Struggling parents have been warned to expect price rises this Christmas - despite the festive period being three months away.
It comes as Argos was criticised after shoppers spotted some of its toys being sold for half price in different shops, including Smyths and B&M.
A mum said the Barbie Fast Cast Clinic Playset with Barbie Doctor Doll - on sale at Argos for £56, having been reduced by 20% from £70 - is being sold by Smyths for £26.99.
The same toy is on sale for £49.99 - reduced from £69.99 - at The Entertainer and is being sold for £69.99 on the John Lewis website.
The woman said: "My daughter wants all Barbie for Christmas so I have started shopping around like I always do.
"Now don't get me wrong, I know some places differ in price, but Argos are substantially more expensive, and not just by a few pounds!
"I'm not sure how they are getting away with it!! Here are some examples that I've made for you, there are loads more though! First picture on each is Argos, second is Smyths or B&M."
Other examples she shared were the Barbie Doll and Pet Boutique Playset With 4 Pets, on sale at £37 in Argos, yet priced at just £22.99 in Smyths.
She also said the Barbie Sparkle Mask Day Spa Playset and Doll, priced at £28 in Argos' clearance section, is on sale at B&M for £16.99.
Another mum said: "I noticed this too! Aeroplane is only £60 In Smyths", while sharing a photo of the same Barbie Dream Plane Transforming Playset being sold by Argos for £105.
Barbie's You Can Be Anything Gymnast doll costs £42.99 on both John Lewis and The Entertainer.
The LEGO Technic Monster Jam Megalodon Pull Back Truck Toy is sold for £14.40 by The Entertainer and Smyths - reduced from £18 and £17.77 respectively.
The same toy costs £17.99 at John Lewis and £18 at Argos, which has a 2 for £20 promotion too.
Argos said in a statement to The Mirror: "Prices are influenced by a range of factors.
"We're committed to offering our customers great choice and value across a wide range of products."
The company added it follows the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) pricing and promotions guidelines.
Meanwhile, parents in Ireland have been urged to buy their Christmas presents early after Smyths confirmed the prices are set to increase in the "next few weeks", the Irish Mirror reports.
A mum told RTE's Liveline that the Barbie Day to Night Dreamhouse was currently priced at €249.99 (£223) in Smyths stores but was advertised as €324.99 (£291) in the catalogue.
Host Joe Duffy said: "Given the pressure that people are under, if there is anyone in your house writing [to Santa] to get the Barbie Day to Night Dreamhouse, today is the day to get it."
It is not clear if the increase in prices will also affect Smyths stores in the UK.
The supervisor of toy store Banba Toymaster in Dublin said the price of toys has "gone up a lot".
Wes Mulligan explained: "Parents won't be able to buy as much as they normally would, especially if they've got a couple of kids, they'll have to really cut back on how much they buy.
"We're coming into the colder months now and bills will take priority.”
It comes as an analysis of Felixstowe port's traffic found that toys, consoles and clothing imports worth more than £100million are at risk of disruption before Christmas due to strikes.
The Russell Group found that clothing worth an estimated £72million and toys and video games worth £29.5million are due to be imported into the port between yesterday and October 5, when about 1,900 Unite union members strike.
Industrial action at Felixstowe also coincides with strikes at the Port of Liverpool. Felixstowe is responsible for much of the imported goods into the UK.
The Mirror has contacted Smyths for comment.
