[Cassiebsg]

You say everybody, I say there's a lot of unimformed buyers out there.

That fact that the 1st auction was even marked "rare" is an indication to me how serious the seller is.

One could always argue that one particular seller bought his/hers at the unicef stand and thus that's why the price's starting at 9.99... but we have no way of knowing if that's the case or someone who was just lucky to grab a few.

I could go on on my but I'll step down

[Guest]

I think they, IMPS/Unicef, should set up an online sale, for all those that wish to buy a smurf !

That way money would be going to the children instead of greedy ebay sellers.

Now that would be fair and charity would gain too

[smurfer]

My opinion is that IMPS should think about what is happening and will happen on ebay next months...They have left some FREE smurfs in Angouleme´s streets and some people is earning money but not IMPS...They should give the chance to all collectors of smurfs items to get one directly from them...So the price wouldn´t be so high, and people wouldn´t use the free smurfs to full their pockets!!!!!

I think they, IMPS/Unicef, should set up an online sale, for all those that wish to buy a smurf but won't be lucky enough to be in one of the choosen cities.

That way money would be going to the children instead of greedy ebay sellers.

If Unicef give every smurf collector the change to buy one of these smurfs , there will be no high prizes on Ebay , more money for charity , and only happy smurf collectors ...

[Ritter_Schlumpfenherz]

I second that, Ron.

[paolo]

I agree, and I cannot understand why they keep so secret the list of the cities they will visit.
If they tell even just one day in advance the Italian location, I think I would go there at the crack of dawn to get as many smurfs as possible.

[Cassiebsg]

Paolo, I think that's precicely why they're not revelaing what cities they'll be hitting.

What chances do they have to hid thousands of smurfs in the city, if there's already thousands of ppl searching for them even before they start?

They want to make it a surprise, and I think it's a fun way to do it.

PS - Just checked the 3 auktions... 1st is a 12,50, second something like 17 and the last over 20€! and this money and profit won't be going to the children.

[eggie smurf]

Just remember, no one ever said IMPS was smart!! The things they do by alienating us collectors really does not help them out financially at all, does it? And I'm sure they are using the same exact mentality for collecting for charity. You'd think they would target us collectors but they are way too stupid to see the huge amount of money they could get off us

[Gerda]

I agree staci, imps is pretty stupid. It makes me angry how easily they just pass by the collectors as if we where not even here, Granted smurfs are a "kids" toy and I use that term loosly, and imps tries to market to them for the most part. But how many kids go out there and say they have to have the promotion smurfs or the expensive playsets?? It is us collectors that buy up those things. I wish imps would get there heads out of there ass and set up better comunication with the collector, Things would be much better for them and us if they used us wisely. After all look how much attention the smurfs get just by haveing all the internet sites that collectors started, the official page up until a month or so ago was a joke!

Boy one sure can get on a rant about this can't they... see what happens when a smurf collector gets treated unfairly

gerda

[Azrael]

Grrr..

Why is it when I'm offline for one day annoying things happen!?

Anything over 10euro is too much, in my opinion. The tour is going on all year.. these will only end up, in my opinion, as popular and 'rare' as the mcdonalds smurfs!

Also, I had a thought (shockin I know!). Is there any way we can make a list of all the people in certain areas? Eg, that way, if the smurfs visit, say, London or Paris, us smurfy collectors can meet up for smurfing beer, hunt smurfs and discuss collecting smurfs!

[Rachel]

I think they, IMPS/Unicef, should set up an online sale, for all those that wish to buy a smurf but won't be lucky enough to be in one of the choosen cities.

Funnily enough, hubby said the same thing the very first day they appeared and I agree with you all, they would certainly make more for the charity.

[Smurf1303]

Totally agree would be good if collectors could buy some of the unicef ones online but don't think IMPS thinks like that.

Oh well fingers crossed they'll come to a English city.

[Smurfysmurf]

I got to pipe up again...please don't shoot me

I think most new smurfs are quite cheap, so I think IMPS has never targeted collectors but mostly children and has always considered smurfs as toys. From what I can see most promos and playsets were very affordable when they first came out but as they grew rarer over the years and were picked up by collectors their prices increased drastically. Case in point is the FAmilie & Co smurf...when I asked around how much collectors spent on him, everybody who got it a few years back quoted me a price that is much less than this smurf is worth now..and the same holds true for some playsets and buildings. Ask any collector who bought these when they were first released and you will be very envious

I do agree with Ron...I think IMPS would do a lot of good if they started to sell these smurfs online themselves to everybody who can't get to the cities and give the money to UNICEF...they still can hide them in the cities, as I think everybody would go to their stand if they came to their city..I know I would if they showed up in Chatty or even Dunlap..

Has anybody considered the possiblity that some of these new smurfs will show up on ebay as painted rare smurfs and may even be sold as a promo type or proto type....In that case..we really need to stay informed so nobody will fall into that trap and actually believe the sellers...I don't mind sellers trying to sell the smurfs in their raw condition..it's a free market afterall...but when they start pulling something over us ..well, then I do mind very very much

[Rachel]

Hi Maureen, I completely agree. I can fully understand that the smurf figures have always been considered a toy and the main retail aim is always going to be at children. I do however think it is a real shame that adult smurf collectors and their opinions and needs have largley been ignored over the years, especially the lack of any infomation and communication.

With it being such a big anniversary and such a large celebration planned, I would liked to have thought that everyone could have been involved, collectors and children alike and especially a large and important charity involved such as UNICEF.

I have not heard anything back from IMPS yet but I am staying hopeful at the moment.

[eggie smurf]

Totally off topic but Rach have you looked at your post count??

Posts: 7777

Today should be your lucky day

[Cassiebsg]

Totally off topic but Rach have you looked at your post count??

Posts: 7777

Today should be your lucky day

And if you post only 5 more, then it must be yours too.

[eggie smurf]

And if you post only 5 more, then it must be yours too.

I didn't even notice mine, Sandra 5 actually is one of my lucky numbers too - maybe I'll have to get to 5555 and just stop

[Smurfysmurf]

or work your way up to 55555..that's even more lucky...5 5's....

[smurfieduck]

Fishy wrote:

5 actually is one of my lucky numbers too

DITTO!!!!! It always has been

[paolo]

And what if they've decided to go to the towns where there are big comic books festivals?

[steveparkes]

They won't be coming to the UK then will they Paolo..I can't think of anywhere here that has a comic festival