Canadian Zune undercuts American price, hip checks into boards

There was a time, not so many years ago, when smug Americans could scoff at the currency of our neighbors to the north, saying "That's what, fifty cents?" at any Canadian price whilst laughing heartily. Naturally we American's aren't quite so giddy these days, and while the US dollar is regaining some traction versus its northern neighbor that doesn't explain this Canuck second-gen 8GB Zune's price discrepancy. It's selling at Future Shop (which is like Best Buy, eh?) for just $99 CAD -- that's $82 US, and over $50 less than we can find it at any other reputable 'Merican retailer. It is a limited time offer, however, going back up to $149.99 CAD in just six days. So, you'd better hurry up and take off to the great white north -- Future Shop doesn't ship international, don'cha know.

[Thanks, evil-m0nkey]

[adam @ Nov 14th 2008 9:40AM]

its just a pricing error... they have the 4GB model for $150 and the 8 GB model for $99.
i'm heading over and buying all they have in stock as soon as the store opens.

[M$FT @ Nov 14th 2008 9:46AM]

We, Americans, really suck, just like Micro$oft

[Phil @ Nov 14th 2008 9:51AM]

It's called a sale dude. It ends on Nov. 20th. Have fun killing all your cash. While you're at it, go buy up all their stock of the Canon EOS DSLR!

[Flashpoint @ Nov 14th 2008 10:23AM]

Microsoft has a really good opportunity.

They need to make a new Zune with touch screen and give it the same capabilities as the ipod touch. But, I want them to incorporate Xbox360 elements like they did with MSN Messenger and use MSN Messenger as a default chat system. Done properly, they could sway AOL IM users over to their side as an end all Email, chat, xboxlive messenger digital audio player, internet browsing device.

[Steven @ Nov 15th 2008 2:14AM]

I'm sorry but why are we down ranking the guy who said it's a pricing error? Did any of you actually check the website to see if there was an add correction? I work for Best Buy and in our daily newsletter it said not to price match the futureshop price because it was an advertising misprint and low and behold if you view their flyer online and go to the page with the Zune on it this is posted above the flyer:
AD CORRECTION
8GB Zune Player
WebID:10105602/00/598/722
PLease note on that on page 26 of the November 14 flyer, the 8GB Zune Player is advertised at $99.99 Save $30 but is actually a 4GB player. The 8GB Zune Player should be advertised at $149.99. Due to the inconvenience this may have caused, we will honor the price of $99.99 for the 8GB Zune Player for this week only.
So how about you guys don't be douche bags and do some research before down ranking someone?

[man_alone @ Nov 14th 2008 9:41AM]

Now I am proud to be Canadian! Not going to buy it though ;-)

[NHAnimator @ Nov 14th 2008 11:59AM]

Why do Canadian couples do it doggy-style?

So they can both watch the hockey game.

And I'm not making fun. It's actually an excellent concept that I have yet to employ. But now that the Bruins are playing well... "Heeeeee shoots and scores!"

[jorvay @ Nov 14th 2008 1:18PM]

I have a friend who knew his girlfriend was "the one" when she...um...provided an oral performance for him while he watched a Montreal Canadiens game. So a good joke, but not without some truth. It's good to be Canadian.

[maveric101 @ Nov 14th 2008 3:15PM]

a low-priced zune is all you have to be proud of? damn.

[Valicore @ Nov 14th 2008 9:43AM]

I call improper usage of an "eh". Oh, and it's "murrican".

[computer.dude.28 @ Nov 14th 2008 10:33AM]

I agree, improper use of eh. Eh must follow a statement in request of agreement.
"Damn, the Zunes are cheap here, eh?"

[Rocketboy @ Nov 14th 2008 9:44AM]

It's the shop of the future, today.

[Dave @ Nov 14th 2008 9:50AM]

Might have to run north of the border this weekend for this price!

[iEye @ Nov 14th 2008 9:59AM]

I’m sorry, Dave. I can’t let you do that..

Seriously, if you want to score one, all you have to do is use the "in store pickup" basically you reserve one at that price in a store and you are only charged your credit card when you pick it up. you have 3 days to complete the transaction.

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Nov 14th 2008 10:13AM]

Although I dislike you stupid comments iEye, that one was quite good

[HamiltonGuy @ Nov 14th 2008 9:57AM]

Best Buy bought out Future Shop (here in Canada) a few years ago but they are still building the 2 "brands" stores within shouting distance of each other.

The times I've been in a Future Shop, there have often been people browsing the iPod display but I've yet to see anyone near the few Zunes on the shelves.

This low price could simply be a way to dump stock, get them off the shelves and out of the stores.

[o rly @ Nov 14th 2008 11:25AM]

If they were dumping stock and clearing them out, the price would end in .97.

[jorvay @ Nov 14th 2008 1:23PM]

Right you are HamiltonGuy. And here I thought I was the only Hamiltonian addicted to Engadget.

[Conor @ Nov 14th 2008 9:58AM]

I have an iPhone, but I want a Zune :)

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Nov 14th 2008 10:03AM]

We have been saying no to shite but you keep coming back. So it doesn't work. as for the price laughing we Brits have been laughing at you colonials for a long time and look at the way that turned out.. Hopefully we can get back to laughing soon.

[Jinto @ Nov 14th 2008 10:05AM]

(Don't forget... it's a Zune.)

[telepheedian @ Nov 14th 2008 10:07AM]

Face it, the Zune line has better MEDIA PLAYERS than the iPod line. The non-touch iPod line has really been dragging lately in hardware and software quality, and the touch ones just seem kinda gimmicky to me, and aren't available with hard drives. The touch may make for a better web browser/gadget/portable device, but the Zune has it soundly beaten in the interface/music playback department. The Zune has physical controls, a better output stage, fast device software, and a windows client that doesn't make me want to pull me hair out in frustration. If Apple would put more effort into iTunes and their actual media player line (nano/classic), then I would consider them again. I used iTunes from ver 4-7 on windows, and if they rewrote it to counter the bloat they've been adding, I'd consider it again. Finally, from what I've seen, the firmware on the nanos/classics seems slow as molasses, they need to make it more responsive instead of adding pointless/shoehorned eyecandy into the interface (split-screen, why?, and Cover Flow is useless). They had it right with the 5th gen iPod and 2nd gen Nano, they're just running out of ideas.

[Kazakaz @ Nov 14th 2008 10:09AM]

I tried doing the In-Store pickup option, and it said it wasn't available for in-store pickup. Damn Canadians! Go Sabres!!!

[jhilla @ Nov 14th 2008 1:40PM]

Go Sabres? are you serious? Their entire fan base is from Southern Ontario, if it wasn't for them you'd be belly up by now, don't make us take the Bills from you too, how about them apples, eh?

[DWells55 @ Nov 14th 2008 10:13AM]

iEye, I really don't understand how:
A. People don't see that you're clearly trolling.
B. You haven't been banned yet.

[Dave @ Nov 14th 2008 10:14AM]

It wouldn't let me do the in-store pick up. Oh well, I did just get a Slacer G2 last week, guess I really don't need the Zune. But I'm going to Canada anyway, the Duty Free has Jack Daniels on sale!!!

[iEye @ Nov 14th 2008 10:36AM]

Try again, you need to fill out a profile with an e-mail address...

I just completed it (montreal stores) one of my friends wants one before they correct the price... I reiterate it is not for me.

[M$FT @ Nov 14th 2008 10:14AM]

Hey, the article is about a price drop on a Zune !!!!!
There is nothing about Apple or iPod.
Restrict your comments to the topic, M$ fan boy !

[Carson @ Nov 14th 2008 10:23AM]

"don'cha know" ?

Do you think we're from Wisconsin? I'm also with Valicore, and call improper usage of "eh".

Futureshop is not Best Buy: we have Best Buy too. Futureshop is a "competitor" to Best Buy (which I believe is owned by the same company). Compare their websites (futureshop.ca and bestbuy.ca) and you'll find the only difference is colour scheme. The layouts are identical.

[BobDobalina @ Nov 14th 2008 10:31AM]

"Do you think we're from Wisconsin?"

How do you know the author isn't?

And did nobody else catch the Bob McKenzie hat!?

[Super S @ Nov 14th 2008 1:58PM]

Their layouts are not identical, at all. Best Buy's site is easy to use, unlike Future Shop.

Best Buy''s website: easy to use, can find things that you want. Ex, Headphones, hover over the audio section, and headphones is listed as an accessory that you click on.

Future Shop's website: Using the headphone example, first you need to figure out where to click to find headphones. After you search through links in the audio link, do you realize, it's not there. Then, ok, you click iPod & MP3 players (why iPod and MP3 players, and not just MP3 players?) And there it is. The headphone link. (Which has actually changed since the last time I was at there site, hence the gripe I have with the website. It used to be in iPod & MP3 player accessories).

[Jash Sayani @ Nov 14th 2008 10:53AM]

It was something obvious.!! All prices are dropping. Even the iPhone 3G will drop down to $149 in January.

[Dave @ Nov 14th 2008 10:54AM]

It really isn't a pricing error, it's advertised in their weekly ad for Christ's sake!

[Unique Gift Ideas @ Nov 14th 2008 11:04AM]

Posting a response to an iEye comment.

[Tohe @ Nov 14th 2008 11:10AM]

I got to say: that African-canadian dude @ futureshop.ca is hilarious!!!

[egoant @ Nov 14th 2008 11:19AM]

Of course, until Microsoft launches the Zune Marketplace in Canada, it is still quite difficult to get music onto the thing. It's fine if you just want to rip CDs, but I prefer buying my music online.

[neodorian @ Nov 14th 2008 11:24AM]

Then go to amazon. They are better files in drm-free formats and cheaper than the Zune store or ITMS. I wouldn't buy from either of the latter but if I had to buy digital-only I would definitely choose amazon.

[Steve @ Nov 14th 2008 11:40AM]

@neodorian

The Amazon music store isn't available in Canada yet

[Jubei @ Nov 14th 2008 11:22AM]

It doesn't really matter what price this Microsoft "me too" device is sold for. It's simply not worth anything. They may sell five or six more units this month with this price. Which will probably generate internal memos to workers associated with the Zune division, that will spin the huge number of sales as a success for the product. I suppose an additional five or six sales calls for a celebration of some sort. On that note, I think I will go to the potty and let one my own Zunes free to ultimately roam the oceans.

[Zeus.:God @ Nov 15th 2008 12:49AM]

Hey! Looks like they brought back the lowest rank! However, the only bad thing is I can't read Jubei's foolish posts as easily. It's getting harder and harder to get a good laugh...

[Jubei @ Nov 15th 2008 1:00AM]

Poor, poor Zune God using the word "foolish". Yet unable to comprehend that his continued attempts to drum up support for his feces inspired product directly associates him for the very word he uses. Sad, sad Zeus/Zune God: Still following my post, still lagging behind.... at least he's following the foot steps of his favorite "me too" company. He's the perfect mascot. You should be proud of yourself Zune G.

[CJ @ Nov 15th 2008 2:57AM]

I wish you would both be banned

[Zeus.:God @ Nov 16th 2008 1:43AM]

You wish Jubei to be banned? Well jeez, that would really bring me down as he brings so much joy to my life with his *foolish* posts... Just like that one. You see it? Right above yours- it's not hard to miss. That's really, REALLY good. The hypocrisy is just too much.

[CJ @ Nov 16th 2008 6:50PM]

No no, I said both of you.

I find your incessant and pointless bickering very annoying.

[Zeus.:God @ Nov 17th 2008 2:13AM]

It's not bickering. It's more of an I'm telling him whats up and he's making a fool of himself. I antagonize for the pleasure of our readers. You're one of the few that don't get a good chuckle from it, I would guess.

Then again, CJ, you wouldn't understand because to you, teh internet iz srs biznes.

[Super S @ Nov 14th 2008 1:49PM]

As previously mentioned, Future Shop is owned by Best Buy. In my opinion, it was the best buy out ever. Future Shop was going down, it's customer service sucked, and still does, but it is getting much better, especially now that they are not on commission.

[o rly @ Nov 14th 2008 3:00PM]

They are still on commission at FutureShop, just not every sales person and it's reduced commission (which is why some sales persons are even more aggressive); it's called "phase 2."

[Jeff Lewis @ Nov 14th 2008 1:52PM]

For the record, Future Shop isn't 'like' Best Buy.. it's OWNED by Best Buy Canada.

Future Shops used to be the Canadian equivalent of Best Buy in the US, then they were bought up by the newly minted Best Buy Canada who then starting building Best Buys (typically within a block of the Future Shops).

Currently, Best Buy Canada is targetted to games, home theatre types and computer fans while Future Shop is targetted at lower end products and home appliances, although there's a large overlap in what's sold in both stores.

[o rly @ Nov 14th 2008 2:56PM]

Actually, it's the other way around Jeff. Best Buy is the lower-mid end, while FutureShop is for the regular and "enthusiast" market, even though most SKUs overlap between stores. You'll see BB & FS with the same lower-mid-high end product lines, but there are some items that FS calls "ultra high end" products that BB doesn't carry, like the $10,000 Sharp LCD TV or the $3000 HP desktop.

[Braden Q @ Nov 14th 2008 3:30PM]

As a Future Shop employee, o rly is correct. Future shop carries more high end products, and has a target customer age that is lower than best buy.