how do people afford the new systems?

[daywane]

  It just blows my mind ... I see PS3 sales are up and Wii is up?

No way could I spend that much cash for a console
Is Kentucky the only state getting slammed in the economy?

I work for the auto industry... we are close to going out of business.
almost all other industry has left for over seas.

Toppy shut 1/2 of its plant down
TI went to Mexico
Bendix went to Mexico
Rand sold out to Canada called Quebcore now and is bank rupt
Florida tile not doing well
I went from $40,000 to $30,000 a year

[SNAAKE]

you dont have like a grand for random consoles? guess its not for you

[shmokes]

Well . . . there are a lot of different people in a lot of different situations.  Three years ago I could easily lay down the money for a new console whenever it came out.  Today I'm going to school instead of working and I've got a kid, so there's no way in hell I could pick up a PS3.  A lot of people make plenty of money and/or have few obligations on their money. 

[DaveMMR]

It just blows my mind ... I see PS3 sales are up and Wii is up?

PS3 lowered prices combined with Blu-Ray's victory in the format wars led to a spike in PS3 sales.  Meanwhile Wii has always been attractively priced and, combined with their unique approach to gaming, has been the "impulse buy" for gamers and non-gamers alike. 

Secondly, while the economy is lagging, it's not exactly "Great Depression II".   Those stimulus checks are just enough for a new game system and a couple of games.    And there's always plenty of people with disposable incomes.  Plus, game systems aren't exactly high-ticket status symbols.  Perhaps a needless expense if you're trying to save money, but nothing you'd mortgage your house for. 

Lastly, as others have said, it depends on your situation.  There are people with minimum-wage, part-time jobs that can go out and get a PS3 on a whim because they have few other expenses while highly-paid professionals may have to use their money for children, bills, family vacations, etc.  instead of dropping it on a console.

[Blanka]

Consider an old NES! I'm on a budget too, so I bought one for 35 euros with a bunch of games, 2 pads and a gun. People who visit are equal or more enthusiast as if I had bought a Wii. There is so much recognition. And get one with a NES Zapper. Wii Zapper owners will be shocked how accurate it is . It is plain hip to go old-school!

[patrickl]

Are you talking about US sales or worldwide sales? I don't think (besides the US) the rest of the world has much of an economical problem (yet).

Besides, I actually paid more for my PS2 back then, than I paid for my PS3.

[fjl]

Back when I first started this MAME project I easily had money to burn. I don't know how, I just did.

Now money is a lot more tight even though I make more than I did when I started this mame project. So back when I had money I was going all out buying all expensive tools and expensive arcade hardware. Back then I was like, "$250 for a router? No problem!" Now I can no longer do that without saving money for a good while. Now it's like, "$50 BUCKS FOR A WEEKS WORTH OF GROCERY ITEMS?! WTF!?" Guess it all has to do with prices going up. Gas, groceries etc. It's gotten ridiculous.

Back then I had the money to buy X-box and PS3 but didn't care to. Now that GTA4 came out, I want to but can't afford it. 

[SithMaster]

Consider the possibility that teenagers with part time jobs are buying the new systems.  I myself bought a 360 recently because I work part time but my tuition is paid for through scholarships and I'm living at home.

Personally I didn't go out and buy the 360 as soon as I had enough money.  I saved my first two month's pay checks so there would be something to fall back on (that's accumulating interest) if I need it in the future.

I was amazed some people spent 200+ on groceries where I work.  Its good for me since I get paid but I can see the price of everyday items making disposable income almost nonexistent.

[daywane]

Back when I first started this MAME project I easily had money to burn. I don't know how, I just did.

yep that is how I am now,
the only great thing about my Mame projects is I went into a collecting stage. for at least 2 years I did nothing but buy stuff for Mame.
all boxed in totes in attic.
also empty cabs. (in barn)

the arcades will not be show room quality as hoped, but all will be perfectly functionable and be newly painted black.
yep even my MsPac 
I hope to add silver or gold T molding to all but MsPac I have 2 new hot pink T moldings. One for her and a spare
 
I was just wandering if the rest of you guys were felling the pinch like I am or did I just screw up and get cought with my pants down

[RTSDaddy2]

I can relate - with the new job comes some money woes as we're going to have to follow a budget a lot more tightly than before (I dropped about 12K in this move, but that's ok). 

I must have the best wife in the world - either that or one that really understands me well.  We've always had a place in our budget for gaminng, from the time we started our first cabinet.  It also serves as backup money if we need it.

[Ginsu Victim]

My newest console is a PS2, and I didn't get one until around 2004 (used).

I preferred sinking the money into my new arcade cabinet. $700 well spent.

[fjl]

I was just wandering if the rest of you guys were felling the pinch like I am or did I just screw up and get cought with my pants down

A little of both.

By the way, the dog in your avatar looks similar to my dog, who sadly, passed away recently. 
Could you explain the message below your avatar?

[danny_galaga]

i think your area is feeling the pinch now, while a lot of the world isnt. but, many many people are used to spending more than they can afford and its all going to catch up with them in the end. i think Blanka raised a good point since we are on a forum dedicated to the past. buying older consoles can be just as fun. im still having so much fun with my N64 that i bought last year (my first console!) that i dont think ill buy anything new for a while now.

relatively speaking though, prices are pretty good for the new stuff. i recently bought an old sega megadrive cart on ebay. when i received it, i found the original price tag. how much for a console game in 1990? 35 pounds! australias exchange rate back then makes it about 70 bucks! to compare, a top shelf wii game is about 90 bucks here right now...

it sucks youve gone down in pay. ive known that feeling. hope something good comes your way. there are snippets of good around in the auto industry ive noticed:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080525/ap_on_bi_ge/border_bus_plant

[Blanka]

And European car makers think of moving production to US because of the low dollar.

[Dartful Dodger]

I agree.  I was saving up for a European vacation.  A cousin of mine was getting married in Ireland this year.  As the date got closer and it was time for me to buy a ticket I started seeing the high cost of airfare the dollar to Euro exchange rate and I realized it was going to cost me three times as much as I'd like to spend on a vacation.

I haven't bought a new console since the ps1(and that one I bought from a guy who worked at Best Buy who "found" it behind a dumpster after work).  I just played Rockband and that vacation money was burning a hole in my pocket so...

The only ps3 games I have are Motor Storm(came with the system), Rockband and GTA.  60-70 bucks for a game is ridiculous.  I have a couple ps2 games I bought for it, but I think 30 bucks is still a lot for me to spend on a game.  I don’t need to see cloud reelections in the roof of cars and the rain doesn’t have to look real, if Rockband was released for the Wii when I bought my PS3 I’d have used that vacation money to buy a Wii AND an Area 51 or a Vitual Cop arcade cabinet instead.

The games look and play great.  It makes the ps2 game look like crud.  It’s one of those upgrades you don’t think you need, but when you have it you can’t go back.

[daywane]

  [/quote]      By the way, the dog in your avatar looks similar to my dog, who sadly, passed away recently. 
Could you explain the message below your avatar?
[/quote]

My beloved dog was killed by a car. I live deep in the country out here.
Cars drive way to fast here. Someday it will be a child.

Just my way to play with the boy still... since I come here all the time.. he is still with me.

still hard at times to deal with. I fell for you. I will post a link for you...
be warned you will cry but it does help.

link to how my avatar came to be
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=77555.0

link to rainbow ridge (will choke you up... I don't care how tuff you are but well worth the read) Thanks again RTSDaddy2
http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

[SavannahLion]

link to rainbow ridge (will choke you up... I don't care how tuff you are but well worth the read) Thanks again RTSDaddy2
http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

I lived right up from Rainbow Bridge.

I feel your pain. My GF just recently lost her dog as well. Both our dogs split a loose fence board I've been meaning to fix. The lunkhead Springer went straight for the neighbors garbage, the lab mix was hit by a passing car. We spent nearly a week trying to find her before we learned of the death. It was absolutely crushing to our family. I had to leave work for four days because I just couldn't keep everything together. I salvaged the ruined fence board and intend to build a shadow box for her collar and a picture frame.

Despite well meaning intentions, our city is definitely not friendly to lost animals. The local CL was filled with bickering lost pet owners and ---punks---. City ordinance is set up in such a way that it's nearly impossible to notify your neighborhood of missing pets (not everyone uses PetFinder  ). Just recently my GF's sister just had her cat stolen right out of her home and the police won't file a theft report. No loss of money involved they say.

Back to the topic at hand. I'm seeing a lot of my friends complaining about the cost of consoles as well. They still consume games like mad, they're just not buying all the consoles in this go around. In my clique, PS3 is the worse off since no one has a hack for it. Very few of us have the Wii so it's the 360 that almost everyone has. Modded 360's and downloaded games.  I would love to take part in the 360 binge, but paying for the baby takes a higher priority than my gaming.  Can't wait until he's old enough to play games, then I would have an excuse to buy them again.

[Edgedamage]

First thing you NEVER buy a console when it first hits the market. Wait for a good deal, I got lucky when a co worker said he was bored of his 360. I got his machine with two wireless controllers and the 10gig hdd for for $200 and I can pay him $50 each pay. Also I got GTA 4 for $30 from a co worker who hated it. I just finished making own VGA cable for the 360 the games look great running at 1280x1024.

[ark_ader]

I have a mate that gets every console out there and games galore.  He has house and kids and other commitments and to be honest- cannot fathom how he does it.

I on the other hand I'm liquid and should be able to drop $500 on a console without a second thought.

But I don't.

I haven't played through my two PSPs with games yet (30 and counting), my old xbox is getting more use than my PC, and I have PC games sitting on the shelf waiting to get some play.

The projects I'm currently building and work keeps me busy too.

So what is the point paying for all that when I can play with what I have and wait until the prices drop (as they always do) and get the PS3. 

But before I can get a PS3 I need a 50" Bravia, as I won't play it on my pokey 20" TV.  I also need to add the Bose surround sound system too, so we are looking at 3K at least.  Sucky sound and screen will not do.  So I guess my PSPs will get some use in the mean time.

Oh did I say I wanted a new car too?

Hmmmm....  I think I will wait.   

[Paul Olson]

I sold a bunch of stuff on CL to buy a used 360 Elite on CL. It is nice getting rid of stuff you haven't used in years 

I always used to wait for the $150 price point until this generation, but I am glad I jumped in now on the 360, and still kinda glad I got the wii last year. The 360 blows away every other console I have owned. My modded xbox has not been turned on at all. The 360 is doing a good job of replacing XBMC, the tv shows I download look better, and I haven't had any sync issues at all. And then there is Rock Band: the most expensive game I have ever bought, and worth every penny. This game is just plain fun. Even my girlfriend played for about 6 hours this weekend. Very cool.

I don't know what is going to happen with the economy. I have been working and going to school full time for the last 2 years, and it is pretty much wearing me out. So, I am going to try to work part time next semester: that will make things tight, but hopefully life will be more enjoyable. I'm not gonna worry too much about that for now. For the first time, I am taking the summer off from school, and I am going to relax a bit. And I'm gonna rock...hard! 

[Dizzle]

This topic got me thinking.  $399 for a PS3/$250 for a Wii/$349 for an Xbox 360 is still nothing compared to the amounts of money a lot of people on this board drop on their arcade machines.  Have you seen some of these creations?! 

I guess the bottom line is, regardless of the economy, people will always find money for the things they love to do and everyone will prioritize things differently.  I cringe at the thought of dropping $2500 on a TV, but the people who do probably think others are nuts for what they spend on other stuff.

Just a thought.   

[SavannahLion]

But before I can get a PS3 I need a 50" Bravia, as I won't play it on my pokey 20" TV.  I also need to add the Bose surround sound system too, so we are looking at 3K at least.  Sucky sound and screen will not do.

Forget Bose. I don't know what's been up with them lately. Google "Bose sucks" to see what I mean.

I used to think Bose was the bee's knees until someone clued me in to trying out some other speakers. Once I knew what to look for, I started playing around with the Bose system I had. In the store, Bose sounded loud and clear, at home, no matter how much effort I put into tweaking it, I just couldn't get it to measure up. I eventually got rid of the Bose system my Ex bought and pulled my old 1990's era wood box speakers out of storage. I'm much happier with the dynamic range it offers. Still not up to par with true professional level equipment, and they're like huge dinosaurs crouching next to our brand new entertainment cabinet, but they do the job well enough. Even with the crappy 90 watt driver, the wood boxes shake the chandelier. I had a hard time getting the Bose to do that.

[AtomSmasher]

Hehe, I knew as soon as I saw he said Bose someone would come in and say they suck.  I had the complete opposite experience you had, in that I had nice, but older wooden box speakers and switched to bose speakers, and it was a world of difference.  It might be Bose makes a crappy receiver or complete 5.1 setup or something, all I know is I like the bose speakers I have much better then my previous speakers (and I'm told my previous speakers were fairly top of the line at one point)

[shmokes]

Bose sucks monkey balls.  When you buy a set of Bose speakers you are paying top dollar for top quality marketing.  They advertise in every magazine out there and put billboards all over the place, and they design pretty equipment.  But they suck balls compared to other similarly priced equipment.  As in, they are not even playing in the same league. 

Bravias are good.  Great, even.  But they're way overpriced.  I notice that you didn't say, "I need a good flat panel and speaker system," but rather, "I need a Bravia and a Bose system."  That screams, "I am a sucker for marketing."  If you want the best TV on the market you want a Pioneer Kuro II (not sure if it's hit the shelves yet, but it's nearest competitor is the Pioneer Kuro).  A nice Panasonic plasma will probably also give you a better picture than the Bravia.  Aside from that Sharp and Samsung both make excellent LCD monitors.  But if you're set on a Sony, at least you will be getting an excellent (if overpriced) picture.  As for the speakers, you're just fixing to pay loads of money for absolute mediocrity.  Bose has never made great speakers, but lately they've been getting worse and worse.  You're buying nothing but a name.

[AtomSmasher]

I just did a little searching for reviews on the speakers I have (Bose 201, which I got as a present a few years ago) and the general consensus seems to be they are completely average, not great, but not horrible.  I get the feeling a lot of people hate bose more then they deserve simply because they market themselves like crazy.

[shardian]

How do people afford new systems? Well it mostly boils down to priorities.

Just because some people HAVE these systems does not mean they can AFFORD them. Granted, some people have plenty of throw away money, but most do not but choose to invest it in fancy stuff.

Take me for instance: I could live in an apartment and afford all of these things. Instead, my priority is my home that we invest extra capital into renovations and improvements each year.

Then there are people like my best friend: He has a PS3, is currently building a $10k drag strip truck, wears all retail brand new clothes, eats out all the time with desert and appetizer (which he throws half away regularly). He also has tens of thousands of dollars of debt that he keeps building on. His answer: sign up for another few years in the Army Guard and take another tour in Iraq - even though he HATES it, and was nearly killed on his previous tour by an IED.

Like I said: Priorities.

[fjl]

Pfft, debt. I don't even believe in credit. For me anything I buy with my credit cards I pay off at the end of the month. I never buy anything that I know I wont be able to pay off when the bill comes. Only time I ever did that was back when I had my 0% introductory rate. Other than that I make sure I have absolutely no debt. I was going to buy a house recently and I qualified for it, turns out I had a perfect and high credit score. I ended up not buying the house though do to circumstances and really I didn't feel ready. Maybe in another year but definitely I qualify and can afford it. And that's because I take care of my finances. In a previous post I mentioned that I don't have as much money as I used to, but at least I'm up above my means and have no debts of any kind.

If I wanted to, I could go buy a PS3 and a 360 plus a copy of GTA4 for each system. But I rather save the money for a rainy day or to invest in something.

[ark_ader]

Bose sucks monkey balls.  When you buy a set of Bose speakers you are paying top dollar for top quality marketing.  They advertise in every magazine out there and put billboards all over the place, and they design pretty equipment.  But they suck balls compared to other similarly priced equipment.  As in, they are not even playing in the same league. 

Bravias are good.  Great, even.  But they're way overpriced.  I notice that you didn't say, "I need a good flat panel and speaker system," but rather, "I need a Bravia and a Bose system."  That screams, "I am a sucker for marketing."  If you want the best TV on the market you want a Pioneer Kuro II (not sure if it's hit the shelves yet, but it's nearest competitor is the Pioneer Kuro).  A nice Panasonic plasma will probably also give you a better picture than the Bravia.  Aside from that Sharp and Samsung both make excellent LCD monitors.  But if you're set on a Sony, at least you will be getting an excellent (if overpriced) picture.  As for the speakers, you're just fixing to pay loads of money for absolute mediocrity.  Bose has never made great speakers, but lately they've been getting worse and worse.  You're buying nothing but a name.

Ok I ment a good flat screen and a good sound system for my future PS3.   

I'm a sucker for small speakers.   I went to my local Sams Club and fell in love with a 40" Bravia for $1200.  Yet I was also in my local Wally Mart and was impressed with the Sony 5.1 system they had on display for $499.  So I'm slightly better off than my original 3K estimate.

You need a big screen for the PS3, but regular TV looks like poop on the Bravia.  Good job I don't watch much of it.  Yet my Bro's Mitsubishi DLP 50" looks the business, but the constant fan noise would drive me nuts (even if you guys think I am already  )

There is a Bose outlet store at Beltz mall here in Vegas, which I could get a demo and pay 20% less for a refurb...

I would buy a Wii if I could get my hands on one.  The local Wally Mart had 40 all gone by the end of day.  Now that is marketing for you!

[SavannahLion]

I have articles dated sometime in the late 60's and early 70's and Bose speakers were given very good ratings. It wasn't until sometime in the 80's (I think) that Bose's quality went downhill. By the 90's, Bose was generally considered junk. Probably due to pressures from those stupid catalogues to lower the wholesale cost of crap then charge a premium for it to the consumer. Unfortunately, I've never even heard, much less seen, anything Bose pre-90's, so I have no idea how they compare to the more modern speakers.

If it's any consolation, Bose is slated to leave the speaker market entirely (or nearly so) and shift their focus into pure audio R&D once Amar dies. One market Amar supposedly wants Bose to enter is the automotive industry in the form of new suspension systems. I'm not entirely sure how they intend to make money though. From what I've read, they seem to want to mold themselves around Porsche's business model. Whatever, I still won't buy a Bose.

[Edgedamage]

I have worked in the professional audio industry for the past 10 years. Now maybe the professional audio industry never heard of bose because I have NEVER seen bose used ever in a professional audio mixing booth or theater. Hey at least bose sounds better than those speakers you get from the "white van scam". 

[solderguy1]

I actually think systems and games are relatively cheap now.  If you play with an inflation calculator, paying $200 in 1982 for an Atari 2600 and $40 per cartridge was more expensive. 

[daywane]

I actually think systems and games are relatively cheap now.  If you play with an inflation calculator, paying $200 in 1982 for an Atari 2600 and $40 per cartridge was more expensive. 

Could you buy a decent computer with an LCD monitor and printer for $400 in 1982?

You can now.

that's more how I fell... PCs are going down in price
consoles are going up as each new one comes out.

I also get a new console when I can get it for $100 or a bit more.
Problem with that is, games are soon no longer able to rent.
you can buy cheep at Ebay , but you are not sure if you even like the game.
PS2 is the exception for now

[shmokes]

the general consensus seems to be they are completely average, not great, but not horrible. 

The only thing more tired than Bose marketing is people bitching about Bose.  You might pay too much but you'll get a decent product.  If the speakers were truly junk . . .

"Absolute mediocrity," were the words I used to describe Bose speakers.  I said they suck balls compared to similarly priced equipment.  There's just no excuse for paying exorbitant prices for something that is, and for decades has been, "average" or "a decent product".  If Bose stayed exactly the same, but lowered their price to match their quality they'd be fine.  That is why people ---smurfette--- about Bose.  

And by the way, pinball, one thing I find more tiring than people trying to help others out by cluing them into the realities of Bose quality, is people who defend Bose with tool-worthy lines like, "You might pay [way] too much, but you'll get a decent product."  Not exactly the most persuasive argument I've ever heard.  Try these; I came up with them just now, "How about get speakers just as good for a fraction of the cost," or, "You can get vastly superior speakers for that amount of money."  Don't those just have a nicer ring to them than your argument?  

[shmokes]

that's more how I fell... PCs are going down in price
consoles are going up as each new one comes out.

Perhaps, but that $400 computer ain't gonna play Bioshock or Crysis or any other new game.  A gaming PC still costs well in excess of a grand, and if they're coming down in price, they're still not coming close to consoles.  A PC capable of playing PS3/360-quality games still costs 3x-4x what those consoles cost.  Now, it may be a better overall value, since you get word processing, internet-browsing, photo-editing, etc., but no matter how you dice it, consoles are still a damned sight less expensive than gaming PCs.

[AtomSmasher]

"Absolute mediocrity," were the words I used to describe Bose speakers.  I said they suck balls compared to similarly priced equipment.  There's just no excuse for paying exorbitant prices for something that is, and for decades has been, "average" or "a decent product".  If Bose stayed exactly the same, but lowered their price to match their quality they'd be fine.  That is why people ---smurf--- about Bose.  

So we agree, they are decent speakers, but nothing spectacular.  What exactly is the problem again?  Oh right, they cost too much.  Well I got my speakers for free, so I can't really comment about how much they cost and you might notice that ark_ader said he would buy them from an outlet store, which at the very least would put them at the same price as comparable speakers (assuming he doesn't have an outlet store nearby for a different speaker brand) which should remove any problems you have with him buying the speakers.  He probably could find better speakers for less from an online store, but shipping on speakers has got to be really high which would probably negate any possible savings.

Honestly all I know about Bose speakers is that the ones that I have sound significantly better then my previous, supposedly high end (but older) speakers, so they can't be as bad as most people say they are (and I'm not talking about you shmokes since you agree they are at least average).

[Samstag]

Make sure you get some Monster Cable to connect those Bose speakers, or you won't be doing them justice.

[shmokes]

Taking 20% off the top (for refurbs, no less) is not enough to hit a price-point that matches the quality of his speakers.  Bose didn't develop its reputation for marking their speakers up a tiny bit.  Equivalent speakers can easily be purchased for less than half, maybe a quarter the cost of a set of Bose speakers.  

I don't really know how to respond to your last line.  You say that most people say they are terrible, but in your last post you said:

. . . the general consensus seems to be they are completely average, not great, but not horrible. 

It seems to me that my assessment accords pretty well with the general consensus.  They are mediocre speakers with astronomically high prices.  If you're happy with your free speakers, and why wouldn't you be, then that's fine.  I suspect that the average person will find Bose speakers to be perfectly adequate.  But the average Bose buyer incorrectly thinks he is buying high-end equipment.  I am simply trying to help someone to not pay high-end prices for perfectly adequate equipment.  He should either actually get high end equipment or he should pay a perfectly adequate price for his perfectly adequate equipment.  I honestly don't see why such a concept is so inflammatory.

[patrickl]

Isn't Bose more about design and small units with (sort of) big sound. I guess you suffer some in higher price and lower performance, but if design and small units is important then that might be a worthy trade? Not everyone is only looking for the best sound for the buck.

[AtomSmasher]

I don't really know how to respond to your last line.  You say that most people say they are terrible, but in your last post you said:

. . . the general consensus seems to be they are completely average, not great, but not horrible. 

It seems to me that my assessment accords pretty well with the general consensus.

You didn't have to respond to it since it wasn't aimed at anything you said.  The general consensus of actual reviews is that they are average, but I have heard for years from lots of different people (pretty much anyone I've ever heard that had something to say about Bose, but not actual reviewers) that Bose is garbage with some of the worst speakers there are.  Those are the people I am referring to and is why I specifically pointed out that I wasn't talking about you.

Also, I don't feel their bookshelf speakers are as horribly overpriced as you think (their models range from $150-300), although their floorstanding ones probably are.

[shmokes]

Isn't Bose more about design and small units with (sort of) big sound. I guess you suffer some in higher price and lower performance, but if design and small units is important then that might be a worthy trade? Not everyone is only looking for the best sound for the buck.

Lots of companies make small, stylish speakers, though.  It's not like Bose patented inconspicuous design.  Buying Bose is akin to buying Sky Vodka.  People think that they're getting something really good, because they see it everywhere and because they're paying so much for it.  They're not getting Popov by any stretch of the imagination, but they're still spending far more than they should be for what they are getting.