darkSpyro

I know there is a very strong feeling against scalpers in these boards, but I was annoyed by this new sticker Wal-mart has put on figures. I don't have it with me, but it says if the figure was bought somewhere other than Wal-mart to phone a 1 800 number. I'd hate to locate a variant, and have to peel off such a sticker! Or even those collectors who buy figures and leave them sealed. Any other opinions on this? Would someone actually call and report the sale?

Two words: "hair dryer." Problem solved, although that's still pretty ridiculous. I don't shop at Wal-Mart as (surprisingly) there isn't one within 30 minutes of my house, but if I did, I'd certainly complain to them about it. At the same time though, if it cuts down on scalpers, then it's at least a little bit ok in my book.

Interesting, I am familiar with the stickers you are describing Wal-Mart normally uses those when when there is a concern of a local reseller like 7-11 wiping all the product off the shelf and selling them at their business 2 minutes down the road for a profit. This practice will no doubt benefit casual collectors and kids but will deter collectors and perfectionists from visiting that Wal-Mart. Its an overt way of marking product and often deters reselling businesses.

I love this idea.

Hmmmm I was at walmart not long ago, snooping around the Giants section lol, but didn't see anything you described, even though it doesn't surprise me. I certainly wouldn't put it past walmart to try this

While in a way this is a great idea, in another sense its not :/ I don't scalp, nor do I ever plan too, but I don't even like getting my skylanders at Gamestop due to them slapping that big fugly sticker on the packaging :/ So this would definitely shy me away from purchasing any from there if they did infact do this with them.
I do buy from Gamestop but it takes me FOREVER to get those big gross stickers off them Its a pain in the butt too.

Dunkin-

The stickers are put on by each individual store on a caase by case basis and it is likely a practice of only that specific Wal-Mart although who knows if the store feels it is doing whatever it is intended to do the practice may spread.

It's a horrible idea.

First - let me say, the stickers... don't come off easily. They're not designed to.

Second - in reality, there's not a whole lot that can be done to trace anything back to anyone in particular.

Third - if the figures were legitimately purchased, then there's absolutely NOTHING that Walmart can do w/r/t someone choosing to resell the product anyway.

The only thing this accomplishes is cutting out potential legitimate customers (those of us who like to keep our toys in the package) from purchasing product from this location.

Sivadreamer, I'd LOVE to know what city/state this store is located in.

So casuals go to walmart, hardcores go to toys r us. What the problem?

It's silly for a store to segment their market like that.

Quote: UncleBob

It's a horrible idea.

First - let me say, the stickers... don't come off easily. They're not designed to.

Second - in reality, there's not a whole lot that can be done to trace anything back to anyone in particular.

Third - if the figures were legitimately purchased, then there's absolutely NOTHING that Walmart can do w/r/t someone choosing to resell the product anyway.

The only thing this accomplishes is cutting out potential legitimate customers (those of us who like to keep our toys in the package) from purchasing product from this location.

Sivadreamer, I'd LOVE to know what city/state this store is located in.

Technically if you read the disclaimers and legal jargon. Youre only buying a license to use it. Not distribute it. So if they really wanted to they can take action.

That isn't even remotely true in any way, shape or form (at least in the US where Walmart is based out of).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-sale_doctrine

Aside from that fact, even if someone was going to be allowed to take action, it'd be Activision - not Walmart.

Could you just imagine the uproar if Nintendo decided you couldn't resell your old NES games anymore?

Several game stores DID go out of business for reselling old computer games for that reason. Skylanders aren't quite the same, but the laws he mentioned do exist. And what you said about the US isn't true. Many states have anti-scalping law, there is just no federal law. In states like New York, eBay is a big issues since you they have some of the harsher penalties to avoid scalping at sports events. You can stop it on the streets, but on the Internet it is a lot tougher.

Does buying and selling a Camo/Warnado/Ignitor pack to sell it count as scalping? *gulp* 0_0

By the way. I hate typing on the iPhone. Most of my mistakes are moronic autocorrections I dont catch.

I've never seen that sort of sticker before, but I would avoid buying there unless I happened to see something I wouldn't get anywhere else...

The sticker is actually something that shouldn't be applied to those, because it's actually intended for HP ink: Wal-Mart has an arrangement with the company regarding people scalping the ink, which was a problem for some time. Looks like someone in the department decided to take things a little further, but it's not something they can really act upon.

If anything it's more than likely intended as a fake-out to prevent people from doing said scalping without enforcing a "only X per customer" rule.

Quote: Earth-Dragon

Several game stores DID go out of business for reselling old computer games for that reason. Skylanders aren't quite the same, but the laws he mentioned do exist. And what you said about the US isn't true. Many states have anti-scalping law, there is just no federal law. In states like New York, eBay is a big issues since you they have some of the harsher penalties to avoid scalping at sports events. You can stop it on the streets, but on the Internet it is a lot tougher.

Umm..., here's the thing though. Those "anti-scalping" laws? Actual Scalping is buying and reselling tickets. Any Anti-scalping laws apply only to ticket sales (well, that's not entirely true - there's a segment of the exchange market that has to do with scalping, but that's an entirely different thing). There is no Federal, State or Local law in any jurisdiction that I'm aware of that covers the buying and reselling of little plastic toys. I'd be happy to be shown otherwise.

As for stores that went out of business for reselling old computer games - Link please? GameStop - a nationwide company - resells PC Games...

Quote: Kung Fu Man

The sticker is actually something that shouldn't be applied to those, because it's actually intended for HP ink: Wal-Mart has an arrangement with the company regarding people scalping the ink, which was a problem for some time. Looks like someone in the department decided to take things a little further, but it's not something they can really act upon.

Sorta. The stickers were initially designed with Polaroid instant film in mind. This product used to be big for folks to come in, sweep the pegs and walk out with to resell at Flea Markets.

Now, you'll typically find the stickers applied to ink, disposable razor cartridges, memory cards, etc. They're actually called "Anti-Theft" stickers and are simply designed as a deterrent from having folks come in and sweep the pegs for resale.

Individual stores *can* make decisions as to what product they need to put the stickers on, but there's actually a process for making that decision.

I LOVE THIS IDEA! If it keeps scalpers from buying from there, it allows me to buy the 2 I open from there, while hunting down the one I will hang on my wall elsewhere.

BRING ON WAVE 3! I will check Walmart first.

Quote: ItsJustMe

Dunkin-

The stickers are put on by each individual store on a caase by case basis and it is likely a practice of only that specific Wal-Mart although who knows if the store feels it is doing whatever it is intended to do the practice may spread.

Hehe yeah I figured, as I've yet to ever see any walmart in my area use these (At least not on skylanders) as far as other products are concerned I dunno.
I'm hoping none of the walmarts in my town don't try to pull this. As I'm partial to getting my figures there since its easier for me to get "Whats New and In" there.

Hey, the stickers make them an instant Walmart Exclusive.

Unclebob, you have obviously never read the agreement you click through when you load a video game for the first time. It states that you don't own the software, and may not resell or tamper with it. In some cases, like blizzard products, they have specifically stated you don't own the cd. You therefore cannot resell an old copy of Warcraft 3. You don't own it, and therefore cannot make profit off of it. You agreed to it once the product is open. Unopened product is different in this case.

To say there was no possible legal consequences in the US is foolish because it might be an issue in certain states. I doubt you have a comprehensive knowledge or every states law, and there are instances of other products getting people arrested.

Quote: Earth-Dragon

Unclebob, you have obviously never read the agreement you click through when you load a video game for the first time. It states that you don't own the software, and may not resell or tamper with it. In some cases, like blizzard products, they have specifically stated you don't own the cd. You therefore cannot resell an old copy of Warcraft 3. You don't own it, and therefore cannot make profit off of it. You agreed to it once the product is open. Unopened product is different in this case.

To say there was no possible legal consequences in the US is foolish because it might be an issue in certain states. I doubt you have a comprehensive knowledge or every states law, and there are instances of other products getting people arrested.

We're not talking about the game itself though, we're talking about the figures, which most certainly can be bought and resold as many times as you want - they're physical property, not a software license.

Quote: Earth-Dragon

It states that you don't own the software, and may not resell or tamper with it. In some cases, like blizzard products, they have specifically stated you don't own the cd. You therefore cannot resell an old copy of Warcraft 3. You don't own it, and therefore cannot make profit off of it.

http://shop.mobileweb.ebay.com...ft+3+cd&x=0&y=0

Quote: UncleBob

Quote: Earth-Dragon

It states that you don't own the software, and may not resell or tamper with it. In some cases, like blizzard products, they have specifically stated you don't own the cd. You therefore cannot resell an old copy of Warcraft 3. You don't own it, and therefore cannot make profit off of it.

http://shop.mobileweb.ebay.com...ft+3+cd&x=0&y=0

What does that prove? That someone is illegally selling something? I know some states do have laws in effect for that.

Why, why are you bringing up drugs on a Spyro/Skylanders forum?

Quote: czs716

What does that prove? That someone is illegally selling something? I know some states do have laws in effect for that.

If they're illegal, report them to eBay. I'll go pop some popcorn and watch.

Quote: UncleBob

It's a horrible idea.

First - let me say, the stickers... don't come off easily. They're not designed to.

Second - in reality, there's not a whole lot that can be done to trace anything back to anyone in particular.

Third - if the figures were legitimately purchased, then there's absolutely NOTHING that Walmart can do w/r/t someone choosing to resell the product anyway.

The only thing this accomplishes is cutting out potential legitimate customers (those of us who like to keep our toys in the package) from purchasing product from this location.

Sivadreamer, I'd LOVE to know what city/state this store is located in.

Why would someone who keeps the figures in the packages (Like me) not buy it if there is a sticker on it? It's just a sticker, who cares?

Okay, those of us who like to keep our toys in as pristine condition as we can.

UncleBob, this is in Niagara Falls, Ontario (Canada). I actually grabbed the lightcore figures today, and getting that sticker off was a royal pain!! I should've just bought them at Toys R Us, but the employees there are kinda...jerks. The sticker was SUPER sticky, designed to make it difficult to remove. I used the ol' goo gone liquid though.

Thanks Sivadreamer. I don't know about those wacky Canadian stores and all, so who knows what they're up to.

Yeah, they're just not designed to come off - which is why I really don't like the idea of seeing them on anything that's designed to be collectable (and before anyone freaks out about that, remember, the backs of all the stuff say "Collect them all"!).

I'm a big fat scalp
I was in America on holiday and I got a Cynder for my self (cause England did not have it) and my mum and dad said to get 3 more so we did.... then in Target there was 1 more so we got that.... then we sold em on Evilbay D:>

It's okay... I admit to scalping too. (Waiting a few months to sell a Camo/Warnado/Ignitor pack.

Quote: WUMBOSIMPSON

It's okay... I admit to scalping too. (Waiting a few months to sell a Camo/Warnado/Ignitor pack.

If you look on Ebay right now, you can easily buy that pack along with three other triple-packs for a measly $28. I don't think any of the series 1 figures are holding any value whatsoever.

I bought the series 1 legendaries with the intent of selling them this Christmas, but unless something big happens, it looks like I'd have to be lucky to recover my purchase price. No one wants them. There are 76 Legendary Trigger Happy for sale at the moment, and none of them are selling.

We need a picture of the sticker, please?

I can so see people selling it anyways. "Skylander with walmart sticker- RARE!"

Quote: Earth-Dragon

So casuals go to walmart, hardcores go to toys r us. What the problem?

Really late on this, but just wanted to point out that at my local TRU, back on launch day, they stickered every last Skylander with an anti-theft sticker directly onto the cardboard backing. If I collected Skylanders in package, that'd be a nightmare. It really sucks for collectors, but I could definitely see this becoming even more widely adopted in the future even though I don't think it would actually deter scalpers from scalping. ...although it could definitely raise the ire of eBay Skylanders buyers.