Holy Order Sol
Member
a fellow gamer
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Scalping-GAF: How did it go for you?
- Thread starter Khalifa Jayy
- Start date
a fellow gamer
vivftp
Member
I wound up with the opportunity to pick up 2 PS4s - my original pre-order and a chance to pick one up from another store.
I had given thought to trying to turn a profit, but one of my friends had gone to 5 different stores on launch day and didn't manage to secure one. I wound up giving him my launch day PS4 at cost (didn't even ask for gas money I had to use to pick it up), and picked up my very own PS4 I had secured a couple of days later.
Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside
I had given thought to trying to turn a profit, but one of my friends had gone to 5 different stores on launch day and didn't manage to secure one. I wound up giving him my launch day PS4 at cost (didn't even ask for gas money I had to use to pick it up), and picked up my very own PS4 I had secured a couple of days later.
Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside
Aztechnology
Member
I wound up with the opportunity to pick up 2 PS4s - my original pre-order and a chance to pick one up from another store.
I had given thought to trying to turn a profit, but one of my friends had gone to 5 different stores on launch day and didn't manage to secure one. I wound up giving him my launch day PS4 at cost (didn't even ask for gas money I had to use to pick it up), and picked up my very own PS4 I had secured a couple of days later.
Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside
Yea the smile on a friend's face, the exhilaration, elation. So worth
MesserWolf
Member
I should do it actually. It is legal and you can quite easly get profit.... Why not.
If there are people so dumb to pay a hefty premium on top of the regular price, just not to wait couple of weeks (or preorder online) ... They deserve it.
If there are people so dumb to pay a hefty premium on top of the regular price, just not to wait couple of weeks (or preorder online) ... They deserve it.
Perspective...get some. You kid's are hilarious. Pirates prevent companies from making money, are responsible for pretty much every shitty anti-consumer development in gaming. But yeah, cry yourself to sleep because someone "worse than a pirate" sold another person property they already paid for.
But, hey, at least YOU get to still play your games, fuck the industry, right?
Gotta say, I don't think there is anything more pathetic you can do on a message board that put someone on ignore. Well, putting them on ignore for something like this is more pathetic, and announcing it like any gives a shit is worse.
"Oh no! People say and do things I don't like"
"Hide me I'm scared!"
T
thepotatoman
Unconfirmed Member
That's how I look at it. It'd be a jerk move if it was a one time only event, with it selling out within 15 minutes of it going on sale, like say tickets for a popular concert. But with this there was months of opportunity to preorder, tons of retail locations you could line up at launch day, and there will be plenty of additional opportunities to get one at retail in the upcoming weeks and months. Just keep calling and asking for when the next shipment comes in and be there for that.
The only one harmed here is the one paying me $150 of profit instead of either thinking a bit more ahead or being a bit more patient, and that's all on him.
I pre-ordered my PS4 as part of the Amazon PS4 Killzone/PS+ bundle in June, right as all the controversy was happening with the Xbox. I was perhaps a bit overly optimistic about where my money situation would be by November. I decided to keep it and see if I could get a little money for it, as student loans are coming due and I'm not exactly flush.
Anyway, I was screwed for selling it because I wasn't willing to use Ebay and risk getting scammed, and Craigslist worked against me. Basically, I don't know how long it's been this way now, but Craigslist now defaults users' searches to list them by relevance, rather than by most recent. That means that my "Playstation 4 with Killzone and PS+" listing was less relevant than all the "Playstation 4 NEW!!" listings, so it was buried. And yes, I was priced competitively, just $100 more than the listings only selling PS4s.
Anyway, I started the return process with Amazon today, as it seems pretty clear I won't be selling this to anyone. At least it was low risk for me, I'll end up paying a 3.99 fee and be refunded my $544 (after taxes) purchase. It was an interesting experiment, but sometimes these things don't work out. You win some, you lose some.
Anyway, I was screwed for selling it because I wasn't willing to use Ebay and risk getting scammed, and Craigslist worked against me. Basically, I don't know how long it's been this way now, but Craigslist now defaults users' searches to list them by relevance, rather than by most recent. That means that my "Playstation 4 with Killzone and PS+" listing was less relevant than all the "Playstation 4 NEW!!" listings, so it was buried. And yes, I was priced competitively, just $100 more than the listings only selling PS4s.
Anyway, I started the return process with Amazon today, as it seems pretty clear I won't be selling this to anyone. At least it was low risk for me, I'll end up paying a 3.99 fee and be refunded my $544 (after taxes) purchase. It was an interesting experiment, but sometimes these things don't work out. You win some, you lose some.
TheRedSnifit
Member
I think the better question is
Scalping-GAF, what are you doing with your thousands of newfound dollars?
Hookers.
Marauder Shields
Member
Haha
Pretty much sums up how I feel about the issue. It's a luxury item ffs.
Capitalism is not good just because it is capitalism. Say I had enough money to buy up the whole supply of cancer drugs, then sold them back to desperate people at a 1000% markup, that is just capitalism right? No problem there?..
There are many forms of evil in capitalism, just look at how it has absolutely corrupted politics for example. Scalping is just another evil to add to the list.
Based on that, batman should have been at the New York event picking up the first PS4
It's making money at the expense of people. Regular, hard-working people. You aren't screwing over a corporation but purposefully making the lives of people more expensive.
It makes sense that people don't like it. It represents, albeit more moderately than other acts, the detestable part of humanity that means we will step on others to climb slightly higher. Just a dickish, unnessesary thing to do.
That said, it's interesting to see the profits involved.
Marauder Shields
Member
Equating scalping of essential medical goods to the scalping of a luxury entertainment item. Yikes.
glimmerman
Member
Scalping sucks. Capitalism is fine. The difference is, in a normal supply chain, each member adds some value to the end product.
A scalper adds no value whatsoever, and is essentially profiteering.
Not, I am equating capitalism with capitalism. Much of the world is indoctrinated to believe that capitalism = best thing ever and its name is blindly called to defend pure selfish greed.
If you approve of scalping don't hide behind capitalism, have the balls to come out and say the truth. Just say 'I believe that greed and selfishness is correct' and get on with your life...
chicko1983
Member
The ps4 bundles in my area for pick up are between $1000 and $1400 Aussie dollars.
The bundles in store are about $750.
It goes on sale tomorrow here but I am contemplating now selling mine online. The games at the moment are not really my thing (was hoping for Deep Down and Driveclub when I made my preorder) and I could use the extra cash for my holiday next year.
The bundles in store are about $750.
It goes on sale tomorrow here but I am contemplating now selling mine online. The games at the moment are not really my thing (was hoping for Deep Down and Driveclub when I made my preorder) and I could use the extra cash for my holiday next year.
dreamstation
Member
Should have been limited to 1 console per person, somehow.
A lot of people in Australia have to wait 2 months or more for one now. Why were people allowed to buy a bunch of them leaving none for others?
A lot of people in Australia have to wait 2 months or more for one now. Why were people allowed to buy a bunch of them leaving none for others?
After reading through all of this thread I think this dude summed it up best. Why is it just the scalpers are getting the hate? Why not hate on the people willing to pay hundreds above MRSP who didn't pre order the console when it was easy to do so??? Why is it the guy who wants a new console but didn't pre order & isn't willing to pay more than MSRP more worthy of owning the console, compared to the guy who didn't pre order, but also wants the console & is willing to pay more than MSRP? In the end a gamer is getting the system...
I bought 3 ps4's, one for myself & two for my kids Xmas present, (they have no idea...) even if I could get more than a grand at Xmas for each of them I wouldn't sell, the look on their faces will be priceless when they get to open them up. I guess I contributed to launch console scarcity too, any hate for me?!?
I will be selling my PS4 on launchday (tommorow) for 120 to 150 euro more.
Reason: My girlfriend left me 1 month ago and now i have to pay the mortgage on our (my) house alone. Lets say i can use the money right now. If that makes me an asshole, so be it...
People are overreacting in this thread imho. If people are willing to pay more for a console on launchday. Just let them pay more?
Nobody is being forced to do anything here. Maybe next time they will pre-order one too?
Reason: My girlfriend left me 1 month ago and now i have to pay the mortgage on our (my) house alone. Lets say i can use the money right now. If that makes me an asshole, so be it...
People are overreacting in this thread imho. If people are willing to pay more for a console on launchday. Just let them pay more?
Nobody is being forced to do anything here. Maybe next time they will pre-order one too?
I wound up with the opportunity to pick up 2 PS4s - my original pre-order and a chance to pick one up from another store.
I had given thought to trying to turn a profit, but one of my friends had gone to 5 different stores on launch day and didn't manage to secure one. I wound up giving him my launch day PS4 at cost (didn't even ask for gas money I had to use to pick it up), and picked up my very own PS4 I had secured a couple of days later.
Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside
So this thread isn't just full of heartless individuals. Thank you sir.
You bought and have kept the systems as was intended.
Scalpers remove, in this case, consoles from the ecosystem. Without them the limited amount of consoles would go to the people who it is ultimately intended for, at the intended RRP. To scalp you are creating unecessary demand.
Pre-orders are also limited, so it isn't just a case of get there first. If everyone acted with that mentality the pre-order period would be shorter, but scalpers and scalped consoles would remain.
I don't hate scalpers, or anything like that, but the excuses are ire inducing. The bottom line is that scalpers are stepping on other people for the sake of getting money.
It is only legal if you report the extra income to the IRS.
maverick40
Junior Member
SCUM.
SolidChamp
Banned
Yep.
Phat Michael
Banned
I dont scalp because well, i do think its kinda shitty and i dont really need to make a couple of hundred dollars as i work full time.
I did however pay $900 for my XB1 Day One Edition with Forza which was quite a lot...saying that i got it before pretty much everyone else in the world and it's not officially releasing here until April/May 2014 so why not.
I did however pay $900 for my XB1 Day One Edition with Forza which was quite a lot...saying that i got it before pretty much everyone else in the world and it's not officially releasing here until April/May 2014 so why not.
SquiddyCracker
Banned
Love scalpers, they highlight the flaw in the consumerist capitalist system.
cormack12
Gold Member
If you're gonna scalp do it. I think it's a deplorable thing to do but there you go.
But why come on a really well knit and decent hardcore video game community forum and boast about it?
There's people on here having pre-orders cancelled, companies not being able to fulfil orders because they have gone under and can no longer honour the contract and people upset that they now have no console. But hey, they had months to sort it out right? Could have got a pre-order in - oh, wait, they did.
To me, anyone with a genuine love of videogames and who had actual spare consoles would offer them to unlucky community members at cost +P&P because that's worth more than a quick buck. To some people anyway.
But why come on a really well knit and decent hardcore video game community forum and boast about it?
There's people on here having pre-orders cancelled, companies not being able to fulfil orders because they have gone under and can no longer honour the contract and people upset that they now have no console. But hey, they had months to sort it out right? Could have got a pre-order in - oh, wait, they did.
To me, anyone with a genuine love of videogames and who had actual spare consoles would offer them to unlucky community members at cost +P&P because that's worth more than a quick buck. To some people anyway.
Too much reason for this thread! Thank you for the very good explanation. I couldn't have said it better.
Marauder Shields
Member
Imo a big part of capitalism is greed. Scalping is just a by-product of that.
I personally don't partake in scalping because it's not my thing, but I don't feel the need to get on my moral high horse and lambaste anyone that does. Especially when it comes to luxury items like gaming consoles.
This is an excellent post.
I hear you & I don't necessarily disagree, however I feel it's a bit unfair to blame the scalpers only. It's a supply & demand thing, it takes two to tango so to speak. If someone is truly upset & disgusted with the practice, shouldn't the buyers willing to pay more share an equal amount of the "hate"?
Maybe I'm over simplifying, I'm willing to admit, but I find it hard to believe that most of the consoles scalped were done so by individuals buying 10+ systems strictly for profit. Seems that many scenarios were of people buying an extra system to possibly sell, & subsidies their purchase. Honest question: I wonder what % of launch consoles were scalped? & is that amount large enough to have really had an impact on "creating unnecessary demand"?
First off, scalpers don't remove consoles from the ecosystem, with or without scalpers the same amount of consoles exist. Second, the consoles they sell STILL go to the people they were intended for. Third, scalpers don't create demand, the demand is there and scalpers fill it.
And while you didn't mention this,I've seen it enough times to be worth commenting on, scalpers aren't denying, preventing, or otherwise causing a solitary gamer to miss out on a console. All this "fellow gamer" nonsense is just that. Who do people think buys from scalpers? Gamers. So the same amount of gamers are playing on a PS4 or Xbone today as there would be if scalpers didn't exist at all.
Basically all of these poor, deprived, Tiny Tim gamers people are trying to project don't exist. Anyone and everyone who wanted one of these consoles had ample time to get one through regular channels, and those that slept had no problem paying extra from those that didn't. And finally, these aren't limited edition products, they will be mass produced and rather quickly, you aren't going to fall over dead because you didn't get your toy on day one. The exagerrating and outright venom from people in this thread is a joke and just goes to show how disconnected from reality the average gamer is.
Oh boy a scalping thread. Let's see:
People comparing profits from scalping: check
Haters: check
Debate about ethics of scalping: check
Heated debate about personal character of scalpers: check
Heated debate about capitalism and passing blame: check
Back-handed comments about scalping: check
Sneering remarks about people who don't like scalping: check
People calling scalpers scumbags: check
Scalpers calling people children: check
Yeah, you've covered all the bases guys. I am not disappointed!
Some would argue love of video games and compassion for your fellow man are separate and mutually exclusive.
In my experience it's always the scalpers who take the moral high ground. One doesn't need to get on a moral horse to take digs at scalpers
and it doesn't matter what kind of item it is - the point of scalping is to profit off reselling items at jacked up prices. That's the part that rubs people the wrong way. And really, there's no point in trying to justify it: people who do just end up looking worse. It'd be better to say, "yeah, I make profit off ripping other people off. I do it and I don't mind that you think worse of me for it". There you go. Not hard! Especially on the internet.
In summary: you can have money, or you can have integrity. You can't scalp and have both.
People comparing profits from scalping: check
Haters: check
Debate about ethics of scalping: check
Heated debate about personal character of scalpers: check
Heated debate about capitalism and passing blame: check
Back-handed comments about scalping: check
Sneering remarks about people who don't like scalping: check
People calling scalpers scumbags: check
Scalpers calling people children: check
Yeah, you've covered all the bases guys. I am not disappointed!
Some would argue love of video games and compassion for your fellow man are separate and mutually exclusive.
In my experience it's always the scalpers who take the moral high ground. One doesn't need to get on a moral horse to take digs at scalpers
and it doesn't matter what kind of item it is - the point of scalping is to profit off reselling items at jacked up prices. That's the part that rubs people the wrong way. And really, there's no point in trying to justify it: people who do just end up looking worse. It'd be better to say, "yeah, I make profit off ripping other people off. I do it and I don't mind that you think worse of me for it". There you go. Not hard! Especially on the internet.In summary: you can have money, or you can have integrity. You can't scalp and have both.
Avid Reading Horse
Member
Won a Taco Bell PS4. It only got here a day early, instead of two like some others. Threw it up on Craigslist for $800, PS4 + Knack + 1 yr PSN in case anyone wanted to pay a premium to get it 12+ hours earlier than the midnight launch. But, no bites. So cracked it open that night and gave my Amazon pre-ordered console to a friend as a surprise gift.
I'm going to keep the Xbox One I am getting from Mountain Dew. PS4 is just portable enough to where I can move it between rooms as needed... Xbox.. not so much, so why not? And I'll have voice commands for TV channels in both rooms... the effect is kind of dulled if half the time I'm struggling to remember that ESPN is 1602, and ESPN2 is... 1605? 1604? See I don't even know. Fuck you U-verse, could have just put them right next to each other.. but noooo.
I'm going to keep the Xbox One I am getting from Mountain Dew. PS4 is just portable enough to where I can move it between rooms as needed... Xbox.. not so much, so why not? And I'll have voice commands for TV channels in both rooms... the effect is kind of dulled if half the time I'm struggling to remember that ESPN is 1602, and ESPN2 is... 1605? 1604? See I don't even know. Fuck you U-verse, could have just put them right next to each other.. but noooo.
Great post indeed. The comparison to for example concert tickets also falls flat because of point c. Unless for some people here the 'experience to have a console early instead of later' is equal to 'being at the concert or not at all'.
cormack12
Gold Member
Some would reply that people join communities without really understanding what being in a community is all about. It's no great surprise though, community and helping hands are a contrast to the selfish attitude needed to 'scalp' in the first place.
You have a choice to make. You can help someone/give back to the community or make a quick buck.
I bought a football final ticket in 2010, my team didn't make it. I could have fleeced someone on ebay. I went on the forums of the team that did get there and offered it at cost to a regular everyday fan. For better or worse, he's just part of an everyday (inter)national community. I believe if you are part of a community you should strive to make it better or offer something in return.
Like I said, if you wanna do it I'm not bothered. You're free to do it and I'm free to think you're a selfish arsehole for doing it. I'm not going to change my opinion and frankly I have no interest in what anyone who scalps says. It;s the same circular arguments. Whether you scalp or not is down to the individual and their particular traits.
The issue I have is people coming on here a day before the EU launch when people are uncertain of consoles, lamenting because they've been informed of some mixup that means they miss out and this little troop of 'entrepreneurs' boasting about fleecing other 'gamers'.
Take it elsewhere. Because no-one cares.
CouchMaster
Member
Pretty much. Like I said in the other thread, scalping is just another form of black marketing because this hoarding by scalpels directly affects healthy supply/demand ratio in the market. And I don't know about free capitalist America, but where I live, black marketing is considered flat-out illegal and not just a shady practice to capitalize on people's ignorance.
We are posting in a thread on neogaf with the title: Scalping-GAF: How did it go for you?
Indeed, it's the same as the motherfuckers who scalp concert and sport tickets.
I know these items are only wants but imagine if people scalped needs.
Marauder Shields
Member
In my experience it's always the scalpers who take the moral high ground. One doesn't need to get on a moral horse to take digs at scalpers
In summary: you can have money, or you can have integrity. You can't scalp and have both.
That was pretty funny
. Can't tell if intentional or not.Yeah because you're never going to be able to get a PS4 again.
Comfort Jones
Banned
Here's how this would work.
Scalpers buy a portion of food.
No one fucking buys it because there's no way the scalpers bought all of Wal Mart or any other place's stock, so the scalpers make exactly zero dollars.
What fantasy world are you people living in where scalpers stop people from getting their pre ordered copies? So fuckin what if people can't walk in and get it day 1? If Sony/MS keeps up the supply, then the scalpers won't even have a very good window to make a profit.
Edit-Also it's ridiculous to compare scalping a product which will definitely return to store shelves and be there for literally years to come to people scalping tickets to a show. That is a much more limited thing with a specific time as to which it's valuable. Not being able to see the one time some band plays in your area is not equal to OH GOD I COULDN'T PLAY RESOGUN ON DAY 1. OH THE HUMANITY.
Also the hell is all this talk about putting people on a block list? I thought this was a place for open discussion, not a place where you create your own echo chamber to shield you from people you don't like. Is it impossible to believe someone who is disagrees with you in this situation might not be some insanely evil individual?
You sure about that? You seem to care quite a bit.
And for the record, every person who plays video games isn't part of this community or any other, acting like we are all part of some giant family is a joke. Further, when I want to help the community I do it ways that matter, like donating to fellow gamer who is dying and needs money for surgery. How many of these assholes who claim we are all scum skipped over that thread and went out and spent money on something they didn't need instead?
In short, fuck your moral preaching and judgement.
Sick burn....
Context; http://www.gofundme.com/THEFIGHTBEGINS
I ordered mine during E3, no games appeared in the months from then until now, so I'm selling it with the hope of making a little extra.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Consoles-...w=playstation+4&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc
Given the prices, I might make £0 to £50, depends on your luck really and whether value will increase before the 25th of December. Sell or wait is the question.