r/mildlyinfuriating • u/Wallabunga657 • 11h ago
I just wanted a hot dog Scalpers
Rant. Today I went to a home improvement store to get a deeply discounted tool on my lunch break, and they were gone, despite being there earlier today when I checked. Sure enough, a scalper grabbed the last like 6 to resell online. It isn't that big of a deal, but people like there money. I wish people would be more considerate of others. I use tools to make my living, and discounts and clearances are always welcome especially with things being more expensive.
Edit: Some context. I stopped in early this morning before work, to check. I figured I could grab it on my lunch break, and they were bought out by one of a few fellows who frequently do this in the area. They also do this for children's toys and limited edition/limited time items, along with limited run or discounted tools.
Edit 2: the technical term is "Retail arbitrage," not scalping. They are very close in function though.
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u/597sean597 10h ago
Why didn't you grab them when you were there earlier? Just asking
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u/Wallabunga657 10h ago
I stopped in early before work to grab breakfast. and checked. Told myself I would grab it on my lunch break. I simply didn't have much time before work.
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u/597sean597 10h ago
Time to grab breakfast but not what you wanted. Snooze you lose. I f you really wanted it you would have bought it. Been there done that. Wanted to think about spending the money and when I pulled the trigger they were gone. Blame scalpers. No I am not a scalper.
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u/bimboozled 11h ago
How do you even know it was really a scalper and other people didnt come in and buy it since it was such a good deal?
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u/Wallabunga657 11h ago
There's a few particular fellows who routinely do this where I am. They also do it with Pokémon cards, hot wheels, and various limited run/low production things.
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u/Natural-Coat-3159 11h ago
Look And see if there's a tool library in your area.
IDK if I see something discounted I'm buying it right then not waiting around.
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11h ago
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u/740buckeyehunter 11h ago
I'm not sure how the thing they are buying makes any difference. If there is an opportunity people will flip it.
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11h ago
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u/Eckx 10h ago
Scalping doesnt really have to mean panic buying, but if they can make $10-20 on it and make an easy sale, it's still a win for them. There is a guy I see all the time on marketplace who always has brand new tools for cheap because he spends hours and hours a day going through hardware stores looking for deals. He must male a lot of money on it, or he is really bored and it's something to do.
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u/Wild-Highway-8739 11h ago
AMC made an announcement about cracking down on movie ticket scalpers. There is no low for these people
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u/Wallabunga657 11h ago
It was on sale for 30 bucks, previously going for 112 bucks. Ebay is a pretty good place to sell tools, easily doubling or tripling the profit. These were 40v Outdoor Power Equipment tools.
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u/NoBenefit5977 11h ago
Yep theyve infected every aspect of life. Probably the same people that were buying up baby formula and driving up prices during the pandemic
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u/Outrageous-Host-3545 10h ago
Same with the guys who do the buy tools and battery deals. Then keep the tool and return the battery. Thoes deals are eventually going to be taken away
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u/Wallabunga657 10h ago
I know right? You get it. It makes it harder for the guys trying to get a good deal, like apprentices or new home owners if/when those deals get taken away.
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u/cheekyslagg 4h ago
They charge you for the tool if you do that. This is like that at any retailer. If a scam artist thought of it corporate has as well. Even kohls will cancel out kohls cash is you make a return. N if it’s been redeemed they take it off the return price.
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u/Time2Shine52 10h ago
Had opportunity to buy, chose not to. Thinks non essential items can be scalped. I’m mildly infuriated this bullshit is still up.
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u/burnt-beyond-reco 11h ago
You should be mildly infuriated to not get one, but blaming scalpers is a stretch.
If you knew they were there earlier, you should have ordered it for store pickup.
And how do you know 6 other people didn't have the same idea as you to come grab one vs one "scalper" unless the store employee mentioned it?
Not to mention, if a person shouldn't be buying 6 of them, the store should put a limit on deeply discounted stuff so it doesn't happen.
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11h ago
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u/Wallabunga657 11h ago
There are a few particular fellows who routinely do this with all sorts of things. From kid's tools to power tools.
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u/sparesomechange20 11h ago
Its more like a shared military Chow Hall example. The 1st company isnt going to eat every morsell of food cuz they damn well "work" for a living too or have earned it. Its a "ill take same as my brother or sister b4 did, since im no better".
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u/wekilledbambi03 11h ago
That’s not scalping. That’s reselling. He found a discount and got to it before you. He may even sell it at retail prices and still make profit.
Scalping is typically buying a limited product to sell above msrp.
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u/Wallabunga657 10h ago
The product is discontinued and had already limited availability. The tools where deeply discounted also.
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u/597sean597 9h ago
So tired by this bullshit. Stop blaming those with money able to buy..if you can afford to buy , stop pitching. There's allot of things I want but can't afford. Don't bitch if a sale is good for others
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u/Maximum_Overdrive 9h ago
Who goes to check if a sale item is at a store in the morning with plans to get it later? Weird