I'm sorry, but there is no reason at all anybody should pay 2 to 3 THOUSAND dollars for a PS-3, much less the 10,000 that someone's listing on ebay as a "buy it now" price.
The really big cost in this machine is the blueray itself. While I certainly won't be getting one (for other reasons), I can see where that price came from. They built this thing around a very new technology and that usually means an expense passed on the the consumer.
People are and will pay thousands of dollars to be the first to have one. Some see it as a status thing and other are just have nothing better to do with their money. A month ago people started selling them before they came out. They would post a copy of their pre-order receipt and throw up a price of about 1-2 grand. There will always be someone to take advantage of others needs.
For some people, playing video games is what they do. To them, it's a need. While it may not be a physical health need, to them it's a mental health need. Some psychologists are starting to claim that it is an addiction like any other. While this may be the case, I personally don't know anyone that fits that category completely. I know some people that play a lot of video games but I don't know anyone that goes out of their way for things like this. I did know a guy a few years ago, though, that would go home from work on Friday afternoon and start playing Everquest. He wouldn't leave the game until he had to go back to work on Monday.
Some psychologists are starting to claim that it is an addiction like any other.
That isn't a need, it's an illness.
For some people, playing video games is what they do. To them, it's a need.
In the real world, that's a "want."
I understand that everyone has different hobbies. I ride horses. However, you don't see me going out and spending money I don't have for something that is a "want," no matter how much it helps my mental health. When my economic situation became rather shaky last year, I gave up my dressage coach because other things came first. I haven't had a coach in nearly a year. I have just *now* started to get the point where I can reasonably consider re-entering my hobby.
If there are people out there with $10K to blow on a toy, I respectfully submit that the money could be far better spent feeding the hungry.
I guess they want to pay for the convenience of not standing outside for three days only to risk not getting the system or worse getting robbed and shot.
Stupidity on the part of those that buy for the ridiculously overpriced resale price, and outright *greed* on the part of those buying it to turn right around and resell it.
it's greed to be sure. but i admit it would be hard to pass up on that kind of investment turnaround. besides, i doubt anyone who would CONSIDER paying 10,000 is actually hardly hurting for money so it's not even like they've been "swindled" out of their savings.
no, i couldn't do it, but if i had just bought one, and someone offered me $10,000 for it, oh hell yes, i'd sell it.
I must first issue the disclaimer that I don't possess what I call the "vidiot gene." I couldn't give a smaller damn about video games.
I cannot understand the rampant consumerism that insists one must have a *toy* on the very first day it is available ... or promising one to a child at insane prices.
It is obvious that many people who are standing in line and brawling (or being shot) over these stupid electronic boxes are doing so for the sole purpose of "flipping" the item at an insane profit on eBay. This prevents someone who actually wants a toy from obtaining it at a reasonable (well, theoretically reasonable) price in the first market, gluts the aftermarket, and bankrupts even more selfish people who would apparently rather go hungry than not have the stupid electronic box..
I didn't get it when people rioted over Cabbage Patch dolls, either. Same thing, in my mind.
i don't get it either. but every year, some marketer comes out with some gift that "someone" proclaims as the hot toy that everyone must have. and everyone believes them.
well, the trick is combining the "turbo-man" hype with the news releases that "well, it's also going to be rare!" (at first, but they don't say that on the adverts or PR).
there were "manufacturing difficulties" resulting in only 400,000 being ready for the debut and not many more able to get to stores in time for Christmas. This is, of course, the same marketting excuse (true or not, i don't care) that Micro$oft used for their original XBox AND Sony used for the PS-2.
one would think we'd get tired of hearing the same old shit every time, but if elections haven't changed, why should video game marketting?
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 02:13 pm (UTC)I can't believe people will pay that and more via ebay and the like.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 02:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 02:54 pm (UTC)People are and will pay thousands of dollars to be the first to have one. Some see it as a status thing and other are just have nothing better to do with their money. A month ago people started selling them before they came out. They would post a copy of their pre-order receipt and throw up a price of about 1-2 grand. There will always be someone to take advantage of others needs.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 06:51 pm (UTC)I'm not sure how a Playstation could be considered a "need."
no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 08:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 08:31 pm (UTC)That isn't a need, it's an illness.
In the real world, that's a "want."
I understand that everyone has different hobbies. I ride horses. However, you don't see me going out and spending money I don't have for something that is a "want," no matter how much it helps my mental health. When my economic situation became rather shaky last year, I gave up my dressage coach because other things came first. I haven't had a coach in nearly a year. I have just *now* started to get the point where I can reasonably consider re-entering my hobby.
If there are people out there with $10K to blow on a toy, I respectfully submit that the money could be far better spent feeding the hungry.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 08:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 08:46 pm (UTC)That person seriously needs to read (or re-read) Maslow.
I think we are in complete agreement on *that.* :-)
no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 02:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 02:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 07:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 07:59 pm (UTC)no, i couldn't do it, but if i had just bought one, and someone offered me $10,000 for it, oh hell yes, i'd sell it.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 06:50 pm (UTC)I cannot understand the rampant consumerism that insists one must have a *toy* on the very first day it is available ... or promising one to a child at insane prices.
It is obvious that many people who are standing in line and brawling (or being shot) over these stupid electronic boxes are doing so for the sole purpose of "flipping" the item at an insane profit on eBay. This prevents someone who actually wants a toy from obtaining it at a reasonable (well, theoretically reasonable) price in the first market, gluts the aftermarket, and bankrupts even more selfish people who would apparently rather go hungry than not have the stupid electronic box..
I didn't get it when people rioted over Cabbage Patch dolls, either. Same thing, in my mind.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 08:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 08:06 pm (UTC)there were "manufacturing difficulties" resulting in only 400,000 being ready for the debut and not many more able to get to stores in time for Christmas. This is, of course, the same marketting excuse (true or not, i don't care) that Micro$oft used for their original XBox AND Sony used for the PS-2.
one would think we'd get tired of hearing the same old shit every time, but if elections haven't changed, why should video game marketting?
*sigh*