Bootleg Cards?!?

[dble_g2k]

Hey,

I used to be an avid collector in 05-06, and took a break when I had kids. Now that I've got some time (and money) to get back into the thick of things I find that a few things have changed since I was gone:

1: Jersey/RC's aren't worth crap anymore unless they're ultra tiered, or come from a $100+ pack, mor

2: More stores than ever seem to have pack searchers (this really speaks to the integrity of us as a whole here)

3: most odd of all is this new 'brick and mortar' business that allows hobby stores a 90 day lead over the re sellers. Now the re sellers have of course found a way around this, (WAAAY too much money to be lost here right?)

So now we're seeing boxes for sale with the BAR CODES and holograms cut out, while still shrink wrapped and sealed. This...disturbs me a great deal! How does the market tolerate this (on a large scale up where I am) when so much of our hobby depends on trust and integrity? Clearly people are buying these illegally shipped boxes and are protecting themselves in case someone who cares calls them out on it. Folks, the bar code on the bottom of the boxes is cut out and the bottom two packs are visible!!


Anyways, these 'bootlegs' aren't any cheaper than the hobby stores around here, so my question is: why bother? I just don't see an upside, and it really hurts your integrity when you go flash your stash at the hobby shop and tell em you got em at a flea market or a convenience store that shouldn't be selling them. Am I missing something?

[RGM81]

I can honestly say that this is the first I've heard of the black marketing of UD product. I'm sure that if/when they catch wind of it there will be consequences and repercussions for the people involved.

[TysonX504]

I've never heard of this either, and was quite confused about what you were talking about for a minute

[dble_g2k]

Really? I'd say there are as many bootleggers up here as legit sellers at this point. I'm also a little fuzzy on the details on what a hobby store designation is in Canada as well, because some flea market dealers/corner stores are selling these bootlegged boxes/cases while hobby stores are selling them barcode/hologram/box fully intact.

This is BIG business! I'd think if someone seriously cracked down on it, the hobby stores would see a HUGE rush in sales... so what gives?

I think I'll be doing an informal count at the TO expo and see how many bootleg boxes I can find for sale btw...

[jonpop]

This is all a pipe dream. And where is up here exactly.

[Drewk86a]

Does the shrinkwrap have the company logo on it? Or are they re-wrapping the boxes themselves. If they are re-wrapped, I'd also wonder if the packs have been searched.

[dble_g2k]

No, the shrink wrap still has the UD seal, but you can literally touch the bottom two packs since it's cut out in sections.

Up here is referring to Toronto/GTA btw

[comfortably9numb]

do you have a link to a news article or a blog post at the least about this? because no one here seems to have heard of this "growing" trend lol

[dble_g2k]

Nothing to speak of, other than what I'm seeing in my area. Anyone else in Canada seeing this (and willing to speak up about it)?

[comfortably9numb]

hmm could be one regional person doing it...i didn't mean to seem like i was doubting you...some people are pretty eff'ed up...i just was wondering if it was covered in the news or other media outlets (card sites, ect.)