Should Wholesalers use EBAY?

[pockets44]

Just curious as to Sideshow's stance/opinion on their wholesalers that have stores and websites, selling items on ebay. I've noticed in particular one merchant that has an online store that sells lotr statues and busts with items that are listed on ebay. Of course everyone knows once it hits ebay prices skyrocket. Does sideshow monitor things like this? I beleive in free market 100%, for indivisual consumers and collectors, but for a buisness to do so seems almost like cheating. Cheating the fans and collectors of these goods. I know everyone is out to make a buck now, but to me this is almost, but not as extreme, like sideshow creating a product, selling a limited amount to create thedemand, then piloting the ebay express to the bank. Maybe I'm just bitter that I have stumbled onto whats now a hobby I love more and more everyday and it seems only those with unlimited bank rolls can participate. Anyone else feel this way or am I just bitter?

[Chino the Geek]

I think the majority of us feel that way unless you started collecting at the beginning. I certainly feel the same as you.

[bombadil]

I personally know of a distributor whom when an item gets sold out at Sideshow, this person would mark up the prices a little (not drastically though). And would also keep a few pieces to roll in some moolah at a later stage through ebay. I do sell my extras on ebay too, i guess greed is the root of all things.

[creecher]

I, too, feel the same and am bitter. Nothing to do with collecting though.
I agree that these vultures, leeches and parasites (oh yeah, keep it nice), I mean gentlemen aren't satisfied with the price they get these items from Sideshow. Making a tidy profit isn't enough. They have to rip off collectors, who are loyal to companies like Sideshow for keeping the quality high and the prices low, well, for the quality.
They have the power to withhold releasing any of Sideshows product, artificially increasing the demand and boosting prices on ebay, preferring to sell off items one at a time at higher profit and lower overheads. Bitter enough for you?
I wish I could bankroll such a scheme, or even buy 2 or 3 of everything and sell one off later. Anyway, it's a free world. Good luck all you "entrepreneurs".
Sideshow has their "direct to public" via the net operation, but they get to keep the larger profit made, offer an accessory in the bargain and cut out the middle "man". Ahem, gentleman. Maybe they could go a step further and take orders via the net but distribute them through their distributors. Maybe collectors could band together, through this forum, and bypass the leeches. Ahhhhhhhhhahahahaha.

[bombadil]

Maybe they could go a step further and take orders via the net but distribute them through their distributors. Maybe collectors could band together, through this forum, and bypass the leeches.

I think that's not too bad an idea! haha ;)

[dstephan]

Unfortunately I don't see how Sideshow could control any of this unless they stop selling wholesale completely, and then there would be a whole new set of complaints.

The dealers sell items for what the market will bear. If they list sold out items at retail price they would sell out immediately and the buyers of those items would then list them on ebay for the hated mark-up.

[POCKETS44]

Sideshow could regulate this by means of contracts. If wholesalers are under contracts with them, there can be a clause stating wholesalers may only mark items up as high as a set percent. This would stop the price gouging, and allow honest fans to purchase from honest retailers.

[dstephan]

clause stating wholesalers may only mark items up as high as a set percent.
So the wholesalers sellout as quickly as SS and it's "collectors" that get to gouge their fellows. I just don't see it working...

[pockets44]

The problem I have is that wholesalers have the advantage. I would pay double to a private collector than what I will from a wholesaler. I will only pay retail from them. They have the advanced notices, they know whats coming out, when, how much. Besides they get a hefty discount for being a wholesaler. It doesn't seem right, from a collector's point of view, that they are allowed to order higher amounts, at much lower prices, and then blow the prices up as they see fit. I part of the price increases is going to be accredited to wholesalers themselves setting high prices and driving the market value up. Its sick when you go to a web site, EX. bigbadtoys.com and see everything they have listed on their site, minus a few of the undesirbles, listed as sold out at their origional retail prices. Then you see these same items on ebay at from that dealer at 200-300% mark up. Thats tacky! Its things like this that is going to kill this market and these products as collectables.

[gooball]

Yes, I hate that! Someone who had (or possibly still has) the Gandalf the White bust up on eBay has it listed as 'sold out' on their site. :evil

IMO, Sideshow should refuse to continue supplying retailers who act in such disgraceful ways. As you say, they are in an advantaged situation which they simply abuse.

[Goldberry]

I don't think Sideshow can/will do anything about the situation. They are depending on the wholesalers for all the other items they sell, not just the Wetas. That is a current craze that will be over and done with in a couple of years.