So, I’m wondering peoples thoughts on limited edition merchandise purchase etiquette.
I went to the parks on Sunday. Due to work and family obligations I couldn’t go during the week or Saturday, and didn’t arrive until about 3 pm Sunday. First thing I did was go to the pin store at DCA and I got in line for the Oogie Boogie Limited Edition AP pin, which they still had displayed in the case. Unfortunately the guy in front of me got the very last 2 pins, even though he knew I also wanted one (we had discussed it and he knew I was disappointed that they were out). The guy and CM tried to give me possible locations where they may have some left, but unfortunately every place had sold out, many that morning. I did end up running into him later that day (we recognized each other due to sports teams shirts we were wearing), and he knew I didn’t have any luck.
I understand your disappointment in not getting your pin. However, first come first served.
Also, in situations where there is limited supply, it's especially important to get in line early.
The onus is on the purchaser to get in line early enough to make his/her purchase.
It's not the responsibility of other people in the line to ensure that the people behind them are able to make their purchase.
I understand that due to work & family obligations, you weren't able to get to the parks earlier but unfortunately, the first come first served policy still applies and the chance that your desired item will be sold out increases the longer you wait.
Now, I don’t know what his exact situation was, but I think he just bought 2 pins, one for himself and another for his wife (both middle aged). Thinking back on it, I was a bit annoyed that once he knew it was the last 2 pins, and I wanted one too, he didn’t agree to just get one and let me get the other.
As you mentioned above, you do not know the other guy's exact situation and that you "think" he bought 2 pins ... one for himself and one for his wife (both middle aged).
Who he bought the 2 pins for is irrelevant ... perhaps he bought 2 pins for his grandchildren, his friends, his co-workers etc.. None of this matters because, unfortunately, it's still first come first served so he was entitled to make his purchases first.
Before I get flamed, I totally know that is not expected of him, and if I really wanted it I should have gotten there earlier (just wasn’t possible for me). I also never insinuated to him that he should let me buy one. I just know when it’s something in limited supply I usually only get one to leave others for other people who want; for example, i waited for an Oogie Boogie popcorn bucket and could have gotten 2, one for me and one for my sister, but knew there was a lot of people who wanted them too, so only got 1.
The following is my impression from reading your post ... I do not mean to sound like I am not dumping on you ... I am strictly just explaining the impression I got from reading your post:
Despite you stating "I totally know that is not expected of him, and if I really wanted it I should have gotten there earlier" the "impression" that I got from reading your post above is that you actually did expect him to only purchase 1 pin and to leave the 2nd pin for you to purchase.
This impression was reinforced when I read your comment "Thinking back on it, I was a bit annoyed that once he knew it was the last 2 pins, and I wanted one too, he didn’t agree to just get one and let me get the other.".
Why did I get this impression?
The reason is because instead of being OK with the policy of first come, first served (even in limited merchandise situations), you are asking others what they think about "merchandise etiquette". This leads me to conclude that you believe there is some unwritten "merchandise etiquette" that the other guy breached.
I commend your personal thoughtfulness when you purchase limited merchandise. It's a very kind gesture on your part and, as you've experienced first hand, not everyone is able or willing to make those gestures. However, having acknowledged your personal thoughtfulness, others are not obligated nor should they be expected to be the same way.
Why do I think this?
There were no posted purchase limits so the other guy did not break any purchasing limits.
The other guy did not buy an outrageous amount of pins. He only bought 2 and unfortunately, they were the last 2 pins.
He was also first in line so he was entitled to make his purchase first. Unfortunately, that meant you weren't able to make your purchase. Sadly, there will always be someone disappointed in these situations because even if the other guy had left the 2nd pin for you, the person behind you would have been disappointed if they too were looking for the same pin. Someone will always end up being the person to buy the last item and it just happened to be the other guy in front of you. As another poster points out in his/her comments, this is a fact of life and it sucks.
Also, it's irrelevant knowing for whom the pins were purchased because, again, first come first served. It really does not matter as to the reasons behind the quantity purchased or who will be the final recipients of the pins.
To digress a bit ... speculating that the other guy purchased the last 2 pins for himself and his wife probably adds to your disappointment. It's highly likely that he purchased the pins (1 or both) as gifts and he "needed" both pins especially in a "gift" situation. For example, if the 2 pins were intended for his 2 grandchildren then he would need 2 pins. Some might argue that the grandchildren could share the 1 pin but it would be difficult to do so if they weren't siblings (same household) but were cousins (different household).
Anyway, good luck in tracking down the pin that you missed. Sorry you met with disappointment last time.
What do other people think?