Because going into a store and making a return is so hard. Damn near impossible, really.

You could always just keep the coat and give it to him for his birthday, as you said. And then you won't have to spend more money for his birthday later on. You're just paying for everything up front now. That being said, sounds like she is manipulating you, because they don't want to spend $300 on the PS3 when they can spend $60 for a game.

Well you already bought a coat, and put thought into your gift. So don't change it just because his family had assumed. Let them look like asses. They deserve it for putting you in that position.

HOW DA **** can someone....ANYONE assume what YOU want to do? screw them. period

I understand you don't want to get into a fight at christmas, and don't want your boyfriend to be unhappy with receiving games that he cannot play. But still, you said you would buy it for his birthday. To me it sounds like his family has little inspiration and goes with the easy option to buy games. You in contrary put some thought into your present and got something he can really use. His family cannot expect you wait with the coat till february, because he needs in january. So either stick to your original plan (it's not your fault that his family just assumed you would buy him a PS), or make it an early birthday present.

They probably don't want to spend the 300 bucks on it and know you'll feel obligated to get him it for them, and they get to buy the thing that's a fraction of what the gaming system costs, win for them, lose for you. I say give him the coat, then the family will look like fools. If they get mad at you tell them that his mom assumed that you were getting them that randomly, and you never did anything to hint that. If his mom dries to redeem herself in front of her family just say "I don't care what you say to try and redeem yourself, because you did call me and give me the pressure that everyone was getting him games over an assumption." Then leave it at that. Then they can look like fools to his family and you'll look like the one that actually cares, and especially about his needs since he needs a coat probably.

Also, like hetizmij said, give it to him as an early Birthday present (At Christmas), and get the PS3, it might be a lot of money, but the smart members of the family not in on it, and the mother just said to everyone that he was getting one, not telling them they were manipulating you (if they are), then the smart ones will go "Oh, they might've planned to get him the coat, then when the mother said you were getting the PS3 she didn't check it with you first and was maybe just trying to save money and make you get it." Then next time the mother tries to manipulate you, you'll have some people to back you up, and a few people who will be smart and not believe your mom and waste their money for something that your not gonna get em next time, and then if you look like a bitch for making it look like you changed you mind then someone will be behind you that can point out the mom manipulated you last time.

No you don't HAVE to scramble to get him a PS3. It's their fault for assuming incorrectly, and you should explain that to them so they can return the games.

Who cares? They are the idiots for assuming and not asking, they wasted the money. Why do you have to scramble for the money to get him a pretty expensive gift. Let the family do it if they are like that.

wow, that was selfish and dumb of his fam to assume..u shoulda sed "no i got him a coat, i cant afford a ps3, why would u even assume that?" they got u, they knew exacly wat they were doin, they jus ddnt wanna spend the money themselves