Scalping is almost a non-existent issue in the TF world. From memory the only toys in recent history that have even come close to suffering from widescale scalping are Hasbro Walmart MP Starscream (BBTS was supposedly one of the scalpers) and the first 2008 Camaro Bumblebee. There may be a few isolated cases around the place but mostly the toys sell to collectors or kids or simply might not be stocked by a store. Just because you can't find a toy doesn't mean it's been scalped. So manchildren (and children) should stop cursing the evil scalping boogeyman every time they can't get their fat cheeto-stained fingers on a $10 toy.
Full Disclosure: IMO just an opinion folks, "stockpiling" a wanted figure for future consideration is basically = scalping.
Given the widespread production and distribution of at least the figures released to general retail, it should be next to impossible to scalp most figures. In my experience, scalping usually happens when there is already a limited supply of something, and/or when demand will readily outstrip the supply.
You're forgetting Windcharger, Grapple [early on]. There were people that had 10 Windchargers and asking 30 to 35 USD for them. As far as I recall, 08 Bumblebee was plentiful after a month or so passed, unlike Warpath, who started becoming uncommon instead of rare just a few weeks ago.
I disagree to an extent. You certainly are welcome to your opinion. I anticipate this figure to be in demand in the future and bought a few to sweeten trades. I also need a few for customs. When I get the inevitable Nemesis Prime/Scourge custom commission with the Maketoys trailer, and the RTS Primes are nowhere to be seen, I'll have them on hand, which will reduce my cost to build thus increasing my profit margin. Stockpiling a figure for future consideration is basically = planning ahead.
Based on stuff we know about coming, my guesses would be... - TF Prime Voyager Bulkhead - Doesn't matter if he gets increased numbers in future assortments, the figure is short-packed in the initial cases. Scalpers could easily buy them up, create a sudden shortage, take advantage of impatient people and quickly flip them before the future assortments with increased numbers. - TF Prime Deluxe Vehicon - Army-building will make enough of a shortage that scalpers could easily snap up the rest. - Generations Junkheap - Same scenario as with TFP Vehicon. I've noticed that too. Both of the local Targets nearest me had a large number of those figures out and it almost seemed like I was the only person to actually buy one between the two different stores...and then they suddenly all disappeared.
Ya, scalping usually happens when there is a limited supply of something. I still don't get why a bunch of classics figures which I hear were shelf-warming r selling at such high prices now. Especially that magnus &sw ting!
I wouldn't have said it quite like this, but true enough. I can't tell if the OP is "let's get riled up at the boogeyman scalpers" or "help me become a boogeyman scalper." Either way, pfft.
I bet DOTM Skids and Mudflap are going to be scalped. Oh, and all those Bumblebees. Scalpers could make a lot of money selling those. cough sneeze
Just going by where I live, I can assess that interesting stuff on the shelves (at least to me) is minimal. Generations hasn't progressed past wave 5 where I live, and even then wave 5 was in minimal supply. Reveal the Shield is gone almost everywhere, but we did get every wave that was released at SOME point. Any new stuff that I see anymore around here is movie related. Movie toys, especially exclusives, are released in such high quantity however that scalpers really don't have any way to profit from them. Scalpers thrive on rare toys. The shortpacked or exclusive stuff. If there's none of that on pegs, they have no way to lure in their prey. The scalpers will wait until a line ends, because that's when the line starts to die off, less waves get released, and the final waves are harder to find.
Really, scalping wouldn't be a problem if people weren't greedy. In my opinion, scalping, stockpiling, storing, etc. are all the same thing. If you buy something intending to sell it later, you are looking for a profit. If you are trying to capitalize on the value of a KIDS' toy, you are a scalper. I'm personally not a fan of all the "secondary market" crap sellers try to pull as well. I understand that this market runs by supply and demand, but just because the figure has been out of production for a few years does not mean that a deluxe figure is now worth $45. Why are you looking to make a profit? I understand hard times can come on people and they need to sell, or they don't enjoy the figure anymore, but why is that any reason to sell a figure (most of the time loose) for MORE than what you paid? It's really bothersome to me on here, where we're supposed to be a fan community. Why are we trying to make extra money off each other? I've seen quite a few sellers here and elsewhere sell their figures at cost to many a grateful buyer, because the buyer obviously wants the toy to enjoy it and can't get it elsewhere without paying an insane markup due to "secondary market value". Sure, its all artificial, and much of the blame does fall on buyers willing to purchase things at that price, but surely some of the blame falls on sellers. I don't see how someone can be so blinded by money that they can charge a fellow fan/collector 3 times what they paid for the figure brand-new and not feel the least bit guilty. No one here likes or encourages scalpers' prices, so why do we encourage this? Just my long-winded two cents. All of that being said, Generations figures will probably increase in "value" like every other classics-esque line. I could see figures like Leader Sentinel, Deluxe Optimus, and many of the movie line being popular once they are no longer available, too.
There's your answer. I've listed a lot of TFs on eBay at rather low prices, usually less than cost. I'm not the one who tells people what price to pay - they're the ones who want it bad enough to pay more than cost, sometimes multiples of the cost. I've sold things through TFW, too - only a handful of items, but those were sold at or below cost, because I like other people to still enjoy the things I've grown tired of. But if someone's gonna give me $50 for a $10 toy, well, tell me you'd say no without a second thought. Besides, selling my older toys helps fund my newer purchases. Circle of life.
And this I understand. I wasn't referring to eBay, but I can see how that would be the case. I was referring mainly to hear on TFW or similar fan sites. I'm glad that you list yours at/below cost, but there are seemingly many more who do not. I would say no to a person offering that much. Is it difficult? Of course, because they are offering you much more money than you expected, but I would simply feel wrong for consciously overcharging a person when I know they would ideally like the toy for, at the most, cost. Fan communities like this should be about helping each other out, not capitalizing on one fan for starting later than others, or missing out on a specific figure. There are always people who can be fools with their money and spend what they please, but we should leave that for places like eBay and keep TFW a place where we can be civil to each other by only charging cost.
i am going to say the next generations junkion and maybe black shadow...the two pack leadfoot and twin twist will have haphazard distribution at places (we never got the target exclusive cobra rattler or the blue hiss tank for GI JOE in Tucson )....and the ROTF combiner sets showed up ONCE and gone! so those are my guesses...prime figures might(vehicon and bulkhead are my bets) but still not convinced that line will sell super hot yet...
That's really asking a lot of people I mean it's a collector site not a Transformers utopia site. Some of the appeal of the Hobby is begin able to resell for a above retail price to help pay for future purchases. While I hate paying extra for stuff that I missed at retail I know I'll eventually resell something for a profit too therefore its all evens out in the end.
I think HA Jazz will probably go up in value like HA Barricade did. I think it actually had already gone up quite a bit before they started showing up at the discount stores recently.
yeah but the bulk of humanity (95%ish) is not going to be that way...that is why NON PROFIT corps cannot function...folks don't do charity for FREE... $$$ makes the world go around as the old saying goes...and you selling something at cost is not going to cover most folks thinking for time, effort, gas spent, shipping time, waiting at the post office to mail it etc, I sell most of the stuff in my store that i acquire from other folks or HTS /target/etc when on sale clearance for usually $5 to $10 at the most above what it cost me...i am content to make about a 10 to 15 % profit for my time and effort.... But there are tons of folks who don't see it that way (RTS WINDCHARGER, UNITED RUBMLE/FRENZY ) are prime examples of this crap....
I don't know why people keep making and posting on these thread. You guys are only giving scalpers more ideas to add to their list.
i agree...if they are clearance pricing the Fuck out of all the RTS line everywhere and folks don't want to get the stuff now...then pay later.... I waited on some of the botcon items when they first were released...HA...that was a mistake.....once stuff is not available at retail anymore ...the secondary market value takes over...armada nemesis prime is a great example of this...a deluxe that retailed for $15ish...now you cannot touch a used on off ebay for less than $30 to $40 or more....