Whose to Blame & How Do We Fix It?

Toy scalping is a controversial subject, but I want to look at it and talk about why its happening and how we can fix it.
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[@Nerdzoic]

Can we as a collecting community make an impact on the scalping problem?

[@CartoonCommotion]

I don't think we will. I think we should.

[@farminglittlepeople9623]

@@CartoonCommotion Well said👍

[@farminglittlepeople9623]

No sadly but do unto others as you want them to do unto you.😁👍

[@edwardbeaty8899]

I say we hunt down Scalpers and make them sit in the comfy chair! Then break out the fluffy pillow!

[@RadioactiveBear]

@@edwardbeaty8899 lol

[@jeffking4102]

It would help if stores would order multiples. I often wind up clearing out a rack to add to my and my son's collection because it's impossible to "leave one for the next guy" when the store has exactly one of each figure. Buy all 6 to complete the BAF and the rack is wiped out.

[@GeneralKenobisBunker]

I think it's so awesome you are actually willing to talk about it in a more calm and analytical way. Awesome video

[@Nerdzoic]

Thank you GKB!

[@gyalis]

I find it strange you don’t blame hasbro for flooding the market when there are about 50 bumblebee releases a year

[@chuckdawg1999]

Thank you for making this video. I really, really hope people aren't scalping to put food on tables, I'd like to think there are many other options before that. I too used to follow the idea of leave one behind, especially for the kids, until I realized there were no kids. I think the biggest issue when dealing with scalpers is dealing with FOMO, the fear of missing out.

[@d34285]

Companies should make enough to meet demand. This is why I've stopped collecting as much

[@kerrykrish1291]

Scalpers are the single biggest problem when it comes to keeping people from joining the collecting comm. Maybe it doesn't matter to someone making money off of it but not everyone can spend +$100 for a piece of plastic

[@jeffreyhunnewell1652]

I've seen the same scalper group hitting up multiple stores, buying whole cases. This was happening before covid, screw them, I don't care what's going on in their lives.

[@Nerdzoic]

First thing is for people to stop buying from the scalpers and honestly the problem is solved. They won't continue to buy cases of things, if they can't move it.

[@jeffreyhunnewell1652]

@@Nerdzoic I agree, I refuse to buy from them, I just go without. Seeing that group pissed me off, it was a couple years ago. These guys were buying up every single TVC X-Wing, AT-ST, and figure they could get a hold of. I ran into them at 2 Targets and they had split up to cover the local Best Buys as well.

[@Uglypress]

Tough issue to tackle and you are spot on. I love that you talk about the other issues of collecting and not just unboxing. Keep up the good work.

[@Nerdzoic]

Much appreciated! Thank you.

[@brianmyers7241]

I agree patience especially, with Walmart and Target is the key. If you can hold out they usually become available a few months later.

[@obmf_hwcustoms6268]

I’m all for helping. Nice vid. I walked through an indoor flea market the other day and there was about 15 collector shops posted up. 70% of them looked like a target/Walmart side sale. With prices set so high for bargaining. SMH

[@Nerdzoic]

Thanks for commenting. Most likely buying from the actual store for a flip, but I have been to a warehouse where it must have bought out a closing target of some sorts, because it had tons of things from home goods all the way to toys, but it was reasonable prices nothing crazy.

[@obmf_hwcustoms6268]

@@Nerdzoic hey man. Love your vids. I’m an 80’s / early 90’s collector. I crack them boxes open and display lol. Take care man.

[@Gichie79]

@@obmf_hwcustoms6268 Nothing better than dropping hundreds or thousands on a high grade 80's package toy and freeing it while watching others cry while you do it.

[@falcongunner33]

Side note but the thing that pisses me off is the people that are at Ross and Marshalls buying ALL the affordable good stuff just to flip on amazon. When I was a kid this was the only place I could get decent clothes and shoes but now there's nothing there because people are padding their pockets every day.

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

It's true man even offer up people be buying from there and turning around SAME DAY and flipping on offer up hahaha jeez people need real jobs...

[@falcongunner33]

@@RandomStuffGarage619 seriously. And most of them see successful people on social media and want a piece of the pie. They're only strangling the market and making people disinterested in the hobby. I'm glad the trading card companies have already jumped on it and seem to be already taking steps against it.

[@BrianMillerCEO]

Scalping is actually leading to LESS foot traffic in stores. After a few weeks of schlepping through seven different Target and WalMart stores finding nothing but the same peg warmers week after week makes me want to do anything BUT keep coming back to the store. What's the definition of insanity again? And yes, we can disagree (you're wrong :) ) and still be nerdy friends. These are toys, not life saving medical procedures.

[@haydenh7380]

if i go in looking for a specific item i just walk right the fuck out. but if they have what I came for I almost always end up looking around and buying something else that I need as well.

[@limpx336]

Yeah your wrong. You may not but many do.

[@natalietowner6780]

I got FOMO really bad last year and paid some truly ridiculous prices for Star Wars merchandise in Australia. I began to question collecting as I started feeling really bad about missing out on stuff and the amount of money I spent. I’m slowly starting to pull back from buying stuff and feel a lot happier about it.

[@stevegallo8483]

I agree that the 6 inch scale figures are not designed or marketed for kids at the $20-25 price point. With no stores like Toys R Us around anymore there is less of a supply for the collectors. If you notice, it's mainly the action figure aisle or aisles that have holes where figures should be. So, it's not like the stores aren't getting toys. It's also possible that some of the employees are scalpers. Regarding communities on social media for collectors, you're right about them. They are a good way to interact with like minded people and can help you find figures you're looking for if you cannot find the in stores.

[@airxtream2139]

I wish Hasbro pulse wouldn't run out of army builder's? I mean these are for army building but they are always out of stock?

[@wayoutcustoms2531]

I never had a problem with scalpers and you right only exclusive are problems

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

Aside from target and Walmart, I usually see more product at gamestop. It's weird, but true. (San diego)

[@happybuttersblast8334]

I just wait for gamestop to have sales.... unless its exclusives.... i just wait for 20$ figures to be 15$ and grab em from gamestop because every single figure that inst exclusive that gamestop sells eventually goes on sale .. I think because people in general just dont look there for figures... they do a bad job at letitng the public know they gotten into the action figure and collectible business.

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

@@happybuttersblast8334 people know. They also raised thier prices on figures, but now everyone else has too. I think a lot of people were like "I'm done with gamestop waaa" I'm like ok more for everyone else? I saw the wanda-vis 2 pack there like 2 months ago and like a total IDIOT, I passed. Still groin punching myself for that.

[@lowellmartens6135]

I also get more at EbGames, GameStop's subsidiary company in Canada, then Wal-mart (we don't have Target or Walgreens)

[@chinapat6708]

Hell yea! I get the majority of my figures from GameStop (East coast, also!)!

[@KnightoSea]

yeah but when i go shopping i usually only go to target or walmart

[@DefinitiveToys1]

Hey Matt, I was watching a video a month or two ago. It was a couple guys going on a hunt at Target. During the video they were complaining about scalping and scalpers. One of them said "Do they have any retro Spider-Man figures, I'm not a scalper but I have 15 retro Spider-Men at home and I'd buy another if I saw one. Its such a great figure." He may not be a scalper, but no one needs 15 retro Spider-Men figures. That practice is also hurting the market. He's causing the same problems a scalper would. What are your thoughts on that type of situation? My opinion is that Hasbro needs to put constantly evolving systems in place to significantly cut down on or eliminate scalping altogether. I think online and in store quantity restrictions are key. Bottomline, even if everything is done that can be done about scalping, there will still be scalping. Greatly reduced hopefully, but if someone wants scalp badly enough. They'll find a way to do it. I still believe we as a community should get a huge petition going and then drop it on Hasbro's lap. We have a massive amount of power as a community. Just like a really really big team-up.

[@Nerdzoic]

Hey RealComicFigures-great question. For me personally, I think it was a mistake to complain about scalping and then mention how many Spider-Man retros they had and would buy more especially on social media. I think Hasbro is only looking at their product as being sold. It doesn't probably matter to them who is getting them and if everyone has a chance to buy it. I don't believe limiting quantities would necessarily cut scalping down, because if someone wants something bad enough they'll just get a friend or family member to go pick them up just to hand to the same person. My firm belief is it all comes down to just making more product. Whether someone scalps regularly or not if there was enough out in the stores and online people wouldn't be turning to the scalpers to buy their figures. I love the power of making our voices heard.... I feel that starts with stop buying from scalpers all together. Thank you for watching my video.

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

I never saw retro spidey on shelf. Out of stock everywhere. Amazon $80. Big sad.

[@Junketsuadidas]

I have a huge family owned toy store/comic shop about 5 minutes from me & I never saw that fig on the shelf. Never have that problem there & they had every other figure from that wave, that was a weird one. It was delayed on BBTS as well when the rest of the line was released

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

@@Junketsuadidas yeah hasbro needs to find a way to release him again, kinda like they did pizza spidey twice.

[@Junketsuadidas]

@@RandomStuffGarage619 if they release him again I’m sure the same thing would happen

[@theexpandingmane1768]

Obsidian Silver Surfer…. hit damn near every Walgreens in the city multiple times, came up empty.

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

@@Junketsuadidas I can't say you're wrong buddy. I had a second chance at rogue, still didn't get one. (Doesn't help she was a target flippin exclusive)

[@christopheraldrich5795]

Excellent advice. I appreciate how level headed you are about all this. I also feel the corps that sell (like Walmart, Target, etc) may even demand exclusives as part of the contract to sell. I don’t have proof, but it’s a sneaking suspicion of mine. And patience is hard. I lost my chance at Bad Batch Rex and Imperial Crosshair. That hurts. Now I have to wait till they come out and watch prices, hoping for them to drop. Cause you are right, paying scalp prices only fuels the scalpers. And it hurts the pocketbook. And there’s other things I could get that I’d lose out on for paying scalp prices.

[@chrish7983]

The big box stores most definitely demand store exclusives. And the toy companies have to oblige because there are so few retail stores that carry their products that they have to play nice.

[@lucianorodriguez2005]

Why is no one talking about store exclusives for important characters and figures, for example the Walmart exclusive Worthy Captain America

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

He did say exclusives. That would include all of them. And yeah I never got worthy cap either. :(

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

@Jedimaster420 I have 4 Walmart within 20 min but the 2 closest are attached to a mall. I can't stand going to those. I never saw movie cable :(

[@ProfJasonX]

"blame the game, not the player" - i agree with you on this.. that's why here in the Philippines, most/reputable toys stores strictly implement 1 piece per customer (even in pre-orders) when it comes to exclusives.. nevertheless, i despise scalpers.

[@mrforrest]

Thanks for being reasonable and level headed

[@otromono5521]

Step1: stop crying. Step 2: Don’t get angry. Step3: stop paying scalpers. Step4: Be patient. Step5: save your money. Step 6 : buy what you need even if it’s more than once.

[@Arufonsa1]

I’ve said this many times but I think the vast majority of people follow steps 3 through 6. The people who buy from those scalpers are not regular collectors and seldom the desperate. The people who buy them are the kind of people where the difference between $20 and $200 is a zero. It’s negligible and inconsequential. We all know a few people like that. Who park in no parking zones because they view the massive fines as little more than paying for a parking spot. That’s who is buying this stuff.

[@jamesbounds]

That's true checking hiding spots for stuff does help. I've found a few things under the shelves before.

[@clintontrippett2181]

All great points made ! Appreciate all the good content from you Big Nerd Dog !

[@youssefyaser5591]

6:33 what you are saying is soooo true! Where I live there are a lot of toy stores, however it is really weird because out of ALL THESE STORES there is literally just one, im not exaggerating, only ONE store that sells a FEW marvel legends toys. And its not like the marvel legends figures are out of stock in other stores, no...in these other stores they don't even have the price tag for them. So what happens is that I, as a collector, need to buy them online in order to EVER get the figures, but usually I don't want to because buying a figure for 40 dollars+ is outrageous. Especially when I can get one for 20 dollars at the store. I found a figure I really wanted and was searching for, however I didn't buy it when I saw the price tag. It was 160 dollars online....for 1 figure....

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

As much as I would like helping my fellow collector... I leave it, but I TELL buddies of mine locally "hey spotted this here" and put the ball in fellow collectors court. Also, my local target has actually been limiting 1 of each character per customer! And it's BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[@gerrysabron]

ive seen scarlpers since ive collected way back toybiz-ML days, theyd take out the baf pieces, sell the figures for its retails & the BAF for $40..I guess it just got worse, Over the years, one way to beat them, is grab the figure you want, when you see it.

[@nisher3464]

I do appreciate your passion for the discussion of scalping, where I do disagree with you is some of the reasons why it is done. I doubt someone who lost there job is out toy hunting to make money to put food on the table. Scalping is scalping. It's to make ridiculous amounts of money off of a collector and a fan. Perfect example for me was in Target a fee weeks ago. I did get all 4 of the Black Series Clone Wars figures at 3 various stores. 2 in my area and one when I was on vacation in Indiana. So I was in my local Target and I saw they had one Echo figure on the peg. I was gonna grab it so I can have one out of the package cause he is the coolest looking of the four. I passed. When I went to the next aisle I heard a kid on the phone with someone saying, and I quote, " They have and Echo, I'm gonna buy him to see how much I can get for him." That is the scummy scalper. I don't condone scalping either and I agree, the best way to end it is to not give in to them. Another great example is Major Bludd. My same local Target one day had 13....yes, 13 Bludds on the shelf. I freaked out! I was so excited to finally see a G.I Joe exclusive on the shelf. I grabbed one and text my 2 friends to see if they had found him yet. They said no. So I did walk out with 3. And left the other 10 for hopefully collectors. Love your channel! Keep up the good work and stay nerdy.

[@Nicksolo85]

Whenever I go to any Wal-Mart store of the ones closest to me, the 1st thing I do is go to the electronic section where they'd have things like NECA or Loyal Subjects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures & yes, I do get down on my knees & check under the shelves, but there's never anything there. I've worked in retail, so I know about the whole hiding things under the shelves or further back on the shelves where nobody can see them unless they really look. I did watch your other video that you mentioned about what is a scalper & what isn't. I've never really considered army building as scalping & the same can be said if I buy from a local shop, a toy show vendor or even online for like $5.00 to $10.00 more. Anything $15.00 to $20.00 over retail, I'm still debating if that's scalping or not, but I'd definitely consider anything $25.00 over retail price as scalping, no doubt about it. Out of habit, I'll usually blame the scalpers & call them names like f--king greedy c--k suckers or d--k heads or many other dirty names in the book if I go to a Wal-Mart or a Target & don't find anything I'm interested in getting. Today, I saw a comment on another video from another user & it reminded me of the past where back then, I would say that the only people who were lucky enough to get the fresh product when it just gets put out on store shelves/racks are people who work 2nd or 3rd shift full time or only work part time & any 7 days of the week & therefore, can more likely spare some of their time to go to the stores & maybe grab something they want while people like myself who generally work 1st shift full time on weekdays usually can't & have to miss out. In short, people who do work but not full time during the day on weekdays in addition to people who don't work at all, but have the funds have a better shot at finding more popular figures on store shelves/racks, at least that was what my running theory was years ago as scalpers weren't a threat (so to speak) back then or I just simply didn't notice them & wasn't really made aware of them till 2019 when NECA started doing their own TMNT figures. Exclusives, I'm kind of 50-50 on that as it does help get people into their stores or onto their websites or even into the conventions, but at the same time, everybody should have a fair shot at getting certain figures & not everyone has access to things like conventions & I feel like if it is an exclusive, it should just start out like that, but eventually made available to the general public later on with or without some changes.

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

Ok hiding spots... this is something I need to check more often. And yes I talk to the staff, respectfully and friendly. They know me now and it's how I got my deadpool/negasonic 2pk. Guy was stocking shelves and he'd them on his cart. There was no marker on the shelf for it. I asked him and he said yeah man I can tell you aren't a scalper. Here, you get one." Stoked!!!! I never saw them hit shelves there. *and yes there is suspicion the staff are the ones scalping. That's disgusting.

[@MarcusEye]

I went into a target recently in my town and was talking to a kid employee & he showed me where the local scalpers hide their Stash…. He pulled up the bottom part of the shelf and said they stick them in there…

[@shaythomas817]

Need an isle full of in-store stock!

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

I remember the 90s fondly...

[@bobpatel5646]

Even when the isles were packed, you still couldn't find certain figures. Been collecting my whole life and there are been times when you couldn't find certain figures

[@gyalis]

If you buy them to resell them when for retail at baseline you are the same as a scalper, there’s no way anyone can know they want to collect something if it’s never on the shelf

[@elpigginz7372]

True. In fact nerdzoic is himself a scalper, he owns a virtual toy store where he sells figures for a small mark up, it may be a small mark up, but it's scalping none the less.

[@joeymatthews1703]

Don’t disagree with you. People will crap on McFarlane for “not selling” but hey at least you can go into any store that stocks em and see the whole line up on store shelves. Kids don’t collect Legends because there’s never enough stock for them to know what exists and because adult collectors buy them all up.

[@josheeee9139]

but how is it scalping if theirs still stuff left on the shelf, plus he has an actual business and not some random ebay account selling stuff for a really high price, just saying.

[@demented.worm2]

What do you think I should do to get the Macfarlane gold label king shark. I need help lol

[@joeymatthews1703]

Though I agree with most said here, I kinda want to point out Dan’s sign off of “leave one for the next collector” seems to me like more of a philosophy than a rule. I think that and you’re “buy multiples for your friends” can coexist in a world against price gaugers (using that term instead of sc*lping because of the negative historical context of the word)

[@warforge_jp]

nice channel bro, you make really well made points here

[@thedead-eyejedi]

thx for this honest perspective. I enjoy collecting and enjoy sharing the hobby with others. I have an eBay store but find them overpriced and relatively opaque/unhelpful whether you’re a buyer OR a seller! I wouldn’t have to charge nearly as much as I do if not for the growing cost of doing business via eBay paypal, USPS, etc. what is your advice to selling online without using eBay? As an experienced seller feel strongly that neither the buyer or the seller wins on eBay, only eBay wins when you shop on eBay

[@larrybohler9229]

You make some really good points.

[@Nerdzoic]

Thank you Larry

[@thewolfpacktoyreview]

4:05 it’s like tinker bell, if you ignore them they disappear. Good points all around Big Nerdy 🔥

[@Nerdzoic]

Haha exactly. Thank you WPTR-glad you enjoyed the video.

[@adonisasuncion5546]

Great things you said hope everyone gets there hands on the toys they want 👏👏👏

[@Nerdzoic]

Thank you Adonis

[@chrish7983]

I think another important thing that wasn't addressed is collectors need to be more comfortable missing out on things. I've decided I'm no longer going to chase NECA TMNT figures in store. If they have an online pre-order, great. If not, then I'm just not going to own them and I'm ok with that. The more people do this the less of a feeding frenzy there is for scalpers to exploit.

[@kushgrizzly]

Lol nah forget that I’m gone get what I want. Never settling

[@barstoolentertainment]

Another problem is when producers short pack certain figures in a BAF line, even none BAF lines. I would regularly travel to 3 Walmarts, 2 Targets, and a Toys R Us on my way home from work. There was always at least one figure I could not find, because it was a short pack. You know 3 of one figure, 2 of others, and only 1 of a certain figure. When I travelled to visit my parents, I would stop at every Target, Walmart or store that carried toys. Even make an effort to go to stores in the area of my parents. Sometimes I found the short packed figure. I know of at least a few collectors whom would buy up all the peg warmers, then return them to other stores, so the stores would roll over inventory. I don't blame a scalper for finding the rare figure and selling it on ebay for three times the price. I blame producers for short packing or stores for under ordering. Thanks to internet stores like your's I can order a complete set.

[@hocksue]

I'm a casual collector. What I do if I like an action figure or funko or anything. I get 2 maybe 3. 1 in box, 2 for out of box showing and 3 to resell. I don't sell it to make huge profit. Usually $15-$30 Markup

[@rafaelontiveros7450]

You're correct over a year ago, these action figures aren't made for kids, but adults who like them in the original box and art work with clear plastic to appreciate them and display them, unfortunately someone snuck in at Hasbro, and wanted a promotion and pushed this no plastic debacle.

[@TheLeatheryman]

It’s store employees that I have the most suspicion of.

[@CT--ue2xn]

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised. That'd be a scalpers dream job.

[@robertpage6594]

So target actually is restricting online orders for this last gi joe bbq and breaker people who ordered more than one had there orders canceled I was so happy to see this and some people were complaining till I said “hey it better than 10 people getting 10 each ....so now 100 people get one each and now the field is even for everyone”

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

Dude I was so stoked to get breaker and bbq!!!

[@saintjamesmodernart]

The two places that I find that scalpers use to sell stuff is that bay place and Amazon. Now, on the bay place I am pretty sure that most people sort search results by lowest price. One way that might beat the scalpers is if someone retailed figures on there. Buy a bunch of the figures and then retail them on the bay. They could add a few bucks for their time and trouble (and the bay's fees) but when people sort by price they will come up first. They beat out the scalpers and are not charging double or more the retail price. I have also noticed on that bay place that not only are they charging double or more for the figures but really overcharging on shipping. I think some of them are not in the selling business as much as they are in the shipping business. Not sure this will work or not but just a thought. James 😁

[@donholdsworth1]

i like the limit it to one per person idea but for figures like the hand ninja or the storm troopers i want to army build them so they would have to find a way to make it 1 per person only for exclusives

[@theriotartist]

I work at a Walmart and we have not gotten a case of The Vintage Collection in at least 2 months. Not one and they've been on order. We got one case of Retro Collection. A big issue is distribution. Also online orderimg basically ensures that exclusives never reach shelves in the first place. Can't put it up if all are pre sold out / being withheld for online orders.

[@nathancausby4406]

I agree with most of what you said except Hasbro. Their own website never has enough product. They sell out quicker than the stores websites alot of times. Also I don't know how accurate it is but it's been said that Hasbro is only making around 17 percent of the Demand of certain figures pushing people to ebay to buy the figures from scalpers

[@adugifever4850]

there's no fix. it all falls back to the law of supply and demand. I love having first word problems. Other places are fighting over vaccine/medical supplies, food/water shortage, wars, etc and we're having in depth discussions about "toy scalpers." hahahaha

[@chrisingram5777]

And we wonder why china's kicking are asses! Lol

[@vtecef9]

Life is good lol

[@tikvision]

unemployed here. Not anymore into feeding hasbro or scalpers

[@normanstephen4291]

Nice video man!! Fully agree with u!

[@Nerdzoic]

Appreciate it Norman!

[@josecastrosolis9136]

hey Man really cool video, many valid points, but, it applies practically for buyers in the US, collectors like me who live outside the US and do not have access to the exclusive figures we have 2 options or let them go or search on eBay which is where you can Finding them, right, you have the option not to buy it, but at the end of the day you know that if it's not for that website you will never get it, until now I have avoided feeding the scalpers, but it leaves me without those really cool figures.

[@fredorta9026]

Yes we can make an impact on the scalping issue. Begin a networking group in your area. Keep it small 3 to 4 in a group. We have 3 core group members in our group. Their are others that we deal with but a smaller group it allows you to focus and help out without dropping a load of funds at one time. It has worked great for us . The rules are simple meet once or twice a week unless otherwise specified. We ask each other what the total is ( we like to round up, no coins) that’s it. We have wish list for each other. Since we began about six months ago we haven’t missed any figures. Respect your group members and treat their items with care. I’m an opener but the others guys are in box collectors so I’m very careful with there figs. Unfortunately scalping in my opinion will never cease but by banding together as a community of collectors we can put a dent into it. Cyber scalping is a whole different game.👍👍

[@angeloapurillo7423]

Hi Big Nerdy, big fan of your channel! I think as a community we should help one another rather than put each other down. I live in a part of the world where there are no Targets, Walgreens and Walmarts to get these exclusives and rely on hobby shops to buy them. I mostly base my purchases on where I can get the best deal since these are exclusives, they're harder to get and cost more. Thanks and stay safe!

[@Nerdzoic]

Hey Angelo-I appreciate you watching my videos! We should definitely help within the community and not always assume the worst in people. You have a great point there are many people who collect and are nowhere near some of these bigger box stores that sell the figures much less exclusives. Thanks for commenting.

[@vensakarakorwien5768]

ok newsflash, the most damaging part are the online bots. Lets say you want to do buy and resell for higher price the old way. So you will have to wake up and walk in the store in order to buy the product. And yes stores can choose 1 per customer policy, so you would have to drag in your family to buy more. All that is spent time for all those people (at least 30 mins with all that get to the store, buy pay and go back home). Now the difference when buying online is that you are not spending your time at all anymore and you can do other things. All you do is buy or make a bot (a software that will connect to the store the moment pre-orders go online and buy it out). And that bot can work alone standing once it got setup for product and store / stores and can buy lot of products within seconds. You then just collect order confirmation and post them on your shop on ebay like nothing happened. so while previous effectivness of a scalper was 1 toy per 30 mins per person, now is 20 toys for those 30 seconds during which product will sell out. In other words while before playing field was more even (both end customer and scalper could use their man power in the say way, now standard customer is in a heavy disadvantage (while they take 2-3 mins to place the order online item is already sold out, so it is turning to the war of bots?). And this problem will tend to get worse

[@crackerass69691]

you're completely right. if people just stop paying those prices it would put them out of business simple as that. but people need everything right now and everyone's paying the price because of it

[@Nerdzoic]

The culture we live in today is here and now.

[@Kitbats]

I get absolutely frustrated with scalpers. I buy a bunch of my figures on FB marketplace and whenever I see someone overpricing a figure from $20 to NEAR Mafex prices I just give them a laughing reaction to how ridiculous they're making themselves look. It disgusts me. They're no different from the people who were scalping alcohol and tissue paper last year.

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

I do have a good relationship with local collectors. We tell each other where stuff is but we rarely buy something for one another because we don't want to look like scalpers or buy more than one to give fair shot to other collectors. True, this also gives scalpers a shot. But the only way to stop them is DONT BUY FROM THEM! You seem to have the right idea. 👍

[@SQLJedi]

Great videos Matt. Keep up the nerd love!

[@Nerdzoic]

Thanks Ross

[@jonathanhodapp8735]

I agree 100%. I only collect ninja turtles and I use to get anxiety and hunt so many stores but now I just wait for the cartoon line to go on neca store online. Yeah I pay the shipping and have to wait longer but it’s better then drive to all the stores coming up short but I can wait and get it later

[@mariotovar2173]

One year ago I learned a childhood friend is an original trilogy Star Wars fan. I made him turn into a Black Series collector. I sold him highly, one year old, sought out for figures at retail. He works full-time out of his home; recently with the Target exclusives I had to travel over 25 miles, every day for three days, to get them. So I charged my friend a trip charge for 3 figures I went out hunting for. - The Disneyland Neighbor

[@KC_2112]

Big Nerdy coming out spitting 🔥. Good video brother well said.

[@Nerdzoic]

Thanks K!

[@vassa1972]

Hey Matt from Hamilton Ontario Canada and yes I agree I don't like scalpers too, Less than 2 weeks ago when they allowed big box stores to sale everything including toys I was at the Walmart in Ancaster on the first day and manage to buy 2 reissue headmaster transformers toys at about$30.00 plus tax which I still need to find 2 more to finish up this part of the reissues. Wish me luck lol. Be safe Sir

[@Nerdzoic]

Good luck Peter.

[@vassa1972]

@@Nerdzoic thanks Matt, same to you

[@antoineconnor5266]

Most I ever paid for a missed exclusive was $50 for Walgreens ML Thing. Never showed up in my area. Other than that I have a friend who helps if he finds stuff and I do the same for him. I really never had any issues securing most exclusives. I agree with 2 things he said 1) stop trying to be the 1st to own something and 2) stop paying those ridiculous prices

[@kylefunderburk4194]

Honestly, scalpers are just a symptom of a larger issue. I think the biggest problem is a lack of physical stores. Most of us are limited to Walmart, Target, Gamestop and Walgreens. KMart, Toys R'Us, KB Toys are all gone. Some of us have comic or hobby shops that keep figures in stock, but that's a shrinking industry. Since 2018 three of the five comic book shops within 30 miles of me closed down. When it comes to in-person shopping, we're entirely at the mercy of the four big stores that still sell figures. And if the area doesn't have many collectors, the stores won't have much variety.

[@dogmd7]

I do all of my toy shopping online these days, but if by some chance I am in a store that carries toys and I see some uncommons I will only take one and leave behind the rest. Except if it's an army builder, then I'll take two and leave the rest behind for the next person. I don't understand the appeal of scalping as a side hustle, it's just more trouble than it is worth doing in my opinion.

[@antmanx68]

All that stuff is true- sure, make more product, stop having exclusive, but “don’t be a scalper” is the best way to not be a scalper.

[@Rancoroth419]

Actually, a store doing inventory, would not find those 8 figures, write them off as Loss/theft, correct the inventory, and show 0 in stock. If a scalper comes back and buys a hidden product after inventory correction, it would show as a -1 inventory purchase. Thats assuming that the store is on top of their inventory control.

[@cptoyscollection]

A company that provide 15% of their product's demand, how can they not be at fault? I don't have The Baroness, Firefly, Beachhead, Cobra Viper, and I might not be able to get Breaker. Who's fault is that? There are about 10 different Targets, and a tsunami of WALMARTs, within a 50 miles radius from my house. I toy-hunt 3-4 times a week (I'm there at openning). Out of all Target's exclusives, I only have the cobra trooper (Drove to Naples, FL - about 180 miles), Roadblock (Local Target)and, after 3 months of hunting, Major Bludd (Ordered online - Picked up at local Target). Who's at fault for the lack of availability? I agree with most of the things you said except that Hasbro is not at fault. You mentioned something about overflowing the market. That's why those idiots at Hasbro should have a more competent marketing group. The should know the level of demand of every product they produce and supply that demand accordingly. I don't see how can Hasbro's marketing group, assuming that this billions of dollars company has one, can justify to their board members that they are only providing 15% of the Gijoe Classified's demand? "Yes! We are selling 100% of our product" ...Yes but you are only providing 15% of the demand. 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@shaigluskin1225]

You nailed it!

[@tumager]

Limiting to one figure per address would be too much of a restriction. At least three would be nice I'd say. One for our child, one for our friend, and obviously one for us.

[@gimimartinez7080]

1- Stop buying these figures at higher prices 2- Demand the corporations to make more figures. 3- Have fun and help fellow collectors by selling it or trade figures

[@Nerdzoic]

Love this Gimi.

[@winterpurple4587]

There's nothing that can be done as much as anyone of us don't like it. At the end of the day the stores or toy manufacturers could put a limit on how much anyone can buy, but they're not doing it. Because in any business profit is the goal and the most important thing. If a person walks into a store and wants to buy 20 figures right off the bat, why would they stop it? Would they rather that person just buy 1 and have the other 19 sitting on the shelf with no guarantee of when they'll ever going to sell out?

[@Nerdzoic]

Agreed that manufacturer's don't care whether one person bought all 20 or not. It's exactly right, all about making a profit for them. Makes sense from a business stand point.

[@MTB214]

In the 90s there were so many action figures but now there is hardly any. I’ve gone to multiple stores and it’s like finding gold to find one or two that I’m interested in. With my job I go to peoples homes and see the most popular kids toys are dinosaurs from Jurassic park or world. And random figures some Star Wars but not sure of others. The figures are more for adults these days and should have more in stores snd less online.

[@sammythebulldog90]

Bro there no ventage star wars toys at my 3 Walmart & target's

[@devinkavanaugh1034]

Your videos are improving. The first couple videos of yours I saw I legitimately thought you were just reading things of of wiki and saying them in your videos but you haven't seemed that way in a while

[@jaycebee6857]

Its bad when it's employees who are scalping too I know people who work there and they tell me when we hangout what they do and where they stash things in store.

[@Nerdzoic]

Agreed

[@lawrencejelsma8118]

The recent Star Wars Vintage Collection Red Imperial Guard 3 3/4 inch and Mandelorean 3 3/4 inch were not exclusives. I see all the 3/4 rest of the case at all toy stores. The toy industry (the game creators to blame) still haven't included enough army building figures for those needing more than 2 figures like the scalpers.

[@chuckyoudude330]

I'm with you. I feel the same way about everything you said here

[@boazhernandez-kosche1841]

Also what are some good fb and discord groups I can join to help me get some figures at retail

[@COVID-ox2cg]

Yes

[@legospider1437]

Kids play with the titan heroes siries. It's like $10 and have no articulation but my little brother likes them.

[@superman27344]

I agree with most of what you said. The only part I disagree with is in the beginning where you say not to direct the hate and anger at the scalper.

[@imperuim6879]

I'm a teen and I love action figures but I agree I only know one other person, (teen) who gets action figures most of the time it's adults. And sometimes if I go to a target they aren't even selling, marvel legends, black series etc. Sad

[@reboandzooty]

Don’t agree with all your views on this but I appreciate you tackling such a thorny issue head-on! It creates a community atmosphere on your channel, which is cool.

[@Nerdzoic]

Thanks Reboandzooty. That's exactly it-we all don't have to agree which is awesome, but we can all together love the joy of collecting. Thanks for watching.

[@drthmoosedm1017]

Since covid here in nz stock has been hard to come by so some retailers have limits of 1 or 2 on alot of products

[@WanZerReVieW]

I just want you to know I’m not saying this in a mean tone or anything but since you said it is easy to find common figures you should make a video hunting the red skull and the Ultron figure because those are the two most sought after figures in there waves and I think that’ll be a great way to show that you can find these figures on the shelves but I will say 90s Spiderman on the Retro card I never saw that on the shelf there are Certain KEY figures that we will never see on the shelf that are NOT exclusive. Love your videos man keep up the great work and the great ideas

[@Kitbats]

Yeah, I can only find the retro spidey for almost $40 above. It disgusts me how these scalpers can just sit there and live with their lives.

[@MrPC1121]

I found both on the shelf at Wal-Mart at random the other day

[@casual_bill8749]

You know why you didn't see that spidey in stores because idiot youtubers like dew dog tell people it's okay to by ten or fifteen so you you can use them in different displays or cut em up for customs. Did he think about other collectors??? No he did not. Or other youtubers who thought it was okay to buy multiple amounts of the legendary rider punisher because they wanted a few of the bikes. It's greedy and moronic.

[@WanZerReVieW]

@@casual_bill8749 Yeah man I hear you loud and clear definitely

[@danielmilliken8903]

It’s crazy like I ordered some figures from target that were sold out other places and when I got there store worker said it wasn’t in stock and there were many that saud that !! Sounded like that flex waste product was stolen by others.

[@Chill_With_Will]

What Nerdzoic completely on the money with this one! Systemic problems require systemic solutions

[@MTB214]

I definitely agree to limit how many someone can get in person and online.

[@QuintilianA]

When the pandemic started I was forced out of the stores and to on line only. Collector groups help me get exclusives that I couldn't be lucky enough to order on line. I also agree on being patient on non exclusives. Since the fall of toysrus big box stores have played hardball with the manufacturers and on something new they are not going to order a ton and the manufacturers can't take a risk of souring a relationship since there is not a dedicated toy store anymore to go to. Also understand that plastic manufacturing is going through a large shortage right now they drove up their costs as well so they can't risk making a bunch of inventory that will not sell.

[@restock_1731]

I've checked under the shelves a few times, but found nothing of desire to me. Lol. Might have to check better. 👍

[@SoulKeever]

I have mixed feelings about people buying *all* the figures on the shelf and reselling them at retail, but I respect where you're coming from. I guess I'm skeptical that the person in question would actually resist temptation and resell it at retail and not ask the scalper rate.

[@Nerdzoic]

I don't agree with buying ALL the figures for a flip, but like I said in the first video I have no issue if someone wants to charge a convenience fee, BUT not an extravagant amount. Just like when I prepay online and I'm charged a service fee-it's all about the convenience. Thanks for watching the video SoulKeever.

[@thatmtgnerd]

I definitely agree, while I do believe scalping is a large issue, people have let the stores and Hasbro off pretty easy. In waves popular figures have one to two a case and stores are getting more and more hard to find exclusives, and at least in my area they have removed the one per customer limit since product was moving slower. All in all collecting is just getting harder, and while I still have a strong opinion about scalpers getting angry isn't going to solve anything as I've learned and were all in the same collecting boat.

[@Innuendoh]

Back in the days of POTF I used to bend a corner of certain figures so the "bounty hunters" aka. "scalpers" wouldn't buy them. As for the notion that only exclusives are hard to find, I didn't see a single Mandalorian Stormtrooper, ESB Darth Vader, or Mandalorian in that wave. Good thing they are available now to pre-order in a second release. I also never had the chance to get the Archive: Anakin; Scout Trooper or Darth Maul and all three of them are $50 plus.

[@lowellmartens6135]

Also blame the distributors. Last years Wal-Mart's Exclusives didn't show up in any of their eight stores within driving distance of me. I never got any of the Ashoka Clone Wars exclusive wave, but I also refuse to pay a scalper price. I will go without. I have acquired a lot more patience as I have gotten older. I also agree you are not a scalper if you grab extras for buddies. Luckily, my daughter (7) still plays with action figures. I understand needing to make sure you don't flood the market, but when exclusive figures never make it to stores that does seem like a distribution problem. Always enjoy your chats. Stay nerdy.

[@puffpuffpassmako]

Agreed Matt, scalping is definitely becoming a problem. Hasbro is releasing a retro 90s animated venom figure in the fall, and you can only buy him on hasbropulse through pre order and I'm DREADING the scalpers and bots it will attract. I may not even get one cause of this problem. So every day I've been checking ritually to see if he's available to pre order yet since I wanna have a chance to beat these lunatics

[@VainAttempts]

Looks like you are becoming the lunatic. You either die a hero or live long enough..... All jokes aside that’s me checking GameStop every other day for new figures, to the point where they know that what’s I’m there for

[@squarebiz90]

My little brother definitely played with action figures. He went through countless spider-man toys.