WEST HARTFORD — Connecticut U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he plans to propose legislation that would crack down on third-party sellers using cyber bot technology to buy out inventories of hot holiday toys.
The Democrat announced his proposal while appearing at the Toy Chest in West Hartford on Black Friday.
Blumenthal said the software programs automatically locate and purchase large quantities of inventory that are then offered for sale in a matter of seconds, squeezing out regular consumers. They later resell the items at high prices.
He said the situation has led to some toys becoming nearly impossible to buy online or in stores at retail prices.
Blumenthal previously introduced a similar bill aimed at so-called ticket bots, which intentionally bypass security measures on ticket sales websites to buy up tickets for resale.
“Cyber grinches are cutting lines and snatching up hot holiday toys before anyone else has a chance—reselling toys at exorbitant and unfair prices online and taking advantage of parents who just want to bring smiles to their children’s faces. I have called for a crackdown on ticket bots, and will now seek similar legislation in the next session to end this anti-consumer practice for other online sales as well,” Blumenthal said.
