JTA reader Brian writes in with a fairly recent retail experience during the Legacy Collection era. Click through for his story.

Brian writes:

Hello,

I know you guys are always keen to post news about toy "product tampering," so I thought I would send you what I found at my local Wal-Mart in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This store has actually had the same problem numerous times since it opened about a year ago. Chances are good it's probably being perpetrated by the same people each time.

I'm not sure who the figure packed in actually is--it's obviously not a Star Wars figure--but at least they had the presence of mind to put a TIE pilot helmet on his head to look more "legit."

The funny thing is that the figure is the only thing swapped out. The Dewback, which I would assume would be more valuable, was not taken.

As you are always pointing out, we need to be ever-vigilant as a collecting community to try to put a stop to this type of fraud. It is truly criminal.

Thank you... keep up the great work!

Brian Palmer

Thank you Brian! That figure is actually Baron Fel from the 30 (77-07) Comic Packs line which also isn't the easiest collectible to track down. You bring up some good points.It seems that the Dewback would be the main figure to "steal" especially since the Sandtrooper is a peg-warmer now in The Vintage Collection.