Why Microsoft will not confirm the Xbox 360 price drop
By Mike Ferro
Just a few days ago we showed a scan of a Radioshack flyer indicating a price drop for the Xbox 360 and now there is more evidence that this covert price drop will happen very soon. At this point you could consider the price drop practically official. Details after the jump.
Recently several retail flyers have leaked on to the web indicating a price drop for the Xbox 360 lineup. Pictures from Best Buy and Kmart internal flyers have made their way onto the Internet because the folks that work in the retail chains just couldn’t hold it inside.
Best Buy
Kmart
Normally Microsoft would have announced such a move considering they have already announced a price drop for one of the models at E3.
There is some speculations as to why Microsoft is keeping mum on such an announcement till the last minute. I speculated that Microsoft could be cleaning up the Xbox 360 model lineup by getting rid of existing models for replacement models.
Microsoft already announced plans to phase out the 20GB Xbox 360 model by dropping the price and replacing it with the 60GB Xbox 360 model eventually. According to all the retail scans the Xbox 360 Arcade which retails for $280 right now will drop by $80 making it the first next gen console to hit the sub $200 range.
However one has to wonder if this is a permanent move or is Microsoft cleaning the Arcade model as well in lieu of a better replacement model. With the Netflix deal coming around November an Arcade model will be useless when it comes to watching movies via Netflix service on Xbox Live.
Another reason Microsoft is keeping quiet on the price drop is Microsoft probably wants to keep sales steady for the whole month before the price drop hits next month or else people will hold of on purchasing an Xbox 360 in anticipation of the drop. This is probably the most likely reason Microsoft is keeping quiet about the price drop till the last minute.
I suspect Microsoft may make an official announcement at the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) which will be held this weekend starting 29th - 31st.
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Stumble It!
Tips N4G
August 28th, 2008
I’m holding out for the PS3.
My bro has a 360 and had to send it in to get fixed because the thing stopped powering up.
That kills my decision to buy the 360
August 28th, 2008
Another price drop?, must be gettin desperate seeing as the last few havn’t done anything
August 28th, 2008
reason #2 seems like the obvious reason. It wouldn’t be smart for a company to announce a price drop too far in advanced. You simply eliminate any potential sales until said price drop.
August 28th, 2008
Scrap the Arcade sku already for gods sake. Piece of crap.
I don’t likw the ‘new low prices’ thingy, makes it seem a little TOO ‘cheap’ if you ask me.
Again I’m pissed that I purchased mine a while back
Cut me a cheque ms!!!!
August 28th, 2008
this new models are more reliable.. it is a worth purchase..!
August 28th, 2008
well its not difficult to be more reliable then they were….
August 29th, 2008
To the writer of the article:
Arcade owners can use the Netflix feature just fine since the feature streams the movie to your Xbox 360, no downloading involved. So as long as the owner has a memory card to save a profile, which is included in every Arcade system, they will be able to enjoy the feature just fine.
Also, this new hardware that is expected this year would be the Jasper mobo equipped 360s.
August 29th, 2008
@ SW “I don’t likw the ‘new low prices’ thingy, makes it seem a little TOO ‘cheap’ if you ask me.”
…….Uh lower prices rack in better sales dimwad. And what exactly do you mean by “TOO cheap”? What, paying $500 plus for a video game console doesn’t seem inconvenient for you? I understand that you would feel ripped off, myself included.
But I would rather purchase a video game console priced at $200 or less, than $500 or more……The thing that discusses me is that both Sony and Microsoft are coming out with newer SKUS!
20gb, 40gb, 60gb,80gb,120gb,160gb. Jesus! Can we just have ONE video game console!???? Is that to hard to ask????? my goodness
August 29th, 2008
CAD’s gamer tag is CAD1344
August 30th, 2008
Hey DAVE………shut up