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Scalping-GAF: How did it go for you?

ITT making money is wrong.



lol "our fellow gamers". Some people take the "community" angle too far really.

And some people are driven by an unacceptable amount of greed. I have no issue with people who jump on the pre-order ladder with the knowledge that they may choose to sell or keep it, but I really despise the people who buy multiple units purely to profit from.
 
Title says it all. Did you profit? Did you fail miserably? Did you come out even?

I ordered two PS4s and an Xbone. Kept one PS4 for myself and flipped the other as well as the bone.

I made two hundred on the PS4 I flipped and 200 on the Xbone, too. Not bad at all, I'd say. I did it all through craigslist as I didn't want to deal with eBay, PayPal, and scummy buyers.

How'd you guys fare?

Good for you man, always weirds me out how people crack it over this. It's first in best dressed, capitalism and profit, pure and simple.

It's not nice but it's not fucking some evil horrible thing.
Mine won't arrive in Australia for at least 2 weeks after launch, if there's still massive xmas demand I'll flip it. Not because I want to shaft someone, not because I only bought it to flip it, because it's a wise and profitable thing to do.

I'll re-buy one within weeks - it's basically like getting a discounted console as far as I'm concerned.
EDIT: Oh yeah, my minimum flip profit would need to be at least $200 after fees, otherwise the potential hassle isn't worth it.
 
Capitalism by nature fuels competition, the point of competition is to drive prices down. These devices are coming from two companies, being sold through many different retailers at an MSRP. Truth be told, there already is a kind of monopoly in place.

Let me ask you this, how are you adhering to the rules of "capitalism?" Its not a true supply and demand issue when you are helping to create a demand just for the sake of creating demand. In this situation you are creating/part of the problem, stacking the decks and adding a new player to a two player game.

And scalping does the exact opposite. This isn't your typical "low supply high demand" scenario. Scalpers in aggregate are creating an artificial shortage to allow themselves to drive prices up. Of course there is no unifying body behind all scalpers, but the net result of the actions of them all is the same. This is not at all a natural extension of competitive economics, it's closing to a monopoly/oligopoly.
 
I'd scalp if i could, just not comfortable with the risk now.

I remember when Lumines was an exploit for hacking the psp the price jumped like crazy. I bought like 13 copies from TRU for like $10 each and resold them for $50+. That was pretty funny
 
ITT a bunch of parasites (and their sad rationalisations)

At least a pirate doesn't prevent a fellow gamer from getting to play. You are even worse
 
I don't think it's hard to make a positive economic case for scalpers, at least from a free market point of view. Console prices are sticky at retail, so only early birds have access to the market if there is surplus demand. But thanks to scalpers, a person can purchase a console at any time if they're willing to pay the market price.
 
And scalping does the exact opposite. This isn't your typical "low supply high demand" scenario. Scalpers in aggregate are creating an artificial shortage to allow themselves to drive prices up. Of course there is no unifying body behind all scalpers, but the net result of the actions of them all is the same. This is not at all a natural extension of competitive economics, it's closing to a monopoly/oligopoly.


It's a temporary condition only. A month or so down the road and scalpers will be irrelevant because natural supply will meet natural demand.
 
And those buying from the parasites are victims right?

They are dumb and impatient people with too much money.
A guy I know at work, nice guy but very very impulsive, blows money on dumb shit constantly, large amounts too. He's definitely the type to get caught up in hype and just buy something at way over value. He can afford it, he has lots of money, he simply doesn't care.

That's the kind of person who is being exploited here, the regular gamers in this thread with some common sense aren't picking up a scalped console, they either already pre-ordered one themselves or they will wait 2 or 3 weeks to get one, not the end of the world.

I didn't bother scalping either of my two PS4s, but all of you anti-scalping people, calling scalpers scumbags and shit, should really fuck off and just keep living your greater than thou, perfect lives.

To those who made money, grats!

ferengi_profit_by_aweswanky-d5du6p4.jpg
 
They are dumb and impatient people with too much money.
A guy I know at work, nice guy but very very impulsive, blows money on dumb shit constantly, large amounts too. He's definitely the type to get caught up in hype and just buy something at way over value. He can afford it, he has lots of money, he simply doesn't care.

That's the kind of person who is being exploited here, the regular gamers in this thread with some common sense aren't picking up a scalped console, they either already pre-ordered one themselves or they will wait 2 or 3 weeks to get one, not the end of the world.

That's one half of the coin, sure. But that about the parents who are trying to make their kid's Christmas special?
 
Scalping is horrible, as is defending it. The weird position is the Ayn Randian 'hurr do whatever you want' style bullshit. There are moral absolutes, not ripping others off is one of them.


Ripping people off? People are willing to pay over MSRP for a hard to find item. Happens all the time. I would say the majority who buy from scalpers are happy customers. The guy who I sold mine to (I actually negotiated on the price and sold it less for then what I listed it for) said he was going straight to Best Buy to pick up some games with a huge smile on his face.
 
That's one half of the coin, sure. But that about the parents who are trying to make their kid's Christmas special?

Look that sucks, ..... I can't deny that really does suck but I'm not convinced that the scalpers cause that much trouble for the xmas shoppers when it launched over a month from xmas.
 
Ripping people off? People are willing to pay over MSRP for a hard to find item. Happens all the time. I would say the majority who buy from scalpers are happy customers. The guy who I sold mine to (I actually negotiated on the price and sold it less for then what I listed it for) said he was going straight to Best Buy to pick up some games with a huge smile on his face.

The item is hard to find because of scalpers. People would always rather play MSRP.
 
Look that sucks, ..... I can't deny that really does suck but I'm not convinced that the scalpers cause that much trouble for the xmas shoppers when it launched over a month from xmas.
Its different now but 8 years ago there really was a hunger for these things. People were put in terrible positions and the terrible profited. If someone is "hardcore" enough to pay that kind of money out of pocket than I am sure that is their ordeal(whether I like it or not.)

But when parents and kids get involved its just about the sleaziest.
 
I don't see an issue with scalping launch consoles. All issues are solved by being a decent consumer and either planning ahead (you had equal chance with the scalper to do this) or not being an idiot and just waiting that extra week or two to get a luxury item at retail price.

No matter what, the person in front of you who got one got it because they were better prepped. They pre-ordered or got to the store earlier. Whether that system is going to the buyer's daughter, being kept for themselves, or being scalped, you ain't getting it because you didn't prep as well as them.

Where that console goes has no bearing on the fact that your lack of preparation is why you didn't get it.
 
They are dumb and impatient people with too much money.
A guy I know at work, nice guy but very very impulsive, blows money on dumb shit constantly, large amounts too. He's definitely the type to get caught up in hype and just buy something at way over value. He can afford it, he has lots of money, he simply doesn't care.

That's the kind of person who is being exploited here, the regular gamers in this thread with some common sense aren't picking up a scalped console, they either already pre-ordered one themselves or they will wait 2 or 3 weeks to get one, not the end of the world.

So the scalpers are parasites, and the buyers are dumb and impatient. Seems like this market system is meant for one another! I understand that you think it's overvalued, but clearly your friend doesn't have the same thoughts about money as you do. And that's his prerogative. Explain to your friend the concept of delayed gratification

Everyone, the buyer either chooses to buy it or not. It's really that simple. We all make decisions like this everyday. Are you willing to pay a higher price to get it? Come on.
 
It's hard to find because we are starting a new gen after a very long cycle and sony decided to release it to over 30 countries by the end of the year.

I would feel more sympathy if it was only available for preorder at retailers for a couple of days. Instead people had the opportunity to pre order for months (some all the way to September)
 
the type of people who get really upset over this are the same type of people you would really expect to have preordered
 
I'm glad we have at least one Scalper thread a week right now. That means we'll never need another one again. Just search GAF for "Scalper" and use the link as a first post.
 
I don't see an issue with scalping launch consoles. All issues are solved by being a decent consumer and either planning ahead (you had equal chance with the scalper to do this) or not being an idiot and just waiting that extra week or two to get a luxury item at retail price.

No matter what, the person in front of you who got one got it because they were better prepped. They pre-ordered or got to the store earlier. Whether that system is going to the buyer's daughter, being kept for themselves, or being scalped, you ain't getting it because you didn't prep as well as them.

Where that console goes has no bearing on the fact that your lack of preparation is why you didn't get it.

Yeah, since there is universal "prep" time for everyone ...
 
Glad you were able to make a profit. I don't really take part in the scalping although I don't scorn or see a problem with people who do.

What I find silly are the people who buy from scalpers, not the actual scalpers themselves.
 
How dare people sell things they bought with their money.

If you really wanted it, should have pre ordered. Scalpers do not make that huge of a dent in it, it's not like pre orders fucking disappeared within a day.

It's kinda sad to see the level of rage from some people, going as far to call people, including one of my good friends, SCUM.
 
I returned mine so 0$.
Don't have time to scalp and meet someone since im in finals. plus if the PS4 dies its on my hands and I would have to meet person again take ps4 back send back to sony or shop blah blah blah.
Nah. I rather scalp Jordans which when released is less likely to have a saturated market compared to the PS4.
 
I paid exactly $425.00 for each of the two unopened PS4's in my room. I could probably easily sell them right now for $625.00 each. But I'm gonna wait a few weeks before Christmas to see if I can sell each one for $800+.
 
I paid exactly $425.00 for each of the two unopened PS4's in my room. I could probably easily sell them right now for $625.00 each. But I'm gonna wait a few weeks before Christmas to see if I can sell each one for $800+.

You'd better hope Sony doesn't release more units to retail. If they do you're screwed.
 
I wonder what kind of idiots would pay extra for a console they could have had on day1 if they just pre-ordered

I'm not really against scalping, I'd never do it but I know there are people who are willing to pay extra to get what they want for other people's work, but it doesn't make sense when they could have it themselves if they just pre ordered it
 
Yeah, you have to strike while the iron is hot. Pretty sure the sold-out status will disappear within the next couple of weeks.

It happened with PS3. I bought a spare 20GB to resell in hopes that the profit would take the sting out of me spending $600 for my 60GB.

My coworker bought one for the sole purpose of selling on eBay but decided to wait until it was closer to Christmas. I listed mine immediately and made $400 profit the next morning. Then the whole bottom dropped out, as unsold units were sitting on shelves. She wound up having to return it.
 
I'm more surprised that there are people salty that they missed out when the window for preordering was there for some time. You can't really complain when there was ample chance to lock in a console at retail price.

What did they expect... seriously? Everyone had the same opportunity to lock their console in... I kind of feel that if you didn't bother to do that, too bad.
 
ITT a bunch of parasites (and their sad rationalisations)

At least a pirate doesn't prevent a fellow gamer from getting to play. You are even worse

LOL

You act like the scalpers are members of some exclusive club that get privileged access to these consoles. The buyers that ARE WILLINGLY PAYING MARKUP could have also made pre-orders/got in line/called around/drove out of town to get their own but they chose not to. Now they can pay someone that did put in that tiny amount of effort to get one a little extra for the favor. Nobody prevented anyone from getting to play. Nobody, but that person himself.
 
Breaking PS4 news:
1 million consoles scalped in 24 hours!

Actually if anyone here is a hardcore scalper I'd love to hear experiences, especially between all 3 consoles this gen.
 
The vitriol in this thread is overwhelming.

Take video games out of the equation and it's just another hot ticket item. I personally don't like scalping but I don't see anything inherently wrong with it. There are buyers willing to fork over the cash and sellers happy to oblige. It's not your money and not your spare console, get over it.
 
I wonder how the scalpers would have felt if Amazon just decided to markup all its PS4s by $200 before the 15th?

And I wonder how they would have responded to it if I had asked this before we were already debating the moral points of scalping.
 
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