Toys R Us and Target have both advertised a sale on Aqua Dots, even though the bead toy was recalled November 7, 2007, after testing showed the beads contained the "date-rape" drug chemical gamma hydroxy butyrate. Target distributed its circular in 47 states for the Aqua Dots Super Studio for a Black Friday sale. Toys R Us distributed its flier Sunday.
Target spokesperson Brie Heath tells the Associated Press that its circulars were "so far into production that we couldn't impact it when we heard about the recall." She says the company took out a newspaper ad in major cities to announce that Aqua Dots were not being sold at its stores.
Should the stores have sent the circulars back into production to remove the Aqua Dots from appearing on sale? Share your opinion.
- Press Release: Aqua Dots Recalled
- Should the Circular Have Been Pulled?: Share your opinion.
Target spokesperson Brie Heath tells the Associated Press that its circulars were "so far into production that we couldn't impact it when we heard about the recall." She says the company took out a newspaper ad in major cities to announce that Aqua Dots were not being sold at its stores.
Should the stores have sent the circulars back into production to remove the Aqua Dots from appearing on sale? Share your opinion.
Those ads should have never run with those toys in them. At the least, they should have put an insert in or on the already printed ads stating that they were no longer selling the Dots.
The fact that both stores chose to let the circulars run is beyond ridiculous. Those circulars should have been redone or not released at all. Target and Toys R Us can’t tell me their agency or printer can’t put an emergency rush job together. As nervous as parents are these days about recalls, do you really think we want to hear that the date rape drug-laced Aqua Dots are on sale? Doesn’t matter if they’re selling them or not. Just shows the companies are more interested in making a buck than actually caring about the consumer by republishing their circular without the recalled toy in it.
Why? They are doing and have done the correct thing of pulling the product off their shelves. It is NOT the duty of a retailer to TEST products. Their responsibility is to market and follow safety guidelines. They have and are doing just that.
Margene Smith
Margene – Are you serious? Your own words contradict themselves. “It is NOT the duty of a retailer to TEST products. Their responsibility is to market and follow safety guidelines. They have and are doing just that.” Umm, NO, they marketed the product after it was ordered to be pulled from shelves. In fact, both stores marketed the toy SEVERAL weeks after it was ordered off the shelves. That’s not responsible marketing. That’s foolish! It won’t be forgotten by many parents when they make their next choice on where to shop, including this parent.