Report: Microsoft Might Launch $99 Xbox 360 With Monthly Payment Plan

[wingzrow]

http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/2/2993600/99-xbox-360-kinect-subsidized-bundle

http://kotaku.com/5906987/report-microsoft-might-launch-99-xbox-360-with-monthly-payment-plan

"Microsoft may launch a $99 Xbox 360 package attached to a two-year $15 monthly subscription plan, according to a new report.

The Verge says the bundle, which could ship as early as next week, will include a 4GB Xbox 360, Kinect, and an Xbox Live Gold subscription. You'll have to dish out $99 upfront and then $15/month over the next two years, which comes to a total of $459.

Naturally, there's an early termination fee if you break your contract ahead of time. The Verge says Microsoft is positioning this new bundle as a competitor to entertainment services like Apple TV and Roku.

According to the report, this new bundle will only be available at official Microsoft Stores. No word whether it will be available online or brick-and-mortar only.

I've reached out to Microsoft for comment and will update should they respond.

Update: Microsoft's official word is "no comment."

"We haven't made any announcements, and we don't comment on rumor or speculation," a Microsoft spokesman told Kotaku."

[Retrocade Fantasia]

Why the hell not?

More proof to me the next XBOX isn't even CLOSE to coming out.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I'd buy it, but not with a 4 GB hard drive. :\

[j_factor]

Uh, yay? They could've done this a long time ago.

[Retrocade Fantasia]

I'd buy it, but not with a 4 GB hard drive. :\

4gb flash memory, you can buy the HDD separate though

[The 1 2 P]

For another $100 you could have gotten a 250 gb 360 slim, a copy of Fable III, a copy of Halo Reach and 3 months of XBL gold. Of course, you had to buy this during the three day Black Friday weekend last year. Thats what I did. And if you weren't into Fable or Halo(for shame) you could have sold those and made your bundle even cheaper. But if Microsoft was going to actually launch this $99 bundle I think the holidays would be the best time to bring it to market.

[Ryudo]

Anyone who buys this is an idiot. You have to pay 460$ in a span of two years not counting games and such. Just spend the extra 100$ upfront.

[megasdkirby]

Anyone who buys this is an idiot. You have to pay 460$ in a span of two years not counting games and such. Just spend the extra 100$ upfront.

Many are idiots. Just look at people who choose to "rent to own" at Rent-A-Center...a $200 console ends up costing them two to three times that, depending on the situation.

[jonebone]

F'in GENIOUS! Of course it's for idiots, but there's so many idiots that live paycheck to paycheck! Those types of people would gobble this up, Microsoft is onto something here.

And the rest of us are unaffected so no need to get pissy.

However, if they made all gaming a mandatory subscription service, I'd cut ties entirely.

[Collector_Gaming]

Many are idiots. Just look at people who choose to "rent to own" at Rent-A-Center...a $200 console ends up costing them two to three times that, depending on the situation.

or those crazy people who buy a 20k brand new car and do a 7 year loan through the dealer...... oh wait.........

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Feel free to correct me on this, but my fast math is:

Regular 4GB XBOX 360 = $200

XBL = $60 per year MSRP (with no obligation to renew)

Total deal w/ 2 years XBL = $420 (or less depending on deals, sales, etc.)

Where are the savings on this payment plan version?

Where is the incentive? JUST to go home with an XBOX 360 for $99?

[kupomogli]

So what about those people who don't have the internet. How are they supposed to set up this $15 monthly charge? Will the console just not work for them?

If anyone finds out that you can purchase the console for $99 and then make no commitment to XBL, I'll pick one up. Not interested in XBL, but I am interested in getting another 360 for exclusives and the only console version of Skyrim that's worth a damn.

[Bojay1997]

It's really a cable service style model. Most cable systems charge up to $10 per month for a cable box and another $10+ for DVR service despite the fact that you can buy your own cable box and DVR for a couple hundred dollars and just rent a cable card for a few dollars a month. Although I wouldn't want to do this for video game consoles, there are millions of people who do for cable right now which isn't all that different. It also allows people with not a lot of disposable income or an inability to save their money the ability to get a console now rather than waiting. Although it doesn't make financial sense, I can still see people doing this.


Feel free to correct me on this, but my fast math is:

Regular 4GB XBOX 360 = $200

XBL = $60 per year MSRP (with no obligation to renew)

Total deal w/ 2 years XBL = $420 (or less depending on deals, sales, etc.)

Where are the savings on this payment plan version?

Where is the incentive? JUST to go home with an XBOX 360 for $99?

[Gameguy]

or those crazy people who buy a 20k brand new car and do a 7 year loan through the dealer...... oh wait.........
There's a bit of a difference with $200 and $20000, if you need a payment plan on a $200 luxury item you really shouldn't be buying it as you can't afford it. Unless this is somehow aimed at kids with a limited allowance.

[Bojay1997]

There's a bit of a difference with $200 and $20000, if you need a payment plan on a $200 luxury item you really shouldn't be buying it as you can't afford it. Unless this is somehow aimed at kids with a limited allowance.

Sure, but think about how many people buy lots of small items on a credit card with 20%+ interest rates. This plan adds $39 over full MSRP which is basically like paying 5% interest per year. Really not that bad if you think about it compared to maintaining a credit card balance, but certainly not as good as paying cash and also being able to get certain components cheaper like XBL or even the console since many retailers have better pricing even when it's not Black Friday.

[Gameguy]

Sure, but think about how many people buy lots of small items on a credit card with 20%+ interest rates.
megasdkirby already answered that.


Many are idiots.

There's a reason why a large percentage of the population are now in debt and/or have no savings for retirement. As of a couple of years ago it was 43% of Americans having less than $10,000 saved for retirement.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/09/pf/retirement_confidence/

EDIT: I found a more recent article from this year. 60% of workers have less than $25,000 saved for retirement.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/13/us-usa-ebri-retire-idUSBRE82C16Z20120313

[Bojay1997]

Ok, but so what? You're not going to convince the vast majority of Americans to save more for retirement or incur less credit card debt simply because you think they should. People were arguing about why Microsoft would offer this and why people would buy it. I think there are reasons on both sides, although I agree with you that people shouldn't be incurring debt they can't pay off on a monthly basis. That doesn't change the fact that this offer, if it is even real, is a better value than rent to own or maintaining a credit card balance over six months or more to buy the console and Kinect.


megasdkirby already answered that.



There's a reason why a large percentage of the population are now in debt and/or have no savings for retirement. As of a couple of years ago it was 43% of Americans having less than $10,000 saved for retirement.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/09/pf/retirement_confidence/

EDIT: I found a more recent article from this year. 60% of workers have less than $25,000 saved for retirement.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/13/us-usa-ebri-retire-idUSBRE82C16Z20120313

[LaughingMAN.S9]

Feel free to correct me on this, but my fast math is:

Regular 4GB XBOX 360 = $200

XBL = $60 per year MSRP (with no obligation to renew)

Total deal w/ 2 years XBL = $420 (or less depending on deals, sales, etc.)

Where are the savings on this payment plan version?

Where is the incentive? JUST to go home with an XBOX 360 for $99?


exactly, i'm over here thinking i woke up in the bizarro universe or something, lol like "how in the blue fuck is anyone getting a deal here???"

[heybtbm]

Feel free to correct me on this, but my fast math is:

Regular 4GB XBOX 360 = $200

XBL = $60 per year MSRP (with no obligation to renew)

Total deal w/ 2 years XBL = $420 (or less depending on deals, sales, etc.)

Where are the savings on this payment plan version?

Where is the incentive? JUST to go home with an XBOX 360 for $99?


exactly, i'm over here thinking i woke up in the bizarro universe or something, lol like "how in the blue fuck is anyone getting a deal here???"

Take a deep breath.

I don't recall Microsoft touting this as a cheaper alternative. It's just cheaper up front. Similar to the monthly or quarterly XBL subscriptions...cheaper in the short-term but more expensive over time. In the end it's just another option for those who want an Xbox 360 but don't make good long-term decisions with money. Credit card companies have been abusing that crowd for years, why can't Microsoft get in on that action?

[Gameguy]

Ok, but so what? You're not going to convince the vast majority of Americans to save more for retirement or incur less credit card debt simply because you think they should. People were arguing about why Microsoft would offer this and why people would buy it. I think there are reasons on both sides, although I agree with you that people shouldn't be incurring debt they can't pay off on a monthly basis. That doesn't change the fact that this offer, if it is even real, is a better value than rent to own or maintaining a credit card balance over six months or more to buy the console and Kinect.
I'm sure people will take advantage of this plan, and it is better than the alternatives you've mentioned. It's just that if someone needs a payment plan on a $200 entertainment device they probably shouldn't think about buying it, that doesn't even include the cost of games. I understand payment plans with appliances, if a major appliance breaks unexpectedly on you it can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to replace them and you can't exactly do without a refrigerator or stove while trying to save up enough to buy one in full. Idealy you would have enough in savings to pay for it, but I can understand if some people can't do that. Nobody thinks anything about mortgages, it's expected that you have to pay interest on some things as the cost is too high to pay all at once. I'm not against paying interest on everything, it's just that $200 really isn't that much money and if you can't pay that much at once you really have other problems to worry about.

I'm used to buying things off craigslist and collectors so I'm used to spending cash to get what I want, if someone posted a great lot or collection for sale I would need enough cash available to buy it. Nobody on craigslist would accept a payment plan. I don't consider myself having that much money to spend on unnecessary things but I would have $200 available to spend if I needed it, I'd rather spend it on a huge bundle of older consoles and games instead of just a new Xbox console but that's probably just me.

[The 1 2 P]

Take a deep breath.

I don't recall Microsoft touting this as a cheaper alternative. It's just cheaper up front. Similar to the monthly or quarterly XBL subscriptions...cheaper in the short-term but more expensive over time. In the end it's just another option for those who want an Xbox 360 but don't make good long-term decisions with money. Credit card companies have been abusing that crowd for years, why can't Microsoft get in on that action?

Wait? A rational, sensible response? Good for you sir.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Take a deep breath.

I don't recall Microsoft touting this as a cheaper alternative. It's just cheaper up front. Similar to the monthly or quarterly XBL subscriptions...cheaper in the short-term but more expensive over time. In the end it's just another option for those who want an Xbox 360 but don't make good long-term decisions with money. Credit card companies have been abusing that crowd for years, why can't Microsoft get in on that action?

I was genuinely curious if there was something I was missing.

Numerous confirmations aside, it's pretty obvious that there are no savings in this deal, it's the same as any long-term financing plan. You pay more total in the end for getting an opportunity to pay out slower.

Now my only question is, what is the penalty for attempting to default on the "payment plan"?

How do they work that out? It's easy for the companies controlling the data-stream to kill access to a cable box or a cellphone, but what do they do with an XBOX 360? What's stopping the end user from continuing to use physical media?

Do they send somebody to repo the console? Do they lifetime ban the console ID from XBLA?

[heybtbm]

Now my only question is, what is the penalty for attempting to default on the "payment plan"?

How do they work that out? It's easy for the companies controlling the data-stream to kill access to a cable box or a cellphone, but what do they do with an XBOX 360? What's stopping the end user from continuing to use physical media?

Do they send somebody to repo the console? Do they lifetime ban the console ID from XBLA?

From the Kotaku article...

Naturally, there's an early termination fee if you break your contract ahead of time.

My guess is the ETF is more than the $459 total 2-year fee. That and it's easy to suspend an XBL account.

[Greg2600]

This sounds like a scam?

[Bojay1997]

It's a binding contract. If you default, they will send it to collections. There are tons of collections agencies around the country that will harass you for as little as a $20 debt to the phone or cable company. No reason to think they won't readily take 30% of what you owe Microsoft on a $459 plan in exchange for months or years of harassing outgoing phone calls. During law school I volunteered at a pro-bono clinic and that was probably the single most common problem people would come in with, relatively small amounts of debt that they had defaulted on and now their credit was damaged severely and they were getting dozens of calls from boiler rooms where the debt collectors worked on commission.


I was genuinely curious if there was something I was missing.

Numerous confirmations aside, it's pretty obvious that there are no savings in this deal, it's the same as any long-term financing plan. You pay more total in the end for getting an opportunity to pay out slower.

Now my only question is, what is the penalty for attempting to default on the "payment plan"?

How do they work that out? It's easy for the companies controlling the data-stream to kill access to a cable box or a cellphone, but what do they do with an XBOX 360? What's stopping the end user from continuing to use physical media?

Do they send somebody to repo the console? Do they lifetime ban the console ID from XBLA?

[Chadt74]

This deal is not as bad as it sounds. If you try and get a 4GB Xbox and Kinect from Amazon plus a 12 month Gold card and additional 1 year warranty and then at month 12 get another 12 month Gold card the Net Present Value of that is only $40 less than the subscription (assuming 5% interest). So really is it that bad? Everyone is yelling about this being so expensive, but if you are targeting high school/college kids and recent grads who might not have $350, saving up $125 and paying $15/mo is an attractive option. I am surprised that a gaming company is trying to widen the accessibility (while making a profit of course) of gaming and gamers are being so negative.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I think it's a fair price, but a 4 GB hard drive just isn't enough in my opinion.

[The 1 2 P]

This is now official (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-05-07-xbox-360-for-USD99-with-xbox-live-contract-is-now-official). It works for cell phones so why not.

[Robocop2]

This is now official (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-05-07-xbox-360-for-USD99-with-xbox-live-contract-is-now-official). It works for cell phones so why not.

TBH, I kind of wonder why this took so long to happen. As you stated cel phone carriers have been doing it for years. I do wonder how well this will compete with the store credit cards though. Alot of them offer payment plans on items over x price that have little to no intrest at least for the first year.

It's kind of funny that the total of the payments is approximately $360.00 Not including the initial 99 bucks

[j_factor]

Isn't Xbox 360 due for a "regular" price drop anyway? Their most basic set (without Kinect) is $199. That's a lot for a console that's six and a half years old. Can you imagine paying $199 for an original Xbox in 2008?

[Bojay1997]

Isn't Xbox 360 due for a "regular" price drop anyway? Their most basic set (without Kinect) is $199. That's a lot for a console that's six and a half years old. Can you imagine paying $199 for an original Xbox in 2008?

There will probably be some bundles again around Christmas and maybe even a $150 option, but I don't think you are going to see a permanent MSRP drop to $150 anytime soon, especially with both MS and Sony loosing money again on the hardware side following the price drop last year. The economy forced this extra long console cycle and frankly, as long as there are great games continuing to be released on the PS3 and 360, people will keep buying them at $200.

[j_factor]

There will probably be some bundles again around Christmas and maybe even a $150 option, but I don't think you are going to see a permanent MSRP drop to $150 anytime soon, especially with both MS and Sony loosing money again on the hardware side following the price drop last year. The economy forced this extra long console cycle and frankly, as long as there are great games continuing to be released on the PS3 and 360, people will keep buying them at $200.

People keep buying them? I thought we were in an industry-wide hardware slump.

[Bojay1997]

People keep buying them? I thought we were in an industry-wide hardware slump.

Well, there has been a 20% drop year over year which is not very surprising given how deep we are into the current generation. Despite that fact, Microsoft still sold roughly 6 million 360s in the last quarter of 2011 and both Microsoft and Sony are projected to sell about 13 million units each in 2012. Those are some pretty solid numbers all things considered.

[heybtbm]

As usual, Penny Arcade sums it up perfectly...


You can look at Amazon or whatever and see that the hardware goes for $276 and up. Obviously, you and I probably aren’t interested in such a device for our personal use: four gigs isn’t enough to copy a single disc to the local drive, reaping the benefits thereby. The Kinect is deeply, profoundly optional as a peripheral. It doesn’t matter, though: “we” already own the thing. “We” have probably owned several, statistically speaking. This box is for another type of person, and that person exists in far greater numbers than the stalwart faithful which huddle in our cloister.

[The 1 2 P]

especially with both MS and Sony loosing money again on the hardware side following the price drop last year.

You are correct about Sony but wrong about Microsoft. While there was speculation that Microsoft would have a price drop following Sony's drop last year that never happened. And thats because even with the price drop they continued to easily outsell the PS3 in the US. As a matter of fact, the PS3 hasn't outsold the 360 in the US for a single month since December 2009. As for your other statment, Microsoft has been making money off of each 360 sold since atleast 2010. The most recent thing I could find was this (http://n4g.com/news/976706/each-xbox-360-sold-nets-microsoft-115-in-profits). While that is just one person's estimate of how much they make, it's pretty safe to say that they are making some kind of money off of each 360 sold. And their Entertainment and Devices Division(which houses the Xbox 360) has been in the black for quite some time. So they aren't really hurting that much, they are just being stubborn with the price drops.

[RPG_Fanatic]

There will probably be some bundles again around Christmas and maybe even a $150 option, but I don't think you are going to see a permanent MSRP drop to $150 anytime soon, especially with both MS and Sony loosing money again on the hardware side following the price drop last year.

If they are still loosing money on each system sold (Microsoft & Sony) that is almost 6 to 7 years old. Then how could they launch new systems next year for under $300 to $400 and not lose there asses on new technology?

[RCM]

I can totally understand why the core audience scoffs at this: we're suckers willing to pay "a lot" of money to play the latest games and systems. This isn't aimed at us at all; it's aimed at the folks who don't have the cash to buy up front. It's that simple, and a 10% markup isn't bad, either.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I can totally understand why the core audience scoffs at this: we're suckers willing to pay "a lot" of money to play the latest games and systems. This isn't aimed at us at all; it's aimed at the folks who don't have the cash to buy up front. It's that simple, and a 10% markup isn't bad, either.

I'd scratch my head less/find it less "odd" if a promotion like this was offered at the launch of a new system when the prices are their absolute highest and a lowered cost of entry to take everything home on day one would make more sense.

I imagine that's why 2-year contracts work so well on smartphones. MSRP is typically $600 -$700 for a good one when they drop. Cutting 40% or more off of that to be able to take it home takes the sting out of it.

When it gets down to the difference between 10% on what all of this costs over the course of an installment plan, well, even in the more lean times in my life where I could have fit into the financial demographic that they're gunning for with this ... I'd like to think that the difference in that pricing range doesn't matter THAT much or that there are several other ways to handle getting the thing on credit that wouldn't carry the burden of "early termination".

I don't have any ethical problem with this deal, it's just another option for consumers if they want it, I just think it's strange.

[RCM]

I'd scratch my head less/find it less "odd" if a promotion like this was offered at the launch of a new system when the prices are their absolute highest and a lowered cost of entry to take everything home on day one would make more sense.

I imagine that's why 2-year contracts work so well on smartphones. MSRP is typically $600 -$700 for a good one when they drop. Cutting 40% or more off of that to be able to take it home takes the sting out of it.

When it gets down to the difference between 10% on what all of this costs over the course of an installment plan, well, even in the more lean times in my life where I could have fit into the financial demographic that they're gunning for with this ... I'd like to think that the difference in that pricing range doesn't matter THAT much or that there are several other ways to handle getting the thing on credit that wouldn't carry the burden of "early termination".

I don't have any ethical problem with this deal, it's just another option for consumers if they want it, I just think it's strange.

I did find the timing odd too, but this may signal Microsoft’s willingness to support the console for a couple more years, or not.

Aren’t they knocking 67% or so off the price of an Xbox 360 w/ Kinect with the $99 price point? I believe that’s what they’re “giving away” up front with this “deal.”

Going back to the point I made before, folks like us see little to no value in this deal, but other people are OK paying a little more over the long run to get access to something they have no interest in spending hundreds on in one shot. On top of that, they need to buy games and other stuff too. Gaming in the traditional space isn't cheap, and the high cost of entry has always been a major weakness for the industry.

[Bojay1997]

All I can say is that you need to spend some time talking to people who work minimum wage jobs or not at all. I know several people who have maxxed out credit cards or no credit cards and no savings. They could scrounge together $100 up front and $15 a month and to them, it might be attractive to pay slightly more for the console over time. Like I said, it doesn't make financial sense for most people and I don't think anyone should buy unnecessary luxury items on credit of any kind, but I would bet that many people even here do so on a regular basis. It also allows MS to go after an audience that has been largely untapped by the big three and provide an alternative to people going on Craigslist or elsewhere to buy a used system.


I'd scratch my head less/find it less "odd" if a promotion like this was offered at the launch of a new system when the prices are their absolute highest and a lowered cost of entry to take everything home on day one would make more sense.

I imagine that's why 2-year contracts work so well on smartphones. MSRP is typically $600 -$700 for a good one when they drop. Cutting 40% or more off of that to be able to take it home takes the sting out of it.

When it gets down to the difference between 10% on what all of this costs over the course of an installment plan, well, even in the more lean times in my life where I could have fit into the financial demographic that they're gunning for with this ... I'd like to think that the difference in that pricing range doesn't matter THAT much or that there are several other ways to handle getting the thing on credit that wouldn't carry the burden of "early termination".

I don't have any ethical problem with this deal, it's just another option for consumers if they want it, I just think it's strange.

[j_factor]

I did find the timing odd too, but this may signal Microsoft’s willingness to support the console for a couple more years, or not.

That reminds me, didn't they briefly have an offer like this for Dreamcast? You had to sign a 2-year contract for Seganet or something. I wonder what happened to that.

[The 1 2 P]

That reminds me, didn't they briefly have an offer like this for Dreamcast? You had to sign a 2-year contract for Seganet or something. I wonder what happened to that.

Yeah Dreamcast had a similiar offer but I'm not sure how successful it turned out.

[RCM]

That reminds me, didn't they briefly have an offer like this for Dreamcast? You had to sign a 2-year contract for Seganet or something. I wonder what happened to that.

Yep, which I actually subscribed to. The difference was, I believe, is that it was open to existing DC owners too. I purchased a DC on 9/9/99 but was still able to subscribe. Once Sega pulled the plug they cut me a check for $150 'cause they were terminating the service.

Anyway, M$ is in a very different place than Sega was back in the day. If M$ decides the pilot program is something the market will support I'm guessing they'll have better results than Sega did.

[otaku]

This is lame. No one should buy this. I am so sick of these contracts and monthly plans and teaser rates I have had at least three of these damned things whether its for a phone internet or directv if you can hang on through the contract its fine but often this is not the case could be a disaster thats why they like it. the price isn't all that great when you factor in final cost (and how you have so many ways of getting live cheaper than the monthly price you pay in this case)

I'll take a star wars edition console instead thanks :)

[Press_Start]

Going back to the point I made before, folks like us see little to no value in this deal, but other people are OK paying a little more over the long run to get access to something they have no interest in spending hundreds on in one shot. On top of that, they need to buy games and other stuff too. Gaming in the traditional space isn't cheap, and the high cost of entry has always been a major weakness for the industry.

Today, I paid $15 for a pair of sneakers. In order for me to get an Xbox 360 with Kinect for $99+taxes, I would have to agree to spend the equivalent of 24 pairs of sneakers. That's a new pair of sneakers per month. One-three shirts on average every 30 days. 5 pairs of underwear. 12 pairs of socks. A new hoodie every 2 months. A new pair of jeans every 4. The 2-year contract subscription costs $360 alone, that's six $60 full-retail titles, twelve $30 games, or eighteen $20 bargain bin items. For the final price of the total package altogether including system and everything else, I can buy a used 360 system with kinect at Ebay twice over. Or,grab a last-gen console/handheld plus a few games from the nearby game store for the same $99 or less with no strings attached. Not to mention, the discounts, sales and offers at every department, electronic, general, and game shops will be wheelin' n dealin' from now to Jesus Day (Christmas) with better deals for everyone in the short and long term. And by the time I pay off my final $15, MS will have price dropped the 360/Kinect to $100 anyway. The whole deal reeks of scrapping at the bottom of the barrel of desperation on MS part, imo.

[Genesaturn]

I really don't think this is a bad deal for the right person. If your planning on paying for xbox live over the next several years...what does it matter ? That's all it really amounts too. If you buy the full price console and subscribe for the next 2 + years then you would of spent more money and the same in monthly fee's regardless.

[RCM]

Today, I paid $15 for a pair of sneakers. In order for me to get an Xbox 360 with Kinect for $99+taxes, I would have to agree to spend the equivalent of 24 pairs of sneakers. That's a new pair of sneakers per month. One-three shirts on average every 30 days. 5 pairs of underwear. 12 pairs of socks. A new hoodie every 2 months. A new pair of jeans every 4. The 2-year contract subscription costs $360 alone, that's six $60 full-retail titles, twelve $30 games, or eighteen $20 bargain bin items. For the final price of the total package altogether including system and everything else, I can buy a used 360 system with kinect at Ebay twice over. Or,grab a last-gen console/handheld plus a few games from the nearby game store for the same $99 or less with no strings attached. Not to mention, the discounts, sales and offers at every department, electronic, general, and game shops will be wheelin' n dealin' from now to Jesus Day (Christmas) with better deals for everyone in the short and long term. And by the time I pay off my final $15, MS will have price dropped the 360/Kinect to $100 anyway. The whole deal reeks of scrapping at the bottom of the barrel of desperation on MS part, imo.

But the Xbox w/ Kinect you buy on ebay doesn't likely come with a warranty, etc. Anyway, you're entitled to your opinion and outlook, but that doesn't mean I have to agree. Enjoy your pair of $15 shoes...

[Robocop2]

Some are actually balking at the idea of a payment plan that costs more than just outlaying cash?

What payment plan actually allows you to pay LESS than the MSRP of any item?

Most people that can afford to buy one outright are going to do that either way. This is a deal for folks who either due to circumstances or desire cannot outlay the 300 bucks plus the fees for XBL. Though, if you work out the cost of the monthly service and the lowered price of the 360/kinect. You're only really paying 20 bucks more than buying a 360 outright and paying for gold yearly. Unless you consider the deals that come around for the 12 mo. gold subscription, which is not everyone is aware of or takes advantage of, its not an awful deal for those living paycheck to paycheck.

Now you could argue the common sense of buying a video game system when trying to make enough to get by but that's an entirely different argument for a different day. Plus alot of people that live that way already have numerous monthly payments so whats another 15 bucks?

[The 1 2 P]

Enjoy your pair of $15 shoes...

ROFL


Some are actually balking at the idea of a payment plan that costs more than just outlaying cash?

What payment plan actually allows you to pay LESS than the MSRP of any item?

If there are any plans out there like that then I am blissfully unaware of them. And again, this isn't any different than people's cell phone payment plans, except that for most of those you pay $40-$100 a month instead of $15. Imagine if Sony had used a similiar plan for the PS3 back in 2007 or 2008 when so many people were still sitting on the fence(many of who still are)? This could have worked wonders for them. But for Microsoft this is just another way to further the 360's life cycle, although it's just a very limited test pilot program in US markets restricted to their personal Microsoft stores. As already stated in this thread a gazillion times, most DP members are not the target audience of this deal.

[Press_Start]

But the Xbox w/ Kinect you buy on ebay doesn't likely come with a warranty, etc. Anyway, you're entitled to your opinion and outlook, but that doesn't mean I have to agree.

So does the 2000 Toyota Echo off Craiglist for $2600. What your point? You act as if owning a gaming console is as necessary as breathing air.


Enjoy your pair of $15 shoes...

Try living day-by-day on Cup O'Noodles and grilled cheese on $30/week budget while paying off rent, car insurance, tuition, and working two jobs while saving money left over for clothes and a decent heater, otherwise learn some damn perspective, troll.

[Bojay1997]

I don't see anything in any post in this thread that says anything about a game system being necessary. All anyone was arguing is that this really isn't some terrible deal. It's basically straight MSRP which as you point out, is not really what most people pay if they shop around a little and are patient. I would also argue that spending $15 on shoes and eating low cost foods with little or no nutritional value is just another form of a deal of this type. Those shoes will last a few months tops and the long-term health effects of the poor quality food will eventually catch up with you. I get that everyone does what they have to do to survive, but saving money in the short term is often not the best approach.


So does the 2000 Toyota Echo off Craiglist for $2600. What your point? You act as if owning a gaming console is as necessary as breathing air.



Try living day-by-day on Cup O'Noodles and grilled cheese on $30/week budget while paying off rent, car insurance, tuition, and working two jobs while saving money left over for clothes and a decent heater, otherwise learn some damn perspective, troll.

[RCM]

Try living day-by-day on Cup O'Noodles and grilled cheese on $30/week budget while paying off rent, car insurance, tuition, and working two jobs while saving money left over for clothes and a decent heater, otherwise learn some damn perspective, troll.

Yeah, I was totally trolling you, dummy. See, that was more in line with trolling. Anyway, you're obviously missing or are purposefully ignoring my points.

But let's not derail the thread anymore than we already have. Let's take it to PM, or face-to-face if you're in the NYC area. I'd be happy to discuss $15 shoes with you and any other topic which may occur.