Enterprising and obviously childless people have gauged the mood of the nation and are privately selling the hottest toys for children this Christmas.
Toy Story 3 toys, especially the lesser characters like Jessie and Bullseye, are completely sold out of every on-line and real physical store in the world. That is not to say that there are none for sale. There are a few on eBay. With a couple of weeks to go before Christmas, these are selling for three times their original asking price. It is virtually guaranteed that these toys will be selling for three times that next week.
Many have complained at the heartless money grabbing individuals that have obviously stockpiled these toys when they were plentiful, back in July. However, they fail to understand market forces, supply and demand and the sheer desperation of parents who have promised their only beloved child a Mr Potato Head.
Across the stores, there are "Sold Out" "Out of Stock" and "Buy Now Get Eventually" signs everywhere.
On Christmas morning, there will be hundreds of disappointed children opening a present expecting a Nerf Gun, and finding a box of Monopoly.
"They'll just have to learn to understand that even though it's Christmas, they don't get all their own way," said harsh child psychologist, Simon Baron Cohen. "Therapy may help, as will getting them the toy they want for Christmas. Would you like to buy a Dancing Barbie?"
