Opinion on scalpers?

[woodbooger]

Hi all, pretty new to the forum.  I see a lot of posts in the classifieds from scalpers.  Just wondering what the general consensus is around here regarding scalpers?  In other communities I am part of they are seen as dregs.  Here they seem to be encouraged or at least very well tolerated.

[aenemated]

I've always felt scalpers should be launched into the sun but that's just me. 

[Hawkeye77]

1 hour ago, woodbooger said:

Hi all, pretty new to the forum.  I see a lot of posts in the classifieds from scalpers.  Just wondering what the general consensus is around here regarding scalpers?  In other communities I am part of they are seen as dregs.  Here they seem to be encouraged or at least very well tolerated.

 

What's a scalper?  Usually associated with tickets to events - find a half dozen such posts on the first 10 pages of the BST for sale forum and post up the links so we can see "a lot of posts" (not that that would even be a lot).  Otherwise you are making subjective judgments about what people think their stuff is worth or what they can get for it which is their call on pricing.

 

BST is for members, they meet the rules they can post.

 

Calling people "dregs" is BS, you're out of line.

 

Somebody satisfies the rules that's all that matters.  You don't like the price of whatever it is, don't buy it.  You don't the rules buy the site.

 

Nonsense.

Edited April 2, 2021 by Hawkeye77

[woodbooger]

4 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

 

What's a scalper?  Usually associated with tickets to events - find a half dozen such posts on the first 10 pages of the BST for sale forum and post up the links so we can see "a lot of posts" (not that that would even be a lot).  Otherwise you are making subjective judgments about what people think their stuff is worth or what they can get for it which is their call on pricing.

 

BST is for members, they meet the rules they can post.

 

Calling people "dregs" is BS, you're out of line.

 

Somebody satisfies the rules that's all that matters.  You don't like the price of whatever it is, don't buy it.  You don't the rules buy the site.

 

Nonsense.

 

 

Slow down there and take a breath pal, just trying to have a civilized conversation on the matter.

Scalping is not just for tickets, I see it a lot here with headcovers specifically, but there are many other items that end up being scalped here.

 

Did I say scalpers here were dregs?  I said that in other communities I participate in they're seen as dregs.  I was simply asking how they are viewed in this community. 

 

Clearly, you're fine with scalping, and if anything, seem to encourage it, so I guess we know where you stand.  

 

By the way, I'll reserve the right to speak my mind whether or not someone things I am "out of line".

[Hawkeye77]

Just now, woodbooger said:

 

 

Slow down there and take a breath pal, just trying to have a civilized conversation on the matter.

Scalping is not just for tickets, I see it a lot here with headcovers specifically, but there are many other items that end up being scalped here.

 

Did I say scalpers here were dregs?  I said that in other communities I participate in they're seen as dregs.  I was simply asking how they are viewed in this community. 

 

Clearly, you're fine with scalping, and if anything, seem to encourage it, so I guess we know where you stand.  

 

By the way, I'll reserve the right to speak my mind whether or not someone things I am "out of line".

 

No examples, no "lots"?  Figured.

 

Selling something for a price higher than whatever you think it should sell for isn't "scalping".  Some items are worth more on the open market than what someone may have paid for them at retail in a limited offering - Tiger's "Frank" stuff, tons of examples.  Some are not, surprise the market sorts that out.

 

You don't know anything about where I stand - you haven't defined scalping in your world, provided any examples, or suggested why anyone here following the rules should be viewed in a negative manner or as a "dreg".

 

What are all these items being "scalped"?  What's the harm in offering anything for sale at any price? If the rules are followed why do you care?

 

 

[Chadwickog]

There are certainly a lot of re-sellers on the BST here.  If you don't see them, then you simply aren't looking.

 

It certainly isn't my favorite practice, but you definitely have enough of a marketplace here that they keep returning, so.  Easy solution is don't buy from them.

[woodbooger]

1 minute ago, Hawkeye77 said:

 

No examples, no "lots"?  Figured.

 

Selling something for a price higher than whatever you think it should sell for isn't "scalping".  Some items are worth more on the open market than what someone may have paid for them at retail in a limited offering - Tiger's "Frank" stuff, tons of examples.  Some are not, surprise the market sorts that out.

 

You don't know anything about where I stand - you haven't defined scalping in your world, provided any examples, or suggested why anyone here following the rules should be viewed in a negative manner or as a "dreg".

 

What are all these items being "scalped"?  What's the harm in offering anything for sale at any price? If the rules are followed why do you care?

 

 

 

Look for yourself if you want an example, it's not hard to find, I don't do your bidding.

 

I agree that some items may appreciate in value over time. But I'm talking more about items that are dropped at a specific time, bought immediately, only to be resold as soon as possible (apparently I have to define scalping).  Headcovers are just one example.  They're immediately sold out and then posted on here for double the retail price.  

 

For the last time, I am not defining anyone here as a "dreg", I said that in other communities I belong to scalpers are dregs.  Feel free to make your own decision on whether or not you believe scalpers here to be dregs, but I haven't said they were.  If most of the community here seems to be fine with scalpers, then apparently they're not dregs.

 

There's nothing wrong with following the rules, I am not suggesting otherwise, just trying to gauge the community.  As to why do I care?  I was more so just surprised that it's tolerated as well as it is here and was curious of others thoughts on the matter.

[Hawkeye77]

9 minutes ago, woodbooger said:

 

Look for yourself if you want an example, it's not hard to find, I don't do your bidding.

 

I agree that some items may appreciate in value over time. But I'm talking more about items that are dropped at a specific time, bought immediately, only to be resold as soon as possible (apparently I have to define scalping).  Headcovers are just one example.  They're immediately sold out and then posted on here for double the retail price.  

 

For the last time, I am not defining anyone here as a "dreg", I said that in other communities I belong to scalpers are dregs.  Feel free to make your own decision on whether or not you believe scalpers here to be dregs, but I haven't said they were.  If most of the community here seems to be fine with scalpers, then apparently they're not dregs.

 

There's nothing wrong with following the rules, I am not suggesting otherwise, just trying to gauge the community.  As to why do I care?  I was more so just surprised that it's tolerated as well as it is here and was curious of others thoughts on the matter.

If you are surprised it is "tolerated" you've expressed your opinion. You didn't introduce the term "dregs" into the discussion by accident.

 

I'm not making the claim there is "lots" of it going on, you are. 

 

Provide the examples to back it up or don't make the claim.

 

Something "dropped" and purchased in a limited quantity event may very well have a higher value the minute that event is over, nothing strange about it.  Nobody owes anyone the opportunity to buy at the original price.  

 

You buy everything at cost when you go to the grocery store?  Every store has the same markup?  I've got some silver dollars worth more than a dollar, I suppose I'm scalping if I sell them to you for a few hundred?  Come on, you know what you are up to.

 

Free market.

 

 

Edited April 2, 2021 by Hawkeye77

[BNGL]

2 hours ago, woodbooger said:

Hi all, pretty new to the forum.  I see a lot of posts in the classifieds from scalpers.  Just wondering what the general consensus is around here regarding scalpers?  In other communities I am part of they are seen as dregs.  Here they seem to be encouraged or at least very well tolerated.

The only time I will say this person is a "dreg" would be when the poster tries to come up with a funny title or sob story. I don't care for your wit or the pain of your dog/embarrassment that your wife found your backup sets and now she's making you get rid of them. Just post the item clearly stating what is for sale in the title so that when ones scrolling its clearly known what's in the thread, with good pictures of the condition, and maybe a quick story about how one got the item if its a tour issued or limited run, and if you list OBO be ready and willing to negotiate, don't list an item for 125OBO but not accept anything below 120 then just list 120. 

 

As far as ticket scalpers, I don't really care either way. I have worked very hard to make sure that whatever tickets or events that we want to attend that we can afford to go assuming our schedule allows, and I have used scalpers before to get into Finals and ALCS games.

 

As with all things though scalpers and sellers are moving product to willing buyers at market value. The market being this site.  

[woodbooger]

1 minute ago, Hawkeye77 said:

If you are surprised it is "tolerated" you've expressed your opinion. You didn't introduce the term "dregs" into the discussion by accident.

 

I'm not making the claim there is "lots" of it going on, you are. 

 

Provide the examples to back it up or don't make the claim.

 

Something "dropped" and purchased in a limited quantity event may very well have a higher value the minute that event is over, nothing strange about it.  Nobody owes anyone the opportunity to buy at the original price.  

 

You buy everything at cost when you go to the grocery store?  Every store has the same markup?  I've got some silver dollars worth more than a dollar, I suppose I'm scalping if I sell them to you for a few hundred?  Come on, you know what you are up to.

 

Free market.

 

 

 

Please tell me what I am up to?  I asked opinions on the matter, instead of just saying "I think it's fine, free market" or something along those lines you feel the need to berate me on the topic.

[woodbooger]

btw, I only created this post so I can get to 75 posts as fast as possible so I can flip things on the BST forum.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

1 hour ago, aenemated said:

I've always felt scalpers should be launched into the sun but that's just me. 

I agree. People that buy tickets with the sole purpose of reselling those in the secondary market at prices above face value are nothing but lowlife vermin.  Their use of bots and other tricks to buy tickets ahead of others is disgusting and dishonorable. Launching them into the sun would be my kindest way to deal with them.

 

Many localities have laws about selling tickets near venues but apparently the laws haven't been updated in decades.  I'm guessing the large resellers are in the pockets of lawmakers just like everything else.   

Edited April 2, 2021 by BlackDiamondPar5

[Duffer222]

48 minutes ago, woodbooger said:

btw, I only created this post so I can get to 75 posts as fast as possible so I can flip things on the BST forum.

Color me shocked.. Pretty clear from your OP that you came here to flip and was concerned that a group of people (strangers) will consider you a dreg.

I for one don’t care.  If you have something unique, or hard to find, or simple and common, you can ask for whatever you want.  Like the rest of the world, it’s all really about Supply and Demand.

[pinhigh27]

1 hour ago, woodbooger said:

 

Look for yourself if you want an example, it's not hard to find, I don't do your bidding.

 

I agree that some items may appreciate in value over time. But I'm talking more about items that are dropped at a specific time, bought immediately, only to be resold as soon as possible (apparently I have to define scalping).  Headcovers are just one example.  They're immediately sold out and then posted on here for double the retail price.  

 

For the last time, I am not defining anyone here as a "dreg", I said that in other communities I belong to scalpers are dregs.  Feel free to make your own decision on whether or not you believe scalpers here to be dregs, but I haven't said they were.  If most of the community here seems to be fine with scalpers, then apparently they're not dregs.

 

There's nothing wrong with following the rules, I am not suggesting otherwise, just trying to gauge the community.  As to why do I care?  I was more so just surprised that it's tolerated as well as it is here and was curious of others thoughts on the matter.

The problem is that it's tolerated for some items, while the mods will arbitrarily not allow it for other ones.  Don't really care one way or the other, as long as its consistent. 

 

[jholz]

At least in my experience, the term "scalping" has most often been associated with event tickets - but I suppose we can broaden the term to include the reselling of goods, services, or whatever if we want to. 

 

Like anything in life, I think that scalping can be done in a way that is beneficial, and in ways that are detrimental. As @BlackDiamondPar5mentions, the use of bots and other methods to corner the market seem unethical to me. Not much different from the guys who would wait in line at JC Penny or whatever for Motley Crue tickets, buy out the first two rows, and then sell them outside at a significant markup. At least in most places I lived, that practice was against the law. Bots are just the same practice, and the law has yet to catch up. 

 

Now, to be contradictory for a bit, I have seen "scalping" practices that I don't have a problem with. When I lived in Denver, I don't think I ever bought a ticket for a Rockies game from a standard ticket agent. I would always just go down to the stadium and buy tickets off the street. I found this not to be a problem, because the tickets I bought were from season ticket holders who didn't want to go to the game. Since that is always the case, some folks saw there was a market, and went in to make money off of it. I don't necessarily see that as being unethical.

 

So, long story short, it isn't what you are doing, it's how you are doing it that makes the determination for me.

Edited April 2, 2021 by jholz

[TwistedSister]

1 hour ago, woodbooger said:

btw, I only created this post so I can get to 75 posts as fast as possible so I can flip things on the BST forum.

If your stuff is LH PM me I may buy it before you get 75 posts and can list it. 

Edited April 2, 2021 by dhacker56

[Abh159]

I think there is a major difference in someone who buys an item with the sole intention of flipping it for a profit, and someone who is selling something at the price the market dictates. The OP seems to feel that anyone who is selling something for more than what they paid for it is a "scalper" which I couldn't disagree with more. If you're paying retail / face value for something with no intentions of using it and you're only goal it to sell it and make money then you should be thrown off a cliff in my opinion. 

 

However, there have been times in the past when I had tickets to an event (football game, concert, etc.) and ended up not being able to go. So I sold them and made a decent profit. It was not my intention to do so, but I happened to find myself in that situation so why not make a few bucks. I guess I would be a "dreg" for that??? I also happen to have a 20+ year old Scotty that has been kept in near perfect shape. I doubt I'd ever sell it, but if I did I definitely wouldn't sell it for the same price I paid as it's worth 3-4x that now. So I guess that would be scalping also???

 

 

[phizzy30]

It's called capitalism.  I'm not a fan of "scalping" either, but hey, they need to feed their families too.  I don't think I've ever scalped items on BST, just got rid of a few things to recoup or sell at a small loss. 

Edited April 2, 2021 by phizzy30

[Hawkeye77]

1 hour ago, BlackDiamondPar5 said:

I agree. People that buy tickets with the sole purpose of reselling those in the secondary market at prices above face value are nothing but lowlife vermin.  Their use of bots and other tricks to buy tickets ahead of others is disgusting and dishonorable. Launching them into the sun would be my kindest way to deal with them.

 

Many localities have laws about selling tickets near venues but apparently the laws haven't been updated in decades.  I'm guessing the large resellers are in the pockets of lawmakers just like everything else.   

Totally agree on the bots and other ways to gobble up stuff in blocks on Ticketmaster and other places, for example which used to be an issue, maybe still is who knows, or anywhere else.  Crowds out people who could have had the opportunity to purchase at original price. But that's not what the OP is playing around at.

 

Different though (and I think you'd agree) than painting individual members on the BST following the rules with a broad brush and insinuating they are somehow merely "tolerated" on here.  This site does a pretty good job of policing the BST.  OP sure isn't coughing up examples or citing to these so called unethical practices.

 

If someone is a member on here and chooses to advertise there under the rules, I don't see any complaint or concern.  Break the rules and it gets handled pretty swiftly and there are consequences.  With all the changes I think we lost a lot of the valuable feedback that used to be on there but that's a different issue, it seems to be thriving again.

[woodbooger]

22 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Different though (and I think you'd agree) than painting individual members on the BST following the rules with a broad brush and insinuating they are somehow merely "tolerated" on here.  This site does a pretty good job of policing the BST.  OP sure isn't coughing up examples or citing to these so called unethical practices.

 

Wild that you have decided I am anti-scalping, have I ever said I disagree with it?  So let me ask you who is painting an individual member of the forum with a broad brush?

 

You're so hung up on me providing evidence to you.  Just look for yourself if you want it.  I'm not trying to single any seller(s) out.  Just trying to get a feel for the whats tolerated here and what isn't and how the community feels.  You seem to have made up your mind against me without taking a minute to think (or even ask) about which side of the issue I sit on.  

[BlackDiamondPar5]

33 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Totally agree on the bots and other ways to gobble up stuff in blocks on Ticketmaster and other places, for example which used to be an issue, maybe still is who knows, or anywhere else.  Crowds out people who could have had the opportunity to purchase at original price. But that's not what the OP is playing around at.

 

Different though (and I think you'd agree) than painting individual members on the BST following the rules with a broad brush and insinuating they are somehow merely "tolerated" on here.  This site does a pretty good job of policing the BST.  OP sure isn't coughing up examples or citing to these so called unethical practices.

 

If someone is a member on here and chooses to advertise there under the rules, I don't see any complaint or concern.  Break the rules and it gets handled pretty swiftly and there are consequences.  With all the changes I think we lost a lot of the valuable feedback that used to be on there but that's a different issue, it seems to be thriving again.

Yeah my mind went right to event tickets when I saw the term "scalper" used.   Anyone buying an event ticket and not intending to go but rather to flip it for a profit is a low life to me.

[woodbooger]

1 minute ago, BlackDiamondPar5 said:

Yeah my mind went right to event tickets when I saw the term "scalper" used.   Anyone buying an event ticket and not intending to go but rather to flip it for a profit is a low life to me.

 

How do you feel about people that do the same thing for limited release items?  

[aenemated]

1 hour ago, jholz said:

So, long story short, it isn't what you are doing, it's how you are doing it that makes the determination for me.

 

Precisely.

 

I clearly have no problem with reselling items. I resell stuff all the time! And if it happens to have gained value since I bought it and it sells for more - awesome! I've actually got a Scotty headcover I got from the Custom Shop for my Phantom X that I don't use anymore ... so put it on the 'bay. Current bid is twice what I paid for it and it still has a day or two. 

 

Difference between me and a scalper is purely ethical here. I didn't buy it specifically to resell it. I bought it to use for its intent, enjoyed it for a year or so, no longer needed it and since I'm not a hoarder or collector, figured I'd sell it to someone who might want it. 

 

A "scalper" to me is someone who artificially reduces supply of an item for no other reason than to resell it at a higher cost. 

 

Is it illegal? Not really though I think there're some grey area laws. Is it pure capitalism? I think that can be argued that artificially reducing supply isn't ... but I'm not an economist. 

 

Does it make people who do it scumbags? Absolutely. 

[farmer]

A new member and he's trolling already!  Launch him into the sun!

[Abh159]

9 minutes ago, woodbooger said:

 

How do you feel about people that do the same thing for limited release items?  

 

I honestly have no idea what your intentions are, but if you want to buy stuff only to try and flip it on BST then just do it. Either people are going to buy it or they aren't. I'm not sure why you keep asking everyone how they feel about it. 

 

At this point it almost seems like you are trying to get people to side with that practice so you feel less s***** about doing it....

[Hawkeye77]

30 minutes ago, woodbooger said:

 

Wild that you have decided I am anti-scalping, have I ever said I disagree with it?  So let me ask you who is painting an individual member of the forum with a broad brush?

 

You're so hung up on me providing evidence to you.  Just look for yourself if you want it.  I'm not trying to single any seller(s) out.  Just trying to get a feel for the whats tolerated here and what isn't and how the community feels.  You seem to have made up your mind against me without taking a minute to think (or even ask) about which side of the issue I sit on.  

I didn't make the claim, you aren't backing up yours.  Bye.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

23 minutes ago, aenemated said:

 

Precisely.

 

I clearly have no problem with reselling items. I resell stuff all the time! And if it happens to have gained value since I bought it and it sells for more - awesome! I've actually got a Scotty headcover I got from the Custom Shop for my Phantom X that I don't use anymore ... so put it on the 'bay. Current bid is twice what I paid for it and it still has a day or two. 

 

Difference between me and a scalper is purely ethical here. I didn't buy it specifically to resell it. I bought it to use for its intent, enjoyed it for a year or so, no longer needed it and since I'm not a hoarder or collector, figured I'd sell it to someone who might want it. 

 

A "scalper" to me is someone who artificially reduces supply of an item for no other reason than to resell it at a higher cost. 

 

Is it illegal? Not really though I think there're some grey area laws. Is it pure capitalism? I think that can be argued that artificially reducing supply isn't ... but I'm not an economist. 

 

Does it make people who do it scumbags? Absolutely. 

^^^ x 1000!

[woodbooger]

12 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

 

I honestly have no idea what your intentions are, but if you want to buy stuff only to try and flip it on BST then just do it. Either people are going to buy it or they aren't. I'm not sure why you keep asking everyone how they feel about it. 

 

At this point it almost seems like you are trying to get people to side with that practice so you feel less s***** about doing it....

 

God forbid I make a post on a golf forum asking people in the golf community how the feel about something golf related.  Tough crowd around here.  

I have no intention to scalp any items, I've said it previously, I am just surprised it's tolerated as well as it is by the community.

[Soloman1]

You wanna buy some tickets?

[caniac6]

I'm planning on scalping my house if we ever move.