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Buying Wii Fit-a nightmare in shopping
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Buying one video game isn't worth a story or a memory. You go to a store, find the game you want and you're told that it isn't in stock until the next day unless it's the first day it comes out or you have preordered it already. So why is this article even written?
Because Wii Fit isn't an ordinary game. According to most hardcore gamers, it isn't even a 'real' game. However, since it launched in May 2008, it's been one of the most sought after products from Nintendo. I've avoided it for the most part, not because of the quality of the game, but because I've already had games that kept me busy for the most part. But, with Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip being compatible with the Balance Board, I found a game that would actually be compelling to play with the Board (again, not a knock on Wii Fit itself-it's actually a lot of fun...and work and sweat). So I decided to actually get a copy.
But the problem in getting a copy is that some stores only sell it bundles or mark it up so high that you're better off having said store (Ahhhs!, for example) pee on your foot. And buying a copy online is just so unappealing, so there's only one way to go to get a copy at the right price: going in a line.
This meant waking up early on Sunday because apparently Wii Fit only shows up once a month in stores-like a period. But unlike a period, Wii Fit disappears after two hours. I got to my usual Best Buy in LA, off Pico Blvd & Sawtelle Blvd around 8 am. The store opens at 10 am on Sundays. Now, I love to wait in line for video games on the day it comes out, especially at midnight. I've always enjoyed talking to other people who are excited about the games and are huge fans of it. Wii Fit isn't one of those games.
For nearly every Nintendo game, the line is full of parents, usually unaware about video games, who always seem to think that there's always a lot of copies available in every store. And the rest of the line was filled with people buying a Wii for the first time and some dudes buying it for their girlfriends (read: lame excuses). I walked around for an hour because just standing in front of a store for two hours is just...creepy. Especially for a product that's nealry eight months old. But I was the fourth person in line, so I had nothing to worry about. It's always fun to talk to people who are, for the most part, ignorant about video games. There always has to be a super know-it-all in line, as well and thankfully, this guy was behind me. I secretly hoped he went home empty-handed.
Then, after ten minutes, the lines grew quickly. More and more cars showed up with families looking to score a copy of this game. Around 9:30, the line snaked around to the side of the store and a new line formed in front of the original line. Uh-oh! I told people not to worry because Best Buy is usually good at giving out numbers and keeping people in order. Then around 9:55, both lines moved to the front of the doors and the super know-it-all tried to maintain order by telling the other line that they were in the wrong line.
10 am struck the clocks and the store was still closed. Patience got ran over and the crowd grew restless. Then, one employee opened the door and someone asked if numbers were being giving out. His response set off a red flag in my head: 'No' UH-OH!
When a store gives people the green light of chaos, it's time to freak out. After a while of worrying and being frightened about the possibility of being screwed out of a copy of Wii Fit, I went silent to the rest of the line and sprung to the video game section when I heard these three words: 'Let 'em in!'
I bolted to a copy of Wii Fit before anybody else could even set foot in the store. I watched people went everywhere else to find a copy. It was funny, but it became dangerous when people started shoving to get to a copy. Looking at the other people's faces was kinda heartbreaking, but I was already at a register paying for my copy. After getting my receipt, I didn't get a bag, which scared me immensely because now it isn't concealed and some wackjob can come up to me and try to take it. Thankfully, I got home in 30 minutes before I had to worry about getting mugged.
So, now that my fears are over about acquiring Wii Fit at it's true retail price, here's some tips: 1-sign up for any email-based promotion from a major chain because that's how most people found out about it in the first place. 2-Any place that offers it in bundles should be avoided because it allows them to jack up the price. You shouldn't pay more than 100 dollars for Wii Fit 3. Study a store's layout so you know where the display the video games. If you have to spend more than 10 minutes looking for anything. you'll be screwed.
So, I will be like the other near 10 million people who have this game and enjoy it. And to everyone else who wants a copy-good luck next month on the 15th, when more copies may hit stores.
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