I thought Vahalla was where people could come to talk freely. In the past few weeks I have seen people outright insulted and or called a variety of names because of their religious beliefs, sexual orientation, flipping statues, not agreeing with people flipping statues, etc. I've seen someone who was once a valued member and HUGE contributor to this site basically run out of town because after a gazillion and a half purchases, he was disappointed with a few recent releases/decisions. I've seen pics basically calling another poster a d*ckhead on at least two separate occassions in as many weeks, which is also the same number of times I have seen someone threatened with banishment for having a different opinion. People fire a shot across the bow and the next guy fires back with a bigger, uglier gun. It doesn't help that a lot of threads created lately are of the devisive sort. Yeah- yeah - I know. We're all grown ups around here...or so I keep hearing. Certainly wouldn't know it by a lot of these posts.
What the hell is in the water around here lately? This used to feel like a place where you could enjoy a little time away from the "real world" talking (and even debating) about statues and other collectibles. Sure, I've seen flare ups in last two years, but these past few weeks it like one long episode of the Hatfields and McCoys. Quite frankly - it's starting to sound a lot like the site that people like to point to as giving birth to SM...as an antithesis.
I'll leave off by saying:
Steve - best wishes and many blessings to you and your family
Al & Cocopup - it ain't that big a deal. Step away from the keyboard and take a deep breath. I know you guys are both above it and hopefully can simply agree to disagree.
Sambofred - good luck tomorrow. I hope you nail it.
I think it's time for ol' Alpha to take a break until things go back to being relatively civil.
Feel free to contact me about that thing we were talking about. The people I'm talking to know who they are. Lord knows we could use something like that around here right about now.
I thought Vahalla was where people could come to talk freely. In the past few weeks I have seen people outright insulted and or called a variety of names because of their religious beliefs, sexual orientation, flipping statues, not agreeing with people flipping statues, etc. I've seen someone who was once a valued member and HUGE contributor to this site basically run out of town because after a gazillion and a half purchases, he was disappointed with a few recent releases/decisions. I've seen pics basically calling another poster a d*ckhead on at least two separate occassions in as many weeks, which is also the same number of times I have seen someone threatened with banishment for having a different opinion. People fire a shot across the bow and the next guy fires back with a bigger, uglier gun. It doesn't help that a lot of threads created lately are of the devisive sort. Yeah- yeah - I know. We're all grown ups around here...or so I keep hearing. Certainly wouldn't know it by a lot of these posts.
What the hell is in the water around here lately? This used to feel like a place where you could enjoy a little time away from the "real world" talking (and even debating) about statues and other collectibles. Sure, I've seen flare ups in last two years, but these past few weeks it like one long episode of the Hatfields and McCoys. Quite frankly - it's starting to sound a lot like the site that people like to point to as giving birth to SM...as an antithesis.
I'll leave off by saying:
Steve - best wishes and many blessings to you and your family
Al & Cocopup - it ain't that big a deal. Step away from the keyboard and take a deep breath. I know you guys are both above it and hopefully can simply agree to disagree.
Sambofred - good luck tomorrow. I hope you nail it.
I think it's time for ol' Alpha to take a break until things go back to being relatively civil.
Feel free to contact me about that thing we were talking about. The people I'm talking to know who they are. Lord knows we could use something like that around here right about now.
ITS ABOUT TIME SOMEBODY POINT THIS OUT!!
While i read all the posts here i think to myself, I MISSED THE OTHER THREADS BEFORE WHEN IT WAS ALL ABOUT PRE-ORDERS. Q&A with RB, NEW PICK UPS, AND MEMBERS COLLECTIONS.
PS: all i want is to get a CLASSIC MUSEUM THOR at a regular price!!! Hahahaha!!! Im just hoping!
Well, you can only tolerate a douchebag for so long. Lie down with pigs and all that...
That photo does prove something though... The real reason I'm not going to "discuss" flipping any more. Clearly my 1st grade intellect just can't keep up with your 2nd grade debate skills taking it to the next level of awesome.
If it weren't so pathetic it would be hilarious. As it stands it's merely laughable.
thank you for confirming your portrait with this statement bradgelina. carry on.
btw, it's twist a pig's ear, watch him squeal or lie down with dogs and you'll get fleas. you combined the two well known sayings like you do your arguments and points, blending them together into a hodgepodge of indecipherable gibberish.
Last edited by oddball; August 15th, 2012 at 05:51:27 AM..
I thought Vahalla was where people could come to talk freely. In the past few weeks I have seen people outright insulted and or called a variety of names because of their religious beliefs, sexual orientation, flipping statues, not agreeing with people flipping statues, etc. I've seen someone who was once a valued member and HUGE contributor to this site basically run out of town because after a gazillion and a half purchases, he was disappointed with a few recent releases/decisions. I've seen pics basically calling another poster a d*ckhead on at least two separate occassions in as many weeks, which is also the same number of times I have seen someone threatened with banishment for having a different opinion. People fire a shot across the bow and the next guy fires back with a bigger, uglier gun. It doesn't help that a lot of threads created lately are of the devisive sort. Yeah- yeah - I know. We're all grown ups around here...or so I keep hearing. Certainly wouldn't know it by a lot of these posts.
What the hell is in the water around here lately? This used to feel like a place where you could enjoy a little time away from the "real world" talking (and even debating) about statues and other collectibles. Sure, I've seen flare ups in last two years, but these past few weeks it like one long episode of the Hatfields and McCoys. Quite frankly - it's starting to sound a lot like the site that people like to point to as giving birth to SM...as an antithesis.
I'll leave off by saying:
Steve - best wishes and many blessings to you and your family
Al & Cocopup - it ain't that big a deal. Step away from the keyboard and take a deep breath. I know you guys are both above it and hopefully can simply agree to disagree.
Sambofred - good luck tomorrow. I hope you nail it.
I think it's time for ol' Alpha to take a break until things go back to being relatively civil.
Feel free to contact me about that thing we were talking about. The people I'm talking to know who they are. Lord knows we could use something like that around here right about now.
you always had the option NOT to read this thread...but you couldn't help yourself, could you? this thread has a purpose, to allow people to vent so they don't take it outside this section. a release valve if you were.
once you're done with your pity party alpha, here's goodbye in 455 languages and variants. enjoy.
However I my exact stance in the original thread was one against flipping for profit. I understand it, but I don't have to condone it. The definition given many times in this very thread was flipping is buying a item with the intent to sell immediately at a higher profit. This is exactly was SM did, and I don't like it. I would have prefered that you (and Gene ) sell these at as close to cost as possible to help collectors.
You're not willing to share yours costs and that perfectly fine. I am simply stating that I am surprised that there are people who are so upset at someone placing one of these up for sale on eBay, when they so vehemently defended the price that SM sold them for. It seems hypocritical.
You are wrong about this. Statue Marvels is acting as a retailer. They bought a wholesale item from Bowen Designs and are selling it at the retail price that they established for it, probably in conjunction with Bowen (obviously I don't know the details.) If you don't like the retail price, don't buy it. Whether you like it or not, Statue Marvels has established a business relationship with Bowen Designs that is long-standing and beneficial to both. Statue Marvels has banners all over the place for which they get revenue, they sell statues, etc. It is a business. And they have the right to make a profit and if they can make a BIG profit, more power to them. They have worked hard to develop a "brand" and have worked hard to earn the respect of Bowen Designs and therefore get the opportunity to host and yes, PROFIT from an exclusive. That is capitalism at its best: hard work rewarded with success.
Comparing what Statue Marvels does to someone who sits at their computer clicking on BUY, preventing someone who really wants one from getting it, and then flipping it on ebay, is just plain silly.
By the way, this thread has deteriortated to the point where discussing flipping is mute. I'm just posting about this issue now because it just seems so obvious but I give up on trying to have a frank debate about the flipping of the blue Spider-Man with people who are so disgusting that you have to question their upbringing... yes, I mentioned their upbringing again, have a go at me again, have fun!
There have been many insults in this thread and that is sad. Because this site has always tried to be different and not allow this type of stuff.
I have nothing against anyone here. People just stating opinions but there is no reason for it to get heated and insult people.
For the record, I absolutely loathe flipping, but that doesn't mean I think people like GMAN are bad people. GMAN does his best to help people as well. Of course, he's in it for the money, but I think he also tries to work with people on getting them the deal they need and the methods to pay for it. I salute him for that.
And no SM as an entity is not a flipper. It's a business and a community. Those two things sometimes can conflict but Gene and Al handle it rather well I say.
You are wrong about this. Statue Marvels is acting as a retailer. They bought a wholesale item from Bowen Designs and are selling it at the retail price that they established for it, probably in conjunction with Bowen (obviously I don't know the details.) If you don't like the retail price, don't buy it. Whether you like it or not, Statue Marvels has established a business relationship with Bowen Designs that is long-standing and beneficial to both. Statue Marvels has banners all over the place for which they get revenue, they sell statues, etc. It is a business. And they have the right to make a profit and if they can make a BIG profit, more power to them. They have worked hard to develop a "brand" and have worked hard to earn the respect of Bowen Designs and therefore get the opportunity to host and yes, PROFIT from an exclusive. That is capitalism at its best: hard work rewarded with success.
Comparing what Statue Marvels does to someone who sits at their computer clicking on BUY, preventing someone who really wants one from getting it, and then flipping it on ebay, is just plain silly.
By the way, this thread has deteriortated to the point where discussing flipping is mute. I'm just posting about this issue now because it just seems so obvious but I give up on trying to have a frank debate about the flipping of the blue Spider-Man with people who are so disgusting that you have to question their upbringing... yes, I mentioned their upbringing again, have a go at me again, have fun!
I see your point, but given the same information I come to a different conclusion. Again I personally disagree with flipping, but I don't see how it is perfectly fine for SM to try and make as much profit as possible, yet it is abhorrent for an individual to attempt to do the same. Shouldn't their time be rewarded with success? Are you stating that because one worked "harder" that they are due more financial success? What about the one who worked "smarter"? Again, I do not like flipping, but it seems that your stance on the issue is slightly skewed.
I made the point previously in the "other" thread that I would be happy to donate money to this site, but I am unhappy *if* the site costs are being rolled into the LE statue. I would have and still do prefer that we have a donation area that we can give what we feel is right to the site and community we all love. But this won't be the case in the foreseeable future.
I thought Vahalla was where people could come to talk freely. In the past few weeks I have seen people outright insulted and or called a variety of names because of their religious beliefs, sexual orientation, flipping statues, not agreeing with people flipping statues, etc. I've seen someone who was once a valued member and HUGE contributor to this site basically run out of town because after a gazillion and a half purchases, he was disappointed with a few recent releases/decisions. I've seen pics basically calling another poster a d*ckhead on at least two separate occassions in as many weeks, which is also the same number of times I have seen someone threatened with banishment for having a different opinion. People fire a shot across the bow and the next guy fires back with a bigger, uglier gun. It doesn't help that a lot of threads created lately are of the devisive sort. Yeah- yeah - I know. We're all grown ups around here...or so I keep hearing. Certainly wouldn't know it by a lot of these posts.
What the hell is in the water around here lately? This used to feel like a place where you could enjoy a little time away from the "real world" talking (and even debating) about statues and other collectibles. Sure, I've seen flare ups in last two years, but these past few weeks it like one long episode of the Hatfields and McCoys. Quite frankly - it's starting to sound a lot like the site that people like to point to as giving birth to SM...as an antithesis.
I'll leave off by saying:
Steve - best wishes and many blessings to you and your family
Al & Cocopup - it ain't that big a deal. Step away from the keyboard and take a deep breath. I know you guys are both above it and hopefully can simply agree to disagree.
Sambofred - good luck tomorrow. I hope you nail it.
I think it's time for ol' Alpha to take a break until things go back to being relatively civil.
Feel free to contact me about that thing we were talking about. The people I'm talking to know who they are. Lord knows we could use something like that around here right about now.
Good post
I agreed to disagree weeks ago, and I thought everything was fine. However I was simply pointing out a view that others may not have thought of. Unfortunately that was taken as a personal attack (which it was never meant as). From there it does not matter how many clarifying posts I make, it always seems to devolve into me being an evil entity (a super villain perhaps ).
I think the name calling is silly, and I certainly don't like being threatened when I hold a differing view. But it's not my site and if I am banned for asking honest open questions it's out of my hands.
I see your point, but given the same information I come to a different conclusion. Again I personally disagree with flipping, but I don't see how it is perfectly fine for SM to try and make as much profit as possible, yet it is abhorrent for an individual to attempt to do the same. Shouldn't their time be rewarded with success? Are you stating that because one worked "harder" that they are due more financial success? What about the one who worked "smarter"? Again, I do not like flipping, but it seems that your stance on the issue is slightly skewed.
I made the point previously in the "other" thread that I would be happy to donate money to this site, but I am unhappy *if* the site costs are being rolled into the LE statue. I would have and still do prefer that we have a donation area that we can give what we feel is right to the site and community we all love. But this won't be the case in the foreseeable future.
You just can't help yourself, can you? Get this straight, we are a business, not a charity. We sold a product for a retail price that we believed people would pay. They did. The item sold out in 32 seconds. If there's one person we sold this statue to that doesn't feel they got the value for what they paid, they are welcome to send it back for a refund minus shipping & handling this week. I'm certain we have an additional number of folks that would be willing to purchase it. What I find funny is that in the other thread you state that you don't see this auction ending for less than $500 + s&h. That's at least $75 over what the customer originally paid. Seems to me his statue retained it's value more than a new car being driven off the lot 5 minutes after purchase, but, yeah...we ripped people off.
You just can't help yourself, can you? Get this straight, we are a business, not a charity. We sold a product for a retail price that we believed people would pay. They did. The item sold out in 32 seconds. If there's one person we sold this statue to that doesn't feel they got the value for what they paid, they are welcome to send it back for a refund minus shipping & handling this week. I'm certain we have an additional number of folks that would be willing to purchase it. What I find funny is that in the other thread you state that you don't see this auction ending for less than $500 + s&h. That's at least $75 over what the customer originally paid. Seems to me his statue retained it's value more than a new car being driven off the lot 5 minutes after purchase, but, yeah...we ripped people off.
You're putting words in my mouth. I never said you ripped anyone off. Additionally I said multiple time that this would sell out instantly. I simply don't like that it was priced so high. We all know that the secondary market would be high for this (that was never debated). I simply wished that the community managers priced it more inline with Bowen's normal pricing. Fair?
I see your point, but given the same information I come to a different conclusion. Again I personally disagree with flipping, but I don't see how it is perfectly fine for SM to try and make as much profit as possible, yet it is abhorrent for an individual to attempt to do the same. Shouldn't their time be rewarded with success? Are you stating that because one worked "harder" that they are due more financial success? What about the one who worked "smarter"? Again, I do not like flipping, but it seems that your stance on the issue is slightly skewed.
I made the point previously in the "other" thread that I would be happy to donate money to this site, but I am unhappy *if* the site costs are being rolled into the LE statue. I would have and still do prefer that we have a donation area that we can give what we feel is right to the site and community we all love. But this won't be the case in the foreseeable future.
What I said originally (which led to all this because nobody took the time to read it carefully) is that the flipping in this particular case of the one of fifty blues is in poor taste and wrong (my opinion, for those who claim I make statements like if they were God's word). Yes, its legal and yes its capitalism and making money fast may be "smarter" than working hard, as you said. But to me, it is in poor taste and wrong.
Building a website, earning the respect of a talented sculptor, and choosing a for profit model to run your website are NOT in poor taste and NOT wrong. They are what the America I grew up in is all about.
Yes, there are some websites that operate as a not-for-profit entity where the costs of running things are paid for by donations. But that is not what the people who own this website want to do. They want to make money! That is their choice. Good for them! If you don't like this model for a Bowen fan site, you can always start your own. Good luck with that.
Last edited by jlprjlpr; August 15th, 2012 at 12:20:30 PM..
What I said originally (which led to all this because nobody took the time to read it carefully) is that the flipping in this particular caseof the one of fifty blues is in poor taste and wrong (my opinion, for those who claim I make statements like if they were God's word). Yes, its legal and yes its capitalism and making money fast may be "smarter" than working hard, as you said. But to me, it is in poor taste and wrong.
Building a website, earning the respect of a talented sculptor, and choosing a for profit model to run your website are NOT in poor taste and NOT wrong. They are what the America I grew up in is all about.
Yes there are some websites that operate as a not-for-profit entity where the costs of running things are paid for by donations. But that is not what the people who own this website want to do. They want to make money! That is their choice. Good for them! If you don't like this model for a Bowens fan site, you can always start your own. Good luck with that.
Thanks for the reply. Lets look at this in a more abstract view.
I know an artist (Thomas Kinkade for ex.) and we cement a relationship. He is happy to sell me his LE prints for $100. I take those prints and immediately sell them for $200. Is this ok? If so that's OK
Now, I want to go to an art fair. At said art fair Thomas' prints will be for sale in a LE for a fixed price ($100). I buy 2 prints with the intention of selling the second for a profit to offset the cost of the 1st. Very shortly after the show I sell the print on eBay for $200 BIN. Is this ok?
In both case I walked into the situation for the intent to resell. The only difference being in one case I know the artist, in the second I do not. What makes one more "moral" than the other? I find both unacceptable, where you find fault in one and are ok with the other. That fine, I just wanted to know why one is ok and the other is not.
What I said originally (which led to all this because nobody took the time to read it carefully) is that the flipping in this particular case of the one of fifty blues is in poor taste and wrong (my opinion, for those who claim I make statements like if they were God's word). Yes, its legal and yes its capitalism and making money fast may be "smarter" than working hard, as you said. But to me, it is in poor taste and wrong.
Building a website, earning the respect of a talented sculptor, and choosing a for profit model to run your website are NOT in poor taste and NOT wrong. They are what the America I grew up in is all about.
Yes, there are some websites that operate as a not-for-profit entity where the costs of running things are paid for by donations. But that is not what the people who own this website want to do. They want to make money! That is their choice. Good for them! If you don't like this model for a Bowen fan site, you can always start your own. Good luck with that.
Thanks for being...logical. This other guy is not going to be satisfied until I invite him to my house & open our books for him, so he can see all our expenditures. Perhaps he'd like to join predator31 & I in the warehouse to help inspect & package all the statues we have to ship. No biggie, I'm sure after working 8 hours at his real job, he wouldn't mind spending another 6 tonight doing that with us & he could even come over tomorrow night & prepare all the invoices & maybe even come over Monday morning to help pack the car for multiple deliveries to the post office & UPS. If that's not enough, he can come back several times again during the following 2 weeks & help load up again & drive to UPS & the post office again for all the folks that didn't pay on time, had the wrong address, no address, etc...
Oh yeah, he can also help run a website while we are doing all that & working our full time jobs.
But no, he'd rather we be a charity. Totally understandable. He'll just have to sacrifice a social life like I've been doing lately. No biggie.
i can't remember a thread that has so many opinions on a simple subject. obviously no one will agree exactly on what flipping is or if it's not acceptable or a part of collecting.
i will respect people for not accepting flipping but it's a two way street. it may not be for you but......
Thanks for being...logical. This other guy is not going to be satisfied until I invite him to my house & open our books for him, so he can see all our expenditures. Perhaps he'd like to join predator31 & I in the warehouse to help inspect & package all the statues we have to ship. No biggie, I'm sure after working 8 hours at his real job, he wouldn't mind spending another 6 tonight doing that with us & he could even come over tomorrow night & prepare all the invoices & maybe even come over Monday morning to help pack the car for multiple deliveries to the post office & UPS. If that's not enough, he can come back several times again during the following 2 weeks & help load up again & drive to UPS & the post office again for all the folks that didn't pay on time, had the wrong address, no address, etc...
Oh yeah, he can also help run a website while we are doing all that & working our full time jobs.
But no, he'd rather we be a charity. Totally understandable. He'll just have to sacrifice a social life like I've been doing lately. No biggie.
i'm wondering if he'd like to fork over a membership fee instead of SM being creative to keep the forum up and running?
Thanks for the reply. Lets look at this in a more abstract view.
I know an artist (Thomas Kinkade for ex.) and we cement a relationship. He is happy to sell me his LE prints for $100. I take those prints and immediately sell them for $200. Is this ok? If so that's OK
Now, I want to go to an art fair. At said art fair Thomas' prints will be for sale in a LE for a fixed price ($100). I buy 2 prints with the intention of selling the second for a profit to offset the cost of the 1st. Very shortly after the show I sell the print on eBay for $200 BIN. Is this ok?
In both case I walked into the situation for the intent to resell. The only difference being in one case I know the artist, in the second I do not. What makes one more "moral" than the other? I find both unacceptable, where you find fault in one and are ok with the other. That fine, I just wanted to know why one is ok and the other is not.
No hate, just a debate <3
you know at first I thought Al was being a little too strong saying he wanted to ban you but now I'm considering banning myself just to not read this.
Ok, I could explain that knowing Kinkade as a friend and him just handing you some stuff (which by the way would be kind of hard for him to do seeing as he's DEAD) is not the same as Bowen running a business and State Marvels running a business in great deal but I think you are not going to get it ever.
enjoy. 
).
) sell these at as close to cost as possible to help collectors. 
).
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