Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Original poster

To be annoyed at profit hungry ebayers?

138 replies

woopdiedoo · 27/10/2012 22:27

Grrrr!!!! I am doing some shopping online for Xmas and DDs 2nd birthday which is Xmas eve. She is mr tumble mad so I was really pleased to ding they did Mr T toys exclusively in tesco - except, they are currently out of stock.

Had a quick look on EBay and there are dozens and dozens of the same toys for sale at massively inflated prices! I know everyone has to make a living but I'm really upset by this!

I'm not sure what to do. Money is tight especially with a birthday and Xmas but I know DD would LOVE these toys. Do I just buy them off eBay and get them less or hope that tesco gets more in and I'm lucky enough to but one before the eBay vultures descend?

I feel like emailing the sellers and telling them that they are out of order. A few quid more I could accept but they are doubling and tripling the price in some cases. .

OP posts:

BeingBooyhoo · 27/10/2012 23:04

fwiw i couldn't tell you one thing i got for my 2nd birthday or xmas. i do remember having loads of fun wearing silly part hats and pulling crackers with my cousins.

Cozy9 · 27/10/2012 23:04

I thought this was about toys of Mr T the actor who played BA in the A-Team. I was wondering why on earth a 2 year old would know who he was.

BreconBeBuggered · 27/10/2012 23:06

You don't need to get bogged down in commercialism, it's true, but YANBU to be pissed off at the profiteering. I like to go to gigs and LOATHE the parasites who buy up tickets within seconds and put them straight on eBay at triple the price. I would rather miss out than buy from these traders.

Original poster

woopdiedoo · 27/10/2012 23:06

Oh I get the whole creepy talking toys thing! I've watched too many horror films . She likes bags in general (trying to copy her big sister) combined with love of all things Mr T and its her ideal pressie.

OP posts:

LadyEvilBeagle · 27/10/2012 23:06

YABU but that's the system these days, and there's nothing you can do about it, so I sympathise.
It is like ticket touts, every bugger is an entepreneur.
I would never pay ebay prices if they're over and above the prices in store.
Keep checking on line, I bet they'll come up again.
It just doesn't seem right to me, but if people don't buy, then there's a lot of people with a lot of stock on their hands, which they'll have to get rid of eventually at cheaper prices.

OscarPistoriusGirlfriend · 27/10/2012 23:08

My nearest Tesco has mr tumble toys on the shelf.

Original poster

woopdiedoo · 27/10/2012 23:12

at cosy.

Yeah, you're right being. Just would be nice to see her face when she opened it.

Brecon - it's so annoying! I think it's the fact that they can't be reasonable in the profit margin they are making. I'm not that into music but I dread the day when my DDs start wanting to go to concerts. Guess I better get used to the parasites! Early lesson for me.

OP posts:

KellyElly · 27/10/2012 23:15

Be better prepared and order earlier like all other parents.

HocusPocusPigInACaldron · 27/10/2012 23:16

Kelly is right, all my Christmas shopping is done - most of it in the sales.

Original poster

woopdiedoo · 27/10/2012 23:16

Lady evil - I think I feel taken advantage of. I know I'm not literally as they are not targeting me specifically but they are putting these toys out of financial reach just to make some quick money. I know it's the way of the world, just doesn't feel fair ( and I know life isn't before someone tries to say it ).

OP posts:

LadyEvilBeagle · 27/10/2012 23:17

I think there may be a few profiteering ebayers on this thread Woopdiedoo. .

Original poster

woopdiedoo · 27/10/2012 23:18

The problem us Kelly, we have to save all year for Xmas and birthdays. We have a birthday in November then my DDs is Xmas eve, I simply can't afford to do it any sooner. We are always playing catchup.

OP posts:

Mosschopz · 27/10/2012 23:19

You don't have to buy all the money-grabbing merchandise that goes with CBeebies...my DS loves In The Night Garden but I'm damned if I'm going to be seduced by all the cash-in crap that goes with it! Encourage a bit of imagination and look at cheaper more interesting gifts. You're not being put in any kind of a 'shitty position'.

BeingBooyhoo · 27/10/2012 23:24

if that's about me lady you are wrong. i dont sell on ebay. but if i did i would have no guilt about making a profit on toys, or anything else. if people are smart enough to get in there early and buy what they know will be in high demand then fair play to them.

Wheresmypopcorn · 27/10/2012 23:25

I think Yabu. There is no profit for them if no-one buys. it 's a simple lesson in supply and demand.

OnwardBound · 27/10/2012 23:29

I am sorry but I think you are being ridiculous.

Your daughter is two. She will love whatever you get her. As someone up thread said you could get her some bubble wrap, some lentils in a jar and a cardboard box and she would be verily entertained.

The only reason these toys are so inflated in price on ebay is because there are numpties out there who will pay it.

If you truly are a pauper and struggling don't even consider paying above the odds for a Christmas present that most likely your daughter won't even remember in a couple of years time.

Get her something more reasonably priced now and save your money for the January sales. It's also possible that some of those overpriced ebay toys will be back on sale on ebay after the Christmas madness is over and you may be able to pick it up much much cheaper then.

Really, just take a few deep breaths and stop worrying yourself over this!

LadyEvilBeagle · 27/10/2012 23:29

Fair enough BeingBooyhoo, and no it wasn't about you at all.
I still don't like it, it just doesn't seem right to me but that's just my personal opinion.

Original poster

woopdiedoo · 27/10/2012 23:33

Moss - I don't know - it feels pretty shitty to spot the perfect toy that I know DD will love only to realise I can't get it because eBay profiteers have bought all the stock and are now charging ridiculous prices.

Being - the thing is, you have to have the money to buy the stick in bulk or even the money to do your Xmas shopping early. I get that it's the way of the world but its only the people with less money that miss out that way. Surely they know this? I'm not saying they have to care - I realise they probably don't - but it's not something I would personally do.

OP posts:

HocusPocusPigInACaldron · 27/10/2012 23:35

woop i am a sucker for birthdays and Christmas and i always go totally overboard with presents.

I totally understand where you're coming from even if others think you're daft.

Original poster

woopdiedoo · 27/10/2012 23:37

Ok, I'm probably being ridiculous. I know she doesn't know what she would have got but I only wanted to do something nice for DD but I can't if the ebayers buy all stock and charge over the odds. By the way, she definitely would not be ok with bubble wrap. She and her sister already fight over toys. She's strong willed my youngest .

OP posts:

Cahoots · 27/10/2012 23:39

Sorry but YABU. The EBayers can only fleece people who are willing to be fleeced. I have never bough my DC's the latest fad toys or gadgets. We may get them eventually but I would rather the prices drop. My eldest is 20 and has only recently got a smart phone and my 18 years doesn't have a phone at all. The have got a WII and an XBox but only after they had been out a couple of years. The price of the games often drops dramatically.

Also, those Mr Tumbles toys are seriously creepy. They give me the shivers. [hconfused]

BeingBooyhoo · 27/10/2012 23:40

you dont have to buy in bulk. even if you buy 1 at £17 and get £35 you are doubling your money. you now have £35 to buy something else as soon as it's on the shelves and resell at an inflated price. you dont have to have big £££ to start making a profit on ebay. you could start in january buying unwanted presents (even jsut spending 2 or 3 quid) and build profit throughout the year so that come xmas you have a good bit saved up to get your own dcs xmas presents. if you wanted to you could do what these people are doing. yes it would take time and a effort but nothing comes free.

btw one of the best and most used 'santa' presents i got as a child was a baby doll cot my mum made for me using an apple crate, some carpet underlay and wadding from an old pillow, covered in an old pink sheet stapled on to the crate. it lasted years and years and me and dsis loved it.

KellyElly · 27/10/2012 23:40

OP I'm a lone parent and skint but you can plan from early in the year. I have been putting money away from early this year to get DD a strider balance bike. Its just what u have to do (her bday is in oct). Otherwise just get them presents u can afford. If its between food and a bike for DD I would get her something cheaper. Rubbish situation I know but needs must.

JoanBias · 27/10/2012 23:40

Mr Tumble
Chucky

Does he come with an axe?

LadyEvilBeagle · 27/10/2012 23:41

I don't think your'e being ridiculous at all woopdie.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6