Cheap (But Not Used/Pre-Owned) Nintendo DS Lite

[Ranger REG]

I just want to know where I can buy a handheld console without paying the MSRP of $129.95. It's never on sale nor discounted. Sure they offer free (albeit limited) gift bonuses, but retailers never apply discount (not even 10%).

 

[Scotley]

Hey if find one at a better price let us know. I've been looking without success. I've got some bonus deals built up from rewards programs that I plan to use to save 15%, but that's the best I've been able to do 129 seems to be the magic number. I noticed even amazon's "buy both and save" packages are really full price for both items.

 

[trancejeremy]

I'm pretty sure consoles are sold to retailers pretty much close to the MSRP. So retailers generally can't offer a discount on them. (The only exception I've seen is the Xbox 360, which sometimes can be had for $350 online, which I guess is what the retailer gets them for).

I would really like to get another DS myself, for my mother. For the brain training games. Ever since her heart surgery, she's been noticeably slower (which is supposedly a effect of the surgery).

 

[Ranger REG]

Weird, most consumer electronics (computers, TVs, vid-players) can be discounted by retailers (like Circuity City) but when it comes to certain electronics like videogame consoles and iPods, they can't.

Why?

 

[LightPhoenix]

Weird, most consumer electronics (computers, TVs, vid-players) can be discounted by retailers (like Circuity City) but when it comes to certain electronics like videogame consoles and iPods, they can't.

I don't know anything, but...

For one, as was said above, consoles are AFAIK distributed pretty close to MSRP. There's not much point to discounting if you are going to be taking a loss. Most other electronics are distributed at far less than MSRP, and with stuff like big-screen televisions, not in large quantities, so to keep the products moving there needs to be a degree of discounting.

For another, I'm sure retailers are loathe to upset the manufacturers. It's been my experience that consoles and mp3s players (or CD players, in the past) tend to move a lot more than big electronics. You don't want them to pull their product from your shelves because they're upset you are undercutting them (likely the scene with Apple). So you stick to the retail price.

 

[trancejeremy]

Woops, wrong thread.

 

[Ranger REG]

I don't know anything, but...

For one, as was said above, consoles are AFAIK distributed pretty close to MSRP. There's not much point to discounting if you are going to be taking a loss. Most other electronics are distributed at far less than MSRP, and with stuff like big-screen televisions, not in large quantities, so to keep the products moving there needs to be a degree of discounting.

For another, I'm sure retailers are loathe to upset the manufacturers. It's been my experience that consoles and mp3s players (or CD players, in the past) tend to move a lot more than big electronics. You don't want them to pull their product from your shelves because they're upset you are undercutting them (likely the scene with Apple). So you stick to the retail price.

I really do not like the second paragraphical answer that the manufacturer have total control of the retailer who deviates from the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.

The first answer sounds plausible, which also have a hint of manufacturer's control (with the consumers enabling their pricing control). So how much of the retailer's share is taken from the $129.95 price tag?

 

[FunkBGR]

I worked at a video game store during High School. Does that mean much? Probably not, but here's the model I noticed (this being 5 years ago) - I'm pretty positive it hasn't changed much.

Generally:

System - MSRP says $149.95. Store pays $148.95. This is almost across the board (walmart and best buy can probably get them for a little cheaper, but not much.)

(NOTE: This is one of the reasons you see "Bundles" at your mom-and-pops stores more often, because they can't afford to sell the system at 149.95 and still cover costs like shipping. They NEED you to buy games when you buy your system)

Games - MSRP says 49.95. Store pays anywhere from $37 to $44, depending on the outlet. Walmart and Best Buy screw over little stores like mad with this, because they just buy them super cheap, put them out, and a week later have them on sale at 10 or 20% below normal.

 

[Ranger REG]

I worked at a video game store during High School. Does that mean much? Probably not, but here's the model I noticed (this being 5 years ago) - I'm pretty positive it hasn't changed much.

Generally:

System - MSRP says $149.95. Store pays $148.95. This is almost across the board (walmart and best buy can probably get them for a little cheaper, but not much.)

Waitaminute. The stores get only $1 for each console sold? And we the customers are enabling that?!?!!! That is WRONG!!! Not even close to 1%.

(NOTE: This is one of the reasons you see "Bundles" at your mom-and-pops stores more often, because they can't afford to sell the system at 149.95 and still cover costs like shipping. They NEED you to buy games when you buy your system)

The problem some of the bundles they offer are crap, unless you spend more. If they simply offer a "buy the system, get one free game of your choice -- any choice" incentive, then yeah, it will entice me to spend full price on the console.

 

[trancejeremy]

With the exception of Nintendo, console manufacturers already lose money on selling consoles. They can hardly offer any discounts to the retailers.