Monday, November 19, 2012

Twinkies cakes and Twinkie merchandise hot items on eBay

After Hostess announced yesterday the company was closing its operations and filing a motion to liquidate, a market for Twinkies and Twinkie-related merchandise emerged on eBay.

On Nov. 16, Hostess followed through on its promise to shut the company down and file a motion with a federal bankruptcy court to liquidate the company if striking workers did not return to work by a Nov. 15, 5 p.m. deadline. Employees continued to strike, and the company ceased operations yesterday.

As a result, the closing has created a hot market online for not only Twinkies snacks, but related merchandise. According to CNN Money, "Twinkies merchandise is hot on eBay, with prices soaring now."

Reportedly, a "Twinkie the Kid" lunch box, sold for $690 on Friday. It was listed on Nov. 9, reported CNN Money, with a starting price of $14.99. All week the item didn't get any bids, but after Hostess made its announcement, the lunch box received almost 60 bids in a short period of time.

Additionally, other products such as Beanie dolls, Twinkie containers and a Twinkie Bake Set are picking up bids as the prices inch higher. Over the next few days the items remain on auction, these prices may increase significantly.


Other media reports note that people are also putting actual boxes of Twinkies up on eBay to sell. ABC News reported "entrepreneurial" eBay sellers were placing boxes of the popular brand on the site with a 95 percent markup starting bid. One box reportedly sold for $59.99.

As grocery stores sell out, supply is limited, so what people are willing to pay for the spongy yellow cake may see some interesting fluctuation over the next couple of weeks. Hostess' final shipments went out yesterday so stores may have supplies for the near future, but if more eager eBay sellers hit the grocery stores, these supplies are likely to be gone soon, if not already.

It may be the run on Twinkies are for naught, depending if another company purchases components of the 85-year-old Hostess company.

In the meantime, those who don't want to gamble on possibly never seeing another box of Twinkies again, can always put a bid in on eBay. Although, be warned, some prices are listed at astronomical numbers. Prices range anywhere from (approximately) $15 to over $1 million for boxes. Other Hostess products are listed at a variety of prices as well; some more reasonable than others.

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