Parents shelling out up to $200 for LOL Big Surprise toy on Trade Me

  • 14/12/2017
Parents shelling out up to $200 for LOL Big Surprise toy on Trade Me
Photo credit: Getty

One of the season's hottest Christmas toys is selling for up to $200 on Trade Me, as parents struggle to find them in store.

The limited edition LOL Big Surprise toy is advertised as featuring 50 surprises inside for children to unwrap, but in-store supply has become sparse.

Farmers previously had the toy available for NZ$103.99 but is now out of stock both online and in-store, while The Warehouse and Kmart don't feature the product on their website.

A LOL Big Surprise toy
A LOL Big Surprise toy Photo credit: Getty

But supply on Trade Me is plentiful, with 26 search results for the keywords "LOL Big Surprise" across the toys and models category.

Several sellers mention the toy can't be sold in stores and auction prices are highly inflated, reaching up to $200.

Parents competing for the toy don't seem bothered by the prices, though - a $1 reserve auction for the toy has already reached $110 three days before closing.

One auction for two of the toys had a flurry of interest from desperate parents, with seven separate requests for a buy now.

Parents shelling out up to $200 for LOL Big Surprise toy on Trade Me
Photo credit: Trade Me

It's not just a New Zealand phenomenon. Over in the UK, the toy has been in hot demand since hitting stores.

UK chain Tesco told The Sun when the toy hit stores, it was sold out within in single day, while many stores are now enforcing limits of one toy per customer.

Newshub.