You applaud insightfulness but then appear to criticise the post by @desmond398.

I would argue that post is one of the most insightful (and witty) I've recently read. He or she seems to understand the psychology and culture of this forum very well.

Ive seen plenty of members with way more than 50 posts get  s**t on for flipping.

I think the generic term of "flipper" is kinda outdated in the modern collecting landscape. The internet and these forums have kind of turned all of us into mini dealers, constantly buying and selling. Unless your crazy rich I don't know how you could realistically build up a collection without flipping a few pieces here and there.

That being said I think it's really a breach of collector etiquette that prompts people to point the finger at "flippers." In my opinion the only situations where selling immediately is in bad form is with new releases and if another member hooks you up with a print (the timeline for ethical sale afterwards is debatable). In my opinion all other sales are totally fine. You get a steal on eBay or at auction and want to sell immediately that's perfectly reasonable. You were the one to find the piece, and your not taking art out of the hands of someone who wanted it or screwing over another forum member.

I think many of us have unfortunately bought pieces that set the high mark of the aftermarket. So it goes...but love the introspective humour

Please tell me, it's late and too cryptic for me now, Google says Yoko Ono?.

... two left feet! ...

...got to my age

I'm surprised some people would frame and hang a lenticular dog turd just because it was by Banksy.

Why would anyone buy a print they didn't actually like. If the question is buy a print at cost that they knew would re sell for multiple profit then the image or taste is not relevant.

It's like diamonds and gold. Why do people pay so much for a lump of rock that has been mined by a big corporation on the sweat of poor people whose land the diamonds are moned on? Or gold from regions of the world where the rivers are poisened with heavy metals to get the gold.

If peoples main motivation is profit then they will buy anything they can make a profit on. Hype it up to increase it's so called kudos and desirability.

Bung some in auction and with a group or a clique, shill bid up the auction prices, generate publicity.

Try to control online forums.

Private message members to try to get them to block some members who don't buy into the hype.

Then sit at home believing themselves to actually have a life worth living.

Great thread!

I personally don't think that there is any thing wrong with people profiting a bit on their art investments. The argument could be made that based on historic Banksy price trends that buying a print that you do not like strictly for investment gain is not a terrible idea.  Intelligent investments are made with the intention or hope of a return always.  If not you call it a donation.  There are certainly not many Banksy prints going for cost on the FS thread on here. After all unless we are procuring your art directly from the original artist we are all buying "flipped" art.  I think we can all agree that the Galleries that we all purchase from are not non-profit organizations that are formed with the sole intention of beautifying our personal living / working spaces with great art.  

I buy art that I like and have spent good money on pieces that likely will not see the same level of monetary gain as Banksy or the likes but that doesn't make me enjoy it any less or even make me consider not buying the work I like and instead use that money to "invest" in something else.  

Separately I do think that there is an appropriate way to go about "flipping" in this venue in particular.  For example using a "Gallery" tag and representing yourself and intentions with transparency.  Someone on here (Not a gallery)  recently posted a WTB, then price check, then FS for the same work in a 2 month span .  I personally consider this poor form and sh**ing where you eat.  I don't oppose "flipping" in general as ultimately they buyer not the seller is in full control of wether or not a deal gets done but I like to think that this forum is a bit more about appreciation that profit which in a large part it is.  

I said No, 
The majority of his prints just do not capture my attention anymore. Not to mention the price. For one I would be concerned that I may accidentally damage it. Oh and the fraudulent works out there. 
I think Banksy has become so hyped that the very meaning of what he attempts to do has become lost at not fault of his own. I think his work has more of less reverted back to the mass production of pop art culture appose street art or urban art..... what ever lingo the kids use these days. 

Personally, I think his work belongs on the streets and that is where it should remain.

But also buying any art that you dont like! even if your plan is only to make a profit on it, is a dangerous game to play. If you dont like it, maybe in reality everyone else thinks the same just hype! and they all end up getting burnt.

Only buy what you like

In my opinion flipping is parasitical. It's usually contrary to an artists wishes. It's profiting from someone else's creative endeavours. It prevents people who want to own and hang a piece from buying it, and often that person won't be able to afford the flippers price.
Now, of course, it can never be stopped. It's part of life. But it shouldn't stop the practise being criticised on here, and flippers being called out for it.
This is one of the reasons why I think the change to the sales format is not good. Flippers can act with impunity. And this risks lowering the reputation of this forum, I think.
I have no problem with people selling art. I have no problem with them selling for market value, which may be above original cost price. Circumstances change. Tastes change.
Flipping is buying with the sole intention of selling on for a profit.
I have even more of a problem with price manipulation, which is far worse than flipping. Hyping an artist with a view to offloading, to then hardly ever mention that artist again is very wrong.
If people want to flip, they will. I believe that they should be asked to take it to eBay.
These days this may well be a minotity view. It certainly wasn't when I first joined the forum.
If it is, so be it. That won't change my opinion.

I think you make good points Coach.  And I agree there should be an entirely separate market place for "flipping" like Ebay or the likes.  I much prefer this forum be a place of knowledge sharing.  I completely agree with your stance on price manipulation as well.  That has become a far too common practice and that is indeed where the benefit of comments on sales threads were valuable.  

It is an interesting concept that flippers "keep those that want to own and hang a piece from getting it".  To play Devil's Advocate for a minute I can also see the opposite scenario.  If someone really loves and wants a work that is released in a limited capacity and without online availability in a location that is not accessible to them and only "collectors who hang it on their walls" buy it than some real collectors are even less likely to own it themselves.  If local "flippers" also are in line to buy and then resell at a profit more people then actually have access to the work (albeit at a higher price).  Buyer's of course ultimately decide wether or not to pay the premium.  

Again I can't stress enough that this forum isn't the most appropriate venue for this in my opinion.