The Family Feud board game is sold out and canny eBay operators are making a 300% profit, as conflicting reports on why the game isn't available from major retailer shelves emerge.
At first it would seem like an own goal: for the hottest board game of the Christmas season not to be in major retailers such as Target and Kmart.
However it is unclear whether the producers of the game didn't produce enough volume or retailers didn't order enough to justify the production of the units.
Last month AdNews reported Network Ten and Fremantle Media was set to release a board game adaptation of the popular TV game show in time for Christmas.
Soon after, responding to our story, punters started to murmur that they simply couldn't find the game anywhere.
As a result, we got in touch with Fremantle and Network Ten to get an idea of where people could find the board games.
It turns out that the major retailer for the game was specialist gaming shop Games World, rather than a major retailer such as Target, Kmart, or Big W.
Not having a massive amount of buying power, Games World ordered what it could, which as it turned out was not nearly enough for ravenous fans of the show hoping to pick up the game in time for Christmas.
A notice on Games World's website:
One such customer, Cheryl Woodthorpe, said the lack of availability of the game put a dampener on the festive season.
"I did not get the board game. It was very frustrating” Woodthorpe said.
“Everywhere was sold out and are not getting stock until Feb/March next year. I tried Kmart, Big W, Target and also the games shop. I was very disappointed as I wanted it for our family Christmas break."
Other AdNews readers directed to the site scouring for details on the game also expressed frustration.
Another AdNews reader commented online: "Omg why advertise the game everywhere, yet nowhere has it. Not happy as that's all my son has been asking for."
Soon, the scarcity of supply led to the game appearing on online auction sites, often selling for more than $100 including postage. The recommended retail price is $29.99.
Fremantle Media and Network Ten were certainly pleased by the demand for the product.
"We are so excited that the board game has clearly struck a chord with viewers. Family Feud is proving to be the game of the holiday season,” general manager of brand partnerships at Fremantle Media Australia Zara Curtis said.
A Fremantle Media spokesman told AdNews that it was not surprised by the level of demand for the game.
Questioned on why the game was not on the shelves of major retailers given the predicted demand, they declined to comment.
However, privately, Network Ten and Fremantle are thought to be seething that the games couldn't find their way into major retailers in time for Christmas.
While negotiations are underway for the game to be available in the new year, the pair are viewing it as a missed opportunity.
No party would comment on the matter, but AdNews understands that major retailers such as Target and K-Mart missed ordering deadlines for the game leading to the scarcity of supply on shelves, rather than the issue being on the supply side.
It is believed the opportunity was not presented to buyers for the major retailers in time for their Christmas ordering.
AdNews understands that the major retailers start ordering Christmas stock from mid-year, although exact timelines on board games have not been firmed up.
Meanwhile, households across the nation will go without their Family Feud fix this year.
For more stories:
Family Feud boardgame released ahead of Christmas
Murdoch, Viacom or Netflix: Who will buy Ten?
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at jamesmcgrath@yaffa.com.au
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