I think it's awesome!

When did the Consumerist turn into the moral majority?

We're trying to figure out who this inflatable crime scene is meant for.

Halloween?

@joemono: Or if I weren't stupid, I'd have said "People at Halloween parties." Which you pointed out in your blurb.

Could you guys go ahead and make a list of what devilish things are appropriate for Halloween and what aren't? That way we can reference it every year when we're trying to figure out how to parent our children. Thanks.

@iliveinyoureyelid: I agree! I think it's too funny... it's Halloween for christsake!

This is the dumbest article I have read on the Consumerist. It's obviously just a (expensive, tacky) halloween decoration. What else would it be for?

Its cool... but its not $125 cool.

Halloween...

Annnnnnnnnd? I think our friend Chris Walters is trying a BIT to hard to find controversy. Seriously. This is Halloween! The time of blood, guts, horror, and being looked up upon for scaring little kids!

Maybe I'll get it and put it up at Easter. All it needs is one ketchup stained stuffed rabbit.

@ninabi: You sir, are a genius.

wow. ditto on all the above comments...

@Griff431: I could be wrong, but I think the article is supposed to be humorous, rather than controversial.

I don't even think it's cool but its purpose is pretty obvious.

Obviously, the real problem here is that the silhouette in the doorway is clearly holding his stabbing knife wrong. I mean, seriously, I've never murdered helpless people in a back-alley while holding my knife upside down!! Sheesh, if I ever did, boy, would my face be red.

You're kidding me. 125 for a pile inflatable garbage?

I never knew how much inflatables cost - Dios Mios who would spend their hard earned money on something so ridiculous.

@magic8ball:
"relinquishing of any sense of good taste."

I get the feeling its not...

Wow! I can't believe that Consumerist even went so far as to tag this under "Inappropriate". Who are you to dictate what people should and shouldn't put up for their Halloween decorations?

@LastVigilante:

Maybe its the fact that the police came, put tape everywhere, but didn't do anything about the killer standing right behind the curtains!!

How could they!? He was right there! Crappy cops

Can we say "Dexter" cosplay, anyone?

@brianala: Awesome show!

Isn't this the same company that's all uptight about questionable lyrics and scantily clad models on magazines?

Also, $125 for a crap inflatable toy is a crime in itself. I bet that thing pops the first instant some crazy kid jumps on it.

Is $125 supposed to be a "killer deal?" (Haw haw haw...)

Oh posting quotas- won't you please go away?

I think the most important question here is: Who hangs a shower curtain in front of their front door?

I would totally get that for my birthday party if it wasn't $125.

But seriously. It's for HALLOWEEN. Is that any worse than most Haunted House setup/decorations? It's merely... updated...

The more I think about this the more it irrites me. I thought this site was about protecting consumer rights, not bashing consumers who buy stuff that the "journalist" (and I use that term VERY loosley here) writing the post considers to be tacky.

"Either way, it can be yours for $125 and a relinquishing of any sense of good taste."

Really?? Do you feel that follows in the spirt of what this site is supposed to be about??

It does seem a bit explicit, but nothing outrageously out of hand.

@Mr.SithNinja: I concur. There is nothing wrong with this product other than Chris not liking it (and maybe the price).

Walmart's website shows "Not Sold Online" and "Not Sold in Stores" on the product page.

@Griff431: unless you enjoy mocking and lacking at overpriced products that seem to edge over the line into poor taste.

I think far too many people are implying that Chris Walters is out to start a letter-writing campaign, as opposed to saying, "what the fuck?"

it's like this halloween costume - is it inappropriate and crossing into poor taste? Probably. Is it one of the most hilariously awful things I've ever seen, and I look it up every year, like a bizarre Halloween tradition? Yes. May it never, ever go off the market - [www.amazon.com]

Chill out, guys and gals. It's meant to be a humorous post. This isn't the 700 Club and I didn't write that people who buy this are going to hell.

For those of you who are so offended that I think it's tacky: I personally don't think it's appropriate for kids because it trivializes real-world crime--and this comes from a guy who loves horror and who slow-mo's gory fx in movies to *really* appreciate them. Put your kid in a monster costume if s/he likes monsters, or go with Pinhead or Freddy if s/he's old enough to have seen those movies, but don't make actual crime into a playtime.

On the flip side, at 78" high it's *almost* the right height for an adult Halloween party, which I have no problem with because adults ostensibly can tell real world right from wrong. But you can see from the photo that the doorway is only a little over 5' tall, which makes it unsuitable for adults. And yet, at $125 it's hard to say that this is a cheap purchase, so you'd expect it to be more appropriately sized for grown ups if that's the market.

So again, who's it for? Kids? Short adults? Of all the spooky and monstrous Halloween themes you can pick, why go with one that mimics a real-life murder so closely?

Meh, maybe I'm overreacting. But those of you who are all indignant that I'm trying to kill Halloween with my sense of morality, please take a deep breath. I'm a proud gore-lovin', porn watchin', cultural conservative hatin', gay redneck-raised atheist. Asking about the inherent meaning of a piece of pop culture detritus isn't necessarily PC nonsense.

..Oh, and PLEASE KILL THE "QUOTA" COMMENTS. We don't post to hit quotas. If I can't find anything worth posting, I simply don't post until something good comes up. On the other hand, we all try very hard to vary the nature of our posts--and lately I've been looking for sillier content to offset the depressing stream of finance-related news. Try to realize that if a post doesn't appeal to you or you can't figure out why it's on Consumerist, one of two things is the case:

1. Your view of what should be on the site doesn't correlate 100% with the editorial slant; or
2. The person who posted it made a decision to put up some content that just doesn't fit as well as you (or sometimes s/he, in retrospect) would like.

@iliveinyoureyelid: My thoughts exactly! Infatable decorations started a few years ago with Christmas, why not Halloween? I wouldn't use it, though...too cutesy. And I hate Walmart.

Why does The Consumerist point out things that are available at Wal-Mart? Yesterday they had one of their items under Deals of the Day. I am surprised at the number of readers that are very familiar with everything in the store.

Here's the deal: Wal-Mart doesn't care how much you whine about them as long as you keep on going in and giving them your money.

STOP SHOPPING AT WAL-MART!!! I haven't shopped there in years. I live on a small pension and it costs me not to shop there but they are bad for the country and bad for your community.

Aloha.

Ahh yes, the OJ Simpson Halloween play set for when you're feelin' stabby.

I enjoy pissing off my dumb ass neighbors so, if this thing was say, $50 I'd be all over it.

@Griff431: Dude, you're so gonna get banned. Given the arbitrary and capricious nature of the commenter code, I'll give you like an hour before you're silenced. This is not a consumerocracy.

Here we go with the Walmart-bashing again...

I'm beginning to wonder if Consumerist takes donations from labor unions?

@Chris Walters: I don't think you're overreacting. I think it's disturbing. And...are those traffic cones? The whole thing is wrong.

Kudos for trying to lighten the mood.

@joemono:

See the problem with this logic is that it's clearly intended for Christmas, what with the creep and all. Haven't you heard? Christmas decorations. Everywhere. The way every case is documented around here, the thought of there being a season-specific ornament on display is...well...frightening. /sarcasm

I absolutely HATE Halloween. Honestly, if I had my way it would be wiped free from the face of the earth.

@battra92: Funny, I love Halloween, but feel that way about Christmas.

@teh: Agreed!

i want one

"So again, who's it for? Kids? Short adults?"

I thought it was pretty obvious this was intended for dwarf Haloween parties. I think it's appaling that there is no sensativity to the very real need for dwarf related inflatible crime scenes.

That is one sweet looking Christmas decoration.

I think it's great - that way when the neighbor kills his wife and there is crime scene tape in front of his house, the kids won't be so freaked out about it. After all, their family puts up a funny crime scene every year for Halloween! Hilarious!

@Chris Walters: " PLEASE KILL THE "QUOTA" COMMENTS"
Oh okay, I'll stop since you asked nicely. :)

Why is there "CRIME SCENE" tape on the scene of a crime in progress??

Maybe the silhouetted killer is an off-duty police officer committing the perfect untraceable murder. Dirty cop? Ties to the mob? Cover up?

Perhaps he's a zombie homeowner-slash-botched robbery victim, removing the knife from his shoulder after the CSI photogs have left. That would explain the grip.

Or maybe all the officers in there are doomed and it's all because some rookie didn't clear a room properly.

Either way, it's good to see Wal Mart carrying a non-Christmas themed item for a change.

That would look GREAT in front of my Halloween porch! At least back when I DID them..... (see pic linked)
[mysite.verizon.net]

The damn change in daylight savings screwed Halloween for me. IT'S STILL LIGHT OUT for 'Trick-Or-Treat'!

You have no idea how many kids and parents have told me how much they miss my porch. I would simply decorate but I have good stuff and I know it would get stolen.

@camille_javal: I thank you dearly for pointing out where my next $12.99+shipping is going, wowsers.