what is wrong with ppl these days...

2003silverneonsxt · Post by **2003silverneonsxt** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:46 pm

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The debut of Sony's PlayStation 3 game console resulted in reports Friday of disorder outside stores throughout the United States, as well as a robbery attempt in Connecticut that left one man shot and wounded.

Police in Putnam, Conn., said fans resisted two armed men in an attempted robbery outside of a Wal-Mart

According to Lt. J. Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police, officers were called to the Wal-Mart at 3:15 a.m. ET after two armed men tried to rob people waiting in line to get the PS3 when the store opened.
Shortages: PS3, T.M.X, Elmo, Plasma TVs

Vance told CNNMoney.com that about 15 to 20 people were outside the Wal-Mart (Charts) store when they were confronted by the robbers who demanded money. The lieutenant said one of the men in line was shot after he confronted the armed suspect. The robbers fled the scene after the incident.

Wal-Mart declined to comment on the incident.
Wal-Mart shuts store

In a separate incident, the manager of a 24-hour Wal-Mart supercenter in Palmdale, Calif., shut the store and called the cops after crowds became unruly.

Deputy sheriff Dan McPherson at Palmdale station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said about 50 to 100 people had gathered outside the store before midnight in the hopes of scoring a PS3.

"We were called after the manager told us that these people were arguing and pushing each other," McPherson said. "We told them they had to leave the premises."
Review: PlayStation 3 can't hide its flaws

Best Buy (Charts), the No. 1 electronics retailers, saw isolated incidents of unruliness, according to spokesman Justin Barber.

Barber said a Best Buy store in L.A. requested police presence for a midnight opening tied to the PS3 launch.

"Overall we're very happy with how things went. Most of our stores had people waiting in line for a few days," Barber said. As expected, Best Buy sold out of the system in under an hour at most of its 800 locations.

In an email to CNNMoney.com, Circuit City (Charts) spokesman Jim Babb said the retailer was told that groups of people waiting in line at some of its stores in Eugene, Oregon were robbed and police were called to those locations.

"As far as I know, there were no injuries. There were some scattered arguments about line-breaking, and police responded to crowd control issues at a few of our stores," Babb said.

Overall, the launch went very smoothly, due in large part to our decision to tell customers in advance how many units we had to sell," he said.

Initial PS3 inventories at some Circuit City stores were in the single digits, Babb said

"We have six stores where we sold 100 PS3s during special midnight openings. Our Web site had its own allotment," he said.

Sony (Charts)'s PS3 was one of the most-anticipated products of the year. But what's likely triggered the hysteria over it was the awareness that the new gaming console would be in very short supply this year after Sony was forced to correct problems with the system.

Sony's has set aside just 400,000 PS3 units for sale in the United States at launch and a total of two million units for worldwide sale.
Next up: Nintendo's Wii

The situation was a little more orderly at Toys 'R' Us stores - even though store staff were forced to turn away many disappointed consumers who were hoping to score a PS3, according to a company spokeswoman.

The toy retailer initially had hoped to stock the systems at all of its 587 U.S. stores.

"But Sony gave retailers their initial inventory allocation only at the beginning of the week and then they staggered the delivery of the systems," Toys 'R' Us spokeswoman Kathleen Waugh told CNNMoney.com.

As a result, the company had to scale back its availability."We had enough to fulfill pre-orders of PS3 but we couldn't offer the system to walk-in customers," Waugh said. For competitive reasons, she wouldn't disclose how many PS3 units were given to Toys 'R' Us.

"Obviously all retailers wish they could have more," Waugh said, adding that the company hopes to receive more inventory over the holiday season.

"People should keep checking out stores and our Web site. Whenever we have more units we'll offer them immediately," she said.

Meanwhile, Toys 'R Us is hosting the official midnight launch event of this year's other hot gaming system - Nintendo's "Wii" - at its flagship location in New York City on Sunday. Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo of America, will hand out the first Wii unit to it's first U.S. customer.

Nintendo's plans to ship 4 million units of Wii worldwide, although it hasn't disclosed how much of that inventory is slotted for sale in the U.S.

Even so, Waugh doesn't anticipate the same kind of unruliness to follow Wii retail debut. "We're in good position with inventory for Wii," she said.

Mr Josh Zombie · Post by **Mr Josh Zombie** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:00 pm

Yea, we've been talking about this all day at work.
I've actually been tracing eBay sales. We all thought those people were idiots for standing in line for a week to get a PS3... well guess what.

Auctions are averaging $3,000 - $9,000 for a single system. (I actually have the $9,000 auction printed off)

This is just proof that Americans are nothing but consumeristic whores.

lolelectricbluesxt · Post by **lolelectricbluesxt** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:28 pm

Opi wrote: This is just proof that Americans are nothing but consumeristic whores.

Oh alright.

Sweeping generalization for the win I suppose.

grambo · Post by **grambo** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:34 pm

Opi wrote:Yea, we've been talking about this all day at work.
I've actually been tracing eBay sales. We all thought those people were idiots for standing in line for a week to get a PS3... well guess what.

Auctions are averaging $3,000 - $9,000 for a single system. (I actually have the $9,000 auction printed off)

This is just proof that Americans are nothing but consumeristic whores.

You are correct sir.

Mr Josh Zombie · Post by **Mr Josh Zombie** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:11 pm

I'm sorry, but ever since I was growing up, Christmas didn't mean anything but presents and spending time with the family.... and it's only gone down hill over the years.

Now I refuse to actually celebrate it as a holiday. I spend time with my family, and that's it. I'll buy my niece and nephew something small, but play when them all day.

When I see things like this, it just proves how Americans have to buy the best of the best and makes me sick to my stomach.

I mean come on, $9,000 on a $600 system????? Shooting someone for it? Riots?!! IT'S A FREAKING GAMING SYSTEM!!

Ifixyawata · Post by **Ifixyawata** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:37 pm

My Wal-Mart got Six units. That's right, six. There are 100+ people with rain checks. Looks like a shitty pity Christmas for them. Parents were actually calling and complaining because adults were trying to buy systems, but they felt it was more important that they're able to get them for thier kids' Christmas. First come, first serve, bitch! ANYONE who drops $500 on a game system is a complete loon anyway.

grambo · Post by **grambo** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:50 pm

$500 is good for HP

dblsg · Post by **dblsg** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:03 pm

Opi wrote:Auctions are averaging $3,000 - $9,000 for a single system. (I actually have the $9,000 auction printed off)

Mr Josh Zombie · Post by **Mr Josh Zombie** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:05 pm

dblsg wrote:
Opi wrote:Auctions are averaging $3,000 - $9,000 for a single system. (I actually have the $9,000 auction printed off)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Playstation-3- ... dZViewItem

In case someone doesn't believe me... haha

MoxHair · Post by **MoxHair** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:11 pm

Ifixyawata wrote:My Wal-Mart got Six units. That's right, six. There are 100+ people with rain checks. Looks like a shitty pity Christmas for them. Parents were actually calling and complaining because adults were trying to buy systems, but they felt it was more important that they're able to get them for thier kids' Christmas. First come, first serve, bitch! ANYONE who drops $500 on a game system is a complete loon anyway.

My Work got 30+ at opening and then got a noon shipment of like 10. lol

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:12 pm

Opi wrote:
dblsg wrote:
Opi wrote:Auctions are averaging $3,000 - $9,000 for a single system. (I actually have the $9,000 auction printed off)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Playstation-3- ... dZViewItem

In case someone doesn't believe me... haha

The dude who won... his name was brainz.... He needs to change his nick ASAP!

People are so stupid. The Ps3 isn't that special at all...

SteelBlue · Post by **SteelBlue** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:12 pm

What is so important about a gaming system anyway? I was reading about all the robberies and mobs that have happened all because of a game system and it saddens me. People were fighting over tickle-me Elmo when he came out and they continue to fight over trivial, meaningless things. Is this what we've become? So self-centered that we only look toward our needs and don't even spend a second on the other people needs? There are some really great people out there but its morons like we are reading about in the news that are setting a bad image for the rest of the world to see. People in third world countries that are just unbelievably grateful for water (however clean) must be shaking their heads in astonishment.

Instead of spending a god awful amount on a electronic babysitter why don't these parents put that cash into a college fund for their child and go spend some actual time with their offspring!

MoxHair · Post by **MoxHair** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:17 pm

"Yep.. I paid 9Grand for it on opening day."

"Really.. I got mine a week later at Best Buy for 600$
What did you get with yours to make it worth 9grand?"

"Nothing"

"You're an Idiot"

"I got mine on opening day"

"Yea.. and It does the same thing as mine and I have 8grand to spend on other things.. TOOL"

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:12 pm

Ha! ^^^^

heyitsstock · Post by **heyitsstock** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:57 pm

uhh ha i kinew half of those people inline were gonna ebay them....the funny thing is in a year prices will be dropped and more full developt games will be out

and the used to do it with cabbage patch dolls like mid 80s

glasswars · Post by **glasswars** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:34 am

Wow! To think that could of been me or something. I can understanding waiting days for the console, but shooting someone over it. Damn.

Post by **Diablo0** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:27 am

I understand it but don't understand it but I don't understand it more than understanding it

The stupid thing will be all over the place in a few months. It's the same thing as N64 when it came out. People fought over that thing also then a few months or after Christmas...tada, they're everywhere. The guy that put it on eBay I can understand that b/c it's a simple way to make a few bucks which he may use to help his family... who knows. The person that bought it on eBay though for that price is just crazy. If your life revolves around a game system where you want to spend that amount of money just to say "I have one and you don't," something just isn't right. But... I don't know the person so who am I to judge... could be more to it than that

bige1030 · Post by **bige1030** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:53 am

I honestly think that the media and huge advertising campaigns are what's causing the degeneration of America into ravaging, consumeristic whoredom. It preys on our psychological weaknesses to create a (sometimes deep) sense of false need for something...and then, look what happens! People are totally tricked into believing that they "need" this so much that they treat it like cavemen would treat a limited supply of food.

Post by **Diablo0** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 3:23 am

I sorta think it's more of a social status thing so people can get an emotional high saying "I waited in line for 2 days to get a PS3" or "I paid 9,000 to get a PS3 off ebay and I got it before you did!" I don't doubt the media doesn't play a part in it but I think thats what it really comes down to so one person can say they're better than another just b/c they have one and the other doesn't

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:43 pm

From today's Indianapolis Star:

In Sullivan, near Terre Haute, two men got into a fight with two teenagers who attempted to rob them after they bought the sought-after game consoles. One of the would-be robbers was stabbed and hospitalized in critical condition.

In Carmel, police responded when a crowd of about 100 people tried to force its way into the Circuit City store in Clay Terrace before the store opened. No one was injured but the rush set off the store's alarm.

I'm not a gamer so maybe I don't understand why this system is such a must-have but this kind of craziness for an electronic box? I will confess to sitting out all night to get a concert ticket (George Strait in 1988, first ticket sold, front row center) so maybe I am just as bad.

Panhead · Post by **Panhead** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:54 pm

for 1700 I can get a nice gaming PC that would out perform any platform

scneonchic · Post by **scneonchic** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 5:53 pm

I think its GHEY to spend that much money on a gaming system. You could probably build a computer cheaper. Our walmart here only got 6 of them. IT was in the paper and all that

Chibits12 · Post by **Chibits12** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 9:49 pm

The whole thing is just ridiculous and just plain non-sense; why spend all that money now when a year or so later, the price might be way lower once production picks up?

I consider myself a really patient guy but getting a PS3 now just for the sake of "keeping up with the Joneses" just doesn't apply to me. I remember getting my Dreamcast two days after it was officially released and it was nowhere near this crazy plus they were cheaper. Long live the Dreamcast, lol.

I bet a small minority of these PS3 owners would also start having mechanical issues in the coming days (i.e., faulty laser diodes, overheating, freezing/crashing, etc.)

If I have 600 dollars to spend, I'd use that for my car payment

.

Post by **Diablo0** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 11:04 pm

Dude I so beat Final Fantasy XIII on PS3 already!!!!!!

davidalindsey · Post by **davidalindsey** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 11:33 pm

Cricky1224 wrote: I bet a small minority of these PS3 owners would also start having mechanical issues in the coming days (i.e., faulty laser diodes, overheating, freezing/crashing, etc.)

That’s what happened to my PS2.
I bought it the 1st day it came out at Walmart. ($300)
About a month later the thing would not read my DVD’s or my PS one games then it took forever for it to read any discs at all. So I bought another one for $300 at Best Buy.
3 weeks later the Price went down to $200 or something like that. And guess what the PS2 that I bought at Best Buy broke on me. So I said to myself one last time I bought it again this time for the lower price, and it works fine even today. So I spent a good $900 just for the PS2 System alone.
I am going to get a PS3 after this year. Hopefully people will stop trying to kill for it by then. Also to give it a while for the bugs to get worked out.

scneonchic · Post by **scneonchic** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:13 pm

^didnt it have a warranty? esp because it broke so fast?

davidalindsey · Post by **davidalindsey** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:38 pm

Yes i it did but I did not want to send it through the mail to Sony and have them fix it.
I just wanted to return it to the store so i could get a brand new one. but they wouldent let me, so i just bought a new one instead.

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 4:33 pm

Diablo0 wrote: The guy that put it on eBay I can understand that b/c it's a simple way to make a few bucks which he may use to help his family... who knows.

Or buy crack and guns.

Seriously, if you are spending 9000 on a system that in a few weeks you can get with no problem, or in a year will be 2/3's the MSRP ... all I got to say is you're dumb.

I am waiting, serisouly, I am. Maybe in like 3 years I get one.

And only pay $250

scneonchic · Post by **scneonchic** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 10:50 pm

^or wait for your friends to get it first

lvlistchif · Post by **lvlistchif** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:09 pm

could buy a few neons with 9k