Guest Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 No I'm not getting desperate again because of the lighterlife water requirement. Wii's have gone out of stock for Xmas and when they come into stock they are being snapped up fast. Personally I'm one of the snapper uppers as I've been buying some to put on Ebay to make a profit to pay for Xmas. I know some people think this is wrong but this is a capitalist economy and I want to fund my Christmas doing a little trading. Oh and I want to keep one which effectively costs me no money as I'll be buying it out of my profits. However you guys are my friends so I am happy to let you know the tricks for getting one. The first is the realtime stock checker - leave it on all day and as soon as Wii's come into stock it pings and gives a popup. They do tend to sell out in minutes though - Amazon got some this morning just as I was shopping there and they were gone in THREE MINUTES! The website also tells you when retailers have had them in and how long they were in stock for. Some retailers release their stock in the small hours! http://www.wii-consoles.co.uk The second way of getting one is to order from Amazon Germany - they have a lot more stock coming in than the UK. Its the UK PAL version that you get but you will need to buy an adaptor plug - Maplin do a surge protector one. Also the instructions with the Wii Sports game are in German. Lots of people have bought them from here no problem and they can actually work out 5 or 10 quid cheaper due the the exchange rate. This site tells you all about ordering one. http://www.howaboutawii.com/ I hope that helps someone who feels they really have to have one now. I wanted to get mine ready for when wii fit comes out next year and I also thought it would help James to play more games as he has poor fine motor skills and lacks concentration. Computer games are not all bad for children, although addictions to WOW and the like are sometimes a worry. I'm thinking of a five year old trying to play tennis with me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 We have a german Wii - all the on screen set up can be done in English so dont let that put you off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Sorry I wasn't that clear was I - I meant the printed instructions - which you can do without anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Great idea. I had no idea they were selling out so fast again, so have just bagged one from Microdirect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissinuk Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Personally I'm one of the snapper uppers as I've been buying some to put on Ebay to make a profit to pay for Xmas. I know some people think this is wrong but this is a capitalist economy and I want to fund my Christmas doing a little trading. Sorry (and I don't mean to have a go at you) but I am one of the people who really disapproves of this! It my eyes it's no better than ticket touting - genuine fans are always the ones that get ripped off. There are parents out there who really want to get their children a Wii for xmas, and I'm talking about the families who can barely afford to get one at shop prices. People snapping them up just for ebay forces people to spend extra money that they cannot afford just to keep the kids happy. I know lots of people do it but in my eyes it's wrong. I really hope Nintendo gets a huge shipment in this year to make sure ebay Wii's go at less than shop prices. Like I said, no offence to you, lots of other people do it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I did quite well on tickets in the summer too! That started by accident when I bought 2 tickets for £30 and sold them for £120 after I found I couldn't go. Then I managed to buy a couple of V fest tickets and they did quite well too. I also had some Rolling Stones tickets but they made a small loss. The person who bought my original tickets that I couldn't use sent me a lovely email the day after the concert telling me how good it was and that they had seen the band the next day at breakfast in their hotel. I've said before I won't bow to pressure from my child to pay "anything" for that "must have" christmas toy. Nor would I spend more than I could comfortably afford. Actually I've already got the three things he wanted - the main one at a discount price as Argos reduced all their toys for a week to kick start Christmas. Anyone who "desperately" wants a Wii and can't find out how to order one and is willing to pay over the odds because there is a shortage obviously can afford it - or is willing to spend money they don't have. Something which far too many people are willing to do these days. These Wii's will be in ready supply again in the new year - its not hard to wait until then, personally I do not think there will be a huge shipment from Nintendo before Christmas. Who do you think wants them to be a must have item? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 [quote name='"kissinuk Sorry (and I don't mean to have a go at you) but I am one of the people who really disapproves of this! It my eyes it's no better than ticket touting - genuine fans are always the ones that get ripped off. There are parents out there who really want to get their children a Wii for xmas' date=' and I'm talking about the families who can barely afford to get one at shop prices. People snapping them up just for ebay forces people to spend extra money that they cannot afford just to keep the kids happy. I know lots of people do it but in my eyes it's wrong. [/quote'] Sorry, (well not really) but I feel that if parents can't afford to get the latest gizmos for their kids then there is nothing wrong in telling those kids that they can't afford it; that they love them but if they want one they are going to have to wait until they are old enough to earn the money to buy one themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Thats very much how I feel Rona. Children should learn they can't have everything and that money isn't a bottomless pit. I teach teenagers in an affluent middle class area and those kids are spoiled stupid. They have everything they want, Ipods, the latest phones, nice new cars when they hit 17, not to mention every games console and game their heart desires. Once I confiscated an Ipod and told the boy he would be able to get it back at the end of the week he said "keep it - I want a new one anyway" He never did collect the Ipod - in the end I had to actually give it back to him and he still didn't really want it. Children also need to learn that they can't HAVE IT NOW. Sometimes its just not possible and the kids who want a wii will be past the santa stage. James will get everything he wants this christmas, he wanted a sack barrow (found a light one with a telescopic handle for £12) a builders jacket (£3 on ebay) and he has recently asked for a laptop like mine with a real mouse and he even said that maybe he could have that and then have the sack barrow for his birthday (he's been after that sack barrow for months). I got the laptop in Argos, they had the best price for the VTECH one I liked and then last week they reduced the price on VTECH toys and I got it for £8 less at £26.24. I will buy some little stocking fillers too but I should have his Christmas wrapped up for £50 to £60 which I think is more than enough to spend on a 5 year old. I want to teach my child the same kind of values I was taught as a child and one of those was that you can't have everything, especially if it costs a lot of money. My parents were not poor but they didn't give me everything - for my 18th birthday I got half of a second hand car - I had to save up to pay for the other half! My dad could have easily have afforded to buy me the whole car but the message would have been wrong. So I'll happily profit from those who do bow to pressure and get their kids everything they want no matter what the cost or whether they can afford it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I was happy with felt tip pens and a colouring book when i was a kid for christmas (I still like colouring now! ) My sister has a keep up with the jones' approach to giving to her boys - they have the latest of everything and are spoilt rotten (even though my sister doesnt really have the money). She has told me not to buy the boys "little bits" for christmas this year even though her youngest is 8 and oldest 12....she doesnt want them to have toys. I have told her they are getting toys and bits and bobs from me (I usually go in hawkins bazar and get lots of little stocking fillers) and I love to buy them something crafty/creative and a childs board game each - but she doesnt want me to get that !!! I think its horrible that some children cant be children anymore and not be satisfied with colouring pens/crayons/books etc.....and its not even the childrens choice half the time its the parents!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Why do people think that spending money they don't really have is what will make their Children happy. James has shed loads of toys - we buy them all at the boot sale, if we go every week he gets a new toy every week. Only 1 and it usually costs between 50p and £1. He has spent the wohle afernoon playing on the floor with - a pair of scissors, a pen, a pencil a pencil sharpener and a load of old envelopes. He has made chefs hats (dead easy to make out of envelopes but only fit his toys!), a ittle villiage of houses, trees, hoovers and churches and a lot of mess! Oh every time he sharpens a pencil he carefully goes and empties his sharpenings in the bin. Not only was this an interesting afternoon it was very good for him - he has fine motor skills problems and using scissors is one of the things that is encouraged. Right now he's transfixed by the telly - its MISTER MAKER which I record during the week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I love it when children are creative and sit happily drawing/painting/making stuff and mess!! Whenever I look after my newphews we enjoy card making etc....my sister never sits down with them doing stuff like this as she cant abide mess! ( I love my sister really!! she just frustrates me ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I don't do glitter - or play doh James does play doh in grans part of the hosue sometimes and as soon as a babysitter comes he wants to get it out! I like to do cardmaking and when I do James does it with me and I do let him do embossing and use the embossing powder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Im very glad to hear that children are still being brought up as i was I never had the latest of anything as my parents couldnt afford it but we made do and i have some great childhood memories that i look back on and smile about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 the darling grandaughters spent most of todays visit playing with the plastic farm animals I got off ebay for them as I used to love playing with them when I was a child. Then they did a little show for us before they went home which involved a lot of giggling and chucking teddy bears around the sitting room. Grandad and I loved it but Mum and Dad got a bit huffy - honestly the middle generation!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Some people think I do spoil James, one of my freinds commented that our back garden is like a park. I want him to play outdoors and I've made it a wonderful place for him to play. Out there he has A climbing frame - swapped for a lawnmower! A little tykes house -resuced when Mums old neighbors were throwing it out! A Swing - Freecycle A slide - £10 Ebay A big 13ft trampoline - £50 Ebay A small trampoline (the one with the handle) - Birthday present 2 years ago Various scooters & Bikes - birthday presents and boot sale 2 tractors - both ebay, the first one was too small so I got the bigger one for his birthday A 13ft pool with heater - £40 in the Makro end of season sell off (August!) Thing is the only thing he has actually asked for is a tractor. I want him to have a fun outdoor environment to play in, we have a huge garden and a section of it is concreted over and its his little area - where the house stands. He goes out in all but a torrential downpour to play - there are wellies and waterproofs by the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissinuk Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Sorry, (well not really) but I feel that if parents can't afford to get the latest gizmos for their kids then there is nothing wrong in telling those kids that they can't afford it; that they love them but if they want one they are going to have to wait until they are old enough to earn the money to buy one themselves. Becuase in this case the reason many people can't afford Wii's is because people are buying them just to sell on ebay at inflated prices!! Whether it is right to pay extortionate prices or not, the simple fact is that people do just to keep their kids happy (and no, I'm not one of those!). Like I said if Nintendo bring in a huge shipment then everyone will be happy apart from those trying to rip off the general consumer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I love to see kids making a mess! When we had a nice day this summer I took a large roll of surplus wallpaper into the garden, decorators paint trays full of paint and whipped all their clothes off. They did body painting all over the wallpaper then I chucked them in the paddling pool to wash off. It just seemed like a fun thing to do but my friends amazed me - they all said none of them would have done it And my dining table has permanent paint splodges on it now (in fact most things have ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I love to see kids making a mess! When we had a nice day this summer I took a large roll of surplus wallpaper into the garden, decorators paint trays full of paint and whipped all their clothes off. They did body painting all over the wallpaper then I chucked them in the paddling pool to wash off. It just seemed like a fun thing to do but my friends amazed me - they all said none of them would have done it And my dining table has permanent paint splodges on it now (in fact most things have ) Love it Snowy ....thats just like I how to see children enjoying themselves...the muckier the better!! Brill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissinuk Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 So I'll happily profit from those who do bow to pressure and get their kids everything they want no matter what the cost or whether they can afford it. But what about those last year who could afford £179 but who couldn't afford the stupidly high rip off prices on Ebay? I knew at least 2 people in this category last year and they had to go without in the end! Hardly fair play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Becuase in this case the reason many people can't afford Wii's is because people are buying them just to sell on ebay at inflated prices!! Whether it is right to pay extortionate prices or not, the simple fact is that people do just to keep their kids happy (and no, I'm not one of those!). Like I said if Nintendo bring in a huge shipment then everyone will be happy apart from those trying to rip off the general consumer. BUT you miss the point of trading - we are only buying them to sell on at inflated prices because PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO PAY THESE PRICES. Ebay is an AUCTION site - I firmly believe that things will find their own price level and as such I start ALL my auctions at 99p because you pay less fees and things sell for the right price anyway. As I also said in the top of this HELPFUL thread - there is no need to buy off Ebay as there are ways of getting them if you search online. I'm buying mine in those ways I'm not a shop getting a shipment then trying to maximise profits. Incidentally there are a couple of shops who almost constantly have stock as their price is MORE THAN EBAY. Now that's ripping people off big time. Like I said - Nintendo will not be bringing in a huge shipment as they are the ones who want to create a huge demand and buzz about their product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissinuk Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 As I also said in the top of this HELPFUL thread - there is no need to buy off Ebay as there are ways of getting them if you search online. I'm buying mine in those ways I'm not a shop getting a shipment then trying to maximise profits. Incidentally there are a couple of shops who almost constantly have stock as their price is MORE THAN EBAY. Now that's ripping people off big time. I know, your advice was very helpful, don't get me wrong! If a shop is selling at more than RRP then they can be reported to Nintendo, a basic package cannot go for more than £179 unless packaged with games. Like I said - Nintendo will not be bringing in a huge shipment as they are the ones who want to create a huge demand and buzz about their product. Don't count on it, I've heard differently! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 So I'll happily profit from those who do bow to pressure and get their kids everything they want no matter what the cost or whether they can afford it. But what about those last year who could afford £179 but who couldn't afford the stupidly high rip off prices on Ebay? I knew at least 2 people in this category last year and they had to go without in the end! Hardly fair play. How long did they have to go without for? In the summer they were in stock in most shops. Last year was the same situation as now "Ooops, word censored!"ody has to go without, they just might have to wait a little while. Ebay prices are not stupidly high rip offs - its a free market economy and in an auction people bid what they are willing to pay - if the price is too high you stop bidding. I bid on 5 eglus before I got one for a price I was happy with - by waiting I got a week old one for just £250 (I asked if she had a BIN price and thats what she asked for) All the ones I'd been bidding on had been going for nearer £300! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I'm much happier getting my kids other stuff, oh on the other hand..... the only thing worries me about this is a) ticket touting is illegal and b) if the taxman stumbles across this are you paying tax on your earnings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I'm much happier getting my kids other stuff, oh on the other hand..... the only thing worries me about this is a) ticket touting is illegal and b) if the taxman stumbles across this are you paying tax on your earnings It's illegal to ticket tout - but that means to stand outside a venue selling tickets. It is not illegal to sell tickets for concerts only for football matches. Its illegal for football matches because there is a list of hooligans who are not allowed to buy tickets. There has been much debate on the telly news programmes about whether or not it should be illegal to sell concert tickets and the general view is that it shouldn't be outlawed. Ah the taxman, I do keep meticulous records of anything I sell above RRP, much of my sales are secondhand goods and don't make a profit. I declare some of my extra earnings but there may be some creative accountacy on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Well Pengy, I can see why you are doing the Wii thing and I don't see a problem with you trading on E-bay at all. You are taking the risk, in buying them and again when selling them that is what business is about. You may make a few bob you may lose bigtime but that's your choice. And your tax commitments are your affair. Nintendo, Sony or whoever makes the latest 'must have' toy undersupply on purpose particularly to the UK in order to drive prices up. If that sparks people to look beyond Argos then so what? Be careful with concert tickets mind, non transferable. My advice to anyone who can't get hold a virtual life console for their kids, is to buy them the following book, which gives detailed advice on living life as a child for real!! Yes, playing non-virtual games in the big outsideness often without the help of Microsoft or Nintendo. You really have never lived until you have shot your older brother in the leg with a bow that you made yourself with your only arrow that took two hours to make, and then realise he made one too! Cathy bought me this book as a bit of a laugh, and I was quite suprised to find I had done most of the fun things in it! and lived. Anyway, the book is 'THE POCKET DANGEROUS BOOK FOR BOYS, THINGS TO DO' ISBN 978 0 00 723271 1. Don't be put off by the 'dangerous' in the title it's harmless really! PS : thanks for sharing your methods with us you didn't have too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
