The Cost Of Getting A PS3 Four Days Before Most People? $2,000

from the hope-you-played-a-lot-of-it dept

We've already pointed to some of the madness associated with people trying to get a PS3 early, but Clive Thompson has tried to put a price on it. Based on his rather informal survey of eBay pricing of PS3s over time, it was worth approximately $2,000 to people to get a PS3 four days before others. That is, the day the PS3 was released, you could buy one for about $3,000 on eBay. Within four days, the price had dropped to $1,000, and it's remained around there since. This for the machine that many are saying isn't at all worth it compared to the much cheaper (and just slightly more available) Wii. In fact, reports are now coming out that the PS3 is a lot more available from retailers than you would expect.
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  • identicon
    Moneymaker, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:18am

    I've bought 4 Ps3's since launch, I sold 2 60gb for 950 each and sold a 20gb to a friend at cost. You better believe I kept the the last 60gb for myself...for free =) I also bought 2 wii's and sold one of those for 650. Gotta love Ebay and the rich morons who are too lazy to get up in the morning. Thanks for paying for my Ps3 and Wii idiots!!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:20am

    I bought 4 ps3's, sold 3 kept 1 for free. Got 2 wii's sold one, kept the other. Ebay rocks and there is nothing like getting a couple free consoles simply by exploiting xmas and lazy people.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:23am

      Re:

      I know it has been going on for many years, but if people like you did not buy up all the available products from the stores others would not have to be scalped getting them on EBay. It's your greed that help to create the situation.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anon, 21 Dec 2006 @ 7:37am

        Re: Re: (greed etc.)

        There is nothing wrong with selling things which people want to pay for. It is not greed, it is resourcefulness. You are just sad that you are not able to get a PS3 for free. Get a life, the grapes are very sweet and juicy, you ugly fox.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          dude, 21 Dec 2006 @ 10:05am

          Re: Re: Re: (greed etc.)

          Where I come from a fox is a good looking girl. Stop misusing my language you stupid piece of shit, and get a clue you worthless asshole loser. BTW you are too lazy to know what resourcefulness is.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        discojohnson, 22 Dec 2006 @ 11:12am

        Re: Re:

        yeah...damn free market

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Get a Life, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:32am

      Re:

      Nice that you seem to enjoy exploiting things in general. You are definately a classy person.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      The Swiss Cheese Monster, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:49am

      Re:

      Who is the greedy one?

      The guy with who wants to sell? Or the guy who is foolish enough to buy something for 10x the price because he doesn't want to wait a couple more days.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Uddhava, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:30am

    This has nothing to do with creating a situation out of greed. This has everything to do with the greed to buy it and proves more or less that people have too much money.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      poor man's friend, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:42am

      Re:

      Or it proves that they don't have enough if Coward thought he had to hock several units in order to afford one. Though I think he was just looking for the american dream...something for nothing

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:32am

    Actually it proves that we ARE a capitalistic society, and anyone willing to wake their ass up in the morning and go wait outside Target to get a PS3 or Wii can then charge for their time and effort.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Jbek, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:47am

      Re:

      Actually it's more like the movie theatre phenomenon where people line up ahead of time for a highly anticipated movie to be the first to see it. Though unfortunately in this case there is only a limited supply and some people are more able or willing to shirk jobs and responsibilities to wait in line to buy more than they need in order to profit from a lame companies inability to meet the demand that they themselves helped to create.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Overcast, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:35am

    Yeah, anyone could have gotten up early or maybe PRE-ORDERED one, but hey - you pay for laziness.

    They were too pricey for me out of the box. 500 bucks will get me a lotta PC upgrades and I've always been a PC gamer anyway. Don't care for the console nearly as much.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:36am

    Simple supply and demand. He had the product, the market set the price, and he profitted. If you don't like how the free market works, move to China.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    ScytheNoire, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:41am

    but why would any one get a console with a PC with DX10 and a DX10 GPU will kick the crap out of any of the consoles.
    well, and the DX10 games to go with it.
    PC gaming still crushes console gaming, especially when you consider most of the best console games come out for the PC.
    and don't bother mentioning cost of a gaming PC, you get what you pay for.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Unknowledgeable Geek, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:16am

      Re:

      I have a kick ass PC with all the bells and whistles. But I tell you what I would prefer console of PC gaming anytime. If you disagree you are as pig headed as I.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:45am

    each to their own...computer boy. I personally enjoy console gaming on my 42" plasma alot more than i do computer games on my 19' lcd.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Yuushi, 21 Dec 2006 @ 6:09am

      Re:

      "each to their own...computer boy. I personally enjoy console gaming on my 42" plasma alot more than i do computer games on my 19' lcd."

      Not to mention a high end PC kills any console. You speak as if a PC can't connect to a plasma. (Which in case isn't the best gaming display; esp with ghosting and having to play the recharge scam. You'd think since they've been out since the late 1960s they would have fixed this recharging?)

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      P~Funk, 21 Dec 2006 @ 11:38am

      Re:

      Why don't you just hook your PC up to your HDTV? My PC is hooked up to my 720p projector (on a 95" screen). I also have it hooked up to a 22" CRT, but I only use that when I'm not gaming. My consoles are hooked up to the projector, but I haven't yet bought the next-gen consoles. However, regular XBox in 720p, or GranTurismo 4 in 1080i don't look anywhere near as good as PC games in 720p. If I ever get a 1080p projector then I can just crank up the resolution in the game. I know my PC can push it. PC is just way more versitile. It is a little more of a headache to get everything tweaked to the max, but that is half the fun IMHO.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Omgidontno, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:51am

    Wow...you guys have nothing better to do than argue online at 5 in the morning...nice...lol...PS3 SUX! GO Wii!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anti-Middleman, 21 Dec 2006 @ 6:08am

    Sony and Nintendo should have learned from the 360 situation last year and skipped retailers and put their systems on ebay directly. They would have made a fortune instead of taking a loss (well, only in sony's case did they take a loss, Nintendo sold theirs for a little over cost)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Matt Bennett, 21 Dec 2006 @ 6:12am

    I just bought a PS3. Was looking for a Wii, they didn't have those, but the randomly had the PS3's. Wasn't going to get it, but a friend and I decided to split it. We then thought about it, and realizing there was only one good game out for it that wasn't also on the 360 (I am a devoted 360 owner) we returned it.

    I would have sold it, but a quick check of ebay prices told me most were selling for around retail, so I thought it easier just to return it.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    The infamous Joe, 21 Dec 2006 @ 6:25am

    Take that, Trebeck!

    Next year they'll make you sign an agreement acknowledging that you are only purchasing the rights to play the console, not to resell it! MUHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    and, PC's beat consoles every time becuase the games that I played on my last computer still play on my new one. Eat it! ;)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      haywood, 21 Dec 2006 @ 7:06am

      Re: Take that, Trebeck!

      The console gamers don't get it, pointless to try and enlighten them. I can get better everything on a PC, for 2k I could build a killer dual SLI gamer. Money and performance aside, you can modify the files on a computer game, and get things out of the game a console just can't match. I've been hooked ever since I installed the first 600 mph car in Need For Speed 1, I moved on to track and car editing / creation. Should I mention patches and trainers.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    dorpus, 21 Dec 2006 @ 6:29am

    Would you pay $2000 for perfume?

    They're now being sold by talking mannequins with silicon skin and human expressions.

    http://www.asahi.com/photonews/TKY200612210186.html

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    SortaLikeJake, 21 Dec 2006 @ 6:43am

    Dumbassery knows no bounds

    Cost of a PS3 4-days before others get it: $2000.

    The look on your face when you realise
    how buggy and glitchy your new, expensive
    1st run hardware is: Priceless.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Old_Man, 21 Dec 2006 @ 6:53am

    Commodity Traders

    Hats off to the person who bought 4 sold 3 and kept one. Betting on the market...isn't that what the commodites and futures markets are all about...and we don't call those people dumbaXXX do we :-)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Gamester, 21 Dec 2006 @ 6:54am

    I wonder, though, how many of those $3000 deals actually went through. I've met several people at my local game store who gave up on Ebay after several buyer back-outs.

    Consoles are great. No messing about with stupid "minimum system requirements" or being nickle and dimed to death on upgrades to your system to play the latest games.

    However, right now, neither of the systems are worth the cost to me. Wait until the 360 drops price, then I'll buy.

    BTW, Sony. Thanks for trying to take advantage of loyal Playstation fans by forcing them to subsidize your little war with HD-DVD if they want your latest system.

    I hope Blu-ray goes the way of the Laserdisc and Beta tape!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Jimjam, 21 Dec 2006 @ 7:03am

    Too bad.....

    Sure there are a bunch of jerks like A. Coward, but its not their fault. Sony should have waited until they had a decent supply before releasing the PS3 to the market.

    Even though there were shortages with the XBOX 360 and Wii, they put out enough to match EXPECTED demand. Sony new they were putting out far less than what consumers wanted and the result was mayhem.

    Thanks Sony.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Dunno, 21 Dec 2006 @ 7:04am

    Gamester-

    I think its the other way around- SONY is giving the subsidy to PS3 fans by selling the PS at a loss - because they are trying to establish their HD standard. Thats a win for the consumer.... assuming that anyone really wants HD DVD.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Gamster, 21 Dec 2006 @ 8:51am

      Reply to Dunno

      I'm not sure that jacking up the price of the system with the only real gaming benefit being no disc swapping for large games justifies the cost of adding an unproven HD disc system to the PS3.

      It's only any benefit at all if Blu-Ray wins, and then eventually when the prices of the stand alones drop its not really a benefit at all any more.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    anonymouse, 21 Dec 2006 @ 7:16am

    I'm sick and tired of this

    Every time I read a console war related article all I see is OMG WII IS SO AWESOME AND PS3 IS TEH SUCK WHO WOULD EVER BUY IT. People tend to forget that they are both consoles and therefore they both suck by default.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 7:17am

    it sucks that people horde ps3s to sell for 5x the orginal price. it sucks that i have to pay for gas. it sucks that i have to pay taxes. but what can i do?

    obviously, their desire to purchase 5 ps3's is greater than yours to purchase 1. if it was, you'd be infront of them, making sure they only got 4 or 3 or 2 or 1 or ...gasp...none. but if you are more concerned about geting a ps3 on launch than taking care of other responsibilities (shool, work, family) then you have some serious issues.

    what about those guys who purchase a game systesm (first in line) and take it out, open it up, and testroy it with a sledgehammer? (www.smashmy[insert console here].com they remove one console from the market. you mad at them?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    iRule, 21 Dec 2006 @ 7:26am

    Play Station?

    Is that one of those Sega videos?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Disgusted, 21 Dec 2006 @ 7:29am

    I saw that gay bastard in the purple coat that smashed that PS3. Now I'm not calling him gay cause I'm a PS3 fan-boy, I own a 360, but don't you think it would of been better service to the community to send it to an orphanage or to a battalion in IRAQ? Worst part about it was that they took donations from random people on their website to do this stupid shit. Personally I thought he looked like a Barney on crack.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Sanguine Dream, 21 Dec 2006 @ 7:30am

    No respect...

    I just plainly have no respect for people that buy consoles for the sole purpose of reselling for profit. And this is also another reason I dont like capitalism that much, it means that literally everything is up to the highest bidder.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      haywood, 21 Dec 2006 @ 7:36am

      Re: No respect...

      "it means that literally everything is up to the highest bidder."

      Does that include you sister?

      Clearly everything isn't, it just hurts your feelings when something you want is capitalized on, but it is the American way.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Sanguine Dream, 21 Dec 2006 @ 10:23am

        Re: Re: No respect...


        "it means that literally everything is up to the highest bidder."

        Does that include you sister?

        Clearly everything isn't, it just hurts your feelings when something you want is capitalized on, but it is the American way.


        No she isn't but there are plenty of jerks out there that would think she it. And quite frankly what hurts my feelings is that most things in this country have now taken a back seat to money including loyalty, respect, and justice.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Madd, 21 Dec 2006 @ 8:59am

      Re: No respect...

      If you don't like captialism, then I would suggest moving to another country, because it's been this way a long, long time, and isn't changing anytime soon.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 12:29pm

      Re: No respect...

      I came from former USSR (Ukraine in '93). I will trade your 'problems' with US (or any country that's capitalistic) and mine ANY DAY! Now stop whining.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Bumbling old fool, 21 Dec 2006 @ 12:31pm

      Re: No respect...



      You're right, Wholesale and Retail should be deemed unethical.

      Its much better for the consumer to go directly to the manufacturer for each and every purcahse.

      Can you imagine grocery shopping if you had to visit 125 different "facilities" just to feed your family for a week?

      The heart of Capiltilism is the sale of convenience.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Bumbling old fool, 21 Dec 2006 @ 12:32pm

        Re: Re: No respect...

        I just plainly have no respect for people that buy consoles for the sole purpose of reselling for profit. And this is also another reason I dont like capitalism that much, it means that literally everything is up to the highest bidder.

        You're right, Wholesale and Retail should be deemed unethical.

        Its much better for the consumer to go directly to the manufacturer for each and every purcahse.

        Can you imagine grocery shopping if you had to visit 125 different "facilities" just to feed your family for a week?

        The heart of Capiltilism is the sale of convenience.

        EDIT: sorry for double post

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Sanguine Dream, 21 Dec 2006 @ 2:06pm

          Re: Re: Re: No respect...


          You're right, Wholesale and Retail should be deemed unethical.

          Its much better for the consumer to go directly to the manufacturer for each and every purcahse.

          Can you imagine grocery shopping if you had to visit 125 different "facilities" just to feed your family for a week?

          The heart of Capiltilism is the sale of convenience.


          Close to what I'm saying but not quite. With your grocery store example, the grocery store actually is providing a convenience. It is saving me the trouble of driving to a facility a few hundred miles away to buy milk and then another few hundred in the other direction from my house to get cereal. However there aren't people buying up groceries and then trying to sell them at two to lord knows how many times the original price.

          That grocery store is true to your statement of convenience being the heart of capitalism. Those PS3 sellers are just making themselves a middleman/woman in the equation. No real convenience for the customer. And if it was all for convenience then why increase the price so much. They do it because they can get away with it. But wait I thought they were doing as a convenience for customers unless it is worth 5x the value of a PS3 to wait in line.

          Thats why people do not like the way the big record companies operate these days. They are just blocking the customer from getting music directly from the artist and not adding much convenience in this digital age versus 20 years ago when music was still very dependent on physical formats.

          And the sale of convenience may have been the heart capitalism at one time but now that heart has been tainted by the desire for power and money.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Matt Bennett, 21 Dec 2006 @ 7:52am

    OK, I really wish people would shut up with the "PC rox consoles sux" crap. I'm a gamer, and pretty hard core, obviously I own a PC, and I play games on it, like all the RTS games. But a lot of games don't come for PC, a lot of very good games. Frankly, I prefer FPS on a console (yeah a mouse is easier, but easier doesn't mean better). And you know what? No one hacks there console or runs bots. It's just a who lot easier to play legitimate competition online on console.

    Bottom line, you may have you preference, and perceived advantages of PC over a console, but that doesn't make those who play console games idiots.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    16 year old, 21 Dec 2006 @ 8:06am

    I camped out at target and they gave out tickets for the Wii and PS3, I only bought the Wii and I sold the PS3 ticket for 250 USD. It was worth camping out 13 hours for that 250 USD

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 8:09am

    playstations aren't a basic need for people. think of how much food and medicine could be sent over instead of a ps3, and thin of how much better it would do. reliefers don't deserve those extras. they can get up, get a job, move, whatever. it isn't fair those people who have 15 kids, and no job eat better and have nicer things than i do as an engineer. call me an insensitive prick or whatever. but the point is, if i'm gonna help people, give them their basic needs NEEDS first, not all the extras. if they want the extras, they need to pull themselves up. plenty of people will help, but there just as many who will give handouts instead.

    and if our troops are in a "military action" they shouldn't ahve time to paly videogames. they should be finishing up the job. oh...they should only work 8 hours...my arse. terrorists and what not don't go..ok.. it's 8:30 now. time ot be terrorists. no. they kill whenever it best suits the situation. i don't want my defenders to be like...oh wait. one more kill before we go on patrol...or wait till i finish this level before we return fire.

    now, disgusted, i think your services would be benfifical over in iraq.

    and let the blasting of me begin for not supporting the troops or crap like that...who's gonna be the first of many flamers?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 8:10am

    Matt, exactly my point. If you're a true gamer than you would own a console and a PC (Period). All these fanboys dissing one, and saying the other is better are just hypocrites. They don't realized that
    A. Some things can't be ported to PC's and vice versa.
    B.The console is an experience for people who aren't 110% tech savy, and don't want to download countless patches, and other tweaks, and guides just to play a game. (Remember CS:S? What the hell did people have to do to make it work after it was released? Modify config files, etc...). In a console you just pop the game in and you play.
    C. Wii has proved that consoles can be more than what they are now.
    And last but not least, you have developers working on games which are designed for specific hardware, allowing them to dish out better looking and faster games than in most PC's.

    You have to remember one thing (for anyone who mentioned DX10). DX10 is not even out yet. Secondly, it will only ship with Vista. No XP. Thirdly, you will have to wait another whole year maybe a little less for more than 1 PC game title to support DX10. For now only Crysis. But remember: Vista-DX10-Games. First convert them to Vista, than make them buy a DX10 Card (last time i checked over $500+), than give em a game.

    Drop 500 on a console and game. You're set.

    See the comparison? So don't compare, or even mention a PC in a market that was invented explicitly for one thing. Gaming.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      haywood, 21 Dec 2006 @ 8:36am

      Re:

      "A. Some things can't be ported to PC's and vice versa."
      You've obviously never met a determined PC gamer, it's called emulation.

      "And last but not least, you have developers working on games which are designed for specific hardware, allowing them to dish out better looking and faster games than in most PC's."
      In your dreams, have you seen a display with dual SLI hooked to a big CRT.

      "DX10"
      at this point doesn't matter, 9c kicks console butt.

      "Drop 500 on a console and game. You're set."
      For a year perhaps, the ps42 or what ever is released.
      I've been running the same high end AMD / Nvidia rig for 3 years with a bump in processor to FX55 this year, looking for at least 2 more years before gutting the highly reusable LIan Li case and getting all new insides.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Unknowledgeable Geek, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:28am

        Re: Re:

        How much was that FX55 chip? I would say damn near the price of the PS3.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          haywood, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:37am

          Re: Re: Re:

          How much was that FX55 chip?
          $183, could have beat that Newegg had them for $129 about a week later.

          About the price of a couple of console games.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Disgusted, 21 Dec 2006 @ 8:16am

    Hey #34 ASSHOLE My services are out here you DICK this is my 3rd tour. And hey guess what we are humans too, if little shits like yourself volunteered to come out here and we had more of us out here maybe we would be done, and the 8 hr work thing, it's called shifts and you know we do have down time. Fucking keyboard courage...FAGGOT

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Keybored, 21 Dec 2006 @ 8:22am

    Bought a 360 for my son for Christmas. All he wanted. Consoles are the ultimate gaming experience.

    Got a $150 trade in on the old xbox and a bunch of games. Spent just $300, this at local retailer. I don't know why people paid so much more for these.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 8:41am

    Your dumb my friend, every Hardcore gamer knows you can't run anything new on a 3 year old NVIDIA? hahaha. When you know what you're talking about we'll talk. Otherwise keep dreaming (playing Starcraft) with that rig.

    Loser. (haywood)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 8:54am

    Radeon x1650 vs Radeon 9800

    Which is better? Radeon x1650 Pro 512mb AGP vs Radeon 9800 Pro 256 MB AGP

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:01am

    Blah blah blah - Yadda Yadda Yadda - Mine is better than yours.. No, Mine is better then yours!

    The sad thing here... You are gamers! Get a life.

    I think it's funny to read Gamers saying "You pay $2000 for a console because your lazy.." - "If you really wanted it, it would have been first in line"

    Here is a thought... A lot of people have jobs. A lot of people don't have the time to camp outside a retail store for hours on end just to buy a $600 piece of hardware made by a company how seems to have you all on a peice of string. Sony and Nintendo seem to own you.

    Have fun. Get a life.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:01am

    Blah blah blah - Yadda Yadda Yadda - Mine is better than yours.. No, Mine is better then yours!

    The sad thing here... You are gamers! Get a life.

    I think it's funny to read Gamers saying "You pay $2000 for a console because your lazy.." - "If you really wanted it, it would have been first in line"

    Here is a thought... A lot of people have jobs. A lot of people don't have the time to camp outside a retail store for hours on end just to buy a $600 piece of hardware made by a company how seems to have you all on a peice of string. Sony and Nintendo seem to own you.

    Have fun. Get a life.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Robert, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:02am

    Most PC gamers I know pirate anyways. They contribute nothing to the community that they brag about. Especially emulation kiddies.

    In any case, PC games, Console games what the heck is the difference? Some people are so darn insecure about purchases.

    You feel guilty about dropping $300 on a video card, FINE. You feel guilty about dropping $300 on a Wii, FINE. Who cares? Yeesh. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and preferences to games and style decide your choice. There is NO reason to make these fruitless claims.

    Now back to the story. I don't like profiteers. There was already a shortage for people who want a ps3 / wii. You cause an even GREATER shortage for people who want it. That's why I don't like you. Is it lawfully wrong? no. Is it capitalist nature? Yes. That doesn't detract away from the fact that it's exploitation.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    The infamous Joe, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:06am

    Contestants 36 and Disgusted

    Disgusted, as an ex-military type (as of last March) I agree with your first and second posts entirely, but I think you shouldn't let such an obvious troll bait you like that. Calling an anonymous *coward* names on techdirt just makes you look childish-- and through you tarnishes the view some might have of our military. (Let's let the higher ups do that for us) You were trained like the rest of us, use the training.

    However, You are dead on with the keyboard courage-- he wouldn't have the courage to say that to any soldier's face-- which is no doubt why he chose to opt out of serving his country-- which is his choice. YOUR choice, is to protect his right to be ignorant and childish. Just remember that for every person who thinks anti-war means anti-soldier there are 100 who know how much servicepeople give up to do a shitty job that *has* to be done.

    Personally, I find it amazing that he assumes that people in the military are awake and on duty 24/7, but that's just me. Maybe that's how engineers work-- but from the engineers I know, I doubt it. :)

    The point is, let him be ungrateful-- you be a soldier. You'll get respect, and he'll get what's coming to him. (Like, exile to North Korea?) :-P

    I was on a sub, and we had a PS2 and set the Madden game against itself and watched the teams that were supposed to play that day while we ate-- you'd be surprised how accurate it is.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    PhysicsGuy, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:10am

    Re: Matt Bennett

    spoken like someone who truly sucks at fps games.

    oh, and i'm not saying console gamers are idiots. they're not. pcs DO have better games overall, but i concede there are plenty of good games for consoles that are not available for pc. however, fpsers suck ass on console for two reasons: controllability and speed. analog sticks suck ass (let's see how fast you can turn a 180 even with sensitivity set all the way up) and the games, due to lack of controllability, all move 10x slower than pc games. despite what you think, online fps hacking isn't as rampant as you make it out to be. don't think that just because someone has a 5:1 kd ratio and you can't pull that off it means they're hacking.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Matt Bennett, 21 Dec 2006 @ 1:38pm

      Re: Re: Matt Bennett

      Excuse me, but you don't know me. You have no idea whether I'm good or not. Yes, shooting on a PC is easier. GUESS WHAT? THAT"S NOT A GOOD THING.

      If eveyone is using the same tools, it doesn't matter.

      And no, I don't think everyone hacks. But I know it happens. In particular, I see it on RTS games, maphacks are pretty easy to spot in the replays.

      But when you're playing Gears of War, you KNOW the enemy isn't hacking.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    retarded!!!!, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:12am

    do you guys even know what the hell is in a PS3.
    sony is losing money on this console, ALOT OF MONEY,

    first-you can't even buy the processor that it carries
    second- high-end graphics card
    third- with all the extras, this console is well worth more than 600 dollars.

    if somone wants to sell a PS3 for more than they bought it for, thats fine WHO CARRRRRRRES!!!!!!!!!!

    ALSO, I ALWAYS SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, THEY ARE THE ONE FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOM HERE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.....!!!!!!!!!!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:13am

    disgusted makes me disgusted with the military

    hey disgusted, it's people like you who give the military a bad name. name calling good one. what branch of hte military? what division, platoon or whtever. i'm not familiar with the different types of military divisions. yeah, keyboard currage. you'll take a bullet but you're afraid to use your real name? good one.

    i guess being a private citizen, i less restrictions on the like. i can be john q.public. you are the military. upright, and respectable. your response clearly shows that you aren't. 3 tours. congratulations. what do you want? a congressional medal? sorry i can't do that for you. you HAD my respect. your actions have lost that respect.

    why don't i go to iraq? because i feel i'm a better asset to the country as a taxpaying citizen, rathern than a military man. my mind is more valuable to industry, than my body is to the military machine.

    do downtime, yeah. it's my oppinoin that your job is to work till the mission is complete. and besides, the sooner iraq is stable, the sooner you'd be able to come home and play ps3 till your heart's content.

    till that day....

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Disgusted, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:16am

    Rgr that #46 Your correct...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    PhysicsGuy, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:17am

    Re:

    Your dumb my friend, every Hardcore gamer knows you can't run anything new on a 3 year old NVIDIA? hahaha.

    i take it the question mark means you're not sure of your own statement. it all depends on what direct x your 3 year old card supports. you may have to turn off hdr and run the game at a lower resolution (1024x768) but you can definitely run new games as long as it supports 9c.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      haywood, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:28am

      Re: Re:

      "depends on what direct x your 3 year old card supports"
      I thought about straightening him out, you are right my trusty 6800 still runs anything thrown at it, usually without turning down or off anything. Generally I can run full screen anti-aliasing turned up.
      I try to avoid arguing with idiots on the internet, They drag you down to their level and beat you up with experience.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    PhysicsGuy, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:21am

    Re: retarded!!!

    second- high-end graphics card

    the ps3's graphics card sucks compared to a high-end pc graphics card.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    bluesubno6, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:22am

    No. 46, rock on.

    I went next door to Circuit City where people were camped out, bought a few books, and the satisfaction gained by those books was $580 cheaper and better than any $600 console.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Sanguine Dream, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:25am

    Smash!


    what about those guys who purchase a game systesm (first in line) and take it out, open it up, and testroy it with a sledgehammer? (www.smashmy[insert console here].com they remove one console from the market. you mad at them?


    I'm mad but not as mad as I am at the people that buy them just to resell them. The guys that smash them are not trying to turn a profit, they are just silly and wasting their own money.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:29am

    to Joe

    i don't disrespect soldiers. i think they do a great job. however, when the mission is to solve a problem (a major one at that) they should work till it's fixed.

    if one of my controls blows in a mill, i don't say man.. it's 3am, call me at 8, when i'm on the clock. i go and fix it. i don't say, i've put in my 8 hours, i stay till it's fixed.

    but then again that's my opinion.

    Joe, i hold you in higher regard thand disgusted by the way you posted a response. i wish everyone could be like that. i dind't mean to "bait" dusgusted, i stated my opinoins, and i would tell them to their face.

    once again, it's my (so-called) right to be a free-thinker. but nowadays, that's being looked down upon.

    ohwell

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Disgusted, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:29am

    Like I said in my last post they were not spending their own money, they spent the money of the poor saps that donated money for that cause... Why wouldn't you donate money to help someone in need rather than waste money on some purple idiot smashing a PS3 in front of all the others waiting to buy one... See it's people like him that the insurgents see and think we're all idiots...Exile to N.Korea for the crackhead Barney please!!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Disgusted, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:31am

    I doubt that you would state that opinion to anyone out here right to their face... You would be mauled... I promise you that...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    frank the tank, 21 Dec 2006 @ 9:33am

    the guys smashing consoles didn't waste their money. people donated to their site, and that was the money used to purchase the consoles.

    i liked it, because it just goes to show how silly people can be. OMFG you just wasted a precious console. now i won't get one, and no one will love me, and i'll never get laid....blah blah blah.

    i think the last 2 would be true either way. so yeah.

    when's the next smashmy*.come gonna come out?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Disgusted, 21 Dec 2006 @ 10:04am

    Yeah, he's pissed at the world cause he's some fat tub of lard that will forever be stuck with keyboard courage and the most fighting he will ever do for his country is Americas Army. He just can't do the real thing cause of physical and mental limitations.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    frank the tank, 21 Dec 2006 @ 10:42am

    Re:

    You can't let it go, can you, disgusted? Why must you resort to name calling some coward? You make yourself look like a troll and some army brat who got passed over for a promotion. But that's just how I see the situiation. Yeah, that coward comes off as an ass. In the same breath, you are no better. He posted that you should post your real name, military branch, and what unit you are assigned to. I think you should also post your rank. I think it would show how you are the better person. Once again, that is just my opinion.

    However, I must take one thing away from this. You call the coward a "fat tub of lard" who has "physical and mental limitations" that would prevent him (or her) from joining the military. This may be the case. Have you thought that coward may be a top researcher in the field of AIDS or cancer? Maybe coward is developing the latest weaponry/protective devices you use while on tourh. Maybe his "mental limitaions" are that he is extreamly smart and using his knowldege to protect those soldiers who ARE on the front line? Ok, I may be going a bit too far. By making assumptions, it does look bad. IMHO, coward is some oaf who plays DnD and l ives in his parent's basement. But then again, I have no true way of knowing. It's just like me thinking that you may not be a member of the military. You might just be another fat oaf who hides behind the pretend cloak of "I am a military man" because we have no way of confirming that you are indeed a military man (or woman). I know it's hard, try and see something from this cowards eyes.

    I guess my point is, you may think you have all the facts, but you don't. I know I don't. Now, please, for the love of this country start acting like the "brave, proud soldier" that you say you are.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2006 @ 11:53am

    enough with the PC vs CONSOLE stuff.

    consoles are great for once you buy them, you don't upgread until the system needs to be upgraded. you may not get as good of graphics and what not, but you don't need to do any updates.

    PCs may "nickle and dime" you for new videocards, ram, harddrives....things of that. you may also have to download patches for games, but you may also download mods for the games. something a bit easier to do than trying to mod a game on ps2. but in the end, you get better graphics, sound, more gameplay, differnt expierences. IMHO both are great choices, depending on how you play. If you like games like FPSs and MMORPGs where you need to do quick mouse movements and have many selections to make, PC is much better. if you are more for a smashem game (fighting, driving, sports, simple "mario" type games) consoles are better, as the controller fits better to the hand. just my thoughts.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    The infamous Joe, 21 Dec 2006 @ 11:56am

    Just the facts, ma'am.

    Dusgusted and I have several things that set us apart: The major one that AC34 needs to realize is that I was on a submarine, and I am no longer in the service.

    It's one thing to be calm and logical when you never had to point the business end of an M16 at anything that didn't have circles and numbers on it, not to mention the closest I got to the middle east is classified, but suffice to say I was never in real danger. It's a totally different thing to hear that you should stop using the little precious 'down' time because you have a problem to solve-- when you're spending your life away from everything you know and love to sit in a country that, most likely, doesn't even like you or want you there to begin with. Soldiers do not solve porblems, Generals/Admirals do. Soldiers do what they are told (which is why it's so hard to be in the military-- you try handing every aspect of your life over to someone that doesn't care much about you) Disgusted is put in a place and told to do a job. Don't dare put any blame on him.

    The point he originally made is that the people that donated to this guy who just smashed the console could (and in my opinion, SHOULD) have instead doated that money to, at the very LEAST buy a console for someone who wouldn't otherwise get one (aka, the underprivledged or overseas deployed military) If you can truthfully (not cynically) find fault in that, then so be it. I happen to think that a console would do far more good in an orphanage/military barracks in the middle east than broken on a sidewalk outside of a bestbuy in middle America.

    I am not saying that Dusgusted has the right to call names, or even that he *should*, but I can easily understand *why* he does. Think about how much flak the military gets. The base I was stationed at had protestes once a month, it easily erodes the pride and ptriotism of any solder, to see the people he or she puts their life on the line to defend saying how horrible they are. I, no doubt, would call you names, too. You try having a major aspect of your life attacked by a stranger, and see what names you call that stranger. I am not a warmonger, I do not kill (or eat) babies, but I was a member of the military, and I did what I needed to do to ensure that whomever wishes can burn my flag and spit in my face. I'd do it again, if I thought it required.

    AC 34 quite obviously has never been in the military.. which is a major part of why I think everyone should spend two years in the military upon attain the age of 18. There is no job or metaphor I can think of that would help for you to understand. It's not always hard, or even dangerous, work-- but it is always draining. You *need* a way to relax and let go-- your job is so unstable that most soldiers don't even bother making new civilian friends-- even if you could find a few that understood, you'd just have to leave them in 5 years anyway.

    The military, despite what #34 may think, does need brilliant minds (I am still under the Uniform Code of Military Justice so I'll not take this time to poke fun at our fearless leader) and in case you didn't know, most military people pay taxes (sans those in war zones) so you'd no doubt be a great assest in the military-- feel free to sign up.

    I hope I've successfully helped you understand what was going on is Mr. Disgusted's mind-- enough that you will drop the flaming posts and thank him for raising his right hand and swearing that he'd not only die to allow you to degrade him, but he'd live and fight for it too.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Disgusted, 22 Dec 2006 @ 7:53am

      Re: Just the facts, ma'am.

      Thank you very much for your support Sir! Appreciate your support!!!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Marvin the Asshole, 21 Dec 2006 @ 12:32pm

    I think smashing a console on the sidewalk in middle america is better than sending it to an orphanage or military barraks.

    because if we can't destroy our own property, then the terrorists win.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Somewhere in OHIO, 21 Dec 2006 @ 12:41pm

    This one's for you Disgusted,
    When you say that people have mental and physical problems ( fat or otherwise ) everyone in the US. is supporting the war even if they don't believe in it. My tax money is going to the effort as is everyone who pays taxes. People with skills make machine parts and other things you use while you are fighting the war. I don't agree with the war as we fought for our freedom from the English so should the Iraqis.
    I respect the boys that are there, and pray nothing bad comes to them. Your statement about the insurgants seeing a guy smash a PS3 and believe that we are all idiots is problematic. I would rather have them see that than see how easy it is to cross into the U.S. through the wide open borders of Mexico.

    You might be intelligent, I don't know. You chose to do your job in the service , you chose to protect this country. How can you call someone names and try to make fun of or degrade them when you chose to protect our freedoms? This war isn't easy on any of us, Mothers , Fathers , kids , and friends are every day learning of another death. I am sad for everyone who has lost anyone over there. I've lost a few friends and don't want to lose anymore. Be carefull,
    and wish everyone a merry Christmas .

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Matt, 21 Dec 2006 @ 5:17pm

    S&D

    Supply and Demand... plain and simple... gotta love America!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    aReader, 22 Dec 2006 @ 1:17pm

    FYI - Now available for $500

    I saw this on Woot today for $500 including the overnight shipping so that you get it before Christmas. Yes, it is sold out (well,duh!)

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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