Ebay-Elmo

[Makdyn]

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!

Not sure what target you went to. But the one I worked at did not give out tickets and there were plenty for everyone who got there at 8-9. There was a limit to One per a customer including employees. also there was only about five people in line when I got there so there were plenty.

To the OP who said if the employee discount was use then they should be fired. I did not use my discount on this. Honestly will it be different if it was not an elmo? What if I bought clothes that were mark on clearance to sell cause I sell on ebay to make extra money for what reason pay off bills, save for disney and use my discount. Once you purchase something it is yours to do whatever you want with.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

truthfully, there is nobody more "average Joe" than me and I have been able to buy several Elmos at retail or very near retail prices. One is for my own child, a couple for relatives, and some to resell.

You need to ask at the stores when they will be in, be willing to get there at store opening, and do a little work.

If you aren't willing to do that -- well then you can pay a bit of a premium to buy one on EBAY or another site from somebody who has done the work for you. It isn't like these things are selling for $3000 for goodness sake. We are not talking about the distribution of Bird Flu vaccine, food, or anything else remotely vital to the life of a child. If a parent can afford to spend $45 to buy their child an Elmo, then most likely they can afford to spend $80 of EBAY prices.

If none of the above applies, there store shelves are loaded with other affordable toys that kids will love just as well.

Two Targets near me all had Elmos for over an hour after opening. There were no tickets, no huge drama, no store employees hoarding the whole stock.

 

[Makdyn]

I would thank the people who say place it on ebay after thanksgiving, I would keep checking the prices and when I feel it would be the right time then I will list it.

For everyone else I hope you can find another thread to vent your opinions on and maybe we will have the same opinion. Sorry that our opinions were not the same that is what makes use all different.

 

[chr1972]

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!

You guys are way too easy. I knew this post you get all of you going!!!!

Truthfully...if I want it bad enough, I'd pay the e-bay price. I don't want TMX that bad. The price and availiability will even out soon enough.

P.S. I'm one of the idiots who payed $20 for Sarge from the Cars movie.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

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.

I could not agree more and don't think you are being mean spirited. If your child wants a TMX Elmo, you should be able to get it for them at the regular retail price. Kids toy dreams shouldn't be timed for the market. I think Fisher Price should do the right thing here but alas this was all part of the plan I suppose.

For us, my almost 2 year old daughter will have to be content with my oldest daughter's old Rock N Roll Elmo we found in the garage last week. Darned if that thing isn't still working! She loves it and really has no idea what TMX is all about so I think we will skip this toy craze.

 

[Ilovemyprincesses]

What I don't get is why Fisher Price does this? They aren't making extra money off the ebay stuff. They only make money off of the stuff sold in stores so why not have enough to go around? I live near the Fisher Price factory and they have a toy store. I am going to see if they have any.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

well in short - last year they produced about 1 million units of whatever Elmo was out there last year -- I don't know, and they retailed at about $19.99. So Gross Revenue at the retail level on those Elmos was 19.9 million dollars and many of them sat on the shelves.

This year they supposedly produced about 750,000 Elmo TMXs, they really aren't disclosing exactly how many but it is supposedly less than last year. They then set out a huge media blitz that Elmo is "hot" and everybody all the sudden has to have one. The 750,000 Elmo's sell for around $40 each --- that is $30million in revenue, a little less than a 50% increase over previous year right there. In addition, Fisher Price has barely had to pay to advertise Elmo at all. The media hype has taken care of that.

In addition there is now what the analysts are calling the "Elmo Halo Effect." People who can't get their hands on the TMX are buying other Elmo products instead. Chicken Dance Elmo, Hokey Pokey Elmo, Elmo Giggle and Shake Chair, some Elmo Christmas thing --- sales on all of those are way up.

Then you have the Mattel cross promotion on the Barbie Elmo TMX, those are almost as hard to find. Barbie sales have been falling over past years --- and now they also have a "hot" product. A whole production of Barbie Dolls that would have sat on the shelves at Toys R Us sold out in days with hardly any effort at all. Mattel is owned by Fisher Price.

Sorry, I tried to keep it short but that is the basics of it.

 

[EpcotMatt]

well in short - last year they produced about 1 million units of whatever Elmo was out there last year -- I don't know, and they retailed at about $19.99. So Gross Revenue at the retail level on those Elmos was 19.9 million dollars and many of them sat on the shelves.

This year they supposedly produced about 750,000 Elmo TMXs, they really aren't disclosing exactly how many but it is supposedly less than last year. They then set out a huge media blitz that Elmo is "hot" and everybody all the sudden has to have one. The 750,000 Elmo's sell for around $40 each --- that is $30million in revenue, a little less than a 50% increase over previous year right there. In addition, Fisher Price has barely had to pay to advertise Elmo at all. The media hype has taken care of that.

In addition there is now what the analysts are calling the "Elmo Halo Effect." People who can't get their hands on the TMX are buying other Elmo products instead. Chicken Dance Elmo, Hokey Pokey Elmo, Elmo Giggle and Shake Chair, some Elmo Christmas thing --- sales on all of those are way up.

Then you have the Mattel cross promotion on the Barbie Elmo TMX, those are almost as hard to find. Barbie sales have been falling over past years --- and now they also have a "hot" product. A whole production of Barbie Dolls that would have sat on the shelves at Toys R Us sold out in days with hardly any effort at all. Mattel is owned by Fisher Price.

Sorry, I tried to keep it short but that is the basics of it.

Exactly right. Not to mention the fact that they can then release more TMX's here & there & people will snatch them up. Perceived supply & demand.

 

[i3utterfli82]

OP why didn't you use your employee discount? I know its only 10% but it doesn't not make sense why not?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

So let me ask you something. You work at Target. You knew these toys had come in so the next day you buy some to put on Ebay. Does anyone else see the unfairness in this?

Not at all and besides, why does toy availability have to be fair?

What if someone wants one of the new PS3s, yet has to work and can't wait in line to sign up for a pre-sale while someone else does have the time? Perfectly fair, that's life.

Knowing when shipments of items come in is one of the benefits of working in a retail store. Anyone who feels this is so unfair is free to apply at his or her local Target; they are always hiring. Or cultivate a friendship with an employee.

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'm rather surprised to see someone who feels an employee of Target is anything BUT a regular Joe!

 

[phorsenuf]

I would thank the people who say place it on ebay after thanksgiving, I would keep checking the prices and when I feel it would be the right time then I will list it.

For everyone else I hope you can find another thread to vent your opinions on and maybe we will have the same opinion. Sorry that our opinions were not the same that is what makes use all different.

I'm not sure where I fall. I vented but I also said to wait till after Thanksgiving. So am I a good guy or bad guy???

 

[Makdyn]

OP why didn't you use your employee discount? I know its only 10% but it doesn't not make sense why not?

Because you can only use it with a target credit card, gift card, cash or check. I did not have my target credit card with me, cash, or a gift card, and did not feel like writing a check out. so I used my debit card. If I did have one of the available and was not being lazy I would have used it

 

[Makdyn]

I'm not sure where I fall. I vented but I also said to wait till after Thanksgiving. So am I a good guy or bad guy???

You are best of both worlds, You like to vent and also provide good advice.

 

[TravelinGal]

I guess I'm just glad my DS doesn't have the 'gimmies' - yet. And that I'm not one of those parents all wrapped up in the hype - - on any toy/product.

I'm looking at getting the Elmo tool bench for DS, but not because of any of the TMX junk. Because he likes Elmo and it's a good safe toy for a boy. No 'Elmo Halo Effect' there - not for me anyway.

Personally, I will NEVER EVER pay MORE for a product than it's worth in the stores on eBay. I always add the shipping on an item before deciding if it's worth my time.

 

[mercydisney]

I don't see anything wrong w/an employee getting the TMX elmo before anyone else. It's the privelage the employee gets for working in the store.
If he chooses to sell it on Ebay that's the person choice.


Just like if you work in a hairsalon, you get nice haircuts(maybe free) from the best stylist. If you work in a Dr's office you and your family members get to see the DR as soon as possible or get prescriptions filled out quickly, If you work in the ER, and you have to be seen right away, you will. If you work for a builder you get privelages. and so on and so on.

I was one of those people that was lucky enough to get a TMX Elmo when I walked in the store. I go to my local toy store all the time.
I've gotten to know the workers in the store, I asked if they had any TMX Elmo left, manager said "We have a box coming out now, it'a the spanish version, I can only give you 2. How many would you like." I was surprise they had any, left, I said "I'll take 2".
When the employee came out w/ the box if he did not have a couple of employees surrounding him, he would of been trampled. I did not have to trample the employee because they had taken out 2 especially for me. I love my local TRU. Even if their return policies stink I really think the employees work hard to make customers happy.

OK, so I am one of those people who only needed 1 for my DN, I have an extra TMX I need to get rid of, I just might return it. But if I get an asking price such as $80. (PM ME only if you live in Tampa, FL.) I will sell it.


I really think most of us (like me) get caught in the whole idea of getting something that is so hard to get that it becomes a challenge to get it. And when we do we have achieved an A+ in our make believe report card for Christmas shopping.

Sorry I'm rambling, but ALL MY Children has been replaced by the president, and w/ all due respects Mr. Pres. I need to know what happened to JR, did he survive or is he still falling from the hotel window.

 

[ogreenlee]

No offense, but I don't think it's worth $40, and anyone standing in line that long for a TOY is a little crazy to me.

However... if you purchase this stupid toy off of Ebay for more than $40 just because it's a "hot toy", then you're even crazier than the person who stood in line to buy it just so they could sell it to ya.

There are a billion different toys out there which are probably a heckuva lot cooler and more interesting than any Elmo.

And my kid is 3. She hasn't even mentioned a toy, much less Elmo. Do 5, 6, & 7 year olds want TMX Elmo? Does your 3 or 4 year old already beg for the "hot toy"?

I agree with the other poster who said that it's the parents who fuel this craze.

 

[Adi12982]

I need to know what happened to JR, did he survive or is he still falling from the hotel window.

ME TOO!

 

[MrsPete]

well in short - last year they produced about 1 million units of whatever Elmo was out there last year -- I don't know, and they retailed at about $19.99. So Gross Revenue at the retail level on those Elmos was 19.9 million dollars and many of them sat on the shelves.

This year they supposedly produced about 750,000 Elmo TMXs, they really aren't disclosing exactly how many but it is supposedly less than last year. They then set out a huge media blitz that Elmo is "hot" and everybody all the sudden has to have one. The 750,000 Elmo's sell for around $40 each --- that is $30million in revenue, a little less than a 50% increase over previous year right there. In addition, Fisher Price has barely had to pay to advertise Elmo at all. The media hype has taken care of that.

In addition there is now what the analysts are calling the "Elmo Halo Effect." People who can't get their hands on the TMX are buying other Elmo products instead. Chicken Dance Elmo, Hokey Pokey Elmo, Elmo Giggle and Shake Chair, some Elmo Christmas thing --- sales on all of those are way up.

Then you have the Mattel cross promotion on the Barbie Elmo TMX, those are almost as hard to find. Barbie sales have been falling over past years --- and now they also have a "hot" product. A whole production of Barbie Dolls that would have sat on the shelves at Toys R Us sold out in days with hardly any effort at all. Mattel is owned by Fisher Price.

Sorry, I tried to keep it short but that is the basics of it.

That's a good analysis of the business plan. It works. It works well. And it's all rather ridiculous because the toy is aimmed at an age group that doesn't yet distinguish between this year's "hot toy" and a set of dollar store blocks!

 

[mercydisney]

ME TOO!

ADI12382, HE 'S STILL FALLING!!! Soapnet is showing yesterday's episode.