Is Wal-Mart Jacking up PS3 Prices?

[Ioman]

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5303667

Looks like you have to buy it in a bundle...I hate it when stores do that!

[PabstBlueRibbon]

I saw the ad and went to the store today and they had no idea they were even available. So it must be available online only. Costco had some markup in theirs as well, but Walmart's bundle comes with like 5 games (and you get to choose them), so I don't think it's too bad. But the best way to get a PS3 right now is on EBAY, they are selling all over the place below cost, then you can go to the store and buy all the games you want. Either way, I can't wait to try one.

[dang]

forcing to buy 5 games is ludacris. I should be able to buy a ps3 and not have to buy any games if I dont want to, nor should I be forced to buy a second controller. just my 2 cents.

[Ioman]

forcing to buy 5 games is ludacris. I should be able to buy a ps3 and not have to buy any games if I dont want to, nor should I be forced to buy a second controller. just my 2 cents.


I am 100% with you. 5 games is ridiculous. This is Wal-Mart, not exactly where wealthy people shop!

Someone should submit this thread to Digg!! :)

[PabstBlueRibbon]

I couldnt agree more, but hey it's WalMart, who's going to tell them different? I'm guessing that they probably made a deal at a corporate level that they will buy x amount of Sont Product (and or Blu-ray technology products) as long as they can sell the whole bundle at once. Or, they are just doing what they do best and capture all the last minute Christmas shoppers. I wonder how long they will be offering this deal? I bet it goes away shortly after Christmas.

[Ioman]

I thought I read somewhere that merchants were getting into trouble for the bundling of consoles?

Dang and I stopped by Target today and they were all sold out of the Wii and PS3, so it looks like they are both still in high-demand.

[PabstBlueRibbon]

I think that they are still in high demand for people that do not know how to use EBAY, or know what the going rate is for one on EBAY. I have one you can buy right now as the last 2 times I posted it on the bay, not only did it not sell at only 50.00 above cost, but I didnt even get a single bid! There are over 12,000 PS3's on EBAY right now. It's crazy. I guess that rules out the concern that they are overpriced and that no one will buy them!

[dang]

I think people want them now, they dont want to wait. At least for the shopping season.

I think it's a bit funny so many people bought them to just resell at a higher price, and no one is interested.

[Ioman]

blah, maybe I will break down and get one off eBay. I just want a darn Blu-Ray player!

[ECA]

5 game bundle, WOW...Isnt that the WHOLE colection, including the CRAP titles??

I HEARD from reliable scource that Wii is dropping price $50 in Feb..
I'll wait and see.

[PabstBlueRibbon]

Wow, if the Wii dropped to 199.99 that would be awesome. I would definetely go and buy one then. At 250.00 it's just enough to make me hold off, but at 199, I can buy a spare controller if needed, and possibly a game. Nintendo is really doing a good job with their marketing!

[jtfields]

Supply and demand. If no one buys the bundles then they will stop bundling them.

[ECA]

JT,
No, If the Wii is dropping price, THEY NEED to get rid of the bundles FAST, or bestuck with the Older more expencive systems.
Nentendo is forcing it. NOT sales.

[dang]

Hehe, that is pretty much all their titles. :)

I swear the Wii has more better titles then even the Xbox360 (flame war begins!!)

[ECA]

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/wiimote-controlled-smarthome-224209.php

ON A Wii...
Just cause it can be done, and the environment is flexable.

[jtfields]

JT,
No, If the Wii is dropping price, THEY NEED to get rid of the bundles FAST, or bestuck with the Older more expencive systems.
Nentendo is forcing it. NOT sales.

I would suspect that sales demand is the only thing driving it. Stores can't even keep them in stock and people are willing to pay a premium for them. Why would they be worried about a possible price drop in February? Whether they bundle them or not they won't have any of their current stock left in February.

[Ioman]

I would suspect that sales demand is the only thing driving it. Stores can't even keep them in stock and people are willing to pay a premium for them. Why would they be worried about a possible price drop in February? Whether they bundle them or not they won't have any of their current stock left in February.

Agreed. I simply do not see Nintendo dropping the price in February. If anything I think the Xbox 360 will come down in price before the other consoles. I heard a rumor that Microsoft is starting to finally make money off of their consoles instead of losing the $200-$300 each previously reported.

[dang]

That home automation software for the Wii is pretty slick.

Yup, they will not stop doing the bundles if people keep buying them. Some people want the console so bad they are willing to fork out that additional $300-400 even though they are mad they have to.

[ECA]

They DONT loose money...
They just dont ADD the extra profit margin.
If they generally markup 2-3 times the price point, If they mark it up only $20...They are loosing Profit(to THEM)..
But, it will be the 6month and the 1 year mark, I will wait for.

The Wii, dropping price points will FORCE the others to follow, EVEn if they loose money.
Im really wondong how well the Wii would be selling if there were ENOUGH.

[ModestMouse13]

They have bundles on sams club and Best buy that run in the seven hundreds. Now if you want to buy a PS3 alone you might be out of luck. I bought mine from amazon(no bundle) but it was the second to last one.