P3 Hysteria Driven By Avarice Rather Than Having Fun

It is obvious from the traffic on eBay that most of the Playstation 3 units sold to people who camped out for 2-3 days was a business decision...and for some of those people, two guys mentioned in article, not a very wise one. They worked for less than minimum wage and not under the most comfortable conditions. Conditions that would garner fines for most businesses.

Gamers pay dues for a Wii
Pair get paid to camp out for a PlayStation 3, then use money to buy beloved Nintendo
Nov. 19, 2006. 01:00 AM
TIM LAI
STAFF REPORTER

For Chelsea Turner and Adam Druzdzeo, it's two cold overnights for two next-generation video game consoles, but love for only one system.

Once the Best Buy in Mississauga's Heartland Centre opens at 8 a.m. this morning, the friends will be in possession of the two hottest items for the Christmas rush.

Their PlayStation 3s — acquired at a Mississauga Wal-Mart Friday after the Thursday all-nighter — are sitting in their boxes, sealed and untouched.

"I don't even want to play it. I don't like Sony," said Druzdzeo, 20, a factory worker.

But this morning the two will rush home to play games like The Legend of Zelda on the Nintendo Wii.

Despite the cold, rain and wind, Druzdzeo and Turner, 18, waited overnight at the Wal-Mart on Argentia Rd. to buy a PS3 Friday morning. Each was paid $300 by a friend to wait in the line-up to make a purchase. The friend, who also waited in the line with them, planned to resell all three units. Druzdzeo and Turner are using that money to buy the Wii this morning, a system they say is more affordable and fun than its Sony counterpart.

"You can take any old-school game from Nintendo and put it on your Wii," said Turner, who works at a fast food outlet.

While the line-up at Best Buy started Friday night, it didn't generate the same frenzy as the launch of the PS3. About 50 PS3s were quickly snatched up from the Best Buy Friday, and the same is expected for the store's 100 Wiis. Nintendo's supply of consoles is greater than Sony's delayed machines and the company hopes to ship about four million units by the end of the year.

The crowd was younger as well — more real gamers on the handheld Nintendo DSs than the profiteers who waited for the PS3. Pods of eight huddled together to play Mario Kart battles to pass the time.

"Nintendo is way more family-oriented," said Turner. "This is more in kids' income (at $279)."

But there were still those looking to make a quick buck on those, too. Postings on Toronto's Craigslist were asking between $500 and $800 yesterday afternoon for the Wii.

The price is still considerably lower than a PS3. One seller, who did not want to be identified, said prices online have been dropping.

He asked for $1,800, but has only received offers around $1,600. He attributed the lower demand to news that more consoles will be shipped next week.

However, it's still a hot commodity, as some are still seeking between $2,000 and $3,000. On his posting, the seller said he would meet the buyer in a public place with cameras. News of armed robberies in the U.S. prompted him to be extra safe.