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[stufte]

Bought 2 xbox 360s when they came out and sold one for almost double the price, practically paying for the first one that I kept.

No Ragrets.

I also bought up a bunch of glow worms about 10 years ago for 10 bucks each and sold them for 50 bucks each on ebay. Ended up funding a family vacation.

But yah, scalpers fucking suck.

 

[redmetal86]

What I always find interesting about scalping is how poor most people are at doing it. You spent 12 hours waiting outside the store for a few amiibo? That $60 profit is totally worth 12 hours of time when you could just well, work.

The time and effort to scalp anything other than digital or easily transferable goods rarely seems worth it to me.

Work?! That's time that could be used to play handheld games!

 

[KarmaCow]

can't hate the hustle

No you absolutely can.

It's not like these people are hapless drones doing shitty things out of their control just because it's facilitated by the system.

 

[Amon37]

Dude in Gaming yesterday got caught ebaying multiple Fallout 4 Pipboys though. Disgusting as hell.

Got caught? They weren't doing anything illegal.

Much salt in this thread

 

[Sanjuro]

You simply can't say this as a fact; like.. mathematically. The scalpers represent an unknown amount of fake day 1 / second 1 customers.

That same event might sell out eventually, but might take days or weeks in a natural retail -> customer market.

Or maybe hours instead of literally seconds.

Again...how are scalpers negative when you are purchasing for below market value?

Explain.

 

[riotous]

The logic is self-evident when it comes to The Market. You seem to be dismissing the core concept that people pay what something is worth to them. The fundamentals are what you are missing.

I'm not missing that whatsoever; we do not have a perfectly free market for a reason.

Just the fact that you can't return a lot of scalped items and in general are at greater risk for instance.. how in the world can you hand wave that away with "free market"?

How can you hand wave away the potential problems scalping can cause for retail channels or potential for inreased waste be hand waved away with your simpleton "market funamentals" response?

Just because a percentage of the public is willing to pay a high price at high risk doesn't suddenly make all the negatives go away. The negaitves can at times be for both consumers and for retailers; about the only people who generally always benefit are event promoters or anyone selling non-refundable tickets (or perhaps the wealthy.)

 

[dity]

I've seen people walk away with like 10% of all stock (non gaming items) by showing up with a bunch of people to buy stuff for them. People literally hire people as mules for shit.

Don't lie right out ya ass like that it stinks yo. They hire mules (duh), but they ain't buying hundreds of limited editions. Not with those per person sale limits. You be crazy.

You simply can't say this as a fact; like.. mathematically. The scalpers represent an unknown amount of fake day 1 / second 1 customers.

That same event might sell out eventually, but might take days or weeks in a natural retail -> customer market.

Or maybe hours instead of literally seconds.

You ain't looking on eBay unless it's sold out, come on now. Otherwise those scalpers ain't impacting you at all unless it's like 25 days later and you're all "ok maybe I'll buy it today" but b-BAM sold out. "Wait until next shipment". But oh no you don't wanna wait, Jesus toast need it now. Then you gotta get all eBay dirty.

 

[Gr1mLock]

Got caught? They weren't doing anything illegal.

Much salt in this thread

Some dude in my local supermarket got caught buying several cartons of milk.

 

[PG2G]

Not sure why people are bringing up legality and the market. This is a thread about whether it makes you an asshole or not.

 

[EchoChamber]

I hope eventually we compare scalpers to hitler.

 

[BronsonLee]

I'll give some anecdotal stories for things I've sold.
Sold Fable pre-order disc (original XBox) on eBay. Made it very clear it was a behind the scenes DVD, etc. Sold for 25, way higher than it should've.
Sold tickets to ROH/NJPW show in NYC. Bought them for 20, put them on StubHub as I couldn't go, picked variable pricing. They sold for 100.
Had a bunch of Destiny Alpha codes and put them up for sale. A whole lot of people were trying to give me shit over it, but I also had a shitload of people trying to offer me 20$+ for a damn 3 day alpha. That's when you cross the line a bit. I ended up selling them for like 5-10 bucks a pop instead.

Capitalism is nice, but it's very, very easy to abuse.

 

[Sanjuro]

Not sure why people are bringing up legality and the market. This is a thread about whether it makes you an asshole or not

Being a scalper doesn't make you an asshole. I came across product that nobody was purchasing, I sold it for a value that locally wasn't there. How is that bad?

 

[Orthogonal]

Don't see what the fuss is about. They are providing a very valuable service at great risk to their own wallets.

They only control a vanishingly small portion of the supply. Don't get upset with them, be upset that production is far outstripped by demand, especially if the manufacturer is intentionally limiting supply

 

[riotous]

You ain't looking on eBay unless it's sold out, come on now.

The products the scalpers bought might not have sold out.

 

[Machine]

I sold a pair of tickets to a college football game last weekend for $300. I probably could have gotten more but I knew the guy so I cut him a break.

 

[Intheflorsh]

It's a seller's marker biiiitcheees

Seriously though, I can see it being douchey when the scalper buys out an entire inventory or something, but otherwise it's just basic capitalism.

 

[Northeastmonk]

Buying for multiple platforms has killed my interest in Collector's Editions. I realized the other day that I bought it on PC and I bought it on PS4 digitally.

I have two version and I had an order from Amazon.

I've gone from the digital version, to the collector's, to PC, and PS4 digitally.

I just need to chill. I probably don't need a CE, but I already spent a good amount for a CE just to sit.

I had 3 copies of MGSV. I think it's good when you know what you want and you get it right the first time. This might be why I don't mess with scalpers.

You just gotta do it at the right time. I did mine right after the show ended on Twitch/YouTube.

 

[styl3s]

I hope eventually we compare scalpers to hitler.

I already do.

There is a difference between purchasing an extra something to make profit and buying out the entire fucking store. People tried that shit with BB8 here during force friday and now they are all selling at a loss because they are widely available. Same thing happened to the assholes who bought like 30 wii-u's here.

 

[dity]

The products the scalpers bought might not have sold out.

If they ain't sold out WHY you buyin' from SCALPERS yo? That's stupidity.

 

[Tal Shiar Agent]

Being a scalper doesn't make you an asshole. I came across product that nobody was purchasing, I sold it for a value that locally wasn't there. How is that bad?

So this is the fallacy scalpers tell themselves so they can sleep at night?

 

[quesalupa]

I hope eventually we compare scalpers to hitler.

Top of the page mate.

Spoiler

I'm not saying scalpers are as shitty as Hitler

 

[New002]

Being a scalper doesn't make you an asshole. I came across product that nobody was purchasing, I sold it for a value that locally wasn't there. How is that bad?

Can you go into more detail here? I'm just legit curious, especially since this has to do with SFIV

 

[PG2G]

Being a scalper doesn't make you an asshole. I came across product that nobody was purchasing, I sold it for a value that locally wasn't there. How is that bad?

I dont mean to be so black and white about it. I think there are degrees to it and what you described isn't especially bad. When people are buying up large amounts of a rare product to flip... that's when I have a problem with it.

 

[riotous]

If they ain't sold out WHY you buyin' from SCALPERS yo? That's stupidity.

Are you trolling or not understanding?

 

[LQX]

Question: For those that opposed to scalping. How do you feel about selling rare or very old items? Do you think there should be market for those items to be sold for more than they were originally worth? If your home goes up in value and you ready to move would sell it for more than you paid?

 

[Sanjuro]

So this is the fallacy scalpers tell themselves so they can sleep at night?

Explain.

Can you go into more detail here? I'm just legit curious, especially since this has to do with SFIV

Sure. The original SFIV TE and standard arcade sticks didn't sell well retail, however there were plenty of individuals who were willing to purchase them on eBay due to lack of an online store. In between jobs, I purchased a bunch of these, at a financial risk to myself. I sold them for profit and was able to live for a bit longer.

At this time I was selling off my game collection to GAF especially. Some who overvalued or under depending on the item. I would have made double selling some of the stuff now.

 

[PAULINK]

It's not illegal, it just seems unethical. Granted, I've been a part of it, I bought a wii at like $400 (still hurts) but whenever I see a good deal on a game on sale, I will purchase it and sell it for market value.

 

[Pandaman]

Some dude in my local supermarket got caught buying several cartons of milk.

supermarkets regularly refuse service to resellers though.
So getting caught is a very real concept there.

 

[LosDaddie]

Yeah but that's the thing man. I'm a broke ass college student,I can't afford that crap. How can it be reasoned that it's not a shitty thing thing to profit off of people's misfortune?

Doesn't compute.

 

[quesalupa]

Why did you quote me twice.

I did? Is it in the same post? Only shows up once on my phone.
Edit: Oh, I did on the first page. My bad, I saw someone else quote it and forgot I even replied to it the first time lol. Fixed it.

 

[dity]

Are you trolling or not understanding?

I'm trying to figure out the problem here.

So a scalper bought something and put it on eBay for above cost BUT you can still buy it from your local Gamestop for regular price. If it didn't sell out at release, then it's probably not going to sell out. Why then you be lookin' at or carin' about scalpers?

The point I'm making is the people who legit seem to get mad about scalpers are the lazy ass slow people who can't be bothered to buy a game or concert ticket when it's up for grabs - that might be months and months. Suddenly it's a problem because maybe 20 copies are above original retail. I'm having a hard time understanding why people get so angry.

supermarkets regularly refuse service to resellers though.
So getting caught is a very real concept there.

Food expiry and improper food safety storage concerns are a thing for supermarket scalpers though so that's a thing.

 

[sixteen-bit]

No you absolutely can.

It's not like these people are hapless drones doing shitty things out of their control just because it's facilitated by the system.

can't knock the hustle tho

i've old shit for more than i bought it for

hating on others doing the same i'd be a hypocrite lol

 

[ginger ninja]

I got the 20th anniversary PS4 for $500 and almost sold it for $1300(backed out last minute when I thought it was too precious, even to open). May be in few years it will be worth more. Come at me OP.

 

[Blazrok]

I'm trying to figure out the problem here.

So a scalper bought something and put it on eBay for above cost BUT you can still buy it from your local Gamestop for regular price. If it didn't sell out at release, then it's probably not going to sell out. Why then you be lookin' at or carin' about scalpers?

The point I'm making is the people who legit seem to get mad about scalpers are the lazy ass slow people who can't be bothered to buy a game or concert ticket when it's up for grabs - that might be months and months. Suddenly it's a problem because maybe 20 copies are above original retail. I'm having a hard time understanding why people get so angry.



Food expiry and improper food safety storage concerns are a thing for supermarket scalpers though so that's a thing.

The problem is, those items might not be sold out if scalpers didn't buy them all.

 

[whatsinaname]

I'm trying to figure out the problem here.

So a scalper bought something and put it on eBay for above cost BUT you can still buy it from your local Gamestop for regular price. If it didn't sell out at release, then it's probably not going to sell out. Why then you be lookin' at or carin' about scalpers?

The point I'm making is the people who legit seem to get mad about scalpers are the lazy ass slow people who can't be bothered to buy a game or concert ticket when it's up for grabs - that might be months and months. Suddenly it's a problem because maybe 20 copies are above original retail. I'm having a hard time understanding why people get so angry.



Food expiry and improper food safety storage concerns are a thing for supermarket scalpers though so that's a thing.

I think the complaint is more about cases like the Mondo posters or Nike releases where scalpers are going about it in an organised fashion with scripts and multiple temporary AWS instances.

 

[riotous]

I'm trying to figure out the problem here

Gamestop gets 5 of an item.

Scalper shows up to buy all 5.

Now, where are the people in the area going to buy the product? Is the product actually "Sold out" to people who want the product?

No, it's articficially sold out.. and is now "in stock" with scalpers, who offer a higher price, generally worse service, generally little to no consumer protection, etc.

This is a really basic aspect of scalping; something you MIGHT have been able to just stop by the store to buy is now in a scalpers hand.

Hell, it can even cause a store to lose sales.. it shifts the product to a reseller who has a consumer protection level agreement with them; retail channels are not designed to sell to resellers. A reseller might show up 30 days later on the dot with 2-3 items to return.. items that you'd previously "sold out" and re-ordered. Scalping HAS in fact caused over-stocking to occur in retail channels. It happened with the WIi-U.

And if the product would have sold out naturally due to demand anyways.. retailer doesn't benefit. They only benefit when scalpers eat the loses; however as one person so elequantly put in this thread.. "reciepts exist."

 

[dity]

The problem is, those items might not be sold out if scalpers didn't buy them all.

But they didn't buy them all you were just too lazy to buy them when they were on sale.

I think the complaint is more about cases like the Mondo posters or Nike releases where scalpers are going about it in an organised fashion with scripts and multiple temporary AWS instances.

That's large organised shit though. The video game scalpers these fellas are complaining about are small fry buying minimal units with maybe 2-3 other guys helping. Hardly the epidemic they make it out to be.

Gamestop gets 5 of an item.

Scalper shows up to buy all 5.

Now, where are the people in the area going to buy the product? Is the product actually "Sold out" to people who want the product?

No, it's articficially sold out.. and is now "in stock" with scalpers, who offer a higher price, generally worse service, generally little to no consumer protection, etc.

Hell, it can even cause a store to lose sales.. it shifts the product to a reseller who has a consumer protection level agreement with them; retail channels are not designed to sell to resellers. A reseller might show up 30 days later on the dot with 2-3 items to return.. items that you'd previously "sold out" and re-ordered. Scalping HAS in fact caused over-stocking to occur in retail channels. It happened with the WIi-U.

Gamestop ain't never going to get only 5 of an item. And if they did, they'll order it in from the warehouse for you. That's a dumb hypothetical.

With the Wii U people expected another Wii. The Wii sold boatloads. Multiple shipments sold out worldwide due to Nintendo not understanding demand. I wouldn't blame it solely on scalping since the Wii's popularity took all by surprise.

 

[Barrow Roll]

I hate new South Park animation more than scalpers.

Ok, that's not true, but it's pretty bad.

 

[quesalupa]

Question: For those that opposed to scalping. How do you feel about selling rare or very old items? Do you think there should be market for those items to be sold for more than they were originally worth? If your home goes up in value and you ready to move would sell it for more than you paid?

I'm actually somehow ok with that. I feel like things like that actually gained the value by being legendary/rare or something. Not really sure how to explain it. Buuut if you buy something with the sheer purpose of selling it in 20 years because it might be rare, then I'd say that's pretty crappy.

I hate new South Park animation more than scalpers.

Ok, that's not true, but it's pretty bad.

That South Park? Jeez yeah go back to the old style.

 

[tiggerkiddo]

Eh, I just either wait for a restock or just live without the item. I don't play their game, I can be patient.

 

[Sanjuro]

Gamestop gets 5 of an item.

Scalper shows up to buy all 5.

Now, where are the people in the area going to buy the product? Is the product actually "Sold out" to people who want the product?

No, it's articficially sold out.. and is now "in stock" with scalpers, who offer a higher price, generally worse service, generally little to no consumer protection, etc.

This is a really basic aspect of scalping; something you MIGHT have been able to just stop by the store to buy is now in a scalpers hand.

Hell, it can even cause a store to lose sales.. it shifts the product to a reseller who has a consumer protection level agreement with them; retail channels are not designed to sell to resellers. A reseller might show up 30 days later on the dot with 2-3 items to return.. items that you'd previously "sold out" and re-ordered. Scalping HAS in fact caused over-stocking to occur in retail channels. It happened with the WIi-U.

I'm still waiting for you to respond. You avoided any rational discussion to keep going nuts about losing 5 pip-boys to some kid.

 

[dity]

I'm actually somehow ok with that. I feel like things like that actually gained the value by being legendary/rare or something. Not really sure how to explain it. Buuut if you buy something with the sheer purpose of selling it in 20 years because it might be rare, then I'd say that's pretty crappy.

So even collectors are bad now cos they took away your game?

 

[riotous]

I'm still waiting for you to respond. You avoided any rational discussion to keep going nuts about losing 5 pip-boys to some kid.

I said I'm done arguing with you. If you want to go back and actually address my post you hand waved away you are welcome to and I might respond.

I have bought tons of items from scalpers; I can spend $1,000 on some Seahawks tickets if I feel like it.. or $400 on a silly rare SE of a game

I'm having a conversation about the effects scalping has on markets; it's not a personal crusade for me. Hell, scalpers have made it so I could buy things I probably wouldn't have been able to get. I'm just not going to rationalize scalping as a healthy / beneficial aspect of an overall market because of my personal gain.

 

[Sanjuro]

So even collectors are bad now cos they took away your game?

I mean. If they wanted that edition, they would have gotten it.

I didn't pre-order a game at Best Buy. I didn't flip my shit because I didn't get $10 pre-order credit.

 

[Machine]

Eh, I just either wait for a restock or just live without the item. I don't play their game, I can be patient.

Amiibo restocks have been nice. I've gotten almost every one I wanted including Shulk and Lucario. However, I still refuse to buy Codename STEAM until I can get all four Fire Emblem Amiibo at retail since the game has content locked behind those Amiibo. What a stupid idea that was.

 

[Sanjuro]

I said I'm done arguing with you. If you want to go back and actually address my post you hand waved away you are welcome to and I might respond.

I have bought tons of items from scalpers; I can spend $1,000 on some Seahawks tickets if I feel like it.. or $400 on a silly rare SE of a game

I'm having a conversation about the effects scalping has on markets; it's not a personal crusade for me. Hell, scalpers have made it so I could buy things I probably wouldn't have been able to get. I'm just not going to rationalize scalping as a healthy / beneficial aspect of an overall market because of my personal gain.

You are done arguing with me because you are wrong.

If you spend $1,000 or $400 on those things, it's because you value them. If you valued them more...you would have had them for less...possibly. There is the large possibility you could have gotten them for less from the same outlet. Both scenarios you didn't give a flying fuck about, now look...you are here.

 

[quesalupa]

So even collectors are bad now cos they took away your game?

Huh? If a guy wants to collect something without the sole purpose of selling it, I find nothing wrong with them doing whatever the hell they want with it.

 

[dallow_bg]

Gamestop ain't never going to get only 5 of an item. And if they did, they'll order it in from the warehouse for you. That's a dumb hypothetical.

Something something Amiibo.

I'm still waiting for you to respond. You avoided any rational discussion to keep going nuts about losing 5 pip-boys to some kid.

Are you saying scalpers can't cause an item to sell out any faster than normal purchasers in all cases?

 

[Choppasmith]

I don't mind the idea on the surface. Buying a couple rare limited games / merchandise for reselling is one thing. Don't like it? Don't pay their insane prices. But it turns my stomach when I see comments by scalpers on places like slickdeals bragging about how they circumvented the buy limit with their multiple accounts and couldn't wait to sell them at twice the price. There's being intuitive and then there's disgustingly greedy.

Just imo

 

[dity]

I said I'm done arguing with you. If you want to go back and actually address my post you hand waved away you are welcome to and I might respond.

I have bought tons of items from scalpers; I can spend $1,000 on some Seahawks tickets if I feel like it.. or $400 on a silly rare SE of a game

I'm having a conversation about the effects scalping has on markets; it's not a personal crusade for me. Hell, scalpers have made it so I could buy things I probably wouldn't have been able to get. I'm just not going to rationalize scalping as a healthy / beneficial aspect of an overall market because of my personal gain.

What the hell now you're admitting to benefiting from the aspects of scalping while also saying it's not beneficial? You got things you would have never had a chance at getting thanks to it. And that's only probably because it was an after-thought purchase in a selling situation you weren't bothered to be prepared for (sale opening rush), or because it was long after that thing stopped being sold right?

Essentially, the scalpers help the stragglers.

Something something Amiibo.

Something something Nintendo underestimated regional demand. If the USA was stocked like Australia you guys would be fine, we have scalpers here too but we also have like 50 amiibo on display per store (or something ridiculous like that).