Tis The Season
Does anyone remember the simpler times? When most kids were happy not to get a lump of coal in there stocking? (No coal these days....it's not environmentally friendly) Times when any present, that wasn't socks or underwear, was a delight for the wee ones.........
Now, does anyone remember a little Christmas movie from the mid 90's called "Jingle All The Way"? Ninety some odd minutes of Arnold Schwartzenegger running all over the place trying to find a TurboMan action doll for his son. He left it to the last minute.......that's what was so funny. One wouldn't think that they could actually learn something from one of Arnie's movies. Silly me, if you didn't learn anything from that one, please learn from me.
Fast forward to December 16, 2006. Nine shopping days left, plenty of time for the average shopper. Just call me Arnie. Some of you may recall that I have been telling you for several weeks that we are getting Alex a Fisher Price Digital Camera for Christmas. I did have every intention of getting one before today, honest.....I've been a little busy. I actually stopped into the Walmart in Guelph earlier in the week because they had them advertised in the flyer.
This was my first trip to the new Walmart. I was feeling rotten, tired, cranky and a few other things all at once. I braced myself for a crowded and loud experience. To my surprise, I got a close parking spot, a clean shopping cart and lots of room to maneuver said cart. There were very few shoppers out...bonus. I thought that I'd just whip in, grab the camera, and get out. I was certain that there would be a huge display, after all, they were in the flyer that was clutched in my hand. Off I went to the toy department.........Apparently all of the shoppers that were in the store, were in the toy department.......and the easy to maneuver aisles seemed just that much too narrow for my new clean cart. Up and down, aisle after aisle, no display. They must keep them in the electronics department! Nope, not there. In fact, I didn't see any cameras at all, let alone the coveted Fisher Price. When I went looking for an employee, I was lucky enough to find two at the same time! Unfortunately, they were engaged in what must have been an extremely important conversation about whatever it is that teenagers converse about. I gathered that by the nasty looks that both of them gave me when, after two minutes of waiting to be acknowledged, I cleared my throat to interrupt. Once they got over the shock of my brazenness, one told me that they didn't have any, they didn't come in. I must have replied in a less than impressed tone (can't imagine why) because the other offered some less than convincing story that they might have them in the photo centre at the front. Before I could grunt an almost convincing "thank you", they were back to their conversation.
I didn't even need to step into the photo centre to see that there were none there. I looked at my nice new clean cart, its' emptiness mocking me......it took all of my might not to kick it. I left empty handed....except for the chips and chocolate that I bought to comfort me on my long drive home to Waterloo.
I put off the quest until today, I still had nine days, surely some store would have it. I checked Walmart, no luck. Canadian Tire, no such thing there. Zellers, Shopper's Drugmart, Sears...no, no and no. Ah ha! I'll go see my friend Geoffrey the Giraffe at Toys R Us, he'll have some there, that's why it's called Toys R Us. What a zoo! Hundreds of people pushing and shoving and grabbing. When I finally found someone to help me, I explained what I was looking for and it was all he could do to keep from laughing in my face. "We don't have any......and you won't see them for a while." "That's what you think Pal!" I thought to myself.....You see, unlike Arnie, I have an eBay account!
I dutifully completed some more shopping and quickly rushed home to my beloved laptop. Elizabeth was playing Reader Rabbit.....I headed downstairs to the office, Alex was on the internet! I managed to bribe Alex to get off the computer and logged onto eBay. I desperately searched for someone in Canada who was offering up the much sought after Fisher Price Digital Camera.....there wasn't a single one. Now nine days may seem like a lot of time when you are shopping in the country you live in, especially if you drive, but nine days, with only five or six of those days for delivery, is not a lot in the world of eBay.
I did manage to find a nice lady in Indiana who had one (in pink) who, if I paid before 4:00 today, would ship it UPS today. She got a quote of $45.00 U.S. for overnight shipping to Canada. After emailing eachother back and forth about six times......do you have Paypal?...yes, how quickly can you ship to Canada?......I went on the eBay sight, selected the "Buy it now" option, went to the secure checkout, added $45 for shipping and paid the lady by 3:36!
I'll I can say is......In Your Face Arnie!!!!!! That's how to get your kid what they want for Christmas! I just hope it gets here in time!
Now, does anyone remember a little Christmas movie from the mid 90's called "Jingle All The Way"? Ninety some odd minutes of Arnold Schwartzenegger running all over the place trying to find a TurboMan action doll for his son. He left it to the last minute.......that's what was so funny. One wouldn't think that they could actually learn something from one of Arnie's movies. Silly me, if you didn't learn anything from that one, please learn from me.
Fast forward to December 16, 2006. Nine shopping days left, plenty of time for the average shopper. Just call me Arnie. Some of you may recall that I have been telling you for several weeks that we are getting Alex a Fisher Price Digital Camera for Christmas. I did have every intention of getting one before today, honest.....I've been a little busy. I actually stopped into the Walmart in Guelph earlier in the week because they had them advertised in the flyer.
This was my first trip to the new Walmart. I was feeling rotten, tired, cranky and a few other things all at once. I braced myself for a crowded and loud experience. To my surprise, I got a close parking spot, a clean shopping cart and lots of room to maneuver said cart. There were very few shoppers out...bonus. I thought that I'd just whip in, grab the camera, and get out. I was certain that there would be a huge display, after all, they were in the flyer that was clutched in my hand. Off I went to the toy department.........Apparently all of the shoppers that were in the store, were in the toy department.......and the easy to maneuver aisles seemed just that much too narrow for my new clean cart. Up and down, aisle after aisle, no display. They must keep them in the electronics department! Nope, not there. In fact, I didn't see any cameras at all, let alone the coveted Fisher Price. When I went looking for an employee, I was lucky enough to find two at the same time! Unfortunately, they were engaged in what must have been an extremely important conversation about whatever it is that teenagers converse about. I gathered that by the nasty looks that both of them gave me when, after two minutes of waiting to be acknowledged, I cleared my throat to interrupt. Once they got over the shock of my brazenness, one told me that they didn't have any, they didn't come in. I must have replied in a less than impressed tone (can't imagine why) because the other offered some less than convincing story that they might have them in the photo centre at the front. Before I could grunt an almost convincing "thank you", they were back to their conversation.
I didn't even need to step into the photo centre to see that there were none there. I looked at my nice new clean cart, its' emptiness mocking me......it took all of my might not to kick it. I left empty handed....except for the chips and chocolate that I bought to comfort me on my long drive home to Waterloo.
I put off the quest until today, I still had nine days, surely some store would have it. I checked Walmart, no luck. Canadian Tire, no such thing there. Zellers, Shopper's Drugmart, Sears...no, no and no. Ah ha! I'll go see my friend Geoffrey the Giraffe at Toys R Us, he'll have some there, that's why it's called Toys R Us. What a zoo! Hundreds of people pushing and shoving and grabbing. When I finally found someone to help me, I explained what I was looking for and it was all he could do to keep from laughing in my face. "We don't have any......and you won't see them for a while." "That's what you think Pal!" I thought to myself.....You see, unlike Arnie, I have an eBay account!
I dutifully completed some more shopping and quickly rushed home to my beloved laptop. Elizabeth was playing Reader Rabbit.....I headed downstairs to the office, Alex was on the internet! I managed to bribe Alex to get off the computer and logged onto eBay. I desperately searched for someone in Canada who was offering up the much sought after Fisher Price Digital Camera.....there wasn't a single one. Now nine days may seem like a lot of time when you are shopping in the country you live in, especially if you drive, but nine days, with only five or six of those days for delivery, is not a lot in the world of eBay.
I did manage to find a nice lady in Indiana who had one (in pink) who, if I paid before 4:00 today, would ship it UPS today. She got a quote of $45.00 U.S. for overnight shipping to Canada. After emailing eachother back and forth about six times......do you have Paypal?...yes, how quickly can you ship to Canada?......I went on the eBay sight, selected the "Buy it now" option, went to the secure checkout, added $45 for shipping and paid the lady by 3:36!
I'll I can say is......In Your Face Arnie!!!!!! That's how to get your kid what they want for Christmas! I just hope it gets here in time!
posted by Wendell's Clan at 5:54 PM
3 Comments:
But...does the camera come with Turbo Boosters?
And like all cherished, must have Christmas presents that parents go crazy and broke buying, she will love it until next month - when something better comes along. Isn't Christmas grand?
I hope she makes an oscar winning movie with the camera so you will be able to pay your visa bill
Love Mom
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