Toy Resellers or Toy Scalpers? What's The Difference?
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- Опубликовано: 18 окт 2024
- Toy Resellers or Toy Scalpers? What's The Difference?
www.valaverse.com
A toy reseller is an individual or business that purchases toys, often in large quantities, with the intention of reselling them at a profit. Unlike traditional retailers, who obtain their stock directly from manufacturers or authorized distributors, toy resellers often acquire their inventory through various channels, such as clearance sales, online marketplaces, toy conventions, estate sales, or even directly from collectors looking to liquidate their collections. The goal is to find toys that are either highly sought after, rare, or undervalued, and then sell them at a higher price to collectors, enthusiasts, or other buyers who are willing to pay a premium.
Toy reselling can take many forms, from small-scale operations run by individuals who sell items on platforms like eBay, Mercari, or Facebook Marketplace, to larger businesses with physical storefronts or online shops specializing in vintage, rare, or collectible toys. The range of toys that resellers deal in can be vast, including everything from action figures, dolls, and board games to limited edition collectibles, vintage toys from past decades, and even modern toys that are in high demand.
What Is Toy Reselling?
Toy reselling is the practice of buying toys with the intent to sell them at a higher price, capitalizing on their desirability, rarity, or the nostalgia they evoke. This practice has become increasingly popular with the rise of online marketplaces and social media, where sellers can reach a broad audience of potential buyers. Reselling can involve both new and used toys, and in many cases, resellers focus on limited edition or discontinued items that are no longer available through regular retail channels.
One key aspect of toy reselling is the ability to identify trends and understand the market. Successful resellers are often knowledgeable about the toys they deal in, including understanding which brands, lines, or specific items are in demand, and they frequently keep up with industry news and collector forums. They may also have a keen eye for spotting undervalued items or predicting which toys will increase in value over time.
The Problems with Toy Reselling
While toy reselling can be a profitable venture and can help collectors find rare or discontinued items, it also comes with a number of challenges and controversies.
Price Inflation: One of the most significant issues with toy reselling is the inflation of prices. When resellers buy up large quantities of a sought-after toy, especially limited edition releases, it can drive up the price beyond what many collectors are willing or able to pay. This can be frustrating for fans who miss out on a toy at its original retail price and are then faced with paying significantly more to obtain it.
Scalping: Scalping is a practice often associated with toy reselling, where individuals buy up popular items as soon as they are released, only to immediately list them for sale at much higher prices. This practice is especially prevalent with toys that have limited availability, such as convention exclusives or limited edition figures. Scalping can create an artificial scarcity that drives up prices and leaves genuine fans and collectors feeling exploited.
Barrier to Entry for New Collectors: Toy reselling can create barriers for new collectors who are just starting out. High prices driven by resellers can make it difficult for newcomers to afford entry into certain toy lines or to complete their collections. This can diminish the enjoyment of collecting and create a more exclusive and less accessible hobby.
Ethical Concerns: There are ethical concerns associated with toy reselling, particularly when it comes to the idea of profiting off of nostalgia or exploiting the passion of collectors. Some critics argue that resellers take advantage of the emotional connection that people have with toys from their childhood or the excitement of obtaining a limited edition item, leading to inflated prices that are not reflective of the toy's actual value.
Market Saturation and Decline in Value: In some cases, the proliferation of resellers can lead to market saturation, where there are more sellers than buyers. This can result in a decline in the value of certain toys, especially if they are overproduced or if too many people are trying to sell the same item. This can hurt both resellers and collectors, as it can lead to a decrease in the perceived value of certain toy lines.
Impact on Retailers and Manufacturers: Toy reselling can also have an impact on traditional retailers and manufacturers. When resellers buy up large quantities of a toy, it can create artificial shortages that hurt the sales of legitimate retailers. Additionally, manufacturers may face backlash from consumers who are frustrated by the scarcity of their products, leading to negative brand perception.
Am I too harsh on resellers?
I just hate scalpers that resell 3x the price. And Thank You for trying to stop scalpers
No
Not at all. They've ruined collecting for a lot of people. It sort of sucks the joy out of the hobby. These are the same guys who camp out at Target, buy up all the exclusives, then turn around and jack up the prices for those of us who just wanted ONE. There's no joy in that and they don't care...
No
Harsh? No. If someone interprets your video as such has missed the message. Scalpers are providing a service and it is the consumers who drive the market. Selling something at a ridiculous price can only cripple the market if the consumers continue to support it by buying it. Stop the buying and within the time it takes a Marvel Legends to get to Ollie's the market will adjust.
When i worked at target, i worked in the toy section. I would spark up conversations with people and ask to see collections and actually talk with people.
I know of at least 4 people that would come in to buy and resell(always first thing in the morning), so id wait until they pass their morning runs through the stores to put stuff out.
I can only hope i helped some collectors actually get the figures they wanted without paying the crazy prices they were trying to get.
As a toy fan who collects on a budget. I would like to thank you.
@@peter.24.7 can't do it anymore. Haven't worked there for almost 6 years.
As a collector who's gone to target first thing in the morning because bots bought up all the exclusives, and then again the morning of release before the store even opened forcing me to pay scalpers prices. Then finding them literally holding a case in the back (probably for employee resale) of the other exclusive.
You're a monster who thinks they're the hero. I rebuke you... Where's my water pot 💦🥵☠🤡
@@mgeorge4347 to be fair, if I saw an actual collection when sparking up interest, I'd go grab them.
Talking with customers about that stuff was one of my favorite things to do 🤷
All heart.
I got a jumbo Lando figure signed by Billy D at a convention & had him personalize it. Immediately some guy piped up about not being able to sell it. I told him this isn't for you, it's for me.
I doubt u could resell a giant Lando figure anyways lol
Being a paralyzed ex fireman an prior to that navy man I thank you for doing what your doing. Not being able to drive or afford to get to shows I’m very happy to know your such an amazing person and built this great company that cares about his fans. Cause of you and your ethics I was able to get that bone collector v2 just ordered other day from you. Waiting for it in the mail. Looking forward to it and thank you for all you do. You’re a good man so wish you the best.
You can ALWAYS tell who’s trying to sell their stuff and those who are trying to become millionaires…
Yes.
...which is why I get no small amount of amusement when the "limited amount" of whatever that scalper is selling at 5 times it's MSRP gets a re-release from the manufacturer leaving that scalper trying to re-sell something that is now everywhere.
Basically the difference between a seller and a scalper
I'm glad for a company that thinks about the customer even a little.
I totally agree. I don't collect to sell. I collect because I enjoy it. I have never sold anything in my collection
Applaud!
Resell no, give to the right person yes. It is more like Toy Story in my eyes.
I had a New Mutants 98 that I had gotten from a lockup sale, I had kept it for a while. At some point, I took it to a local comic show and a dealer offered me $25 when it was worth $100. Just a second later a kid walks up beside me and is super excited to see the comic and asked if I just bought it. I said no I was looking to sell it. He asked how much I wanted, And I asked how much he had....he said $75.....I said how about $35. He was so excited to get such a great deal for a comic he loved....and I looked over at the dealer as I sold it and just smiled.
What’s a lockup sale? Newbie question
That’s nothing. One time I had a rocket firing boba fett for $500 but a homeless man wanted it as a chew toy for his dog so I said you know what that dog could use it more than me and let it go 😂😂
@@isaacmontes7195 lol
@@loganpark2530 I'm guessing he bought it from a storage unit sale.
The problem with the resellers is they gobble everything up before anyone else can even see the figures in the stores.
The "limit of one per customer" doesn't seem to work very well because EVERYTHING gets sold out within seconds.
Did anyone see amazing stories where the elf guy told the kid never sell his toys but came back when he was an old man and helped him get rich selling his vintage collection? Loved it!
?
Yup, I loved that episode. Rare Mark Hamill television role. Ironically they were just talking about that episode on Open by Chance last weekend 😂 Might be time to re-watch it
Definitely remember that one. That was one of my favorite episodes.
As someone who collects vintage toys, and vintage/pre-war baseball cards? I'm convinced a fair amount of these 'dealers/resellers' only setup to show off their collection. First thing I usually ask is 'How much room do you have in this?' if I'm interested in an item. If I get a hard NONE, I walk away to the next table/booth without looking/asking about anything else.
I have a personally signed Gi Joe Collector’s guide from Mark Bellomo and it’s one of my favorite things. I loved it so much I had one signed for my brother. We grew up with Gi Joe . These things are special and shouldn’t be viewed as investments imo
Thanks for sharing!!
I blame retailer stores. A majority of the time most of the stores near me never have any inventory.
When sellers at conventions or toy shows do not show prices, I also just move-on because I feel like they're just going to look-up what its sold for on Ebay. The only exception is if I'm looking for a specific item and they're the only one that has it.
Yeah, Covid gave us (1) extra free time to pull out our old toys and see what we have and didn't have, (2) extra time to watch RUclips videos about toy collecting and get nostalgia / FOMO, and (3) a weird desire to seek out the things that we loved when we were younger (and to share them, and our memories of them, with our kids).
A man with ethics, thank you.
Sometimes it’s the companies fault for allowing people to buy 5 of each exclusive
Or for not making enough of the exclusive to completely break scalpers. Toys shouldn't double/triple/etc.. in value immediately after they retire.
Bobby, thanks for what you are doing with your line to help us collectors against scalpers. We appreciate you!
Buyers & sellers are super-connected.
I'm a wholesale lot buyer, and a reseller.
I buy ebay lots just to get 2 or 3 figs I want to keep, and the other 7 I re-sell on ebay.
The ones I sell I sell for LESS than retail, but enough to make up for the wholesale lot I bought. Example, starting bid for a 1:12 will be $20.
If someone wants to bid over retail I obviously don't stop them, and what high bidders are willing to pay never hit the "market price".
I don't resell for a living it's a hobby . . . but I don't hate on sellers/ scalpers who sell high.
If someone want to pay crazy prices, that's on those consumers.
As a COLLECTOR/ BUYER . . . I will never pay crazy market prices. Never. Hopefully that drivers the sellers prices down, they can't hold onto something for a high price forever.
This is how I approached the reselling hobby too. Profit can be made but the goal was never to make a fortune by sitting on things for a year. If I didn't want it myself, I wanted to find someone who did and give them an easy to swallow price so I would sell on the first listing. It kept things moving, it kept things interesting, it kept things fun, and I made a lot of people happy.
Seems pretty simple if you don't like scalpers, don't support them. Learn to live without and don't given into your desires.
When we getting your version of exosquad “exo force”
Keep commenting this! I’ve been trying to convince him for months!
He tried to get the IP, but Nacelle I believe bought it. I would love to see him make a mech inspired line, problem is how close can he be when he wants to bring back the original feel?
For sure 💯💯💯
That’s why I hate exclusives. This is the nature of people though. They will always find a way to be greedy.
Sadly, you're not wrong.
Just you're lighting
You have both the problem and the solution in your hands
We do?
lighting?
I think your points are valid. As a collector, and not a toy maker, I have a differing view on show exclusives and the secondary market as I live in an area with ZERO toy shows. For years I had purchased SDCC G.I. Joe exclusives on the secondary market and I looked at paying the extra cost per figure as saving me on the costs of travel (I’d never go to SDCC, lol!). I realize that may also contribute to prices being inflated, but, that reseller did pay to travel to go to the show and I can’t punish a person for offsetting some expenses by selling an exclusive that they may not have been attached to. That being said, my wife and I did travel by car for 22 hours to DFW to get a Bone Collector and have a chance at buying a bloody variant. I was so excited about this figure that I didn’t want to wait until the end of the year for it go up on the site (I understand your reasoning for changing your mind on that), whether you call it FOMO or being a huge Action Force fan, I was willing to spend a few thousand dollars to travel just to get one right away. The fun road trip experience aside (which I wouldn’t put a price on), I could have paid a reseller $80, saved a ton of money, and still gotten one. So to me, it’s a matter of perspective.
I didn’t really know much about you except for basic information/backstory. I discovered your videos lately & feel I’ve gotten to know you a little more and I am now a fan. I share 95% of the same views you do about toys & collecting. You really have a feel for the fan base & the pulse of an average collector. Keep the videos coming, keep doing what you do bud👍🏻
That's so great to hear! I really appreciate that! Bigger question... have you bought any Action Force? 😄
@@Valaverselol, I plan on it !
Let us know what you get!
I found Valaverse a little late. Ebay helped me get a Scarab, for 30, as my first figure from you guys. I love it. I just wish I didn't have to play an arm and a leg for the first two series of figures. I really want Rollout, Killswitch, and Bone collector.
I live paycheck to paycheck, and because of the past couple months, losing my father which was also my job(caretaker),i had to really be careful and get my series 5 through bbts cause i just couldnt get it together in time..but ill get them still, so when i say i cant stand scalpers, whew..i can't stand them with a passion..so thank you Bobby for doing what youre doing to kill it with ur line.
Sorry for your loss 🙏🏽
@@kingvagar thank you..nothing like it and if it's hit you too I hope youre doing good on ur end as well
I'm glad you feel this way Bobby, it shows the difference between you and other companies. I see this all the time. I'm just trying to collect and there are other people trying to make major bucks off people. There are some greedy, greedy people. Love your line. Much continued success! 👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💖💖💖💖💖
You wanna talk about "niche collectibles?" I recently started collecting Rock Lords. I had a couple and picked up a few more at a con, and fell down a rabbit hole.
Now luckily, they're not too expensive. You can get most of them for under $20. You'll pay more if they have their weapons (which are always hard to get) but not too much.
I now have all the regular figures, including ones from the sub-line called "Shock Rocks". They're basically just Rock Lords with an added action feature. There are two series of them consisting of 3 figures each. They were later releases, so they're kinda rare, but series 1 can be had for around $50-$80 each. Series 2, however, are insanely priced! They're not even full figures. Press a button, and a head and guns pop out of a roughly spherical "rock". There are 3 different ones, and right now on eBay, they're going for close to or over $300 each! One guy is selling all 3 for almost $800!!!
FOR ROCK LORDS!!!!
To paraphrase Rick from Pawn Stars; "Just because something is an 80's toy, doesn't mean it's worth money!"
Yes, they're late line releases. They weren't widely distributed, and probably not many people bought them, which all contributed to their rarity. I get all that. But they're Rock Lords. How many other crazy people like me are out there collecting Rock Lords?!
I can get behind asking more for them due to all the above factors. I think asking over $100 would make sense. But $300-$400 EACH is insane!
I really hope those sellers like those things because at those prices, they're probably going to have them for a LONG TIME!
It’s awesome that you’re taking countermeasures to help us collectors. Much appreciated! What’re your thoughts about Amazon, Walmart allowing 3rd party vendors to list marked-up collectibles, including their exclusives?
Great video man, I avoid most cons and flea markets in my area due to the same problem with some resellers pushing the same figures each time for ridiculous prices. They are at the point that they just buy out any new figures at the local Walmart's and targets then throw them up on the weekend at their flea market spot for double the price. toy hunting is dead in my area. SIDE NOTE: The Valaverse customer support is top notch! I had an issue with one of my orders and reached out for help. I had a response by the next day with a friendly representative with a solution to my problem. I appreciate the good business and excited to receive my set of muddy Vanguards. Thanks for helping to keep the action figure hobby fun and actually achievable.
I’m a reseller based in Japan. I only buy what I won’t mind keeping if it doesn’t sell. I sell directly to loyal customers. No eBay. The stuff I sell, always VERY limited or rare. Sofubi, jumbo Machinders, Microman,
I had a hot toys iron man mk3 with battle damage i bought on deployment from hot toys retail store in hong kong for $250 USD. I sold it 2 years later for $500. Is that scalping?
I agree with you about wear and tear. I abhor setting up at flea markets and toy shows. People are brutal on your stuff (or just downright stealing). Plus it's hard to even make enough to pay for setting up. I was so glad when I got on eBay and could avoid all that hassle. Now as an eBay seller that leaves their prices as-is? The reason I do that is because I figure the value will just keep increasing as time goes on. Sometimes I will get tired of something taking up space and make an offer to those interested but if it's a valuable item (and something I like anyway) then I see no harm in just leaving the listing for a long time.
so true but I appreciate valaverse effort to give a chance to buyers for bone collectors v2. Thus I took it this week while I planned to wait next year originally.
Bobby, making really great points on exclusives, reasonable resellers and those being unmovable in pricing,
then FLEXING about his vintage Steel Brigade collection!
VAAALAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
Good morning Valaverse you're line up is awesome love it got a long way to go building everything
I resell a lot, but it's mostly stuff I bought for myself (because I'm a hoarder), and I'm ready to let it go if people are paying more than I did.
I'm certainly not rich. I work a normal job and live in an apartment, but I collect loose GI Joe ARAH. But I have patience. It can pay off. I got a nice, complete Snake Eyes v2 for $35 when I was in the right place at the right time earlier this year, and the thrill was superb. I felt like a kid again as I put him in my display and the satisfaction of not paying over $100 was well worth the waiting and watching time.
I can’t stand the “no price” vender at shows! I rarely will buy from them, let alone wait for the EBay price check. (If they are really dirty, they try to quote you those fucked up listed prices, not solds.)
I love this video! It’s just toys! It’s nothing more than a want! I go to Hero Con in Charlotte, NC. The only booths I buy from is Store Horsemen and the the knockoff Lego mini fig booth. I love the fact that Store Horsemen artists are willing to sign and personalize what they sell you. I buy my son and myself a couple every time we go. Would you guys ever come down to Charlotte?
I'm very interested in knowing a bit more about finding the right factory.
Great video! I do not like going in a store and seeing an unmarked item and then have them look online to see what a fair price would be.
Agreed with all points. However I’m trying my best not to get too bitter. To help myself I just started to set my priorities in what I want to collect differently and if it is something being sold at too high of price then I set the limit to how much I would actually pay and me a deal based off that. It still keeps the hunt alive and adds to the curation of my collection. Honestly most (resellers) don’t get a dime from me, cuz I’m finding good stuff elsewhere.
When something becomes an exclusive, it normally becomes a US exclusive. When amazon, ringside, other online retailers, comic shops, etc can't even put it up for sale, eBay becomes the only option so it's completely set into motion by the retailers and toy companies. Other than that, supply and demand will take over as well in every other situation.
Been collecting since 1996.
And every single convention that I've been to... 8 outta 10 sellers are 30% to 50% above the secondary market value. And that shit drives me crazy!
Whenever I sell something that I no longer want.. I sell 20% below the market value. Sometimes more! I currently have a bunch of GI-Joe Classified figures that I no longer want (exclusives) and I will end up selling them well below the market value.
I love your insights. I do some local shows mostly to spend time with my brother and to clear out my collection. Usually when I buy something specifically to resell it bites me in the ass. I use the action figure 411 method, and like you look at closed eBay listings. I have a price on the item, but I always tell people “the more you buy, the more you save”. Yes I’m trying to make money, but I’m also trying to clear out my garage.
Hey Bobby, how about going over your process when you’re designing a new figure? 👍🏼
We’ve thought about it
I can't wait until you make a video announcing the captain power and the soldiers of the future line
Bobby the savior of the reissue! But man, I'm afraid of what I'd do for a monsters in my pocket display...I had just the poster of that mountain and it was one of my favorite things.
Back in the 90's I was seriously collecting the Playmates Star Trek figures. I hated when they started the 'market exclusives', but before that happened the local Toyworld store that I always bought from, was sold to a new owner. The old owners were a genuine, lovely old married couple and wanted to retire. The guy who bought the store was aware of magazines like Action Figure News and Toy Review and Lee's Toy Review, and suddenly all the Star Trek, the new Star Wars releases and a dozen other lines were all taken off the shelf. If you wanted the figures you had to ask and it was all negotiations in the back room. And boy was he scalping. The previous owners of that store had been there before I was born and I was in my early 20's at the time. The new owner had gone broke within 3 years. All of regulars just stopped going there.
100% agree. I know dealers who use items to draw people to their booth. So they don’t want to sell it, so they price it out of range of what it should be.
This is standard practice for many many businesses. Nothing new at all.
Great vid! A topic I'm not sure you've covered, predictions on toy industry in 20 to 30 years. Most collectors do so from nostalgia. From growing up seeing Saturday morning toons or reading comics. Current kids do not have for most part that experience. Would say this is golden age of toys, as far as quantity and quality. Or do you feel the market should strong decades to come?
I agree with most of what you say. Like your example, if the guy has brought the figures from you for 35, he sells them for 70. If they all sell, he will ask 80 next time. I like my Marvel comics, l just received Amazing Spider-Man #8 at a fantastic price for a mid grade. Also, I just received the Tan Valerverse truck today. Had to get it from Canada, the shipping to London was only $50. I'm glad l have it.
People always complain about resellers and scalpers, but buyers set the market. If collectors didn't spend triple or quadruple the retail price, the sellers wouldn't buy them all up. Blame the people who pay the crazy amounts for things because they are ones ruining the hobby.
@Valaverse 100% agree! It’s the sleazy resellers that make me hate going to conventions, and why I try as hard as possible to not purchase things from eBay! I don’t do it often because I tend to want to keep whatever it is I purchased, but if I no longer have a fondness or connection to a particular item or items, then I much rather try to make trades or deals with people. If they have something I’m interested in and I have things they’re interested in, I really don’t care what people say the market values the items at, if I think a trade is agreeable between both parties I’ll make it. I don’t care if I gave up 12 items that people value at $300 all together, and got six items valued at $150 all together or vise verse. All that matters is if both parties are happy and satisfied with the outcome!
I only recently started selling off some items, and I’m not too happy about doing it, but I needed to. But I think I’m pretty fair in the prices I marked the items at, but even then I’m willing to negotiate and make deals, cause I’m just trying to get rid of the items, and not keep them around!
I also agree that anyone looking for an autograph, should automatically have it personalized! I always hated seeing fans at shows acting all excited to meet someone and act like it’s such an honor to meet that person and get the autograph, only to turn around and try to make a profit off it! To me, that’s just super disrespectful, unauthentic, and deceitful! If I’ve ever asked someone for an autograph, I’ve always asked for it to be personalized, because it’s something meaningful to me! And yes, I totally forgot to ask Bobby to sign and personalize the copy of the graphic novel, when I met him at Shop the Curiosity! Thought of it once I left the show, and immediately regretted not asking for it! But it’s all good, cause I was just happy getting to talk with you for a bit, making a trade, and collecting some amazing figures!
Thing to remember most is that none of this stuff is ever as rare as some paint it to be. A little bit of patience goes a long way. Makes it easy to not waste time with resellers on modern stuff where this new stuff is not just worth getting so worked up over. Vintage is a different beast, however, too much is overinflated right now in the secondary market, and I've seen way too many dealers think they're like Walmart and they can just slap that price sticker on it and call it a day. Those dealers tend to end up pretty bitter, though, and it's easy to see why. That influx of casuals from the pandemic is starting to dwindle and more more remaining collectors are learning not to play their games anymore. For the better, too, I think.
Do you think some toy companies like the attention it brings to their company when an item sells out on line in 30 seconds and ends up on eBay?
If I remember correctly prior to bone collector 2 releases you said you were excited to see the resell value on the after market of the bloody version because how limited it was. I’m not mad at resellers either, they only exist because people pay there prices. I’m from Cali and assumed I wouldn’t have a chance at bone collector 2 until the end of the year if there was some left so I jumped on eBay. Love the old school interrogation setting you got going on for this video lol.
Thanks for watching!
Been enjoying videos like these😎💪🏼
You’re not wrong about a lot of the vendors at toy shows.
Those vendors make it easy for those that like to move stuff and help collectors out.
I love your point that every time you take something old that's MIB to a show it's wear and tear on that item. My very first toy show as a seller I damaged a MIB cobra stinger that had been perfectly fine in my house for years! Just happened on accident while I was loading up the car. I too have wondered just how long someone is willing to sit on something they are trying to sell. I mean if you are selling it then you clearly don't want it. When I go to a show I'm there to move stuff. I literally have signs on my table saying make me an offer. I always leave with at least half if not less of what I came with. The goal is to leave with nothing but a fatter wallet. Otherwise why bother? That's a lot of work to just move a handful of stuff
Personalized signature is a great idea… Are you going to have any exclusive figures at joelanta?
We won't have a specific Joelanta exclusive, no.
@@Valaverse i’d like to get my hands on some of the recent exclusive stuff you had, maybe there will be some at the show… Great job on the Vanguard by the way. It is definitely.🔥🔥🔥 had a blast opening it up the other day👍
You are 100% right ! Can not agree with you more. The scalpers and reseller are hurting collectors and parents trying ro buy a toy for a kid! From not able to get it when they get them and prices way out of hand! On a side note, don't know if you saw , but i actually saw somebody on ebay selling 5 actionforce points for 35dollars and 4 dollars shipping! Great video as always!
You can pre order almost everything. So if you snooze, you lose. It's on the individual.
The Black Manta referenced at the end was released in the UK and heavily discounted... funny how these things work. Distribution strikes again. I quite like the Micro Galaxy Star Wars collection, but the vehicle I wanted most was the Landspeeder, yet they made it a limited edition and it costs a fortune on the aftermarket - no chance.
Your personalized sigs are great idea. New toy goal objective added.
damn it bobby! (hank hill voice) let me hate you, naw you hit the nail on the head. I literally talked about this last night and i agree with you 100 percent.
Is there enough discussion talking about toy trading?
The fascinating thing about people leaning on "the market" for pricing is so many only do it to raise prices. Let alone that-as you said-a single data point isn't "the market."
All those people you keep seeing with the same item at the same price? They're not listening to the market. The market is telling them their price is too high. Hundreds, thousands of people passing on their item at their price. Fair play to the PotF coin guy for at least seeming to grasp that on some level.
When I sell my toys, which is rare, I sell with the hopes/goal that fellow collectors are buying a piece to fill voids in their collections. I sell only because I’m in a dire financial situation or dropping a line for space reasons, I never sell to exploit/flip.
If that’s how he feels about it, he should set the tone in the industry to produce enough toys to meet the demand. Be very communicative about when the restocks will be made available.
We do both of those things.
Hot Wheels collectors. You want to hear about scalpers? read up on those guys in stores.
An online story - As a Transformers fan when news of the Hot Wheels transforming Optimus Prime appeared TF fans in topics were saying "$80? no ones gonna buy them!" to which I laughed to myself "this is a hot wheels item, something this unique will sell out immediately and then will be resold even higher".
I believe Prime went up for sale for two minutes before selling out.
Great video Bobby. You hit on a few key points here. The first of which is what you said about the market after Covid. From 2020 to 2021 the secondary market on everything went through the roof because people were home and wanted a hobby to get into, and the government was giving most of those people a large boost of funds and it seemed like no one cared about watching prices. I watched Comics, Toys, Cards etc all double or triple very quickly. After 2022 hit it started coming back down and leveling out but you still see select things fluctuate especially when new media hits for example.
Another point you hit on was people who resell on ebay and mercari. Ill come right out and admit right now that i buy and sell on both those sites. My son and i have been huge collectors the past 6 years especially, and we both collect a few of the same lines and we both collect various other lines. Our interests change or we run out of space or we decide to just trim down a line to make room for more of what we really like. So those items end up on Ebay and Mercari or at shows to sell to put money back into our hobby. Now with regard to exclusives i have always ordered 2 if i could because Amazon, Walmart, Target and such were notoriously bad about good shipping practices and still are and i have had stuff come in that looked like it got steam rolled. So i would keep the good one and return the junk one. If both were nice i admit i would see about flipping one. And honestly the way ebay fees are and the new federal tax that was installed for every transaction now, im not selling it back for retail its easier to just return it which is why i think your seeing exclusives and such sell for double right away online.
I know there are people out there who hate ebay and mercari because its looked at as supporting resellers. In most cases thats 100% true. But at the same time if there was no ebay or mercari and we dont get to sdcc that means the only way we sniff an exclusive that sells out is at a con and who knows what that vender would sell it for. At least ebay can keep that stuff in check to a degree even if some prices get out of control and it makes it way easier to aquire what your looking for. There are still a lot of jackass sellers out there i have horror stories as im sure everyone does. I cant stand getting a package that was packed like shit when you paid way above retail to get it. Those people i just dont buy from ever again. I thought people were insane for paying $10,000 a ticket on the after market to go see Taylor swift but people not only did it they did it quickly and with a smile.
Sorry for the long winded answer. Thank you for the video Bobby. Huge fan of what you do for the toy community
Love that you would ONLY personalize autos.. hahahahaha good shyt man
I agree I will never pay more than I think it is worth to me no matter what
This needed to be said
I agree with your take on sellers not listing prices. No tag? Unless it’s a “must have”, I’ll pass every time.
Oh man! How are people feeling about this topic?
It was a good video, keep them coming!
@@MythonThePython let’s goooo!
Agreed! Thanks for sharing dude.
REQUEST: can you give the real cost to make one figure etc?
Your a good man i love your line up
I promise I will pose all 20 packs of X-Men Sentinels
🤞🏻😉
I'm with you 100%
Price is what you pay, value is what you receive...only the buyer can say whether they got a "good deal" or not 🤷♂️
Yeah, it drives me crazy with these resellers. Not too long ago, walmart had a sale on the retro reissue of soundwave. Regular price 44.95. They went on sale for 20.00 online. Those did not last long and got bought really quickly. Next thing you know, they were sold out, but a day later, they were put back up on walmarts website at 59.00 by resellers. Ebay was the same way with sellers selling multiples. Their listing pictures even showed the shipping box with 6 or 8 pieces ready for sale. I'm thinking I just want one and couldn't afford or justify the price now that resellers put it even further out of reach.
You speak nothing but the truth sir !
I know you went over it before but a video on distribution and why it's so funky!?
We have resellers here that jack up prices of toys that are still in pre-order. The toy hasn't been released yet but the price is already on a secondary market. Sheesh!
The thing that baffles me is that a toy used to take years or maybe decades to accrue collectible value. Like Kenner star wars. It makes more sense that a defunct but very popular toyline from 40 years ago would be expensive to collect. But the Internet has made fomo a business model, so now, a new figure that should be widely available ON SHELF can't be found due to crap distribution and a culture of reselling.
I’m trying to get the 90’s Kenner Aliens and Predator line right now and the power loader for whatever reason is high as hell. They made millions of these things. I just want to finish my space marines brother. Or that damn figure carrying case. $20 good deal $40 shipping. Ridiculous.
Bobby i have a topic you might like to talk about, collecting loose or on card and if you collect loose will you open vintage figures off the cards to have mint fresh versions of the figures.
House market does it also. Zillow and all sources will say 370k but resellers will hold at 400k because a house on that street sold for 400k.
Nope not harsh at all. Pretty bang on
Yeah, bro, so true.
I sometimes sell on WhatNot and eBay and I tell people I’m not a toy seller I’m a toy collector that sometimes sells toys. I price to move because I’m usually downsizing my collection or selling off doubles.
I've been able to get every exclusive I wanted from Valaverse. I live in the UK, and so we dont have the same kind of problems with reselling as over in the states, but i've pretty much been able to get everything I wanted. I think theres definitely a fun factor in owning something rare or exclusive as part of your collection, but I think the idea of a collector buying something and selling to fellow collectors at an inflated price hurts the whole concept of collecting which is meant to embody the community spirit.
Thanks. That guy with the Sectaurs playset is very informative. He done wore the shit out of the value 😆😂🤣
I really enjoyed your topic and your viewpoints. I happen to agree with you on everything.
Awesome! Thank you!
Good talk Bobby I here you....
if companies started doing NO exclusives, that would help a lot.....but companies like Hasbro thrive on the FOMO they help generate.....most companies dont care as long as the units go out the door......and companies like toys r us are adding ten bucks or more to the retail price. Game stop in Canada is the only place that sells at retail......That being said, I love my Action force figures, but Canadian distribution sucks for AF.....I wait until my US road trips to pick them up so I dont have to pay BBTS or other online retailers insane shipping
Toy Snowman out of Montreal.