Is flipping really so wrong (hear me out)? Sometimes aren't "flippers" the only method to get a print when they are all sold out, in two seconds, from the source? Couldn't all galleries also be considered flippers? Isn't POW a flipper? Aren't all auction houses flippers? Don't most collectors (hobbyists) engage in what could be considered flipping @ some point in their collecting career? Whether they sell a print to scrape together cash for an OG; or they finance framing via a sold print; or they buy a print in hopes they can trade it down the road for something more desirable. Aren't these examples all various forms of flipping? This "flipping" phenomenon most, vehemently debate on these forums, seems to be an integral part of the scene. I guess it just depends on one's perspective as to whether someone is labeled a "flipper", "gallerist", "auctioneer", or "collector".

There are plenty of examples to see, just go scope around some of the forums dedicated to the hobby. One can find all types of various flipping exercises that are tolerated and acceptable. Quite often the oldest and most well known forum members are flipping stuff all the time and no one bats an eye lash, but if some n00b comes around, with 10 posts or less under their belt, and tries to sell something the cries of FLIPPER are heard from far and wide. To me these cries sound like a bunch of pots calling the kettles black, and vice-versa.

As far as I am concerned if there is something I really want I try my hardest to make it mine. If it doesn't happen, life goes on and I set my sights on my next goal. I don't run to my computer and cry on the internet that some flipper stole what rightfully was supposed to be mine. This thinking never made any sense to me, how does one get a sense of entitlement about something that they do not own? Bizarre, if you ask me.

I personally don't see this collectors microcosm as different than any other. If people will somehow benefit from an activity (hobby) they will continue to participate until there is no more benefit. Unfortunately, for the die-hard collector the reality is that cash is a big benefit to most and people will go well out of their way to make some quick cash. Flippers gonna flip as long as the demand is there and people are snatching up the collectible on the secondary market for 3x the original value. IMO -- The only thing one can do to combat this activity, is to not support flipping, by not purchasing collectibles on the secondary market. Just make sure to get all of your collectibles from the source... Well, we all know how well that works.

So I don't point my hostility towards the flippers. I would suggest harness that energy, and try to curb the greed that drives people to sell and buy things @ 3x their value. If you are the one who is willing to plop down 3x the value on something, just because you must have it; you should probably take a look in the mirror before you cry out from the roof-tops of the interweb about how you have been taken by some FLIPPER! When in fact you were the one who willing clicked the "buy it now" button because it will look great once it's framed up.

I can already hear it coming... Someone call the wahhhhhhhhhmbulance!

I anticipate lots of people gonna be crying about the Banksy print that was supposed to be "theirs" but went to some dam flipper!

With the market the way it is, hard times and all that, you won't get much more than cost. You might make £50 - £100 but no more.

I wouldn't bother.

80k views on the other topic and 1500 replies someone creates this topic to talk soley about profiteering and i put up a topic about gaining information about a artist but no one responds. Why cant the artists i like all be called banksy and sign the prints banksy.

As the one who posted it, I want to apologize to anyone who takes it as "Everything that's wrong with this Forum, summarised in a single thread."

And as a relatively frequent contributor to the forum (480+ posts), you'll know I frequently contribute threads about the art itself. My reasons clearly aren't to encourage flipping or gauge the secondary market price. If I snag this print I'm keeping it.

I posted it:

1) Largely tongue in cheek. I see incredible absurdity to the Banksy print process, such that even before its released, the fact its going to be £1000+ can almost be assumed.

2) Because at this point, your chances of getting this print is so insanely minuet, you might as well stop speculating about what the release methodology is over the course of 50 pages of discussion and start speculating about what you'd have to pay on Ebay to get it.

3) I did have some idle curiosity, as I posted the poll right after I posted on the release thread what it would cost as an American to fly to London, stay in a hotel, and then pay for the print itself - should it involve an in store release. (Doubt you would come out ahead)

4) Part of me wants to point out the absurdity of it all in hopes that Banksy might release on a schedule more akin to Shepard Fairey than akin to Damien Hirst. Say what you want about Shepard Fairey's art, but at least he makes it accessible. For all the perception that Banksy is a subversive street artist, at this point its more of a brand image that must be maintained, than an actually philosophy.

5) Is it any better that the release thread is peppered with people asking hypotheticals about the release method if only to that they might figure out how to better game the system?

FINALLY, and permit a rant...

Because if Banksy is even going to consider having people line up like rats in front of his gallery, best call him out for why they are doing it. Because the print is too damn expensive to get any other way. Because you release one print a year, but increase your fan base by hundreds of thousands. Good for you, you're at the point in your career that you can screen print an image of a s**t on paper, sign it Banksy, and watch it sell for £1000 on ebay so long as its signed. It stopped being about your art a long time ago. Fairey prints are priced largely according to want for a particular image. People hang the Shepard Fairey prints they like on their wall. People hang the Banksy prints they can afford on their wall. There is a big difference. Banksy isn't just a street artist anymore, he's an ultra luxury brand like Louis Vuitton. A status symbol.

Well said