Toy swapping - Revision history

Doomdorm64 at 11:12, 22 April 2026

2026-04-22T11:12:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:12, 22 April 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:CybPrime swap.jpg\|right\|225px\|thumb\|Product and colors may vary.]]		[[File:CybPrime swap.jpg\|right\|225px\|thumb\|Product and colors may vary.]]
	'''Toy swapping''', in the context of toy collecting, refers to the practice of buying a new toy, opening the packaging, replacing the content with another toy (or something else entirely), then returning the packaging with the replaced content to the store and claiming the money back. In essence, this means getting a new toy for free while leaving the store with an older toy (or complete junk) that will most likely never sell. Some might consider this outright ''theft'' or ''fraud'' (because ''it is''). The practice of toy swapping is not limited to the Transformers toylines, but is considered an easy way of getting new toys for "free" by fans from all kinds of different toylines. In recent times, toy swapping has become considered part of a larger phenomenon referred to as "toy aisle trolling", which also includes outright vandalism inside the store.<ref name="troll">[http://www.poeghostal.com/category/toy-aisle-trolls "Toy Aisle Trolls"]</ref><ref name="troll2">[http://www.toplessrobot.com/2012/11/toy_aisle_trolls.php "Ten Terrible Cases of Toy-Aisle Trolling"]</ref> Obviously, this situation is anything but desirable.		'''Toy swapping''', in the context of toy collecting, refers to the practice of buying a new toy, opening the packaging, replacing the content with another toy (or something else entirely), then returning the packaging with the replaced content to the store and claiming the money back. In essence, this means getting a new toy for free while leaving the store with an older toy (or complete junk) that will most likely never sell. Some might consider this outright ''theft'' or ''fraud'' (because ''it is''). The practice of toy swapping is not limited to the Transformers toylines, but is considered an easy way of getting new toys for "free" by fans from all kinds of different toylines. In recent times, toy swapping has become considered part of a larger phenomenon referred to as "toy aisle trolling", which also includes outright vandalism inside the store.<ref name="troll">[http://www.poeghostal.com/category/toy-aisle-trolls "Toy Aisle Trolls"]</ref><ref name="troll2">[http://www.toplessrobot.com/2012/11/toy_aisle_trolls.php "Ten Terrible Cases of Toy-Aisle Trolling"]</ref> Obviously, this situation is anything but desirable.

			Thankfully, the practice is mostly outlawed outside of North America ([[Toy swapping#Toy swapping in other countries\|see below]]).

	==Reasoning==		==Reasoning==
Line 28:		Line 30:
	==Toy swapping in other countries==		==Toy swapping in other countries==
	[[File:Toyswap.jpg\|left\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|What the '''F***?!''']]		[[File:Toyswap.jpg\|left\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|What the '''F***?!''']]
	Interestingly enough, the only large-scale reports of such occurrences hail from North America (i.e. ~~USA~~ and Canada), with overly liberal store policies allowing people to return opened products to stores and claiming their money back usually being blamed. Also, stores like [[Walmart]] are often accused of not paying their employees enough to care for checking if they're being deceived, as it is their policy of always giving customers the benefit of the doubt, especially when the product's packaging includes a disclaimer saying "Product and colors may vary" (or, sometimes, "Color and contents may vary").		Interestingly enough, the only large-scale reports of such occurrences hail from North America (i.e. U.S. and Canada), with overly liberal store policies allowing people to return opened products to stores and claiming their money back usually being blamed. Also, stores like [[Walmart]] are often accused of not paying their employees enough to care for checking if they're being deceived, as it is their policy of always giving customers the benefit of the doubt, especially when the product's packaging includes a disclaimer saying "Product and colors may vary" (or, sometimes, "Color and contents may vary").

	Meanwhile, reports from Australia, Asia or Europe, where stores either don't allow returning opened products, or if they do, usually give them a closer examination, are much scarcer, or even pretty much nonexistent.<ref name="oz">[http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=7437 "Toy-swapping reaches Oz" thread] at the Ozformers boards from April 2010, implying that the phenomenon is uncommon in Australia.</ref>		Meanwhile, reports from Australia, Asia or Europe, where stores either don't allow returning opened products, or if they do, usually give them a closer examination, are much scarcer, or even pretty much nonexistent.<ref name="oz">[http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=7437 "Toy-swapping reaches Oz" thread] at the Ozformers boards from April 2010, implying that the phenomenon is uncommon in Australia.</ref>

Locoman: /* Problem caused by toy swapping */

2025-07-24T22:33:45Z

Problem caused by toy swapping

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:33, 24 July 2025
Line 11:		Line 11:
	{{-}}		{{-}}

	==~~Problem~~ caused by toy swapping==		==Problems caused by toy swapping==
	[[File:HABeewha.jpg\|right\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|Courtesy of your local Wal-Mart.]]		[[File:HABeewha.jpg\|right\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|Courtesy of your local Wal-Mart.]]
	The main problem of toy swapping is simple: children. Fans and collectors usually know what the toy they're looking for is supposed to look like, so they most likely won't pick up a swapped toy, unless they're not paying attention for whatever reason. Therefore, the most likely victims of this practice are parents who buy a toy for their kid. Imagine the look on a child's face when they get a [[Transformers (2007 toyline)\|Movie]] [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys\|Leader Class Optimus Prime]] for their birthday, open the packaging and find an old, beat-up ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)\|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Optimus Prime (RID)\|Optimus Prime]] inside.		The main problem of toy swapping is simple: children. Fans and collectors usually know what the toy they're looking for is supposed to look like, so they most likely won't pick up a swapped toy, unless they're not paying attention for whatever reason. Therefore, the most likely victims of this practice are parents who buy a toy for their kid. Imagine the look on a child's face when they get a [[Transformers (2007 toyline)\|Movie]] [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys\|Leader Class Optimus Prime]] for their birthday, open the packaging and find an old, beat-up ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)\|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Optimus Prime (RID)\|Optimus Prime]] inside.

TitaniumToughGuy: /* Problem caused by toy swapping */

2025-07-24T20:51:48Z

Problem caused by toy swapping

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:51, 24 July 2025
Line 13:		Line 13:
	==Problem caused by toy swapping==		==Problem caused by toy swapping==
	[[File:HABeewha.jpg\|right\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|Courtesy of your local Wal-Mart.]]		[[File:HABeewha.jpg\|right\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|Courtesy of your local Wal-Mart.]]
	The main problem of toy swapping is simple: children. Fans and collectors usually know what the toy they're looking for is supposed to look like, so they most likely won't pick up a swapped toy, unless they're not paying attention for whatever reason. Therefore, the most likely victims of this practice are parents who buy a toy for their kid. Imagine the look on a child's face when ~~he gets~~ [[Transformers (2007 toyline)\|Movie]] [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys\|Leader Class Optimus Prime]] for ~~his~~ birthday, ~~opens~~ the packaging and ~~finds~~ an old, beat-up ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)\|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Optimus Prime (RID)\|Optimus Prime]] inside.		The main problem of toy swapping is simple: children. Fans and collectors usually know what the toy they're looking for is supposed to look like, so they most likely won't pick up a swapped toy, unless they're not paying attention for whatever reason. Therefore, the most likely victims of this practice are parents who buy a toy for their kid. Imagine the look on a child's face when they get a [[Transformers (2007 toyline)\|Movie]] [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys\|Leader Class Optimus Prime]] for their birthday, open the packaging and find an old, beat-up ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)\|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Optimus Prime (RID)\|Optimus Prime]] inside.

	And no, this is ''not'' funny. Really not.		And no, this is ''not'' funny. Really not.
	{{-}}		{{-}}

	==Notable examples==		==Notable examples==
	[[File:Blackviperswap.jpg\|left\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|Rare factory error variant! Could be yours for only $1000!]]		[[File:Blackviperswap.jpg\|left\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|Rare factory error variant! Could be yours for only $1000!]]

Saix: /* References */clean up, replaced: ==Footnotes== → ==References==, {{Reflist}} → {{reflist|2}}

2023-05-18T18:43:18Z

References: clean up, replaced: ==Footnotes== → ==References==, {{Reflist}} → {{reflist|2}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:43, 18 May 2023
Line 31:		Line 31:
	Meanwhile, reports from Australia, Asia or Europe, where stores either don't allow returning opened products, or if they do, usually give them a closer examination, are much scarcer, or even pretty much nonexistent.<ref name="oz">[http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=7437 "Toy-swapping reaches Oz" thread] at the Ozformers boards from April 2010, implying that the phenomenon is uncommon in Australia.</ref>		Meanwhile, reports from Australia, Asia or Europe, where stores either don't allow returning opened products, or if they do, usually give them a closer examination, are much scarcer, or even pretty much nonexistent.<ref name="oz">[http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=7437 "Toy-swapping reaches Oz" thread] at the Ozformers boards from April 2010, implying that the phenomenon is uncommon in Australia.</ref>

	==~~Footnotes~~==		==References==
	{{~~Reflist~~}}		{{reflist\|2}}

	==External links==		==External links==

Usfmm at 07:14, 11 November 2022

2022-11-11T07:14:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:14, 11 November 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:CybPrime swap.jpg\|right\|225px\|thumb\|Product and colors may vary.]]		[[File:CybPrime swap.jpg\|right\|225px\|thumb\|Product and colors may vary.]]
	'''Toy swapping''', in the context of toy collecting, refers to the practice of buying a new toy, opening the packaging, replacing the content with another toy (or something else entirely), then returning the packaging with the replaced content to the store and claiming the money back. In essence, this means getting a new toy for free while leaving the store with an older toy (or complete junk) that will most likely never sell. Some might consider this outright ''theft'' or ''fraud'' (because ''it is''). The practice of toy swapping is not limited to the Transformers toylines, but is considered an easy way of getting new toys for "free" by fans from all kinds of different toylines. In recent times, toy swapping has become considered part of a larger phenomenon referred to as "toy aisle trolling", which also includes outright vandalism inside the store.<ref name="troll">[http://www.poeghostal.com/category/toy-aisle-trolls "Toy Aisle Trolls"]</ref><ref name="troll2">[http://www.toplessrobot.com/2012/11/toy_aisle_trolls.php "Ten Terrible Cases of Toy-Aisle Trolling"]</ref> Obviously, this situation is anything but desirable.		'''Toy swapping''', in the context of toy collecting, refers to the practice of buying a new toy, opening the packaging, replacing the content with another toy (or something else entirely), then returning the packaging with the replaced content to the store and claiming the money back. In essence, this means getting a new toy for free while leaving the store with an older toy (or complete junk) that will most likely never sell. Some might consider this outright ''theft'' or ''fraud'' (because ''it is''). The practice of toy swapping is not limited to the Transformers toylines, but is considered an easy way of getting new toys for "free" by fans from all kinds of different toylines. In recent times, toy swapping has become considered part of a larger phenomenon referred to as "toy aisle trolling", which also includes outright vandalism inside the store.<ref name="troll">[http://www.poeghostal.com/category/toy-aisle-trolls "Toy Aisle Trolls"]</ref><ref name="troll2">[http://www.toplessrobot.com/2012/11/toy_aisle_trolls.php "Ten Terrible Cases of Toy-Aisle Trolling"]</ref> Obviously, this situation is anything but desirable.

	==Reasoning==		==Reasoning==
Line 22:		Line 22:
	[[File:FrankenjackSwap.jpg\|left\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|This one, on the other hand, took no effort at all.]]		[[File:FrankenjackSwap.jpg\|left\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|This one, on the other hand, took no effort at all.]]

	Most collectors have come across one or more examples of toy swapping at one point or another. A few more egregious examples include the ''[[Transformers: Alternators\|Alternators]]'' [[Dead End (G1)\|Dead End]] box containing a non-transforming black Dodge Viper convertible model car, sold on eBay as a "rare factory error [[variant]]" of ''Alternators '' [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys\|Side Swipe]],<ref name="blackswipe">[http://www.tformers.com/article.php?sid=4623 TFormers.com falling for the "black Alternators Side Swipe variant]</ref> as well as a ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)\|Universe]]'' [[Razorclaw (Universe)\|Razorclaw]] in an ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)\|Animated]]'' [[Bulkhead (Animated)\|Bulkhead]] box and a ''Universe'' [[Smokescreen (Armada)\|Smokescreen]] in an ''Animated'' Voyager Class [[Starscream (Animated)\|Starscream]] box at the same store.<ref name="unimated">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=54107 Allspark thread about various swapped toys.]</ref> Another report was of a non-transformable muscle car in Human Alliance Bumblebee packaging.<ref name="musclebee">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62666 Allspark thread about a toy that is not Human Alliance Bumblebee.]</ref> One of the most bizarre reports thus far was a ''painted piece of wood'' in a ''Transformers'' packaging. Another "creative" example shown on 4chan is a ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)\|Generations]]'' [[Red Alert (G1)\|Red Alert]] in ''Generations'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys\|Wheeljack]] packaging, and ''painted to look like Wheeljack.'' Another, more recent Wheeljack swap shown on 4chan was a bizarre mish-mash of parts consisting of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)\|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#CombinerWars\|Wheeljack]]'s head, ''[[Cybertron (toyline)\|Cybertron]]'' [[Override (Cybertron)#Toys\|Override]]'s torso and arms, [[Brushguard#Toys\|Brushguard]]'s legs and even more random parts that were discovered when the user who found it ''bought and opened it'', inside ''Combiner Wars'' Wheeljack's box.		Most collectors have come across one or more examples of toy swapping at one point or another. A few more egregious examples include the ''[[Transformers: Alternators\|Alternators]]'' [[Dead End (G1)\|Dead End]] box containing a non-transforming black Dodge Viper convertible model car, sold on eBay as a "rare factory error [[variant]]" of ''Alternators '' [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys\|Side Swipe]],<ref name="blackswipe">[http://www.tformers.com/article.php?sid=4623 TFormers.com falling for the "black Alternators Side Swipe variant]</ref> as well as a ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)\|Universe]]'' [[Razorclaw (Universe)\|Razorclaw]] in an ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)\|Animated]]'' [[Bulkhead (Animated)\|Bulkhead]] box and a ''Universe'' [[Smokescreen (Armada)\|Smokescreen]] in an ''Animated'' Voyager Class [[Starscream (Animated)\|Starscream]] box at the same store.<ref name="unimated">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=54107 Allspark thread about various swapped toys.]</ref> Another report was of a non-transformable muscle car in Human Alliance Bumblebee packaging.<ref name="musclebee">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62666 Allspark thread about a toy that is not Human Alliance Bumblebee.]</ref> One of the most bizarre reports thus far was a ''painted piece of wood'' in a ''Transformers'' packaging. Another "creative" example shown on 4chan is a ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)\|Generations]]'' [[Red Alert (G1)\|Red Alert]] in ''Generations'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys\|Wheeljack]] packaging, and ''painted to look like Wheeljack.'' Another, more recent Wheeljack swap shown on 4chan was a bizarre mish-mash of parts consisting of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)\|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#CombinerWars\|Wheeljack]]'s head, ''[[Cybertron (toyline)\|Cybertron]]'' [[Override (Cybertron)#Toys\|Override]]'s torso and arms, [[Brushguard#Toys\|Brushguard]]'s legs and even more random parts that were discovered when the user who found it ''bought and opened it'', inside ''Combiner Wars'' Wheeljack's box.
	{{-}}		{{-}}

Yaxuo: /* Notable examples */clean up, replaced: [[Transformers: Generations| → [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|

2020-07-03T19:14:45Z

Notable examples: clean up, replaced: [[Transformers: Generations| → [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:14, 3 July 2020
Line 22:		Line 22:
	[[File:FrankenjackSwap.jpg\|left\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|This one, on the other hand, took no effort at all.]]		[[File:FrankenjackSwap.jpg\|left\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|This one, on the other hand, took no effort at all.]]

	Most collectors have come across one or more examples of toy swapping at one point or another. A few more egregious examples include the ''[[Transformers: Alternators\|Alternators]]'' [[Dead End (G1)\|Dead End]] box containing a non-transforming black Dodge Viper convertible model car, sold on eBay as a "rare factory error [[variant]]" of ''Alternators '' [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys\|Side Swipe]],<ref name="blackswipe">[http://www.tformers.com/article.php?sid=4623 TFormers.com falling for the "black Alternators Side Swipe variant]</ref> as well as a ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)\|Universe]]'' [[Razorclaw (Universe)\|Razorclaw]] in an ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)\|Animated]]'' [[Bulkhead (Animated)\|Bulkhead]] box and a ''Universe'' [[Smokescreen (Armada)\|Smokescreen]] in an ''Animated'' Voyager Class [[Starscream (Animated)\|Starscream]] box at the same store.<ref name="unimated">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=54107 Allspark thread about various swapped toys.]</ref> Another report was of a non-transformable muscle car in Human Alliance Bumblebee packaging.<ref name="musclebee">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62666 Allspark thread about a toy that is not Human Alliance Bumblebee.]</ref> One of the most bizarre reports thus far was a ''painted piece of wood'' in a ''Transformers'' packaging. Another "creative" example shown on 4chan is a ''[[Transformers: Generations\|Generations]]'' [[Red Alert (G1)\|Red Alert]] in ''Generations'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys\|Wheeljack]] packaging, and ''painted to look like Wheeljack.'' Another, more recent Wheeljack swap shown on 4chan was a bizarre mish-mash of parts consisting of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)\|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#CombinerWars\|Wheeljack]]'s head, ''[[Cybertron (toyline)\|Cybertron]]'' [[Override (Cybertron)#Toys\|Override]]'s torso and arms, [[Brushguard#Toys\|Brushguard]]'s legs and even more random parts that were discovered when the user who found it ''bought and opened it'', inside ''Combiner Wars'' Wheeljack's box.		Most collectors have come across one or more examples of toy swapping at one point or another. A few more egregious examples include the ''[[Transformers: Alternators\|Alternators]]'' [[Dead End (G1)\|Dead End]] box containing a non-transforming black Dodge Viper convertible model car, sold on eBay as a "rare factory error [[variant]]" of ''Alternators '' [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys\|Side Swipe]],<ref name="blackswipe">[http://www.tformers.com/article.php?sid=4623 TFormers.com falling for the "black Alternators Side Swipe variant]</ref> as well as a ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)\|Universe]]'' [[Razorclaw (Universe)\|Razorclaw]] in an ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)\|Animated]]'' [[Bulkhead (Animated)\|Bulkhead]] box and a ''Universe'' [[Smokescreen (Armada)\|Smokescreen]] in an ''Animated'' Voyager Class [[Starscream (Animated)\|Starscream]] box at the same store.<ref name="unimated">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=54107 Allspark thread about various swapped toys.]</ref> Another report was of a non-transformable muscle car in Human Alliance Bumblebee packaging.<ref name="musclebee">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62666 Allspark thread about a toy that is not Human Alliance Bumblebee.]</ref> One of the most bizarre reports thus far was a ''painted piece of wood'' in a ''Transformers'' packaging. Another "creative" example shown on 4chan is a ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)\|Generations]]'' [[Red Alert (G1)\|Red Alert]] in ''Generations'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys\|Wheeljack]] packaging, and ''painted to look like Wheeljack.'' Another, more recent Wheeljack swap shown on 4chan was a bizarre mish-mash of parts consisting of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)\|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#CombinerWars\|Wheeljack]]'s head, ''[[Cybertron (toyline)\|Cybertron]]'' [[Override (Cybertron)#Toys\|Override]]'s torso and arms, [[Brushguard#Toys\|Brushguard]]'s legs and even more random parts that were discovered when the user who found it ''bought and opened it'', inside ''Combiner Wars'' Wheeljack's box.
	{{-}}		{{-}}

Yaxuo: fixing link, replaced: [[Movie (toyline)| → [[Transformers (2007 toyline)| (2)

2020-06-24T17:59:07Z

fixing link, replaced: [[Movie (toyline)| → [[Transformers (2007 toyline)| (2)

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:59, 24 June 2020
Line 6:		Line 6:
	Aside from people who simply find this an easy way to get a new toy without actually paying for it, some fans think they can get away with swapping out older toys in favor of "better" [[redeco]]s; for example, buying [[Megatron (Armada)/toys\|''Energon'' Galvatron]] and then returning the packaging with the original Megatron version of the mold. Those people usually argue that "it's basically the same toy, only in different colors." Another common excuse is that "Kids won't notice the difference anyways, nor would they care." This is patently horse crap, as anyone who has tried to buy a child a gift but got the wrong one can attest.		Aside from people who simply find this an easy way to get a new toy without actually paying for it, some fans think they can get away with swapping out older toys in favor of "better" [[redeco]]s; for example, buying [[Megatron (Armada)/toys\|''Energon'' Galvatron]] and then returning the packaging with the original Megatron version of the mold. Those people usually argue that "it's basically the same toy, only in different colors." Another common excuse is that "Kids won't notice the difference anyways, nor would they care." This is patently horse crap, as anyone who has tried to buy a child a gift but got the wrong one can attest.

	In some instances (such as the "[[Premium Series]]" lineup of improved, more [[Show-accuracy\|movie-accurate]] redecos of some of the toys from the 2007 [[~~Movie~~ (toyline)\|live-action Movie toyline]]), some fans even claim that Hasbro "screwed them over" by not releasing the redecos in the first place, thereby arguing that they were just taking what they felt entitled to anyways, so they swap out a regular movie toy for the Premium toy, or just swap the parts. The same happened again with the launch of the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)\|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toy line, and people returning 2007 Movie toys in the packaging of their "improved" 2009 counterparts.		In some instances (such as the "[[Premium Series]]" lineup of improved, more [[Show-accuracy\|movie-accurate]] redecos of some of the toys from the 2007 [[Transformers (2007 toyline)\|live-action Movie toyline]]), some fans even claim that Hasbro "screwed them over" by not releasing the redecos in the first place, thereby arguing that they were just taking what they felt entitled to anyways, so they swap out a regular movie toy for the Premium toy, or just swap the parts. The same happened again with the launch of the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)\|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toy line, and people returning 2007 Movie toys in the packaging of their "improved" 2009 counterparts.

	Some people are obscenely self-entitled douchebags.		Some people are obscenely self-entitled douchebags.
Line 13:		Line 13:
	==Problem caused by toy swapping==		==Problem caused by toy swapping==
	[[File:HABeewha.jpg\|right\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|Courtesy of your local Wal-Mart.]]		[[File:HABeewha.jpg\|right\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|Courtesy of your local Wal-Mart.]]
	The main problem of toy swapping is simple: children. Fans and collectors usually know what the toy they're looking for is supposed to look like, so they most likely won't pick up a swapped toy, unless they're not paying attention for whatever reason. Therefore, the most likely victims of this practice are parents who buy a toy for their kid. Imagine the look on a child's face when he gets [[~~Movie~~ (toyline)\|Movie]] [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys\|Leader Class Optimus Prime]] for his birthday, opens the packaging and finds an old, beat-up ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)\|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Optimus Prime (RID)\|Optimus Prime]] inside.		The main problem of toy swapping is simple: children. Fans and collectors usually know what the toy they're looking for is supposed to look like, so they most likely won't pick up a swapped toy, unless they're not paying attention for whatever reason. Therefore, the most likely victims of this practice are parents who buy a toy for their kid. Imagine the look on a child's face when he gets [[Transformers (2007 toyline)\|Movie]] [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys\|Leader Class Optimus Prime]] for his birthday, opens the packaging and finds an old, beat-up ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)\|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Optimus Prime (RID)\|Optimus Prime]] inside.

	And no, this is ''not'' funny. Really not.		And no, this is ''not'' funny. Really not.

Nevermore: I'd say it's actually closer to fraud than theft (though both are criminal offenses, make no mistake).

2020-03-07T23:15:14Z

I'd say it's actually closer to fraud than theft (though both are criminal offenses, make no mistake).

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:15, 7 March 2020
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:CybPrime swap.jpg\|right\|225px\|thumb\|Product and colors may vary.]]		[[File:CybPrime swap.jpg\|right\|225px\|thumb\|Product and colors may vary.]]
	'''Toy swapping''', in the context of toy collecting, refers to the practice of buying a new toy, opening the packaging, replacing the content with another toy (or something else entirely), then returning the packaging with the replaced content to the store and claiming the money back. In essence, this means getting a new toy for free while leaving the store with an older toy (or complete junk) that will most likely never sell. Some might consider this outright ''theft'' (because ''it is''). The practice of toy swapping is not limited to the Transformers toylines, but is considered an easy way of getting new toys for "free" by fans from all kinds of different toylines. In recent times, toy swapping has become considered part of a larger phenomenon referred to as "toy aisle trolling", which also includes outright vandalism inside the store.<ref name="troll">[http://www.poeghostal.com/category/toy-aisle-trolls "Toy Aisle Trolls"]</ref><ref name="troll2">[http://www.toplessrobot.com/2012/11/toy_aisle_trolls.php "Ten Terrible Cases of Toy-Aisle Trolling"]</ref> Obviously, this situation is anything but desirable.		'''Toy swapping''', in the context of toy collecting, refers to the practice of buying a new toy, opening the packaging, replacing the content with another toy (or something else entirely), then returning the packaging with the replaced content to the store and claiming the money back. In essence, this means getting a new toy for free while leaving the store with an older toy (or complete junk) that will most likely never sell. Some might consider this outright ''theft'' or ''fraud'' (because ''it is''). The practice of toy swapping is not limited to the Transformers toylines, but is considered an easy way of getting new toys for "free" by fans from all kinds of different toylines. In recent times, toy swapping has become considered part of a larger phenomenon referred to as "toy aisle trolling", which also includes outright vandalism inside the store.<ref name="troll">[http://www.poeghostal.com/category/toy-aisle-trolls "Toy Aisle Trolls"]</ref><ref name="troll2">[http://www.toplessrobot.com/2012/11/toy_aisle_trolls.php "Ten Terrible Cases of Toy-Aisle Trolling"]</ref> Obviously, this situation is anything but desirable.

	==Reasoning==		==Reasoning==

Cyberlink420 at 03:32, 1 November 2019

2019-11-01T03:32:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:32, 1 November 2019
Line 35:		Line 35:

	==External links==		==External links==
	*[~~http~~://~~www.~~shortpacked.com~~/2005~~/comic/~~book-1-brings-back-the-80s/07-body-massage-machine/a-69/~~ Shortpacked! strip about a toy swapper getting his comeuppance]		*[https://shortpacked.com/comic/retribution Shortpacked! strip about a toy swapper getting his comeuppance]

	[[Category:Fan terminology]]		[[Category:Fan terminology]]
	[[Category:Fandom]]		[[Category:Fandom]]
	[[Category:Toys]]		[[Category:Toys]]

ShootingStar7X: Forgot to fix Wheeljack's link!

2017-11-29T00:11:50Z

Forgot to fix Wheeljack's link!

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:11, 29 November 2017
Line 22:		Line 22:
	[[File:FrankenjackSwap.jpg\|left\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|This one, on the other hand, took no effort at all.]]		[[File:FrankenjackSwap.jpg\|left\|upright=1.1\|thumb\|This one, on the other hand, took no effort at all.]]

	Most collectors have come across one or more examples of toy swapping at one point or another. A few more egregious examples include the ''[[Transformers: Alternators\|Alternators]]'' [[Dead End (G1)\|Dead End]] box containing a non-transforming black Dodge Viper convertible model car, sold on eBay as a "rare factory error [[variant]]" of ''Alternators '' [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys\|Side Swipe]],<ref name="blackswipe">[http://www.tformers.com/article.php?sid=4623 TFormers.com falling for the "black Alternators Side Swipe variant]</ref> as well as a ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)\|Universe]]'' [[Razorclaw (Universe)\|Razorclaw]] in an ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)\|Animated]]'' [[Bulkhead (Animated)\|Bulkhead]] box and a ''Universe'' [[Smokescreen (Armada)\|Smokescreen]] in an ''Animated'' Voyager Class [[Starscream (Animated)\|Starscream]] box at the same store.<ref name="unimated">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=54107 Allspark thread about various swapped toys.]</ref> Another report was of a non-transformable muscle car in Human Alliance Bumblebee packaging.<ref name="musclebee">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62666 Allspark thread about a toy that is not Human Alliance Bumblebee.]</ref> One of the most bizarre reports thus far was a ''painted piece of wood'' in a ''Transformers'' packaging. Another "creative" example shown on 4chan is a ''[[Transformers: Generations\|Generations]]'' [[Red Alert (G1)\|Red Alert]] in ''Generations'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys\|Wheeljack]] packaging, and ''painted to look like Wheeljack.'' Another, more recent Wheeljack swap shown on 4chan was a bizarre mish-mash of parts consisting of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)\|Combiner Wars]]'' [[/Wheeljack (G1)/toys#CombinerWars\|Wheeljack]]'s head, ''[[Cybertron (toyline)\|Cybertron]]'' [[Override (Cybertron)#Toys\|Override]]'s torso and arms, [[Brushguard#Toys\|Brushguard]]'s legs and even more random parts that were discovered when the user who found it ''bought and opened it'', inside ''Combiner Wars'' Wheeljack's box.		Most collectors have come across one or more examples of toy swapping at one point or another. A few more egregious examples include the ''[[Transformers: Alternators\|Alternators]]'' [[Dead End (G1)\|Dead End]] box containing a non-transforming black Dodge Viper convertible model car, sold on eBay as a "rare factory error [[variant]]" of ''Alternators '' [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys\|Side Swipe]],<ref name="blackswipe">[http://www.tformers.com/article.php?sid=4623 TFormers.com falling for the "black Alternators Side Swipe variant]</ref> as well as a ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)\|Universe]]'' [[Razorclaw (Universe)\|Razorclaw]] in an ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)\|Animated]]'' [[Bulkhead (Animated)\|Bulkhead]] box and a ''Universe'' [[Smokescreen (Armada)\|Smokescreen]] in an ''Animated'' Voyager Class [[Starscream (Animated)\|Starscream]] box at the same store.<ref name="unimated">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=54107 Allspark thread about various swapped toys.]</ref> Another report was of a non-transformable muscle car in Human Alliance Bumblebee packaging.<ref name="musclebee">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62666 Allspark thread about a toy that is not Human Alliance Bumblebee.]</ref> One of the most bizarre reports thus far was a ''painted piece of wood'' in a ''Transformers'' packaging. Another "creative" example shown on 4chan is a ''[[Transformers: Generations\|Generations]]'' [[Red Alert (G1)\|Red Alert]] in ''Generations'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys\|Wheeljack]] packaging, and ''painted to look like Wheeljack.'' Another, more recent Wheeljack swap shown on 4chan was a bizarre mish-mash of parts consisting of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)\|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#CombinerWars\|Wheeljack]]'s head, ''[[Cybertron (toyline)\|Cybertron]]'' [[Override (Cybertron)#Toys\|Override]]'s torso and arms, [[Brushguard#Toys\|Brushguard]]'s legs and even more random parts that were discovered when the user who found it ''bought and opened it'', inside ''Combiner Wars'' Wheeljack's box.
	{{-}}		{{-}}