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Desperate parents paying up to EIGHT times more for top Christmas presents

Popular toys including Monopoly Fortnite and a singing Baby Shark have nearly sold out prompting people to sell them online for up to EIGHT times the value

Parents across the UK could end up forking out eight times the retail price for popular toys that are quickly selling out in the run up to Christmas.

Retailers such as Hamleys and John Lewis put out lists detailing the toys that kids will be scribbling on to their wishlists come Christmas.

 LovetheSales has found popular toys being sold online for up to EIGHT times their usual price
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LovetheSales has found popular toys being sold online for up to EIGHT times their usual price

But research from sales tracking website LovetheSales.com has found that popular toys are quickly selling out as we approach December 25.

And it seems some sellers are taking advantage of these "must-have" items by listing them for up to eight times the price on online marketplaces including Amazon and eBay.

Shoppers have already spotted sold out Christmas advert character Kevin the Carrot on sale on eBay for a mammoth £500.

Of course, just because toys are listed at these prices doesn't mean people will buy them, but desperation to please their kids may lead some parents down this route.

Always check a number of retailers online before you splash out - you might find that while items are out of stock online, you can get them in store if you're able to click and collect.

Here are some of this year's top festive toys that LovetheSales has seen being flogged for more.

Monopoly Fornite

RRP: £21.99 Price on eBay: £99 - more than FOUR time the price

 Monopoly Fornite is being sold on eBay for a whopping £99.
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Monopoly Fornite is being sold on eBay for a whopping £99.Credit: EBay

Monopoly Fortnite has sold out at popular toy retailers Argos, Smyths, and The Entertainer, which has lead to it being listed on eBay for over FOUR times the usual price.

It costs £21.99 at other toy retailers but one optimistic eBay seller has listed it at £99, with the listing showing that three of the games have sold.

But parents shouldn't fork out over the odds as Monopoly is selling the item for £22 on .

Baby Shark singing plush toy

RRP: £15 Price on eBay: £125 - more than EIGHT times the price

 A singing Baby Shark toy is being sold for a mammoth £125 on eBay
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A singing Baby Shark toy is being sold for a mammoth £125 on eBayCredit: Amazon

Baby Shark has been an internet sensation this year but soft toy versions of the lovable shark family have sold out on Amazon and The Entertainer.

For unlucky parents still on the hunt for the singing fish, it is now being advertised on eBay for as much as £125 - more than eight times its £15 price tag.

We couldn't see the toys being sold at any other UK retailers and The Entertainer says it doesn't envisage having any more in stock before Christmas.

Fingerlings Baby Unicorn - Gemma

RRP: £15 Price on Amazon Marketplace: £44.99 - nearly THREE times the price

 A Fingerlings Baby Unicorn called Gemma is being sold on Amazon Marketplace for £44.99
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A Fingerlings Baby Unicorn called Gemma is being sold on Amazon Marketplace for £44.99Credit: Amazon

Interactive Fingerlings toys normally sell for £15, but a Baby Unicorn version called Gemma is being sold by a third-party seller on Amazon for £44.99 - nearly three times the usual £15 price.

But parents shouldn't despair; we found that you can bags Gemma if you can collect from certain .

Use the retailer's to locate your nearest branch.

Lego Harry Potter Quidditch Match Building Set

RRP: £34.99 eBay: £159.48 - more than FOUR time the price

 Lego Harry Potter Quidditch is being sold on eBay for £159.48
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Lego Harry Potter Quidditch is being sold on eBay for £159.48Credit: Ebay

Harry Potter fans may have their hearts set on a Lego set they can put together to create a Quidditch sporting stadium, but beware buying it on eBay where opportunistic sellers have it listed at four times the price.

, for example, has sold out of the toy online but shoppers can still get it in some branches for £34.99 compared to the £159.48 price on eBay.

Use the retailer's to locate your nearest branch.

Here are this year's dream toys for 2018 – including a unicorn that poos.

Be careful buying putty and slime toys sold in Argos, Hamleys and Smyths though, as they may contain dangerous chemicals and can cause diarrhoea.

But it's not all about the toys, a girl has written a heartbreaking letter asking Santa to change her dad’s work shift for Christmas instead of bringing her toys.

Man starts personalised children's books company after being made redundant and it's expected to turn over £1.3 million this year


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