Naughty Venues ... What to do?

[Badges2]

I'm not trying to start another post of "I got ripped off." I just want to start a thread about what should we do when we do get ripped off.

First off, this is In My Honest Opinion (IMHO). I'm not formally accusing and retailer or person, nor will I name either. I have no proof other than this story.

Secondly, I know what a tampered booster looks like. Some are bent, some have leaky glue (not the same as factory), some have carboard torn in the wrong place when you open it. Most of the tamper-ers have learned how to make it look non-tampered, but you can still tell after you open it, because the cardboard is torn in a way that you could not have just done.

A new store (that sells HC) opened up at the beginning of Feb. It is on my way home from work, so I've been stopping once/twice a week to buy boosters. All of the other retailers in my area tamper (IMHO). The closest place that I trust is over an hour away. I was very, very happy that I could stop and buy boosters nearby and on my way home. Yeah! There were only a few employees and none knew what I was buying. Therefore, it wasn't likely they would tamper. Even Better!

After a little while, I realized that to fill the lack of employees, they transfered several from another store, which tampers (IMHO). Since then, every booster; I mean every booster has had the all rookie/suckie figure - syndrome. They have the cardboard-torn-wrong disease also. IMHO, one of the employees is tampering.

Unfortunatly, I don't know who to accuse or if I really should. I've become good friends with the new manager, and even got him addicted to "plastic crack". I'm positive it's not him, but I don't know how or even what to say to him about it. I am 99.999% positive that someone is messing with them, but nearly every employee now collects them. ("Plastic Crack" is too addictive.) I love the fact that it's on the way home, and I really like the manager. What should I do?

I've had to quit going to all the local retailers due to tampering, and I really don't want to go back to that hour drive any more. I know that XP is tamper-proof, but I still don't have the complete set of IC, HT, & CT. I need my boosters. But I don't want anymore SHIElD, Hydra, Yellowjackets, etc. How can I fix this problem?

[Nevest]

Use eBay and buy from a seller with really good feedback :D

I just bought 16 boosters of CT this past Christmas and got 4 uniques.

If a store tampers then don't buy there. If you're the proactive type then report them to the Better Business Bureau or report it to the store manager. If you choose the store manager route then offer to show them how to tell if something has been tampered with. Most stores have cameras about and they might even be able to catch the person on tape.

[Badges2]

I like the camera idea, but they're all tampered with in the back before they are put out. I'm just afraid of someone losing their job because of me. On the other hand, I feel that they should lose it if they are doing something not right. I guess I'm asking for some encouragement and thought input on what to do.

Does anyone else have any input?

[Kaitouace]

I live in BR, Louisiana as well. What place are you talking about or would you rather not say?

As for finishing sets I've got tons of dupes as well. Although I don't need anything currently except for LEs and promos for which I have none.

[Kaitouace]

Oops. Sorry. Didn't notice that you had said that you didn't want to name. Just curious as to what new store might have opened up. Can't think of anything off hand.

Just remember that in some cases it's the customers who tamper as well. I know a place that had to throw out 12 CT boosters because people were pulling the top and peeking to see who was inside.

I've bought from several places around BR as well and I don't believe I've ever run across an obviously tampered booster either. MAYBE one. I recall a booster with 2 AIM agents in it.

[Badges2]

I'd really prefer not to say, as I am not formally accusing anyone of any wrong doing. As the story states, I have no proof and everything is IMHO. I'll pm you, if you want to know. .(Kaitouace - either you box is full, or you don't accept pms. I can't find a pm button near your name)

I still could use some help on what to do.

[Kaitouace]

Heh. To tell you the truth I never though I'd need it. The PM function. Should be okay now if you want to use it.

[Nevest]

If you can prove tampering then report it to the store manager. If it ends up in someone getting fired then that is what they deserved and you should be proud to rid the store of such a lousy employee and proud to help protect other innocent customers from getting ripped off.

So is that encouragement enough for you? :cool:

[Kaitouace]

That IS the best thing to do. I already know of one place that had to do that in BR. Although even though I shopped there I don't recall ever getting any bogus boosters from that particular shop.

[Badges2]

It's not a comic store (they are usually the most non-tampering). It's an... electonics store, if you know what I mean. All of the comic store are out of my way, and I can't go in without buying just HC. (Darn comic-addict me)

I guess I'll just buy a non-tampered booster and bring it to the manager, buy one of his, and show the difference.

[Funky Jett]

Remember Badges, even if the manager fires someone... it's not your fault. The fault solely on the shoulders of the person that is tampering. You have nothing to worry about, you are not doing anything wrong. In fact, you are doing something right.

Also remember, tampering is a "PC" word for what's going on. The employee is stealing... Stealing from his employer. Shrinkage is a huge deal for companies. I used to work at Wal-Mart's home office as a computer programmer. One of the projects I worked on was an online theft reporting system. I used to monitor the system to make sure every report was coming through ok. The really sad thing was, pretty close to half the reports that came through were due to employee theft. Each theif thinks the same thing... "My company is so big, they'll never miss this item." If it's not that, it's, "I don't get paid what I deserve, so I am taking this to make up for it." What they don't realize is, WE (including them) have to pay for it in the end through higher prices. A store has to increase it's security measures and to cover the increased costs, prices have to go up. A company is certainly not going to cut into their profits to cover their costs, so those costs are passed on to us consumers.

It's a twisted world we live in nowadays. It's sad when someone that is stealing can make the person reporting him feel bad. Badges, that a GOOD deed and nothing you should be worrying about.

[the itsy bit]

Talk to the manager.

you like him and if you can trust him (like you said) he will be more then happy to pick out the bad apple.
in the end you will be doing him a favour because he's not loosing any customers on the count of tampered boosters.

remember though:
not 1 in 4 boosters are guaranteed a unique.
boosters have some figs in there which you will not like/want, trading is the way to go in the end.