So my cat must be the party pooper because she has very little interest in this toy. She will bat the ball a few times and walk away. I wish she'd use the scratcher, but she prefers my furniture where she can stretch and shred simultaneously. (wah-wah) As far as the price, well it appears that you could buy the base with a ping-pong ball for $10 and a separate starchaser lighted ball for $5. Or you could buy this for $30. Something just doesn't add up.