Mattel downgrading Elites?

Once again, a theft proof package is impossible especially when there on a budget like they are now and lines failing like they are.. Plus, it wouldnt matter anyways! I know ppl who have stolen nintendo wii's, x box 360's, and ps3;s from stores, so unless they spend $100 putting lock boxes around the figures and locking them too stands (which we would have too pay for anyways) its not gonna happen lol theft is everywhere in the country and on everything so again, a theft proof package is a dream and will never happen or make a difference.

Its up too the stores too actually do there job and watch for thieves or invest in more security or cameras or just start buying them online! its the only options

I don't know if that's the same one, but I saw the exact same switch a few months back. Sometimes I wish I worked at the returns and exchanges department at these places just so I could catch them in the act and embarrass them. It's a $16 figure, c'mon now.

It was at K-Mart next to the Grove.

It is so stupid. people would just steal anything that they can steal even toys/figures. it's just sad in society. Dedicated employees are the only way that can stop them since the dream of a theft-proof packaging won't work.

At least they bothered to repackage theirs. I found this at Kmart last month.

This rarely happens in England.

wow not even the same toy company

I see crap like this often. Whether Mattel or Jakks. Jakks stuff I've seen head swaps or figure swaps...or with Mattel completely unidentifiable characters in the packages...or belts stolen...pisses me off.

I remember finding a figure lieing next to the package on the shelf one time (it was a DA Stone Cold), I grabbed it and when I got to the check out I asked the cashier if it was possible to get a discount, she asked the manager and I managed to get it for $2.

The only thing wrong with it was it was missing the accessories.

lol thats what i was saying, its NOT possible! haha
Ppl are going too steal no matter what the packaging its in, and if Mattel did create some crazy locking device that locks the figures too the pegs/ shelves (which is an imaginary dream) it would cost us, the consumer, money for them too do that. Like i said before, its impossible and something like that would never happen.
Now, if the store would buy glass cases with locks, kinda like the video game section in most stores, then that would be alot better. Ppl would have too ask too take thme out and see them and customers who wanted too buy them, well, the employees then could take them too the register just like video games and customers would have too go up and ask for there figure and check out then. Again, something like that will never happen thought because its just a $17 toy and has no real street value too trade in like games do, so Stores could care less really to secure a toy section like that lol
The only way these ppl will get caught is if they have the balls too keep going in every week and doing it over, and over, and over again. Then a camera may pick them up doing it after a few times, so the security person in the back could watch for them too do it again, and maybe again, until someday they set up a trap and catch the person before they leave the store and bust them with shop lifting. Even then your first offense is usually a slap on the wrist and a never come back to our store again. If they did get in trouble its usually a civil suit between the criminal and the store where they settle outside of court too pay 10x the merchandise value and sign papers never too come back in the store. Even then if the ppl really are stealing these too sell online and make money or something, they will prob just send a different friend in too steal them for them and just pay them for doing it. Also, who is too say that person is gonna be that dumb too come back twice a week too steal toys or even once a week too get noticed by security on camera and stuff. They may only come in once a month too once every other month doing this and never get caught. It could be multiple ppl doing this too, not just one person so that would make it even more difficult for store employees too stop. Its a losing situation all around and so costly all over a $17 figure ya know.
That is why i say its always best too jump on these pre orders online from RSC right away while there cheap right away and pay the little extra too guarantee all your accessories with your figure, figure in good condition, and arrives way earlier than retail. If not, you hunt for months upon months trying too find a certain figure, never finding him. When you finally do run into him, turns out he is swapped for someone else or his accessories are stolen and you gotta wait even longer too run into them again. The smart thing is too order online when you know this stuff is happening and going too keep happening. Its sad ppl do stuff like that though all over, as someone said above, a freakin $17 toy lol I pay $25-$35 for mine online and we got ppl who can get certain ones in retail just jacking them up. haha Damn those terrorists!!