How to Find a Wii Console Without Losing Your Mind

Like a zillion other people, I have a kid who would like to get a Wii Console for Christmas.  He didn't really think that we would buy one last year when they came out and were sold out and he tried to hide his disappointment when we didn't get him one for his birthday (right at the start of the school year, not a good time to buy your teen new video games).  But now?  Come on.  We have to get one now.  Or so I feel. 

A few queries and I feel that I should write a new song, sung to Jingle Bells tune.

Out of stock,
Out of stock,
No one has a Wii

Yet my son
Must have one
Underneath the tree

So, I started watching Ebay auctions.  In case you haven't watched the Wii Consoles selling on Ebay, let me tell you how this goes.  You search "Wii Consoles" and up come about 20 pages of listings.  "Oh, look, that one is ending in 20 minutes and it's only selling for $305.  That's not bad.  And there's another in 21 minutes also $305.  Mmmm  there's that $39.99 for shipping/handling, but I can live with that."  So you open up a couple windows and start watching those auctions.  At some point in the next 15 minutes a couple more people bid and the price has risen to maybe $345 or $360.  Not great, but you still are figuring that surely you'll be able to grab one of these for a little over $400 total.  When what to your wondering eyes do you see?  Bids pouring in. Final Price $443. 

Yes, $443 + 39.99, the Wii's are pushing, sometimes topping, $500 for the basic unit.  A quick check of the Wii on Amazon offers no relief (though I heard they had them available for regular, $249 price, for about 4 minutes last Tuesday before selling out again.)

So How Do You Find a Wii Console Without Losing Your Mind?

Here is what I did.  I went to Ebay and searched on Wii Console BUT I used the option that says show me only results with Buy It Now and prices below $425.  I found one with a Buy It Now for $400 and actual shipping charges, which since the seller lives about 70 miles away, were only $10.  Wow.  I bought the Wii.  For less than double it's official price, without waiting for hours for a store opening and no more watching those auctions ticking down waiting for the final moments to bid and then..... oops, lost another. 

I duplicated the search I used below, so you can see the results.

I've also heard that WiiAlerts.com works, but requires patience.  Since I didn't have any, I didn't use it.

Well good luck to you and Happy Holidays!!!!