Let me continue the saga.  It is December 19th and I was in Target.  I walked down the aisle and lo and behold.  Zhu Zhu Pets.  Wow it was quite an experience.  First time I have ever set eyes upon them actually on the shelf.  Anyways I managed to buy a few for my daughter without her knowing I bought them even though she was with me....thanks to a great team member there who helped me out.  So now I have three more with one on the way.

This is still madness though.  I paid $24 for three small hamster like toys.  Oh yeah I also picked up another $19.99 accessory.  Total cost so far about $120.

Who am I kidding.  $120.  I still have the receipts.  I know I won't return them though.  No I won't sell them on ebay either.  You know the saying it is the thought that counts....and this took plenty of thought and a little luck.

December 15th

The hot toy this year is the Zhu Zhu hamster.  Why?  I have no idea.  Anyways I went searching for one and I came home empty handed.  However, I did order one online.  I paid more but I value my time and sanity more than a few bucks.

This morning I got up because I knew Target got a shipment of inventory in last night.  I got there and found some boxes of accessories.  I thought jackpot.  I grabbed a few items and then checked out.

As I drove home I thought I wonder if the accessories come with a zhu zhu pet.  I parked, opened one up and realized I had celebrated too early.  In my disbelief of finding the accessories I did not even read the wording that the hamster was sold separately.

I went back to the store and a team member told me they were supposed to get 8 boxes, but one was missing.  She went back to check and off course found nothing.  She said I could wait around and see if they found it.

Sometimes you feel like an idiot.  Today is one of those days.  I walked around the store wasting my time but after 15 minutes I went back to check and nothing.  I left and headed to Walmart.

I spoke to a nice man there and he said he actually has never seen one.  The shelves are always empty.  As soon as the store opens at 6, people are waiting to get in.

Is this nuts or what?  I actually considered getting there at 6 AM.  Anyways, I already wasted a couple hours which for many die hard toy shoppers is nothing.  But if I imagine that my time and sanity is worth minimum wage, then I wasted $10 or more plus the gas and stress.

So I drove home, went on Amazon and bought one for $20 plus shipping in the AMazon Marketplace.  So I paid basically double plus shipping.  Oh well.  My time and sanity are worth more than $15.

Another solution would have been to not feel guilty about not being able to get the Zhu Zhu.  Oh well atleast my daughter will be happy and surprised.  I did manage to pick up the accessories at Target at retail so that was a good thing.

Anyways, here is the link to the Zhu Zhu pets I found on Amazon.  I bought mine through the sellers listed under the Buy New link.  There are many other sellers so I just read the ratings and went with one that seemed good.  Happy Holidays.

Zhu Zhu Hamster  (Amazon affiliate link provided for your shopping convenience - this is the page I searched and landed on)

I am still amazed at how I spent so much time and energy on a little toy like this.  Tis the season.  Now that I have ordered it though I am more relaxed and wanted to share my story with you to save you the fun.