Re: Va. Laptop Sale Turns Into a Stampede


"E/C Annie" <cab1965@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1124278375.922738.221540@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> JonesieCat wrote:
>> "tiny dancer" <tinydancer@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:eVtMe.9907$xW.5225@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> > Va. Laptop Sale Turns Into a Stampede
>>
>> [Article intact below.] Wow. Isn't the seller liable in this sort of
>> situation? With the way people were lining up from the night before, and
>> the
>> crush of people there before the place opened, seems like they ought to
>> have
>> had way better crowd control. If it was a freak, unexpected mob scene,
>> that's one thing, but when they begin gathering hours ahead of time, and
>> there isn't enough product to satisfy everyone... Seems like somebody
>> shoulda thought this thru better. JC
>>
>>
> This whole thing makes me embarrassed to be a resident of Henrico Co.
> This sale was scheduled for Aug. 9, but Henrico Co. residents raised
> such noise that the *rules* were changed to *county residents only*.
> However, this $50 sale was widely publicized over the web. The sellers
> had at least a week's notice of how much these 1000 laptops were
> wanted. Hindsight says a simple ticket to purchase as folks lined up
> would have prevented a stampede. Hopefully, no one was seriously
> injured. BTW, scalping was occurring as purchasers walked out with
> their laptop - ARGH. Somehow, I wish these laptops could have gone to
> kids who don't have the luxury of most. We have plenty of needy kids
> in Richmond. annie

Scalpers are always on the lookout aren't they. Gawd! What a shame the
laptops couldn't have gone to kids who need them and can't afford them, like
you say. It appears that whoever tried to org this thing just wasn't
experienced at it. A lottery system would have been another way for it to be
handled. Hindsight is great, isn't it? Or - if they'd raised the prices,
even doubled them, the crowd would have been considerably reduced (not that
it would have helped the poor get a computer of course). Anyhow, just lucky
there were no fatalities. I still bet there were some serious injuries -
lawsuits not far off.

JC (and don't be embarrassed - by and large, we all live in communities very
like yours)


> High interest in Henrico's $50 laptops causes sale to move to RIR
> By From NBC12 News
> WWBT-TV
> Since they announced the sale of surplus I-book computers, Henrico
> school officials say they have received 1,500 to 2,000 emails and phone
> calls seeking information. The county school system announced it was
> moving the sale to Richmond International Raceway. Don't even think
> about camping out the night before, that's not allowed.
>
> Even though this sale is still days away, Henrico Schools public
> relations department was worried there wouldn't be enough space to
> accommodate everyone, so the surplus sale was moved.
>
> People say they're coming from as far away as Massachusetts and
> California, spending hundreds of dollars on airfare to buy a laptop
> computer for the advertised price of $50.
>
> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8732126/
>
> "NOTICE - Public sale of iBooks for the general community has been
> moved from August 9th to August 16th and now the iBooks will only be
> available for residents and taxpayers of Henrico County
>
> The Henrico County iBook sale scheduled for August 9th has been
> changed. A sale open to Henrico County residents and taxpayers ONLY
> will be held on August 16th at the Richmond International Raceway.
>
> The main gate will open at 7 a.m. and the sale begins at 9 a.m.
> Overnight parking and camping will be prohibited.
>
> One thousand laptops will be available on a first-come first-serve
> basis - limit one per person. The cost is $50 each. Cash or personal
> checks will be accepted." http://www.henrico.k12.va.us/ibooksale/
>


.

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