Yes "Let the Buyer Beware" is important to remember. But keep in mind that those playing this game are not just simple minded adults who, if they get scammed, are from carelessness, stupidity or what have you. There are also young children who play who may not have learned that particular lesson in life yet. This is one reason I really dislike the entire "rarity" trade thing. A young child does not always understand the concept of rarity. Nor does a young child understand the idea that what came out once may come out again in a few months. A day can be an eternity to a child and this game is supposed to be FUN for them. It bothers me that VMK may be the first place a young child learns that "life ain't fair". It is so un-Disney in concept that it makes me cringe.
I realize that there are those who are collectors and traders who play the game. Still, I find it a little disturbing to witness the degree of greed this fosters. I have many rare items but that is because I like the items. Not because I enjoy prancing around in them and saying, "Gee, look what I have that you don't." Also, I try very hard, with the family members, to showcase the items and rooms in the Castle. Again, this is not to demonstrate wealth but to show ways to decorate that may give another guest ideas for his/her own room. I have said it before. If this game were geared to teens and adults then the whole trade/rarity issue would be okay. Most serious gamers know that you can't get every item in every game. But the game is not. Little children love to pretend. They love to dress up and play with doll houses. This game is ideal for that but with this "stinginess" with regard to releases it spoils that aspect for many of those children. Many on this board are adults with children. I know you have posted frustration over getting those "special" items. It also has puzzled me for some time that you can't get virtual ears in VMK unless you can get to a real Disney park (black or gold). Surely, there should be some set of ears that ALL guests can get. In my opinion, the Sorcerer Ears should be available at all times; or at least some color of Mickey ears. After all, child, teen, or adult, we are ALL Disney fans of some degree and for a Disney park, even a virtual one, not to have ears just seems way strange to me.
By all means, make a few things rare. Do it the way they do it in the Disney parks though. Don't use the clothes and furniture that is such a staple of the game. Instead, make the pins the collectibles. Don't bring out the same Tomorrowland set ever again. Make a different Tomorrowland set. Or, do something with posters. You could use the same design as the pins. Now, do I think all furniture and costumes should be available at all times? No, but since the furniture comes in different colors, just rotate them every few months. Retire the blue slipper for a while and bring back pink or yellow. Don't bring out all costumes all the time. Pick a weekend a month and bring out a couple. That way, those who must have something "Now" can trade while others can take comfort from, "I missed it this round, maybe it will be out again in a few months" or be able to purchase THIS month's outfit to trade for LAST month's.
Was CyanMatt foolish for not checking the stores first? Perhaps a little short-sighted but on the other hand this was not the Halloween costume release weekend that one might have expected to see the ears come out. Usually, at best, only a pin is released on Fridays. Also, CyanMatt may not be allowed to read DIS or other boards. Some parents do not want their young ones reading/posting on chat boards. So, he may not have had access to the information from an outside source before hand.
I see no problem with VMKJentink and the others trying to help him. After all, that is what the DIS is known for. The willingness to help other guests. I know, especially on this board, that is very difficult to see things through the eyes of a child. But those of you who can, try to step back from your own grown-up, disenchanted eyes (that goes with the shrug of, "It isn't fair but it is what it is" and view this from a youngster's point of view.
CL_TinkerBlue
