You mean they wouldn't make it right for you? WTF? I've bought carts from them for ages... and the one time I had a problem (Andro Dunos Cart) they took it back right away and refunded my money!!!
I called them and asked for Andro Dunos, I told them it was hard to find it original. They said they would open their copy and check... at this point knowing I would do so as well. She told me all was good and sent the game. Upon getting it, it was very easy for me to tell it was a bootleg. I called VC back and they apologized, they said they saw SNK on the boards and everything looked right, and to send it back for a refund or store credit.
Truth is, they don't really know, they buy games from different sources and usually resell to arcade ops, not collectors. The sad truth is, Neo Geo is profitable to bootleg. Most distros just don't know what is real and what is fake. I am sorry you got burned on this deal, but I don't understand why they wouldn't help you out unless you were a complete ass with them on the phone. They have been nothing, but helpful with me!
-Nick