The Site > Old Forums > Technology Law & Politics > legal question about sales like those seen on TV RE: BF

legal question about sales like those seen on TV RE: BF

I was asking myself this same question the other day when I heard about the various scuffles from the PS3 launch a week ago.

I thought for sure that say, Best Buy could be sued by someone injured while waiting in line overnight, but after speaking at length with the owner of a retail chain, I believe the law would favor the store in such a case, although some good lawyering might prove otherwise.

You can get mugged outside a store and not sue the store, so if a group of people decide to camp out or line up outside a store and get hurt, same deal.

However, given the circumstances, the fore-knowledge of hype, and people lining up 24-48 hrs ahead of time, a persuasive argument could be made about "reasonable expectations" from the retailer regarding safety, order, but again I think it would just come down to fancy lawyering.
--
Movies by Lynch

I'm in no position to argue with you. I'm no lawyer or attorney.

I'm sure it would be a very interesting legal battle and I presume the outcome would cause 'STORE _X_' not to advertize these highly sought items at stupendsly low prices.

I can certainly envision the prices not going away, just not advertized so those that go looking for 'deals' might find them. The advantage (from my view) is, the store didn't do anything to incite or otherwise cause the "mob" effect; thus; likely absolving 'STORE _X_' of any direct liability, because they didn't participate in causing the panic.

I don't know about you, but for the most part I've found the significant number of 'store managers' don't know their heads from holes in the ground when it comes to liabilatiy issues.

I took two years of law in college and wound up knowing more about contract law than the majority of 'store managers' I've dealt with and those courses have served me well over the years.
--
---Barney

I hope one of the legal folks here will chime in with thier observations and thoughts; not that I'm looking for any legal precident.. but it would be intersting to hear their thinking
--
---Barney

reply to BarneyBadAss
If one is concern about being injured on one of these event-days then I would question their sanity, their ability to make wise decisions for their safety, etc., etc., etc.

Considering you could step off the sidewalk to cross a street and get run down doesn't mean you should take the city to court in a suit because it happened in the city.

Personally, if someone get's injured going to one of these events it will be another case of natural selection at work.

reply to BarneyBadAss
In a country where a criminal breaking into a house can sue the homeowner if he gets injured, I wouldn't put anything past our civil court system. More than likely, the company would just buy the person off with hush money.