Woolies Ooshies: Brisbane mother gets ‘death threats’ over collectables

Talk about the circle of life. The innocent Woolworths collectables campaign has descended from fun to exorbitant auctions and now threats of violence.

It all started so innocently. Woolworths’ promotional campaign was first advertised about two weeks ago featuring young children joyfully playing with Lion King Ooshies to coincide with the release of the Disney film.

But that soon descended into claims of staff stealing toys to sell online followed by the extraordinary eBay auction of a rare furry Simba, which was at one stage thought to be bought for $100,000.

Now a Brisbane mother is heartbroken after being abused online for trying to sell one of the same rare Simbas.

“I received so many hate and death threat messages just because I’ve put up the rare furry Simba,” Monique told Nine.

Talk about the circle of life.

‘Ultra ultra super super rare’. Picture: eBay

There are just 100 of these furry things. Picture: eBay

Within hours of posting the toy for sale online for $5000, she said her inbox was flooded with abusive messages.

“I’m a waste of space, I don’t deserve to breathe air, I’m just looking out to get money,” Monique said.

On Monday, the ridiculous $100,000 bid for the rare Ooshie fell through and was back up for sale online.

Just 100 were released by the supermarket giant as part of its promotional campaign.

The furry Simba was first put up for sale on eBay on Thursday with a starting asking price of $10,000, and at that point of the sale it had attracted 108 bids.

The rare furry toy was reportedly fetching a massive price online. Picture: eBay

Meanwhile, frustrated toy collectors have dobbed in Woolworths staff, claiming the new range of Lion King Ooshies is being pinched and sold online.

The supermarket giant confirmed last week it was investigating after a shopper posted on Facebook saying a huge range of the collectable toys were being advertised for sale on the internet the same day they were released in stores.

An ad allegedly posted from Adelaide was selling at least 50 unopened Ooshies — Woolworths’ response to the Coles Little Shop promotional campaign — for $4 each.

Christopher posted his complaint on Facebook to Woolworths, alerting the company to the possible collectable corruption.

It’s all fun and games. Right?

Both Coles and Woolworths went head-to-head with the release of their collectables campaigns with an equally cute sets of miniatures — Little Shop 2 versus Disney’s The Lion King Ooshies.

Coles will rely on the success of its Little Shop campaign with an updated list of miniature grocery items, including Arnott’s Barbecue Shapes, Heinz Baked Beans, Maggi 2 Minute Noodles, Campbell’s Tomato Soup and the refreshing Eclipse Mints.

Vegemite will have its adorable version out again, but this time the vintage label will be up for grabs.

Just 100 limited-edition gold trolleys will be in circulation to add an extra challenge for the young ones wanting to fill their replica shelves.

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