If this report is true it'll be a bit easier to get hold of a PS3 system on November 17. Word is circulating on recent policy changes for employees which prevent them from "setting aside" a system for themselves or relatives when on duty or getting any special treatment when not on the sales floor working. Here's a small snippet:

Employee Purchase Policy Due to inventory levels of PlayStation 3 (PS3) and Nintendo Wii hardware, there are strict requirements on employee purchases. An employee must be off-duty in order to purchase these products. Employees are customers when they're not at work, so must follow same standard procedure applicable to customers:

• Stand in line with no preferential treatment
• Receive line ticket based on placement in lines
• Purchase of one unit per employee

Every employee is expected to uphold our values, adhere to our Company policies and keep a constant focus on our customers. Behaviors exhibiting direct violation of the Company policies and values will not be tolerated. The consequences for violating the Company values and policies will result in an immediate launch of an internal investigation resulting in a range of disciplinary actions - up to, and including, termination of employment.

The resale of any PS3 or Wii systems originally purchased at Best Buy by a current Best Buy employee is strictly prohibited. To view the Company's Employee Purchase Policy, go to eGO and select Policies & Culture, Policies, Your Responsibilities & Behavior and then Employee Discount Policy. Employees should talk to their managers to discuss or report questionable behavior.


So much for having the uncle that works in receivables grabbing a system early, I guess. If they want the system come launch day they'll have to camp in the cold along with everone else!