Zune Hits Closeout Shelves Already?

[Damion Chaplin]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://crunchgear.com/2007/01/29/zune-goes-discount-causes-289-million-loss-for-microsoft/' target='_blank'>http://crunchgear.com/2007/01/29/zune-goes-discount-causes-289-million-loss-for-microsoft/</a><br /><br /></div><em>&quot;...Over the weekend we stopped by our local overstock and discount store in Seattle and were shocked&mdash;shocked!&mdash;to find a stack of nearly a dozen brand-new, unopened Zunes selling at $168. That&rsquo;s about 25% off the going rate of $229 we&rsquo;ve been seeing around ze Web, making it a good deal for someone looking for a Zune.&nbsp; The question is, however: Is there actually anyone looking for a Zune? Or did everyone who wanted one get one? Or are these simply a few units that fell through the cracks into a ghetto scratch-and-ding store? The numbers above mean these could all be possibilities.&quot;</em><br /><br /><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/zt/2007/discountzune.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />With Microsoft reporting a $289 million loss, it doesn't make me happy to see Zunes selling for $168 (especially since I paid full retail for mine).&nbsp; I'd say this is the exception to the rule though - don't expect to find these at your local dollar store.&nbsp; We know they're not flying out of inventory, but I think it's too early to see them on the promo shelf.

[andre]

i can only wish that i could find something like this in my area. my wife wants one really bad but i told her to wait until they give some news out on the flash player but...at a price point of $170 i would whip out the wallet.

[smegmanufo]

I can only hope that this price point finds its way to Canada when it finally gets released here.

[Jason Dunn]

I'm quite sure this is a bizarro one-off and not a reflection of anything long-term.

[Aaron Roma]

My wife has started itching for a Zune. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up an additional unit at that price, but alas, I too feel this is an exception to the rule.

[Macguy59]

The Best Buy in the city I live in are discounting them at $199.95. A friend of mine that works there claims it's because they haven't sold that well. Given that very few employees even know how it works, it's not surprising. Circuit City still has them at normal retail and have a large selection.

[Phillip Dyson]

I went to the Best Buy in my area twice in two weeks and the employee couldn't get it to power up either time.

You would think they would have tried to fix it after the first time they struggled with it for ten minutes.

[Jon Westfall]

The Best Buy in the city I live in are discounting them at $199.95. A friend of mine that works there claims it's because they haven't sold that well. Given that very few employees even know how it works, it's not surprising. Circuit City still has them at normal retail and have a large selection.

Based on past experience, I'd be leary to believe anything that a Best Buy store employee tells you. I've found that large box stores tend to run promotions, sales, etc... and not bother to actually tell their employees why the price has changed. Employees then tend to theorize and this may just be the best theory they have at the time.

I agree with you that employees are clueless how to use this stuff. My own friend that works at Best Buy tells me of training programs that vendors have available to retail workers, however the workers are not required to actually participate in them (although some nice freebies are available to those who do). I really wish these stores would start actually training their staff rather than just allow their staff to be glorified cash register operators.

[Macguy59]

Based on past experience, I'd be leary to believe anything that a Best Buy store employee tells you. I've found that large box stores tend to run promotions, sales, etc... and not bother to actually tell their employees why the price has changed. Employees then tend to theorize and this may just be the best theory they have at the time.

I agree with you that employees are clueless how to use this stuff. My own friend that works at Best Buy tells me of training programs that vendors have available to retail workers, however the workers are not required to actually participate in them (although some nice freebies are available to those who do). I really wish these stores would start actually training their staff rather than just allow their staff to be glorified cash register operators.

Probably some truth in that but he's the Asst. Manager for that department. The point though was about Zunes being discounted already.