Increasing prices. was VM Close-ups/dumping

[Ken Navarre <kjn@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Wed, 20 Mar 1996, Calhoun commented:
> I don't collect; I use. I've been working with V/M since...
[snip]
> What is someone who relatively non-greedy, and who just wants
> to use this equipment, supposed to do?

That's the problem with supply & demand. (No, don't mean to be flipant but 
it is just a fact that we have to live with.) I've seen a lot of flames 
in the rec.toys.* newsgroups about high prices and "scalping". As the 
supply of items drops and the interest in them grows, so goes the 
price. It happens with cars, (remember the Mazda Miata. Selling price was 
$14,000 but because they were only a few the dealers were offering them 
for $21,000). It happens with everything. I'm currently having a fit 
fighting with my conscious over aquiring a 1930's toy ray gun. The gun 
sold for under 2 bucks. Current price guides list it at between $150 and 
$450. You hardly ever see them. I located one the other day and the 
seller is asking $1,200 for it. This is WAY outta line but if I don't 
take it someone else will. 

Of course you can boycott the sale of items due to price but *someone* 
will probably pay it and then you and I are the ones who deprive 
ourselves based upon principal. It's a peeve on mine also but I accept 
it. Folks buy art, books, colectibles (yes, even Viewmaster accessories) in 
the hopes that it will increase in value. Some folks are lucky enough to 
locate a source of bulk items and they buy them. Some will sell and some 
may not. I can't fault the seller for wanting to recoop their costs and 
make a few bucks to cover their time and expenses. I just wish it were 
*me* who made the find!!! :) I'd like a set of closeup lenses, too!

Ken



------------------------------