PS3 price drops spotted in Europe, US cut a possibility [update: Hastings responds]
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Aug 14th 2009 at 10:30AM } 
While we're respecting the request of Hastings, it's clear that a significant change is happening to Sony's business strategy regarding the PS3. As seen above, many European retailers are already cutting the price of the PS3 [Image credit: niels]. Reports from Engadget and Engadget Spanish also confirm cuts in multiple stores in Europe.
Lending credibility to the image we received, the ad in question was sent to Joystiq before SCEA's announcement yesterday of the Greatest Hits version of Uncharted, though precisely that was part of the Hastings ad. Coupled with the C&D and Europe's retail actions lead us to believe a price drop is happening. We've included the original post (sans image) after the break.
Original Story:
You may have seen a number of PS3 Slim-related retail ads, all of which have been proven fake. However, this ad which we received certainly looks much more believable. Hastings, a Texas-based retailer with 153 stores in 21 states, is also showcasing the PS3 in an upcoming ad, one that makes no mention of the PS3 Slim.
According to the ad, the current stock of 160GB PS3s will be cut to $400, a $100 savings over the original. This follows the footsteps of other retailers, like amazon.com, who have already dropped the price of that model to $450. Of potential importance is the phrasing: the ad mentions the PS3 is experiencing a "price cut" versus a temporary "sale." The cut begins September 8th, weeks after Sony's press conference at Gamescom.
The reduced price could be exclusive to Hastings, and isn't necessarily indicative of a nationwide price drop. However, a price drop on current PS3 models can clear inventory and make way for a possibly upgraded one. A representative for Hastings told us over the phone that they could not offer any comment on this offer.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DoctorJJ @ Aug 14th 2009 10:35AM
Sony hasn't confirmed Uncharted for a Greatest Hits have they? Yet, I see a picture of that in the ad as well!
Jack_Jackington @ Aug 14th 2009 10:35AM
they indeed did confirm it
Andrew Yoon @ Aug 14th 2009 10:36AM
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/uncharted-socom-confrontation-going-greatest-hits-on-august-16/
Actually they did yesterday. And we got this image before Sony announced the Greatest Hits packaging!
Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Aug 14th 2009 10:37AM
Good eye....
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 10:40AM
at if anything gives more Credence to the price drop....my guess is IF this is national/global drop and not just a sale there, then we will start to see other ad scans from various retailers like we did before the last drop
JayVe @ Aug 14th 2009 4:32PM
@ Chris D
It is still more likely that this is a clearance of the existing stock. Every other model of PS3 has gone through a similar 'fire-sale' price reduction in order to clear inventory. More than likely, the PS3 slim will introduce at the regular price, and there will be no permanent price drop.
Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Aug 14th 2009 10:35AM
BAH!
It's still $400 bucks....
NaeemTHM @ Aug 14th 2009 10:47AM
INDEED! The PS3 should cost 5 dollars the most!!!! AND it should come with 5 games, 3 controllers, and a TV. Otherwise no sale.
Am I right fellas?
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 10:49AM
You mean like the 120GB Elite??
Clearly for it to be the LARGER HDD and better bundle of the 2 is has no REASON to be that high.....
whylekat @ Aug 14th 2009 11:05AM
For a system I have zero interest in until uncharted2 and heavy rain are released.. $400 is still wayy too expensive.
Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Aug 14th 2009 11:08AM
Umm, I own and love my PS3, so I don't understand the downvote, anyway....
All I'm saying is I don't think that this is the price cut that people are looking for. However, it is a sign that something better could be on the horizon. Especially since I'm looking to buy a second one.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 11:12AM
its not THE Price cut....why sell both PS3 SKUs at the same price point??
Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Aug 14th 2009 11:16AM
That's my point. My initial post was a joke in reference to the topic. I know it's not THE price cut, but things are looking good.
I don't know about you guys but I'm psyched.
NaeemTHM @ Aug 14th 2009 11:24AM
My post was a joke as well...man PS3 fans sure are a finicky bunch.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 11:26AM
lol at people not getting Sarcasm today....
and yea I'm geeked about it as well....as LONG as it a GLOBAL thing and not just a few retailers.....
Tiptup300 @ Aug 14th 2009 12:39PM
Storm Eagle: "Especially since I'm looking to buy a second one."
Why?
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 1:04PM
I'm getting a second one as well....I need a BD player in the bedroom and why not get one I can play games on as well??
Ridgecity @ Aug 14th 2009 1:52PM
$400, I had already forgot how expensive this console is.
Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Aug 14th 2009 1:56PM
I'm getting a second one because I want another blu-ray player. And if it plays PS3 games, then that's a bonus. Besides, my PS3 I have now is my primary DVD player and it's downstairs - the wife is usually on that TV, limiting the time I have to play games with it. The second one will go up in my "game room" with my 360, Wii, and various other consoles.
Chris @ Aug 14th 2009 3:10PM
@Storm: I bought a second one as well, but ended up giving it to my parents so that they could have a bluray player. I think my brother has been playing call of duty on it too, so thats cool.
I use my PS3 as my dedicated media player too. It certainly gets used a lot at my place... I just hope it never dies on me. I'm thinking about picking up a cheap upscaling DVD player that plays divx, just to take some of the load of the PS3.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 10:35AM
"This follows the footsteps of other retailers, like amazon.com, who have already dropped the price of that model to $350"
Ummm Amazon dropped the price of the $500 160GB model to $350???
When the hell did that happen and where was I??
Andrew Yoon @ Aug 14th 2009 10:37AM
Sorry that was a typo. $450.
Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Aug 14th 2009 10:38AM
YOON!...YOon!....yoon!.....
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 10:38AM
lol....its ok Andrew....we know you have a lot going on...
Andrew Yoon @ Aug 14th 2009 10:40AM
Yeah. C'mon, Beatles preview, video interview AND this investigative story all in one day. Not bad, right? Haha.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 10:42AM
true....you are allotted 3-4 slip ups a week.....and I havent seen one from you in a while...lol
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 11:45AM
LMAO...I get voted down because all the saps get in here all late and missed the original post...DONT YOU PEOPLE SEE HE CORRECTED IT??
SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESH
Daffy Duck @ Aug 14th 2009 12:15PM
+ 1 for finding a legitimate error.
Joey @ Aug 14th 2009 10:39AM
Wait... so that Best Buy PS3 slim ad I saw with 160GB HDD and backwards compatibility was fake?
My hopes are crushed. That would've been a near-perfect console... ;_;
Rob S. @ Aug 14th 2009 10:41AM
I feel the same. CURSE YOU INTERNET! WHY MUST YOU DO THIS TO ME!
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 10:41AM
lol....I wanna see that ad please....lol
Andrew Yoon @ Aug 14th 2009 10:42AM
Yeah, there was a reason why we didn't run that ad. There's a lot of reason to believe this one, though. ;D
No Kill Tayler @ Aug 14th 2009 10:51AM
I can post the forum where the person made it and i forgot who took the bait, it had a back to back instructions how he did it.
Hyams @ Aug 14th 2009 10:53AM
"Yeah, there was a reason why we didn't run that ad."
This is why Joystiq is one of the more reliable gaming websites.
Misinformation, my arse. Heal the rift, yo.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 10:59AM
I just googled "PS3 Best Buy ad" and found it...lol
someone ha waaaaaay too much time on their hands....lol
http://www.examiner.com/x-12218-Providence-Video-Game-Examiner~y2009m8d12-PS3-Slim-shows-in-Best-Buy-ad
No Kill Tayler @ Aug 14th 2009 11:07AM
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=17103060&postcount=5982
This is the guy, GET HIM!!
BIGBLACKPOLE @ Aug 14th 2009 10:42AM
*Confirmed* They are skipping the slim and releasing PS4
The Commenter Formerly Known as (kbomb1upc) @ Aug 14th 2009 10:42AM
If the slim is $299 count me sold...
WINterfang @ Aug 14th 2009 10:50AM
I will be VERY surprised if that happened.
Cody @ Aug 14th 2009 11:59AM
I'd take a slim for $299 with no harddrive. Got plenty of externals around the house.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 12:10PM
they will NOT Remove the HDD from the PS3....hell thats one of the CHEAPEST components in the PS3 anyways
JoeTheBlow @ Aug 14th 2009 10:42AM
Theres a huge thread on Neogaf compiling the rumours, latest are some pretty damn convincing ads from france about the "new console, new price" as well as reports of a massive Sony-wide conference call on Monday.
Also an NDA expires then, so expect the news to hit then, though it all looks pretty certain now.
uncle jesse @ Aug 14th 2009 10:48AM
YES, the price cut we've all been wa... hey!
It's still $400 bucks and it doesn't come with anything.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 10:51AM
Ummmm so you saying that it being the same price as the Elite 360 and it comes with a game and a 160GB HDD it cant cost that much???
Think people.....you REALLY think that if they are trying to clear stock that the 80GB version would be the same price as the 150GB version??
But yea you are right....it TOTALLY doesnt come with Uncharted...one of the BEST PS3 Games....
Danjer @ Aug 14th 2009 11:06AM
@Chris D.
The Elite is getting a price cut to $299... So, that argument will become irrelevant...
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 11:11AM
has it gotten it yet?
Has MS Confirmed it?
Do you REALLY think MS will stay with just 2 SKUs until "Natal" Launches??
My Guess is with all this 1080p Zune Store stuff they are touting they may be planning on a 250-320GB SKU....
Paul @ Aug 14th 2009 11:12AM
what does the $400 xbox come with?
uncle jesse @ Aug 14th 2009 11:19AM
Well then the 80GB version should be $299.99, no? And, hell yes, unclude Uncharted. If that happened I would be on board, day one.
Also, Elites are currently priced at $349.99. They come with a game and 120GB hard drive.
Sigh, I just want a PS3 for Uncharted, Infamous, and Uncharted 2. Please don't make me spend $400 dollars, Sony. I like you guys, I do. But I just can't do it.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 14th 2009 11:23AM
I dunno if the Halo 2/Fable 2 Elite is still out...but aside from the "Holiday Bundle" last year with Lego Indiana Jones/Kung-fu Panda....it came with an HDMI Cable, Component Cables....but the pics of the NEW Elite boxes appear to show that it DOESNT Come with Component Cables($35MSRP for Official MS ones) or an HDMI Cable($50MRSP for Official MS ones).....So ummmm yea...
uncle jesse @ Aug 14th 2009 11:28AM
I don't know about the NEW Elites... but the HDMI cable is still currently included.
PS3's do not include the HDMI cable though, right?
I just want the 80GB version to come down. Like you mentioned, Chris, they can't have both models at the same price point. Here's hoping.