^You are right. People think MSRP always means you charge what you wish, but this is not always the case.

Items such as Ipods, *Some* computers, *Some* Televisions, Gaming consoles, etc... have "contracted prices". This is also the reasoning why employees never see discounts on these products. Retailers sell these for what they paid pretty much, their money comes from the games and accessories.

I learned this at Bestbuy.

I don't really see anyone saying that in that thread besides someone who was from Europe who even went on to say in the thread that he was mistaken.

The MSRP can be set by manufacturers, but some retailers can set their own price or add games or create bundles. That got some retailers in hot water with Ninny. Remember when you couldn't buy a Wii at some stores without it being bundled?

I know some thing can be marked down, but some can't. I know Target was offering two GH sets for like $99, which was huge because the game cost the same amount - and you get two games.

I know Best Buy and Wal-Mart can do whatever they want. I remember when they dropped HD DVD players to just $99 a pop. It happens.

http://www.vgchartz.com/forum/thread.php?id=36086&start=0

BMaker11

states that the 60 gig cost 350$

http://computing.in.msn.com/articles/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1596058&vv=600&wa=wsignin1.0

this article says that Target might be selling 60g, but it doesn't say the price.

still, it's possible that Microsoft will sell it for $299 - if not now, definitely by October

First to answer as plainly as possible it is highly unlikely that both models share the same UPC. The UPC is a number with myriad uses including warranties, sales tracking, and system registry. For Microsoft to not use a new UPC for the new model would be unprecedented. In other words there is almost no possibility that this is the case.

Second there is a real probability that the price of the new unit will be $300 at launch or shortly there after. The reality is the hardware at this point is actually cheaper then the model it is replacing. So there is ample incentive to keep the cheaper more effective pricing. Perhaps all Microsoft wanted to do was ensure that they got the older model off of the shelves prior to the new product launching. Were that the case Microsoft would have no incentive to divulge the true price.

i bought my 6o gigg for 350 but with a target card you can save 10 percent witch equals 310$

Very true. As someone who worked for over 10years as a commissioned salesperson at Sears and then Circuit City, I can tell you that there are many items that the retailer has absolutely no choice when it comes to its price.

@CC as an example, Bose and Polk Audio never get any type of sale or discount unless it is from the manufacturer. This is also how Apple works and I'm sure it is how all of the console manufacturers work.

If you still are unsure how this works, next time you see a store wide event, like 10% off everything, from any retailer, read the fine print. You will see a list of products the sale does not apply to, those are the products they are not allowed to adjust the price on.

[Edit] Guess I should think about reading the whole thread next time. Sigh. [/Edit]