Democrats battle ‘Grinch bots’ that steal Christmas toys

secondary websites for as much as $1,000 a pop.

The senator said that as soon as a retailer put a hard-to-get toy — like Barbie’s Dreamhouse or Nintendo game systems — for sale on a website, a bot snatched it up even before a kid’s parents finish entering credit card information.

The toys then end up for sale on other sites like eBay for hundreds or even thousands of dollars more.

“So parents have a real dilemma: Either they can’t get the toy because the bots have scooped them up or they have to pay an enormous price,” Schumer said.

The proposal in Congress, a renewal of an effort led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., is akin to the past Senate battles over the use of bots to buy up inventory of tickets for concerts and major sporting events.

“Grinch bots are stealing the holidays by snatching up hot toys, driving up prices, and leaving parents empty handed on Christmas morning. We successfully banned ticket bots and we can use that same strategy to banish toy bots once and for all — putting consumers back in charge,” Blumenthal said in a statement.

New Mexico Democratic Sen. Tom Udall joined Blumenthal and Schumer in the latest effort, which includes a legislative push and an effort to encourage major retailers to selfpolice the bots.

“Letting these Grinch bots continue to rig the retail market and squeeze consumers doesn’t just hurt families during the holidays, it hurts small business owners, entrepreneurs, innovative product creators and all legitimate retailers throughout the year,” said Rep. Paul Tonko, a Democrat from New York who announced he was introducing a companion bill in the House.