Lack fo confidence by the retailers that RIM will be able to turn around their fortunes and that should RIM vanish, the playbook will go the way of HP's touchpad. An unsupported, undesired device that they can't sell.
These firesales are just the retailers way of cleaning out their inventory as fast as possible, even if it's at a loss.
Basic Economics regarding Supply and Demand.
RIM have no doubt over-produced the Playbook (excess supply) and the Demand in the market is extremely low, given that most people choose to buy the Ipad.
Excess supply and minimum demand combine to make something which is no short of a miracle for people like me...
PRICE CUTS!
They initially paid for/built somewhere around 4,000,000 PB's, then took a big write-down on the inventory when they realized they were not going to sell at close to list price. With time passing, new tablets from competitors on the market with better spec's, etc., it makes sense to get the remaining inventory into the hands of consumers to help build up the critical mass of users in the app eco-system, rather than gather dust on the shelves.
The batteries in many units on the shelf are fast approaching 18 months since they were installed at the factory at 40% state of charge. Even at a conservative self-discharge rate of only 2%/month, these units are on the brink of not accepting an initial charge.
The batteries are getting old in the devices sitting on the shelves, there is no demand, and they are over 14 months in stock. The retailer loses confidence in anything that doesn't sell before the next year quartery introduction of items. Good for me, I bought two!
The batteries in many units on the shelf are fast approaching 18 months since they were installed at the factory at 40% state of charge. Even at a conservative self-discharge rate of only 2%/month, these units are on the brink of not accepting an initial charge.
I bought 2x64gb the other week.....oddly enough the first one built june 2011 and came unopened and had the same charge level (approx 40-50% as you say) in it as an 15 August 2012 build,the second PB i bought.
The batteries in many units on the shelf are fast approaching 18 months since they were installed at the factory at 40% state of charge. Even at a conservative self-discharge rate of only 2%/month, these units are on the brink of not accepting an initial charge.
Yikes. You'd think the nice thing to do would be to go out, buy one, charge it, and return it.
It's standard practice for manufacturers to sell of old models at a big discount after anew model comes out. In the case, wifi only is being replaced by the newer, snappier 4G.
I'm itching to get a 64GB playbook, but I already have the 32gb, what the HECK are you guys doing with the second playbook? I just can't justify getting another playbook!
I'm itching to get a 64GB playbook, but I already have the 32gb, what the HECK are you guys doing with the second playbook? I just can't justify getting another playbook!
You must be single . Mother/Father/Daughter/Son/Grandson/Granddaughter/Boyfriend/Girlfriend etc etc etc. Nothing like early Xmas shopping.
It's standard practice for manufacturers to sell of old models at a big discount after anew model comes out. In the case, wifi only is being replaced by the newer, snappier 4G.
how could you call LTE is a new model for wifi? they are different models.
I hate that the price keeps dropping it's making it hard to sell one on ebay or craiglist.
It used to be people who paid 499 for 16G complain 199,now even people paid 199 start to complain. Don't know who want to buy new PB(if there is an one). everyone will wait for big discount. RIM just set a price trap for themselves
The stores take them out and charge them I heard, mine showed 1 charge but my friends 5 charges. Mine was only a month old his was from november last year.
The stores take them out and charge them I heard, mine showed 1 charge but my friends 5 charges. Mine was only a month old his was from november last year.
It used to be people who paid 499 for 16G complain 199,now even people paid 199 start to complain. Don't know who want to buy new PB(if there is an one). everyone will wait for big discount. RIM just set a price trap for themselves
It's very simple. If you feel the price you're paying is worth what you're getting, buy it. Don't worry about the price going lower. For the additional price you paid you got to have it longer than someone else.
When I bought my 32GB at $250, I felt that was worth what I paid for it, and I got use out of it before the Nexus 7 was released, and before the next price drop hit. I'm not at all disappointed by what I paid for it (beyond in retrospect that I didn't need the extra 16GB).
My brother figured $130 is what he'd be willing to pay to try out a tablet, but the $260 for the N7, or $250 for the Arc at 16GB would be too much. Everyone has a different price threshold.
When a product hits your price threshold, buy, and don't worry about if it might get cheaper (unless you just collect gadgets).