60GB PS3 sold at Target for $499.99 [UPDATE]
by Jem Alexander 
{ Jul 6th 2007 at 9:00PM }
Has the price cut already been put into effect? Potentially, yes. One of our readers has let us know that he was able to get his hands on a 60GB PS3 for no more than $499.99 at a Target today. In our attempts to verify this we called the store he bought it from. They confirmed that the 60GB PS3 was, indeed, in the shop's system at the price of $499.99. Whether this is an error on the individual shop's part, with the price drop being put into effect early, we weren't sure.We are currently in the process of calling more stores nationwide, to see how isolated this event really is. We will update this post as and when we get more information. If true, then this is an excellent start for what promises to be an excellent E3. Already Microsoft's keynote is overshadowed by Killzone 2. A pricedrop by Sony before the event even starts only adds to the pressure.
[UPDATE 1] A Kansas Target has the 60GB PS3 in its computer at $599
[UPDATE 2] Another tipster has told us that today they sold two at Circuit City at $499. Confused, the manager called it in and got a confirmation that it was correct. We are in the process of verifying this.
[UPDATE 3] A Target store in Rancho Cucamonga in California has confirmed that the 60GB PS3 is in their system for $499. It looks like there's no pattern to which stores are and aren't offering the price cut.
[Thanks Nathan and Alexander!]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TheGuy @ Jul 6th 2007 9:10PM
Are people still doubting this price cut? This is more obvious than Microsoft denying the release of the Elite, even with the leaked pictures of the Elite in production. It's gonna happen, and if Killzone 2 blows my mind I might buy a PS3 the very day the price cut comes into effect.
philmcneal @ Jul 6th 2007 9:18PM
seriously had anyone heard of the eb games deal trade 10 games and get a ps3 60 gig for 399.99? CANADIAN? so the americans don't get this deal?
better yet the same deal for the elite is 100 bucks less so 299.99 for an elite and an extra controller... i'm sure gamers have tons of ps2/gamecube/xbox games laying around waiting to be traded for some next gen unit.
Gus @ Jul 6th 2007 9:24PM
It's sad but Mr Nakabachi, the president of SONY officially denied the rumor and said there is no price cut at least for now.
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/0707/06/news079.html
Hoffer @ Jul 6th 2007 9:29PM
I'm just curious how Killzone 2 overshadows the MS press conference? Killzone was an average rated game that sold just OK. They had a CGI trailer put out months ago that the final game will not look like. I have a PS3 and don't really even think about Killzone 2. I need to be shown something interesting before I can start being interested in it.
Don't get me wrong, Killzone 2 could turn out to be the greatest game ever. Until they prove that, I just don't see it overshadowing anything.
upz @ Jul 6th 2007 9:30PM
Interesting. Looking forward to seeing the sales numbers next week.
Kind of wishing that we still had the 20GB SKU so we could directly compete with the Premium though.
upz @ Jul 6th 2007 9:36PM
Hoffer, I think history's shown that hype is better at overshadowing the competition than any real product possibly could. I remember the poll on GameFAQS after E3 05 (where among other things, the CG Killzone trailer was shown) asked which of the Big 3 had the best press conference and the overwhelming majority screamed Sony. This is the same Nintendo-worshipping GameFAQs that has Mario Kart picked as the best racing game of all time on today's poll!
With that in mind, even if Killzone is a total dud, the unveiling will definitely take some eyes off the MS press conference.
Giao @ Jul 6th 2007 9:43PM
Most of you don't know how pricing works. Any store can sell a PS3 at any price they want.
The other matter of pricing (the one that got you all excited) is the minimum advertised price. This is a price that is agreed upon by the retailer and the manufacturer. You go below this price in advertising (important distinction here) and you stop getting shipments.
So for example, if Best Buy wants to sell it at $499, they can go and do that all they want. Sony can't do anything about it. Best Buy just can't advertise the PS3 at $499. They do that and they'll stop getting shipments from Sony.
Se7enwolf @ Jul 6th 2007 9:55PM
Giao, you are wrong. Stores can not sell consoles at a lower price then what the manufacturer says they can. Even wal-mart who is known for selling items at 2 to 3 dollars cheaper then other stores cant do it. it has to be the exact price. They can do discounts on taxes and do package deals but not the set price for the console. The same goes with Apple Ipods, that stuff is regulated by Apple themselves.
Giao @ Jul 6th 2007 10:05PM
Se7enwolf, strange that you should mention Wal-Mart since I'm former Wal-Mart management. If all retailers are bound by agreement to sell an item at a price set by the manufacturer, then effectively all retailers have strayed dangerously close to price-fixing. Price-fixing is illegal incidentally.
Se7enwolf @ Jul 6th 2007 10:18PM
yes all stores do try to go as low as they can without losing money but enough to make a sale but when a price is set publicly by a manufacturer then all stores must abide by that. Only certain items for web deals can be done after a certain time. Go ahead and call up the marketing management for any retail store and ask them.
Henry @ Jul 6th 2007 10:19PM
I just wish that it had remained a surprise.
FAZER @ Jul 6th 2007 10:33PM
Does anybody know if Target price adjusts? I bought mine at Target on the first of this month, and I'm wondering if there is any possibility of me getting $100 back if the rumor is true, which seems like it is. I really should have bought it at Circuit City which has a 30 day price guarantee. I heard Target has a 14-day period, does anybody know if this is true?
Hashbrown_Hunter @ Jul 8th 2007 3:32PM
...sweet!
Aztec_MC @ Jul 6th 2007 11:00PM
I have a PS3, but $499 is still a lot of money. I remember the original Xbox at $299 was crazy expensive. It's just a console, why are we paying a down payment for a small car?3
The PS3 at $399 is the right price.
Terrence @ Jul 6th 2007 11:08PM
I work at a Gamestop that's located in a Target shopping plaza, and I've already had a few customers tell me that the Target is selling PS3s for $499. I haven't heard anything from corporate about a price drop yet....
langx @ Jul 7th 2007 10:04PM
Kind of wishing that we still had the 20GB SKU so we could directly compete with the Premium though.
by upz
The PS3 at $399 is the right price.
by Aztec_MC
If they only still had the 20gb model.
MS and Sony just keep shooting themselves in the foot.
prodigy311 @ Jul 6th 2007 11:38PM
So who lives near Rancho?
Michael @ Jul 6th 2007 11:55PM
#16
Actually I do, I live about 25mins away.
Nick Kosmides @ Jul 7th 2007 12:08AM
The San Francisco Bay Area Fry's advertisement shows the system at $599.99 with the whole 5 free Blu-ray movies deal. That's it though. Usually Fry's is a reliable retailer when it comes to low low prices.
That sounded such like marketing cheese. I promise I won't do it again!
mccomber @ Jul 7th 2007 12:10AM
Target at Denver West here in Colorado is still at $600.
Wonder if this was actually planned... create a bit of a buzz before e3 about the price drop, show some amazing stuff at the show, and then send out all those ps3s that we keep hearing they were increasing production on?
Probably not the case, but this seems like a decent way to start a bit of a fire before you pour the gasoline on it, and anyone who doubts that Sony won't have some interesting stuff to show at E3 is dreaming.
Somewhat poor timing for MS; they just announce they are finally doing something about the RRoD, and Sony comes along and squashes that announcement with a $100 price drop. Considering how much MS has spent on exclusive deals, and how much they plan to spend on fixing broken 360s, can they even do a price drop at this point and still hope to make a profit like they said they were finally going to? I can't imagine investors would be real happy with that move...
T-Mape @ Jul 7th 2007 12:46AM
whoa mccomber i live right by the d-west target never woulda thought to see anyone live near it to on this site
Jason @ Jul 7th 2007 1:04AM
I work at a Target in New Jersey and i can also confirm this rumor. On my computer it said that the 60 Gb PS3 will indeed sell for 499.99 but startin on July 15
nimbus2121 @ Jul 7th 2007 2:00AM
Also in the Denver Area (Aurora, boo). I'm sad to hear that it didn't drop here. Hopefully we will get an announcement at E3 to get all this straightened out.
craig @ Jul 7th 2007 3:29AM
@ Giao
Guess you don't read the paper or listen to the news. The Supreme Court just OK'ed retail price fixing by manufacturers (overturning a nearly century-old rule of antitrust law that prohibited retail price fixing).
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-ex-prices28jun29,0,3962079.story?coll=la-home-business
Oji @ Jul 7th 2007 3:33AM
Actually, in all likelihood M$ might be cutting X360 prices to counter Sony's price drop. Considering the RROD trouble they're dealing with they'd be fools to let Sony take the lead now.
Joey_Numbers @ Jul 8th 2007 3:37PM
Thats a huge price cut.
B1gC72 @ Jul 7th 2007 4:30AM
this is great news. ive been holding off on buying mine until after E3 since i figured they would announce a price drop then. i would be pissed if i paid $600 for it and they dropped the price to $500 a couple weeks later. i learned my lesson when i bought my white DS lite. gave in on holding out for a black one which they announced 2 weeks after i purchased white one. patience is what i need lol.
Gus @ Jul 7th 2007 5:15AM
Now english version has come up on reuters website. I think price cuts by retailers are anecdotal. It's a good thing anyway though.
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUST5013420070706
Gus @ Jul 7th 2007 5:25AM
Looks like I used the term 'anecdotal' wrongly in my last post. What I wanted to say was 'It's not a general thing'.
Sorry but Im non-native.
Stellarpimp @ Jul 7th 2007 6:03AM
Gus - Don't worry. I'm a native and still can't use that word correctly. Hell I had to go to dictionary.com. LoL
haritori @ Jul 7th 2007 7:22AM
you guys are luckier than you think ok maybe you dont get a PS3 for the price of the japanese market, but here in the uk we pay £425.00 for the 60GB unit Thats $850!!! then on top of that our new release games are priced at £49.99, $100 a game!! thats for 360 as well, we pay $560 for a premium 360 and we pay $360 for a Wii, DSLite $160, PSP Value Pack $260, well maybe we get cheap movies or smokes? no we sod all cheap, DVDs $30, HDDVD/Bluray $40, a carton of 200 cigarettes $60, so although you may pay a little more than the japanese feel sorry for us because we cant even have a smoke with out taking out a mortgage
haritori @ Jul 7th 2007 7:26AM
o yeah forgot one more thing, your $499 PS3 we pay that for a 60GB iPod
Murry @ Jul 7th 2007 7:27AM
People have been bringing up the pre-rendered trailer but the thing is the killzone 2 thing at E3 is supposed to be the actual working game and sources who have seen it already said that it /does/ look as good as the maya render we were fed. Thats why people are interested this time around. If it really does match up to the fake video then its a huge thing for Sony because it will show what can be done with the system if properly utilized.Of course it could still turn out to be complete bunk and not get close enough to the CGI thing.
But if they are trying to overshadow the MS Keynote with it then I dont think that will be the case.
As for MS cutting the price.. i dunno. they just took a massive hit finacialy and still might get nailed with lawsuits or other funstuffs anyways. Dropping the price ontop of that? Just how much money can MS hemmorage before someone stops signing off checks? MS may decide that seeing as their main seller is 399 that its enough of a buffer. The Elite isnt really geared for the general consumer.
Bandit @ Jul 7th 2007 9:17AM
Anyone seen this?
SEGA ANNOUNCES ONLINE MULTIPLAYER FUNCTIONALITY IN VIRTUA FIGHTER™ 5 FOR XBOX 360™
Premier Fighting Game Franchise Goes Online In Europe and North America
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (July 6, 2007) - SEGA® Europe, Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. announced today that the highly-anticipated arcade fighting game, Virtua Fighter™ 5 for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, will feature an online versus mode at launch in Autumn 2007. The Xbox 360™ version of Virtua Fighter™ 5 is based on the latest arcade version update and features both analogue-stick and D-pad control, as well as vibration support. The game also includes an improved Quest mode featuring more CPU rivals, items, and emblems for character customisation. The DOJO mode has added features including leaderboards, training move settings, improved throw and escape training, and the option to change your opponent's position and recovery type. These all work to create a more refined DOJO mode where players can improve their fighting strategy.
Now featuring an online two-player versus mode via Xbox Live®, Virtua Fighter™ 5 will allow players to compete online. Players will also be able to select one of the 17 characters or customise them in Quest mode. Customisation features allow players to modify their characters by selecting from four base costumes and then attaching a wide range of unlockable and earnable items. Players will not only achieve victory by defeating highly-skilled opponents, but also by competing for prizes and earning in-game money which allows them to buy many items at an in-game shop.
"For a lot of very good reasons, Virtua Fighter™ 5 is regarded as the deepest and most revered fighting game available on next generation consoles", said Gary Knight, European Marketing Director, SEGA Europe. "Bringing Virtua Fighter™ 5 to the Xbox 360™ will not only capture an entirely new audience, but will allow gamers to show their Virtua Fighter™ skills online against friends and foes"
Created by the renowned development team AM R&D Department #2 out of Japan, Virtua Fighter™ 5 will be released in Autumn 2007.
http://kotaku.com/gaming/holy-crap/virtua-fighter-5-360-goes-online-275659.php
John Latham @ Jul 7th 2007 9:29AM
Wal-Marts in Canada have dropped to $650CAN and Futureshop.ca also lists that price.
Wreckheart @ Jul 7th 2007 10:14AM
Thanks for the stupid post Bandit. Gee, I wonder if your some kinda x-box troll to post about a game in a forum about a different consoles price?
Kspraydad @ Jul 7th 2007 11:05AM
@John...
Walmart has been selling at $649 CDN for MONTHS...
Kspraydad @ Jul 7th 2007 11:10AM
@josh...
Yep...they sure don't bother will bad sales posts...
http://playstation.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/ps3-sales-worse-than-predicted/
Naaiif @ Jul 7th 2007 11:22AM
Well yeh that is shit news that VF5 is going online for 360, but the good news is that the new Tekken is coming out this fall shortly after. Probably a 3-4 month difference but it'll be worth it!
Popfrogs @ Jul 7th 2007 12:34PM
I wonder how much these kids get paid to drink the MS kool-aid and post bullshit here daily. Like we give a rat's ass about VF5 or anything else X360 related.
Andy @ Jul 7th 2007 12:36PM
I really wish Sony didn't have such a jump in prices around the world. These are in relative amounts.
USA Price $600
Japan Price under $400
Europe Price $800
Anyone see what I am getting at? (I think those are in US dollars by the way)
mccomber @ Jul 7th 2007 12:45PM
Maybe they could start posting a list of trolls so we know who to ignore. What do you kids who don't actually add to the conversation get out of being on here?
Cool to have a couple people from Denver-ish on here. Shoot me a message on psn. Username is, surprisingly, mccomber.
Zach @ Jul 7th 2007 12:53PM
FINALLY only I hope Sony continues to deny the price drop until their press conference...they might get angry this was leaked an force us to wait until October again :(
oldest gamer @ Jul 7th 2007 1:55PM
philmcneal, the Canadian deal is true. Was in to pick up my NG:Sigma @ EB and saw the poster. I think the time is good for a price drop. I need another PS3 for my network, makes a fairly cheap linux server. Poor on memory for a server BUT the CPU is unmatched for the prices (or even double the price). Of course my main system is for gaming and folding.
andres @ Jul 7th 2007 1:41PM
SO whats the deal here is this the weekly special OR an official price drop. Because as it stands I've seen PS3 go as low as $300 american on ebay (the seller WAS korean but still)
andres @ Jul 7th 2007 1:47PM
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-PlayStation-3-Game-console-with-13-games_W0QQitemZ280130605859QQihZ018QQcategoryZ62054QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
heres another good one
Bigg Cahuna @ Jul 7th 2007 1:57PM
Wow... well I check the local Bay Area Targets, mainly here in the South Bay with San Jose & Campbell stores and no luck with a $499 price.
Just for kicks I checked at a San Bruno store, closer to SF, to see if I'd get any luck there and didn't get any hotter.
Even though I don't have cash to make the jump on the deal, I'd love to share it to my friends and get the word out.
If anything, looks like we'll have to wait a few more days over here in the Bay?
Best,
- Bigg C
2Gamers 4Gamers
www.2g4g.com
P.S. I'll put a link to this soon on our blog.
Chris Putnam @ Jul 7th 2007 2:02PM
@ philmcneal:
Do you have a source or some details on this EB Games deal?
Bandit @ Jul 7th 2007 2:05PM
Funny how all I did was post a press release & am getting flamed for it?
I think your anger should be directed toward SEGA or SONY rather than me. I'm not the one who decided not to release online play for the PS3.
My question is WHY does this type of thing keep happening again and again? Why is Madden 30fps on PS3 and 60fps on 360? Is the PS3 really that hard to program for? It can't be a technical hardware issue.
SONY needs to come up with some answers, period. The $100 price drop is not it.
BTW - I'll probably get flamed for this too, but I think Tekken 5 is the best fight game to date. I really can't get into VF / DOA / Soul Caliber / etc...
CJ @ Jul 7th 2007 2:26PM
PS3 blows. The NEED a price cut already. It hasnt even been a year and Sony has been forced to make a price cut when they are already losing money. Not a good thing. Losing exclusives, lack of quality games, multi-platform games so far have been over all better on the 360 (even future games are bound to be better, ie Madden 08 60fps vice 30 on the PS3), and just an over all failure to really prove itself. And now, it is getting a price cut already. I am sure there may be a general spike in sales but not enough to make a huge difference. The price cut will not make it easier to develop games for the system. The price cut doesnt get it exclusives or improve what it has failed in.
So how is the price cut, that much of a good thing? Its not even a huge price cut. 500 bucks is still a lot of cash for a system that just doesnt have a lot of buzz except by its loyalist of fans.