I ask because I got mine yesterday, and the box was beat to hell, with the Grimlock package inside was beaten so badly that the tape had torn and the top flap was open. The plastic around the sides had been crushed enough that I was concerned that the figure had been damaged, too. I called TRU.com and voiced my irritation and concerns with their shipping methods. They offered to send me another, until I pointed out that it wasn't available from them any more. I told them I was probably done shopping on their website, since this was the 4th consecutive order I've received where the package arrived damaged. The customer service rep, who was very understanding, gave me a 20% refund on the figure, and 10% and free expedited shipping on my next order (if I choose to shop their again).

I'm now stuck hunting one down in store to exchange, as this is one I wanted to keep in the package. I'm sure they'll pop up in big numbers in time... I just hope that whenever that is, they'll accept the exchange.

I thought that this might be UPS or the USPS damaging my packages, I guess it still could be, but since I've received orders from Target.com, Walmart.com, Amazon, BBTS, Cornerstore Comics, etc, and the boxes always arrive looking perfect or near perfect, the odds seem to be against that explanation.

I know I shouldn't have relied on TRU.com to handle this item any differently than cheaper items I've ordered, but I held out hope that this would be different, since it was a higher priced exclusive. This is what I get for taking the easy way out to avoid the hunt (and lucking out with the 59.99 price online)  

Thanks for listening to me vent.

 

You know it might not have been their fault. They don't personally deliver packages.

That damage could have occurred during shipping.

 

They offered to send you another? I'm sure they would have found a way to get one for you...

This baffles me, because I can tell you that it takes a LOT to beat that Grimlock package up. It took me a while just to get him open. Someone must have played kick ball with yours...

 

More than likely it's who ever was actually shipping it. Our company ships stuff all over the country, yet when we ship things to a certain customer in Connecticut, the box is always damaged to hell and back.

 

I am aware. However, since I can't talk to a rep for the people packing and shipping out orders, calling TRU.com customer service was the next best option. If anything, they can pass along issues like mine to their packing facility.

Like I said, I considered the fact that it was damaged during shipment. But, when EVERY order I make from TRU.com has been damaged lately, while orders from many other online vendors remain perfect with the shipping box looking almost brand new... imo, all signs point to some faulty aspect of TRU.com's shipping methods. Either that, or a mail person with a vendetta against me and/or TRU packages. If that's the case, I'm going to apply for my conspiracy theorist member card.

They did offer to send me another once I returned the one I had in hand. I said that it didn't look like it was available on their site at the moment, and the rep confirmed it. He also said that there was no way to know when they'd get another shipment. That was the extent of what he offered to do from his end, aside from me keeping the potentially damaged one for a partial refund, or sending it back for a full refund.

The way the shipping box is caved in on one side, your kickball theory might not be too far from the truth  

 

Yeah, that Grimlock package is really tight. Unless you actually try to break Grimmy I bet you could just ship the package and he'd be fine.

 

When mine came I noticed that grimlock's packaging was pushing out on the side of the shipping box really badly. It seems that the box it was shipped in was way narrower than grimlock's packaging. Mine was beat up really badly, but I wasn't going to keep in MIP so no harm done here. Sorry yours didn't come the way you had hoped.

 

not every company's packing department/people are of the same quality.

BBTS's packing for example has been far superior to any figure I bought online from a major retailer Wal-mart and target could lean alot from them, seeming TRU as well. the only time i have gotten packaging for shipping that was of near the same quality was from a private seller on the Junkion exchange and from Transformerland.

 

If you're dissatisfied with the condition of your figures then stop ordering from their site and just go to a retail location to hand pick your figures.

 

recieved mine yesterday and would have to agree that the packageing was pretty tough, it was such a pain that a few swear words were directed at the person who designed the box, also at the present moment you m ight be happy just to have one, my friend ordered one and has no idea if he will ever recieve it, i am sure that he will buy that one off you and you can begin the hunt for him in stores like the other thousands of people.

 

i have a feeling it might be warehouse packers not giving crap about actually doing a good job packing and just threw stuffs in the box. or just company policy to ship out items with cosmetically damaged packaging first (& blame shipping company/post office for damage en-route if any one complains) and save the c9 items for possible shipments to b&m stores. of the two leader starscream i got from them in the same box, one was fine, the other one looked like the package was tempered with/retaped, even thought the toy itself was fine and still secured with the twisties.

 

In the OP's defense every item I have ordered from toysrus.com was poorly packaged compared to other online retailers. I open my stuff so it's usually not an issue for me.

 

Me Grimlock say there be Hell To Pay!

 

Mine came yesterday and it was fine...damn tough to open up and its a sturdy package. Sorry that yours was damaged, man. It was probably the shipping company's handling of the package though. I've recieved quite a few figures from TRU this summer and they were all in excellent shape both package and figure itself.

 

tru.com uses extremely flimsy boxes with maybe one or two randomly thrown-in bags of air (it's never enough, stuff always rattles around, and since the box isnt properly padded, it will get crushed) They'll even sometimes use boxes smaller than the toy's packaging, and bend the package until it fits in the box.

it's their fault.

 

got mine......PERFECTO!

 

To the OP: was Grimlock damaged? Or just the box? Ultimately, it's the toy that matters, unless you're a MISB collector.

 

Sorry to hear it.

And I just checked TRU.com. The figure is gone...

Anyfan know why?

 

Yea, I am a little worried on this one. I have never had luck when UPS or Fedex hand it off to the local-yokle postoffice for delivery, and I just checked the UPS website today and got the "tendered to local post office for delivery" notification.

 

I didn't order Grimlock from them, but in a different recent order, my items did come somewhat beaten up.