FAQ: "Why can't I find Yo Gabba Gabba merchandise at my local store?"
Editor's Note: We have edited this story to include contact information for these companies to help you more effectively request Yo Gabba Gabba merchandise in your favorite stores. Please scroll down to the bottom to find this information.
To answer this question, let's start with a little history of the Gabba Merch:
In the beginning, the fans made EVERYTHING we needed. Save for the Kidrobot toys and Yo Gabba Gabba online store clothing, we had to make our own stuff. Gabbafriends was actually born from a lack of licensed merchandise, especially birthday party supplies, I kid you not, and we were just trying to create a community where we could compare notes. In fact, the more we chatted, the more licensed merchandise popped up, things that we were *specifically* talking about! Yes, we were being heard!
Then on July 28, 2008 Spin Master released a glorious new line of Yo Gabba Gabba toys at Target, Toys R Us, and Wal-Mart! And there was much rejoicing in the land! We could find the 5-piece set of Yo Gabba Gabba characters for $7.99, and not wonder if we will find them on ebay for less than $59.99! We could easily find cute sweatshirts at Wal-Mart! PLENTY of plush dolls for everyone!!! HUZZAH!
Lo and behold, it just stopped.
What happened, Spin Master?
Why did you stop carrying those items, Wal-Mart, Target, and Toys R Us?
Now that we are seeing a huge new wave of fans, everyone is wondering why no one sells toys locally!
Well, after watching several people ask that very question on Yo Gabba Gabba's Facebook Fan Page, I spied someone from Yo Gabba Gabba respond back, "Let the manager at your store know you want to see them carry the merchandise."
A-HA! Genius! So obvious, right?! Stores always order product based on demand. The manager at my Target has no idea that there was a time when I literally checked their shelves daily for the much coveted Toodee Lil' Fun Friends, because I never TOLD him!
Therefore, I am attaching a blank PDF form that you can easily download, print, and fill out, asking for specific items. (If you don't remember what the names of these items are, I have been carefully keeping track of them for your reference on the Merchandise Page.) You can hand it directly to the store manager, mail it in, call the store, and you can even mail a copy to the corporate headquarters! Ask kindly for them to carry your favorite Yo Gabba Gabba toys and clothing.
Really... Please do be kind. Kind requests generate kind responses. These stores are our friends.
Hey, and why not email Spin Master using the contact form on their website and kindly ask them to produce more Yo Gabba Gabba, and not in strange limited quantities! (Don't even ask me about how horrible it was trying to find a Foofa Drivin' Friend. I still have flashbacks of THAT fiasco as it is well-documented here, here, and here, to name a few threads. But guess what? Everyone started writing to Spin Master about it, and then suddenly there was a HUGE influx of Foofa Drivin' Friends! Do you see what I'm getting at here? Supply follows demand!)
Click here to download the PDF form, and turn it in or mail it to your favorite stores today!
Also, please feel free to answer this poll and leave lots of comments below the poll question. I will personally send your responses in to Spin Master and other companies who have licensing deals with Yo Gabba Gabba! You are welcome to also list your dream merchandise... why not!
Let's see some action! Remember, the consumer's voice determines supply! Let's not HOPE toys will be in stores for Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa! Let's make it happen! Again!
While you're at it... feel free to start requesting Muno and Toodee Halloween costumes. I'll do it, I hope you will, too!
Contact Information Reference Guide:
Below is a list of stores and manufacturers affiliated with Yo Gabba Gabba so you can most effectively contact them to let them know you are interested in seeing Yo Gabba Gabba merchandise.
Manufacturers:
Spin Master
Spin Master is one of the top manufacturers of Yo Gabba Gabba toys. They also made for a short time the most asked about Yo Gabba Gabba Chair and Fold-Out Couch.
Consumer Relations
Spin Master Ltd.
450 Front Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M5V 1B6
Canada
Toll Free: (800) 622-8339
Online Form to Request Product is also online here:
http://www.spinmaster.com
Vans Shoes
Request adult sizes to be released in November along with their new children's line of Yo Gabba Gabba shoes:
Vans mentioned on Twitter that you can put in a request for adult sizes on their Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/VANS?v=wall
Corporate Mailing Address
Vans, Inc.
Attn: Customer Service
6550 Katella Ave.
Cypress, CA 90630
USA Customer Inquiries
Customer Service
Phone: 1-800-VANS-800 (826-7800) Ext. 5859
Email: vanscustserv@vans.com
Request toys, clothes, dishes, and accessories to be carried at your favorite local stores:
Target:
Target Corporation
1000 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis,MN55403
Phone:612-304-6073
Fax:612-370-5502
Phone Number to Request Merch: 1.800.440.0680
Merch Request Online Form: http://www.target.com/gp/help/display-contact-us-form.html?displayLink=tsm
Toys R Us:
Toys"R"Us
1 Geoffrey Way
Wayne New Jersey 07470
Guest Relations Number: 1-800-869-7787
Fax: 973-617-3009
Online Contact Form: http://www1.toysrus.com/guest/contUs.cfm
Wal-Mart:
Walmart Home Office
702 SW 8th Street
Bentonville, Arkansas
72716-8611
Customer Service Phone Number: 1-800-Walmart (1-800-925-6278)
Online Contact Form: http://walmartstores.com/contactus/feedback.aspx
Sears and Kmart:
Sears Holdings Corporation
3333 Beverly Road
Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
(847) 286-2500
Request Toodee and Muno Halloween Costumes, and more characters in adult sizes:
Celebrate Express
11220-120th Avenue NE
Kirkland, WA 98033
Celebrate Express Online Customer Service Form: http://www.costumeexpress.com/Pages/Email/EmailCustServ.aspx
Phone Number: 1-800-Birthday (247-8432)
While we have quite a few nice Yo Gabba Gabba things, unfortunately it seemed that as soon as we decided to decorate my son's room with a Yo Gabba Gabba theme, all the stuff I had been eyeing and planned to buy was pulled off the shelves. I have all the small plush guys EXCEPT Muno, of course, and every time I go on ebay to search for him, he goes for $50 or more which is just insane to me. I also loooove the Brobee couch and chair and would love to get them for my son but spending $100+ on a fold-out sofa is just not going to happen for us with our budget. I worry that by the time they bring back some of the stuff, my son will have outgrown Yo Gabba Gabba and I really want him to be able to enjoy it now so I hope that they bring back some of the toys as well as new ones. I'd love to see a little Yo Gabba Gabba table and chairs! Don't know if they ever had one but I've been looking for a table and chairs for my son to color at and I know he'd love a Yo Gabba Gabba one if they made it (and I would definitely buy it)!
Thanks so much for posting this. I will definitely be printing out the form and sending it in to my local Target, Wal-Mart, and Toys 'R Us and I hope they bring these toys back!!
I have went to every wal-mart, target even the mall and they don't carry Yo Gabba Gabba merchandise. After reading your post it makes so much sense. I say this because when we moved down to phx they had a bunch of Yo gabba gabba toys. Then we went to other places that did not carry them asked if they had any and a few weeks later they have Yo Gabba Gabba merchandise. I have to say living in Flagstaff I would like to see the Lil Friends Muno and Toodee! That is all my daughter needs to complete her collection. Maybe they can throw in some clothes and other toys. However we have been lucky to find Yo Gabba Gabba books at our locl Barns N Noble and even at Safeway! So I have to say you must have a sharp eye as well to spot yo gabba gabba stuff. But please let Spin master know I would like to have the lil fun friends muno and toodee and just to throw it in there maybe the sofa and chair. I mean do they realize how much money they would make if they sold the sofa and chair? One more thing a few years back our mall carried the very rare earrings and necklace at Hot Topic I had no idea they be so rare so please let them know and I live in Flagstaff,Az Thank you.
I have already printed the blank pdf and am getting ready to send it to Walmart, Target, & Party City.