On Carnival Junction recently there was an costume for sale in TRIBE, Threads of Morocco Male, for the cost of $5000.00TT, note the original price of this costume is $2950.00TT
When confronted by the owner of the website who does not support or condone selling any costume at a "severely marked up price" (as stated on the website) the person who placed the ad had this justification for the 69% profit margin:
My dear friend, it is nice to know that you are so concerned that you could have copied Tribe. please see my points below.1. The costume belongs to me and that is what I value it. If you are aware of the experience of playing with tribe you will definitely know it is always painful having to sell one of their costumes. The costume to me is worthless, the joy I feel on Monday and Tuesday with my family and friends, with people bringing their kids and love ones to look on as I have fun is PRICELESS.2. The safety and facilities is priceless. What does it worth paying 2000.00 or 3000.00 for a costume and you are unsafe. Are you aware of the crime situation in Trinidad? If you are then you will understand that a price cannot be placed on that.3. This costume was not purchased with the intention of swindling someone, if you are aware two or three thousand dollars has very little or no value in Trinidad especially if you have Kids and Bills.4. TGIF, Trotters. Ruby Tuesdays sell their alcohol for twice or even 3 times the price, is that robbery??????? NO it isn't because it's totally up to the consumer to purchase if they so desire. In TRINIDAD we are ALLOWED to exercise our rights as consumers without any prejudice. This is democracy. SO my Friend you do not HAVE TO PURCHASE OR EVEN CONSIDER TO PURCHASE. THAT IS YOUR RIGHT. Remember that.5. Last but not least, Tribe is more than a band, they treat us like family as we are pampered, spoiled, entertained and most importantly protected for those 2 days. So my friend in conclusion I will advise you that MY TRIBE COSTUME worth MUCH MUCH MORE than 5000.00 or 6000.00 or 7000.0 to me. Whether it worth that to you is your choice.So have a great day and may God continue to bless you.... By d Way, I've been confronted by quite a few people who knows the TRUE VALUE OF A TRIBE COSTUME.Tribe keep up the great work.Regards
I absolutely LOVE point #1 where the seller states that the costume BELONGS to them yet they have only paid the deposit! And while I can agree that the "value" of playing mas is not as something that can be easily quantified I do know that even I have a price point which will not be crossed, not to mention that the COSTUME is only one factor that adds value to my overall Carnival experience. Really the justifications laid out by the seller is the kind of tripe that sends people into a frenzy when you tell them TRIBE is NOT Carnival and there are other bands that you can get the same "value" from. It really isn't that serious to "value" a costume to such extent that you use it as leverage for price gouging, but you all know how I feel about that matter quite well.
So, humour me today readers, what really is the TRUE VALUE of a TRIBE Costume? What is the most you are willing to pay a re-seller for the privilege of taking a costume off their hands? Is 50% worth it, 100% worth it or even 200% worth the TRIBE experience?
31 comments:
ever since Tribe introduced this TLC ting this topic of resale has become an issue and also hiking up of the prices, as i said before and i say it again there is always going to be people stupid enough to pay the markup just to play mas in said band! me personally i will play wherever aslong as my peeps are there which ultimatly dictates the vybes and i have my drinks i good to go! i dont think the $2950 for the costume is worth it never mind the $5000 ajdusted price i jus hope one day masquerades will realise there is more to carnival than Tribe just as they have done with IP
I'd be more convinced by his arguments if his grammar wasn't so atrocious. Am I being naive in thinking he's going to use the money to pay for lessons so he could finally pass his English O'Level?? Ah well...
I think it's different for men, since the costumes aren't THAT important to a lot of them. I mean, they say they don't want just board shorts, but they blatantly do. See the Silk of Rajasthan and IP defence.
But as a woman, the costume I wear is SOO important to me. The colour has to be complimentary to my skin tone, the fit has to be right and I have to be able to see myself totally owning town on Monday and Tuesday, in it.
All this said, if I were to be buying a costume on the resale market, I would only pay whatever the seller paid. If all they paid was the deposit, then they'd get that. If they paid the full price, then they'd get that. If they want more, bollocks to them yes.
This is making me very tempted to contact a lot of these sellers, then pass on their real names to TRIBE...though does TRIBE have power in this scenario?
Sigh!
Yes, the TRIBE experience is important to me. But I sure as hell wouldn't want to experience it in a bastard Serica costume!
I despise people who do these things. I will never give in to such greed. This individual could try justify all he wants to, the fact is he is nothing but a common scalper. The TRIBE experience is worth exactly what TRIBE says it is and not a penny more. A reseller should just be happy that they are able to recover their money if they cannot play whatever the reason. Some people just have no shame in their game.
I am confused. Is it that when you pay the five thousand dollars to the con artist there would still be an outstanding balance owed to Tribe or did he pay for the costume in full already. If the balance is still outstanding the person would essentially be paying 6450 for the costume. I am just not sure how the reselling of costumes is done.
I would pay no more than what the seller paid. Love Tribe but please...it isn't that serious.
I think he should Be able to sell it for what He Wants ITs His Costume..
Nobody holding a Gun to Nobody Head tuh Buy It... I quite Frankly would put the same Value on my costume Right Now If Somone offered me $6000 for my Charmeuse male costume OF COURSE i would Sell it.. Am i a Scalper? NO! But I aint gonna pass up making a profit. ah mean to say I would prefer to Jump up with my costume But the reality of it is that at the end of the day Money talks.
I have written Before on this Blog PEOPLE VALUE THINGS DIFFERENTLY.. and Nobody should be judging anybody else because they want to sell what the find valuable..
I think the mona lisa is a ugly painting of a woman, dat dont discount that its worth millions...
The only PROBLEM i have is that IS that the Damn Costume IS that "PINK" Costume...IT Pink...Uhh Geed!!!!!... WHO GO PAY that Kinda Money Fuh DAT? .. ah Rather spend 5000 and go NY or Tobago fuh carnival...
Its not YOUR costume unless its paid for in FULL and its collected.
So try allyuh bess with that "its my costume and i could sell it however high the price i want!" Tribe should revoke the TLC cards / Costumes for all those modern day BANDITS.
Ahm... I contacted this seller as well and the $5000 is only for the deposit. In addition to that, you still have to go and pay the $1450 that is due to the mas camp. So in essence, ur paying $6450 for a MALE costume. That's even more than a frontline! They mad and if anyone buys it at that price then they mad too. Someone else with more sense will come along selling the same costume closer to carnival time. I'll just hold out and wait. And like they realize they mad too cause after I spoke to the man yesterday I saw the price was lowered from $5000 to $4000 online. Still madness!!!
and to top it all off Saucy, the seller is a GIRL!
I hope that dean and company are paying attention. Kindly refund this he/she/it scumbag their deposit and show them who the costume really belongs to. I am sure you have a waiting list at the mascamp.
Well, Nikkia that's nice to know. I will pay that if sex with her is in the deal. If she is pretty, I'll throw in an extra TT$100.00, lmao.
On the serious, I will NEVER pay a reseller to buy any "ultimate carnival experience" from any band. If the band is sold out, and I really wanted to play with the band, it is their loss of my presence, not my missing out of anything. I could easily lime on the streets in street clothes and see what I can salvage of a casual vibes as a spectator ;)
$5000.deposit huh? Is this is a male frontline, King of the Band, or what? *choops*
That post probably came straight out of St.Ann's. And anybody who pays that price is even crazier.
I say pay the actual TRIBE price and keep it moving.
It's only mas ppl, it's soooooo not that serious. Especially for a man's costume. Happiness in they a$$ yes.
SSSSSSTEUPPPPS.
Um all Yuh realise that if Tribe start Punishing People for Scalping their costume Its Just Going to Push the Scalped Price Higher and push the Market Further Underground....
Think about it Nuh Just because one person Scalping In Public on the internet Dont mean it doh have somebody advertising by Word of mouth and Hook up for the same Scalped Prices eh no..
How Tribe go police dem? and For that Matter How Tribe go police Me If if sombody walk up to Me and Make me an offer i cant refuse?
Come on nuh People Use allyuh BRAIN For somthing else than Calling people Names and Making ridiculous suggestions nuh.
My response to this is 'it's not that serious'
I can't fault the guy for making a buck but he should loose his TLC privileges (if he had it in the first place). Tribe are the ones to put things in place if they do not want their costumes selling for more than the list price.
There are many control mechanisms which can be implemented to achieve this.. Of course I would have to charge Tribe for the advice ,lets say around 5000 dollars (US)..LOL.
Here is a simple Solution.
"10% restocking fee On Forfeited Costume"
Cant Play? get a 90% refund..before carnival week.
That would ELIMINATE those who want to get out of purchasing the costume.
and the remaining People would be the The Greedy scalpers.
forfeited costumes go back In the kitty To be resold 1 week Before carnival for original price.
Selling masquerade wins, TRIBE wins, new masquerader wins.... Scalpers Lose.
TRIBE NOW Ows Me $5000 US for the idea YAy... FREE COSTUMEE!!!
Trinibears why would one settle for 90% when you can get 2,3,400%,
I know many foreigners who could easily pay 5K TTD for what to them would be a sure bet for a good time given Tribe's reputation for their service. As an IP supporter, I would recommend just choosing another Band (IP SM! lol) but
people may wish to stay with their crew and as you correctly pointed out earlier they may value that more than the extra 4k to play
with the Tribe.
I really can't believe this topic is on the discussion board again, but then again, I suspect this time next yr, and yr after it would also be there.
I agree with MOST of what Trinibears says, and especially like the point about the Mona Lisa. Anyways why can't you all just let free market rule? Why call the guy/girl names. If your not intersted, just laugh it off and move on. If someone else has and is willing to pay $5k, $10k or what ever for the costume let them (btw I fuh one will accept anything over $10k if offered).
Nevertheless on a couple other points, I believe that when you paid your deposit (aka consideration) you entered into a legally enforceable contract with Tribe for said costume, that you will own once you in turn pay the balance at the stipulated time. So in short, the costume or rights to that costume (id#xxxxx) is YOURs. As for the TLC situation yes its not the best, but there are people that could have bought there costume at open reg and now reselling, hence no TLC to revoke.
PS: Mjsbunny, forgive any gramma errors....lmao
Actually Salsaman what Im trying to Say is that If TRIBE refunds Part of the Cost of Costumes, and Creates a Situation Where people could Get back their Money If they Default on their costume, You can easily tell who wants Back their money and those who just selling the costume for Profit.
TRIBE Can Then invoke "Caveat venditor" to their Advantage By Informing everyone that scalped costumes are a TOTAL RIPOFF... and ANYONE opting to NOT get a refund and FOUND SCALPING is A legitimate reason to Revoke TLC..So salsaman If tribe writes that into their initial purchase agreement and you still want to make 2-3-400% and you get caught Guess what! Huff de TLC!!
Tribe at the end has nothing to lose with a system like this Because they WILL without a doubt get the costume sold 1 week before carnival.. they make their 10%-15% restocking Fee....some desperate sap gets a costume....and the scalpers are somewhat deterred.
Sean as long as people choose to dig out other's eye ($5000.00 for a DEPOSIT) there will continue to be comments on it.
These people have a product they want off their hands, buyers have the power is all I have to say. Good for you Kim, there are still costumes to be had for the price it is being sold for.
Well Trinibears Tribe is SOLD OUT so there is little chance anyone would have trouble selling their costume if they can no longer play mas unless the costume is not a common size. e.g XXX Large..LOL. It all boils down to the contract as Sean mentioned. Are there any clauses in the registration form that states Tribes right to refuse delivery of a costume based on a set of circumstances other than non payment of the balance ? Whats stopping someone from registering for multiple people only to sell the additional costumes ? One could get the IDs for your entire family ,register and sell them at a later point and there is nothing Tribe can do about it. Even if you don't have a TLC you can pay someone a few hundred TT to stand in line early for you to get them registered.
LMAO @ Dougla_1...you would even include a tip !. Saucy the guy is probably targeting the foreign based masquerader who can deal with the 5K (because of preferential exchange rates). One evening in a classy night club drinking top shelf liquor could easily run you up several hundred USD. So getting your costume, food,top shelf liquor, security for two days plus many gorgeous females who may give you a 'lil wine' might be worth 5K (800usd) to someone.
Salsaman.. Im forward thinking so my ideas are for FUTURE consideration Not Immediate Implementation....and i don't expect it to become absolutely effective, and i admit it needs a lil bit more thinking out than i have given it... the point im trying to convey is that MY Idea along with other measures can help in deter the scalping. ANd I agree with you NOTHING can be done to ELIMINATE scalping..i.e nothing short of ( registration idbands with individual names and an Act of parliment with heavy fines).
so while my idea is not a "complete" on its still a step in the right direction...
ell Trinibears I have the surefire method to deter the scalpers which will have little effect on registration. Tribe has lots dough so they could pay someone to put the controls in place if they cant come up with their own.
FAMILY? I've been playing with Tribe since 2005 and they NEVER treat me like family! I must be doin smthn wrong! lol.
I think people blow this "Tribe experience" thing way out of proportion into smthn that it really is not.
Like you say, Tribe is NOT carnival.
Anyway, it is really not that serious. Well done him if he gets the money. (I certainly would not pay that for a male costume with PINK! .. but someone will)
Well TRIBE can simply state that any costumes to be resold must be done through TRIBE upon which the costume will be transfered to the name of the buyer.If a costume is sold on an independent site such as CJ or Fineahban the depositor forfeits the costume. Of course the seller can circumvent this by waiting until costume collection to actually sell the costume, but then the buyer does not get the costume transfered in their name and the seller has to wait until the last possible moment to sell the costume.. do you think with such a small window of opportunity to sell the costume they can still have a high demand/markup or would the buyer then be in a position to negotiate?
Saucy why you giving away the shop so...lol
Hmmm...i see this is quite an emotional topic for some people, so i'll thread lightly.Saucy, as i've told you, i've been playing with TRIBE as long as i've been playing mas..but seriously, this is TRINIDAD carnival!! while,i, like thousands others love the TRIBE experience, and are heavily addicted..is is really worth the highway robbery..nothing in life is, gosh man, the BEST things in life are still FREE!! Though, a TLC holder and 6 year TRIBE veteran,honestly if i dont get a costume that i really like, as mjsbunny stated..it's got to compliment YOU as a female..its the complete look..then, i'll go looking elsewhere..or i may even decide not to play..though i dont see that day coming soon!! lol.
added to which, its a MALE costume, which honestly, from band to band, since somehow 98% of the bands all have an eastern/oriental theme for 2010..they ALL look the same..really NOT worth trying to dig out people eye for! the band decides the price on the costume because they are producing it, and that is it's true worth..added to all the inclusive/exclusive peripherals.TRIBE should really consider getting invloved and putting an end to this madness..but i guess there are no laws against that..so..consumer power will have to decide the end of this saga..we're still in a recession people..spend wisely!
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