The Nintendo Wii may not be the best looking console, or be the most technologically advanced, or the most future proofed, or anything compared to the PS3 and Xbox 360 when it comes to next-gen console trumps. But, everyone seems to want one, and with the lack of supply in stores, people are seemingly willing to pay a fortune for one on eBay.

Demand is at record levels, and unfortunately for consumers, the supply rate from Nintendo is just not enough. With 2 weeks left until Christmas, parents are getting increasingly desperate to get their hands on a Wii for their kids to open on December 25, and those money hungry hounds over at eBay aren’t going to miss the chance to clean up.

Over the last month or so, the average price for a Wii has steadily been increasing on eBay. At first it was possible to get one for just over the recommended retail price, then it went up, and up again, and now you’re looking at £500 or so for a new console. But some ingenious, and maybe slightly stupid entrepreneurs are trying their luck by listing their Wiis at frankly preposterous sums of money.

The most expensive I’ve seen so far comes with a Buy It Now price of £100,000. If that’s a bit too steep for you, they have kindly offered potential buyers the opportunity of bidding instead, and that only starts at a mere £80,000. I’ll take two please.

But that isn’t an isolated case. Just click the link and take a look at some of the phenomenal price tags for Wiis on eBay right now.

Some sellers have been very clever in trying to get you to part with your cash, by giving a percentage to charity, or by claiming that if you bought their Wii at such a huge price, you’d be guaranteed of getting your face in the newspapers. That may be so, but people would be laughing at you for paying £50,000 for a £200 games console!

I don’t blame people for trying to make a fast buck, and good luck to them if they find a soul desperate, and stupid enough to stump up the cash. If I were you though, I’d put up with the kids tears, and promise them one for their birthday instead.

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Entry was posted on Tuesday, December 11th, 2007 at 10:42 pm under Uncategorized.  Print This Post

Read more entries by Dave Parrack.
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