What should I do ???

[DisneyBoy]

Ok, today I went to a toys/hobby store and found a "Quick Change Bruce Wayne" from the Batman: The Dark Knight Collection, as in from the first Batman movie (1989). Of course I was thrilled, except for the fact that I had brought my meager Christmas money with me to start buying gifts! All I had was forty dollars (I don't have a job), and I felt really guilty buying the first present of the year for myself. But, I realized that I probably wouldn't get another chance to find one, so I payed the 34.50$$ (OUCH!) Canadian (I live in Canada) and went home, disappointed with myself, but deciding to take some money out of my bank account to pay for other presents.

Then, as I was on my way home, I took a closer look at the bottom of the package, only to realize that the plastic seal (which sticks to the backing and contains the actually figure) was opened, very carefully mind you. I've always been very careful opening these things, but that seal looked either like it came off itself (there were no tears or rips), or like a very professional person had opened it.

Now, I just payed 35$ for a toy which may be second hand. I feel guilty about buying it and part of me feels I should go back there, ask them what's going on with the seal and demand either a rebate or a refund. They did say that they got the toy from a private collector, and the even asked me if I wanted to pay 1000$ for "the entire Animated collection"! Anyways, if I had seen the toy at a convention, I wouldn't have bought it. Heck, if I didn't have the money with me I wouldn't have bought it! It's not like I play with toys anymore anyways. I just open them and pose them once or twice a year. Isn't 35 bucks a bit much to be paying for a toy that I'll just open and pose bi-annually?

So, what do you guys think? Was it second-hand? Was I ripped off? Should I return it? Should I try to bargin down the price? Is it possible that the seal opened over time? Should I ask for a refund? I realize that you can't decide for me, but I would appreciate greatly any advice you oculd offer:)

[Bird Boy]

you were ripped off. What I say you do, is go back w/ the fig, tell them what happened, and since you obviously want the figure anyway, demand a discount. Have them give you back 75% of what you paid (since a open figure is decreased in value by 75%). If they say "No", then just give the figure back and find one on ebay. :)

As for the seal oppening over time. It's possible. In fact, most figures will probably slide off their cards, cuz the glue dried and just let go.

But, not this early. I have figures older than the one you're talking about, and they're bubbles are still hugging onto their cards like no tomorrow.

-BB

[MatchesMalone]

No offense...but you probably should have done a little homework before buying.

I checked Ebay. The same figure Mint on the card recently went for only $10.50. Another one was listed with a starting bid of 19.99, but there were no takers.

I'd approach the store and present the situation very calmly and nicely to see if they will do anything. However, the time to deal was before plunking down $35. You may have a difficult time getting anything out of them now...especially with no proof that the figure was already open.

Best of luck, let us know how it turns out.

[DisneyBoy]

I went back to the store two days after I bought the figure, as in this past Sunday, armed with a determined attitude, and two print-outs from eBay, showing that a "mint" version of the toy went fo 14.00$ I wasn't going to settle for anything less than a rebate or a refund!

So I went in, spoke to a cashier, who got the manager, the same guy who had seen me buy the figure two days before. I showed him the opening, and he instantly become upset. Apparently, this was the first time he had ever been approached for something like this. Of course, since I didn't really know the guy and 'cause I have a hard time yelling at strangers, I remained calm and kept saying "I'm sorry if I've upset you, but this was how I purchased it." Naturally, after a few minutes of his explaining how he doesn't sell such damaged merchandise, how reliable the collector he buys them from is and how with the exchange rate and shipping costs, it all comes out to 35$ bucks, he told me the conversation was over and walked away. great.

Naturally, the two cashiers stood there glaring at me. I paused for a minute or two, trying to decide what to do. I went to the back and spoke to him again. I asked how on earth I could have proven that this was the condition I bought it in, and he agreed that I couldn't. He tried to convince me that I could get other animated or movie-style figures through him, but warned me that if I ever changed my mind once I had seen it after requesting it, that he would never again do me such a "favor". He said "I'm not the bad guy here". I thanked him for his time, turned to leave and called him "Grinch" as I left. Hopefully he heard me.

Sure, I was stupid enough not to ask when I first saw the defect, and twice as stupid for actually spending 35$ on myself right before Christmas on a toy I didn't really need that much anyways (which my father so kindly reminded me of), but I really didn't expect anyone to be so heartless around holiday time. I still feel like going back and raising a stink just because he was so rude and dismissive, but it's his store. Why should he care about me?

I just had an idea. I just had a simply aweful idea! Going back, asking for the complete animated collection (which he says would cost 1000$), seeing it arrive, only to say "I've changed my mind, I don't want it" and leaving him stuck with it would be very sweet revenge indeed! Too bad I'm not the vengeful type.

"I am not a doormat!"

"If you had a middle name, it would be welcome !"

[Bird Boy]

dang...well, to tell you the truth, I'm not surprised. You're dealing with the worst kind of people: Scalpers.

When they get all their toys sold w/ a huge profit, they laugh evily in their stock room....jerks..

-BB