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Collecting => Collector's Tips => Topic started by: Darth Slothus on November 8, 2006, 04:10 PM

Title: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Darth Slothus on November 8, 2006, 04:10 PM
I tried a lil' something this year that worked out well for me.

 During the big UGH spring we had this year I not surprisingly noted several greedy scalpers were going straight to SW sections to nabb UGH figs in stores.
Though I got my set, I was trying to get more for not-so fortunate other collectors(not scalpers). I noticed a couple times I had not gone to a store the night before and arrived the next day to find 10-20 cases :o of UGH cases stripped of their 2 UGh per case. When I found out 'through the grapevine' it was the scalpers' doing
- I got pissed and decided I was going to do something about it. I confronted the Scalpers to confirm my suspicions. Instead of doing anything stupid, I devised a plan to USE scalpers greed as my ally. What happened next is what I'm still currently doing...oh, and it's working quite well, too ;).

I studied the scalpers habits and noticed they (as a group) would hustle to the SW section first(since everybody 'knew' each other and they knew I was a SW guy). I guess since they felt I wouldn't go for their HW at all, that they could try to outrace me to my SW section, grab the desirables then rush to their HW section to fight over those Treasure Hunt cars next. I used this knowledge of their tactic to burn them at several stores going crazily to the HW section FIRST and grabbing their cars while they would get my UGHs. This plan worked well enough after a couple of instances that it got them to go back to their old ways and go to their HW section first instead. I was taking their cars- offering up 1 for 1 deals AND THEY COMPLIED!

When the UGh stopped shipping the 'plan' continued to work. Those guys had so many friends with UGH stocked up that I continue to this day to make deals. If I'm at a store alone at night while it's being stocked I take the time to look for my SW as well as HW TH's(because they really come in handy later).  Best thing was, I spend less than 1$ for a car while they spent a full fig price for an UGH. AND..I always do one for one swaps in these deals unless the HW TH is not mint then maybe 2 for one..either way, I still win ;D.

So, give it a try why don't you? Ask around your scalping community to see if you can form a trading relationship with one of these guys..ask him if he can get you UGH 's then ask if they'll do one for one deals (a TH for an UGH). This way you could help out folks that never got them or fill your own collection if need be.
Last I checked the 'aftermarket value' is really close on a new TH versus an UGH figure, so, as long as that holds it's worth a shot ;).

Well it has and continues to work for me still ;D.

The DS     
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Clone Commander on November 8, 2006, 10:31 PM
Well, the scalpers are monsters.
I think that after a while they'll catch on.
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Darth Slothus on November 9, 2006, 06:35 PM
It's been 5+ months and still working(for me anyway).....
As I earlier mentioned ..as long as the after market prices remain similar My trading of these is likely to continue.
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Dressel Rebel on November 10, 2006, 02:31 PM
If I had to fight with people over action figures and hot wheels cars, I'd buy or order my figures somewhere else.
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Jayson on November 10, 2006, 02:39 PM
Actually I use this tactic to my advantage as well from time to time. I couldn't give 2 ***** about HW cars, Treasure Hunts or Mystery Cars what have you. But if I see them when no other HW collector is around, I always snag them to use as trade bait later.  8)
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: iFett on November 10, 2006, 03:38 PM
Can you please tell me what a TH Hot Wheel would like like?  I'd love to give this a whirl especially with next year's chase figures.

pic please??
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Jayson on November 10, 2006, 05:15 PM
Sad that I know this but the TH (Treasure Hunt) Hot Wheels are special repaints of previously released cars. The giveaway is the packaging – there is a green bar that runs vertically on the front, right side of the packaging and it will have a little wooden Treasure Chest Icon.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/72/Hot_Wheels_2005_130.png)

please kill me.....
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: iFett on November 10, 2006, 06:31 PM
Thanks for the pic Jayson!!  I now have a new weapon in which to fight the powers of evil with.
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Jayson on November 10, 2006, 06:39 PM
Knowledge is power.
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Darth_Anton on November 13, 2006, 10:27 AM
I've thought about doing the same thing many times Jon. I'm just too lazy to learn about any of the hot cars beyond the T-Hunts. I know it would work with certain guys, people, scalpers.
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Madcow on November 13, 2006, 02:52 PM
I've thought about doing the same thing many times Jon. I'm just too lazy to learn about any of the hot cars beyond the T-Hunts. I know it would work with certain guys, people, scalpers.

I've collected HW off and on for over 10 years and it seems to me that the TH's tend to hold their value quite well. As long as you're happy with the deal then more to you but I would rather have the TH's. An average one when released brings $10-25...
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Morgbug on November 15, 2006, 05:02 PM
Just to clarify, THs aren't the only hotwheels with a green bar along the side.  There's at least two other subseries that are designated by the color green, though obviously they don't have the treasure chest associated with them.  A minor point of clarification is all. 

Send me your Camaro and Mustang THs please :P

BTW, I've long wanted to do a video involving TH cars.  I've talked to my local TRU manager and he thinks it would be a hoot:

I want to get together a few actors to represent the classical vision of a TH scalper: fat, slovenly, sweat-pant wearing old dudes.  Have these guys walking rapidly through the store and have me or someone else come racing in after them, knock them down and gather up all the TH cars.  I'd then go out to the parking lot and stack up a big pile of TH cars, pour lighter fluid over them and set them on fire, all the while with my 'scalpers' watching and openly weeping. 

To be fair you could do the same thing with UGH figures or McFarlane chase figures, but hot wheels seems most appropriate for some reason (cheaper to set a bunch of them on fire, if nothing else). 
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: MetalJedi on November 18, 2006, 11:17 AM
Actually in a rare occurance, the HW guys around my area are actually cool and stick to their own stuff.
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Artoo on November 24, 2006, 02:20 AM
Yeah rare.  ::)
Never here. Of course it's one scalper, I don't think we have others, but the one I know about takes everything like a fat man with a free buffet.
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: David on November 28, 2006, 11:03 PM
in SJ, i know of about half a dozen. one has a store and is actually a wee bit friendly; i do trading with him frequently. however i do intensely dislike scalpers as a whole.
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Darth Slothus on November 29, 2006, 06:19 PM
Ha! I never said I didn't dislike them let alone respect them. Now that is another matter....business is another matter-a bird of a different feather if you will.
Greed is a powerful ally in this case.
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Darth Slothus on December 13, 2006, 05:34 PM
Just completed another HW TH for UGH trade 3 for 3! ;)
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: iFett on December 13, 2006, 06:17 PM
I must admit that I've been rather intrigued by this concept DS.  I've gotten "caught" digging through the pegs by HW guys a few times now with no such luck.  Boy, did I feel embarrassed to be seen in their aisle.  I've seen some cards that have black plastic covering the bubble.  It said "Mystery" something on the packaging.  Are those TH too?
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Madcow on December 20, 2006, 01:21 PM
I've seen some cards that have black plastic covering the bubble.  It said "Mystery" something on the packaging.  Are those TH too?

Those aren't TH per say but there are rumors floating around that they may contain THs. The mystery car series itself is 24 cars total, all different from the standard 2007 series. The only thing is you don't know what you're getting. I picked up 18 of them this morning and got mostly multiples, no THs (though I found 2 seperate TH's  ;D). One highlight though is that this series contains an exclusive Batmobile from The Animated Series. It's such a cool looking car...
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Darth Slothus on December 22, 2006, 10:36 AM
Completed another 2 deals this week with a local scalper connection.

1 #10 TH for 1 GG UGH
2 #10 TH for IG-88 Titanium figure

 Everything mint for mint of course ;D

DS
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Madcow on December 22, 2006, 01:10 PM
Completed another 2 deals this week with a local scalper connection.

1 #10 TH for 1 GG UGH
2 #10 TH for IG-88 Titanium figure

 Everything mint for mint of course ;D

DS

The 2005 Mini Cooper #10 or the 2006 C6 Corvette #10? If you have a spare of the Mini Cooper, i'll trade you 1 for 1...
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Morgbug on December 27, 2006, 11:16 PM
Jon,
Are you trading away the Camaros and Mustang THs? >:(
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Darth Slothus on January 29, 2007, 03:18 PM
I don't keep any TH's I find..sans motorcycles- I collect HW motorcycles if they look good.

One day I found 18 TH's!! I'm still getting stuff in trade back from that deal.

DS
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Morgbug on March 1, 2007, 04:46 PM
In case anyone is trying to find Treasure Hunts, the new banner along the side is different from the old one.  I find them easier to see now. 

Picture below the 2007 TH is on the left with the wide green bar/banner, on the left is the older identificatino with smaller green area and the treasure chest.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/Morgbug/P3010025.jpg)
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Darth Slothus on September 14, 2007, 03:14 PM
Update: Been awhile since I posted here but so far this year(since last Sept) I have snagged 63 TH cars and 5 Super TH's to boot. Recent acquisitions I have not posted through trades are as follows--


--Medicom Kubrik boxed biker scout w/ speeder bike
--Emperor Palpatine Kubrik
--Boba Fett Kubrik
--informed (by scalper connection) these were won auctions/will be getting soon
  -4-lom Kubrik
  -Dengar Kubrik
Title: Re: Defeat the scalpers!
Post by: Darth Slothus on October 24, 2007, 04:37 PM
Picked up my 4-lom and Dengar Kubriks for HW TH's traded.