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[Xtyle]

I thought it would be fun to talk about some unconventional ways to make some money in this hard-times America. By unconventional I mean any method that is not a standard job or your 9-5 thing.

Now that most of the people why are judgmental are gone. I can come out and say it out right, I do resell. I buy and sell anything that potentially makes me money.
I have no shame to have done done SNES Mini, Switch, WII U (just this year at above $500 sold) , etc. I normally don't sell these expensive and scalper type products though but when it is within reach to get a large amount and the money is good, I will do it. Switch on the first couple days were going above $600 and the master edition Zelda thing was like $400 when sold.

I once mentioned I bought a large amount of SNES Mini on GAF (in the SNES Mini thread) and I was about to get ganged up on...so I gave up talking more of it. It just shut me down entirely. People don't understand, I spent 3 days/nights out there driving my ass off and people look down on someone doing this...well some of you may not like it too but I don't care.

It beats those on GAF who used to ask people how to make money cause they lost their jobs. Well I can at least make 6 figures a year doing my business but I work my ass off to earn it.

And perhaps, this will encourage people to look for ways to make side money or a living that is not a standard job.

What about you?
Is it stock trading?
Is it bitcoin?
Or do you also do what I do?

 

[chixdiggit]

When I was a kid I used to shoot pigeons with a pellet gun. I would throw them in a pillow case and sell them for $1 a piece to a guy that would pickle them.

 

[Kas]

I'm making jellies and jam to hopefully get me through college.

I also do pickles, but not pigeon ones.

 

[Xtyle]

When I was a kid I used to shoot pigeons with a pellet gun. I would throw them in a pillow case and sell them for $1 a piece to a guy that would pickle them.

Wow
This is in the U.S? Kind of an unusual thing to do haha.

 

[ShogunX]

Nobody should be judging how anybody else makes a living as long as it isn't illegal.

 

[Ombra]

Nobody should be judging how anybody else makes a living as long as it isn't illegal.

Word can't knock a legal hustle where no one gets hurt or fooled.

 

[Kimawolf]

I've been warily getting into crypto currency, with a kind of side eye. Just dipping a toe in it to see if its worth it for anything more than that.

 

[RobertM]

I hope you realize that you're making money by ripping people of. What honest and honorable job you have there, pat your self on the back bud.

I have been ripped of in the past and item never being sent so yeah, as someone who was on the on the receiving end, I don't see someone like you as an honest individual.

 

[ShogunX]

I hope you realize that you're making money by ripping people of. What honest and honorable job you have there, pat your self on the back bud.

I have been ripped of in the past and item never being sent so yeah, as someone who was on the on the receiving end, I don't see someone like you as an honest individual.

It's basic supply and demand.

 

[Xtyle]

Nobody should be judging how anybody else makes a living as long as it isn't illegal.

Yea, I have a business and I paid taxes. It is also not what people think just go order some of them online on (or pre order). I almost never do those things. It is actually hard work and I drove no less than 40k miles last year for work.

 

[BeforeU]

I do trading, and real estate investment.

 

[Clockwork]

It's basic supply and demand.

As long as you can justify doing something shitty, right?

In all seriousness though it is a pretty gross thing to do. I guess if you need to get by.

Personally I wouldn't do it.

 

[Xtyle]

I hope you realize that you're making money by ripping people of. What honest and honorable job you have there, pat your self on the back bud.

I have been ripped of in the past and item never being sent so yeah, as someone who was on the on the receiving end, I don't see someone like you as an honest individual.

I am not offended.
I am curious what you mean by ripped off though? Do you mean not receiving what you ordered, or do you mean getting it at too high a price? There are differences between these 2 obviously.

I will say I don't rip people off by not sending them the correct item in the condition they ordered, as I am a legit business.

As for high price. That really is based on supply and demand. Usually people who pay at such high prices can afford it anyway, and 2, these are sometimes hard to find items. It's not like I just go to my local Target and just buy a couple Switch on release. There is a ton of labor involved and equipment needed. So you are essentially paying for the product and additional service.

 

[Xtyle]

As long as you can justify doing something shitty, right?

In all seriousness though it is a pretty gross thing to do. I guess if you need to get by.

Personally I wouldn't do it.

Sorry. To me, it is just a business.

 

[RobertM]

It's basic supply and demand.

You can artificialy create supply constrains. Stores don't increase prices on luxury items compared to gas or other consumer goods so it's not analogs.

I get less of opportunity to get an item because some asshole in front of me got 20 more of the same item to sell it back to me.

You can call it a business all you want, at the end of the day you are giving less opportunity to those that are less fortunate to get an item.

 

[Xtyle]

You can artificial create supply constrains. Stores don't increase prices on luxury items compared to gas or other consumer goods so it's not analogs.

Well, surprise. They do. Maybe not certain products that they manufacturers set a pricing agreement like consoles in general. But yes, they don't raise the price crazy high.

You can see prices on Amazon go up and down all the time (I mean the products sold by Amazon LLC).

 

[Xtyle]

Could be and you are right.

 

[Xtyle]

You can artificialy create supply constrains. Stores don't increase prices on luxury items compared to gas or other consumer goods so it's not analogs.

I get less of opportunity to get an item because some asshole in front of me got 20 more of the same item to sell it back to me.

You can call it a business all you want, at the end of the day you are giving less opportunity to those that are less fortunate to get an item.

Sorry, but we do have an equal chance of getting the same item though, no? It is not like I have 10 employees that help me source these products and for the record, I don't normally do Scalping because they are usually items that are too hard to get. Essentially maybe roughly 1% of my totally sales come from them.

But yes, I get it from your perspective, it is not an honorable thing to do...well, I am better off than those who are less fortunate and jobless though

 

[RobertM]

Well, surprise. They do. Maybe not certain products that they manufacturers set a pricing agreement like consoles in general. But yes, they don't raise the price crazy high.

You can see prices on Amazon go up and down all the time (I mean the products sold by Amazon LLC).

Slightly if any, most items like consoles don't go above MSRP. Also there are laws against price gouging.

 

[Xtyle]

Slightly if any, most items like consoles don't go above MSRP. Also there are laws against price gouging.

That's true in most cases for console prices. As for price gouging, I am not sure which laws you are referring to because this is not a new thing...it's been done hundreds, thousands years.

 

[ReMaKe]

Nobody should be judging how anybody else makes a living as long as it isn't illegal.

Completely agree. Never knock another mans hustle.

Unless he's blatantly ripping someone else, I understand him.
As someone who's into the street wear world, I have found myself attaining limited items that have increased exponentially in price. Yeezy's, limited jordans, supreme, you name it. First time I got a pair of yeezy's, before leaving the store, I had offers of 500, 700, 800. The original price was 200. Is me selling it for 800 ripping the person off (I actually didn't sell it for 800, I gauged the market and found out it was selling for close to 2 grands online, though I severely under priced it and sold it for 1K)? Is it considered malicious in any way? The market determines the price not me.

Now, if I buy a microphone for 25 dollars, and I sell it in the streets for 200 when that same person could've just gotten to Walmart and gotten it for 25 (basically a con artist), now that's a complete different situation.

 

[Zeshile]

Yeah, you're still a jerk. You're taking advantage of a situation where the people that are mostly going to be effected are parents buying gifts for their kids.

So good for you. While people were working or taking care of their families, you went and picked up all the consoles before they even had a chance to call. If little Timmy really wanted it, he should of been there first.

Anyways, I used to donate plasma. They messed my arm up, so I don't do it much any more. Tax season is the best time to start if anyone's been thinking about it.

 

[Xtyle]

Completely agree. Never knock another mans hustle.

Unless he's blatantly ripping someone else, I understand him.
As someone who's into the street wear world, I have found myself attaining limited items that have increased exponentially in price. Yeezy's, limited jordans, supreme, you name it. First time I got a pair of yeezy's, before leaving the store, I had offers of 500, 700, 800. The original price was 200. Is me selling it for 800 ripping the person off (I actually didn't sell it for 800, I gauged the market and found out it was selling for close to 2 grands online, though I severely under priced it and sold it for 1K)? Is it considered malicious in any way? The market determines the price not me.

Now, if I buy a microphone for 25 dollars, and I sell it in the streets for 200 when that same person could've just gotten to Walmart and gotten it for 25 (basically a con artist), now that's a complete different situation.

Exactly this.

 

[the1npc]

Nu gaf why

 

[prag16]

When I was a kid I used to shoot pigeons with a pellet gun. I would throw them in a pillow case and sell them for $1 a piece to a guy that would pickle them.

What? First post wins.


EDIT: And yeah.. TC is a jerk.

 

[molotrok]

Yeah, you're still a jerk. You're taking advantage of a situation where the people that are mostly going to be effected are parents buying gifts for their kids.

So good for you. While people were working or taking care of their families, you went and picked up all the consoles before they even had a chance to call. If little Timmy really wanted it, he should of been there first.

Anyways, I used to donate plasma. They messed my arm up, so I don't do it much any more. Tax season is the best time to start if anyone's been thinking about it.

Poor little timmy doesn't get a totally unnecessary item, what will he ever do?

Maybe my experiences have made me callous but growing up in a third world country where me and my sisters had to be content with toys scavanged from the local dump, its extremely hard to sympathize with your example. By the way how do you know flippers arent doing it for their children?

 

[Icedburden]

Poor little timmy doesn't get a totally unnecessary item, what will he ever do?

Maybe my experiences have made me callous but growing up in a third world country where me and my sisters had to be content with toys scavanged from the local dump, its extremely hard to sympathize with your example. By the way how do you know flippers arent doing it for their children?

Exactly, try growing up with nothing. Little Timmy will get a toy from the cereal box and like it.

 

[Xtyle]

Poor little timmy doesn't get a totally unnecessary item, what will he ever do?

Maybe my experiences have made me callous but growing up in a third world country where me and my sisters had to be content with toys scavanged from the local dump, its extremely hard to sympathize with your example. By the way how do you know flippers arent doing it for their children?

You are right I have kids. I partly do this because I have to support them and also, I enjoy it.

A grandma can walk in a store and buy a toy for her kids...
Me, I remember being out in the cold sleep in my car in freezing 2 degree weather, with snowing outside. And I was with my brother who tagged along, who has schizophrenia. But I don't do that anymore.

I am even thinking if I got lucky and come across some hard to find gaming items I can sell them here, at MSRP because I want to contribute to GAF. Too bad I just sold out my SNES Mini before the meltdown.

Oh and me too, grew up in ASIA and I never got these toys for Xmas and shit. The best toys I had were bugs we caught.

 

[Zeshile]

Poor little timmy doesn't get a totally unnecessary item, what will he ever do?

Maybe my experiences have made me callous but growing up in a third world country where me and my sisters had to be content with toys scavanged from the local dump, its extremely hard to sympathize with your example. By the way how do you know flippers arent doing it for their children?

You could say the same thing about your toys then. They weren't necessary were they? What if someone had gone and scavenged all of them before someone had a chance to do it for you? Then they turned around and sold it for more than it was worth, making it impossible for you to have one. Just because they had more time or more opportunities to get it done, you should get screwed over?

As for the flippers doing it for their children, I don't buy it. They are either flipping 1 or 2, which isn't really going to pay the bills, or they are buying as many as they can. Which means they already have money. You think someone who can't afford toys for their kid is buying 20+ switches or snes minis? Give me a break.

Edit: And just for the record, before anyone claims I don't understand. I grew up in a single mom household, with no child support, and she barely made ends meet. As an adult, I've had to sell things to have enough to eat. I get it, but it doesn't make it right.

 

[EverydayBeast]

Good ol’ chores

 

[Xtyle]

You could say the same thing about your toys then. They weren't necessary were they? What if someone had gone and scavenged all of them before someone had a chance to do it for you? Then they turned around and sold it for more than it was worth, making it impossible for you to have one. Just because they had more time or more opportunities to get it done, you should get screwed over?

As for the flippers doing it for their children, I don't buy it. They are either flipping 1 or 2, which isn't really going to pay the bills, or they are buying as many as they can. Which means they already have money. You think someone who can't afford toys for their kid is buying 20+ switches or snes minis? Give me a break.

Edit: And just for the record, before anyone claims I don't understand. I grew up in a single mom household, with no child support, and she barely made ends meet. As an adult, I've had to sell things to have enough to eat. I get it, but it doesn't make it right.

I could understand. To me it is business and yes, it can be morally and ethnically wrong depending on your position.

 

[MidgarBlowedUp]

Swing trading on RobinHood.

I will not tell the details but a quick rundown though, is as follows:
1. Look for undervalued stocks
2. Buy Low
3. Sell High.. (No, not while you are high)
4. Profit

RobinHood is great since it takes care of documenting each trade for tax time. You just put in your account code and import. I think last year I had over 150+ trades and was still able to file for free through United Way.

Looking to also get my apps/games off the ground. Even though that will be a very small money making opportunity it's my real passion. It's tough doing it all by yourself while working full-time. Still trying to finish my studio. It's about 90% done though. My goal is to have it ready for Jan 1st next year. Then it will be Stocks & Mobile Apps for my side hustle. I also get a company 401k match and a small pension, so that's free money as well.

haha, and I'm still broke like a bad fighting game.

 

[Xtyle]

Have not heard of this RobinHood thing but now I will look

 

[onken]

Word can't knock a legal hustle where no one gets hurt or fooled.

The losers are the kids who don't get the latest toy for the holidays because their parents couldn't afford to pay the scalper price.

 

[Forearms]

Swing trading on RobinHood.

I will not tell the details but a quick rundown though, is as follows:
1. Look for undervalued stocks
2. Buy Low
3. Sell High.. (No, not while you are high)
4. Profit

RobinHood is great since it takes care of documenting each trade for tax time. You just put in your account code and import. I think last year I had over 150+ trades and was still able to file for free through United Way.

Looking to also get my apps/games off the ground. Even though that will be a very small money making opportunity it's my real passion. It's tough doing it all by yourself while working full-time. Still trying to finish my studio. It's about 90% done though. My goal is to have it ready for Jan 1st next year. Then it will be Stocks & Mobile Apps for my side hustle. I also get a company 401k match and a small pension, so that's free money as well.

haha, and I'm still broke like a bad fighting game.

I got hooked on Robinhood earlier this year... I wish I could say I'm in the black, but sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose. Hoping to get back in the black before the end of 2017.

 

[toneroni]

The losers are the kids who don't get the latest toy for the holidays because their parents couldn't afford to pay the scalper price.

None of this is essential. They could get another toy.
I paid extra for an NES Classic when I couldn't get it but it's the price I pay if I don't want to stand in line for a few hours.
I'm okay with that. The market determines the price.
It's only bad when a single scalper is allowed to clear stock or buy in bulk (happens with sneakers all the time). If it's just someone picking up one or two to sell (and then hustling over to another store for another one or two etc), what's the issue? Good for him - he recognizes an opportunity when you didn't wait on line yourself.

 

[molotrok]

You could say the same thing about your toys then. They weren't necessary were they? What if someone had gone and scavenged all of them before someone had a chance to do it for you? Then they turned around and sold it for more than it was worth, making it impossible for you to have one. Just because they had more time or more opportunities to get it done, you should get screwed over?

As for the flippers doing it for their children, I don't buy it. They are either flipping 1 or 2, which isn't really going to pay the bills, or they are buying as many as they can. Which means they already have money. You think someone who can't afford toys for their kid is buying 20+ switches or snes minis? Give me a break.

Edit: And just for the record, before anyone claims I don't understand. I grew up in a single mom household, with no child support, and she barely made ends meet. As an adult, I've had to sell things to have enough to eat. I get it, but it doesn't make it right.

Yes that is my point. In the end material things such as video games and toys really are not that important so I cant sympathize. I would be totally on your side if it were necessary items such as food or water, and I believe that there are laws in the U.S. against that.

As for your second point, is it unlikely that a person flipping video games and toys is struggling financially? sure. Is it certain 100% of flippers are not doing it to get by? I dont think so.


As for the topic. When I wasn't going to school full time I would got to yard sales in wealthy neighborhoods and buy stuff to resale. Apart from the usual stuff, you would be surprised how much money there is in used furniture. I would only buy Ikea furniture since it holds its value fairly well and it is lighter than real wood. You could probably make more money with the real wood stuff but hauling it was impossible for my small truck. Used appliances are also a money maker, or so I have heard, but you have to know if they're working correctly and sometimes deal with pests.

 

[onken]

None of this is essential. They could get another toy.
I paid extra for an NES Classic when I couldn't get it but it's the price I pay if I don't want to stand in line for a few hours.
I'm okay with that. The market determines the price.
It's only bad when a single scalper is allowed to clear stock or buy in bulk (happens with sneakers all the time). If it's just someone picking up one or two to sell (and then hustling over to another store for another one or two etc), what's the issue? Good for him - he recognizes an opportunity when you didn't wait on line yourself.

Well firstly it's pretty disingenuous to say just buy something else", you know what kids are like..

Secondly not everyone has the luxury of being able to take a few hours to go line up for something (especially for a surprise present), people with 2 jobs, single parents etc. Yes I know it's a free market etc. but scalpers need to accept their actions hurt the people on the bottom rung of society the most.

 

[Xtyle]

None of this is essential. They could get another toy.
I paid extra for an NES Classic when I couldn't get it but it's the price I pay if I don't want to stand in line for a few hours.
I'm okay with that. The market determines the price.
It's only bad when a single scalper is allowed to clear stock or buy in bulk (happens with sneakers all the time). If it's just someone picking up one or two to sell (and then hustling over to another store for another one or two etc), what's the issue? Good for him - he recognizes an opportunity when you didn't wait on line yourself.

For the Snes I got 1 and sometimes 2 if I was lucky they allow 2 is what I got from each store. I was out 3 days man, driving. People don't realize it is a lot of work...what high price you paid for, I used my time and energy to get it for you so you are either not out their at midnight launch and hope you got luck to get one or out in extreme cold in the winter time...many times there are also people from big cities that just can't get it since stores have limited supplies and they are able to get that present for their kids online. I have seen it many times where people buy expansive gifts.

 

[WinterIsComing]

I make a few bucks every month testing software on Utest.
Got to know about that site here, through GAF, so thanks for that.

 

[Xtyle]

You could say the same thing about your toys then. They weren't necessary were they? What if someone had gone and scavenged all of them before someone had a chance to do it for you? Then they turned around and sold it for more than it was worth, making it impossible for you to have one. Just because they had more time or more opportunities to get it done, you should get screwed over?

As for the flippers doing it for their children, I don't buy it. They are either flipping 1 or 2, which isn't really going to pay the bills, or they are buying as many as they can. Which means they already have money. You think someone who can't afford toys for their kid is buying 20+ switches or snes minis? Give me a break.

Edit: And just for the record, before anyone claims I don't understand. I grew up in a single mom household, with no child support, and she barely made ends meet. As an adult, I've had to sell things to have enough to eat. I get it, but it doesn't make it right.

You are assuming too much.
Let me illustrate a bit for you.
1, I don't do a lot of scalping stuff...maybe less than 5 percent of my total sales is from scalping.

Many of my other inventory come from low prices and I sell them at MSRP.

Sure, I have a very good income but I have to pay freaking high taxes and other business spending too. And a lot of money I make I also reinvest in my inventory so that's business spending...I don't have all the money availed for family and kids. 3, my 2 kids going to daycare is 2k per month spending alone...so it is a bit tough for me to support them still. And no, I don't already have money to buy my kids expensive toys...there are more important things for them than these hot in demand toys.

With that said, I enjoy finding these high in demand items in stores because every time it is so exciting like finding a treasure in a store out of many many...its kind of addictive. Selfish? Yes, maybe...but also necessary for my business survival.

 

[Xtyle]

Well firstly it's pretty disingenuous to say just buy something else", you know what kids are like..

Secondly not everyone has the luxury of being able to take a few hours to go line up for something (especially for a surprise present), people with 2 jobs, single parents etc. Yes I know it's a free market etc. but scalpers need to accept their actions hurt the people on the bottom rung of society the most.

Looking at it from consumer perspective I can understand. But business is all about opportunity. If you know how resell works you would be surprised how all business like Walmart, Amazon, etc are not there to help you purchase fair price items. 1 item could sell for 5 dollars at a particular chain store and could be 3 times more at Amazon.

 

[Xtyle]

Molotrok
I am actually thinking to pick up garage sales business...I have heard there's good business there to resell on the Bay. Kind of a dirty job though being most garage sale items most likely needing some dusting off and cleaning.

 

[Polioliolio]

I briefly scalped when I was a teen when I stumbled upon the MGS3 limited edition, a 40 dollar game, selling for 300+ dollars. I went back to the store and bought them all.

As an adult, I realize it was a shitty thing to do.

Only people willing to spend stupid amounts of money could then get the game, because stock was cleared out by douchebags like me.

Amazing how many people in here are trying to justify it, and as if 'business is business' is some kind of indisputable virtue.

It's an asshole thing to do. Go on and do your scalping, but have the balls to admit it you're being a piece of shit. It has nothing to do with how 'hard' you work to make it happen.

 

[vector824]

I do photography and video editing on the side from my full time gig. Started my own LLC and pay taxes too. It comes in handy when you can write off your new computer as a business expense, turns out video editing and gaming require the same hardware! Lucky me.

 

[Razorback]

I recently bought 20€ worth of Bitcoin.

So I'm settled for life. Right guys?

 

[Sakura]

Ultimately wouldn't it be on the store to stop one guy from buying a bunch to resell?
Like in Japan for the Switch, lots of stores would do lotteries and you can only enter for one.
If the first guy in line can just go give me all your Switches, and the store does so, that's more on them in my opinion.
If he only gets one and still resells it, well, he was there on time and in line too so I don't really have a problem.

 

[Skullface]

I purchased a domain, retrogradepro.com. The idea is that it would be a website that provided unique retrospectives, commentary, and reviews. I haven't had much time to work on it though... Soon, I'll be able to put more time in it. Once I have enough quality content, I'm hoping to display ads, and hopefully make a few extra bucks on the side. Unfortunately, I'm more learned in the ways of SEO rather than content creation.

 

[Madrin]

I briefly scalped when I was a teen when I stumbled upon the MGS3 limited edition, a 40 dollar game, selling for 300+ dollars. I went back to the store and bought them all.

As an adult, I realize it was a shitty thing to do.

This is all it comes down to. I buy and resell a little bit too but I never scalp even though it would be easy money. It's not that scalping is immoral, but it is a shitty thing to do. It's profiting by making things worse for other people. It's something I wouldn't want done to me, so I don't do it to others.

 

[Xtyle]

I briefly scalped when I was a teen when I stumbled upon the MGS3 limited edition, a 40 dollar game, selling for 300+ dollars. I went back to the store and bought them all.

As an adult, I realize it was a shitty thing to do.

Only people willing to spend stupid amounts of money could then get the game, because stock was cleared out by douchebags like me.

Amazing how many people in here are trying to justify it, and as if 'business is business' is some kind of indisputable virtue.

It's an asshole thing to do. Go on and do your scalping, but have the balls to admit it you're being a piece of shit. It has nothing to do with how 'hard' you work to make it happen.

It all depends on perspective.
If I ever thought I was an asshole I wouldn't ever do it. I find it a more assholish thing to label other people based on their moral code.