Toys R Us flogging items at HIGHER prices than their rivals despite claiming to have a huge closing down sale
TOYS R US are flogging items at higher prices than their rivals despite claiming to have a huge closing down sale.
A number of “must have” toys are being offered at branches of the beleaguered store with discounts of 10-30 per cent as part of the company’s “massive closing down sale”.
Announcing the sale, the company overseeing the closures, Moorfields said: “We’ve introduced heavy discounts across the entire Toys R Us store portfolio” - before calling on customers to “take advantage of the heavy discounting as soon as possible.”
But our probe found in just a few hours that at least nine toys which were being offered at a reduced price were still more expensive than the exact same item in shops less than half a mile away.
Other more expensive items included a Lego City Mountain Police HQ being sold by Toys R Us for £62.99 - down from £69.99 - but available in John Lewis and Smyths for £55.99.
A Nerf Raptorstrike Gun is being sold for £47.99 - reduced from £59.99 – which is £39.99 at Smyths and a Trolls folding in-line scooter is being sold for £17.99 - reduced from £23.99 - which costs just £16 in Tesco and £16.99 in Smyths.
Disgruntled customers have voiced their disappointment with the shop’s price reductions on Twitter.
One user, Matt Whiz wrote: “Price aren’t even competitive”.
Another, Scott Johnson, commented: “Went to get a £100 trike. Promo is 25 per cent off so £75.
"Just picked it up on Amazon for £57.
"No wonder Toys R Us are in trouble, too expensive.”
While Emma Lovelace tweeted: “Disappointed with the discounts.”
And Amy Nykyforczuk accused the store of being “sneaky”.
She tweeted: "Hardly any price tags on the items… [and] different percentage signs all over so you don't know how much it is until at the till and item bought was still £5 more than at Smyths.”
Cut-price Toys R Us items can be found cheaper elsewhere
Toys on sale in the chain can cost you more, our probe found.
Lego city Mountain Police HQ: Toys R Us are selling it for £62.99 - reduced from £69.99. John Lewis and Smyths are selling it for £55.99.
Lego City fire boat which Toys R Us are selling it for £58.49 - reduced from for £64.99. Argos are selling the item for £36.99.
Lego City Police Station: Toys R Us are selling it for £53.99 - reduced from £59.99. Argos is selling it for £50.99 and £54.99 in Smyths.
Nerf Gun Raptorstrike: Toys R Us are selling it for £47.99 - reduced from £59.99. Smyths is selling it for 39.99.
Trolls Folding In-Line scooter: Toys R Us are selling it for £17.99 - reduced from £23.99. Tesco are selling it for £16.00 and Smyths £16.99.
Lego Speed Champions Mercedes Petronas F1: Toys R Us are selling it for £76.49 - reduced from £84.99. Tesco and John Lewis both sell it for £75.00.
Lego technic 2-in-1 Rally Car: Toys R Us are selling it for £80.99 - reduced from £89.99. It is £78.99 in Tesco, £79.97 in John Lewis and £79.99 in Smyths.
Playmobil Grand Princess Castle: Toys R Us are selling it for £99.99 - reduced from £124.99. John Lewis are George as Asda are both selling it for £99.97
A Toys R Us spokesman said: "There are some great discounts in all of our stores and new stock is still being shipped to stores this week as we clear our warehouses.
“The majority of discounts are between 20 to 25 per cent off, some highlights are Outdoor Toys, Action Figures and Board Games all up to 20 per cent off and for our younger shoppers pre-school infant toys are 20 per cent off.
“We have bikes, soft toys and wooden toys with up to 25 per cent off.
"We even have a few items such as Toddler dolls at up to 30 per cent off.”
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Some 3,000 jobs are at risk after the store’s collapse.
Shoppers have been urged to spend gift cards and make store returns quickly.
Toys R Us launched in the UK in 1985. The firm's US parent company filed for bankruptcy protection last year after racking up debts of more than £3.5billion.