Retail analysts are expecting a third straight holiday season with a severe shortage of Nintendo Wii's. Retail stores like Target and Best Buy still claim to be entirely sold out online and in-store, leaving many potential Wii owners to simply pass on the family-friendly console and instead pick up a Playstation 3 or Xbox 360.
So, what else can you do? Here are some tips:
Skip the stores and head for eBay or CraigslistSome people are already over the Wii, so take advantage of their disinterest by buying a used system. The prices are all over the map -- a quick scan of eBay's recent completed listings place the console between about $275 and $450 -- but at least you'll have a fair shot at scoring one.
Wake up early and hit the streetsIf any nearby retailer happens to have any hardware in stock, they'll often tell the world by blitzing the Sunday paper circulars. Sacrifice some of your weekend sleep by slurping down some daybreak coffee and scanning the ad section of your local rag.
Try internet trackingMany sites provide RSS feeds that will allow you to track down Wiis as they become available at various retailers. Though they're not always accurate, consider WiiTracker or NowInStock if this sounds appealing.
Labels: holidays, Nintendo Wii