Source for Orbit Ball

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Jaime65

I found one at KB Toys on sale for $6 at our local mall.

Hurry up & check those KB stores folks, as they are the next retailer to go out of business from their latest numbers they give to their shareholders!
(But, then again, every time I go into a KB, they are "going out of business", so who really knows how long they are going to be around. HA!)

Thanks for the confirmation of the alternate source (other than Wallyworld) though Jaime, I'll have to check there as well tomorrow for some more.

[Swerting]

My team has found these orbit balls by blip toys (which are not to be found on Amazon or Blip's site, or Walmart, or Target, or...) at Walmart's and claims at Target and Toy-R-Us. We'll know more midweek.

These balls can be bought brand new, but more often than not, there will be some broken or damaged ones. Pick these up and go haggle with the manager, then just bring them back to where you all are working, glue the plastic back together and ducktape the fabric. In competition, the balls aren't going to be 'fresh' in every single match, so we should get used to dealing with fixed up orbit balls.

[cbudrecki]

I checked one of my local Wal-Marts today. They said they were sold out, but not from the game, they told me they sold out just after Christmas!?!? Is FIRST now sending out scouts to buy all the game pieces ahead of time, just so we can learn the meaning of 'unobtainium' (I must say, that's my new favorite word, next to 'specificity.')

[andrew348]

We finally found 4 Orbit Balls at a Walmart about 45 minutes away after 6 hours of searching at 6 Walmart's, 2 Toys "R" Us, 1 Target, 1 Toy Box, 1 KB Toys, 1 Pet's Mart, 1 Sears, 5 different malls, numerous internet searches and an hour of getting lost.

I think the best way to find them is to just go Walmart hopping to find them. Lucky that gas prices are low now for these kind of trips. Also, it might be a good idea to go to an area where there not alot of FRC teams.

[Dubdub]

Ok. I am in a smaller town (100,000) compared to most of the teams out there, (we are in like the 5th biggest town in Idaho...) and I went out to Walmart to get some of those balls. As to what I expected they haven't carried them for almost four years..... I was talking to a manager and she went to order some for me and another team and come to find out they cant even order more of them because of how long it has been since they have had them. I just want everyone to know this: Not all Walmarts carry these balls and can't even order them!!!! Lucky for me the manager of this Walmart guaranteed me 20 balls for our two teams so I will hopefully have them at least by tuesday. This is bad news for all teams in smaller and less populated states like us in Idaho. Best bet... go to washington.... Good Luck to all that need it.

[Dubdub]

Oh, and one more tip. You better bring the ball with you that you got, or else the person you talk to will give you a look similiar to call the asylum, another one escaped. I talked to the manager of the store I was at and it took two rough sketches, and about 20 of explaining for her to know what I was talking about. If you cant bring the ball, take a picture or even better the animation of the game.. Good Luck.

[flubber3m]

Originally Posted by dipmeinaluminum

For new York teams, I just visited 2 walmarts the one near Hofstra university in Uniondale and green acres and they have nothing in stock. I live near team 369 grady so those where the closest to me : (

Thats really interesting b/c I think that the walmart in uniondale is where I ended up finding 3 of them. The other 2-3 walmarts and a target or two didn't have any. Neither did Toys 'r' us. We're gonna check out KB tomorrow.

[Dubdub]

I just have a quick comment. Unless I am missing something, the orbit balls should be made in Minnesota, so why does the packaging say made in China? You can see the picture in the very begginning of the thread.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Dubdub

I just have a quick comment. Unless I am missing something, the orbit balls should be made in Minnesota, so why does the packaging say made in China? You can see the picture in the very begginning of the thread.

The Minnesota address is their distribution center for the USA.
The about page on their website shows both the USA address, & the China one.
http://www.bliptoys.com/aboutus.htm

[Wetzel]

Originally Posted by Dubdub

Oh, and one more tip. You better bring the ball with you that you got, or else the person you talk to will give you a look similiar to call the asylum, another one escaped. I talked to the manager of the store I was at and it took two rough sketches, and about 20 of explaining for her to know what I was talking about. If you cant bring the ball, take a picture or even better the animation of the game.. Good Luck.

I took a picture with me on my rounds of major stores here in London, and none of the staff at any of them had ever seen it before. I can imagine trying to explain what I wanted to the staff.


Wetzel

[Spylake]

My local walmart had about 20 in stock I bought seven. They had the green & purple and orange & purple. Still looking for an orange & blue.

I'm in the Central florida area.

[RayleighxFace]

Walmart is everyones best bet.
We bought a few but the material is already coming off.
I think this may be a problem

[Petey]

I've got to say, this is a pretty big faux pas on behalf of FIRST.

[dipmeinaluminum]

Originally Posted by flubber3m

Thats really interesting b/c I think that the walmart in uniondale is where I ended up finding 3 of them. The other 2-3 walmarts and a target or two didn't have any. Neither did Toys 'r' us. We're gonna check out KB tomorrow.

i gave the guy the bar code number for it and he tells me that he got nothing, maybe i showed up to early in the morning and he didnt want to bother with me. tell your math teacher Ms Fanelli that i said hi!!!!

[Team1710]

Called Blip. Looks like they are still manufacturing the balls. Walmart might be discontinuing the item at some stores. Didn't ask about directly ordering them though.