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Sony Plans Deposit Scheme for PS3 in UK?

An anonymous reader writes "Sony is reportedly in talks to introduce a new £150 per PS3 deposit scheme across retailers in the UK. The proposed scheme aims to help improve resource allocation as well as reduce the 'eBay phenomenon' which was evident with the 360's launch, deposits were secured from as little as £5 and crafty sellers would sell the console way above its retail price."

9 of 134 comments (clear)

  1. yields of the deposit? by jmhewitt · · Score: 4, Funny

    Will the interest accrued help bring down the price?

  2. Obligatory post by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I have nothing constructive to add to this discussion, so I'd just like you all to know that I am going to buy a Nintendo Wii instead of a PlayStation 3.

  3. Sounds Good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    With manufacturing already ahead of schedule and Sony taking steps like this to assure a smooth launch, November can't come soon enough.

    I don't think I've ever been so excited about a machine as the PS3.

  4. Uh oh... by SoulMaster · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, it's a good thing I earned $1500 selling my five 360's! That means I can reserve 10!

  5. 150 UKP Deposit? by Aphrika · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Ummm... I may be getting the wrong end of the stick here, but just how exactly does that stop people selling the console for extortionate amounts on eBay? They have to buy the console for the full price before eBaying it, so that 150 UKP deposit only goes so far as to ensure they get one to sell on...

    It certainly won't discourage entrepreneurs who want to make a bit of cash, and (maybe I'm cynical) looks more like Sony trying to make people commit to a purchase. I'd certainly feel uneasy ponying up a quarter of the console's price before launch.

    1. Re:150 UKP Deposit? by tktk · · Score: 3, Funny
      You're assuming this scheme to help UK consumers. It's just another method for Sony to screw themselves. The people who do the pre-order are going to be one of the last people to get their systems.

      The Sony board must have some sort Brewster's Millions bet going on. If they successfully trash Sony as a company, they'll get a better one.

  6. Re:Information wants to be FREE by _xeno_ · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yarrr, there be more than one kind o' pirate, ya know! I doubt they be shippin' those PS3s over to the English Isles by aeroplane, and thar be an ocean ta cross! And what 'ave you got in an ocean? Pirates!

    ...

    Although I'm not sure exactly how pirates would actually use a PS3, I doubt that most pirate ships have upgraded to HDTV yet. Maybe that'll be happen during another raid.

    --
    You are in a maze of twisty little relative jumps, all alike.
  7. The human factor... by Cryptnotic · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I have a feeling that this is so that people won't feel like they're paying $600 for a game system if they're actually only shelling out $400 for the system when they paid a $200 deposit 6 months earlier. It's a little trick, sort of like promising rebates, to get people to feel like they're paying less.

    --
    My other first post is car post.
  8. Picture this scenario: by Ant+P. · · Score: 3, Insightful

    A PS2 owner goes into a game shop with £150 just after they start taking preorders.

    On the wall behind the counter is a big, glossy PS3 propagan^Wpreorder poster. Pay £150 now, get nothing for a month.
    On the left are shelves of new Wii consoles + game for £150.
    On the right there's new and used X360s for £150 or less.

    You can probably guess what happens. If not you'll just have to wait 5 months to find out.