Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: It’s a Crime & You’re An Idiot
“Darren R” sent me these photos a few days ago of what he saw on a shelf at WM …
And …
In case you are confused and think this is a good thing or are thinking about this … here’s where your brain went off the rails.
1) ILLEGAL. You are only allowed to exchange or return what you purchased.
2) This is SHOPLIFTING or THEFT of “goods.” Yes, that’s right. You don’t have the guts to cut it open and put it in your pockets – taking it home and swapping out ‘other’ things is the SAME THING only with more gasoline.
3) Why? It’s the same as defacing it – you have LOWERED or ELIMINATED it’s value – SHOPLIFTING. THEFT. The end result is the same. Replacing it with other Mattel CARS changes NOTHING because YOU do not get to decide what goes in the packaging. What’s next, buying a new iPod and replacing with the last generation one? This is FRAUD. You are misrepresenting your return reason.
4) The store allows you to return things if it’s damaged or even if you are displeased with it – not as a “free” ride for you. The other thing you are getting away with is your capacity of right & wrong. This is a slippery slope just as if the clerk cannot find a price, the right answer is “I don’t know.” If they decide on a price that is acceptable to you, that’s fine but do not randomly suggest some lower price if YOU KNOW IT IS NOT CORRECT. What’s next, taping your own handmade UPC’s onto a case – yes, it’s called THEFT no matter how much you want to sugarcoat it. I understand wanting to save a few bucks and trust me, if something is on sale and they ring it up wrong, I will say something even if it’s a $.25 but you are not entitled to make your own “sale price.” If you find the price objectionable, do not buy it or do not buy it there.
5) What have you really gained? Presuming you paid about $4 a CAR with taxes & gasoline for the 6 CARS or about $25 (we’ll round up a little more) and then bought two 3-packs for about $25 bucks with tax & gasoline, you have in effect spent the EXACT same amount and subjected yourself to ridicule and possible arrest in attempting to defraud the store? At worst, arrest – at best – perhaps having your photo taken and banned from that store – for what? For “sticking it” to the man? Really? That’s your blow against the tyranny of capitalism? That’s your Manifesto against corporate oppression? Hugo Chavez will definite build a statute for you …
6) Your time is really well spent being an idiot? I will drive to a store, buy merchandise, swap it for wrong merchandise – expending time and energy twist-tieing everything back and gluing back the flaps and driving back to the store in hopes of finding a less knowledgeable clerk – subjecting myself to ridicule and arrest for the possible monetary gain of …
ZERO?
Really? Really?
That’s what your making a stand on? That’s the best use of your life and life’s pursuits?
Really?
I don’t usually like to judge people but I have to say – idiot. And honestly, if I’m your moral compass, dude – you must find your way back.
7) YOU ARE COLLECTING TOYS FOR THE WRONG REASONS.
8) Really, you do not know any kids anywhere within the radius of your drive BACK to the store that could use a few toys?
9) Toys are for for kids or the kid in you – not the shoplifting fraud committing idiot that is currently residing in you – get rid of that guy and remember the fun aspects of toys & collecting.
10) But I believe in redemption. If you have done this, before the year is out, you must donate at least double the fraud you have committed to a toy drive … AND you must deliver unopened items that YOU want to collect. Do not just buy a bunch of Tumblweed McQueen’s and call it penanace – I want to see Sarge’s Boot Camp’s, Speedway 4-packs and Christmas CARS in the Toys for Tots box or CARS CARES or other toy donation programs.
Wow, it’s hard to ride on a giant white high horse and type … so remember, we want less idiots in this world, we need less idiots so start small – try not to be an idiot for an hour and work your way up to making it a full time gig.
I can almost make it to two hours as long as I’m not near a heat source of unimaginable explosive powers. So, good luck to you.
“Longsnapper” sends along a few more pics that he is pretty common in his local Target store … clearly an active idiot swapper and defacer …
If this is a common thing in your store, your best bet is to contact corporate through email or fill out a comment card – that way they have written evidence and it’s easier for them to work through the chain of command responsibility. Some stores will actually photograph items and when people return them, they can look at the photo to see what it’s supposed to look like … I can’t imagine in a typical day there are that many CARS return items so it should be a straightforward thing to them.
(Clearly I’m the idiot for the starting this post … please read this one instead).
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9 October 2009
132 Comments
I see these all the time here too… worse yet, i talked to the manager and he told me that their inventory in the system never match up with what they have on the pegs… which means those were stolen period. I see open cases with no car inside in both cars and hotwheels section all the time… sooooooo sad! π
And the other day I went to kohl’s restroom… they were all out of toilet paper. And when i went to customer service, they told me ALL their toilet papers were stolen. That’s just horrible.
Clearly we are not all going to agree on this. The fact is there are 2 seperate things we are dealing with:
1. The Law If there are rules or laws and they are broken that is illegal! The interpretation of these laws lies with the people that have set them are legally allowed to enforce them. Rules are made for the guidance of the wise and strict adherence of fools(idiots)!
2. Morals We all judge behaviour by our own set of morals. These morals are moulded by our upbringing and experiences in life, and every person has a different set of morals and arguing about them, in my experience, has never changed another persons set of morals. It may make the person who is venting or mouthing off about how what someone else is doing is wrong,feel better or morally superior but it is unlikely to change the other person beliefs and viewpoints. Do we have the right to complain about someones else actions? – who gives a person their rights. Why do we always assume we have so many rights? Is it fair to try and impress and force our set of morals on others? Is this not the background behind racism? The oppressors trully believe they morally correct in their actions. (NB: I am not in any way condoning racism – merely pointing out that racism is judging another person that is different than you by your own set of moral standards and beliefs. It may be an extreme example and far removed from Cars but it is nonetheless a very emotive example which is why I used it)
By some peoples set of morals judging another person for their actions is wrong! This means that in that persons eyes some of the people on here, telling others that something is wrong, are equally morally wrong.
I think we should all do more car collecting and less judging of each other. We are never going to agree and I think these discussions on morals seldom serve any purpose, and generally create an uncomfortable cloud on Take 5 and I honestly believe these discussions are the only negative thing on this great site and are the type of thing that will slow down the growth of this site. (IMHO)
At the end of the day if something makes you feel uncomfortable and alarm bells ring – don’t do it. If however you sleep well at night and you haven’t broken any laws then go for it! Let’s all work on being the best people that we can be and leave it up to each persons concience to judge the morality of their actions. We all have our own little voice. The fact that only you can hear it is because it has been created to guide your actions!
If you point a finger at someone else you have 3 pointing back at you!
Take the plank out of your own eye before pointing out the speck in someone else eye!
PS. I have a lenticular McQueen with an unique scratch on it – one of a kind- for sale for $10,000 π Is that a fair price?
Sorry poor attempt at humour/humor to improve the balance of my post)
(MET: Guess just because I have a master carton of canned worms and a new can opener to test out, I shouldn’t mesh the two together :-/ … My original point was a very narrow band one – do not open box sets and place other CARS in them – that was really my only point … I do not pretend that I am pious or perfect and other than that, I am not judging you … so beyond that, you’re on your own).
yes, exactly that WAS your point.. and then an individual at the top of the post decided to completely change the mood of the post.. which caused the entire rant of everyone else.. when the entire time your post and the situation mentioned were completely UNRELATED…
IMHO I enjoy discussions on morals and ethics. I have studied it at Uni and one way to really improve one’s own belief system is to examine others. By discussing it we can see the reasons underlying people’s behaviour and our own.
And yes, they can actually force people to change beliefs. Jack actually did just that now to me and I am beginning to see e-bayers in a whole new light just because of his words.
I think the reason some people don’t like these discussions is they can’t handle if they are wrong. And worse, if they are, they are unwilling to change.
But one thing I will agree, they take up to much space on the boards (partly my rants). I said it above, I am at least going to hold off on the e-bay criticisms for a while.
Yes I agree Matt. I will do the same because if I am reading Met right it seems that he feels it would be an even better best site without the moral opinions and without further moral opinions on the original moral opinions therfore no moral opinions, because if you mention against making moral opinions then you are doing the same thing as the original moral opinion. Whew that was alot of moral opinions while not acctually expressing any moral opinions. Anyway I see the piont so not only will I continue to try and not express any moral opinions I will also not speak out against others expressing moral opinions. Now back to our reguarly scheduled show.
This used to happen a lot with the Simpsons environments – when they’d come with an exclusive figure. I got excited once thinking I’d found a funky error package, only to realize once I got home, that some yahoo had replaced the exclusive figure with a more undesirable one. (Still gathering dust here…) I think it was somehow switched at TRU, though, because TRU doesn’t accept returns on what they deem “collectibles” – round here, the Cars fall into that category. (Hot Wheels, HeMan, Simpsons, etc…) Not so with the other stores – would be smarter if they (WM, Target, KMart) established the same policy – then, problem solved!! Although, like a few others above have pointed out, Fred & impound Snot? I would think just more LMcQ’s.
Also want to weigh in on the Kmart return of LMcQ’s – bad, bad, bad. For all the reasons everyone else has stated. One should return only the EXACT item they bought, in original condition. There. That’s my 2 cents worth.
GREAT Avatar!
Agree!
I’ve only ever seen the odd ones like this in the UK but we don’t get many boxed sets and we have not had these boxed 3 packs.
I did see a Dinoco McQueen chase with his cup stolen last week.
Maybe the LMQ guy bought 18 kmart2 cases opened them all and returned the LMQ’s. He paid for them and returned them b/c almost nobody wants another LMQ. He probably shouldn’t have bought so many, though. The 3 packs are definitely theft and idiotic. Too bad people resort to this. It’s not the store’s fault that Mattel is sticking them with too many LMQ’s.
Saw this once at Walmart. They took out Vitoline & Tank coat from the launchers and replaced them with Chick & McQueen. I got so happy when I saw the names and them I pulled the out of the back and saw that. I feel disgusted by people who do this kind of things. At least steal the car in the store that way they find the package and call it stolen and order more. I wanna go all out in rage but this is a public forum with possible children reading and I respect that.
Yep..I have seen this before…removing the Dinoco Girls and putting whatever car they could find!! That’s terrible!
Excellent post MET!
Rest assured however idiots frequently committing return fraud eventually go to jail. π
I would love that three-pack with lil’ Fred – Crazy McQueen and chase Snots!!!
I actually thought about buying it when I saw it….One of the better acts of thievery I have seen.
π
How dum can the people at stores be?really.!!I have seen some people really look at the cars and check.
Exactly…how they can not see there is “some different” on the package… β That’s their fault for taking that as a return.
I was at Toys R Us and found one of the “TRU only” sets with the Tractor torn in half well, really his wheels were still connected to the box and the rest of him was “tipped.” And then the person obviously succeeded in the second stealing of tractor because he was a goner in another pack! Both packs were taped shut… weird! I gave them to the guy on the floor that was helping me.
This is thievery most foul! I think the worst one I ever saw was where someone replaced finish line McQ with one of those plastic McQ’s from a playset! I was so angry! From now on, I am taking these to customer service! I have never understood this.
The one in the third photo is especially dumb too! They replaced the showgirls with Fred and Chase Snotrod? Wha!
It looks like the mass majority of us Take5’ers is in dis-agreement with this sort of behavior. I’m with Met, only I hope they catch the perp as this is definitely fraud and/or theft by deception. There are several scenarios where the after-effect of this sort of crime will play out. Although, provided that most of us are attention paying collectors we will catch the mistake and who winds up with the product warming a shelf and not able to recover their investment and profit, the retailer. This is the first I’ve seen of this sort of thing, will be on the look-out!
Nice post, Met!
The funniest thing in all of this is that Chuki was NEVER available in Canada! We missed the ROR cards altogether.
Chuki was released in Canada, just before the switch over to ROR, on WOC…. I remember being SO excited to find her for PiratePrincess!
http://www.carsdriveingallery.com/Chuki.html
My bad. You are correct. I was looking at Chase Chuki.
i beleive someone said this in another post about certain stores not taking back hotwheels stuff,
well if this keeps up im sure there will be problems with legit returns later on, and think about this folks, WE ALL HAVE RETURNED CARS TO THE STORE BEFORE, and this site is one of the main reasons, and i mean this only by helping and trading standards..
WE BUY CARS BASED ON THE WHOS LOOKING FOR WHO DEAL IN HOPES WE CAN TRADE OR HELP A FELLOW TAKE 5ER OUT ONLY TO FIND THEY GOT THE CAR OR SET THEY WERE LOOKING FOR, SO BACK TO THE STORE IT GOES!!!
THE REPLACING CARS HAS TO STOP OR WE WILL ALL SUFFER FOR THIS SOONER OR LATER.
walmart has already begun the process on making it harder on returns, have you heard of the limit they set per year, they do it here in florida. i think its five returns before you have to pay a fee or penalty.
From what I understand Walmart has a system where they input your drivers license number and track your refunds WITHOUT receipts. When I asked why, they told me they track the returns this way and you can only do a certain amount in a 6 month period. I am not sure of the amount, but it is a physical return quantity. I think it is 6. So if you do 6 no receipt returns in one month, their system will decline your No receipt refunds in the future for the next 5 months. Then you can return again.
So if I am correct, you can do 6 returns for 1 car each and be done returning without a receipt or you can save them and do 1 big one and still have the ability to do 5 more in a six month period.
As far as I know, there is no dollar limit to the amounts…
WITH a receipt there is no issue I believe… no limits… How can they… their refund policy is clear with a receipt.
If you do not have a receipt the limit is 3 returns within a 6 month period and the maximum dollar amount per return is $150, all of which becomes store credit.
I said it here and at other posts. TRU in Tacoma and elsewhere will not accept returns of Hot Wheel cases. TRU is wise to the fact dealers and eBayers use TRU for their inventory. They will take what they want and return the cases with non seller castings. Just like others that will return a case full of red McQueens after buying a K Mart Cars case.
This doesn’t surprise me. I’m not condoning it but as with any collectors item you are going to find people willing to take big risks to get what they want.
Stealing is one thing, but to me the ebayers who buy all the cars off the shelves and then on-sell at increased prices are just as big a stain on humanity. Oh, but hang on, it is legal to do that.
Here here, to that!
Can’t agree with this thought pattern. You know I love you Matt but you cannot compare anything illegal to that which is legal. I was raised anyway legal that one makes money is acceptable and they should not be judged on that. I am a big believer in that no one should cast judgement or view in a negative light anything anyone does that is legal. Our own ethical or moral standards should not be used as a guage for others LEGAL behavior. All is fair in business that is legal. The topic of how many items someone should buy when they find something new or sought after in a store or elsewhere has been discussed many times here but it shouldn’t be. What anyone does which is legal with their money or how some one makes money legally is simply none of anyone elses business, whereas some may not like it when an EBayer(as if that were somehow a less moral way to earn income then say being a postal worker or any other profession which it isn’t, again legal is the important part) buys everything in the store, it’s still legal and by anyone judging them or criticizing them for it, then they have crossed a moral boundry themselves. Much in the same way perhaps someones romantic prefrences you personally wouldn’t do or may even feel is morally wrong, it is still no one elses right to publicly complain about it. In topics of opinion it is important that we keep in mind someones elses rights and the law. Just as we recently had somone state that buying a certain car is a “waste of Money” to them it might be but their opinion is no better or shouldn’t be voiced as fact. No one should ever tell anyone how to spend their own money. If someone wants the latest 8000.00 72″
tv that’s is only their business and no one should tell them they are wasting their money. Where I come from try telling someone driving a fancy car they wasted their money and see where that gets you. It is one thing to offer some friendly advice to someone Lille if you wait a bit you will get a better deal if that’s what you want to do than to assert your opinion on what someone wants to do because you come off seeming to not have respect for someone elses free will. Also keep in mind some people have more money that others and to what seems like a high figure to you is peenies to them. Telling a millionareor anyone for matter that they are spending too much for a present they want for their child right now is wrong. Perhaps it is the childs 5 birthday and that when he wants the child to have what he is buying, I can’t imagine anyone feeling they have the right to tell the parent not to. Lastly when making judgements about how many of anything someone Ks assumptive for this reason, you do not know what the people who are buying are doing with the cars(not that it is anyones business anyway) maybe they are having a Kids party and they need all 12 Retro Ramones they found at the store for party favors or maybe even if it is an ebayer, he or she donates a portion of all profit to charity. So I think it would be best for all if we just kept moral judgements seperate from which is in fact morally wrong like stealing we would be better of for it. Peace
I agree that you cannot compare anything that is illegal to that which is legal, but when morals and rights are brought into the equation than all bets are off. With this in mind I feel that I must comment on some of your statements.
βWhat anyone does which is legal with their money or how some one makes money legally is simply none of anyone elseβs businessβ
You are absolutely correct on this one and I feel that most rational adults would also agree.
βsome may not like it when an EBayer(as if that were somehow a less moral way to earn income then say being a postal worker or any other profession which it isnβt, again legal is the important part) buys everything in the store, itβs still legal and by anyone judging them or criticizing them for it, then they have crossed a moral boundary themselves.β
I donβt think that anyone is suggesting that making a living, or simply earning money, by selling items on EBay is less moral and I agree that buying everything in the store is perfectly legal. I, like everyone on this planet, are in no position to judge anyone, but I do believe that it is my right to publically complain about someone for doing business this way. Third party sellers are not just buying everything in the store or even everything in the CARS lineup, they are, as you stated, βbuying all the new stuffβ or the hard to find items and then profiting from it on third party channels. You say that if itβs legal, than all is fair in business, but there is a moral line that can be crossed and that is bad for business. I say, that if you are going to have a business on EBay, than go for it, but get your inventory like every other retailer out there. I know it can be done because I have personally contacted Mattel about becoming a distributor for them. However, the success for the third party market is completely dependant on the consumer. So, as long as folks are willing to pay the insane prices asked for than the βrace for the raresβ will continue.
βyou do not know what the people who are buying are doing with the cars(not that it is anyoneβs business anyway) maybe they are having a Kids party and they need all 12 Retro Ramones they found at the store for party favorsβ
I am sure nobody on this site would complain about someone buying 12 Retro Ramones! ο Also, youβre right, as an observer, one would have no idea what the purchaserβs intentions are, but letβs allow common sense to prevail hereβ¦itβs 8:00 am and a grown man runs (literally) to the toy section of the local Target and grabs everything new on the shelf and than hightails it out of there. I have actually seen this happen! What is one supposed to believe? Again, I do not personally judge, but I do form an opinion and when I witness what appears to be greedy behavior, I am left to assume the worst. Honestly, this type of behavior is killing the hobby. I have seen many a collector on this site throw in the towel because they are unable to find anything new for months, except on EBay at crazy high prices.
Please, do not take this an attack on you or anyone else on this site; this topic will truly never be resolved. We all have our own set of morals and values and what we feel is right and wrong. Just donβt get mad at that car dealer when he tries to βstealβ your car from you when you are trading in; he might have 12 kids to feed.
No I never mind an opposing piont of view. I found is a good way to gain knowledge as long as everyone involved is sharing ideas and it dosen’t become personal or nasty. I am not suggesting that anyone not have an opinion but when to share it with others is what I was discussing and specifically judging somone for a legal act to me is wrong.after all it’s only one small aspect that you know of that person and I always try to keep in mind that I don’t know what else other people are doing. I just think before judgement the more information you have helps. I have been wrong before thinking of someone oneway because of the little I knew only to find the things I didn’t know made my original opinion totally off. As far as complaining how someone else tries to legally do does business or if I get beat to something that’s fine with me. I’ll just try and negioiate on the first piont regarding the salesman who is trying to get the better end of the deal. If he still won’t be fair I’ll just walk away but not angryily. His loss. Asto the collector who gets to the store before me. My hats off to him. I am not a sore loser and I know if you don’t get to a store around here when they bring something new out I’m not getting it. ie- the other day when they had about 200 case band c lenticulars on the pegs from that morning. I wasn’t expecting to find any cars with cups and I didn’t. But agai hats off to whoever it was that was there 8:00 am and took all the cup cars. I even hopes he makes money off them if he van or if he is setting up a display of 50 cars each with cups that his perogotive. I guess as I age I am trying to become less judgemental and avoid negative emotions like jealousy. Besides anyone that lives near a store has the same oppurtunity to get there early. As long as everyone has to play on a level playing field and they don’t open the doors early for one person, then you snooze you lose. That’s cool with me. As for overpaying for our hobby, none of the good members like you have to. Another reason to grab extras. If they are real Cars collectors then they should come here. There are many members here that help each other, so if you are nice to people and make the right friends you won’t overpay and get everything as soon as it comes out because many of us grab extras just for that purpose. Glenn if you ever contact me with something you need for your personal collection I or another great member will get it for you for no more than a dollar or 2 markup if that. Then you will be happy someone picked up extras for us that weren’t out yet in our area. LOL. Think I might have you with that one:) just one more thing me personally I have some friend overseas who can’t get certain stuff so if they ask me to pick them up all 5 cannonball Maters I saw in a particar store and they insist on throwing me something for doing it on top of the fact that their children are made happy, that pretty cool too. Either way anyone feels I appreciate the way you deliver your opposing piont of view In a mature and non confrontational manner. So tossing different ideas back and forth is cool when kept within decency. Peace.
I find both your points quite interesting. In hindsight I was too hard on the e-bayers. I actually agree with both of you. Like you say Jack it is a legal way of making money and they shouldn’t be judged on it. Strange though how we find prostitution doesn’t have the same stigma attached to as say neurosurgeon or rocket scientist but. Peole will always judge but, and more importantly, as Glenn says have their own idea of what is right and wrong.
Interestingly though laws often change and are re-written because of people’s concepts of what is morally correct, politically correct or a greater social need. Think abortion, gay marraige, even fair trading laws. This is why we have shows like “Law and Order” which examine these issues. Now I know selling cars on ebay is not really up there in comparison with the euthanasia legality debate but the principles are the same; how best to design laws to protect and help people. What’s more I can’t see the situation changing as E-bay is clearly a success.
Perhaps even more interesting is the fact that once someone has broken the law they are than ‘judged’ (by a judge!) on their morality in conjunction with what the law states. That is, did they know what they were doing was wrong? Then they may also be judged on compassion for victims, whether they are repentant and a bunch of other factors.
This is where my beef (used to) lie with e-bayers. Do they think what they are doing is wrong and do they feel bad for their ‘victims’? It is up to these people to make their own judgements on their own actions. However, Jack you have helped open my eyes to these people and their ways and so I will try not to bring this up again. You are right, it is legal and shouldn’t be compared. I hardly know these people and their full story.
Well, I certainly appreciate the thoughtful response. For the most part I agree with everything that you are saying and you are right, I have no idea why someone is buying anything. I have also abandoned the ideas of jealousy a long time ago. Folks on this site have been VERY helpful in maintaining many folkβs collections and in no way are any comments that I make directed at anyone in particular. I do admit though, I struggle with the idea of someone clearing the shelves, even though I am totally speculating as to why. Buying a few extras, to me, is no big deal; especially if I know that someone here is looking for it. I just donβt like when things get ugly and I have seen it on more than one occasion, personally; case in point the guy racing through Target or another individual that showed up at the first Kmart day at the last minute demanding that he be allowed to purchase 10 cases. Fortunately, the manager denied his request and informed him that he would have to get a ticket and wait like everyone else. He did so, grudgingly, and in true Carsma fashion, his number was drawn dead last. I guess I will work harder on not drawing conclusions and rather than walk away from a sea of βsame old, same oldβ or even worse β empty pegs, with a ever so slight thought of great, I bet itβs on itβs way to EBay to one of βOh well, I hope somebody is enjoying them!β And maybe I will start leaving small notes behind directing others to this great site β with Metβs permission, of course! Thanks for civilized banter and I am sure we will trade in the future. π
Sorry to change the topic but I really have trouble remembering titles of previous posts!
I would like to say something about the corrected McQueen with the rust-eze logo on the spoiler!
In every post I looked it seems they did not change him until the World Of CARS design so never made during the Supercharged design!Is this right?
Cause I consider myself very lucky for finding A supercharged design Mack transporter with Chick,King and McQueen but with the rust-eze logo on the spoiler!This is A european version!!
So far only found one!I checked with my parents cause they have the same one but A US version and they have the old McQueen!
Did the correct McQueen also appear in th US supercharged sets?
I consider this one of my coolests finds so far!
Would love to hear any comment on this!
Sorry again for changing the subject!LOL keep hunting!!
The real question is, with all the mistakes mattel makes with packaging themselves, how do we know they didn’t leave the factory this way, Just saying.
I think the green twist-tie on the Dinoco helicopter is a pretty good give-away. As well, had i something better than my blackberry, you could have seen the green twist-ties holding them all down…
Unfortunately not a factory error. just a thief.
yea i couldn’t tell that was a twist tie.
wow, this seems to be A global problem!
Have not yet seen something as extreme as this only sets that are taped up to keep em together in the GLUE-PROBLEM days from Mattel A few months ago!
But here in every store there are opened Cars and Hot wheels packs but strangly enough so are the cars that where inside,so I think kids try to take one untill mom notices and they have to leave their attempt leaving an opened blister and A loose car!I collect Hot wheels as well as Cars and I check every toy store weekly!
the loose cars are left for months between the others!When I asked the managers about this they said they simply did not care what happened to the cars!So they are actually waiting untill someone just takes them!If no one does they will take them and give them to their own children cause the can not sell it like this anymore’and I am sure they will not pay for the loose car!
So who is really to blame?The little kid who opened it and try to take it?
The mother for ignorance?
The customer that takes the little car along
with the 10 new he bought?
The store people who take it to give to their
own children?
OR IS IT THE FAULT OF MATTEL FOR PUTTING THESE
BEAUTIFULL THINGS IN EASY TO OPEN BLISTERS OR
NOT PUTTING ANY GLUE ON IT SO THEY OPEN UP
THEMSELVES!!!
I believe it A question of moral and respect if you are raised by good standards you no what is truly right and wrong!Unfortunately I see more and more people who simply do not care about this!
ONLY THING LEFT TO SAY IS DEAL WITH IT IF YOU SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS CONFRONT PEOPLE OR TELL THE MANAGER IF YOU ARE A TOY LOVER OR COLLECTOR YOU WILL DO YOURSELF A FAVOR!!!
The funny thing is, some kid who needs Chuki, Dinoco Helicopter, and Lighting Ramone is going to find this to be their dream package! Not supporting the thief, just making an ironic comment! π
Yeah, someone somewhere is thinking they have the error packages of the century. Not just one but 2!
shaking my head, no words in me.
actually i do have some words, the cars they took out are always at the store, why!!!!!!!!!!! its not like they put out a limited msos 3 pack with tach, dale and apple,not saying it ok if that were the case, but almost commons, im dumb founded.
What is great about this, if the finder of these found them on the shelf took to customer service and reported that someone opened the box and put in the wrong cars
NOT only would the cashier that took the return get a reprimand for not verifying correct item in the box
the customer doing the return would be labelled ineligble to return and the store could chose to file charges
they keep track of all returns and all are videotapped.
Having worked in retail for a long time before “retiring” to stay at home daddy status I can tell you that what you propose would be difficult to enforce.
Depending on the volume of returns that a store does it is difficult for a refund clerk to check each specific item in a 3 pack. Does the UPS match the receipt? Is the Box sealed? That’s the best you’ll get.
Also, WE know who each character is… your average refund clerk does not. I have in my time stopped a few of these scoundrels at TRU… Being the star wars geek that I am there were some packs that this was done to… Caught ’em!!! Boy were they surprised. My refund clerk did not know the difference and would have processed the return.
You have to remember, the guidelines for refund clerks does not include checking each individual item in the box if it is sealed.
Also as there is no identifying label put on a return to track to a specific refund event how can one pinpoint the box in question to a specific refunder… what if there were multiple returns of the same item??? I’d be pretty pissed off if a store claimed my good refund was fraudulent. Cameras?? I’ve seen lots of security cameras… good luck getting a clear image of the inside of a window box for a cars 3 pack to prove that this was my return. Wouldn’t hold up in court even if charges were filed. Now… catch them at point of return… and you might have a case… BUT can you prove that they did not BUY it this way??????????
Shoplifting rules in NJ are quite clear… if you lose sight of someone stealing something you will have a very hard time prosecuting. I know from experience… If your manager stops following someone (yes, even if there are cameras) your witness will be broken by cross examination. You can catch them after they pass the point of sale but all you can do is ask if they have anything they may have forgotten to pay for. You cannot search them or their bags UNLESS you saw it put in the bag and never lost eye contact with the person.
If the scoundrel is smart (and most likely they are) they will already have a script worked out if confronted. They have a valid receipt, a sealed product and the stores refund policy on their side. Short of following them home and watching the switcheroo… you are out of luck…
Sorry for the ramble… been a long day.
plus what prevents someone from saying the toy was a gift and their kid didn’t want it, so they’re returning it. then, i guess the store could refuse to accept the return, but arrest, prosecute, good luck with that.
(MET: I updated the post with some new pics and a suggestion if it’s a major problem in your area … just as some stores have problem with chronic returners or people who would buy items on sale maybe elsewhere and return it at full price elsewhere – eventually they notice a pattern – hey, how come every Tuesday you’re here returning a CARS box set? How often can you claim it’s a “mistake?” … I know me writing a few words is not really going to change EVERYONE doing illegal or unethical things – I know for that I have to put on my robes and my big pointy hat π but it’s worth discussing in case anyone is pondering it and thinks what they are doing is okay because they are returning ‘something’ but of course, would they actually pay the exact same amount for those items they are ‘returning’ in this current condition? No? Ahhh!)
It’s for this reason that I am ALWAYS cautious of purchasing anything off eBay that is loose. Many sell this way and claim “to save on shipping costs”. I am fearful that it is a stolen good. Think about some of the eBay auction prices…
When Finish Line McQueen came out, he was anywhere from $15-$30!! And people were BIDDING! Met’s post was great, but I don’t think the money adds up… I think these people are buying $4 commons (or multiples when on sale) to do just this with newer box sets. Sell loose individually can net you A LOT more in profit…
I am sure there are a few reputable sellers truly selling loose to save shipping (if you are, please don’t comment… I am not calling you out or questioning your motives). I personally do not trust eBay auctions where the seller always sells loose. I like the ones that offer loose as an option, but have it carded as well.
It took me 3 different trips to get an unaltered Finish Line McQueen…
Sucks.
the lady at WM told me the toy department is not making any money due to theft issues. I really hope they are not going to close the toy department down.
Yeah… they call it “shrinkage” in the business. Happens internally and externally. And guessing by the number of disgruntled WalMart employees… there is a higher than normal amount of internal shrinkage.
Yeah, and I will give you three guesses where the internal shrinkage items end up!
Hahahaha! I don’t think we need 3, maybe 2 maximum! π
I have a problem with shrinkage too, but it’s knot in my business!
I guess swimming in the cold northern water will do that to you.
π
It’s extremely rare, but I have seen this same thing here and whenever I do, I take it to customer service and tell them that it is wrong and that someone has scammed them with a return. There are very few creatures lower than a thief amd in my current profession, if you are labled as a thief you might as well hang it up. I would love to be in the return line at a WM or TGT and actually see someone attempting this assinine scam. Oh man! Even my nine year old knows that it is wrong! Come on!
That would be good Glenn. Oh please let me catch one of these people in the store. I would embarass them so bad and alert a security guard too. I could see me starting it off by shouting with my big NY voice “Hey that’s not the cars that go in that box. You replaced them with cheaper cars. How much time did this scam take? Your trying to steal. Yo secrurity this Guy is stealing. Look at this guy everyboby. Look at this sneaky theif.” LOL. I would pay to see that.
That’s what I am talking about!
While the offender deserves the spotlight, be carefull as the returner could be the original, didnt know better buyer who has to return them after little Johnny cried “thats not the right one”. I like to ask before I accuse, even when I know ahead of time.
hilarious Jack.
I have done that too, but 9 times out of 10 the customer service person doesn’t want to deal with it and then it ends up back on the shelves.
Yikes!!
I’ve seen this with hot wheels too and feel bad for the unsuspecting Grandma who buys one of these thinking its what their grandkid wants. I’ve brought it to the attention of a clerk so its no longer on the shelf.
Exactly! That’s why it is so bad. We – as collectors know and can leave it. I wonder if I go back this weekend will it still be there. And not just 1 – but 2 3 packs. On the pegs…..
I have a collection of these photos Met, Can I send them to you for part 2?
Shoplifter Variants!!!!
Collect Them ALL!!!!
π
Oh great, more CARS to collect!
Someone in Canada needs to dust those boxes for prints!
No need to really post this ………..the people doing it KNOW what they are doing and probably will never stop. They know it’s wrong but they really don’t care. Millions of laws are broken everyday by people who don’t give a rats arse! It has been going on long before CARS and will still be going on long after!!! I just feel for those who end up buying these not knowing any better!
YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING IN ITALY!!!!!! if only you could see our stores!!
What about the TIME & EFFORT it took to get those boxes open, remove the cars from their individual tie-downs, then put the bogus cars in their places, again tying them down, then resealing the package?
If he, or she, put that much effort into SOMETHING GOOD, imagine what he, or she, could accomplish that would actually benefit someone else?
“If he, or she, put that much effort into SOMETHING GOOD, imagine what he, or she, could accomplish that would actually benefit someone else?”
You’ve just said what people have been saying for years when it seems someone puts efforts to doing bad instead of good.
Keep in mind that people are usually selfish. So, why benefit several when you can please yourself-instant gratification.
This is one eloborate scheme to get a few toy cars. This speaks volumes about the offender. To go to such great lenghts for such a small amount of money and the time it took to carry out, that is a long time in doing something all the while consciosly knowing what a low life sneak you are. Someone this underhanded and sneaky is capable of and I am sure has done plenty of low things in their life. This is one bad egg that is in real need of psychiatric help.
I have never seen this here, yet. Thank goodness! Even when we had the “glue” issues and cars were hanging open.. I didn’t see any empty bubbles (partially because no one wanted what was in there anyway!). I agree that it is a slippery slope! I am not an idiot like whoever did this, but this post still inspired me to be a better person. I think I will go get some awesome stuff to donate to Cars Cares/ or Toys for Tots. Great Post MET!
this idiot needs to place his Blu Ray Mcqueen in one Dinoco Mcqueen packages.
I see it often in the Charlotte, NC area, where the packs are torn into and left on the shelf empty. I guess these thugs are too lazy to purchase an item. I find it most common in Hot Wheels. The “mystery” cars are prime targets. Wonder why prices continue to rise. What’s next, cage and lock toys right next to pc’s, ipods, and other higher dollar items?
In Pierce County, Washington there is at least one clown that continually opens the Hot Wheels mystery cars. S/he hits every store and every blister package. I have no idea why the retailers have not complained to Mattel concerning the issue. I guess the cars ultimately are sold because the next person ends up buying the semi opened package if s/he needs the casting. As to substituting Cars castings as pictured, that’s beyond opening Hot Wheels mystery packs. Nobody is going to buy such assortments.
As to returning a case of McQueens in lieu of a case of K-Mart Days exclusives, that is outright dishonest. I do not care if the value is supposedly the same. There is no way I would end up with 18 McQueens without having purchased them at a steep discount. Fred Meyer just blew out their Cars inventory at $2 each, lenticulars and classics. Am I to buy 18 @ $2 and return to another store at $4 each?
It’s time the retailers train their staff to recognize the scams and have knowledge of the products they sell. Too often I see Wal-Mart accepting returns of cases of Hot Wheels of older castings after the buyer stripped the case of new castings. At least TRU in Tacoma will not accept returns of any Hot Wheel cases, PERIOD.
The day I see some Cars collector return a desert back Sarge for $3.69 credit, I’ll each the darn thing!
On the mystey cars. I swear i was at a walmart and I saw this really old couple going thru the hotwheels. My first thought was wow how cute a couple collecting together. Then I saw the horror. The old man took his stack of mystery cars and started to open each and every one of them in the store and put them back in the shelf. Didn’t know what to say I was in shock. Anyhow I guess Mattel has gotten wise to the mystery cars and now puts a small hole in the corner for you to look in and try to figure out what car is inside. Not sure If this will help but it is a start.
You should have started snapping cell phone photos of him. I HATE those people!!!
That’s terrible! My son loves those mystery cars and when he see that someone has taken it upon themsleves to open the blister and reveal it’s unknown content he gets soooo mad! I beleive his exact words are “Well, that’s just great! Why didn’t they just buy it, dad?”
Hot Wheels should just make those a mail-in promotion. Send in 10 UPCs and a valid receipt, and we’ll you back a Mystery Car — something to that effect.
Wow, itβs hard to ride on a giant white high horse and type β¦ so remember, we want less idiots in this world, we need less idiots so start small β try not to be an idiot for an hour and work your way up to making it a full time gig.
That MAY be the FUNNIEST thing ANYONE has EVER written on this blog!!
Throw that into a cartoon bubble and we have a WINNER!!
Awesome post Met – I sent you a pic last month of a similar swap I saw at Kmart with 2 Showgirls missing and 2 chipped up dinoco mia/tia in their place. It’s theft and nothing less than that for sure!
PD – I’d have to say that the second best line in this post has to be:
“And honestly, if Iβm your moral compass, dude β you must find your way back.” π
This is my MOST favorite post to date!
Agree with PD and Samuel for #1 & 2. Number 3 for me is:
“Your time is really well spent being an idiot?”
” Thatβs what your making a stand on? Thatβs the best use of your life and lifeβs pursuits?”
Well fine.. I have to say my other favorite is:
not the shoplifting fraud committing idiot that is currently residing in you LOL on that one
I’ve seen the same thing by me except Finish Line McQueen was replaced with Tongue McQ.
The stupidest repack was someone took a Tank Coat Launcher, and replaced TC with: Tank Coat Pitty! The thing was resealed with clear duck tape at Walmart too!
My guess is this is someone thinking that some brainless parent or brainless child will see it and want it, regardless of the packaging.
“Wow. So the helicopter’s name is Bruiser. I did not know that!”
I have seen a Hot Wheels car in a Ruff-N-Tuff cars pack. The package was stapled back together – Cheap
Holy snap fantastic post met!! I’m so glad that it’s finally put out there π
Idiot is not strong enough, imagine if some caring adult who does not collect these cars buys it for a kid in the family because she/he knows they want these characters. Imagine the disappointment when the kid gets the gift! Man whoever you are you are a loser!
I agree that it was a low-life thing to do!
Reminds me of the story I heard about someone filling KMart cases with 18 Lightning McQueens and taking it back for a full refund…
Anyone else remember that?
If they were still sealed packages, I never saw a problem with that. They paid for 18 and returned 18. No harm, no foul.
I think this post is about to jump to the top of the “Most Commented” list… π
I totally am against what happened in the photos above. But with the Kmart thing, they were never opened and replaced.
you are taking Cars with perceived value and replacing them with ones that really have none….. it is being dishonest any way you look at it…..
Exactly! Would you buy a box of corn flakes and return it in an empty Wheaties box because you had too much Wheaties in the cupboard? I think not! It’s plainly dishonest!
You’re comparing apples and oranges Steve. I never said replace Lightning McQueen in a Transberry Juice package. If the person in question had a receipt for 18 items at $3.69 a piece and returned 18 items that were worth $3.69 a piece, who cares?
Well, considering the number of persons here that cannot find new castings on the pegs and continually express their concerns of poor inventory, there are a lot of people who care. Nice to have the inventory stream not functioning at a particular store because there are 18+ McQueens on the pegs because somebody did an “equal” swap. Of course the person who did the swap doesn’t care, does he? He got his!
It’s misrepresentation and returning an item under false pretenses is illegal. It’s funny how so many people slam different companies for Bait & Switch tactics but seem to think it’s ok when they do something even remotely similar.
But if you want to talk about apples and oranges, those KMart cases were purchased at a flat rate price for a factory sealed case, not as 18 individual items at $3.69 a piece.
Whether or not the case assortments were correct or not is irrelevant, neither scenario justifies someone taking what they want and replacing it with stuff they already own and no longer want. Take what you want and return the rest or the incorrectly inserted items, but replacing what was taken with commons so you get something new for free is fraud.
Ignoring, denying, or refuting the truth doesn’t make it untrue!
Last time I was at Kmart, the Lightning McQueens were the same price as all the other cars. I think there are more ways to look at it than you think there are.
Not really!
Please go to the K-Mart website and click on the return policy. It expressly says to return your purchase with the original packaging and sales slip, etc. It does not say, “Yeah, please return any old crap that you can stick in the box of equal or greater value and return it within ninety days.”
(MET: Yes, this falls under the policy that just because you can do something does not mean you should … after a meal, some places offer you a free chocolate mint – if you really want to eat 10, sure … but it’s not there for you to dump the entire canister into a bag and say, ‘hey look, free Halloween candy that saves me from buying candy’ even though there’s no sign).
Well, does the website also say that all Kmart managers must adhere to the return policy without deviation, and that no Kmart manager may make any exceptions whatsoever?
Was the Kmart checker being dishonest when I bought ten different CARS but she only scanned my Green Ramone ten times?
(MET: You do not control their actions nor are you required to be responsible for their actions or inactions … I don’t blame a clerk for not recognizing what’s in every package but the person who DOES know and is returning it).
This just happened to me at Kohl’s — Gil wouldn’t ring up, so she rang Nitroade 3 times.
Exactly my point, Met. Managers realize that clerks don’t always recognize what’s in every package. If the manager knows full well what is being returned was not what was purchased, might they still not allow the exchange based on that? And if so, would that still be dishonest? I think not.
Statements like “dishonest any way you look at it” are generalizations. Generalizations don’t fly with me. The true litmus test here is, for any particular store manager, and with full disclosure of what is being done, would that particular individual still allow the return. I think it’s entirely possible they would, and in that particular instance there would be nothing dishonest about it whatsoever.
(MET: As others have mentioned. It is not dishonest to buy somethings at one store and return them to another as convenience and NOT to profit. For instance, right now, TRU is selling the MTT singles for @$3.50 or about $1.49 less than at WM. You have every right to price match or price adjust because they claim that as a service but to merelt buya bunch at TRU to match your previous receipt at WM and return them to WM is not the intent … so again, just because you can do something …).
Quote from John in Missouri:
I totally am against what happened in the photos above. But with the Kmart thing, they were never opened and replaced.
Umm, yes they were. Factory sealed cases containing 18 specific items were purchased. Returning those cases with anything but the original contents is the exact same thing!
I meant the singles packs, not the cases.
The only thing is, Kmart is not going to resell the cases but sell the singles so it probably won’t matter.
Personally, I cannot remember if I bought X Car at Wm, TRU, Target,Kohl’s, Superstore, Zellers, or any other number of places I might shop, and if I return it to ANY of them, they give me a credit for $5, and then sell it for $5…what is wrong with that? I HAVE bought from them….and I will again…they will sell it for what they gave it to me for, so WHO LOSES???
Your scenario plays out differently, PirateDad, because you’re not returning item and claiming it’s something else. The store knows what they’re accepting and whether they can resell it.
I believe the issue is with those who misrepresent what they’re returning.
You are right Cappy, but I was replying to slicepie’s comment of returning LM instead of Rubber Tire Racers… but you are right, it is slightly different!
As a businessman yourself, you know the importance of keeping receipts for everything you purchase and properly filing them. It only takes about 3 seconds to pull out a pen and write what you bought on the back of that receipt.
But if someone brought back calendar to MY store that they bought at another store, and I sold the same calendar, and took it back and resold it for the same amount of money…how am I wronged?
Returning something that a store sells, and will simply re shelve and sell for the same amount of money is not stealing!
Never said that was stealing and we’re not talking about buying something at one store and returning it to another store because you can’t remember where you bought it.
The situation I initially referenced was where a person bought a Kmart Day 2 case on KMart.com, received it, took out all of the good stuff and replaced them with Lightning McQueens. Then took the case to their local KMart store, and returned it for a full refund, thus resulting in getting all of the new stuff for free. Not only is that stealing, but it’s misrepresentation.
To me it is a question of intent. If you really can’t remember what you bought where, then that falls under…Whoops, honest mistake! But if you are buying a case of racers and returning a case of junky pegwarmers, then there will be additional consequences of your actions that the retailer will suffer from.
1. The pegwarmers will do just what they are supposed to…warm the pegs. They will not sell.
2. This will hurt the flow of inventory through the supply chain and cause the toy section of that particular store to be not a profitable as it could be, because you have unnaturally changed their assortment.
3. Cause further detriment with potential clearance of excess inventory.
I wouldn’t want some one doing this to me if it were my business because it is dishonest and could cost me money. I don’t think most people would.
bravo sir =)
Yeap returning Cars and or any other merchandise FROM one store or retailer, online or not then returning them to ANOTHER retailer, online or not is wrong.
havent forgotten.
Another generalization. Some stores (Nordstrom’s comes to mind… WalMart has something similar) allow you to return items even if they weren’t bought there. They just want your business and like to have a reputation for customer satisfaction.
I agree! Let’s not generalize.
Lots of stores like WM, TRU and KM have the item numbers listed on the receipt so it’s easy to return the correct item to that store but stores like Target lump items like Cars under one number. I honestly don’t always remember which store I purchase certain Cars from and who really has time (or even remembers) to write every Car purchase on the back of the receipt. I sure don’t!
Switching Cars in a box set or any collectable is wrong!
Knowing returning a case full of McQs (which I don’t recall anyone actually doing) is wrong!
Returning desirable Cars (which will sell within the week) to a store which you may not have purchased them from…not so bad.
“Knowing returning a case full of McQs (which I donβt recall anyone actually doing) is wrong!”
Oh, it was done right after Kmart Day 2, and openly admitted by someone who frequents this site. I won’t say who publicly because it would just get deleted anyway, but she knows exactly who she is, which I am positive is exactly why she has not commented on this post at all.
“Reminds me of the story I heard about someone filling KMart cases with 18 Lightning McQueens and taking it back for a full refundβ¦
Anyone else remember that?”
“Oh, it was done right after Kmart Day 2, and openly admitted by someone who frequents this site. I wonβt say who publicly because it would just get deleted anyway, but she knows exactly who she is, which I am positive is exactly why she has not commented on this post at all.”
Nothing like stirring the pot eh Jake?
Listen I’m not going to get into a pissing match with you. I have better things to do. But when you target someone like this, you end up looking like a bully. I think you need to move on.
Peace
Its so simple its elemantary. How do you want to feel when you go to bed at night? Sleep tight and think you’ve done your bit and held peace with humanity today? Or think, yeah, I’ve just ripped a bunch of people of with my own selfish needs (toy needs I may add), I wonder what tomorrow holds?
next time I’ll try spell elementary correct. I might not look so stoopid.
π
Met, did this picture come from Canada? I saw the EXACT SAME three-pack (Chuki, Dinoco Helicopter, Chick) at my local WM last week.
(MET: Yea, Darren must be near you – normally a good thing … π ).
This happened in Canada??!! OH THE SHAME!!!:,(
Edge,
Yes, it was a WM in the West. It was either Kirkland or Vaudreuil – I am hitting them so often lately that I do not recall anymore. They are all one big blur. Daniel says we cover the same spots. No wonder I can never find anything π
I was shocked at first (Hey ! Something new at a WM!), then realized what it was. Thought I would take some photos and send them off to Met. Not a good deal.
Darren
Yeah, you guys cover the same area. And there’s another collector out west as well.
Just don’t go moving to my turf ’cause I’m the only 1 that I know of. LOL
What are you doing home. It’s not 9 yet. Stores are still open. π
Hey boys.. good news is that Montreal South shore is clean of these sorts of mess.. bad news is there’s nothing new here! .. Stay on your side of the shore! Or if you want to swap things around.. be polite and leave me a Kmart cars or 2 …….pouahhhhhhhhhh
Wow, really this not cool!