So I am staring at two Christmas lists and an empty shopping cart. My daughters loaded their lists with what seemed to be every hot holiday toy they could find. Yet the problem was, even though it was just Thanksgiving, the toys were all sold out. I left the store feeling frustrated after asking when they would get more toys. I was laughed at by employees who were probably asked that same question more times than I could count. This scenario happened repeatedly – not in just one store, but in four major retailers, three local toy shops, and online on every website I checked.
How Can I Make Christmas Happen If Everything Is Sold Out?!
I will admit I panicked as this thought ran through my head. I know Christmas is about so much more than the toys. I do. But, like many parents, I get sucked into the commercialism of the holidays. I enjoy the look on my children’s faces when they open gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. So, to get my girls what they wanted for Christmas, I spent the day going from store to store looking for those two or three hot ticket items. And over and over,r I was told they were sold out. They were sold out EVERYWHERE!
Well, that’s not exactly the truth. After an exhausting day of shopping, I did check many websites. I checked many retail websites for the toys, and they were sold out on all of them except for those sites featuring third-party retailers.” Some of these sellers have 100 Fingerlings and LOL dolls while the rest of us can’t find any,y and they’re selling them for three times the normal retail price – or more!
I saw a Fingerling online for $63 (five times its retail value). What!? Who are these retailers? And why do they think it is okay to prey on the joy and excitement of children on Christmas? These people, to me, are terrible – the epitome of a Grinchh! They get a big Bah Humbug from me.
In speaking to a local toy shop owner during my search, I heard a story about one such “third-party retailer” he knew personally. This man researched and predicted that Hatchimals would be one of the top toys of the 2016 Christmas season. He started in Massachusetts and traveled for a week down the east coast. He bought up all the toys he could find, and at the end of the week, he had amassed over 75 Hatchimals. Then, he resold them for double the retail value as an online third-party seller. He made thousands of dollars. Smart or greedy? Hard worker or hustler? There is a fine line, but I think it is horrible and refuse to participate.
I heard from a big box retailer employee that they get shipments of hot toys that sell out within an hour. How is this possible? Third-party retailers find out when shipments come in, and when they will be put out. They go to the store and buy out as many as the store will allow. Then, it’s time for the reselling to begin.
I, in part, blame technology for this big mess. It seems like a stretch, but hear me out. What is one of the most popular things for kids to do today? Kids love watching people (grown adults) unwrapping toys on YouTube. They watch these videos over and over, each one featuring toys that then, suddenly, children find themselves wanting. It’s a brilliant marketing scheme. It is the only reason my children know what LOL dolls are and why they want a $70 ball full of them this season. So this season, YouTube is also getting a big Bah Humbug from me!
My Holiday Pledge Against The Third Party
This season, I will NOT buy from someone overcharging for a toy. I will not do it. I will not support such nonsense – it’s not worth it. I will, however, support small shops, scour web pages, and make multiple trips to stores to try and find things to make my children’s holiday merry and bright. But I absolutely will not give in to these modern-day swindlers. I hope you will join me. Your child likely won’t miss that one toy, and if they do, there will be so many available come January. Maybe if people stop paying exorbitant prices for these toys, it will become less of a problem. Who’s with me?!
Here’s hoping you find the toy your child is longing for this holiday season. And here’s hoping you won’t have to skip a mortgage payment to pay for it.
