When collecting TFs becomes a selfish obsession...

[1orion2many]

"OOOOOoooooo that's favourtism". "What? He spat in my face". "What I wouldn't give to be spat at in the face". "I lie awake at night dreaming of it sometimes". Sorry I couldn't remember the exact Monty Python quote but this is all that comes to mind at the moment reading this thread. I really don't know what else to say to all of this, no one has any obligation to anyone, these are just favours given to each other on this board. If I was forgotten by someone hunting TF's I'd just shrug it off and continue hunting myself as I enjoy wandering around the shops regardless of finding something I'm after. Don't get me wrong as I would be a little disappointed missing out at the time but you get over it.

[GoktimusPrime]

It's everyone's own responsibility to find and buy our own toys. Nobody is obliged to help us or do it for us. It is a privilege to have other people help you in acquiring Transformers but it is not your right (and thus they are under no obligation to help you).

I'm always grateful when others help me in my hunt for TFs, but I wouldn't be too upset about it if they didn't get it for me. At the end of the day, the ownus is on me, not others.

[Kyle]

I'm not trying to dismiss Mel's concerns, because I feel bad for her, and can relate from when people I help out don't return the goodwill when I need help with something. I just prioritise people in future who have helped me out in the past. If I start to obsess over being used and ignored, and take it out on everyone, it just hurts those who have been good to me.

Bossbot, do you need help with anything lately? I still remember the time you helped me get Rodimus which I still have not returned the favour. And oh, not to mention something you set up called the OTCA.

That's something we also need to keep in mind.

As enthusiastic as some members are with chasing up others when they find something new or limited, others won't be, and it's an unfortunate trade-off. Some will benefit more than others, because some collect more, and some are more energetic with their hunt for new stuff.
The objective of a cooperative community is that each member helps out the greater body, to ultimately over time, benefit all those in it. Not necessarily equally, but as fairly as possible, to the extent each wants out of the arrangement.
If we start keeping track of who helps out who, and working out if everyone is getting an equal share, despite differing demands/wants, resentment will overshadow the desire to help out others.
We just hope that over time, some aren't overlooked too often, intentionally or unintentionally.

I'd like to point out that, to those who care about these things, sometimes the benefits might not come back directly from the person you help, right away. For example, If A helps B, B might not be able to help A. But B might help C, who might end up helping A. So I agree with Griffin's perspective. So let's all forget about keeping scores. Just help each other out whenever we can and enjoy our hobby. Be forgiving if someone accidentally forgets about you. Just be happy!

And I do not consider Jay, Mel, any name mentioned on this thread, or anyone posting on this thread to be selfish. All have made various contributions to the community in the past, big or small, which we all appreciate. None of these should be measured or compared.

[Lint]

Well either way, I look forward to the day when our retailers will purchase enough stock to satisfy both collectors and non-collectors.

Or will collector appetite just scale to match increased stocking levels?

Aye the sales efficiency I could achieve if I was a strategic sourcing manager in retail

[Tallestblue]

Ahhh, the subject of Scalping.
To me a Scalper is someone who is not a fan and only sees the potential value and not the joy it can bring to someone who's a fan or a small child.
And I wish those people a slow painful pinching death at the hands of small children denied neat toys. I also hope those children have chocolatey fingers.

And Mel? She deserves a hug, a round of applause and one of those big boxes of Cadbury Roses like on the ads from the 80s for buying other people Transformers before she gets them for herself.

I don't want to be inflammatory but, Gods, sometimes us TF fans can sound like Jerks. I'm talking about the constant bitching about crappy paint jobs, How the movie's not like G1, how Animated's not like G1 how Marvel and Star Wars Tf suck bitch bitch bitch etc.

Seriously. A lot of hard work goes into creating some of these toys and everyone should be damn greateful that a 25 year old toyline is still going.

So, to conclude. Transformers Rock. Mel is Awesome, Shut your collective Yaps.

good day.

[Kyle]

Tallestblue:

This thread actually has nothing to do with scalping. The extra toys were all purchased for fellow board members, and unfortunately Mel missed out this time.

[Golden Phoenix]

I think we should all just take a step back.
We have to stop taking this kind of thing so personally and let things slide. I can understand why your upset Mel, it is a natural feeling, but you have to remember that Jay we probably in a rush and excited. You don't always think straight or about everything. And he usually doesn't message people about it. He only got me one because I asked him to. I also know that he might be cash strapped, hell I am pretty much all the time, cept maybe on Wednesdays.

To be honest though, I think we really should stop taking a lot of things here personally. I see arguments pop up here and there because some people do take things a bit to serious sometimes. And due to the arguments I usually avoid the topics with them. I think we need to chill out and focus on the positive.
Yes Jay didn't get you one, but you should be excited that they are out in Australia, especially since it is before the Amaricans (take that yankees!),
and Yes sometimes jokes or random posts do clutter the topic, but they only get in the way if you let them. If you see a short post and it starts off not serious or is mostly an image, skip it. Or read it and Laugh. And if it is directed at you, laugh and fire one back. Just like, chill out

[Stompy]

I will put my two cents in since I kinda got the ball rolling in the first place.

There was no favoritism in who I contacted. I did not plan on contacting just my own select "gang". I have no gang in these boards and consider the entire forum as my "gang". The only reason I contacted the select people I contacted was because the contacts were local to the retail outlet I spotted the figure.

I'm sorry Mel if I offended you by not including you in the text but with that sort of thinking then I should have contacted every single member of this board too. It was not my intention to hide the findings at all. The next opportunity I had was when I got home which I promptly posted the minute I got to my PC as a way to let the other members know of the finding. On top of that, seeing that the item in question is a catalogue item I assumed it will be well stocked in all TK/TW which I know there's a lot of locations for everyone to go and find one.

As many members have said previously, nobody is under any obligation. I never take anyone or any favours for granted and try to return them whenever I can. I do not have the resources to let people know on the spot or buy many figures for others (I only ever buy one of any figure). I can assure you that it is very difficult for me to go on hunts but it just makes the hunt and finding these plastic treasures that extra bit more wonderful. Despite odds I can usually find ANY retail figure I want.

Again, please do not take it personally Mel. This is a wonderful community for a wonderful hobby. It was in my intention to make sure everyone in these boards get informed of any sightings.

[JuzMel]

Hey TallestBlue, to clarify things, I'm not inciting about anyone here being a scalper, just saying they have "scalper-like" behaviour. But I still won't mind the nice box of chocolates though.

He only got me one because I asked him to.

And how did you know about it? Telepathy? He must have obviously contacted you. Anyway as mentioned I'm not dwelling on the issue of last night.

It was more of the issue last night hitting a spark in me that started this topic because the 2 musketeers are pretty oblivious to the fact that they are pissing people off and people are labelling them "Selfish"; from various sources. The tower of TRU 2-Packs, the wave 3/4 of Animated Deluxes, the cheap Combiners already started the green eyed monsters in us. Not everyone is able to go out anytime of the day to hunt for TFs.

As Paulbot said

Part of the fun for some of us is the "hunt" part of finding the toy. When we see that someone (or in this case two people) have bought up a large number of the toys it decreases the chance of us finding them on the hunt.

I saw that tower of two-packs and had a similar reaction, although one more of jealousy, jealous of the people who found it and those who'd had one bought for them.

Fair enough you can have your own selective group of people you want to contact or buy for then later post it in sightings here. But maybe in future try not to flaunt quantities of the loot then? Just take photo of one? What people don't know won't hurt them. Trust me, I'm not the only green-eyed one.

Honestly, flaunting your loot and then advertising who they are for and/or having doubles or triples of the new TF item when all the other poor TF fans out there have trouble even finding one is not something to be proud of.

Anyway Mods if you think this thread is getting to far, please close it. It was mainly just to make a point (about sharing and giving) and not let things get too far. As said many times, all done and over and no more hard feelings or whatsoever.

[canofwhoopass_87]

On a similar note, I've also noticed a lot of greed and backstabbing in the sale yard by members trying to push past one another to get to specific items. This has led to multiple disputes but at the end of the day, I just sit back and look at these people and just feel so sorry for you (they won't be named). In my short time here I've seen so much selfishness and stupidity that it pushes me to be negative towards other members as well, but because I'm not a more prominent senior member I get brushed aside. Even so, whether I'm right or wrong, I'd like to apologise for any wrongdoings during my stay.

I can understand how you feel mel, I think we should all (especially the fanatical collectors who put their entire life savings into these figs) think deep and remember that there are other people out there, not just collectors but also

- Young children (Who form the bulwark of the animated fandom and the future collectors)
- Other numerous small time collectors who aren't board members (just because they're not apart of the board we shouldn't automatically be branding them as criminals)
- Our families and friends. I know a handful of people on here (even myself in the past) would rather spend money on buying that new figure rather than throwing that extra $20 for someone else's gift

As cool as these figures are, it would be great to see many of you make a bit of a shift (even if it's a very small one) and just be a little bit more generous and selfless...especially during the season of giving.

Merry Christmas to all!