<< I think the only way any of them can get any X Boxes for a while is in those bundle deals. This probably hurts the retailer even more, now he is forced to make less on the games as they're in the bundle he has to buy from the wholesaler/distributor. >>
I think they "build" the bundles themselves, as there isn't really a "Standard" bundle. Each retailer is offering his own version of it. So they profit just as much (well, a little more b/c there's usually an extra cost thrown in there for the convienvence of preordering a bundle) as they would selling the stuff apart. They prefer bundles because they get the extra $20-30 kick (thinking $500 EBgames.com bundle, which included the xbox at $300, three games ($150) and the DVD Remote/controller ($30), plus the $15 additional "handling fee")