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Poll: Should Scalping Be Illegal?
- Thread starter BluRayHiDef
- Start date
Shifty1897
Member
No, the government should have no say in anything you do if it doesn't infringe on the life or liberty of someone else.
That being said, I'd like to call the mothers and fathers of every scalper and let them know what a scumbag their kid turned out to be and that they should be ashamed of them.
That being said, I'd like to call the mothers and fathers of every scalper and let them know what a scumbag their kid turned out to be and that they should be ashamed of them.
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_Justinian_
Gold Member
I'm about to buy an RTX 3090 off one of those scalpers. Don't blame me. Blame Nvidia or blame God.
Senua
Member
Blame yourself
BlackTron
Member
This is verbatim how every business works.
Fox Mulder
Member
No.
Retailers can do more to stop scalpers from getting everything in seconds. People should stop being whiny babies when they don’t get their toys though.
Retailers can do more to stop scalpers from getting everything in seconds. People should stop being whiny babies when they don’t get their toys though.
JimmyRustler
Gold Member
Scalping? No. Using bots to secure preorders without giving anyone else a fair chance... yes.
johncaveman12
Member
It's shouldn't be illegal at all. However, these websites should be ready and be more prepared for shit like this to happen. Let's get Capatchas on these sites before you purchase something, maybe that would help stop the bots. I don't know, but the main point is that just because its shitty and evil, doesn't mean it should be illegal (in this case). Anyone who is stupid enough or impatient enough to spend double or triple the cost to get a PS5... I really don't know what to say to you. Do some research for those who are ignorant in the field, and for those who are aware, it's your money, bro!
regawdless
Banned
Should it be illegal? I don't think so. Should companies do more to protect their products from scalpers? Absolutely.
mistakable
Neo Member
I wonder how many of them are aware that they need to be registered for trade... if they're selling more than a few consoles it matches badges of trade and should be taxed. If they're not declaring it that's tax evasion and therefore illegal.
Send the tax man after them!
As for the big scalping rings that have their own accountants... let's hope that sony meets demand before they sell through all their consoles.
Send the tax man after them!
As for the big scalping rings that have their own accountants... let's hope that sony meets demand before they sell through all their consoles.
DeltaPolarBear
Member
Scalping IS illegal, what are you talking about?
It's just that most of the time the focus is on items essential to life. Don't think just because the cops were not called on PS5 scalping that it makes them legal; it just isn't enough of a priority for the legal system to spend resources on it. If and when scalping affects social cohesion, the hammer comes down. But not before.
Trying to pretend scalping was ever legal to begin with is a false narrative. It is just a low priority crime when done small scale.
Trying to scalp at a macro level that affect the stock market? You get the Feds on your ass.
It's just that most of the time the focus is on items essential to life. Don't think just because the cops were not called on PS5 scalping that it makes them legal; it just isn't enough of a priority for the legal system to spend resources on it. If and when scalping affects social cohesion, the hammer comes down. But not before.
Trying to pretend scalping was ever legal to begin with is a false narrative. It is just a low priority crime when done small scale.
Trying to scalp at a macro level that affect the stock market? You get the Feds on your ass.
ANIMAL1975
Member
I voted, mostly because of my frustration with the lack of ps5 in stores to buy, and not knowing when the shortage of stocks will be left behind. But in the end, it's up to Sony and Microsoft, to assure the availability of their products in the launch of a new generation.
NikuNashi
Member
Man, kids these days actually have this idea that the world is a fair place! . Were you not bullied in school, lunch money not stolen, stabbed in the legs with sharpened pencils?. Times have changed since I grew up, we had zero expectations about making it in the world so anything was/is a bonus.
Texas Pride
Banned
"A fool and his money are quickly parted" as the old saying goes. Scalping is an unfortunate byproduct of capitalism. Supply & demand. It's not nor should it be illegal in a capitalistic society but let's not mince words. You're a shitty person if you're doing it. Having said that anyone who is rich has fucked people over to climb that mountain so to each their own.
sid2vicious
Banned
Stupid is as stupid does. It's Karma and poetic justice. I can't condone either action, but if it helps eliminating the problem, let them cancel each other out. If your dumb enough to brag of your possessions online, you're asking to get robbed. What's that statement he shared? "Fuck your feelings?" I agree with that sentiment on his behalf.
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tvdaXD
Member
If you wanna buy a bunch of the same thing, go for it. The problem lies with the people who actually buy them for a higher price. They're the reason this exists. A good counter to this issue would be to make it illegal to scalp at release of said item. Maybe even fight against items being sold above their recommended price?
Easiest way would probably be to limit amount per customer and maybe even adres at release?
Easiest way would probably be to limit amount per customer and maybe even adres at release?
FunkMiller
Gold Member
Posting this here as well:
If you think scalping is wrong and that something should be done about it, I absolutely do not recommend that you read this article, and certainly would not suggest doing exactly what it says about creating eBay accounts to join in on ruining the scalper's listings.
https://news.sky.com/story/gamers-d...lpers-profiting-on-latest-technology-12143733
If you think scalping is wrong and that something should be done about it, I absolutely do not recommend that you read this article, and certainly would not suggest doing exactly what it says about creating eBay accounts to join in on ruining the scalper's listings.
https://news.sky.com/story/gamers-d...lpers-profiting-on-latest-technology-12143733
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Slings and Arrows
Banned
Want scalpers to disappear, right now, over-night?
Don't buy the product.
But nahh fuck that, that requires self control. I need the gubbermunt to step in and help to stop my consooooooming. Gubermint halp!
As i said in the AMD thread, petty and childish response to "buh buh buh consooooooooming!"
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Bernd Lauert
So, guy buys something using method to buy more things. Increases price of scarce thing by increasing prices in line with supply/demand. Our entire way of life is built on that idea.
So, because people have individual free-will to purchase products they desire, which means the community can't boycott product, the options are; make it illegal, force people to buy a limited quantity or dox/fuck with people?
*Replying in the Thread designated for scalpers as to not shit up the AMD thread*
Don't buy the product.
But nahh fuck that, that requires self control. I need the gubbermunt to step in and help to stop my consooooooming. Gubermint halp!
As i said in the AMD thread, petty and childish response to "buh buh buh consooooooooming!"
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bernd Lauert
So, guy buys something using method to buy more things. Increases price of scarce thing by increasing prices in line with supply/demand. Our entire way of life is built on that idea.
So, because people have individual free-will to purchase products they desire, which means the community can't boycott product, the options are; make it illegal, force people to buy a limited quantity or dox/fuck with people?
*Replying in the Thread designated for scalpers as to not shit up the AMD thread*
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FunkMiller
Gold Member
So, using bots to scalp: fine. Using bots to annoy scalper: bad.
Slings and Arrows
Banned
And you don't see the hypocrisy in that?
You want to stop scalpers, but also stop people from buying from scalpers who, as an adult making a decision, are more than happy to buy at a mark-up?
Who are they to dictate to anyone, what products they can and can't buy for a price they're willing to pay?
So not only do people who couldn't get the product on day-one miss out, now you're saying the people who want to purchase one, even at a mark-up, are missing out?
Childish, petty, pathetic.
Slings and Arrows
Banned
Yeah.
Scalpers : Doing what every business in the (western) world does
Anti-Scalpers: "Buh mummy i want it i want it i want it. I want it NOW MUMMY!"
FunkMiller
Gold Member
Don’t be such a child. If it’s fine for one group of people to do it, it’s fine for another to counter act them with the same tactics. Otherwise you’re just engaging in massive double standards. Scalpers may be doing nothing illegal, but they’re still pricks. Perfectly right for other people to use their own tactics against them.
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Gamerguy84
Member
Scalping is generally referred to as unfavorable most places.
We do seem to have quite a few users that white knight the practice, hmmm.
We do seem to have quite a few users that white knight the practice, hmmm.
LazyParrot
Member
So what? Just saying that individual boycots are neither the best nor the easiest way to stop scalping.
Slings and Arrows
Banned
It's two different groups
Group 1: Want to make money through supply/demand. Supply/demand or the rule of scarcity is how our entire society works.
Group 2: Can't wait to buy product, want to make a foundation of capitalism illegal and/or government controlled.
Not to go all politics but in this case i can't see another way. Group 1 : Capitalism. Group 2: Communism/Fascism.
Even if we don't go all ideological and philosophical or whatever, let's try this novel idea to solve all of the problems:
Wait for more supply.
Woah, such cheaper, much easy.
FunkMiller
Gold Member
You’ve dropped into an active defence of scalpers at this point. You either are one, or just don’t care about what they do.
Bernd Lauert
Banned
Again, this has nothing to do with capitalism. It's fucking with the market for a short term profit.
Slings and Arrows
Banned
Targeted group attacks at honest people trying to make honest money are preferable to waiting and self-control?
The fuck has happened to gaming?
LazyParrot
Member
Preferable? That's subjective. More effective? Definitely.
I bet you think loan sharks are just "honest people trying to make honest money" too
Slings and Arrows
Banned
You make it sound like all of those three points are bad things.
I support people making money. I don't support crybabies throwing mantrums because they don't have the self-control to wait to buy a luxury, entertainment product.
If someone was buying up all of the first-aid kits for a profit, then it would be different.
It's not fucking with the market. It's supply and demand. Decrease supply, increase demand.
Remember the Wii?
Where were the targeted attacks on people buying that stock, for years?
Slings and Arrows
Banned
To reduce a countries national debt we could shoot all of the people pulling in a state pension. Preferable? Subjective. More effective? Definitely i know that's an overly dramatised example, the point is, efficiency isn't always the correct route to solve a problem, when there's already an effective solution in placePreferable? That's subjective. More effective? Definitely.
I bet you think loan sharks are just "honest people trying to make honest money" too
Loan sharks are dishonest and prey on the weak. Scalpers use money to buy shit to sell on to make money.
Spoiler alert: Car dealerships are scalpers
FunkMiller
Gold Member
Ah, so you’re cool with scalpers. Understood.
I’ll allow other posters to form their own opinions of this position, but I know what mine are.
Bernd Lauert
Banned
I get it, you're some kind of ancap memelord. Have a good day lmao.
Slings and Arrows
Banned
You don't have to like what scalpers are doing, but to stop the practice is opening up a can of worms that isn't worth opening for the sake of waiting a few months.
Not that it matters any more. This guy has just solved it:
I still think that reporting every scalper to proper tax authorities would work better
Linking tax profits to scalper purchases is a perfect way to deal with it. It's adult, it uses a system already in place and it helps the soceity/country/whatever.
Genius idea.
Slings and Arrows
Banned
Silver Wattle
Gold Member
Yes, capitalism is massively flawed in many ways, regulations help correct those flaws.
YeulEmeralda
Member
Its videogame consoles not bottles of water after a hurricane. Perspective!
LazyParrot
Member
If the solution was effective, there wouldn't be a problem.
Loan sharks don't have to be dishonest. They can be quite clear about the terms of the services they offer, as long as their customers are desperate enough. They basically sell money at a markup to people willing to buy at that price. Supply and demand. Don't like it? Just don't get a loan from them and they'll have to lower their rates! Invisible hand and all that.
Slings and Arrows
Banned
The solution of just waiting, is the most effective way. The problem is people can't wait for myriad reasons that there's no point going in to.
I know what you're getting at, but loan sharks are like financial pedophilia. Everyone would be happy if they were all shot (or some less extreme measure or never been able to 'practice' again).
Plus, people need money for whatever reason. People don't need a graphics card to run shiny shiny games.
supernova8
Banned
If the poll assumes that the legal complexities are not relevant, then yes it should be illegal. In practice it isn't really workable.
Soodanim
Gold Member
Quoting because it's a very good point.
Most of you people voting Yes still wouldn't be able to get a PS5 even if the price was fixed. 3500 of whatever massive number was distributed. It's still huge demand for something that's had slowed supply because of the pandemic, don't kid yourselves.
I can't get over the fact that a non-essential entertainment product being temporarily hard to obtain drives people to suggest it should be illegal to resell them at market dictated values.
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Venom Snake
Member
In Poland for example, online sales and earning income from it are associated, in most cases, with tax consequences.
They do not apply to the so-called private sale, which includes items which were owned by the seller for a period of at least six months.
In order to earn money by reselling goods stored for less than that/acquired intentionally for the purpose of sale, it is necessary to register a company and the income obtained from the sale will be taxed (unless the annual income does not exceed the statutory amount, then we do not have to pay VAT, but we still have to keep a sales record).
In other words, scalping in Poland is illegal. And thank god for that.
They do not apply to the so-called private sale, which includes items which were owned by the seller for a period of at least six months.
In order to earn money by reselling goods stored for less than that/acquired intentionally for the purpose of sale, it is necessary to register a company and the income obtained from the sale will be taxed (unless the annual income does not exceed the statutory amount, then we do not have to pay VAT, but we still have to keep a sales record).
In other words, scalping in Poland is illegal. And thank god for that.