It's official: Christmas shopping drama has begun!

[Stitch76]

I am usually nearly done with my shopping at this time of year, but in the past few years, I have found that I usually buy early, and then the same thing is on sale later. So, I decided to wait this year and see how it goes.
However, I couldn't stand it, and decided to just check and make sure that what the kids wanted this year was going to be plentiful (didn't want another Zhu Zhu experience).
Well guess what, I'm out of luck, and now I'm in a panic. My youngest DD loves Monster High. She was asking for some accessories she didn't have and 2 new dolls (Abbey Bominiable -sp? and Spectra Vonhauntington). Oh wow! I didn't even know there were any new characters. I lucked up and found a Abbey with a damaged box at the local K-mart, guess that's why the E-bay resellers didn't snatch her up. Since DD rips the box open a second after she gets it, it wasn't a problem for me.
However Spectra is another problem. I have spent the last week searching EVERY store in my area, and every website I know of. At this time I refuse to pay double on Amazon and E-bay, although I would probably save money in the long run, (gas $). But, I want to find her myself, and pay retail! Right now I feel like a member of TAPS, ghost hunting and looking for evidence of the elusive Spectra! Wish me luck, it's Zhu Zhu all over again!

 

[wdw4rfam]

I know what you mean. I usually wait for sales too- and always have that ONE THING that everyone else wants. This year, sing and storytelling belle is on the top of the list, so I sucked it up and paid $80, and the new v-tech innopad I can see is already low stock everywhere... so i paid $80 for that too. I know come black friday, I am going to kick myself- but better safe than sorry...

 

[richmond282]

I saw a ton of Monster High stuff at Kohl's today. I have no idea which dolls they have since my DD isn't into those, but you might check there. Good luck!

 

[Forevryoung]

I know what you mean. I usually wait for sales too- and always have that ONE THING that everyone else wants. This year, sing and storytelling belle is on the top of the list, so I sucked it up and paid $80, and the new v-tech innopad I can see is already low stock everywhere... so i paid $80 for that too. I know come black friday, I am going to kick myself- but better safe than sorry...

If you find them cheaper on Black Friday and can acquire them, can you return what you have already purchased? It's a month away at this point (that's what I would do!)

 

[nilseks]

I'm in the same boat with Skylanders (the hot new video game). I sucked it up and bought it because I'm afraid it's going to be gone everywhere and my son REALLY wants it. So now that I bought it, I'm sure it will be on sale and in plentiful supply everywhere on Black Friday. But even though I got the main set, some of the characters that he really wants are already sold out everywhere. Of course I cannot find the one he wants the most.

 

[QVCshopper]

Two things. First, go to the family board and read the christmas thread. The moms over there all about the monster high dolls. Second, sign up for the toy alerts. You can get emails for free every time your toy comes in stock online. I'm following lalaloopsy dolls, another popular doll set.

Also, I think the ebayers are out in droves lately. The Disney princess designer doll collection was an eBay nightmare. I wouldn't be surprised if some do this for a living. Finally, I am finding the Walmart ship to store service is free and nice or popular toys. Good luck!

 

[DisneyDreams4]

I know what you mean. I usually wait for sales too- and always have that ONE THING that everyone else wants. This year, sing and storytelling belle is on the top of the list, so I sucked it up and paid $80, and the new v-tech innopad I can see is already low stock everywhere... so i paid $80 for that too. I know come black friday, I am going to kick myself- but better safe than sorry...

what is the sing and storytelling belle toy?????

thank you

 

[mickeymaker2003]

I know what you mean. I usually wait for sales too- and always have that ONE THING that everyone else wants. This year, sing and storytelling belle is on the top of the list, so I sucked it up and paid $80, and the new v-tech innopad I can see is already low stock everywhere... so i paid $80 for that too. I know come black friday, I am going to kick myself- but better safe than sorry...

Save your receipts and don't open them. If you can get them cheaper on Black Friday, but them and return the others.

 

[jemmouse]

WALMART....Right now until December 25th. If you purchase something from them today and then before 12/25 find it cheaper you bring them your sales receipt and the ad price where it is cheaper and then they give you a WALMART GIFT CARD OF THE DIFFERENCE. Love it, especially for those hard to find items that go quickly...Good luck to all

 

[rszdtrvl]

I was only afraid of one item running low this holiday season - the Rocksmith video game for PS3. I ordered it a week ago and already have it in hand.

Another item I already purchased is a fire pit. It is pending shipping from Amazon.com.

Both items are for my soon-to-be 15 year old son. He has been wanting a fire pit for a while, and I think it will be a great gift. He will be really surprised! Not expecting it at all.

He has a birthday in December too, so I get to double-shop. He already received an early birthday gift - a new amplifier for his guitar.

It is going to be a pretty budget-minded holiday season for us. We are saving up for DS and I to go to New York next year. $$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[Stitch76]

thanks for all the tips everyone, I'm hitting Khol's in the morning (I hadn't thought of them). Has anyone got their TRU big toy book in the mail. I know it was released yesterday in the papers, but they usually send me one with bonus coupons (gift card offers or percentage off) that the ones in the papers don't have. Just curious when and if mine's on the way!

 

[dixonismydog]

Sign up for the toy alerts FOR SURE!!! Awesome way to track items.....you should have no problem, getting what you want if you do!

 

[ameraumi]

thanks for all the tips everyone, I'm hitting Khol's in the morning (I hadn't thought of them). Has anyone got their TRU big toy book in the mail. I know it was released yesterday in the papers, but they usually send me one with bonus coupons (gift card offers or percentage off) that the ones in the papers don't have. Just curious when and if mine's on the way!

Kohl's had a HUGE display of them at my local store. Good luck!

 

[chellewashere]

My Walmart had a quite a stock of the spectra available. Target also had her online. Good job w/ the Abbey she is the hard to find one right now.

The Belle doll looks so cute, but the price tag is so hefty to go with it.

I too got everything I wanted to get on the must have early instead of waiting for it to go on sale.

Like everyone said Walmart will do the price match starting tomorrow and it includes things you might already have on layaway. I did it yesterday since 2 things I had on layaway went on sale at Toysrus and it saved me 20 bucks.

Make sure to get the paper every Sunday to compare the prices every week between now and Christmas. Targets toy book comes out tomorrow and Toysrus one is already available.

 

[luvmy3]

I have seen the Monster High dolls at Big Lots but I can't say what ones they have since I didn't pay too much attention. Also I don't know what your Kmart's are like but mine are always dead so it might be worth checking there for the HTF ones.

 

[Stitch76]

Two things. First, go to the family board and read the christmas thread. The moms over there all about the monster high dolls. Second, sign up for the toy alerts. You can get emails for free every time your toy comes in stock online. I'm following lalaloopsy dolls, another popular doll set.

Also, I think the ebayers are out in droves lately. The Disney princess designer doll collection was an eBay nightmare. I wouldn't be surprised if some do this for a living. Finally, I am finding the Walmart ship to store service is free and nice or popular toys. Good luck!

just letting you know if you have a Rite Aid store nearby, you may want to check there for LaLaLoopsey dolls. My local store has several and right now they are buy one get one half off.

 

[mrseace711]

DD7 is a Monster High fan as well! The only dolls I thought she did not have were the boy dolls and I thought we got them SHOOT THERES MORE!? Will be on the search now

The Disney princess designer doll collection was an eBay nightmare. I QUOTE]

Disney Princess Dolls?? Which ones? DD4 said she ONLY wants 1 Ariel Doll(TRU Princess and Me) with clothes and nothing else for Christmas and I was just waiting till closer to Christmas. Im hoping the Princess and Me dolls are not the hot princess items lol

 

[chellewashere]

Disney Princess Dolls?? Which ones? DD4 said she ONLY wants 1 Ariel Doll(TRU Princess and Me) with clothes and nothing else for Christmas and I was just waiting till closer to Christmas. Im hoping the Princess and Me dolls are not the hot princess items lol[/QUOTE]

No these arent the same dolls. These one were limited edition designer dolls that were about $55 or so when they came out and are now almost $400 on EBAY.

 

[hineshm]

I have been looking for Spectra and Abbey since September and I have not found them yet! I did pay double for the "original" Clawdeen Wolf that my DD had to have. I also paid full price for the bunk beds for Clawdeen Wolf. Every year my yDD always picks the hardest to find gifts!

 

[DisneyMissy318]

I picked up a MH Spectra at WM by luck a couple of months ago. Then on a whim - I checked Target.com last Thursday AM (early) - and there was an Abbey in stock! I had been watching them on Ebay and almost bid thinking I might get one for between $35 and $40... hopefully it will be an Abbey in the box when it gets here later this week!

To the OP - with a little persistance, Im sure you will find one!