Un-consoled
This is kind of off topic, but I have to vent. Why, why, WHY do toy manufacturers do this STUPID thing every Christmas of launching a new product - the Ninentendo Wii in this case - and then DELIBERATELY creating a vast chasm between supply and demand? Because they think it makes their stupid toy "hot", I suppose, and extra-desirable. It's no doubt a deliberate marketing ploy. But it's so incredibly irritating and wrong-headed. I'd happily shell out now, in time for Christmas, but I'm not going to shell out in January, when a) I'm broke and b) Christmas has been and gone. So Nintendo lose out and so do my children, and I waste my time schlepping around Woolies and Argos pleading pathetically for days on end.
I've done this every year, pretty much, for the past 10 years or so - it started back in the mists of time with a mad Christmas-time search for a Tellytubby Po. And then there was Tracy Island, and the rest. It drives me POTTY. All manufacturers have the ability to produce enough of their toy to meet demand. Would it kill the bastards to actually do it?
Exactly! I have brought all my presents this year from Clic Sargent, so my friends and family are giving people a day off from the ironing, or a sleepover with their child in hospital.
I warned them they were getting ethical presents this year, as I was fed up with the bruhaha around Christmas. As my best friend Liz said, 'I've never had ethics before.' Merry Christmas all!
:D
Posted by: Maddie Ladele | 20 Dec 2006 13:05:07
John - fair point, except it IS "hot", as far as my children are concerned, and not considered "rubbish" by them.
Posted by: India | 15 Dec 2006 11:36:45
Hi India, the email I have for you is not working so I am posting this as a comment instead. This is a 'meme' - I hope you don't mind - see latest blog for explanation. Happy Christmas, and many congratulations on your superb blogging. Ruth.
Posted by: Ruth Gledhill | 14 Dec 2006 12:29:33
The only people that REALLY buy the early release of the latest gizmodo are the idiots that know everyone else wants one, and so put them on Ebay for *stupid* prices. I remember when the Playstation 2 came out, a friend of ours shelled out nearly £1000 for three of them on the day of release - he literally camped outside the store for three days. He then went on to sell each one for £2000.
The PS3 on Ebay.com is currently selling for stupid prices - people putting it on there for obscene amounts. Granted, a lot of them are probably people just being idiots, but for heavens sake... Like This just for example...
Posted by: Dan | 14 Dec 2006 12:05:00
"Because they think it makes their stupid toy "hot", I suppose, and extra-desirable. It's no doubt a deliberate marketing ploy."
Then don't fall for it. Set an example, instead of slogging round Woolies trying to get this rubbish.
Posted by: John Charlesworth | 14 Dec 2006 10:21:47