To Good To Be True!?!? PS2 (Rumoured) To Drop to $199 on 12/26!!! (Warning: Flames inside!)

[Noirish]

one word -> R I D I C U L O U S

 

[paladiin]

I heard a few weeks back Sony was planning the price drop for after Christmas as well, from a pretty reliable source. However, I don't think Sony was planning on having the PS2 sell so well this holiday season. I'm sure Sony has revised their planned price drop until such a time that the PS2 is being outsold by the Gamecube and Xbox. Heck, if I were CEO that's what I would do. Why sacrifice $100 a system when the system is outselling the competition?

I'm personally waiting for the PS2 to drop to $199 before picking one up. Now that a couple of games have been released that I want (Namely MGS2 and FFX) I can rationalize the purchase.

Another problem I have with this is that it will severely tick off retailers that offer price guarantees. As an ex-CC employee, I know that these retailers will end up eating the loss on these, as they were purchased from Sony at the higher retail price. Unless Sony makes some special arrangement, the companies take these price adjustments in the wallet. It would make more sense that Sony would wait for at least 30 days after Christmas before doing this, as not to upset retailers.

Finally, if someone did purchase a PS2 from a store that doesn't offer a price guarantee, they're going to be pretty upset to see the price of the system drop $100 just after they purchased it. With a console war in full swing, I can't imagine Sony doing anything like this to upset new customers.

But who knows? Maybe Sony will see this as a chance to really stick it to MS and Nintendo. With their system leading sales already, what would a $100 price drop do to the competition? It would logically propel Sony to an even higher saturation over the competition. I'm guessing it'll happen, much sooner than 2003 to be sure, but probably not in 2 weeks. 3-6 months would be my bet, unless PS2 sales REALLY drop off over the next coming month or 2.

 

[marill999]

:QWow! I was plannin to get it at Virgin Megastores w/ the 30% off for $210 if they get it in stock in time!
:QBut look at this! price drop to $200 after Christmas is increcible, i would definitely get it if it does drop!
:QIs this possible though? Well... if virgin megastores get it back ins tock i'll get it for $210, but if they don't in time, then i'll get it if it drops to like $200, either way if the price drop i would get it for $210 or $200, not much diff.

 

[wsking77]

wow...just sold my ps2 system for $375 on egay

 

[emonkey]

I think $199 is a heck of a price drop. More realistically would be $250 but I wont complain if they go lower. Its just too bad that the virgin deal ends on the 26 so you cant smash that price any lower. Yet.

Anway, as for the people saying that it wont happen because of how well its selling. That really doesnt matter much. Sony has been stuck at $299 for over a year and regardless of how well its selling right now, the Xbox is a better value (hardware wise) in the longrun. So if they want to ensure that they maintain their lead then they have to make sure they get one of these suckers into every house they could. Dropping it to the gamecubes price is slashing the neck of both Nintendo and Microsoft so it looks like a good plan. And I'm only talking about the great games that are drawing people to buy PS2's at any price...

 

[Draven]

PS2 is selling well because it's a good system. The Xbox and the Gamecube don't have many good games out right now.

To whomever said that the GC is a kiddie system? Because Rogue Leader is a children's game? And Tony Hawk, and Resident Evil (soon) And I buy consoles to play games, not watch movies. That's what my DVD player is for, so there's no need to buy a system and consider that a "perk" for me.

I did just buy a PS2 last week, because I wanted Grand Theft Auto III, Twisted Metal: Black and Final Fantasy X. I will get a Gamecube for Super Smash Brothers, Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Turok and Perfect Dark. I'll enjoy Halo when it comes out for the PC, thank you very much, no other reason to get an X-box.

They cut the price in Japan a few months back. It'll be awhile before it's cut for the States.

 

[JasonH]

It's no surprise that the PS2 leads in console sales. The strong installed base and that fact that virtually everybody has a friend that has one almost guarantees that. What is surprising is how many Xboxes sold. Microsoft is actually giving Sony a run for their money. Roughly one-and-a-half PS2s sold for each Xbox sold.

I remember hear that the PS2 was dropping by $50 back in the Spring sometime. Then they decided not to (at least that's the way I read it, not that it was only a rumor.) I predicted at the time that they would wait for the Xbox then drop the price $100. There's no reason that the PS2 should still be $299, so I don't doubt the price will come down. It would make sense if they waited 60 days after the Christmas buying season, or whatever period of time retailers keep their price adjustment policies in effect.

Jason

 

[paladiin]

One quick note on the above news story.

It says Sony is leading for the 4th quarter, with data showing through Dec. 8. This would mean sales beginning Oct. 1. So it's kind of misleading, with both the Xbox and Gamecube sales starting midway through the quarter. So it's probably more realistic to say that the Xbox (and probably Gamecube) is outselling the PS2 since their release, but the PS2 sales are still very strong, and much stronger than Sony anticipated.

However, it's impossible to tell how well the PS2 would be selling if the XBox and Gamecube were not limited in availibility.

 

[GetReal]

And I buy consoles to play games, not watch movies. That's what my DVD player is for

LOL

Especially when you can buy an entry level DVD player for less than $50 over the cost of the typical gaming console DVD remote!

 

[Oakind]

Cut DefRef a break ! Def's just passing on a tip.

It sounds like a great strategy for Sony if they do this. Grab more market share. The money is in the software, not the hardware, so a market share grab makes sense. Especially now that the other 2 systems are introduced and selling very well. Slowing the competition now will have a more dramatic impact on future game sales, and hence, higher profits.

I hope the price drops on the 29th and all the experts crapping on the tread are proved wrong. Why don't you all put your wisdom into figuring where the stock market is going. You won't really know til the 29th, will you?

Nice tip DefRef.

 

[Lars]

those are good news

 

[mrchan]

yeah it doesn't seem likely. plus it woud make me feel bad paying retail for one, heh.

 

[Wingster]

Know why PS2 is outselling xbox?

Hate to bring this out to u guys at M$, but that big, bulky, fugly system of urs simply S-U-C-K... coz there's nobody to back you up.. And those who do.. have a better business in the PC market.. Well, unless you plan to acquire the country of Japan

I dunno about gamecube, coz gameboy Pokemon killed all competitors, or should I say.. spam the top 10 list with its rainbow colors, when it first came out..

Console war is all about the software... Nuff said..


Anyways.. PS2 cutoffs won't be at 33%.. Just tell me.. which console do u know of that cut 33% all at one time? B&Ms will be hanging themselves if that happens ..

 

[Kermy]

Wanna know why PS2 is outselling Xbox? Because PS2 has a 1 year lead, and because everybody's gobbling up Xboxes so people that WANT to buy it can't since they're all SOLD OUT.

 

[Wingster]

Hey, plenty of xboxes in my area/mall (as of 12:00pm today).. Last time I checked at EB as of mid October... the reserves for XBOX were at 40.. yes, FORTY.. Still waitin on my FFX.. reserves at 150.. even though 5 other stores next door will have it.. so

Just name me a game that XBOX has or WILL be having that people will be dying for... I still can't think of any -_-

And I wouldn't buy xbox even at $200 for keeps.. coz I've already made a mistake of buying a N64

 

[drti]

It's extremly possible that PS2 have to cut the price after xmas. but $100 cut seem to be too steep of the cut. maybe $50. if you compare the ps2 spec. and the xbox, xbox is far more superior than ps2. even at $300 for the xbox, ms still lost millions of dollar. once again, ms always try to be monopoly on everything they get their hands into. it's no way i going to spend the same money to get the ps2 over the xbox despite ps2 has more game, ms will roll out many new games in months to comes. these games will be much more sophisticated and more features than ps2 games. i don't see how ps2 can survice if they don't cut price on the ps2. if you compare the ps2 and the gamecube, gamecube is $100 cheaper, and have as many game as ps2. also nintendo is a guru when comes to games. even though gamecube doesn't support dvd, but it have a newer technology which means faster loading and more sosphiticated games. if you are a sport games fan, these game can very sosphiticate in design which require fast proccessor and more ram.

that just my .02cent

 

[Rickten]

getreal

I was thinking the same thing. I'm getting one for christmas so after christmas I would simply goto bestbuy and get my 100 dollars back and best buy would be out a 100 bucks. Anyone could do that, so all the systems they sold during christmas could potentially be selling for 199.99. Thats a lot of systems. So no I don't see a price drop happening.

 

[slycat]

dropping the price AFTER Christmas, when everyone has no more money to buy makes little sense...

 

[cetyle]

Strategically it sounds like a good move, you've already got all the hardcore gamers and the not so hardcore gamers in the PS2 at $299. Now you have XBox and Gamecube (XBox's visuals look nicer than PS2, I haven't seen the Gamecube) on the market and you still have people without either. If you drop the price of a PS2 to only $200 you're banking on a high price elasticity, that is more people will buy the console if you drop the price, so you can capture the market of buyers who wouldn't buy a PS2 at $300 but will at $200. If you already own a PS2, chances are you won't buy an XBox. The only question is when to implement this strategy and right after the Christmas rush seems like a good idea.

My question is what if you get a PS2 at the current price from Virgin Megastores using Blue and get 30% off, then pricematch it IF it goes down. Would you get 30% off $199 or just $199? Because 30% off $199 would be burning up for a PS2.

 

[oLLie]

<< ATOMIC HOT!!! PS2 Drops to $199 on 12/29!!! >>



While a 30% price reduction is certainly very good and all, I wouldn't nearly call it atomic hot. $200 is still too much money for a video gaming console. IMO.

 

[emonkey]

<< Know why PS2 is outselling xbox?

Hate to bring this out to u guys at M$, but that big, bulky, fugly system of urs simply S-U-C-K... coz there's nobody to back you up.. And those who do.. have a better business in the PC market.. Well, unless you plan to acquire the country of Japan

I dunno about gamecube, coz gameboy Pokemon killed all competitors, or should I say.. spam the top 10 list with its rainbow colors, when it first came out.. >>



Hey wingster. Do yourself a favor and organize your thoughts before you post it next time. Read what you said and decide whether ...or not you... sound like... a babbling... bafoon. I prefer the PS2 over Xbox for now because of the games but you're not going to convince anyone that the PS2 is the "intelligent" choice if you cant even string a coherent sentence together.


I really wonder what would have happened if the XBox wasnt a microsoft product. There are just too many people out there that hate this thing for no reason and its pretty pathetic to see their biggest argument be that the Xbox sucks because its so big. The PS2 launched with pretty crappy titles but that second gen of games more than made up for a weak start. So who's to say the the Xbox's next wave is going to be just as good.

 

[Jhill]

Just name me a game that XBOX has or WILL be having that people will be dying for... I still can't think of any -_-


Ok I will. Halo, Unreal championship, Project Ego. Thats 3 off the top of my head. Don't say "I've played Halo and It sucked" because your SIG. shows that you are biased agains microsoft.

BTW do you guys realize that your getting a system that is a YEAR old? All xboxes best games are still out in front of it.


Also the PS2 isn't outselling the XBOX. Theres more PS2's out there because It's been out a year. But day by day the cube and xbox vastly outsell the ps2.

 

[Crucial]

<< dropping the price AFTER Christmas, when everyone has no more money to buy makes little sense... >>



Yeah everyone except the people who got money at christmas and wnat to buy a system. Doesn't really matter anyway. There's no way the price will drop $100.

 

[DealLurker]

Mods, lock this thread.. Unfounded rumors and flames is all it contains.

 

[Jhill]

This is probably nothing more than a rumor that some PS2 fanboy started to try to stop people from buying xboxes for Christmas.