Best Buy's Definition of "Last" Differs from Ours

We all know that the Nintendo Wii is in short supply, and Nintendo has even warned of shortages this holiday season. Or is it really that scarce? An alert customer at the Princeton, New Jersey Best Buy watched some strange goings-on.

I was standing near the back of the store when one of their salespeople came strolling from a back door holding a Nintendo Wii over his head, and started walking the aisles announcing that it was their last unit. It took a few minutes for a couple to come rushing up to claim it, exclaiming how happy their kids were going to be. About 30 minutes later, I heard this announcement on the store's PA: "Attention Best Buy customers! Julie is now walking through the store with our last Nintendo Wii! If you're looking for a Nintendo Wii, please look for Julie!"

The second Wii took just over 15 minutes to sell - I overheard two manager-types (one in a suit, the other a yellow shirt) discussing it, the suit asking "Did Julie sell that Wii, yet? How long?" And then "Wait 40 minutes and send out the next one."

Assuming this is true, and The Consumerist is usually pretty careful and reliable, this is really strange. Why would they even bother with this? They should be able to just put them out and have them sell out in a very short time.

The only thing I can think of is that the emphasis on "last one" makes people on the fence charge over and buy right away. Still, with a console this hot, I don't get it.

And I thought, after Best Buy had decided to send those who ordered the sold-out Toshiba HD-A2s the newer (and pricier) HD-A3s instead, they had mended their ways (remember the internal vs. external website fiasco from earlier this year?).