One year it was Tickle-Me-Elmo. Last year it was the Wii game console. Hot holiday toys and electronics that disappear from store shelves and end up for sale on eBay at inflated prices. The black market for toys. Is it right?
I know people who use this technique. Last year when the Wii game console was due to be released, hundreds of shoppers camped out for days at Best Buy and similar stores to be the first in line to grab as many units as the store would allow per customer. These people waited a few days until the stores sold out, and the demand skyrocketed, then put them up for sale on eBay for twice (or more) than they paid for it.
Toy sellers use this technique. They frequent the 24-hour Wal-Mart stores at 2 AM, when the new stock is placed on the shelves. They befriend the stock personnel so they can be tipped off when a shipment is due to arrive. They purchase multiples of the hottest toys to sell on eBay for an inflated price. Yes, it is business and you can make a profit. But is it fair and ethical? Is this what eBay is supposed to be about?
I’ve been behind these people in line at Toys-R-Us and Target. It is obvious what they are doing. Nobody needs 15 Hannah Montana dolls – and there weren’t any left for me because an eBay seller got there first. Now I have to go on a wild goose chase to find one for my child. Are these people pulling the rug out from underneath others in their own community by snatching up all the toys to resell them for profit, or is it just smart business? I understand making a profit, but is using this strategy at Christmas-time ethical? Is it in the spirit of peace on earth and good will towards men?Question of the day: Do these sellers give all eBay sellers a bad reputation for cleaning out the stores, and should stores place limits on how many of a certain toy an individual can purchase? What do you think?
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» Are eBay Toy Sellers Ethical? from BizzBites.com
eBay sellers are cleaning out local WalMart and Target stores to sell hard to find toys on eBay. Has this strategy gone too far? [Read More]
Tracked on: December 19, 2007 10:51 AM | Permalink to Trackback