Walmart's secret agenda to subvert 3 year olds?

[Dropkick]

I made a brief stop at Walmart today (yes, I know, I know, I should know better). While there, my 3 year old daughter asked me if she could get a new coloring book. I said sure, and back to toys we headed to find a new coloring book.

While back there, I saw this box (shrinkwrapped) on the shelf.


It looked cute, and my daughter absolutely LOVES puppies and kittens.

This was the backside of the box.


I examined the box to get an idea of what was inside. These led me to think that there would be puppy and kitten coloring books and stickers inside.




THESE are what was inside.




I have no problem with the following book (it was very cute)

and the entirety of puppies and kittens contained in the box was two small sheets of tiny stickers.



Needless to say, perhaps I should have paid more attention to this part of the box (it certainly surprised me, and I'd be willing to bet that Dalmatian Press just thinks it's hilarious and oh-so-fun).



I am LIVID, and made even moreso by the fact that I had to try to explain to my 3 year-old who started to cry when there wasn't a puppy or kitten book (she kept pointing to the picture on the box and saying "Yes there IS!!") that Mommy has to take the box back to the store.

I am anti-war, and am trying to raise my daughter to believe that violence is NOT the answer (I think the Armed Forces Waves of Glory book would help me teach that, right? Especially with all of the pictures of guys holding guns and missiles and such :puke:). I am also NOT Christian, or religious in any way, though I respect everyones right to believe or not as they wish (and expect the same courtesy), and am raising my daughter that way. A religious coloring book, a religious storybook, and a war-glorification coloring book. I can't even explain how angry I am about this.:grr:

[wtmusic]

1. rest assured there's a fundie behind that little

bit of 'harmless' brainwashing :eyes:

[Dropkick]

8. I have no doubt about it. nt

[Cheswick2.0]

2. I don't blame you

And I think it is intentional on their part.

[NightTrain]

3. You've every right to be angry!

And dare I say it? Next time, DON'T shop at Mall-Wart! :pals:

[skooooo]

4. Wow, that's really weird..

..I suppose you could complain and maybe get your money back.

[Dropkick]

7. That is definitely gonna happen...

...I'm going after work tomorrow (well, right after I pick my kid up).

It's not really even about the money. I will ask to speak with the store manager, and I will make very sure that he/she is completely clear on my level of dissatisfaction. I will be demanding that they pull it off of the shelf and make it clear to Dalmatian Press that false advertising is unacceptable. And, since my daughter will be with me, I will demand that he issue HER an apology. Not that it will make any difference (this is WallyWorld), but I'll feel a little better.

After that, we are heading to another store so that I can get her puppy and kitten coloring books.

[skooooo]

19. Good for you!

That's the right thing to do.

[Suspicious]

5. Wow...

I would be livid, as well.

I would be interested in hearing about the response you get when you return the box.

:shrug:

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. What probably happened is that they couldn't sell the military and fundy

garbage, so they had to bundle it under another wrapper.

[Dropkick]

10. I just find it suspicious that

These two types of books were bundled together. Although, the publisher who made the package is probably well aware that there is nothing more beloved to WalMart than guns and god.

[Dropkick]

27. UPDATE!!

Well, took it back today. I asked to speak with the manager, and when he came to the customer service desk I asked him "What type of books do you think are in this box?"
He looked at it and answered "Looks like coloring books with dogs and cats."

Me: "That's what I thought, too. Now open it up and look at what's in there."

Him, after opening and seeing what was in there: "That's not right."

My daughter (gotta love her): "Where's the puppy book?!? I want puppies." (she continued this through the entire conversation, as 3 year olds tend to do)

Me: "No, it's not. I am extremely upset that, instead of a product with puppies and kittens, I get, instead, is basically a war and religion propaganda package. My daughter CRIED because there wasn't a puppy or kitten coloring book. Also, I would NEVER buy a book glorifying war for my 3 year old. What are you going to do about this company's misleading marketing?"

Him: "Well, the majority of our coloring books are from this company. I'll make some calls and see what we can do."

Me (not thrilled with his answer): "I hope that there is something you can do."

Him: "I am very sorry about this. In the meantime, can we refund the cost of this for you?"

Me: "I should think so. I think an apology is also owed to my daughter"

Him: "Of course." turning to her "I am sorry that the puppy book was not in the box. Will you accept my apology"

Daughter: "Yes. Can I get a puppy book now?"

Him: "Sure thing" turns to me "I'll just get your refund now"

Me: "Okay."

I get my refund and then tell him: "I will NOT be shopping here again. Thank you for your time." and then we leave the store.

We stopped at another store, and found dog and cat coloring books (NOT by Dalmatian Press), and when we got home she immediately sat down and started coloring.

I will now ALWAYS check to see if the books I'm getting for her are NOT Dalmatian Press books. I seriously doubt anything will actually be done, but I am as satisfied as I can be with the results.

[FizzFuzz]

28. Yay!

Good for you!!
Could you write to Dalmation as well, tell them what you wrote here?
Might be worth it to go to the source

[Valerie5555]

30. Maybe you ought to organize a "Dalmatian Press" boycott and

hopefully they'll be in the dog house big time.

[rumguy]

9. wow that is freakin' wierd

seriously, someone should dig into this story a little bit...

[FizzFuzz]

11. Goddamm them! I hate these sick lieing fucks like there's no tomorrow

Definitely complain to the store manager; also make a call to some local newspapers -- not sure it would get printed, but these vampires hate having light shone on them...they'll be happy to say "oh we're so sincerely sorry" to your face, maybe even buy you off with a coupon so they can "stay the course" :puke: But if you make sure to tell them and WRITE to the manager, including cc to higher ups and to some media and anyone else you can think of (Better Business Bureau ?), that would give it a little more punch.

[Ironpost]

12. You know

I think we should boycott the bastards. It is obvious they (walmart) are not very patriotic. Hell, you can't get anything there thats made in America, sure a few things but only a few. They pretty much drove all the small town mom and pop stores out of existence. genocide?

[Generator]

13. Really really creepy

Friends don't let friends shop at Walmart. Just say no.

[SoCalDem]

14. whois search on dalmation press seems weird to me

Registrant:
Dalmatian Press


Address:
118 Seaboard Lane Suite 118
Franklin, TN 37067
US


First Registered:
May 24, 1999


Last Updated:
May 31, 2004


Administrative Contact:
Hilicki, Rich (RH16102) [e-mail]
Dalmation Press
118 SEABOARD LN STE 118
FRANKLIN, TN 37067-2820
US
[phone] fax: [phone]


Technical Contact:
NetCentral, Inc. (NDA5-ORG) [e-mail]
1814 Hayes Street
Nashville, TN 37203-2504
US
615-777-5304 fax: [phone]


Name Servers:
NS1.NETCENTRAL.NET 216.33.114.157
LISTS.NETCENTRAL.NET 216.33.114.153
NOAH.NETCENTRAL.NET 216.183.106.93



Information Source:
Network Solu

[Dropkick]

17. Thanks!! nt

[Dropkick]

15. Little bit about Dalmatian Press

from http://www.tennessean.com/business/archives/03/11/43286437.shtml

<snip>"It's a lot easier to work this quickly with people you share values with, that you trust and like. That little puppy dog means something. A brand isn't a logo; it's how it makes people feel. They know that when moms see our brand, they know it's going to be good value, it's squeaky clean, and they can trust it."

Dalmatian products do not address issues such as abuse, kidnapping or homosexual parents, although a post-Sept. 11, 2001, book dealt obliquely with grief. Characters never engage in violent behavior. Statistics show 75% of kids younger than 12 spend 30 minutes each day coloring, Chris Hilicki said.

"You can choose to put something that's kind of horrific in front of them just because it's popular," she said. "There are some cartoons that are a little wicked that I wouldn't want my child learning his values from."
<snip>

[dansolo]

23. "Characters never engage in violent behavior."

As we all know, there is absolutely no violence involved with the military.

[the Kelly Gang]

16. well they did say "full of surprises" ..get 'em when there'ye young

[Cronus Protagonist]

18. The box DID say it was full of surprises

I would have been MORE surprised if it contained a dildo, but that's just my sense of humor....

And it's not like the outside of the box said it was all puppies and kittens, it clearly refers to surprises, which no one would claim is not the case. You were surprised, as you noted.

Of course, it's not clear labelling, but it only cost $5 - I would keep the parts I liked, toss the rest and forget about it.

Click here for fair and balanced yet stunning, insulting, shocking, funny buttons, magnets and stickers

[mitchum]

20. It doesn't say much for their confidence in the appeal of fundy...

mythology and militarism, if they have to use cute puppies and kitties as come ons.
It's a rotten trick to play on kids (and their parents) You have every right to be livid.

[lostnfound]

21. Thanks for the warning!

I don't blame you for being angry. That is so ridiculous, and totally inconsiderate towards parents AND children.

At Christmas I received a 'Popup Story of David' for my almost-3 yr old. It talks about him killing the lion, then going to war to kill his enemy, then thanking God for helping him be victorious over his enemy, as well as thanking his smooth stones..because he was well-armed.

Popups are made for 2-3 yr olds. What sick people want to teach them THAT young about what war means??

But this is worse, as it's also misleading.

[No Passaran]

22. You should know better

going to wal-mart always makes me mad.

[VolcanoJen]

24. OK, that's the creepiest thing to come out of a Wal-Mart EVER.

OMG. Dropkick, thank you for sharing this, and may I make a suggestion?

You should forward these photos and your text to Consumer Reports right away. I have a feeling this would make their back-page "Selling It!" column, to which I've been addicted for years. This need to reach many more people, and CR would be perfect.

[kimchi]

25. I'd be livid too.

Please give us an update after you take it back. What a sleazy company.

I'm not surprised where you found it though.

[seabeyond]

26. pop back on tomorrow and let us know what happens.

speak loud enough to be heard by all the other customers around. and good lesson for your daughter to see it is not ok to lie and manipulate which is what this product did. i am half a mind to go down to my walmart and see if they have it

[Valerie5555]

29. Last night out of curiosity searched for and fount that very item on

Amazon.com but no worries, they listed it as "out of stock."


On edit pardon the typo for I meant to say "found"