Paul Boratko Posted July 28, 2011 Posted July 28, 2011 One thing that really bothers me is the fact that there was a bricklink seller from France that had just sold 44 of the 8653 Enzo wheel covers, all to one person... This concerns me because there is no doubt in my mind that whomever bought up all of these did it for one of 2 reasons. 1.) There are trying to sccop up parts to assemble kits for Nathanael's Concept Car model in advance before the instructions are released... 2.) They are going to try and make even more money off of them because people are going to be looking for them... Quote
Sokratesz Posted July 28, 2011 Posted July 28, 2011 It will be difficult to prove #1, and I don't see any problem with #2, that stuff has been going on for years. - Sok. Quote
Anio Posted July 28, 2011 Posted July 28, 2011 One thing that really bothers me is the fact that there was a bricklink seller from France that had just sold 44 of the 8653 Enzo wheel covers, all to one person... This concerns me because there is no doubt in my mind that whomever bought up all of these did it for one of 2 reasons. 1.) There are trying to sccop up parts to assemble kits for Nathanael's Concept Car model in advance before the instructions are released... 2.) They are going to try and make even more money off of them because people are going to be looking for them... Yes, I noticed that too (I posted a comment on TB's about that). Of course, NK super car cames to my mind too. But I was a bit naive cause I didn't consider that the rims could have been bought by only one person. I thought many people bought them cause they wanted to have they own copy of NK's car. Some people are definitely too greedy... Quote
Paul Boratko Posted July 28, 2011 Author Posted July 28, 2011 A year ago someone did the same crap to me where they were buying up all of the parts for my Gallardo and then actually contacted me to tell me that they were in fact selling kits for my design.... They had got the idea because I was selling my own kits and they thought there was a large profit to be gained, but they couldn't have been more wrong... It isn't just a coincidence that 44 of these have been sold where as they are not a crucial part to Nathanael's model, in fact you will definitely see his model built by most people without these wheel covers anyways, which is something that is making me think #1... Anio, I had seen your post at Technicbricks, so I decided to check on them myself and they were in fact all sold to one person... I mean it doesn't make much difference to me because I have had his model for over a year now, but this is bad news for anyone out there that will be looking for these ultra rare wheels covers to keep the model true to it's designer... July 2011 Qty Each 44 ~US $4.50 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Times Sold: 1 Total Qty: 44 Min Price: US $4.50 Avg Price: US $4.50 Qty Avg Price: US $4.50 Max Price: US $4.50 Quote
Anio Posted July 28, 2011 Posted July 28, 2011 (edited) and then actually contacted me to tell me that they were in fact selling kits for my design... What the hell did they expect ?? O_o I know it is not possible, but what would be fun would be to ask to Nathanaël and Joshua to change/remove the rims from the "official" instruction ! Thus, everyone could have the "new" official NK model, and the one who bought the 44 rims would have lost 150€. haha. That would lecture the guy on his moral. edit : oh, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I have the impression that the Technic theme (the Technic parts, actually), is more affected on BL than other regular part (studfull). :/ edit 2 : anyway, the one would bought the part should logically put them back on BL (or ebay) soon. Yes, obviously with a premium. Edited July 28, 2011 by Anio Quote
Nazgarot Posted July 28, 2011 Posted July 28, 2011 (edited) edit : oh, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I have the impression that the Technic theme (the Technic parts, actually), is more affected on BL than other regular part (studfull). :/ I believe this is because of us, AFOLs. There are a lot fewer Technic sets and fewer special parts in Technic than in Lego System. This makes it a lot easier to affect prices, and there is a lot more advanced MOC's with instructions (and ideas with instructions) then in system, and it also effect prizes... I did buy 10 return to center parts a few days ago (for a MOC), and just a few hours before somebody bought 20 witch brought the prize up quite a bit... There was only about 60 available at the time. -ED- Edited July 28, 2011 by Nazgarot Quote
AndyC Posted July 28, 2011 Posted July 28, 2011 Realistically the only way to avoid that is never to produce building instructions, which would be a rather sad situation to be in. There is very little else anyone can do, especially if the seller isn't actually supplying instructions. The only other option would be for the MOCer themselves to preempt #2 by buying up all the stocks of one of the rare parts themselves and only selling them in small quantities, but that's not really a better situation either. Quote
DLuders Posted July 28, 2011 Posted July 28, 2011 (edited) Here is the Bricklink Price Guide 6-month sales history for the 50965 "Pearl Light Gray Wheel Cover 5 Spoke with Center Stud - 56mm D. - for Wheel 44772." The fellow who paid ~$4.50 each paid twice as much as what others had been paying. The set of wheel covers was probably bought via "Lego Direct", and the Bricklink seller sold it for a profit. People are probably doing the same thing with the new parts in the 8110 Unimog U400 set. With a "free market economy", people can buy whatever is available. These wheel covers COULD BE used for Lego models other than NK's Concept Car, since the 44772 wheel is a common part. In fact, I dressed up my 8070 Supercar with the same wheel covers, and that set looks great with them. Maybe somebody wants to sell customized 8070s.... Edited July 28, 2011 by DLuders Quote
Anio Posted July 29, 2011 Posted July 29, 2011 DLuders, you are saying very wise words. But regarding the situation explained by Paul, you seem a bit naive (no offense) if you deeply believe in your explanation. A seller on BL may have 40 rims for years. And then, with a coincidence, a guy need these 40 rims for a MOC or a mod, just few days after NK announced his BI ? Sorry, but it sounds absolutely unbelivable to me. Quote
DLuders Posted July 29, 2011 Posted July 29, 2011 Well, you are probably correct, but the person has not yet committed any "sin". Why try to hang the guy before he has "shown his cards"? Is not a person "innocent until proven guilty"? Quote
Paul Boratko Posted July 29, 2011 Author Posted July 29, 2011 (edited) Well, you are probably correct, but the person has not yet committed any "sin". Why try to hang the guy before he has "shown his cards"? Is not a person "innocent until proven guilty"? Here is my gripe with this situation.. If Nathanael doesn't come out and say instructions are coming, would these have been bought up...? I really think that it is just too strong a coincidence that Nathanael made an article talking about his instructions being done and shows a parts list and then a few days later this large purchase is made for 44 rare Enzo wheel covers... Those covers had been up at bricklink for awhile... It wasn't like they were just added and then bought the next day.... They have also been out of stock from Lego Direct for some time now... I have to be honest.. I am wondering if in fact they are legit Lego ones or not... There is a Lego knock off company that made fake copies of the 8653 Enzo Ferrari for $29.99 USD and the wheel covers that it had were identical to the Lego ones and if you a novice with parts, you wouldn't know the difference... Nathanael and Josh could have just created an escalated price for a part for some stranger who didn't do anything more than hit "Submit Order" This is a slightly different situation than buying a part from Lego Direct for 50 cents and selling it for $5... I guess time will tell to see what the outcome is, although I highly doubt that we'll be seeing any new 44 wheeled Ferrari MOCs anytime soon... Edited July 29, 2011 by Paul Boratko Quote
Anio Posted July 29, 2011 Posted July 29, 2011 (edited) Is not a person "innocent until proven guilty"? Yes, and that's why I wrote "wise words". edit : well, people may still be able to get the rims of the 599 GTB easily, to replace the rims of the Enzo. Moreover, even if these parts are licensed, it may be possible to order them on Lego Direct since they have been used in a Technic helicopter as "non licensed parts". Edited July 29, 2011 by Anio Quote
Phantom59 Posted July 29, 2011 Posted July 29, 2011 (edited) One thing that really bothers me is the fact that there was a bricklink seller from France that had just sold 44 of the 8653 Enzo wheel covers, all to one person... This concerns me because there is no doubt in my mind that whomever bought up all of these did it for one of 2 reasons. 1.) There are trying to sccop up parts to assemble kits for Nathanael's Concept Car model in advance before the instructions are released... 2.) They are going to try and make even more money off of them because people are going to be looking for them... I really don't see the problem. They were for sale. I don't think there was a limit per customer. In the free economy it is "first in best dress" It is no different to someone going into a K Mart and buying up all the Minifigs, Harry Potter or any other thing that is in high demand and selling them on eBay for what price they came get, it may not be right but it is not illegal. Edited July 29, 2011 by Phantom59 Quote
Anio Posted July 29, 2011 Posted July 29, 2011 (edited) I really don't see the problem. They were for sale. I don't think there was a limit per customer. In the free economy it is "first in best dress" It is no different to someone going into a K Mart and buying up all the Minifigs, Harry Potter or any other thing that is in high demand and selling them on eBay for what price they came get, it may not be right but it is not illegal. Yes, but you omit one very basic thing : what is legal is not necessarily fair. Edited July 29, 2011 by Anio Quote
Phantom59 Posted July 29, 2011 Posted July 29, 2011 Yes, but you omit one very basic thing : what is legal is not necessarily fair. Someone once said " there is very little in this world that is fair" Quote
DLuders Posted July 29, 2011 Posted July 29, 2011 You know, there IS another "Wheel Cover" for the 44772 wheel -- the 58088 "Wheel Cover 7 Spoke with Axle Hole - 56mm D. - for Wheel 44772". It is used in two sets -- the 8145 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (released in 2007) and the recent 8068 Rescue Helicopter (released in 2011). I'm sure they look good on NK's Concept Car too. Quote
Paul Boratko Posted July 29, 2011 Author Posted July 29, 2011 I really don't see the problem. They were for sale. I don't think there was a limit per customer. In the free economy it is "first in best dress" It is no different to someone going into a K Mart and buying up all the Minifigs, Harry Potter or any other thing that is in high demand and selling them on eBay for what price they came get, it may not be right but it is not illegal. I know there is absolutely nothing illegal about buying anything to profit from.... What bothers me is the fact that someone who has no affiliation with Josh or Nathanael is already preparing to profit from their hard work... @ David, like I had said earlier, I am sure most people will in fact use other wheel covers or wheels... In fact I am sure we'll be seeing many many modifications to Nathanael's car... After all that is one of the best features about it is the ability to modify and change it... Quote
Phantom59 Posted July 29, 2011 Posted July 29, 2011 I know there is absolutely nothing illegal about buying anything to profit from.... What bothers me is the fact that someone who has no affiliation with Josh or Nathanael is already preparing to profit from their hard work... @ David, like I had said earlier, I am sure most people will in fact use other wheel covers or wheels... In fact I am sure we'll be seeing many many modifications to Nathanael's car... After all that is one of the best features about it is the ability to modify and change it... This topic has got a little confused If I have offended anyone I am SORRY if it about the sale of 44 hubs (that's life) But if it about taking credit or profit for others work then that's wrong. I sorry to say there's little you can do to stop this sort of thing short of not putting any instructions or detailed photos on the net in the future. Quote
Meatman Posted July 29, 2011 Posted July 29, 2011 There's nothing really confusing here. Industrial Designer built a high quality model and someone bought up the wheel covers shortly after an announcement of instructions. Capitalizing off of someone else's achievements is pretty lame IMO. But like you said, that's life. Quote
Erik Leppen Posted July 30, 2011 Posted July 30, 2011 While I agree with most of what is said, do not forget that this buyer making a profit will only be possible if people are willing to pay the increased price. If we all collectively decided not to buy from this person than his "potential profit" would turn into a loss. In other words, there is a way to collectively reduce this behavior, by making it unprofitable. However this only works if everyone is willing to cooperate. One could even argue that if people are willing to buy the items for an increased price, the original price was actually too low and the money is going to the wrong people. PS I'm not saying I agree with someone doing this. Quote
Jurgen Krooshoop Posted July 30, 2011 Posted July 30, 2011 I've encountered similar things with the instructions I make & provide for free. And allthough it's not fair to take advantage of someone else's hard work. I've decided it won't stop me from making & providing building-instructions. Quote
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