Gadgets and Video Games

The new Zune 80GB launched last Tuesday has already sold out across the web. This comes to no surprise to myself. Take for instance the game systems that are released in November for the coming Christmas season, there are never enough to supply the demand.

Sure I can get a 4GB or 8GB at my local retailer or web retailer, yet I can’t seem to find the 80GB at Best Buy, Amazon or Circuit City’s web site. “Sorry little Timmy, no 80GB Zune in your stocking this year for you”.

Rumors have surfaced that Microsoft has prioritized the manufacturing of the 4GB and 8GB players. I have spoken to a couple of local retailers, and they expect them to arrive within the next week. Through my online study however, I can expect them to arrive on virtual and retail shelves within 10 to 14 days. Target has stated that they will now put your name on a waiting list and they will notify you as soon as they are available.

How is it that a manufacturer is able to create a demand for their products when before there was none? And knowing this, they purposely keep the supply lower during the holidays then they would during the rest of the year. You would think that a manufacturer would supply enough for the demand, that they have created in the first place, in order to increase their profits. In the end aren’t they only hurting themselves? A lot of people get their hopes up only to be disappointed, thus creating a disgruntled customer that will most likely shop elsewhere.

Have we really become a society of sheep? We can’t make up our own minds, we are dependant on what others tell us we need in order to function in today’s world?