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UltraMarginal
6th August 2013, 01:08 PM
so here and there when a popular item turns up, it gets cleared out quick smart from retail stores by scalpers. it's often not particularly easy to spot a scalper on eBay but there are a few standouts.

Current scalpers are dealing in Masterpiece Soundwaves.

We often wish that we had a more pro-active way of deterring scalpers than simply not buying their wares, there will always be someone desperate enough for an item to pay exorbitant aftermarket prices.

I have a proposal. When you see a scalper on eBay or a similar sales sight, post a link to that listing here and then anyone who is irritated by the scalper/scalping in general can easily go to the listing and ask the seller a question.
It's better if the question seems legitimately about the item, that way they can't dismiss it out of hand and have to read and reply to it, taking up valuable time and effort. If enough people message them, it will effectively choke their dodgey business.

Over time this may have a reducive effect on the number of people scalping items that would otherwise be fairly purchased by legitimate collectors from their original retail store.

This is NOT intended to target someone selling one or two of an item at a dollar or few above retail as there are plenty of people out there who appreciate being able to use eBay to purchase items not available in their local area (globally speaking).

This IS intended to target people selling a currently hot item at 50% or more above the retail price, or who have many multiples of something for sale that is known to be in limited retail supply or who have purchased something and are then selling it peacemeal at an overall massively over inflated price.


If you don't agree with this thread, don't tell us below, just don't participate.
Mods if this contravenes any forum rules I apologise in advance and am happy for it to be removed. I have posted a similar post on several interational collectors sites.

UltraMarginal
6th August 2013, 01:11 PM
A first submission (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Transformers-Masterpiece-MP02-Soundwave-Cassettes-Hasbro-Takara-TRU-SDCC-NIB-/251315320798?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123#ht_330w t_1318)

have at him

millhouse
6th August 2013, 01:23 PM
I just don't see the point in this. I mean, it's a fact of the hobby. It's not that I disagree that scalpers are a problem, but we're looking at something that isn't released in Australia yet (and being we're in Australia, I think it's a fair point).

Put it this way, I didn't have issues getting MP-10 or Thundercracker here, so much so that there were multiple opportunities in multiple stores. I think that's suggesting that, if you're on the ball, you're often get what you want at retail in Oz. If you're not, then you'll find the same issues we saw with people wanting a YOTS Omega Supreme three weeks after the start of the sale and frankly, that's where it's not a distribution issue, it's (often, not always) laziness, ignorance, a lack of awareness, or a late decision on the part of the collector.

I'd expect MP Soundwave to be a catalogue item when it hits Oz (like MP-10 Prime was), and as such, they'll have to have a certain amount available for the sale (in accordance with advertising laws in Australia).

Either pay the extra while it's easily available overseas, or wait and try to buy local. It's not as if they won't be available on eBay if you miss out on the local sales.

/playingdevilsadvocate

UltraMarginal
6th August 2013, 01:34 PM
you've missed my point, the intent is to make scalping irritatingly difficult for those who go out and purchase large amounts of a known sought after retail product for the express purpose of flipping it for large profit through eBay. If you don't have any interest in participating then don't.
there are plenty of other threads to discuss the pro's and cons of scalping

reillyd
6th August 2013, 02:05 PM
you've missed my point, the intent is to make scalping irritatingly difficult for those who go out and purchase large amounts of a known sought after retail product for the express purpose of flipping it for large profit through eBay. If you don't have any interest in participating then don't.
there are plenty of other threads to discuss the pro's and cons of scalping

Ahh, but what in what way COULD you make it irritatingly difficult for scalpels? If you choose not to buy, others surely will - but if you buy yourself, you're fueling the scalping. It has always seemed like an intractable problem..... But if you come up with an idea or two, I'd be glad to help put it into practice.

reillyd
6th August 2013, 02:07 PM
The only possible way that I could ever think of was to give fellow collectors a heads up in sightings threads, as they are (hopefully!) less likely to scalp. Sort of community spirit come collector activism

UltraMarginal
6th August 2013, 02:10 PM
have you not read the first post? I'll bold the bit that's specific to my plan for world domination.

Lint
6th August 2013, 02:22 PM
When you see a scalper on eBay or a similar sales sight, post a link to that listing here and then anyone who is irritated by the scalper/scalping in general can easily go to the listing and ask the seller a question.
It's better if the question seems legitimately about the item, that way they can't dismiss it out of hand and have to read and reply to it, taking up valuable time and effort. If enough people message them, it will effectively choke their dodgey business.

Or


Or they could just add you to their blocked buyer's list. Or better still, just completely ignore query emails for their lisitings due to the sheer quantity they are recieving. They're clearly there to make an easy dollar not pander to their customer's every need.

UltraMarginal
6th August 2013, 02:35 PM
Or they could just add you to their blocked buyer's list. Or better still, just completely ignore query emails for their lisitings due to the sheer quantity they are recieving. They're clearly there to make an easy dollar not pander to their customer's every need.

True but all the ones I have seen have good ratings, which they need to upkeep in order to keep selling.
part of that is communicating with customers. I pinged the guy in post #2 and i've recieved maybe 10 or so messages from him and I was trolling hard.
as a seller with a good rating you can't afford to ignore messages that look like legit questions, no matter how stupid the question might be.


I'm not saying this will stop scalping, or work on every scalper but it might make it less attractive to scalp transformers over time. which can't be bad for any collector.

Lint
6th August 2013, 02:49 PM
True but all the ones I have seen have good ratings, which they need to upkeep in order to keep selling.
part of that is communicating with customers. I pinged the guy in post #2 and i've recieved maybe 10 or so messages from him and I was trolling hard.
as a seller with a good rating you can't afford to ignore messages that look like legit questions, no matter how stupid the question might be.


I'm not saying this will stop scalping, or work on every scalper but it might make it less attractive to scalp transformers over time. which can't be bad for any collector.

But if he's got generally good ratings then he's either set up a shill buying system to get good ratings or he is legitmately getting frequent good feedback from legitimate (although arguably poorly informed or desperate) buyers. I don't mean to highlight the futility of this effort but you know what, if this is your evil plan to save the world then go for it champ :rolleyes:

UltraMarginal
6th August 2013, 03:02 PM
sellers need to maintain good communications to keep a good feedback rating.

if fifty people sent 1 message each to a seller that was in some way a legitimate question the seller would at least have to read them, and respond to some.

that's easily an hour of time for one person and a mere minute or two for everyone else.
look at it like a rundown play (in baseball) 3 fielders put in some effort and the runner puts in all the opposing effort.

If the Transformers online community banded together and all got involved, certain eBay accounts would literally block up.

but thanks for your support.

millhouse
6th August 2013, 03:31 PM
If we look at the current US retail price at being $138.xx (as I heard, possibly including sales tax?), so $140 for easy maths, at $185, it's not an insane markup (32%).

Keep in mind that it's better than a lot of places (Robot Kingdom has it at $199), and further, there's a lot of places globally that don't have any news of this coming to them locally. If TRU are unable or unwilling to ship internationally (and after the bullshit I went through with their piss-poor partner i-Parcel, I know I'll never try and buy internationally from TRU again), then what options do they have? Not everyone who wants want has the time to devote to a message board and would quite frankly pay the difference these guys are selling it for.

Frustrating? Yes. But it's coming out in Australia later this year, and the option to wait is there.

Put it this way, if I wasn't a part of this board, I might pick up one or two extra to make a bit of profit on and lower my costs. That being said, as I am a part of this board, if I hear or see anything, I'll throw it up here and try to help.

Add to that, correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesn't communication ratings only matter if its between the seller and the buyer?

UltraMarginal
6th August 2013, 04:33 PM
If we look at the current US retail price at being $138.xx (as I heard, possibly including sales tax?), so $140 for easy maths, at $185, it's not an insane markup (32%).


If he listed them at a 10% profit and had a few it wouldn't be so bad but the listing states "over 10" availble and his picture shows 18 boxes, he's cleaned out at least one store to have stock like that. so the people who live in his area and wanted one, either have to go elsewhere or buy them off him.




Keep in mind that it's better than a lot of places (Robot Kingdom has it at $199), and further, there's a lot of places globally that don't have any news of this coming to them locally. If TRU are unable or unwilling to ship internationally (and after the bullshit I went through with their piss-poor partner i-Parcel, I know I'll never try and buy internationally from TRU again), then what options do they have? Not everyone who wants want has the time to devote to a message board and would quite frankly pay the difference these guys are selling it for.


RK are a retailer, they have purchased from hasbro and can list at whatever price they choose, if they think they can make more off of one item that's their business choice, it helps offset the items they have that they have to discount to 50% to get out of their warehouse.




Frustrating? Yes. But it's coming out in Australia later this year, and the option to wait is there.


This isn't about soundwave so much as blatant scalping of high demand transformers product. it's too late to curb scalpers in the US on this one but that doesn't mean we can't make their eBay life entirely frustrating.


Put it this way, if I wasn't a part of this board, I might pick up one or two extra to make a bit of profit on and lower my costs. That being said, as I am a part of this board, if I hear or see anything, I'll throw it up here and try to help.

Add to that, correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesn't communication ratings only matter if its between the seller and the buyer?

If you contacted a seller legitimately and he never answered you, would you buy the item or go to another seller with the same item?
look at the numbers i've posted in this thread (http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-ebay/949975-what-do-about-scalpers.html#post9850998) they don't quite apply here, we only have 1400 members 250 of which are active. but between all of the transformers fan sites, those numbers would apply in even larger values. If you were only scalping 2 different products and not selling anything else you probably wouldn't care, but if you are legitimately selling other items or in general at least supplementing an income with eBay, you couldn't afford a backlog in your messages folder.

communication ratings also relate back to listing discounts that sellers get from eBay, if they aren't excellent listings tend to cost them a lot more money. at least that's how I understand it.

millhouse
6th August 2013, 04:57 PM
If he listed them at a 10% profit and had a few it wouldn't be so bad but the listing states "over 10" availble and his picture shows 18 boxes, he's cleaned out at least one store to have stock like that. so the people who live in his area and wanted one, either have to go elsewhere or buy them off him.

And what's to say that he isn't making profit off this for something else he has run at a loss?


RK are a retailer, they have purchased from hasbro and can list at whatever price they choose, if they think they can make more off of one item that's their business choice, it helps offset the items they have that they have to discount to 50% to get out of their warehouse.

See my comment above. Further, isn't it a Toys R Us exclusive? If so, how are Robot Kingdom being supplied direct through Hasbro at the same time as the US stock drop?


If you contacted a seller legitimately and he never answered you, would you buy the item or go to another seller with the same item?

Well, the majority of eBay purchases I make require little communication. If I was looking at this listing, I don't think there are any questions that I need answering, at least prior to purchase. Sure, you might find that he loses some sales from ignoring questions, but how many legitimate buyers have questions for him that aren't in his listing?


communication ratings also relate back to listing discounts that sellers get from eBay, if they aren't excellent listings tend to cost them a lot more money. at least that's how I understand it.

I can't say I'm aware of this, so I'll take your word on it.

Sinnertwin
6th August 2013, 05:04 PM
While we can't eliminate scalping altogether, i believe as a unit we can deter, even if it's just that small percentage of opportunistic scalpers with effective communication. We all want a Soundwave, that much is obvious, but what are we doing about it in the meantime? Ultra Marginal has started a thread assisting those in remote locations, or those unable to make the necessary trip to TRU. And i've had a request to assist myself, which i'll do my best to fulfill.
And the rest of us in suburbia? Start communicating now with those you regularly socialize with or even those you are friends with within your state. If i know that a board member is after a particular item and i see it on the shelves i'm more than willing to assist, and vice versa. If we can help each other internally, that'll ensure that our members at least are paying fair prices.

Bidoofdude
6th August 2013, 06:47 PM
Ahh, but what in what way COULD you make it irritatingly difficult for scalpels? If you choose not to buy, others surely will - but if you buy yourself, you're fueling the scalping. It has always seemed like an intractable problem..... But if you come up with an idea or two, I'd be glad to help put it into practice.

Scalpels can get irritated? :confused:;)

Back on point, it seems ok but it might get out of hand really quickly.

Just don't buy and encourage others to do the same. Eventually they'll just lose money.

But unfortunately, every so often, Mr Hugewallet McSpendheapsofpointlessmoneyman comes along and spends $300-$400 that sold for $150 a year ago or something else like that... :(

nexusnixx
6th August 2013, 07:05 PM
I agree with Millhouse as to how come robot kingdom can retail them when it clearly says toys r us exclusive.
I did check with my suppliers and contacts and hasbro did not give them the option of buying these at all.

And is robot kingdom the only retailer besides toys r us selling these?

UltraMarginal
6th August 2013, 08:10 PM
My intention of starting this thread was to provide a place for Scalpers to be called out and then for people to work together as a global community to make life a little harder for Scalpers.

it wasn't intended to be a discussion. there have already been plenty of those.

Helping with an endeavor generally doesn't include listing all the ways it can go wrong or not work.
I see so many people in various places angry about scalpers, I was providing a tool that could be more effective and proactive than watching other deperate people spend their hard earned cash.

If I didn't explain myself I apologise.

AJ_Prime
6th August 2013, 08:58 PM
A first submission (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Transformers-Masterpiece-MP02-Soundwave-Cassettes-Hasbro-Takara-TRU-SDCC-NIB-/251315320798?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123#ht_330w t_1318)

have at him

All that aside, this seller is clearly a wanker. Seriously, 18? WTF?

reillyd
6th August 2013, 11:50 PM
have you not read the first post? I'll bold the bit that's specific to my plan for world domination.

Ahh, that makes SO much more sense now. Just being a little too subtle for a long work day. Bold makes everything BOLDER

ILikeSoundwave
7th August 2013, 06:28 AM
A first submission (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Transformers-Masterpiece-MP02-Soundwave-Cassettes-Hasbro-Takara-TRU-SDCC-NIB-/251315320798?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123#ht_330w t_1318)

have at him
He removed the listing and the photo with those Soundwaves.

UltraMarginal
7th August 2013, 08:25 AM
Wow, I didn't expect it to work that fast.

griffin
7th August 2013, 02:11 PM
All he did was relist it without the group shot, but still noting how many he has available.

UltraMarginal
7th August 2013, 02:58 PM
but he's listed 5 instead of "more than 10".

he's at least starting to consider not being so overt.
if I get time before my trip tomorrow, I might see if I can spot a couple more scalpers.

others are more than welcome to link to a scalper.

GoktimusPrime
7th August 2013, 03:30 PM
I cannot help you with your endeavour as I don't have an eBay account, but I wish you all the best of luck. :)

UltraMarginal
7th August 2013, 03:44 PM
I cannot help you with your endeavour as I don't have an eBay account, but I wish you all the best of luck. :)

cheers:)

BigTransformerTrev
7th August 2013, 04:09 PM
Good for you getting stuck into the scalpers - blaggards to a man they are! What to do with them? Boiling oil, a sharpened broomstick handle and 9 hungry ferrets comes to mind! But to avoid trouble with the law we'll go with your idea ;)


I get on ebay very rarely (in fact the only time in the past 6 months was when I was annoyed at not getting SW and wanted to see how many were already being scalped on ebay an hour after TRUOnline sold out) but whenever I do will gladly contribute to the cause :D

Slag
7th August 2013, 05:29 PM
Helping with an endeavour generally doesn't include listing all the ways it can go wrong or not work.



LOL. less Negatrons, more Optimist Primes.:p

Not sure how well it will work but anything is better than nothing.

iamirondude
7th August 2013, 05:35 PM
well you could always go deliverance on them.

Jetfire in the sky
15th August 2013, 04:46 PM
LOL. less Negatrons, more Optimist Primes.:p

.

I am SO using that

Megatron
16th August 2013, 08:12 AM
LOL. less Negatrons, more Optimist Primes.:p

:rolleyes:

BigTransformerTrev
15th December 2018, 08:11 AM
The amount of Aussie Sellers listing ‘NEW’ TLK Voyagers for $40+ (some as high as $76!) is outrageous! :mad:

Never mind us collectors. How many struggling families who can’t afford decent pressies for their kids at Xmas could have benefitted from picking up a big Optimus Prime for $5 - a lot that’s how many! :(

Scum! Pure scum! :mad:

CHILENO20
15th December 2018, 08:32 AM
The amount of Aussie Sellers listing ‘NEW’ TLK Voyagers for $40+ (some as high as $76!) is outrageous! :mad:

Never mind us collectors. How many struggling families who can’t afford decent pressies for their kids at Xmas could have benefitted from picking up a big Optimus Prime for $5 - a lot that’s how many! :(

Scum! Pure scum! :mad:

Saw your fb post, absolutely right dude :mad: these f***wits will sell anything to make a buck :mad:

Trent
15th December 2018, 01:09 PM
The amount of Aussie Sellers listing ‘NEW’ TLK Voyagers for $40+ (some as high as $76!) is outrageous! :mad:

Never mind us collectors. How many struggling families who can’t afford decent pressies for their kids at Xmas could have benefitted from picking up a big Optimus Prime for $5 - a lot that’s how many! :(

Scum! Pure scum! :mad:

The jokes on them Trev. No one is ever going to pay that.

UltraMarginal
17th December 2018, 07:47 AM
The jokes on them Trev. No one is ever going to pay that.

we can only hope, but these figures, especially scorn and Nitro have always been hard to find.
I hope they get stuck with loads of figures they can't move but it's likely they will sell more than enough to cover any expense they've had grabbing up all this stock.

MayzaPrime
17th December 2018, 10:25 AM
TLK toys didn't sell well at retail at all... the only reason they are selling now is because they are heavily discounted. These scalpers will not be able to move these... I will be enjoying watching these items sit there for a long time

CHILENO20
17th December 2018, 12:40 PM
Not exactly scalpers but definitely karma related:

https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/fight-over-50-cent-christmas-ornament-goes-viral/news-story/b83d20ae86cec28466e82374c6f4017d

BigTransformerTrev
18th December 2018, 07:18 PM
Got so annoyed about the whole situation wrote a blog about it HERE (http://www.bigangrytrev.com/scalpers-a-holes-of-the-collectors-world/):mad:

Bladestorm
18th December 2018, 09:20 PM
I'm gobsmacked people would be attempting to buy up and scalp the $5 transformers.
I have been too bogged down with puppy, kids end of year stuff and MIL but I had been hoping to go and score a few of them to put into wishing trees and the like as I used to donate Transformers to children's charities in HK too; I love the idea of giving less fortunate kids 2 toys in one and hopefully a little inspiration as well.

The problem, I guess, is that scalpers don't care about other people as they are blinded by $$. I have had one encounter with a US scalper online who was proud of what he did. It scared me the rabid desire and pride he had for wiping out stores of stock and how territorial he was. Their mentality bewilders me.

FruitBuyer
19th December 2018, 08:18 AM
I'm gobsmacked people would be attempting to buy up and scalp the $5 transformers.
I have been too bogged down with puppy, kids end of year stuff and MIL but I had been hoping to go and score a few of them to put into wishing trees and the like as I used to donate Transformers to children's charities in HK too; I love the idea of giving less fortunate kids 2 toys in one and hopefully a little inspiration as well.

The problem, I guess, is that scalpers don't care about other people as they are blinded by $$. I have had one encounter with a US scalper online who was proud of what he did. It scared me the rabid desire and pride he had for wiping out stores of stock and how territorial he was. Their mentality bewilders me.

https://i1.wp.com/www.thegurgler.com/wp-content/uploads/jerk-of-the-month-new.png?fit=722%2C493