The very same day as the preorders started at EB/ GameStop a number of them were quickly posted on online auction site eBay. Those auctions have now been just as quickly pulled and the sellers advised not to relist any auctions for a PlayStation 3 until they can prove they actually have one in their possession with a photo of them holding the system with their username plainly marked in the photo. The same thing is happening with auctions promising a Nintendo Wii.

Their reasoning for this is the history of past console launches not going as planned and the unsure nature of the availability of the systems. Also, as some would recall last year's launch of the XBox 360 was plagued with stories of auction winners not getting their system right away or even at all- the buzz of the 360 being the "must-have" system brought out the scam artist in some people.

Now, anyone looking to eBay for getting their PS3 and/ or Wii wil have to wait until the launch themselves to try their luck. My advice- keep checking the various web sites and retailers regarding preorders and save some cash.