Toy Aisle Trolls is a feature highlighting acts of vandalism to in-store toy items. If you find a ruined package, a stolen figure, a swapped-out figure, or any other such acts, take a photo (cell phone photos are fine if they’re not blurry) and email them to poe AT poeghostal.com. Also, please note: I’m deliberately being over-the-top with my condemnation of these people–I don’t actually wish bodily harm upon them. Just severe mental anguish.
Today’s T.A.T. comes from the great gonzo.
There has been a slew of new Toy Story merchandise in support of the 3D re-release of the original two films in theaters and in anticipation of the third chapter this summer. There were at least three separate “real scale” toys of both Buzz and Woody released at various price points. What we have here is the controversial fourth “Troll” version. Some unruly character bought the midsized Buzz figure and swapped it out with an old, dirty, germ-ridden version of our favorite Space Cadet and returned it to Walmart. The “Space Ranger” sticker has been ripped from Buzz’s chest console, Buzz’s red, green and blue buttons are covered in some unidentified troll sludge, and since this an older figure, Buzz’s face sculpt is greatly inferior to the current toy likenesses. It’s dark in troll caves, so this difference must not have bothered the perpetrator.
Unfortunately these Toy Story figures have become a popular target for troll swapping. I previously encountered this two-pack at Toys R Us that should have featured exclusive interactive talking figures with real moving eye lids. The two-pack retails for $100, but the swapped figures retail for closer to $35 each. Not a very good deal at all. The swapped out set remained on the store shelf for several weeks. I don’t know if it was finally purchased or if an employee figured out they were peddling damaged goods. To infancy and beyond. Grow up, trolls!
Kyle
@Newton Gimmick: Maybe there is more of it, but no one notices because they all look exactly the same. š
Esbat
Now that sucks majorly because its gonna rip off not only the parent cash but also a kid is going to get a piece of crap. Ugh.
Newton Gimmick
I'm surprised you don't see more of this since all these Buzz and Woody figures look exactly the same. Just with different features.
At least someone repacked one of the old Hasbro Buzz figures. While not as good as the $50 Buzz, a real crime would have been to repack one of those Mattel Buzz figures that don't even have articulated legs.