Gaming systems are for playing, not for auctioning off on eBay
I am beginning to wonder what has become of the video game industry.
As I write this, it is Monday, Nov. 13, and I am looking at an eBay auction for a PlayStation 3.
The system will be released today for $500 - $600. The PlayStation 3 I am viewing, the $600 version, sold for $2,225 on eBay.
Granted, there were a few extras such as free shipping, for one and even A Blu-Ray copy of “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.”
So, this seller’s cost, including tax, will be roughly $700.
There are about 1,300 PlayStation 3’s for sale on eBay just like the aforementioned one.
Every single $600 one I’ve looked at sold for more than $1,300, while the $500 ones have sold for more than $1,000.
I can’t bring myself to really fault the people selling the PlayStations on eBay.
I’d be tempted to sell one if I bought one, but only because I think it is too expensive. I don’t want to own one for myself at that price.
Buying them at that price only sends Sony a message that it is OK for them to sell future systems for as much or more money.
So, although I’d like to make such a tidy profit, it would go against my video game ethics.
My problem is with the people willing to buy them for such a ridiculous price.
I fear the same thing will happen to the Wii (to be released Sunday), and I do want to purchase one of those on the release date.
They will only cost $250, and are currently selling on eBay for more than $500. There will be a greater supply of them on their release date, so I’m hopeful I can get one.
If not, I can wait. I will not pay two times the cost of the system.
I also can’t really fault Sony for this situation.
True, they probably know what the demand will be and could try to make enough systems to keep up.
However, they know the hype will only make their systems sell better throughout the holiday season.
Luckily, many places around town are not taking pre-orders on the systems (eBay requires a receipt for a pre-order to be able to sell one before its release date). In these cases, the systems will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
At the time I’m writing this (3 p.m. Monday), there is already a line for the PlayStation 3 at Best Buy.
Best Buy opens 9 a.m. Friday, so these people will be waiting for at least 90 hours.
As silly as they are, I cannot fault them for waiting in line for the system (unless they plan to sell it when they get it).
I’ve waited in line for pointless reasons before (the second and third Matrix movies, for instance), and I’m willing to wait in line for a few hours for the Wii if necessary.
It strikes me as more honest to wait in line for something you’ll enjoy rather than for a little profit. Buying the system and selling it immediately takes fun away from those of us who just want to play.
Columnists' opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of The Spectrum