Topic: Why I'm going to buy a PS3 on launch day.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I wouldn't cheat a little kid, that is well, just wrong relative or not a relatives. When it comes to adults or even teens, they know the risks (or should know them) and I am giving them something they want whether they be family or not while I get something in return for the long hours I spent getting it.  

[jasonditz]

mweheheh... little do they know I've got stock in eBay

[Kairon]

Quote
Originally posted by: jasonditz
But the person paying $2000 for a PS3 is not being cheated. He's not "an idiot". Well, he may be, but that's not the reason why.

If he wants a PS3 and can't get one for any cheaper than $2000... he is probably quite glad that the option is available to him. Again, the alternative isn't unlimited $600 PS3s for all, it's unavailability. He may well value the PS3 enough that to him, the PS3 is worth $2000... in fact it's fairly clear that he does, or he wouldn't be willing to pay that much.

He's not being swindled, he's going into the transaction with both eyes open. He knows he has the option of waiting a few months and getting one for less, but he'd rather pay more and have it now. Why shouldn't he be able to?

Oh. Well, yeah, there's no problem with scalping and jacking the price up for stuff if you're merely a part of regular everyday market forces and there are no victims, only happy responsible customers. Viewed this way, anything is ethically scalpable from concert tickets to Wiis.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[MaryJane]

True, I think though that it becomes unethical if you're going to screw someone over.

It reaches a point where a person is getting screwed. Not on ebay because, the person buying says they are willing to pay this much, they could always not have said $2,000. When you scalp a ticket, sure you can haggle (depending on the situation) but for the most part the price is being dictated to you. And thus, you can get screwed, I've never been to a concert I didn't travel at least half an hour to. what am i supposed to do when the only scalper i see says $150? go back? nope, bend over and take it.

slight difference, but it's there.

Also i'd say someone is being a real d!ck head if there going to screw someone over on something that they also love, or are passionate about.

[jasonditz]

you might want to start looking for aftermarket tickets before the day of the event. It's like going to the airport two hours before your flight to buy tickets, it puts you in a really bad bargaining position.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Quote
Originally posted by: jasonditz
you might want to start looking for aftermarket tickets before the day of the event. It's like going to the airport two hours before your flight to buy tickets, it puts you in a really bad bargaining position.

As long as your service or goods is not necessary such as medication or food, then I think it is fair game. Even with concert tickets no one is telling you to buy it, it still is your choice no one is screwing you but yourself, you are willing to pay even if you are aware of the high mark up value. That is why I never have complained if I wanted to purchase something whether it be a ticket or some other good for a higher price, because the responsibiity is mine and I screwed up by not getting that product when it was first on sale.  

[BranDonk Kong]

It's not capitalism, it's more like price gouging. It's bad enough that you're getting raped by ticketmaster - $15 for a service charge? Where's the service? I'm not saying people should be thrown in jail - there should be fines or something like that. Oh well, I'm not going to change anyone's mind, and no one's going to change mine...PS3 sucks.

[jasonditz]

Rising price as a response to scarcity doesn't seem like the sort of thing you can just wish away with fines.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Again I say, price gouging would not happen if people didn't pay the prices for it (besides that term is very subjective, it is more of a personal preference of when something is not worth what is being asked, which could mean about anything). People are in effect gouging themselves if they spend alot of money for something who's sole pupose is for entertainment, if you want to end it, well you and others should stop buying it, it isn't like you need to go the concernt or NEED a PS3 or Wii like other goods.

[BranDonk Kong]

If you have kids that want to keep up with the Joneses, you do.