I somewhat agree with that. The only thing is you can't say that's the motive for everyone. I was reading the paper and saw quotes like "me and my buddies are taking turns waiting and if we get one we can sell it and all get one later". I want a PS3 but don't mind waiting for it so if I can get one early (which I highly doubt) and make mine FREE then I think that's ok. It's kinda like the time I was in detroit for a business conference during the NBA Finals (against Spurs). I wanted to go to a game but the only way to get a ticket was to purchase at least a mini-plan package for the following season. I love basketball, and so did a lot of other people. I bought 2 mini-plans which gave me a chance to buy 2 tickets to all 3 finals games. I went to one game and sold the rest (with the mini-plans) to try to make the cost of my game $0. I don't see anything wrong with doing that (it almost worked). Additionally, if someone is willing to camp out for a couple days in the cold, how can ya say they don't deserve whatever they can sell it for. They are essentially working for it. The buyer is paying to get something that they weren't willing to put in the work to get (or couldn't).
this morning when I showed up at work. There were six tents sitting outside the doors. when I got off today the line was up to 15 but the thing is we only got 4.
This leaves out the dedicated gamers who stood in line for a PS3, but weren't able to get a PS3 (or pay $1000+ for it online). So the scalpers get what they want, the rich lazy people (no offense) get what they want, but there would be a lot of people who waited in line that got absolutely nothing from this (except for maybe a cold). I decided not to get a PS3 because of the price, but I did entertain the thought (probably would be in line if Sony kept the HDMI in the $499 SKU at E3...I already made up my mind when they put it back at TGS). If I wasn't able to get one by standing in line (which is highly probable thanks to college), there's no way I would have been able to buy one off of eBay. I guess the scalpers get a lot of hate, but perhaps the buyers are the ones that really deserve the criticism. I kind of got screwed during the PS2 launch (not because of something exactly like this, but related), so I might be a little bias. FWIW, I have less of an issue with people buying two and selling one to help pay for one (or something like that).
Oh, it's definitely not everyone; I can agree with that. But I think there are quite a few people who intend to do just that. Over for Japan's launch, software numbers were considerably lower. In addition, homeless people were being recruited to wait in line. And the 'couldn't' part is the key. Some people just can't camp out for two days to buy something. It's just not feasible for a lot of folks; that doesn't mean, however, that they are somehow less dedicated than the reseller. Especially if they just couldn't risk their job (for example) to do it. And those regular gamers that do make it aren't doing any less work than the resellers that are there. Either way, it cuts out the regular gamers chances considerably.
It's not really like scalpers at the NBA finals. You miss the first wave of PS3s, you can wait 4 months later to get one, and it might be less buggy. People who want it now have to prove how much so by waiting more to be one of the few or paying more. Or maybe out-think everyone else....
Looks like Ebay is putting the clamp down on PS3's, which I think is a good idea. I'm already seeing a lot of people with crappyfeed back posting and making bids for the system: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21144 Auction site restricts sales in both US and UK Online auction site eBay has taken tough measures against users attempting to sell PlayStation 3 consoles in both the US and UK. As of yesterday morning, British eBayers have been forbidden from selling PS3 units and games on the site until February 2007. Even then, each seller will only be able to offer one PS3, which must have been purchased within the EU. Sellers must also guarantee dispatch within 30 days and can only accept payment via PayPal. In the US, only sellers who have already taken part in 50 auctions or more and have at least 98 per cent feedback may offer PS3 pre-orders, according to an Associated Press report. In addition, sellers must guarantee 30 day dispatch, provide a photo of the pre-order receipt and list items as auctions rather than "but it now" items which people can purchase instantly. eBay's Catherine England told the AP that the measures had been introduced to avoid a repeat of previous console launch situations which saw "a high number of well-intentioned sellers unable to meet obligations due to restricted supply". Reports are also circulating that Japanese gamers are driving up the price on PS3 orders in the Far East in order to disrupt the practices of sellers who queued up to buy a console they specifically intended to resell. PlayStation 3 launches in North America tomorrow.
You'll probably just deny it, but you're lying if you say that wouldn't upset you in the least. I already said you might understand that stuff like that happens, but you can't say that it wouldn't make you like that guy a little less. Are you a college professor by any chance? They always seem to pull that "you should have just left earlier" crap when you get caught in traffic or get in a car wreck on your way to a big exam. Besides, some people can't dedicate the time to wait that far in advance for something. That too is in the "shiit happens" category, but it doesn't make it any less upsetting when you don't get what you're after. That's all I'm trying to say.
^I've heard that and I got mixed emotions...On one hand, I understand, but on the other, this is a free market...If that's not available, well, it's word of mouth, BBS, etc...
Armed Gunmen Steal 4 PS3 Consoles in Elk Grove Store Robbery Just hours before their highly-anticipated release, Elk Grove Police investigators are searching for two armed men who robbed a video game store Thursday, making off with four PlayStation 3 game consoles. The two armed hooded gunmen walked into the GameStop store at 7717 Laguna Blvd. around 10:20 a.m. Thursday and demanded employees turn over the gaming systems, according to Elk Grove Police spokesman Chris Trim. Trim said the robbers took four of the consoles and four XBox 360 systems before making their escape. Trim said one suspect is described as an Hispanic male, 6'3" tall, wearing black clothing, while the other is a dark-skinned man, six feet tall also wearing black clothing with a hood. Other surrounding stores selling the popular console were contacted about Thursday's robbery and warned to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, Trim said. The PlayStation 3 consoles, which retail for over $500 each, are already among of the most sought-after items this holiday season. Plagued with production problems, worldwide supplies of the system are short, with only 400,000 PS3 machines available for U.S. buyers this week and only 1 million expected by year's end. http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=21616
No, it wouldn't upset me and why would I need to lie on a message board? I'm an accountant. I try not to get too upset with how the market works. That would be like someone getting mad at me for getting better deals online because I work in front of a CPU all day. Back to the basketball reference, if a non-basketball fan acquired two tickets to the Finals and they didn't want to go, I'm sure most would sell them to the highest bidder (unless they just gave them to a friend or someone who really wanted to go). I understand the other side of the argument. But if a guy is willing to camp out in the cold for days to do whatever he chooses to do with the unit that he did sacrifice something for (even if he doesn't work or is in school he still has to wait in a line forever) then I can't get mad at him for that. It would be different if it were more like a true scalper situation where they have access to get tickets and I am not even given a chance to buy, and they are allowed to buy in bulk. Anyone can go wait in line..it just depends on how important the unti is to you. And they are only allowing folks to buy one. Not liking the other guy is "hating". I'm not gonna like you because your situation allows you to sacrifice and mine doesn't?
Are you and your friends the ones who camped out with me on Walmart at 290? God Im tired. No sleep in 3 days.
This is one is even crazier, and the buyer actually has some positive feedback (been a member since Oct 05) http://cgi.ebay.com/Playstation-3-P...ryZ62054QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting The price confirms it is a joke bid though...or at least, I hope so. edit: This one too: http://cgi.ebay.com/SONY-PLAYSTATIO...8QQihZ006QQcategoryZ62054QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
