Shoppers in Hysterics Over TMX Elmo
Posted on October 10, 2006
TMX Elmo is in the early lead for this year's hottest toy. TMX Elmo is an extreme tickle toy with three interactive tickle spots on his chin, tummy or toe. He explodes into fits of hysterical laughter when he is tickled.
You can see an example of Elmo's laughing fits by watching this video that shows Elmo in action. The dog in the video isn't sure what to think of Elmo's hysterics.
Shoppers are rushing out to buy the hard-to-find toy which quickly disappears from shelves shortly after new shipments arrive. Toledoblade.com reports that experts are saying there has never been a toy this hot so early and that Mattel may sell as many as three million of the super ticklish Elmo dolls.
Elmo will have tough competition when the new game consoles from Sony and Nintendo are released in November but for now he is the hottest toy. Many reporters are getting the holiday season off to a hectic and stressful start by warning shoppers to act fast before the must-have items like TMX Elmo are gone.
Consumers don't need this early holiday stress. Unfortunately, TMX Elmo probably won't get any easier to find. According to Jim Silver, editor of Toy Wishes, told CNN/Money that the complex technology means it takes longer to make the dolls.
"Because the technology is so complicated, it's taking longer to make the new Elmo. Fisher-Price is only making between 50 to 60 percent of the full-year production of the new Elmo," Silver said, adding that Fisher-Price typically produces a million and a half units of Elmo for the holidays.
"There's going to be a shortage for T.M.X.," he said.
If you can't find TMX Elmo at your local toy store or at one of the online toy retailers then you may have to opt for eBay. There are already thousands of TMX Elmo listings appearing on eBay which usually occurs when there is a shortage for a product that is in demand. There are over 5,000 listings for TMX Elmo on eBay. The prices on eBay are two or three times the toy's list price of $39.99. Many of the entries list multiple Elmos sold in unsealed cases. You probably don't want 5, 10 or 20 TMX Elmos but it might be a way to get TMX Elmo for less if you go in on the order with friends or coworkers.