You may be looking out for yourself, but like you said you are at least keeping it in the community and that something in itself.

All actions are based on greed. No mater how selfless one may appear it's all based on what you value. Sometimes thats others more than ones-self.

But then all customers are equal and first come first serve. It's not a terrible thing for one to do but it's not that cool. But to us it can be a massive pain.

I fault Hasbro. They know about the Ark. I'm not sure why they couldn't do a promotion for us somehow. That would be awesome, I mean we are appreciating them all day long. How about returning the favor. but then to non-arkers it would still be bullshit. Its all perspective.

Toys rule! Especially MU, were all guilty at some point when it comes to our own collections, but at the same time there are shear moments of community and pure generosity here and there...

I will buy an item that I know don't want for my collection but will be of use to trade with others for things I will want.

This is not the same thing as a scalper.

That's not a scalper, that's communal trades.
Scalper is about profit, direct cold hard cash. Your actions are about extending your own collection.

Just like there's nothing wrong with selling a valuable figure you own since you initially purchased it or trade for it with the intent of adding it to your collection. Just like there's nothing wrong with selling off your entire collection for a profit if you retire from it. It's about the sentimental attachment you've developed and the amount of joy it gave you over time. New releases being so immediate it's harder to have that same attachment, but the anticipation sometimes makes it feel like it. Which goes back to the entire mentalities as talked about above. Upon reaction to seeing scalpers. xD

It's really kind of whatever though. Just don't be one of those douches only looking for one figure because it's new and valuable and can make you lots of money fast on ebay if you gouge others, but if it's for a trade that's different as you're still putting the profit into line support like schoolyard playing card trading, or even if you're helping out others who need the figure and getting a 'tip' it's okay(some even setup ebay stores for that, and okay the valuble ones if they start doing cases can help keep them afloat for future cases). Depends on how you spin it really. lol

This is also why it's also only new items scalped. Old items have appreciated or w/e in value so they tend to fluctuate and can't be considered. The whole supply and demand aspect on no longer produced material. New items it's infuriating because it's an item you should be able to buy at retail prices. So an overabundant markup is just a slap in the face.

Now if you pick up one to toss on E-bay randomly to test the value with at cost starting bidding, that's not bad either and just market driven.


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On a different note.
Everytime I post, I keep looking at my sig, and thinking one thing over and over.
Dammit Hasbro, y u no make maskless X-23 and Amadeus Cho comic two pack with that issue of fear itself whatever. It's technically avengers related even.

I was going to reply in my typical fashion, quoting the ones I wanted to speak to and replying to those, but I found that the quotes are all about the same thing, BBTS' preorder prices and if that makes them scalpers or not.

I can verify that you'll easily spend 2-3K traveling to the con, especially if you're bringing someone or making a vacation out of it. I went with my wife last year, and that's right about what we ended up spending.

My question, to further the discussion, is what if you sell the extra stuff you find in order to pay for the things other people don't have to trade?

Apparently it's okay to buy things to trade, or to flip them at regular price and let the market determine the price, but outside of those two situations, it's a scalper mentality?

I find scalping to be when someone or someones DOMINATE the local market. They're not cherry picking a store here and there, they're making the rounds on a routine basis to buy every single item of value from every store in the area. THAT'S scalping. You're not giving a chance to the local collectors and toyhunters still in the area. Sure, you may be making those things available to people who don't hunt your grounds, but you're hurting your own market in the process too.

I don't know, I still stick to my earlier stated belief that scalper-calling is purely based around the fact that some people have things we want at prices we can't afford and we can't find them elsewhere.

It's more of a problem with distribution and case-packing than anything else...

That should be the official definition of scalping.

That's a better explanation too, because selling con stuff is also whatever. You as a fan actively paid to go there and were able to get whatever so it stands to reason what you do with said acquirements is your own business. That's also more towards the collectors side anyway with it not having even been an item that was at retail. Which is why BBTS doing this I don't view as scalping either. These items have no other avenue of release, so whatever ends up in the wild is fair game for a profit as it is a "treasure that took deep pockets and luck to acquire."

I don't agree that online stores aren't scalping the SDCC exclusives. I mean think about those of us who live too far away from the con, and sit there waiting the Monday, and Tuesday morning after the con to try to get the SDCC exclusives only to get to the check out, and it tells us that they are all sold out. It happened to me a couple of times in the last couple of years. Yeah I managed to get the AoT Thor, and the Ult WW Cap off ebay for $25 each plus shipping, but I never found an SDCC Sgt Slaughter that I felt was at a decent price.

International Caps, saluting the 4th.

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I don't follow that logic at all. In this case, where BBTS is having people go to the con to buy products for them, or more likely, exploiting hookups to get more SDCC items than they should be able to, they are doing the exact same thing as a scalper.

they are taking advantage of a limited supply in order to make a profit. That is what a scalper does too.


you can't justify it by saying "but BBTS is really just trying to help folks that can't make it to SDCC get them"

IMO, the only people that "deserve" these are the people that actually go. I know it sucks, but if I went to the con and was unable to buy one because BBTS and other scalpers had decided to "redistribute" them to other folks that didn't even come, I would be livid

If anyone see a spare and is happy to ship to the UK then please hit me up.

The same with the red skull who seems to be popping up at outlets for cheap

Thanks guys

I know this isn't the place for kitbashes/digibash discussion, but that Alejandra one in the circle of four pics earlier had inspired me.

I really want to see how one looks on the Avengers black widow buck, and there are some parts that might be able to make her gauntlets. Stuff like wraith shoulder pads or similiar style detailed plating.

It'd be a simple recipe like GR to Speed Demon would be(minus the horns at least). The blaze outfit is the same pattern as the amalgam speed demon costume. Can't believe I never noticed that before.

So I'm appreciating how much potential these figures have and could still cover. ;-)

You have a solid argument there, and I understand why you would want a fair shot at scoring these "rare" things. That said, these same figures are sold this way to bait people into going entirely out of their way to get them, and places like BBTS capitalize on that. It sucks, but that is America.

To the first pat of that: Actually you can justify it by saying that. Scalpers aren't tryng to help people. They are taking advantage of people's desire for figures and using it to make a profit. That is not what BBTS is doing.

And to the second paragraph: That's some pretty selfish logic right there, IMO. Correct me if I'm being shortsighted, but I'd like you to tell me why the people at SDCC have more right than the people who don't? And if another collector who is just as good as you is getting the figure, I don't see why you'd be mad.

This interruption was brought to you by MarvelTF918.

You may now resume your regularly scheduled MU talk.

Here's my opinion on the scalping thing. do I get upset when I see a fig I want at triple the price? Yes but at the end of the day it's up to you and what value you place in the object if you feel the price is to high simply dont buy it and look elsewhere until you find it at a price your willing to pay case in point renegades storm shadow when it first hit eBay I saw for 15$ + shipping and I scoffed and said f**king scalper but I bought it anyway now the prices for it are sky high and I never seen it in any store in my area so now I have no regrets scalpers can't sell high if you don't pay the price but someone will always be willing to pay whatever price for what they want. That's capitalisim

That is an interesting observation, and it definitely reflects why prices and demand are the way they are. Some things are just more difficult to find, and our screwed up priorities drive us to pay top dollar for things that we honestly don't really need. For example, I paid $45 for a Mr. Freeze figure because I knew it would be a pain in the ass to find, and the damn thing is only worth maybe $30 when you consider other figures similar to it. That is life. I wanted one, and I went waaaaayyy out of my way to get it.

if you wanna argue buying up SDCC stuff to sell a la BBTS is wrong, because it's exploiting a market shortage... how about the con and the manufacturers themselves? They're exploiting their own-self-made market shortage to guaruntee market value. that seems pretty evil if you ask me.

I paid the same price as BBTS was asking for the Masters of Evil to a person on ebay. Since BBTS' preorder for it is already sold out, I assume they are living with the same limitations as everyone else. I figure it's fair for them to offer this to their customers and I appreciate that some people are willing to promise to do the same on ebay. It saves me a trip and it helps fund their vacation. Also, BBTS's price is slightly lower than the others', but most of the preorders are charging the same amount.

thats me sometimes when i want something that is missing from my collection and need to fill in the gap or something thats really got me intrigued and see it on ebay i try to look for the price im willing to pay for its uniquesness,for example got a compound hulk from a preoder on ebay for 25 not much to pay since it went for 11-12$ at nycc wich arrived on time to me, on the other hand i got two nycc dooms after the nycc, one i payd 170 since it was the only one listed on ebay at the moment and didnt think i was gonna see another one after passing up on a couple gave in and bought it. well another convention was held in LA and they sell him there and some given away, course some put theres on ebay to make there money back plus profit, got the second doom for 120. to me he was worth it even with a steve rogers head lol if i woulda waited on the first one it woulda been 50-60 dollars less, but like lord marvel says gotta pay to play ;)

In the interests of some Captain America Movie appreciation,can any of you splendid gentlemen maybe help me out with locating a CA:TFA Winter Soldier??

hooked up by snailbot!!! Thanks buddy!!!

Why is everyone always worried about who is and who isn't a scalper? Buy your toys from whoever you want, for however much you want, and enjoy them. If you don't like someone, or a particular store,.. then don't give them your money. Man.

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Is that a Microman Batman Optimus?

Sure is.

..and Red Skull is his maid.

Nice touch. I'm on the hunt for more avengers black widow figures to improve Alejandra Ghost Rider. I'll also have to make her sickle blade and speed bike too.

Can't agree with you more Optimus. And like Lord Marvel always says, you got to pay to play.

Great pictures as always. That dio is looking sweeet!!!

Of course I missed the SDCC preorder at BBTS because I have been in the air traveling for the last 24 hours.

Bah.