Ebay-Elmo

[phorsenuf]

I don't know why I found this so funny.
Admittedly I have some serious sleep deprivation going today - but still...


Cathy, I love that you offered your opinion on whether the OP should wait or not, even though you find the whole thing a bit unfair.
I love it, really

Well I Ebay too so I can understand where she's coming from. But there is that part of me that finds it a bit unfair. I wonder if that's because I can't find any! LOL

 

[Desnik]

If someone wanted to buy a TMX Elmo they could've easily waited on line for 2 hours in the cold like we did. Why should I feel bad for someone who didn't do that and then expect to just walk in a store and have the most popular toy sitting there waiting for them? I'm in no way expecting to get rich off a doll on Ebay. I start all my Elmo auctions for exactly what I paid, $39.99. I don't think that the OP should be made to feel guilty for what they put up for sale on Ebay.

It is also a wonderful idea to donate one to a charity. But, don't they give the kids the toys at one time? How would the kids feel if one gets a $2 car and the other a TMX Elmo! That wouldn't be fair to the other kids. We do donate toys during the holiday and I would donate a TMX Elmo but I don't want to make some kids feel bad.

 

[Makdyn]

So if I did not work at target and found out that they had them and got one and asked this question the ones that dont agree with me selling it might not have a problem with. Well my bad that I work at target. What was I thinking taking a second job to help take care of my kids. shame on me. I should quit and have my kids go without because I got to know when Elmo came in. Please give me a break.

 

[Makdyn]

I am also going to start the bid at $40.

 

[Braque]

Not trying to be mean-spirited here, but my personal wish is that Fisher-Price will flood the market with many shipments to all stores between now and Christmas.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

but sadly some children will not be recieving their Christmas "wish" for a new Elmo because some people bought, 1 or 2 or 4 of them with no intentions of giving them as gifts, but to profit off them.

I guess, but happily some other children, most likely children in New Jersey because it seems like 90% of the toys I sell get shipped to New Jersey, WILL be receiving their wish for a new Elmo because I worked my butt off to get some extra in stock so their parents could buy one from me even though they themselves don't have the time and/or desire to go through the effort necessary to obtain Mr. Elmo TMX.

or do the Christmas wishes of the children in New Jersey not count, because they have parents who can spend an extra $60?

 

[MrsPete]

How would the kids feel if one gets a $2 car and the other a TMX Elmo!

I don't think the kids who are Elmo-age would care a hoot -- they just want a toy. They don't yet distinguish this year's "hot toy" from a dollar store truck. It's the parents who fuel this Elmo-insanity.

 

[MrsPete]

I know you are all in it for the money,but sadly some children will not be recieving their Christmas "wish" for a new Elmo because some people bought, 1 or 2 or 4 of them with no intentions of giving them as gifts, but to profit off them.

I don't think that's true. Because people buy excess Elmos and sell them on ebay, the children in "Selling Town" will not receive Elmos, but the children "Buying Town" will. The same number of Elmos will still be out there. However, the buying of excess toys will fuel a shortage -- real or imagined -- and that'll drive the price up, meaning that some people won't be able to afford them. If everyone just bought what they themselves needed, the price would stay low for everyone, but parents have been convinced that it's a "must-have". Advertising works.

I agree!
Maybe OP could put a "buy it now" reasonable price and give some poor person a break.

Or just leave it in the store and let that poor person buy it themselves.

 

[Ilovemyprincesses]

I guess the secret to the "hot holiday toy" is get a job at Target, walmart or TRU and then you get first dibs.

 

[Adi12982]

I know you are all in it for the money,

but sadly some children will not be recieving their Christmas "wish" for a new Elmo because some people bought, 1 or 2 or 4 of them with no intentions of giving them as gifts, but to profit off them.
Santa cannot always shop of eBay.


Did it ever occur to anyone that Toys For Tots would LOVE to receive the new Elmo to grant a child's Christmas wish.

We did, the first four we got when the craze started are going to toys for tots, the last 4 will HOPEFULLY make nough to pay them all off, that way we granted wishes and didn't have to spend tons becuase we are BROKE (Husbands a teacher and I am a student) but wanted to do something nice!

 

[grlpwrd]

...It's the parents who fuel this Elmo-insanity.

It's the Cabbage Patch doll all over again.

Oh, and my 11yo dd just told me how a teacher at her school took an unwrapped one in to show and demonstrate one to all of her students. They thought it was cute, but nothing great. That is why I won't buy one... I'll probably see them in thrift stores eventually. lol (sorry!)

I also see lots of Mickey Mouse Clubhouses on ebay...

 

[ICF]

I know you are all in it for the money,

but sadly some children will not be recieving their Christmas "wish" for a new Elmo because some people bought, 1 or 2 or 4 of them with no intentions of giving them as gifts, but to profit off them.
Santa cannot always shop of eBay.


Did it ever occur to anyone that Toys For Tots would LOVE to receive the new Elmo to grant a child's Christmas wish.

How do you figure??? It was sold to someone that will likley give it to their child for Christmas. Perhaps that child wouldn't have been able to get one w/out Ebay? Now, since their parents used Ebay to get them one their "Chirstmas wish" is been fulfilled.

Why is the child who's parent bought it in the store more important then the child whos parent could only buy it from Ebay?

 

[monorailsilver]

I still don't get it, I mean it is Elmo & in 6 months he will be collecting dust somewhere.

I have 3 kids-5, 3 & 8 mo & none of them show any interest in getting an Elmo doll.

We do have a Tickle me Elmo that was bought cheap after the mad dash by my sister & she forgot to give it to our cousin so now it sits in my toy closet barely played with.

 

[cats mom]

So if I did not work at target and found out that they had them and got one and asked this question the ones that dont agree with me selling it might not have a problem with.

Actually I don't know if that's necessarily true.

Not trying to speak for anyone on this thread, but I think a lot of folks have a problem with the whole buying to resell above retail value thing.
Doesn't matter if it's the 'must have' toy, or event tickets, or limited edition pins, or whatever.
I think you still might encounter a little backlash.

I'm not passing judgement by any means. Just sayin'

I've actually resold tickets that went for way over what I paid for them myself. In my case it was because I ended up with a few extras when I coordinated a group event. But I could have just as easily listed them on a buy it now auction at face value and I didn't. I started mine at 99 cents btw, but come on, I knew they would go for way more than that. The lure of the crazy amounts folks were paying was just too much to resist. I did feel pretty guilty about it, but I didn't offer to refund anyone's money either, so there you go.



As for the employee thing... that really is a tough one.

I worked in the credit office of a department store all through college. We were also a ticketmaster outlet. My manager made the call that she would pull 2 tickets each for those of us who worked in the credit office and for upper management (probably 9 people total) if we wanted seats to an event. (For us to attend btw, never just to resell)
Not very fair, but also probably the only perk to that job, believe me.

Any other store employee had to stand in line just like anyone else or take their chances with whatever we had left after the first big rush when an event went on sale. Sometimes that was nothing.

Honestly we took a ton of flack from employees - especially when they were scheduled to work the morning an event went on sale. But anyone else would have to get off work to stand online, why shouldn't they?

I think that may be the problem folks have with the employee thing. Seeing employees running from the toy department with their TMX Elmos in hand would not exactly give me the warm fuzzies if I had been waiting in some miserable line outside for who knows how long to have a chance at one. Does not seem fair to me at all. The fact that said employees had to wait until 8am would not make me feel any better about it. They were still able to get to the toy dept. and get their Elmos before anyone else... and without waiting in line.


I do have to admit I'm with Braque on this one.
I'd love nothing better than to see the market absolutely flooded with the furry little guys on black Friday.

As always, my opinion only - doesn't have to be yours

Edited to clarify - I know, there's a preview button - I just don't tend to use it

 

[imsayin]

Not trying to speak for anyone on this thread, but I think a lot of folks have a problem with the whole buying to resell above retail value thing.
Doesn't matter if it's the 'must have' toy, or event tickets, or limited edition pins, or whatever.

It just so happens that this really works for today's gotta have it society. The resellers are just providing a service for the people that can't be bothered to go wait in line for the toys. If someone (aka the parent) really needs the latest hot toy they can just buy it off Ebay. Personally, I don't think there is any toy out there worth the extra $$$ to me, but then again, I am a budget-boarder.

 

[Shelby5514]

If you paid full price for it, you have a right to sell it for whatever someone is willing to pay. BUT if you used your store discount to buy it and then sold it for a profit, THAT would be a conflict of interest and I would think it would be cause for termination.

 

[mookie]

OMG Shelby5514 that pic in your siggie is HILARIOUS!!!!!

 

[chr1972]

I don’t see a problem with it at all. The public has the same opportunity to but the Elmo as the employee did. If you showed up when the store opened, you could have gotten one. The only “advantage” the employee had was knowing about it. Sort of like when us DISers here get an advantage with things like room codes & then we all book those available rooms and no one else can.

I disagree with this. I waited outside Target Sunday to be there when they opened. The manager announced they were all sold out, before they even opened!!!!! He stated they gave out "tickets" for them but would not tell us how you get a ticket. I now see a poster on here was an employee at Target and bought several. That's why the average Joe cannot get one unless they go on e-bay and support these folks who are trying to make a buck and keeping kids from getting the toys unless they have parents that can affort to pay twice the price for the TMX! I would NEVER do this. Yes it is supply and demand, but come on.....it's Chrismas time and it's a kids toy!

I feel better since I've vented but I had to get that off of my chest. Sorry if I offended anyone. These are just my opinions and I know everyone has them!

 

[mookie]

I disagree with this. I waited outside Target Sunday to be there when they opened. The manager announced they were all sold out, before they even opened!!!!! He stated they gave out "tickets" for them but would not tell us how you get a ticket. I now see a poster on here was an employee at Target and bought several. That's why the average Joe cannot get one unless they go on e-bay and support these folks who are trying to make a buck and keeping kids from getting the toys unless they have parents that can affort to pay twice the price for the TMX! I would NEVER do this. Yes it is supply and demand, but come on.....it's Chrismas time and it's a kids toy!

I feel better since I've vented but I had to get that off of my chest. Sorry if I offended anyone. These are just my opinions and I know everyone has them!

I truly think it is just a matter of place/time. The day the Elmos were released, I debated all day on if I was going to get them. My intention was for my dd and my niece. Towards the end of the day, I started hearing how crazy it was with people getting them. So, just one random chance, I called around before I went to the store. Turns out my Target had 6 left. I asked the employee to put 2 on hold for me and I would be in the store in a half hour. NO problem!

I do admit by the time I got there the rest were all sold out. When I went to pick up mine from customer service, the mgr helped me. While he thought I was smart to call first, he did say that he should have made a policy against people calling in and putting them on hold. But he let me have them anyway.

The way I look at it, anyone could have gone in there all day to pick one up - I called at 4pm!!!

I still don't know if my dd and niece are going to get them, but I have them just in case. They don't really seem that interested in it, so if not, I will take them, sell them on ebay for a few extra dollars of Xmas money. I have no problems of doing this. I figured if it was that easy for me to get them, then others could have followed suit.

 

[EpcotMatt]

That's why the average Joe cannot get one unless they go on e-bay and support these folks who are trying to make a buck and keeping kids from getting the toys unless they have parents that can affort to pay twice the price for the TMX!

My bet is that a high majority of the people selling these on Ebay are “average joes” who waited in line or camped out or whatever & bought just like you could have. I’m curious chr1972, what do you think the percentage is of the people selling these on Ebay being store employees who bought them before the stores even opened?