mouth breathing, greasy, bad personal hygiene, poorly dressed, the list goes on and on

Plus something we take for granted here, 24 hr Wal-Marts. I've gotten lucky a few times strolling through around 2 in the morning...

Went to the mall to get a new camera for my mom's birthday present, and stopped in at the TJ Maxx there and ofund they'd put out just a couple more Armored Avenger figures, right where the ones I bought last time were... so today I picked up the Reactor Shift movie figure for me, and there's a translucent Inferno Armor figure up for trade for any of you clear figure junkies (you know who you are!)

So here's my question on the whole BBTS vs Scalper thing. What's the difference? So we want to say "BBTS is running a business and trying to make a profit". That's fair and a legit argument, but can't it also be said of scalpers? "They're just trying to recoup their resources and make a profit" yet we don't like scalpers, yes they buy up sought after things and inflate the price on the secondary market, but SDCC exclusive are limited in numbers so BBTS's people buying them from the con to be sold on a technically secondary market, takes them away from people at the con, just like scalpers take things from us in the toy aisle. I'm not saying I agree with the practice, I'm just saying it's the same thing and BBTS doesn't deserve a pass just because we like them better. It just seems like saying "Better the devil you know"

BBTS is looking to make a very limited product made available to people who can't fly all the way across the country for a convention and then drop extra cash in on top of that.

The scalper is just trying to take advantage of supply and demand to line his pockets.

Really? Is that really it? Seems like a fine line there, after all shouldn't the people who paid to go to the con have the chance to buy the exclusives that might in fact be sold out due to BBTS's people who are there to pick them up to be sold online?

Its not just BBTS thats the problem, its virtually every online toy store on the planet. They all charge a rediculous premium for the sake of buying toys without leaving the house. The only difference between scalpers and them is that they(online stores) are considered legitamite enterprises.

Boba Fettuccini said it better than I could

We see some Con items here in the UK and when you see some of the prices on things it truly makes you whince, my LCS will sell freebies at huge markups and thats before you even get onto the actual exclusive stuff

Well, when Big Time Spidey from the Legends line is $300 on eBay for a $16 figure, I cry scalper! Being an exclusive, BBTS might charge $50-$60.

True but how many scalpers that go to the con are going to sell that item for $65 I can almost guarantee the MoE set going for at least $100 on ebay much like the giant man walmart sets, thats the difference. Not trying to "attack" you VM just stating my opinion. :)

but a mark up is a mark up, one's just closer to an affordable price range

It's the Avenue of release that's the issue in this regard.
There's only one outlet for certain items. Con exclusives must be bought at the con, no exceptions, not even for businesses. So if you want them for your whatever you must purchase them at the con or through hasbro's site like everyone else etc.

The same happens with other extreme exclusives. Probably the same with their MOTUC stock. These items just aren't available through the normal mass distributors.

That's the difference. Scalpers aren't buying wholesale, they are picking out the best of another retail outlet's stock for a profit due to greed. Whereas people here just help each other out. BBTS on the other hand handles the overstock from what they buy wholesale while they let people order the hot items individually. So yeah the whole cost/profit stuff associated with a store.

It is questionable on the deprived someone else of so and so item, but in all expectancy on the exclusives, take count of the limit per customer and the length of the line. You never know anyway, so hope for the best.

Thank you Snowflakian, although you raise another thing I've always wondered about. Why do we all, myself included at times, assume a scalper's motivations are greed and ill will? Couldn't they just be someone trying to supplement their income in the altogether crappy economy? I mean I don't doubt there are some who are just total d-bags, but does that mean they all are?

It's perspective and perception.
We want one of what they are purchasing in bulk. Often times to greater effect of the perception our wants or needs are greater than theres along with the value or care we'd give the item over said purchaser. The whole hero of your own lifestory type thinking pattern that's easy for people to fall into. Also the sentimental value or percieved attachment to the item itself. Like a rare item you've been searching months for. There's a form of better than them mentality and more deserving to have it when it's something you know more about than them. All false perceptions as all customers are equal really, but no one said emotion is logical.

Now there are instances where it's harder to argue when it's not assumption and exactly that. Pure greed driven and not even able to throw a kid or a fellow collector a bone.

I guess that makes me a scalper kind of. I buy stuff I don't need when I'm out and trade it to dudes on here for stuff I do need. So, maybe I'm not, but my main objective is to help myself out.

Oh, and I don't really sell anything I buy. So I guess I'm in the clear.

Need to make a new thread I love/hate bbts and get back to mu goodness.

Ask and ye shall receive!

Happy 4th everyone!

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC01615.jpg

Fucking brilliant.

Drop the microphone and walk off the stage.

(((applause)))

not sure if this is news since i haven't read this thread for a few days, but classic color sentinels are starting o show up at tj maxx stores for thirty bucks.

Ooo I need me some sentinels

Hey guys, picked up MU Iron Patriot, MU Red Hulk and ASM Ultra Pose Spidey today...all of which are up for trade. Interested? Shoot me a pm.

thinking about ordering the 3 packs off hasbro since they have free shippin on 50 or more.. but do you think that they will be shippin the clear sue storm pack or the older packs. Iam kind of thinking they may ship it out since they have the rulk packs in...




f it ill just order it and if its not the clear sue pack ill just return it to wlamart to get credit. which iam sure walmart will get these at some point..

Thanks for sharing!!! :)

As do I,...:o.

I was wondering, can anybody tell me when the new MU spiderman and Ultimate spidey variant are coming? Are they in the next wave?