Making a mistake in the ebay marketplace can happen when you do not research your purchase BEFORE buying an item.  While MOST sellers out there are pretty honest as is evident through their feedback ratings, not all item descriptions are going to help you identify if you are comparing the same item.

In the case of the 2007 Gemmy® animated caged skeleton buyers should be aware of a few key factors when comparing this product.

There are TWO distinctive sizes of this prop which at first glance will appear almost identical.  Here are two photos which depict very similar items with the exception of the packaging:

           FIGURE 1                                 FIGURE 2

Can you tell what the difference is?  Unless you take your time and ask questions, you might think you are getting a great deal when you just got what you didn't want!

Let's start off with Figure 1.  This is the 27" Animated Caged Skeleton by Gemmy®.  This prop shakes and rattles while saying three different phrases:

"Please... Let me out! AAAHHHHH!!!!"

"Release me...  I want out!!!  I WANT OUT!!!!!!"

"Nooo...  NOOOO....  HELP MEEE!!!!"

The phrases can be activated through a "try me" feature button located on the upper right front of the cage or via a motion/sound sensor.  The cage lights up during the animation and this item has a ring for you to hang it from just about any desirable location.

The measurements for this version of the animated caged skeleton are 27"H x 12"L x 12"W.  This is the most significant difference between the two versions of the caged skeleton.

Figure 2 is the life-sized version of the caged skeleton and this prop behaves similarly to the miniature version with several significant improvements and features which will DRASTICALLY enhance your experience and your onlookers experience.

First, the cage shakes and the chains rattle just like the smaller version.  This version comes with five pre-recorded phrases:

"Release me.  I want out!  I WANT OUT!!!"

"No more.  No MORE!  LET ME GO HOME!!!"

"They forgot.  They forgot about me!  HELLLLPP!!!"

"Nooo.  Nooooo!  HELP ME!!!!"

"Please... Let me OUT!  AAAHHHHH!"

One of the great additions to this unit is the glowing red eyes that go on whenever anything is being played through the unit.  This really takes the scare factor of this prop to the next level!

Perhaps the best advancement employed in this unit is the Syncro-Motion feature which is a cutting-edge animation technology that synchronizes the motion of the skeletons' mouth to your own words through the included wireless microphone. The skeletons' mouth will move even when repeating the pre-programmed phrases that are built-in.

This unit has a VERY unique feature for activation and use.  It can be activated by motion or sound (the sensors on this unit seem to be more sensitive than those used in the miniature version).  The 6-foot skeleton will also allow you to operate it from a distance via a wireless microphone which is included in the full size version.  This feature will allow you to personalize any phrases or messages to your onlookers as you control the speech of the skeleton.  It is important to know that during the operation of the karaoke feature of this version, the cage does not shake, rattle, or light up, however the eyes DO light up and the mouth moves synchronized with your speech.

There is also a patch stereo cable that is included with the full version which will allow you to connect any stereo device such as an MP3 player or ipod to the skeleton so that you can hear your pre-selected music play through the skeleton.  This feature is great for anyone who wants to download spooky sounds or songs to keep a party entertaining or just as background music.

Finally, the dimensions of the life-sized version are 44.5"H x 16.5"W x 16.5"L which allows for the skeleton to appear life sized in the position it lies.  The reason the item is advertised as a 6-foot prop is because the full size version includes a stand which measures up to 6 feet.  The benefit of this is that you can place your prop just about ANYWHERE without too much effort.

We hope that when shopping for not just this particular prop but ANY halloween decorations you may be considering this season that the information we have provided for you will help you make the right purchase.  Since the price difference between these two models is around $65-$75, you don't want to think you are getting a fantastic deal on a life-size unit when what you actually get is the miniature model!

Please be sure to vote YES if you have found this guide to be helpful in your quest for knowledge on this topic!  Thanks for taking the time to read this and we hope it has been helpful.

All text and photos copyright Caught You Looking Marketing 2007. All Rights Reserved.