Best Buy doing PS3 Preordrs right now

[MannyIsGod]

If you care, I don't know how long this will last but here is the link

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8008489&ref=39&loc=01&type=product&id=1156202764702

[MaNuMaNiAc]

I have to pre-order $600 from my boss first :lol

[MannyIsGod]

I ordered one. That bitch is going on eBay!

[Shaolin-Style]

I believe my step brother pre-ordered one from costco.

I don't know why, with all that money he could buy a wii and a ton of games for the price.

Or a awesome gfx card/upgrades for his comp, and a game or two thrown in to boot.

I admit with ps3's list of games I'd want one, but the launch titles are underwhelming imo. I'll probably wait til a small price drop and til when stranglehold/assassin's creed/devil may cry 4 ect are out.

[MannyIsGod]

They're sold out now.

[dirk4mvp]

devil may cry 4


:tu

[MaNuMaNiAc]

They're sold out now.You serious?

[Sense]

Wii>Ps3>Xbox360

[MannyIsGod]

Wii>Ps3>Xbox360I love how people bring up useless opinions that matter dick to the thread. Why is every thread started about a video game system bombarded by people who want to say another system is better? I'm getting a Wii and I'm just going to sell the PS3, but I don't get why people do this.

ManuMania, yeah, they pulled it off shortly after I ordered one.

[baseline bum]

I admit with ps3's list of games I'd want one, but the launch titles are underwhelming imo. I'll probably wait til a small price drop and til when stranglehold/assassin's creed/devil may cry 4 ect are out.


Calling the launch titles underwhelming is a huge understatement. I've played a few PS3 launch titles, and they suck. Bad frame rates, shitty control, long texture load times, and so on. I'll wait until the second generation of games comes out before I'll buy a PS3.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/fortune/scary_tech/index.html


Adding to Sony's woes: Prototypes of the PlayStation 3 game console, scheduled to make its Japanese and American debut on Nov. 17, malfunctioned last month at the Tokyo Game Show, reportedly because of overheating. Not a good omen.

Just thought you should know

[MannyIsGod]

They are going for about 1500 on eBay.

[resistanze]

Wow, just saw one sold for $2000, from a $100 starting price.

Haha, some greedy dick has a starting price of $2500 and is including a "FREE PS2."

Free PS2? For What? (Don't tell me that's you :lol)

[MannyIsGod]

Oh fuck you Best Buy:




Dear Best Buy Customer,

Thank you for your recent visit to BestBuy.com. Unfortunately, your pre-order for the PlayStation 3 gaming system will be cancelled. Our system was not intended to take pre-orders on the PlayStation 3 gaming system. BestBuy.com will not be taking pre-orders for this item. Your pre-order will be cancelled and you will not be charged. If you used a Gift Card for this order and no longer have it, please call us toll free at 1-888-BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289) and we will send you a replacement. If you have any questions concerning our policies, please review the "Conditions of Use" which are found at www.BestBuy.com.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Because you are a valued customer, we would like to offer you a $10 Digital Coupon* toward a future purchase at www.BestBuy.com. Your coupon code is:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Digital Coupons are easily redeemed when you shop online. Simply enter the 17-digit code listed above during checkout. We apply them to your purchases, up to the total purchase amount. The Digital Coupon must be used prior to the expiration date: 11:59 p.m. (CT), February 5, 2007. This offer is limited to one per customer, excludes gift cards, and is nontransferable. Please review full details below.

We look forward to your next visit to one of our stores or to www.BestBuy.com. Please do not hesitate to contact us toll free at 1-888 BEST BUY with additional questions.

Thank you for your loyalty,
The Customer Care Team

[MannyIsGod]

How the fuck does thier system not take preorders when thats exactly what it fucking said on my order page?

Man, Best Buy may have just seriously lost a lot of my business this holiday season, that that it means dick to them.

Misty, WTF?

[MannyIsGod]

The best part is the 10 dollar coupon. Gee, thanks BB. In order to make up for this I have to spend more money at your store. Fuck you.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

:lol Manny, you had to know that was coming...

[MannyIsGod]

:lol Manny, you had to know that was coming...Why? I didn't do anything that was wrong. I fucking went to their website, ordered a ps3, and had my card charged. They didn't mean to sell it? WTF? Are they in the business of keeping shit around to make it look pretty? It sure meant like they were meaning to sell it when my card got charged. The charge is still showing up on my fucking account.

I'm seriously pissed.

11/05/06VISA
BESTBUYCOM RICHFIELD MN CARD:
-$659.54 (javascript:showHideEra(1))

[T Park]

The best part is the 10 dollar coupon. Gee, thanks BB. In order to make up for this I have to spend more money at your store. Fuck you.

They gave you back your money, and gave you 10 bucks, and thats horrible?

[baseline bum]

What do you expect, Manny? Every store gets like 8 PS3's, 2 of which are taken by employees. If you want a PS3, go camp out for 30+ hours like the rest of the world. No arbitrage.

BTW, major props to Best Buy. I walked in and saw a 120GB hard drive for $49.99, went and payed for it, was initially charged $89.99, and I asked WTF? Apparently, someone forgot to replace the price tags on the hard drives after the sale on them ended yesterday, but they still gave it to me for $49.99.

[MannyIsGod]

They gave you back your money, and gave you 10 bucks, and thats horrible?They haven't given me back my money dumbshit. Can you read? The charge is still in my account? I realize that you're a dumb motherfucker but I figured you could at least handle reading simple fucking sentences.

Second, they didn't give me 10 dollars. Its a 10 dollar coupon. That means I have to SPEND money and then I get a discount off their markup. Its not like the Best Buy fairy gave me a magic 10 dollar bill!

[MannyIsGod]

What do you expect, Manny? Every store gets like 8 PS3's, 2 of which are taken by employees. If you want a PS3, go camp out for 30+ hours like the rest of the world. No arbitrage.

BTW, major props to Best Buy. I walked in and saw a 120GB hard drive for $49.99, went and payed for it, was initially charged $89.99, and I asked WTF? Apparently, someone forgot to replace the price tags on the hard drives after the sale on them ended yesterday, but they still gave it to me for $49.99.:lmao

Major props to Best Buy for eating it on their mistake with you but not with me? Major props indeed. Stores are getting like 100 PS3s each, not 8, so thats bullshit.

They placed an order on their website for an item, then they decided to cancel it so they can sell it?

[missmyzte]

I was surprised when I saw the thread because I didn't think we were taking pre-orders. Don't worry, you're card will get refunded the amount.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Manny, they had the same thing happen last year with the 360 when it came out. People rushed the pre-order, and then they canceled everyone's orders. Total bullshit, but typical Best Buy.

[MannyIsGod]

I just read that AHF. So they've done this shit TWICE? I've dealt with stupid Best Buy employees on several occasions, but this might take the cake considering its their corporate office that is fucking up, again apparently. Nice.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Yeah, I had a preorder canceled last year (I was going to eBay that bitch too :lol ) for the 360, and they had the same thing happen at Thanksgiving with a laptop they had on sale.

I'd love to see someone take them to court on it, because all they do is cancel the orders, but then again the settlement would probably just give everyone a piece of shit $10 coupon like you got.

[MannyIsGod]

I doubt theres a legal case as long as they refund and don't take an extremely long time to do it. Its just a really shitty business practice. Anyhow, looks like if I want to make my damn profit I'll have to camp out. I may do it anyhow, but I don't want to camp for 30 fucking hours. Fuccccccccccccck that.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Yeah, me and some buds are talking about taking off from work. Paid time off for one day, and we can make $1400 or so on eBay...

[Pistons < Spurs]

I've had similiar things happen to me from Fry's, Staples, EB Games and Circuit city.

It's not a BestBuy thing, it's just typical for the industry.

[MannyIsGod]

Yeah, me and some buds are talking about taking off from work. Paid time off for one day, and we can make $1400 or so on eBay...When I saw how much they were going for camping out became very attractive. If I get Jess to do it with me thats 2 PS3s I can buy and sell and pay for all my holiday shopping and new TV.

[j-6]

I wonder if this is one of those situations where you can scam the scammers. Maybe go buy Jess a blue Best Buy shirt on Ebay, get her to hand out those concert-style bracelets to the first 100 people in line, and then go home, never to be seen from again. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to season that hundred people with some friends of yours. When subsequent people show up to wait for their consoles, they'll notice that all of the people in front of them have wristbands and they don't. And the employee that handed them out is nowhere to be found.

I know I'd go to another store - obviously I missed out on whatever the hell is going on.

[Jekka]

I wonder if this is one of those situations where you can scam the scammers. Maybe go buy Jess a blue Best Buy shirt on Ebay, get her to hand out those concert-style bracelets to the first 100 people in line, and then go home, never to be seen from again. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to season that hundred people with some friends of yours. When subsequent people show up to wait for their consoles, they'll notice that all of the people in front of them have wristbands and they don't. And the employee that handed them out is nowhere to be found.

I know I'd go to another store - obviously I missed out on whatever the hell is going on.
Except that Jess would not be willing to participate in that with the fear of getting her ass kicked when someone figures it out.

[Duff McCartney]

Don't stores usually have something that says "While Supplies Last"?

[MannyIsGod]

Don't stores usually have something that says "While Supplies Last"?Yeah, but how is that relevant?

[missmyzte]

I just read that AHF. So they've done this shit TWICE? I've dealt with stupid Best Buy employees on several occasions, but this might take the cake considering its their corporate office that is fucking up, again apparently. Nice.
Thanks, I appreciate that.
Dude, get over it. It sucks, but someone made a mistake.

And j-6, trust me, people know who the employees are. You can't just show up and get assigned the job of handing out wristbands without anyone knowing who you are. I got my first blue shirt almost 11 years ago, I've been around the block a few times.

[MannyIsGod]

Yeah, I love it when I get told to get over it as a customer. Nothing shows better customer service than that. How about your company learns to run shit rather than tell people to get over it?

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

I find it rather funny you thought that link/pre-order would work. Kids have been talking about that link for days, some trying to buy 3-4 at a time.

No such thing as free money, so get your tent/sleeping bag and enjoy the wait.

If I were you, I wouldn't make any weather predictions prior, either...

[Mixability]

This is why I reserve consoles at the "game" stores. The Best Buys/Circuit City route is the only way to go for the game releases. They suck when it comes to consoles. I had a few 360's last year to sell, because I had reserved them at quite a few stores. But since the 360 fiasco that happened at the Gamestops, now they're giving fair warning that just because you have a reservation, doesn't mean you'll get it on release night. That's even if you're #1 on the list.

[MannyIsGod]

Yeah, the link was insanely broken. I was foolish, had it been a part of Best Buy's functioning system I would have been charged. Oh, wait..

Silly me! I expected to receive material good after I paid for them. You're right, nothing for free, errrr 650 dollars.

[Mixability]

Stores are getting like 100 PS3s each, not 8, so thats bullshit.

Where'd you hear that?

[Mixability]

Yeah, the link was insanely broken. I was foolish, had it been a part of Best Buy's functioning system I would have been charged. Oh, wait..

Silly me! I expected to receive material good after I paid for them. You're right, nothing for free, errrr 650 dollars.

If you need that cash back on your account so bad, you should call up the card company and they should credit your card back immediately. My credit card company even offers up some percentage of the total cost if the transaction went sour.

[MannyIsGod]

What I don't get from some of you giving me shit, is what you guys are thinking. I wasn't trying to scam Best Buy. I wasn't doing shit to get over on them. I used THEIR site in a totally legit way. I didn't do anything special. My account was charged - is STILL charged - and I received a conformation email from Best Buy.

They SOLD ME A SYSTEM. I didn't steal shit from them, I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. Now, today I recieve an email telling me they're not going to sell me the system so they can in essence sell it on bestbuy.com again. This isn't an issue about the system being out of stock or going to a store. Best Buy WILL sell systems online on that day.

So yes, when I buy something from someone and they turn around and take it back to sell it again, I find it rather annoying.

[MannyIsGod]

If you need that cash back on your account so bad, you should call up the card company and they should credit your card back immediately. My credit card company even offers up some percentage of the total cost if the transaction went sour.Whether or not I need the cash is not relevent. If I needed te cash that bad, do you think I'd be spending it buying a PS3? Its the fact that they charged me for something. And no, my bank isn't going to credit me the money if I call them up and tell them the transaction is wrong. They're going to say its on Best Buy's end and they have to credit my account, and they're right.

[Mixability]

What I don't get from some of you giving me shit, is what you guys are thinking. I wasn't trying to scam Best Buy. I wasn't doing shit to get over on them. I used THEIR site in a totally legit way. I didn't do anything special. My account was charged - is STILL charged - and I received a conformation email from Best Buy.

They SOLD ME A SYSTEM. I didn't steal shit from them, I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. Now, today I recieve an email telling me they're not going to sell me the system so they can in essence sell it on bestbuy.com again. This isn't an issue about the system being out of stock or going to a store. Best Buy WILL sell systems online on that day.

So yes, when I buy something from someone and they turn around and take it back to sell it again, I find it rather annoying.

Your credit card company/bank holds the entire amount when you charge something? I'm pretty sure BB is gonna be quick about refunding the money. I've returned shit to them before and when I check my current activity once I get in the parking lot, I see the refunded amount. Maybe I've just been lucky.

[Mixability]

Whether or not I need the cash is not relevent. If I needed te cash that bad, do you think I'd be spending it buying a PS3? Its the fact that they charged me for something. And no, my bank isn't going to credit me the money if I call them up and tell them the transaction is wrong. They're going to say its on Best Buy's end and they have to credit my account, and they're right.

Damn, I'm just offering up some advice.

Yeah, I understand they charged you for an item that you have not received. I charged about $1600 worth at Gamestop, Hollywood Video and EBgames last year for 3 360s. They weren't delivered until release day, but I was charged well over a week before. I'm sure if I hadn't received the item as promised by them when they took the preorder, they would've refunded my money.

[MannyIsGod]

Your company doesn't hold the entire amount when something is charged? Thats odd. The only items I don't get held the entire amount for are the ones where the amount is unknown. When I worked at a bank, transactions where they swiped your card and put a refund back into your account show up immediately, but thats because they have your card to swipe. Its been 4 years since I worked for a bank, however, so take it for what its worth.

[MannyIsGod]

Damn, I'm just offering up some advice.

Yeah, I understand they charged you for an item that you have not received. I charged about $1600 worth at Gamestop, Hollywood Video and EBgames last year for 3 360s. They weren't delivered until release day, but I was charged well over a week before. I'm sure if I hadn't received the item as promised by them when they took the preorder, they would've refunded my money.Yeah, obviously when I get my refund I'll lose a lot of the reason I'm annoyed right now, but I still find it annoying that they've sold me something and after they sold it to me are basicallying saying "oops!", we're going to resell that.

The people that bought them placed in legit orders, so why the hell won't Best Buy just honor them?

It also annoys the hell out of me when people who work for a company tell me to "get over it" when the only fuck up in the entire situation is on their end.

[MannyIsGod]

Oh, the Best Buy Ps3 numbers were numbers for stores in the NYC area apparently. However, WalMart has already said there will be a minimum of 10 per store, and I'm sure some will have much higher numbers than that.

Anyhow, Jess and I are planning to camp out to get a couple of them on launch day. It actually sounds pretty fun from what I've read. I'll be curing Best Buy on that day.

[Mixability]

Your company doesn't hold the entire amount when something is charged? Thats odd. The only items I don't get held the entire amount for are the ones where the amount is unknown. When I worked at a bank, transactions where they swiped your card and put a refund back into your account show up immediately, but thats because they have your card to swipe. Its been 4 years since I worked for a bank, however, so take it for what its worth.

I rarely use my Bank of America card, so I'm just going on my AMEX. I have access to my full limit and verify any transaction that is placed. If I had done what you did, I would've gotten a call to verify the charge by BB in a couple of days to ask whether or not to put the charge through or to continue to hold it. I would've told them to reject the charge if I had gotten that email from them. If I was still cautious, I would've just told them to call back when the transaction was completed(I got the product)

[MannyIsGod]

I rarely use my Bank of America card, so I'm just going on my AMEX. I have access to my full limit and verify any transaction that is placed. If I had done what you did, I would've gotten a call to verify the charge by BB in a couple of days to ask whether or not to put the charge through or to continue to hold it. I would've told them to reject the charge if I had gotten that email from them. If I was still cautious, I would've just told them to call back when the transaction was completed(I got the product)Thats a pretty kick ass service, is that a business account? Jess has an AMEX but they don't do anything like that. AMEX does a very good job of taking care of their customers.

[Mixability]

The people that bought them placed in legit orders, so why the hell won't Best Buy just honor them?


I'm guessing its because of the huge 360 crap that happened last year. They were promised a butt-load of 360's for each store. The gamestop I reserved at said they would have 50 for the first shipment, they actually got 12. Good thing I was #3 in line. The 360 crap is also why ebay has the restrictions for the ps3 auctions. People who thought they were part of the first "50" put up their preorders for auction and couldn't deliver on their promise to the auction winners when they went to gamestop, etc to find out they only had 12.

When in doubt, don't blame Best Buy.












Blame Microsoft.

[Mixability]

Thats a pretty kick ass service, is that a business account? Jess has an AMEX but they don't do anything like that. AMEX does a very good job of taking care of their customers.

i got the hookup at work, so it's a "bidness" account. Pretty funny when they call my office and ask, "we have a $4000 charge at Best Buy, is that ok?" and I'm like, "yeah, I had a big presentation this week and needed a new theatre style projection system." :lol

The only reason I got an Amex is because of their superb customer service.

[MannyIsGod]

Best Buy has yet to even cancel my order. This screen shot was just taken:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-12/913758/bestbuy.JPG

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Yeah, the link was insanely broken. I was foolish, had it been a part of Best Buy's functioning system I would have been charged. Oh, wait..

Silly me! I expected to receive material good after I paid for them. You're right, nothing for free, errrr 650 dollars.


You sure it isn't a scam/hack? You aren't supposed to be charged until shipment...

[MannyIsGod]

You sure it isn't a scam/hack? You aren't supposed to be charged until shipment...I go to BestBuy.com, log into my account, and the order is there. I got an email from Best Buy as conformation, and Best Buy sent me an email saying they were cancelling it. No hack. The charge on my account is also from Best Buy

[leemajors]

I go to BestBuy.com, log into my account, and the order is there. I got an email from Best Buy as conformation, and Best Buy sent me an email saying they were cancelling it. No hack. The charge on my account is also from Best Buy

is it a check card? holds can take a 3-5 business days to clear on those. if it's a pending hold it may not have been fully processed.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I dont get why Sony doesnt just produce millions of these things before distributing them to the stores.

Because MS forced their hand with the 360.

[missmyzte]

Yeah, I love it when I get told to get over it as a customer. Nothing shows better customer service than that. How about your company learns to run shit rather than tell people to get over it?
You call me a stupid employee and then want my help?
BTW - I'm off the clock. I'm not speaking on behalf of anybody, any company or anything, I'm speaking on behalf of myself. And, as an off-the-clock retail employee of an un-named (cough cough) retail store, I think you're getting really mad over a simple mistake.
As for the charge on your card, have you tried calling anyone or are you just complaining about it on here?

[leemajors]

Because MS forced their hand with the 360.

i'm having a hard time thinking of any mass produced high demand electronic product that doesn't become constrained in the first few weeks or months after release.

[j-6]

You call me a stupid employee and then want my help?
BTW - I'm off the clock. I'm not speaking on behalf of anybody, any company or anything, I'm speaking on behalf of myself. And, as an off-the-clock retail employee of an un-named (cough cough) retail store, I think you're getting really mad over a simple mistake.
As for the charge on your card, have you tried calling anyone or are you just complaining about it on here?

Didn't you state earlier in this thread that you've worked for Best Buy for eleven years? I'm assuming that with that length of tenure, you have some sort of loyalty to your employer. Don't you think that it's wrong to have a SSL-secured ordering page available for a $600+ preorder item with no intention of honoring it, and still processed the charges?

This isn't some parts wholesale site ran out of some kid's room in his momma's house, this is one of the most respected retailers in the United States with their own IT and webserver departments.

At least to me Best Buy sounds awfully insincere in this. Maybe that's their style, which I guess is their prerogative at the least. It doesn't instill any great desire for me to do any shopping there after reading this debacle.

Enjoy your gift card, Manny.

[baseline bum]

This video games shit is whack. I dont get why Sony doesnt just produce millions of these things before distributing them to the stores. It seems like year after year there are never enough of the new console on the release date. They would make a whole lot more money if they produce more right off the bat.

Sony doesn't produce millions of them because they can't. They're getting horrible yields in their Blu-Ray player productions.

[baseline bum]

BTW, so Best Buy isn't taking any kind of pre-orders, right? You have to physically be at the store, in line, on launch day to get the PS3, right? missmyzte?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Sony doesn't produce millions of them because they can't. They're getting horrible yields in their Blu-Ray player productions.

Not to mention they're subsidizing the hell out of the player, so until the parts get cheaper it's 'worth it' for them to limit the production.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

You call me a stupid employee and then want my help?
BTW - I'm off the clock. I'm not speaking on behalf of anybody, any company or anything, I'm speaking on behalf of myself. And, as an off-the-clock retail employee of an un-named (cough cough) retail store, I think you're getting really mad over a simple mistake.
As for the charge on your card, have you tried calling anyone or are you just complaining about it on here?

Please don't take this personally, but it's not a simple mistake.

I worked for BB for a year, and the whole situation is a joke. Bait and switch is one of their best business models. Take the day after Thanksgiving. They have a doorbuster for a super cheap laptop. Then you get there, and 'yeah, the ad said we'd have 20, but 15 of them you have to buy our overpriced security package of Norton and Spysweeper and pay our Geek Squad worker an extra $50 to install it to get it.'

I saw it first hand, because I was working in the computer department. It's one of the things that convinced me what a joke that whole place was.

Then you take things like the 360 preorder and now the PS3 preorder. The 'simple' problem they have is they did not set a cap on the online order, so it processed transactions until there were no more in inventory. In short, if they were to honor all the online purchases, they would have had none left to sell in the stores.

They've known about this problem for years, but they choose to do nothing about it, because in part they use page hits/views to help negotiate down the bulk price of some of the shit they buy.

It's just a bad business as far as the consumers go. And I was rooting for Circuit City to whip their ass until CC decided to give the finger to Toshiba and refuse to carry HD-DVD players in their stores.

Basically joe public is down to choosing the lesser of two evils right now between those two, but Best Buy is by far the dirtier.

You don't get commission for your sales, but your managers get bonuses based on your sales of 'cheese', i.e. accessories, warranties, etc.

Yet, you don't get hours unless you sell, so you're in essence forced to sell the bullshit just to get hours, but see none of the bonuses that come down for great accessories. You just get the 'privilege' of having more than 20 hours a week even though you're a 'full-time' employee.

And take the whole Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD thing right now. Walk into any BB and they will trash HD-DVD and pump up BR despite HD-DVD providing better picture and sound quality for half the price.

Why? Because Sony tied its PS3 distribution to BR sales, so all BBs are under pressure to push Blu-ray. And who gets screwed? The consumer, just so BB can make a few more bucks on their bottom line.

Lame job, lame company, lame business practices.

[tlongII]

Sorry, but I feel zero sympathy for Manny here. Dude was just going to turn the thing on eBay and pocket about a grand in profit. That's why he's pissed.

[tlongII]

That is what everyone else was gonna do. Best Buy has no idea what Manny was gonna do. Its pretty fucked up they canceled his order yet he is still billed for it.

They will credit his account. I'll bet he doesn't see it on his next credit card statement. I think buying shit just to turn it on eBay is bullshit. I know lots of people do it, but I still think it's bullshit.

[MannyIsGod]

You call me a stupid employee and then want my help?
BTW - I'm off the clock. I'm not speaking on behalf of anybody, any company or anything, I'm speaking on behalf of myself. And, as an off-the-clock retail employee of an un-named (cough cough) retail store, I think you're getting really mad over a simple mistake.
As for the charge on your card, have you tried calling anyone or are you just complaining about it on here?I'm pretty sure you can't help me, but just to clarifty I said I had dealt with stupid employees in the store. Now, I should have assumed that you would have taken this personally because you take every complaint someone has about Best Buy personally, so whatever. Who should I call? Your company has said they're going to refund it, I'll wait to see. It takes days, but that doesn't change the fact it pisses me off.

[MannyIsGod]

They will credit his account. I'll bet he doesn't see it on his next credit card statement. I think buying shit just to turn it on eBay is bullshit. I know lots of people do it, but I still think it's bullshit.:lmao

When the fuck did you turn communist? I'm sorry, I guess I'll leave the profit making to corporations like Nike, MY BAD! Seriously, how the hell can you justify calling it bullshit?

Whatever, man, I had my day of bitching. I couldn't care less if one person in the world had sympathy for me, I just wish companies would honor their sales especially when I pay for things.

[tlongII]

:lmao

When the fuck did you turn communist? I'm sorry, I guess I'll leave the profit making to corporations like Nike, MY BAD! Seriously, how the hell can you justify calling it bullshit?

Whatever, man, I had my day of bitching. I couldn't care less if one person in the world had sympathy for me, I just wish companies would honor their sales especially when I pay for things.

WTF does this have to do with turning communist? What value are you adding to the product to increase its price from $600 to $1600?

[MannyIsGod]

Um, what value does any middle man add? You think every retailer who sells some thing has added profit? I suppose that you think Foot Locker and other retailers selling Nike shoes for more than they purchased them is bullshit too? No?

Price is dependent on value added? If so you must think your companies practices are bullshit too, yes? Or are the shoes you produce really costing over 100 dollars to make?

What does it have to do with you turning communist? Oh nothing, except that you're opinion that someone turning a profit is bullshit kinda fits along with belief systems that are against capitalism. :lol

[missmyzte]

Didn't you state earlier in this thread that you've worked for Best Buy for eleven years? I'm assuming that with that length of tenure, you have some sort of loyalty to your employer. Don't you think that it's wrong to have a SSL-secured ordering page available for a $600+ preorder item with no intention of honoring it, and still processed the charges?

This isn't some parts wholesale site ran out of some kid's room in his momma's house, this is one of the most respected retailers in the United States with their own IT and webserver departments.

At least to me Best Buy sounds awfully insincere in this. Maybe that's their style, which I guess is their prerogative at the least. It doesn't instill any great desire for me to do any shopping there after reading this debacle.

Enjoy your gift card, Manny.
I stated earlier that I got a blue shirt 11 years ago, I have never stated exactly where I work (though you'd have been more blonde than me to not be able to figure it out). I do think it was a terrible mistake and that steps are being taken to correct it. Manny will be refunded for his charge and yes, it was an honest mistake. No one was trying to scam anyone. BBY is a big company but it's comprised of real people and real people do make mistakes. This is one of them and they are trying to correct it.


BTW, so Best Buy isn't taking any kind of pre-orders, right? You have to physically be at the store, in line, on launch day to get the PS3, right? missmyzte?
Correct


Please don't take this personally, but it's not a simple mistake.

I worked for BB for a year, and the whole situation is a joke. Bait and switch is one of their best business models. Take the day after Thanksgiving. They have a doorbuster for a super cheap laptop. Then you get there, and 'yeah, the ad said we'd have 20, but 15 of them you have to buy our overpriced security package of Norton and Spysweeper and pay our Geek Squad worker an extra $50 to install it to get it.'
Please don't take this personally, but don't you think there is more to the company than you can learn in a year? And how long ago was this? There is a reason BBY is the #1 electronics retailer, they're doing something right. I've read your rants before and I feel sorry that you had a bad experience when you worked there, but I can tell you that it's not like that for everyone. I wouldn't have made the decision to work for 11 years and dedicate my career to a company that I don't believe in. I'm not just drinking the company Kool-aid, I really believe it. I wouldn't ever want to work anywhere else and will be perfectly happy if I retire still working for my present employer.

I won't/can't go into specifics, but there is a lot of what you wrote below that is incorrect. I doubt anything I could say could change your mind, but you are giving false information.


I saw it first hand, because I was working in the computer department. It's one of the things that convinced me what a joke that whole place was.

Then you take things like the 360 preorder and now the PS3 preorder. The 'simple' problem they have is they did not set a cap on the online order, so it processed transactions until there were no more in inventory. In short, if they were to honor all the online purchases, they would have had none left to sell in the stores.

They've known about this problem for years, but they choose to do nothing about it, because in part they use page hits/views to help negotiate down the bulk price of some of the shit they buy.

It's just a bad business as far as the consumers go. And I was rooting for Circuit City to whip their ass until CC decided to give the finger to Toshiba and refuse to carry HD-DVD players in their stores.

Basically joe public is down to choosing the lesser of two evils right now between those two, but Best Buy is by far the dirtier.

You don't get commission for your sales, but your managers get bonuses based on your sales of 'cheese', i.e. accessories, warranties, etc.

Yet, you don't get hours unless you sell, so you're in essence forced to sell the bullshit just to get hours, but see none of the bonuses that come down for great accessories. You just get the 'privilege' of having more than 20 hours a week even though you're a 'full-time' employee.

And take the whole Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD thing right now. Walk into any BB and they will trash HD-DVD and pump up BR despite HD-DVD providing better picture and sound quality for half the price.

Why? Because Sony tied its PS3 distribution to BR sales, so all BBs are under pressure to push Blu-ray. And who gets screwed? The consumer, just so BB can make a few more bucks on their bottom line.

Lame job, lame company, lame business practices.

[tlongII]

Um, what value does any middle man add? You think every retailer who sells some thing has added profit? I suppose that you think Foot Locker and other retailers selling Nike shoes for more than they purchased them is bullshit too? No?

Price is dependent on value added? If so you must think your companies practices are bullshit too, yes? Or are the shoes you produce really costing over 100 dollars to make?

What does it have to do with you turning communist? Oh nothing, except that you're opinion that someone turning a profit is bullshit kinda fits along with belief systems that are against capitalism. :lol

Footlocker is a retailer. They are one of our distribution channels. They sell the product at a price point in line with our suggested retail price. You are depriving people who would purchase the PS3 for their personal use.

[MannyIsGod]

Footlocker is a retailer. They are one of our distribution channels. They sell the product at a price point in line with our suggested retail price. You are depriving people who would purchase the PS3 for their personal use.Oh ok, so like I said above:


I'm sorry, I guess I'll leave the profit making to corporations like Nike, MY BAD! :lol hey Tlong, Nike and Foot Locker are driving people who would purchase Jordans for 30 dollars a pop. THATS BULLSHIT!

[tlongII]

Oh ok, so like I said above:

:lol hey Tlong, Nike and Foot Locker are driving people who would purchase Jordans for 30 dollars a pop. THATS BULLSHIT!

Just make sure you report that profit on your tax return.

[MannyIsGod]

Will do Tlong. I'll put it in the "Bullshit" section.

[leemajors]

it sucks Best Buy did that, but all they have to go on are Sony's projections for amount of units shipped, which is subject to change wildly. blame sony if anyone, they keep pushing their release dates back and changing the amount of units shipping whether it be due to part failure or them having a problem getting parts to build the units from the manufacturer in china. i realize best buy probably should curtail their pre-order policy per being burned in the past, but they can only go on what sony gives them or claims they will give them.

[MannyIsGod]

:lol

If me getting screwed is the highlight of your day, I'm sorry.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Please don't take this personally, but don't you think there is more to the company than you can learn in a year? And how long ago was this? There is a reason BBY is the #1 electronics retailer, they're doing something right. I've read your rants before and I feel sorry that you had a bad experience when you worked there, but I can tell you that it's not like that for everyone.

I last worked there about a year and a half ago. The reason BB is #1 is because you had a couple of electronics geeks follow Wal-Mart's business model before anyone else - build lots of stores and use your bulk volume buying power to negotiate down prices on everything.

As for my experiences... I worked at two different Best Buys, and it was the same both places. And we're not talking moving a few miles, we're talking going from Dallas to SA.

When one of my old managers from HS at another company became sales mgr. for one of the SA stores, I was happy to move there and work there under him, but I still had all the bullshit I was dealing with in my department.

As for the 'whole list of stuff I'm wrong on' (according to you), if you don't believe it/know of it then you either aren't as connected as you think you are or are drinking some serious company koolaid.

Like I said, the sales mgr. at my store was someone who was a mentor to me in HS. He has been a reference for every job I have ever had (3). He taught me a lot about responsibility and leadership.

We talked often about things going on at Best Buy and within the company, and all the stuff that you reference as being incorrect I have had corroborated by him and by other managers as well. Yeah, what would the sales manager for one of the highest volume stores in the state for Best Buy know about how things work at corporate? :rolleyes

As to my comments about bonuses and hours being tied to you selling a lot of bullshit to customers, that was also the same at both stores. And I used to go to all the regional training sessions from Microsoft, AMD, Intel, etc. (hey, the free/heavily discounted stuff was awesome!!), and shot the breeze with employees from all over the Dallas region when I was there and all over SA/south Texas when I was there.

Everyone had the same stories about how their supervisors managed hours in their departments. In computers, it was simple: no Geek Squad services, no extended warranties, no 3+ accessories, no hours. I guess it was just a coincidence that every store in Dallas and SA/San Marcos did that, I guess all those people I talked to were just unfortunate. At least, if you drink and spew the company koolaid over the place, they were:rolleyes

And I saw the laptop situation first hand, because I was up there at 4 fucking AM on the day after Thanksgiving selling that shit, and it was such a joke I laughed in my boss's face (hey, it's good to be good friends with the sales mgr. :lol) when I told her I wasn't going to force our bullshit on someone who just wanted the laptop and sold it to them as is (it was a couple of grandparents buying one for their first grandchild to go to college).

As to the 360 and PS3 online situations, again - said manager that I keep in touch with told me about the Sony PS3/Blu-ray situation, and it's been corroborated from a buddy who works at Electronic Arts (who makes games for both consoles).

Don't get me wrong, you can be very successful at Best Buy. I imagine someone like you is probably in the customer service/administrative area, and that's a great place to work. I didn't know very many people working sales at BB who were happy with their jobs (unless they were a pimple-faced 18 year old who loved spending all their paychecks on their employee discount :lol).

It's cool that it's working out for you, but hopefully you'll quit sucking down the kool-aid and drink this cold dose of reality.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

t sucks Best Buy did that, but all they have to go on are Sony's projections for amount of units shipped, which is subject to change wildly.

As much as I hate Sony, this one isn't on them. Their inventory management system has some glaring omissions in code that they choose not to correct. Like being able to do things like limit the number of products sold online if the inventory hasn't been distributed out to the shipping centers/stores.

Basically, BB knows how many PS3s they are getting for launch. But because they haven't distributed that inventory out to the stores yet, it's all still shown under the master inventory for the product, which is where the count of available products for the online inventory comes from.

Until they ship all the product out, that number doesn't change. So when the pre-order got posted, it basically kept selling units until they were all gone from inventory.

What's going to be comical is BB advertising the hell out of PS3 (Sony has already ponied up the $$$$$$$$$ for them to do it), and then every store is going to get 30-50 consoles or so and that'll be it. But it is what it is - the BB corporate machine.

[leemajors]

As much as I hate Sony, this one isn't on them. Their inventory management system has some glaring omissions in code that they choose not to correct. Like being able to do things like limit the number of products sold online if the inventory hasn't been distributed out to the shipping centers/stores.

Basically, BB knows how many PS3s they are getting for launch. But because they haven't distributed that inventory out to the stores yet, it's all still shown under the master inventory for the product, which is where the count of available products for the online inventory comes from.

Until they ship all the product out, that number doesn't change. So when the pre-order got posted, it basically kept selling units until they were all gone from inventory.

What's going to be comical is BB advertising the hell out of PS3 (Sony has already ponied up the $$$$$$$$$ for them to do it), and then every store is going to get 30-50 consoles or so and that'll be it. But it is what it is - the BB corporate machine.

i'm obviously not as familiar with retail purchasing as you are, so i'll take your word for it. i just dont' trust sony, although they did do a remarkable job of manufacturing the replacements for the defective batteries - my manager said there would be a huge crunch after 4-6 weeks following my company's recall went out for those batteries but they were able to get them out quickly enough. their corporate positioning on the reason the batteries failed was totally wacked out.

[missmyzte]

Don't get me wrong, you can be very successful at Best Buy. I imagine someone like you is probably in the customer service/administrative area, and that's a great place to work. I didn't know very many people working sales at BB who were happy with their jobs (unless they were a pimple-faced 18 year old who loved spending all their paychecks on their employee discount :lol).

It's cool that it's working out for you, but hopefully you'll quit sucking down the kool-aid and drink this cold dose of reality.
Someone like me is in Customer Service/Admininistrative area? What makes you say that? I actually started my career as a part-time sales person in appliances but haven't worked in an actual store in about 5 years.

As I said, I know I'm not going to change your mind about anything, and that's fine. I've got my dream job and the best boss I could possibly ask for. Call it Kool-aid but I've got a great gig going here.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Started out in appliances? That explains it. No offense, but it's completely different on that side of the store vs. home theater and computers.

I'm sure you're happy with your job, good for you. That doesn't make Best Buy squeaky clean, and it doesn't make what they did to Manny and everyone else who ordered a 'simple mistake'.

The shit like that they do is ingrained in the culture, from corporate all the way down to the store down the street.

[missmyzte]

As I said - STARTED in appliances. I've held many different positions, I just questioned why you would think someone like me would be a Rep I or Rep II.

BTW - it doesn't make is not a 'simple mistake' either.

[leemajors]

best buy employees are stupid fucks

have you ever had to work retail or in the service industry in general?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

You just strike me as the kind of person (from what Kori and others say about you) that would be the prototypical customer service/admin type. No offense intended.

[Kori Ellis]

You just strike me as the kind of person (from what Kori and others say about you) that would be the prototypical customer service/admin type. No offense intended.

:lol

Not that it matters, but I'm not even sure what that means.

I think the most I have ever said about her job wise is that she works on the executive/admin side. I have no idea what levels or departments she's worked in the past. I could assume that she used to be in sales/customer service at one point in her career but I don't think I've ever said that.

[T Park]

They haven't given me back my money dumbshit. Can you read? The charge is still in my account? I realize that you're a dumb motherfucker but I figured you could at least handle reading simple fucking sentences.

Second, they didn't give me 10 dollars. Its a 10 dollar coupon. That means I have to SPEND money and then I get a discount off their markup. Its not like the Best Buy fairy gave me a magic 10 dollar bill!

God you have anger management issues.

Get a shrink.

[MannyIsGod]

:lol Right. I went on a rampage right after I posted that, didn't you see me on my news? Don't mistake my lack of patience for you're idiocy with anger management issues.

Hey Tpark, you're dumb.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

:lol

Not that it matters, but I'm not even sure what that means.

I think the most I have ever said about her job wise is that she works on the executive/admin side. I have no idea what levels or departments she's worked in the past. I could assume that she used to be in sales/customer service at one point in her career but I don't think I've ever said that.

:lol I just meant people have said here and there that you're a really nice person, and having been there at BB at one point those types always end up on the administrative side of things.

[missmyzte]

Aggie - I don't know what to say to that ... thanks? lol
I am in the administrative side of things, but not at the store level. I'm an Executive Assistant. :)

[E20]

Jeez Manny calm the fuck down it's just a gaming system. Go and out and smell the posies. I know your bent on ripping people off on E-Bay, but life isn't always fair.

[Melmart1]

How are the people on eBay getting ripped off? They don't have to bid and drive the price up if they don't want to. If they are smart enough to register and start an account on eBay, then they should be smart enough to use Google to find out what the sale price is. If they choose to pay out their ass w/o knowing what its worth or if they dont care, then that is not Manny's fault, or anyone else's who sells on eBay.

[E20]

How are the people on eBay getting ripped off? They don't have to bid and drive the price up if they don't want to. If they are smart enough to register and start an account on eBay, then they should be smart enough to use Google to find out what the sale price is. If they choose to pay out their ass w/o knowing what its worth or if they dont care, then that is not Manny's fault, or anyone else's who sells on eBay.
They're are people in the world stupid enough to buy shit much more than the actual cash value, maybe they are rich, maybe they have shit for brains. But the fact of the matter is a rip-off is a rip-off no matter the circumstance, if the person chose to buy it at a extremely high price it is still considered a rip-off even if he or she knew what they were doing, they probably know that they're getting ripped off, but they REALLY need a PS3 or a 360.

Oh yeah there is no fucking way anybody would think a little silver rectangular box is worth 2500, maybe 700, but not 2500, you would have to be stupid, so stupid that is amazing that they can work a computer. They're that desperate. Poor fucks, all the early models will defect on there asses in 3 weeks.

[Melmart1]

They're are people in the world stupid enough to buy shit much more than the actual cash value, maybe they are rich, maybe they have shit for brains. But the fact of the matter is a rip-off is a rip-off no matter the circumstance, if the person chose to buy it at a extremely high price it is still considered a rip-off even if he or she knew what they were doing, they probably know that they're getting ripped off, but they REALLY need a PS3 or a 360.
So again I ask.. how is this the seller's fault, that there are a bunch of rich fucks willing to pay anything?

[E20]

So again I ask.. how is this the seller's fault, that there are a bunch of rich fucks willing to pay anything?
Who said it was the sellers fault? I'm just saying they are getting ripped off. If you can't agree on that I suggest you go buy a PS3 for 4000 dollars and get a loud speaker and yell I was not ripped off.

[Melmart1]

Who said it was the sellers fault? I'm just saying they are getting ripped off. If you can't agree on that I suggest you go buy a PS3 for 4000 dollars and get a loud speaker and yell I was not ripped off.
You said this:

I know your bent on ripping people off on E-Bay, but life isn't always fair.

I took that as you blaming Manny for ripping people off if he were to get the PS3 and sell it on eBay. So you would basically be blaming sellers for doing exactly what you are supposed to do in a capitalist society- make money.

I guess my beef is not with you but with the thought process that consumers are idiots. Though many are, people paying 2 or 3x the market value for a PS3 know exactly what they are getting into. If they don't want to pay it, get in line like everyone else. I personally think its ridiculous to pay that amount, but I am not going to scream 'rip off!' if I do pay it. Because it was my choice.

[MannyIsGod]

Its bullshit Mel, its just a gaming system and it was a simple mistake and I should get over it. :)

[Melmart1]

Its bullshit Mel, its just a gaming system and it was a simple mistake and I should get over it. :)
HAHA... I would be pissed off, too. But what irks me is those here who get made at re-sellers. If they were in a position to make money off dumbfucks too lazy or stupid to get one at a lower price, they would be all over it.

And E20 said "life isn't fair" in regards to you getting charged for shit you are not going to receive, but then he lambasts you for not being fair in the price you are going to re-sell it for? So it's OK if life isn't fair- as long as it serves his way of thinking?

[MannyIsGod]

Oh, I know I'm justified to be angry. I made a transaction with a company and they canceled it because THEY fucked up even though they charged me. Still showing up on my account with no refund, BTW.

I was just being a sarcastic fuck.


People like E20 and especially Tlong crack me up in this regard though. Its like I'm holding a gun to anyones head making them buy it from me. Tlong is the one that really gets me though, considering he works for Nike.

Ah well, whatever. Shit happens.

[Melmart1]

I knew you were being a sarcastic fuck. I just wanted to be a pushy bitch and hammer my point home about E20's fucked logic. :)

[tlongII]

Oh, I know I'm justified to be angry. I made a transaction with a company and they canceled it because THEY fucked up even though they charged me. Still showing up on my account with no refund, BTW.

I was just being a sarcastic fuck.


People like E20 and especially Tlong crack me up in this regard though. Its like I'm holding a gun to anyones head making them buy it from me. Tlong is the one that really gets me though, considering he works for Nike.

Ah well, whatever. Shit happens.


That is not the point Manny. What I don't like is depriving somebody of buying the PS3 for $600 when you have no intention of keeping it. It's especially puzzling given your liberal nature.

[MannyIsGod]

Depriving someone of a PS3? :lol

Listen to yourself Tlong.

Besides, If I'm depriving one person, I'm also allowing another person to get it. They just will have to pay a bit more. :)

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

They're are people in the world stupid enough to buy shit much more than the actual cash value, maybe they are rich, maybe they have shit for brains. But the fact of the matter is a rip-off is a rip-off no matter the circumstance, if the person chose to buy it at a extremely high price it is still considered a rip-off even if he or she knew what they were doing, they probably know that they're getting ripped off, but they REALLY need a PS3 or a 360.

It's called supply and demand. The demand exceeds supply, so there will be a premium on the cost of the consoles that are available.

Damn these people for taking advantage of a free market society.

[E20]

How is my logic fucked? :wtf

Answer the question and don't get off topic:

If the actual cash value for a PS3 is 600 dollars and I buy it for 2000, did I get ripped or did I not? Use logic to answer it.

Also, if anybody knows ANYTHING about videogame consoles the 1st versions, just like the V1 PS2's and the V1 X-Box's will always defect on your ass in 3-4 weeks of use. Making it even more of a rip-off for buying 3X it's price.

And let me get this straight one more time:

The following is un-logical:

Buying a PS3 is un-logical if I buy it for $600. Shit.

[leemajors]

I would never defend Amy because we all know that if I do I might just explode in a great big ball of fire but.....

Amy has every right to be pissed off. I'm sure he's not the only one having this issue and its not right for a company to charge or advertise for something and not produce (borderline false advertising) and then to tie up his funds for a few days while "they work it out" is fucking gay. I've refunded CC and its taken no more than 24 hours to do so and sometimes the refund goes thru almost right away. They should have fixed this online preorder issue right away and I'm sure Amy wasn't the first charged card.

Also how can anyone give him shit for re-selling the product. I guess no one is allowed to go to a garage sale and find a rare or popular item and throw it on E-Bay for a profit. What the hell is wrong with you people. He can sell it for whatever the market demands.

I feel the fire starting to burn inside of me so I know I don't have long but Amy hasn't done a damn thing wrong here, but again it does make me happy all over again to read this thread.

you can tell the credit card company to credit something back, but usually the delay in applying the credit is with visa or mastercard - on the seller's end the credit can be applied within 24-48 hours, but the card company can take up to 1-2 billing cycles to actually apply it.

[tlongII]

Who is Amy?

[johnsmith]

Manny played Amy the smart ape in Congo. Good flick but sadly Manny couldn't show off his massive vocabulary.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c220/Trailer21/amycongo.jpg


:lmao :lmao :lmao

Although I feel I should get credit for this.

[johnsmith]

I should have said something johnsmith and his massive wang did put in the good word for Manny to secure the role he was meant to play since birth. You may have also seen him in movies such as Cannonball run alongside the Sheik. Later he also played a significant role with Sigourney Weaver in that ape love movie and he did a full feature comedy alongside the great Tony Danza.

We owe johnsmith a great deal for the lifetime of laughs he's provided for us. Thank you johnsmith thank you.



Cannonball run, he was good in that.

I believe he also did fill in for the monkey in that movie about baseball starring him and Joey from Friends.

[johnsmith]

Thats right! He should be in the Apeman hall of fame.


Right alongside the greats, Koko the Gorilla, Bubbles (MJ's chimp), Dr. Zaus. Amy will one day be right along side of them.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

If the actual cash value for a PS3 is 600 dollars and I buy it for 2000, did I get ripped or did I not? Use logic to answer it.

If you paid $2k for it, you obviously felt it was worth $2000.

Do you hate all companies? Have you ever shopped at a store? Because all goods are sold at a profit, are you being ripped off every time you open your wallet?

If the opportunity cost of something for someone is $2000, even though the sticker is only $600, then that's what it's worth to them.

You get ripped off when you have no choice in the matter. So if you only want to pay $600 for it, then wait until the supply is such that you can get it for $600. No one forced you to buy one for $2000.

[MannyIsGod]

AHF, are you still planning on camping out? I think both Jess and Myself will be camping out so that we can get 2.

[Dro210]

If you paid $2k for it, you obviously felt it was worth $2000.

Do you hate all companies? Have you ever shopped at a store? Because all goods are sold at a profit, are you being ripped off every time you open your wallet?

If the opportunity cost of something for someone is $2000, even though the sticker is only $600, then that's what it's worth to them.

You get ripped off when you have no choice in the matter. So if you only want to pay $600 for it, then wait until the supply is such that you can get it for $600. No one forced you to buy one for $2000.



Word...

Anybody hating on re-sellers needs a reality check and an economics class.

[baseline bum]

I think I'll camp out too. If only these poor suckers could play a PS3 before shelling out 2G for it.. :lol

There's no way I'd buy one of these if I had to keep it.

[Dro210]

That is not the point Manny. What I don't like is depriving somebody of buying the PS3 for $600 when you have no intention of keeping it. It's especially puzzling given your liberal nature.


Cause he's tryin to get PAID!

It'd be stupid to not try and get 1 or 2 or more and try to re-sell 'em... how many other opportunties come along where you can double your money or more by doin absolutely nothing?

Sorry... I guess there's no softspot in my heart for all the poor lil kids that wont get one on Christmas. It's too expensive for 'em to be gettin for Christmas anyway. Gonna make their parents go broke and shit, damn Sony.

[tlongII]

I have re-evaluated my position on this. I see nothing wrong with what Manny is doing.

[Mixability]

i hope you're camping out already.

http://www.gamespot.com/events/ps3launch/story.html?sid=6161374&tag=latestnews;title;2

PS3 lines already spotted
Nine days before the new console goes on sale, a few determined gamers have already decamped outside a Burbank, California, retailer.
By Emma Boyes, GameSpot UK
Posted Nov 9, 2006 11:08 am PT

Americans are already getting in line for the PlayStation 3--nine days before its official November 17 release date. Seven people have been spotted camping out at Best Buy in Burbank, California, and date-stamped photos were posted as proof on various gaming forums including Cheap Ass Gamer.

Reports of other lines have also surfaced, bringing back memories of the queues outside movie theatres some six weeks before the Star Wars prequels came out. A "target" of 400,000 PS3 consoles will be available on the launch date in North America, with many no doubt already reserved by those who managed to put in a preorder.

Poster OneWingedAngel wrote that he had been at Best Buy for a job interview when he saw the hardcore campers outside. "The awesome thing was, as I was waiting outside, I saw a bunch of people coming to Best Buy and picking up Gears of War," he wrote. "A few people made some funny remarks. One guy is like, 'I hope you guys brought enough food!' Another one said, 'Where is the line for PS4? Is it on the other side?'"

[MannyIsGod]

I saw pictures of those losers. :lol

I'm willing to do Wednesday night until they open, but thats it. Thats more than 24 freaking hours, but I'm not doing anything sooner than that. If that means I don't get shit, then screw it I'll just play more poker.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

MannyisRepublican
how dare you take advantage of the rich nerdlings willing to pay 2 grand for a ps3.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

AHF, are you still planning on camping out? I think both Jess and Myself will be camping out so that we can get 2.

We're talking about it still at work. Problem is, we've got 20 clients coming in for the two days prior to its release, and I'm the main presenter/trainer.

SO if some other guys can get out there early, I'm down. If not, there's no way that I'll be there in time for one getting out there probably 8 PM the night before.

[MannyIsGod]

i hope you're camping out already.

http://www.gamespot.com/events/ps3launch/story.html?sid=6161374&tag=latestnews;title;2

PS3 lines already spotted
Nine days before the new console goes on sale, a few determined gamers have already decamped outside a Burbank, California, retailer.
By Emma Boyes, GameSpot UK
Posted Nov 9, 2006 11:08 am PT

Americans are already getting in line for the PlayStation 3--nine days before its official November 17 release date. Seven people have been spotted camping out at Best Buy in Burbank, California, and date-stamped photos were posted as proof on various gaming forums including Cheap Ass Gamer.

Reports of other lines have also surfaced, bringing back memories of the queues outside movie theatres some six weeks before the Star Wars prequels came out. A "target" of 400,000 PS3 consoles will be available on the launch date in North America, with many no doubt already reserved by those who managed to put in a preorder.

Poster OneWingedAngel wrote that he had been at Best Buy for a job interview when he saw the hardcore campers outside. "The awesome thing was, as I was waiting outside, I saw a bunch of people coming to Best Buy and picking up Gears of War," he wrote. "A few people made some funny remarks. One guy is like, 'I hope you guys brought enough food!' Another one said, 'Where is the line for PS4? Is it on the other side?'"D'oh, turns out those people were camping for Gears Of War. No one is camping today.

[baseline bum]

You gotta be kidding me. EBGames has GOW in stock at most of their stores in LA.

[MannyIsGod]

I dunno man, just what I read. Either way, those guys aren't very smart.

[MannyIsGod]

The winning bidder has zero feedback. Thats a pretty bogus winning bid. Sucks for the seller, he's going to have to relist.

[resistanze]

Yeah I watched that bid while it was happening. He raised the bid from 2000 to 5000 for no reason.

[Mixability]

I'm glad I have all my preorders in all ready. Hopefully my cousin is still buying one of them.

[boutons_]

November 10, 2006

Next - Gen Gaming Consoles to Hit Stores

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 6:57 p.m. ET

After years of hype and speculation, the latest round of video game console wars is finally about to begin.

Unlike past battles waged since the 1970s, consumers this time around will have some truly distinct options among three contenders, as each device is tuned to different tastes and budgets.

The sleek PlayStation 3 by Sony Corp. is the priciest system, crammed with the very latest in cutting-edge technology. The Xbox 360 from Microsoft Corp., meanwhile, has had a yearlong head start to build a fan base.

By touting intuitive controls over fancy graphics, Nintendo Co. has billed its Wii as a simpler, cheaper alternative to Microsoft's and Sony's offerings.

If you compare the trio to automobiles, said Bruno Bonnell, chairman and chief creative officer at publishing giant Atari Inc., the PS3 ''is a kind of prototype Formula 1. The Wii is definitely a fun car, a Mini Cooper or a Beetle, something that everybody can enjoy riding. The 360 fulfills so much of the demand of the standard player, it's one of the Toyotas or standard GM cars.''

The Wii and the PS3 go on sale in the United States within two days of each other this month, but getting one in time for Christmas could be a daunting task.

''November is going to be the most exciting month for video games for probably the next five or six years,'' said Tom Russo, editorial director at the G4 Games cable television network. ''But everyone's going to sell out this season.''

Sony, which has already delayed the PS3 launch twice, expects to have only 400,000 PS3s available for its Nov. 17 U.S. launch. Already, bidders on eBay have staked their claim on pre-ordered systems for more than $2,300 -- almost four times higher than the system's top retail price. On Saturday, the console debuted in Japan to long lines and word of near-immediate sellouts.

Nintendo expects to have 4 million Wiis ready worldwide when the console hits store shelves Nov. 19, with the bulk of those going to North America.

Microsoft, burned by supply shortfalls during the Xbox 360's launch last Christmas, expects to sell more than 10 million systems by the end of 2006.

Worldwide, Sony expects to ship only 2 million units by year's end instead of an original projection of 4 million, but a company executive shrugged off long-term supply concerns and expressed confidence that manufacturing problems will soon be fixed.

''Regardless of what the number is, we're going to take knocks,'' said Jack Tretton, executive vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment America. ''It really has no bearing on what we're ultimately going to sell.''

All three devices are taking the video game industry in new directions and promise to serve as centerpieces for an era of digital entertainment where games, movies and music coexist in a single, Internet-enabled box. But games will continue to be the main draw.

The Wii, pronounced ''We,'' will be available for $250. Instead of sheer computing power, the Wii's primary attraction is a wireless controller that tracks movements to mimic a football pass or the swing of a golf club.

The Wii can't display high-definition video, and the system's storage and processing power are limited compared to the Xbox 360 and the PS3.

Perrin Kaplan, vice president for marketing at Nintendo's U.S. headquarters in Redmond, Wash., said the Wii is about attracting newcomers to video games, so cutting-edge technology isn't needed.

''We're not launching rocket ships,'' she said. ''Everyone is going to bigger, badder machines. We have taken a complete right turn. It either fails or succeeds, and we're not afraid of that.''

Two flavors of Sony's sleek black or silver PS3 will debut: a $600 version with a 60-gigabyte hard drive, built-in wireless and a Blu-ray player for high-def video. A version costing $100 less has a 20-gigabyte drive and fewer features.

Returning with a few tweaks from last year, the Xbox 360 comes in two models costing $300 and $400, depending on options. An attachment to play high-def movies in the HD DVD format, chief rival to the PS3's Blu-ray standard, is expected this month for an additional $200.

The new consoles come at a critical time for the video game business, which has grown in fits and starts from the simple days of ''Pong'' in the 1970s to an entertainment industry worth roughly $10 billion in the United States. That exceeds the $9 billion Hollywood grossed last year on domestic ticket sales, according to analyst estimates and the Motion Picture Association of America.

Software companies, in particular, have reason to rejoice after languishing in a sales vacuum created by shoppers who stopped buying games for older systems in anticipation of the new consoles.

Now analysts are predicting solid growth, with Colin Sebastian of Lazard Capital Markets expecting the games business to expand at a healthy 15 to 20 percent for at least the next two years.

Sony dominated the previous generation with 70 percent of the global market, including 35 million PlayStation 2 consoles in the United States. The original Xbox was second with nearly 15 million sold, followed by 11 million Nintendo GameCubes.

In the newest round, Sebastian predicts Sony will grab about half of the market, with Microsoft and Nintendo splitting the difference. That would mean Sony loses share, while Nintendo makes some gains.

All three devices will succeed in the short term because of pent-up demand and the lack of supply, said David Cole, president of market research firm DFC Intelligence.

''We'll have to wait, I think until holiday 2007 and even into 2008, before we start making really definitive judgments about what consumers are saying about these systems,'' Cole said.

[jcrod]

I will NEVER buy from best buy again.

[MannyIsGod]

LOL.

I knew you'd appreciate the sentiment.

[MannyIsGod]

Best Buy will have a minimum of 20 60gb and 6 20gb systems per store on launch day. That seems good to know.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

26 consoles. Time to start camping.... tonight :lol

[MannyIsGod]

Hahhahahahaha. On Wednesday I'll probably be out there late or early Thursday. Does Best Buy run a wireless lan in their store? If not I'll have to find a way to get internet access out there so I can post from there.

[baseline bum]

Best Buy will have a minimum of 20 60gb and 6 20gb systems per store on launch day. That seems good to know.

How did you find this out, and more importantly, why the hell would Best Buy start telling the truth now anyways?

I'm thinking of going mid Wednesday. If I see a lot of people in line already, fuck it, I'm not waiting 2 days. I've got another person who'll come wait with me for a couple hundred, so hopefully I'll have 2 of these bad boys up for sale Friday.

[MannyIsGod]

Its listed on their website.

PlayStation 3 Launch
Best Buy Store Opening Hours and Ticket Process

Here are the details on how PS3 Launch Day will work at Best Buy store locations:

All Best Buy stores will open at 8:00 a.m. on November 17. Starting at 7 a.m., store employees will hand out tickets, and each ticket will be good for one PS3 console purchase. (One ticket per customer. See details below.*)

Each store will have a minimum of 20 of the 60GB PS3 Systems and 6 of the 20GB systems.

So, head over for your chance to be one of the first gamers to score the awesome new console, plus pick up all the games and accessories you'll need to complete the total PlayStation 3 experience.

Learn more about PlayStation 3, and check out the cool games and accessories.

Note: Due to limited supplies, PS3 is not available for sale on BestBuy.com during its initial release.

*Quantities limited. Tickets grant customers the option to buy one PS3 console and are valid within one hour of that store's opening. We are unable to guarantee all customers in line will receive a ticket. No rainchecks.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat91400050028&type=category

[MannyIsGod]

How did you find this out, and more importantly, why the hell would Best Buy start telling the truth now anyways?

I'm thinking of going mid Wednesday. If I see a lot of people in line already, fuck it, I'm not waiting 2 days. I've got another person who'll come wait with me for a couple hundred, so hopefully I'll have 2 of these bad boys up for sale Friday.I think Jess and I are going late Wednesday when she gets off of work. Thats going to be 11pm or so. I'm with you, if I see more than 20 or so people waiting, then I'll check some other places.

I know Wal-Marts are getting at least 10 units a store, but I have no idea what Circuit City and CompUsa are getting. I'd assume CompUSA will have less than 10, but CC will probably have between 10 and 20.

I may try to get someone else to wait with me as well, selling 3 on eBay would be well worth waiting out there a couple of days. The thing that sucks is that when I went by Best Buy I didn't see any damn plugs outside, :lol . How the hell do they expect me to run my laptop?!?!?!?!

[METALMiKE]

If anyone is planning on selling the PS3 on eBay,make sure you meet the requirements to sell it.

[MannyIsGod]

If anyone is planning on selling the PS3 on eBay,make sure you meet the requirements to sell it.After launch day there are no special requirements.

[baseline bum]

Man, these things are only going for $1300-$1500 on Craigslist. :( If I'm camping out for it, I want to make at least a G. Maybe I'll pass.

[Burn531]

This thread was fun to read.

I said last year after I got a 360 on launch day that I wasn't gonna camp out out for a PS3 but after reading up on it and watching some video's on ign.com I really want one.

[MannyIsGod]

The Lachino and I just got back from Best Buy and we saw the first people setup their camping gear. Holy shit. I'm not going out there before tomorrow night, fuck that.

[Burn531]

The Lachino and I just got back from Best Buy and we saw the first people setup their camping gear. Holy shit. I'm not going out there before tomorrow night, fuck that.

Damn, last year at my local Best Buy for the 360 people started lining up just the day before launch around 5:00pm. If I gotta wait 2 + days in the cold for a PS3 than fuck it.

[MannyIsGod]

Man, fuck it. I was out running errands this morning and I went by Best Buy and there were close to 15 people lined up. I'm not willing to wait that long out in the cold to make about 1500. I'll stay home and play poker and make money that way in the warmth instead.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Man, fuck it. I was out running errands this morning and I went by Best Buy and there were close to 15 people lined up. I'm not willing to wait that long out in the cold to make about 1500. I'll stay home and play poker and make money that way in the warmth instead.

I told you. CC in NB.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/7483/photo111406001pc9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

These were the two guys Manny was talking about @ Best Buy, 1604 & 281.

[MannyIsGod]

I bet those motherfuckers aren't in shorts now. :lmao

The people I saw this morning were heads that poked out of piles of blankets.

[velik_m]

Here is what Maddox thinks of Sony: http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=sony_bullshit

[baseline bum]

$3200 http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Playstation-3-60-GB-Premium-PS3-System-Pre-Sale_W0QQitemZ250048239014QQihZ015QQcategoryZ62054 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

$2550
http://cgi.ebay.com/PS3-Sony-Playstation-3-60GB-System-Pre-order-Pre-sale_W0QQitemZ270052680644QQihZ017QQcategoryZ62054 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

$2550

http://cgi.ebay.com/SONY-PLAYSTATION-3-60GB-CONSOLE-PS3-BUNDLE-LOT_W0QQitemZ120052394528QQihZ002QQcategoryZ62054Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

$2550

http://cgi.ebay.com/PS3-Sony-Playstation-3-60GB-Console-System-FREE-EXTRAS_W0QQitemZ280048437340QQihZ018QQcategoryZ620 54QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[CuckingFunt]

I don't know why someone would pay that much money to buy a PS3 so early. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one, but buying any gaming console at launch is just stupid. There are always bugs, and the first wave of games usually sucks.

God of War 2 will be on the PS2. The next Ratchet and Clank will be on the PSP. I think I can wait a year for the PS3.

[Condemned 2 HelLA]

I don't know why someone would pay that much money to buy a PS3 so early. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one, but buying any gaming console at launch is just stupid. There are always bugs, and the first wave of games usually sucks.

I heard a report on a news station last night that Sony has said that there are bugs in the systems and they would have liked to push the release date back.

[ObiwanGinobili]

Hahhahahahaha. On Wednesday I'll probably be out there late or early Thursday. Does Best Buy run a wireless lan in their store? If not I'll have to find a way to get internet access out there so I can post from there.

the one @ 410 near Ingram is right next to a starbucks... :wakeup

[baseline bum]

If anyone has a spare $4000, I'll sell you my two.

[jman3000]

ps3 looks like a damn suitcase. fucker is huge.

[baseline bum]

Well... shit. I went to Best Buy today at noon, and not a person in line. I figured... OK. Let me go hire some people to come wait with me. Hit the bank, withdrew a grip of cash, found one person I knew to do it for $300... hit Best Buy about 3:00 PM. Fuck... 28th in line. Called it off since Best Buy told me they only had 20 of the 60GB models for sale Friday. WGAF about the 20GB models.

Sorry to any of you who were just itching to throw 4Gs my way.


... so if you're scoring at home, the wait at the Best Buy in Westwood is more than 41 hours.

[MannyIsGod]

The wait is just ridiculous this year. Eh, I'll make it a point to sit here and play lots of poker over the next 2 days so I don't feel like I missed out on anything. :lol

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Oops...

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=19&entry_id=10980


A Sony spokesman said that while the company is trying to create downloadable software patches, some older games may never play on the PS3.

They're already having to do a firmware update (well, they will when they have a fix) because it won't play old games. :lol So, they advertise that it will play old games, and then ship it without that old functionality. Good ol' Sony!

[Pistons < Spurs]

PS3 Allotment Cut Again?
Analyst expects as few as 150,000 PS3 at launch, but thinks many more will follow quickly.
by Hilary Goldstein

November 15, 2006 - Gamasutra has posted a recent analyst report from Lazard Capital Markets, which forecasts a bit more gloom for the PS3 launch. In his report, Colin Sebastian forecasted a severe shortage of PS3 at launch, and that the low install base would mean yield minimal financial boon for software publishers.

"We expect Sony to deliver 150-200k units to stores in the United States for the launch," Sebastian said. "We estimate sales of approximately 750k PS3s domestically by year-end." This is the first suggestion that the PS3 would see such a significant post-launch boost in available systems. Analysts such as Lazard Capital Markets base a large part of its estimations on retailer surveys, so there could be merit in the statement.

"Due to the limited initial installed base of the platforms, we believe the financial impact over the holiday period will be more significant for hardware manufacturers and video game retailers (such as GameStop) than for software publishers," Sebastian added. "We expect less than 15% of software sales to come from the PS3 and Wii this holiday; the more numerous Xbox 360, PS2 and handheld platforms (DS and PSP) remain key drivers of growth," though, he predicts, "this fifth major platform transition is likely to be the largest product launch in the industry's history."

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/746/746181p1.html

[Horry For 3!]

I heard somethin about the PS3 that at some show in Japan that the PS3 malfunctioned because it overheated.

[Horry For 3!]

I think Jess and I are going late Wednesday when she gets off of work. Thats going to be 11pm or so. I'm with you, if I see more than 20 or so people waiting, then I'll check some other places.

I know Wal-Marts are getting at least 10 units a store, but I have no idea what Circuit City and CompUsa are getting. I'd assume CompUSA will have less than 10, but CC will probably have between 10 and 20.

I may try to get someone else to wait with me as well, selling 3 on eBay would be well worth waiting out there a couple of days. The thing that sucks is that when I went by Best Buy I didn't see any damn plugs outside, :lol . How the hell do they expect me to run my laptop?!?!?!?!
Yeah, Wal-Mart will only have 10 units.

[THE HATER]

Yeah, Wal-Mart will only have 10 units.

do you know how many 60gb vs the 20gb they will be getting?

[Horry For 3!]

do you know how many 60gb vs the 20gb they will be getting?
Not sure but I can find out tomorrow since I have to work.

[THE HATER]

cool

[baseline bum]

OMG... last night I drove by the Best Buy in Westwood that I didn't get in the line in time for, at about midnight, and there were no less than 60 people lined up. What fucking retards. The store is only going to have 20 of the 60GB models, and 6 of the 20GB ones. :lol

[leemajors]

http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_320073017.html

[dougp]

Wii Wins First Day Shipment Target over PS3 by 320,000 Units

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Wii-Wins-First-Day-Shipment-Target-Over-PS3-by-320-000-Units-40248.shtml

[tlongII]

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1163649322249030.xml&coll=7

Shoppers standing in line not for gift, but for gain
Profit - A Vancouver man hires helpers to buy PlayStations for resale
Thursday, November 16, 2006
JOSEPH ROSE
When Jorgan Cattin's ad popped up in the "Jobs" category of Craigslist early Sunday, he sounded more like a geek seeking companionship (fluency in Klingon optional).

The 20-year-old Vancouver college student and caterer is desperate to get his hands on a PlayStation 3. Limited supplies of the highly hyped, high-definition Sony gaming console go on sale Friday. Retail price: $600.

Cattin's ad said he was looking for someone to spend the week waiting in line with him outside a Portland Best Buy, starting Monday. "You will be provided food for the duration of the line wait and $100 cash," it promised.

But before you cheer for or roll your eyes at Cattin's video game fanaticism, consider this: The only reason he wants a PS3 is to flip it for a profit on eBay for $2,000 to $2,500 or beyond.

He's no nerd. "I'm an entrepreneur," Cattin said.

Of course, that's probably not how the droves of parents and video game enthusiasts denied a PS3 will describe him this Christmas. Indeed, one Portland sociologist says online profiteers such as Cattin are partly to blame for a creeping holiday cynicism.

The Best Buy near Portland International Airport will have 26 PS3's -- one per customer -- when the doors open at 8 a.m. Friday.

Cattin, who was first in a bundled-up line of about 25 people outside the store Wednesday, hired enough people from Craigslist to buy five.

He wasn't the only one who was more interested in old-fashioned cash than the console's snazzy Blu-Ray gaming technology.

Nineteen other people waited under damp sleeping bags and umbrellas behind Cattin and his crew. All said they planned to resell the machines they buy for profit.

This is the Christmas that eBay has created. And it transcends the next generation of game consoles.

In September, parents nationwide were dismayed to find shelves bare of T.M.X. Elmo when they went on sale. Within 24 hours, 20,000 of the $39.99 dolls were on eBay, where they sold for up to $355.

But analysts expect the PS3 to be this season's holy-grail gift, mostly because of the expected shortages.

Over the weekend, Cattin saw bids as high as $3,500 for the system on eBay auctions.

"I was sincere when I posted my ad on Craigslist," Cattin said. "I was just looking for someone to wait for me until a friend of mine could join me Thursday night."

Then, his e-mail box flooded with people hoping to get the gig. As if someone hit the start button in Cattin's head, he realized that hiring more people to buy PS3s would mean more profit. He upped the ante to $200.

Before the waiting started on Monday, he required his four "employees" to sign contracts, promising that they would not run off with the PS3's they buy for him.

One could say that Cattin is an innovator, doing nothing different from Phil Knight selling Nikes out of his trunk.

But the scene outside Best Buy disturbs Randy Blazak, a Portland State University sociologist.

For one thing, he said, camping out to buy tickets for a rock concert or a movie or the release of a hyped product used to bring people together for a common cultural event. "But here, the marketplace is corrupting the cultural experience," Blazak said.

What's more, Blazak said, a parent forced to pay four times the retail price for a must-have holiday gift will only grow more cynical about the season of giving. "Fortunately, I think we will eventually see some kind of movement against elaborate gift-giving," he said.

Huddled under a blanket, Andrea Faciane, one of the five people Cattin hired, said she had no qualms about buying a PS3 that could go to someone who really wanted it. "If they really wanted it that bad," she said, "they'd be out here waiting."

Wednesday morning, Howard Stern had some fun with Cattin's ad on his national radio show. And after a local television station erroneously reported that Cattin had hired everyone in line to buy PS3s for him, he hired guards with a private security firm to escort him and his booty Friday morning.

"They will follow me out to my car," he said, "and then follow me home."

Yes, he admitted, that will cut into the profits.

[TDMVPDPOY]

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1163649322249030.xml&coll=7

He's no nerd. "I'm an entrepreneur," Cattin said.


he aint no entrepreneur, every fuckn clown who has there hands on it, will sell it on ebay, his just being opportunistic


you mofos, should egg these clowns

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1163649322249030.xml&coll=7

Shoppers standing in line not for gift, but for gain
Profit - A Vancouver man hires helpers to buy PlayStations for resale
Thursday, November 16, 2006
JOSEPH ROSE
When Jorgan Cattin's ad popped up in the "Jobs" category of Craigslist early Sunday, he sounded more like a geek seeking companionship (fluency in Klingon optional).

The 20-year-old Vancouver college student and caterer is desperate to get his hands on a PlayStation 3. Limited supplies of the highly hyped, high-definition Sony gaming console go on sale Friday. Retail price: $600.

Cattin's ad said he was looking for someone to spend the week waiting in line with him outside a Portland Best Buy, starting Monday. "You will be provided food for the duration of the line wait and $100 cash," it promised.

But before you cheer for or roll your eyes at Cattin's video game fanaticism, consider this: The only reason he wants a PS3 is to flip it for a profit on eBay for $2,000 to $2,500 or beyond.

He's no nerd. "I'm an entrepreneur," Cattin said.

Of course, that's probably not how the droves of parents and video game enthusiasts denied a PS3 will describe him this Christmas. Indeed, one Portland sociologist says online profiteers such as Cattin are partly to blame for a creeping holiday cynicism.

The Best Buy near Portland International Airport will have 26 PS3's -- one per customer -- when the doors open at 8 a.m. Friday.

Cattin, who was first in a bundled-up line of about 25 people outside the store Wednesday, hired enough people from Craigslist to buy five.

He wasn't the only one who was more interested in old-fashioned cash than the console's snazzy Blu-Ray gaming technology.

Nineteen other people waited under damp sleeping bags and umbrellas behind Cattin and his crew. All said they planned to resell the machines they buy for profit.

This is the Christmas that eBay has created. And it transcends the next generation of game consoles.

In September, parents nationwide were dismayed to find shelves bare of T.M.X. Elmo when they went on sale. Within 24 hours, 20,000 of the $39.99 dolls were on eBay, where they sold for up to $355.

But analysts expect the PS3 to be this season's holy-grail gift, mostly because of the expected shortages.

Over the weekend, Cattin saw bids as high as $3,500 for the system on eBay auctions.

"I was sincere when I posted my ad on Craigslist," Cattin said. "I was just looking for someone to wait for me until a friend of mine could join me Thursday night."

Then, his e-mail box flooded with people hoping to get the gig. As if someone hit the start button in Cattin's head, he realized that hiring more people to buy PS3s would mean more profit. He upped the ante to $200.

Before the waiting started on Monday, he required his four "employees" to sign contracts, promising that they would not run off with the PS3's they buy for him.

One could say that Cattin is an innovator, doing nothing different from Phil Knight selling Nikes out of his trunk.

But the scene outside Best Buy disturbs Randy Blazak, a Portland State University sociologist.

For one thing, he said, camping out to buy tickets for a rock concert or a movie or the release of a hyped product used to bring people together for a common cultural event. "But here, the marketplace is corrupting the cultural experience," Blazak said.

What's more, Blazak said, a parent forced to pay four times the retail price for a must-have holiday gift will only grow more cynical about the season of giving. "Fortunately, I think we will eventually see some kind of movement against elaborate gift-giving," he said.

Huddled under a blanket, Andrea Faciane, one of the five people Cattin hired, said she had no qualms about buying a PS3 that could go to someone who really wanted it. "If they really wanted it that bad," she said, "they'd be out here waiting."

Wednesday morning, Howard Stern had some fun with Cattin's ad on his national radio show. And after a local television station erroneously reported that Cattin had hired everyone in line to buy PS3s for him, he hired guards with a private security firm to escort him and his booty Friday morning.

"They will follow me out to my car," he said, "and then follow me home."

Yes, he admitted, that will cut into the profits.

tlong, I think part of your post might have been cut off. I don't see any of your righteous indignation from earlier in this thread.

[MannyIsGod]

OMG... last night I drove by the Best Buy in Westwood that I didn't get in the line in time for, at about midnight, and there were no less than 60 people lined up. What fucking retards. The store is only going to have 20 of the 60GB models, and 6 of the 20GB ones. :lolThere were a few in the larger cities like LA and NYC that were going to get far more than the 20 allocated for other cities.

[MannyIsGod]

A friend of mine called me from the line at Target last night. He and his roomate are in line and out of everyone there, only one is actually keeping the system. I wonder how much the fact that most of the people camping for the systems are selling them will drive down the price on eBay?

Then again, maybe there are just that many people in this country who don't want to camp and would rather pay someone to do it for them via eBay.

[Burn531]

I was just at Best Buy and there isn't a line. I talked with a BB employee and he said the line starts at 10 pm tonight.

I haven't decided whether to go back and wait or just wait till March.

[Shaolin-Style]

Do they not let you line up until 10 or something? Is that a rule? Ha

I hate sounding like a douche but if I can get 400 extra bucks for my ps3 on ebay to someone who's got the money I'm all over selling the one I got.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

I was just at Best Buy and there isn't a line. I talked with a BB employee and he said the line starts at 10 pm tonight.

I haven't decided whether to go back and wait or just wait till March.

I was at BB(Hall Rd.) at around 6 and there had to be 15 tents set up. Sam's Club is also selling them and there was one guy in line(also in a tent).

[Pistons < Spurs]

The Circuit City (in Ann Arbor) had 15 or so people huddling under tarps since 10:00 this morning. I was laughing my ass off as it was 40 degrees and raining all day!

[MannyIsGod]

Well, they're going for over 2500 now on eBay. I don't know many people who wouldn't sit out in the cold for a day or 2 for 2000 dollars per ps3.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Does anyone know if Toys-R-Us is getting any? I went by one tonight and no one was outside at all. I was thinking I may drop by on my way to work tomorrow morning.

[MannyIsGod]

They're accounted for via preorders there, I believe. I doubt theres any place that will have any left.

[Pistons < Spurs]

They're accounted for via preorders there, I believe. I doubt theres any place that will have any left.
:tu

[Horry For 3!]

I was at work today, Wal-Mart said they have 6 60GB PS3 and 4 20GB PS3.


These 11 people been at Wal-Mart since 2 pm on Wednesday :lmao


It has to suck to be the 11th person.

[SpursWoman]

Best Buy at the Rim had 22 PS3's (as of this morning) .... 60GB ... for $599.00, just FYI


Targets & GameStops/EB Games are getting some in today, too.

[MannyIsGod]

The PS3 is on the verge of killing Sony. I'm going to buy a system at some point in the next couple of months, and I've pretty much decided I'm not purchasing a PS3. HDDVD seems to be winning the war between it and Blu-Ray, which is a big factor for me. Supply has already caught up to the demand, and Sony has ALREADY dropped prices on the unit in Japan.

[baseline bum]

You can't bury the PS3 until you see its second generation of games, which looks very impressive. I know Resistance is the only game worth getting on PS3 right now, but XBox 360 faced the exact same thing when COD2 was the only good launch title. Then Oblivion came, followed by NBA 2k7, then GOW, RB6 Vegas, Viva Pinata, Splinter Cell Double Aent, etc., and now the XBox 360 is a pretty badass system.

Metal Gear Solid 4
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/734/734423/metal-gear-solid-4-guns-of-the-patriots--20061007033903348.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/734/734423/metal-gear-solid-4-guns-of-the-patriots--20061007033908082.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/727/727482/metal-gear-solid-4-guns-of-the-patriots--20060826044453836.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/706/706752/metal-gear-solid-4-guns-of-the-patriots--20060509075619290.jpg

Ninja Gaiden Sigma

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/751/751774/ninja-gaiden-sigma-20061219064544963.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/751/751774/ninja-gaiden-sigma-20061219064539167.jpg

Lair

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/740/740387/lair-20061019035816819.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/740/740387/lair-20061019035819335.jpg


Final Fantasy Versus XIII

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/734/734364/final-fantasy-versus-xiii-20061007020115078.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/734/734364/final-fantasy-versus-xiii-20061007020114250.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/705/705722/final-fantasy-versus-xiii-20061007015854035.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/705/705722/final-fantasy-versus-xiii-20061007015853238.jpg

Grand Turismo HD

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/740/740510/gran-turismo-hd-20061019041333801.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/736/736366/gran-turismo-hd-20061009023324415.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/736/736366/gran-turismo-hd-20061009023351820.jpg

[Das Texan]

meanwhile the Wii seems to be revitalizing Nintendo from what I hear.


that and i cant find one.

[Das Texan]

oh and gran turismo looks like an absolutely bad ass game.

[baseline bum]

These latest screenshots of GTHD are almost photo-realistic. I'm not into driving games much, but this looks way too good to pass up.

[MannyIsGod]

I have no doubts the graphics will be bad ass. I have doubts on what the system landscape is going to look like a year or 2 down the line if Sony really does start losing a lot of money for YEARS on this thing. The PS2 cost them money the first year but started making money the year after that. The latest projections are that the PS3 may cost Sony for YEARS.

[dirk4mvp]

I'm pretty happy with the 360. NBA 2k7 is probably the best basketball game ever made.

The ps3 isn't worth getting right now as it's best game is a slightly above average shoot 'em up FPS.

[baseline bum]

I have no doubts the graphics will be bad ass. I have doubts on what the system landscape is going to look like a year or 2 down the line if Sony really does start losing a lot of money for YEARS on this thing. The PS2 cost them money the first year but started making money the year after that. The latest projections are that the PS3 may cost Sony for YEARS.

Every forecast I've seen has Sony losing money on the consoles themselves until late 2009, but that's pretty standard nowadays. Microsoft is still losing more than $100 per (premium) console sold more than a year after launch.

The PS3 is by far the most ambitious console ever released. You can't really compare it with the PS2, which was garbage hardware, which wasn't any more powerful than Sega's previous generation Dreamcast.

If there's one thing Sony has on everyone, it's the consoles popularity in Japan. Therefore, there are lots of amazing Japanese developers making incredible games for it.

Sony has always had the best games of any console, even when they had the worst hardware. They'll make tons of money off this thing once the second gen of games hits, because the titles are amazing, and they're going to sell like crazy.

[baseline bum]

One fucked up thing I've heard about Gran Turismo though... there will be two versions of the game: The $60 version, which is just the game, maybe 2 tracks, and a couple of cars, and then the premium edition. The premium one will sell for some ridiculous price (can't remember what it was, but I'm thinking it was somewhere in the $150 range), and will include all cars, tracks, and free downloads as new ones are released. If you buy the $60 version, you have to pay to download each new car and track, so I'm probably not going to get the game. There's no way I'm going to support a game that takes Oblivion's idea of paid downloadable content to such an extreme. I refuse to pay for crap like horse armor, jerseys in Madden, and so on.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Every forecast I've seen has Sony losing money on the consoles themselves until late 2009, but that's pretty standard nowadays. Microsoft is still losing more than $100 per (premium) console sold more than a year after launch.

Actually I've read MS is making about $60-$70 a console now...

[MannyIsGod]

I PS3 was intially forcast to lose money for a much shorter period than is now being forecast. I forgot what Sony added to the console since launch that also increased the price, and I think the popularity you speak of in Japan is really overblown because they just had to drop the price in Japan and it just came out!

[stevallica]

i got my ps3 at sears.

[baseline bum]

Actually I've read MS is making about $60-$70 a console now...

As of a month ago, I read Microsoft was spending $510 per console they build. Can't remember the link, though.