Comments for Walmart Mysteriously Finds Hidden Stash of Elmos

Walmart Mysteriously Finds Hidden Stash of Elmos

2006-12-15T03:09:57Z

We hope we are not dignifying this obvious publicity stunt with coverage, but Walmart has "found" 4,000 of those stupid Extreme Tickle Me Elmo pieces of crap and will be "make [ing] the toys available "around noon E.T. on a first come, first serve basis" for $39.97 apiece." So, if you're one of those people who wants a zombified psychotic Elmo beast that will amuse your brat of a kid for about 10 seconds total, here's your big chance to hit refresh 300 times and still not get one. Have fun. —MEGHANN MARCO

Wal-Mart finds T.M.X. Elmo cache [CNN Money]

Comment from Scott in DC on 2006-12-16

2006-12-16T22:55:35Z

suckers! I got my Elmo TMX back in october - and I still love playing with it. And I'm 27!

Comment from SexCpotatoes on 2006-12-16

2006-12-16T06:34:16Z

Is this that truck that supposedly got "jacked". Is walmart so fucked up that they could lose an entire TRUCK FULL of these satanic things just to find them in time to make a holiday feeding frenzy?

Comment from cp87 on 2006-12-16

2006-12-16T06:20:51Z

In another post (linked below), Ben said that "Many states construe failing to sell a product if it is in stock false advertising."

Does this qualify?

Comment from acambras on 2006-12-15

2006-12-16T02:36:13Z

LOL, Pee Wee -- the funny thing is that I didn't know what ftw meant until a few weeks ago, when I saw it here at Consumerist. I had to google it.

So it may not be that I'm so much a "geek" as just an out-of-touch 30-something. ;-)

Comment from Bon Jour, Pee Wee on 2006-12-15

2006-12-16T02:16:07Z

acambras:

Geek!

Just playing.

Comment from acambras on 2006-12-15

2006-12-15T21:44:22Z

Fuzzy_Duffel_Bag, ftw!

Comment from Fuzzy_duffel_bag on 2006-12-15

2006-12-15T21:16:25Z

I bet they were hidden under a pile of Nazi t-shirts.

Comment from Princess Sparkle Pony on 2006-12-15

2006-12-15T18:32:58Z

And just you wait, all the local network news affiliates will be there to "report" on this "news" when the precious Elmos are made available to a grateful public.

Comment from simmo on 2006-12-15

2006-12-15T11:46:05Z

That's a Laugh! some many parents still think those horrors should be in stock :)

Comment from Robyn Tippins on 2006-12-15

2006-12-15T10:28:20Z

I meant Walton, Sam Walton. Geesh, now who's the moron?

Comment from Robyn Tippins on 2006-12-15

2006-12-15T10:27:47Z

No wonder they are still searching for marketing help. They just fired their top level marketing guru; they created a flog along with Edelman; they've hired/fired more than 1 PR firm in the past 24 months. Could someone dig up Walden? He'd be more effective...

Comment from pestie on 2006-12-15

2006-12-15T05:22:30Z

You know, the key to avoiding all this crap entirely is to be patient enough to wait a month or two. We all know that by February, we'll be able to buy an Elmo or Wii as easily as you can buy toilet paper.

Comment from homerjay on 2006-12-15

2006-12-15T05:14:54Z

Well, I guess I'll be returning what I bought Meghan for Christmas.... Jeesh, and I thought I knew you so well.

Comment from stavs on 2006-12-14

2006-12-15T04:12:22Z

Aye Chihuahua! Even the Spanish version is sold out!

Comment from Holden Caulfield on 2006-12-14

2006-12-15T04:01:19Z

I remember walmart doing something like this with the Nintendo Wii. The day the shipment came in I spoke with a walmart associate and he had counted 32 units. This apparenyly occured before the employees were advised on policy or protocol because the very next day the shipment of 32 mysteriously changed to a shipment of 20.

20 is the number of units all the surrounding walmarts quoted as having in stock. Of course I never went back and counted the units myself in the docking area. So this may be pure speculation on my part. Although with recent events such as the elmo dolls I am beginning to feel differently.

Artificially creating an environment where a consumer will check back with the store every day could possibly be a profitable move on their part. I am sure that if I checked with the store everyday that I would be exposed to other offers and deals that may sound just as attractive if I could not secure the original item in question. Is this ethical?

Comment from Frank Grimes on 2006-12-14

2006-12-15T04:00:54Z

Good Lord Meghann settle down. While I didn't buy one al Wal-Mart I was able to get one for my 20 month old. While it may drive me and my wife crazy he seems to love Elmo and has watched Sesame Street a grand total of two times, the Elmo must have some super powers we adults aren't aware of.

Comment from Danilo Campos on 2006-12-14

2006-12-15T03:49:01Z

At some point in the past, Meghann deeply wished to possess one of these toys. That thirst went unslaked and transmuted itself into the bitter hatred today presented.

Ben should get her one for Christmas!