PLEASE READ: The NEW SHOP is separate and distinct from the OLD SHOP. If you place an order on the OLD SHOP, you will not be able to use the NEW SHOP to check on your order and vice versa. Unfortunately, we were not able to resolve the two shop databases in order to transfer customer histories and accounts. Both shops are fully operational and capable of taking orders.
 

NDS

 NEWS NDS Lite and Speculators Ransom

If you have preordered an NDS Lite, please read.
«©NCSX» First, the good news. The Japanese version of the NDS Lite was released in Hong Kong yesterday in moderate quantities. We watched with bemusement as speculators and other second tier vendors sent solicitations overnight. Ten pieces here, five pieces there, and so on and so forth. The prices being quoted were laughable but we'll get to that.

   Now, the bad news. Initial pricing per NDS Lite sits at an average of HK$2300. That's US$297.54 per unit. NCS took preorders at US$169.

   We should just repost our "PSP pricing fireworks" from late 2004 here but our recommendation is to wait for better pricing since speculators can't control the market forever and additional supplies invariably reach market at normal prices. However, if you're willing to pay upwards of $300 to receive an NDS Lite this week, we can supply. We just don't recommend it.

   The official Japanese launch is in 2 days. At this point, it is unclear if our suppliers in Japan to whom we submitted the bulk of our preorders will join in the speculative frenzy and hold out for higher prices. We're hoping that they'll forego the instinct to gouge like the Hong Kong players but that's NCS' naïveté showing up again. In other words, "Why sell to NCS at the original distribution price when we can charge close to double and still move all of our stock in less than an hour? We got kids to feed!"

   As is common with launch feeding frenzies of this nature, they are speculative and fueled by limited initial inventory. The market is tested with certain price points and levels of support and resistance. If there is retail support at US$300 for an NDS Lite, prices will remain at that level. If there is resistance, a lower price point will be tested and the cycle refreshes itself until the buyers and sellers meet equilibrium. In this case, equilibrium is when inventory sells briskly and without hesitation. We're at the "no hesitation" point of the cycle.

   NCS is loathe to participate in the histrionics if we can help it. Exorbitant prices invariably crumble to normal levels within days or weeks and we're then accused of helping the gougers gouge consumers. We've seen it since the days of the Nintendo 64 and we'll see it again when the PS3 debuts.  The launch mania attendant with new gaming hardware has become a routine. We could script an off-Broadway play if there was enough of an audience for it... In any case, if the speculators continue to control the market over the next few days, the original price of US$169 for an NDS Lite may not be in the realm of possibility until more supplies reach market.

   We'll have another update by Thursday since we'll have a better idea of how the Japan launch will be handled and if rampant gouging is infectious.
 

 

 

NDS
 NEWS NDS Lite FAQ
«©NCSX» Since there's bound to be questions, here are some answers.

I preordered an NDS Lite. When will I get mine? 
   Please take a moment to read our update posted above. We'll have more information by Thursday when our Japanese suppliers update us on supplies and pricing. The Hong Kong situation was not exactly unexpected but we're unsure if Japanese vendors will follow suit and raise their prices as well if supplies are meager.

Why can't you tell me now?
   We're based in the United States and rely on distributors and suppliers in Japan for information and pricing details. If there is no news forthcoming yet, we have to wait for information before we're able to disseminate it.

Why can't you tell me now?
   Nostradamus didn't report for work today.

Did the delay of the other two Lite colors cause the prices to rocket?
   The decrease in initial supply certainly contributed to the higher prices being charged by Hong Kong based vendors. In general, lower supplies of a commodity or product leads to pricing power by sellers. Related note: The engineered perception of low supplies can also lead to higher prices. 

Will the problem recur when Ice Blue and Enamel Navy ship?
   We don't know at this point. If there are ample supplies of the Ice Blue and Enamel Navy NDS Lite, pricing should be normal. If there are shortages, we anticipate a repeat of the price gouging.  

This is frustrating.
   Agreed. Launches of new gaming hardware are subject to shortages, hype, high demand, and consequent frustration on the part of consumers. We can't control the supply of a new product when it launches even when we submit our preorders way in advance and deposit 35% credit balances to have suppliers "guarantee" our reservation quantity.  

Can I cancel my preorder?
   Yes, we can accept NDS Lite preorder cancellations by email request to support@ncsxshop.com.

Any closing thoughts?
   The Hong Kong situation may not extend to Japan but at this point, we're not hopeful for normal pricing this week. One positive is that the price appears to have hit a ceiling of US$300 and can only drop from there. Whether or not the drop is rapid is up to Nintendo's supply to the market. 
 
 

Playstation Magazine Vol. 4
193 pages, N/M condition
$7.50/copy shipped
 MOTD Playstation Magazine Vol. 4 [March 1, 1996] allGone
Cover: Final Fantasy VII
 p7-9 Arc the Lad  II game play details and character details.
p10 Popolocrois Story artwork and background info.
p11-14 Crime Crackers preview and systems in play.
p18-29 Final Fantasy VII mini-poster, character details, and information on the storyline, game system, battle parameters.
p30-35 Jumping Flash 2 stages and attendant objectives.
p36-37 Namco Museum Vol. 3 featured games (Galaxian, Ms. Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Pole Position II, Phozon, and Tower of Druaga.
p44 Hyper Crazy Climber stages and power-up items.
p48-49 Tokimeki Memorial data disc contents and specials.
p59-61 Playstation News updates on Atlanta '96 Olympics and licensed  gaming, Toshinden, Angelique products, Toukon Retsuden, etc.
p63-66 Extra manual for Namco Museum Vol. 2 - Dragon Buster.
p67-72 Tekken 2 fighting system and overall game details.
p76-79 Biohazard intro cinema caps, character profiles, and a general preview of the zombie game that would set the world afire.
 

11:05AM Bias is short .. 

Summary of the Week
Monday CD Dirge of Cerberus OST, More Friends: Music from Final Fantasy OST  GC Baten Kaitos 2  NEWS Some more software updates from last week (Metal Wolf REV and Gigawing Generations), Release outlook
Tuesday NEWS NDS Lite Pricing Fireworks or "Launch frenzy routine resumes anew"
Wednesday NEWS Preorders open for GBA Mother 3 + Deluxe Box, Densetsu no Stafy 4, Conversation Phrasebook
Thursday NDS Doraemon: Nobita no Kyouryu, Seiken Densetsu DS: Children of Mana  PS2 Capcom Classics Collection
Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidou, Kidou Senshi Gundam: Climax U.C., Ninkyouden: Toseinin Ichidaiki,
Pop'n Music 12 Iroha, Tenka-bito  PSP Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
Friday MAG Famitsu Wave DVD - April 2006  NDS Scratch Guard DS, Screen Guard DS Lite  PS2 Ninyouden Toseinin Ichidaki  PSP Blade Dancer, Eyeshield 21, Rockman Rockman
National Console Support, Inc ° Your Import Specialist
Phone: (718) 523-5774  Fax: (718) 523-7069  Old Shop: http://hh141.hiphip.com E-mail: ncsx@msn.com 
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