Although the Zhu Zhu Pets were only launched in August of 2009, they have become a runaway success already. Kids across the nation have just gone nuts for the cute little motorized hamsters that include artificial intelligence which allows them to interact with their environment, other Zhu Zhu hamsters and the kids who are playing with them.

Apart from the fact that these robot hamsters are small, cute and furry, kids just love the interaction. The family of hamsters – Mr. Squiggles, Chunk, Pipsqueak, Patches and Num Nums – have a collection of forty different noises which they produce when given the right cue. For instance, if they enter into the bathroom of their hamster habitat, they make tooth brushing noises. If they enter their hamster bedroom then they produce snoring noises.

Unfortunately, lots of retailers have quite deliberately set stock levels of toys in general at relatively low levels this year. This is due in part to the current economic climate and partly due to the fact that stock levels were excessively high last year. Many retailers had to give big discounts just to clear their shelves.

It’s easy to understand the logic behind the decision – but based upon the evidence up to now, the retailers may have misjudged the mood of consumers. Popular toys such as the Zhu Zhu hamsters and Mattel’s Mindflex game are flying off the shelves. Demand is way higher than supply and it’s becoming hard to find these toys in the stores. This is only going to get worse in the run up to Christmas.

Now having realised their mistake, many retailers are now arranging new stock. However, most toys are manufactured in the Far East today. That means that delivery may well include a sea voyage of four weeks or so. Arranging new stocks before Christmas may not be guaranteed.

As a consequence of the disparity between supply and demand, it is now possible to find Zhu Zhu hamsters on eBay for more than $ 150. That’s way above the normal ticket price – and these prices could rise higher still as we get closer to Christmas. It does seem like a high price to pay for a kid’s toy which, although it is the latest fad, is very likely to be out of fashion in just a few short months.

If you don’t want to pay over the odds for the latest trend, then you could always consider more traditional gifts this year. Classic traditional toys such as Lego, Monopoly, Scrabble and Hornby Dublo train sets are classics for a reason. They are always a welcome addition to any child’s toy collection and they will most likely still be in use and giving pleasure long after this year’s craze is a distant memory.

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