Post by WWEKidCollector on Sept 5, 2012 11:53:48 GMT -5
I go on figure hunts about 2-3 times a week or whenever I need to hit up the store for necessary items. I am always on the look out for figures My son needs.
When I began purchasing figures for my son about 19 months ago, I noticed alot of them would sell out fast and some were harder to find. Some of these figures he wanted badly. I tried buying them on eBay to make him happy but I noticed the prices were well over retail price. It was difficult to afford these figures. I began to do a bit of research on the internet and learned about Mattel distribution of cases and figures per pack. I would always stumble upon this site for information. After I had gained a bit of savvy information, I was prepared to buy figures for resale on the 'Bay. I have always sold items on eBay. So every time I'd buy my son a figure, I would grab an extra to sell online in order to raise some funds to buy him other figures that we couldn't find. Sometimes the profit was great and other times it was minimal. As I began knowing more about the Mattel line, I started buying more and more figures to sell online. I live in a large area with many retail stores everywhere. The stores are updated in a timely manner. I usually have access to all the new series.
Here’s my take on “Scalping.” It is an undeniable fact that Money is the root of all aspects of life. You work to earn money. You earn money to pay bills, eat, travel, save, have a home and drive a decent car. Money is the mechanism of Society. People are willing to do ANYTHING for money. I am a 23 Year old father of a 5/6 year old boy. I attend a California State University while maintaining my job in education as a teacher assistant and after-school program leader. My partner is a Preschool teacher. We have a decent income and do not have any financial hardships. Profits made from “Scalping” do not contribute to any of my regular finances. I see the opportunity to purchase a figure as a minimal investment for my son’s benefit. Every dollar that is made from selling figures on the ‘Bay goes directly to my son’s enjoyment, whether is it for new figures, legos or Tickets for live events. I am not the type of person who waits outside of retail stores to capture all the newly stock’d figure. However, I have been told Thursdays are the usual stock days for many retail stores. Occasionally, I’ll try to make a stop at a few stores on Thursday, but I normally do most hunting on Saturdays. Most of the times, I am able to find the hot figs because there isn’t a lot of Collectors in this city. Most of the buyers are probably casual fans.
I can understand why there is a negative stigma for “Scalpers. Collectors in areas that have poor distribution feel envious because some of the hot figs are not available in their small populated towns. They do not have the opportunity to buy any of xxx figures but yet some “Scalper” is able to buy doubles or triples of xxx figures. It angers them. Jealousy is a very strong emotion. On the other hand, there’s the collector who feels like a utilitarian and thinks people should be courteous to others. It is only fair to allow others to purchase those figures. Well, retail stores work on a first come, first serve basis. It is all fair game to purchase anything you want. Survival of the most Fit for this conditions. Do you think someone on Black Friday will only purchase one of those $299 60” Flat Screens? No. They will buy them all!
Now I understand exactly how some of these resentful board members feel. I have also be victimize by scalpers. I was an avid Sneaker Collector. On release dates, I would sometimes camp out in order to avoid having to pay resale prices for the Hot sneakers. Jordan Resellers are very much like “Scalpers” except they charge a lot more for Sneakers and they are never restock’d so the value increases over time. There are many “Scalpers” in every aspect of consumerism.
I understand that this is a wrestling figure community forum where many alike members discuss their passion and dedication to wrestling figures. It may annoy many members to see someone else exploit their most liked hobby. I can very much understand how they feel. I would never charge another member on here a ridiculous price for a popular figure. For indeed the figure is a hot selling product, I would offer the most reasonable price. I have help’d several members on this board (Domestic and International) with figures for only Cost + Shipping. A few other members were kind enough to provide monetary compensation for fuel usage. I am always willing to help out any member here who is respectful and never condescending. Cheers!
When I began purchasing figures for my son about 19 months ago, I noticed alot of them would sell out fast and some were harder to find. Some of these figures he wanted badly. I tried buying them on eBay to make him happy but I noticed the prices were well over retail price. It was difficult to afford these figures. I began to do a bit of research on the internet and learned about Mattel distribution of cases and figures per pack. I would always stumble upon this site for information. After I had gained a bit of savvy information, I was prepared to buy figures for resale on the 'Bay. I have always sold items on eBay. So every time I'd buy my son a figure, I would grab an extra to sell online in order to raise some funds to buy him other figures that we couldn't find. Sometimes the profit was great and other times it was minimal. As I began knowing more about the Mattel line, I started buying more and more figures to sell online. I live in a large area with many retail stores everywhere. The stores are updated in a timely manner. I usually have access to all the new series.
Here’s my take on “Scalping.” It is an undeniable fact that Money is the root of all aspects of life. You work to earn money. You earn money to pay bills, eat, travel, save, have a home and drive a decent car. Money is the mechanism of Society. People are willing to do ANYTHING for money. I am a 23 Year old father of a 5/6 year old boy. I attend a California State University while maintaining my job in education as a teacher assistant and after-school program leader. My partner is a Preschool teacher. We have a decent income and do not have any financial hardships. Profits made from “Scalping” do not contribute to any of my regular finances. I see the opportunity to purchase a figure as a minimal investment for my son’s benefit. Every dollar that is made from selling figures on the ‘Bay goes directly to my son’s enjoyment, whether is it for new figures, legos or Tickets for live events. I am not the type of person who waits outside of retail stores to capture all the newly stock’d figure. However, I have been told Thursdays are the usual stock days for many retail stores. Occasionally, I’ll try to make a stop at a few stores on Thursday, but I normally do most hunting on Saturdays. Most of the times, I am able to find the hot figs because there isn’t a lot of Collectors in this city. Most of the buyers are probably casual fans.
I can understand why there is a negative stigma for “Scalpers. Collectors in areas that have poor distribution feel envious because some of the hot figs are not available in their small populated towns. They do not have the opportunity to buy any of xxx figures but yet some “Scalper” is able to buy doubles or triples of xxx figures. It angers them. Jealousy is a very strong emotion. On the other hand, there’s the collector who feels like a utilitarian and thinks people should be courteous to others. It is only fair to allow others to purchase those figures. Well, retail stores work on a first come, first serve basis. It is all fair game to purchase anything you want. Survival of the most Fit for this conditions. Do you think someone on Black Friday will only purchase one of those $299 60” Flat Screens? No. They will buy them all!
Now I understand exactly how some of these resentful board members feel. I have also be victimize by scalpers. I was an avid Sneaker Collector. On release dates, I would sometimes camp out in order to avoid having to pay resale prices for the Hot sneakers. Jordan Resellers are very much like “Scalpers” except they charge a lot more for Sneakers and they are never restock’d so the value increases over time. There are many “Scalpers” in every aspect of consumerism.
I understand that this is a wrestling figure community forum where many alike members discuss their passion and dedication to wrestling figures. It may annoy many members to see someone else exploit their most liked hobby. I can very much understand how they feel. I would never charge another member on here a ridiculous price for a popular figure. For indeed the figure is a hot selling product, I would offer the most reasonable price. I have help’d several members on this board (Domestic and International) with figures for only Cost + Shipping. A few other members were kind enough to provide monetary compensation for fuel usage. I am always willing to help out any member here who is respectful and never condescending. Cheers!