I'm so disappointed in people

[all2tired]

Yesterday, I sold 3 members of Gottadeal the dolls they were unable to get for their daughters. I sold them for what I paid. I wasn't looking to make anything from it. I had extras and instead of returning them to the store, I sold them to others that wanted them. Anyway, I just went to ebay and these ebayers are selling those dolls starting at $15 and buy it nows for $39. I'm sorry but I know that people want to make money but I find it a disgrace.
I'm sure that most of these people selling on ebay got the dolls on BF for $10 like I did and to sell it to a desperate parent for $39 buy it now is just disgusting. I know that nobody is forcing anybody to buy the stuff and the ebayers can do whatever they want with their stuff but to take advantage of others especially during the holiday season just disgusts me.:gd_soapbo

[tfinch2]

Yesterday, I sold 3 members of Gottadeal the dolls they were unable to get for their daughters. I sold them for what I paid. I wasn't looking to make anything from it. I had extras and instead of returning them to the store, I sold them to others that wanted them. Anyway, I just went to ebay and these ebayers are selling those dolls starting at $15 and buy it nows for $39. I'm sorry but I know that people want to make money but I find it a disgrace.
I'm sure that most of these people selling on ebay got the dolls on BF for $10 like I did and to sell it to a desperate parent for $39 buy it now is just disgusting. I know that nobody is forcing anybody to buy the stuff and the ebayers can do whatever they want with their stuff but to take advantage of others especially during the holiday season just disgusts me.:gd_soapbo

Capitalism at it's best. Do you blame the store because they jack up the price after they buy them wholesale?

I see where you are coming from, but it isn't worth getting mad over. Just feel good for the good deed that you did. :)

[Gporter34]

All2tired, I totally agree with you, it's GREED plain and simple.

[HollyBerry]

Maybe you can look at it this way...

Some people are unable to get to a store to buy the items. Maybe they are disabled, sick, or out in the middle of nowhere.
Even though they pay a higher price they are thankful to be able to have EBAY as a resource.

Some people do have money and don't care what it costs. They prefer to have others "shop" for them.

I hope that can make you see things a little differently.

[all2tired]

Not really, I'm disabled and managed to get to the store. granted I made deals with other shoppers. I'll get you the CPB if you get me this. I guess I could look at it a different way but I still think it's a disgrace to profit from somebody's misfortune.

[Gporter34]

I agree. If it is to help people who couldn't go themselves then why jack up the prices?

[Mike]

No offense, but something is worth whatever someone will pay for it. If someone buys a doll for $40...its worth $40. Plain and simple, supply and demand is a part of what makes America great. Choices are all anything comes down to.

[tfinch2]

I bet atleast 30% of the people who made doorbuster computer purchases or were planning to but were unable to get them are or were going to resell them locally or via ebay.

[Lovemy3babes]

I agree. Greedy people stink!

[queenofshopping]

that's wrong, not so much raising the price bc i understand people wanting to make money, but that these people selling that stuff go & buy up huge quantities & people who have been waiting out in the cold for hours dont get what they needed

[Mike]

I bet atleast 30% of the people who made doorbuster computer purchases or were planning to but were unable to get them are or were going to resell them locally or via ebay.

I did, I waited at BestBuy for 5.5 hours and I thought of it as a job. If I make $500, I get $100 an hour, score for me.

[queenofshopping]

I did, I waited at BestBuy for 5.5 hours and I thought of it as a job. If I make $500, I get $100 an hour, score for me.

:2bat:

[youm0nt]

what kind of dolls are they?bratz?

[best4less]

Well, you can also look at it this way- some people didn't want to battle the crowds on BF so they didn't bother going (silly people! lol) so it is worth it to them to just buy it off ebay. An item on ebay can only go as high as a bidder lets it. Doesn't exactly make it better but, it's another way to look at it.

[outnumbered]

I think it's great that you hooked a few GDers up with BF prices on items they weren't able to get. It was nice of you and the type of favor I'd expect to see one friend do for another (which makes it extra nice of you because I'm assuming you don't know these GDers).

At the same time, people don't go into business to lose money or to break even. They go into business to make a profit and put food on their table, etc. I see no problem whatsoever with listing items on ebay for profit. It's how many people make a living, how a lot of SAHMs supplement the family income--an ebay home business--and many other people sell a few items here and there to earn money for Christmas gifts, etc.

Nobody is forcing anyone to spend their money on these toys on ebay. If you are willing to pay it, great. Go ahead. If you're not, then don't bid. If nobody bids, a message is sent to the seller that the price is too high. Etc. That's how doing business works, whether it's selling a burrito at Taco Bell, a multi-million-dollar home in Malibu, or a Cabbage Patch Kid on ebay. What you refer to as "greed" is what motivates people to work. People don't go to work for the good feeling it gives them or to do their boss a favor--they go to work to get a paycheck. Otherwise they'd go volunteer their time somewhere else or stay home. Greed is a GOOD thing, at least in this respect.

JMHO.

[best4less]

what kind of dolls are they?bratz?


No, the Cabbage Patch Newborns that Walmart was selling for $10. There are like over 1000 listings for them on ebay right now.

[Gporter34]

I totally agree with selling on eBay. I sometimes sell the dolls I make on there. I just think it's different to go to WM on BF buy a buggy full of CPK dolls for $10 each and sell them on eBay. What about the people in the store who had waited for hours and maybe they can't afford to pay full price, and didn't get one because of the people buying alot of them to sell on eBay.

[all2tired]

I think it's great that you hooked a few GDers up with BF prices on items they weren't able to get. It was nice of you and the type of favor I'd expect to see one friend do for another (which makes it extra nice of you because I'm assuming you don't know these GDers).

At the same time, people don't go into business to lose money or to break even. They go into business to make a profit and put food on their table, etc. I see no problem whatsoever with listing items on ebay for profit. It's how many people make a living, how a lot of SAHMs supplement the family income--an ebay home business--and many other people sell a few items here and there to earn money for Christmas gifts, etc.

Nobody is forcing anyone to spend their money on these toys on ebay. If you are willing to pay it, great. Go ahead. If you're not, then don't bid. If nobody bids, a message is sent to the seller that the price is too high. Etc. That's how doing business works, whether it's selling a burrito at Taco Bell, a multi-million-dollar home in Malibu, or a Cabbage Patch Kid on ebay. What you refer to as "greed" is what motivates people to work. People don't go to work for the good feeling it gives them or to do their boss a favor--they go to work to get a paycheck. Otherwise they'd go volunteer their time somewhere else or stay home. Greed is a GOOD thing, at least in this respect.

JMHO.
Thank you and no I don't know any of the members that I sold them too. I also know what you are saying, I said basically the same thing in my original post but a little bit of an editted version LOL

And no offense to you or anything that you said but I consider myself a good person and I'd rather be struggling and be able to help somebody out than to make money off of their misfortune. When I told my group about my shopping adventure yesterday and then mentioned that I sold the 3 dolls for the same price I paid. Somebody replied asking why I didn't sell it on ebay and my reply to that was because I'm a nice person. I'm sure you noticed yourself that it's the people that have nothing that give the most. Wow I better get off of my soapbox. I understand everything that everybody is saying though, i really do but knowing the way I am, I take offense to the way others take advantage. JMO

[Mike]

:2bat:

What is wrong with it? I can't make money? Its simple supply and demand. If someone wanted a desktop for $150 they should have waited in line for one.

[all2tired]

What is wrong with it? I can't make money? Its simple supply and demand. If someone wanted a desktop for $150 they should have waited in line for one.
Maybe they did but were behind a bunch of ebayers buying multiples

[Mike]

I can totally understand if someone bought as many as they could just to sell and others were left out. Buying 1 and selling it for profit is not taking advantage at all, its not. Again, if the doll wasn't worth $40 to someone, they wouldn't pay for it.

[Mike]

Maybe they did but were behind a bunch of ebayers buying multiples

Most doorbusters are 1 per person to discourage such things. If that is not the case, then I can understand where you are coming from.

[HollyBerry]

Yes what you are saying is true. But in life there is always Good VS Evil. I guess with "things" I don't get upset about that.

If I think about the dolls that were made I might be more inclined to be upset that quite possibly these dolls were made by people that are very poor in a third world country. The person that made that doll might have gotten 1/2cent for doing so.
The coporation that sets the price for the doll is exploiting workers for our enjoyment.

You can go on and on.....Life is not fair, that is true. Some of us are like you. I also do not sell on EBAY. I would prefer to donate items even if they sell them to make a profit to put food on there table.

I figure it does come out in the wash, at the end of the day.

[Just_Jill]

I think it's great that you hooked a few GDers up with BF prices on items they weren't able to get. It was nice of you and the type of favor I'd expect to see one friend do for another (which makes it extra nice of you because I'm assuming you don't know these GDers).

At the same time, people don't go into business to lose money or to break even. They go into business to make a profit and put food on their table, etc. I see no problem whatsoever with listing items on ebay for profit. It's how many people make a living, how a lot of SAHMs supplement the family income--an ebay home business--and many other people sell a few items here and there to earn money for Christmas gifts, etc.

Nobody is forcing anyone to spend their money on these toys on ebay. If you are willing to pay it, great. Go ahead. If you're not, then don't bid. If nobody bids, a message is sent to the seller that the price is too high. Etc. That's how doing business works, whether it's selling a burrito at Taco Bell, a multi-million-dollar home in Malibu, or a Cabbage Patch Kid on ebay. What you refer to as "greed" is what motivates people to work. People don't go to work for the good feeling it gives them or to do their boss a favor--they go to work to get a paycheck. Otherwise they'd go volunteer their time somewhere else or stay home. Greed is a GOOD thing, at least in this respect.

JMHO.


Um, scuse me. I have an issue with that statement. Where else in the whole world would you pick up a x box 360? If it weren't for the greedy, I could still walk into a store and buy those, last time I looked there was over 10,000 of those on ebay. The point of this thread is basically the same thing, if the greedy did not hit the bf ad's to sell on ebay, alot more kiddos would see more items on their wish list under the tree. :mad:

[Gporter34]

I can totally understand if someone bought as many as they could just to sell and others were left out. Buying 1 and selling it for profit is not taking advantage at all, its not. Again, if the doll wasn't worth $40 to someone, they wouldn't pay for it.
You are right, if someone stood in line and bought ONE and wanted to sell it, that's a good idea. I don't have a problem with that at all. I think we are talking about two different situations. I think that buying a large quanity of the dolls and selling them on eBay is greedy. I have no problem with what you are talking about.JMO

[Mike]

You are right, if someone stood in line and bought ONE and wanted to sell it, that's a good idea. I don't have a problem with that at all. I think we are talking about two different situations. I think that buying a large quanity of the dolls and selling them on eBay is greedy. I have no problem with what you are talking about.JMO

I agree

[sperdue]

I am fine with people selling stuff on ebay. It does kind of tick me off that
they snagged all the laptops and there are 100's of them on there now.
I don't stand in the cold for 6+ hours, so I guess they should make
something for their time.

I do think however, someone acting like they need it for a gift for a child
and turning around and selling it on ebay is TOTALLY WRONG.
You should not be the "wholeseller" they are getting their product from
because you are a nice person.
It makes you not really want to do that type of thing again and someone
in the future might have really wanted something you got. You will be
soured from this experience.

[Mike]

Um, scuse me. I have an issue with that statement. Where else in the whole world would you pick up a x box 360? If it weren't for the greedy, I could still walk into a store and buy those, last time I looked there was over 10,000 of those on ebay. The point of this thread is basically the same thing, if the greedy did not hit the bf ad's to sell on ebay, alot more kiddos would see more items on their wish list under the tree. :mad:

Sorry Jill, but if someone pays $1500 for an Xbox, its worth $1500 to them. Maybe not worth $1500 to you, but that is not the point. Also, I got my details together before Xbox launch went live, not one store allowed more than 1 xbox per customer.

[general41391]

I hate people who go and get the deals and sell the stuff for double, triple (sometimes even more) than what they paid, when there was people waiting for hours to get an item.

[Gporter34]

I couldn't afford the $400 xbox 360. Even at regular price, let alone at eBay prices.lol

[Mike]

.

[sperdue]

I couldn't afford the $400 xbox 360. Even at regular price, let alone at eBay prices.lol

Me either! :giggle:

[lsdlsd0]

Yesterday, I sold 3 members of Gottadeal the dolls they were unable to get for their daughters. I sold them for what I paid. I wasn't looking to make anything from it. I had extras and instead of returning them to the store, I sold them to others that wanted them. Anyway, I just went to ebay and these ebayers are selling those dolls starting at $15 and buy it nows for $39. I'm sorry but I know that people want to make money but I find it a disgrace.
I'm sure that most of these people selling on ebay got the dolls on BF for $10 like I did and to sell it to a desperate parent for $39 buy it now is just disgusting. I know that nobody is forcing anybody to buy the stuff and the ebayers can do whatever they want with their stuff but to take advantage of others especially during the holiday season just disgusts me.:gd_soapbo

It's nice of you to sell it at the same price.

However, they are not taking advantage of people. Selling on ebay carries risk. If the item had a rebate, then it would be technically illegal as the rebate form ussually prohibits resellers. Otherwise, there is nothing wrong with reselling the item.

Just for thought: If people were too lazy get up at 4am and to stand in long lines, why should they get the doll at the same price as the people who did?

[uscboy]

I don't think rebate forms prohibit reselling it... you own the piece of
hardware after you buy it. You just send them the receipt, bar code, etc...
you could sell it, smash it, paint it pink, turn it into a potted plant, etc....
they don't know and legally couldn't do anything about it anyway. Buying it
qualifies you for the rebate, not buying it and keeping it.

Anyway, I didn't wait in line and flip items on Ebay, but if someone's willing to
wait it out and that's their intention, I have no problem with that... it's legal
and well within their right. Wish I would have remembered the 360 was
coming out, I would have made sure to get one or two myself.

[alm99]

Its called capitalism. America at its finest.

[alimfp]

I agree, it's nuts. I can't even go on there and look because I just wanted one.. but not for 2+ times the price. I am not stupid!

[saturnboy01]

Maybe you can look at it this way...

Some people are unable to get to a store to buy the items. Maybe they are disabled, sick, or out in the middle of nowhere.
Even though they pay a higher price they are thankful to be able to have EBAY as a resource.

Some people do have money and don't care what it costs. They prefer to have others "shop" for them.

I hope that can make you see things a little differently.

I disagree with you 100%!
SOME (not all) are not thankful for Ebay as a resource, its a last resort so they are stuck with paying the higher price set on ebay! :g_thumbsd

As for those that want other to "shop" for them...I dont think so! That is a load of bunk! God, you must be an EBAY seller. I buy stuff on EBAY but at close retail price. Ebay is supposed to be for deals sometimes and other times you are getting jacked because hoarder wanted all the merchandise to jack up the price to allow "disabled" or "sick" people to shop for them...Right.....:grandpa: :eek:

[all2tired]

Oooooo I think I started the great debate LOL

[saturnboy01]

I agree, it's nuts. I can't even go on there and look because I just wanted one.. but not for 2+ times the price. I am not stupid!

You said it. :woot2:

[saturnboy01]

Oooooo I think I started the great debate LOL

Yup. Its on now! :wife:

ha Ha. :groovin:

[Gporter34]

I agree, it's nuts. I can't even go on there and look because I just wanted one.. but not for 2+ times the price. I am not stupid!
I would have gotten an extra if I knew a fellow GDer wanted one. DD got the two that were on my list for me while I waited for that darn laptop.lol

[msomnipotent]

The people who stand in line for hours just to buy tons of hot sellers to throw on Ebay are actually quite stupid. They are wasting their time and still paying too much. Now that everyone and their monkey are putting the cheap computers and the like on EBay, they have driven the prices down. Not to mention that sales tax and Ebay fees are eating into their profit. You get a resellers license (or a business license), look up wholesalers on the net, and order as much as you want without having to pay the sales tax. Do it legally and stop hogging all the stuff that people need for presents!!!!

[HollyBerry]

I disagree with you 100%!
SOME (not all) are not thankful for Ebay as a resource, its a last resort so they are stuck with paying the higher price set on ebay! :g_thumbsd

As for those that want other to "shop" for them...I dont think so! That is a load of bunk! God, you must be an EBAY seller. I buy stuff on EBAY but at close retail price. Ebay is supposed to be for deals sometimes and other times you are getting jacked because hoarder wanted all the merchandise to jack up the price to allow "disabled" or "sick" people to shop for them...Right.....:grandpa: :eek:

You can disagree with me all you want, I have a different perspective. I was thankful for Ebay a couple of times.
I have never sold a thing on EBAY. Never will. I am happy people do it so I don't have to.
It does stink that others bought up gobs of stuff and then sold it. I am not saying that is great but nothing you can do about it.

[mjmcca]

I dont blame people for buying stuff and reselling on Ebay if they are able. Now if the people that you sold your stuff to ended up reselling on Ebay i would be upset.

[all2tired]

I dont blame people for buying stuff and reselling on Ebay if they are able. Now if the people that you sold your stuff to ended up reselling on Ebay i would be upset.
That would really piss me off but I can feel it in my heart that they truly wanted it for their child

[scarface]

My opinion on this is...if you're that stupid and desperate to go on ebay to pay triple or more for the item you want...well thats you :fryingpan . But im sure some store or site online will have these items at normal price before xmas, its still around 4 weeks away. For example, you gotta be crazy to spend 700 to 2000 for an xbox on ebay but thats just me.

[HollyBerry]

For example, you gotta be crazy to spend 700 to 2000 for an xbox on ebay but thats just me.

I think it is crazy to spend 400. Heck I am pissed I bought Gamecube & XBOX for 149.00, I think, way back when.

Game systems are just not worth that much to me.

[LadyPhoenix]

"The point of this thread is basically the same thing, if the greedy did not hit the bf ad's to sell on ebay, alot more kiddos would see more items on their wish list under the tree. "

There is NOTHING wrong with selling what you got on eBay, or at a flea market, or in any other arena. And I have more concern for a kid who doesn't even have a roof over his/her head or food on the table, as opposed to a tree missing toys that are being MARKETED to you via television shows, commercials, magazines, radio, etc.

The subject of this thread is "I'm so disappointed in people". Well, I am so disappointed in SELF-RIGHTEOUS people who make judgments left and right of people they don't even KNOW. Whatever good deed, sacrifice, charitable donation you do will be rewarded by GOD and GOD alone. The RESPONSE to that good deed, sacrifice, charitable donation does NOT NULLIFY that deed, since the response reflects the RECIPIENT, not the GIVER.

If you are so concerned about other people and what they do or don't do, there is a simple solution: Be the example of what you want to see. Be a ROLE MODEL.

[all2tired]

I think it is crazy to spend 400. Heck I am pissed I bought Gamecube & XBOX for 149.00, I think, way back when.

Game systems are just not worth that much to me.
The only reason my kids have the gamecube is because one year I won about 20 games so I broke down and bought them the GC so they could play all the games I won

[lsdlsd0]

I don't think rebate forms prohibit reselling it... you own the piece of
hardware after you buy it. You just send them the receipt, bar code, etc...
you could sell it, smash it, paint it pink, turn it into a potted plant, etc....
they don't know and legally couldn't do anything about it anyway. Buying it
qualifies you for the rebate, not buying it and keeping it.

Anyway, I didn't wait in line and flip items on Ebay, but if someone's willing to
wait it out and that's their intention, I have no problem with that... it's legal
and well within their right. Wish I would have remembered the 360 was
coming out, I would have made sure to get one or two myself.

Wrong. Do you ever read fine print on rebates?

For example, from my Netgrear rebate:
"Offer limited to end-users only. Dealers, distributors, and other resellers are not eligible for this offer."

"Warning: Fraudulent submission could result in federal prosecution under mail fraud statutes (Title 18, USC Sections 1341 & 1342)."

If you are reseller, when submitting this rebate you are commiting fraud. Most of the time they can't find out, but that does not mean it is not illegal.

Now, if the rebate form does not mention anything about reselling or being to end users only, it might be ok.

For most ebay sellers the rebate technicalities are ussually not a concern.

[threelittlecupcakes]

I totally agree with selling on eBay. I sometimes sell the dolls I make on there. I just think it's different to go to WM on BF buy a buggy full of CPK dolls for $10 each and sell them on eBay. What about the people in the store who had waited for hours and maybe they can't afford to pay full price, and didn't get one because of the people buying alot of them to sell on eBay.

That is up to the stores to limit the qty each customer can buy. If the stores don't put a limit then there is nothing wrong with it.

[Mara]

Um, scuse me. I have an issue with that statement. Where else in the whole world would you pick up a x box 360? If it weren't for the greedy, I could still walk into a store and buy those, last time I looked there was over 10,000 of those on ebay. The point of this thread is basically the same thing, if the greedy did not hit the bf ad's to sell on ebay, alot more kiddos would see more items on their wish list under the tree. :mad:

Oh give me a break could still walk in the store and get one Umm no. XBOX put out that there was a shortage. Over 1 million were released here in the states. You really think those 10,000 made such a huge diffrence they would still be in the store? Not even. Some people plan and put in some extra work and thus make money. Thats what drive's capitalism and why some people make $1,000 a month while others make $10,000 ect. Want to be mad maybe be mad at XBOX who didn't release enough to meet the demand creating a huge shortage which is driving the Ebay market. Like it was said no one is making these people pay that amount. They can wait a few months and get one where there are more avalible. If they insist on having it now then they have to pay the going price. I sold one and am thrilled with how much I made. I don't work and we live on the Army's salery. My family gives for this country daily and unfortunatly pay in the USA isn't based on how good you are or how much you sacrifice. Because I planned ahead my kids are having a much better Christmas than we could have afforded otherwise and we now have a Emergancy savings which we used up 2 months ago to fly out for my husbands grandmothers funeral

Mara

[mugs]

Capitalism at it's best. Do you blame the store because they jack up the price after they buy them wholesale?

I see where you are coming from, but it isn't worth getting mad over. Just feel good for the good deed that you did. :)

Capitalism? Sure. At its best? Hah!

When I read stuff like that, it makes me wonder if people think about what they're typing, or if they're just repeating a phrase they've heard over and over again.

[venerdinero]

Great thread all2tired!! It's great that you did something for others because it was the right thing to do. I agree that sometimes those who can least afford it do give the most. I wonder if that is because they are the most aware of how much a small act of kindness can mean to someone.

I understand that capitalism works, it is our system and it's arguably the best system - but I'll save the ethics of resale and such for another time.

The thread title is about being disappointed in people and I think that Mara and outnumbered may have been the closest to what I'm thinking. I'm not naive and I am realistic. However, I also think about how sad is it that some of us think that we must have these luxury items. Is your entire life valued by your ability to obtain an X-Box 360 on day 1 of it's release? Will a child be scarred for life because he or she didn't get one of these Bratz dolls? Is your vision so impaired that you MUST have a 52" Plasma TV? I understand that many of us would like to have at least some of these items. But to see the deep emptiness in people just because their BF shopping cart is also empty disappoints me. It's not like you went to the grocery store and couldn't get a true "must have" item like food.

[Mara]

Great thread all2tired!! It's great that you did something for others because it was the right thing to do. I agree that sometimes those who can least afford it do give the most. I wonder if that is because they are the most aware of how much a small act of kindness can mean to someone.

I understand that capitalism works, it is our system and it's arguably the best system - but I'll save the ethics of resale and such for another time.

The thread title is about being disappointed in people and I think that Mara and outnumbered may have been the closest to what I'm thinking. I'm not naive and I am realistic. However, I also think about how sad is it that some of us think that we must have these luxury items. Is your entire life valued by your ability to obtain an X-Box 360 on day 1 of it's release? Will a child be scarred for life because he or she didn't get one of these Bratz dolls? Is your vision so impaired that you MUST have a 52" Plasma TV? I understand that many of us would like to have at least some of these items. But to see the deep emptiness in people just because their BF shopping cart is also empty disappoints me. It's not like you went to the grocery store and couldn't get a true "must have" item like food.

Thank you. I see it that way to. I would NEVER hike the price on food or something that you need to survive and do and have bent over backwards to help people get those things. My XBOX sale also allows me to give more than I normally could to the salvation army and things like that. People don't need an XBOX and it won't kill anyone to wait a few months till the price comes down if they can't afford the going price now. There are many other $10 dolls out there maybe they aren't the hot brand name but if your little girl is snubbing her nose at a doll thats not the right brand I think you have bigger issues to worry about than what people are selling on ebay. My view may not be popular but its mine :)

Mara

[CarpeDiem]

WOW I was right at those dolls I should have bought a TON :( GRRR

[Jenniferharrison82]

If my son had a 'must have' I would pay double for it if I had to. Not saying it is right, but that is just the way it is :).

[outnumbered]

Great thread all2tired!! It's great that you did something for others because it was the right thing to do. I agree that sometimes those who can least afford it do give the most. I wonder if that is because they are the most aware of how much a small act of kindness can mean to someone.

I understand that capitalism works, it is our system and it's arguably the best system - but I'll save the ethics of resale and such for another time.

The thread title is about being disappointed in people and I think that Mara and outnumbered may have been the closest to what I'm thinking. I'm not naive and I am realistic. However, I also think about how sad is it that some of us think that we must have these luxury items. Is your entire life valued by your ability to obtain an X-Box 360 on day 1 of it's release? Will a child be scarred for life because he or she didn't get one of these Bratz dolls? Is your vision so impaired that you MUST have a 52" Plasma TV? I understand that many of us would like to have at least some of these items. But to see the deep emptiness in people just because their BF shopping cart is also empty disappoints me. It's not like you went to the grocery store and couldn't get a true "must have" item like food.
Exactly. If the country was starving, only a couple people had any food, and they were charging $100 for food that cost a nickel...that would just be wrong. But last time I checked, an xbox or a cabbage patch kid weren't necessary to sustain life. I am all for giving kids a great Christmas...but I also manage my kids' expectations. They know they can want all kinds of toys, but they will actually GET only some of those toys, and they are always quite happy with what I'm able to provide for them. And at ages 4 and almost 6, my boys understand some things are simply too much money and they pick out other items instead, and are thrilled to get those cheaper items. It's not going to destroy anyone's Christmas to not get an xbox...or at least, it sure as heck shouldn't.

[89MustangGX]

IMO, it's wrong to get these limited offers and resell them. My reasoning is simply that the only reason you (as a reseller) are there is because you know you are taking those items away from someone else (the person standing behind you), then you're going to turn around and try and sell it to them at a profit. That's ethically wrong.

Is it your good planning or your ability to stand out in the cold or anything else that made you a profit? Not even close. It's pure greed. If you want to be in business and make money reselling items open up a store and take a risk and earn it honestly, don't take from other people.

Plain and simple the way I see it.

Feel free to disagree, it's just my opinion.

[alimfp]

I see it both ways, I really do.

This reminded me, there were these cute summer dresses at Target. I wanted the current size for my daughter, then next years size (3T). A lady came up while I was standing there and grabbed all of the dresses in one arm full. I asked jokingly (yet pissed off inside) why she needed so many and she said to make money. Sigh. I asked if I could have one 3T dress, she looked over at my cart (which had my daughter sitting there in it, holding the 18m dress) and she goes, "Well, you got one". I am usually the type to not back down, but with my kids there, I just glared at her and walked away.

That evening, a lady in Portland, Oregon listed over 20 dresses on eBay. They were sold at Target for .79 cents each (major 4th of July clearance) and she had them at $5 each.. and yes, they all sold.

[DragonSlayer1500]

I hate people who go and get the deals and sell the stuff for double, triple (sometimes even more) than what they paid, when there was people waiting for hours to get an item.

The simple fact is as I've pointed out in another thread, there is absolutely nothing wrong with buying simply to resell. Before I explain my logic, I will freely admit that I did it. My sole intention was to resell and I bought NOTHING that I am keeping/giving as a gift. I got 2 eMachines (3 now, a friend gave me his for $150 cuz he didn't wanna put up with EBay) an MP3 player and a flash drive.

Now I got in line at 9:30 PM on Thanksgiving night because I knew that, for me, I was willing to wait 7 1/2 hours in order to turn a profit of 500 bucks or so. I could just as easily gotten in line at the same time because I was determined to get them and give them to family members. I could also have gotten in line at that time to show that I hate eMachines. I could've bought the computers, ran outside with them, taken a sledgehammer and smashed them to pieces in the parking lot as a form of protest. The simple fact remains, I got one, you didn't. Whether I choose to use mine as a gift, an investment, a personal computer or chop it up and flush it down the toilet, the fact remains that I was there first and wanted to buy it.

Why is it wrong to buy something on sale and then put it on EBay? The computer regularly retails at $450 + tax. If it sells for $400 on EBay, I am making money for the time I spent freezing my rear off and the buyer is saving $50 off of the price he'd get if he walked into the store right now to buy it. For me, I have no sympathy for people not getting these types of doorbuster items from places that hand out tickets. If it was Wal-Mart...I'd be a little more sympathetic but Best Buy and many others were simply this, who was willing to deal with being uncomfortable and bored for a long enough amount of time. This year...it was me.

Next year, perhaps everyone who missed out will learn from people like me and get in line earlier.

-----------------------------------------------

That being said, if the resale value is as good next year as it was this year, I'll be in line at 6 or 7 PM so plan ahead fellow Hoosiers.

[lovebears65]

What is wrong with it? I can't make money? Its simple supply and demand. If someone wanted a desktop for $150 they should have waited in line for one.
I did wait in line for one . For almost 6 hours only to find out that the first 3 poeple were going to get them all. Is that fair. I dont think so. I dont blame the people I blame Best buy for not limitiing them to one per person :mad:

[josetann]

Just to chip in here, I bought four Xbox 360s the day they came out. I only planned on buying two, one to keep and either give the second away as a Christmas gift or resell it. After waiting six hours in the freezing cold at Target and getting a ticket, I had the bright idea to run over to Sam's Club (I have a business membership, so I get in at 7AM instead of 10AM). There was already a line. Once we get in we see the bundle they have is $50 more, and comes with an extra wireless controller (worth $50 by itself) and the play and charge kit (didn't know what it was worth at the time, later found it it was $20). Plus I do indeed have a reseller's license, so once you figure in not having to pay tax, the bundle was a hair over $10 more than the non-bundle. Also, I saw at least two people in line there that were at Target the night before (but they only got the core systems at Target, because they weren't willing to wait in the cold as long as my wife and I).

Now, I have sold two and still have two left. I'd like to keep at least one for myself, but I keep looking at ebay, and the prices they're going for, and I'd be an idiot if I didn't sell both for as much as I could. I can keep one, play the one or two games that are out that I like from now until Christmas, or I can sell, make several hundred bucks, and buy one right after Christmas and enjoy the same games plus a few new ones that will be coming out soon. I think it would be greedy AND selfish of me to KEEP the Xbox 360 right now, since I could sell it and use the money for more Christmas presents, or a nice mini-vacation for me and my wife, pay off some bills, etc., and STILL have enough $$$ to buy another one after the shortage is over.

BTW, on BF I did buy several items that I MAY resell later. The main reason I bought the items I did was because the deal was too good to pass up. I figured I'd either give them as Christmas gifts, keep for ourselves, or resell them and buy something else for gifts. The REAL injustice is IHOP charging over $8 for five cups of hot chocolate (we shared)! I got two of the $150 desktops, one I might keep for myself (to replace a 933MHz P3 that serves as our home pbx), or I may give to my younger brother and sister. One laptop that I will probably sell though I could give it to my dad. One portable dvd player that my wife will get (don't tell her, I told her they were sold out). One carpet cleaner that we'll keep. One Roomba Discovery that I want to keep, but we have an older one plus they're selling nicely on ebay (I'll probably keep it though).

I guess what I'm saying, is I think it's fine for people to buy and resell, as long as they don't hoard (filling up a buggy with dvd players or whatever kid's toy is popular this year is hoarding). Plus I'm sure a lot of the people selling on ebay didn't originally plan to, but it's hard to not sell that $5 toy for $50; you can use that to buy your kid some nicer presents AND have money left over to buy that toy after Christmas. Also, some people would rather just wait until the day after and buy on ebay instead of fighting the crowds and getting frostbite. Their time is worth more than ours.

[HollyBerry]

The only reason my kids have the gamecube is because one year I won about 20 games so I broke down and bought them the GC so they could play all the games I won

I mean $$$ (oops sorry). I love games. I meant that the company makes a mint off off the games themselves and not the system so much. To ream us for the system sucks!

[laffnatu]

I did wait in line for one . For almost 6 hours only to find out that the first 3 poeple were going to get them all. Is that fair. I dont think so. I dont blame the people I blame Best buy for not limitiing them to one per person :mad:

I agree. There should have been a limit to one per person.

And it was sweet of you doing that for people All2tired. :gd_pineap

[dukes4440]

I did wait in line for one . For almost 6 hours only to find out that the first 3 poeple were going to get them all. Is that fair. I dont think so. I dont blame the people I blame Best buy for not limitiing them to one per person :mad:



I agree. The people handing out the vouchers should have been better supervised.Most of the employees handing them out were just kids and prob temps at that.Walking down a line of 300+,cold,tired,hungry,sleepdeprived and someangry at the world people at 4am can be intimidating. especialy knowing whats going to happen when they get to the last voucher. Heck if I was 16, 110 lbs. Iwould toss em in the air and run with no security!

[laffnatu]

Walking down a line of 300+,cold,tired,hungry,sleepdeprived and someangry at the world people at 4am can be intimidating. especialy knowing whats going to happen when they get to the last voucher. Heck if I was 16, 110 lbs. Iwould toss em in the air and run with no security!

:D Sorry.. I was getting a visual. :D

You have to feel sorry for them poor kids though.. that's a good point.