VIDEO.DESTRUCTOID   |   JAPANATOR   |   TOMOPOP
Destructoid is obsessive about gaming news.
Home #PSP


Woman buys a $1000 PSP, says she was 'shocked' photo

Remember when you were younger and your parents bought you Tecmo: Secret of the Stars instead of Tecmo Super Bowl? In Singapore, a mother bought her daughter a $1000 PlayStation Portable complete with a “license” for software. A salesman obviously keen on the mother’s pocketbook and negligible knowledge of the PSP performed the dupe at a shop in Signapore. The man first offered her a $3,550 PSP, complete with antivirus software. The mother, seeking a deal, eventually narrowed the price down to the $2,600. After getting the gadget home, she realized she was duped and insisted on the ultimately fair price of $1,000.

When the local newspaper asked the mother for comment, she said her friends “all say I’m so stupid.” Of course, they probably said that even louder after the mother admitted that she knew that other retailers were selling the PSP at retail cost. She said she was afraid to walk away from the clerk’s false promises because it would have been “irresponsible.”

This is probably just me, but does this not seem absolutely insane? Being cornered and feeling obligated to buy something is what we all deal with when we walk into a GameStop. Being sold something overpriced knowingly is a completely different issue. This story makes me remember all the terrible games my mother used to come home with when I was younger. What was the worst “deal” or game-related present your parents purchased for you?


Continue reading: More PSP stories





39 comments | showing # 1 to 39
prev next

The-Excel's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:02
The-Excel

I wish I could be that shocked.
MechaMonkey's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:06
MechaMonkey
If they were smart, everyone she knows would pressure her into buying inane items from them for exorbitant prices.
eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:09
eternalplayer2345
This is like a bad joke
"new game 200 dollars!"
"that's outrageous!"
"Ok, Ok 150"
"sold!"
Cartman's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:09
Cartman
If that was my mom, i would have hunted the salesman down and make him eat his parents.
Furnimus's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:13
Furnimus
@Cartman: Lol like Cartman did to that one kid on the South Park with the chili?

@ Story: What a retard parent. Ever heard of price research? I'm glad my parents are smarter. When my mom bought me a laptop she got a Toshiba with 1 gig of Ram, 15 inch screen, dual core processor and 120 gig HD for 300 dollars brand new.
pendelton21's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:14
pendelton21
I hope she got the enhanced firewall like I did for my DS.
Corak's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:14
Corak
I'll hire this salesman.
Blind assassin's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:14
Blind assassin
Despite being extremely anti-feminist I do feel sort of sorry for what was likely a bad person preying on a stupid and vulnerable woman.

Obligatory niceties aside, I really don't know how someone can would willingly do severe damage to their bank account out of a misguided desire to not hurt the salesman's feelings.
BahamutZero's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:15
BahamutZero
worst game purchase? well, my parents bought me a SNES when I was 11.

JUST KIDDING. my dad had killer taste in games
Nand69's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:15
Nand69
My mom bought 'lair'

That says enough
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:17
king3vbo
SHOCKING
heretrix's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:19
heretrix
"Being cornered and feeling obligated to buy something is what we all deal with when we walk into a GameStop"

God, I love when that happens.The look I get after I completely shut them down is uplifting. Not all of them though. Just the obnoxious ones. Some of the clerks were pretty cool when I used to shop there.
DV2FOX's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:31
DV2FOX
someone give me a Facepalm image Star Track style...
Matlox's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:35
Matlox
Speaking of Gamestop, the very last time I shopped there (last because they sold me Counter-Strike: Source without a cd-key and then refused to replace it), the guy asked me if I wanted to pre-order Wrath of the Lich King. After telling the guy no, he responded with a snide "Awwww, cmon." I didn't know if he was kidding or not, so I just said "I don't play MMOs." The guy, once again, just said "aww cmon," but looking down at the cash register and a bit softer this time. I didn't know whether or not I was supposed to be laughing afterwards, but I did anyways. Turns out the guy wasn't joking, he was just being a douche.

This "aww cmon" incident is still a running joke amongst my friends.
moominsean's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:39
moominsean
maybe it's 1000 singapore dollars, which is probably like $75 US.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:42
Holyetheline
Wow that woman is quite naive.
balth's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:44
balth
I've got a PSP to sell...

Only $500 and it comes with Vista Ultimate!
brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 16:45
brainderailment
I bought a Virtual Boy at Target for $30 biggest rip-off ever.
Syn's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 17:08
Syn
She should've came to me, my PSP has .NET FCL so you can write your own games on it! All for the low low price of a hundred kajillion fafillion gazillion million....yen.

Seriously though, I actually feel bad for this woman. I can think of tons of things that would be better to blow a G on. I'm glad my mom was actually into games so she knew better.
mix's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 17:15
mix
Wow, just wow.
Tyrian3's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 17:22
Tyrian3
Oh my goodness, somebody please call a doctor...a GOOD one!
I fell sorry for her anyway, it's a very stupid thing to do and I bet she feels like crap now.
Iron Gamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 17:49
Iron Gamer
My mom bought me an NES instead of a Sega Genesis... I never apprciated the confusion, until I actually played it. I love when my mom makes mistakes like that...

Mom: "Oh they were all out of wii's so I bought you a PS3 instead..."

Me: ...
AlucardX24's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 18:16
AlucardX24
Here it comes:

gabisthesux's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 18:33
gabisthesux
i got sonic spinball instead of sonic CD one christmas.
DV2FOX's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 18:40
DV2FOX
Thx Aluxard XD
Koholint's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 18:49
Koholint
My dad bought Sonic 2006. But it was like, five bucks.
JonDarkwood's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 18:58
JonDarkwood
That never happened, my parents were smart and, shockingly, they also actually listened when I talked.
Altair78's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 19:55
Altair78
ba dum, tish
SeventhSense's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 20:55
SeventhSense
"Being cornered and feeling obligated to buy something is what we all deal with when we walk into a GameStop."

- I know it's the cool thing online to hate on Gamestop, but if you're getting cornered into buying something then you seriously need to go to a different Gamestop (They don't even make commission, so wtf? lol). The local Gamestops near my house have some of the nicest workers I have met.
parrothead's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/06/2008 21:58
parrothead
It never happened to my parents, but I do have some magic soy beans I would like to sell that lady
vexed alex's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/07/2008 01:16
vexed alex
....
Skylance's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/07/2008 02:34
Skylance
32X. Of course, it wasn't that stupid of her. I was the one who asked for it, after all.
Xymplx's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/07/2008 03:41
Xymplx
"aww cmon" Virtual Boy's not that bad.
Burnt Meatloaf's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/07/2008 04:52
Burnt Meatloaf
I used to sell cameras. When I started working at that job, I could not believe how many people literally just walked into the store to buy a camera, and had no clue what features they wanted, let alone how much the cameras cost.

This was a while ago, but not before Google. I'd imagine things aren't any better today. Thank goodness I don't work retail, anymore.
ry mc's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/07/2008 15:57
ry mc
So is this Singapore Dollars or USD? Big difference. ;) She still got ripped off either way, but much less so if we're talking the actual Singapore $.
Crumpet Lips's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/07/2008 20:32
Crumpet Lips
Hah what a stupid bitch
Krahsh's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/09/2008 02:26
Krahsh

best investment evar!!!!
Ninevolt's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/09/2008 14:12
Ninevolt
my grandma bought me spiderman 2 for the ds....wtf.
Minte3's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/08/2008 19:52
Minte3
-facepalm-

I remember when my gramma got me some dinky sports game (NFL or some crap) instead of FF8. ...Bit of a difference there...
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 



see all
Splinter Cell: Conviction - GameStop Promo
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle - Euro
EVE Online: Tryannis
Majin & The Forsaken Kingdom
Naughty Bear - Aliens Spoof
Transformers War For Cybertron: Matt Tieger
Need For Speed World: Marc De Vellis
Fullmetal Alchemist: To the Promised Day
Destructoid 4th Anniversary Party
Try our new video site: vToid.com





Heavy Rain Chronicles, Chapter 1: The Taxidermist
by Samit Sarkar
Final Fantasy XIII
Pokemon HeartGold / SoulSilver
Calling
Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing
God of War III
Mega Man 10
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Review Recap: February 2010



Why you need to be excited about SpyParty
by Anthony Burch
Plain Sight
Need for Speed World: Race
A mindbending with Poto & Cabenga
Pocket Creatures
Easy Piano
inXile's Hunted
Resident Evil : Zombie Infection (iPhone)
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Frobot




Call for entries

New posts Expand all

New to the c-blogs? Read the survival guide
- The Dtoid Army is 60606 strong -







What classic IP should Sega resurrect?
The hidden truth behind game reviews
Counterpoint: God of War III is too long, boring
The joys of being a videogame reviewer
Gather around old man Niero: Destructoid turns four
The most immature thing we've ever done: The Name Game
Get me results: How to solve the JRPG Grind






tips@destructoid.com
Nick Chester
Editor-in-Chief
Niero
Founder, El Jefe
Jim Sterling
Reviews Editor
Hamza Aziz
Community Manager
Dale North
News Editor
Rey Gutierrez
Destructoid Video EIC
Anthony Burch
Features Editor
Brad Nicholson
Managing Editor
Tom Fronczak Colette Bennett
Ashley Davis Ben Perlee
Conrad
Zimmerman
Chad Concelmo
Jonathan Holmes Jonathan Ross
Brad Rice Jordan Devore
Joseph Leray Matthew Razak
Josh Tolentino
Samit Sarkar
Hollie Bennett Daniel Lingen
Mikey Turvey
   








 
 
  get involved

register or login
post a blog
post a forum
enter a contest
contribute a news tip
suggest a feature
be a guest editor
support

new member's guide
login assistance
tech support
report abuse
email our editors
read our dev blog
nuclear crisis?
keep in touch

RSS feed
Twitter
Facebook
Myspace
Flickr
Game nights
Meetup+play online
seriously

about Destructoid
advertising
terms of use
privacy policy
jobs at MM
buy our crap
our network

Tomopop
Japanator
Despingation?




Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
living the dream since March 16, 2006