Thrift store question: What would you do?

I went to a thrift store today and they had:

*A Slim PS2 for $9.99. Couldn't tell what came with it because a guy had it in his hand but it looked complete even with controller.

*A fat PS2 with two controllers also complete for $39.99.

So I see this guy holding the Slim PS2 (which I was going to grab asap if he put it down complete or not) and he picks up a 3rd party controller on the rack, tries to plug it in...stares......goes to the fat PS2, untapes one of the controllers from it, then goes to check out with the PS2 Slim/stolen fat PS2 controller.

Now this pissed me off a ton.

1. I would have bought the thing as is for $10 and found a legitimate way to make it complete (if it already wasn't !!)

2. I shop at this store all the time. There are always empty cases where people stole the games and also stuff like this. I think it is messed up A) for the people who want to buy things legit and B) the store itself. I'd like it to stay in business, and people stealing doesn't help.

But I didn't do anything. I figured I was being a little selfish because I wanted to buy it. Also, it isn't the greatest neighborhood. There's a reason it draws a crowd that steals stuff.

So what do you guys think? Was I warranted for being offended by it in the first place? Would you have said something or just let it go? Normally I don't mind missing out on something. It was a slim PS2 not Stadium Events for the NES or anything. But I just thought it was messed up to do that, and to not even try to hide it.

EDIT:

Also this is more of a chain thrift store than a mom/pop one. If it was a type where the owner was right there I probably would've been more apt to at least privately say something so they don't get ripped off of their merch.

Maybe I'm a jerk, but I might have done the same thing as the guy - Would definitely prefer a 1st party over 3d party controller.  I probably would have asked about getting the other controller first, though.  Either way, I don't see it as stealing, since he's going to be charged for the controller (unless he's trying to hide the controller somehow or tape it to the system like it was supposed to come with it).  Plus, since you said the guy was trying to plug in the original  controller and had trouble, he probably just thought there was something wrong with the controller and was only trying to replace it with another one.

And slightly off topic, but what's with the comment about the store "drawing in a crowd who steals stuff" just because its in a bad neighborhood.  I get what you're saying, and am not assuming you're messed up, but stores in nice areas also have loses due to theft. 

dchrisd said:

Maybe I'm a jerk, but I might have done the same thing as the guy - Would definitely prefer a 1st party over 3d party controller. I probably would have asked about getting the other controller first, though. Either way, I don't see it as stealing, since he's going to be charged for the controller (unless he's trying to hide the controller somehow or tape it to the system like it was supposed to come with it). Plus, since you said the guy was trying to plug in the original controller and had trouble, he probably just thought there was something wrong with the controller and was only trying to replace it with another one.

And slightly off topic, but what's with the comment about the store "drawing in a crowd who steals stuff" just because its in a bad neighborhood. I get what you're saying, and am not assuming you're messed up, but stores in nice areas also have loses due to theft.

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No, I described the situation incorrectly. There was a 1st party controller already plugged in to the Slim, he grabbed ANOTHER 3rd party controller off the rack, plugged it in, took it out, then took a second 3rd part off the other PS2. It did not appear he was going to pay for it, he was trying to bulk it in with the Slim PS2 for $9.99. Not only is it stealing from the store, it is stealing from the person that eventually buys the fat one.

And I know that stores in good neighborhoods are stolen from as well, but it is a bad neighborhood with a higher crime rate than other cities in the County, actually in the country. I don't think saying a store in a city with a high crime rate is susceptible to crime is messed up. The city I live in is far from the best city in the world and averages 3 times less robberies a year than the one I am talking about.

EDIT: Basically when I say bad neighborhood I don't mean isn't pretty or people aren't friendly. I mean higher crime rates than "good neighborhoods". I'm sure there's a bunch of teenagers stealing the crap out of stuff at good neighborhood stores, but this city averages 3 times more thefts, robberies, rapes and murders than what I would consider an average neighborhood. So yea, I'd say people are more liable to steal stuff from a store that has little security.

Well, if he's trying to actually steal the controller, then yeah, that's wrong.  I wouldn't be offended by it, but it would definitely bother me.  Stealing is obviously wrong, but stealing from a thrift store is just another level of wrong.  I wouldn't have said anything though unless I could have definitely said it privately and gotten out of there asap, not because someone shouldn't speak up but just because I wouldn't want a confrontation.   Regarding the crime thing, I figured that's where you were coming from, it just came off as silly and unnecessary when I saw it.  By the way, if you're interested in modding or reselling, that $40 PS2 might be worth it, especially if it has a hard drive hook up spot.

Fat ps2 prices have cratered this year. I have a hard time getting 30 shipped for them

I wouldn't be surprised if he took the price tag from another item and put it on the slim. Why else would the fat be 40 and the slim 10. Happens at my thrift store. Some people.

Bing147 said:

Fat ps2 prices have cratered this year. I have a hard time getting 30 shipped for them

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That's odd, considering they are superior to the slims if you know what I mean. wink.

Ironman8 said:

I wouldn't be surprised if he took the price tag from another item and put it on the slim. Why else would the fat be 40 and the slim 10. Happens at my thrift store. Some people.

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Because thrift store prices are ridiculously inconsistent. My local Goodwill last week had two PS1 systems sitting in electronics for $4.99 and $2.99 and another in the case for $39.99. Nothing special about the one in the case. That's just how thrift stores are.

They are superior in my books as well, I used to buy any PS2 under $20.00 all day to flip, but now I stay away unless they're under $10.00, just too small of a margin otherwise.

Ironman8 said:

I wouldn't be surprised if he took the price tag from another item and put it on the slim. Why else would the fat be 40 and the slim 10. Happens at my thrift store. Some people.

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Nah, he picked it up right before I was going for it. It was legit, and this places prices are REALLY crazy sometimes.

But yea, I can usually get a fat PS2 for $20 once or twice a month so I'll leave the $40 one.

My thrift store usually marks all consoles $19.99 if its older than the ps3/360/wii generation. I've never seen a 360 or ps3 but they had a wii today $59.99 no hookups and no controller. Shameful.

That's why I was so excited by the $10 PS2 if it is something I want it is usually $19.99 and I pray it stays til the 25% off day so I can get it for $15.

I would talk to that person and say thats not cool what you just did. but i won't try to get him in trouble because you never know if his mom donated his console to that thrift shop and he just wanted it back.