With its mile-a-minute chat, personal Living Rooms, Private Messages and real-life Smack Parties, we can easily fool ourselves into thinking that Jellyfish is just another online community. But that’s not true, is it? At least, it’s not entirely true. Jellyfish.com is a shopping website built around the idea that people like good deals. The community was born from that notion…and a few dozen upgrades the fine folks in
For almost as long as I’ve been a Smacker (longer than most), there has been a debate about resellers. Some Smackers believe that buying an item on Jellyfish supports the site, no matter if it is later sold elsewhere at a profit. Others think that this so-called “eBay mafia” robs the average Smacker of the best possible deal on an item he or she wants and/or needs. The counter argument to this is, of course, that if it was a good enough of a deal for someone to turn a profit, the other buyer was sniped by his own greed.
I’ve seen the debate go round and around the issue and I have stated my opinion in the main chat a number of times. But something that happened last week made me want to bring it here. One WISD “spy” reports that he/she “saw Don (HisDudeness) and WestEndGuy going at it. Don was saying that Westy was lying about working with charity and lying about who he is. Westy defended himself but couldn't provide links to anything. But Blondie574 stood up for Westy and went after Don pretty hard. ByrBwr was on Don's side, saying that Westy is a liar and a fake. Blondie was pretty fierce…”
Such debates are indicative of what happens any time this topic is broached on the main chat, and it almost always devolves into name-calling, hurt feelings and/or Smackers being muted. Since those scenarios are the exact reason behind the formation of this blog, I thought I’d pose this question to WISD readers…
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT RESELLERS? No posts will be edited and I hope that all contributors will support their opinions with a rationale.
29 comments:
HisDudeness PM'd me last night to offer a clarification. "I never called Westy a liar," he wrote. "I simply said I was unsure if he was being honest, and if he was being honest, I said he was a good guy for doing what he does."
Thanks, Dude, for the response. However, this doesn't change the central question: what does the average Smacker think about resellers?
Chumprock weighed in today with this PM:
"people seem to be critical of 'resellers' like Don, MLF, and Westy, but rarely have anything bad to say about people like tbase and the the buying cadre of Dopeddler/PBLGov/Grue. It seems like the negative associations of 'resellers' is always void of the popular folks.
The whole idea of resellers hurting JF is silly, especially since a lot of people that complain about them had no intention of buying the item anyway."
That's an interesting point, Chumprock, and I thank you for sharing it. What do you (and anyone else reading) think about how the personalities of the Smackers you mentioned factor in? Don is very vocal, Westy to a lesser degree and MLF barely at all; whereas tbase, PBL, Grue, etc are often around and seem to have better ensconced themselves in the Jellyfish community. Does having more "friends" free some resellers from scorn...and should it?
Questions, questions, questions...but who has any answers?
There have been a couple of instances where I was interested in a product, and waiting for the best possible price, and it got sniped by a reseller that I know had absolutely no interest in the product but to make a couple bucks reselling it. It doesn't help that other smackers were encouraging them to buy the product, knowing that they could afford it and make a quick buck on it. I don't want to say anything like "I'm interested in this product, please don't snipe it" because then a lurker would go in and snipe it.
I guess it's all part of a big game, really. But should I be expected to PM westy and Don everytime something comes up that I enjoy, so I can ensure the best deal on it?
Resellers. I guess I'm not a fan of them, but then I guess it doesn't really matter. Things won't change because of what we think.
I'm fierce? Sweet!!! I know for a fact that Westy is not a reseller. He works exclusively for numerous charities. I don't care one way or another about the reseller - best of luck to them - I just know that I will defend my friends to the end.
I think the resellers can provide a service, moving items that otherwise wouldn't sell for an hour. RDW, for example. Glad to see him back on today. Yes, people are bummed out that they can't get something as cheap as they want, but hey, that's part of the game.
I think as long as the balance doesn't skew too harshly to the resellers, it's not a problem. Otherwise, JF does run the risk of scaring away the frustrated casual shopper looking for a deal.
Resellers have never been a problem for me. I don't get how someone can bitch about "a reseller took my deal" when resellers have to wait for the price to drop down enough so that they can make a profit off of it. So basically, people bitch about resellers because they got greedy, tried to wait for an even lower deal, and lost. Boohoo. Honestly, if it wasn't for Westy, JF would have never made it to Version 2. There was a point in time that most people don't even know about that frequent JF nowadays and think they're king shit where Westy was the Smack buying population for the most part. And guess what? Even on deals where there were more than one of it being offered, he would consistently be near the highest percentage off. So obviously he's not taking away deals from anyone else. He's getting a good deal on his own, and greedy fuckers are bitching about them not being able to get iPods for 60% off. Damn you, Westy, for not making Nano's $55!!!! :D
And as for Blondie being fierce, can you blame her? Westy's her friend in real life that she's actually met, and actually knows a thing or two about, unlike all the bitch-asses on the site. So good for her.
I always thought people were joking when they said Westy bought that stuff for charity.
Joseph made a really good point about Westy usually getting the best deal, other people were willing to buy earlier so it's not as though he was robbing people of deals. And yes, there were a few times where he bought something I wanted, but hey, sh*t happens, I wanted it for one more dollar off and I lost it.
Everyone has the same chance of buying, resellers and non-resellers alike, because we all have the BUY button. Yep, I know Westy donates huge amounts of items. That's his right to do with it what he wants, just like everyone else can buy the same items at the same price and keep it or sell it. That's why it's ya snooze, ya lose on the deals, people. Anyone could purchase and start becoming a reseller. What I find ironic is some people complaining about it are other resellers themselves. Who cares?!?!? Someone bought it, life goes on.
If you went to the store and someone grabbed the last MP3 there in front of you, would you yell at them and call them names?? Lighten up people!!!
I have no problem with resellers and have stated my reasons why in the main chat a number of times. Joseph touched on most of my points, so I won't bother to repeat them.
I will say something about westy and charity. The rumor I heard was that he gives all his JF purchases to charities for silent auctions. If that's his story, I call "shenanigans".
I have worked in nonprofit fundraising for 7 years and I can tell you that there is no chance that westy can or does donate all his purchases for silent auctions. It would hurt him financially because he could not claim a full tax deduction for his generosity AND it would hurt the charity because they rarely get full value at silent auctions. Again, I run a fundraising department and have organized several silent auctions, so I think I speak with some degree of expertise.
If, however, Westy resells his items (eBay) then donates the profits, both he and the charity are winners (he can claim a larger tax deduction and the charity gets cash -- always better than an in-kind gift). This seems to me to be a more logical and philanthropic alternative.
I met both Blondie and Westy at Smackfest. I like both Blondie and Westy. I have no problem with resellers. I just can't believe the silent auction story. If I've gotten any details wrong, please correct me.
~ Primes
I will never complain about resellers because they have as much right as anyone to be here. I have also gotten many good deals even with them present. I do find it annoying when one reseller,ie: khong buys every item that is on the show. How is this helping Jellyfish when the purpose of the smack deals are to get people to this site and shopping.. they lose interest when one person buys everything and not always at a price that is good for resellers.
gator, all I can say is, beat him to it. It's not like khong's buying everything at 2%. That's the only way to change it.
I have NO problem with resellers for several reasons.
First of all, there are LOTS of people on JF who resell all or some of what they buy but no one knows. They just don't say that they do and since they don't buy tons of items then no one knows. I buy some things for myself and resell some that I get an awesome deal on. There are lots of people like myself out there on JF.
Secondly, resellers will only buy at a price that is worth their time, effort, and pocketbook to resell. So if they bought the item, that means that it was not just a good price but a GREAT PRICE. Resellers don't want to make a few bucks and have to deal with the Ebay and Paypal fees and trouble of making an auctions, etc.
So the problem is not with the resellers but with the group of people that constantly complain and whine about the resellers. They have a chance to buy the item at a great price as well but these people are either cheap or broke and want the items for next to nothing. We are all equal during the auction and everyone has a chance to buy. NO ONE is going to let an awesome deal go buy just so some person that's broke can buy it for 95% off.
For example, there is someone who has tried to smack a NYD several times now. She wants the item for nothing! When people buy it at an AWESOME deal, she whines and cries and says that they stole it from her. People are not going to let a great deal go buy just because she has no money. If she can't afford it, she should NYD something in her price range. It's like someone NYD'ing a Porsche and wanting 90% off, it's just not going to happen. She has pissed off and annoyed so many people that no one is going to let her have it for the ridiculous price that she wants it for. The NYD problem would make a great next topic.
As far as people bringing up the Westy issue, that should be it's own topic. I know 100% that his story is not true. When he first joined, he admitted to me that he was going to say that so people would let him get good deals. I have the actual message from him to me that said that. Blondie blindly supporting someone even though she doesn't know for sure is just stupid. Just ask Westy for some links or some proof and that will support my story. I wasn't going to tell what I knew but I'm sick of the lies at this point.
But you know what, it doesn't really matter what people do with the items that they smack...they can resell, donate, or throw them into a pile....it's their money and they can spend it however they please. We all have a chance to buy all of the items!
Thanks for the laugh Blondie, I really needed that! You pity me!! Isn't that a quote from Mr. T? That 80's quote goes along with your hairstyle and clothes.
It sounds like you must have slept with Westy to stick up for him blindly like that. Somehow, that doesn't surprise many of us. There is a reason Blondie that people don't believe it. You don't have to be bright at all to realize that his story doesn't make sense. Then to top it off he mentioned it once to me, could care less than less if you believe me or not.
I didn't write that post for you, I wrote it for smart people. I have kept his secret that he told me for a while now and I'm tired of the lies, so I posted it. It's off my shoulders and I could care less who believes it. People had the right to know the truth. Don't you think it's kind of odd that you stick up for him more than he sticks up for himself.
Believe what you want. Maybe you should go do some more chicken calendars with your rooster hanging neck and your ugly mug with the nasty stringy bleach box blonde hair. Cluck cluck!!!
Not to be a moderator, but LaLa, I think you went a bit far with that last post. We don't need to necessarily "keep it nice" on WISD, but I would hope that Smackers would prefer to debate, not hate.
Thanks.
I agree WhoisSmackDaddy and I apologize to you and will try to be better but did you look at Blondie's post before mine that was aimed at me??
And I quote "You are either one jealous bitch or just a poor pathetic loser. Either way, I pity you." Signed, Blondie Duhhh
She is the one who turned it into hate not debate and threw in her little Mr. T quote. I had not been hateful until she was to me.
But you have to agree with the "Cluck Cluck" being pretty funny! It made me laugh out loud. And what would you do without the LaLa posts?? :) I am a lover of your blog you know!!
lala - On the subject of Westy saying he was going to tell people it's for charity. I didn't mention this in my other post, because I can't prove it, but I remember in the chat, a LONG time ago Westy bought something and someone wrote, are you keeping that or selling it, and he wrote "it's for charity" or something like that. Then there was either a LOL or HAHA, or something.
So yeah, I have nothing against Blondie if she wants to stick up for him, but I don't believe for 1 second that he is getting these items for charity.
ahhhh, lady drama. Can't we all just get along? Closer? Maybe with some tongue?
Totally kidding. . . I don't have the money to get that kind of fun party together.
malcam66 - Yeah, that's they kind of conversation that I was talking about. Thank god someone else knows what I'm talking about. He had told me that he was going to kid around and tell people it was for charity so people didn't give him crap. Then there were several other chats where he said several "LOL or HaHa" or whatever after he said charity. But then the lie just kept getting bigger and bigger. I don't know if he meant for it to become what it has.
I think the supporters, namely "Blondie Duhhh", need to ask Westy for some proof. If she won't believe us or believe common sense then she needs to see the proof.
Joseph sweetie, I think you are making up woman porn to make this Westy issue more exciting. I'm sorry but I am NOT going to french kiss blondie duhh! Now go download some pics from Hustler and you'll feel all better!
Believe me, after my day is through, I don't want to see any more porn than I have to. I think the best way to get your guy to stop looking at porn is just have him look at it 24/7. Ugh.
I used to be against all of the resellers that were buying up stuff in the shows, but a fellow smacker pretty much made it clear to me that it's not about ME getting a deal, it's about SOMEONE getting a deal. So whether I get an awesome deal on an item or some reseller gets the deal first it's good for the JF regardless.
A few weeks ago, Dope got me on a pair of sneakers by .32%, did I freak out? No, I told him he just saved me $37, and I still went through the JF to buy my sneakers and paid $60.
I'll admit I started on the JF nearly a year ago looking to buy things I could resell on eBay. I did manage to get some deals and made about $300. Will I still do it now? Of course I would, but it has to be something worth my time to resell.
But in the end we all support Jellyfish. I support Jellyfish no matter what. I get no marker when I buy from Amazon, but when I found out buying from Amazon through the JF helps the JF, guess what I do now?
blondie loves attacking people to defend her supposed "Friends" - ie: people she met online. There is no limit to her ability to do so, even if she doesn't know the facts. I am not defending either party here, I am just commenting on this person's inability to "play nice" and mind her own damn business! While loyalty is a good thing, being open minded may be better. Even better than that? Not attacking others!
I just found out that Blondie Duhhh is married to Westy! Was I the only one that didn't know that?
That is why Blondie Duhhh was sticking up for Westy so much. I have known Westy for a long time but I just never made the connection to Blondie for some weird reason.
Even though I don't completely believe Westy's story, I do think that he is a sweet, nice, loving and handsome guy. I think Blondie Duhh is rude, mean, ugly inside and out, and thinks she's better than other people in the chat room.
Just like Sam said in the last post, she goes off on people for no reason in chat and bullies them with her little posse and doesn't let up until the person stops posting. She thinks that she is the only person entitled to an opinion on chat for some reason.
I'm beginning to think that Blondie made up the story for Westy to use. That would make sense because when he told me about using that story as a joke, he mentioned that someone had given him the idea. I wonder if it was Blondie.
I don't know, I'm more confused now than I was before. What do you guys think???
I think. . . I don't care enough about the situation to further dwell on it. Who wants cookies!?!?!?
Joseph, if you don't care then why are you reading and posting in the blog about the topic?
Cookies? Sure!
Because WISD hasn't posted anything new in weeks!!! AHHH!!!
COOKIES!!!
Besides, it kind of stopped being about resellers since you started bashing Blondie, lol
I just made some delicious carrot cake. But mean people don't get any. Mean people suck. Nasty comments usually = jealousy anyways.
Gabriella, can I have some carrot cake? I'll dance for it *dances*
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