Shoppers Scuffle While Waiting for Xboxes ~~

Yahoo ^ | nov 23,2005 | AP - Cecil Whig

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Shoppers Scuffle While Waiting for Xboxes

2 hours, 1 minute ago

Shoppers waiting in line for the new Xbox 360 video game player scuffled outside a Wal-Mart Supercenter when a manager improvised rules for who would get the game first. It took more than 10 police officers to restore order, though no one was arrested.

A crowd of about 300 people were waiting late Monday for the game to go on sale at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. Some of them had waited 12 hours when a night manager said the Xboxes would be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, instead of using a number system devised by customers.

"That's when all hell broke loose," said Ben DiSabatino IV, a 23-year-old Bear, Del., resident, who had been waiting in line since 4 p.m.

"It was like a mosh pit," 30-year-old Michael Pearman of Newark, Del., told the Cecil Whig.

Some customers were knocked down and trampled, though there were no serious injuries, said Elkton Police Lt. Lawrence Waldridge.

An Elkton police officer assigned to monitor the crowd called for backup. In all, it took more than 10 officers from Elkton, the state police and the sheriff's office to restore peace.

Then Wal-Mart decided to cancel the sale and police ordered everyone to leave. A store employee who wouldn't give her full name told the Cecil Whig that some Xboxes were sold later that night.

The Xbox 360 premium system includes a hard drive, wireless controllers and cables for high-definition TVs. It retails for $399.

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Information from: Cecil Whig, http://www.cecilwhig.com

[alisasny]

Perhaps we should be happy that so many people have 400 dollars to spend on nonsense?? As the days get closer and closer and I know my son wants this item I am drawn more and more to not get it. This is just more ammo for me : )

[andyk]

Even if I wanted one, I think I'd wait for the second revision regardless. There's always a second rev...

[LouD]

They are selling for $1500 and up on eBay right now. If I had one, that's what I'd do with it.

In January, you'll be able to buy them readily for $399. By June they'll be $199

[doodad]

Lady here in Atlanta was held up at gunpoint for one. Perp watched her get it and followed her.

[stylin19a]

A crowd of about 300 people were waiting late Monday for the game to go on sale at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. Some of them had waited 12 hours when a night manager said the Xboxes would be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, instead of using a number system devised by customers.

Why wait 12 hours then agree to a mob approved numbering system ?

[bray]

"Jingle All The Way!"

Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters

[Gator101]

I am not getting one. I was a happy Xbox owner but I feel like Microsoft has abandoned the Xbox long before it needed to be replaced. If 360 is successful you can count on MS expecting you to lay down $400 (and more) every couple years for a new upgraded system.

I am going to become a Sony fan again and wait for PS3

[mtbopfuyn]

Surely, American teens aren't spoiled? Or it's that parents are dumb.

[sgtbono2002]

Sounds like those waiting had figured it all out and the manager stepped in the Doo-Doo. There was no mob until he stepped in and created one.

[bonfire]

Surely. What freakin' idiots.

[Pukin Dog]

It aint nonsense if you got the bucks and desire. Pukin owns two systems, but spent 5 minutes in line. I paid my neighbors kid and his friend to stand in separate lines for me. Now my girlfriend's little brother will have one for Christmas, and I am a "miracle worker' in the eyes of my new squeeze.

[who knows what evil?]

This cracks me up. I have absolutely no interest in this thing, and wouldn't know what to do with it even if someone gave it to me. Get a grip, America.

[lormand]

Why didn't they just mutilate each other with their cyber-swords?

[who knows what evil?]

It aint nonsense if you got the bucks and desire.

There doesn't seem to be a shortage on eBay. I love this stuff...smart people making a couple of hundred bucks off of idiots who'll will be lucky to get twenty bucks for an XBox in next year's garage sales. G-d bless capitalism!!

[Rakkasan1]

a sign of vast American prosperity.they could be standing in a welfare line in France.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Even if I wanted one, I think I'd wait for the second revision regardless. There's always a second rev...

True. I remember a few years ago people complaining how the first version of the PS2 kept scratching up DVD movies.

[Doogle]

new XBox game due out in January...it has a line of shoppers standing in the dark,two cops show up and you get to club em and drag them off..you get 399 points per shopper...get to pay bail at $1500...if you get to the next level, you get to read how to avoid stupid impulsive shopping...


Doogle

[Pukin Dog]

I wish I had thought to pick up a couple more of them and put them on Ebay myself. I think a lot of people just dont like others to be having fun if they are not. I'm using mine on a 60' HDTV, and it is incredible.

[dawn53]

Our WalMart SuperCenter had 20 to sell.

After 20 people were in line, they sent the rest home.

Our local stores, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, were willing to tell you how many items they had for sale, and I think that policy avoided a lot of problems.