It's hard for some to imagine people getting up in arms over tampons, but when this tiny variety mysteriously vanished from drugstore shelves earlier this year, there was a public outcry. Favored because of their discrete profile -- little-to-no packaging made them easy to carry and more environmentally friendly as well -- the shortage quickly spawned a black market, where eBay users posted starting bids of as much as $130 for four boxes. The normal retail price: less than $8 a box.
Marc Boston, a spokesman for Johnson & Johnson said not to worry; despite the distribution disruptions, o.b.'s are not being discontinued and the popular tampons are back in stock and on store shelves nationwide, even though supplies may vary by location.
In the midst of ongoing economic turmoil, consumers remain cautious about spending.
