One Wii to Wule Them All!

Have I got a Wii story for you!!

So I had my Wii pre-ordered at my local game store, Games For Less. I'm not sure if they're a chain or not, but I doubt it. They weren't doing a midnight launch, so I would have to pick it up Sunday morning. Of course I couldn't sleep Saturday night, so I got up early Sunday and got there around 9:45am, to be greeted by a sign on the door: Wii Shipment Canceled, all pre-orders canceled! So I was pissed. There were other people there who were mad and were waiting to get their money back, but it was still early and I figured I still had time.

I rush out the door, look at the Toys R Us across the street, there must have been 100+ people in line!! No way I was getting one there. I look at my watch, 9:53am, I had time.

I rush to the Circuit City down the road. The people waiting outside were just going in. I had time!! So I walk in behind everyone, and one of the employees said they had sold out that morning at 8am. What!?? We were all so mad! So I started chatting with the people there, and I look to my left, and guess who I see! Elijah Wood! Apparently he couldn't get a Wii either, and in a strange way, that helped ease the pain. Nice guy. I didn't want to bother him, so I just talked to his friend for a while. But I have no time for celebrities when a Wii is waiting for mii. I notice they just put out some games and accessories. I pick up Red Steel, Zelda, and an extra Wii-mote. I know my Wii is out there. Somewhere.

I take off. Toys R Us? Sold out. I snuck into Cost Co. Sold out. EB Games? Sold out. Another EB Games? Sold out. Gamestop in the mall? Sold out. Game Rush (Blockbuster)? Sold out. Target? Sold out.

3 hours later, I give up and drive home. I probably called another dozen places. Sears, Wal mart, Comp USA... Sold out. I finally give up around 1pm. There were all gone. I was Wii-less. I got a second wind that afternoon, but still to no avail.

So this morning I wake up to go to work. It was about 9am and I read that stores were supposed to be getting shipments all throughout the week. Maybe they got one today? So I called Gamestop in the mall that was sold out yesterday. "Do you have any Wii's in stock?" "Hold on, let me check..." This had potential! Usually you get an upfront "no, sorry..." I wait. I wait... "Yes, we have 5." "What????? You have 5???" "Yes, we have 5." "Can I reserve one???" "Sorry sir, first come first serve, we open at 10am." "Thanks!!"

So this morning I got in to work, which is right across the street from the mall, just counting the clock. 9:40am. I can't take it anymore. I rush to the mall, and wait by the Gamestop. Nobody else there. I was first. I will get my Wii. But what if they were mistaken? What if those were pre-orders people didn't pick up? I started having doubts. I look at my watch. 9:50am. 10 minutes. No big deal. I look around the mall. Read some of the signs, look at the setup, lost in my thoughts. I look at my watch. 9:51am. Dang it!!

Gamestop guy walks up to the store. "I'll open it up in 10 minutes." Two other people get in line behind me. Finally, he opens the store, "I'll be right with you." I wait patiently. "You called about a Wii, right?" "Yes, I did." "I'll get it from the back." He walks to the back room. Was he mistaken? Did they have them??? Yes!!!! He walks back, rings me up (I got Monkey Ball too) and I pay.

The Wii is mine.

And so begins the longest day.