People rioting over new Air Jordans - really

$500 on ebay.

 

Doesn't look like the economy is that bad, considering the mobs rushing those malls.

Is stuff ... stuff, mind you ... this freaking important?

 

Beat me to it. The economy must not be as bad as advertised if people can she'll out crazy cash for sneakers. I have a job and still buy half my clothes from Goodwiil

 

People still think the shoes give you more hops, I guess... Nike Air: the greatest gimmick since sliced bread /crossthread

 

How about not underproducing these things so everyone could have one and there would be no need to riot or fight over them?

 

But, but they've got to create the buzz!

Also, how about people act like human beings and start showing a little bit of patience instead of acting like 3-year-olds?

 

It's kind of amusing to me that there were many cities with riots and Chicago wasn't one of them.

 

Do reports of riots and fights over these things really make people want them more?
Is it really a matter of if everyone could have them, nobody would want them?

 

For your first question, yes. People see something they want, they know that there's an alleged limited supply, and they're willing to do anything to get them, including riot. They're worried that they're not going to be "cool" or "hip" (or whatever word passes for that today), if they don't have them, and they're self-esteem is so low, they can't handle not looking cool.

For your second question, I think it's more that people wouldn't be in such a rush to get them if they could get them at anytime they want. They'll just figure that they'll get it after the holidays. But a "limited supply" makes them think they better get them before they won't be able to, and "everyone else" will have them and they'll stick out like sore thumbs.

It reminds me of around 1998, 1999, when I'd see Disney hawking videos announcing "It'll be the last time they will be available in this century!" Oh well, just buy them in 2000 then. But I'm sure that plenty of people panicked and bought them.

 

No one rioted over Dumbo or Snow White.

 

Of course not. But I'm sure people were fooled into rushing out and buying those tapes because it didn't dawn on them that they'd be able to get them the next year anyways.

 

But we did have a few who acted like savages over Cabbage Patch Kids back in the 1980's.