(Dangerous) Toy Story
Lists of unsafe toys are a staple of the holiday season, but do they have any effect on what goes on the shelves?
Apparently not at the Searcy Wal-Mart, where Buddy Childress of Des Arc took matters into his own hands after recognizing a Dora the Explorer lamp from a report of the Ten Worst Toys of 2007. The list, put out by W.A.T.C.H., a consumer advocacy group, says the lamp carries the potential for electric shock and burn injuries.
"I couldn't keep people from buying the lamp from the Searcy Wal-Mart -- let alone from all the other Wal-Marts in Arkansas and all across the country," Childress figured. "I felt I had to do something that would make a statement and focus attention on this extremely dangerous toy."
Childress dialed 911 on his cell phone, and was connected with the Searcy Police Department. He told the officer who answered the phone where he was, what had happened in the toy department, and that he intended to take the lamp outside the store and destroy it. "He tried to get me not to do it," Childress admits, "but I told him I was going to, and that I'd be waiting outside the store for the police to arrive. I expected to be arrested there, and taken to the police station."
Childress says he took The Dora Explorer Lamp outside the store to the sidewalk. "I destroyed it," he says, "I stomped on it, and then waited for the police to arrive."
Childress was charged with shoplifting, a Class A misdemeanor. A court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 13. In the meantime the Dora lamps remain at large — an employee at the Little Rock Wal-Mart on Bowman confirmed that some are still available. That’s just $12.68 for one of the season’s most electrifying items.
We sought a comment from Wal-Mart HQ. No response so far.
Comments
How many times and how many ways do I have to tell you----- boycott Wal-Mart, save your hometown (and maybe your family). Or, you might just want to learn to speak Mandarin.
Posted by: Louie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 5, 2007 06:56 PM
Louie , you just about have me convinced. However, in Chickenopolis, so very close to Vendorville, we have few choices. The local employee-owned Harp's chain simply have limited selections, no organics and you cannot shop late which is my fav time. We enjoy shopping at the local immigrant-specialty stores at least once a week for food items.
Here's the VERY WORST WALMART STORY TO DATE:
Seven years ago, a semi-trailer plowed into the driver's side of Deborah Shank's minivan.
The 52-year-old Missouri Wal-Mart employee and devoted mother of three suffered permanent brain damage. Today she lives in a nursing home for round-the clock care, unable to walk, feed or dress herself.
As the Wall Street Journal reported on November 20, it's a tragic story - but it gets worse:
Wal-Mart started out as one of the good guys in this story, paying almost $470,000 of Shank's initial medical bills. But three years after Shank's husband sued and settled with the semi driver's employer, the retail giant changed hats. It demanded every penny back, plus interest and legal fees -- more, in fact, than the $417,477 the settlement had placed in a special trust fund specifically for Shank's future health care expenses.
Wal-Mart sued a permanently brain-damaged woman out of her medical care funds. Thanks to her former employer - the world's largest retailer - Deborah's family is sinking deeper into debt and Deborah will be completely dependent on Medicaid and Social Security for a lifetime of medical care.
Wal-Mart Watch is collecting funds to help Deborah Shank's family with her medical bills. Will you make a donation?
Posted by: eLwood![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 5, 2007 07:30 PM
Way to go, Buddy Childress!
I think HellMart would sell herion if it was legal. Louis is right; don't shop there.
Posted by: BlueRidge![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 5, 2007 07:46 PM