RANT!- Minifigure Set Thieves

TroublesBrewing

Grrrrr! :s I finally picked up a Star Wars TIE Advanced Prototype last Sunday at a Walmart. It was the last one they had on the shelf. I was surprised that I found it, since it had been stashed between some other sets. I sat down this evening to put it together and I went to open the first bag I noticed that it had been cut open already at a corner. As I poured the pieces out it dawned on me what had happened. Someone took out The Inquisitor, resealed the box and returned it!!! Or worse they did it while in the store! UGH!! There is a special place in hell for people who would do something like this. I shouldn't be too surprised since the Walmart I had stopped at was in a not so great area. It just irks me that I now when I take it back they wont have a replacement set and then I look like the guy returning a set that doesn't have a figure in it. I'm not going to reseal the box just for someone else to go through me same pain.  

I just took a looked on eBay and The Inquisitor figure, on average, is going for around $20 USD. Did I mention there is a special place in hell for people who do this???

*steps down off soapbox*

Thank you for letting me rant.

bobabricks

When I'm shopping at Walmart or other stores like that I always look at the box to make sure the tape wasn't broken or that there are not any holes in the box. I've seen way too many open/empty boxes and it's just sad. The only place I can really trust Lego sets is at my local Lego store because its a small outlet store so nobody would be able to get away with anything.

madforLEGO

TroublesBrewing said:

Grrrrr! :s I finally picked up a Star Wars TIE Advanced Prototype last Sunday at a Walmart. It was the last one they had on the shelf. I was surprised that I found it, since it had been stashed between some other sets. I sat down this evening to put it together and I went to open the first bag I noticed that it had been cut open already at a corner. As I poured the pieces out it dawned on me what had happened. Someone took out The Inquisitor, resealed the box and returned it!!! Or worse they did it while in the store! UGH!! There is a special place in hell for people who would do something like this. I shouldn't be too surprised since the Walmart I had stopped at was in a not so great area. It just irks me that I now when I take it back they wont have a replacement set and then I look like the guy returning a set that doesn't have a figure in it. I'm not going to reseal the box just for someone else to go through me same pain.  

I just took a looked on eBay and The Inquisitor figure, on average, is going for around $20 USD. Did I mention there is a special place in hell for people who do this???

*steps down off soapbox*

Thank you for letting me rant.

This happened with me but on a larger scale.
The way I see it is if this happens you have 2 options:

-Return the set back to Walmart and tell them the figure was missing. If the box was sealed when you bought it, that is- no evidence of tampering or it appeared to have a hole or other form or tear/opening, and you found the figure was missing then I would just take it back. Then buy another somewhere else or see if you can get another copy at that store, but ask if you may open the box before you leave to ensure everything is present. It is an awkward situation to go through when it happens but really most CS tend to want to help.

-Contact LEGO CS. Explained what occurred and ask to see if you can get the figure. It is rare as it is a licensed part, but you do not know if you do not try.

It sucks, but I blame LEGO more than the thieves at this point. The thief is what they are, a scummy spineless POS looking for a quick way to make money. However IF LEGO would put just a little more effort into sealing their boxes, specifically the ones with the crappy little stickers on the flaps of the boxes, then this would not be as big of an issue as it is now.

bobabricks said:

When I'm shopping at Walmart or other stores like that I always look at the box to make sure the tape wasn't broken or that there are not any holes in the box. I've seen way too many open/empty boxes and it's just sad. The only place I can really trust Lego sets is at my local Lego store because its a small outlet store so nobody would be able to get away with anything.

The problem is most of the time there is no deception on the box when bought, it appears sealed and in good condition and sealed can even look fine, but then parts are still missing (usually the figures)

RubberbandMan

Dude sorry to hear, that blows. Pretty low for someone to do that.

yodalego

we had this from a local Tesco in the UK, we purchased 4 castle theme sets for my sons birthday and 2 month later when he opened them he was gutted. Some @rsehole had removed all the mini figures and the 2 horses and put in about 10 2x4 std old wrecked bricks (in a small solid black bag) to make the weight up and glued the sides back on so it looked factory sealed. took it back and the (idiot) security guard said it would have been from lego factory like that!!! said it would have been a scummy customer doing it and he said no chance would never happen in his store! we got a replacement anyways but it was annoying to ruin his birthday slightly...hard to trust future purchases and I am very careful and inspect every tiny part of a set now. Don't want that happening again!

MrJ_NY

A few days ago I went to a Walmart & spotted some TMNT sets that were on clearance.I had no interest in them previously,except at clearance prices I figured the grandkids would appreciate them.They had one set #79115 Turtle Van Takedown priced at $19.00 but I noticed the seals on one end had tape over them so I made sure when I checked out I was at a register run by the Customer Service Manager.I told'm I wanted to buy it but they only have one & pointed out the tape over the Lego seals. "I don't know if the box got stepped on & popped open,if someone returned it,someone opened it in store & stole the figures" He assured me they would accept it at returns if anything was missing.I told'm I don't want to be the one accused of tampering with it so I'll pay for it & open it in store,which I did on a bench ten feet from his checkout lane.Luckily everything was intact,so I got lucky.
Sorry to hear about your son's birthday "speedbump" but at least you were able to rectify the problem.

mr_benn

I've only had it once - it was on a (nicely discounted) Gandalf arrives set - I bought a couple but one of them had been resealed and filled with junk parts from a TMNT set! D'oh!

Farmer_John

I remember purchasing a Harry Potter set a few years ago from Walmart that I ended up returning. Nothing wrong with the set to my knowledge...I just decided I didn't need another HP set. When I brought it back to the counter, the return person cut the seals on the set to make sure it hadn't been tampered with...not that she would have known anyway. Of course everything was in order, but what she did just killed me. I think she just assumed she could put it back out on the shelf and it would sell (and maybe it would), but there's no way I would ever purchase a set that had the seals cut or tampered with.

jedivalkyrie

I went through two Milano Spaceship Rescues and three X-Men vs. Sentinel.  All five boxes were seemingly intact, but in fact were missing all the minifigures and other larger specialized pieces.  The parts were not just stolen in store.  the bags inside the boxes were taped shut, I guess to minimize rattle when returning.  A professional job for sure.

I was quite upset, especially as they were on clearance.  Some jackwagon in my area is selling minifigures on eBay.  I hope I meet him someday and am able to turn him in.

Basta

I would hazard a guess that unless the box is noticeably tampered with (i.e. opened), that the set was purchased and then returned. I just cant see a thief standing in a store carefully opening a box and then resealing it so that you cant tell it has been opened.

I mentioned this in another thread, but I think that it would be hard for Lego to make truly tamper prof packaging although this set came to mind:

This one isn't heat sealed but if it was all the way around it would be almost impossible to open without destroying the packaging.

Shib

madforLEGO said:

It sucks, but I blame LEGO more than the thieves at this point. The thief is what they are, a scummy spineless POS looking for a quick way to make money. However IF LEGO would put just a little more effort into sealing their boxes, specifically the ones with the crappy little stickers on the flaps of the boxes, then this would not be as big of an issue as it is now.

I get what you're saying but I really blame the thieves more than anything else. In a perfect world there would be no need to assume people will steal things - but I'm not some wide eyed dreamer who believes that will ever happen.
I couldn't care less about box condition so I prefer the boxes with the thumb tabs over those just taped up but I get why those who keep all their boxes would prefer the other taped ones.
I've had a couple of sets from Argos lately that looked like they might have been resealed and both occasions I opened them in store and both were fine, obviously just the shock from the stock room slide made them look off.

The bottom line is if people are determined to steal stuff they find a way. I do think any shop that accepts returns without checking box contents are naive and need their errors constantly pointing out to get them to correct the policy though. 

Phonebooth

^I wish I could like this a thousand times.

bobabricks

Every set should just be poly bags. :P

Shib

@Norlego - what does a thief look like?* Stores should check regardless of what people look like as anyone and everyone could potentially have stolen something from a box, even if the box doesn't appear to have obviously been tampered with.


* Yes, the obvious image came to my mind...

LostInTranslation

^^ Excuse me? I don't think I like your implications about the British people.

If there's a genuine problem with a set and you explain it politely to the shop staff, nobody should be concerned with how they look.

Norlego

^ How does the shop staff know if it is a genuine problem or not. The shop staff might well take the view you are committing fraud.

Shib

^That's why they should check the contents of the box regardless...I don't see why anyone would assume one person is returning a product for a genuine reason and another for fraudulent reasons just by how they look. It's a ridiculous suggestion. 

LostInTranslation

They might. But like I said if you act politely and rationally and don't get frustrated you can hopefully explain and sort out the situation, as members above have stated they have successfully done.

CCC

bobabricks said:

Every set should just be poly bags. :P

Polybags are quite easy to open and seal up again in a well hidden way (same as CMFs).

bobabricks

CCC said:

bobabricks said:

Every set should just be poly bags. :P

Polybags are quite easy to open and seal up again in a well hidden way (same as CMFs).

Metal boxes that are welded shut. ;)

CCC

Well, some people like their minifigs encased in perspex, so that has to be better than metal as at least you can see what is in there. :-)

andhe

^How about Carbonite for the ultimate geek-out option.

Shib

@Norlego - really really read your comments, you are implying that anyone who isn't white is more likely to be guilty of something criminal activity. You are coming off as a complete biggot and being massively insulting and inappropriate. There is no reason to judge someone by how they look.

KiltyONeal

Found a 70802: Bad Cop's Pursuit yesterday for $15 at a local Walmart.  Picked it up and it felt like a box with a handful of parts in it.  I looked at the seals and they looked perfect.  I suspect they cut the flap on the bottom of the box, took the pieces they wanted, and then re-glued the flap.

Awhile back I found a 7965: Millennium Falcon at Target for $41.98.  Two of the seals looked like they had been re-taped.  At that price, I thought it was still worth buying without the minifigures.  I took it to customer service and asked if I could open it to verify everything was there.  They said yes and I lucked out because nothing was missing.

This problem will probably get worse as Lego becomes more popular.  It must be scary to resellers that may be sitting on inventory with missing parts.  Maybe the larger sets could have a top flap that opened to reveal a clear plastic window where a customer could see the pieces.  I have an old 483: Alpha-1 Rocket Base like this.

Norlego

No I am not. I am saying police stop people whom are black more than they do whites. That is a well known fact. The police use the colour of skin (i.e. looks) when they decide to stop somebody. I have seen this happen to coloured people and it is sickning.
All very well to claim there is no reason to judge anybody by the way they look, but you seem to believe it does not happen and that is bizarre.

The_Sly_Fox

@Norlego
That is quite a shameful comment. Especially in this day and age.

Anyway, the problem is not the retailers' or TLG's fault. It is purely down to thieves.
I am a manager in Asda. When it comes to shoplifting the focus is always on the problem areas which are also the expensive products which, surprisingly, doesn't include toys. The target areas for shoplifting are clothing, music, DVDs, Blu-Rays, games, alcohol, razor blades, make-up, batteries, perfume, joints of meat, cigarettes and chewing gum.
Most supermarket workers have no idea about the resale value of Lego minifigures. If a box is returned sealed and the customer claims to have changed their mind, or purchased a duplicate, then the box would not be opened. The chances are that the box would simply be put back on the shelf to be resold. This is the case with a lot of products. Obviously edible items get wasted and electrical products get checked and tested first.
In my store all Lego returns are checked purely because I have informed the CS team of potential issues. We even resort to tagging the boxes and CM bags, at my insistence ;-)

Shib

@Norlego - I never said it doesn't happen I said there is no reason to judge someone by how they look. Your comments read as condoning judging people by how they look, you have said that how people look should effect how shops treat them and then linked it to how the police treat minorities, this is racism! Seriously think before you post!

Solarious

Yeah
I have to agree it was a bigoted comment
It came across like you were saying it's perfectly justified because "coloured people" (itself a bigoted term wether you realize it or not) clearly perform more criminal acts.

Just for future record, ANY time you feel like throwing race into a debate that does not directly involve that discussion you should avoid it- no matter how smart you think it will make you sound.

Solarious

On topic though, I don't see your average, minimum wage paid Walmart (or wherever) employee caring one bit why you are bringing it back. Just saying it is missing parts should easily be enough. They'll throw it on the pile of the rest of the returns for that day just like anything else.

And the real problem is the collectability of the figs themselves- specifically the rarer, lisenced products. Do you ever see City (or even Chima or Friends or something) sets ripped apart? I don't.

Of course, there is no real way to fix this other then to flood the market with all the figs that may be stolen is to stop making exclusive rare items. Who is going to steal something that is only worth a couple bucks? And we all know that would never happen. And who around here would want it to?

Solarious

You know, I take that back.
A real solution should be for everyone to just stop buying on the aftermarket. No demand equals no value (to be over-simplified)

Again, nobody wants that though

Thieves have been (and always will be) a part of life. Someone is always going to try to get one over on you.

Shib

Solarious said:

On topic though, I don't see your average, minimum wage paid Walmart (or wherever) employee caring one bit why you are bringing it back. Just saying it is missing parts should easily be enough. They'll throw it on the pile of the rest of the returns for that day just like anything else.

It's fair to say that the employee might not care, but the company should and should therein train the staff on how to deal with certain returns e.g testing electrical and knowing what would be returned to manufacturers or put back out on shop floor.

I think that even if there was no aftermarket people would still do this though, I suspect that a lot of the thieves are doing it for their own collections rather than to sell.

clowndiscuslego

my walmart has a flatscreen in the lego isle and once you walk in the row, the screen comes on and says you are being recoreded, recording in progress in big red letters...so what does that tell you about my walmart? i never buy legos there.  my fred meyers has these yellow alarm boxes of some sort on the more expensive sets. 

jedijason1138

I went to a Walmart store this weekend and they had carts full of merchandise. Each cart had a sign on it: "opened product - some items missing. Sold as is." Now, after looking in the carts, the majority of the product was.........underwear. Ugh. I can just picture it now: someone dashes into the store, either lacking the underwear in the first place or having an "issue" causing the emergency theft of a pair of clean undergarments.

Back on the subject of Lego: I have seen several clearance sets, at Walmart mostly, that have been opened and returned. No matter how low the price is, I can't justify taking the chance to buy a box that has had contents removed. I passed on the Monster Fighters Haunted House because the box had obviously been tampered with and the price was ridiculously high for a clearance item with major damage to the package.

nicoyagomez

No one on Brickset should assume that people of color are not part of the AFOL community. I joined Brickset to share my love for this hobby with like-minded people around the world. Not to hear fellow enthusiasts imply that (per this thread) people of color are minifigure thieves and should be profiled as such by retailers.

Regardless of what kind of profiling may occur in the broader society, for you to imply that because this prejudice occurs, we should accept it within the hobby we all grew up with and love, is reprehensible.

If that's not what you meant, that's what you said. So next time, please think before clicking that "submit" button.

Pitfall69

What...in...the...??? I took a look at this thread thinking "Wow, 23 new comments!!" I got sucked in again; just like in the Shopping Threads. "Oh boy!!! New deals!!!" Stop teasing me, I cannot take it anymore ;)

bobabricks

Solarious said:

Do you ever see City (or even Chima or Friends or something) sets ripped apart? I don't.

I've actually seen a few City sets ripped apart and I've seen just empty boxes from all sorts of unlicensed themes. Some thieves might not know much about what Lego is rare and just have this thought in their head: all Lego = $$$.

Also, I was thinking about how much money these thieves make for stealing minifigs from boxes. It's not much when you come think of it. They are risking getting arrested to get what? A $20 minifig that might sell within a week? Not very great profit there, then again I don't know how a thief's mind works.

icey117

How about this one then:

I purchase the polybag "Good Morning Bilbo" at a way too high price at some UK dealer. He/she forgets the customs stamp and it is routinesly opened in customs, who make a small slid at the top corner of the polybag. (I guess to check it isnt canabis)

Irritating! As a collector unopened is precious, and the value is sooo much higher. But nothing to do about it and noone to blame! :-/

HokieJoe99

It may not be resellers, but children or adults who are on fixed incomes yet they are trying to increase the number of minifigures they own so they buy a set, take the desirables out and then return it.

Pitfall69

^That doesn't make it right does it?

HokieJoe99

^No, of course not, but there were some who were questioning why the risk with so little reward.  However nowadays it seems people just don't care any more and will take that risk. 

Going back to the flaps on the larger boxes to allow you to view the contents seems to be the best way to combat this issue. The issue obviously is not that big of a deal to LEGO! or else we would see more drastic changes taking place. 

msanders

nicoyagomez said:

No one on Brickset should assume that people of color are not part of the AFOL community. I joined Brickset to share my love for this hobby with like-minded people around the world. Not to hear fellow enthusiasts imply that (per this thread) people of color are minifigure thieves and should be profiled as such by retailers.

Regardless of what kind of profiling may occur in the broader society, for you to imply that because this prejudice occurs, we should accept it within the hobby we all grew up with and love, is reprehensible.

If that's not what you meant, that's what you said. So next time, please think before clicking that "submit" button.

I would just like to point out that, at least in the UK and USA, the use of the word 'color' is outdated and in some cases a racial slur in itself. I know this isn't what you meant but its worth noting.

CCC

msanders said:

I would just like to point out that, at least in the UK and USA, the use of the word 'color' is outdated and in some cases a racial slur in itself. I know this isn't what you meant but its worth noting.

Isn't it colored / coloured that is outdated, whereas "people of color" is generally acceptable in the US.

msanders

CCC said:

msanders said:

I would just like to point out that, at least in the UK and USA, the use of the word 'color' is outdated and in some cases a racial slur in itself. I know this isn't what you meant but its worth noting.

Isn't it colored / coloured that is outdated, whereas "people of color" is generally acceptable in the US.

We are all people of colour aren't we? My feeling is that its best to avoid using such terms, but I could be wrong.

nicoyagomez

You're definitely wrong. In the US, "people of color" is preferable to saying "minority" since minority always implies "minor" relative to another race whereas "people of color" places all on equal footing. "Colored" , as msanders, pointed out, is the term that's outdated.

Now let's get this thread back on track, shall we?

msanders

No-one said anything about using the word 'minority'. We're all people of colour (white, black) so I don't understand how that term is useful anyway?

Right, back on track....

Niles87

I feel that Lego sets should be treated like a Blu-Ray or video game and sealed like one. Shrink wrapped with a large tamper seal on one side of the box. Maybe the tamper seal can be the fiber tape like Amazon uses. It could even be printed for each themes logo, i.e. City, Marvel, Star Wars, Friends, etc. I think that would definitely make it harder to hide that it has been opened and it keeps the boxes looking pretty for the collectors who do not open the sets. It would also mean harder returns for the Lego Body Snatchers and Yellow People Eaters out there.

ACWWGal2011

Niles87 said:

I feel that Lego sets should be treated like a Blu-Ray or video game and sealed like one. Shrink wrapped with a large tamper seal on one side of the box. Maybe the tamper seal can be the fiber tape like Amazon uses. It could even be printed for each themes logo, i.e. City, Marvel, Star Wars, Friends, etc. I think that would definitely make it harder to hide that it has been opened and it keeps the boxes looking pretty for the collectors who do not open the sets. It would also mean harder returns for the Lego Body Snatchers and Yellow People Eaters out there.

but then we'd have to start paying MORE for sets. If the prices get any higher as It is, the only new lego set buying i'll be doing are ones on the clearance table.

Sethro3

I've purchased many sets from retailers. So far, safely. I did buy a handful recently on the clearances. I always check the tabs to look for any problems. It doesn't mean I couldn't also be duped though.

I bought some TMNT and Ninjago sets. Figures are hit/miss it seems with them. I haven't opened any yet though. I did buy a B-Wing ($20 somehow), but the box was crushed. I figured, I'll buy it at that price and if there was a problem, I could return it. Turns out everything was intact, so that was nice.

My problem is I tend to buy things, sit on them while I think about how badly I want it, then sometimes I end up returning it later. I buy it to get the clearance price so I don't miss out on it. If I end up wanting to keep it, I do. If I decide against it later, then someone else can get the bargain.

I do agree, tape doesn't seem to hold out thieves very well.

madforLEGO

ACWWGal2011 said:

Niles87 said:

I feel that Lego sets should be treated like a Blu-Ray or video game and sealed like one. Shrink wrapped with a large tamper seal on one side of the box. Maybe the tamper seal can be the fiber tape like Amazon uses. It could even be printed for each themes logo, i.e. City, Marvel, Star Wars, Friends, etc. I think that would definitely make it harder to hide that it has been opened and it keeps the boxes looking pretty for the collectors who do not open the sets. It would also mean harder returns for the Lego Body Snatchers and Yellow People Eaters out there.

but then we'd have to start paying MORE for sets. If the prices get any higher as It is, the only new lego set buying i'll be doing are ones on the clearance table.

It costs very little to put these stickers on a box. LEGO is not doing it reportedly because of 'collectors' not wanting 'damaged boxes' not because of cost. It is all about deterrance and I think it is time LEGO stepped up their security on their product.

catwrangler

*sigh* Was just in a UK toyshop today and saw a stack of big sets. Surprised to spot a Monster Fighters Haunted House there, I slid it out (there was a Lego bucket on top) to check the price, only to find a big ragged hole right in the front of the box.

I thought at first that maybe it was on sale because of the damage, but not seeing any stickers on it to that effect, I realised someone had only just done it and had put the bucket on top to hide the damage. Reported it to the staff and told them the minifigs had probably been nicked.

Ironically enough, I'd gone in there to pick up some CMFs en route to taking my mother to lunch, and had just been telling her all about the "Lego bubble" and what minfigs were changing hands for online. Didn't expect to find it so dramatically illustrated, and I feel bad for the shop because they're local/part of a small chain, and I don't think they do as well as they did in the pre-Amazon era...

middleton83

I've been quite lucky,then according to all the stories here, I just go into a shop look at the Lego and then buy the set that I pick, I don't look at the seals or anything. But then again I have only seen damaged boxes occasionally.

Apart from when I went to Toys R Us, I went in there had a voucher for 20% off, got Public Transport which had stopped selling a year before, went to another shop and noticed the box was damaged so went back to exchange it for another, took the new room home opened it and found no sticker sheet, so went back and they took the sticker sheet out of the other box, really annoying, but not a problem.