True or False: Grabbing a sought after pop is a great way to obtain a pop you really want.

[geekygent78]

I have had many conversations with other hobbyists, my brother, and close friends of mine about "trade bait." Is every pop I go after something I'm going to add to my collection, absolutely not. But I know how I can close the financial gap between a pop that is sought after and the pop I want. That reduced cost is something that motivates me to continue to find pops people want. I know, purchasing two pops at $15.99 a piece (total investment is ≈ $32 minus taxes) that is currently holding a combined PPG value of $300 is a great negotiating point if I'm trying to trade for a pop that I want that happens to be $350. Now I can discuss the trade and negotiate the remaining cash gap to close the deal. If I offer $50 to close the gap and make the deal I'm only invested ≈$83 for a $350 pop. I'll take that. Why wouldn't the other side take that deal? They get two pops they want, make $50, and probably, in all fairness, probably only paid retail for it as well. Not a bad deal on both ends.

That is what I think both parties want, both parties can walk away knowing they made a fair deal.

[DrunkoPop]

I have had many conversations with other hobbyists, my brother, and close friends of mine about "trade bait." Is every pop I go after something I'm going to add to my collection, absolutely not. But I know how I can close the financial gap between a pop that is sought after and the pop I want. That reduced cost is something that motivates me to continue to find pops people want. I know, purchasing two pops at $15.99 a piece (total investment is ≈ $32 minus taxes) that is currently holding a combined PPG value of $300 is a great negotiating point if I'm trying to trade for a pop that I want that happens to be $350. Now I can discuss the trade and negotiate the remaining cash gap to close the deal. If I offer $50 to close the gap and make the deal I'm only invested ≈$83 for a $350 pop. I'll take that. Why wouldn't the other side take that deal? They get two pops they want, make $50, and probably, in all fairness, probably only paid retail for it as well. Not a bad deal on both ends.

That is what I think both parties want, both parties can walk away knowing they made a fair deal.

I’m still trying to figure out the math here….

[jmosh42]

I have had many conversations with other hobbyists, my brother, and close friends of mine about "trade bait." Is every pop I go after something I'm going to add to my collection, absolutely not. But I know how I can close the financial gap between a pop that is sought after and the pop I want. That reduced cost is something that motivates me to continue to find pops people want. I know, purchasing two pops at $15.99 a piece (total investment is ≈ $32 minus taxes) that is currently holding a combined PPG value of $300 is a great negotiating point if I'm trying to trade for a pop that I want that happens to be $350. Now I can discuss the trade and negotiate the remaining cash gap to close the deal. If I offer $50 to close the gap and make the deal I'm only invested ≈$83 for a $350 pop. I'll take that. Why wouldn't the other side take that deal? They get two pops they want, make $50, and probably, in all fairness, probably only paid retail for it as well. Not a bad deal on both ends.

That is what I think both parties want, both parties can walk away knowing they made a fair deal.

I think it’s because it is so hard to find someone that has both what you want and specifically wants the pops that you have. Most people probably just end up selling the “trade bait” pops.

[Rxiempire]

I think this could be true with a convention pop or a limited edition pop some exclusive chase pops the more harder to get pops but it depends on the pop itself and if the market has other options of that character

[SweetNSpicy]

I've used pops I get from the Funko booth at SDCC to sometimes trade for something that's a little pricey. But I usually do 85% of eBay sales since I know prices go down soon after and add cash if needed to make it fair and more tempting for the other party to wanna trade. Like you said the other person could've also paid retail on it

[geekygent78]

I have had many conversations with other hobbyists, my brother, and close friends of mine about "trade bait." Is every pop I go after something I'm going to add to my collection, absolutely not. But I know how I can close the financial gap between a pop that is sought after and the pop I want. That reduced cost is something that motivates me to continue to find pops people want. I know, purchasing two pops at $15.99 a piece (total investment is ≈ $32 minus taxes) that is currently holding a combined PPG value of $300 is a great negotiating point if I'm trying to trade for a pop that I want that happens to be $350. Now I can discuss the trade and negotiate the remaining cash gap to close the deal. If I offer $50 to close the gap and make the deal I'm only invested ≈$83 for a $350 pop. I'll take that. Why wouldn't the other side take that deal? They get two pops they want, make $50, and probably, in all fairness, probably only paid retail for it as well. Not a bad deal on both ends.

That is what I think both parties want, both parties can walk away knowing they made a fair deal.

I think it’s because it is so hard to find someone that has both what you want and specifically wants the pops that you have. Most people probably just end up selling the “trade bait” pops.

I've talked to multiple people who initial intent is to trade in hopes of getting something that was out of their reach but now have a chance. I tell them good luck. As a last resort they'll sell it.

[geekygent78]

I've used pops I get from the Funko booth at SDCC to sometimes trade for something that's a little pricey. But I usually do 85% of eBay sales since I know prices go down soon after and add cash if needed to make it fair and more tempting for the other party to wanna trade. Like you said the other person could've also paid retail on it

That's interesting, pricing the pop at a percentage of what it is going for on eBay/mercari. That's a good strategy to unload it just under what most people are asking for. I don't think I've heard of that before so thanks for sharing your strategy.

[SweetNSpicy]

I've used pops I get from the Funko booth at SDCC to sometimes trade for something that's a little pricey. But I usually do 85% of eBay sales since I know prices go down soon after and add cash if needed to make it fair and more tempting for the other party to wanna trade. Like you said the other person could've also paid retail on it

That's interesting, pricing the pop at a percentage of what it is going for on eBay/mercari. That's a good strategy to unload it just under what most people are asking for. I don't think I've heard of that before so thanks for sharing your strategy.

I try to be fair. Sometimes I've only asked for an extra $5 if it's in person. I actually got that strategy from someone a few years ago at the con. They were nice enough to give me a good deal on a pop I wanted so thought I'd pass along the kindness