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There is a move on auction sites such as Amazon and eBay calling for buyers to boycott any vendor who is price gouging the public on the much wanted Zhu Zhu Pets
But stealing the Christmas out from under children this year is not the only offense these bedroom entrepreneurs are guilty of. Many, making profits of 300 to 400% do not report those sales and profits to their local state’s division of taxation or report the sales tax which is supposed to be collected. Some go even further by charging sales tax, but never handing that collected money over to their state’s sales tax collection agencies.
Zhu Zhu Pets can be found on Amazon.Com, but they are usually going for outrageous prices. There are currently dozens of auctions selling Zhu Zhu Pets for far above their retail values. See a current listing of Amazon’s Zhu Zhu Pets In Stock.
The move to boycott these vendors however has more to do with holiday morals than tax code however as many buyers have embarked on a crusade for parents and children to have these vendors stop cleaning the shelves out of Zhu Zhu Pets
D.J. Hoppe of Taylor Lake Village, Texas wrote “After much hype and anticipation, we finally got mr squiggles today. The kids played with him for about 30 secs. and he was put down. I think this product was a little oversold. As far as I can tell, it does nothing but run though its toys making farm animal sounds. It also has a function where it doesn’t run, it just makes cooing noises. I really don’t see the “personality” on display. If you buy this for your child for christmas, make sure you have a back up gift. This will probably not be a big hit by christmas afternoon.” of the toys’ lack of long term appeal for children.
Gina from Pennsylvania said “I so often hear people call anyone who makes a little money “greedy.” Making money is not “greedy,” but what is going on with the sellers here is. This sort of thing is the very definition of greed. These sellers are scooping up inventories then selling the items at 7-10 times the normal rate.”
While greed has driven these people to useZhu Zhu Pets as an additional source of income, many are driven by need. In a very tight economy, it has been hard for many people to make an honest living which has driven them to using the Christmas rush and the desires of children around the country to make some extra income over the holidays.
Patricia Oquin, from Max Meadows, Virginia writes about vendors on Amazon.com ”Do not do business with these people that are ruining Christmas for our children. I think this outrageous price gouging should be illegal, These pets sell for $8.00 at Walmart (if you can find them). This particular “Mr. Squiggles is selling here today for $52.99! Wonder why you can’t find them at retail? Because of greedy people like this! Don’t play into these deceptive practices, you will just encourage more of this greed.”
Many parents say they just don’t think the little critters are worth it. “I bought this toy off of a friend who happened to buy a few in Walmart for 10 bucks each. They are barely worth that price and MOST definitely not worth 40 dollars. I got them for my daughter, and would have hurt someone if they sent this to me in the mail for 40 dollars. Cute, yes, fun, probably, just not for that much money.” said one parent.
Yet some say the Zhu Zhu pet is no substitute for the real thing.” I know you want to satisfy your kids’ cravings for this little hamster, but he is totally NOT WORTH the money. I bought one, and threw it out. It worked for a short time, I changed the batteries, then it worked a bit again. It is very cheaply made, and people are selling them for exhorbitant prices, ripping off those who really can’t afford to pay these high prices for something that is worth less than what I paid for it. Get a real one instead. They are more cuddly. Sorry to spoil the party, but I would not buy this again. And shame on the people who are selling them for so much money. Sad world, isn’t it” said R. Zimmerman from New York.
