All at once, eBay, Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY) listings are everywhere, 22,446 results for my search for "TMX Elmo" and not just lots of results but falling prices. When I first checked around 10:45 a.m. there were dozens of listings closing around $5 or $10 over the suggested retail price of $39.99. 20 minutes later, when I was finishing up this piece? It was more like $5 or $10 under the suggested retail price. The Spanish version was going for a ridiculously cheap $26.55. Market floodage has commenced.
When Black Friday was approaching and customers were gearing up for their long wait in line to be one of the few, the proud, the early purchasers of TMX Elmo dolls, a few less festive souls whispered of "artificial shortages" and wondered if Mattel was purposely creating a frenzy over the toys. Most parents and eBay sellers accused them of a distinct lack of holiday spirit, and oh yeah, not enough capitalism.
But now here we are. The gates of floodage, they have officially been opened, and it seems likely that earlier claims of manufacturer shortage were made up, by someone, by everyone? Is this a conspiracy to fix prices? Or is it just a smart marketing ploy by Mattel?
"Smart" is not, I think, the word I'd use. Especially not if I was one of those parents who stood in line for hours in the cold predawn of Black Friday; not if I was one of those who purchased my Elmo doll on eBay for $100 plus. Not if I was an eBay seller who had a bunch of Elmo sales scheduled to close at 8:25 a.m. Pacific time today. Oh no.
Then I might call it "frustrating" or "crooked" or even "#^!$@..."
Oh wait. This is a toy for kids. I don't think you're supposed to say those things around kids ...
Disclaimer: yes, my kids whine too, but for Diego's Talking Rescue Center and, ridiculously, Polly Pocket dolls. Ridiculous because they're boys, and at four and 19 months, are far too young for the sorts of dolls who have teensy purple shoes that you can get stuck up your nose, causing your mom to get snot all over her fingers as she helps you blow them out.
I once sold toys on eBay as part of my job. Barbies were my specialty.
Why is gold making a new high, trading at $1,118.00 per ounce?
Chasing Value: Ten stocks for 2010 -- Part 1 
Closing Bell: A six-day rally (AIG, REGN, M, MOT, PALM, RIMM)
