I’ve been Twittering about how much I wanted a WiiFit and guess what?! I have one!
Even better than that simple fact, though, is the story about how I managed to snag one of these treasured new Nintendo gems.
After a long, exhausting day entertaining 30 people at my home while a couple of sick kids sat in my playroom all day long, I remembered that this day was the day the game would be released for sale at all of our local game stores. Rats! I had been so caught up in my party that I forgot my plan — because I did not pre-order the game, I intended to go to the store when it opened to try to get one of the extra games. I had been advised by one of the game store guys that they usually get a couple extras (beyond the number of pre-orders). But I blew it. Forgot to go. By the time I remembered, I was not at all in the mood to go out and drive to the store (and I didn’t think I had much of a shot at getting one so late in the afternoon anyway).
My daughter knew how much I wanted one, so she encouraged me to at least call some stores just to see if they had any left. I could manage that much. So, we started calling the closest stores. No luck. We expanded our radius but kept hearing the same thing:
"Did you pre-order the game?"
"No."
"Sorry. All sold out."
After almost twenty phone calls, I had no desire to continue. My daughter, however, wanted to keep trying.
Me: "Okay, sweetheart. If you want to keep calling, then you have to do the talking."
DD: "Okay!"
She called a few stores, heard the same spiel until…
DD: "Do you have any WiiFits left?"
Store guy: "Umm…yeah we have two left."
DD: "Even if you didn’t pre-order?"
SG: "Yep. Even if you didn’t pre-order. But we can’t hold ‘em."
DD: "Wait. So you have two left, right? [a little disbelief in her voice, to be sure]"
SG: "Yep. Can’t hold ‘em, though. Gotta get here as soon as you can."
So…we raced out the door. Mind you, the store was about 35 minutes away (remember that expanded radius?). But we were hopeful. Not certain but really hopeful.
We walked into the store, saw the name badge of the guy we spoke to on the phone and and said, "You guys have the WiiFit?"
He very calmly, very casually (with what seemed to me to be a teeny little smirk on his face) said, "Oh no, we’re all sold out of those."
WTF?!
"We just drove (with $4 per-gallon-gas in our car) 35 minutes to get here and you don’t have any?!" we thought (but didn’t say out loud).
At first, I was a little too shocked to react. I sort of slumped and felt like I’d been punched in the gut. We hung around the store a little while, dazed and disappointed. My kids pointed to a couple of boxes on display and said, "That’s why the guy thought they had two left. Because there are two empty boxes on display."
I slung my arm around my daughter, held my son’s hand, walked out of the store and grumbled softly, "Wow. After driving all the way out here…"
Before I could continue, we heard a soft voice call to us, "Wait! Hold on!"
Another one of the store’s employees, taking his break out in the front of the store, turned around to face us and continued, "I’ll sell you mine. C’mon."
In a blissful daze, I paid for our new WiiFit. As I approached the super employee, I said, "How can I thank you? Can I give you a hug?" Struck by the unexpected kindness from a complete stranger, with tears in my eyes, I reached out to hug him and said, most sincerely, "Thank you!"
At the end of the day, it wasn’t just about the game. Sure, I was glad to have it, but I was even more joyful about the kindness shown, the example he set for my kids, the unselfish, considerate choice of a game store guy.
It’s the little things that help us make it through our otherwise exhausting, challenging days.
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And, just in case you haven’t yet heard about the WiiFit , here’s Nintendo’s promotional video:
12 comments ↓
That story is amazing for two reasons.
1. You actually got a WiiFit!
2. There’s a salesperson out that gracefully acts beyond their own best interest.
I always say that in this day and age service is the only thing one place has over another. Price can always be beat or matched if you’re willing to look, but sincere kindness? No, that is one of those things that can make you stop looking because you already found the best deal.
I hope you all are having a great holiday weekend!
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Oh, so true. So true.
I make a point of returning to places that treat us well and avoiding those that don’t.
Our weekend was terrific. I hope you and yours had a relaxing one, too!
[Soapy]
Great post - thanks for sharing it.
Chuck’s last blog post..The Golden Torus and the Enchanted Pants
I love when stuff like that happens. Restores a little faith in the human race, don’t you think?
And the promo video? Mesmerizing…I LOVE technology, don’t you?
Melisa’s last blog post..I’ve Been Tagged! (Part 2,369)
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Oh, yes! I do, I do! Just can’t get enough. I’m a gadget and tech nut! My kids found some fascinating videos of what some people are doing with the Wii remotes (Wii-motes) and the sensors from the Wii. Amazing! I’ll have to get the links from them and post them…
[Soapy]
Isn’t it a great day when something like this renews your faith in mankind- just a random act of kindness or seeing someone doing the right thing, even when it’s hard. Things like that are great.
When I worked in Detroit my Parking Lot Prince let me park for free (and gave me $10 for my client) so I could make a court date with my client (she and I had no money). I went back and parked there one more time, then tipped him 3 times what he gave me.
I love kindness!
Sister Sassy’s last blog post..Je me souviens
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What a great story! I bet he remembers it and has probably passed it on to others.
Yep. The world sure needs more moments like these. Bring on the kindness!!
[Soapy]
Oh that story just made me feel all gooey inside!
I’m on the prowl for a WiiFit, for sure..
Secret Agent Mama’s last blog post..Project 365 (276/365)
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I think it’ll be worth prowling for! I hope you get one, too.
Glad to hear the story made you feel that way. I thought maybe I was being too mushy about it, but I was so touched by his gesture. Very cool guy.
[Soapy]
You have restored my my faith in retail.
Somehow, we have escaped the WiiCult, but this may be a bandwagon I need to jump on!
Have fun!
dan leone’s last blog post..Good company is more important than good wine.
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Yes! Jump! Jump!
You won’t regret it. If you let yourself get absorbed into it, you might find yourself chuckling (or even laughing!) You won’t have any excuses not to run, though, Dan!
[Soapy]
That is such a great story of a random act of kindness, which are few these days.
My SIL works at a major electronics/office supply store and their rule is that they can not purchase or hold any merchandise until the end of the night. Just because they work there, they are not privy to the first shipments.
He did a good deed and I am so happy for you!!!!
I have cancer in my hip and I am planning on getting one this week. My daughters say it is a two in one deal if we get wii fit and wii ski, because the balance board will be used when the wii fit is not…..(tricky)
On mother’s day, even though wii fit was not out yet, I recieved Mario Kart…..(suspicious) It was sweet though when one of my other gifts was another wheel. Although I have yet to figure out if it is for me or my other daughter. LOL
Chrissy aka SpoiledMom’s last blog post..Happy Memorial Day!
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I have to agree about the WeSki. I think the Balance Board makes WeSki about a million times more fun.
What a fun Mother’s Day gift - I’ve heard MarioKart is great. Have fun!!
[Soapy]
That’s a smile-on-your-face story for sure! It’s so cool you actually got one too. So what’s the verdict?
BusyDad’s last blog post..If Jeopardy Were Written by Parents
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I love it! The whole family loves it. Our son wants to do it every day to keep up his fitness level. Not sure how long the enthusiasm will last, but for now, we’re all obsessed!
[SoapyB]
You GOT one!!!! good for you… that sounded like my story of getting the Wii. Now we want this and I am so reluctant to go through all THAT again.
But a very sweet story. There is still some goodness in the world.
Karen MEG’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen - Happy Birthday Mom!
@ K MEG:
Oh, I say go for it! I bet you’ll be able to get one. It’s tons of fun (especially if you like to ski or have ever skiied or have even ever wanted to ski - then you should also get the WeSki, actually). One of the fitness games is slalom and ski jump and they’re both pretty fun.
It actually motivates all of us to get up & start working out. That’s always the hardest part, right (getting motivated?).
Way to make a girl cry. Good thing I’m not wearing mascara.
So how is it? I’m thinking of hunting one down.
Deb (Missives From Suburbia)’s last blog post..The Old Man is Snoring
@ Deb:
We all love it. It’s working to motivate us to work out (pretty much daily now!). Just because it’s so darn fun!
[...] month, by a stroke of bizarre luck, I managed to get a WiiFit and, sure enough, I find myself feeling eager to work out for at least 30 minutes a few times a [...]
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