There is a certain category of item, mostly personal electronics stuff, that although in theory I would love to own, in practice, when it really comes down to it, I will opt against parting with the money. Examples of this are: the Playstation 3 (would love to have, but will simply not buy), a really nice gaming laptop, the Nintendo WII, a color laser printer, a large flatscreen TV, those nice $200 noise-cancelling headphones that they sell at the Apple store (forgot the brand — Bose? Harman Kardon?).
Although the reasons for this are mostly financial (e.g. $200 for a set of headphones!), sometimes it is not strictly the case. For example it’s not just that paying $400+ for a PS3 is too much money; what worries me, rather, is paying $400 and then not being able to manage the logistics of actually using it. As it is I spend 2-3 hours every day on maintaining and creating content for this blog, plus I have a family and 2 kids (and 2 dogs) to take care of, plus I have a full time job, plus I like to find time to do art/painting (I don’t), plus I have dozens of books and magazines that I would like to read, plus I’m supposed to be building the websites of 2 friends. And although there certainly is a gamer that lurks within me, I have always thought of myself as a PC gamer, more inclined to be playing strategy games such as Civilization IV than console-style games.
So, in effect, the only way for me to own any of the above mentioned items (PS3, $200 headphones, etc.) is for them to just fall into my lap.
Which is how I was faced with my recent dilema: I won a brand-spanking new PS3 console at my company’s Christmas party last week.
The PS3 came with a receipt, and therefore I could either (a) keep it, or (b) take it back for store credit. After deliberating for some time (with my wife “voting” against keeping the thing) I decided to take it back. Now I have some $440 of credit at Best Buy that I can use to get whatever I like, and I’m thinking about what I should I get instead.
I’m considering those $200 headphones 
!
I have had the same deli ma as you (although not the luck of a p3 falling into my lap)… Time is always strapped as I am trying to get my website off the ground and podcast.. so always being on the go….
I recently purchased a Wii, however after some time returned it because I simply do not have the time to work it in (same boat wanting to read, write etc..). I then purchased a Zune 80… skeptical at first being an Ipod user, I have simply come to love it. I have ripped/converted most of my DVD content (using freeware I might add) to my Zune, with all my 1200 songs and the most important feature of being podcasts are sectioned out…. the Zune handles the podcast element very well as I have a ton of them I subscribe to and of course I have converted all of my music to DRM free (using another freeware program!). If you are like me having all your content on one device because I am always on the go, I would vote for the Zune 80. A surprise for me as I never gave the Zune a second look until now. Great screen, podcast – video/audio are handled well, FM tuner blah blah…. the firmware/menu system is also great. And yes I did put my hands on the iPod touch, however I tend to purchase on what I need and not the name…. plus there is a big price difference from 8 – 80 gigs of space…. iPhone makes more sense then the touch (if you have the money).
I might add I am not a MS fanboy either…. but of course those headphones would be great as well
I would go for trying to buy a Wii. I recently borrowed one for the weekend and it was great playing it with my two girls. They are 7 and 5 and they were able to master the controls very quickly. My wife who is not into video games at all loved the Wii so much we made getting one for christmas a priority because it made gaming a family thing.
The kids would love the Wii, I bet. Especially if they’re younger. Now you have some cash!
A buddy of mine (also in his 40s) has been after me for a year to get an Xbox 360. I used to LOVE to game, but looking back, I bet I spent 3 hours a day on it. I’m busier than ever and really care too much for my wife to do that to her, so I guess I’ll stick to playing Tiger Woods golf once a week on my laptop.
I say skip the headphones. Unless, of course, you need to cancel some noise. Internet-downloaded MP3s and streaming audio don’t offer very good quality, so $200 headphones are probably overkill.
Now a nice, new LCD for the bedroom would make the wife happy. “Desperate Housewives” in HD would make her fall in love with you all over again!
Personally, I would go for nice speakers or a new car stereo.. or a really good dishwasher. Those are things that I know I’d use– your reasons for not getting a PS3 are the same as mine for not getting any new video game system.
I would have taken it back also. I am more of a pc gamer. As for the 440 credit at best buy, I am thinking I would go nuts on extras for my puter, external drive, external burner, extra monitors, etc….
Thats just me.
btw…supurb site, Have been a daily visitor since finding it.
Hi
I envy you for that $440 credit – lucky man. But I think you deserve if for this wonderful blog you are writing.
I used to share your views on buying stuff that I won’t use. But one item on which I disagree is the Wii – I bought it, and believe me, my wife uses it as mcuh as I do – it allows us to spend time together, which is fantastic.
You hit it on the head, Samer. There are quite a few things I’ve thought about buying (PS3 and XBox included) that I just can’t seem take the last step in dropping the cashish. I, too, am more of a strategy guy, but I hardly ever play those games…why would I drop 4-hundo on a console that I know I’d hardly use. Case and point – when the Xbox 360 came out I bought the older model from a friend for $60. I played a number of games and a week later sold it back to him for $50. I’d rather buy a new lens for my camera, or maybe winter tires my car needs.
Great insight, thanks for sharing. You’re not alone!!
Wow, that is a dilemma. I am here to help you. Send the PS3 to me and I will relieve you of the vexing question.
I want a Wii too
Ipod Touch rocks
At 43 almost 44 (Jan 15th) I too would like a X-Box 360, 42″ HD Flat Screen TV,Wacom Tablet for my art. More than 2 GB for my current PC, Another External Hard Drive. And few more monitors, and the Nvidia PCI-e Video card to run them.
What I do is “wait.” For the price to drop!, Then pray I have the money to go and buy them.
Aww you are lucky!
I agree, I havent played console games really since the PS1! and im a teenager with supposedly loads of spare time.
You made the right choice taking it back to the store! Your kids would love a wii. I bought one recently, but being a techie geek like yourself, and studying at college, and working at the weekends, i have very little time to do much!
As for the noise canceling headphones, they are awsum! I had some sony ones that came WITH the MP3 player i got. it was only £60, which is about $30 if im not much mistaken, and this was sony quality… or so i thought. It was sony, but in the shops it was £120 (still damm gd price) but as it was on amazon, i thought it would be fine.
Headphones broke after 6 months, and amazon said that i had to settle it with the seller, who said that the headphones were consumables (like batteries basically) which is a big fat lie!
So, I got them replaced, and then 6 months later they broke again. The fault was in the wirering, and the left headphone would loose its volume.
Noise canceling headphones are amazing! I think that sony hadnt got the mix quite right though. They were inbuilt into the MP3 player, meaning no big awful box type thing half way down the headphones. (extra blip in the jack, clever stuff).
Sadly now you cant buy the MP3 player anymore, as they have new ones to sell. So i had to settle for one of those.
Theres my little story for you.
It depends how often you listen to music in crowded loud areas. If every day, then dont wait any longer, go the shop right now. If once a week, probably not worth it. Just get ones that have good all round sound.
Ill be intreeged to know
Rel
I have to say, the Wii is the best bet. We spent Thanksgiving with some friends who had one. We were there for 5 days, and almost the entire time was spent on the Wii. The adults honestly spent more time on the system then the kids did. It is truly an excellent system. When we got back, I spent 3 hours standing in line at Best Buy to get one, but get one I did. Totally worth it. Have a Merry Christmas everyone!
folding@home makes PS3 worthwhile if you don’t have time to play games
My PS3 is gathering dust (same dilemma…great games, but no time). However it is still worth it because I run folding@home on it 24/7 (see http://folding.stanford.edu/)…so I hope I am helping solve Parkinson’s/Alzheimer’s, but also the PS3 helps heat my apartment in winter (live in Boston).
Great post Samer.
As a fellow coworker and another winner of the other PS3 they gave out I totally agree with you to an extent.
I took mine back as well and in return got myself a nice digital camera which I’d get more use out of.
I already have a 360 and a great gaming PC. I didn’t want to be buying games for two consoles especially when everyone I personally know play on the 360.
If I were in your shoes though, I’d skip the Wii, the headphones and buy an Xbox 360.
Not that the Wii’s not a fun system for you and the family but simply out of my own personal greed, this way you can play xBox live with the rest of the gang and send the kiddies out to play because they should be getting fresh air and not taking up valuable time in front of the tv which you could be spending playing the Xbox with us
Great site btw. Keep up the good work.
I am glad you won. I love this site!
Think you site rocks and am happy for you that you won …dilemma or not!
I second two suggestions, the Zune 80 and the iPod Touch. I recently bought the Zune 30 and have found the earphones to be incredible. And those that come with the Zune 80 are supposedly even better. No, I do not work for Microsux.
Take some time and live in the analog. We all obviously spend enough time in the digital world. Use the money to hire a babysitter and then show your wife you still can play the game of love. Take her out for a nice weekend. I’ll bet that later she will support you in your decision to get that much desired electronic goodie. I love your site. Keep up the good work.
I feel the same way, i would love to have a smartphone, but I already have a netbook & a PSP (good quality gaming device, video player & music player)
I like to collect things more than playing with them. Actually the people that enjoy with my consoles are my nephews (I’m married, no kids tough).
I like to talk with my wife about how wonderful is any gizmo, but she feel that i’m telling her to buy it for me, but it’s not the case… well… maybe… but it’s pointless because i don’t have the time to use them :/