海角大神

When聽I first heard about Hatchimals back in September, I knew immediately, instinctively, that they would be A Very Big Deal. If my inner 6 year old was freaking out,聽then I was pretty sure that actual聽kids would lose their minds over them as well.

I was one of the lucky ones. Because I knew about them early and聽just had a feeling, I was able to order a pair聽on launch day, confident that they would cement my status forever as World's Best Aunt.

Then I couldn't shut up about them. People who knew me asked what would be hot and "Hatchimals" was what tumbled from my mouth every time.聽By the time I finished explaining what they were to my friends, family, my chiropractor, they were on their phones placing orders.聽聽After聽explaining聽Hatchimals to a British journalist who'd never heard of them, I hung up the phone and told a co-worker, "I may have聽just accidentally introduced the UK to Hatchimals." It's that bad.

聽If you're reading this, you've probably already figured that out and are desperate to find one at a reasonable price in time for Christmas. I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry.

The Latest Hatchimals Update聽from Spin Master

I'm not going to pull the wool over anyone's eyes here. If you haven't found yours聽in stores by now, chances are slim that you'll pay聽anything close to MSRP. While Spin Master knew Hatchimals would be popular, demand has聽completely overwhelmed their supply. They've posted this聽statement about it on the聽:

"The consumer response to Hatchimals has been extraordinary, exceeding all expectations. Some of our first shipments have already sold out. While additional product will hit retail shelves in November, we anticipate this inventory will also sell out quickly.聽We have increased production and a whole new batch of Hatchimals will be ready to hatch in early 2017.聽This is a special season and we don鈥檛 want anyone to be disappointed, nor do we support inflated prices from non-authorized resellers. We are working on creative solutions to help kids and their parents withstand the wait. In the interim, some retailers are developing pre-sale and/or rain-check programs for redemption in January. We will continue to update with program details as they become available."

Got that? Your next shot at buying a Penguala, Draggle, Burtle, Owlicorn, or Bearakeet聽in a store for $59.99 or less will be sometime in 2017. That doesn't help you with聽Christmas morning, of course.

Where to Find Hatchimals by聽Christmas

If you absolutely can't wait until after New Years, third party sellers are the way to go.聽You'll need to be prepared to shell out at least $100 and up to $400 just for one. You also need to be aware that聽there are plenty of scammers jumping on Hatchimals popularity聽who are counting on your desperation. Seriously, as professional deal hunters we strongly recommend sticking聽an聽聽in your kids' stockings as an IOU.

But if the exorbitant markup聽and scam risk still aren't enough of a deterrent, here's a few tips for聽buying from third parties via聽Craigslist, Amazon, and Walmart. The bottom line for all three of these is to read the fine print, and if something feels even the slightest bit fishy, walk away.

Craigslist
The prices on Craigslist are often lower than you'll see聽from other online sellers, so it's worth checking. We found listings from聽聽as of 11/30, with prices ranging from $110 to $230 to "make an offer."聽

If you're buying a Hatchimal on Craigslist, though, we strongly recommend聽insisting upon an in-person transaction. This gives you the chance to inspect the merchandise before聽handing over your聽cash and is basically the only way to guarantee you won't be scammed.

Amazon's Third-Party Sellers
Amazon's third party selling platform is much more broadly known than Walmart. Here,聽finding Hatchimals requires a聽little more digging than you'd expect. It seems like everyone must be using it as a keyword in their listings at the moment judging by the number of聽聽toys that turn up in what should be a very simple, straightforward search. (Seriously, Amazon, this is something you should work on fixing.)

As with聽all major聽retailers right now, Amazon's only stock聽comes courtesy of third party sellers. We found them聽听补苍诲听, but best bets are those that are fulfilled by Amazon.聽

Many of the sellers are labeled聽"." That means that聽although you're buying it from聽a third party, Amazon is still responsible for the packing, shipping and customer service.聽That adds some welcome peace of mind that I think is聽worth聽a few extra dollars.

There's also Amazon's聽, noted at the top of the page, which guarantees purchases from third-party sellers and provides some clear recourse聽if a transaction聽goes bad.

Walmart Marketplace
If you searched聽聽for Hatchimals and were confused to see them priced聽at $199 or higher, you're聽not alone. Walmart Marketplace聽allows vetted third party vendors聽to sell their goods on Walmart.com. When buying from Walmart, always look for "Sold & Shipped By" just under the price.

A blue/purple Draggle is being sold on Walmart.com for $299.99 by third party seller B&B Bargain Buys Corp. You've probably never heard of them.聽But if you're willing to cough up $300 for this cute little guy, you'll want to click on that seller's name for more information including their seller ratings and return policies.

The third party in聽our example has no ratings and聽an "all sales final" policy聽for Hatchimals. Both of those points聽trigger some alarms for me as a buyer. Although聽we have no experience with this particular seller, and聽聽notes that "Our sellers are selected based on reputation, sales projections and alignment with Walmart's values," a $300 price tag and聽聽isn't exactly the kind of online shopping experience聽that inspires confidence. Stick to Amazon if you can, where buyer protections are聽well-defined and prices are lower.

What about Hatchimal backorders and rain checks?

We haven't seen any reputable sellers offering backorders, and聽. If you聽see a retailer offering backorders and you've never heard of them before, it may be a scam.

Interactive Toys that may聽be good Hatchimal alternatives

Now let's say that you're聽an entirely sane human being聽who thinks that 333%+ markup on a $60 toy is a dealbreaker, and thus you're on the hunt for some cool alternatives.聽We've got a few ideas for you.

Price:聽$69.99聽(was $99.99)
Where: 聽

While they may not be the hot new thing, Furby has nailed the interactive toy niche for several years now. Last year's hot item, Furbacca,聽is just $55.99 through 11/30聽with code SNOWY20. If that coupon is expired, check our聽聽page to find a discount that works.

Price:聽$31.99聽(was $39.99)
奥丑别谤别:听

Interactive hedgehogs. I repeat, interactive hedgehogs. This is not a drill. Hedgiez roll when you pet their heads, perform headstands, wiggle, whistle, blow kisses, and giggle when you tickle them. HEDGEHOGS.

笔谤颈肠别:听$29.99听
奥丑别谤别:听

Go Go was one of the聽most popular interactive pets of 2015. This plush electronic puppy walks, wags her tail, sits, tilts her head, and barks when you talk to her.

Price:聽$79.99聽(cat) or聽$87.44聽(dog)
奥丑别谤别:听

These well-reviewed interactive pets are possibly the next best thing to real live聽kitten or puppy. VibraPurr technology keeps the popular聽orange tabby purring, while Bark Back tech lets the adorable golden retriever pup respond to聽sounds.聽Their coats are designed to mimic real fur, and they even have a simulated heartbeat.

笔谤颈肠别:听$24.99
奥丑别谤别:听

Coco is the kind of plush toy that's designed to take some abuse. Throw him and he tells you that you made a great catch. Roll him across the floor for a "bark attack" and he'll bark nonstop until someone picks him up. Right. So, have fun with the bark attacks, parents!

Price:聽$119.99聽(was $149.99)
奥丑别谤别:听

Dash is聽a bit more expensive than聽a list-price Hatchimal, sure, but it also goes well beyond merely being a pet robot to聽teach kids coding skills.聽Recommended for ages聽8+, you can program聽Dash with your聽Android or iOS device to move, dance, light up, make sounds, navigate obstacles, and respond to voices using the Wonder and Blockly apps.

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