Blu-ray player prices are NOT rising.

[kamiller42]

For some reason, several blogs are writing stories about how Blu-ray player prices have risen since the demise of HD DVD. This is ridiculous. The information is gathered from PriceGrabber.com for the story.

Let’s look at this for a minute. It’s being reported that the average cost of the Sony BDP-S300 is $405. This is above MSRP, set by Sony at $399. One retailer lists it for $445 (above the list price), and the rest are at MSRP or below. This is throwing off the average.

We also have to consider that many retailers on PriceGrabber are not authorized retailers for the product they’re selling. Authorized retailers (Circuit City, Crutchfield, Best Buy, etc.) list the Sony player at MSRP of $399 - as is correct. No Blu-ray player manufacturer has increased the MSRP of their players.

If retailers were selling below retail previously (and authorized ones do not or they will lose their relationship with the company), it was not do to competition against HD DVD. These retailers weren’t on the Blu-ray side trying to compete against Toshiba, they were also selling Toshiba players. Competition between formats would have been championed by the manufacturers, and they did not just now raise their list price. The MSRP now is the same as the beginning of the year.

Consider this my civic duty, exposing the fraud put out on blogs to stir up controversy and gain hits for their advertisers.
Source

Thank you helping set the record straight. Tom's Hardware is just upset they bet on the losing horse and are trying to make Blu-ray look bad.

[Favelle]

Phewww....thank god....I don't what I would have done....

[Supremo]

It really makes me wonder how important the average price on pricegrabber is, or what significance it has.

When I go to websites like that, I don't really care what the average price is. I only care for a low price at an "acceptable" shop.

[Johnny Park]

So Philips didn't bump their newest player's price up $50?

[joeags]

Wow. Fine, the average price is not above $400 in that version. But on the other hand, only 1 seller is below $395, and it's selling for a whopping 7.5% under retail ($369.99). Prices may not be rising, but they're sure not trying to drop prices to get people to buy in during a recession...

[kamiller42]

Originally Posted by Favelle

Phewww....thank god....I don't what I would have done....

I know what you would have done... bitched.

[kamiller42]

Originally Posted by Johnny Park

So Philips didn't bump their newest player's price up $50?

Was that player on the market during the time period of Tom's "study?"

[kamiller42]

Originally Posted by joeags

Wow. Fine, the average price is not above $400 in that version. But on the other hand, only 1 seller is below $395, and it's selling for a whopping 7.5% under retail ($369.99). Prices may not be rising, but they're sure not trying to drop prices to get people to buy in during a recession...

If someone really wants a Blu-ray player, he/she would use more than one search engine. You can find it for less.

[iontyre]

For crying out loud, kamiller42, you yourself published right here in this forum scads of deals on blu-ray players during the war that were WAY less then they are now, including the Sony BDP300 which was selling in MANY locations for under $300 during the holiday season. You are playing real loose with your MSRP stuff. The REAL prices certainly haven't fallen, and in fact have climbed in many places. That Sony machine was $279.99 at our local BJ's during December, now at $379.99. A $100 bump!!

The point is we keep hearing "prices will fall over time", yet prices today are pretty much right where they were a full year ago!! How many DECADES are we supposed to wait?

[Nomen Luni]

Originally Posted by iontyre

The point is we keep hearing "prices will fall over time", yet prices today are pretty much right where they were a full year ago!!

They are? I can't speak for elsewhere but here in the UK, a BD player would have set you back around £900 last March.

[iontyre]

Originally Posted by Nomen Luni

They are? I can't speak for elsewhere but here in the UK, a BD player would have set you back around £900 last March.

Well, here the low end has been in the $400 - $500 range for a year now. Little if any change. There were a bunch of sales for the holidays that got some machines under $300 briefly, but those days are gone now.

Very frustrating, I want a player, but can't afford those prices.

[kamiller42]

Originally Posted by iontyre

For crying out loud, kamiller42, you yourself published right here in this forum scads of deals on blu-ray players during the war that were WAY less then they are now, including the Sony BDP300 which was selling in MANY locations for under $300 during the holiday season. You are playing real loose with your MSRP stuff. The REAL prices certainly haven't fallen, and in fact have climbed in many places. That Sony machine was $279.99 at our local BJ's during December, now at $379.99. A $100 bump!!

You answered your own question. Are players at major outlets selling higher than they were during the holiday sales? At this moment, for most, it's likely. You can find outlets selling close to those Christmas prices if you really want one.

This change in prices is not limited to Blu-ray players. Exchange rates. Fuel prices. Consumer demand. Many factors affect the market prices of products. Food prices are not higher because the supposed lack of competition. (Aren't HD DVDers constantly reminding us of the many competitors of Blu-ray?)

The point is we keep hearing "prices will fall over time", yet prices today are pretty much right where they were a full year ago!! How many DECADES are we supposed to wait?

You really think player prices haven't changed in a year??

[Favelle]

Originally Posted by kamiller42

I know what you would have done... bitched.

Not me man. Prices are fine right where they are. Heck, they could make standalones $5000 each, doesn't matter to me. I have my Blu-ray player. All I care about is software. They can do what they want with the hardware.

[Balian]

Relax HD DVD cheapskates, Samsung is going to have a Blu-ray player for less than $250 at Walmart later this year.

And here's something interesting.... Warren Communications News (subscription required) is reporting that Samsung is planning to have a Blu-ray player available for less than $250 at Wal-Mart stores later this year, probably in the third quarter. So if you're interested in a Blu-ray player but price is an issue, just relax. The prices will continue to drop later this year, and plenty of great deals will be available in the coming months.

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mingella

[mosul210]

Originally Posted by Balian

Relax HD DVD cheapskates, Samsung is going to have a Blu-ray player for less than $250 at Walmart later this year.

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mingella

You do realize your response does not really help anyone. I have a Samsung BD player and to be honest I'm not sure I would recommend it to anyone at this point. Samsung has gotten better at updating their firm ware, but they're still far from recommendation.

I see nothing wrong with someone waiting for the prices to drop. In my opinion BD players need to drop to sub $200 level for the main stream public to take notice.

The younger crowd living at home with mom and pops may not mind the higher prices; But the average adult with a mortage, and car note is all about conservative spending. BD has come a long way, but still has ways to go if it is to seriously rival SD DVD.