The Wii Grey Market is Dead

[modeps]

It had a good run on Ebay, Half.com and Craiglist, but according to an article on Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21623), its now pointless to buy a Wii in the store with the goal of scalping it on the interwebs. Why? Because the average resale price is now down at retail value.

The average resale price for Nintendo's Wii hardware is now down to the system's list price of $250, a dramatic drop from its $469 resale price of during the same period in 2007.

The console's resale price has steadily decreased since last year's holiday season, with a slight bump in June 2008 before resuming its descent.

At least it lasted longer out there than the PS3 market... amiriteguyz?

[Whimbrel]

Tell that to the people selling them for $295 - 320 on Ebay right now. Considering that most people could have found one in stock at an EB games or a Gamestop if they had shopped early, I tend to agree. However, as of this very minute, there is a minute by minute bidding war to get one of these for less than $300 with about $15 for shipping. And, that is for people who probably won't get it in time for New Years.

In another 2 to 3 weeks, I would guess that this article is about right. Right now, however, I think the facts on ebay belie the flaws in its accuracy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Nintendo-Wii-Console-System-2-Controllers-5Games_W0QQitemZ170289016668QQihZ007QQcategoryZ139 971QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That auction ended while I was writing my response. When I started writing it there were 3 minutes left and bidding was at $285.

[Snarboo]

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Nintendo-Wii-Console-System-2-Controllers-5Games_W0QQitemZ170289016668QQihZ007QQcategoryZ139 971QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I like how that auction says "+5 games" and it's just Wii sports.

[Whimbrel]

Most of these last minute auctions say crap like "+ 5 games and 2 controllers!!!" Meaning it includes Wii sports and the regular controller and nunchuk that normally come with it anyway. Devious bastards. But that shit is selling at high money.

[Zurik]

A few weeks ago I just sold mine for about $300, not even a new unit either. People will still pay crazy prices for these.

[TeeCakes]

At least it lasted longer out there than the PS3 market... amiriteguyz?[/I]

Dood, you can get NUCLEAR PROFITS from a 60-gig PS3 on eBay around this time-o-de-year!

Like $20-30 above retail of a 80-gig, no sweat! URnote

[modeps]

Dood, you can get NUCLEAR PROFITS from a 60-gig PS3 on eBay around this time-o-de-year!

Like $20-30 above retail of a 80-gig, no sweat! URnote

:D
My buddy bought a PS3 at launch. He was one of the people who waited in line with the specific intention of eBaying it. After 2 failed auctions, he returned it to the store.

Who would have thought though that the PS3 he bought though would be rare later on?

[Greeble]

I can't believe idiots would ever pay for $469 for a wii.

[netcraazzy]

I really dislike the fact that console scalping has become so popular. It took me months of searching to finally find a Wii at the beginning of the year. Every time one of the local stores would get a shipment there would be people waiting in line for hours just to get their hands on one. I guarantee half those people waiting in line were putting them up on eBay.

[jesloa]

sold mine yesterday. Still selling good price http://photosnag.com/img/1919/y08m1110mhmd/2.gif

[blackzc]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=130279121033


Here is my Wii, watch how high it goes.