Stockpiling - The Debate is Over

[Grey Acumen]

Sqrl said:

Grey Acumen said:
My definitions:
Stockpiling = holding back ample supply to incite riots over hard to find system that really isn't hard to find
Rationing = allocating limited resources to prevent riots over a hard to find system that really is hard to find

Well to be fair I never claimed it was something that nobody knew but me, I think a lot of people thought there was stockpiling before I had given it any consideration but I know there were plenty of people who vehemently denied it also. I'm not asking for an award or anything for making this post, I'm just trying to write the final chapter in the debate on whether stockpiling exists or not.

Unlike abortion this topic can have a clear correct side. Opinions muck up the works in an abortion discussion but with this it is a zero sum proposition...either one side is correct and the other isn't or vice versa. With an abortion debate there are shades of gray on several points.

As for the terminology, like I said in my OP you can call it what you want but at the end of the day it all amounts to the same thing. The point of the thread isn't to play semantics or parse words with folks its to point out that companies do in fact hold back consoles during the year specifically for the holidays when demand is at its greatest.

I understand that there are differences between stockpiling and rationing but for the purposes of the overall sales picture, but what I am saying that its nitpicking and ultimately detracts from the underlying point uneccessarily.

Yes, I will be perfectly fair, you never did make that claim. I guess I had just so easily dismissed the people who were saying that Wii wasn't holding back stock as merely being confused over the idea that Wii was not holding back stock artificially. Of course Wii has been holding back stock, but in the same way any company with half a brain would when going into a holiday season with limited supply.

I also agree in terms of it being nitpicking in terms of the sales picture, but the arguments I had seen weren't as much sales based as fan faction based, which is why I felt it necessary to point out the difference in my view between stockpiling and rationing.

Those aside, I'd say you accomplished what you intended to do with this thread, so props to you for that.