The Energon Pub

There are scammers all over the world, in retail and on line shopping. Heck there's even a phenomena in the USA when a bunch of pricks switch boxed TF products a with junkers so people/retailers are supposed to be wary.

I understand this but I ain't one of them scammers! So I'd have expected a response of some kind but.........

Here's what may be the low brow incident in all my years of retail online purchases.

I made a pre-order for a United Wreck-gar figure on a reputable online Japanese based store last December 2010. Mind you, that store was my last of three options because pre orders on the first two stores were like sold out.(The store which shall remain nameless for the moment tends to sell their items a bit more expensive but over all, their service is just as good).

So I received an email of Wreck-gars' availability last March 2 or 3. Sent payment via Paypal and waited. It arrived in my country on March 17,2011 but due to bureacratic delays, I received a summons from the local Post Office for its pick up just last March 28.

Edit: Mixed up payment method............I used my Credit Card

Finally Wreck-gar is MINE

Then the Horror! My TF United Wreck-gar got no head. Sonuvabeotch! I got no head.

So I immedialtely emailed the store via their trouble ticket customer department together with pics concerning the issue.(Also last March 28,2011.)

You know what? Still no response after nearly 3 days. If by April 3, 2011 I still haven't gotten a response, I'll reveal the store's name.

So moral of the story:

Unlike the international packaging of RTS Wreck-gar where you can see the bottom, the United has a paper/label insert blocking the bottom view. I did not notice this so I unwittingly opened the package.

So check your United Wreck-gars too, if is it's still MISB, this may also be another example of Takara's QC issues.

pics updated.

File a paypal dispute. You'll be fine as long as it's within the time period. I think it's 45 days but I'm not sure. With a dispute you can state whether you want a refund or replacement.

Mykltron wrote:File a paypal dispute. You'll be fine as long as it's within the time period. I think it's 45 days but I'm not sure. With a dispute you can state whether you want a refund or replacement.

With paypal I think it would just be a refund. You can state in the case that the product received was not described, or damaged, put with PP, go for the refund with an option for a replacement.

I feel your pain that would suck to get the toy with a missing head.

If I had an extra Generations Wreck-Gar head, i would send it to you since I like the Generations head and the United body.

Have you tried contacting hasbro?
It sucks the store isn't contacting you, but if the toy was completely sealed, this isn't really their fault. If it's tucked away when transformed, how would they know they're sending you a dud?

I'd try to contact hasbro though, and tell them the issue and see if you can get a head.

Screamfleet wrote:Have you tried contacting hasbro?
It sucks the store isn't contacting you, but if the toy was completely sealed, this isn't really their fault. If it's tucked away when transformed, how would they know they're sending you a dud?

I'd try to contact hasbro though, and tell them the issue and see if you can get a head.

I wonder if Hasbro would do this considering it's a Takara United figure and not a Hasbro (RtS) figure. Hasbro has no responsibility for the faults of this figure AT ALL and has no obligation to replace any part of this item.
I also wonder if this came from HLJ. If it did, I'd feel very, very slightly vindicated for HLJ screwing up my pre-order for United Wreck-gar (they had no more stock and had discontinued this item when they finally got the rest of my order together ), although for sure that's a selfish thought and I'd be gutted if I received any figure in that condition, and especially if the retailer failed to make it right. I'd be pissed off for sure too!

Maybe the radiation melted his head?

The preorder will be an issue with paypal. If they charged your card when it shipped, you're probably fine. If they charged your card when you placed the order, you'll most likely be outside the window. Still, worth exploring.

Technically speaking, my primary reason of posting this is to inform purchasers of United Wreck-gar to check/peek at his underside prior to opening.A hard but doable task given how United is packaged.

As I re-checked to my horror, I paid the store directly with a credit card so the Paypal option is now closed. Replacement is my primary option but given that the bugger is now sold out, I won't hold my breath unless they can find an extra head for me.

Well, after 3 days, the store did respond to my request but said they'll get back to me 'cause their having problems with rotating power outages (understandable given that the store is Japan based). That's just what I wanted to hear and hope they follow through.

Another reason not to keep your figs MISB.

Screamfleet wrote:Have you tried contacting hasbro?
It sucks the store isn't contacting you, but if the toy was completely sealed, this isn't really their fault. If it's tucked away when transformed, how would they know they're sending you a dud?

I'd try to contact hasbro though, and tell them the issue and see if you can get a head.

Hasbro will not send out replacement parts. If it was a Hasbro figure (I know that it's not, just saying hypothetically) all Hasbro would do is replace the figure with another of equal value which may or may not be Wreck Gar.

Sorry man, I had that happen with a Henkie Skyfire i order and the right leg was assembled backwards! But the guy i bought it from was able to replace it and it took some haggling though.

@ Pontimax

In as much as I would not like to resort to name calling but that joke about radiation is in bad taste.

Sorry to hear about Headless Wreck-gar; that sucks. Keep an eye out for those 3rd party Wreck-gar add on kits that turn him into random Junkions. I'm sure some of the collectors who are doing the mod will have plenty of spare Wreck-gar heads lying around that they will be willing to sell you...

3 days after the last email of "we'll get back to you"

"Dare to be headless?"

Dude wreckgar is a shelfwarmer here in San antonio..I'll send ya one LOL..All of these figures are warming now since I'm sure the movie figs are in bound in a month or so...

Thats why If I buy online I only buy from BBTS, TFsource or Toy arena( the latter being a last resort)... I have recently used Acestoystore.com and had great results, their a bit more pricey but they have alot of great Ko stuff offered only by Kotoysas well as united figures and generations..

Classic post bro'

I wonder if Hasbro would do this considering it's a Takara United figure and not a Hasbro (RtS) figure. Hasbro has no responsibility for the faults of this figure AT ALL and has no obligation to replace any part of this item.

Excuse me, I made a mistake, you dont have to get all huffy about it.

The company I got it from has finally given a response.

Unable to replace item or part.

Ship back within 10 days in registered sal

Shipping cost will be refunded + the original cost of item. Must also include the email message.

I'll weigh my options first if the cost of shipping back is the same then I'll probably won't.

They're making you ship it back on your dime? If they're not covering the return shipping, that's BS...and please do share who it is so I can be sure to avoid them.

Here's a portion of the email. Edited the name only and copy pasted.

Hello-

Thank you for writing.

We're very sorry about this problem. It will unfortunately not be possible to replace this item or acquire the missing part.

If you do not wish to keep it, please ship the defective TKT34792 UN18 Transformers United Wreck Gar back to us here at as follows:

*Package the item, including its complete package, up very well in a good box, especially if our shipping box was damaged.

*Enclose a copy of this correspondence in the package.

*Mark this on the outside of the box: "CONTENTS MADE IN JAPAN."

*Ship the item back to us via the post office, postmarked within the next 10 days, and send it by REGISTERED SMALL PACKET AIR MAIL.

*Send the package to this address:

Japan

JAPAN

When your item arrives back here in Japan, we will refund the cost paid for the item and its original shipping, plus the return shipping, to your PayPal account.

Again, please accept our apologies for the problem and the inconvenience this has caused you.

Thank you for shopping with Japan.

So from March 28 to April 4, the final disposition of the issue.

I'll cut them some slack because of the power outages in Tokyo for the delayed response.

fenrir72 wrote:

I'll cut them some slack because of the power outages in Tokyo for the delayed response.

Very kind of you too cut them some slack due too some power shortages. (sarcasm)

Personally i'm surprised they would even care under the circumstances. I guess if your running a business you gotta run the business.

Why the sarcasm of cutting them slack? Their natural and man made disaster would be reason enough (I hope).

First and foremost, if you run a business, you must answer your customer's complaints. Don't make them feel you're blowing them off.

Second, as I already mentioned, warn MISB buyers to check before opening.

and just think..all this trouble over a little head....

Just be glad you didnt get the item from Kotoys..From what I have been reading as of late the crew over there have been dropping the ball to the tune of Months without contact..Ouchies...

Once I get the shipping computation and send him back and get a refund, I'll make a testimonial on the entire transaction....who knows, it may improve the company's standing in front of all seibertron.coms fan.

Japan Toy Seller wrote:When your item arrives back here in Japan, we will refund the cost paid for the item and its original shipping, plus the return shipping, to your PayPal account.

No problem then. Everything is solved, surely?