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Could Someone Explain It To Me?

Remordere

Remordere

Android Enthusiast
I am always curious as to why people wait in line to buy things on launch day. Consoles, phones and what not. Some people even camp out days before the launch. I don't get it.

Might be because of the culture difference, the only lines forming here is to get money not to buy an expensive phone. Maybe people have the money to do nothing but wait for days then buy the launch day price. Here, you can't do that, it's a waste of money and time. I even the story of the first in line who even ask for donations. If he can buy a $500 dollar phone, why the hell should he ask for donations so he can be more comfortable doing nothing.

I saw videos of the line to get the iPhone 4 at a Apple store in America. Almost all already have the iPhone 3GS, they don't need an upgrade that soon. I thought you guys are in recession, shouldn't you, you know, save money and work instead of camping out to buy something you can get a week later with no lines? For a cheaper price? It's the same thing. I don't think it's going out of stock.

I also know for a fact that launch day items always have some sort of flaw and bugs.

Also, I never notice this on any Android launch day. Guess Android users have more sense.
 
Well, when you are hyped for something you want it as soon as possible. I went in line for hours (not on launch day though) to get a Wii because I thought it was cool and I did have time to waste. It was a fun experience, not that the actual Wii was worth waiting for so much. I believe that if you're living someplace where smartphones are sold, you probably have money and time to waste. ;)

Plus in America a lot of people have enough cash to seriously consider upgrading their 3GS to a 4G. I know a lot of people who did. It doesn't cost that much either, so why not?
 
Well Americans (I am one) are pretty materialistic so a recession isn't going to stop us from buying goodies. You'd have to pry them from our dead cold fingers.

Moreover, the recession doesn't truly hit everyone at the core in America. It's not like half the country lost their jobs. There are still a lot of people that have and make a lot of money.

Unemployment is only at 10% so that means 90% of the labor force still has an income.

As for the line thing, I can't explain that because I never wait in those lines and hate waiting in those lines. I purchase online mostly if I need to pre-order.
 
We Americans worship at the altar of consumerism. If the media tells us that we NEED XYZ gadget then there is a certain portion of the population who then believes that they really do NEED that gadget and it will make their lives happier and make them feel warm and fed. Our culture teaches us to consume, consume, consume, consume and, sadly, we tend to judge one another based on what we consume. It's no wonder we're a nation of overweight freaks, but that's another thread.

Anyway, the waiting in line thing is just an off shoot of that consumer culture. He who waits in line gets to consume it first. He who orders online has to wait hours or even days to consume it which makes them losers apparently. I'm in the latter category btw. You won't find me waiting in line for stuff.
 
A.Nonymous said:
We Americans worship at the altar of consumerism. If the media tells us that we NEED XYZ gadget then there is a certain portion of the population who then believes that they really do NEED that gadget and it will make their lives happier and make them feel warm and fed. Our culture teaches us to consume, consume, consume, consume and, sadly, we tend to judge one another based on what we consume. It's no wonder we're a nation of overweight freaks, but that's another thread.

Anyway, the waiting in line thing is just an off shoot of that consumer culture. He who waits in line gets to consume it first. He who orders online has to wait hours or even days to consume it which makes them losers apparently. I'm in the latter category btw. You won't find me waiting in line for stuff.
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Speak for yourself, I don't need XYZ gadget and those who think they "NEED" a gadget is simply a moron.
 
Remordere said:
I am always curious as to why people wait in line to buy things on launch day. Consoles, phones and what not. Some people even camp out days before the launch. I don't get it.

Might be because of the culture difference, the only lines forming here is to get money not to buy an expensive phone. Maybe people have the money to do nothing but wait for days then buy the launch day price. Here, you can't do that, it's a waste of money and time. I even the story of the first in line who even ask for donations. If he can buy a $500 dollar phone, why the hell should he ask for donations so he can be more comfortable doing nothing.

I saw videos of the line to get the iPhone 4 at a Apple store in America. Almost all already have the iPhone 3GS, they don't need an upgrade that soon. I thought you guys are in recession, shouldn't you, you know, save money and work instead of camping out to buy something you can get a week later with no lines? For a cheaper price? It's the same thing. I don't think it's going out of stock.

I also know for a fact that launch day items always have some sort of flaw and bugs.

Also, I never notice this on any Android launch day. Guess Android users have more sense.
Click to expand...

I don't wait in lines for launch day products, but I can see some reasons why people might, besides just being morons.

Now I have a couple comments on some of the things you said:

Some things do go out of stock, and for long periods of time sometimes. Look at the Wii and the Incredible for examples. I got my Incredible on launch day, but there wasn't a line to wait in at the store I went to. After that it was out of stock everywhere for a couple months. We found our Wii several months after launch, and only because the store we happened to walk into had been shipped one by mistake. They continued to be hard to find for almost a year, if I remember correctly.

Waiting a week isn't going to get you a cheaper price here in the states. The price of the Incredible stayed the same for quite a long time. Same with the Wii.

Like I said, I got my Incredible on launch day, and it has been rock solid. Sure, there were a few software bugs, but they didn't affect me really, and they wouldn't have been fixed had I waited a week or two.

Now, waiting in line for a piece of Apple trash, THAT is for morons. :D
 
Aww those were the days. Being first in line on a crisp Saturday morning when the new Jordans were set to launch. I can remember it vividly like it was yesterday. "Hey Sir I need a pair of all blacks and the red & whites in size 13 please. Or at midnight on a cold August evening awaiting the release of the new Madden.

You Euro's don't know what you're missing.
 
Look I see it this way, but this is my 5 years working at the Big Blue Box (aka Best Buy...home of the ******s).

It makes me sick that people think they need consumer electronics. I look at the lines for the launch days we had for XBOX360, the PS3, the WII, the IPhone, when we opened up our own MacStore etc etc....I would go outside, strike up conversations with some of these folks and ask why they were wanting this product so bad, and the answers made me want to punch people in the face.

Look I am not the most advanced person electronically, even though I do build my own computers, and I have a quad core system, etc etc, but that's because I do AUTOCAD, computer graphics, and a few other programs as well, and I did my own research on building a compatible computer. Now, did I need to buy the 22 inch wide screen flat panel? Nope, I wanted too, because my 19 inch CRT was on it's last leg, and I got this for a bargain.

We've gotten away from the core values of America and society as a whole...If you took my computer and phone away, I wouldn't care one bit. We don't NEED anything but food, clothing, and shelter. We just seem to think we need everything...this is why I always think I was born in the wrong decade....
 
I agree. It's a cultural problem. Wait until the Verizon iPhone comes out. People will be waiting in line for it too. I remember when a celebrity came to town for a book signing recently. People camped out outside the store in literally 20 degree weather to meet them. They huddled around gas powered space heaters and bundled in tents overnight to meet this person. It's really sad the things people in this country place such a premium on.
 
to me.. it is just crazi behavior... example:

the last Harry Potter movie...
we where out of town on a business installation...a buddy and I just had a steak dinner... go see movie at 10pm (not Harry Potter).. thursday night.
there was a huge line for Harry and it was cold out. talked to staff at theather. they said the movie will start at 1am and 3am (release showing)... and most of them have been waiting since lunch time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if I wanted to see this movie (which I did not).
I could spend my thursday as normal... enjoy my day.. take off friday.. go see it at lunch time.. in a less crowded theater.

the people that waited all day to see the movie after midnight... then sleep till noon the next day. are they really getting that much of a wow-factor added because they get to see it first?
 
jwp1223 said:
Look I see it this way, but this is my 5 years working at the Big Blue Box (aka Best Buy...home of the ******s).

It makes me sick that people think they need consumer electronics. I look at the lines for the launch days we had for XBOX360, the PS3, the WII, the IPhone, when we opened up our own MacStore etc etc....I would go outside, strike up conversations with some of these folks and ask why they were wanting this product so bad, and the answers made me want to punch people in the face.

Look I am not the most advanced person electronically, even though I do build my own computers, and I have a quad core system, etc etc, but that's because I do AUTOCAD, computer graphics, and a few other programs as well, and I did my own research on building a compatible computer. Now, did I need to buy the 22 inch wide screen flat panel? Nope, I wanted too, because my 19 inch CRT was on it's last leg, and I got this for a bargain.

We've gotten away from the core values of America and society as a whole...If you took my computer and phone away, I wouldn't care one bit. We don't NEED anything but food, clothing, and shelter. We just seem to think we need everything...this is why I always think I was born in the wrong decade....
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Odd that someone relying upon people to waste their money on consumer electronics would criticize those very people that put food on the table. You should be glad people are a tad nutty in their spending and are willing to wait in a line at your store to purchase all of that crap.

Bob Maxey
 
I find myself being appalled at the consumerism in this country and find myself wanting to reject it completely. At the same time, I really want a Nook Color because I want an Android tablet. Do I need one? No. I can't think of a single reason why I would "need" one. I can think of several reasons why one would be handy to have around, but there's no "need". The cognitive dissonance is very discombobulating.
 
A.Nonymous said:
I find myself being appalled at the consumerism in this country and find myself wanting to reject it completely. At the same time, I really want a Nook Color because I want an Android tablet. Do I need one? No. I can't think of a single reason why I would "need" one. I can think of several reasons why one would be handy to have around, but there's no "need". The cognitive dissonance is very discombobulating.
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Do not fret. If you have the money, go for it. Purchase the world's largest collection of PEZ dispensers, 'iffin you wanna; none of anyone's business and do not ever feel like you are being bad.

Embrace consumerism because without it, there would be no Android Phones or Forums. Or perhaps no job for you, either.

We all buy stuff we do not need. thank God we live in a country where I can waste my money and you can waste yours. I plan to drop a grand on a laptop this afternoon. Then I will look for a great new fountain pen and likely will spend about a grand. I could not do it without rampant consumerism and without people sending me money for stuff they really do not need.

So go forth and spend.

Bob Maxey
 
grand for a pen... wow...
luxury and consumerism and capitalism..

if you can ... you should.. it is yours to do as you please.
 
Bob Maxey said:
Odd that someone relying upon people to waste their money on consumer electronics would criticize those very people that put food on the table. You should be glad people are a tad nutty in their spending and are willing to wait in a line at your store to purchase all of that crap.

Bob Maxey
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That wasn't my only job...it was a part time job...I didn't need it...I just worked there for the discount....but nice try
 
Its fine if you can afford it but to me, it's a waste of your time and energy. If you really are afraid for it to go out of stock then pre-order it. If not, tough luck that happens.

You can wait for a piece of technology. You don't need it.
 
shawn1224 said:
Aww those were the days. Being first in line on a crisp Saturday morning when the new Jordans were set to launch. I can remember it vividly like it was yesterday. "Hey Sir I need a pair of all blacks and the red & whites in size 13 please. Or at midnight on a cold August evening awaiting the release of the new Madden.

You Euro's don't know what you're missing.
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Those were the best days of my life man, I love you for reminding me how something as simple as a pair of Air Jordans made my year. I remember the Jordan VI varsity and black, most beautiful shoes I ever laid eyes on. Thanks again man :)
 
Because it's the simple things in life that make me happy. Life sucks a lot of the time, but my gadgets are what keep me sane. When something new and awesome is coming out, I want to get it as soon as I can. Phones here are also subsidized so likely I'm not buying a $500 phone, I'm paying $200 for it. In the case of a 3GS to an iPhone 4, you sell the 3GS, and use that money towards the iPhone 4. Why not? If it makes you happy, and it's not hurting anyone else, do it. I've done the overnight line thing before. Sure it's tiring, but it's kind of fun at the same time. It's a social experience. You hang out, have some snacks and drinks, and talk with other gadget enthusiasts. I've made some friends hanging out in these lines. Also, phones do go out of stock at first, sometimes people have waited several weeks and in some cases into months. I had a friend that really wanted the HD2 from T-Mo and waited 2 months for it. Another friend pre-ordered the Evo from Best Buy and waited several weeks for it. The HTC Incredible was out of stock for a very long time as well. Waiting a week doesn't ensure you'll get it. I realize I don't need these things, but I want them. If I can afford them, I'll get them. I spend most of my life working to pay for food, shelter, electricity, and when I'm not working I want to enjoy that time as much as possible.
 
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