50% Markup for PS3s in Japan

Remember these lines?

Most cashiers soon figured out that the men and women standing in front of them didn’t speak Japanese. Some would then repeat the same question in English, and would all get the say reply, “Only hardware.”

Based on my observations of the first twenty PS3s sold at Bic Camera, they were all purchased by Chinese nationals, none of whom bought any software. After making their purchase, television crews asked for interviews but all were declined. These temporary owners of PS3s would then make their way down the street where their bosses waited

This report serves as apparent confirmation of that very sad and very moving e-mail sent to Kotaku about the dark side of the Japan PS3 Launch…

This is from an e-mail that Kotaku got from a concerned reader. It has been making its rounds on the internet as of late. The moving letter informed/reminded everyone about the dark-side involving console launches, particularly that most people there are just there to turn a buck. This report sort of serves as confirmation of that e-mail.

GamePro reports that 12 hours after the launch 60 GB hard-disk drive models were selling at around 90,000 Yen ($766) on Yahoo Auctions. About fifty percent higher than the original retail price. The cheaper PS3 version, which retails in Japan for about 50,000 Yen, was selling for around 70,000 yen.

They claim that there was around one auction ending once every minute on average.

They report that from interviews with the many people waiting in line, it was clear that among the PS3 fans there was a sizable group of people who were there to just get the console in hopes of making a profit. Of course we’ve all already heard of the eBay prices in North America, and we don’t really want to go there right?

Still, one has to ask, will things be the same for westerners come the November 17? Will lines be filled with people looking to make a quick buck? What will you do when you see those guys from smash my PS3 in your line on launch day?

Via GamePro

Remember these lines?

Most cashiers soon figured out that the men and women standing in front of them didn’t speak Japanese. Some would then repeat the same question in English, and would all get the say reply, “Only hardware.”

Based on my observations of the first twenty PS3s sold at Bic Camera, they were all purchased by Chinese nationals, none of whom bought any software. After making their purchase, television crews asked for interviews but all were declined. These temporary owners of PS3s would then make their way down the street where their bosses waited

This report serves as apparent confirmation of that very sad and very moving e-mail sent to Kotaku about the dark side of the Japan PS3 Launch…

This is from an e-mail that Kotaku got from a concerned reader. It has been making its rounds on the internet as of late. The moving letter informed/reminded everyone about the dark-side involving console launches, particularly that most people there are just there to turn a buck. This report sort of serves as confirmation of that e-mail.

GamePro reports that 12 hours after the launch 60 GB hard-disk drive models were selling at around 90,000 Yen ($766) on Yahoo Auctions. About fifty percent higher than the original retail price. The cheaper PS3 version, which retails in Japan for about 50,000 Yen, was selling for around 70,000 yen.

They claim that there was around one auction ending once every minute on average.

They report that from interviews with the many people waiting in line, it was clear that among the PS3 fans there was a sizable group of people who were there to just get the console in hopes of making a profit. Of course we’ve all already heard of the eBay prices in North America, and we don’t really want to go there right?

Still, one has to ask, will things be the same for westerners come the November 17? Will lines be filled with people looking to make a quick buck? What will you do when you see those guys from smash my PS3 in your line on launch day?

Via GamePro