Amazon opens voting for heavily discounted systems
by Kyle Orland 
{ Nov 16th 2007 at 2:16PM }
While all three current-gen consoles are selling pretty well at their current prices, their MSRPs apparently aren't low enough for Amazon. The popular retail site is offering the opportunity to get a Wii for $79, an Xbox 360 Arcade for $99, or a 40GB PS3 for $139.
Before you go running off to make your order, there is a catch. Only the system that gets the most votes in the first round of Amazon's "Customers Vote" promotion will be offered at the reduced price. What's more, the offer will only be extended to 1,000 randomly-selected voters who picked the most popular choice. This last wrinkle could lead to some interesting strategic votes, as some voters might pick their second-choice system if they don't think their favorite has a chance to win. Is there a game theory expert in the house? (Update: Apparently, those who vote for the losing systems still have a chance to get their choice at a smaller discount. See this page for more details. Thanks Roger).
You may remember that last year Amazon offered a $100 Xbox 360 as part of a similar voting promotion, and the system won handily against some admittedly weak competition. Will Microsoft's console reign supreme now that its up against its peers? We'll find out on Nov. 22, when first round voting concludes.
[Via WiiFanboy]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
gonk @ Nov 16th 2007 2:23PM
the wii's gonna win, it has 55% already
Foggy Bottoms @ Nov 16th 2007 6:40PM
yeah they're not voting for price change, they're voting to have a shot at actually purchasing a wii. the best deal is on the ps3, even though it's useless, but that's about the price i'd wanna pay to let it sit on my shelf until mgs 4 comes out.
Kye, NDF - Game-Theory Expert @ Nov 16th 2007 2:27PM
After much deliberation, and careful thought;
I, Kye, the game theory expert have concluded that the Wii will win.
HineyWipe @ Nov 16th 2007 2:28PM
wii. FTW.
CrazedCow @ Nov 16th 2007 2:30PM
anyone else notice that the HD-DVD player is handily beating both the blu-ray player and the hi-def tivo? sounds like HD-DVD is in higher demand than some would claim.
jmtb02 @ Nov 16th 2007 2:48PM
I actually noticed that... but I also question if people are voting for the greatest price difference when it comes to the HD format, since the Toshiba player is apparently worth another $75 more and is being offered for the same price. Also interesting is that TiVo is beating Blu-Ray as well...
elmersglue @ Nov 16th 2007 5:23PM
maybe it's because you can buy a ps3 for a blu ray player, but you can't buy a 360 for an hd-dvd player unless you plan on paying extra, which is slightly more expensive than this standalone player. Might as well get a nicer and quiter stand alone hd-dvd player than pay more for a clunky and loud hd-dvd add on.
8Balling @ Nov 22nd 2007 10:08AM
Yes, and I heard you can get $99 HD-DVD player from certain electronics store.
Korova @ Nov 16th 2007 2:33PM
i got all the electronics right. But when I started thinking of the missus, I got them wrong.
But yeah, Wii for the Wiin!
Captain Obvious @ Nov 16th 2007 2:36PM
I'm sorry, but it is absolutely retarded that the Wii has more votes than the PS3. Simple economics, people. The PS3 deal is a $260 savings; the Wii only a $160 savings. With the money you save on the PS3, you can buy a Wii full price!
WiNG @ Nov 16th 2007 2:42PM
You forgot to take something into account in your high level math:
Demand.
Courtney @ Nov 16th 2007 2:43PM
Mr. Obvious, your clever market analysis misses a single point. The PS3 is easy to find, the Wii is not. Those voting on the Wii may not be doing so because they really want a deal on one, but just because they figure an entry into the Amazon lotter...errr...competition gives them a better shot than wasting days of their lives camping and waiting for one to show up at their local electronics rip-off store.
NATO_Duke @ Nov 16th 2007 2:43PM
Yup - good point.
Cyro @ Nov 16th 2007 2:44PM
Thats exactly what I was thinking. I mean I dont give a rats ass about the PS3, but I voted for it. Its the best deal of the 3. This doesn't mean I like the PS3 more, it just means I can buy it at a great price and re-sale it some dumb ass that would want that thing and make some money.
jsn @ Nov 16th 2007 3:06PM
$260 off something you don't want isn't value.
Besides, nobody is going to get this deal. When they did this last year they sold out in like 6 seconds, literally.
jsn @ Nov 16th 2007 3:06PM
$260 off something you don't want isn't value.
Besides, nobody is going to get this deal. When they did this last year they sold out in like 6 seconds, literally.
ill trooper @ Nov 16th 2007 3:08PM
"I can buy it at a great price and re-sale it some dumb ass that would want that thing and make some money."
Maybe you got excited when you typed that, but I think you're trying to say you'd 'resell it to someone...'
There are easier ways to make the hundred dollars or so you're talking about. I suspect you really just wanted to call people who want PS3s dumb-asses.
sp @ Nov 16th 2007 3:39PM
it's not first come, first serve; it's a lottery
Clack @ Nov 16th 2007 5:47PM
Hmmm since I already own a Wii I'm torn on which I should vote for (if I end up participating). I'd rather play xb360 games, but I'd like to install linux on the PS3 and use it as a geek toy.
Platy @ Nov 16th 2007 2:38PM
The Wii WILL win because people want to buy one already.
The Ps3 SHOULD win because it is really needing a discount
x876543 @ Nov 16th 2007 3:46PM
Exactly my thoughts. I have a Wii, voted for the Wii, cause if I win, I will sell it for a nice profit on eBay and then buy a 360.
B1gC72 @ Nov 16th 2007 5:37PM
well i already have a Wii and PS3, and have no desire to get a 360. so im not buying either but i may vote for PS3.
that said, Wii is certainly going to win since it's in short supply and it's still riding it's "fad" stage of it's life cycle.
if the Wii wasnt in such short supply, the PS3 would win since it is the biggest savings value. 360 wouldnt win because it, like the PS3, is not in short supply at all but its savings arent near the PS3's.
obligatory fanboy comment: only way 360 would win is if people have to replace their failing 360's with a brand new one (yes i know about the 3 year warranty and am ignoring it lol. just let me have this one lol).
Rakar @ Nov 16th 2007 2:51PM
Voted for PS3 even though it probably won't win. It's an amazing deal for a Blu-ray player. It's even cheaper than the one in the "Go High-def" category!
Roger @ Nov 16th 2007 2:55PM
This isn't totally accurate. If you choose a "losing" product, you may still get the runner-up price for it. See link: http://promotions.amazon.com/gp/holiday/amazon-customers-vote-faq
Roger @ Nov 16th 2007 3:02PM
Also, I should mention that you can use this as a strategy. If you choose a less popular choice, you'll have a better chance at winning the runner-up prize.
xXFenixKnightXx @ Nov 16th 2007 2:59PM
I just got my Wii but I still voted for it. Ill be making some sweet cash on it if Im picked =)
Wii60 FTW!!
David @ Nov 16th 2007 3:01PM
There's more to it than the savings. Even though the rational thing for an individual would be to choose the system with the biggest discount (let's imagine they just sell it and disregard unusual market conditions,) the best choice for someone looking to maximize utility would be to choose the system with the biggest discount multiplied by their probability of winning. That's
d * pC * (pW | C)
for a given console,
where d is the discount, pC is the probability of that console winning, and (pW | C) is the probability of the player winning the lottery given that their console won. That would be equal to:
1000 * 1/(E(nC) | C)
where E(nC) is the expected number of people who chose the console, (E(nC) | C) being the number expected given that the console won.
Well, I've got a formula, but I can't solve it! I'm stumped. Can't choose.
LaughingTarget @ Nov 16th 2007 3:07PM
I think it is a no brainer myself. The PS3. Get it for the cut-rate price and re-sell it for a bigger profit than the Wii can offer.
Zertoss @ Nov 16th 2007 3:15PM
I don't know, I mean, how well did that work out for all those people that got the 20 GB PS3s? This may be a huge discount, but could you really make that much off the 40 GB PS3?
And I'm not trying to berate the PS3, I'm just questioning the demand for the 40 GB model.
LaughingTarget @ Nov 16th 2007 3:49PM
If Sony is right, there is a bit of a demand for them. I figure selling it for $300 will work well.
Vidikron (FU) @ Nov 16th 2007 4:23PM
I originally thought that too... but if the Wii is as in short a supply as it appears it might be this holiday, you may actually be able to turn a higher profit on eBaying an $80 Wii than on eBaying a $130 40GB PS3.
Vidikron (FU) @ Nov 16th 2007 4:24PM
Oops... I meant a $140 PS3.
TomCo @ Nov 16th 2007 3:15PM
Funny you should mention Game Theory, I'm up to my neck in text books on the subject.
Im working on a project entitled "Modelling Simple Societies - An Application of Game Theory"
Im looking to model the behavior of simple creatures in a basic world, different groups of creatures will use strategies (Complete Bastard, Good Samaritan, Risk Taker, Conservative and so on) others will evolve their strategies depending on the outcome of previous "games".
Queue lots of Civilisation like graphs and charts and some sort of score system.
Oh yeah, I havent started yet.
Coming Spring 2008!
angryguy77 @ Nov 16th 2007 3:19PM
vote for the ps3, I hear it works as an air filter that will suck the dust out of the air.
TomCo @ Nov 16th 2007 3:21PM
So, basically you're saying it sucks?
SDF ATTACK!
XDragon @ Nov 16th 2007 3:25PM
All the people arguing over the current votes are missing the point. This isn't a popularity constest, its not a what do i own or what am i planning on buying. Therefore, people are voting on the consoles for very different reasons. Some will vote for the best discount, some will vote for what they want to purchase, others are voting for the console they own and some want to turn a profit by selling it. This means nothing about demand or popularity because the vote isn't qualified to address that and people admit it even in these posts that say i own XXX and i voted for it. But feel free to keep up the fanboy ranting even though its pointless.
Korova @ Nov 17th 2007 6:53AM
I voted wii because it would best complement my 360. I am too lazy to worry about flipping it on ebay. I'll just play it.
Plus its easier to justify spending 99 on a wii to the missus than a PS3, that looks like a darth vader to a girl.
XDragon @ Nov 16th 2007 3:30PM
You can question the demand for the 40g all you want but the demand is presently there. The question is "is this short term or a new trend?" and no one can answer that, as much as the various fanboys would like to. Time will show the sales and thiose numbers will represent the facts.
angryguy77 @ Nov 16th 2007 3:30PM
Can people ever take a joke on joystiq. You make one statment that relates to a recent topic and its bash time. Do you guys sleep with your systems? And if you do, make it the ps3. I hear it sucks the best.
Foxwind @ Nov 16th 2007 3:33PM
Wii's definitely gonna win, but I HAD to vote for PS3. That's the only system I don't have!!
FM @ Nov 16th 2007 3:39PM
I voted for the PS3. Heck the $319 runner up price is still pretty good to me.
Max @ Nov 16th 2007 3:45PM
I agree that the reason the Wii is winning is that more people want to get one for the holidays and can't find it at store. Which is, of course, a stupid reason to vote for it -- the PS3 price is a much better deal. But people in America are good at voting stupidly, aren't they? :-)
angryguy77 @ Nov 16th 2007 3:47PM
You are right, look at the last congressional election.
r-deezy @ Nov 16th 2007 3:49PM
I thought the PS3 would win.
1) It's the best deal.
2) More people have 360's & Wii's... so those people would naturally vote for the PS3 b/c that's the system they don't have.
Tyler @ Nov 16th 2007 3:56PM
I remember when that Xbox 360 deal went down, and then all 1,000 of the things were gone by the time most of us could add it to the cart.
ogvor @ Nov 16th 2007 4:01PM
As much of a 360 Fanboy as I am, I got bored of my families Wii after winter break (though I'm looking forward to Metroid and Mario this winter break) and would really like the PS3 at that price. Theirs frinally some good looking games coming out for that system this year and early next year, but it looks like the Wii's gonna win anyway...
carg0 @ Nov 16th 2007 4:04PM
a 40gig ps3 for $139!?
it may be an expensive paperweight but even i'd bite at that price.
MagusDF @ Nov 16th 2007 4:08PM
I want point out 2 things.
1) 35% of the public does not want to bid on the winning 46' tv. (go 18% KitchenAid Pro 600 Series Stand Mixer (Meringue))
We can safly say 20%+ of the audience votes on something they wont buy even if they win the price.
Just out of curriosity, how many people here put in a bid on every category even if they dont plan to buy anything there?
x876543 @ Nov 16th 2007 5:06PM
I only voted on items I was interested in buying.
Rubang B (BRUSH WITH FAME) @ Nov 16th 2007 5:14PM
A 46 FOOT TV!?!?!? WHERE?