Sell your soul to pre-order a British PS3

by Conrad Quilty-Harper on Jun 16th 2006 8:00AM

U.K. online retailer Play.com has made the PS3 available for pre-order in a bundle with three games, pushing the price up to £549.99 which, for a game console, is very near the "I'd have to sell my soul to get one" boundary. The real cheek is that the company doesn't guarantee that they'll be able to ship the console to you before Christmas "due to an expected European shortage of the PS3." On top of that, the three game bundle of Formula One '06, Warhawk and Singstar "may be changed, subject to availability."

We realize that these kind of bundles and disclaimers are the norm with console pre-orders, but if you convert this figure to dollars ($1,019.73) and compare it to similar deals for the Xbox 360 that we previously considered outrageous ($1,200 got you an Xbox 360 with 11 games and several accessories not too long ago), you get a good perspective on the difficult situation that Sony has put itself into by setting such a high sticker price. If the first pre-order bundle in the UK comes in at over half a grand, what can we expect from retailers in the weeks before the launch? I really don't want to be forced to sell my little sister's soul too.

[Via T3]

Source

Tags: Britain, Buy, England, next-gen, Online, order, Play.com, Playstation 3, Playstation3, pre-order, Price, PS3, PS3 price, Ps3Price, U.K., UK

Reader Comments (74)

Ouch. Guess it'll be a while until I pick one up.

I bought my xbox 360 on its release day in Norway for $452 This is not right Sony...

I have an active dislike for Sony anymore.

I don't trust 'em, and I don't love 'em.

Yeah the ridiculous price tag is awful. It may not seem like much from the American perspective (''wow, thats like only £500!!'') but £500 is alot here, converted to dollars, its $900+.
The thing that strikes me though is the thing about not launcing before christman in Europe. Honestly, if they can't ship it before then, then that is a very very bad move.

Woah, I don't doubt this will be the trend. With all the delays with the PS3, potential changes and problems, if it still does come in
November, there may have hardly been time to manufacture a whole set like Sony has been claiming. This would lead to extreme shortage like the 360, probably even less. At least the 360 only cost $400, however. And even then bundles went up to $2000. So wtf gonna happen with PS3 bundles? $3000? $4000? How about the console alone. I'm sure a popular price on eBay would be $1000+. All of a sudden your Blu-ray player isn't looking so cheap anymore.

all i have to say is :

REAL TIME WEAPON CHANGE !!!!

MASSIVE DAMAGE to your bank account

I live in the UK and I was going to get one on launch and put it up on ebay, but now its just too risky and to much stress to bother for a few £100's profit, I really doubt they can get this into homes before 2007, maybe like 10,000 at launch here in the UK.

Well this is good for ms and nintendo especially since nintendo might get the Wii out before ps3.

All this complaining is quite boring. The great thing about a region free console is that you can purchase it over the internet at a number of retailers and have it shipped to your home. As a result, the 2 million consoles available at launch will be available to everyone around the world. I'm sure they are going to still try to rip people off with bundles, but that isn't exactly Sony's fault. In the case that there isn't actually a ridiculous shortage, the bundles should dissappear shortly after launch.

Everyone should spend the time they are complaining online and just work an extra hour per week to save up the money between June and November to buy the system. I just don't get why people complain about spending an extra $200 for a device that will last them several years. People spend $200 in a month on beer and cigarettes that have zero lasting value, but can't make an investment in something that will bring them entertainment for the next 5 years. Strange...

Why is everyone blaming Sony for this? Sounds to me like an independent retailer going nuts. Kinda like when some gas stations raised prices to $2 a gallon more than everyone else, just because. Give it some time, some normal prices will start coming out.

Actually, this brings up the problem of bundles. I hadn't thought about that before. Forced bundling from online sites (EB, Gamestop) is going to be horribly expensive... and I'll bet you dollars to donuts that you'll have to spend over $1,000 on a bundle to get the "good" version of the PS3. Forced bundles are such a ripoff, and at this launch (with what looks like very few good launch titles) it's going to really stink.

DBX00:

Totally right. In fact, why not make it £800 or even a round grand. Hey don't complain, just work harder!
Whats an extra few hundred pounds when you can get 5 years of paying £50 for games and missing out on exclusives on the 360 and wii.
Maybe they could add a rumble pack for £100 extra

Seriously man, if a pint of beer went up by £1 next time you go to your local, will you just smile and Say "i must work harder"?

ThrillKill, it's Sony's fault because the lowest price you can pay for a PS3 in the UK is £425. That's an insanely high bottom end and it means that a reasonable bundle with three games ends up costing the equivalent of over $1000.

The prices are ridiculus, but I don't think you can really compare them to the Xbox bundles to show that Sony is out of touch. The PS3 costs $200 more, so why would the bundles be twice as much? Simple: the Xbox bundles still sold out. The retailers know they can raise the prices even higher, so they are.

Remember the goal in business is not to have a shortage, but to sell out every unit on the nose.

#DBX00
While having a region free-console does mean you can buy it from anywhere on the Internet and have delivered to your home, it also means - getting a different power supply if you don't live in the country of origin, paying outrageous import duties and having a spot of trouble trying to return it if it goes t1ts up.

I for one wouldn't consider buying one on import just to be the first. Those days ended with the Saturn and PSX for me. Im more than happy with my 360 and i'll be purchasing a Wii instead.

@DBX00"All this complaining is quite boring. The great thing
about a region free console is that you can purchase it over the
internet at a number of retailers and have it shipped to your
home."You will still have problems with PAL output and
BLU-RAY is still going to be region protected. So your point is
moot.

Also remember Sony making a big fuss and suing retailers that imported the PSP?

Decko

The fact of the matter is that if the price of alcohol or cigarettes increase people would still make the purchase. I'm not saying that you should just work harder to make a purchase, but as a consumer you have a choice and instead of complaining about an the price of the console, just don't buy it until it is in your price range or utilize your time better to make the investment. It's really simple as that. Instead, you have people here just responding to every little rumour that comes out and at the end of the day will still purchase the device at some point during its life cycle.

Everyone is complaining about how the higher end model is expensive, but refuse to just go with the cheaper model. Everyone wants it at launch, but don't want to pay the premium with being an early adopter. Good things in life cost money and most often require some type of sacrifice. Consumers today want everything now for nothing. If you don't like the price of the Playstation, go buy an XBOX360 or Wii and deal with their impending lack of titles or graphically enhancements.

MAKE A CHOICE!!!!!!!!!!

DBX00 - being an 'early adopter' doesn't mean you have to pay a premium. Nintendo has already said that Wii will cost no more than $250 - that's a steal for a next-gen console and everyone knows it. And for all we know it could be as low as $150-$200. All I'm saying is, you shouldn't just accept these outrageously high launch prices from Sony.

People here are CHOOSING to complain, and they have every right to, considering the circumstances.

spoo

The PSP didn't have a worldwide launch, which was the reason behind Sony suing retailers for importing a device to a country that shouldn't have access to the device until a certain date.

mad gerald

I'm glad you're happy with your XBOX360. I agree that returning a device is difficult if you purchase from a retailer outside your country, but for some countries this is the only option. I live in the States and plan on getting one from a rural area in the South which shouldn't pose a problem with finding the system outside a bundle and on launch day.

how many times are you gonna whinge about the PS3 price?

give it a rest!

Guys, are you forgetting? £549.99 will get you the gaming console that'll let you play...RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDGE RACER!

#17 - In regards to your comment about "their impending lack of titles," name me one PS3 exclusive title that isn't Metal Gear Solid 4 (Riiiiidge Rrrrrrracer?!!) And about the lack of "graphically (sic) enhancements," do you mean that the Xbox 360 doesn't have "real-time weapons change?" To summarize, everyone should go out and purchase a PS3 because it is superior in every way to the 360... Oh wait, you can't because they don't exist.

DBX00 have you been living under a rock or do you work at Sony and haven't seen anything coming out of the competition for the past 4 years? X360 and Wii impending lack of titles. Last time I checked it was PS3 with the so far fairly boring launch lineup and overworked franchises (Tekken 6, Resident Evil 5?....). Wii arguably has very old franchises as well but with the innovation of the controller, at least its a new experience. Then not to mention MS fantastic E3 lineup. So excuse me (and tons of other people) if they're not willing to *waste* 600 hard-earned dollars on a console producing games with only graphical updates of the previous generation and a whole set of unnecessary parts. And what was that you said? Go with the cheaper end model?? Right.... And everyone doesn't want it at launch. Just you and all the Sony fanboys.

This is no more Sony's fault than it was MS's fault that retailers were selling 360 bundles for 700+ bucks.

and for the whole 200 bucks more argument... please. The similarly equipped PS3 is only 100 bucks more than the comparable 360. Both the high end 360 and low end PS3 offer pretty much the same thing. Only the PS3 gives you a bluray player with it.

The higher end PS3 offers 40 more gb, builtin WIfi, and what not. So the high end 360 is really only comparable to the low end PS3 in terms of items you get.

So lets not bring up the 200 buck price difference as that is really pointless in terms of price difference because going by todays accessories prices, a same equipped 360 to match the high end PS3.. would be just about a hundred bucks more (Considering you'd need 3 hard drives and the WIFI connector which would put you at 400 bucks additional, making the 360 700 bucks.. and thats without the High definition media format)

I think you are missing peoples points.
The complaint is not that its unaffordable (although it will be for many) the point is that relative to what it is capable of and relative to its rivals, its way overpriced.
In terms of bang for buck, its the least by a good bit of the three.
Remember, even compared to 360 at launch its expensive, but when the ps3 launches, the 360 will be quite a bit cheaper and will have a vastly bigger catalogue of games.

DBX00 wrote: "Everyone is complaining about how the higher end model is expensive, but refuse to just go with the cheaper model."

What cheaper model?

Reports are that only one version is being sold in Europe, and it's the expensive one.

guy

All I can say is that you get what you pay for. I do like the controller for the Wii, but the games that they've shown so far don't really exactly move me toward purchasing the console. Also, am I going to have to buy two normal controllers and two wii remotes just to get my fill of playing Madden and Red Steel with my friends. The console may be cheaper than the competition, but I'm sure the price of accessories will add up on that thing. Until the full details of the Wii are released, online game pricing, and launch titles are announced Nintendo is still a mystery story. Everyone is loving them right now because nobody really knows anything about the system.

The 360 is comparatively more expensive than PS3 feature-for-feature. It helps in making the $600 price-tag look less significant. However, a Toyota is probably comparatively more expensive than a Mercedes... feature-for-feature. But does that mean most people are gonna buy a Mercedes?

"I live in the States and plan on getting one from a rural area in the South "

that should explain everything for you.

Anyone thinks that there going to buy this thing (if they can even get there chance)without getting it in a bundle is a retard, everyone is going to have to buy it in a bundle. Best Buy, EBgames, costco, and yes even WALMART will have it bundled.

let me guess, North Carolina

RazorElite

The comment about impending lack of titles and graphical enhancements was more directed toward the Wii, which last time I checked didn't have nearly as much 3rd party support as the other consoles and doesn't look better than an XBOX. I don't even really consider the XBOX360 serious competition for the PS3 given their incredibly weak sales numbers thus far(ie. PS2 selling more consoles and only selling 1.75 million in 7 months versus selling 1.5 million XBOX in 1.5 months of launch). How exactly are they going to sell 10 million consoles by 2007?

Joe

I actually live in NYC and DC, but will be in the South on business during that time frame. You actually can find several retailers that have the system without a bundled package. In case you're too slow to comprehend, bundles are the result of supply and demand. In the rural south, the demand for such a device at launch so retailers don't create expensive bundle packages. Many retailers make decisions like this at the region management level.

In regards to your insinuation about people from the South shows more about you than where I choose to do business or anything about the people that live in that area.

That's a fair enough point DBX00 regarding not enough info on the Wii. But you have to admit that there is quite a bit of info missing regarding the PS3 as well - how exactly the online component will work, what the launch titles will be, how the bundling will work ... if Wii doesn't interest you, that's all cool. It's just a shame that average Joes who really want a PS3 because it DOES interest them a lot, simply won't be able to afford one at launch.

I'll get the PS3 just not in a bundle. Looks like I'll be camping out again.

...Formula One '06, Warhawk and Singstar...

what is this? Why don't they let you choose from a list of games instead of forcing you to get 3 games, two of which you'll hate. Oh and the one you like will probably be swapped for something else because shortages.

This is one of the most frustrating aspects of bundles well besides being forced to buy a bundle if you want to buy online

If anyone remembers the Xbox360 bundles at circuit city, the bundle changed twice right before they went on sale online. The removed a few items but kept it the same price.

#18 That guy,

Yes the Wii will be really cheap... but it is also a different beast entirely than the Xbox360 and PS3. It's not technically on their level in terms of graphical capabilities and multi use function. The 360 and Ps3 to a lesser extent are trying to go for that whole set top box image that MS and sony want to achieve. Thus it sacrificed some of the bells and whistles its competitors put on their systems. So its a lot cheaper because Nintendo probably doesnt have as big a plan as Sony or MS as dominating your entire entertainment experience.

They want their system to be the centerpiece of your entertainment center.
The Wii, well its just a gaming system, nothing wrong with that, i want one too. Its just a different outlook and type of system than its competitors.

That "just work harder" BS runs both ways you know.

Damn it and I wanted something based on japanese history where you can attack a giant enemy crab.

Oh well... *runs to play RIIIIIDGE RACEEEER*

to #28

I'm from the South, and I find your comment highly offensive on so many levels, I'm not even going to capatilize on shutting you down.

In regards to the PS3 pricing, it's a huge differnce, $200 may not be much to some, but $200 is huge. Plus you're buying into Sony force feeding you an unproven technology, buying into their lies and deception, and buying into a company that seemingly has no direct vision with this system. They seem to flip-flop every other day on what it's for and what it does. That doesn't bode well. It means they are on the ropes and grasping at flies. It's very dangerous to consumers.

I'm fine with my 360, I get a choice of HD-DVD if I want it. Or I can stream via Media Center, or I can even turn on HBO or Starz HD. If all developer reports are to be beleived, then it may be in peoples best interests to save some cash and buy a 360. Technically they are a wash anyway. Unless of course Blu-Ray is that important.

DBX -

Would you agree that the 360's poor sales records reflect the fact that the average consumer finds the $400 price tag too high?

If that is the reason behind poor 360 sales, what do you think the PS3 sales are going to be like when it hits the street @ $599?

"I'd have to sell my soul to get one"

Well, considering how many households buy more than one 60GB iPod at $399 (not including tunes @ $1ea), I hardly think the price of the PS3 is "outrageous" considering everything that it does. There is no doubt in my mind that there is a place for the PS3 (and it's price-point) in today's economy. The PS3 is at the top, then xbox360, then Nintendo Wii when it comes to affordability. At each level, you get what you pay for (and more).

Stop the useless, pathetic fanboy bullshit - you haters come off as financially challenged bitches.

CaptNink

I wouldn't begin to have the arrogance to compare historical numbers to forecasted PS3 sales. However, I can say that people in Japan don't see the value in the XBOX360 at the price point or they just don't think it has any good games. As far as the sales figures in other regions, the sales could be attributed to the high price or software.

On the Sony side of things, the PS2 is still selling strong at the lower end of the market, while the PS3 may compete well at the higher end. This is something that Microsoft simply doesn't have the ability to do at this point. Sony can demand developers continue support for the PS2 since it has the largest customer base and PS3 owners won't be left in the dark b/c of backwards compatibility. While at the same time, the PS3 users will benefit from their own titles. Sony doesn't have to have magnificient numbers immediately because it has two devices in the market. They can transition PS3 into the mainstream market over time as the price declines. It's all about diversification.

Darryl - I'm a 'financially challenged fanboy' because I can't afford a PS3?

How else can I get my point across that I can't afford a PS3 besides saying just that?

And dude, I have three sisters and two brothers. Not ONE of them (nor my parents) own a SINGLE iPod (neither do I), I shit you not. I don't know where you're getting these ideas about families owning multipled iPods like it's the norm. It's not. You obviously have a lot of disposable income. The majority of people do not.

It all makes sense to me. They utilize the PS2 at the lower end to cushion the hit from tremendous losses on the PS3 hardware during the intial year. As the manufacturing costs decline, you push PS3 to the mainstream with a lower price point, while selling it at a profit or smaller loss. Sony probably feels that the PS2 will be able to compete with the Wii and XBOX360 as the value option as long as they keep releasing great titles for the system. They've essentially split the market into two segments by having a low cost device and the premium device.

We'll see how the strategy works out for them. Regardless, I'm looking forward to having my PS3 hooked up to my HDTV and audio system in the near future.

DBX-

I'm not sure what you are trying to say in your post. How do you reason that the PS3 will compete well in the "high-end" market?

I'm getting a PS3 day one (pre-order) with no bundle, but I have a connections.

Then, I'll be selling it on Ebay. Sorry PS3 fans, but if you want mine, it'll have a $2000 "buy it now" price, and I'll only accept PayPal and will only ship to the address on your credit card. =) I promise not to rape you on the shipping cost, though.

Then, I'm going to use the profits to support my Wii60 gaming habits for the next year.

CaptNink

I don't know if the PS3 will sell well at all. However, they have a diverse product offering which should allow them to sustain profitability without incredible initial sales. That was my point.

RIIIIIIIIIDGE RAAACCCEER!!

REAL TIME SEX CHANGE and GIANT CRABS!

I have a 360 and I dont need another expensive box in my living room.

I can only play so many games during a week before my wife kicks me out of the house.

Besides the 360 is out now and it has all the games I want to play like Gears of War, Halo2 & 3, Fable 2, Ninja Gaiden2, GTA4, Oblivion and Lost Planet, Mass Effect, BioShock and so on.

To be honest the only people who will buy a PS3 are Sony fanboys and intellectually stunted people. There is no advantage to the PS3 over the 360. Not one.

Also...

the 360 Already has all the features that the PS3 is braggin about.

1. Real time weapon change in Graw, Oblivion and COD2 plus many more
2. Giant crabs are in Oblivion on the 360
3. We have Ridge Racer on the 360

DBX-

Gotcha! The diverse product offering is a good point.

I just hope (and expect) that Sony will push hard on the PS3 and not rely too much on development for the PS2. The last thing this industry needs is to be held back in the last generation.

Fanboyism

Are you serious? Can you store music and movies ON your XBOX360 and play it DIRECTLY from the console? Will your games have 50GB of storage capacity on a single disc? Motion sensing controller? Can you purchase movies, music, and television shows from your console? Can you play a game on the console, then take that game character on the road with a PSP? Wireless networking out of the box? I can't remember, does the XBOX360 even have a web browser? These are just features that have been announced...The list could go on and on with OS updates or future announcements.

Each system has their own advantages and disadvantages. Let's not get confused and think these two systems are identical in features and capabilities.

DBX00=Fanboy LOL!!!

PS3 is not yet released. The features you mention do NOT exist on the PS3 until you can buy it in the store. Dont believe everything Sony says. PS3 DOES NOT EXIST YET. Who knows what the hell will be in it. And yes if you actually owned a 360 you would know you can do pretty much everything you listed. I have tons of music and vides and demos on the drive right now. I actually have 2 drives for the 360.

DXB00 I will repeat it again for you since you werent listening...

the 360 Already has all the features that the PS3 is braggin about.

1. Real time weapon change in Graw, Oblivion and COD2 plus many more
2. Giant crabs are in Oblivion on the 360
3. We have Ridge Racer on the 360

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Sell your soul to pre-order a British PS3

Reader Comments (74)

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 8:09AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 8:11AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 8:32AM stridermt2k said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 8:47AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 8:47AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 8:48AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 8:53AM MartyCota said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 8:56AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 8:59AM DBX00 said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 9:02AM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Jun 16th 2006 9:06AM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Jun 16th 2006 9:22AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 9:35AM spoo said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 9:42AM DBX00 said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 9:49AM The Pork said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 9:49AM DBX00 said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 9:50AM semiloose said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 9:51AM battousai8728 said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 9:53AM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Jun 16th 2006 9:56AM DBX00 said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 9:59AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 10:00AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 10:03AM DBX00 said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 10:11AM DBX00 said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 10:12AM The Pork said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 10:15AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 10:15AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 10:24AM stridermt2k said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 10:45AM fnm said

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Posted: Jun 16th 2006 11:52AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 11:56AM DBX00 said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 11:58AM The Pork said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 12:05PM DBX00 said

Posted: Jun 16th 2006 12:05PM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Jun 16th 2006 12:22PM DBX00 said

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