Scalping 7 Devastators on ebay

[drifand]

I think people are blowing this out of proportion.
These are just toys he is scalping, not an essential item like food or medicine.
Is anyone really suffering because of this?
And remember, scalpers only exist because people are willing to buy from them.

Ur no I disagree, to be honest do it discreetly rather than showing a photo of 7 he gotten.

It pisses people off a lot

[BigTransformerTrev]

There is no weakness here apart from the need to "own a toy" (insert any other material object here) right now. Because God forbid, the sky would fall if we don't.

The weak ones are the ones that buy from scalpers at inflated prices, not those that sell it.

If I may interject here, I really do not wish to start off the argument or heated debate again but I'll pop in my two cents.

First off, let me say scalpers really irk me. I think what the guy people are discussing is quite the scummy and it is unfair of him to grab 8 toys and deprive others of grabbing ones for themselves. If there had been a giant display of them (much like the gigantic AOE Grimlocks that were recently in Target by the dozens) I wouldn't have a problem. But this is the reason that many people also missed out on MP Soundwave when he appeared in the states. People were grabbing them by the cartload and then flogging them off the next day at twice the price. Sure, its a great way to make money, but if you are emptying the shelves so noone else can get one it simply is not a fair thing to do.

HOWEVER - at no point did I hear Sinner say that he approved of the scalpers methods or was championing their cause. He said that the weak ones are those that buy at the gigantic price from scalpers and to be fair he is correct. If people can just wait the extra month or two, they can get one for themselves at the RRP without giving these people their money. To not be able to wait for what is an item that will not effect your standard of living, could be viewed as a weakness. Not saying I view it as such myself, but it could certainly be deemed as so. It's not like its food, warmth or shelter.

Scalpers of this ilk are dodgy bastards in my opinion, but no they are not weak - just scummy.

Well for all us sydney siders we can have a chat with mr scalper personally as he always has a table at Penrith Fair, I recognise him as he always has Star Wars stuff and a tub of loose transformers and a universe countdown he has had for $70 for like 3 years
I am sure he will have these out next Sunday for sale

Please video it for me Screamer and send it to me! Would love to see it!

[drifand]

Well I have not gotten one but I am someone who doesn't mind if this get missed.

Personally if scalping was more discreet and respectful I can actually close my eyes. Heck if you actually check out our own for sale section we can see some marked up prices and people still buy.

I think is because he showed a picture of how many he grabbed was the main issue. It just pisses people off.

[reillyd]

There is no weakness
The weak ones are the ones that buy from scalpers at inflated prices, not those that sell it.

Yes, buyers are weak and deserve to be fleeced. Scalpers are strong and deserve to profit off the misery of others.

Because that's kinda what your argument is reduced to.

It might not have been your intent to make that argument, but it's the way it reads. It won't win any converts on a board of rabid transfans. We be crazy about our plastic crack

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah technically he didn't do anything wrong it's supply and demand and all that jazz. But doesn't mean people can't be upset about it.

Just because it's not illegal doesn't make it right. He's demonstrating an appalling level of avarice which works on exploiting fellow collectors. If he really wanted to do fans a service, he'd be selling these toys at the same price that he paid for.

I agree that half the blame should go with buyers who pay these scalper prices, but scalpers are to blame too for creating or increasing demand by making these toys scarcer than they otherwise would be by buying up so many of them. But yeah... collectors need to be patient and wait for future stock to arrive -- do NOT give in to scalper scum!

Yes, buyers are weak and deserve to be fleeced. Scalpers are strong and deserve to profit off the misery of others.

You just described the Sydney property market.

[kurdt_the_goat]

Makes me laugh that people will go to such lengths for such a little profit (assuming he even sells any). In the grand scheme of things... it's just easier and more honest to just do some extra overtime!

[drifand]

FYI this scalping does not just affected fans or collectors. The normal day to day people didn't even stand a chance knowing there was such a toy.

I am still waiting for big w to give me a call. Personally if I see the takara one just a bit more, I would let go the current one.

[drifand]

Makes me laugh that people will go to such lengths for such a little profit (assuming he even sells any). In the grand scheme of things... it's just easier and more honest to just do some extra overtime!

He will eventually sell, unfortunately. Many don't know the later release dates.

[Sinnertwin]

If I may interject here, I really do not wish to start off the argument or heated debate again but I'll pop in my two cents.

First off, let me say scalpers really irk me. I think what the guy people are discussing is quite the scummy and it is unfair of him to grab 8 toys and deprive others of grabbing ones for themselves. If there had been a giant display of them (much like the gigantic AOE Grimlocks that were recently in Target by the dozens) I wouldn't have a problem. But this is the reason that many people also missed out on MP Soundwave when he appeared in the states. People were grabbing them by the cartload and then flogging them off the next day at twice the price. Sure, its a great way to make money, but if you are emptying the shelves so noone else can get one it simply is not a fair thing to do.

HOWEVER - at no point did I hear Sinner say that he approved of the scalpers methods or was championing their cause. He said that the weak ones are those that buy at the gigantic price from scalpers and to be fair he is correct. If people can just wait the extra month or two, they can get one for themselves at the RRP without giving these people their money. To not be able to wait for what is an item that will not effect your standard of living, could be viewed as a weakness. Not saying I view it as such myself, but it could certainly be deemed as so. It's not like its food, warmth or shelter.

Scalpers of this ilk are dodgy bastards in my opinion, but no they are not weak - just scummy.

Thank You.

I'd like to think that toys are a luxury that we are fortunate enough to enjoy and not have a major impact on our lives.
They are not an essential part of our lives and I'm quite certain that our standards of living will not diminish if Devastator is not sitting on our shelves.

My point regarding the "weakness" was the fact that I feel that some people need these toys in their lives right now and feel like they don't have a choice but to pay scalper prices, then get angry because they do.

I enjoy collecting Transformers, I enjoy discussing them with our members, but it also saddens and frustrates me that people feel they have to pay scalper prices because of the need to have it -that small part of the human psyche that scalpers are very well aware and take advantage of.

[Viderzo]

I apologize if I stirred many angry feelings here. Just joined this forum (long time user though) and making everyone angry is the last thing that I want to do. I hate scalpers but in the big scheme of things that ebay seller is not the worst (although his smugness posing in front of the pile of Devy that I AM sure he got from a BIGW insider doesnt help one bit). On top of my head PS2, PS3, iphone 5S gold etc etc were some of the worst one.

Let's move on. Forget that pathetic ebay seller. I went to BigW southland at 7 AM Thursday and was one of the first (top 10 at least) who put my name there. I was told that they will give me a call later on. Lucky my son's birthday is still a month away

I will call them tomorrow to see what is going on and will post the update. good luck to everyone here!