Well I bought /paid for mine today and am waiting for it, The price is very high but I have the resources to afford it, and then some.
I figure hit the patches first and leave the leftovers for the ones who get it later. Honestly It's a fun hobby to get into and this will be my very first detector also!
Luckily I have friends who are vets and taking me along to their patches. If you have spots to detect why not just make friends with someone who can buy one!
Call me a fool I don't care just show me where it is!

We'll see if my fools purchase will be validated. lol
I think this is a little or a lot different then waiting in line to buy a dumb tickle-me-elmo and what a toys r us carries.