One of the best-selling gadgets this holiday season is, in many ways, something a lot closer to the Iron Age than the Digital Age.
Black & Decker's battery-powered adjustable wrench was a quick sellout at Home Depot's 2,127 stores, according to Advertising Age. The item became so popular that it even saw a bit of price gouging on eBay, running up to $58 on some auctions from the $18 price listed on Lowe's online stores, which also ran out of the product. Not exactly PS3 prices, but not bad for a wrench either.
The product's success won't be enough to save Black & Decker from an 8 percent quarterly sales decline. But at least it won't throw--you guessed it--a wrench in its plans for the New Year. Many apologies.