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Rob Doucette wrote:
> Speaking of scalpers... I came across this page on the Rebelscum website:
>
> http://www.rebelscum.com/collect.asp
>
> Does their definition of Collector apply to LEGO in the context of this thread?
Interesting. It does seem to include a good definition of "scalper" even
though it uses it as a perjorative.
I do have some comments on it though.
- They are making a value judgement about Ben's collection (he's the one
who bought 3 C-3POs, 2 to be opened immediately fpr a diorama and one
kept unopened. They later say he bought too many. Why shouldn't he buy
one to keep unopened for his collection of unopened items?
- They don't really address the issue of buying clearance items. My read
is that they would call buying clearance items and selling them for a
profit as scalping. But are clearance items really "still available"? If
someone doesn't buy the clearance items, will they all eventually be
sold to an end user, or will they get trashed (or do they consider
someone like KB-Kids buying returned goods as not scalping?)?
- They don't make any special address to the selling of items bought
from a yard sale, though presumably they fit in the category of no
longer available.
Our hobby includes two other forms of selling not addressed. Buying of
sets to get the parts to make custom kits (which does have an analogue
in the figure collecting market, like that fellow who sold cross
dressing Ken's and the like), and selling parts from a set you don't
need (with the extension of selling all the parts individually).
My feeling of course is that almost no type of sale is really wrong so
long so long as you don't steal (1). You are within your rights to
acquire any quantity of LEGO and dispose of it in any way you see fit.
The most frequent scalping activity of buying up as much of the just
released items and turning around and putting them on eBay would be
cured real quick if people didn't need to have the latest toy NOW. It
would be reduced if manufacturers didn't release new toys less than 30
days before Christmas. If public opinion was strong enough, stores would
restrict sales of hot items (which they often do, so clearly public
opinion is pretty strong in that area).
(1) Stealing would include: misrepresenting yourself (calling yourself a
retailer and getting TLC to sell to you at wholesale would be unethical,
working a deal where you will buy such and such a quantity for yourself
and your friends would be different), colluding with employees of the
manufacturer or retailer to violate their employers policies, altering
price tags and the like, shoplifting, dumpster diving, or a handful of
other activities.
--
Frank Filz
-----------------------------
Work: mailto:ffilz@us.ibm.com (business only please)
Home: mailto:ffilz@mindspring.com
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: scalpers
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| (...) Speaking of scalpers... I came across this page on the Rebelscum website: (URL) their definition of Collector apply to LEGO in the context of this thread? -Rob. (23 years ago, 21-Jan-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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