Firms in spin over ballbearing prices

THE world is facing a shortage of the tiny ball bearings used to make fidget spinners – which could send prices of the toys soaring.

Factories making the gadgets are demanding money up front and have increased prices by up to 200 per cent.

Import company Zing, which sells two kinds of spinners called Spinzipz and Spinbladez, has been forced to bring “bags of cash” to some factories in China just to make sure its orders are confirmed.

The firm’s boss Josh Loerzel said: “Factories are asking for cash up front, and the price varies daily – anywhere from 50 per cent to 200 per cent more.”

Zing expects to sell up to five million spinners in the U.S. this year, but added: “They tell us, ‘We don’t have any more of the ball bearings unless you want to pay more’.”