A toy is said to be shortpacked when it is shipped in significantly lower numbers than the rest of its release wave. A toy that is shortpacked is typically harder to find than other toys from the same assortment, since there are fewer of it produced. This rarity also makes it attractive to scalpers. If a shortpacked toy is also a highly desirable one to fans and/or collectors (for instance, if it represents a popular character who is rarely produced as a toy), then it can become extremely difficult to obtain.