darkSpyro

I don't think it's worth it to scalp at this point because eBay prices (referring to lowest buy it now) are at $30.00 free ship--after shipping and cost and picking it up--is it worth it? I don't think so---unless there are people that can somehow get them cheaper...if so, I'd love to know how to get them at a discount, lol! Does anybody think its worth it?
Shelly

Right now, there's a flood since it's Day 1. In a month or two? I'm willing to bet that they will become rare and thus reselling them, at least for cost, should be pretty easy. It would be a good way to get sidekicks....

However I just don't want to be 'that guy' that bought them all up, preventing a bunch of other people to have the same joy. But if you bought them .. and then returned them the next day... would you have to give the sidekicks back?

Who knows? But a few years down the road (maybe, depending on the future, Skylanders 5 or Skylanders is no longer a major franchise but still has lots of collectors and fans), I'll probably sell scarlet.
But that's still making the fatal assumption that I'll be able to get her.

Good point--
I'm not sure they could enforce returning side kicks--interesting though because people could just buy enough to get them and then return--hmmm
They must require that they are returned.
Anybody know anything about what they'd do? Just curious as I have what I need. But with every system someone tries to beat it---

Got two more Scarlets today, they're everywhere here now. Perfect birthday gifts for my younger sisters since my parents told me they can't find any up where we live. As for the scalping them I don't really think its worth it Shelly. You might make 7-10$ profit (which for those poor enough to result to scalping might help), but they literally seem to be all over so unless you're going to hold onto them for awhile might as well let all the kids who love the game get their Scarlets first ;P

Grabbed Scarlet today for my niece since Ninjini is her favorite character. I also picked up a regular character for a friend to give to the little boy they babysit so that I could also get the last sidekick my nephew needed. I just love picking up three separate skylanders toys and knowing none are for me lol. That's alright though since I got Scarlet for myself when she first popped up on Amazon.de. It'll be nice to see three little kids light up when they each get something they've been looking forward to finally having.

Quote: defpally

They encourage buying two figures. That doesn't have to mean two Scarlet Ninjinis.

As far as selling one on the secondary market, well that is ground well trodden. It's not ok. You take that figure little Johnny could buy for retail and make him have to buy it for more than that to in essence get yours for free. Or you could buy your own figure and not depend on other fans to prop up your hobby. Not sure how it is valid to justify getting something for "free" while others have to pay double (or more).

And buying a stash for potential unknown birthday gifts is practically the definition of hoarding. The Hoarders show is filled with people that have piles of stuff they keep because they *might* need it later.

Defpally, as I've maintained in other recent threads, I greatly admire your conviction, your idealism, and your composure. And to be fair, you do bring up some really good points here. So, please take this response in a non-argumentative light ... I have no desire to torment you, only to explain.
Selling on the secondary market is ok. You don't have to do it, you don't have to like it. The fact of the matter is that our economic system fully condones so-called "scalping" and, at least from my perspective, making some cash off the secondary market is far less vile than you seem to believe. The story you painted about "little Johnny" is fine, but the modern secondary market is all about convenience. There's a reason why "little Johnny", or his parents, did not pick up Scarlet Ninjini when they appeared in stores today ... it's because "little Johnny" was at school, and his parents were working. Unlike the majority of people on this forum (who all have an unusually robust passion for Skylanders), most Americans seriously don't have time to "go hunting" for Skylanders. The secondary market opens-up a massive opportunity for those people, and most of them are fully aware that they'll be paying above retail, and many of them don't mind that at all ... because then they get the product they want delivered right to their doorstep, and that way they can spend the weekend doing other things that they enjoy. Remember, the "thrill of the hunt" is unique to "us" (the Skylanders enthusiasts) ... most people don't care about that, at all.

As for your denouncement of buying a second Scarlet Ninjini for an upcoming birthday ... what I meant was buying it for an actual upcoming birthday .... not buying it to "hoard" it because one "might need it later". There's an obvious difference between pathological hoarding behavior and buying a gift in advance.

Like I said, I totally respect your opinions, on almost everything I've read, including this. Just please know that there are lots of people out there who may do some things that you disapprove of, but they are still inherently good people who do a lot of positive things for society. I do not know your age, but for what it's worth, I'm 35, and whenever I listen to your very idealistic comments on human behavior, it reminds me of listening to myself at around age 25. I'm not saying you're naive and I'm sage and wise ... rather, I'm just letting you know that your level of idealism is laudable, but it may not be as practical as you hope ... and unfortunately, that level of idealism, while inherently good, is amazingly exhausting.

I actually haven't even been keeping up with the last few Skylanders that I need but I got a call from the manager of my local GameStop this morning. He said he had 2 Scarlet Ninjinis in stock and had set 1 aside for me. Just picked it up to go with my euro SJ.

Quote: defpally

Quote: Himewad

Not that I feel like I need to explain myself, but if you must know, I bought two because I bought one for my wife's co-worker, who will be giving it to her son for his birthday this summer.

Fair enough? Sheesh.

No, you don't need to explain yourself. Sorry your frail feelings were hurt by asking.

I just saw a guy elsewhere that boasted how he bought two and sold one on EBay right away. Then not five minutes later on a different Skylanders thread he was complaining about not being able to find a few other figures he needed in stores. He apparently misses the irony.

Never claimed to have hurt feelings, nimrod. Just pointing out that (1) it's none of your business how many figures I buy, and (2) many people, especially those who frequent this forum, know someone who is also looking to buy tough-to-find figures.

I realize that your original post was meant to point out that people buying multiples can lead to higher eBay prices, but since I don't buy Skylanders on eBay, I really don't care.

No, actually I used to be considerably more conservative, but I have grown more considerate and "idealistic" over time - not less. I come from a fairly conservative family with some very conservative people. And I am definitely older than 25. In less than a week, 17 years older to be exact. I guess you can say I just plain got sick and tired of the hypocrisy of expecting others to treat me better than I was willing to treat them. I couldn't justify it.

I used to defend things like corporate greed and greed in general. I saw friends get laid off from work to support stock prices and executive bonuses and figured, hey they are just doing what they have to do and it didn't affect me so no biggie. I was such a diligent and valuable worker it wasn't going to happen to me. I assumed that everyone that was on government assistance was lazy. I was married to a woman that would lie and cheat you in a second, and her philosophy was if she could do it you deserved to lose it.

Then some things changed. She took off because she wanted to party more and I met a wonderful woman. This woman was compassionate. She showed me that there were lots of hard working people that needed help to get by. I married her and we had our first son. Then I was on the short end of downsizing and my friends had that "I'm glad it wasn't me" look on their faces. I busted my butt there and found out the hard way it had nothing to do with how good a job I did. Wall St. told the company that even though profits were up significantly, they wanted them to "cut costs".

I fortunately found a job quickly, but for a couple weeks I was very scared for my family - and that changes you. It sucks to be the victim of greed. And it doesn't always happen because you are gullible or dumb or deserve it.

Skylanders are toys. I love playing the game and collecting the figures with my sons (and I never play it alone). I absolutely despise the fact that scalper greed gets in the way of that for so many parents. I make sure I get new figures when they come out, I'm usually first in line for the HTAs. But, I have developed an empathy for others. I look back at that line on 2/26 of this year. I see the 12th person and think how much it would suck to be her and see people in front of her buy more than 1 of the 12 Ninjinis they got in (you could buy 2). Sure, she could have gotten there earlier. But really, is the few extra dollars worth it to disappoint her kid? She might be a scalper. One of the other 10 people might buy more than 1 (they didn't). But I know that I'm not going to contribute to it because I would feel guilty and it is not right.

I may not be able to change the world, but I can refuse to help make it suck more. And that lady might be in front of me next time a figure comes out.

Quote: Himewad

Never claimed to have hurt feelings, nimrod. Just pointing out that (1) it's none of your business how many figures I buy, and (2) many people, especially those who frequent this forum, know someone who is also looking to buy tough-to-find figures.

I realize that your original post was meant to point out that people buying multiples can lead to higher eBay prices, but since I don't buy Skylanders on eBay, I really don't care.

So quick with the name calling. People that can't find them and end up having to resort to the second hand market doesn't affect you, so not your problem, eh?

Oh, and Bahumut, I have no issue with EBay when it is used for convenience. When someone sells a figure for a few extra dollars to cover their time and shipping. I got a Polar Whirlwind from the Germany guy a while back. I paid a few extra dollars (BIN auction) over retail to cover the convenience of having him get it for me in another country.

That isn't the problem. The BASE price right now for Scarlet on EBay is DOUBLE retail and it goes up from there. That isn't a convenience fee or service. That is flat out taking advantage of people.

I didn't get to go. Mehhhh

Quote: defpally

Oh, and Bahumut, I have no issue with EBay when it is used for convenience. When someone sells a figure for a few extra dollars to cover their time and shipping. I got a Polar Whirlwind from the Germany guy a while back. I paid a few extra dollars (BIN auction) over retail to cover the convenience of having him get it for me in another country.

That isn't the problem. The BASE price right now for Scarlet on EBay is DOUBLE retail and it goes up from there. That isn't a convenience fee or service. That is flat out taking advantage of people.

From what I'm looking at, base price is .99 on pretty much every auction style listing that goes up. The flat price store style listings and ridiculous BINs are for people that have way more money than patience. On Monday there were about 80 Scarlet auctions, right now there's almost 500. That's only going to go up after Sunday when Target and TRU start contributing.

Its like this for everything new that comes out. Just wait until this fall/holiday when PS4s and the new Xboxes come out, people will be shelling out $2000 on eBay again to get it on day 1 so they don't have to/can't stand in line overnight somewhere. It's not because someone bought the 2 they were allowed, its because some people have no patience.

If there were 2 on the shelf and I grabbed both and then a kid walked up and wanted one, sure I'd give it to him. But if its a planned release with limited quantities and I'm first in line I'm buying my 2. Most kids I've seen are happy to go home with ANY Skylander, they don't have to have the newest and rarest on day 1, they just want something. If you show me a kid that has to have Scarlet Ninjini on day 1 because they have every other figure already, then that kid is being taught a terrible lesson on the value of things by their parents.

-Grishnaar

Here, this is the guy to be mad at, not the guy buying 2:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scarle...=item589fce19d0

-Grishnaar

Quote: Grishnaar

Here, this is the guy to be mad at, not the guy buying 2:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scarle...=item589fce19d0

-Grishnaar

Yeah, I agree, F that guy.
His Ebay profile says he's been a member of Ebay since 2005, but yet all of his transactions and feedback have occurred during just the past couple of months?

There's something very sketchy about that.
Seems like most of his customers are satisfied, based on the feedback comments, though. Odd.

Quote: defpally

People that can't find them and end up having to resort to the second hand market doesn't affect you, so not your problem, eh?

That is 100% correct. It's not my problem that Activision isn't making enough of these figures. They did the exact same thing last year when people had trouble finding Camo, Warnado and especially Wham Shell. Don't be angry at people for buying multiples (unless they are buying them with the sole intention of scalping them). Instead, direct your anger toward the company.

There is plenty of information in these forums that will tell you exactly where and when to look for specific figures. If you don't have the ability to go to stores (or at least call them) when they open, you've got two options: (1) try to form relationships with employees of stores who will hold an item for you, or (2) get a friend who is able to hunt for you, and have them buy an extra figure for you.

That's blame shifting. Yes, Activision could make more - but is that a justification for contributing to the problem? I'm not so naive to believe that there aren't those that will scalp them, I just think a lot of people will justify it by saying since other people will do it why not me? And a lot of those very same people will whine when they can't find a figure.

Hime, you may have a good reason to have purchased two - but you are hardly the only person that did. I didn't single you out, I just made a point about the many posts from people buying at least two (and not just on this forum). I also clearly remember the images of people in target with three or four Jade Flashwings in their cart. Everyone that buys multiple is decreasing the supply, and if everyone buys two that then there is half the number of people able to get one.

Skylanders are a toy, they aren't an investment, a profit center, a commodity or a portfolio (as much as some people want to make them). A children's toy to play with and have fun. There are plenty of good and lucrative investment/work opportunities out there that do not involve taking toys away from children.

Unfortunately, there are people out there who DO view them as an investment or a quick way to make a buck. Personally, I think the effort involved in buying the items, listing the items on eBay, and shipping the items would outweigh the financial gain - unless you are talking about the truly rare figures like stone and glitter variants. Apparently, those are going for 10x the cost or more.

But, for those who are willing to really put effort into scalping, look at it this way: if you make a $137 profit (including shipping profits) selling items for more than you paid every day of the year, that's $50,000 of income. If you've got hundreds of items for sale, that's probably not too difficult to achieve.

I understand it for the chase variants. Those are really for the collectors anyways, and also not really something you can just pick up. If a store gets in a couple hundred figures, they might have one in there. Picking it up to auction will have next to no impact on the supply. They also have no in game value above a normal version of the figure. And if my sons are an example, they don't even like them better than the regular ones anyways.

To make that kind of cash, you are talking about a 7 day a week/365 day a year job. To find that volume of figures you would have to spend a great deal of time daily roaming from store to store cleaning out stock everywhere you go with a significant investment in stock and have a very high success rate to maintain that average for a full year. There are probably only 4-5 figures that might command a higher than retail value, then you subtract out shipping/gas/your time.

I look at it like ToyWiz. Most people here don't care for that site very much. If you are willing to put in lots of time and invest the money, have low morals and no conscience, yeah you can make a decent buck on it.

I didn't mean to imply that the eBay profits would come solely from Skylanders. There are many things that you can purchase on the cheap and re-sell for a profit. And like I said, if you have hundreds of items for sale, making even a dollar or two profit on each sale would add up quickly. With high-demand items, you don't require as many sales.

If you are willing to put time into it, you don't have to work every day. Working 5 days a week with two weeks of vacation, you need to average $200 in profits per day to make $50K.

For some people, that's their job. They just order low-cost items and sell them on eBay, making a little money on each transaction, and making a little on each shipping transaction. There are tougher ways to make a buck, that's for sure.

That's really just a retail business. Buy "wholesale", mark it up a little for profit/overhead. Comparing that to scalpers is like comparing Best Buy to ToyWiz. If Best Buy gets a Darklight Crypt it goes on the shelf for $24.99. If ToyWiz gets it, it goes up for $100, minimum.

If someone drops a Scarlet Ninjini on EBay for $19.99 Buy It Now, then you could say it is a service for those that cannot get to a store or live in a remote area. Like I said, I didn't have a problem with the guy in Germany putting Polar Whirlwind up for 18 Euro Buy It Now and reasonable shipping. I had no qualms with buying one from him, and left him great feedback.

Again, not everyone buying two is doing so for nefarious reasons. I was just asking. I've seen a lot of people following the "buy two and sell one to pay for my first one then some" model. That is harmful - and greedy and entitled.

The Theory of Arbitrage pretty much explains why these events take place. Based on previous experience, the invisible hand of the market always wins.

Quote: defpally

I've seen a lot of people following the "buy two and sell one to pay for my first one then some" model. That is harmful - and greedy and entitled.

It's not what I do, but I certainly don't see it as entitled. Is it harmful to the general Skylander buying community? Probably (although it does allow people who can't find figures a way to buy them without driving around town - in the long run, when you consider time and gas savings, it's probably very worth the extra money paid). Greedy? Yeah, I suppose, but that's what capitalism is all about.

Entitled would be expecting stores to be flush with figures you need every time you go shopping.

Cleveland, OH here. I popped by a local one today...they didn't have any left. However, the most nicest dude I've ever met at a Gamestop asked me if I wanted him to check the inventory of the other stores. He found one nearby that had it, and called over to have them set one aside for me! Totally made my day.



She's a very cool character all around. I was very thankful that the boxes weren't dinged up at all, and the paint job on her is good enough for me.

I'm ok with the dollar extra for now- once I see some at other stores I might pick up a second...but maybe not. With this sort of stagnation in the line, I didn't even bother getting a second Jade Flashwing. I mean...I really don't need it, even if I DO have most of the other variants in doubles (one opened, and one in the box)

Scarlet is in Tampa, FL!!!

Scarlet is in Bradenton/Sarasota Florida too! Hi--neighbor!

For anyone in the SF Bay Area, I saw 5 Scarlet Ninjinis at the GameStop in Stoneridge Mall (Pleasanton, CA).

Anyone in the harisburg pa area i saw 6 scarlets at the gamestop by the target near high piont blvd. Im visiting pa for the day. I didnt buy any as i have mine.

I didn't mention before, but I grabbed 2, one for me, one for a close friend.

^ did you grab one for me? Lol just playing im patiently waiting until friday so i can grab her when shes out.

Any news on if she's in Missippi. Also, any chance she still be on shelves by the end of the month? Really need to know.

Grabbed her today!

Quote: Doomslicer

Any news on if she's in Missippi. Also, any chance she still be on shelves by the end of the month? Really need to know.

Given Mississippi's geographical proximity to Texas (where GameStop's distribution center is for the US), and the initial sightings in Texas GameStop stores late last week, it's safe to say that Mississippi GameStop stores had Scarlet Ninjini on their shelves as of last Saturday, or Monday at the absolute latest. Depending on how heavily the GameStop locations near you are shopped, you may already be too late.

Fear not, though. Scarlet Ninjini, by all accounts will release nationwide this Sunday at Target and Toys R Us stores.

Quote: BahamutBreaker

Quote: Doomslicer

Any news on if she's in Missippi. Also, any chance she still be on shelves by the end of the month? Really need to know.

Given Mississippi's geographical proximity to Texas (where GameStop's distribution center is for the US), and the initial sightings in Texas GameStop stores late last week, it's safe to say that Mississippi GameStop stores had Scarlet Ninjini on their shelves as of last Saturday, or Monday at the absolute latest. Depending on how heavily the GameStop locations near you are shopped, you may already be too late.

Fear not, though. Scarlet Ninjini, by all accounts will release nationwide this Sunday at Target and Toys R Us stores.

And Best Buy but they're not offering any deals. Target is B2G1 and TRU is B1G1 60% off.

MUST ACQUIRE! I'm almost tempted to pay $30 upfront for her on Amazon...

Scarlet's awesome, but the one I got wasn't of the best quality. There's some red splotches on her swords, white on her wrist, and gold on her hand. One of her swords also looks a little beat up. Luckily my gamestop had some more, and the guy that was working there told me that I could exchange it. However, when I got there I discovered that the other Scarlets were even worse then mine, so I just kept the one I had. Oh well, she's still really cool.

Quote: Matteomax

I didn't mention before, but I grabbed 2, one for me, one for a close friend.

I hope defpally doesn't see this.

Quote: Himewad

I hope defpally doesn't see this.

I did see it, yet thank you for the cheap shot that shows you completely missed the point. You are fully aware of the issue I had with buying multiple, and it wasn't universal.

I know I'm pretty new to the forums, but can't we all just get along here? If I want drama I'll watch some reality TV.

Quote: portalflip

Quote: BahamutBreaker

Quote: Doomslicer

Any news on if she's in Missippi. Also, any chance she still be on shelves by the end of the month? Really need to know.

Given Mississippi's geographical proximity to Texas (where GameStop's distribution center is for the US), and the initial sightings in Texas GameStop stores late last week, it's safe to say that Mississippi GameStop stores had Scarlet Ninjini on their shelves as of last Saturday, or Monday at the absolute latest. Depending on how heavily the GameStop locations near you are shopped, you may already be too late.

Fear not, though. Scarlet Ninjini, by all accounts will release nationwide this Sunday at Target and Toys R Us stores.

And Best Buy but they're not offering any deals. Target is B2G1 and TRU is B1G1 60% off.

BOGO 60%, REALLY? i thought 50 was the best id see but damn.

Quote: SlayerX11

BOGO 60%, REALLY? i thought 50 was the best id see but damn.

Before SSA was a big hit, they were BOGO100%

Quote: Doomslicer

MUST ACQUIRE! I'm almost tempted to pay $30 upfront for her on Amazon...

From what I've been seeing you can do better than that on eBay now. Seriously it's flooded and its only going to get crazier when all the rest of the retailers get theirs. So many people got these from Gamestop this week I doubt there will be that much trouble getting one from TRU or Target on Sunday.

-Grishnaar

Checked my local Walmart, they had about 20!

Quote: Matteomax

Checked my local Walmart, they had about 20!

Oh really?!?

Wow! If so, great find!

My Walmart had about 10 on the pegs, but when I went to the checkout they said they couldn't sell it. They are locked in the system.

Quote: Doomslicer

MUST ACQUIRE! I'm almost tempted to pay $30 upfront for her on Amazon...

At the least wait to see if you can get one this weekend in person, if that's possible. If not, the ebay/amazon prices will probably go way down after that. Then slowly go back up as the supply gets bought out.

yup thanks my mom got for me during school