Price increase for Wii on the horizon?

msmalls74 · 11 Mar 2009 at 17:14

Just saw that nintendo are going to increase the price of the Wii trade price by £20 much Like Sony was going to with there TV's and Cameras (not sure if its happened?)

Nintendo has said that it is to raise the price of the Wii in the UK due to the depreciation of the pound.

The system has a recommended retail price of GBP 179.99 in the region, and with a price hike of around GBP 18 – 20, will put considerable pressure on retailers' margin.

"Due to the severe and continuing depreciation of the pound, we are, unfortunately, having to raise our trade price to UK retailers of Wii hardware," said the company. "The price that they then offer to consumers is, of course, up to the retailers."

"We are only – reluctantly – raising our trade price now to retailers due to unprecedented and sustained depreciation of the pound. This is a problem brought about by extreme currency fluctuations that are a symptom of the global economic situation," said Nintendo.

They also have just spoken about a possible increae to new software

Nintendo has not ruled out a rise in prices for new software releases in the UK, due to the depreciation of the pound.

Although trade prices for titles currently on the market will not change, there is a possibility of new releases being hit with a price hike.

"The final price in the shops is always up to retailers but we will not be increasing the trade price of existing Wii or DS software," offered Nintendo.

"However, the trade prices for new titles yet to be released may rise as a result of the depreciation of the pound."

Wii hardware trade prices are already set to rise in the UK, "due to unprecedented and sustained depreciation of the pound," said Nintendo.

However, the DSi – due for release early next month – and the current DS model, will not be affected, said the company.

"The present exchange rate was taken into consideration when we announced the trade price of DSi to retailers across Europe."

"At this time, we do not expect to have to change the trade price we charge to retailers for the DSi or DS price in the UK in the foreseeable future."

Is this a start of a trend or will Sony and MS try to weather the storm? Im especially surprised about a possible hike in Nintendo software price.

XPE · 11 Mar 2009 at 17:18

I don't think sony can afford to rise the prices of the ps3 and ms can afford to keep their prices low to try and increase says.

As for Nintendo they can go and **** off if they think I'm paying increased prices for their software, i didn't see prices dropping when the pound was getting you 2 dollars.

Shamikebab · 11 Mar 2009 at 17:19

Nintendo are actually raising the price :eek:

Smit · 11 Mar 2009 at 17:21

I would be shocked if MS or Sony followed and raised prices too.
Strange move IMO because if the pound is becoming weaker, then surely people would need more money for holidays/any other imports and therefore would have less to spend within the UK?

Buffman · 11 Mar 2009 at 17:37

Shamikebab said:
Nintendo are actually raising the price

indeed, good lord the thing should have at least dropped to ~£130 by now, makes me semi glad I got mine on launch for £160.

Kreeeee · 11 Mar 2009 at 17:50

The Craig said:
glad I got mine on launch for £160.

Same, Never thought the price would increase this far on! I thought it would be well under £100 by now given the price drops of the 360.

Joebob · 11 Mar 2009 at 18:05

This is simple economics - supply and demand. Demand is still outstripping supply in a lot of countries for the Wii so there is no reason for them not to raise the RRP.

This is completely different for Sony & MS as they will lower the price as and when the market dictates it or to compete with each other etc.

mjones1 · 11 Mar 2009 at 18:13

WTF, they are making tones of money off the wii why would they raise paces, money greedy whores.

Kreeeee · 11 Mar 2009 at 18:21

Joebob said:
This is simple economics - supply and demand. Demand is still outstripping supply in a lot of countries for the Wii so there is no reason for them not to raise the RRP.

This is completely different for Sony & MS as they will lower the price as and when the market dictates it or to compete with each other etc.

Erm... no. Why didn't they do this years ago when demand was far higher?

Lightnix · 11 Mar 2009 at 18:26

They probably are doing this because of exchange rates, actually. A popular games retailer in the USA sells the Wii for $249.99 (I think that's their RRP), which translates to £181, or thereabouts in sterling, this is disregarding VAT, so the price we would be paying if we were paying the same price the US pay would be about £208 including VAT.

I can see quite clearly why Nintendo may want to raise their GBP price over here - not that I support their decision, being they should have lowered the price at least once by now. Oh well.

Tunney · 11 Mar 2009 at 18:28

Retailer margins on consoles are very tight. Most will have no choice but to pass on the increase to the consumer.

Maybe now is the time to sell my Wii.

Tobes · 11 Mar 2009 at 18:33

Joebob said:
This is simple economics - supply and demand. Demand is still outstripping supply in a lot of countries for the Wii so there is no reason for them not to raise the RRP.

Eh? Why are you making up a reason why they are raising the price. Nintendo have said why...

Nintendo has said that it is to raise the price of the Wii in the UK due to the depreciation of the pound.

Sinny · 11 Mar 2009 at 18:39

I'm surprised they didn't think of this sooner, they've had strong sales for quite some years now so it doesn't make sense to increase the price now (even if the pound is weak).

Looking at the DSi, I think they decided to put the extra £20 on that to make up for the wii's laughable losses.

Will Lucky · 11 Mar 2009 at 18:56

Joebob said:
This is simple economics - supply and demand. Demand is still outstripping supply in a lot of countries for the Wii so there is no reason for them not to raise the RRP.

This is completely different for Sony & MS as they will lower the price as and when the market dictates it or to compete with each other etc.

If this were the case the price increases would have happened a long time ago.

mjones1 · 11 Mar 2009 at 19:14

I sold my 2nd hand wii for 180 in november so i made didn't have a lost.

Joebob · 11 Mar 2009 at 19:29

Kreeeee said:
Erm... no. Why didn't they do this years ago when demand was far higher?

Tobes said:
Eh? Why are you making up a reason why they are raising the price. Nintendo have said why...

Will Lucky said:
If this were the case the price increases would have happened a long time ago.

Sorry, I should have explained clearer - I didn't mean they are raising the RRP to make extra profit but purely to offset the weak pound etc. Sony & MS aren't in the dominant position which Nintendo are so will probably have to swallow the extra deficit due to the exchange rates.

My original statement should have read:_
"This is simple economics - supply and demand. Demand is still outstripping supply in a lot of countries for the Wii so there is no reason for them not to raise the RRP in line with exchange rates etc"

Tobes · 11 Mar 2009 at 19:33

Ahhhhh. I will let you off then

GSXRMovistar · 11 Mar 2009 at 20:09

Does the Wii still sell well secondhand? I have a launch console with a stack of accessories which hasn't been touched in ages.

Sinny · 11 Mar 2009 at 21:02

GSXRMovistar said:
Does the Wii still sell well secondhand? I have a launch console with a stack of accessories which hasn't been touched in ages.

They sell at a decent price but nothing like they would do near crimbo when you could get RRP second hand. You're probably looking at £140-£150.

jeffmango · 11 Mar 2009 at 21:16

I hope this sort of thinking doesn't start spreading to other companies.