Sony explain UK PS3 price

[Hulkster316]

Not another Sony bashing thread , but found this interesting article on the head of Sony Uk explaining why PS3 is so expensive to us brits quite interesting but still smells like bullplop .
http://technology.guardian.co.uk/wee...002678,00.html

[charleski]

"the dollar can go up and down. If it were $1.40 to the pound as it was a while ago"

The rate was last at $1.40 in July of 2001.
That's quite a while.

The dollar's value has shown a consistent downward trend over the past 12 months, but has only fluctuated between $1.72 and $1.99 to the pound, a lot more than the example he gives. The dollar has been bumping around at $1.90 or worse since August of last year.
'Hedging' arguments are junk.

[spazman]

Unless they say 'It costs so much because we hate you and saps will pay it' it's a total lie.

[kalniel]

That's just like Microsofts reply to the question of why Vista costs so much over here: We keep the price of our software roughly the same price worldwide, though exchange rates can fluctuate " or something like that..

[Veles]

It costs so much because we live in Britain, we have a ridiculously high VAT rate compared to other people, and we're just used to paying so much for our stuff now. Unfortunately we don't really have much of a choice on this issue as EVERYTHING is horribly overpriced, even without the VAT added on.

[dangel]

It costs so much because we live in Britain, we have a ridiculously high VAT rate compared to other people, and we're just used to paying so much for our stuff now. Unfortunately we don't really have much of a choice on this issue as EVERYTHING is horribly overpriced, even without the VAT added on.

Actually we don't - out VAT is pretty much OK. The reason for high pricing is because the market will bear it - so long as muppets will go out a buy a console just because it bears a playstation logo at a inflated price, then that's what Sony will charge us.

Vote with your feet - don't buy one - simple as that. Same goes for Vista ultimate IMHO.

[GeorgeTuk]

Or indeed any of the Vista products other than business. They have been very clever in the Ultimate idea knowing that many of the people in the enthusiast sector will want this when in reality Home Premuim will meet almost all their needs. The same was the case with XP Home and Professional, the amount of people who had PCs at my old company with Professional installed at home was staggering. Especially when the only real benefits were the additional Domain add-ons (Group Policy etc.) and Networking capabilities.

As for the UK pricing we are prepared to pay so they are prepared to charge. Its disappointing but true in this country there will only be a price drop when there is competition there and neither of these products have direct competition. There are similar products but not ones the same, like say groceries or cars.

It costs so much because we live in Britain, we have a ridiculously high VAT rate compared to other people, and we're just used to paying so much for our stuff now. Unfortunately we don't really have much of a choice on this issue as EVERYTHING is horribly overpriced, even without the VAT added on.

VAT in this country is fairly reasonable, more than some in mainland Europe but places such as Ireland and Norway have much higher rates. The US maybe cheaper but they don't get the same deal across the board because of the state and county overly complicated tax systems. It still doesn't excuse the fact that flat rate we are always charged more.

[kalniel]

I'm proud to be an XP home user...

Shame that Vista premium is 50% more expensive than XP home was.

But yes, just don't buy the console just yet - the price will come down once they've saturated the fanboy market. I'm the same with the Wi to be honest - I think it's great but I'm totally against the UK mark up. Given that it's not like the Wi is going to go rotten if I don't buy it immediately I'm waiting for it to settle to a more reasonable price.

[GeorgeTuk]

I didn't think there is much mark up on the Wii I thought it was pretty close myself. I also don't think they will be reducing anytime soon. It seems alot of people are convinced there will be a price drop in Q2 or Q3 2007 once its sold bucket loads but I can't see it happening, its the cheapest on the market and they don't make much profit per console (though they are the only company that does).

Vista prices are very expensive though and its a little bit naughty but I am fairly happy with XP SP2 at home because I have Vista at work.

[dangel]

What boils my blood is i can buy MS' new products from the US + shipping + import duty for less than retail here..

Guess what my company will do?

[kalniel]

I didn't think there is much mark up on the Wii I thought it was pretty close myself. I also don't think they will be reducing anytime soon. It seems alot of people are convinced there will be a price drop in Q2 or Q3 2007 once its sold bucket loads but I can't see it happening, its the cheapest on the market and they don't make much profit per console (though they are the only company that does).

Wii price in Japan is £119 (+VAT?), US: £125 (-VAT), EU: £165 (+VAT) UK: £180 (+VAT)

Then also consider that you could buy a new gamecube for £55 a year ago, and the Wii has a large proportion of similar components.. and you've got quite a lot of room to manoeuvre. Personally I'm expecting a drop to the expected launch price of £150 before too long, as soon as initial demand for the unit wears off. And then further drops over the product life.

[MiLaMber]

As mentioned this is a general case, doesnt just apply to PS3s.

[Sneaky King]

It costs so much because we live in Britain, we have a ridiculously high VAT rate compared to other people, and we're just used to paying so much for our stuff now. Unfortunately we don't really have much of a choice on this issue as EVERYTHING is horribly overpriced, even without the VAT added on.

Of course you have a choice, move, go away from this "horribly overpriced" country, pay for your healthcare.

I'm proud to be an XP home user...

Shame that Vista premium is 50% more expensive than XP home was.

But yes, just don't buy the console just yet - the price will come down once they've saturated the fanboy market. I'm the same with the Wi to be honest - I think it's great but I'm totally against the UK mark up. Given that it's not like the Wi is going to go rotten if I don't buy it immediately I'm waiting for it to settle to a more reasonable price.

Why are you comparing XP Home to Vista Home Premium instead of Vista Home Basic? A fairer comparison would be XP Home to Vista Home Basic, or XP Media Centre to Vista Home Premium.

[kalniel]

Why are you comparing XP Home to Vista Home Premium instead of Vista Home Basic?

Read reply #7

[danroyle]

was gonna post something along these lines after seeing one for sale in for sale thread at £420

sony seem to have gone mad over ps3 £425 and then was watching a games review show and they had a game on there about dragons and they were saying about how this game would only work on a hd tv


surely £425 for a ps3 and then a shed load more for hd tv is gonna leave alot of people unable to afford


for once in my life i actually think microsoft have done something right with th xbox 360

[rob4001]

Sony fumbled the ball with this monstrosity. Too expensive & too slow to launch ppl reluctent to commit to blu-ray.