Leave your credit card to demo the Wii
Rumor has it that only Gamestop will have the Wii demo kiosks because, to keep the Wiimote from being stolen, you’re going to have to leave your credit card to try it out. I’m not sure I feel comfortable with this – even the library simply lets me leave my driver’s license to use the Internet. How am I to know that the employees aren’t stealing my credit card numbers while my back is turned? Or, what if a customer leans over the counter and takes it, or copies down the numbers?
Apparently, Gamestop or Nintendo tried other manners of restricting the Wiimote but it hampered the gaming experience. I don’t see why they can’t just use a long, lightweight metal chain – that would hold it fine. I used to work at an EB Games, and let me tell you that when it’s busy, we can’t watch everyone. What’s to keep Joe Schmoe from handing his friend the Wiimote without that friend having to leave a credit card too?
You could theorize that they chose credit cards instead of licenses because kids under 16 won’t have a license – but kids under 18 shouldn’t have credit cards either! Children can also get a photo ID from the DMV very cheaply. At any rate, before I hand over my card to try out the Wii, I’ll want to know exactly where the store employees are going to put it. What do you think?
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I reckon this rumor is bogus. Weren’t the demo units at E3 (and used for other previews) wired?
As an aside, there’s a Tiki Bar near my place where you have to leave a *shoe* at the entrance as collateral against you stealing a Tiki Mug. (They give you a slipper).
If you have to leave a shoe, they could advertise the Wii demo as something you would give your right foot for! (Har. Har. … Sorry).
This is wierd. Also beaware of some kind of people who take pictures of credit cards just to get the number off of it.
I would rather leave an expensive watch at the counter instead of a credit card. Jeez what has this world come to?