Opinion - Is the price of Wii justified?

[steve threlfall]

As ppl have said, a good price for a stand alone console, but in comparison the extra nearness to the 360 core does detract from the value.

if they chucked in another game and made it £200 i think people would be a lot more receptive. in fact i think people would fall head of heels if they got zelda in there for the extra £20.

just a thought mind you.

Hit the nail on the head there i think. If an extra £20 gets you Zelda (probably going to be the top AAA launch title) then more people would definately go for it. Im going to get one probably not at launch though (mainly due to not wanting to stuff up my degree )

[directhex]

Price is same as the Gamecube was and is very reasonable indeed for a new console, I really dont understand how people were happy to pay £150 but suddenly an extra £30 is too much. I cant believe the price will be factor in many people buying one or not.

the gamecube launched at £130. i don't see how that's the same as £180

[skirkham]

also the cost of making a gamecube would have been much higher than the wii's

wii components are yesterdays technology
gamecube was at least using newish technology

[TheBuZZard]

I must have been thinking thats hwo much I paid for it including a game and such. Either way £180 for a new console is in no way expensive.

[GeorgeTuk]

I can tell I will have to write this a few more times...repeat after me...

US and Japan Wii prices do not include sales tax.

Thank you

[kalniel]

I can tell I will have to write this a few more times...repeat after me...

US and Japan Wii prices do not include sales tax.

Thank you

And? We will have to write this a few more times too.. if you include the UK's taxes ontop of the US price (more than US tax) you still end up 34 pounds cheaper.. as we explained earlier in this thread

250 dollars = 133 pounds. + 8% sales tax in some US states = 143 pounds.
Apply UK tax instead +17.5% = 156 pounds

Actual UK price = 180 pounds.

It might cost a little bit more to actually ship to the UK, but once there the actual distribution costs are lower than the states.

[5lab]

And? We will have to write this a few more times too.. if you include the UK's taxes ontop of the US price (more than US tax) you still end up 34 pounds cheaper.. as we explained earlier in this thread

250 dollars = 133 pounds. + 8% sales tax in some US states = 143 pounds.
Apply UK tax instead +17.5% = 156 pounds

Actual UK price = 180 pounds.

It might cost a little bit more to actually ship to the UK, but once there the actual distribution costs are lower than the states.

uk has import tax which is (i believe) higher than the states, and higher than the non-existant in japan

[charleski]

uk has import tax which is (i believe) higher than the states, and higher than the non-existant in japan

If it's classed as a computer, there's no duty. If it's a toy, the duty is up to
4.7%

HM customs

There may be a special rate for games consoles, but I couldn't be bothered to fork out the £293.75 they charge just to look at how much they'll screw you for.

[kalniel]

Games machines attracted an EU import duty of 1.7% in 2001, falling year by year to zero by 2004. Computers were always zero. Both are currently zero import duty.

(sony tried to get the PS2 classified as a computer to avoid the initial duties, but failed http://www.out-law.com/page-7014)

[rc55]

Don't forget that Nintendo are obligated to support UK console buyers more due to our Sale of Goods act - something they don't have to pay for in the US. This will also get factored into the price.

That said, I also agree that they are pitching too close to the Xbox 360 Core which will make great strides at Christmas.

You can be pretty much certain that Nintendo will drop the price to £149 within 9 months anyway, it's always the way.

Ruairi

[Agent]

Don't forget that Nintendo are obligated to support UK console buyers more due to our Sale of Goods act - something they don't have to pay for in the US. This will also get factored into the price.

The Sales of Goods act is for retailers, not the manufactures.
Besides, by claiming that it is factored into the price, is suggesting that Nintendo have to make modifications to the console to fit the UK market; which they don’t.

[merlin2001]

but in this case, manufacturers are imposing their prices onto the retailers who will require higher margins than their US counterparts to cover the potential liability. either way, the fact that UK statutory rights are stricter than US means a higher prices.

anyway- prices are always about supply and demand. Nintendo obviously feel that the demand is there (witness every story about every tradeshow this year and how the nintendo stand was mobbed while the sony stand was ignored)... ...so why not capture a bit more margin up front if you can.
On supply - not sure if anyone has more info - but witness M/softs issues last year and Sony's problems this - exactly how many consoles will Nintendo be able to ship before Xmas? Perhaps the higher UK price is designed to keep us away for the stores for a while as US and Japan (which are, as much as we may hate it, far more NB mkts to the consoles) soak up the majority of the initial supply?

do i think it's justified? well, my preorder is in and I'm looking forward to acting like a loony in front of my tv at the end of the year

[Agent]

but in this case, manufacturers are imposing their prices onto the retailers who will require higher margins than their US counterparts to cover the potential liability. either way, the fact that UK statutory rights are stricter than US means a higher prices.

Its not fair to single the UK out, as Europe has the same restrictions. Infact,it seams that all consoles in the EU have 2 years warranty by law now.

Luckily for our visitors in Europe they get a 2year warranty (enforced by EU-laws) as long as you didn't break the warranty seal of course