Webkinz Center

Some items for sale at the Webkinz eSTore

Some blogs have recently noticed that the Webkinz eStore has gone a little further than just selling virtual items that you can buy for your Webkinz pet (for online use at Webkinz World).

For the first time ever, you’ll notice that you can purchase pets online and have them added to your account. What’s important though, is that this offer is only available if you do not live in the States or Canada.  If you live *inside* Canada or the US, the site tells you to purchase them at an off-line retailer.

Furthermore, only four pets are available, currently.

These pets are: White Poodle, Tree Frog, Bull Dog, and Black and White Cat.

The price to “adopt” these online is $12.50 USD.

Some thoughts for you to chew on:

Setting the real price: What’s interesting is that by setting the price for these items, which are essentially internet codes for new Webkinz minus the actual plushy dolls, they are telling you that a good portion of the price that we all pay is not actually for the doll itself — but really access to Webkinz World.

Giving some respect to off line retailers: Also interesting is the way that Ganz is trying to sidestep offending their US and Canadian retailer partners, by making sure you cannot purchase these virtual pets online if you happen to live there.  It forces people to go to stores in the States and Canada.  This is particularly interesting since Ganz is currently getting served a class action lawsuit alleging unfair trade practices — which are a direct result of retailer grievances.

eBay to suck eggs? As one prominent blog mentions, Ganz selling virtual pets directly gets around the “middle men” who sell them on eBay, and might be a reason why Ganz is coming down on them.

Some history: Webkinz eStore has been around for a while, where you can buy extra Webkinz stuff for your pet, but was only mentioned in the Webkinz Paper for the first time at the end of Juen.