Disparity between East and West game prices

[Stealthlurker]

Some of my random thoughts on this:

1. Lots more people (especially westerners) collecting imports these days
2. Lots more westerners living in Japan trying to flip some games
3. Easier access to Yahoo Japan auctions via proxies, so some westerners not living in Japan trying to flip remotely
4. Increasing knowledge of import titles
5. More Japanese sellers peddling goods on Ebay and actually selling items, then inching up prices each round as demand permits
6. Increased demand by flippers on Yahoo Japan auctions, causes prices over there to go up too
7. Increased ebays fees + harder to get due to more competition from other flippers + possible proxy fees + shipping, then slap on some more on top to make a profit
8. Ridiculously priced items to never sell, but draw people in to browse their other items out of curiosity... then buyer might see items for sale at an actual reasonable price and buy them (the real items for sale).
9. Sellers who just don't understand and think they can make bank on old, "imported rarities"

Lots of times I see games/items I already own selling for what I think are great deals compared to prices I have seen over the years on Yahoo Japan. Sometimes I think I should just buy all the "good deal" territory shit up and flip it myself or use it for trade bait. Then I think nah... karma and I hate the hassle of selling/trading. However I'm sure there are plenty of others that have taken the other path.

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