Deathleech Posted January 21, 2014 Posted January 21, 2014 I agree fully. Here is another one worth pondering: It is well known that lego prices at Toys-R-Us are HIGHER than those at Lego stores (sometimes 10-15%). And yet, here in Chicago, TRU sells a LOT of lego, and there are 3 Lego Stores ... I can't follow the logic, but I guess convenience and impulse-buy may be factors ... TRU loves to run their sales too. I am sure people see the BOGO 50%, $15 off $60 spent, etc. and jump all over it thinking they are getting a great deal. The thing is, most of the time these sales amount to little more than 5% off with the mark up TRU put's on their sets. They just trick unknowing people into thinking they are getting the set much cheaper than MSRP when really it's only a little off, if any at all. It's really kind of crappy and a reason I absolutely loathe Toys R Us. On the bright side this shady tactic can't work to well for them as they have steadily been on the decline for years now. Quote
Lyichir Posted January 21, 2014 Posted January 21, 2014 Perhaps there are Simpsons fans who have a birthday coming up? There are plenty of legitimate reasons why someone may prioritize early access rather than a fair price. Of course, they could just be impatient as well, but there's no point in judging unknown eBay buyers for their purchases when there's no way to know their individual circumstances. Quote
Paul Boratko Posted January 21, 2014 Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) 14% fees! Wow, they are stealing money from the sellers. Yeah, Ebay takes 10% of the final value(and another 10% from the shipping charge) and then Paypal knocks you for around 4% when the money gets transferred... The fees are not bad if you make a good profit because there really isn't a way to reach out to a large marketplace all over the world like the one at Ebay... I can only assume that most(or some) of the people selling their Simpson's sets on Ebay bought them with their saved up Lego V.I.P. points and are cashing them in that way.. It doesn't make much sense to pay $215 for a set and sell it and only end up actually getting $210 for it... Edited January 21, 2014 by Paul Boratko Quote
Rexworth Posted January 21, 2014 Posted January 21, 2014 I saw the set yesterday, plenty, available in the Lego store near here (Tysons Corner, VA). $200 + tax. It is also available for VIP's at S@H. Tempting... It is $199.99 + tax in LEGO stores now for VIP members till Jan. 31, 2014. (Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A.) I paid $144.99+ tax, because I had $55.00 in VIP Points saved. You could wait until it is sold to non-VIP in February. If you wait you could save money. Quote
Herky Posted January 22, 2014 Posted January 22, 2014 Someone mentioned it, but before Christmas sets were through the roof, the Friends Dolphin Cruiser was almost twice the price on ebay, but since it was not retiring, I just waited to get it for my daughter. This is much the same, you have your early adopters that MUST have it first. Which is nuts, but the numbers and information provided on ebay and their fees is pretty accurate, it is America's giant garage sale...for a price. You really need to sell low or not care on the money side to really make anything on ebay. Quote
Deathleech Posted January 22, 2014 Posted January 22, 2014 Yeah, Ebay takes 10% of the final value(and another 10% from the shipping charge) and then Paypal knocks you for around 4% when the money gets transferred... The fees are not bad if you make a good profit because there really isn't a way to reach out to a large marketplace all over the world like the one at Ebay... I can only assume that most(or some) of the people selling their Simpson's sets on Ebay bought them with their saved up Lego V.I.P. points and are cashing them in that way.. It doesn't make much sense to pay $215 for a set and sell it and only end up actually getting $210 for it... I wonder if some people are ordering it directly from Lego and having it shipped to the buyer's address? That would save quite a bit for them with the free shipping Lego offers. I can't imagine shipping is a ton though, probably around $15 to most places? If they sell for $265, eBay takes $26.50 out like you said, or 10% (unless they are a top rated seller, then it's only 21.50). PayPal is 30 cents plus 2.9% of the total, so another $7.87+0.30 = $8.17. Shipping is probably around $15. That's just under $50 bucks. If they bought the set for 212.50 after taxes (what it comes up for me) that's a total of $262.50. They made about $2.50 and got $10 in free VIP points. Not really much of a profit really, but it's something I guess. The big unknown is of course shipping. If it's under $15 they are making a few more bucks, if it's more they are breaking even. If they are shipping right from Lego they are making about 20 bucks plus the 10 VIP which is a decent profit. Quote
TheLegoDr Posted January 22, 2014 Posted January 22, 2014 ^ does the shipping directly constitute a drop ship scam? I'd think they wouldn't ship something unless it was tied to a billing address. But since I haven't tried shipping it elsewhere, I wouldn't know. That fits sounds like a lot of work for 10$ VIP, but if you did it enough that would still amount to free lego. Quote
Deathleech Posted January 22, 2014 Posted January 22, 2014 I'd think they wouldn't ship something unless it was tied to a billing address. But since I haven't tried shipping it elsewhere, I wouldn't know. You can enter a shipping address that is different from your billing address. I have done it when I order online since I still have to update my billing address after moving (old address is parent's so not a priority). Quote
elleana Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 Maybe these eBay guys are getting them from wholesalers or other distributors and not having to pay retail price? Quote
kibosh Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 There is a big difference between value/worth and cost. These people are paying more for the set than it costs, but not more than it's worth to them. The value, or worth, is determined by the individual. I love LEGO, but I value it as a luxury good. I don't "need" it, so I will never pay more than MSRP for LEGO. Other people are different. They value being the first person to have something. They value it because they are huge Simpsons fans and they are getting what is a novelty to them. Etc. Quote
Vee Posted January 23, 2014 Author Posted January 23, 2014 ... I love LEGO, but I value it as a luxury good. I don't "need" it, so I will never pay more than MSRP for LEGO. ... Totally agree with it. This is exactly what I think about my Lego hobby, although I assume that for two sets (6754 and 5771) I have recently paid 10 to 15 dollars above their retail prices since they were retired (and I bought them sealed) Maybe these eBay guys are getting them from wholesalers or other distributors and not having to pay retail price? , I have this feeling that the only wholesaler of Lego in the world is Lego itself. Could that be? Quote
Faefrost Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 Someone mentioned it, but before Christmas sets were through the roof, the Friends Dolphin Cruiser was almost twice the price on ebay, but since it was not retiring, I just waited to get it for my daughter. This is much the same, you have your early adopters that MUST have it first. Which is nuts, but the numbers and information provided on ebay and their fees is pretty accurate, it is America's giant garage sale...for a price. You really need to sell low or not care on the money side to really make anything on ebay. The Dolphin Cruiser was featured in several newspaper and news stories as one of the top "must have" toys for this Christmas. So that drove aftermarket prices insane. Quote
MrBrick&BoB Posted January 24, 2014 Posted January 24, 2014 Hello thats a bit to expensive. But i think thats a good offer for locations where the set isn't available. I almost do not really if i like that set or not. I don't like the simpson´s but that house is great. It looks great in- and outside and there are many parts. We´ll see Regards BoB THE BRICK TIME Quote
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