Magnavox $128 @ Walmart...

[horrorbusiness]

I go to my local walmart occasionally and they only ever have 1 or 2 of these, then a few days later they are out of stock. So they are moving at my local wally world.

[martythebrit]

As far as I know the Magnavox player is made by Funai, who also makes Philips stuff I believe. So I guess that makes it a Philips?

The Walmart near me has three end-caps with blu-ray movies, and some others scattered around.

I think for blu-ray to succeed the movie prices need to come more into line with DVD prices, maybe a $1 or $2 premium for the blu-ray.

[BillythePuppet07]

Originally Posted by Sbert

I think it's regional because my walmart has actually expanded their blu-ray exposure by making a whole aisle blu-ray movies then the other side all hardware.

The magnavoxes are sold out at my location. Actually, I never saw any anytime, there's the possibility they never got a shipment, but I do remember them putting some players on palate in the aisle prior to the sale about 3 weeks ago but I don't think it was the magnavox.

Maybe it is regional. I still think it is a bad sign for them to scale back so much. Unless they are about to remodel and expand. I will keep checking when I go in there. The last time I was in Target they were pushing it pretty hard. A whole row of blu-ray's. Then again most Target shoppers have more disposable income. If I had to guess probably 2/3's of Wal-Mart customers don't even know what a blu-ray is or even care.

[BillythePuppet07]

Originally Posted by martythebrit

As far as I know the Magnavox player is made by Funai, who also makes Philips stuff I believe. So I guess that makes it a Philips?

The Walmart near me has three end-caps with blu-ray movies, and some others scattered around.

I think for blu-ray to succeed the movie prices need to come more into line with DVD prices, maybe a $1 or $2 premium for the blu-ray.

Why would they do this for? The whole point of blu-ray is to increase revenue for the studios, not just give them away.

[BillythePuppet07]

Originally Posted by loveforbluray

I can't help but have an early feeling that Black Friday will be especially fantastic for blu-ray players and discs. If there's a $128 player now, we should see a $99 one on Black Friday for sure.

Funny how a $99 hd dvd player equaled "fire sale". Yet a $99 blu-ray player mean's mass adoption of the format. No double standard there.

[Splicer]

Originally Posted by martythebrit

As far as I know the Magnavox player is made by Funai, who also makes Philips stuff I believe. So I guess that makes it a Philips?

No...It makes it a Funai...

[eYeKey]

Originally Posted by BillythePuppet07

Why would they do this for? The whole point of blu-ray is to increase revenue for the studios, not just give them away.

Economies of scale my friend...

[Sbert]

Originally Posted by BillythePuppet07

Maybe it is regional. I still think it is a bad sign for them to scale back so much. Unless they are about to remodel and expand. I will keep checking when I go in there. The last time I was in Target they were pushing it pretty hard. A whole row of blu-ray's. Then again most Target shoppers have more disposable income. If I had to guess probably 2/3's of Wal-Mart customers don't even know what a blu-ray is or even care.

Of course seeing blu-ray scale back is not a good sign, but I think you need to keep in mind that this is not happening across the board and walmart is well known for their ability to predict needs depending on the demographics of that area and expected sales. They have complex algorithms of keeping stock and what is stocked in their stores.

In our area, Target has done the same, expanded Blu-ray actually to a full length aisle of movies.

[Slayer]

The Walmart by my house in Federal Way, Washington didnt sell hardly any of the $128.00 players. I talked to the department manager when I was looking at the end cap with them piled up. He mentioned that they sold a "handful". The $128 price tag was still there. I asked if it was still that price, he had a clerk price check one and it was back up to $168. He comment was (and I quote verbatim) "we couldnt sell them at $128, so I am sure they are gonna fly off the shelves at $168". Obviously the sarcasm was running deep. The don't have much of a selection of movies (and keep in mind this is the new super Walmart, the thing is friggin huge!), but some of the prices are ok. I dont think Blu is a big seller at Walmart. It seems to me the demographic just isnt a good fit.

If I want a giant Blu selection, I go to Fry's.

[martythebrit]

Maybe $49.95 would get them moving...

[loveforbluray]

Originally Posted by Slayer

The Walmart by my house in Federal Way, Washington didnt sell hardly any of the $128.00 players. I talked to the department manager when I was looking at the end cap with them piled up. He mentioned that they sold a "handful". The $128 price tag was still there. I asked if it was still that price, he had a clerk price check one and it was back up to $168. He comment was (and I quote verbatim) "we couldnt sell them at $128, so I am sure they are gonna fly off the shelves at $168". Obviously the sarcasm was running deep. The don't have much of a selection of movies (and keep in mind this is the new super Walmart, the thing is friggin huge!), but some of the prices are ok. I dont think Blu is a big seller at Walmart. It seems to me the demographic just isnt a good fit.

If I want a giant Blu selection, I go to Fry's.

If the $128 price tag is there, technically they have to sell them for $128. Especially if it's an end cap.

[The_Doctor]

Originally Posted by loveforbluray

If the $128 price tag is there, technically they have to sell them for $128. Especially if it's an end cap.

They have the $128 price endcap at ours too. I didn't bother to get a price check, I assumed as anybody would that it would be correct if they are advertising it.

All the $168 price means is that the price went back up automatically and nobody else at his store has bothered to buy one or get a price check. I guarantee anybody who thinks they are buying $128 player will get the manager there for a price correction.

[Slayer]

Originally Posted by loveforbluray

If the $128 price tag is there, technically they have to sell them for $128. Especially if it's an end cap.

I didn't care enough to try. Like everyone else, I didn't want one.

[jgantert]

Our store has the full end-cap, plus a huge pallet of them back by the TV's. Still priced at $128, but I didn't scan it either. Probably at least 50 or 75 there. But who wants a 1.1 player that doesn't decode any advanced audio? I'll pass.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by jgantert

Our store has the full end-cap, plus a huge pallet of them back by the TV's. Still priced at $128, but I didn't scan it either. Probably at least 50 or 75 there. But who wants a 1.1 player that doesn't decode any advanced audio? I'll pass.

As long as it can bitstream I'd be good.