I discovered a local TCG Scammer, should I mind my own business?

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Board 8 » I discovered a local TCG Scammer, should I mind my own business?
MariaTaylor
05/30/2024
03:42 PM
#1
So, at a local diner in my small town, I discovered someone running a trading card scam.

There is a device set up in the lobby similar to the ones where you put in a few quarters and get something like a sticker or other overpriced small toy. Only this one seems to be privately owned and was set up by someone who doesn't own the building. I'm guessing he asked them for permission to put it there and they allowed it.

The machine has his contact information on it, including his youtube channel, which I went and looked up.

So, first of all, the machine dispenses pokemon, dragonball, and weiss schwartz trading cards
(Not going to bother trying to spell that last one correctly, feel free to make fun of me if I got it wrong)

On his youtube channel he has a lot of videos of him opening up various card packs.
Now, you might understand where I'm going with this...

The people who own the diner likely don't understand enough about this to really know what he is doing. Any kid who puts their money into the machine, or parent who gives their kid money for it, probably doesn't understand the purpose of this. But to me, it was pretty immediately obvious what he is doing;

He is buying and opening card packs on his youtube channel. Then, he takes any of the low value cards that are only worth a few pennies, and sticks them into this machine. Some unsuspecting kid will then buy it from him for a dollar each. There is no way that he could get a dollar per card reselling his trash filler cards, so this seems to be a way for him to make up more than the value he spends buying each pack.

First of all, I doubt he even has permission to be selling these cards, from a legal standpoint. Not in the way he's doing it. Honestly, I'm not the kind of person who would really go out of my way to bother someone if all they were doing was reselling cards, but this is a bit different.

Here's the problem, and why I consider this to be a scam; If that kid goes and buys a pack from the store, they have a chance of getting some filler cards, some rare cards, and maybe something super valuable. But in this machine, they will NEVER pull any rare card EVER. It's a massive scam where you're paying a huge price for a single card, and it's guaranteed to always be his trash filler cards that he puts into this machine.

You can certainly give this guy the benefit of the doubt and assume he is doing this in good faith, but I would be incredibly surprised if he has ever put a single high value card into this machine. In my mind, this is pretty obviously a scam. I'm just not sure if I should really do anything about it, or what I would even do. I thought about mentioning it to the store owner, but I haven't decided yet.

Anyway, I thought board 8 might find it interesting, since I'm sure there are people here into various TCG.

nothing could make you happier, am i right?
https://i.imgur.com/CGTIEmB.png
ivysnow
05/30/2024
03:50 PM
#2
this is certainly untoward but i doubt there are actual real legal ramifications to it. you *might* get somewhere if you speak to the diner owner, best case being they remove it under the pretense of "parental concern." even then, there's nothing stopping him from getting it set up somewhere else. otherwise, i feel like there's nothing you can really do here.
ivysnow
05/30/2024
03:51 PM
#3
alternatively you could break in and destroy it. i'm not a cop
Mobilezoid
05/30/2024
03:52 PM
#4
Anyone who spends a buck for a random Magic card deserves to lose their money tbh.
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Grand_Kirby
05/30/2024
03:58 PM
#5
I kinda doubt even the diner owners would care or understand. You could bring it up with them to find out more about why it was set up and confirm the specifics about it, and then explain why you think it's manipulative to children and see what their response is.

If they don't do anything about it, I saw don't go to the authorities (is this something they would actually do something about? If so, then I guess you should try, but I doubt it) or confront the guy, go to the news. Bad publicity will be more effective against this than most other things I believe.
Okay, I rolled a 14. What's that mean? Hsu
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Shattered
05/30/2024
03:59 PM
#6
I don't think it's as illegal as you think. I see these sort of machines all over. I've seen vending machines that definitely operate in a similar fashion and same with the little coin operated ones too. Stores do mystery pack stuff or like lotto draw type stuff with the same sort of system.

It's definitely shady and a lot of them at least suggest there's the possibility of a chase card. This is super common in Japan, like those things are fucking everywhere, I saw 100s when I was there. I've definitely seen them in the US too though and the ones in vending machines don't even suggest there's a chance of a chase card.

Trading card stores (and eBay) also buy up bulk to do this. It's not a one off scenario you have run into, these things are all over under many different forms
MarkS2222222222
05/30/2024
04:00 PM
#7
That doesn't sound like a scam
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agesboy
05/30/2024
04:13 PM
#8
Grand_Kirby posted...
I kinda doubt even the diner owners would care or understand. You could bring it up with them to find out more about why it was set up and confirm the specifics about it, and then explain why you think it's manipulative to children and see what their response is.

If they don't do anything about it, I saw don't go to the authorities (is this something they would actually do something about? If so, then I guess you should try, but I doubt it) or confront the guy, go to the news. Bad publicity will be more effective against this than most other things I believe.
this

it's shitty, but it's iffy and you shouldn't try to take a super personal stake in it. maybe inform any kids you see buying from it that it's a bad deal. if you wanna be extra nice about it, keep some mid-rarity cards you don't need on hand to give to them to brighten their day in the wake of that

fundamentally it's not your problem and probably perfectly legal
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Umbreon
05/30/2024
04:20 PM
#9
I'd tell the store owner at least. Legal or not legal, what this dude is doing is pretty shitty. Probably not worth bringing the law into this unless you can prove this is outright illegal instead of legally gray.
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wallmasterz
05/30/2024
04:24 PM
#10
It might be illegal if it was advertised as giving rare cards or even a certain probability of getting rare cards. But someone could argue theres monetary value to getting a random card regardless of rarity. Its a novel experience. A little shady, I wouldnt disagree, but still not illegal
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Leonhart4
05/30/2024
04:26 PM
#11
This is the difference between scammy and scummy
https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq
https://imgur.com/89Z5jrB
Sniff
05/30/2024
04:43 PM
#12
People do "repacks" on ebay all the time.
Squirrel is back, and allergic to nuts :'(
-hotdogturtle--
05/30/2024
04:46 PM
#13
The strangest part about this is that a random regular person is allowed to set up a dispenser like that. Even with the building owner's permission, it's like... who actually buys one of those machines? He must have been really dedicated to this scheme.

Anyway, yeah, I doubt that this is actually illegal. It's shitty and predatory but I don't think that there's anything legally forcing him to stop doing it.
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Uglyface2
05/30/2024
04:51 PM
#14
Not illegal unless the machine suggests that there are rare cards inside, then it's false advertising. Besides, vending machines have been selling cheap crap at a markup for a very long time, probably before I was a kid. If it bothers you a lot, talk to the owners.
Sniff
05/30/2024
05:01 PM
#15
If he links his youtube channel, I would assume he has a video mentioning the machine, and he probably says that he has chase cards in it. This is the entire repack method. No idea why he'd post his youtube otherwise.
Squirrel is back, and allergic to nuts :'(
MariaTaylor
05/30/2024
05:02 PM
#16
Grand_Kirby posted...
I kinda doubt even the diner owners would care or understand. You could bring it up with them to find out more about why it was set up and confirm the specifics about it, and then explain why you think it's manipulative to children and see what their response is.

this is basically how I feel about it, yeah. I doubt the store owners would really care if I tried to explain it to them, and it would take a lot of effort, so I don't really want to do it.

Shattered posted...
Trading card stores (and eBay) also buy up bulk to do this. It's not a one off scenario you have run into, these things are all over under many different forms

I know this guy isn't creative or intelligent enough to come up with this scam on his own, but it's still sad that he's scamming random children.

-hotdogturtle-- posted...
The strangest part about this is that a random regular person is allowed to set up a dispenser like that.

this is the part that seems illegal to me. it feels like it probably requires a permit, which I doubt he has. I'm not the kind of person who is going to go out of my way to tattle tale on someone reselling trading cards without some kind of sales permit, but, if you're scamming children that's a different matter.

Uglyface2 posted...
If it bothers you a lot, talk to the owners.

eh, not really 'a lot.' just enough to bring it up here since I figured people on board 8 might find it interesting.

nothing could make you happier, am i right?
https://i.imgur.com/CGTIEmB.png
ScareChan
05/30/2024
07:19 PM
#17
this has been going on since Magic was a thing, it's not a big deal
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swirIdude
05/30/2024
07:21 PM
#18
Companies will actually take low value Pokmon cards, stick them in packaging and then sell them at convenience stores. Its unfortunately a frequent occurrence.
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Raka_Putra
05/30/2024
08:08 PM
#19
Make it go viral on TikTok.
God has heard my soul.
Accel_R8
05/30/2024
11:33 PM
#20
This really isn't a scam. Its just a really bad deal. The thing is he's probably looking to make money off impulse purchases. Someone that ISN'T into these card games but sees "pokemon cards, I remember those!" drops a dollar for what's basically a laugh or a pang of nostalgia, or just for a cool thing to hold onto that they don't know the real value of. Similar to claw machines, those stuffed toys are worth pennies, even if you won a toy in one attempt, you've not gotten an equivalent exchange at all.

That said you're probably right that they don't have the legal right to sell these things in this manner? I'm not knowledgeable on the legality of this sort of thing. But I wouldn't call this a scam.
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Underleveled
05/30/2024
11:37 PM
#21
-hotdogturtle-- posted...
Anyway, yeah, I doubt that this is actually illegal. It's shitty and predatory but I don't think that there's anything legally forcing him to stop doing it.
This exactly. It's like, exactly the same as those packs of 50 loose singles (most of the time not even in mint/NM condition) that are "guaranteed at least one holo" and it's almost always like some theme deck alternate foil or something like that that's barely worth more than the 49 commons.
darkx
Xtlm
05/31/2024
12:41 AM
#22
So basically he is selling a 'grab bag' of cards, which is something every card shop has done since forever?

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#23
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BlueCrystalTear
05/31/2024
01:43 AM
#24
I'm with the people who agree that this guy is scum, but this isn't exactly a scam. You take a chance when you insert the quarters. Nonetheless, tell the store owners he's ripping people off, but don't be surprised if they don't get it/don't care, even if you say he's charging $1 for five-cent pieces of paper. Instead of, say, a quarter. He'd probably sell out if he lowered the price that much. But there are 10 cards in a booster pack, excluding the energy, so why not just get a booster pack in that case?
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MZero
05/31/2024
01:48 AM
#25
I mean yeah, you can get a 12 pack of cola for like 5 bucks but vending machines sell the cans for a dollar each

you might have something with the permit thing though idk
MZero , to the extreme
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Punnyz
05/31/2024
03:13 AM
#26
The Hustle
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MariaTaylor
05/31/2024
08:54 AM
#27
Interesting mix of opinions here.

I'm surprised how many people see "Selling an item for 100x the value to someone who is too stupid to make their own financial decisions" as not a scam, but maybe you're imagining these 8 year olds as future mensa members/board 8 users rather than average kids with the brains of a dog.

nothing could make you happier, am i right?
https://i.imgur.com/CGTIEmB.png
redrocket
05/31/2024
11:37 AM
#28
MariaTaylor posted...
Interesting mix of opinions here.

I'm surprised how many people see "Selling an item for 100x the value to someone who is too stupid to make their own financial decisions" as not a scam, but maybe you're imagining these 8 year olds as future mensa members/board 8 users rather than average kids with the brains of a dog.

I mean, the consensus seems to be that, its scummy, but not legally a scam.

And you seem to agree, or why havent you already contacted the authorities?
It's like paying for bubble wrap. -transience on Final Fantasy: All the Bravest
MariaTaylor
05/31/2024
12:04 PM
#29
redrocket posted...
why havent you already contacted the authorities?

it's not my responsibility and I'm lazy

redrocket posted...
I mean, the consensus seems to be that, its scummy, but not legally a scam.

only 10% of people voted 'not a scam' but I guess you have a more interesting way of parsing data than me

nothing could make you happier, am i right?
https://i.imgur.com/CGTIEmB.png
MZero
05/31/2024
12:10 PM
#30
MariaTaylor posted...
Interesting mix of opinions here.

I'm surprised how many people see "Selling an item for 100x the value to someone who is too stupid to make their own financial decisions" as not a scam, but maybe you're imagining these 8 year olds as future mensa members/board 8 users rather than average kids with the brains of a dog.

I mean you even said the other machines sell overpriced small toys. I don't get why you're so much more opposed to this than the countless other things that are extremely overpriced from vending machines

also it's a dollar. I doubt any of these kids are buying like 20 cards
MZero , to the extreme
https://www.twitch.tv/kabazame
Leonhart4
05/31/2024
12:17 PM
#31
MariaTaylor posted...
it's not my responsibility and I'm lazy

only 10% of people voted 'not a scam' but I guess you have a more interesting way of parsing data than me

Not all the other options imply you believe it's a scam though
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https://imgur.com/89Z5jrB
redrocket
05/31/2024
12:23 PM
#32
MariaTaylor posted...
I'm surprised how many people see "Selling an item for 100x the value to someone who is too stupid to make their own financial decisions" as not a scam


MariaTaylor posted...
only 10% of people voted 'not a scam'


It's like paying for bubble wrap. -transience on Final Fantasy: All the Bravest
Lopen
05/31/2024
12:43 PM
#33
It's a scam it's just technically a legal one so you can't do anything about it is what people are saying
No problem!
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KingButz
05/31/2024
01:00 PM
#34
It's a scam in the same way pretty much any novelties you buy out of a machine in a building lobby are a scam.
to me hero's is just bad person
Grand_Kirby
05/31/2024
01:26 PM
#35
What exactly is the definition of a "scam" to people?

Because I don't believe that something being legal or being done by other people qualifies as "not technically a scam". Lots of things are designed to scam people out of their money that are widespread and perfectly legal, but I guess this is down to semantics.
Okay, I rolled a 14. What's that mean? Hsu
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TeamRocketElite
05/31/2024
01:33 PM
#36
"Scam" cover a wide range of things. It can be things like someone running off with your money after lying to you to get said. It can also be things like overpriced stadium food during events where there is no trickery involved. The legal definition of scam will cover some of these things and not others.
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Emeraldegg
05/31/2024
04:17 PM
#37
even places like walmart will do something like repacks. If you've ever seen the non-brand packs of 15 cards, afaik that's the place repackaging them. I can't speak to how severe the "no rares" problem is in those but it's hardly a novel practice.
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MariaTaylor
05/31/2024
07:27 PM
#38
Grand_Kirby posted...
What exactly is the definition of a "scam" to people?

whatever definition is more convenient for their current argument.

Leonhart4 posted...
Not all the other options imply you believe it's a scam though

this is true but redrocket is the one claiming there is a CONSENSUS with no statistical backing. I am not claiming anything about there being a consensus. just that his logic is poor.

MZero posted...
I don't get why you're so much more opposed to this than the countless other things that are extremely overpriced from vending machines

I'm against any scams, but I'm especially against scams that victimize people who are incapable of reason and understanding (children, elderly, reddit users)

nothing could make you happier, am i right?
https://i.imgur.com/CGTIEmB.png
redrocket
05/31/2024
07:34 PM
#39
MariaTaylor posted...
but I'm especially against scams that victimize people who are incapable of reason and understanding (children, elderly, reddit users)


MariaTaylor posted...
it's not my responsibility and I'm lazy




It's like paying for bubble wrap. -transience on Final Fantasy: All the Bravest
pjbasis
05/31/2024
08:07 PM
#40
I'm opposed to you interfering because scammers gotta eat too
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BlueCrystalTear
05/31/2024
08:19 PM
#41
MariaTaylor posted...
maybe you're imagining these 8 year olds as future mensa members/board 8 users rather than average kids with the brains of a dog.
lmao you compared this board to MENSA
Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered!
RIP Bob Barker (1923 - 2023) - and thanks for all the memories.
ChichiriMuyo
05/31/2024
08:36 PM
#42
There's nothing illegal about it, unless he needs some kind of permit, but you neither know if he needs it or has it. You also haven't taken stock of what cards come out of it. He very well could be putting the high value ones in too. While you are 100% correct that reselling them for a dollar a card is pretty scummy, even if he leaves the good ones in, what he is doing will do no one any serious harm. I would just let it go.
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MariaTaylor
05/31/2024
10:02 PM
#43
BlueCrystalTear posted...
lmao you compared this board to MENSA

you don't think redrocket is a genius?

nothing could make you happier, am i right?
https://i.imgur.com/CGTIEmB.png
redrocket
05/31/2024
10:09 PM
#44
Like the moon over
the day, my genius and brawn
are lost on these fools.
It's like paying for bubble wrap. -transience on Final Fantasy: All the Bravest
MZero
05/31/2024
11:59 PM
#45
MariaTaylor posted...
I'm against any scams, but I'm especially against scams that victimize people who are incapable of reason and understanding (children, elderly, reddit users)

okay but who do you think is buying the overpriced toys
MZero , to the extreme
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Accel_R8
06/01/2024
12:38 AM
#46
The fact also remains that its just $1. McDonalds charges like $10 for like a quarter's worth of food.

You ever buy a $1 soda from a fountain? Yeah that also has pennies worth of product in it.

It's a bad deal but calling it a scam is a stretch.
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Seginustemple
06/01/2024
01:27 AM
#47
How much traffic does this small-town diner get? I mean, maybe you just have to warn the local whale
You bow to no one, azuarc
Leonhart4
06/01/2024
07:51 AM
#48
Ice in drinks is a scam
https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq
https://imgur.com/89Z5jrB
redrocket
06/01/2024
10:42 AM
#49
Leonhart4 posted...
Ice in drinks is a scam

no ice crew 4 life
It's like paying for bubble wrap. -transience on Final Fantasy: All the Bravest
MariaTaylor
06/01/2024
10:47 AM
#50
MZero posted...
okay but who do you think is buying the overpriced toys

kids, who I am against being scammed. as I just said in the post you are replying to.
you must not have noticed it, but try looking really closely at the first 4 words that you quoted.
I don't know how to more clearly say that "I'm against any scams"

Accel_R8 posted...
It's a bad deal but calling it a scam is a stretch.

it is a scam, and it's specifically targeting children who lack the ability to understand what is a good or a bad deal.

the definition of scam is actually extremely broad, and it definitely includes 'selling an item to an unwitting target for 100x the value'
nothing could make you happier, am i right?
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Board 8 » I discovered a local TCG Scammer, should I mind my own business?
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