Let's face it, Ebay can be a great outlet for finding those "hard to find" items, and selling those "hard to find" items, but be careful of what you're buying and be informed.   This guide is written to inform you about those the ever popular Webkinz and Webkinz products.

As a parent, my house is full of the little Webkinz wonders and the number of these pets is increasing daily.  I have called shop after shop looking for that newest release, only to be told, "we're expecting them, but we haven't recieved them yet."   I even have a friend that is a retailer of Webkinz, and find myself waiting for the latest news of arrivals. 

Along with finding that treasured Webkinz on Ebay, you can also find rumors of the next retirement, presales, unused code sales.  I am giving you the facts as I know them in hopes of informing you so that you can go into a sale with your eyes wide open.

First of all, any retiring or retired Webkinz can be found on webkinz.com.  Take a tour, read the parents guide, be informed.  ALL information on retiring Webkinz is available there.  Alot of the Webkinz advertised as retired, are not.

The Magic W comes on every Webkinz that is now manufactured.  There were a few earlier releases that did not have a W.  They are no more valuable than the ones with the W.  

Ganz is releasing alot of new items this Fall that will come with a sealed code.  The ones I know about through my retailer friend are lipglosses, body spritzes, and the mouse pads.  They have not been released, and as far as new releases go, the plush animals or any other products, Ganz does not guarantee when a retailer will recieve their shipment, and the retailer only knows which animals will be received just days prior to actually recieving them, so beware of presales and be informed.

I would advise to never buy an unused code only.  It could be legitimate, it may not.  All codes that are new, and unused come sealed.  If a code has been used, and that code is used again under another account on the website, this could effect your account negatively.  This information can also be found on their website.   I personally check carefully to make sure I am buying an item with a sealed code.

All items sold by Ganz for Webkinz will have the Webkinz logo.  They currently make no official clothes, sleeping bags, etc.  Any legitimate seller will tell you upfront that it is not a Webkinz product, but a handcrafted accessory for your Webkinz collection.  Ganz currently has backpacks/purses and the newly released charms, bracelets and necklaces.  I can't say it enough, when it doubt check their website out.

We all love Webkinz, and we all love Ebay, so go and shop, play, and know what you're buying!

***When this was guide was written, there were no official Webkinz clothing, but if you're a Webkinz fan, you know by now there is clothing available for your Webkinz and they come sealed with a code just like all of their other products. :)

October 5, 2008 ~ Just another tip....Again, I am shopping for Webkinz and noticed ALOT of Webkinz being advertised as retired.  Most I found were retired, however some were not.  Before you buy, be informed.  Go to the website,  click on the catalog tab.  This will show the retired webkinz.  It will have a little "retired" graphic on the upper right hand side of the retired webkinz.