Wii demand and eBay

[Shifty Geezer]

With the other thread talking about demand, I got thinking. first I checked out Play to see what stock they had. No Wiis, and no surprise. But also no nunchucks, and no Wiimotes. Then I think 'wouldn't people be trying to sell Wii's at great expense on the internet, like with console launches?' Trouble is I don't know how to get a history of eBay sales, and bids go in rapidly at the end of the auction. What's £100 now might be £300 within 6 minutes.

Is there any way to get such a pricing history of items on eBay, to gauge demand from an economic POV? - what is Wii worth to Joe Public when it's available on eBay?

 

[rbushner]

Well you can search only completed listings, by using the advanced search.

Looks like about $350 with a couple of games.

 

[rbushner]

Not allowed to edit I guess, 300-350 would've been a more accurate answer.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

So about RRP then? What does that say about demand? Are people just being patient, expecting to get one 'any day now' when fresh stock appears rather than paying an extra $50 to get one now?

 

[rbushner]

Actually I think it's a bit higher than SRP (249?). I'm just guesstimating looking at the first page. Wiisports is included normally?

I think it says more about demand at pricepoints than demand in general. There is no doubt in my mind that there is heavy demand for the Wii here. Just not near as much demand for a $400+ Wii.

 

[Zaphod]

I'd venture to say it could say something about the buying audience. 'Hardcore' gamers hanging around in places like this won't really splash out a premium because they know it's not really 'worth it', and the kind that pick one up retail in a chain store do so because it's $250. If it's not available, they won't get a PS3 or 360, they'll rather ask for a waiting list (call me when I can pick it up) or get a PS2. These customers aren't the ones to E-Bay a high demand item either, at most they'll place an out-of-stock-order from a reputable webshop and wait.

 

[AW0L]

you have to sign into ebay and use the item ended with in so and so option. and it shows the prices up to i think 3 months that ended.

 

[_xxx_]

From what I saw so far, there were no huge gains by selling Wii on Ebay, they're still not that hard to get.

I just bought a nunchuck and a wiimote this week from Ebay $20 below the regular price, so it's not like there were not enough parts out there.

 

[PatrickL]

You can get a Wii in france usually 10 to 15 days after ordering them from your retailer. It is just hard to find unsold Wiis waiting in shops.

 

[StefanS]

Is there any way to get such a pricing history of items on eBay, to gauge demand from an economic POV? - what is Wii worth to Joe Public when it's available on eBay?

Another useful indicator would be looking at the duration of delays. E.g. Wii is currently listed as "ships in 1-2 months" on the German amazon site.

 

[_xxx_]

Another useful indicator would be looking at the duration of delays. E.g. Wii is currently listed as "ships in 1-2 months" on the German amazon site.

From Amazon themselves, but there are more than 20 "new and used" available offered from third party sellers.

 

[Fu3lFr3nzy]

nobody has an eBay account to check?

Well I searched past auctions just now, and the average Wii price is in the $320's range with some reaching low $400's (but thats because theres an extra nunchuck/wiimote and/or game(s) in it)

Used Wii consoles(only) range from rare $290's, though most of them are still in the low $300's range.

 

[PatrickL]

It is fun because a french website just made a topic on that subject today. They looked for Wii, 360 and PS3 sale prices during last week on ebay France. Results are:
- Wii: 320 € up to 350 €
- Xbox 360 premium: average 300 €, some at 330 €
- PS3: 560 € some at 580 €

 

[NERO]

It is fun because a french website just made a topic on that subject today. They looked for Wii, 360 and PS3 sale prices during last week on ebay France. Results are:
- Wii: 320 € up to 350 €
- Xbox 360 premium: average 300 €, some at 330 €
- PS3: 560 € some at 580 €

Any indication on quantity of units? What is the eur price btw?

 

[PatrickL]

Non quantities listed.
Official prices:
Wii (including wii sport here): 250 €
Xbox 360: 400 €
PS3: 600 €

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Are those prices straight consoles, or bundled with games/extra controllers? From the US listings, it sounds like bundles valued close to RRP. It'll be very interesting if France adds a 100 € premium on Wii due to availability.

 

[NERO]

...if France adds a 100 € premium on Wii due to availability.

I am not understanding this Shifty. I know your just speculating but do you mean Ebay sellers or shop sellers en masse estimating on the economics and stamping this premium

 

[Shifty Geezer]

No. eBay shows exactly what people are willing to pay. If the French eBuyers are buying Wii consoles with no extras at 350 Euros, they're choosing to pay 100 Euros above RRP to get a Wii now rather than wait for stock to arrive in stores. That shows an increased value above RRP. Looking at the US figures above, it seems most US eBuyers are only willing to bid a small premium above RRP to get the Wii now rather than wait for it in store. You haven't got the likes of Digi slamming down $350 on a bare Wii console (or $450 for a console + 2 games), despite complaining about lack of availability and wanting one. Wii isn't worth more than RRP to them.

Of course if the French numbers are for bundles, that says the French buyers aren't willing to bid over RRP either.

 

[PatrickL]

It s consoles with no extra added, just in france you can't buy a WIi without wii sport.

I guess Wii on ebay are just people reselling their old one and no intended speculation, just an item that is hard to get fast so price goes up.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Well, there we have it folks. The French are more interested in Wii than the Americans
Because the Yanks are cheap...