Between the Walmart.com The Black Series 3.75" pricing debacle and now this from TARGET (in-store), it seems that retail thinks they have collectors by the you-know-what.... at least they think they do (as in "they'll pay and buy anything). Click through for a mind-boggling take courtesy of JTA reader Paul G.! Stop the "evil" now! (Hey, maybe this is payback for all the items 'we' waited to go on clearance!)

Hello Paul,

I am unsure that the logic center of my brain will ever truly compute this situation, however, I wished to share this bizarre experience with you. Attached are photos of the inexplicably priced Commander Fox Role Play Helmet from some years ago, devoid of its package, instructions, etc. found in the board game section of my local Target. I took it upon myself to use the "lazy poles" as I call them (as I feel that the existence of self-service scanning devices on poles somehow excuses the store from its ineptitude regarding proper shelf tag placement) and the item came up as being "no longer in the system". I inquired about the item at customer service to which I received the "this is a collectors item and has been priced according to its current market value". So Target is now dealing in secondary market collectibles?! I wasn't able to articulate anything kind to say to the associate, so I grinned, quietly chuckled and removed myself from the store. Hilarious.

Paul G.