A sign of an impending XBOX 360 price cut?

[blurredvision]

I found out at work today (Gamestop) that just yesterday, new trade-in pricing was implemented system-wide for used XBOX 360 consoles. Granted, this could be in retaliation to the amount of defective consoles, but I guess it's always possible that it's a sign of an impending price cut on the consoles. So, I figured I'd share to stir the rumor pot a bit.

As of yesterday, these are the current trade-in prices for the differing 360 SKU's:

Console w/ wired controller: $100 in-store credit
Console w/ wireless controller: $130 in-store credit
Elite console w/ wireless ctr: $160 in-store credit

These prices are without the hard-drive, which would be rung up seperately. These are way down from what they normally were, and the random drop in trade-in price doesn't make much sense to me. It's quite possible that it's just lack of demand on used 360's, considering we give $70 in-store credit for a used DS Lite system.

Oh well, just figured I'd share. Let's try not to turn this into a thread about how it's a rip-off, nobody is forcing you to trade in your console for these prices.

UPDATE: Now that someone has went and scanned the actual message, I'll just post it in the title. This is the same message I read on Tuesday, and is related to what I posted below about the price drop happening on the 8th.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/0...ncement-on-august-8th/

 

[dwell]

Price drop next week:

The Core will drop to 279
The Premium will drop to 349
The Elite will drop to 449

 

[weiv0004]

Interesting. I'm strongly considering finally picking up a 360 if the prices do drop. What was the previous trade in pricing?

Also, is there any way you can check the manufacturing date on the consoles your store has? I've heard that Microsoft is shipping the new "falcon" hardware starting with consoles manufactured in July.

 

[MikeyLSU]

here is a picture of a walmart ad saying the 360 price is $349

http://img519.imageshack.us/im...061/rollbackyo2oo7.jpg

 

[longhornlump]

Here is a Toys "R" Us scan
http://kotaku.com/assets/resou...2007/07/360droptru.jpg

http://kotaku.com/gaming/price...p-bandwagon-283610.php

 

[Queasy]

I hope MS is planning on a series of rolling price cuts because that is about the stupidest damn price cut I've seen.

 

[blurredvision]

A quick question, the manager at work today said that Microsoft confirmed that it was discontinuing the Core SKU at some point in the recent past. The managers at my store do not have the best track record for info (for example, the store manager told a guy that the special edition of GTA4 on the 360 was going to include exclusive content on a second disc that would be remakes of older cities in GTA games.....WTF?....I later corrected her that the exclusive content was indeed on the 360, but it's not been announced what it was).

So, has anybody heard anything about the Core being discontinued? Our store hasn't had any for a month now, but I assume that I'd hear something online. Maybe that's info that's making it's way through the system at work, I have no idea.

 

[Queasy]

I haven't seen anything hinted anywhere about the Core being discontinued.

Except for internet forum speculation/wishing.

 

[tatteredpotato]

I saw this on NeoGAF via Cheap Ass Gamer

"I have it coming from a reliable source that CURRENTLY

The Core will drop to 279
The Premium will drop to 349
The Elite will drop to 449

This will clear out the inventory of the Premium which is the most manufactured 360 and the most sold as they know Premium will sell the most until the demand for Elites pick up in 2008. Elites and Cores have relatively the same manufacturing percentage: low at the moment until FALL this year.

When the 65 nm processor falcons are introduced across all SKUs, the holiday season, a month or so after Halo 3 will see the core drop to $249, The Premium will drop to $299 and the Elite will drop to $399

The Core, Premium and Elite Falcons will have a redesigned motherboard which includes HDMI across all SKUs, a quieter DVD Drive and the falcons will STILL have an extra fan heatsink as Microsoft is not prepared to take anymore risks.

The Falcon will reduce the cost to manufacture the Xbox 360 CPU and GPU by ~40-50% but Microsoft will incure additional costs on the new fans and HDMI across all SKUs. Still at the 249,299 and 399 price, Microsoft will expect a profit from the console by early 2008 when the Q4 results are announced."

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
I saw this on NeoGAF via Cheap Ass Gamer

"I have it coming from a reliable source that CURRENTLY

The Core will drop to 279
The Premium will drop to 349
The Elite will drop to 449

This will clear out the inventory of the Premium which is the most manufactured 360 and the most sold as they know Premium will sell the most until the demand for Elites pick up in 2008. Elites and Cores have relatively the same manufacturing percentage: low at the moment until FALL this year.

When the 65 nm processor falcons are introduced across all SKUs, the holiday season, a month or so after Halo 3 will see the core drop to $249, The Premium will drop to $299 and the Elite will drop to $399

The Core, Premium and Elite Falcons will have a redesigned motherboard which includes HDMI across all SKUs, a quieter DVD Drive and the falcons will STILL have an extra fan heatsink as Microsoft is not prepared to take anymore risks.

The Falcon will reduce the cost to manufacture the Xbox 360 CPU and GPU by ~40-50% but Microsoft will incure additional costs on the new fans and HDMI across all SKUs. Still at the 249,299 and 399 price, Microsoft will expect a profit from the console by early 2008 when the Q4 results are announced."

I predict that a lot of 360s will start mysteriously dying when the Falcon comes out...

 

[tatteredpotato]

Originally posted by: Queasy

I predict that a lot of 360s will start mysteriously dying when the Falcon comes out...

I bet you're right.

I'll probably either buy an Elite to replace my launch premium, or just get a new Core and throw my HDD on that.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: Queasy
I hope MS is planning on a series of rolling price cuts because that is about the stupidest damn price cut I've seen.

ayep. Hopefully another slash will happen around Christmas. Another minus 30-50 bucks will seem more attainable to some.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
I saw this on NeoGAF via Cheap Ass Gamer

"I have it coming from a reliable source that CURRENTLY

The Core will drop to 279
The Premium will drop to 349
The Elite will drop to 449

This will clear out the inventory of the Premium which is the most manufactured 360 and the most sold as they know Premium will sell the most until the demand for Elites pick up in 2008. Elites and Cores have relatively the same manufacturing percentage: low at the moment until FALL this year.

When the 65 nm processor falcons are introduced across all SKUs, the holiday season, a month or so after Halo 3 will see the core drop to $249, The Premium will drop to $299 and the Elite will drop to $399

The Core, Premium and Elite Falcons will have a redesigned motherboard which includes HDMI across all SKUs, a quieter DVD Drive and the falcons will STILL have an extra fan heatsink as Microsoft is not prepared to take anymore risks.

The Falcon will reduce the cost to manufacture the Xbox 360 CPU and GPU by ~40-50% but Microsoft will incure additional costs on the new fans and HDMI across all SKUs. Still at the 249,299 and 399 price, Microsoft will expect a profit from the console by early 2008 when the Q4 results are announced."

That sounds about right. I was kinda curious to see how things would go, if they would drop the price before or after Halo 3. This way, they'll suck quite a few people with the small price drop to clear inventory (and Halo 3 will help move those pretty well). Then when they've gotten the lower cost to produce systems they can drop the price again.

Microsoft has said they see Sony putting a stripped down 40GB PS3 for $399 out, and so they have to be feeling some pressure. Another good idea would be to introduce a $30 "Greatest Hits" line of the early games. Sony doesn't have any of its usual blockbusters (GT, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, etc). I think Microsoft would do well to go on the attack this fall.

Depending on the Wii availability, they might even end up doing very well this holiday season. Combine a $299 Premium that should be improved all around from a hardware standpoint (more efficient, cooler running, quieter, HDMI) with their lineup of games this fall and I honestly think they can double their sales (especially if Halo 3 lives up to its potential). They definitely would eat into some Wii sales if they dropped the Core below the Wii or throw in some extras (maybe a 1GB memory card).

I think this will be the time to get a 360. Nice prices, mature hardware, murderer's row of games, and plenty of other things (probably something to do with the next Zune, IPTV, etc).

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian

Originally posted by: Queasy

I predict that a lot of 360s will start mysteriously dying when the Falcon comes out...

I bet you're right.

I'll probably either buy an Elite to replace my launch premium, or just get a new Core and throw my HDD on that.

I hope if mine decides to die, that it at LEAST waits until after the revised models are released..... I'd love to have the HDMI without buying a new system.

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian

Originally posted by: Queasy

I predict that a lot of 360s will start mysteriously dying when the Falcon comes out...

I bet you're right.

I'll probably either buy an Elite to replace my launch premium, or just get a new Core and throw my HDD on that.

I hope if mine decides to die, that it at LEAST waits until after the revised models are released..... I'd love to have the HDMI without buying a new system.

My launch 360 died yesterday, I got a "new" system from EB Games with the warranty. It does appear to be a console that would be sold as new, but it's manufacture date is July 1st, 2006. I was hoping my 360 would choose to die around next year~ when I could definately get a new 65nm unit, but at least I could have gotten a more recent one.

Ah well, it's the same old crap. Loud, and I'm sure it'll end up dead someday.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: Extelleron

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian

Originally posted by: Queasy

I predict that a lot of 360s will start mysteriously dying when the Falcon comes out...

I bet you're right.

I'll probably either buy an Elite to replace my launch premium, or just get a new Core and throw my HDD on that.

I hope if mine decides to die, that it at LEAST waits until after the revised models are released..... I'd love to have the HDMI without buying a new system.

My launch 360 died yesterday, I got a "new" system from EB Games with the warranty. It does appear to be a console that would be sold as new, but it's manufacture date is July 1st, 2006. I was hoping my 360 would choose to die around next year~ when I could definately get a new 65nm unit, but at least I could have gotten a more recent one.

Ah well, it's the same old crap. Loud, and I'm sure it'll end up dead someday.

Why didn't you use the MS warranty?

 

[tatteredpotato]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17

That sounds about right. I was kinda curious to see how things would go, if they would drop the price before or after Halo 3. This way, they'll suck quite a few people with the small price drop to clear inventory (and Halo 3 will help move those pretty well). Then when they've gotten the lower cost to produce systems they can drop the price again.

Microsoft has said they see Sony putting a stripped down 40GB PS3 for $399 out, and so they have to be feeling some pressure. Another good idea would be to introduce a $30 "Greatest Hits" line of the early games. Sony doesn't have any of its usual blockbusters (GT, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, etc). I think Microsoft would do well to go on the attack this fall.

Depending on the Wii availability, they might even end up doing very well this holiday season. Combine a $299 Premium that should be improved all around from a hardware standpoint (more efficient, cooler running, quieter, HDMI) with their lineup of games this fall and I honestly think they can double their sales (especially if Halo 3 lives up to its potential). They definitely would eat into some Wii sales if they dropped the Core below the Wii or throw in some extras (maybe a 1GB memory card).

I think this will be the time to get a 360. Nice prices, mature hardware, murderer's row of games, and plenty of other things (probably something to do with the next Zune, IPTV, etc).

There was rumors that they'd start throwing a memory card in with the core package so it is actually a feasible purchase, although it would probably be the 64 meg card.

They already have a $30 Greatest Hits line, although it would be a good time to expand that line.

Also, with the rumored cuts, the 20 gig HDD should drop from $100 to $50, and the 120 gig HDD should drop to $150 (as thoses are the new differences between the premium and the core and elite and the core).

 

[PricklyPete]

I think they need to match the $250 price of the Wii with the Core...but I guess that won't be happening...oh well. The price drop is meaningless for me personally since I already have my machine...but I feel that dropping the price to really take over the market share is the best thing MS can do. Hopefully the introduction of the Falcon chip will induce another price drop toward the holiday season or right after Christmas.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian

There was rumors that they'd start throwing a memory card in with the core package so it is actually a feasible purchase, although it would probably be the 64 meg card.

They already have a $30 Greatest Hits line, although it would be a good time to expand that line.

Also, with the rumored cuts, the 20 gig HDD should drop from $100 to $50, and the 120 gig HDD should drop to $150 (as thoses are the new differences between the premium and the core and elite and the core).

Yeah, I was saying 1GB since they would be doubling the memory of the Wii, and flash memory is dirt cheap these days. It would give them a bit of marketing play. It would also give people the ability to actually download demos and videos while not having to delete their saved games.

I didn't know they already had a budget line. Yeah, should expand it. Maybe throw in some arcade games (possibly make their own simple sports/party games that make use of that one controller).

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete

Originally posted by: Extelleron

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian

Originally posted by: Queasy

I predict that a lot of 360s will start mysteriously dying when the Falcon comes out...

I bet you're right.

I'll probably either buy an Elite to replace my launch premium, or just get a new Core and throw my HDD on that.

I hope if mine decides to die, that it at LEAST waits until after the revised models are released..... I'd love to have the HDMI without buying a new system.

My launch 360 died yesterday, I got a "new" system from EB Games with the warranty. It does appear to be a console that would be sold as new, but it's manufacture date is July 1st, 2006. I was hoping my 360 would choose to die around next year~ when I could definately get a new 65nm unit, but at least I could have gotten a more recent one.

Ah well, it's the same old crap. Loud, and I'm sure it'll end up dead someday.

Why didn't you use the MS warranty?

So I could get a unit right away, rather than having to ship it to MS and then wait for one to come back.

As for why I bought the EB Games Warranty, when I bought the 360 MS's warranty was only 3 months. For $40, I went with the extended EB Games warranty. Now, with the 1yr/3yr warranty, I wouldn't buy any extra warranties.

 

[CrackRabbit]

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07...h-xbox-360-core-model/

posted on Joystiq today, blurry photo supposedly showing that Best Buy will not be receiving any more core systems and one the current stock is depleted the sku is to be deleted from the system.

 

[tatteredpotato]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07...h-xbox-360-core-model/

posted on Joystiq today, blurry photo supposedly showing that Best Buy will not be receiving any more core systems and one the current stock is depleted the sku is to be deleted from the system.

3 theories:

A.) Best Buy sees almost no sales from the Core, so they are no longer stocking it.
B.) Microsoft is giving up on it, the Premium will be the new bottom of the line model.
C.) They're clearing out inventory for the new "Falcon Cores" coming out this fall that will have an included memory card and therefor have a different SKU # in their system.

 

[tatteredpotato]

Originally posted by: Chris
Price drop next week:

The Core will drop to 279
The Premium will drop to 349
The Elite will drop to 449

Confirmed by Circuit City:

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07...e-drop-on-all-systems/

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian

Originally posted by: Chris
Price drop next week:

The Core will drop to 279
The Premium will drop to 349
The Elite will drop to 449

Confirmed by Circuit City:

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07...e-drop-on-all-systems/

that is so lame.

so now the difference between the elite and the premium will be $100 instead of $80.

genius idea there MS, genius.

 

[tatteredpotato]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian

Originally posted by: Chris
Price drop next week:

The Core will drop to 279
The Premium will drop to 349
The Elite will drop to 449

Confirmed by Circuit City:

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07...e-drop-on-all-systems/

that is so lame.

so now the difference between the elite and the premium will be $100 instead of $80.

genius idea there MS, genius.

The theory is that they are trying to flush out all the Premiums at this price point, so they give the premium the largest cut. Then once the 90nm Premiums are out of the channel they can start shipping the 65nm systems with another price cut, although the rumored prices are still a little out of line.

Core $250
Premium $300
Elite $400

Also its rumored that HDMI will be added to all SKU's when Falcon starts to ship, so they essentially took away a bullet point for the elite and increased it's markup. Hopefully they throw something else worthwhile in to justify the extra $20.