Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging

Friday, June 5th, 2009 12:58PM CDT

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Shopping my local Walmart recently, I was doing my normal rounds for Transformers sightings when I found all the newly released Transformers Revenge of the Fallen toys in all their glory.

As I gazed at all the figures and admired the alt modes for them I looked at the lone two leader class figures they had, Optimus Prime and Megatron. Now of all the ROTF figures, Optimus was one I definately wanted to see in hand but when I grabbed him I was met with an unpleasant surprise.

Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging

Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging

Yes, it was the 2007 figure release in ROTF packaging. Megatron was also the 2007 regular figure, before Premium that is, in the ROTF packaging. Upon closer investigation it turned out that it was a returned item. Whoever returned it took the time to not only completey retape the package over the old tape, but the twisty tied the figures back also.

I brought this to the attention of Walmart customer service to which they just had to take the figures out of stock, but given the figures are very close in size to the last films release, this may not be an isolated incident. I had to literally point out all the differences of the figures to the customer service associates because they couldn't tell the difference between them.

Seibertronians, make sure you look at your figures and not just grab them and go. I always scrutinize every figure I buy to make sure the packaging hasn't been tampered with and that all the pieces are there.

Just a heads up to be wary that this may have happened at a store near you.

Credit(s): First Gen

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Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932370)
Posted by Nekoman on June 5th, 2009 @ 1:06pm CDT

First Gen wrote:Seibertronians, make sure you look at your figures and not just grab them and go. I always scrutinize every figure I buy to make sure the packaging hasn't been tampered with and that all the pieces are there.

I do the same. This has been very annoying for people who collect GI Joe figures. Thanks for the warning!

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932375)
Posted by Megatron Wolf on June 5th, 2009 @ 1:16pm CDT

Wow. That person went through a lot of work to do this. It looks like hasbro shipped it. This has happened before so im not surprise to see it again. especially with the way the economy is right now. And the price hikes. Still doing this to a toy is kinda wrong. Its one thing to do it with an electronic since they have warranties and you can return them if they dont work. But a toy like this if its open your screwed. So what will walmart do with them? Send them back to hasbro or sell them on clearance?

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932384)
Posted by Mechas8n on June 5th, 2009 @ 1:30pm CDT

Thats positively Fiendish! :twisted:

I suppose its one very very dodgey way to avoid having to pay for the same character twice!

notthat Im supporting that sort of thing in any way.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932385)
Posted by Firebird on June 5th, 2009 @ 1:31pm CDT

The same thing happened at a walmart near me.

I saw the origional Starscream in a ROTF box. The guy even put the clear plastic bands around the figure.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932393)
Posted by Primus1101 on June 5th, 2009 @ 1:44pm CDT

so, guys, does this basically mean you have to exmaine most details about a figure in the package to make sure your getting the right one for about five minutes? even the new characters? this kinda confused me. i may sound retarded but i'm curious as to what we do.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932398)
Posted by Mykltron on June 5th, 2009 @ 1:49pm CDT

There are some utter bastards out there.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932399)
Posted by Seibertron on June 5th, 2009 @ 1:50pm CDT

The "repackager" has been hitting stores around the Chicago area for quite some time. I think he's got to have a mental illness of some sorts or some obsessive compulsive disorder because he's been at this for a while now. Some of his repackaging is really, really bad. It's pretty sad that someone feels the need to do this. But it's also sad that the big box stores don't really pay attention to what they're accepting as a return. Hopefully this person will be caught eventually.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932402)
Posted by JesWal on June 5th, 2009 @ 1:52pm CDT

Primus1101 wrote:so, guys, does this basically mean you have to exmaine most details about a figure in the package to make sure your getting the right one for about five minutes? even the new characters? this kinda confused me. i may sound retarded but i'm curious as to what we do.

Basically don't grab and go. Check the box to make sure it's the right figure.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932405)
Posted by capellamusic on June 5th, 2009 @ 1:53pm CDT

Unbelievable... so, was this a person who bought it and then at home switched the new Optimus Prime for his old one, re-sealed the packaged, etc, and returned it to the store? Or did this come like this from Hasbro? Either way, it's ridiculous.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932406)
Posted by Shockerwave333 on June 5th, 2009 @ 1:55pm CDT

Having worked at retail for over5 years I have seen this fish before!!! Well not really first hand, but I collect Star Wars stuff too and I saw an article where some one replaced an R2d2 figure out of a 2 pack of target exclusive figures and replaced it with a VINTAGE R2!!! Yes vintage as in the 1980's style with the sticker on it. The employees there should have been ashamed of themselves for not catching that one. I guess that's one of the smaller benefits of having a collector working in a toy store/department. That being said, anyone hiring out there???

Not that I would condone doing this either, seeing as it would have annoyed the pants off me if someone tried to return an item like this at one of my old stores, but at least the guy returned Optimus's gun attachment. I would have gotten greedy and gone for a Prime with two energon blades and a rifle!!!

Yea with the economy the way it is,I bet this issue will be more frequent. I usually pour over the figure selection carefully and inspect them for paint smears/ blobs, and loose/ missing parts in the box. I encourage other collectors to shop smart!!! If u already bought the figure last year, do u really need another one??? When I was out the other day, I only saw alot of repaints of last years figures. Do I really need a grey Ironhide, just because he has a new gun??? No I don't. I'm also holding out for better figures and the hopefully "premium" paint jobs down the pipeline. I was almost gonna buy Sideswipe, then thought wait for the Human Alliance set!!! Same thing with Bumble Bee. Sorry Hasbro I'm not feeling the evergreen-deco Fallen. I'm gonna hold out on a repaint for him, and if one never comes I'm sure I can find a cheap loose one on Ebay or something. So I may sound like a picky, prude old granny when it comes to shopping, but it's my cash, and frankly I don't have much of it to go around right now. that's probably the main reason the only ROTF figure I have now is Soundwave. Had to get the Soundwave!!!!

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932410)
Posted by Primus1101 on June 5th, 2009 @ 2:00pm CDT

JesWal wrote:
Primus1101 wrote:so, guys, does this basically mean you have to exmaine most details about a figure in the package to make sure your getting the right one for about five minutes? even the new characters? this kinda confused me. i may sound retarded but i'm curious as to what we do.

Basically don't grab and go. Check the box to make sure it's the right figure.

alright, i get ya. but, do you report this to the clerks and employees if this bastard does this? but... this could've been worse.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932412)
Posted by Kibble on June 5th, 2009 @ 2:02pm CDT

I think just about ever collector is going to catch this easy enough. Where it really hurts are when the kids or parents go to buy the figures and get the wrong one. I hope the scammers doing this at least give the "courtesy" of including the correct instruction sheets for whoever is ultimately getting screwed...

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932414)
Posted by Segor on June 5th, 2009 @ 2:05pm CDT

WOW!

Since I live in Costa Rica sometimes I have to order my transformers on Internet because locally they turn to be more expensive, now I'm freaking scare of doing so and getting the awful 2007 Prime without the option of returning it...

Do you guys think it is safe to buy my ROTF figures from Amazon??
I need advise Seibertronians, I don't want to pay $80 for a 2007 figure (yes, that's what I end up paying when ordering online because of international shipping and customs, and yes, it is cheaper than buying then online :sad:

)

Thanks!

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932417)
Posted by capellamusic on June 5th, 2009 @ 2:08pm CDT

I also wonder if this is going to happen to people buying online, because that will be impossible to know beforehand and it will be hard to deal with...

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932419)
Posted by Blurrz on June 5th, 2009 @ 2:14pm CDT

This is almost as much lawl as someone plugging Cybertron Jetfire into an '07 Starscream box and returning it...

Sigh...

Well I'm glad us TF fans are atleast smart enough to notice the difference

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932423)
Posted by guardianprime on June 5th, 2009 @ 2:18pm CDT

it depends on who your buying from online.

if its somthing like amazon or BBTS you should be fine because they have professionals there who check what theyre selling.

off of Ebay its up to you to make sure that you read their advertisements properly. many people will try to scam you through less official sites so be carefull of those and READ EVERYTHING.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932427)
Posted by guardianprime on June 5th, 2009 @ 2:21pm CDT

Blurrz wrote:This is almost as much lawl as someone plugging Cybertron Jetfire into an '07 Starscream box and returning it...

Sigh...

Well I'm glad us TF fans are atleast smart enough to notice the difference

did you actually find that somwhere?

i might have purchased it just for the lols!!!
(granted they still have 07 movie repaints of him at toys R us)

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932429)
Posted by Solrac333 on June 5th, 2009 @ 2:29pm CDT

That guy has balls but hopefully not smart. When I return stuff at Walmart, they make me sign my name on a receipt and sometimes my address.

I did see one Star War package with the Clone Wars Speeder bikes but with NO Clone troopers. It was packaged nicely so if you weren't paying attention you could have bought two bikes but no figures.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932430)
Posted by Razorclaw0000 on June 5th, 2009 @ 2:30pm CDT

I once saw a Classics Devastator at Wal-Mart with 3/5 of the Energon releases (i.e. it was missing two full figures, and the three that were in there were not the right ones anyway). I took it to the clerk working in toys and pointed it out, and he actually accussed *me* of stealing them. I was infuriated.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932432)
Posted by stangatron on June 5th, 2009 @ 2:33pm CDT

Wow is that messed up, but at the same time genius. i think this is wrong so don't get me wrong i don't think anyone should do this, but it is pretty smart. i hope they find the person doing this so it can stop, you don't want any kids upset because they got the wrong toy.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932435)
Posted by First Gen on June 5th, 2009 @ 2:43pm CDT

stangatron wrote:Wow is that messed up, but at the same time genius. i think this is wrong so don't get me wrong i don't think anyone should do this, but it is pretty smart. i hope they find the person doing this so it can stop, you don't want any kids upset because they got the wrong toy.

Hi stangatron, Welcome to Seibertron!!!! Warning!!!! Seibertron contains nuts!!!

Now that I got the official greeting out of the way, I can say that I see both sides of the coin just like you. Yeah the returners getting the updated figure for no additional cost but when I saw this figures I thought "Man, some kids parent is gonna get this for them thinking they're gonna be suprised and when the kid sees it, or a collector being suprised by a significant other for that matter, they're gonna be pretty let down".

Its all about morales. No, I'm not a perfect man, never claimed to be, but when your conscience is telling you something, 9 times outta 10 you should listen.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932438)
Posted by Zeds on June 5th, 2009 @ 2:51pm CDT

Ha! Reminds me of what I did as a kid. I played with my G1 Snarl so much that it got loose. Bought a new one and returned the old one. :twisted:

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932442)
Posted by Hip-Hoptimus Rime on June 5th, 2009 @ 3:01pm CDT

So somebody sold his soul for a cart load of toys. Man how I would love to be at the Customer Service counter when this turd came in w/ a "return"- I'd call him out on the spot and take his picture to boot.

Buncha savages in this town...

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932448)
Posted by typh0id on June 5th, 2009 @ 3:14pm CDT

I always check the figures before I buy them to make sure the paint apps look good...Something like that would be pretty obvious to anyone around here who knew exactly what they were looking for...

But that's pretty dirty anyway...

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932450)
Posted by kirbenvost on June 5th, 2009 @ 3:22pm CDT

Yes, Seibertron contains nuts... lol.

That's crazy, but yeah I've heard of this before. Usually they don't bother to do put the elastics and all twist ties back on.

I always check my figures for paint flaws before I buy as well...unless it's the only one left, but in that case I'm busy staring at it in awe so I'd notice if it was the wrong figure. XD

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932463)
Posted by Supreme Convoy on June 5th, 2009 @ 3:45pm CDT

Wow, good tip!

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932474)
Posted by Counterpunch on June 5th, 2009 @ 4:04pm CDT

First Gen wrote:Its all about morales. No, I'm not a perfect man, never claimed to be, but when your conscience is telling you something, 9 times outta 10 you should listen.

Mine lies to me...constantly.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932483)
Posted by Universe on June 5th, 2009 @ 4:15pm CDT

Thanks for the post! Could also be a return item that a customer swapped out for a free upgrade. I heard employees mention that also happens with electronic items.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932488)
Posted by Overcracker on June 5th, 2009 @ 4:32pm CDT

guardianprime wrote:
Blurrz wrote:This is almost as much lawl as someone plugging Cybertron Jetfire into an '07 Starscream box and returning it...

Sigh...

Well I'm glad us TF fans are atleast smart enough to notice the difference

did you actually find that somwhere?

i might have purchased it just for the lols!!!
(granted they still have 07 movie repaints of him at toys R us)

There were several reports here back in 07 about Cyb Jetfires in Starscream boxes. This was before anybody even knew about the Repaint for All Spark power line.

I remember one case, where the removed Jetfire's wings.

It was either because they had been broken before and decided it was a clever way of getting a new Starscream or they just tore them off because the toy would not fit in the Starscream box. Jetfire was pretty big.

In any case who ever bought it got a large green torpedo, that transforms into an armless robot. (The arms are part of the Wings).

Its really low in the scam scale. I mean who are you tricking? The Store? No, just a poor kid who wants a movie figure, and gets instead an armless robot from the year before.
Its sad people are so selfish they would do that.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932508)
Posted by jaws on June 5th, 2009 @ 5:00pm CDT

That's the worst way to buy TFs; just shell out the $45+tax and get the new one, ya cheap bastard!

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932516)
Posted by DMSL on June 5th, 2009 @ 5:12pm CDT

Damn some people are losers. Whoever did this deserves a smack on the head with baseball bat.

For the ppl that do this, this is theft plain and simple.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932518)
Posted by Longbridge on June 5th, 2009 @ 5:14pm CDT

Slightly off topic but the games industry is well ahead of us in terms of stores taking back dodgy returns:

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/05/return-and-burn-fake-ps2-systems-retailers-took-for-real/

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932528)
Posted by Segor on June 5th, 2009 @ 5:56pm CDT

Longbridge wrote:Slightly off topic but the games industry is well ahead of us in terms of stores taking back dodgy returns:

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/05/return-and-burn-fake-ps2-systems-retailers-took-for-real/

that's sick man, there are so many stupid and disrespectful people in the world, cheap thieves....

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932571)
Posted by ShGarland_1383 on June 5th, 2009 @ 7:30pm CDT

And here I thought it was a sad day when that post recently about the guy in Windsor waving Megatron around like he was a real gun recently could really be put up. This is at least = to that. Really sad that this kind a poo can happen...
:oops:

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932573)
Posted by Bouncy X on June 5th, 2009 @ 7:49pm CDT

they couldnt tell the differences?

wow....i think they're significantly different, especially megatron with the smaller arm and tracks on his legs. but even prime, its the same basic model obviously but the ROTF version is much less "kibbly" and looks sleeker and thinner.

either way thats pretty crazy that they packed 2007 toys in ROTF packaging....damn you hasbro!!!

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932598)
Posted by Wheeljack35 on June 5th, 2009 @ 9:16pm CDT

Well thats one way of getting the 2007 to make room for the new version

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932606)
Posted by Delete on June 5th, 2009 @ 9:35pm CDT

I (purposefully) bought an Energon Jetfire in Animated voyager Megatron's box.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932649)
Posted by Jacob P. Galvatron on June 5th, 2009 @ 11:07pm CDT

Kinda related.
My brother and I went to Target last Sunday.
He got Skids and Knockout.
I was looking at the figures and I saw a few Deep Desert Brawls.
One of them, was not a DDB, but regular Brawl in a DDB package.
I took a pic, but I don't know how to gets pics off of my mom's iphone.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932670)
Posted by Blurrz on June 6th, 2009 @ 12:20am CDT

icu2jimy wrote:Kinda related.
My brother and I went to Target last Sunday.
He got Skids and Knockout.
I was looking at the figures and I saw a few Deep Desert Brawls.
One of them, was not a DDB, but regular Brawl in a DDB package.
I took a pic, but I don't know how to gets pics off of my mom's iphone.

Haha, that's even worse than this. While '07 Prime and RotF Prime are on par... Regular Brawl is pretty much craplastic compared to the fixed DDB.

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932690)
Posted by Savage on June 6th, 2009 @ 1:36am CDT

Counterpunch wrote:
First Gen wrote:Its all about morales. No, I'm not a perfect man, never claimed to be, but when your conscience is telling you something, 9 times outta 10 you should listen.

Mine lies to me...constantly.

CP's conscience says "Buy more Minicons!"

Re: Buyer Beware: 2007 Figures in ROTF Packaging (932719)
Posted by Decatron on June 6th, 2009 @ 3:22am CDT

Talk about patience...doing all that just to switch.

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