Walmart Pricing Irregularities

[hushed]

In the last week, I have found two $100+ Lego sets priced for $1.00 and $7.00 each, as someone has changed out the barcodes on the boxes. The barcodes scanned as different, cheaper products. They were at different Walmarts, about 20 minutes apart. 20 minutes further down the road, I found another $50 set, which had the barcode ripped off of it, I assume from an employee removing a non-legit barcode.

Taking the product to Walmart management has resulted in nothing but wasted time for me. I struggle to not pickup the sets for $1.00 myself. I know if I had not caught these, someone else would simply come along and make the purchase.

I think it is very likely I am going to come across more when I check the local Walmarts, looking for deals.

So, what are your thoughts on this? Would you take advantage, would you leave the box on the shelf and hope some mother gets a surprise for child or would you keep letting Walmart management know about it?

[legogod]

Buying with a tampered barcode would be the same as stealing-I would avoid it entirely. I don't think it would be a waste of time to let management know if you have the time and see something like this. What happens to waste your time other than saying: "Someone swapped out the barcode on this set. I would fix that if I were you."?

Jared

[Brickmythic]

yes avoid tampered bar codes.

There have been scams in the past and lego will instantly ban you if are associated with tampered UPC's.

Target was hit hard a few years ago by professional thieves applying printed barcodes of cheap lego product on expensive lego sets. The guy got in serious trouble..

tbh, Lego has relaxed over resellers last year or so, but they don't tolerate drop ship scammers and tampered UPC's.

[anakinisvader]

Are you in the DFW area?

[hushed]

I am in Austin, Texas.

Regarding the time it takes, all three sets I found issues with, were the last of each item. I have seen people posting about clearance on the police set, and I have seen the other two sets on clearance myself. I wanted them to tell me the legit prices. After more than 15 minutes at two of the stores, and more than 5 minutes at the third, they ended up telling me in every case, they could only sell to me at full price.

One was clearanced priced on the Walmart app, but showed it was out of stock. When I showed them my phone, they didn't care.

One of them, they tried to tell me they couldn't sell the set at all, but I was adamant they give me a price.

It doesn't take but a minute to turn the set in if there isn't a line, but if there is a line or if I want to actually buy the box, reporting the issue to the store takes alot of time, and so far, has only been a waste of time.

[Wheeefun]

I think it depends on the employee you're dealing with.

Last week I found a Milano spaceship for $35 but one side had obviously been re-taped with shipping tape. I took it to customer service and got an actual manager and explained that I wanted to buy the set and showed her the re-taped side and asked if I could open it in front of her before I purchased it. She agreed so I opened it in front of her and sure enough the bag with the "1" on it was busted open. I showed her and handed the set back to her, she thanked me and said she'd "turn it in to the toy dept".

Two days later that same set was back on the shelf with another layer of shipping tape priced for $35.

Some people care about doing their job and some people don't.

[videriant]

I've had the same experience several times with reporting opened/missing toys to Walmart only to have them put them back on the shelf. One time I took an action figure that was swapped out to the cashier and told her it wasn't even the right figure. She gave me a blank look then asked me if I was purchasing it and gave me a blanker look when I said of course not. I blame Walmart more then the employees. I'll still report things at Target or TRU but don't bother with Walmart anymore.

If I find a $100 set that scans for $1 I will buy it without looking at the bar code and then check the bar code when I get home. I've done nothing wrong and the security cameras will back me up. Heck, even if I knew someone else swapped the bar code I would still buy it. No ethical conflict for me because at that point if I don't buy the product for $1 then either someone else will or it will get sent to salvage for $0.

[bobl]

A couple years ago, I found some Lord of the Rings Weathertop sets clearanced at a Walmart about 30 minutes from my house, about 33% off. They were sold out at my local Walmart and getting difficult to find. I bought two, but when I got home I noticed that the box looked kind of loosely taped. Uh oh. SO I look more closely and poke at the tape a little. It starts to come off. So now I am pretty suspicious, and peel the tape off (which comes off too easily, with no tears). I pour out the contents and it turns outs some bags were sliced and all the minifigures were removed. Drat.
Okay, I close the box and a few days later I returned both to the local Walmart. I showed the woman at customer service the sliced open bag, and explained it was missing vital pieces. I also said that I felt the other set may have been tamper with. She said okay and refunded my money.
A week later I was at the same Walmart. On the shelf were 2 Weathertop sets. I examined the boxes. Yup, they were the same ones I returned. Back on the shelf, despite the missing parts. The real crazy part: they were at full price, not the clearance price I paid and returned them at.
Walmart just doesn't care.