this post was submitted on 17 Sep 2024
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Someone once made a mountain of cash selling pet rocks.
I have an official USB pet rock I got from a thinkgeek back in the day. Has a little box with air holes and everything.
Exactly as functional as the original pet rock, but has a short USB cable attached.
Was that one of their excellent April Fool's Day items? I looked forward to seeing the joke items they put out every year.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was
I have a major curiosity about how this actually happened. I've watched a video or two about it but it still baffles me to this day that SOOOOO many people bought it as a x-mas present for their kid(s).
I've wanted to learn a couple of things about this.
A. What did the parents think of their kids asking for such a stupid present?
B. What did the parents who refused to purchase a Pet Rock, have to deal with at home, when their kid(s) were informed that they were not getting one ever?
C. (On the flip side of B.) What did the parents of those who did purchase them notice or deal with at home?
D. What psychological reasoning would anyone have to desire to purchase a Pet Rock, instead of making their own?
E. What psychological marketing/influencing was involved in this scheme?
A. They were always more of a novelty gift rather than a child's gift.
B. I was 12 when the trend hit and I had no desire to get one. Neither did my younger siblings.
C. N/A as my parents didn't get me one.
D. The novelty of a gag gift that was pre-packaged.
E. That's the million dollar question.