What Are Your Thoughts on Scalping?

[173080]

Scalping DOES NOT contribute with the society

How is that important? It's a business, not a public service.

If the price a scalper (or anyone for that matter) sets is unfair, the market will reject it. Simple.

Maybe that $50 ticket really is worth $125 to someone else, and there's nothing inherently wrong or unethical in pocketing this price difference, or with having a 200-300% markup. It'd be foolish not to.

What is a fair markup to you anyway? 1%, 10%, 20%, 50%, 500%? Where do you draw the line?

 

[fernandovalente]

How is that important? It's a business, not a public service.

If the price a scalper (or anyone for that matter) sets is unfair, the market will reject it. Simple.

Maybe that $50 ticket really is worth $125 to someone else, and there's nothing inherently wrong or unethical in pocketing this price difference, or with having a 200-300% markup. It'd be foolish not to.

What is a fair markup to you anyway? 1%, 10%, 20%, 50%, 500%? Where do you draw the line?

Most churches are business too. Is that right to corrupt the society and make they give you everything they have? I don't think so. A company may contribute with the society by providing a good service/good.

 

[benhollberg]

A company may contribute with the society by providing a good service/good.

A company is in business to make a profit first, secondly for anything else.

 

[fernandovalente]

A company is in business to make a profit first, secondly for anything else.

What about making profit without screwing up other people?

 

[iJohnHenry]

What about making profit without screwing up other people?

Forget him.

His subconscious is looking for some kind of redemption, and he won't find it here.

 

[fernandovalente]

Forget him.

His subconscious is looking for some kind of redemption, and he won't find it here.

Yeah, this guy is retarded.

 

[samiwas]

Forget him.

His subconscious is looking for some kind of redemption, and he won't find it here.

Yeah, if I ever run my own company, my motto will be "PROFIT FIRST...then maybe think about actually providing friendly service." Providing service should definitely not be the first priority of a business.

 

[benhollberg]

What about making profit without screwing up other people?

There are many other business's that rip you off more than scalpers.

 

[fernandovalente]

Yeah, if I ever run my own company, my motto will be "PROFIT FIRST...then maybe think about actually providing friendly service." Providing service should definitely not be the first priority of a business.

So you won't mind getting involved in corruption, drugs, killing and other illegal activities as that's all for profit. Very ethical from your part.

 

[Alaerian]

How is that important? It's a business, not a public service.

If it's a business, then I'm sure all scalpers pay the appropriate taxes, file the appropriate forms, etc.

Oh wait.

 

[benhollberg]

So you won't mind getting involved in corruption, drugs, killing and other illegal activities as that's all for profit. Very ethical from your part.

Scalping isn't illegal everywhere.

 

[fernandovalente]

There are many other business's that rip you off more than scalpers.

To me wrong is wrong. I don't care if there's something worse. I would NOT get involved in any of them. But I have a good character, some people just don't.

 

[fernandovalente]

Scalping isn't illegal everywhere.

Neither is raping, torturing and killing.

 

[benhollberg]

If it's a business, then I'm sure all scalpers pay the appropriate taxes, file the appropriate forms, etc.

Oh wait.

Filed as a general contractor.

Neither is raping, torturing and killing.

You are comparing scalping to that, are you kidding me.

 

[fernandovalente]

Filed as a general contractor.



You are comparing scalping to that, are you kidding me.

I thought you said it was all about business, no matter if there are any ethical matter involved with it. That means you have no problem with killing, selling illegal drugs, raping and torturing because it's all about the profit.

 

[benhollberg]

I thought you said it was all about business, no matter if there are any ethical matter involved with it. That means you have no problem with killing, selling illegal drugs, raping and torturing because it's all about the profit.

Why is scalping unethical, that is a opinion. Dealing with actions that are illegal or illegal is totally different. I can't speak for others but I wouldn't be a scalper if it was illegal where I operate.

 

[fernandovalente]

Why is scalping unethical, that is a opinion. Dealing with actions that are illegal or illegal is totally different. I can't speak for others but I wouldn't be a scalper if it was illegal where I operate.

Inflating the prices and restricting people from buying stuff is very ethical. You should win the noble prize.

 

[Alaerian]

Filed as a general contractor.

I assume you mean an independent contractor, considering a general contractor is generally associated with construction.

I can also assume that you follow the tax law as listed here:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/selfemployed/index.html
I can also assume that you have filed a 1040-ES, located here:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040es.pdf

Self-employed individuals generally must pay self-employment tax (SE tax) as well as income tax.
<...>
You have to file an income tax return if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more

I highly doubt that you do any the above. Ergo, not a business. You're a scalper and essentially, a tax-evader also. Since you're running a "business," better get yourself down to an H&R Block and start filling out those tax forms.

 

[paolo-]

I started reading this thread and I was thought, hellz yeah, scalpers suck! You know, there not really bringing anything to society. But thinking about it, LOTS of people make money by playing market demand or don't really do anything with money to take a cut. Oil speculators, stock trading, paypal, banks, insurance, telecoms (massive infrastructures but damn they are racketing prices)... Think about it, the service they give is small compared to the money they are making.

I think people hate scalpers because you deal with them directly, but come to think of it, most people that deal money make a lot of money for little actual tangible work. Bottom line I guess I kind of have something against people who make money by moving money.

 

[173080]

Bottom line I guess I kind of have something against people who make money by moving money.

The question is, why?

I'm astounded by this resentment.

 

[benhollberg]

Was talking about this thread to someone not on MacRumors today, they said that retail stores basically do the same thing. They move product they buy wholesale and sell for more.

I assume you mean an independent contractor, considering a general contractor is generally associated with construction.

Sorry that's what I meant. My father is an accountant, and many other things, who I pay to do my taxes which includes independent contractor. I have other jobs that require me to file as an independent contractor so those employers have less expenses as well.

 

[CalBoy]

Was talking about this thread to someone not on MacRumors today, they said that retail stores basically do the same thing. They move product they buy wholesale and sell for more.

Stores do more than that. They allow consumers to view, hold, and test products before buying them. Stores also act as quality assurance intermediaries (unless as a scalper you're willing to accept refunds...). Lastly, stores are the direct link between manufacturers and wholesalers and average consumers. They charge a modest mark-up (for example Best Buy only makes about 3% gross profits) to cover the costs of maintaining inventory and such until consumers can purchase the goods.

As a scalper, you are an artificial middle man who doesn't serve a market purpose beyond to inflate prices and keep the difference for yourself. Your actions add nothing to the net value of the exchange. Without you I know exactly where I would go to buy an iPad, concert tickets, or football tickets. Without you, those outlets would have enough to sell to those of us who can't afford an additional mark-up.

 

[benhollberg]

Best Buy is the worst at charging high prices unless their suppliers are screwing them. Not once have I ever bought something at Best Buy without price matching it from somewhere else. They always have the highest prices.

 

[CalBoy]

Best Buy is the worst at charging high prices unless their suppliers are screwing them. Not once have I ever bought something at Best Buy without price matching it from somewhere else. They always have the highest prices.

And their profits are only 3% at the end of the day.

Are you trying to tell us your mark-up is more generous to the consumer?

 

[benhollberg]

And their profits are only 3% at the end of the day.

There's no way, then their suppliers are screwing them because I can find almost everything at Best Buy three-percent cheaper somewhere else.