This post is part of our Hottest Products of 2007 feature. Also check out our other Hottest Products of 2007 posts and let us know which product you think is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Webkinz are the most annoying trend since Beanie Babies, which were the most annoying trend since Cabbage Patch Kids. They also are among the most cleverly marketed products ever.
Ganz, the closely held Canadian company behind Webkinz, seems to have figured out how to entertain today's media-saturated kids.
"More and more, kids are going to the internet," Ganz says on its website. "Why? It's interactive. Instead of passively watching television, the internet gives kids choice. They can play games, chat with friends and express themselves. They decide how to have fun."
Webkinz are more than just cute furry critters. Each comes with its own secret code that kids enter onto a website to play games. The toys are "adopted" by their owners, and in a clever twist, the pets have set levels of happiness and hunger. This forces Webkinz owners to "take care" of their cuddly pals. If these levels get too low, the pets may need to go to the doctor. It's no wonder that there have been media reports of shortages. Ganz spokeswoman Susan McVeigh told me that, "new releases are always in high demand, but there are no shortages."
The phenomenally popular toys also may provide children with a life lesson or two about not always getting what you want, and that Webkinz -- like every fad -- will eventually come to an end. Just ask the people who thought they could retire on their Beanie Baby investments.
If you've had some experience with this product, let us know about it. Or if you know of something else that you think is one of the Hottest Products of 2007, feel free to tell us about that as well.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-01-2008 @ 10:23AM
Monja Caughron said...
We carried Ganz products in our little shop and carried the Webkinz pets when nobody knew what a Webkinz even was. We hung in there, they finally took off and got 2-3 orders on time, as ordered. After that it was all downhill. Our rep. (who finally quit, had enough, even cried in our shop) tried to console us at dallas market, but I handed our order back and said "no thanks!" The showroom manager actually looked at our rep and said "no big deal" as we walked out! I will not be bent over by any company! Ganz is not honest with anyone, even their reps! Ganz will get whats coming to them, greed will be their downfall. I hate to hear about all the other little mom and pop shops who stuck with them and got stuck with all the thousands of $ worth of Webkinz and other Ganz crap! Shame on Ganz!
11-25-2007 @ 4:22PM
Eileen said...
My children got "into" Webkinz over the summer. I bought one for each child as well as for myself ( to make sure it was as safe as they said ) - halfway through September the kids have long since given up on Webkinz - I, however, am addicted. It's a great idea but kids don't want to be penalized if they don't go online each day. The kinz chat would have kept them on longer but that feature has yet to be activated.
11-27-2007 @ 9:30AM
nancy said...
I too am addicted. I do not have my own webkinz. Instead I play with my kids earning points and free stuff. My ultimate goal is to get both a legendary crown wonder. I am all most there.
They also came out with a new idea to get people to buy a new webkinz every month. That would the pet of the month, where you get better prizes for having the pet of month. Genius
11-28-2007 @ 11:45AM
Melissa Hill said...
My kids love Webkinz and I do, too. They are relatively inexpensive, so they save their allowance to buy them. I like playing the games, too. I guess I am a kid at heart. My daughter wants the charms, but I am having a hard time finding them locally and some stores online have extremely inflated prices. I am not paying $15 and up for a $3 charm. Other than that, love them.
11-29-2007 @ 10:45PM
Chris said...
Hi! My kids love Webkinz.Its fun playing with them online.Great family time.I buy all my Webkinz online---http://www.webkinzstore.net
12-05-2007 @ 6:35PM
Jen Barren said...
Hey! I love webkinz and i think it teaches kids how to take care of something their very own. Yes kids can addicted but it still is a good thing for your child to have fun with and take care of! if you tell them to play with the toy they will have even more fun!
love,
Jen Barren
12-09-2007 @ 2:51PM
Josh said...
Ganz was perfectly clear when selling the Webkinz line to their customers that they would absolutely not sell to any big box stores, or discounters. They also said they would not allow the retailer to discount them. If they did discount them, they would pull the line immediately from them. They are now available in J C Penny stores, as well as in Publix Supermarkets. Many stores are also now discounting them. Ganz said they made a corporate decision that it was in their best interest to sell to large stores. This was supposed to be a boutique item, something the small retailer could buy. The misled and misrepresented themselves to the retailer and they should not get away with this.
12-11-2007 @ 7:56PM
BONNIE said...
Ganz had all the reps in Atlanta the whole week of Dec. 7th. They all came home to an email that Wal Mart had gotten Webkinz. Wal Mart announced at the same time. Why would your company not tell you face to face.
All i can say is shame on Ganz. What should have been a home run has become a nightmare for small retailers that supported Ganz, when no one knew or cared who they were. How can they sleep with themselves. Howard Ganz(owner), George Kasik (director of sales - Wal Mart is his account), Nancy Lincoln(national accounts-the big box queen), Susan McVeigh(spokesperson), have all been quoted in writing and in sales meetings that this was the product to bring the customer back to the independent retailers. WHY THEN ARE THEY IN EVERY BIG MASS DISCOUNTER? I purchased Ganz product for the last 12 years. I bought Webkinz the same month they were introduced in 2005. I guess they have made so much money that they forgot who brought them to the dance! LOOKS LIKE A PLANNED SCAM on mom and pop retailers.
i played by the rules.....Ganz just keeps changing them......
Bonnie Walker - owner Das Blume Haus Flowers & Gifts, Slaton, TX
12-11-2007 @ 11:46PM
Josh said...
Ganz oversold product to all of their retailers and should take back all unsold product after not keeping their word. No, they did not force the retailer to overorder, but their job was to advise the retailer how to get the most profit from their orders...not to find themselves sitting with huge amounts of unsold Webkinz due to Ganz not holding to their agreement and selling to big box stores and discounters. They do not deserve the success that comes from the mighty dollar.
12-14-2007 @ 3:26PM
BONNIE said...
It makes you wonder who is will soon retire from Ganz. Hmmmmmm......
12-14-2007 @ 3:16PM
BONNIE said...
i also have to add.....everyone is playing Webkinz....even me and my grandson...he is 2....
12-25-2007 @ 8:05PM
judy said...
Is it true that the Webkinz charms and bracelets have been recalled because of lead? I bought her quite a few for Christmas and my granddaughter said she can't accept them because of lead recall.
12-29-2007 @ 4:02PM
Angela said...
I bought my daughter a webkins charm bracelet for Christmas and today she was playing jumping around, she fell on the floor and one on charms puntured her hand. The cut is pretty deep!!! I think it was the chihuahua with the hat. If your child has that charm you may want to take it off
1-01-2008 @ 12:53PM
Mark said...
We purchased a webkinz pet for each of our two eldest daughters. Since Christmas, we have been unable to log onto the site. Pretty expensive stuffed animal. I Googled the VP and found a comments section. I expressed my dissatisfaction for the toy. When I finished the post, it said "Thank you for submitting your comments. We will not be replying to any comments until after July 9th". Wow, way to be on top of it!
1-14-2008 @ 2:48PM
Christin said...
This doesn't seem right. There are 4 in our family that have been able to log on every single day at any time of the day. Any problems I have had, they have taken care of it and resolved it within 48 hours.
1-11-2008 @ 8:32PM
Linda said...
Small retailers suffered through this nightmare only to find that Ganz did what they promised that they wouldn't. They sold to the big box stores like Wal-Mart, Big Y in the Northeast and BJ's. Ganz was virtually unknown until they released the Webkinz product to the world. We as retailers ordered our Webkinz months in advance only to be told that we couldn't get them. I received 22 boxes of 72 Webkinz right before Christmas. I had to discount them just to make sure I didn't have any leftovers after the holidays. Ganz put many conditions on us in order to get these pets, such as "you can only get the new releases if you spend $500.00 on every day Ganz products." This was not right! I for one have been ordering from Ganz for many years, but am now ready to say goodbye.