UK Retailers: Xbox 360 60GB Sales Appear 'Sluggish' Options

[Xbox-Scene]

UK Retailers: Xbox 360 60GB Sales Appear 'Sluggish' Posted by XanTium | August 21 22:00 EST | News Category: Xbox360

From brutalgamer.com: [QUOTE] Sources from major game retailers GAME and Gamestation are reporting that sales for the latest SKU in the Xbox 360's lineup have been slower than anticipated. A source from GAME said "the 60GB sales have been sluggish". He added: "Microsoft expected a demand for the 60GB model but it just hasn't come yet." A source from Gamestation also reported lower than expected sales but insisted they "are still selling ok but just not at the rate Microsoft had wanted." [/QUOTE] Full Story: brutalgamer.com

[Charbless]

Really what do they expect at the moment the cost of living is very high here so people have more important things to buy then games consoles and they aren't offering any great value bundles.

[sabbath_dude]

There's not really any great games out at the moment and I don't think people care too much about getting the extra 40gb. If they're going to be lured into buying a new console by hard drive size alone then they're probably more likely just to buy the Elite. Also, like Charbless said the cost of everyday living here has really gone up so luxury items like 360s are not as important to people now.

[Flamechampion]

Looks like they are waiting for the Jasper like the rest of us

[Viatrophy]

Good to see you picked up our article.

You would expect that the sales might of improved a bit but for them to not make a difference it seems pointless.

[Martinchris23]

Just to echo what others have said:

Household energy bills, fuel and basic food items are all on the increase. The cost of living is reaching a dangerous high and financial advisors are already warning of a recession.

The last thing people will be wanting to do is throw £200 ($375) at a 60GB 360.

For starters, Gamestation don't even advertise it on their website - they still have the 20GB being sold. I avoid Game (like many others) as they severely overprice their games. The only bargains in there are the EOL and pre-owned stuff.

I'm now waiting for MS to report 'disappointing' sales of this SKU.....

[jimbobjim]

Lets not forget it's also the middle of summer here in the UK. Most people just leave their games consoles to collect dust this time of year.

[madflex]

Lets not forget it's also the middle of summer here in the UK. Most people just leave their games consoles to collect dust this time of year.

And not to mention the fact that there is no such thing as infinite market growth I mean common now do they really think people who own xbox 360's and who don't are actually goner shell out more money for a measly 40gb more storage or do they think that there ''3'' Sku 'marketing disaster waiting to happen' is really goner work in the long run. The factor is HD storage size verses where they see their self going don't even make sense eg.. Hi Def dl content installable games PVR fungtions etc you get the picture they would have to eventually ditch that ridiculous ''3'' Sku scheme and settle for the elite 360 with big hd only.

This post has been edited by madflex: Aug 22 2008, 11:21 AM

[aswilbourn]

Can't say I'm suprised and i believe it is for the reason's most people have mentioned.

1) The 'credit crunch'. Gas prices, electricity prices, petrol prices and even water prices now have rocketed! Its hard enough paying the monthly bills without spanking around £200 ($400) on a 360.

2) jasper motherboard. Why spank money on old technology that we know is faulty when a new motherboard which (allegedly) prevent RROD will be just around the corner.

3) GAME is a rip off! If you got the figures from GAME I'm not suprised. Biggest rip off merchants for video games in the UK. Ridiculous prices! Most people have learned to go elsewhere or online.

4) Lite On. A lot of people know that this dvd drive cannot yet be flashed so are sticking away from it until it can. Alot of Xbox 360s going on ebay advertsing they have an old Benq, hitachi or samsung. By preventing the flashing Microsoft have shot themselves in the foot regarding new console sales.

5) RROD. Alot of people have had the dreaded RROD (who have voided their warantee) and begruge buying a new console from Microsoft. So again alot of activity happening on the second hand market on ebay.

[bucko]

Energy bills are gonna hit record high here in the Winter, do you really think people can afford to run a 360 if they can barley run there cooker and central heating? It's called a Recession but it feels more like a Depression. It doesn't help with everyone on the TV saying we are in a Recession. America we have got your dirty cold

[getRAWed]

Energy bills are gonna hit record high here in the Winter, do you really think people can afford to run a 360 if they can barley run there cooker and central heating? It's called a Recession but it feels more like a Depression. It doesn't help with everyone on the TV saying we are in a Recession. America we have got your dirty cold

haha, nicely said

[gokyu]

On the back of some great clearance deals for the 20GB, major releases held off till fall along with the update that makes use of the extra space what did they expect?

[Fantmx]

Can't say I'm suprised and i believe it is for the reason's most people have mentioned.

4) Lite On. A lot of people know that this dvd drive cannot yet be flashed so are sticking away from it until it can. Alot of Xbox 360s going on ebay advertsing they have an old Benq, hitachi or samsung. By preventing the flashing Microsoft have shot themselves in the foot regarding new console sales.

You don't really believe that do you? A great majority of people that buy consoles have no intention of flashing the drive, and most don't even know what it means. The fact that there is a different drive in the new consoles has nothing to do with it not selling.

[O_oTheGameo_O]

of course it's not selling...

wait until GOW2 and GTA DLC hits.

This post has been edited by O_oTheGameo_O: Aug 22 2008, 02:52 PM

[Martinchris23]

You don't really believe that do you? A great majority of people that buy consoles have no intention of flashing the drive, and most don't even know what it means. The fact that there is a different drive in the new consoles has nothing to do with it not selling.

There's much more to it than meets the eye.

Remember that if you can't flash the drive, you can't replace it either. Say you buy a 360 with a Lite-On and after the warranty expires the drive goes kaput - you've no choice but to send it to MS for repair. TBH I think it's anti-competitive since once the warranty expires and MS have no legal right to repair it they are still preventing you from taking to a 3rd party repair centre (or at least swapping it out yourself).