A rant against Disney Profiteers

[Lensman]

The design was specific for the marathon. (I believe the year I was looking to buy them, it was themed, based on Goofy.)
They were also being sold specifically at the expo, but I do not believe Disney controlled the sale, such as the number of
pairs, etc.

Ah, very interesting. So in some ways, this isn't a Disney issue per-se but rather an issue for a vendor/sponsor of runDisney, New Balance, who is selling Disney licensed merchandise at the runDisney expo?

So from the Disney perspective, though they get a cut of merchandise sales from their licensing, they are probably more interested in the happiness of the actual people participating in the event who are spending money for lodging/food/park visits while they are there for the runs.

Retail arbitrage is certainly making some consumer lives more difficult as it makes life easier for those with more time than money or sense.

Did your shoes get easier to buy over the years because New Balance simply made more of them?

 

[OG Runner]

Ah, very interesting. So in some ways, this isn't a Disney issue per-se but rather an issue for a vendor/sponsor of runDisney, New Balance, who is selling Disney licensed merchandise at the runDisney expo?

So from the Disney perspective, though they get a cut of merchandise sales from their licensing, they are probably more interested in the happiness of the actual people participating in the event who are spending money for lodging/food/park visits while they are there for the runs.

Retail arbitrage is certainly making some consumer lives more difficult as it makes life easier for those with more time than money or sense.

Did your shoes get easier to buy over the years because New Balance simply made more of them?

Hello. I am sorry if at anytime I have not been clear. I have no problem, and my "rant" was not directed at the original sellers of the
merchandise. (though I wish they could do something to curb the abuse.) My whole concern was with individuals purchasing a large
number of the items, and then selling them at extreme prices.

In reference to the running shoes specifically. I was never able to purchase any of the pairs I wanted. By the third year of trying, I have
just given up and no longer make it a priority. Funny thing is I wore New Balance running shoes, I bought at a factory outlet, for the 2018 Marathon.

 

[clarabellej]

I am honestly interested in the opinions of people on these boards, in reference to what I see as Disney Profiteers. I clarify profiteers as those,
I can only assume are park locals that scoop up new Disney products, then sell them for outrageous prices. I have seen this personally, going
to the Disney Marathons. I usually do not get there until the expo has gone on for a few days. The first three times I went, none of the running
shoes, specifically made by New Balance, were left. Soon after the race the shoes I was looking for were for sale on ebay for $400.00. I happen
to be on ebay today and with the opening of Galaxy's Edge, saw a Batuu Coke on sale for $21.00, or a mech droid for $250.00. Sorry, for the
rant, but I really feel there should be a way to prevent this.

It happens with all sorts of merchandise. Vera Bradley Disney items come to mind. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be anything in place preventing it.

 

[Kingoglow]

Actually they should reduce the number of these rewards that are available so that only the top three finishers in the RunDisney events have the opportunity to buy them.

There would certainly be fewer listed on ebay, then.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Actually they should reduce the number of these rewards that are available so that only the top three finishers in the RunDisney events have the opportunity to buy them.

There would certainly be fewer listed on ebay, then.

Unless they are handmade, there isn't a company in the world that is going to produce 3 of anything down an assembly line. If they did, those running shoes would cost THOUSANDS to produce.

 

[OG Runner]

It happens with all sorts of merchandise. Vera Bradley Disney items come to mind. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be anything in place preventing it.

I agree. I mentioned this before, I don't think Disney can do anything about it, more than they have in reference to annual passholders.
I understand it also. I mean "you" have something to sell and "someone" says I want to buy a lot of them. What are you supposed to do,
say, "Oh no, I can sell them to you." I am just ranting against a situation that makes it, if I wanted a soda with galactic writing on it, I would need to pay $21.00, instead of the $6.00 it is being sold for. (and no, I would not pay that much.)

 

[tl77]

You'd think they would only sell 1 per customer of these kinds of items

 

[Kingoglow]

Unless they are handmade, there isn't a company in the world that is going to produce 3 of anything down an assembly line. If they did, those running shoes would cost THOUSANDS to produce.

Kanye might do this. His shoes look like my grandmother knitted them together.

 

[NormC]

New Balance was not even there on Star Wars Rival Run weekend. I guess they fixed that problem.

 

[ppete1975]

I don't mind Mainly because if you live a state or two away, you will never be able to get that item. But paying a higher price on ebay you can get it. Where I have an issue is Disney creating the bigger issue. Why only make so many figment funkos? Haunted mansion toys? popcorn buckets? make enough so that there aren't lines that take 2 hours to get something that auto goes on sale on ebay. They are creating the issue because the demand outweighs the supply. There should be enough that anyone that want it can get it, they will still sell a ton (more actually) at the same exorbitant amount.

 

[Darth_Wes]

I say if there is a demand for it, and someone is willing to pay for it, it's none of my business. I'm an AP, I've been to a few hard ticket exclusive events. Personally, I would never sell anything we've gotten as they are tied to family memories.

On the buyer's side, I for one, think it's sad and silly to buy memorabilia from an event you didn't attend... or a section of a park you haven't been too....but it's none of my business. It's the buyer's decision, and no one is forcing them to purchase the items. caveat emptor

 

[OG Runner]

I don't mind Mainly because if you live a state or two away, you will never be able to get that item. But paying a higher price on ebay you can get it. Where I have an issue is Disney creating the bigger issue. Why only make so many figment funkos? Haunted mansion toys? popcorn buckets? make enough so that there aren't lines that take 2 hours to get something that auto goes on sale on ebay. They are creating the issue because the demand outweighs the supply. There should be enough that anyone that want it can get it, they will still sell a ton (more actually) at the same exorbitant amount.

I agree with being able to get something, you would not otherwise be able to get, by going the ebay route. My problem was with the
over the top profiteering. Selling a $6.00 bottle of soda for $21.00, over a 300% increase. It really isn't even the reselling. I mean the
people do have to put in some work to obtain these items. It is the excess that is a bother, again, in my opinion.

 

[RustySpork]

I am honestly interested in the opinions of people on these boards, in reference to what I see as Disney Profiteers. I clarify profiteers as those,
I can only assume are park locals that scoop up new Disney products, then sell them for outrageous prices. I have seen this personally, going
to the Disney Marathons. I usually do not get there until the expo has gone on for a few days. The first three times I went, none of the running
shoes, specifically made by New Balance, were left. Soon after the race the shoes I was looking for were for sale on ebay for $400.00. I happen
to be on ebay today and with the opening of Galaxy's Edge, saw a Batuu Coke on sale for $21.00, or a mech droid for $250.00. Sorry, for the
rant, but I really feel there should be a way to prevent this.

This is how capitalism works. It's only outrageous when people stop buying things because they are priced too high. If they are selling, the price isn't outrageous, it's what the market will bear. There is a way to correct it which would be to flood the market forcing a price correction. If you don't want to spend that much on race shoes, simple solution..don't buy them.

 

[ppete1975]

I agree with being able to get something, you would not otherwise be able to get, by going the ebay route. My problem was with the
over the top profiteering. Selling a $6.00 bottle of soda for $21.00, over a 300% increase. It really isn't even the reselling. I mean the
people do have to put in some work to obtain these items. It is the excess that is a bother, again, in my opinion.

its supply and demand. Once other people post them on ebay the price will go down. The next guy will ask 20 then 19 till its a decent price. With these you just have to wait until supply catches up. The good thing about the sodas is they will make them forever. The popcorn buckets, funkos etc, trader sam stuff are pretty limited.

 

[OG Runner]

This is how capitalism works. It's only outrageous when people stop buying things because they are priced too high. If they are selling, the price isn't outrageous, it's what the market will bear. There is a way to correct it which would be to flood the market forcing a price correction. If you don't want to spend that much on race shoes, simple solution..don't buy them.

Sorry, but no that is not the way capitalism works. Though I appreciate the attempt at an economics lesson. The market, in this situation
in the regular sale price. (as high as that is) The sale of the items in a secondary market at over the top mark-ups is not. Again, to clarify,
this is not illegal, but I do feel it is immoral. Also again, my opinion and my rant.

 

[RustySpork]

Sorry, but no that is not the way capitalism works. Though I appreciate the attempt at an economics lesson. The market, in this situation
in the regular sale price. (as high as that is) The sale of the items in a secondary market at over the top mark-ups is not. Again, to clarify,
this is not illegal, but I do feel it is immoral. Also again, my opinion and my rant.

No..the market in this situation is actually a secondary market created by starvation in the primary market making the products being resold rare and more valuable. It's neither illegal nor immoral. It's simple supply and demand.

 

[OG Runner]

its supply and demand. Once other people post them on ebay the price will go down. The next guy will ask 20 then 19 till its a decent price. With these you just have to wait until supply catches up. The good thing about the sodas is they will make them forever. The popcorn buckets, funkos etc, trader sam stuff are pretty limited.

I agree, and I see these people as taking some control of a limited market and then artificially increasing the cost of the products
to others.

 

[RustySpork]

I agree, and I see these people as taking some control of a limited market and then artificially increasing the cost of the products
to others.

It isn't artificial though. If people are willing to pay those prices the prices are not unreasonable. We're not talking about the price of gas after a natural disaster here. People don't need these items to survive.

 

[OG Runner]

It isn't artificial though. If people are willing to pay those prices the prices are not unreasonable. We're not talking about the price of gas after a natural disaster here. People don't need these items to survive.

Good point, though I am sure some of the people feel they need the items to "survive".

 

[RustySpork]

Good point, though I am sure some of the people feel they need the items to "survive".

They probably do haha.