No wonder all the retailers are selling XBox bundles.......
#1
DVD Talk God
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No wonder all the retailers are selling XBox bundles.......
http://www.fgnonline.com/xbox/news/19670.html
Microsoft Pushes Xbox Bundles
Xbox: An article in the L.A. Times has reported that Microsoft is strongly encouraging retailers to pre-sell Xbox in $499 bundles.
The article suggests that come Nov. 8, picking up just an Xbox console could be tricky. The article says that Microsoft is encouraging retailers to pre-sell Xbox in $499 bundle packs, with pre-packed Microsoft-published software and peripherals.
The bundle isn't a requirement to sell Xbox, but Microsoft will provide additional marketing money to retailers who do, adds the article. "When we came up with the program, we wanted it to be what's best for retailers," offered Microsoft spokesman James Bernard. "This is based on what retailers told us they wanted."
I guess Microsoft is scared that they will sell the hardware, but accessories and games aren't going to be moving. Microsoft is one weird company. They are basically doing everything opposite the industry "standard".
Microsoft Pushes Xbox Bundles
Xbox: An article in the L.A. Times has reported that Microsoft is strongly encouraging retailers to pre-sell Xbox in $499 bundles.
The article suggests that come Nov. 8, picking up just an Xbox console could be tricky. The article says that Microsoft is encouraging retailers to pre-sell Xbox in $499 bundle packs, with pre-packed Microsoft-published software and peripherals.
The bundle isn't a requirement to sell Xbox, but Microsoft will provide additional marketing money to retailers who do, adds the article. "When we came up with the program, we wanted it to be what's best for retailers," offered Microsoft spokesman James Bernard. "This is based on what retailers told us they wanted."
I guess Microsoft is scared that they will sell the hardware, but accessories and games aren't going to be moving. Microsoft is one weird company. They are basically doing everything opposite the industry "standard".
#2
DVD Talk Hero
Bundleing is flat out illegal.
Only no one really enforces it.
But since this looks to get some wide-spread attention, I hope it will bite Micro$oft in the ass.
Only no one really enforces it.
But since this looks to get some wide-spread attention, I hope it will bite Micro$oft in the ass.
#4
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Re: No wonder all the retailers are selling XBox bundles.......
Originally posted by Deftones17
I guess Microsoft is scared that they will sell the hardware, but accessories and games aren't going to be moving. Microsoft is one weird company. They are basically doing everything opposite the industry "standard".
I guess Microsoft is scared that they will sell the hardware, but accessories and games aren't going to be moving. Microsoft is one weird company. They are basically doing everything opposite the industry "standard".
1) Their early market research shows such overwhelming demand for the product that they can get away with it.
2) Their arrogance in the PC market is leading them to believe they can throw their weight around in the console market as if they were Sony or Nintendo.
3) Bill Gates and/or the board saw the latest numbers on how much money the xbox launch was projected to lose and said no way.
Personally, I'm guessing #3.
#5
DVD Talk Special Edition
Its not just Xbox, all systems do it. When the PS2 first came out you couldn't find it by itself, your only realistic choice was to get it bundled with 3 games for $450! I remember I got mine with Madden, Ridge Racer and Tekken... none of which I wanted but I had no other choice if I wanted a system. Same with the Gameboy Advance, most places sold it bundled with 2 games and an accessory pack, though a good number did not (picked mine up from Kmart who probably didn't care much about advertising money). I'm sure Gamecube will end up doing the same thing.
#6
DVD Talk God
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Originally posted by slop101
Bundleing is flat out illegal.
Only no one really enforces it.
But since this looks to get some wide-spread attention, I hope it will bite Micro$oft in the ass.
Bundleing is flat out illegal.
Only no one really enforces it.
But since this looks to get some wide-spread attention, I hope it will bite Micro$oft in the ass.
#7
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Originally posted by Jeraden
Its not just Xbox, all systems do it. When the PS2 first came out you couldn't find it by itself, your only realistic choice was to get it bundled with 3 games for $450! I remember I got mine with Madden, Ridge Racer and Tekken... none of which I wanted but I had no other choice if I wanted a system. Same with the Gameboy Advance, most places sold it bundled with 2 games and an accessory pack, though a good number did not (picked mine up from Kmart who probably didn't care much about advertising money). I'm sure Gamecube will end up doing the same thing.
Its not just Xbox, all systems do it. When the PS2 first came out you couldn't find it by itself, your only realistic choice was to get it bundled with 3 games for $450! I remember I got mine with Madden, Ridge Racer and Tekken... none of which I wanted but I had no other choice if I wanted a system. Same with the Gameboy Advance, most places sold it bundled with 2 games and an accessory pack, though a good number did not (picked mine up from Kmart who probably didn't care much about advertising money). I'm sure Gamecube will end up doing the same thing.
The only places I see pushing bundles enthusiastically are online like Buy.com and EBworld.com. This ensures them getting better sales. I think most B&M stores assume you will buy games and accessories from them at some point anyway. In fact, many launch titles come out before the system, causing people to buy them then. If all B&M sold bundles, people would be upset because they may have already bought a game in the bundle.
#8
DVD Talk God
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bundles are done purely for profit. no retailer makes profit on hardware. it's always worked that way and will always work that way. software and accessories are by far the money makers. in order to make a little overhead when selling the systems, places would do the bundles. now, places like Wal-Mart could care less, since they sell other stuff. places like the mom and pop store i work in, have to do this to make the money to stay open. we can't afford to have people just buy the systems. like i said above, it may not be right, but at least it's leveling the playing field now that Microsoft is encouraging retailers to do that.
#10
DVD Talk Legend
Man.... it's fun wathing Gates fail in the gaming market!
First "low production" #'s for hardware at roll out,
Now 'bundles' only . . .
Can't wait to see what's next!
-k
###
#13
DVD Talk Legend
I remember reading somewhere that another reason MS is pushing the bundles is that the bundles also come with an extended warrenty, which will help ease the pain of any "unforseen problems" the hardware may have.
#14
DVD Talk Legend
I don't like to make predictions, cause they would often turn out wrong in the past. But the first I heard Microsoft was doing a game console, I knew there would be problems. And I'm being proven right, currently just distribution, but I'll go out further on my limb and say they will have software issues too.
And frankly, the Gamecube ain't impressing me either.
And frankly, the Gamecube ain't impressing me either.
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Actually bundling is okay, however it must not be a MUST. US consumers have been adapted to options when making their purchasing decision. Mandatory bundling is only limiting to consumers' choice. It is not a smart thing to do that.
And $ 500 for a console system..... Well good luck Bill. Unless you can create a shortage in supply, then maybe people would be willing to pay for $ 500..
I think X box has to know that the pricetag for PS2 could be only affordable to consumers, even (the pricetag would go as much as $ 600 on ebay) not only because Sony says so, but the demand for it is outrageous. Remember its launching day, when people had to form a line at BB, walmart, TargetEB world, just a get a piece of it. It's a madhouse, I was there too.
So the question is that: Can X box create such demand that it would be desirable for the consumers to pay $ 500 for a piece?
And $ 500 for a console system..... Well good luck Bill. Unless you can create a shortage in supply, then maybe people would be willing to pay for $ 500..
I think X box has to know that the pricetag for PS2 could be only affordable to consumers, even (the pricetag would go as much as $ 600 on ebay) not only because Sony says so, but the demand for it is outrageous. Remember its launching day, when people had to form a line at BB, walmart, TargetEB world, just a get a piece of it. It's a madhouse, I was there too.
So the question is that: Can X box create such demand that it would be desirable for the consumers to pay $ 500 for a piece?
#18
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
Originally posted by JiGGY
Can we actually trade PS2 games at Wal Mart?
Can we actually trade PS2 games at Wal Mart?