Is anyone else shocked at the cost of toys this year?

[purplespink]

I genuinely am shocked at the prices of toys/craft sets this year. My eldest DC is8.5 so I’ve been buying toys for years. I think that the prices this year of things are much higher than before, does anyone else? I’m not even on about the ‘hottest toys’ or even switches, just generally they all seem really expensive this year??

Buy second hand where you can 😊

I try to buy from vinted a lot of as it's cheaper

I feel that the initial coats have been extra inflated this year and then even with discounts the items are expensive. I don't buy all that many toys, but it is noticeable.

Yes very much so. As above we have used vinted a lot this time round.

We have gone for vintage toys this year off EBay. Starting early is helpful if you have funds . It's hard to keep up with the cost of living and Christmas is always a pressure when it is meant to be a blessing . Be creative and talk to your children (depending on age of course ) you are enough a what you bring is enough .

Argos has quite a good set of deals on. I bought birthday gifts in the 2 for £15 which included some Lego kits that cost over a tenner each in Tesco.

I also buy loads off Vinted.

I've not noticed that.
Depends what you are buying I suppose.
A lot of the promoted "must have" toys are usually very large items (so they cost a lot).

This is why I buy second hand alot now.
Things are just so expensive new now.

My kids always get money from their grandparents. They’ve been giving them the same amount since they were born. Eldest is now 17. It’s crazy when you look at what they could buy with it then, compared to nowadays.

Yes and there is so much tat. I find much of it is poorer quality and not made to last either.

So many viral crazes - my son is obsessed with brainrot! If I have to hear ‘tang tang suhar’ or whatever one more time…haha.

I also think 8 is the sort of age their tastes change and toys get more expensive around now anyway. Those plastic toys which look bulkier and are cheaper are of zero interest. They want the smaller more expensive things which ‘look’ like they’ve got less.

I'm shocked at the price of everything.

@PloddingAlong21traleleo tralala 🥲

Not just toys but clothing! I have teens who want clothing, too, and prices have just kept climbing.

I have noticed this too, average price of a hoodie seems to be £50-£60, t-shirts £20-£30 and then the price of trainers/shoes 😬.

I think toys have always been reasonably priced if you look out for offers, Lego has always been really expensive and that seems to have gone up this year. Everything seems to have gone up including clothes, food and tech items.

Yes, totally agree. Even basic Lego sets or craft kits are way up in price. I’ve started checking Facebook Marketplace and Vinted for unopened stuff — found a few good deals that way.

I have bought a few great items from Vinted already and found a couple of bargains.

I think it’s not just the price but the fact the quality often seems shoddy. Even new board games seem to be made of crappy card and plastic - nothing seems to be made to last.

I used vinted, ebay and charity shops last year and will do the same again this year. I've noticed even vinted isn't as cheap as it was last year I was looking at happyland playsets and they were really expensive even on vinted! Got a few peppa pig sets really cheap though so I suppose it depends what you buy!

Trouble with Vinted are the fakes/counterfeits. Things like Lego are popular fakes, other brands too. And even if you spot a fake and report it - they do nothing. Genuinely, every time.
Don’t get me started on the fenced stolen goods.

I have a big age gap and was horrified about cost of toys this time round! I got a lot of DS favourite for a fraction in vinted.

Yes the possibility of stolen good is something that worries me and means I don't use vinted. I know at couple of police officers who've said that a lot of shoplifting goes on specifically for the purpose of being resold on there.

In defence of Lego - their prices haven't really gone up.
The smallest sets in each theme generally retail for £8.99/£9.99 and the next size up £17.99.
This is pretty much the same as ten years ago.
The difference now is there is a lot of promotion even towards children for the "18+ Adult Sets" which can cost £100s.
I see it on Mumsnet a lot with gift suggestions for boys of around 12/13 - people say "get him some of the grown up Lego".
But why? Get a set that's actually aimed at that age group. There are loads of sets reasonably priced.
I just today built an excellent set from the TV show Wednesday. It cost £19.99.
Here ends my defence of Lego 😁😁😁

I know a little shop that’s had to stop stocking Jellycats. Too much theft.
But since the police know, it’s depressing they don’t do anything to stop it.

Look at your local selling groups/Marketplace instead of Vinted. You save on postage and can check out the item before parting with any dosh.