that people bulk buying Go Go hamsters and then flogging them on Ebay at over double the price

[5inthebed]

is just wrong? And its also mean spirited.

Luckily, my DS's haven't asked for one, but I know a few people who are beside themselves because their DC have asked for this off Santa, and they can't buy them anywhere! I was in John Lewis today, and several people were asking staff if they had them.

The hamster is worth £10, but on Ebay you can pay anywhere from £20 upwards, and on Amazon there were a few for £50! Then there are the accessories, the fun house is normally £20 but is selling for about £50.

There are going to be a lot of disappointed children this christmas, and a lot of parents out of pocket for more than they should be.

I keep reading about people not being able to get a hold of these hamsters, yet I keep seeing them??!

I do hate when people bulk buy things so that parents have to pay over the odds for things at Christmas. It happened to me one year (when the nintendo DS light pink first came out) and I now try to buy main presents as early as possible so it never happens again.

It happens every year, people make a good business out of predicting this years hot toy.

I am not sure it is mean spirited or wrong TBH, they are profiting from the consumerism of others...bit of a pot calling the kettle black one IMO.

If there are no go-go hamsters divert the dc to something else rather than pay a fortune for something that will be in the skip before next christmas. If people have bought up their dc in such a way that they "have to have" then more fool them IMO!

I saw loads last week, and should have bought a few for my friends, not thinking they would sell out so quickly. I was going to buy DS1+2 one each as a stocking filler type toy, don't think I'll bother.

They'll be half price after Christmas anyway.

I agree, it is heartless, mercenary and mean spirited. Listing something in demand at a hugely inflated price is just horrible but I can kind of understand buying an extra one, starting an auction at, say 99p, and if the price does go up a lot, clearly people are willing to pay that price. I know it's still profiting from people's desperation, but it doesn't seem as cynical.

I'm very grateful that my DS has (so far) not been desperate for whatever the year's 'in' toy is. I remember a family member driving themselves mad a few years back trying to buy all of the Teletubbies.

supply and demand. ugly capitalism at it's best.

It is, of course, wrong and unfair.

But people are greedy.

I personally wouldn't do it, because I feel it is wrong.

I also refuse to get caught up with it. 7y DD mentioned these initially but have told her they are out of stock everywhere, and none seem to be available in most shops or online unles you are very lucky.She is not getting these hamsters and there are plenty of other stuff she would prefer anyway fortunately. I have also explained to her what people are doing and how they are selling them for double their price on ebay.

Even at 7y she knows this is ridiculous.

And I agree with 5inthebed too about the hamster being half price after Xmas - Remember all that fuss over Tamagotchis? You now see them in bargain shops for £1.99. So weird how this hysteria happens.

Hulababy, I couldn't do it either.

I can remember a few years ago when Wii's were all the rage, loads of friends queued outside Toys R Us for them. One firiend even drove a 400 mile round trip for one for her son.

YANBU, of course OP, it is greedy and nasty.

However :
I just don't get it about these hamsters, IMVHO they are crap and overpaid at £20. Apparently the ads on TV where filmed sped up, they are much slower in RL and just look too fake for words.

So, personally, I am just not very interested. DS1 had asked for them in passing a while ago, in the meantime he has written a Christmas list as long as my arm but no mention of the dreaded rodents, thank goodness.

It is a real shame for all of you whose DCs have their hearts really set on them. Hope you find them at a sensible price somewhere.

I only came across these hamsters while searching for gogo alien things for my boys. They are revolting, over priced, someone was selling a full set 'with accessories' and with a couple of hours to go the bidding was at £275!!!

I once sold an iggle piggle unused soft toy, it went for more than I paid for it so I refunded the winning bidder the difference, I just didn't want to look like an ebay shark. Am I a fool? I would rather feel a fool than a rip off merchant.

My sons ask for things for xmas. If we can get them fine, if not then on xmas day they are usually so busy with what they HAVE got, that they forget what they asked for.

I personally wouldn't pay any more than what they are worth, and like you said, they are overpriced even then.

Flibbertyjibbet, that was a very honest thing for you to do, not a lot of Ebayers would do that.

I wouldn't pay over the odds on principle. I would tell DS "I can't get x, y or z" and then suggest we look in the New Year when there are more in stock.