JCPenney hikes up those 360 prices

by Adams Briscoe { Nov 29th 2005 at 12:00PM }

What is this, some kind of money-making scheme or something? Well of course it is. JCPenney is bringing you yet another Xbox 360 fix, but just be ready to pay upwards of $800 for the "bundle." And by bundle, we mean only the premium console plus two accessories. No games, just the Play and Charge Kit and the Rechargeable Battery Pack.

If retailer page becomes unavailable, TeamXbox has a screen capture of it.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

David @ Nov 29th 2005 12:33PM

One word ....LAME....Remember as consumers we all have the ultimate power. I think we are finally using it a little more wisely than we have in the past. Let's all show JCPenny we are tired of being ripped off. Don't buy from them period and end this horrible behavior.

Kevin @ Nov 29th 2005 12:43PM

No joke, this is complete extortion. I encourage everyone to follow the link and email JC Penney. I just did. Not that I shopped there before, but I sure won't ever think about it now.

Reality Check @ Nov 29th 2005 1:45PM

Why email them? Because you know what, a bunch of people will probably buy that bundle. It'll probably be sold out quickly. This is called supply and demand. One way to handle situations of limited supply and high demand is to raise prices; this will put demand back in line with supply. JC Penney is doing nothing wrong, if you don't want to buy their bundle, then don't buy it. Those that are willing to pay the premium for it, will buy it. Simple as that.

Best bet if you want a 360 is to wait until February or so. There aren't any killer games out yet anyway.

yoyoyo @ Nov 29th 2005 1:20PM

Kevin: you read my mind, just emailed them before reading your comment

I advise everyone to email them.

wtf @ Nov 29th 2005 1:41PM

They can price it to whatever they want (it's the smart thing to do). You know, you don�t need to buy it.

Scott @ Nov 29th 2005 1:46PM

They're just beating all the eBay'ers to the punch.

eXtinguish @ Nov 29th 2005 1:55PM

It's funny how the product won't even be shipping immediatly, but rather in two weeks. In two weeks, retailers will have them in-store, and you will be able to purchase your Xbox 360 for it's intended price.

Don Wilson @ Nov 29th 2005 2:05PM

Sorry for the language, but it's what only fits.

...are they out of their fucking minds?

Reality Check @ Nov 29th 2005 2:08PM

eXtinguish, I'm not so sure the Xbox 360 will be in high enough supply in two weeks for the prices to come down to MSRP. I would wager that retailers will still be forcing people to buy bundles upwards of $700, and it will be that way until January at the earliest.

Kevin @ Nov 29th 2005 3:18PM

It's ridiculous to say "they can charge what they want". It's called price gouging, and it's illegal. I'm surprised JC Penney would even do it. If there was a shortage of Frosted Flakes, and some store was selling them for $500 a box, would you buy them? Or call the store out for gouging? They are just trying to capitalize on someone's Christmas shopping, it's pretty cruddy.

Ali G. @ Nov 29th 2005 3:24PM

Are you guys kidding me???? If you think for 1 second that xbox 360s won't be available until next Feb you are either dilusional or listening to the moron's behind the counter at your local store. This is Microsoft's ploy to great "buzz" around their product. Anyone who wants one will easily be able to get one before Christmas. Microsoft is not stupid, it would be suicide to not produce enough in time for X-mas. Read around a bit on the web. They are shipping every week and in large amounts... Here's an example, one store I know for a fact received 35 units in first shipment...2nd shipment (11/30) they will receive 875 units....3rd shipment (12/10) they will receive 2000 units. It's a simple marketing phenomenon called "Buyer's remourse" if there are none available, everybody wants one and nobody will return the ones they bought. Very smart play by Microsoft, and everyone is buying into it. Wait 2 weeks, you'll see these things EVERYWHERE. - Ali G.

yoyoyo @ Nov 29th 2005 4:52PM

You idiots that say the store can charge what they want, may be right on that point, but its suicide for a store to outright gouge people. Yes there will be moms and dads that will pay this price but those of that are not idiots and are willing to wait will remember the stores that used the shortage to make more money.

yoyoyo @ Nov 29th 2005 4:52PM

One other thing, some of you point out that its supply and demand, that only fits the equation when corperate america as a whole raises the prices not one store.

CHILL_down @ Nov 29th 2005 4:10PM

Pathetic is what it really is, but they can do it b/c of the huge demand...It just sux for the average consumer that is willing to pay the regular $399 and is lucky enough to find one at any retailer. I dont see why consoles wont be close to $1,000 at launch in another few decades. The demand is too high for them at launch anyway and the specs of each successive generation just get continually more advanced.

Reality Check @ Nov 29th 2005 4:33PM

Ali. G, do you have any data to back up your claims? URL? Everything I have heard points to there being a restricted supply for the foreseeable future.

wtf @ Nov 29th 2005 4:45PM

#10 -- Price gouging is only applied to an inelastic item such as Fuel during a Hurricane. (Even that is not illegal in 47 states) You don�t NEED this toy (and it is just a toy) therefore its not price gouging and it�s not illigal ...and if someone was charging 500 dollars for frosted flakes? Then I would buy cheerios...idiot...

eXtinguish @ Nov 29th 2005 5:14PM

You could always just buy the generic brand of frosted corn flakes that come in bags rather than boxes...

Will @ Nov 29th 2005 6:09PM

#16. You miss the point entirely. Enjoy the cheerios, ya douchebag. And learn to spell, because the only one who comes across as an idiot here is YOU.

Ali G @ Nov 30th 2005 4:35AM

Reality Check,

Try
http://biz.gamedaily.com/features.asp?article_id=11209&filter=feature

or here for starts...

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2005-11-28-xbox-second-round_x.htm

Many more clues all over the web... these were straight off of THIS site. It's so obvious what's going on it's almost silly. Don't worry, everyone who wants a unit by christmas will have one, Microsoft is just trying to create a buzz. It's working too, look at all the headlines they've made everywhere...XBOX360 SOLD OUT!!!!! on EBAY for 1,000's of dollars!!! Trust me folks, between this week's shipments and next week, you'll see a biiiig change.

Ali G @ Nov 30th 2005 2:35PM

Kevin @ Nov 30th 2005 1:02PM

JC Penney emailed me back after I complained about the pricing on their Xbox 360 "bundle". Although it's the worst value I've ever seen. Their reply:

"Thank you for contacting us online.

This email concerns your comments about the XBOX 360. At this time this item had been pulled from our website. This item is no longer available, all stock has been sold out. Our buyers assures us that this item was different as it was being sold as a bundle."

Ali G. @ Nov 30th 2005 2:34PM

Here's what I wrote to JC Penny:

In reference to Catalog Number: FK676-3169FA
the XBOX 360 is selling on your site for $799.99.
List price for this item is $399.99 Nationwide unless bundled with additional hardware/games. Is JC Penny offering this product for double list price due to demand? If so, that is a very unprofessional route, and would like to make you aware that
currently many articles are being published online about JC Penny's decision to move foward with this type of price gouging.
I would like one, but only if they are selling at the price Microsoft intended for the consumer. Please feel free to contact me via email or cell phone at 415-xxx-xxxx.

Their response:

It's all inside ... JCPenney stores, catalog, .com
The XBOX 360 Platinum Bundle we are offering has a lot of extra's the other places are not offering that is why it is higher.
Happy Holidays from all of us at JCPenney.
JCPenney Internet Customer Service