Sample Pony?

[GlitzyGlee]

I've had this Toola Roola plush in my collection for a long time. My mom found her at Savers back around 2008 and bought her for me. Something that I noticed not long after getting her was the tag. It says this plush is a sample by Snap Toys. I live in Rhode Island, so me and my parents theorized that this could've previously been from a Hasbro employee.

I've never actually brought this up to the MLP collector community until now. But I am very curious about this pony!

 

[Seespotbitejane]

I have no insight but that's pretty cool. She's got a very complex face pattern with those chubby cheeks.

 

[StormMaeker]

I’ve not seen a pony with this tush tag before. I’m guessing since I can’t find any other yarn hair ponies with Snap Toys on their tag, maybe this was presented to the company to see if they’d like to sell them? It’s probably an obvious guess but it’s still pretty cool, a piece of pony history in a way

EDIT:
It would probably make more sense if it was Snap making and presenting the pony for approval seeing as the tag has Snap on it and not Hasbro

 

[ReUnicorn (Heelys)]

That's so neat! I know that PatMac on Youtube knows a lot about plush production and factory samples, he's got a few in his own plush collection. It seems to be that they're either disposed of, knicked by employees, or given away/auctioned.

 

[stjarne]

oh that's so neat!!! im quite jealous honestly. never seen any toola-roola plush besides the jumbo with fluffy hair.

 

[Skybreeze]

“Sample Not for Resale” items are used in stores as display items. It was very common practice up until the early 00’s for stores like Hallmark to have shelf display items and then give you the “boxed” item.

I have a few porcelain Winnie the Pooh items like this that did come from Hallmark. While these are interesting pieces for store sales point of view, they don’t typically hold any higher value over the actual products that would be sold to the general public.

 

[GlitzyGlee]

That's so neat! I know that PatMac on Youtube knows a lot about plush production and factory samples, he's got a few in his own plush collection. It seems to be that they're either disposed of, knicked by employees, or given away/auctioned.

Oh yeah! I think I've seen this YouTuber's videos. I should check out some more of them!

oh that's so neat!!! im quite jealous honestly. never seen any toola-roola plush besides the jumbo with fluffy hair.

According to Strawberry Reef, smaller yarn hair Toola Roola plush got produced in this pose, as well as sitting and standing poses!

“Sample Not for Resale” items are used in stores as display items. It was very common practice up until the early 00’s for stores like Hallmark to have shelf display items and then give you the “boxed” item.

I have a few porcelain Winnie the Pooh items like this that did come from Hallmark. While these are interesting pieces for store sales point of view, they don’t typically hold any higher value over the actual products that would be sold to the general public.

Ooh! That's neat!

I'm actually relieved to hear that she may not go for higher value! I love this plush, I don't think I'll part with her. (Though in the past when I've needed money, I've thought about it)