Twinkies Prices Soaring Online; Are You Biting?
Some shoppers are stocking up at stores and then reselling the snack items after Hostess announces a shutdown. Share your thoughts.
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Price gouging on Twinkies? Could be.
It seems that some shoppers across the U.S. have been stocking up on the iconic snack food since Friday (November 16) and then reselling it at a hefty markup online, according to media reports.
Not long after Twinkies maker Hostess announced plans to close its doors, people flocked to stores to fill shopping baskets with boxes of the cream-filled sponge cakes and their companion snacks, such as Ding Dongs, Ho Hos and Zingers, the New York Daily News reported.
Opportunists then took to eBay and Craigslist. They began marketing their stashes to collectors and junk-food lovers for hundreds — and in some cases — thousands of dollars, according to reports. Retail price for a box of 10 Twinkies is about $5.
However, Twinkies don't last forever. Most sold at stores Friday carry an expiration date of early December.
John Stansel of Tampa, Fla., is a health nut.
Yet he rummaged shelves Friday at a neighborhood Walgreens and then again early Saturday at Target and a grocery store, the Daily News reported. He spent about $100 for 20 boxes of Twinkies and Ding Dongs. His goal: Sell them for about $1,000.
"Maybe I will hire a personal trainer for myself or go do some shopping at Whole Foods or donate the money to a charity to fight diabetes," Stansel, 40, said. "No matter what, I figure I am getting sugar off the streets."
So, Hartland-- Are you buying extra Twinkies at the store? Do you know someone who has? Share your thoughts on this development in the comments below.
Tatum Ryan
8:06 am on Sunday, November 18, 2012
I have seen several people on my Facebook page adding photos of the stockpile Twinkies they bought saying they were going to freeze them and then try selling them on ebay in a couple years. Who thinks that would work? (:
Munch Hausen
10:13 am on Sunday, November 18, 2012
Let's be clear. There will be bidders in the Hostess bankruptcy who will buy the Twinkies name and begin producing those crappy little things in a few months. All the hoarders expecting to make money will have nothing but a bunch of old, frozen Twinkies. Sell now if you have one. Don't buy if you don't.
Kelly
7:51 am on Monday, November 19, 2012
Munch is right. Twinkies will be repackaged under a new name. Hostess has already said they will be selling the top producing products. So no money to be made as far as I'm concerned.
Zoey
9:02 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
I bought 170 Twinkies and 60 ding dongs.....
Zoey
9:03 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
My idea was I saw what they are worth on eBay so I bought from eBay to sell on eBay.... Is it really that bad of an idea? I mean with shipping there will be a week downtime or whatever before some other guy buys them. They have a month shelf life anyway. Profit?
Don Wyatt
9:23 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Twinkies might be on the street sooner than a fire sale to investors or another company. On Monday, a bankrupcty judge ordered the company and union into mediation on their contract negotiations. According to the WSJ, it's costing the company $1 million a day to keep the factories silent. So, if they agree to a contract, Twinkies and Snowballs and Wonder Bread could be back on the shelves in weeks. Zoey, you'll want to move that merchandise quickly. It may not have a long shelf life at inflated prices. I don't know what effect Monday's news had on Twinkies futures, but I'm guessing it has dropped the prices a little bit. Good luck!