There's something deliciously ironic about a $22 children's t-shirt becoming potentially more valuable because someone at the factory forgot a single letter.
But that's exactly what happened when sharp-eyed mum Emma spotted a glaring typo on an outfit at Kmart—and inadvertently stumbled upon what collectors are already calling a future treasure.
Emma was shopping for her daughter when she picked up what seemed like a standard Lilo & Stitch t-shirt and shorts set. But something didn't look right.
Where the shirt should have read 'Stitch & Angel' (referring to Stitch's girlfriend in the beloved Disney franchise), it instead proclaimed 'Stich & Angel' - missing that crucial second 't'.
'I thought my eyes were going funny when I first spotted the mistake,' Emma told reporters, particularly because the white text on the light pink fabric made the error even more noticeable. The back of the t-shirt was spelled correctly, making the front's mistake all the more glaring.
In this article
A Missing 'T' That Speaks Volumes
'I was a bit shocked that a licensed Disney product could have a typo like that'
What happened next reveals both Kmart's quick response system and perhaps a missed opportunity. Emma contacted Kmart immediately, and they thanked her for the information while offering a refund. Within days, the retailer had discounted the remaining stock and pulled the product from their website entirely.
Kmart's Quality Control Under the Spotlight
This spelling slip-up might seem like a one-off, but it's part of a concerning pattern for the budget retailer.
In 2025 alone, Kmart has recalled $8 coffee cups due to safety concerns after injuries, $10 pickle jars that were exploding when used with fermented foods, and Christmas-themed quilt covers that smelled like 'jet fuel'.
Just last month, they recalled 12 assorted 3D-printed animal toys sold between June and August 2025, as the products contained small parts that could separate and become choking hazards.
Recent Kmart Recalls in 2024-2025
Coffee cups with lids that pop off with hot liquids
Pickle jars that explode during fermentation
Bedding with chemical odours causing health reactions
Children's toys with choking hazards
3D-printed toys that break apart easily
For a company that prides itself on affordable family products, these quality control issues raise questions about the balance between low prices and proper manufacturing oversight.
When Mistakes Become Treasures
Here's where Emma's story gets interesting from a collector's perspective. When typos and mistakes appear in products, they're usually corrected quickly, making them extraordinarily appealing to collectors who want to own the very first copies of a work.
It isn't the typo alone that makes a product valuable—it's what the typo indicates: how early a specific copy was produced and how rare it is. Disney merchandise, in particular, has a strong collector following, and error items often command premium prices.
The social media comments on Emma's post certainly suggest people recognise the potential value. 'They will be a collector's item quick buy them all,' one customer joked, while another agreed, 'They'll become collectors' items as it's a rare error item.'
Did you know?
Did you know?
In the collectibles world, some printing errors have sold for thousands of dollars. Pokemon cards with misprints can fetch $3,000-4,000, while a cookbook with a typo calling for 'freshly ground black people' instead of 'black pepper' became so collectible that reprinting cost the publisher nearly $19,000.
The Bigger Picture: Australia's Fashion Waste Crisis
Emma's suggestion about marking down the misprinted shirts for daycare wear touches on a much larger issue. Australia leads the world in textile consumption per capita, with Australians purchasing an average of 56 new clothing items each year—surpassing the US (53 items), UK (33 items), and China (30 items).
Over 200,000 tonnes of clothing are discarded into Australian landfills annually, equating to almost four Sydney Harbour Bridges in weight. Each Australian disposes an average 23 kilograms of clothing to landfill each year, making textile waste one of the largest contributors to Australia's waste problem.
Emma's disappointment about the items potentially being destroyed rather than sold at a discount reflects a growing environmental consciousness. 'In this day and age with fast fashion, it is a shame to have them all destroyed,' she shared. 'I think just marking them down, showing that they are spelled wrong, and marketing them as good for daycare clothes would be better.'
Key Takeaways
- Australia leads the world in clothing consumption at 56 items per person annually
- 200,000+ tonnes of clothing waste hits Australian landfills yearly
- Error items can become valuable collectibles, especially Disney merchandise
- Quality control issues at major retailers aren't isolated incidents
- Consumer environmental awareness is driving demand for sustainable solutions
What Should You Do With Defective Purchases?
If you've purchased the misprinted Stitch set—or any defective item from a major retailer—you have clear consumer rights. Kmart offered Emma a refund, exchange, or store credit, which aligns with Australian Consumer Law protections.
For defective goods, retailers must provide a remedy regardless of their standard return policy. While Kmart changed its return policy in July requiring receipts for change-of-mind returns, this doesn't apply to faulty items.
If you're dealing with a recalled product, you can contact Kmart on 1800 124 125 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm AEST, Saturday 8am to 5pm AEST) or reach them online.
Example Scenario
- Emma decided to keep her misprinted set because it's 'really cute' and her daughter doesn't care about the spelling—a decision that might prove wise both financially and environmentally
- Many shoppers commented they had the same set for weeks without noticing the error, showing how easily quality issues can slip by consumers
The Silver Lining in Spelling Mistakes
While many shoppers who commented on Emma's social media post admitted they had the same set without noticing the error ('My daughter has been wearing this for 3 weeks and I've not noticed'), those who are aware of the mistake now have a unique piece of Disney merchandise that tells a story about quality control, consumer awareness, and the unexpected ways mistakes can become meaningful.
As for whether those misprinted shirts will genuinely become valuable collectibles, only time will tell. But Emma's story reminds us that sometimes the most interesting treasures are hidden in the most unexpected places—even in a simple spelling mistake on a children's t-shirt.
What This Means For You
This incident highlights how a simple manufacturing error can reveal much larger issues about quality control, environmental responsibility, and consumer awareness. Whether you view the misprinted Stitch shirts as future collectibles or missed opportunities for sustainable retail practices, Emma's discovery serves as a reminder to stay vigilant as consumers.
What do you think—would you have kept the misprinted shirt as a potential collectible, or returned it for a refund? Have you ever spotted similar manufacturing errors that made you wonder about quality control in fast fashion? Share your experiences and thoughts on how retailers can better balance affordability with quality and environmental responsibility.
Original Article
https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/kmar...-shoppers-spot-awkward-mistake-044458042.html
Search consumer product recalls | ACCC Product Safety
Cited text: Search for the recall of a specific consumer product or types of products.
Excerpt: But something didn't look right
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recalls
Search consumer product recalls | ACCC Product Safety
Cited text: There are steps suppliers should follow to run a recall and actions consumers should take when a product is recalled.
Excerpt: Emma contacted Kmart immediately, and they thanked her for the information while offering a refund
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recalls
Urgent product recall of popular $8 Kmart item: 'Immediately stop using'
Cited text: An $8 keep cup, which was sold at Kmart and Target between December 18, 2024 and April 7, 2025, is being recalled.
Excerpt: In 2025 alone, Kmart has recalled $8 coffee cups due to safety concerns after injuries, $10 pickle jars that were exploding when used with fermented foods, and Christmas-themed quilt covers that smelled like 'jet fuel'
https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/urge...rt-item-immediately-stop-using-061147338.html
Urgent product recall of popular $8 Kmart item: 'Immediately stop using'
Cited text: It comes after the retail giant recalled the popular $10 Glass Flip Pickle Jar which was sold between February 15, 2023, to March 3, 2025, due to repo...
Excerpt: In 2025 alone, Kmart has recalled $8 coffee cups due to safety concerns after injuries, $10 pickle jars that were exploding when used with fermented foods, and Christmas-themed quilt covers that smelled like 'jet fuel'
https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/urge...rt-item-immediately-stop-using-061147338.html
Urgent product recall of popular $8 Kmart item: 'Immediately stop using'
Cited text: The popular budget retailer was also forced to recall Christmas-themed quilt cover sets at the end of 2024, after multiple customers complained of sme...
Excerpt: In 2025 alone, Kmart has recalled $8 coffee cups due to safety concerns after injuries, $10 pickle jars that were exploding when used with fermented foods, and Christmas-themed quilt covers that smelled like 'jet fuel'
https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/urge...rt-item-immediately-stop-using-061147338.html
Kmart and Target issue product recall on popular toy due to serious risk of injury or death
Cited text: The 12 assorted mini animal character designs were available for purchase from Kmart and Target nationally and online between June 12, 2025, and Augus...
Excerpt: Just last month, they recalled 12 assorted 3D-printed animal toys sold between June and August 2025, as the products contained small parts that could separate and become choking hazards
https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/kmar...erious-risk-of-injury-or-death-000807074.html
Kmart and Target issue product recall on popular toy due to serious risk of injury or death
Cited text: The product contains small parts that may separate from the toy and become a choking hazard.'
Excerpt: Just last month, they recalled 12 assorted 3D-printed animal toys sold between June and August 2025, as the products contained small parts that could separate and become choking hazards
https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/kmar...erious-risk-of-injury-or-death-000807074.html
9 misprints that are worth a ton of money. Do you have a copy?
Cited text: When typos and mistakes appear, they're usually corrected quickly, sometimes even during printing. This makes them extraordinarily appealing to collec...
Excerpt: When typos and mistakes appear in products, they're usually corrected quickly, making them extraordinarily appealing to collectors who want to own the very first copies of a work
https://www.aol.com/2010/05/03/9-misprints-that-are-worth-a-ton-of-money-do-you-have-a-copy/
Do Misprints or Typos Make a Book Valuable?
Cited text: It isn’t the typo alone that makes a book valuable, it’s what the typo indicates: how early a specific copy was published and how rare it is. For a sm...
Excerpt: It isn't the typo alone that makes a product valuable—it's what the typo indicates: how early a specific copy was produced and how rare it is
https://www.peterharrington.co.uk/blog/are-misprinted-books-valuable/
Australians Top Global Rankings in Fast Fashion Consumption, Fueling a Growing Waste Crisis—Environment+Energy Leader
Cited text: According to new research by the Australia Institute, Australians buy more clothes per person than any other country, fueling a fast-fashion waste cri...
Excerpt: Australia leads the world in textile consumption per capita, with Australians purchasing an average of 56 new clothing items each year—surpassing the US (53 items), UK (33 items), and China (30 items)
https://www.environmentenergyleader...nsumption-fueling-a-growing-waste-crisis,1431
Australians Top Global Rankings in Fast Fashion Consumption, Fueling a Growing Waste Crisis—Environment+Energy Leader
Cited text: Over 200,000 tons of clothing are discarded into Australian landfills annually, equating to almost four Sydney Harbour Bridges in weight.
Excerpt: Over 200,000 tonnes of clothing are discarded into Australian landfills annually, equating to almost four Sydney Harbour Bridges in weight
https://www.environmentenergyleader...nsumption-fueling-a-growing-waste-crisis,1431
Australians revealed as world’s biggest fashion consumers, fuelling waste crisis—The Australia Institute
Cited text: More than 200,000 tonnes of clothing end up in landfill each year, the equivalent weight of almost four Sydney Harbour Bridges.
Excerpt: Over 200,000 tonnes of clothing are discarded into Australian landfills annually, equating to almost four Sydney Harbour Bridges in weight
https://australiainstitute.org.au/p...gest-fashion-consumers-fuelling-waste-crisis/
Fast Fashion
Cited text: Each Australian disposes an average 23 kilograms of clothing to landfill each year and Australia has no systematic resources for the collection of unw...
Excerpt: Each Australian disposes an average 23 kilograms of clothing to landfill each year, making textile waste one of the largest contributors to Australia's waste problem
https://www.cleanup.org.au/fastfashion
Kmart issues product recall for child's toy: 'Risks serious injury or death'
Cited text: Kmart changed its return policy in July, requiring a receipt for all change-of-mind returns. However, the policy change does not apply to faulty items...
Excerpt: While Kmart changed its return policy in July requiring receipts for change-of-mind returns, this doesn't apply to faulty items
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/k...-risks-serious-injury-or-death-021209730.html
Kmart and Target issue product recall on popular toy due to serious risk of injury or death
Cited text: You can contact Kmart on 1800 124 125 from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (AEST), and Saturday, 8am to 5pm (AEST).
Excerpt: you can contact Kmart on 1800 124 125 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm AEST, Saturday 8am to 5pm AEST) or reach them online
https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/kmar...erious-risk-of-injury-or-death-000807074.html
Kmart and Target issue product recall on popular toy due to serious risk of injury or death
Cited text: For Target, call 1300 753 567 Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm (AEST) and Saturday, 9am to 5pm (AEST).
Excerpt: you can contact Kmart on 1800 124 125 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm AEST, Saturday 8am to 5pm AEST) or reach them online
https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/kmar...erious-risk-of-injury-or-death-000807074.html
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