PS3 Survey

[manasecret]

Hmmm the "unnecessary middleman" is the best way I've heard it put.

However, I disagree that we don't provide a service (despite what you may think).

Start with the facts: the supply of PS3s far and away outweighs the demand from gamers/parents. So continuing from that, the fact is that any gamer/parent that wants a PS3 is going to have to camp out for a day or two or even more. Even if you cut out all of the eBayers, maybe you're cutting off a day of waiting. So no matter what, if a gamer/parent wants a PS3, he/she will have to wait in line for one day at least and possibly several more. Those are the facts (let me know if you disagree).

Some people can't wait those one or two days or more in line for whatever reason, such as they can't miss work, they don't want to wait in the cold, they simply would rather pay more money than waste their time camping -- whatever. However, they still want a PS3.

So instead of waiting in line (which assuming the facts are true, they would have to do even if there were zero eBayers) essentially they are paying me (or another eBayer) to wait in line for them. That's the service.

And from my armchair economics combined with econ 101, a service is a perfectly viable product to sell.

Certainly, some gamers who were willing and/or able to wait in line are then unable to get a PS3 at face value because of eBayers (or at least, as early as they desired). But what makes their desires any more important than the desires of someone who can't or is unwilling to wait so long in line, but who is able to pay more?

To digress, I guess the fact is I'm going to eBay as many PS3s as I can no matter what. I need money, and personally I say boohoo to any gamer that can't get a PS3 on day one. I guess that makes me a selfish bastard.