Zhu Zhu Pets: Where to Find One

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - Everyone's going nuts over a hamster this holiday season.

One of the most in-demand (and hard-to-find toys) are Zhu Zhu Pets (video: MyFoxDC) , a robotic hamster that darts around, plays in tubes and talk to one another. Many stores, including Toys"R"Us, Walmart and Target have reportedly sold out of the toy, according to NowinStock.com , and the only hope appears to be bidding way over the $9.99 selling price on eBay .

But don't despair. Here are a few tips as you continue to scout one of the most elusive gifts this season:

• Be patient: Natalie Hornsby, director of marketing and brand development for Cepia LLC, the company that creates Zhu Zhu Pets, told Consumer Affairs that production of Zhu Zhu Pets has ramped up and the company is now churning out over 200,000 hamsters daily. Many stores also said they should be receiving more pets throughout December -- Toys"R"Us says that customers can sign up on their Web site to receive alerts when more Zhu Zhu Pets have arrived. Just be prepared -- there could still be long lines or some kind of lottery system for claiming the coveted pets.

• Call your local store: Ask your local Walmart, Target, etc. what date they will be getting their new shipment of Zhu Zhu pets in. Ask if you can put a deposit down on one. If the store's policy doesn't allow that, then plan on arriving 15 minutes early on the day when the store is supposedly receiving its shipment to snag one.

• Pay a little more than you'd like: If you can't stomach the thought of fighting with other shoppers over a toy, you can pay a little more. Maybe not as much as what people are selling them for on eBay, but somewhere in the ballpark of $40 to $60. On Amazon.com , the Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Num Nums is selling for $62.50 with guaranteed arrival by Christmas. Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Pipsqueek is selling for $59.99 .

• Wait until January: If you absolutely have to have one and you can wait until January, the 2010 version of the Zhu Zhu Pets will ship then. On BigCityToys.com , the 2010 pets retail between $22 and $27.