Wii

A few weeks ago I decided to get a Wii "for John" for Christmas. I searched online for a retail-priced console -- but they are out of stock everywhere. Then I called/ visited my local Target, WalMart(s) and Best Buy. At Target the woman told me that they had been in their Sunday circular and sold out within a few hours. Our fancy schmancy new WalMart had them on Grand Opening Day but sold out in ten minutes! Best Buy is completely out, none in the warehouse.

Taking a cue from my Wal Mart source, I thought I'd go early to a Circuit City "Grand Opening" advertised in the paper and try to be the first one in the store. But it turns out the "soft opening" was November 7th and yes, they have no Wii consoles. They have no Wii consoles today.

"How do I find a wii?" I Googled. And oh, the intrigue! The scandal! I read tales of Best Buy employees falsely touting the "last Wii in stock" on the sales floor to push sales. Rumors of an artificial shortage masterminded by the nefarious people at Nintendo in order to sustain demand, dire predictions of price spikes as it gets closer to Christmas. I began to despair of finding my Wii before Thanksgiving and determined that if I hadn't found one by then I would give up my quest -- better to go without than get caught in the holiday shopping craziness that begins the day after Thanksgiving.

I trolled through the online commentary again. One poster's incredulous response (she saw they all the time around her small town, what was the big deal?) inspired me. I searched for WalMart locations in areas farther out toward the hinterlands and called Gainsville, Sanger, and Decatur. Bingo! They'd had two in Decatur this morning, there was one left, and he'd hold it for me for an hour. Approximately one hour later I sidled up to the man in the electronic department of Decatur's WalMart and asked in my quietest voice if they were still holding a Wii? He looked at me, verified my identity, and brought me to my console.

Wheeee!