Comments on: Neatorama Update – October 2009

By: OddNumber

OddNumber — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:09:52 +0000

Geekazoid – I’ve been thinking the same thing about the queue. I have basically lost all faith in the queue between irregular voting patterns of voters, large amount of garbage and duplicate posts, and the number of posts that get added to the blog by the regular contributors weeks after being voted down in the queue.

That’s not a knock at Alex or the other contributors, the queue is a difficult feature to manage effectively.

By: JimRL

JimRL — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:17:04 +0000

So I have just received my inflatable turkey that I paid over $20 for….BUT IT HAS A WHOLE IN IT!

I’d send it back but don’t see the point in paying what ever it costs to send it back to USA.

By: Moe

Moe — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:44:41 +0000

Got the inflatable turkey two weeks ago. My husband and I inflated it and then kind of looked at each other with a “Now what?” expression. That’s when I decided to start the turkey war by placing the inflated turkey underneath the covers of my sister’s bed.

The turkey has now made appearances in the shower, clothes dryer, bicycle basket and fridge. I’m afraid of where it may be right now.

This is my first mystery sale and I thought it was fun. Trust me when I say that I’ve spent $10 on worse things so I’m not bothered it wasn’t something that I normally wouldn’t purchase. I do agree that it would be nice if there were a variety of silly things rather than just one set prize per sale.

By: valerie

valerie — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:23:59 +0000

Seriously, this was my last mystery sale–WTH! How does the inflatable turkey cost $9.95 and how do I explain the fact that I bought THAT to my husband????

By: wit of a twit

wit of a twit — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:55:52 +0000

Aside from the fact that reading these comments defeated the mystery of the sale. I must say that Neatorama has given me hours of entertainment, and hours of thought provoking articles. Participating in this sale is akin to donating to your local public radio except I didn’t get a tote bag or a mug, I got an inflatable turkey. I have found a home for my inflatable turkey. I’m giving to a coworkers son.

By: a_kanoj

a_kanoj — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:10:19 +0000

I too received an inflatable turkey :[ I can’t even regift it!

By: Tilas

Tilas — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:42:10 +0000

This is my first sale, and I bought 2 boxes I’m waiting to get. I’ve read all the comments from all the sales however, and I’ve noticed that almost everyone who ordered 1 box got the same prize, and people who ordered multiple boxes got something different. There’s not a lot of “randomness” or “mystery” it when you look at the pattern in the shipments. Here’s what I’ve seen so far:
1 Box ordered = Turkey
2 Boxes = Turkey + Virus Plush OR Bacon
3 Boxes = Turkey + Plush + Bacon
And so on. So I think I already know I’ll be getting a Turkey and a plushie! But meh, I can’t complain, I’ve wasted more money then this on junk food. I just think Neatorama should look into how they ship and make it more random by adding a LOT more variety. I think the biggest complaint I’m seeing is that it’s not the fact people are getting the turkey… it’s the fact EVERYONE is getting the SAME item. There’s no mystery when you can tell exactly what you’ll be getting from reading the comments! Either way, I’ll probably try again, I’m a sucker for silly items.

By: wit of a twit

wit of a twit — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:30:16 +0000

yep got a turkey. who got something worth while?

so far, I read of inflatable turkey, bacon air freshener, plush biotic/viruses.

By: LT

LT — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:14:30 +0000

After reading so many people’s positive remarks about past mystery sale loot, I ordered my first with a sense of adventure.

I got an inflatable turkey.

My disappointment was substantial.

By: valeriob

valeriob — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:32:21 +0000

Seriously,
What’s up with the inflatable turkey?
I gave it to a friend as a wedding gift. I ensured him it was worth at least 10 dollars.

By: R

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:48:37 +0000

I got the inflatable turkey as well but I love it! I’m going to give it to my mom because she has a vegan thanksgiving and I said “well at least you can have a kinda realistic turkey but it’s still fake!” Love you Neatorama!!

By: Dee

Dee — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:11:33 +0000

I received my inflatable turkey, bacon air freshener, and Penicillin doll. I don’t feel it is work the money I paid. I was hoping for something a little more interesting…. possibly a gadget of some sort.

By: JimRL

JimRL — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:49:30 +0000

That being said I’ve just realised I have been following Neatorama since July 13, 2006 at 7:17 pm for Marco Evaristti Ice Cube Project….I was doing research for a project of my own and came across Neatorama.

I’ve been checking it most days since then so that works out at a measly $2.43 per year (or £0.35p per month)

Worth it!

By: JimRL

JimRL — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:34:36 +0000

Well I hope I haven’t paid $21.90 for an inflatable turkey!

….most of that being UK shipping.

By: Erika

Erika — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:37:01 +0000

I’m so excited for my matryoshka measuring cups – and whatever mystery bonus comes with it.

I wish you sold the matryoshka sewing kit or those lavender sachets. Love you, neatorama.

By: miocl

miocl — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:19:16 +0000

Argh, now I’m sure I’ll also get the inflatable turkey… Dammit. Last time I got the huge remote control (almost cool – if only it managed to control anything ) and some dinky little plastic crown (the type you might find at a 50-cent store).

Although the inflatable turkey can be seen as a fun thought for Thanksgiving, I hope the Neatorama mystery sale people remember that we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in Europe…

Just once, I wish I could get something really really cool!

By: JaneM

JaneM — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:10:17 +0000

I too got the inflatable turkey and a bacon air freshner. Alas this will be my last mystery sale purchase. I have yet to get an item really worth getting. I guess it is like the lottery – you can win bigt or lose big

By: Hullabaloo

Hullabaloo — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:40:22 +0000

Hmmm, wonder if my turkey will arrive in time for Christmas?

By: Geekazoid

Geekazoid — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:12:59 +0000

By the way, is it just me, or is the staff getting a bit, umm, ‘picky’ with front paging the various submissions to the upcoming queue?

By: wit of a twit

wit of a twit — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:04:01 +0000

I guess i’m getting an inflatable turkey

By: meg

meg — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 02:45:53 +0000

Forgot to mention I also got a giant microbe…bad breath. I’m a scientist so it was decent. Even if I’d not gotten anything I would have willingly given $20 to a site that I’ve followed since just 6 months after it started.

By: Geekazoid

Geekazoid — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:47:34 +0000

That’s how I feel. I know I’ll never win the big prizes but I only participate since I feel I should contribute something once in a while to the website/staff.

By: mistvan

mistvan — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:01:34 +0000

I ordered 2 mystery sale items (hoping I would get something good for at least one item). I got the inflatable turkey and a plush microorganism (athlete’s foot!).

I too was disappointed by my items (even though they did throw in a free bacon air freshener, yuck).

But, like elfi21, I felt going into it that it was just a donation to support the website (which I enjoy every day).

By: shanshea

shanshea — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:28:48 +0000

i haven’t gotten my mystery sale stuff yet, and now im terrified im going to get an inflatable turkey…

By: meg

meg — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:19:26 +0000

I got an inflatable turkey and bacon air fresheners…I’m afraid to open the bacon stuff, but my fiance was able to use the inflatable turkey in a class project the day after we got it…not something I’d ever pay for by choice, but we’re an odd couple and it fits us.

By: Geekazoid

Geekazoid — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:22:32 +0000

Waaahhh!!! I got an inflatable turkey!!

Lighten up Francis. I’ve participated in several mystery sales and the turkey was pretty cool, I actually had a chuckle when I opened it. My coworkers were fascinated by it but I didn’t want to take it out of the container.

By: elfi21

elfi21 — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:14:16 +0000

The turkey does indeed retail for over $10, although this is more than most sane people would ever pay for an inflatable meat product.

I was pretty darn disappointed when I opened the package, but decided to just consider the expense a donation to support Neatorama.

I have no hidden desire to terrify my cat, so I wish it had -some- use. I’d use it as a travel pillow, but it seems too squeaky.

By: Dave H

Dave H — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:30:51 +0000

You guys must have had a lot of inflatable turkeys to unload.
I never would have bought one for myself. But it is kinda cool and the SPAM-like tin is pretty funny.

The big question seems to be:
Is it worth Nine bucks?
Archie McPhee in Seattle retails it for $11.95, and I got quite a laugh from the whole idea. The can looks great in the pantry.

By: sise

sise — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:10:39 +0000

My husband and I loved the inflatable turkey… our manx is absolutely terrified of it, and we use it to torment him and keep him off the couch! We also got bacon air freshener and a bad breath germ plushy!

By: LisaL

LisaL — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:38:13 +0000

I got the POS inflatable turkey as well. The hell this thing is worth anything close to $9.

By: dirtyd

dirtyd — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:19:36 +0000

I still love the site and love mystery sales, but I hate inflatable turkeys. I didn’t even come with a hole.

By: marvolosriddle

marvolosriddle — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:50:37 +0000

dirtyd – I got the same thing. I know my face totally fell when I opened my package and realized I had received an inflatable turkey. Oh well. I guess that’s why it’s called a Mystery Sale. I wish I had been surprised instead of … disappointed. What can you do though? I love the site! I was trying to be supportive.

By: Another Mikey

Another Mikey — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:50:08 +0000

I hate my inflatable turkey. Boo Hiss….

By: dirtyd

dirtyd — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:58:31 +0000

I am really upset with my mstery sale item.. I understand mystery item means you can get whatever, but I would think the value of the item would not be significantly less then what yhou paid. Like an inflatable turkey.

By: FishBottleT

FishBottleT — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:56:30 +0000

Thanks for everything Neatorama. Your mystery sales and interesting post are a sliver of imagination and coll stuff in the dark world of the boring internet. Truley a godsend to anyone who is truley bored at work.

By: Aakanksha Gaur

Aakanksha Gaur — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:32:20 +0000

I wonder whether there is an end to human creativity. This is so cool.