Resale Queen - How to find your Elmo TMX and why you shouldn't bother.

How to find your Elmo TMX and why you shouldn't bother.

Added on 11/15/06 by Betsy

I have realized of late that many of my readers may not be resellers at all. Many of you may have just googled the toy of your child's dreams and found this site.

And what toy are you most likely hunting for . . . Elmo TMX of course.

"I don't want to pay $100 on Ebay for the $40 doll that's ridiculous. I just want to know how to find a toy store that is selling them and run in and grab one off the shelf. That shouldn't be so tough? Ebay sellers are just ripping people off! - Right?"

Let's explore the logistics of scoring an Elmo TMX.

#1. You have to call or go to your local store and find out what day they get shipment.

That sounds easy.

#2. You have to go to the store before they open and stand in line.

OK I can do that.

#3. You can only buy the store limit. For instance the Toys R Us limit is 2 per customer. They can share you say.

Hmmmm . . . let's run through this again realistically:

A. If you are in the market for this doll most likely you have little preschool-toddler age kids. So in order to achieve the first point you have manipulate your way through the toy store then stand there with your children while the 16 year old clerk looks at you blankly then goes to look for a manager.

In order to avoid public humiliation and a break down you let the kids play with some display toys and you continually chant, "If you are good we will go to McDonalds."

So by this point you have secured the information on the shipment date. However, when you try to pry the display toy from your kids hands they freak.

You know you shouldn't but for the sake of peace you buy them the display toy. Let's estimate $14.99 for the toy - multiply that by the number of children you brought to the store.

Next you take them to McDonalds as promised and you get yourself lunch too, so now you are out another $10 bucks.

B. This is the standing in line part. Seems simple enough. Until you realize you have to beg your husband to babysit his own children or have to somehow drop one at school and make it to the toy store before they open. As your reward for being the hero of Christmas morning you reward yourself with a latte and you buy your sister one too, because hey you can't sit out there alone. Now you are out another $10 bucks and your husband thinks you owe him.

You haven't even gotten into the store yet! You don't even know if they have any Elmos or if there are going to be any left before they get in the store. Before you know it between time, food and bribery you have spent the $60 price difference between retail and Ebay.

Please realize when I sell you my TMX for $99 Buy it Now, you are buying my place in line at Toys R Us at 7 in the morning.

So please amateurs- stay home and let the eBayers do their job. How else can we afford those coffees in line!!

* Tomorrow I will reveal the Resale Queen prediction for the successor to the TMX - THE NEXT HOT EBAY TOY!