The term “woot” (or more accurately, “w00t”) is slang for expressing excitement, usually on the internet (especially popular in chat and video games). The etymology is a little unclear (many speculated origins), but the word itself just sounds celebratory. In any case, there is an online store that has appropriated the term and “focuses on selling cool stuff cheap.” They basically sell one item a day, and that’s it. Talk about your simple concepts. I should also mention that their product descriptions are awesome – they have a lot of fun with it, so that even though I don’t think I’ve ever bought a Woot, I still stop by frequently. For instance, a while ago, their description for a JVC Camcorder was written as a letter from Osama Bin Laden to his subordinates:
To: Media Relations Division
From: OBL
Well guys, we’re starting to see the infidel press reviews of our latest audio release, and they’re not good. First of all, the heathens had to subject the thing to two days’ worth of analysis just to be sure it was my voice! Then CNN said “Poor quality.” CBS called it “Insignificant.” And the most devastating criticism of all came from Pitchfork Media: “badly-recorded, smug pontificating for those who find the spoken-word releases of Jello Biafra too funny and incisive.” They gave it a 2.4! No distributor will touch it now!
Heh. Anyway, when that item sells out, the site starts selling alternate items in what is called a “Woot-Off.” These alternate items are typically in shorter stock than the original Woot, so they don’t usually last long, and you see a lot of items during the rest of the day (as each Woot-Off item sells out, it is replaced by the next item, and so on).
Now, the holy grail of Woot is this thing called the Bag O’ Crap. Basically, instead of selling an item, they offer a grab bag that is typically filled with dollar store junk, but which sometimes contains things of significant value (I heard of someone getting a decent quality graphics card in a BOC). Naturally, this is a popular item, and it usually sells out within minutes. I have never even seen one, though I always know when I’ve missed it. Quite frustrating, but today was different. I go to Woot this afternoon, and I get a “Server Too Busy” error message. This essentially means that they’re selling a BOC, and everyone is going to the site in a furious attempt to purchase one (well, typically you purchase 3 at a time), clogging up their servers. A few reloads later, and I see it (click for larger image):
Overjoyed, I attempted to get one. After several minutes of tense refreshing to get past server errors, I finally get to the page where you confirm your order, I click, and I get the message:
Sorry, we’re now sold out of this item or we don’t have enough left to complete your order.
Khaaan! You win this round, Woot. But I’ll be back. I’ll get that Bag O’ Crap someday.
Heh, one of the people that bought a bag o’ crap today might have been an associate of mine. He’s not sure if the order went through (error message on theh confirmation page) but it’s funny, he was just explaining this whole bag o’ crap thing to me the other day.
Heh, today my cubefarm neighbor yells “There’s a Bag O Crap” and you hear the sudden furious typing sounds of about 5 people as they try to get one. All of us got that “No more left” error when we went to complete our order. One day. One day. It will be mine.