Do you complainers always buy your stuff at MSRP? Things are discounted and go on sale all the time!

Look at this: http://www.sandisk.com/products/imaging/sandisk-standard-memory-stick-pro-and-memory-stick-pro-duo
The 8GB card is $50.99 at SandDisks official site.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/SanDisk+-+8GB+Memory+Stick+PRO+Duo+Memory+Card/9016851.p?id=1218013806867&skuId=9016851&st=memory%20stick%20pro%20duo&cp=1&lp=2
This one is $43.99 at Best Buy.

But on Amazon I can get the same thing for $16.07.

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-8GB-Memory-Stick-Pro/dp/B000UZH7P6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322589009&sr=8-1
Prices vary quite a bit from place to place. There won't be a whole lot of wiggle room at first, but once the cards settle in the market then expect the same thing.

I am not complaining about the MSRP or supposed MSRP.  I just find it a little crazy that they offer those supposed starting prices.  I guess I am just too used to SDHC prices..  It is obvious that SDHC is a far better and cheaper format.  8 GB stick shouldn't be more than 15 dollars for any format these days. 

Seems reasonable enough, though thats with discount, that sounds cheaper than what we have here,  i'll wait for the official pricing.

That is true, we are pretty spoiled with memory prices these days. Though after a while, we won't have to pay the listed prices.  Still we have to expect prices to be higher than normal right when a portable/console is launched because they want to earn that extra revenue.

I think the difference is that the 3DS was making money at its original sale cost, I don't think the Vita is, so dropping the price will be much more tricky

Yeah I'm sure :(

Someone posted a source/link confirming it somewhere in the thread

The official JP PSV memory card prices are: 4gb - ¥2200 ($28 USD), 8gb - ¥3200 ($41), 16gb - ¥5500 ($70), and 32gb - ¥9500 ($121), which falls roughly into line with these prices from Gamestop (currency converted). Although the JP prices already include tax, so JP PSV consumers would seem to be getting the better deal.

And to think I thought Sony was going in a better direction now and not forcing propriety formats on people. I was recently in the market for a camera/camcorder and ALL of Sony's cameras/camcorders offer the ability to use standard SD cards (MS Pro Duo sticks as well), which is why I was considering getting Sony.

These memory card are about the size of micro sd cards, right? It would have been much better for the consumer if they went with micro sd cards as you can get 32gb micro sd cards in the $30-$40 range.

I don't think they are placeholders.. gamestop priced all official sony accessories:

4GB PlayStation Vita Memory Card - $29.99
8GB PlayStation Vita Memory Card - $44.99
16GB PlayStation Vita Memory Card - $69.99
32GB PlayStation Vita Memory Card - $119.99
PlayStation Vita AC Adaptor - $19.99
PS VITA Armor GameCase - $7.99
PS VITA ArmorShell - $12.99
PlayStation Vita Car Adaptor - $17.99
PlayStation Vita Card Case - $9.99
PlayStation Vita Carrying Case - $19.99
PlayStation Vita Cradle - $19.99
PS VITA Crystal Custom Case - $19.99
PlayStation Vita In-ear Headset - $19.99
PS VITA Nerf Armor - $17.99
PlayStation Vita Portable Charge - $49.99
PlayStation Vita Protective Film (Two Pack) - $14.99
PS VITA Pull N Go Folio - $29.99
PlayStation Vita Starter Kit - $29.99
PS Vita Starter Kit - $24.99
PS Vita Trigger Grip - $17.99
PlayStation Vita Travel Pouch - $19.99
PlayStation Vita USB Cable - $14.99

Buy ALL the peripherals!!

but none of these released yet, so they're placeholder until proven otherwise.