Forget trying to order one of those $155 crystal hockey pucks commemorating the Tampa Bay Lightning's capture of the Stanley Cup.
Dillard's sold out of them in two hours.
"We could have sold probably 5,000 of them," said Dawn Zachman, special events coordinator for the department store that offered the Waterford memento exclusively. "Initially we though we'd only sell about 750. But we actually sold all 2,004 pucks. Waterford said making more would undermine the integrity of it being a limited edition."
As a result, hundreds of eager puck buyers have been put on a waiting list. They're out of luck unless someone with a confirmed order decides not to accept delivery.
About 100 of the commemoratives went to the team. Everyone else needs to be prepared to pay a premium on eBay or one of the sports collectibles Web sites.
While mostly limited to the Tampa Bay area, demand for Stanley Cup mementos exceeded many retailers' expectations.
The NHL said an exceptionally high 75 percent of the first-day supply of Lightning merchandise was snapped up Tuesday at such stores as Sears, JCPenney, Sports Authority, Finish Line and Hat World. Most of the more than 200 types of Stanley Cup merchandise churned out began flooding retailers' shelves at mid week. But demand is far from sated.
"We're still getting reorders from retailers, so it appears this is going to hold up through Father's Day," said Kevin Murphy, NHL brand manager of VF Imagewear in Tampa, which makes LeeSport apparel. "Right now, the Lightning appears headed toward our second or third best Stanley Cup sales since we started in 2000."
The Detroit Red Wings, who lead the NHL in licensed merchandise sales, remain tops after winning the cup in 2002.
