What some people think...

[zeda.beta]

I guess it makes sense when you explain it like that, but it still seems insane that anyone would buy one of these guns for the prices they are listed at. But, some people might think that a higher price means that it is a better gun. That is a very sneaky use of psychology, I might have to try something like that soon.
-Zeda

[VAJMH]

Cantab- No you wouldnt. I dont think anyone who knows supersoakers and loves them could justify that. Telling someone a max d 5000 is a rare gun and worth 100 dollars is a short step away from telling some poor kid that an XP85 is a great gun to take on any CPS on the field. You may as well have soaked them yourself!

For a blaster thats worth it, yeah I can see that, but I don't think you or anyone else here would blatantly scalp blasters for more than double their value.

[zeda.beta]

Mainly it is because people think that they can trick others into buying the guns. They are only getting bought because people say, Hey, that gun is really expensive, so it must be a good one! Also, someone is selling a CPS 1000 for $150! Yes, $150!
-Zeda

[JuchTurtles]

Well, I know that on eBay, some items never really sell. There's a guy who keeps his Monster X and CPS 2500 on eBay for $210 and $165 respectively. They either haven't ever sold or he keeps putting other ones on.

Those prices are pretty ridiculous, too.

[zeda.beta]

This is seriously wrong, someone is listing a hydroblitz as, "Rare, almost impossible to find!" This is total BS, and we need to sort out the bad sellers for the public.
-Zeda

[VAJMH]

lol then they're an idiot who havent price compared. Hydroblitzs are high priced on ebay (usually more expensive than in stores) but theyre far from rare. I like it when some jackass lists a gun for fifty dollars while right under them in my search results the same thing is for sale for half that price from a better seller.

[C-A_99]

A lot of stores list FF's and many other recent soakers sometimes for double their retail price. FF's have gone to $30-$40, and keep in mind these are stores, not individual sellers.

It's just how it works. People need to do research before buying these things, or suffer the consequences. I've made my share of bad buys on eBay as well, though I did get to return the item for an 85% refund.

[zeda.beta]

Is there any way to actually show that the sellers are ripping people off? Can we review them and post a link to actual prices quoted by Hasbro?
-Zeda

[martianshark]

Woah! I just found an Arctic Shock along with an XP 215 for $210!!!!!!!!

Super Soaker Aqua Shock Back Pack for $43!!!

[C-A_99]

You can't post anything on an eBay listing; it's up to buyers to search right and not confuse a MK I CPS 2000 (which is somewhat worthy of throwing up $100 for, though I personally still wouldn't do that), and the somewhat useless Arctic Shock.

Hasbro's official retail prices are on their website/online store. In actual brick/mortar stores, they tend to go on sale and be offered for sometimes much cheaper than listed on their site. (example, I got my FF for $10 and $15 is also a common price for it; I haven't seen it sold for $20 in stores, only online)

[cantab]

Is there any way to actually show that the sellers are ripping people off? Can we review them and post a link to actual prices quoted by Hasbro?
-Zeda

No. The problem with the idea of being able to 'comment' on auctions is it's way too abusable. Sellers could post disparaging comments on other sellers auctions, and/or post sockpuppet comments on their own.

[zeda.beta]

Yeah, but reviews can show that water guns are not as expensive or rare as the sellers tell them to be. @Juch: I corrected the double post. I guess my phone doesn't play well with others.
-Zeda

[JuchTurtles]

zeda, you posted the same thing twice.

On eBay, isn't there a way to report a bad seller? And isn't there a way to describe what's wrong?

You could just do that.

[cantab]

Even if there is, mere overpricing probably isn't considered wrong by eBay, and I'm not sure misuse of 'rare' would either.

[ncog]

I assume eBay gets a cut of the amount the item sells for (if it's the same as Trade Me, NZ's equivalent auction site) so they'd probably encourage outlandish prices to increase their potential for $$$$$$

Woohoo capitalism