Action Figure Fraud: Is this a problem at your local stores??? [Archive] - ActionFigureNews.ca - Canadian Action Figure News and Discussion

Supertofu

06-26-2010, 10:16 AM

There seems to be an ongoing problem at my local Wal-Mart. Someone keeps returning figures with the wrong packaging.

So far I have seen Marvel Universe figures being returned with G.I. Joe figures from the movie. I have also seen Marvel Universe figures being returned with a Wolverine figure from the Wolverine and the X-Men line. Most recently I have seen a 6 inch Mark 5 Iron Man on the selves with the suit case from the 3 inch line and no right hands. This person switched all the right hands with lefts.

This is considered fraud and a criminal offense. I do hope that whoever is doing this gets caught. Not only are they committing a crime but they are filling the selves with crap that no one wants. This means that there will be a delay in getting any new stock or shipments.

Are any of you guys experiencing the same problem at your stores?

Bruticus82

06-26-2010, 12:22 PM

I haven't seen any at my stores, but we read about it all the time on the transformers forums at cybertron.ca People returning smaller transformers in boxes meant for larger figures, or returning old/broken figures in boxes as if they were new.

The merchants seem to tacitly approve of this as Walmart and Zellers have put the items back on display, even after informed fans (such as us) bring the item to customer service and complain that it is not the right item. I know they're probably just trying to cut their losses, but it bothers me to think that some kindly mother/father/grandparent/uncle who doesn't know any better is going to buy one of these things, assuming it's what their child/grandchild/nephew/niece wants, only to result in disappointment all around.

pud333

06-26-2010, 12:44 PM

Not lately, but for a while I saw a lot of GI Joe repacks. I saw a Serpentor Chariot in a Hiss tank box, which seemed like the most glaring offense. Here's a hint to those who may be lurking and are doing this kind of thing: It's theft. You are a thief if you do this. If you cannot afford to buy the toy outright, you cannot afford it. And if you are willing to trade your personal integrity in by stealing a plastic toy, well, then there's no hope for you. It's that simple.

Robimus

06-26-2010, 01:19 PM

I started collecting as an adult in 1995 and it was happening then. Not much one can do really.

The stores should honestly be a bit more on the ball about this as its not that difficult to figure out.

Supertofu

06-27-2010, 11:39 PM

I see it happening at TRU now. Just today I saw on the shelf DCUC batman from the 2-pack with Clayface in a DCUC Batman all-stars packaging with no accessories or figure stand.

It's really sad that people have to commit fraud and scams over toys. If you really can't afford it you should just leave it for people who can.

Honestly I would rather see a scalper buy the toy instead of someone who has the intentions on committing fraud.

pandaprime

06-27-2010, 11:56 PM

yeah that really grinds my gears! :mad:
http://gameinformer.com/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.45.27.94.Attached+Files/0250.what_2D00_grinds_2D00_my_2D00_gears.jpg

Napseeker

06-28-2010, 10:01 AM

I actually had this swapping occur on a regular basis at my Zellers for both SW and GI Joe. Solution: I turned in each and every swap to their customer service dept week after week until they got so sick of seeing me that they instituted new policies about handling toy returns (they would call down the person who handled the toy section to verify that the toy inside had not been swapped out before accepting the return... I told them "hey! Just look at the damn photo on the card and compare it to the toy inside!" but that's dept stores for you).

They eventually caught the perp but I was shocked to learn they just let him go (well banning him from the store but big deal... they should've filed charges).

RyDel

07-03-2010, 04:56 PM

Swapping is out of control at a Zellers near my house. I've alerted costumer service but they seem disinterested. I've actually seen swapped products I've brought to them back on the shelf a day or two later.

Some one is also using a Exacto blade to remove droid pieces from the build a droid lines.

It sucks.

Napseeker

07-04-2010, 01:12 AM

Ask to speak to the manager... I eventually ran into the manager who worked at my Zellers and he actually was glad to be made aware of the situation. I explained to him that swapping in crap for good products that were stolen only means that smart collectors are not ever going to buy the product, which means it lingers FOREVER on the pegs and no new product ever gets put out... thus the store loses money and is forced to put it on clearance. And of course their computer inventory system can't tell the difference between the geuine article and swapped in crap.

Once you make a business case to the manager directly, they tell the customer service dept to ship up. I definitely wouldn't leave it in the hands of just the customer rep folks - in many cases, toys don't rank very high on their security/theft concerns.

RyDel

07-04-2010, 01:21 PM

Good point Napseeker.

Marvs

07-05-2010, 11:19 PM

I have seen this a few times before. Oddly enough only at Zellers. (so far) Once, I came across the Zellers exclusive Wedge with X-Wing and somone had replaced Wedge and his droid with a Saga Legends Luke X-wing pilot and Saga Legends R2-D2. Strange thing was a friend of mine actually bought that exact set for his son, he didn't have a clue until I told him the figures were the wrong ones.

Quantum

07-06-2010, 10:33 PM

I've heard tell the tales, but I don't think I've ever actually seen a repack in the wild.

Supertofu

09-02-2010, 09:12 PM

It is starting to get ridiculous at my local WM. Today I found this in the Transformers section:

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz319/supertofu1/Mudflap.jpg

So basically someone replaced the new Transformers Generations deluxe Cybertronian Bumblebee with a ROTF deluxe Mudflap. Notice the Mudflap does not even fit in the bubble shell properly.

pandaprime

09-02-2010, 09:15 PM

It is starting to get ridiculous at my local WM. Today I found this in the Transformers section:

So basically someone replaced a ROTF deluxe Mudflap with the new Transformers Generations deluxe Cybertronian Bumblebee. Notice the Mudflap does not fit in the bubble shell properly.

yeah that really grinds my gears! :mad:
http://gameinformer.com/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.45.27.94.Attached+Files/0250.what_2D00_grinds_2D00_my_2D00_gears.jpg

pud333

09-02-2010, 10:07 PM

Man I hate people sometimes.

Marvs

09-02-2010, 11:30 PM

Man I hate people sometimes.

"They're the worst."

I can't believe that people actually pull this type of crap.

Super_Megatron

09-02-2010, 11:55 PM

It's been years since I've seen this happen in stores, but it's been going on for years.

Robimus

09-03-2010, 12:03 AM

I've seen it, but in very limited numbers over the years. Maybe one or two times. It seems to be happening more in the GTA.

Napseeker

09-03-2010, 01:37 AM

I think I've said this before... but report it, ask to speak to the manager if you see happen a second time, and they should have security camera footage of the person making the return. I know my local Zellers has a camera placed in their customer service section just for these kinds of "swaps". They can look at the footage and at least get an idea of what this person looks like for the next time and hopefully nail them for fraud.

tninjha

09-03-2010, 09:19 AM

A few months back there was the package, but no figure!! Someone opened it and took off the figure! How did they have time to do that?

Haggis

09-03-2010, 10:13 AM

A few months back there was the package, but no figure!! Someone opened it and took off the figure! How did they have time to do that?

I see this more then figure swaps.

Mostly on Marvel figires, but one time I found a empty Leader megs

Supertofu

09-03-2010, 10:26 AM

Another big problem I find in stores is the BAF piece missing or stolen. It totally turns the collector away from buying it as we are also paying for the figure and the BAF piece.

I have seen a variant Booster Gold from the DCUC line with the package ripped opened without the BAF. I would have bought it if it was complete.

pattycakeman

09-03-2010, 10:27 AM

I see this more then figure swaps.

Mostly on Marvel figires, but one time I found a empty Leader megs

I see this all the time but strangely only with IM2 figures. And for some reason even after restocks they keep them on the shelves.

CTO15

09-03-2010, 11:02 AM

im assuming you see that at walmart. Walmart employees don't really care what happen, as long as they get their pay cheques in the end

pud333

09-03-2010, 11:10 AM

You know, if you're gonna steal something, at least have the balls to steal something decent. Like an MP Grimlock or something. I really wish I could catch one of these repackers.

RyDel

09-03-2010, 11:18 AM

I really wish I could catch one of these repackers.

I literally tried to stake out the zellers near me in attempt to do just that. Problem is I think the person doing it was actually one of the employees. It was happening to much.

Robimus

09-03-2010, 01:53 PM

The catch with the out and out thrft is that stores budget for theft. If a build a whatever peice gets stolen they should mark the figure down and sell it none the less.

Too often they just leave it on the peg trying to sell it for regular price.

Bustajesse

09-04-2010, 01:04 AM

It happens in Ottawa all the time.

vujonny

09-04-2010, 02:47 AM

^ i see it all the time. Action Figures get stolen a lot. I also see open card packs around stores all the time

Marvs

09-04-2010, 10:52 AM

I have probably seen empty packages more then an actual figure swapped out.

Supertofu

09-09-2010, 09:25 PM

Today I found these in the action figure section at my local WM:

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz319/supertofu1/GIJoe.jpg

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz319/supertofu1/Omac.jpg

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz319/supertofu1/Beast.jpg

Napseeker

09-09-2010, 11:53 PM

Wow. Just wow. A $4 Cover Girl figure in place of a $10 Iron Man figure; a lot of work to save $6... now that is a cheapskate.

Bruticus82

09-10-2010, 03:33 PM

I just don't get this. I haven't seen it around here in person, but it just seems like a horrible thing for a person to do.

I can almost imagine parents or grandparents, ignorant of toys, finding the one with the right name on it, buying it for their child, only to have them terribly disappointed when they open it, breaking the parent/grandparent's heart.

Yes, I have an active and sad imagination.

HumanEraser LS-02

09-13-2010, 09:40 AM

I've seen some DCUC Batman figures replaced with either a Deadpool figure, or some other inferior toy.

CTO15

09-13-2010, 09:46 AM

i just don't get why customer service people can't see the package, and look to make sure the toy matches the character. All they have to do is flip over the package and look at the back.

HumanEraser LS-02

09-17-2010, 05:24 PM

Today I found these in the action figure section at my local WM:

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz319/supertofu1/GIJoe.jpg

I actually saw that one, and told a WalMart staffer about it.

Supertofu

09-17-2010, 07:07 PM

I've seen some DCUC Batman figures replaced with either a Deadpool figure, or some other inferior toy.

Was this Deadpool figure the one from the ML 6 series?

I actually saw that one, and told a WalMart staffer about it.

What did the staff say about it or did with the figure?

HumanEraser LS-02

10-07-2010, 01:44 AM

Was this Deadpool figure the one from the ML 6 series?

What did the staff say about it or did with the figure?

They took it off the shelves.

TFtoys

10-08-2010, 08:11 PM

I think it does increase the level of the security while returning/exchanging the item. Now the store requires to see some ID to be able to exchange. Before we can just do a straight exchange for the same kind, such as marvel universe ms. marvel to marvel universe hulk without a receipt.

Robimus

10-09-2010, 12:47 PM

A couple weeks back I found a Bludgeon in a Banzai-tron box at TRU. It was an obvious product switch as the Bludgeon one was open(tape was cut).

I alerted the proper authorities.

Hantei

10-14-2010, 05:53 PM

Wow, didn't to expect to see this happen in Calgary. But it looks like someone swapped out Vintage Dack, Vader, and Luke with (I believe) Power of the Force Biggs, Vader, and Speeder Bike Luke. The biggest offender has to be Luke, he looks nothing like Bespin outfit photoed.

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/3026/imag0009yl.jpg

Napseeker

10-14-2010, 07:40 PM

Out and out that is amazing. How did they reseal the bubble? I can't tell from the photo - did they just reglue it? Which store is this - Walmart? TRU?

Hantei

10-14-2010, 08:02 PM

This was at Walmart. They opened it from the left side, there was tear on the cardboard, resealed using tape. You can kinda see tear on the Vader card. It was actually a pretty clean repack if the tape wasn't there.

Kind of a annoying as I stopped by there with the intent of picking up a Dack, only to find out the only one there was swapped out.

pandaprime

10-14-2010, 10:48 PM

tninjha

10-15-2010, 08:41 AM

Wow to go through all the trouble... haha...

RyDel

10-15-2010, 09:29 AM

So lame.

Marvs

10-16-2010, 11:49 AM

I am guessing that this is some sort of twisted hobby to those people. What a waste of time.

Napseeker

10-21-2010, 09:24 PM

I've always considered swappers to be far worse scum than scalpers - at least scalpers will trigger an actual sale for the retail store (although they screw over collectors) whereas swappers screw just about everybody:
- the store makes no sale
- the collectors don't get the figure(s) they want and of course, we often get the blame for this type of behavior
- the parents/kids innocently may buy this crap and end up with junk product (and if they return it, the store has to eat the loss)
- and once again, if no one reports the swap, the swapped in toy just rots on the pegs as collectors ignore it, and eventually gets clearanced out for $1

Swappers are the real lowlifes of the collecting community.

vujonny

10-22-2010, 05:34 PM

Found this at some Mall in Zellers
The thing is that the package was perfectly sealed.
It was like it was never opened. Really.
I can understand why someone took Doc Doom.
He is Awesome Compared to Absorbing man but really.
Dont do this...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c253/vujonny/IMG_0341.jpg

Hantei

12-16-2010, 08:47 PM

Spotted this today, I think this was at the same WM as my last post. Certainly looks like the handy work of the previous culprit. Hopefully you can make out the taping job they did on the second pic.

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/2338/imag0051w.jpghttp://img41.imageshack.us/img41/9919/imag0052lv.jpg

ARROW

12-16-2010, 11:12 PM

Swappers are very difficult to prosecute because their crime is so small in the scheme of things.
Most of the folks doing it are fellow collectors, seeking to expand their collections via a zero-sum strategy--buying one item swapping a figure or part, and returning the sealed item for a refund which they use to buy yet another item and so on.
The stores treat it indifferently because the loss is only about $10 on average, AND they have a return item in a "sell-able condition"--never minds that its not as packaged. It appears to have the contents intact and that is all the concern themselves with.
Tracing the items with computerized returns is impractical, because the costs of implementing such security far outweigh the losses.
Realize that this kind of fraud is happening in EVERY store department. Yes, people attempt to shamelessly return damaged or older goods ( like TVs or appliances) swapped for newer ones and not all of them are prosecuted. The less the cost of the item is, the less likely ANYTHING will be done, and toys are right at the bottom of the list.
In Fact, many retailers still consider toys to be loss-leaders--because they actually expect items on the shelves to be opened on the spot by children, and thus considered unsellable if not bought by the parents. Note that the products that they consider to actually be valuable are locked up in cabinets--like video games--so the rest of the stuff on the shelves is literally "sacrificial".

Yes, it sucks, yes its frustrating, but there's nothing you or I can do about it. Making the staff aware of the item is making them aware of a loss.......and if they can sell the tampered item as is unbeknownst to a consumer, then they do not have to take a loss. That is all they care about--which is why the stuff is returned to the shelves. That is why the classic consumer axiom; caveat emptor-let the buyer beware- always applies.

Hantei

03-04-2011, 08:06 PM

It's Star Wars again, this time at different Wal-Mart (but not too far from the usual spot). I wonder if this is the same guy that doing this. The clean repacking is certainly his modus operandi.

http://i52.tinypic.com/1z334lw.jpg

Supertofu

07-08-2011, 03:11 PM

Saw this at a Wal-Mart in Richmond Hill:

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb257/ed_is_on_2007/DSC00221.jpg

Saw this at the TRU in Markham:

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb257/ed_is_on_2007/DSC00223.jpg

I'm really surprised that they let this one slip by them.

Hantei

07-15-2011, 02:36 AM

Clone Wars stuff at a Toys "R" Us. This is kinda of surprising, I thought they were more strict about opened product. You'd think the employees would at least check the back of the packaging to see if the figures matched.

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/1226/imag0180w.jpg

Napseeker

07-15-2011, 05:35 AM

Check the back of the product? Heck, check the image right there on the top-right corner :P

Robimus

07-15-2011, 11:56 AM

I've seen this problem at TRU in the past as well.

vujonny

07-15-2011, 12:21 PM

I just saw a spiderman head on a deluxe captain america figure at TRU.

vujonny

07-16-2011, 05:34 PM

Dont know why you would only want a cap head...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c253/vujonny/IMG_0674.jpg
RED SKULL!!!
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c253/vujonny/IMG_0675.jpg

Wing Leader

09-13-2011, 11:12 PM

The pattern I see here is alot of people finding these issues at Walmart. That's because Walmart is the most laxed retail store on the planet when it comes to return policies. The employees don't care because they know a company that big will never notice. I used to work for an EB Games, and often times we wouldn't return a video game because it had either been opened or the customer had no receipt. I don't know how many times I had to refuse a return to a customer, only to have them come back later on and tell me that Walmart let them return it opened and without a receipt. They really just don't care.

vujonny

09-13-2011, 11:27 PM

I've seen to many X force 3 pack recently at wal mart.
Damn if your gonna do this just steal the whole thing.
I would be so nervous in line trying to do this.

Hantei

09-14-2011, 12:01 AM

aznpnoy

09-14-2011, 07:21 AM

The worst Walmart that I've been to regarding this is the one at Bayview and Hwy7.. U would see at least 3 swapped figures everytime..

Icetron

09-14-2011, 10:13 PM

Wing Leader

09-14-2011, 10:21 PM

They always had a "no receipt no return" policy. They just didn't start enforcing it until now. I have heard that they finally started cracking down on that, but that's the only thing they've cracked down on from what I've seen, and that's just one part of the problem.

jacobot

11-17-2011, 05:24 PM

I want that FAB... But not for $20 ;)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6057/6264812370_bda34fca44.jpg

cobralegion

11-25-2011, 01:15 PM

I've been collecting since 1992 and have never seen it. Maybe its just the fact that I live in a smaller city. Even working at Zellers for the last 5 years I've never seen it. Lots and lots of theft but no figure swapping. Pokemon cards and pregnancy tests are big sellers/theft lol.

FormBX257

12-10-2011, 02:50 AM

I remember seeing a swap at TRU a while back - a Galactic Marine in a Snow Trooper card. Close in looks, but not quite. That made me scratch my head though; always thought the Galactic Marine was more sought after?
Cobralegion- Pokemon and pregnancy? I'm moving to Red Deer!

vujonny

03-04-2012, 10:39 AM

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c253/vujonny/b044cfc7.jpg
Thor got a hair cut

66jedikiller66

03-04-2012, 11:01 AM

Yeeouch they could have at least put a little effort into it.
That looks nothing like Thor!

66jedikiller66

03-04-2012, 11:05 AM

I live in a border city.
So I see and here about this more in the States.
It used to amuse me until one time years ago there was a wave of Star Wars figures I really wanted, I found 3 of them on the pegs at a Walmart and they were all switched up.
I failed to see the humor in it after that point.

Napseeker

03-04-2012, 10:45 PM

Man that stinks, no one will buy it now - I hope you handed it over to the customer service department. Maybe they'll catch the guy who originally returned it.

CTO15

03-04-2012, 11:16 PM

Man that stinks, no one will buy it now - I hope you handed it over to the customer service department. Maybe they'll catch the guy who originally returned it.

too bad most stores don't care about action figure fraud like we do.

It just takes a customer service rep to look over the figures for 1 second longer. :argh:

Eko123

03-10-2012, 03:42 AM

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c253/vujonny/b044cfc7.jpg
Thor got a hair cut

What's sad is that even though it just came out, that particular Thor figure from that wave will probably end up being very easy to find on the pegs. I've noticed that it's the Storm and Psylocke figures which are getting snatched up.

Like everyone else has said, swappers are thieves committing a crime...no ifs or buts about it. If you're that poor (and pathetic) where you feel you need to resort to stealing just to acquire an action figure you really want...get a freaking job so you have money to buy them and get a life!!! :argh: That's what the rest of us collectors do.

Sure, we all love action figures and it's a very fun hobby, but to put time and energy into an illegal activity like swapping is just wrong on so many levels.

My question is...are these people stealing for their own collections, or are they selling the figures on eBay, hoping to make a profit by jacking up the price for what they perceive to be a hard-to-find item?

Hantei

03-12-2012, 02:04 AM

My question is...are these people stealing for their own collections, or are they selling the figures on eBay, hoping to make a profit by jacking up the price for what they perceive to be a hard-to-find item?
That doesn't really make sense, since I imagine they'd be worth less loose. All that trouble just to get, maybe, $5? I'd go with the former, where they're swapping for their own collection. At least I can see that being the case for the SW TVC stuff.

Prime Sinister

03-13-2012, 10:54 AM

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c253/vujonny/b044cfc7.jpg
Thor got a hair cut

I saw that Thor! Was it at Sherway TRU?

vujonny

03-13-2012, 12:44 PM

I saw that Thor! Was it at Sherway TRU?

Yep!... Still there eh

Prime Sinister

03-13-2012, 01:26 PM

Sherway TRU had 8 (1 case) of MLs in their system, but nobody could find them in the back.

CTO15

03-13-2012, 01:43 PM

Sherway TRU had 8 (1 case) of MLs in their system, but nobody could find them in the back.

they could be in transit still.

Prime Sinister

03-13-2012, 08:34 PM

Back to swapping, can't possibly profit from it since packages opened -- no longer MOC. Cost more to drive to store, drive home, swap figure X for figure Y, drive to store, drive home. Gas & time wasted!

vujonny

03-24-2012, 12:44 PM

saw this over at fwoosh

GBMan
Saw this in a Walmart up here in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. Yellow Sinestro-Batman? Notice the peeling paint and the figure is sealed on card too. Weirdness.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/689/photo0184v.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/546/photo0185j.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/805/photo0186p.jpg/

Prime Sinister

04-03-2012, 11:53 PM

I'm a little embarrassed to post this. I bought ML Thor from Markville Toys R Us a few weeks ago. Never opened him. I was on the fence whether to keep him or not (I already have ML3 Thor). Luckily I checked a few YouTube reviews before I was going to open Thor. I noticed his left had was a fist instead of being opened. I also noticed more details (wrinkles) on his costume. When I viewed a video showing the ML compared to the Select Thor, I knew I was duped!
I bought a Marvel Select Thor in ML packaging! :yelling: After re-examining the back of the card, the taping now looks a little sloppy and the bottom must have been re-glued.
I just returned him today back to the same TRU.
There was on the peg a ML red IM, but the card was ripped opened, but the BAF piece was still inside???

Hantei

04-05-2012, 02:07 PM

Haha, wow, I'm surprised they kept the new Mjolnir in there. The MS one is crappy compared to the ML one.

Prime Sinister

04-05-2012, 07:06 PM

So should we expect to see more of these as people upgrade their Modern Thor with ML for MS?

vujonny

04-05-2012, 07:12 PM

Oh wow. Thor is just getting it! I just checked my ML Thor MOC. its all good folks! lol

Prime Sinister

04-06-2012, 12:58 AM

"I'm not sure where to post this but here's something funny.

I went to a local walmart today to look the ML Thor and I finally found him. I was pretty excited until upon closer inspection I notice that Thor had some extra detail from what I remember in online photos. The packaging was a little weird too. Someone decided to buy ML Thor and return it with MS Thor resealed back in the package. So what I'm really trying to say is that I'm still looking for ML Thor. http://thefwoosh.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif"

Found this today on Fwoosh from person from California.