Toys R Us employees selling Zhu Zhu pets online

[lorisnuts]

Yesterday while at a Toys r us store I heard two employees discussing how their craigslist and ebay sales were going to suffer now that the store got a large shipment of Zhu Zhu pets. I was furious. I have been able to purchase one hamster since October. Yet the EMPLOYEES of a major Toy store were discussing how the one hamster she had listed on ebay the previous day sold for $75!!!

I was going to complain to the manager but the one of the employees who was having the discussion was a manager!!!

I have already sent an email thru the corporate site. but they only returned a fixed up form letter.

 

[andrews_dad]

Happens all of the time in lots of retail places. Even happens with the free cast member tickets at Diz at times. Glad you fought back with the email to corp.

 

[smcabee]

Unless they got them somehow from the stockroom before they went on sale, I do not see what the big deal is. Sure they should not be talking about things like that while at work as it can give the wrong impression to the customers but maybe they were purchased by waiting in line or they found some online somewhere.

Maybe I missed it but I didnt see a mention that they got them early because they worked there in your post but I can certainly see how you could get that impression.

 

[jacksmomma]

That is awful, but unfortunately it happens all the time. I agree that bypassing the store manager was a good idea. However, I doubt anything will come of your complaint. The store big wigs only care about making sales, they could care less who is buying just as long as they are buying.

 

[3boymthr]

Yup. Don't think your complaint is going to go too far.

I heard about this happening when Wii's first became available and a few other crazes like Webkinz. I've heard of it happenning at little local stores and at other Big Box chains like Walmart (SIL works there) and Target.

According to SIL employee's don't get to buy more than any other customer is alloted on any given day but they get them because they set their allotment aside as they are stocking so they can buy one or two each time they are in stock.

Happens with every hot toy.

 

[libinatorsmom]

1st of all Its not just a Toys R Us Thing... Employees of Walmart & Target (and about every other store in the world) did and are doing the same thing........ As long as they paid for the item (not stolen etc) - I dont have a problem with it... in all honesty its a perk of working at a store.... You get 1st dibs... If you want the same benefits next year before Christmas get a job at TRU or one of the other big toy or box stores...

I worked at a western store in college and we all had our box of merchandise in the back and we would pick out things we wanted and HOLD them for ourselves... I really dont think there is a problem with it - granted the employees should not have been talkin it up - but really - just relax....

 

[LisaNJ25]

1st of all Its not just a Toys R Us Thing... Employees of Walmart & Target (and about every other store in the world) did and are doing the same thing........ As long as they paid for the item (not stolen etc) - I dont have a problem with it... in all honesty its a perk of working at a store.... You get 1st dibs... If you want the same benefits next year before Christmas get a job at TRU or one of the other big toy or box stores...

I worked at a western store in college and we all had our box of merchandise in the back and we would pick out things we wanted and HOLD them for ourselves... I really dont think there is a problem with it - granted the employees should not have been talkin it up - but really - just relax....

well said

 

[pilesoflaundry]

It is frustrating and it does make me think less of them but it's happening everywhere. Do I think it's fair to the customers, no but they paid for it and that's it .

The employees at my target will come right out and tell you not to bother looking for the holiday clearance, they got it all. I mean really while I'm standing here trying to find something don't tell me you took it all, it's rude. Just we don't have any more is fine dude.

It's fine, I just don't go after the holidays anymore. If I'm not in the store, I'm not spending money. I would always grab groceries or other things while clearance hunting but now I don't bother going so I'm not buying other stuff.

 

[Missy1961]

And let's be real, many customers are doing the same thing. I could walk into TRU right now, get one, and turn around and sell it on ebay. As long as the employees are paying for the item, there is nothing wrong with selling them on ebay. Corporate isn't going to care.

 

[Swimalie]

A similar thing would happen with Salvation Army. In a town I lived in I was friends with and worked closely with the battered women's shelter which was run by the Salvation Army. She said the women could go in the donation store and get clothing since often they had to run from their abuser without clothing for them and the kids. But the employees of the Salvation Army often would take the good clothing before it hit the floor. So only the "less than good" clothing was put out for those less fortunate and especially, the ones who had to leave abusers. That made me so mad so I would take my donation clothing directly to the Safehouse door and leave it with them. Then the women could pick through what they wanted and then they could turn the clothing over to the Salvation Army for the rest of the donation.

 

[lorisnuts]

I agree with everything said here. I think they should be allowed first pick but limited to the same amount as a regular customer would.

I know things like this happen all the time but when they are standing in the aisles bragging about it with one of the hottest hardest to find toys this year, it gets frustrating.

 

[wvdisneymom]

Zhu Zhu Pets In-store @ Walmart 12/21,12/22,12/23 @ 7am


Walmart announced they will have zhu zhu pets in every store for $8 dollars on 12/21, 12/22, and 12/23 starting at 7am.

It is a ticket based system, one per customer.

The ad says 20-60 per store per day.

Walmart has the lowest price you can get these for, so if you still need one, here is a good way to try


http://connect.walmart.com/holidaysavings/

 

[KibbyCat]

Now, I know that each BigBox retail store has its own policies, so this isn't universal, but the particular Target store that my husband works for really cracks down on things like this.
One lady he worked with got fired for buying clearance items using her employee discount and then selling them on ebay. They have a guy whose sole job it is to scout out ebay for policy abusers. Apparently, this gal had several large purchases with her discount, and they had her flagged as suspicious, so they started searching ebay for the same items, and they tracked her down and busted her.

My husband's store's rule is this: if you want something, you go during your break, or off the clock, in street clothes, and buy it as a regular customer. If you use your discount to purchase it, you may not sell it for profit.
When Playstation2 came out and were hard to get, he had to call me from work so that I could come when the store opened and try to be one of the first ones in line so that I would actually get one. And then, because it was me buying it, I had to pay full price.

My husband was at work one day last month when a shipment of Zhu-Zhu pets came in. The store has a 4-per-person limit. He had to wait until his lunch break, go outside and put a jacket on over his store uniform, come in and hope that there were still some left to buy. Luckily there were, so he paid for them and went outside and locked them in his car. Another employee, though, got into trouble because she went and hid some behind the desk in the fitting room so that she could buy them on her break.

I know not all employees follow the rules, so it is sad that some would do this. Hiding stock in the backroom or using discounts to purchase items and then selling them for more than retail is just wrong. Maybe Toys R Us doesn't have a policy against employees selling items on ebay. I can see how the original poster would be furious about overhearing this. I hope you gave specific details in your complaint (store number or locations, employees' names - if they were wearing name tags - and brief descriptions of their appearances, quotes of what they said, etc.), otherwise, even if someone were to investigate and try to do something about it, they may not be able to.
As far as the "fixed form letter" you received, it was probably an auto-reply, and there is most likely someone who actually IS looking into your complaint, but with a major retailer, it can sometimes take a long time for someone to personally respond to your inquiries. In the meantime, I would suggest just don't give them your business.

 

[ICF]

IMO, putting up with the craziness of a TRU this time of year entitles them to sell a few 'hot' toys.

It would take more than the extra $$$ from a few toy hamsters to put up with that mess.

 

[bgohre]

I know I'll get flamed here for this but I have to say it.

Obviously, none of you have worked or understand retail (except maybe one or two of the posters).

It is NOT okay for the employees to take that stuff before it gets out on the shelf. When I was working at Target, that was grounds for several types of discipline if you were caught doing it. Let me explain.

Mom calls Toys R Us to ask if they have Zhu Zhu pets.

They say no, Mom goes to Target or Walmart to look for something else. Toys R Us made $0.00 on that person.

They say yes, Mom runs in there buys the Zhu Zhu pet, maybe a couple extra items to go with it, a snack for herself, maybe some stocking stuffers. Toys R Us made $75.00 off that person.

The reason it was such a big deal about employees doing this is for the very reason listed above.

I'll give you another example, I was at my local grocery store Wed. (they had some good deals that day). I went there and almost all of the "good deal" stuff was gone. Now you know darn well some was in the back for the employees (I'm not so naive to know this doesn't happen everywhere). So instead of getting all the other stuff I need, I just left and spent $0.00. They lost business by holding product. And that, happens everyday too.

 

[KibbyCat]

I know I'll get flamed here for this but I have to say it.

Obviously, none of you have worked or understand retail (except maybe one or two of the posters).

It is NOT okay for the employees to take that stuff before it gets out on the shelf. When I was working at Target, that was grounds for several types of discipline if you were caught doing it. Let me explain.

Mom calls Toys R Us to ask if they have Zhu Zhu pets.

They say no, Mom goes to Target or Walmart to look for something else. Toys R Us made $0.00 on that person.

They say yes, Mom runs in there buys the Zhu Zhu pet, maybe a couple extra items to go with it, a snack for herself, maybe some stocking stuffers. Toys R Us made $75.00 off that person.

The reason it was such a big deal about employees doing this is for the very reason listed above.

I'll give you another example, I was at my local grocery store Wed. (they had some good deals that day). I went there and almost all of the "good deal" stuff was gone. Now you know darn well some was in the back for the employees (I'm not so naive to know this doesn't happen everywhere). So instead of getting all the other stuff I need, I just left and spent $0.00. They lost business by holding product. And that, happens everyday too.

No flames here. I totally agree!

 

[disneychrista]

If they are getting the DISCOUNT on the item then I see a problem. I know my daughter who works at a retail store can NOT purchase items for others (meaning I can not give her the money to purchase something with her discount). I see this as the same thing.

SHAME on these employees for taking advantage of this.

 

[taximomfor4]

Now, I know that each BigBox retail store has its own policies, so this isn't universal, but the particular Target store that my husband works for really cracks down on things like this.
One lady he worked with got fired for buying clearance items using her employee discount and then selling them on ebay. They have a guy whose sole job it is to scout out ebay for policy abusers. Apparently, this gal had several large purchases with her discount, and they had her flagged as suspicious, so they started searching ebay for the same items, and they tracked her down and busted her.

I worked retail at several places. It was DEFINITELY grounds for termination, to buy items and sell them, at SOME companies, at least. One manager at a clothing store was fired for it.

 

[SandrA9810]

LOL, this reminds me of a story Kari told me. She worked the planogram team at Target one semester in college. The shift was usually like 2am-8am or something like that, well since the store was opening up early for Black Friday they were asked to help out with customers and such. The Bratz dolls were the big thing that year, and she had a lady scream at her "I know you have a secret stash back there... I need those dolls" Granted this was a few hours after the store had already opened, and all the dolls were gone. Kari researched the entire stock room and came back and told her "I'm sorry, there's none left, and there is absolutly no bratz in the back room". Apparently the lady followed her around for the next 20 mins claiming she had a secret stash.
Both me and Kari find the Bratz dolls to be horribly disturbing and don't see why any kid would want one, let alone her hiding any sort of stash.

 

[SandrA9810]

It's grounds for termination for CM's to buy merchandise and resell it or have some one give us the money for it, whether it's at cost or for a profit.

I'm waiting for that person that sells the princess dresses on ebay to get caught, with the location listed "my closet". There's no way she can get those dressed without buying them from the damage trailor, or using the holiday discount on them. Especially at the price she's selling them for. The most any guest is going to get is like a 10-15% discount on merchandise, not 50-75% off.