Wii demand and eBay

[NERO]

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.

Understood. Good observation. Your third to last sentence describes my additude adaquately, although SPMario is beginning to change that. I do want to add that the difference in perceived value with US gamers and French gamers might also have to do with the frequency that the respective markets are restocked.

 

[rbushner]

I do want to add that the difference in perceived value with US gamers and French gamers might also have to do with the frequency that the respective markets are restocked.

I'm not sure about that, I know several people interested in Wii, but haven't found one yet. They are only passively interested, if they find one they will buy one, but they are not about to go 'hunting' for one.

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.

That seems a likely explanation to me, at least from what I've seen in the U.S.