My Quest for a TMX Elmo

About a month ago I wrote a post on the TMX Elmo.  I don’t keep up with the latest toys, but I had heard that the TMX Elmo was this year’s hot item.  I checked with Wal-Mart and asked when the toy was being released.  The lady gave me the date of October 1st.  I remember that it was going to be released on a Sunday morning.  I actually thought about going to Wal-Mart at like 5 a.m. and getting one just to resell.  Obviously, I had no clue how popular they really were.

On the night of Saturday, September 30th, I asked my husband if we could make a trip to Dollar Tree.  I needed some things to put in my shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse.  Somehow or another things continued keeping us from leaving the house.  We ended up leaving the house way later than we wanted to and we missed out on going to Dollar Tree.  We decided to go to Wal-Mart instead.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of shopping at Wal-Mart.  Every trip into Wal-Mart seems to take us at least an hour, but usually 2 or more.  This night was no exception.  We knew what we were getting ourselves into, so we put the kids in their pajamas and headed out. 

We’re doing our shopping and I’m pushing Baby Boy around the store.  It’s not long before he’s asleep.  One down and one more to go.  My daughter isn’t going down as easily.  (I will say for those of you that are against late night shopping with kids, this trip was very unusual for us.  We don’t normally do late night shopping.  I will continue to ramble on now . . . )

As we’re shopping through Wal-Mart I see this long line of people.  The line starts at the layaway department (soon to be obsolete) and continues through the photo lab and into the aisle.  The small crowd standing in line looks tired, on a mission, and ready to hurt someone.  They look antsy and they have even taken chairs from the furniture department to sit on. 

Suddenly it dawns on me why they are in line.  Could it be?  Could they be waiting for the TMX Elmo?  I take my daughter to the bathroom and question some people that are waiting.  Sure enough, they are wanting an Elmo. 

I couldn’t help but to get a little excited.  I might have a chance at getting one of these dolls.  Then I begin to walk around and talk to people.  Some say there are 75 dolls, some say 65.  I begin to get more excited.  But then, an employee tells me there are only 39.   So, I begin to walk around and count the people.  There are more than 39 people in line.  Bummer!  One lady says that she has been waiting in line for over 12 hours.  Wow!  Now that’s determination.

At this point it is 10:45.  I’m getting anxious and am really giving this some thought.  Should I get in line for over an hour and chance it or should I move on?  I convince my husband that we should stand in line. 

As we stand in line, we count the people.  Our chances are slim.  We also wonder if there are people in line that are holding places for others.  Finally, another associate comes by and tells us there are more than 39. She says there are 69 Elmos!!! 

We recount the people waiting.  If no one else gets in line in front of us, then we will get an Elmo.  What a relief it was when an associate came around with a notepad.  She had us sign our name beside a number.  That meant we would get a TMX Elmo!  Now all we had to do was wait until 12 a.m., when they were allowed to release them.  I can’t help but admit that we were still a little skeptical as there were no guarantees.

We had some good conversations with people while waiting.  We found out that some people were waiting in line to get a TMX Elmo for their baby.  I’m constantly in my thrifty mode so I am wondering why someone would go through so much trouble to get an Elmo for a baby that doesn’t know any difference. 

And FYI I do not feel guilty for getting an Elmo to sell.  I had a lady tell me that the people who are reselling the dolls are heartless and that her one year old’s Christmas would be ruined because of people like me.  Ok, is she really serious?  Does she really believe that?  Please tell me she doesn’t.  Now I really feel cheated.  I don’t know how I survived my childhood without a TMX Elmo, My Little Pony, or Furbie.  Sorry, that comment really irked me and brought out the sarcasm. 

My son is one year old and I really don’t think he cares what he will get for Christmas.  Just the thrill of tearing the paper will be enough for him.

Sorry, I was rambling again.    We did get the TMX Elmo.  Actually, my husband purchased one and I purchased one.  They will be on E-bay before Christmas arrives.  The profits will most likely go toward us buying Christmas gifts this year.