Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  09/02/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I traded on 8/30/2022 items totaling an offer of $500 or store credit of $700 to jet pack comics. I chose the $700 however after the RVP paying full price it came to $720 for 5 items. When I went home I found out the each item was only worth $100 online being sold for cash in store at $120. I believed I was getting $700 dollars worth plus $20 when in reality it was the same either way for the total of $500. I called first and was informed there were no refunds. I then asked to speak to the owner. I was informed to email them. I did email them explaining what happened. I offered to return the items for the $500 or get different items totally the $700 credit plus $20 cash. I was informed there would be no discussion. That the transaction was concluded. I was then informed I was banned from the store and the police where to be notified. I informed them that I’ve been respectful and now am offended. And that a simply verbal agreement would be sufficient as I’m not interested in shopping there or doing business again with them. I also informed them that I am requesting the items returned in exchange for the 5 items returned and $20 dollars which can be done outside the store. And to let me know how they’d like to proceed. As otherwise I will report this to the BBB and go to small claims court. I also informed them this is a waste of time of the state, court and police time and that it’s better to resolve this directly. They also are advertising store credit but with limitations of no comic books on the wall book back and at the MRS price. They also claim to be the friendliest comic book shop of all time which I don’t believe they can claim. I don’t equate reporting me to the cops and banning me from the store because I have an issue with the trade in. I believe both of these are false advertising. It’s misleading that the concept of store credit should mean the whole store. I am now getting multiple police calls from the Rochester Police Department. I was scammed $200.

  Business response

  09/22/2022

  To Whom it May Concern,

   I was not sure if I was to respond to all of Mr. ********* problems as stated or just the main one. I have responded to all, though some of them seem irrelevant to the situation.

   

  THE MAIN CONCERN

  On or about 8/24/22 Mr. ******* brought in 3 cases of McDonalds Pokemon cards, for which he was asking $750 - $800 per case (see enclosure of drop off form). Mr. ******* requested that we leave them sealed (see enclosure of drop off form). In our research we found that these were selling on eBay in the $250 -$300 dollar range per case(see enclosure - most recent ebay transactions at the time are the first listed, back to older transactions).

  On 8/25/22 we made Mr. ******* an offer of $500 cash or $700 in store credit for the lot of boxes. That was $500 cash or $700 store in credit, in total, for all three boxes. On 8/26/22 Mr. ******* came into Jetpack Comics to see what he might spend his potential store credit on. On this date Mr. ******* had his cell phone with him, appeared to be looking up prices online and was taking pictures of product to, as he told the clerk Kyle L********** "do research at home".

  Several days later Mr. ******* returned, accepting the store credit offer and used his store credit in full to purchase other sealed Pokemon product. Upon completion of the transaction we opened the cases we had traded for, sorted through it, priced some of it to put on the shelf and made other arrangements to begin selling the product that was now ours.

  The next day Mr. ******* had changed his mind and wanted to return the items he had taken and take the cash offer instead. As noted in-store, on both doors and at the counter, all sales are final (see sign enclosures). We do not accept returns on any product. We sell merchandise that is available for less at local Big Box retail stores and is always cheaper online.

  There are many scams and subterfuges in regards to collectibles. Once an item leaves our store that is the end of the transaction. We have no way of verifying if product has been opened searched, swapped or changed. We have no way of verifying an item came from our store. We're a small retail store and can't absorb the potential fraudulent return, hence our clearly stated policy. Furthermore, we had already begun selling the product and the cases that had once been Mr. ********* had been opened.

  
  

  In the case of card product, there are many budding entrepreneurs that have started "flipping" (i.e. buying at retail and selling for more) to supplement their income. As Mr. ******* stated to our clerk, Kyle L********** this was his intention, specifically asking Mr. L********* what he could spend his credit on to flip (see Mr. L*********** statements attached). Mr. L********* told him that this was not a wise decision but it was his store credit to use as he saw fit.

  As a stated card flipper Mr. ******* is well aware that most things can be found cheaper online. We do not make any claim to compete with online sellers nor do we claim to have the lowest price. We are retail store and price out products accordingly.

  At Jetpack Comics we pride ourselves on making fair honest and transparent offers on peoples merchandise that they bring in to trade or sell to us. As stated on our website and as indicated to the seller on numerous occasions by staff member Kyle L********** the store credit offer will always be higher than the cash offer with the stipulations that product traded for store credit is calculated at manufacturers suggested retail price. The reason for this distinction is that we discount some bulk purchase items such as boxes of cards but not in relation to store credit. This policy was verbalized to Mr. ******* on several occasions prior to his transaction with the items dropped off to us on 8/24.

  Mr. ******* performed a similar transaction with us on 2/26/22 (see enclosed) where the policy was explained to him. In fact Mr. L********* reiterated this policy to Mr. ******* on 8/25 and again prior to his using his store credit.

  Mr. ******* was fully aware of the policy. He even questioned the clerk, Kyle L********** as to why this was, to which Kyle explained the policy once again. Furthermore, the policy is in writing on the Store Credit card he was issued (see enclosed) as well as our website under the "WE'RE BUYING" link. https://jetpackcomics.com/were-buying/

  Mr. ******* is simply misleading everyone with partial facts and partial information.

  
  

  The following is to address Mr. ********* other concerns.

   

  BANNED FROM THE STORE

  For the safety and peace of mind for our staff I did have a no trespass order issued on Mr. *******, via the Rochester Police Department. While his phone call and emails were only mildly threatening I did not want our staff to have to deal with Mr. ******* showing up at the store and causing a scene. Given how problematic this transaction had been I did not want to have further dealings with Mr. ******* and decided if he was true to his word we would be contacted by the BBB and potentially end up in court.

  CONTACTING BBB & SMALL CLAIMS COURT

  I accepted this as a threat with no merit as everything Mr. ******* is unhappy with was of his doing. It is not our responsibility to make sure Mr. ******* makes a profit on his transactions. In fact, his request for $750- $800 per case was a minimum of 3x the actual going price for the merchandise he was offering to us. Unlike Mr. *******, we did our research, hence our offer, which he accepted.

  All of our policies are stated up front. There is nothing hidden and there are no surprises. Mr. ******* spent a lot of time agonizing over what he wanted to use his store credit on and he used it all at one time. That should be the conclusion.

  STORE CREDIT WITH EXEMPTIONS

  We do have exemptions on what store credit can be spent on. These exemptions are all stated up front with signage (comic book wall back issues), on the actual credit card that is issues, is verbalized prior to the completion of any trade transaction prior to issuing store credit and is stated on our website under our WE'RE BUYING page.

  It is neither deceptive or misleading. You don't have to accept any offer we make. LINK TO OUR STORE BUYING/TRADING POLICY https://jetpackcomics.com/were-buying!

  FRIENDLIEST COMIC SHOP

  I'm not sure how to address this or its' relevance. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

   

  MISLEADING

  Mr. *******, in his attempt to make money buying and selling Pokemon cards appears to have made a number of bad decisions. By his words, to one of our staff, he had purchased the cards he was trying to sell to us on eBay, apparently hoping to make a profit on them.

  Mr. L********* addressed the policy with Mr. ******* on multiple occasions. Ignoring something doesn't make it misleading. Misleading would be pretending that one was not fully aware of the transaction they had entered into and blaming someone other than themselves for making a series of bad business decisions. Misleading would be attempting to misdirect an organization with partial information. Misleading would be holding others accountable for ones actions.

  With 18 years as Jetpack Comics and another 25 plus years in the collectibles business I can state that there is no short cut to making money in collectibles. You have to be aware of the market, what is in demand and what is not. You have to do your research. I don't know for a fact the Mr. ******* purchased them on eBay. I only know what he told our staff but as Mr. L********* told Mr. *******, this was not a wise decision but it was his store credit to use as he saw fit.

  Attempting to hold us accountable for bad business decisions is absolutely misleading.

  When all was said and done Mr. ******* accepted the offer, used the entirety of the store credit and left the store with the product he asked for at the price he was told prior to completion . As is posted on every door in the store and at the register all sales are final. We do not accept returns. "All Sales Are Final"

  Thank you for your time. My apologies for the length of this but with so many allegations I wanted to make sure we were clear with everything.

   

  Please review enclosures in the order the are attached. Thank you,

  Ralph D********* - Owner Jetpack Comics LLC

  Customer response

  09/28/2022

  Complaint: 17812150
  I do not accept the business's response as a resolution to my complaint because: 

   “We sell merchandise that is available for less at local Big Box retail stores and is always cheaper online.” 

  There is not proof that this occurs or any examples to this claim. This is as empty a claim as being the most friendliest comic book store ever created. 
  
  “Once an item leaves our store that is the end of the transaction. We have no way of verifying if product has been opened searched, swapped or changed.”
  They are implying that I am attempting to scam them which is disgraceful. I could claim the same thing that they could easily alter my products to then return. They’ve admitted to selling them already. I explicitly informed them not to sell any of the items until this matter had been resolved. It had also been less than a day at that point when I brought the issue to their attention. And what I purchased unlike what they’ve done with my items have not been tampered with or opened. 
  “In fact, his request for $750- $800 per case was a minimum of 3x the actual going price for the merchandise he was offering to us. Unlike Mr. *******, we did our research, hence our offer, which he accepted.” 
  
  They misunderstood and I corrected it both in writing and in person which I feel is very misleading on the store managers part and the businesses part. I did not ask for $750-800 per case but rather $750-$800 total for all three cases. I did do my research on my items when I brought them in to sell. Unfortunately they have either an arrogance of always thinking their right or creating their own reality. I can’t be held responsible for their egos thinking that what they perceive is correct or real. And that everyone else is either stupid or doesn’t know as much as them. I will continue to explain the facts that I asked for $800 for all three cases equally about $266.66 per case. They can believe whatever they want outside of their own reality but I’m not going to stand here and keep being told intentionally misinterpretation of the facts when it was their error. 
  
  “Mr. L********* told him that this was not a wise decision but it was his store credit to use as he saw fit.”
  
  This is not accurate and he did not say this was not a wise decision and this was made up. He only said that they had mass produced the items when I asked their value and he still recommended the two items- Pokémon booster I ended up trading for as they are the most popular and will be of more value later. I never stated I was card flipping and have never done so before or since. I explained that I purchased these off eBay. They have had enough time to come up with a story and the story their choosing to tell is not accurate to reality. 
  
  “the store credit offer will always be higher than the cash offer with the stipulations that product traded for store credit is calculated at manufacturers suggested retail price. The reason for this distinction is that we discount some bulk purchase items such as boxes of cards but not in relation to store credit. This policy was verbalized to Mr. ******* on several occasions prior to his transaction with the items dropped off to us on 8/24.”
  
  This also did not happen and was not verbally explained to me. I was not informed of any of this specific to the reason why they charge more. To go back to the egos and arrogance it would be beneath them to explain why they do anything related to their polices.  The MSRP was mentioned as the price they sold certain items for unknown reasons but they did not state that they were up-charging the items in order to then cover their losses for selling others at a discount. A discount they’re claiming to be doing on the specific items at a 20% or $20 mark up to their actual value which is $100 dollars, and in some cases I found $89 for the same products I was buying at $144. The store credit which is the not actually higher than the cash equivalents. They’ve created an unfair business tactic to trick unsuspecting customers into taking store credit and then taking on the additional costs or tax to their credit. It was also not made clear the specific items I was getting were falling under the MSRP and I based my decision on what the clerk informed me of the best items to purchase in the store and specific to the Pokémon items. If I had checked online the actual cost of these and the cost they were selling them to me to I wouldn’t have purchased them and either found non MSRP items or just canceled the trade in. Just as they said to me I’m not responsible for how they chose to conduct their business affairs and that specific portion is unnecessary to the facts of this case. 
  
  “For the safety and peace of mind for our staff I did have a no trespass order issued on Mr. *******, via the Rochester Police Department. While his phone call and emails were only mildly threatening I did not want our staff to have to deal with Mr. ******* showing up at the store and causing a scene. Given how problematic this transaction had been I did not want to have further dealings with Mr. ******* and decided if he was true to his word we would be contacted by the BBB and potentially end up in court.”
  
  My one phone call to the store the day after this was to explain I found out the next day the true value of the items online and I’d like to get my money back or items back. I was informed that wasn’t possible as the transaction was complete. I asked to speak to the manager and was given the email address. In the several emails I have include the tone was not threatening. I asked to speak to the owner who’s name I found online for this BBB complaint. I was under the impression that the manager of the store had responded as it was not signed off. If laying out the options which I’m legally entitled to bringing to court is considered a threat then every dispute would be subject to being deemed a threat. The whole purpose of court is to handle land and money disputes civilly and also to promote and find Justice in criminal cases. I received 4 calls from the Rochester police that morning and no voice mail and have received no actual piece of paper stating I’ve been banned or done anything else from the police. It was clear to me this was done in order to discredit me and attempt to paint me out to be something I’m not to further intimate me into not pressing charges. They also reference being a business that has been in business for decades doesn’t mean that they are in any way shape or form not taking advantage of customers or capable of doing so. The logic here is really a stretch. As far as I’m concerned they used my personal information in a unethical way by contacting the police in an attempt to discredit me for a potential court case implying I spoke or acted improperly. I was under the impression that was only kept for tax purposes to show a trade in happened. And I should not be vilified or further had personal attacks towards my character for trying to resolve this directly. I made it very clear in a respectful tone that my next steps would be up to the business owner. He chose to stop talking to me and make good on his actual threat of using the police to intimidate me and change the narrative. I laid out all options for him and explained if we were unable to resolve this then I would contact the BBB and bring this to court. I also think they should be required to tell people if they ever realize they’ve been taken advantage of and ask for clarification they should before the sale is completed he informed they’ll be contacted by the police and banned from the store to save face of their own poor behavior and business practices that are unethical. 
  
  The most important and telling issue is at no point do they mention their own policy and how that is dishonest and poor faith in terms of misleading customers. The amount of the cash and credit should be clearly stated as being of the same value which is the truth. Instead they’re claiming two things at the same time, that their credit is more than the cash option, and that they also have created a loophole to then charge people more for the same item they sell for less for cash and then equal out that by charging more for a trade in. And they should also not he allows to call it either the most friendliest store ever as well as calling it store credit but instead limited store credit. Or store credit unless we feel it should be sold at the retails cost. If their business model counts on them making Up their losses charging an extra 44% onto what its selling for online and 24% percent above the market value. 
  
  They also claimed that I had store credit when I didn’t. And also didn’t give me a receipt for the items I then traded in including the extra $20 I had to spend in cash. Which I believe also doesn’t show that the transaction wasn’t properly concluded as I only received the receipt for the initial trade in of the $700 credit. They’re also disorganized as they thought I still had credit. 
  
  It’s very unfortunate that the owner has asked his employees to mislead and lie to the BBB into the facts and reality of the case. I was selling these items to help pay for a sick cat for a family member. And I’m glad I didn’t mention this as it would have just been thrown in my face like the rest of these false accusations. Every business at the end of the day is a reflection of their owner. And i personally believe I have cause for further litigation as they’re attempting to attack my character to the community and misrepresent my actions to the police. I have been respectful and done everything as a customer and consumer well within the law and within honestly as well. It’s embarrassing that they are sinking to these low life levels of discourse and can’t afford to either reimburse me or refund me the money I asked for. 
  
  I have also informed the state of this property and their business practices. And after they reported me to the police I now have cause to contact distributors as I feel appropriate to explain the situation as well. I have chosen not to express my extremely negative experience online thru Google and yelp and any further insults from the owner will be reflected in the news paper or other 3rd party sites to warn other consumers. I’m not going to be bullied or harassed by a business that uses idle threats to attempt to discredit anyone let alone one that attempts to mislead both the BBB and the police. Shame on them for pressuring their employees as well. 
  
  I want my money back and a full refund of the amount. If they cannot return my items they can purchase to replace the three Pokémon 150 packs sealed of two Pikachu and the third character and take them back. Otherwise I’ll accept $800 and the return of their items. They’ve attempted to paint me as a seasoned card flipping scammer who uses threats and creates problems. Businesses like this shouldn’t be allowed to operate if this is how they’re going to chose to go about business when things don’t work out. And it reflects very poorly on them how they’re choosing to handle this and is the rude and true reflection of the business owner and it’s representatives. That is really the true test of any business is how they handle things when things don’t go wrong and they scam someone. Their actions and attempts to discredit me and mislead the BBB speak for themselves.
  

  To add to the friendliest place on earth, I don’t believe in personal attacks but I did overhear several clerks at a different time explaining how annoying it is for customers to come in and ask questions and not by anything  I don’t know if this was intentionally said with me in mind as when I first started going there I did ask more questions but I don’t find that Behavior friendly or what the clerk mentioned about trashing my question about things being graded. That was actually Mr. L********* that informed me his own opinions of how it’s a massive conspiracy to inflate the market and how the graders are in bed with the distributors. I remember feeling physically sick after that interaction and when I explained to a family member they told me that the rochester Main Street businesses and specifically that business has a reputation for ripping people off. I didn’t believe that opinion and now regret not doing so. My family member also mentioned that the clerk shouldn’t have told me all that information or made me feel that way. After that I stopped asking questions and just kept it professional when going in the store with him. But most importantly I’m glad he will go into the nuts and bolts to put down a customer trying to have some fun and excitement to collecting but won’t go into detail about the specifics of their MSRP policy but then claim after with no conflict of interest from the pressure of the store owner things that didn’t happen. 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** *******

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩