I still can’t believe it.
I am working from home today as I had a Orthodintist appointment this morning and I of course picked an Ortho that is like the exact opposite direction from the office. I have to rent a car to get there it is that far out. Anyway, every 6 weeks I do this: Ortho, grocery store, home (since I have the car). Today, I did: Ortho, Pets Smart (special EXPENSIVE cat food for Mr.), Sam’s Club (my twice yearly visit), Target (for an on- sale George Forman grill to make this –oh Roni, it sounds SO GOOD!!), grocery store, home.
While I was at Sam’s I noticed that there were 4 cardboard “cutouts” of the Wii - and no sign up that said “No Wii’s Today” like there is in every store when I look fo one.
Wait, I better give you some background…
When I was on vacation in Florida in June, my cousin mentioned that they were enjoying their Wii. I asked them when/how they got one, since here in Chicago it is like next to impossible to fine one, unless you want to pay 500+ for it. She said she walked into Wal-Mart and got one off the shelf- she had absolutely no problems finding one (they live in Alabama). I told her to be on the look out for one for me (along with the fa-bu new Wii Fit). I mentioned to my mom shortly after the trip that I was in the market for a new TV. She said she would give me $$ as a B-day/Christmas present to buy one that I liked.
Well, when the Direct TV people came to hook up my Tivo/VCR/TV/Receiver a few weeks ago, we realized my 11 year old 19inch TV was not gonna do - not enough connections for everything). So that day I went to Wal-Mart and bought a new Vizio 32 inch Flat Panel HDTV so I could get everything hooked up correctly (did you know it is next to impossible to find a “regular” TV anymore? It is pretty much flat panel or buy something used).
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new TV. It is AWESOME– like I am watching everything on a movie screen even though I don’t have actual HD channels coming into the set from the reciever (I am too cheap to upgrade to the HD Receiver).
Anyway, my mom was kinda sad that I got the TV on my own, because “now what am I going to get you for your b-day/christmas??” I mentioned that I really wanted a Wii Fit/Wii and she said she would get me one. YIPPEE!!!
Though I grew up during “THE” time home video game systems became super popular, as a girl and an only child, I have never owned a game system of any type– yep, not even a gameboy or DS. I played them at friends houses, and LOVED Super Mario Brothers (especially SMB3).
I have been searching for a Wii since my mom said she would get me one. My cousin in Alabama is on the lookout and is authorized to buy one and ship it to me if she finds one. I have other friends on standby and also looking. I paruse the electronics section of every store I visit. I have been to wiitracker.com and check multiple websites daily.
Back to Sam’s Club today: As soon as I saw the cardboard cutouts, I freaked the freak out and immediately called my mom to see if she was still serious about getting me the Wii for b-day/xmas. She was. I litterally SKIPPED -slash-FLOATED around Sam’s getting paper towels, TP, bottled water and ham steaks (see referenced link above).
I had to wait in the hellish Sam’s checkout line we have all come to love to hate, but that was OK, I GOT A WII!!! I almost went back to get a second cutout so I could pay my luck forward and resell it at retail cost to someone else who has been looking FOREVER for a Wii- but I didn’t. To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t sure if my bank account could handle the first Wii (since Sam’s only takes Debit cards and MASTERCARD, no Visa) let alond a second one. Anyway, I checked out in 2 transactions: Wii, and then the other stuff. My debit card came back warm, but thankfully the transactions cleared (both of them- I cannot seem to get out of Sam’s Club without spending over $150.00 every freaking time!) and asked where I needed to go to pick up the Wii. The very nice cashier told me to head to the customer service desk and they would get it out of the “cage”.
A sidenote here: I love that they keep expensive electronics in a “cage”. Like they are dangerous and will attack if provoked.
Anyway, when I got to the service desk there was, of course, another line. I patiently waited for my turn to pick up my SHINEY-NEW, HIGHLY COVETED Wii. As soon as I was at the front, I proudly presented my cardboard cutout and my reciept and said, loudly (for all the envoius shoppers to hear), “I need to pick up my Wii, please.”
Saleslady: “Oh, we don’t have any Wii’s in stock. Where did you get the cutout?”
(AJ’s internal voice: WHAT THE FUCK?)
AJ actually says: “What? There was no sign up and there are 4 of these cutouts over there. That usually means that you have Wii’s.”
Saleslady (oblivious to my crestfalleness): “Sorry, none in stock. Did you already pay for it? I can give you a refund here.”
(AJ’s internal voice: FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCKITY FUCK. You have GOT to BE FUCKING KIDDING ME!!)
Aj’s actually says: “Oh, darnit! Yes, I would like a refund please. You might want to put your sign up so others are not dissapointed like me.”
I got my refund, and left the store. I wish I was a bit of a different person, because a better ending to the story would be me freaking out and DEMANDING a Wii and having to be carried out of the store kicking and screaming expalatives and threatening the staff and their families, but sadly, I am not that person.
I sooo cannot believe I was freakin’ psyched out by a Wii.
