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Originally Posted by rhadin
Don't assume by "children" I meant only children who are very young and living in the household. I'm in my 60s and my 85-year-old parents still consider me a child and often buy me holiday gifts that they think I will like and really have no use for.
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So your parents don't know you very well?? Maybe you should implement a Christmas list program with them, so they have some idea of what you like and what you need.
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Originally Posted by rhadin
And yes, the economy is in bad shape everywhere, but if you don't think parents will spend $350 on a holiday gift for their child, well . . . as you said, you don't have children.
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Oh, I think that parents will probably spend $350 on a holiday gift. Do I think that they will blow the whole wad on a single gift for a child who doesn't read ... and that gift will be a Kindle?? Ummm .... no. Not when the child is demanding the latest game, iPod, HD TV or other gadget that they really do want.
And, I don't particularly think that parents who are 85 and have 60 year old children are going to be trying to stimulate them to read. If you aren't a reader by the time you are 60, then you are a lost cause.
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Originally Posted by rhadin
And you would be surprised how many parents whose children aren't interested in reading will buy a reading device in hopes of stimulating that interest. There is a big niche market for that kind of product (ie, products that stimulate reading and education).
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Yes there are, and in a more vibrant economy, people pour lots of money into crap like that ... which mostly doesn't work. In a bad economy, parents (who have any brains) tend to give serious thought to whether or not a gift will be of any use or provide some actual enjoyment to their children.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhadin
And, finally, don't forget the status factor. Many parents won't want to be viewed as not provided their children with the "best" -- isn't that what accounts for the $200 sneakers, the iPhones, and similar product sales to those younger than 16 years of age?
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And many parents are now deep (deep) in debt because they have fallen prey to the "status factor." As I said before, and I'll stay again ... anyone who buys something they
do not need, do not like, and will not use simply because someone else (ooooo, Oprah!!) thinks it's cool .... is a complete and utter moron. I think there are some complete and utter morons who will buy Kindles and then let them gather dust ... and I hope to purchase one or two of those when they end up on eBay at a deep discount. I just don't think it will be the massive groundswell of moronic behavior that you think will occur.
I suppose we'll see.