WTOP shows how nutso they all are

[acroyear]

dawntreader90 's "Capitalism" description of the PS-3 madness seems to be on the mark.  WTOP had interviews with people in line, and ran off about 10 in a row that all said they were buying them in order to put them up on ebay for the profit, and that most there didn't even play the games...

why is the voice of Charlton Heston going "It's a MAD HOUSE!" running through my head right now?

a co-worker says he doesn't even bother going to "one-time" used book sales anymore, 'cause there are now professionals who basically bag the whole lot knowing *one* book in there might make enough profit as a rarity on ebay to warrent the purchase of some 100 or more other books not worth anything to them.

Comments

[theshaggyfreak.livejournal.com]

That's why it's getting more and more rare for a person to buy used games, CDs, or DVDs locally in their area. People find that they usually can get more money by selling them on ebay much of the time. There is a market for just about everything.

I rarely pick up used games locally anymore unless it's at Starland since they carry stuff for older systems. Most used DVDs I pick up on ebay. CD's I pick up online as well as at a local hippy store that has a decent selection of used stuff.

The only time I even buy something at Best Buy is if it's on sale or I have a coupon that makes it worth it. I'm starting to hate going into that store, though, since there's always someone blasting a stereo with the bass so loud that I want to smash things.

[blueeowyn.livejournal.com]

I see that at Bfest. One year they had the left-over QVC Black Beauty's (which I didn't buy from QVC because I didn't want to pay for the VHS of the movie in additional to the model) ... one woman had a box that was easily 18x18x24 inches FULL of Black Beauty models. I saw some of the LE from Bfest being flipped on eBay that night. People who buy 3000 raffle tickets etc..

Oh, good grief yes ...

[fiona64.livejournal.com]

The first year I attended Bfest, there were QVC Seabiscuits for $15 ... that were long gone by the time I got into the Company Store (I was one of the first 10 in for the tent models) because people were buying them by the dozen ... and then re-selling them in their booths for triple the price or more.

I saw some of the LE from Bfest being flipped on eBay that night.

That always blows me away, too. Yes, we had an extra one two years running because my husband went with me ... and they were sold to one of his customers at the hobby store for a reasonable price.

I really don't get the greed in our hobby in that regard ... if you don't want the model, sell it to someone who does *at a reasonable price.* Or, even more novel ... if you don't want the model, leave it on the shelf for someone else who might.

People who buy 3000 raffle tickets etc..

Those are the people whom I always suspect are planning to flip the model. The people who buy 20 or so tickets, or the little kids who save up their allowance to buy a few tickets are so often beaten out by people who really don't plan to keep the item. :-(

[jmthane.livejournal.com]

Same thing with the Best Buy out here in Aurora. Literally everyone in line that the Beacon News interviewed is there to buy the thing and turn right around and sell it for an obscene markup on eBay. And they asked everyone that was in line.

I object to house "flipping" for the same reason. I've watched "Flip This House", and all I can think of is "you greedy bastards". Now, yeah, in some cases the houses need the work they put into them, but the way they conduct their business makes me feel like I've been slimed.

There's a line between capitalism and greed, and these people are so far across that line that they're in the next county. It *is* a madhouse.

And I don't see it changing any time soon. It's easy money.

(How many of these folks profess themselves to be "Good Christians", I wonder? As with other Christian teachings, seems that "the love of money is the root of all evil" is a lesson that is largely ignored...)

[thelongshot.livejournal.com]

Funny saying that about the PS3, when it probably isn't going to get the demand they expect. (Particularly since the Wii looks more attractive at a better price.)

This thread reminded me of when I worked for Dominos Pizza. The place was in an office park, and a few doors down was a record collector. We discovered that he'd dump tons of records in the trash that wasn't worth keeping for him from the big lots that he'd purchase. We used to raid that dumpster until he discovered what we were doing and put a lock on the dumpster. He eventually invited us over to take a look at his collection and allowed us the opportunity to buy a record from him. I picked up a copy of Pink Floyd's "A Nice Pair" (A two record set with "Piper At The Gates Of Dawn" and "Saucer Full Of Secrets"). My coworkers were jealous.

That being said, such people can serve a purpose by doing the legwork most of us aren't willing to do. That is what those people pay for.