UK Xbox 360 and Core prices keep dropping

Xbox 360 Premium unit. We reported earlier that Makro, a major chain of wholesale stores (“cash and carry” stores), dropped its Xbox 360 Premium console prices in the UK to GBP 199.99 (about 390 US dollars). This probably doesn’t include tax, but it’s still a good bargain because the regular price is GBP 279.99 (about 550 US dollars).

Xbox 360 Core unit. Now we find out from GamesIndustry.biz that a UK-based online retailer, Play.com, has also dropped the prices of its Xbox 360 Core units to GBP 149.99 (about 290 US dollars). (Remember, Play.com has always been known for its aggressive pricing because it’s usually exempt from value-added taxes because it ships from Jersey in the Channel Islands, which gives Play.com a legal tax shelter.)

GamesIndustry.biz also reported that Amazon.co.uk has dropped the Xbox 360 Core prices to GBP 189.99 (about 370 US dollars).

Official price cut from Microsoft? Microsoft has neither confirmed nor denied that this is an official price cut.

But people suspect that Microsoft may have something to do with this price cut because of two reasons. First, there’s no “need” for this price cut because Xbox 360 sales are healthy in the UK and Europe in general, so these cuts must be motivated by something else – perhaps this is the start of the price decrease mentioned by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Second, there’s this comment (posted by Devise (Unregistered) in a previous article) that is alleged to be from a Makro employee:

I work in Makro’s IT department and can confirm the following. For the two weeks of the offer (possibly longer), the price Makro pay has dropped in-line with the offer, so Makro is making a profit. When this offer ends on the 27th, the price will return to £237. But there is a new offer of a premium system + any 3 games for £250. Whether this means anything for the future of the RRP I don’t know. But someone other than Makro is covering the price cut.

Whatever the case, it’s a good time to buy Xbox 360s in the United Kingdom. You can buy an Xbox 360 Premium unit for the regular price of a Core unit, and you can get a Core unit for even less.

Xbox 360 Premium unit. We reported earlier that Makro, a major chain of wholesale stores (“cash and carry” stores), dropped its Xbox 360 Premium console prices in the UK to GBP 199.99 (about 390 US dollars). This probably doesn’t include tax, but it’s still a good bargain because the regular price is GBP 279.99 (about 550 US dollars).

Xbox 360 Core unit. Now we find out from GamesIndustry.biz that a UK-based online retailer, Play.com, has also dropped the prices of its Xbox 360 Core units to GBP 149.99 (about 290 US dollars). (Remember, Play.com has always been known for its aggressive pricing because it’s usually exempt from value-added taxes because it ships from Jersey in the Channel Islands, which gives Play.com a legal tax shelter.)

GamesIndustry.biz also reported that Amazon.co.uk has dropped the Xbox 360 Core prices to GBP 189.99 (about 370 US dollars).

Official price cut from Microsoft? Microsoft has neither confirmed nor denied that this is an official price cut.

But people suspect that Microsoft may have something to do with this price cut because of two reasons. First, there’s no “need” for this price cut because Xbox 360 sales are healthy in the UK and Europe in general, so these cuts must be motivated by something else – perhaps this is the start of the price decrease mentioned by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Second, there’s this comment (posted by Devise (Unregistered) in a previous article) that is alleged to be from a Makro employee:

I work in Makro’s IT department and can confirm the following. For the two weeks of the offer (possibly longer), the price Makro pay has dropped in-line with the offer, so Makro is making a profit. When this offer ends on the 27th, the price will return to £237. But there is a new offer of a premium system + any 3 games for £250. Whether this means anything for the future of the RRP I don’t know. But someone other than Makro is covering the price cut.

Whatever the case, it’s a good time to buy Xbox 360s in the United Kingdom. You can buy an Xbox 360 Premium unit for the regular price of a Core unit, and you can get a Core unit for even less.