SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Who remembers the Hatchimals hysteria from Christmas 2016?
Now who remembers the last time they saw their kids play with that 2016 Hatchimals toy?
Some parents waited in line for hours while others, in some cases, paid five times the retail price to buy it online.
"Maybe wait and make it a Valentine's Day gift," Kate Tanner joked trying to give some suggestions on ways to avoid the trap.
Tanner owns Kidstop in Scottsdale and she knows just how far some parents will go to get the hottest toy.
"I guess it's a little job security for me next year, but yeah it is kind of like 'wow, people will do that for a toy?'" Tanner said.
Understanding how this happens is all about marketing, which has changed mightily over the years.
"Turn off the videos on YouTube and you will be saved that nightmare this year," Tanner said.
Many toy companies are driving up interest in their products with YouTube commericals. Also, YouTube influencers are pushing products with their videos and you might not even know it.
Tanner also suggests doing your homework on pricing because Amazon changes it's price points sometimes by the hour. You might save some money by coming to the store in person, as long as you can stand the rush.