Bubblews's former CEO is selling fidget spinners!

@TheHorse (205886)
Walnut Creek, California
May 21, 2017 1:36pm CST
Has the "fidget spinner" craze hit your area? Do they have them in Europe and India (and elsewhere)? All of the 8-12-year-old boys I work with have one. Some have several. At a graduation party I was at yesterday, I was befriended by an 8-year-old girl who let me use her fidget spinner. I gave her a "guitar lesson" and we bonded. When it was time for her to go, and she thought she'd lost her fidget spinner (she'd lent it to a 3-year-old), she began to cry. "I can't leave without my fidget spinner!" she wailed. I put my child psychologist hat on and said "Let's try to solve the problem before we get sad." She calmed down and we found it. I ordered one on Amazon for one of my kid clients almost a month ago. The homeless kid. It was supposed to arrive on May 12. It never arrived. I emailed the seller today. That seller is "no longer active" on Amazon. I got burned for $5! That got me to thinking: Has Avi Dixit moved on to selling fidget spinners? What a great idea! Sell enough to get your feedback up. Then take another ten-thousand orders, pocket the money, and become "no longer active"! Fidget spinners were cleverly marketed. They're supposed to help children with ADHD. Even the 10-year-old kids say, "They good for kids with ADHD and autism." Uh huh. I'm going to get my next fidget spinner at Walmart, where they cost about $6. Have fidget spinners taken over where you live?
54 people like this
60 responses
@topffer (42156)
• France
21 May 17
I have never seen that, but despite of hundreds of kids under my windows going to school every day (except Sundays ), I have no kids among my relationships. I had a look, and, yes, it is sold in France, and is a popular gadget. Are you sure for Avi Dixit ? It would be the first time of his life that he would sell something else than a smoky/fuzzy concept.
7 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
21 May 17
@TheHorse I read again and noticed it now. I should be more attentive, maybe I should buy one of these gadgets.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 May 17
I was joking about Avi Dixit. I ordered one on Amazon, and it never came. The seller is no longer active" on Amazon.
5 people like this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 May 17
@topffer Yes, that adult ADHD can be a pain, can't it? I'm supposed to be on my way to a friend's house to practice music. Instead, I'm here fidgeting with speakers, my guitar, and MyLot. And other flashy objects in my house.
3 people like this
@paigea (35706)
• Canada
21 May 17
If you want to be popular with the kids, here is a project to do with them.
Learn how to make a Fidget Spinner Toy Easy step by step. This fun spinner hand toy is made with paper cardboard without bearings. Awesome DIY craft where yo...
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157562)
• United States
22 May 17
@paigea I saw a really nice video of a folded paper fidget. One that kids custom colored, cut out and folded and it would fold many different ways.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
I will check this out.
3 people like this
@paigea (35706)
• Canada
22 May 17
@GardenGerty that sounds interesting.
2 people like this
@marguicha (215504)
• Chile
21 May 17
I haven´t heard of them, but I´ll ask my younger granddaughter. She knows all about everything
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 May 17
Have the hit Chile yet? Is she there or in the US? If there are untapped markets, I should buy stock in Acme Fidget Spinner Co.
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
21 May 17
Remember the Powerball Gyroscope device? It was a rage once too. And the Rubik's Cube, come to think of it.
3 people like this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
21 May 17
@TheHorse Sounds about right! ;)
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 May 17
@pgntwo Heh. Now I use it on cellphones when people aren't looking.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 May 17
Oh, I think I had a Rubik's cube. In fact I think I still have the sledgehammer I bought to destroy it.
4 people like this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
21 May 17
I can't answer this question because I'm retired. I haven't been near pupils for some time. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that my former colleagues already curse the thingy!
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 May 17
No doubt. It sounds like some teachers are blindly accepting them, while others are ambivalent, and still others are cursing the day they were invented.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
21 May 17
@TheHorse The constant movement in front of my eyes, multiplied by whatever the number of pupils in one class is, would drive me crazy. I wouldn't accept it. There is a German saying, "Spiel ist Spiel und Schnaps ist Schnaps." Meaning "Play is play and schnapps is schnapps". School is school and not kindergarten.
1 person likes this
@just4him (306538)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 May 17
I haven't heard of them. Probably best to get them at Wal-Mart.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
If you're gonna do any writing about grade school children circa 2017, you have to get to know them.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
@just4him De nada! I wonder how long this trend will last.
1 person likes this
@just4him (306538)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 May 17
@TheHorse I hadn't thought about it, but it's now in my thought processes. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159121)
• Boise, Idaho
21 May 17
Wouldn't put it past him. I don't even like to see that guys name or hear the word 'Bubblews'. They are here. Saw them on the news and not letting kids have them at school.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157562)
• United States
22 May 17
@TheHorse Maybe I should post about what we are teaching our special needs kids to do to calm themselves and concentrate. No Amazon orders required.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (159121)
• Boise, Idaho
22 May 17
@TheHorse .....Oh, kids are experts.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
Kids are trying to justify them in school by saying that they help with "their ADHD." Even kids know how to game the system these days.
2 people like this
• Pamplona, Spain
21 May 17
Not yet at least where we are though there are not many children. Have seen them and they are supposed to ease stress and all that kind of thing. I can remember things we made ourselves when we were kids that did not cost us a thing and we played with them for hours.
2 people like this
• Pamplona, Spain
22 May 17
@TheHorse I am remembering a few of them now. They were such simple things and even now they might just become popular again.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
@lovinangelsinstead21 My Little Pony for girls. Professional Wrestler dolls for boys. Hula Hoops before I was around. Beanie Babies.
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
I remember those things too.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62205)
• United States
22 May 17
Back in our days of school we called fidget spinners "pencils."
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
Ah, yes. (Playing with my long beard pensively.) I remember those.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49030)
• United States
26 May 17
Not sure what they are. I will have to look them up.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49030)
• United States
26 May 17
@TheHorse it sounds like something I might enjoy myself. I loved playing with my spintop when I was little
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May 17
@Tampa_girl7 PLEASE don't tell anyone. But I ordered one for one of my kid clients for $2.50, and ordered one for myself on the side. This is between you and me, right?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May 17
They're as simple as they seem. But now I've learned you can interchange certain parts, adding to the "fun." I asked one of my clients (age eight) what determines "cool" among kids and fidget spinners. His answer: 1) how many you own; 2) how long your best one spins for; 3) can you do tricks with them, like balance one on your finger and pass it behind your back.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
21 May 17
It seems that I have read about them taking over schools here and teachers don't seem to like them.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Jan 18
Yes, the marketers were brilliant in taking one study...maybe two...and making it sound like they were the best thing for autism and ADHD. Kids used that as an excuse to use them in class for awhile.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Jan 18
@TheHorse They were selling like crazy at the bookstore over the holidays.
@JudyEv (325851)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 May 17
I haven't heard or seen of them here but I probably don't move in the right circles for such items.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157562)
• United States
22 May 17
These would move you in circles for sure. You are not missing much.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
@JudyEv Down the toilet into eternal fidget spinner land?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325851)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 May 17
@GardenGerty Haha, yes. Round and round in ever-decreasing circles!
1 person likes this
@gilggg (2538)
• Israel
21 May 17
In Israel it is like an epidemic, many children have it even if they do not have ADHD. or autism - all the children..., They use it in classes at school, some teachers dont agree some do, And from my children I understand that anyone who does not have Spinner is "Outsider", Anyway I bought them one Spiner they used it for a day or two and then they forgot about it, Now it's dropped somewhere in the house I have not a clue where it is....
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 May 17
Ah, so it's already caught on in Israel. Yes, when I was in 4th Grade, you were an outsider if you didn't like Snoopy (from Peanuts). I want to invent the next craze, so I can retire.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14741)
• San Jose, California
21 May 17
@TheHorse You've heard about the slime craze, right? It's caused glue shortages!
2 people like this
@gilggg (2538)
• Israel
21 May 17
@TheHorse Yes so do I...
@CHENLH (245)
• Fuzhou, China
22 May 17
I not just see them, our company is made of the fidget spinner by accident. So,we usually play with it when we have spare time.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
How long does it maintain your interest?
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
@zacemaster For how long do you spin before you get bored?
• Davao, Philippines
22 May 17
I agree to that bro it is so satisfying :D
1 person likes this
@much2say (53958)
• Los Angeles, California
21 May 17
The Dixit Fidget! No longer active - that would make me so !! Ugh. Apparently every kid in the world has these fidget spinners except my kids . . . is what my kids told me. We won't give something like that just for the asking - they have to earn it! In fact I told my little son that if he cleans up all weekend, we'll look into getting one. But my daughter just got one Friday from her school - for perfect attendance - I wanted to scream. Before that she was trying to convince me that fidget spinners were "stress relievers". Uh-huh.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
That's what the "marketers" have told the kids. It's brilliant. I suggest buying each of your kids the $300 fidget spinners that are out there. They will be kings and queens of their school. The "Dixit Fidget." Thanks for the laugh.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53958)
• Los Angeles, California
22 May 17
@TheHorse Hubby and I took a spin . . . um, no, we didn't get what all the hype was about. The centrifugal force or whatever the science of it is is kinda cool, but meh, that's about it. What - there are $300 ones out there? Don't tell my kids! That's a whole lot of myLotting to do. But of course I would never have been able to reach that goal at that B place (not even if it cost $1 ).
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
@much2say I'm still saving for my Jaguar. Or was it a Maserati?
1 person likes this
• Austin, Texas
22 May 17
The moral of the story is: You can't keep a man down, unless you sit on top of him. (Paraphrasing Booker T. Washington) So Bubblews was a stepping stone in his climb to amazing success eh? That's hilarious! I was at a website and a suggested link popped up in the corner of my screen. I saw the word “fidget” and immediately disregarded it. When I see the word “fidget”, I think of kids who can't keep still and have that nervous energy that's uncontrollable. I saw the word “fidget” and I'm thinking: 'I dont know what it is but I don't want no part of it.' Now that you've explained it? I still don't want no part of it. This is one bandwagon I''m not jumping on. But anyway. I wish the Bubblews guy success, peace and happiness. He didn't do me right but I moved on and clearly, so did he. It would be perfectly fine if our paths never cross again. * How are you today? People really like your discussions. Your posts always show up on one of the lists! Top-Rate. Interesting. Whatever! I'd ask what your secret is but I already know it. You're not boring!
1 person likes this
• Austin, Texas
22 May 17
@TheHorse - I need to devote more time to MyLot. Was at another site, followed the rules and expected payment. Really made an effort there. But now that I have not been paid, I've moved on. Won't be wasting time at that site any more. It was a nice site. But the last news I heard was that it got hacked. Bummer! What can I say? It happens! It happened to me at another site as well. I feel bad for me. But I feel really bad for the owners. It was their investment. They bought the domain. Set up the site. Recruited members. And then got hacked! That sucks!! It's a cruel tech world out there. I'm telling ya!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
Even a blind monkey with a dark picks a good stock sometimes. That's how I wind up with the occasional "hot" post, I reckon.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40544)
• United States
22 May 17
When we were in SC last week, they were everywhere! Of course my grandson had one. I didn' t see the attraction, but maybe I'm not ADD enough.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40544)
• United States
22 May 17
@TheHorse He's almost 8 and does have ADHD. Not sure how long he'll play with it. Too many other electronic distractions.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
@1creekgirl His parents let him play with electronic devices? For shame! Heh. I hope he plays outside a lot too.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
How old is he? How long did he play with it for?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118481)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 May 17
My 14-year old son absolutely had to have one, because every other kid in his school has one. Somebody sure is making a killing off of these things.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118481)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 May 17
@TheHorse You could make a killing if you could ever figure out what the next big craze is going to be!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 May 17
@moffittjc I know that little girls are suckers for cute things in pink and purple with big eyes, like my Little Pony. And little boys are suckers for things with large muscles and incredible powers. Hmm.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
Why the heck didn't I think of this? Every time some kid craze comes along, I kick myself for having been a developmental psychologist for ** years and never learning to mercilessly exploit my knowledge to make large sums of money.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14741)
• San Jose, California
21 May 17
Yes, they even have them at Michaels now, of all places. Those were about $5-8, I think, but I've seen some online for hundreds of dollars! Some schools have started banning them because a lot of kids play with them as a toy, not because it helps them to focus, and it has become a distraction for the whole class. It's really unfortunate for the kids who need them as a tool.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 May 17
I think it's a marketing ploy. It appears to have worked.
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 May 17
@spiderdust Why? Why would someone want a $300 fidget spinner?
@spiderdust (14741)
• San Jose, California
21 May 17
@TheHorse I mean, look at this one -- it's over $300!
Amazon.com: Weiheng Customized Hand Spinner 925 Silver Fidget Spinner EDC Toy Gift Puzzels For ADHD Autism HS94: Toys & Games
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53679)
21 May 17
I do not think the former Bubblews head planned on not paying the members - he simply bit off more than he could chew.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205886)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 May 17
I think he knew what he was doing all along. I got paid that last $50 payment because I threatened legal action. But I'm still owed $200 because they "forgot" to pay for some months. "It will be taken care of." Yeah.
1 person likes this
@tzwrites (4835)
• Romania
22 May 17
@TheHorse Does anyone know what he is doing now?
1 person likes this
@tzwrites (4835)
• Romania
25 May 17
@TheHorse He is probably using an alias or something and doing similar things.