Pocket Pro Question

[smithno]

RobertB,

I know the introductory price for the Pocket Pro is going to expire soon. Is there an official date? I'm planning on getting one, but prefer to wait until the first week of Sept. to place the order so the charge shows up on my October statement instead of the September statement. Knowing the official price change date will help a lot.

[griffonwing]

It will expire the end of September, so you have time.

[frozennorth]

Originally Posted by smithno

RobertB,

I know the introductory price for the Pocket Pro is going to expire soon. Is there an official date? I'm planning on getting one, but prefer to wait until the first week of Sept. to place the order so the charge shows up on my October statement instead of the September statement. Knowing the official price change date will help a lot.

In my opinion I doubt that the price of the Pocket Pro will change as long as Sony sells the 300 for 199. I think the reason Astak reduced the price from 229 to 199 was because of Sony's pricing of the 300. Now please don't throw rocks at me, I know the pez is more loaded than the 300, but Sony has better name recognition and their readers will be on display in multiple stores.

I'm looking forward to all your reviews when you get your new toy.

[Chuckwade87]

Originally Posted by frozennorth

In my opinion I doubt that the price of the Pocket Pro will change as long as Sony sells the 300 for 199. I think the reason Astak reduced the price from 229 to 199 was because of Sony's pricing of the 300. Now please don't throw rocks at me, I know the pez is more loaded than the 300, but Sony has better name recognition and their readers will be on display in multiple stores.

I'm looking forward to all your reviews when you get your new toy.

Thats very true. I hadn't realized that the 300 was going to be sold for the same price. I think your right with your predictions of the Pro being sold for the same price as the 300, other wise the Pro won't be as competitive as the Sony.

[Musicman]

Originally Posted by Chuckwade87

Thats very true. I hadn't realized that the 300 was going to be sold for the same price. I think your right with your predictions of the Pro being sold for the same price as the 300, other wise the Pro won't be as competitive as the Sony.

Actually, I think Sony trolling this site, saw that the Pocket Pro was looking to come in under $200, so they released their stipped down version to under $200 to compete with Astak. This competition resulted in two models to chose from for under $200.

I think competition is good and results in the consumer getting the best deal in the end.

[Chuckwade87]

Either Way, its good for the consumer.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Musicman

Actually, I think Sony trolling this site, saw that the Pocket Pro was looking to come in under $200, so they released their stipped down version to under $200 to compete with Astak. This competition resulted in two models to chose from for under $200.

I think competition is good and results in the consumer getting the best deal in the end.

Yes, it's much more likely that Sony is basing it's prices on a low volume botique ebook seller than looking at the market, the features and determining a price point then it is that Astak reduced the price to keep it competitive with the Sony 300.

Keep in mind too, that $199 is the MSRP for the Sony, and it will probably be sold for less than that at several stores... for example, the MSRP of the 505 is $299 and it is generally sold for $250 or so... the "street price". I assume the same will be true of the Astak.. although if $229 is the MSRP then its street price will probably be $10-$20 higher than the PSR300.

BOb

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Musicman

Actually, I think Sony trolling this site, saw that the Pocket Pro was looking to come in under $200, so they released their stipped down version to under $200 to compete with Astak. This competition resulted in two models to chose from for under $200.

I think competition is good and results in the consumer getting the best deal in the end.

Sony had the 300 priced at $199.99 before Astak dropped their price. Astak started off at a higher price.

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Sony had the 300 priced at $199.99 before Astak dropped their price. Astak started off at a higher price.

That's true, however, for a few months before the 229 price came out, it was was told by Robert that the price would most likely fall between 199 and 209, with 199 being the most likely. This is what everyone was expecting, even Sony.

So it could very well be assumed that Sony simply matched the price that was expected, in which case Astak dropped their price temporarily to match it for preorders and first-comers.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

So it could very well be assumed that Sony simply matched the price that was expected,

You can assume that, but I would assume that there it nothing of the kind. Astak just isn't that powerful of a player to affect how Sony would price their device.

BOb

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

You can assume that, but I would assume that there it nothing of the kind. Astak just isn't that powerful of a player to affect how Sony would price their device.

BOb

Again, you are quite correct. But they are starting to get more coverage with Roberts markets to gadgetblogs and such. Also, Sony knows that the PEZ totally whips the 300 in features. For Sony to put the 300 on the market for more than the PEZ would really hamper some of it's sales in certain markets. Mainly the market of those who know what they are wanting, and know the reader industry.

Sure, they'll get the Borders crowd, the Books-a-Million crowd, and the Sony followers, that's pretty much a given. But for those who are following all aspects of current reader lineup, I think Sony put the 199 price to make it the same as the relatively unknown Astak. So, for the same price, you can choose either an unknown, or a well-known.

Please note that this is simply an opinion. It's how I see things, or how I interpret events. Not based on actual fact.

[Robertb]

Dear All:

I don't have any idea whether it will extend. The $199 price is good thru midnight on September 30. After that we will see. Realize that at $199 we make a miserable margin.

We did not do $199 to go to war with Sony. We did $199 to get the attention of the press. It has worked. We are finally getting some reviews.

Realize that the Sony PRC-300 has very little on it except 8 level greyscale and ADE. That is fine and I am sure it works great for Sony. The Pocket PRO is crammed to the gills with great features and is far more robust. The colors do cost money (to Astak). We are between a rock and a hard place, friends. YES, you the consumer benefit. BUT... we will be immensely amazed if MobileRead Forum members buy 200 Pocket PRO. I am grateful for every one BUT we have to sell to a wonder audience and the press can give us that.

A lot will be determined on how many we sell before September 30. IF I was you, I would buy it while it is at the price and there is a color selection. Do not bet we can hold at $199 forever.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Realize that the Sony PRC-300 has very little on it except 8 level greyscale and ADE.

And yes, that works well for Sony and the users as the ADE the 300 is using works quite well. (hyperlinks anyone?)

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And yes, that works well for Sony and the users as the ADE the 300 is using works quite well. (hyperlinks anyone?)

[SDRebel]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Yes, it's much more likely that Sony is basing it's prices on a low volume botique ebook seller than looking at the market, the features and determining a price point then it is that Astak reduced the price to keep it competitive with the Sony 300.

Keep in mind too, that $199 is the MSRP for the Sony, and it will probably be sold for less than that at several stores... for example, the MSRP of the 505 is $299 and it is generally sold for $250 or so... the "street price". I assume the same will be true of the Astak.. although if $229 is the MSRP then its street price will probably be $10-$20 higher than the PSR300.

BOb

J&R was selling it for $175 shipped after bing cash back, not sure if they are still doing it though.