Great story Dadoser!
As for the scalping aspect of it -- live and let live, to each their own, and all that. It is how our economy works. I mean, will any of you guys sell me your FM White 11 190 or Galland 262 for $40? (And I know more than a few folks here broke the "1 262/customer" rule, too -- buying one for their "mom, dad, kids, and family dog"... )
However, if special preference is given to these guys by TM (letting them in first cuz they will buy everything...) that's not good. Sounds like that may have happened at at least one store based on the stories in this thread.
I try flipping models from time to time. I usually don't make out all that well, but sometimes I do. I see as a way of rationalizing all the time I spend watching the market -- and it makes the wife happy when I can tell her I bought x model for XX and sold it for XXXX, she tolerates the hobby a bit better for a while. (Perhaps thinking of the long term value for the time when that frying pan does finally connect with my head... come to think of it, we're due to sign new life insurance policies next week
)
And all the funds, if there are any, go back into the hobby jar.