the legs from the tab but it will not budge any future from there. I know it can go lower but when I try to apply force I feel like I might break it. Any help will be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!!!