Happy Wii-Giving

[Gerrinson]

Wii's have definitely been in short supply in my neck of the woods (western New England), but I solved the problem by running off to Canadialand and buying one there. All the stores near my parents are fully stocked. Even the grocery stores are selling them - at a massive discount when I was there. So, if anyone really needs a Wii, I could probably have my parents ship it down.

Funny thing is, they didn't even tax me at the border when I declared it. Hope they don't come looking for the money now.

/hides from the tax man.

[Hyndis]

Anyway, that tactic didn't work in Europe. The retailers turned out to have sufficient stock after the initial rush died down, and the scalpers were stuck with gear they would have to sell at a loss in order to move it.

On a related note, for the release of The Burning Crusade for WoW, the collector's editions were note rare at all. Everyone was buying them up and hoarding them, supposedly to sell on E-Bay with a 5,000% markup, but they got pwned. They got pwned so hard.

There was a big huge opening event at a Fry's here. Midnight thing, developers on hand signing games, a staggering number of people in line. I didn't go, I just felt like sleeping. The next morning when the store opened normally, I just strolled on in around 10am, picked up a collector's edition, paid, and was out the door in 5 minutes.

In front of me was a woman who had two shopping carts packed full of collector's editions. Easily 70-80 games.

The store had pallets upon pallets of the game. Even despite the mad midnight rush they were in no danger of running out any time soon. The woman in front of me got pwned so badly. All those games that she couldn't turn around and sell for a profit, and couldn't return.

Even today, 2 years later, the collector's edition games are only going for about $10 higher than the original retail price.

I always love it when the evil plans of scalpers backfire and they're left holding the bag.

/tangent



Edit:
Doing the math for the woman in front of me in line, with the CE's running for about $70, assuming 80 boxes (which isn't unreasonable for two shopping carts that are literally overflowing with them), plus tax...

Thats a $6,000 bag she got caught holding.

[Calud]

Are "gamers" buying Wiis? I alway get the feeling its 30s and up. I'd never wanted one, quite happy with by Xbox here.

Also, I really can't understand the shortage. They should ship some of our European Wiis over there. There seems to be no demand for those things over here.

[Hyndis]

Are "gamers" buying Wiis? I alway get the feeling its 30s and up.

Most gamers are in their late 20's or early 30's.

[cinema guy]

Are "gamers" buying Wiis? I alway get the feeling its 30s and up.

My mates and I are all gamers and we are in our 30s and 40s. But I don't think more than one or two of us own Wiis, so I know what you mean.

[wagegoth]

I bought one because I have kids. They are coming out with more adult games for the Wii, but it's not a platform that's been focused on for gaming.

If I had more personal time, I'd buy a PS3.

[Mike Taylor]

Seconded. Nobody's gonna die if they don't have their precious Wii. It's not shelter, food, or clothing, so what the stink is their problem?

They have wonky vision from having their heads up their asses. If it wasn't the Wii, it was Furby, PlayStation 2, Power Rangers, or Cabbage Patch Dolls. In a few years, unless something dramatic happens that forces some perspective on these twonks, it'll be another stupid little plastic doodad.

[Mike Taylor]

Are "gamers" buying Wiis? I alway get the feeling its 30s and up. I'd never wanted one, quite happy with by Xbox here.

Its EVERYBODY. Over here, the Wii is presented as a gaming machine for all ages. Where I live, we have a lot of wealthy retirees who pick it up as something to do with the grandkids. We also have parents who are buying their children their first game console and who want kid friendly titles. Adult gamers pick it up as a second console for group gaming. One customer of mine was a stroke victim who picked it and the WiiFit up for physical therapy.