How Much Did Furbys Cost in the 90s? A Nostalgic Price Breakdown

Remember the Christmas rush of 1998? Parents scrambling through toy stores, desperately hunting for that must-have interactive furball with the big eyes and gibberish language? Yep, I’m talking about Furbys – those oddly adorable electronic pets that took the late 90s by storm. As a kid who begged my parents for one (and eventually got a slightly used one from my cousin), I’ve always wondered about their original price tag. Whether you’re feeling nostalgic or hunting for a vintage collectible, let’s dive into exactly how much these chatty creatures cost back in their heyday – and what they’re worth today.

Original Retail Price: What Furbys Cost When First Released

When Tiger Electronics (a subsidiary of Hasbro) first released Furbys in October 1998, they hit store shelves with an official retail price of $35. This price point was carefully chosen to position Furbys as premium electronic toys while still remaining accessible enough for mass market appeal. The strategy worked brilliantly – Furbys became one of the defining toys of the era.

During the 1998 holiday season, however, the story was quite different. With demand far outstripping supply, Furbys became nearly impossible to find at retail. This scarcity drove secondary market prices through the roof, with desperate parents paying anywhere from $100 to $300 for a single Furby. Newspaper classified ads and early online auctions were filled with Furbys at 3-8 times their retail price.

By 1999, production had ramped up significantly, and most consumers could find Furbys at the standard $35 price point. During this peak popularity period, Tiger Electronics sold an astonishing 14 million Furbys in 1999 alone, following the 1.8 million sold during their 1998 launch.

Furby Prices Adjusted for Inflation

To truly understand what Furbys cost in the context of today’s money, we need to adjust for inflation. That $35 price tag from 1998 might not sound like much now, but it represented a more significant purchase at the time.

When you consider that the average hourly wage in 1998 was around $12.50 (compared to about $29 today), a $35 Furby represented nearly 3 hours of work for the average American. Today’s equivalent would be around $87 – making the actual inflation-adjusted price of $63.75 seem relatively reasonable for an interactive electronic toy.

Special Edition Furbys: Premium Pricing in the 90s

As Furby mania took hold, Tiger Electronics capitalized on the craze by releasing special edition versions that commanded slightly higher prices. These special editions featured unique designs, colors, or themes that made them stand out from the standard models.

The rarest Furby ever created was the “Bejewelled Furby,” which was adorned with genuine Swarovski crystals, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds set in 18k gold. Only five were produced for FAO Schwarz, with a jaw-dropping retail price of $100,000 each in 1999 (equivalent to over $190,000 today). Only two were ever sold, making this the most expensive Furby in history.

Holiday Season Price Fluctuations

The 1998 holiday season saw some of the most dramatic price fluctuations in toy history. As Furby fever swept the nation, the toys became nearly impossible to find at retail. This scarcity created a secondary market where prices skyrocketed based on simple supply and demand.

By Christmas 1998, newspaper classified ads were listing Furbys for anywhere from $100 to $300, with the most desirable colors commanding the highest prices. Early online auction sites saw similar markups, with bidding wars driving prices even higher in the final days before Christmas.

This price gouging became so prevalent that some retailers implemented purchase limits (typically one or two Furbys per customer) to prevent resellers from buying their entire stock. By the 1999 holiday season, however, production had caught up with demand, and most Furbys could be found at their regular retail price.

From 90s Toy to Valuable Collectible: Current Resale Values

If you’ve got a Furby tucked away in your attic, you might be sitting on a small fortune – or at least enough for a nice dinner out. The value of vintage 90s Furbys has increased significantly over the past 25 years, especially for rare editions and those still in their original packaging.

Here’s how today’s resale values compare to the original 90s retail prices:

The most valuable vintage Furbys today are those that were already rare when released. The Kid Cuisine Furby, with its distinctive color scheme and extremely limited production of around 500 units, can fetch up to $2,500 in sealed condition – a staggering 7,000% increase from its original promotional value.

How to Identify Authentic 90s Furbys When Buying Today

With vintage Furbys commanding premium prices, it’s important to know how to spot an authentic 90s model versus later reproductions or counterfeits. Here are the key features to look for when authenticating a vintage Furby:

When buying online, always ask for clear photos of these authentication points. For rare or expensive Furbys, consider purchasing from reputable collectible toy dealers who offer authenticity guarantees rather than unverified marketplace sellers.

Beyond the 90s: How Furby Pricing Changed Through the Generations

While our focus has been on 90s Furbys, it’s worth noting how the pricing strategy evolved as Furby was reinvented for new generations. Each relaunch brought new technology and, typically, higher price points:

Interestingly, when adjusted for inflation, the price increases across generations have been relatively modest. The $35 original Furby from 1998 would cost about $63.75 in today’s dollars, while the 2023 rerelease retails for around $70 – not a dramatic increase considering the technological advancements.

The Lasting Value of 90s Nostalgia

From their humble $35 beginnings to commanding hundreds or even thousands of dollars on today’s collector market, Furbys represent a fascinating case study in toy pricing, scarcity, and nostalgia-driven value. What once caused holiday shopping frenzies has transformed into sought-after collectibles that connect us to a simpler time – when a chattering, mechanical pet with big eyes and a made-up language could capture the imagination of an entire generation.

Whether you’re a collector looking to authenticate a rare find, someone hoping that attic Furby might fund your next vacation, or simply curious about what your parents paid for your childhood companion, understanding the history of Furby pricing helps us appreciate both the economic and emotional value these quirky creatures continue to hold.

And if you’re considering adding a vintage Furby to your collection today, remember that while prices have certainly increased since the 90s, the joy and nostalgia they bring remains priceless.