Ok, I admit it, I didn't plan ahead, nor did I really educate myself as to how cool the new Xbox 360 was going to be. So I've pretty much heard from almost every brick and motar store, don't expect to get one (especially the premium one) before March - April.

So I broke down, and ordered one from Game Crazy. I figure if I find one online before then, I can cancel my order. I'm watching sites like www.notifywire.com and xbox.clambert.org. These two sites monitor online retailer stock, and notifywire will even send you email to your email account or phone when an online retailer has the specific model you want, in a price range that you define. (This used to be the notify360.com site, but the developer has abstracted the site out to handle all kinds of products - maybe PSP3?)

So let's get to the extortion. I could have purchased an xbox 360 premium every day this month from retailers like, Amazon, Wal-Mart, Barnes and Noble, or others. The problem is they are selling the units 'bundled' with anywhere from 6 - 10 games, extra controllers, and a ton of other things, that I'm guessing I'll eventually get. The catch? $1000. Yeah a grand.

I know to get into this thing I'll drop at least half of that, and that's already gonna be a purchase that is not going to make me a popular husband for probably a few days, but it's gonna happen.

I understand about supply and demand. I just think that it's crappy that Amazon, and even the horrible Wal-Mart are doing this, just to increase their sales.

Comment on your thoughts, if you have one, if you paid top dollar, etc. I'm curious.