posted on October 26, 2000 07:02:53 PM new
This is an intersting thread. I knew at the time I got married and decided to have my kids that there was NO way in heck I would be able to afford all the stuff they would want. So I decided to help myself out a bit. I raised them on thrift stores. Way even before Ebay. They have been givin precious little of anything new. Even for Christmas or birthdays. It's paid off alot. I asked them for their christmas lists this week. None of them asked for more than 3 things including the one they asked Santa for. None of those three things cost over 20.00
My 9 year old asked for a bag of candy from Santa. I asked her why....she said because I hardly ever gets it and it will be fun to have something to pass out on movie night. She's totally serious. Sometimes the more you give kids the more they want. Depriving yourself or kids of the satisfaction of every whim makes you really savor and enjoy those things you do get instead of looking for the next high.
Don't know what this really has to do with anything just thought I'd say it
Oddish~ The Odd One
posted on October 26, 2000 07:16:48 PM new
Oddish,
Refreshing post - thank you.
Meya,
Thank you for your comments. On this topic, I will have to respectfully disagree. You mentioned that you are probably more angry at Sony etc. - I understand it as a business decision - no more, no less.
I also do not feel this is the same frenzy as the N64. The N64 came out at the same time as the Sega Dreamcast and the price was low and was on kids listings. I truly believe these are more for adults and gamers than children. In fact, I believe if you asked the children you know or your own - most would not have it on their list.
To answer your question - no, I would not sell in a parking lot. Why - because I do not need to nor have the time to! I will list it and see where it goes and hopefully make enough to take a week or so off. My children would much rather have me to 'play' with than toys anyday.
Meya,
When you are more awake please explain to me what you see the difference is between buying this electronic item and re-selling for a profit versus buying that pottery piece and re-selling for a profit or listing more items this time of year. You said it is not the same - but haven't defined why. I would really like to know your viewpoint on this.
It is all the same. This is the busy season. The market is there and wants to pay top dollar. A good business decision - IMHO.
posted on October 26, 2000 07:49:57 PM new
People were camped out at our Wal-Mart and K-Mart too, in hopes of getting a PS2. I don't know how many K-Mart had, but Wal-Mart says they only received 33 units, which, of course, were gone in a flash. My husband tried to get one, but was (way) too late.
My husband and I don't have any children, but he does enjoy video games and I had hoped to be able to get him one for Christmas. I've got one on pre-order for December delivery, but whether I'll actually get it or not remains to be seen. I'm not holding my breath since I pre-ordered so late, which is why he made a trip to Wal-Mart early this morning ... just in case. And I'll admit that (if I do get it), the cost is a bit higher than retail.
While I'm not willing or able to shell out $1,200 (according to some of today's auctions - yikes!), I don't mind paying a little extra if I can get it in time for Christmas. The reason for this is a personal one - it's sort of an "I love you" gift because my husband has been doing pretty much everything for me lately due to a recent accident. Laundry, cooking, you name it. I want to give him something really special for Christmas, and that's at the top of his "list".
I guess my point is that there are plenty of adults out there who enjoy video games themselves, and it's their choice what they're willing (or able) to spend.
As far as parents over-spending on a "Gizmo Gadget" for their child's Christmas gift, I can't help but wonder how many times the parent wants to get the gift just to be able to tell their own friends/co-workers/whoever that they got their child a "Gizmo Gadget". Status, ya know. I'm not saying that's the case all the time ... some people just have more spending money than others ... but I just wonder how often the child honestly doesn't really care if he gets that particular toy or not.
(Dad-durn UBB)
[ edited by thedewey on Oct 26, 2000 07:58 PM ]
posted on October 26, 2000 08:17:13 PM new
Going for a more on topic post here
I would have NO problems standing in a parking lot or a street corner or putting the ad in a paper or selling it on ebay. It's something I can do and relatively quickly that will make money. It is legal, I say this only because if it were illgal I wouldn't do it. The money I would make goes towards things like groceries and shoes and coats and my daughters bag of candy hehe
I can stay home with my kids by doing this and that is far more important to me. I feel as long as I am dealing with intelligent adults fully capable of making their own decisions on where and how they want to spend their money then my concience is clear.
Oddish~ The Odd One
posted on October 26, 2000 08:22:11 PM new
What I don't understand is why anyone's blaming Sony! A parts shortage is keeping Sony from making enough PlayStation2's to satisfy demand. Plain and simple.
Having a shortage of product during peak selling season does nothing to help Sony.
For this to be a savvy marketing strategy, Sony would have to be able to flood the market with PlayStation2's before Christmas to take advantage of the masses whipped into a "gotta have it" frenzy by the hype. That is NOT going to happen.
Heck, we can't even get one -- and my husband works for Sony.
And it IS the top item on my 13-year-old son's Christmas wish list.
posted on October 26, 2000 08:53:46 PM new
In my mind there's a definite distinction between the toys marketed to average folk (i.e. middle- to lower-class) vs. the toys of the upper echelon (those households with the disposal income to handle such a frivolous purchase).
Obviously, this new video game is well out of reach of most average families. (That's why the comments in my first post weren't directed at you, boysmommy3. If a consumer with enough pocket change wants to bid on your auction, more power to free enterprise.)
I do have a major problem with the bottom-feeding opportunists who make a profit by hoarding and reselling moderately-priced toys. (Furbies and Tickle Me Elmo are just two recent examples, both of which retailed for around $30.)
By the time market manipulators are through, not only are the shelves empty, but the prices have suddenly escalated to a point that's well beyond reach for families of lesser means. Believe me, the children of such families have learned the hard lesson of deprivation. They live it every day.
One might hope that on Christmas they could have one reasonable wish granted. In recent years, unfortunately, that's not been the case. It's a shame.
[ edited by fountainhouse on Oct 26, 2000 09:16 PM ]
posted on October 26, 2000 09:50:16 PM new
Just a pondering here after reading this thread. Why is it ok for adults to spend x amount on an item for themselves, but it is so horrible to spend it on the kids.
posted on October 26, 2000 10:23:10 PM new
gingersnapp -- I think it's fine if a parent has the money to spend and chooses to buy a toy for his/her child even if the cost is higher ... as long as the child doesn't learn bad spending habits in the process.
Chances are, an adult who buys an expensive toy for himself actually earned the money to buy the toy with. He knows what it took to earn that money, how long it took to save it up (or how long it will take to pay back his credit card! LOL!).
It's usually harder for children to comprehend what it takes to buy expensive things. Seeing his parent over-spend (pay more than retail) on something kinda gives the impression that it's okay to spend money frivolously.
IMO, it's fine to buy nice things for your children, but it's also a time to set an example and to teach them wise spending habits. If the child has a good understanding of money and the difference between "need" versus "want", that's great!
posted on October 27, 2000 12:55:54 PM new
Someone early on in the thread alluded to maybe we have too much money in the U.S. to be worrying about stuff like this....
posted on October 27, 2000 01:18:44 PM new
Having sold Pokemon during it's heyday I can say that this is more control by the manufacturer to keep demand high, and simply poor planning based upon demand. When you stop feeding the monster -it goes away. Don't give the game companies the money to survive on cheap tactics. Gosh, get out of the house and see what the sky looks like today.
Anywhere a demand is fabricated causes hysteria, just boycott Sony and the game manufacturers at this time.
posted on October 27, 2000 02:56:57 PM new
Well - my PS2 did arrive today - I paid for 2 day and the seller shipped in 1 day.
I have listed it and we will see where it goes. My children deserve a week off with mom without working and the profit from this sale (I hope) will get that.
Thank you to the poster who suggested to list now and not wait - I have and we will see what takes place.
If it doesn't sell here - may as someone suggested move it to Amazon to see as they do appear to be going for more there.
Have a great weekend all!
PS -
Fountainhouse - I didn't really think your post was directed at me - but thank you for mentioning it anyway
***********
Plus there is a PS2 thread running on Honesty today with the following story:
a 6'+ man weighing well over 200 lbs was seen coming out of the store at a mall here in WA state - skipping in his thongs when he tripped, and landed on the Playstation box!!
posted on October 27, 2000 04:15:31 PM new
The worst part about all of this is that the PS2 is really not all that great. I have one and I am truly disappointed with just about everything about it.
posted on October 28, 2000 01:04:23 AM new
Hello this is Mr SONY.
Mr part supplier when I said I needed 10,000 parts to fill my orders I really meant that I only wanted 1,000 right now. Please hold back the other 9,000 pieces so that STUPID US consumer with whining children pay my price in order to shut up whining children.
Arigato!!
posted on October 28, 2000 01:23:13 AM new
I am sorry Jonny that your father turned out to be an ass and left us but here I have this PS2 instead. Wow! thanks Mom. Hi Mary I am sorry that your dad turned out to be an ass but here is a cabbage patch for you. Gee Mom you are the best. Figured it out yet??
posted on October 28, 2000 01:56:53 AM new
diebay, I find your first posting extremely offensive. Your speech usage is wrong and is not how we Japanese speak in Broken English. Please re-edit the last sentence.
:\\\"Crystalline Sliver cannot be the target of spells or abilities.
