BEWARE, buying retail....
Reljac
Posts: 758
I always carefully check over open-box packs at local stores when buying retail to see if they've been molested, but this year with the strasburg/bryce harper craze I've noticed an especially alarming trend here that I haven't seen in years past. Someone or multiple people are actually cutting 1-2 small triangle shaped holes in the top of every Bowman pack at stores they search. They obviously are just searching for the colored refractors, thus removing any and all chances at big hits from the box. This is especially easy this year since the refractors face a different direction in the packs than the other chrome card does.
Everyone knows at this point that pack searching is popular and people pull all the autos/patches out and list them on ebay, but I've never seen them essentially open the packs by making fair sized holes at the top (obviously not something that could be routinely resold on ebay without negs).
The part that disturbed me the most about it was that the two Target locations I saw this at were actually located about 40-50 miles are part.
I'm sure some of you are aware of this practice, but I wanted to make it more publically stated in case it hasn't been in the past and for those they may just grab a few packs on their way out the door.
As I told my wife.... this makes me so sad, I can just picture some kid using his allowance to buy a $3 pack and never getting crap...
Everyone knows at this point that pack searching is popular and people pull all the autos/patches out and list them on ebay, but I've never seen them essentially open the packs by making fair sized holes at the top (obviously not something that could be routinely resold on ebay without negs).
The part that disturbed me the most about it was that the two Target locations I saw this at were actually located about 40-50 miles are part.
I'm sure some of you are aware of this practice, but I wanted to make it more publically stated in case it hasn't been in the past and for those they may just grab a few packs on their way out the door.
As I told my wife.... this makes me so sad, I can just picture some kid using his allowance to buy a $3 pack and never getting crap...
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Comments
<< <i>I always carefully check over open-box packs at local stores when buying retail to see if they've been molested, but this year with the strasburg/bryce harper craze I've noticed an especially alarming trend here that I haven't seen in years past. Someone or multiple people are actually cutting 1-2 small triangle shaped holes in the top of every Bowman pack at stores they search. They obviously are just searching for the colored refractors, thus removing any and all chances at big hits from the box. This is especially easy this year since the refractors face a different direction in the packs than the other chrome card does.
The part that disturbed me the most about it was that the two Target locations I saw this at were actually located about 40-50 miles are part.
I'm sure some of you are aware of this practice, but I wanted to make it more publically stated in case it hasn't been in the past and for those they may just grab a few packs on their way out the door.
As I told my wife.... this makes me so sad, I can just picture some kid using his allowance to buy a $3 pack and never getting crap... >>
It's probably a kid cutting the triangles in the packs. I know I would have been 100% behind a scam like that when I was 10, particularly if doing so could have netted me a card that I could sell for four figures.
<< <i>It's probably a kid cutting the triangles in the packs. I know I would have been 100% behind a scam like that when I was 10, particularly if doing so could have netted me a card that I could sell for four figures. >>
I'm sure you are probably right.
Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
So to experiment I tried opening the bottom seal of a pack and found it very easy to cleanly open it and remove all the cards and then place the cards back in. I then ran a glue stick along the bottom seal and clamped it. An hour later the pack looked perfect and I couldn't tell it had been resealed even though I had done it myself.
Obviously someone was doing this and then returning the packs for a full refund. Since it was a cash purchase Target doesn't ask for ID if the person has a cash receipt so I informed both Targets what was happening and recommend to them to ask for ID even if the person returning the packs has a cash receipt.
Bottom line is these packs are very easy to reseal and I did a perfect job on my first attempt at ever resealing a pack!
we'll know for sure later this season with the gradual appearance of several shiny triangles taped to his cap.
<< <i>I would be unsurprised if it wasn't a 10-year-old kid, but rather a 30-something bald dude who likes to eat him some sammiches. >>
How many chili dogs do you think that guy has in the bag?
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
ok, in the interest of full disclosure, I'm also a bald dude, love sammiches, and am 40-something. The tale of the tape will also reflect 6'2", 175 ("ding" for those that listen to the DP Show). I am a full-on badass forged from the plifter mold and will beat anyone senseless that dares to cross me.
Seriously though, I think we're more likely to see a dude like digicat's example as opposed to a kid. We've all seen and experienced the seedy side of this hobby countless times. Strasburg mania just adds another reason for the scum to practice their douchebaggery.
Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
Vigilante action is risky, but may be required.
If someone printed a stack of pink, 1 1/2" round stickers,
reading:
THESE
PACKS
HAVE
ALL BEEN
SEARCHED
and placed the stickers on the displayed boxes AND the
shelving, the stores would take notice.
(The cheapest stickers are the HARDEST to peel off.)
Store managers KNOW that the fraud is ongoing, but they do
NOT care. They make the same amount of money whether
the packs are good or bad.
The card companies and their wholesalers could be put on
notice via mail - including a sample sticker - that the problem
MUST be addressed.
Dear Mfg/Wholesaler:
Your card packs are being searched and destroyed at (store
name and addy).
This FRAUD is unacceptable and must be stopped. The store
managers refuse to remedy the problem. You must act NOW
to protect consumers.
Please take immediate action on this matter.
Thank You.
Respectfully,
Card-Pirate Buster
...........................
<< <i>
THESE
PACKS
HAVE
ALL BEEN
SEARCHED
BY A VIRGIN
NERD WHO
HASN'T BATHED
IN 5 DAYS >>
Oh, and "Hi Geordie"!
There's no way you can stop these jerks. The stores could care less as long as their making money. What I do instead is if I see kids with their parents near the cards I try to inform them that someone has gone through and felt the packs up. I've actually had several people thank me for it and walk away not buying any.
When you actually confront the searchers themselves no good can come of it. Besides they're usually just some redneck who has no life.
Guru
P.S.: If you're a redneck I'm sorry that I have classified you with these jerks. Not every redneck is a jerk. And not every redneck has a mullet. But if you are a redneck jerk with a mullet, please stay away from our stores here in Indy. Thank you.
Steve
<< <i>Why don't u just buy a blister box of 7 or 8 packs for $19.99, that way you know they have not been searched. >>
Because there are zero on the shelves here, they are selling for $30+ on ebay. I've only found a few to date.