The Ooshie Craze: A Wild Ride for Aussie Parents and Their Kids
The Disney Ooshie promotion at Woolworths and Big W has sparked a frenzy among Aussie parents and their kids, with a collector culture emerging that has taken on a life of its own. This craze has dominated online marketplaces, sparked bidding wars, and even led to school bans. What started as a simple collaboration between a supermarket chain and a major corporation has now become a full-blown phenomenon, with people going to great lengths to complete their collections.
The Ooshies are small, rubber toys in the shape of characters from Disney-owned franchises like Toy Story, Marvel, and Star Wars. The goal is to collect all 40 characters, and the excitement of opening packets and finding the elusive ones has become a major draw for kids and some adults alike. The craze has created a sense of community, with people connecting and swapping Ooshies to complete their collections.
One notable aspect of this craze is the emergence of a secondary market. Some people have turned to online trading and even shady tactics to acquire the remaining Ooshies. One TikTok user revealed a scheme where she bought expensive goods from Big W, returned them for refunds, and then sold the Ooshies she acquired. This highlights the lengths people are willing to go to in order to satisfy their children's desires.
The Ooshie craze has also sparked memories of past collecting fads, such as trading stickers, Pokemon cards, and Tazos. However, the Ooshie phenomenon has taken it to a new level, with a focus on completing a set and the excitement of opening packets. The supermarket chain has responded by organizing swap meets, and even a Brumbies Bakery in Queensland has set up an honesty counter for Ooshie swaps.
Despite the fun and community spirit, the Ooshie craze has not been without its controversies. One incident involved a rare Bullseye Ooshie listed on eBay for an exorbitant price, with a winning bid of over $100 million. However, the sale was a farce, and the seller ended up with nothing. The rare collectables continue to appear on online marketplaces at inflated prices, and the craze has also led to playground bans in some schools to prevent fighting, arguments, and thefts.
The Ooshie promotion ends on August 25, but the supermarket giant expects supplies to run out by the weekend. This craze has shown the power of a simple idea to capture the imagination of a community and create a unique and memorable experience for both parents and their kids.
