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I think the gamble lies in the people that are expecting their second system to flip and pay for the first. Sure, most stores will allow a full refund (I'd be sure to ask though, some stores may put a restocking fee on hardware), but a whole lot of people are anticipating getting their first system for free in the end. If you are depending on the flip to be able to afford the system, there is a risk. It is not a guaranteed win, you might be caught in a deluge of people trying to flip them - as with the PS3. There is a limit to where the mass market will tolerate price mark-ups, and this flipping idea seems to be really common. You are depending on parents here, the gamers that really want one probably pre-ordered when it first opened. To pay for a second, you need to get $800 (counting tax) and then you are getting up into PS3 land, and the Wii U is not going to be anywhere as short of a supply as the PS3 was on release. Parents might spring for a $150 Tickle Me Elmo, but almost a grand for a new Wii?

But, also there are a lot of other potential risks. Fraud issues over Ebay. Bid snipers and spoilers. Even with good precautions, Craigslist is always a question mark. People have been robbed even in front of the police station (and if you are right and it is highly desired, people will take more chances on that). You also have the general unreliability of others to consider, you make that perfect deal and they never show up - then you have to go sell it again, more time and effort.

Some people like that game, and the allure of making a big sale. I'm not fond of the headaches, personally. I guess it depends on your expectations. I just hope in the end, the scalpers don't hurt the system. It's really pretty cool and fun, it would be a shame to get to Dec. 26th and have the shelves full of returned systems from resellers that couldn't flip them because parents decided it isn't worth the cash and got little Johnny an XBox instead.

Originally Posted by Donut2922 I remembered the PS3 launch to be very different. People were paying $1,000 in the secondary market for them at first. The shortage was not as long as the Wii though of course.

lol... That's probably because of a $600 price tag, I do remember the PS3 being easier to find than the Wii though.

Now where did I put that $600 doorstop at. ='(

Originally Posted by dragonjud Meh. Tried a unit at a local gamestop. I'm not impressed. If you're unsure, go try for yourself. I just didn't see anything that cannot be done on current consoles (except for the gimmick of the tablet, and most people have a few of those already.)

It's all about "intricate details" processing powers, weather feects and more characters on the screen with higher resolution and visuals. thats what makes it great. Not a huge increase in graphics but intricate details where they needed to go. Thats why I was impressed and getting a deluxe unit on launch. I do respect your opinion though. Thats why I quoted you.

Originally Posted by coolflea216 i don't know where you live but in my neck of the woods they couldn't be found for over a year.

It was the same for me.

Originally Posted by juanawoman It was the same for me.

I couldn't get the original white Wii for almost two years up here Northeast (Boston). They were sold out EVERYWHERE. So I believe you and coolflea216 lol.

Same here. I actually waited in line at my local Wal-Mart for mine on launch night. They ushered us into the customer service waiting area where they had some metal folding chairs set up. They had received 22 consoles, I was #20. Our local GameStop got one additional shipment before the Wii was out of stock in our area for SEVERAL months. I actually played through Twilight Princess, held onto mine for a little while, then sold it for $500 on eBay. Worked out quite nicely.

Originally Posted by Grimms I couldn't get the original white Wii for almost two years up here Northeast (Boston). They were sold out EVERYWHERE. So I believe you and coolflea216 lol.

I would find Wii's in stores every week or so...and I live in Orlando, so it's not like I was going to low business stores. I usually hit Target about twice a week during my lunch break and they weren't impossible to find.

Originally Posted by coolflea216 i don't know where you live but in my neck of the woods they couldn't be found for over a year.

I worked for Circuit City at the time, and for at least a solid six or seven months we would have customers lined up outside prior to the store's opening, holding out for a Wii. It was essentially launch day every day we got a shipment in.

Kinda expecting the same for the WiiU based on these low quantities I've been hearing about, but then again, who knows.

I took me almost two years to get a Wii also. I'm glad I have pre-orders locked in and almost paid in full this time. This is in Mass.

It took me until February to actually find a Wii after launch. Honestly, it was all about timing... even if people weren't camped out, they seemed to basically to come off the truck in very small quantities and were gone soon after. Only reason I got one was because the GameStop 5 minutes away told me they just got a shipment that morning and that the GameStop 10 minutes away gets their truck later in the day. I hauled ass to the other GameStop and just waited for the truck to get there. The luxuries of being in college for a console launch, right?

The worst was when I was at the mall with my ex that December and she insisted we go to Hallmark first. I head to GameStop right after, and see a woman buying the last Wii they had. Without that 20 minutes in Hallmark, I would've had one 2 months sooner. That was... that was not a great day after that. Ha.

Just saw old navy's bf ad... Free New Mario bros U w/ $40 purchase and they are giving away 1000 wii u basic systems.


http://bfads.net/Ad/Old-Navy-2012

Grr, the wait for the release is KILLING me!

Originally Posted by spauldingfan Just saw old navy's bf ad... Free New Mario bros U w/ $40 purchase and they are giving away 1000 wii u basic systems.

Serious? My wife likes to buy crap from there anyhow. I'll have to check that out.

Originally Posted by spauldingfan Just saw old navy's bf ad... Free New Mario bros U w/ $40 purchase and they are giving away 1000 wii u basic systems. http://bfads.net/Ad/Old-Navy-2012

Wow i just googled and it's true that's a good deal.

I think the 1000 wii u s is an instant win contest.

Originally Posted by spauldingfan I think the 1000 wii u s is an instant win contest.

It's pretty fuzzy but it looks like that's what the ad says. that's interesting with how scarce the supply is i wonder how good of a chance you actually have.

Originally Posted by TwistedShade It's pretty fuzzy but it looks like that's what the ad says. that's interesting with how scarce the supply is i wonder how good of a chance you actually have.

I remember years ago they were giving away iPods with an instant win and saw two people win while I was in the store shopping. As far as the game, I'd say be one of the first 25, that's how it was for Lego rock band and dance central the previous years.

Originally Posted by screwkick Just as a side note, I logged into my BestBuy.com account last night, and they have already processed my order. Now all they have to do is show up in store for pick-up.

So glad that I ordered mine online, with in store pickup. It seems like the most safest route out their. Bestbuy already has my money on hold so they know my moneys coming.

I guess in store pickup stuff they lock up in a cage of some sort so no one will be getting my Wii U!

Wow, i need new jeans and stuff anyways. Might just do that, get the g/f some clothes, get the free mario and return it to game stop to get my credit back, lol.

Pretty sweet deal. My Old Navy is pretty much going out of business, so if I am able to cop a system on launch, I would be all over this deal.