Microsoft cuts Xbox 360 price to �199 in UK

It's not a huge price drop, but reports are starting to come in that Microsoft's turning up the heat in Europe on the price of their Xbox 360 Core console. Apparently retailers in the UK are beginning to drop the price on the console from £209 to £199, nearly a $20 US price cut on the system. There's a little he said she said going on between Microsoft and the retailers though: Microsoft's stance is that the retailers set the price, and they're all just deciding to drop to £199, whereas the retailers seem to all agree the edict came from Redmond to drop it. Why? Well, if Microsoft pretends like they didn't ask retailers to drop the price, they're less likely to the incite of negative feedback from, say, their US customers who have also been waiting patiently for a price drop to buy their console. And to that we say bollocks.

[Yubastard @ Aug 26th 2006 1:49PM]

bullocks? wasn't it bollocks? hmmm... I'm no british, you know, but...

[jimbobsmells @ Aug 26th 2006 1:50PM]

yeah, it's bollocks. Bullocks would be a couple of cows.

[par @ Aug 26th 2006 1:54PM]

Why would US customers want a price drop after seeing a UK price drop? Their x360 price of $299 (£158) is still $77 (£41) cheaper than the new UK/European price.

[stewart @ Aug 26th 2006 1:55PM]

It is very important to note that with current currency conversion 199 pounds is about $376. In the US the same system is $299. So its still about $77.


Now $199 would be truelly news.. But microsoft would even loose more money.

Also it is interesting to note that the next Generation ATI video card uses 200 watts, which basically the same one use in the 360, this could expained why my 360 needs external fan on it - under heavy activity.

[astutefool @ Aug 26th 2006 2:18PM]

It is still, however, good news. It's just that the dollar is worth very much these days. The best deal could be had by buying an console in America.

[astutefool @ Aug 26th 2006 2:20PM]

*with some GBP

[Nabil Anwar @ Aug 26th 2006 2:33PM]

wait, wait, wait. Everyone is missing the point here. The price cuts are happening because retailers want to get rid of this stock. as according to rumors, Microsoft is doing an update to the console and releasing it for cheaper, for the Christmas season. Hence the price cuts now; watch the US will get price cuts soon enough too.

[JoelW @ Aug 26th 2006 2:43PM]

This is more likely due to the large appreciation in value of the British Pound. Check out the graph located at http://www.x-rates.com/d/USD/GBP/graph120.html for proof.

[embee @ Aug 26th 2006 4:27PM]

"Well, if Microsoft pretends like they didn't ask retailers to drop the price, they're less likely to the incite of negative feedback from, say, their US customers who have also been waiting patiently for a price drop."

MS is also less likely to get hit with price fixing charges like N was back in the early 90's in connection with the original GB.

[Liam @ Aug 26th 2006 4:32PM]

I live in the UK and I think its only argos cutting their price to £199.99 for the Bank holiday sale nothing special

[Liam @ Aug 26th 2006 4:33PM]

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5679216/Trail/C%24cip%3D43851.Video%2Bgames.htm


Special Offer due to a Sale :)

[Liam @ Aug 26th 2006 4:34PM]

Also.. proof its a sale by going to http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ArgosPromoViewSix?langId=-1&storeId=10001&pageName=August06tacticals&tag=HP1_1a :) ends Monday 28th August

[Tyler @ Aug 26th 2006 4:40PM]

anyway, i think this price too high for this model.

[misieq @ Aug 26th 2006 6:31PM]

how comes that 209-199 = 20?

[misieq @ Aug 26th 2006 6:32PM]

oh, sorry didn't notice that that was different currencies.

[xboxhater @ Aug 26th 2006 7:01PM]

"oooooooooooooh £10"

[Patrick @ Aug 27th 2006 2:43AM]

We had a $50 AUD price drop down here in Australia, The X-Box 360 "Pro" package went from $650 to $600...

[n2 @ Aug 27th 2006 12:18PM]

A price drop on the 360 is inevitable. It's just a matter of time.

[carg0 @ Aug 27th 2006 7:59PM]

What's the status of the core pack in the US? I haven't seen one for sale in months, only the Premium. Does anyone know?