Why, because even dog sh!t isn't dumb enough to stand in line all day to buy something that will be readily available in just a few more days or weeks.
The "smart" people get their phones as part of a service contract with a carrier. They think they are getting the phone for free.
Bump! :)
Way over priced.
You are NOT BUYING an $800 phone, Mad Dawgg. You are misdescribing the product, MadDawgg. A phone makes and receives phone calls. A phone that can do that is worth $20.
For $800 you are buying a battery powered, miniaturized fully functional computer, which includes a high-quality still camera, an HD video camera capable of recording hours of content, a digital music and video player, a wireless Internet access and eMail access device, and a personal digital assistant. . . which just happens to have the ability to make cellular phone calls as a bonus. For all of that, $800 is a bargain.
The Flagship unlocked Samsung phone on release was $50 more expensive than an unlocked iPhone. Miniaturized pocket computers with phone capabilities are expensive. There is really no avoiding that fact.
You can get a cellular phone company to subsidize (actually, sell it to you on a time payment plan) your purchase of one over a two year period if you sign a contract with them or you can buy it for full retail. You can also choose to buy one that is a couple of years older technology that is somewhat less expensive. The choice is yours.