Don't expect to find him at Toys 'R' Us on Black Friday, either. The toy retailer told CNNMoney.com Tuesday that the company won't have T.M.X Elmo in its stores on Black Friday and wouldn't disclose whether or not the toy would be available over the upcoming holiday weekend.
But on Wednesday, Toys ‘R’ Us said it would continue to get T.M.X. Elmo shipments on a regular basis and expects to have the toy in its stores over the holiday weekend.
"When you have a kid crying because he doesn't have Elmo you can't pacify him with an alternative toy. Will there be a lot of disappointed kids this year? Absolutely," said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst with market research firm NPD Group.
T.M.X. Elmo is "currently unavailable" on walmart.com although visitors to the retailer's Web site are told to try their luck at their local Wal-Mart.
KB Toys' Web site says T.M.X. Elmo is "sold out." But the 10th anniversary version of the furry red doll is available on eBay if you don't mind paying double or triple its original price of $39.99.