darkSpyro

@OpalOsprey
quite a nice shopping you done there

Quote: czs716

I encourage everyone to go to GameStop.com and click "Contact Us" and fill out the "Store support: Did not receive premium item" form.

The wording is clear on the site and the email that anyone who purchased ANY Slylanders Giants item should've received a sidekick. "Giants" is plural, meaning the title of the game not just a Giant character.

Just contacted them. Thanks for the option c: Be sure to include what store you went to, the address of the store, and contact number of their store.

This definitely was a complete mess. I took my son first thing to the one right up the road. There were several people lined up. When they finally opened the doors, everyone went straight to the register. The only thing they got in was a case of PWs and a case of giants (meaning they only had 2 regular Ninjinis). Since we already had Ninjini and I saw a bunch at Walmart a couple of days ago, I wasn't too concerned with her. I say she'll be easy to find in the next month. Anyway, I only wanted the battle packs, since we already have a regular Whirlwind and money is tight. My son is OK with just having the character. He would like the variants, but I'm not going to worth about them. They only had the dragon cannon pack, so I picked up the golden one. I saw others get sidekicks in front of me, but when I purchased my battle pack, he said I didn't earn one. I asked what I had to buy & he said I had to spend $25. I told him that's not what the website said, but he wouldn't even look at me and just waited on the next customer.

I got upset, and since I wanted to look for the other battle pack, I went to the other one just across the street at the mall. They didn't have any of the other battle packs, either. But when I asked him about the sidekicks, he said any Skylanders Giants purchase. So he let me use my receipt and get a Whisper Elf.

I had to get back home, so we decided to go out later. I went to another store on the other end of town, since we weren't that far from it. They didn't have the scorpion battle pack, either, but was willing to call around (there are, at least, 6 GS stores in my town). None of them had it. I then thought I would just see if Best Buy would price match and use my rewards certificates. But I really wanted to get another sidekick. I decided to check around Walmart or Target and finally found one at a Target. There were two GSs right next to it so I went to one and picked up the dragon cannon. The girl said it was only with a giant. She even rang it up and showed me the $999.99 price that the sidekick rang up. She then scanned a giant and the price immediately changed to $0. So it's in their system that way.

I didn't want to give up and since there was another GS practically next door (just in the shopping center next to that one) I tried it. They guy told me it was with any Skylanders Giants purchase. So I picked up a regular dragon cannon. I saw the sidekick ring up $999.99, but he hit a couple of buttons and it went to $0. So I assume he overrode the price. I was able to easily take off the sticker and trade it in at Target. All had the Polar Whirlwinds behind the counter.

I went I was the first in line and one guy behind me came in for a ninjini PW and i got a PW,the guy asked if he got a side kick with his purchase and the worker said he had to spend $25 the guy left happy anyway .When i got to the counter i brought up the email and showed him that the sidekick was with any Skylander purchase and he voided the $999.99 and gave me a whisper elf. It worked out great.The only thing i didn't do was the raffle thing ,I asked and he said they did not send him any prize packages so whatever i guess.

Im sorry,but guys who went in and bought out PW with kids in line behind you....that's an asshole thing to do.

Sounds like a common experience to a certain degree. It's to bad it wasn't a better run event.
But I'm confused about one thing, did you say that you bought a discounted pack at Gamestop and then returned it at Target?

Quote: TacoMakerSkys

Quote: czs716

I encourage everyone to go to GameStop.com and click "Contact Us" and fill out the "Store support: Did not receive premium item" form.

The wording is clear on the site and the email that anyone who purchased ANY Slylanders Giants item should've received a sidekick. "Giants" is plural, meaning the title of the game not just a Giant character.

Just contacted them. Thanks for the option c: Be sure to include what store you went to, the address of the store, and contact number of their store.

Yeah I didn't include that info, but I will when I fill out the surveys at the bottom of my three separate receipts.

It'll be interesting to hear of anybody gets a response from their feedback.

yeah i was wondering about the $999.99 sidekick price. I thought the register was just glitched but i guess it was everywhere. I'm gonna have to agree with everyone on how poorly this was set up. With 10 gamestops within a few miles i always go to this one because it's the only one i ever get good service at (other than the mall on rare occasions) and even this one didnt have a clear idea of what was going on. He let us have a sidekick for any skylander bought <.< was that the deal? cause i am hearing all sorts of stuff like only for giant figures, only battlepacks, only if u spend x amount -.-

I got a good look at the memo, it says:

With purchase of a Giant figure.

And they said regular Ninjini was Scarlet. Idiots.

Quote: obidawsn

This definitely was a complete mess. I took my son first thing to the one right up the road. There were several people lined up. When they finally opened the doors, everyone went straight to the register. The only thing they got in was a case of PWs and a case of giants (meaning they only had 2 regular Ninjinis). Since we already had Ninjini and I saw a bunch at Walmart a couple of days ago, I wasn't too concerned with her. I say she'll be easy to find in the next month. Anyway, I only wanted the battle packs, since we already have a regular Whirlwind and money is tight. My son is OK with just having the character. He would like the variants, but I'm not going to worth about them. They only had the dragon cannon pack, so I picked up the golden one. I saw others get sidekicks in front of me, but when I purchased my battle pack, he said I didn't earn one. I asked what I had to buy & he said I had to spend $25. I told him that's not what the website said, but he wouldn't even look at me and just waited on the next customer.

I got upset, and since I wanted to look for the other battle pack, I went to the other one just across the street at the mall. They didn't have any of the other battle packs, either. But when I asked him about the sidekicks, he said any Skylanders Giants purchase. So he let me use my receipt and get a Whisper Elf.

I had to get back home, so we decided to go out later. I went to another store on the other end of town, since we weren't that far from it. They didn't have the scorpion battle pack, either, but was willing to call around (there are, at least, 6 GS stores in my town). None of them had it. I then thought I would just see if Best Buy would price match and use my rewards certificates. But I really wanted to get another sidekick. I decided to check around Walmart or Target and finally found one at a Target. There were two GSs right next to it so I went to one and picked up the dragon cannon. The girl said it was only with a giant. She even rang it up and showed me the $999.99 price that the sidekick rang up. She then scanned a giant and the price immediately changed to $0. So it's in their system that way.

I didn't want to give up and since there was another GS practically next door (just in the shopping center next to that one) I tried it. They guy told me it was with any Skylanders Giants purchase. So I picked up a regular dragon cannon. I saw the sidekick ring up $999.99, but he hit a couple of buttons and it went to $0. So I assume he overrode the price. I was able to easily take off the sticker and trade it in at Target. All had the Polar Whirlwinds behind the counter.

Scum .-. You buy it for $10, and return it to another store to get pretty much $15 back? You're as bad as a Scalper >.>


EDIT: @Matteomax
This is what the website says

Get there early.
The first 25 customers will receive a Skylanders Poster.
We will have a limited supply of the GameStop Exclusive Polar Whirlwind and Ninjini* Figures
available for sale, plus a FREE Skylanders Sidekick with the purchase of any Skylanders Giants toy.


All Skylanders Giants Starters packs will be on sale for $39.99 and all Skylanders Giants Battle Packs will be on Sale for $9.99.
Be sure to reserve the new Skylanders Swap Force and receive the never-before-released Lightcore Hex!

Nowhere does it say it has to be a Giants Giant Figure. It just says Skylanders Giants toy.

I'm out of town and staying with family so I wasn't able to simply drive to my local store, but I talked a family member into dropping me off at the mall which they did about 20 minutes before the store opened. The store ended up opening it's gate in the mall about 2 minutes late as the one employee working was running late. She then had to turn on lights and computers and whatnot and bring the Skylanders out. They had one sealed box each of Polar Whirlwind and Ninjini. There was only myself and one couple with a child there. We each bought one Polar, they purchased a Swarm, and after my first transaction I decided to buy a battle pack. She let me pick a sidekick due to the wording of the email that I showed her even though I didn't buy a giant. And when I decided to buy a battle pack she let me have another side kick. The sidekicks did not ring up since I didn't buy any giants so she just handed them to me. She gave the other couple one for the giant, and after I bought the battle pack she handed them another one for buy Polar.

Over on CAG someone said they talked to a manager who received an email literally right before the doors opened saying that Game Stop was changing the sidekick deal to only being with an actual Giant. The girl working at the store where I went got a phone call (probably from her manager) telling her to check the email because some details had changed, but since she got the computers turned on so late she had not gotten the emails to come up yet before we all checked out and left. Up until I read about that email this afternoon I thought everyone was supposed to get a sidekick, I did not realize I got two that I was not actually supposed to get. I have a full set anyway, I was just trying to complete my nephew's sidekick set.

I bailed on the gamestop event, went to TRU instead

You know, it's a pretty cheap move advertising it the way they did for as long as they did, and then sending out changes at the last minute.

^ i agree. I ened up buying 3 ninjinis and a thumpback just tog et the 4 sidekicks, now I have to see if anyone I know needs these otherwise they are becoming xmas gifts.

Quote: TacoMakerSkys

Quote: obidawsn

This definitely was a complete mess. I took my son first thing to the one right up the road. There were several people lined up. When they finally opened the doors, everyone went straight to the register. The only thing they got in was a case of PWs and a case of giants (meaning they only had 2 regular Ninjinis). Since we already had Ninjini and I saw a bunch at Walmart a couple of days ago, I wasn't too concerned with her. I say she'll be easy to find in the next month. Anyway, I only wanted the battle packs, since we already have a regular Whirlwind and money is tight. My son is OK with just having the character. He would like the variants, but I'm not going to worth about them. They only had the dragon cannon pack, so I picked up the golden one. I saw others get sidekicks in front of me, but when I purchased my battle pack, he said I didn't earn one. I asked what I had to buy & he said I had to spend $25. I told him that's not what the website said, but he wouldn't even look at me and just waited on the next customer.

I got upset, and since I wanted to look for the other battle pack, I went to the other one just across the street at the mall. They didn't have any of the other battle packs, either. But when I asked him about the sidekicks, he said any Skylanders Giants purchase. So he let me use my receipt and get a Whisper Elf.

I had to get back home, so we decided to go out later. I went to another store on the other end of town, since we weren't that far from it. They didn't have the scorpion battle pack, either, but was willing to call around (there are, at least, 6 GS stores in my town). None of them had it. I then thought I would just see if Best Buy would price match and use my rewards certificates. But I really wanted to get another sidekick. I decided to check around Walmart or Target and finally found one at a Target. There were two GSs right next to it so I went to one and picked up the dragon cannon. The girl said it was only with a giant. She even rang it up and showed me the $999.99 price that the sidekick rang up. She then scanned a giant and the price immediately changed to $0. So it's in their system that way.

I didn't want to give up and since there was another GS practically next door (just in the shopping center next to that one) I tried it. They guy told me it was with any Skylanders Giants purchase. So I picked up a regular dragon cannon. I saw the sidekick ring up $999.99, but he hit a couple of buttons and it went to $0. So I assume he overrode the price. I was able to easily take off the sticker and trade it in at Target. All had the Polar Whirlwinds behind the counter.

Scum .-. You buy it for $10, and return it to another store to get pretty much $15 back? You're as bad as a Scalper >.>


EDIT: @Matteomax
This is what the website says

Get there early.
The first 25 customers will receive a Skylanders Poster.
We will have a limited supply of the GameStop Exclusive Polar Whirlwind and Ninjini* Figures
available for sale, plus a FREE Skylanders Sidekick with the purchase of any Skylanders Giants toy.


All Skylanders Giants Starters packs will be on sale for $39.99 and all Skylanders Giants Battle Packs will be on Sale for $9.99.
Be sure to reserve the new Skylanders Swap Force and receive the never-before-released Lightcore Hex!

Nowhere does it say it has to be a Giants Giant Figure. It just says Skylanders Giants toy.

On the memo given to employees, it said what I said in my last post.

Went with some family members and we each got Polar and the poster. She got Ninjini, Thumpback and EyeBrawl for her son. Two sidekicks along with those. :]

Quote: czs716

You know, it's a pretty cheap move advertising it the way they did for as long as they did, and then sending out changes at the last minute.

Yes! This is the typical bait and switch move. Get people in and then moments before..... switch what qualifies. They didn't even send an email or change it online. Last I checked this afternoon it stated..... SKYLANDER GIANTS TOY... Here is a link on the website... http://www.gamestop.com/gs/lan...andersFestival/. Fail... Fail... Fail....

I sent a note online to them. I will wait and see what I hear back but it is still a failure all the way around.

As far as the Skylander Sweepstakes... I thought it said somewhere on something that I got it was going to be per location. Now it is just 40 people who used their powerup cards to purchase skylanders will win. I could be wrong on this part but, I am almost sure I saw it somewhere it said that it would be per store.

Back to the sidekicks.. The email did say that it would be while supplies last but doesn't put a price point that you had to hit before you got it. This is why Gamestop pisses me off.....

Quote: shelly9871

Sounds like a common experience to a certain degree. It's to bad it wasn't a better run event.
But I'm confused about one thing, did you say that you bought a discounted pack at Gamestop and then returned it at Target?

Quote: TacoMakerSkys

Scum .-. You buy it for $10, and return it to another store to get pretty much $15 back? You're as bad as a Scalper

I think you misunderstood. I didn't just return it for $25. I exchanged it for the other battle pack. It was an even trade. I was just going to price match at Best Buy it somewhere, but wanted the sidekick. So, really, the only extra thing I got was the sidekick.

Just wait, in a month or two they will have another promotion to try and get rid of all the sidekicks they were supposed to be getting rid of today.

I guarantee you the leftovers will be in the dumpsters behind the stores soon.

Quote: Matteomax

I got a good look at the memo, it says:

With purchase of a Giant figure.

And they said regular Ninjini was Scarlet. Idiots.

So, it was clear on THEIR side, but not on the communication that went to the customer? My first stop also called regular Ninjini Scarlet. Funny.

Quote: czs716

Just wait, in a month or two they will have another promotion to try and get rid of all the sidekicks they were supposed to be getting rid of today.

I guarantee you the leftovers will be in the dumpsters behind the stores soon.

No, they'll put them on eBay. I'm sure a set will go for $10 soon.

Thanks ghost roaster a d Bazinga!

Quote: TacoMakerSkys

Quote: obidawsn

This definitely was a complete mess. I took my son first thing to the one right up the road. There were several people lined up. When they finally opened the doors, everyone went straight to the register. The only thing they got in was a case of PWs and a case of giants (meaning they only had 2 regular Ninjinis). Since we already had Ninjini and I saw a bunch at Walmart a couple of days ago, I wasn't too concerned with her. I say she'll be easy to find in the next month. Anyway, I only wanted the battle packs, since we already have a regular Whirlwind and money is tight. My son is OK with just having the character. He would like the variants, but I'm not going to worth about them. They only had the dragon cannon pack, so I picked up the golden one. I saw others get sidekicks in front of me, but when I purchased my battle pack, he said I didn't earn one. I asked what I had to buy & he said I had to spend $25. I told him that's not what the website said, but he wouldn't even look at me and just waited on the next customer.

I got upset, and since I wanted to look for the other battle pack, I went to the other one just across the street at the mall. They didn't have any of the other battle packs, either. But when I asked him about the sidekicks, he said any Skylanders Giants purchase. So he let me use my receipt and get a Whisper Elf.

I had to get back home, so we decided to go out later. I went to another store on the other end of town, since we weren't that far from it. They didn't have the scorpion battle pack, either, but was willing to call around (there are, at least, 6 GS stores in my town). None of them had it. I then thought I would just see if Best Buy would price match and use my rewards certificates. But I really wanted to get another sidekick. I decided to check around Walmart or Target and finally found one at a Target. There were two GSs right next to it so I went to one and picked up the dragon cannon. The girl said it was only with a giant. She even rang it up and showed me the $999.99 price that the sidekick rang up. She then scanned a giant and the price immediately changed to $0. So it's in their system that way.

I didn't want to give up and since there was another GS practically next door (just in the shopping center next to that one) I tried it. They guy told me it was with any Skylanders Giants purchase. So I picked up a regular dragon cannon. I saw the sidekick ring up $999.99, but he hit a couple of buttons and it went to $0. So I assume he overrode the price. I was able to easily take off the sticker and trade it in at Target. All had the Polar Whirlwinds behind the counter.

Scum .-. You buy it for $10, and return it to another store to get pretty much $15 back? You're as bad as a Scalper >.>

Your name calling is more than ridiculous. Returning product to a different store that sells that product still puts the product back on the shelf. It does not matter if he made a small profit. Putting product on the shelves is more like the opposite of scalping...

Quote: kappapopm

@OpalOsprey
quite a nice shopping you done there

Thanks =), I thought that I wasn't going to make it in time to be able to purchase anything at all.
_

So, I'm not the only one that had some hardships during this event. I'm sorry for those of you that had a hard time. I honestly think that all of the trouble that I went through was worth it, but I probably shouldn't have gone so early (3 hours early). I hope that the effort that all of you put forth ended up being worth your while.

Good luck everyone and I hope that you enjoy your new Skylanders =)!

Quote: stoat2337

Quote: TacoMakerSkys

Scum .-. You buy it for $10, and return it to another store to get pretty much $15 back? You're as bad as a Scalper >.>

Your name calling is more than ridiculous. Returning product to a different store that sells that product still puts the product back on the shelf. It does not matter if he made a small profit. Putting product on the shelves is more like the opposite of scalping...

Well, "Scalping" isn't illegal. Return fraud is.

This is ridiculous.
I HIGHLY doubt that many avid Skylanders collectors and hunters here haven't, at one point or another, purchased a Skylanders item on sale and then returned it to another retailer for an exchange for a more desirable item with the same SKU number.

Get over it.

I haven't. Why would I? You can't "return" an item to a store you didn't buy it from. That's not a "return". Period.

As far as the retailer is concerned, it is a return. Period.
Not gonna debate this further. Have fun debating if someone else wants to pick up the torch.

No, it isn't. It's considered fraud. Period.

How is returning an item to a store that you didn't purchase it from, for money or store credit that you didn't give to them in the first place, not fraud?

That would mean the store is paying you retail for an item that they never purchased to begin with that upon selling won't return a profit.

Quote: UncleBob

Quote: stoat2337

Quote: TacoMakerSkys

Scum .-. You buy it for $10, and return it to another store to get pretty much $15 back? You're as bad as a Scalper >.>

Your name calling is more than ridiculous. Returning product to a different store that sells that product still puts the product back on the shelf. It does not matter if he made a small profit. Putting product on the shelves is more like the opposite of scalping...

Well, "Scalping" isn't illegal. Return fraud is.

Returning the exact item a store sells is not fraud. Regardless of where you purchased it.

Quote: czs716

That would mean the store is paying you retail for an item that they never purchased to begin with that upon selling won't return a profit.

But they will return it to the shelf, and it will sell. No profit for the retailer, but they will not suffer a loss either.

Please keep in mind I am not advocating this. If someone is making a habit of going from store to store doing this on a regular basis, I see the complaint. But the occasional instance can be tolerated.

Quote: stoat2337

Quote: UncleBob

Quote: stoat2337

Your name calling is more than ridiculous. Returning product to a different store that sells that product still puts the product back on the shelf. It does not matter if he made a small profit. Putting product on the shelves is more like the opposite of scalping...

Well, "Scalping" isn't illegal. Return fraud is.

Returning the exact item a store sells is not fraud. Regardless of where you purchased it.


Quote: czs716

That would mean the store is paying you retail for an item that they never purchased to begin with that upon selling won't return a profit.

But they will return it to the shelf, and it will sell. No profit for the retailer, but they will not suffer a loss either.

Please keep in mind I am not advocating this. If someone is making a habit of going from store to store doing this on a regular basis, I see the complaint. But the occasional instance can be tolerated.

This is not really a black and white case. People get mad about TRU giving you the "Sale" price of something when you return it without a receipt. They have their reasons for doing it. This would be the main reason for them doing that. You buy X item at Wal-Mart for 9.99 and take it to TRU to return it because they sell theirs for 11.99. Even though they may be able to to put the item back on the shelf for 11.99 and sell it, returning items and then putting it back on the shelf still costs some money. Not a whole lot on one occasion per store but, we have people on here and in the world who take advantage of the system. (I am not trying to say that the person who did it in this case is trying to take advantage of this all the time, but today they did.) Wal-Mart has their reasons for only allowing three returns per year with out a receipt. Most people are honest and just don't have it. However, a few are not and making it harder on the rest of us.


Will they? Everything cost money. To pay that person to run the register to return it and what not. Will they run a sale tomorrow and maybe take a loss on it in the end? They could. Look at the battle packs that were for sale yesterday at Gamestop. (Keep the condition of the item out of your mind.) They have a MSRP of 24.99. Which we know they make money of of. Yesterday they were on sale for 9.99. Some of those may have been returns for store credit or what not and that person could have gotten 24.99 for them to spend in store or even cash. So, they put them back on the shelf and it sold on Thursday for 24.99, got returned on Friday for that same price, and then on Saturday ended up selling for 9.99. Which in turn cost the store money. Even if that didn't happen and they just sold one for 9.99, That in the end could cost the store money. By the time you pay for shipping, advertising dollars, and employees they probably did not make money off it. I don't know if this was the case for yesterday, I am just trying to point out that it is not always as cut and dry as people make it out to be.

Thanks to those who have taken up for my actions. I'm sorry I got people upset about it. You be a right to your opinion, but you're also taking it out of proportion. You act like I just exchanged it for store credit. If that was the case, then I would agree with you. But it's not. The two battle packs are the same SKU. So in the system, they are the same item. I could have easily tried to price match. In fact, I wanted to at Best Buy so I could us RZ certificates. But I wouldn't get the sidekick. But to give you proof why it was an even exchange, here'a more to the story:

Went I went to take the item to Target, they would only give me $19.99 credit, since it was on sale recently. I thought I was going to pay the extra $5. I showed them what I wanted to exchange it for and they saw they were the same item (at least in their system) and did an even exchange.

It's no different than someone who collected Ninja Turtles and wanted a Michaelangelo, but ended up getting a Raphael and taking it in and exchanging it for the Michaelangelo. Same SKU. Same item.

I could probably tried to buy the packs at GameStop and returned them for the credit and just bought other stuff (I.e. food, clothes, etc.). But that would be fraud. That's not what I did.

I also have been sitting on an extra Sprocket that I purchased for a Christmas gift, but ended up not giving it (through a mix of circumstances). Since I don't need it and I can't now return it, shouldn't I be able to just take it to Walmart to exchange it for one I need? Or do I just get stuck with it? I guess I could sell it, but doubt I'd get anything out of it. Before you try to convince yourself that it's some sort of fraud, ask yourself what you would do.

I wouldn't commit fraud.

Get off your moral high-horse. Apparently you'll sleep better at night if you let the people on the toy forum know that you wouldn't commit return fraud with a 20$ item - do you want your smiley face sticker?

I'm not trying to be rude in any way--but no matter how its explained to be an even exchange---unless you go to the store and they allow returns from other retailers--then it's dishonest. I've asked before--my son got two if the same toy for his birthday--I didn't know where they were purchased from---I brought the toy to TRU and explained situation and they said, "unless you can say that it was purchased here, I can't do a cash return, exchange, or store credit." So, we ended up giving the duplicate toy as a gift later on. "Regifted...lol"
I think because it is being justified as not hurting the store--that you are saying it is ok. I personally don't know about the specifics of retail but Im sure there is more to it than just making sure the stores carry and sell products. Otherwise--stores would openly allow returns/exchanges from other retailers.

Yes - it's dishonest and it's technically return fraud.. But unless you made this a habit and were doing it regularly, I don't think there's even a form of punishment for it. Beyond that, I don't think anyone needs to be called scum for doing it. That's just plain mean. I don't condone any typr of fraud or similar behavior but this isn't a situation that merits name-calling or the moral police to show up. People on here log in to tell eachother about their finds and be helpful/discuss Skylanderd and their shopping experiences. There's no reason to call someone scum - if it bothers you, say it bothers you and then leave the conversation.

If YOU don't like the conversation, then you can kindly show YOURSELF out.

If someone is going to come onto a public forum and brag about committing crimes, then they need to wear their big-boy pants and suck it up when someone replies to their post.

Regarding the gamestop event---we didn't make it because my son was sick. But I called and they said they would keep a poster or two for my son. I realize the posters are no big deal but I still thought it was nice. I'm sure they wouldn't have allowed me to buy a Giant and get a free sidekick after the event ended.
I've had such great experiences at Gamestop. They have been so knowledgable. In cases where they weren't sure about different Skylanders characters, they have taken the time to research and find the answers. I am so surprised to hear all the negative experiences--in general--about Gamestop.

I totally agree that the "event" wasn't clearly explained to the stores/public--which is disappointing. It's kind of a waste that they hold an event like this which should be a positive for the Skylanders brand and Gamestop-and it ends up causing bad feeling all around.

I'll still be there--first thing--next time there is an event--fingers crossed that it all goes as planned--provided my son isn't sick! Lol!

Seems kind of irrelevent now that most of us already have the figures they were putting on sale during the event. I only went for Polar and to reserve a copy of Swap Force. I was a bit pressured since I was told they would not be sure if they were going to have enough LC Hex figures to give away. I would like to know if the advertisement is a guaranteed free gift or not. That way I can plan on picking it up first thing, or within the 48 hours for pre-orders. I wouldn't mind picking her up seperate either, but at the current going price it would be a shame not to get the free gift.

Maelstrom--That is a great point that makes me think. I have preordered from Toys R Us and I have preordered from Gamestop. I prefer Gamestop for preorders as the other retailers I've had issues with in this area. I preordered at Gamestop BEFORE the event. Does anybody know if we are going to get a free LC hex?

Well i guess in some ppl eyes ive done fraud since i was a kid.. On birthdays if aunts, uncles or grandparents sent us gifts or even friends got us gifts we didn't want and had no receipt we'd take them back to whatever store would take them and find a new item. As an adult, the only time I've really done any non receipt returns is if I lost the receipt (most can look under credit cards, walmart can't which is where i tend to run into this problem) or if I or my son have gotten them as a gift and have no clue which parent got them or simply don't want to be embarrassed asking them for one (as in saying your item sucked etc etc). We did this on his birthday with 3 skylanders he got. Target returned them for us and we used that credit to buy 3 others and other items at the time. So in the end target made a profit off us as we bought other items while we were there. Now this I don't consider fraud, others may feel that it is but I don't. Now a good example in my head is when my local BJ's wholesale had skylanders on clearance/rebate for $4.99 a pop. Now if I bought like 20 of those and took them to walmart/target and got 9.99 for each, I would consider that fraud as one is trying to make a profit and work the system. Returning a unwanted gift I don't consider fraud. Doing it to make a profit or work the system is. Otherwise Id be forced to re-gift or toss out said item which I wouldn't do, as I don't like to waste things or force items on others i doubt they would want, nor have the money to take a loss like that.

I know no everyone will agree and that's fine as everyone is entitled to their own option.


As for gamestop event, it was neat to meet fellow skylander ppl and watch my 7yr old intertact with other kids talking about skylanders. Otherwise the event pretty much sucked and gamestop was clueless. This is why I avoid gamestop and personally go with other stores.

Please don't equate a no-receipt return to buying an item at one store and bringing it to another store. Those aren't the same thing at all.

For Gamestop it will either be mailed with your pre-order or it will be bundled in with the set when you pick it up at a store. I think TRU is emailing you a coupon for both. I think Dinoah would be the better one to ask for the TRU process. If you look online at gamestop.com it will tell you how to receive the free figure.

Getting back on topic, I went back with my receipt this afternoon. The same guy that sold me PW yesterday told me that Sidekicks were only given out if you bought a Giant. I explained to him that he was wrong and that the website said it was any Giants toy. He gave me a Gill Grunt and a sour look, but at least I got the Sidekick.

UncleBob, you're just coming off as a jerk. No one was bragging about doing it. I think you misconstrue someone merely explaining the course of events in their day about "bragging about a sweet find". I think you need to find a more adult forum, because mang of the people here are probably kids and will come pn and read this and worry anout whether or not they've committed a crime in their life when their parents have done a return. If you really have this much of a problem and need to repeatedly state that it's wrong then you should probably step outside and find a real problem in the world, because you are too concerned with this, to a point where it's just sad.

On topic: this whole Gamestop event was bait and switch. I've seen threads on multiple forums where people are saying to write Gamestop support about it. I don't think it will be worth the time - the managers at the stores will say they have no control and their prices are set by corporate. I know one of the managers here and the reason they are set at $999 is because the managers and employees were (during previous promotions) being too lenient and giving the Sidekicks out to any kid who wanted one. The 999$ price point was a slap on the wrist from corporate and a way for corporate to track the inventory and most likely scare the employees - it's not a realistic price point but you have to be in their shoes and consider what they'd go through for manually marking down an item 999$ (despite it being a joke of a price).

Gamestop corporate will most likely be the one to reply to the customer support tickets (if there is a reply at all), and if I had to wager, I'd guess that they will say they are sorry and maybe give a 5$ coupon or something - though it would be great if they just sent everyone their sidekicks.. I guess we will have to wait and see.

[quote=RistogriffithI think you need to find a more adult forum, because mang of the people here are probably kids and will come pn and read this and worry anout whether or not they've committed a crime in their life when their parents have done a return.[/quote]

Kids growing up to not be like their law-breaking parents is a good thing.

I love how you're all "you shouldn't worry about small things like this", then rant about GameStop not giving out the free plastic toys due to questionable wording in the promotional material.

I'm just glad Uncle Bob isn't razzing me this time about return fraud. Go get 'em, bobby.

Quote: Bazinga

For Gamestop it will either be mailed with your pre-order or it will be bundled in with the set when you pick it up at a store. I think TRU is emailing you a coupon for both. I think Dinoah would be the better one to ask for the TRU process. If you look online at gamestop.com it will tell you how to receive the free figure.

"*Offer available with pre-order of a Skylanders SWAP Force Starter Pack. LightCore Hex available upon pick up at launch. Limited quantities available. While supplies last. " Online Customers: Item will be packed with your game.
Store Customers: Item will be packed with your game.

I would think GS would get enough of them to fill their pre-orders. They did when Giants was first released and gave people the Golden Dragonfire Cannon battle pack as a bonus for pre-ordering. More were on shelves later. It still sounds like I'll have to be there early to pick it up though. Either way I will rest easy when I'm done collecting.

My gosh, it's not fraud. The companies have the no receipt returns. They have no way of proving if it was purchased from there store or not. If they didn't have that policy it wouldn't happen, so they know of the possibility. Besides, these companies are multi million dollar corporations. A few dollar loss won't shut them down.

Just my two cents on the whole fraud thing. Walmart and Target have different agreements with manufacturers on how they can handle the stock they don't sell in stores. Basically if Walmart doesn't sell an item at the full price then they have the option of just returning it back to the company. Targets agreement allows them to sell an item for a period of time and then they have the option of putting it on clearance if it doesn't sell. Video games are a perfect example of this as I am sure we are all aware of the clearance section at Target in electronics that sells old games at reduced prices....you just do not see that at Walmart stores. It goes into way more detail then what I writing but the point I am trying to make is that because of the agreement Walmart has with manufacturers they are able to offer a no-receipt return. If the returned item doesn't sell, Walmart can return it themselves.

In closing, does returning something to another store you know you didn't buy it at shady? Sure. But as far as Walmart goes....it is built into their plan so Corporate isn't losing any sleep from these behaviors.