ptquilts

the retail-industrial-marketing complex PLANS these shortages and "Must-have" toys - it is up to parents to explain this to kids. You don't have to give in. Explain that after Christmas the prices will go down and they can get 2 toys instead of one.
Ask them if they remember what toys they were clamoring for two years ago and if they still have and want those toys.

janRN

I always hope the people that buy up the wanted items in large quantities and then sell them at high prices on e-stores get stuck with them. I hope the kids change their minds and don't want that item anymore and someone is stuck with 100 of them. Greed has always been around but it seems the internet has increased peoples need to prey on others. Oh, and this is Christmas--peace on earth and goodwill to men; how much will you pay me????
(Sorry-hoarding and then inflating prices is one of my major pet peeves!! Didn't mean to get on my soapbox)

C.Cal Quilt Girl

Retailers never know and most items are bought months in advance, then if you have a popular item can be out of stock with ad printed months in advance, or will have an item that flops and then dosen't sell, or trendy item or person falls in disfavor with public and can't give away.
Retailers just never know, mostly speculation.
Have never figured out the aggressive shopper, chances are the world won't stop spinning if little one dosen't get what whey want.

Shelbie

I don't think that it hurts to be honest with your children. Explain that the item just isn't available but you will do your best to get them something they will enjoy for Christmas. There's no reason why the longed for item can't show up for Valentine's Day or Easter when it is available again. I know some parents won't agree with me but I think kids need to know that sometimes we just don't get everything we want as soon as we want it. Patience and compromise are good skills for children to learn.

Ramona Byrd

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Oh, yes, I remember the Cabbage Patch kids. There really was a shortage of them when my grandkids were little. We waited in the rain and wind for the store to open, they only got 50 each week, but all were the same price and you got the first one they grabbed behind the counter. I paid for the one I got each week, and stood around with other folks saying "I have a black haired boy, I'm hunting for a blonde girl" (Like my granddaughter) and we would simply trade 'kids'. Did that each week till the GKids were satisfied, then had to hunt for more for DD's friend's kids.
They couldn't find them in Texas at that time.

amandasgramma

Yip -- happened with the Cabbage Patch kids. Daughter wanted one, couldn't find one for less than $100.00 ------ she didn't get one, and she survived....Now she (who is 36 now) thinks they're ugly!!! LOL

debbieumphress

It's because of this that I give my grandkids a gift card that they can spend after xmas during the sales and such. It sad people but them up and allow them to sella t high prices. I do remember the cabbage patch dolls. My DD had most of them adn the animals. What a mess we went thru. Even black fridays are ridiculous. I went last year with my daughters and at Toys r us the lines went up and down the aisles to get out of the store. SO sad. Good post.

tdgiffin

Luckily for me, my daughter is old enough to understand the situation. She was very understanding, but also dissapointed that people hoard toys. If I find her one that will be great to surprise her, but if I don't, I do hope that the hoarders get stuck with them for a long, long time. If parents stop putting up with it, maybe it will stop the whole process.

justwannaquilt

What kind of toy are you looking for? I would be MORE than willing to check locally for you. I have been in that situation and my kids WERE NOT old enough to understand! They understand you don't get everything you want, but they don't understand I couldn't get it just because I was not going to pay double or tripple what the product was org. going for.

ptquilts

think how many "collectors" are stuck with worthless Beanie Babies - they all thought they were going to get rich off them :-D