The irony of the ebay backlash... by WildHeavenFarm

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

The irony of the ebay backlash...

POSTED BY: WILDHEAVENFARM
UPDATED: Friday, June 10, 2005 10:38
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VIEWED: 7092
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Thursday, June 9, 2005 6:01 PM

Here's how it is, in my opinion. There's lots of folk getting knicker-twisty over other folk selling ticket on ebay. But stop and think on it a minute - this movie is about scavengers, thiefs, smugglers, mercenaries, killers, and lawbreakers who take profit where ever and whenever they can, even robbing the dead - and those are the heroes! How can we get all high and moral-like about a dozen scalped tickets to see them?

Isn't it ironic, don't you think? Go se, now that lame ass song's stuck in my head.

Mary
Always a beast, never a burden.

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Thursday, June 9, 2005 6:26 PM

PURPLEBELLY

It would be ironic if people actually saw the show as it is written, but reading the fan 'boards, I don't think they do.

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Thursday, June 9, 2005 6:28 PM

GUNRUNNER

The thing is that these people aren’t “robbing from the rich and selling to the poor” they are robbing from the poor and selling it back to them at an inflated price by grabbing all the tickets before we have a chance.

We Browncoats have a long history of giving- sell T-Shirts at cost, paying for advertising and server space out of our own pocket, creating free game mods in our spare time (Yo!) etc. Scalping tickets isn’t in the Browncoat spirit.

EV Nova Firefly mod Message Board:
http://s4.invisionfree.com/GunRunner/index.php?act=idx

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Thursday, June 9, 2005 6:38 PM

BEATLE

Quote:
Originally posted by WildHeavenFarm:
this movie is about scavengers, thiefs, smugglers, mercenaries, killers, and lawbreakers who take profit where ever and whenever they can, even robbing the dead - and those are the heroes

It's a movie, not real life.

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Thursday, June 9, 2005 8:08 PM

RKLENSETH

In Firefly, those people were trying to survive.

The scalpers are just trying to profit off of other people just because they can in most cases.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

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Thursday, June 9, 2005 9:08 PM

JARED

Quote:
Originally posted by PurpleBelly:
It would be ironic if people actually saw the show as it is written, but reading the fan 'boards, I don't think they do.

Just because they obviously don't get Train Job and that whole thing about morale being more important than profit, no matter how much you need the money and how much trouble you will be getting into?

Because they mix it up with stealing from the poor, selling to the rich? Maybe they just saw a different show? ,-)

http://festini.device-zero.de

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Thursday, June 9, 2005 9:16 PM

3HEADEDMONKEY

there's a difference between fiction and real life. people enjoy playing GTA but dont actually go out and jack cars and run old ladies over and beat up prostitutes, despite that's whats done in the games.
its stupid to try and justify the scalping by saying Mal and the crew did crime jobs and stole stuff. they live in the tv world.

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Friday, June 10, 2005 1:07 AM

PHAEDRA

Well I for one will jump on the irony band wagon. Unlike the infamous song that shall not be named, there is a certain level of actual irony to the ebay backlash. Though I'm not a fan of scalpers, this opinion does not detract WWCSD (What Would the Crew of Serenity Do) feeling I get when I look around e-bay and snicker.

Now before everyone starts pounding away about the internal morality of the show, the answer to your challenges is yes! Yes, our BDH returned the medicine. Of course based on TJ, it does seem like they have a running policy of not asking what they are stealing or shipping. Yes, our BDH would never deal in truly reprehensible cargo like slaves. Of course based on Shindig, Mals response to slavery is simply to steal the slaver's wallet as opposed to disabling his ship or taking more proactive steps to liberate the human cargo. And, yes, without question, our BDH would never do any thing as evil as rape a puppy or kick a kitten. But would they eat them. . . hmm. . . what are protien bars made out of anyway.

My point being is that it was always the moral ambiguity of the show that appealed to me. There is a similar ambiguity about ebay ticket sellers. We don't know who these people are? We don't know what their live are like? But this whole robinhood complex thing being the height of moral superiorty has got to stop. When I was a poor kid in college working 3 jobs just to stay in and eat ramen (and ramen sux), I would have done the same. I suspect that's who most of the ebay seller are poor college kids looking to turn a fast buck. Somehow I don't think the evil scalpers guild would be bothered with an event like this. Yes I know some are just assholes, who don't need the money, looking to make a fast buck. Even though that is true, I don't think they deserve harrassing hate mail. Again, they're not selling WMD's to rogue nations, that's the governments job. They are making a profit on other peoples dreams and obsessions, that Hollywood's job, and each and every one of us buys into that same trap everytime we lay out $10 to see a bad movie. (Quick aside, I've seen the BDM through legitimate webstocking and not ebay, and it is a GREAT movie!)

My point being (and it always comes so late) is that maybe Firefly doesn't give us the answer to the dilemma of the ebay scalpers. WWCSD? Depends on the member. Book would confine them to the special hell. Jayne unquestionably would scalp. How would Kaylee (everybodys favorite) get her ticket (thit Out of Gas)? River could kill scalpers with her mind. Simon would be morally appalled (such things aren't done in the Core), but he'd do it to help River. Wash would nag, whine, and beg Zoe for a ticket until she'd either have to shoot him or someone else to fix the situaton. Inara would role her eyes a the entire affair. And Mal, our tight panted anti-hero, I'm not sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if he scalped.

Given this ambiguity we must turn to another source for our wisdom. Looking outside the Whedonverse (how did we live before he came into our lives), I propose that maybe Wes Craven has the answer. In the original Nightmare on Elm Street, Freddy Kruger is defeated when Nancy turns her back on him and takes away all the anger, fear, and energy she has given to him. I suggest we do the same. Scalpers will only stop when people stop buying from them. Ignoring them, not giving them free publicty on these boards, is a step in the right direction.

At least that's gonna be my approach. And yes, WildHeavenFarm, all of this is terribly ironic.

Phaedra (a bad luck name)

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Friday, June 10, 2005 1:10 AM

LITWOLF689

Ironic yea, but they took tickets from us and are charging them at very high prices. So Im still mad.

"Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the road less traveled by and they CANCELLED MY FREAKIN' SHOW! I totally shoulda took the road that had all those people on it. Damnit." ~Joss

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Friday, June 10, 2005 1:22 AM

PSYCHICRIVER

It's like RAIaiaiaianaina on your wedding day!

PsychicRiver

"Two by two, hands of blue."

"We'll take care of each other. I'll knit!"

Summer Glau to me - "You are so photogenic."

Me -

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Friday, June 10, 2005 1:30 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

So, you're telling us there might be a Companion in our midst? Where? WHERE!

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Friday, June 10, 2005 2:55 AM

WILDHEAVENFARM

[in response to multiple posts]

I hadn't posted this to create confrontation animosity, first off.

Howdoes the difference between reality and fantasty factor into it? I'm talking about real life people condemning the money-focused actions of other people as regards to a movie whose characters are, more often than not, driven by profit.

Not all of the ebay auctions start out at obscene prices. They end up at ridiculously inflated prices because that's what people are willing to pay. And no one's forcing anyone to pay that price. You're not really losing anything by missing the premier; the movie will still come out September to be enjoyed without such extreme efforts.

I, myself, may end up with an extra ticket and I plan to sell it on ebay because its an effective way to reach a great number of interested persons, and I plan to start the auction at the price I paid for it. Maybe I'll get lucky and the sale of that ticket will help pay for the gas for the four hour round trip, making it less damaging to my household financing to indulge my little geek heart thus.

And don't be mad at me, please, everyone. Now is the time for solidarity, or something.

Mary
Always a beast, never a burden.

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Friday, June 10, 2005 3:07 AM

BYTETHEBULLET

Quote:
Originally posted by Litwolf689:
Ironic yea, but they took tickets from us and are charging them at very high prices. So Im still mad.

Not to put too fine a point on it, they are not CHARGING high prices, folks are BIDDING/PAYING high prices...

I am not saying it is right either.

ByteTheBullet (-:

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Friday, June 10, 2005 3:14 AM

JOEMC72

Quote:
Originally posted by WildHeavenFarm:
[in response to multiple posts]

I hadn't posted this to create confrontation animosity, first off.

Howdoes the difference between reality and fantasty factor into it? I'm talking about real life people condemning the money-focused actions of other people as regards to a movie whose characters are, more often than not, driven by profit.

Not all of the ebay auctions start out at obscene prices. They end up at ridiculously inflated prices because that's what people are willing to pay. And no one's forcing anyone to pay that price. You're not really losing anything by missing the premier; the movie will still come out September to be enjoyed without such extreme efforts.

I, myself, may end up with an extra ticket and I plan to sell it on ebay because its an effective way to reach a great number of interested persons, and I plan to start the auction at the price I paid for it. Maybe I'll get lucky and the sale of that ticket will help pay for the gas for the four hour round trip, making it less damaging to my household financing to indulge my little geek heart thus.

And don't be mad at me, please, everyone. Now is the time for solidarity, or something.

Mary
Always a beast, never a burden.

Selling it starting at face value is cool, IMO. If you make a little profit, so be it, and good on you. I think the ire of the folks here is being directed at the sellers who bought a huge stash of tickets for no other reason than to sell them starting at far higher than their original price. I understand the fact that there are people who have been doing this for years, and will continue to do so far into the future...but that still doesn't make it right...no matter what the laws say.

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Friday, June 10, 2005 3:45 AM

WEICHI

Not coming down on anyone here, or on ebay for that matter.

Given the number of tickets for sale on ebay, which appears to be few (correct me if I am wrong)other Browncoats are the ones who have "our"tickets for the most part. I have yet to be lucky enough to get a ticket, although I was geographically challenged in the first round.

A few - as long as it is a few - scalpers give folks a chance to go if they really want to - and as others have pointed out, we are the fools who are willing to pay the price. Fundamentally, there is a limited number of tickets. In some moral situations you can not impose your views on others, the best you can do is choose not to play, which, in a sense, is what Mal does in the show.

The original post brought up the fascinating moral ambiguity of the show - but I think he bends it too hard to his point. Only Jayne is mainly driven by greed or profit, in an underhanded way and yes, we love him for it. River, Kaylee, Simon and Book certainly dont fall into that craven category. Inara is a respectable business woman. Zoe "must" be with the Captain, Wash wants to be with Zoe. I know I am simplifying a bit.

And the Captain's prime motivation is to be free and not play ball with the alliance. It is clear that he would prefer to do that in an above board fashion but it is getting crowded in his sky and he does what he has to - within limits. And it is this basically decent man's negotiation of his needs and proprieties that gives the show its appeal - it is not a trumpet call for all manner of unseemly behavior.

See how I'm not hitting him, I think I've grown!

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Friday, June 10, 2005 4:12 AM

HELL'S KITTEN

This really has nothing to do with "What Would Mal Do?" because, as has been said, this is reality and using a fictional character as an example (or excuse) is a cop out.

The real irony is the fact that for as many BrownCoats who're bitching about eBay, they're giving more visibility to the fact that one could make a good profit.

More often than not, I suspect, it's your fellow BrownCoats who're following the UB postings closely so they can buy these tickets and, assuming they got enough for themselves, then sell them on eBay.

Take a look at the progression. The first round of screenings had a bunch of tickets on eBay, but well after they were already sold out. The second round of screenings had a larger bunch of tickets on eBay, closer to the day they were sold out. This round of screenings already has a shitload of tickets on eBay, listed only minutes after they were sold out. In screaming protestations against this scalping, the problem has actually become worse.

Cheers.

无党派人士

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Friday, June 10, 2005 4:27 AM

PUMAMANREDUX

off topic ...

if no one else has picked up on it ...

a WWMD? (What Would Mal Do?) as opposed to WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?) series of parody items might be humorous to think about for a moment. Dunno if someone has put the idea to use .. doubt it would fly .. but who knows ... it seemed humorous for a sec .. I'm over it

>> Mike

PS: I have yet to really look at much of the fan items for sale cause I might be tempted .. I have no clue if my idea has been used ...

'Trust me - I know what I'm doing!' - Sledge Hammer
**************
http://www.freewebs.com/mjspages/tempfireflypage.htm

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Friday, June 10, 2005 4:50 AM

HELL'S KITTEN

Quote:
Originally posted by PumamanRedux:
off topic ...

if no one else has picked up on it ...

a WWMD? (What Would Mal Do?) as opposed to WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?) series of parody items might be humorous to think about for a moment.

Heh, what's why I said it.... Normally, I think of "WWJD?" as being "What Would Jayne Do?" which suits me much better.

无党派人士

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Friday, June 10, 2005 5:11 AM

PHAEDRA

I have an official WWBD necklace. All the people at my firm where shocked to discover I was a good christian. I replied no I'm still a practicing hedonist, WWBD stands for What Would Buffy Do? Then I reminded them that Buffy came back from the dead to save the world twice, while Jesus only did it once. Moreover, she could kick christs ass any day of the week and twice on a Friday. By my count Mal's only come back from the dead once (War Stories, Out of Gas doesn't count he only almost died), so he still has a way to go.

Phaedra (a bad luck name)

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Friday, June 10, 2005 5:28 AM

VIGGENBOY

Whats fair is fair in the world of the scoundrel. For those that are upset that some one is being a little selfish, blast their seller ratings because you think its BS that they're doing it. If enough of us do it, maybe we can fight back in a fun little underworld way.

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Friday, June 10, 2005 5:36 AM

FRAY101

Quote:
Originally posted by Phaedra:
I have an official WWBD necklace. All the people at my firm where shocked to discover I was a good christian. I replied no I'm still a practicing hedonist, WWBD stands for What Would Buffy Do? Then I reminded them that Buffy came back from the dead to save the world twice, while Jesus only did it once. Moreover, she could kick christs ass any day of the week and twice on a Friday. By my count Mal's only come back from the dead once (War Stories, Out of Gas doesn't count he only almost died), so he still has a way to go.

Phaedra (a bad luck name)

Now why didn't you send me a photo showing that?!

Seriously, there's a necklace - I want one! I have the book, although haven't actually read it yet...

Shall be seriously worried next time I see a WWJD sticker, just in case the owner is a follower of St Jayne...

_____________________________________

Visit the Browncoats' Photo 'Verse at http://disneypix.tripod.com/photoverse or http://clik.to/photoverse

Over 100 Serenity screencaps now available at www.destinything.com.

www.cafepress.com/destinything and www.cafepress.com/ancientone

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Friday, June 10, 2005 5:38 AM

WHEDONESQUE

I don't know where the link is at the moment, but someone has made WWJD? (What Would Joss Do?) tshirts and is selling them on zazzle or cafepress. I think the Joss reference is perfect, especially because the mind of Joss is such an interesting place 'full of twists and cul-de-sacs - it's wild', and he is somewhat difficult to predict. The only thing I don't like about the WWJD? tshirt is that it looks too much like the original 'Jesus' ones. I wouldn't want people assuming incorrectly where my loyalties lie.

We've done the impossible and that makes us mighty. Mal/Joss

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Friday, June 10, 2005 5:48 AM

CHRONICTHEHEDGEHOG

I think it was Herc on AICN that managed to get himself a messed up 'WWJD?' which came out as 'WWJWD?'

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Friday, June 10, 2005 6:24 AM

SUBGUY

Quote:
Originally posted by ByteTheBullet:
[BNot to put too fine a point on it, they are not CHARGING high prices, folks are BIDDING/PAYING high prices...

I am not saying it is right either.

ByteTheBullet (-:

I'm sorry, but in some cases they have the auction set at BuyItNow price of $120 for 2 tickets. So I must disagree. They are CHARGING high prices.

Captain Pete
"What can Brown do for you?"

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Friday, June 10, 2005 7:04 AM

PHAEDRA

I love that necklace, I actually wore it while taking the Bar for luck. And I passed due to the power of the Buff, well that and lots of studying. But do to my transient life style, I don't know where it is right now, but my friends bought it for me on the web, so you should be able to find it. Just do a search for WWBD or What Would Buffy Do.

Phaedra (a bad luck name)

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Friday, June 10, 2005 7:17 AM

FRAY101

Phaedra, did you manage (try?) to get tickets for the NJ screening?

Coz if you didn't, someone's offering 4 tickets for a Buy It Now price of $450.00...seems pretty reasonable!

(just out of interest, note the seller is based in Las Vegas)

Edited to say: never mind, just read elsewhere that you are going. Glad you managed to get those tickets!

_____________________________________

Visit the Browncoats' Photo 'Verse at http://disneypix.tripod.com/photoverse or http://clik.to/photoverse

Over 100 Serenity screencaps now available at www.destinything.com.

www.cafepress.com/destinything and www.cafepress.com/ancientone

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Friday, June 10, 2005 7:22 AM

PHAEDRA

Thank you, I can't believe you remember I'm from NYC. But I've already got tickets. Actually its because of this site. I'm grading my students (all 95 of them) and writing them detailed comments that can be up to 10 pages long. So I'm literally living in my office. Long story short I woke up yesterday, checked the site, cause that's what I do, and noticed a posting that said tickets were on sale and that NY was on the list. Long story short I got in just as they began to sell. And all becuase of this site. I've never been a happier geek.

Phaedra

Phaedra (a bad luck name)

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Friday, June 10, 2005 7:28 AM

FRAY101

Well however much people ended up paying for their tickets (personally I wouldn't buy cinema/concert tickets from ebay but that's just me), hope everyone has a great time.

_____________________________________

Visit the Browncoats' Photo 'Verse at http://disneypix.tripod.com/photoverse or http://clik.to/photoverse

Over 100 Serenity screencaps now available at www.destinything.com.

www.cafepress.com/destinything and www.cafepress.com/ancientone

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Friday, June 10, 2005 9:27 AM

BYTETHEBULLET

Quote:
Originally posted by SubGuy:
Quote:
Originally posted by ByteTheBullet:
Not to put too fine a point on it, they are not CHARGING high prices, folks are BIDDING/PAYING high prices...

ByteTheBullet (-:

I'm sorry, but in some cases they have the auction set at BuyItNow price of $120 for 2 tickets. So I must disagree. They are CHARGING high prices.

Fair enough, but these people are ASKING someone to pay that price, hoping someone will, which I bet someone has and will again, by choice. Even if they set a reserve, they are not forcing anyone to pay it. Free market - what the market will bear. Some people have more money than sense, some people have more money than they know what to do with, and some people place artificial value on things.

Just so we are clear, I am not on the side of the scalpers, though I use that term loosely.

ByteTheBullet (-:

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Friday, June 10, 2005 10:38 AM

DIETCOKE

Good thing we don't live in the firefly 'verse. I'd just shoot those scalpers and throw 'em out the airlock! ;)

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