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Christmas

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Original poster

What's your experience of being able to buy very popular toys for Christmas when they are sold out everywhere?

65 replies

ilikeyoursleeves · 17/11/2008 19:59

I'm not sure what to do.... I want to get DS a toy that is sold out absolutely everywhere (just realised it's so popular since I went to buy it). There are some on Ebay but I'd end up paying £16 more than RRP and it's already £50.

I am checking websites every day but in your experience, what's the likelihood of being able to get a 'must have' toy this late before Xmas?

Should I wait to see if they get back in stock or just get the ebay one?

OP posts:
Lilyloo · 17/11/2008 20:25

so worth it then if mogs get's it if postage £8.50 as it's only £45 from Smyths

Original poster
ilikeyoursleeves · 17/11/2008 20:25

Goober it's out of stock there too

OP posts:
Original poster
ilikeyoursleeves · 17/11/2008 20:27

Ooooo so it might be £8.50 if Mog posts it too? (not quite sure how the postal / courier system works!)

Mog what you think?

OP posts:
Lilyloo · 17/11/2008 20:29

usually they charge postage accurately on ebay and add a little more for packing, what does the postage say on the ebay one courier , 1st class ?

Original poster
ilikeyoursleeves · 17/11/2008 20:31

It says 'other 24 hour courier'

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=130265094862&Category=61113null&_trksid=p3907.m29

OP posts:
wideratthehips · 17/11/2008 20:32

this has just happened to me..i wanted to get playmobil pirate ship (blackbeard) for ds2 from my parents and i had started buying other little bits to go with it...parents couldn't find it...seems its discontinued, aaarrrggghh,playmobil have a newer version at double the price..amazon and ebay were way over the asking price (not including postage) but today i found it on some random website and even though the postage was £5 i grabbed it...keep looking, there may be new stock in the next few weeks.

Lilyloo · 17/11/2008 20:34

so you could arrange a courier to collect from Mog if you ask on here a few ladies use them for ebay so could reccomend you one.

Original poster
ilikeyoursleeves · 17/11/2008 20:38

what website did you look at Wideratthehips?

OP posts:
wideratthehips · 17/11/2008 20:48

its called toys4you..ive just had a look and the thing i ordered is now out of stock..hope i got the last one!

could it possibly be >discontinued

Simplysally · 17/11/2008 20:49

Have you tried Toys R Us?

Original poster
ilikeyoursleeves · 17/11/2008 20:55

Yes toysrus are out of stock, I called them too.

Toys4you doesn't have it either. It's def not discontinued as it's new and I've seen it in the shops. (Actually picked one up to look at it in ELC a month ago thinking it looked good, d'oh!)

OP posts:
Original poster
ilikeyoursleeves · 17/11/2008 20:57
OP posts:
Simplysally · 17/11/2008 20:57

Have you got a Smyths toyshop near you?

Simplysally · 17/11/2008 20:59

Depends what store you want?

Simplysally · 17/11/2008 21:00

Argh just seen duplicated Mog's post

Original poster
ilikeyoursleeves · 17/11/2008 21:03

Thanks Sally but I live in Glasgow so the nearest Smyths store is in another country? Mog kindly offered to buy one at her local store and send it to me but I'm not sure where she has gone now.

OP posts:
cariboo · 17/11/2008 21:06

i'm so broke this year that I'm considering selling last year's ( mostly unused) pressies on eBay. Wii, Nintendo DS, LeapFrog globe... bah, humbug!

Lilyloo · 17/11/2008 21:09

cariboo i did to get this years xmas pressies ds asked who had cleaned his room

Has Mog left hope she get's it for you am nowhere near any store sorry!
Lot's of London ladies here though!

Original poster
ilikeyoursleeves · 17/11/2008 21:11

Do you think I could ask someone to get it for me and post it? I would obviously pay P&P and a tip for being so helpful but how do I know who is genuine and who is dodgy IYKWIM?

OP posts:
Original poster
ilikeyoursleeves · 17/11/2008 21:37

I have just checked the Smyths site and the only place in the UK with guaranteed stock is London- Friern Barnet shop.

Don't suppose anyone lives near there and would be willing to buy me one? Or is it more likely I will find Brad Pitt in my bed upstairs? LOL.

Thanks for helping me out with the search anyway folks, I will keep looking and calling....

But if you really DO want to help me out and live above the toy shop in Friern Barnet, please let me know!!!!!!!!!!!

OP posts:
Goober · 17/11/2008 21:54

Is it me, or does this say available in one week?

Lilyloo · 17/11/2008 22:00

Goober well done check there every day ilts if not just put a thread in chat asking i would what you got to loose!

mogs0 · 17/11/2008 23:06

Sorry for the delay, been gassing on the phone for hours! I'm near Cardiff and could go there at the weekend for it. The smyths site says the Cardiff stock is low but could get in touch to see if they can reserve it until then. The courier I use charges £8.99 for 48hr delivery (though they usually get it to the destination within 24).

Original poster
ilikeyoursleeves · 18/11/2008 14:58

Mog, I'd only feel comfortable with you doing this if you are going into Cardiff anyway! I don't want you to go out of your way although it is such a lovely thing to offer to do. If you don't mind could you see if you could reserve it? I phoned ELC there and they don't reserve things now, they used to be able to but now you just turn up basically. They advised me to email Vtech but I'm at work and I can't access their webpage.

Mog if you find you can reserve it and you are happy to go to Cardiff anyway then I will sort out payment and a tip! Thanks you are a star

OP posts:
flipflopper · 18/11/2008 16:05

I wouldnt bother getting that tbh- it looks plasticky and for £50 it's way more expensive than loads of other ride-ons you can get- sorry just being honest