I have just read ToyNews' article Is eBay a boon or blow to the toy industry?

Although I have opinions on that, my beef is with blind packs. They are mentioned in the article with regard to retailers opening them and putting the rarities online. 

My problem with blind packs is that I find it very difficult to sell them until I have opened them and marked the boxes with a sticker to show which item is in which box. 

Blind boxes are a retail nightmare. My customers would rather see what they are getting. 

As for the rare items, perhaps you should realise how irritating it is that you may never get a complete set of something because manufacturers make less of some items than others, and want you to buy loads of blind boxes in the hunt for one item. 

Retailers will always try to get more money for the rarities, because of the more common stock that eventually has to be discounted, in order to get rid of it. That happens in all assorted boxes of toys and collectables. 

The exception to this blind pack thing is trading cards and game cards. The difference being that you get a selection of cards in a pack and there is a much better chance of finding a card you haven't got. 

However, when there is one figure in a pack, people want to know what that figure is. 

The Dr Who micro figure range is a blind pack I am happy to stock without opening, because it is a reasonable price point and there are no real rarities or variations and kids can try and feel for the one they are after. 

Let's not rip off the public, let's do away with blind boxes. 

Let the customer choose which figure they want.