Japanese PSP pre-orders going for $489?!?!?

C

CorruptionDee

Member
I just received an e-mail from Play-Asia (I don't know if this was posted yet), and they basically said they're trying to make the best of Sony's fake PSP shortage. So if you absolutely must have your PSP now, they'll get one out to you, at $489 for the core system and $529 for the value pack. It seems as if everybody's worst fears have materialized. I mean, I don't mind paying a little extra for a Japanese system at launch, but $489 is absurd. That's damn near a $300 markup. Oh, and that's before you buy a PSP game, at $59 a pop. With a game, you're looking at (minimum) $489+$59= $548 before shipping charges are added. I consider myself a hardcore gamer, but even I have limits on how much I can afford to spend on a system. What are your thoughts on this matter?
 
Anyone who is impatient deserves to be suckered. I developed extreme patience thanks to becoming an official CAG. I can save a huge load of money by just waiting even a single month on an import system launch.
 
Dude, I agree! I was telling my wife earlier that this is BS how they couldn't have set the price a while ago. We all knew the launch numbers.. This SuX!
 
I can't see why people need to have new consoles right away or at inflated prices. What is the harm in waiting a month for the price to stabilise and for problems to be ironed out in the production process?
 
Wintermute said:
I can't see why people need to have new consoles right away or at inflated prices. What is the harm in waiting a month for the price to stabilise and for problems to be ironed out in the production process?
Click to expand...


because its fun and we are geeks!

Also, I agree o nthe software pricing, how cana handheld game be anywhere worth a console game? I'm sure maybe 5 people worked on Ridge Racers.
 
Jr. said:
because its fun and we are geeks!

Also, I agree o nthe software pricing, how cana handheld game be anywhere worth a console game? I'm sure maybe 5 people worked on Ridge Racers.
Click to expand...

1. Ridge Racers does not cost as much as a typical console game.
2. The production values on Ridge Racer are on par wit any of the console RR games.

Get your facts straight, please.
 
I just remember being burned by Sony with the PSX. At launch in Australia it cost $750 which I paid being an idiot because I had to have it right away. 3 months later it had dropped in price to $399 (not good but much better than it was). Not only that, my original unit had a faulty laser which became boiling hot whenever I turned the machine on. Needless to say I was severely pissed once I learned my PSX was out its warranty period and I had to re-buy the machine again 12 months later...don't mind me, just an early morning rant.
 
and you guys were bitching about 400 dollar value packs on ebay last week... hahahahhahahahahaha

if you cant wait, you pay a premium. although for some it might have been cheaper for an airline ticket and a wait in line.
 
It would cost about the same to buy 3 systems and 9 games from Play-Asia as it would have been to buy a ticket to Japan and stay for a week and buy the three systems from there!
 
I understand where the critics come from, when they ask "why can't you just wait", and believe me, I can. It's just that, getting systems when they first come out, is all part of being a hardcore gamer. It's fun to be the first one of first people amongst your friends or neighborhood to have a console when it's first released. The situation with me, is that I'm a hardcore Ridge Racer fan, so it's not so much that I can't wait for the system, but more that I can't wait to play the game. I'll wait a bit longer to secure the PSP, maybe not till' March, but a little bit longer. Resonable to me (and my limit) would be $350 for a PSP system with Ridge Racers. Anyway, I just got a DS, so perhaps it can keep me entertained till' the PSP prices drops a bit.
 
Buying at launch definitely isn't that wise, given the price, especially if the problems I heard some launch units are having, from a Chinese site:

1.UMD won't eject
http://v.isp.2ch.net/up/4f110e6a10b2.jpg

2.Dead Pixels (common)
http://up.haiiro.info/file/626.jpg
http://up.haiiro.info/file/614.jpg
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/sanchan/20041211#c
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/images/diary/.../2004-12-11.png
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/ayapu22/20041212
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/nakashi/20041212
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/umaino/20041213
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/hajime_ninomae/20041212???????

3.Air bubbles/ dust in the LCD
http://www.imgup.org/file/iup2658.jpg
http://www.imgup.org/file/iup2659.jpg

4.BIts falling off
http://v.isp.2ch.net/up/3c2417a24e9c.jpg

5.The power's on but the system's not booting[/URL]
http://amanoudume.s41.xrea.com/
http://blog.livedoor.jp/od3/archives/10595825.html
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/fukutake/20041212
Pictures
http://amanoudume.s41.xrea.com/images/oioi1.jpg
http://amanoudume.s41.xrea.com/images/oioi2.jpg
http://www.imgup.org/file/iup2653.jpg
http://www.imgup.org/file/iup2654.jpg
Video
http://up4.upload-ch.net/src/up2372.mpg.html

6.Failure to read UMD
http://www.geocities.jp/mmrinside/SN310027.JPG

7.UMD flies out by itself if you twist the PSP slightly
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~cf6y-oot/auto.amc
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~cf6y-oot/auto.avi

8.UMD slot can't be closed properly
http://up.haiiro.info/file/627.jpg

9.Bug in Ridge Racer (the music from the mini-game Rally X won't stop when you enter the main game)
http://home.megapass.co.kr/~ttf1513/a.avi


It this actually true/ common?
 
Miburou said:
It would cost about the same to buy 3 systems and 9 games from Play-Asia as it would have been to buy a ticket to Japan and stay for a week and buy the three systems from there!
Click to expand...

True, but I could just ask my mother-in-law in Osaka to wait in line for me :D. But realistically, I don't think she'd want to do that, especially not in Japan, which is a haven for Otakus.
 
wow @ pics and vids.

I've never had a problem with dead pixels but its a common problem in LCD devices. But it'd be bad if those other problems became commonplace.
 
Allow me to second that "holy shit."

It's a good thing I'm on holiday in the States, or I probably woulda bought one of 'em...
 
Timbuktu said:
Buying at launch definitely isn't that wise, given the price, especially if the problems I heard some launch units are having, from a Chinese site:

1.UMD won't eject
http://v.isp.2ch.net/up/4f110e6a10b2.jpg

2.Dead Pixels (common)
http://up.haiiro.info/file/626.jpg
http://up.haiiro.info/file/614.jpg
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/sanchan/20041211#c
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/images/diary/.../2004-12-11.png
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/ayapu22/20041212
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/nakashi/20041212
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/umaino/20041213
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/hajime_ninomae/20041212???????

3.Air bubbles/ dust in the LCD
http://www.imgup.org/file/iup2658.jpg
http://www.imgup.org/file/iup2659.jpg

4.BIts falling off
http://v.isp.2ch.net/up/3c2417a24e9c.jpg

5.The power's on but the system's not booting[/URL]
http://amanoudume.s41.xrea.com/
http://blog.livedoor.jp/od3/archives/10595825.html
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/fukutake/20041212
Pictures
http://amanoudume.s41.xrea.com/images/oioi1.jpg
http://amanoudume.s41.xrea.com/images/oioi2.jpg
http://www.imgup.org/file/iup2653.jpg
http://www.imgup.org/file/iup2654.jpg
Video
http://up4.upload-ch.net/src/up2372.mpg.html

6.Failure to read UMD
http://www.geocities.jp/mmrinside/SN310027.JPG

7.UMD flies out by itself if you twist the PSP slightly
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~cf6y-oot/auto.amc
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~cf6y-oot/auto.avi

8.UMD slot can't be closed properly
http://up.haiiro.info/file/627.jpg

9.Bug in Ridge Racer (the music from the mini-game Rally X won't stop when you enter the main game)
http://home.megapass.co.kr/~ttf1513/a.avi


It this actually true/ common?
Click to expand...


Thank you Timbuktu, suddenly I feel a whole lot better about having to wait a bit longer. I'm not being sarcastic either, I mean this with sincerity. The dreaded Sony curse strikes again. Seriously, as much as I love Sony's electronics, they can't seem to get anything right, as far as quality control goes. All Playstations that have launched, have all had problems. These quality control issues are not just limited to the Playstations either, even their TVs and other devices often have issues until people start complaining, and Sony fixes them.
 
I'm holding off on a DS for the same reason. Being a Nintendo product I know the build quality is going to be impeccable but I'm worried about dead pixels. Imagine paying that much money for a PSP and get a flawed if not faulty unit.
 
cybamerc said:
I'm holding off on a DS for the same reason. Being a Nintendo product I know the build quality is going to be impeccable but I'm worried about dead pixels. Imagine paying that much money for a PSP and get a flawed if not faulty unit.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but with DS you can send it back to Nintendo and they will happily fix it for you. They're a toymaker, they don't fuck around with customer support.

AFAIK, Sony has come out and said that they will NOT replace PSPs with dead pixels. And even if they could, how long do you think it'd take to get a replacement?
 
Man, some of those links are outright disturbing. I've never seen so many bugs at launch in my life. And some people have the audacity to nitpick the DS for a few (in some rare cases) dead pixels? Dead pixels can be a common problem with many LCD devices, but 99% of these other problems are exclusive to the PSP. These webpages are made by different people, which means that some problems may be common. I'm not buying one now, until I get confirmation that Sony has corrected these issues. Because, if you buy a PSP from Play-Asia, etc., what are your chances of getting your faulty PSP replaced on time, if at all?
 
Sho Nuff said:
Yeah, but with DS you can send it back to Nintendo and they will happily fix it for you. They're a toymaker, they don't fuck around with customer support.
Click to expand...
Yeah but that won't help me since I live in Europe :)

I don't have the slightest worry about picking one up when it finally launches here.
 
cybamerc said:
Yeah but that won't help me since I live in Europe :)

I don't have the slightest worry about picking one up when it finally launches here.
Click to expand...

Can't you take the DS back to the retailer?...oh right, it's not out there yet. Dur. You guys always get screwed.

The only DS problem I can think of is the "loud continuous electrical popping when you put Wario in standby" I encountered.
 
CorruptionDee said:
Man, some of those links are outright disturbing. I've never seen so many bugs at launch in my life. And some people have the audacity to nitpick the DS for a few (in some rare cases) dead pixels? Dead pixels can be a common problem with many LCD devices, but 99% of these other problems are exclusive to the PSP. These webpages are made by different people, which means that some problems may be common. I'm not buying one now, until I get confirmation that Sony has corrected these issues. Because, if you buy a PSP from Play-Asia, etc., what are your chances of getting your faulty PSP replaced on time, if at all?
Click to expand...

To be fair, we don't know how widespread these problems are, or even whether all of them are legitimate. If you check the stickied PSP thread (which I guess you haven't, since the Play-Asia price was posted there well before you started this thread), the 5 or 6 people who've bought a PSP have only mentioned dead pixels, and most have said that it's not a big deal.
 
Sho Nuff said:
Yeah, but with DS you can send it back to Nintendo and they will happily fix it for you. They're a toymaker, they don't fuck around with customer support.

AFAIK, Sony has come out and said that they will NOT replace PSPs with dead pixels. And even if they could, how long do you think it'd take to get a replacement?
Click to expand...


My thoughts exactly. You stole the words right out of my mouth. My DS was purchased here, in the US, and is free from any problems. Aside from that, if a problem should arise, Nintendo will fix it, since I'm technically covered by warranty. Sony gives my a hard time, with warranty and all. Does anyone remember the scrolling white bar that sweeps across the screen when watching a 1080i broadcast on any Sony XBR800? Thousands of people complained (myself included), and Sony would deny the problem (most likely to buy time), until people threatened to sue. Sony was later forced to fix the problem, at no cost to the consumer, but it took anywhere from ~8 months-1 year. That's far too long, by any standard.
 
Miburou said:
To be fair, we don't know how widespread these problems are, or even whether all of them are legitimate. If you check the stickied PSP thread (which I guess you haven't, since the Play-Asia price was posted there well before you started this thread), the 5 or 6 people who've bought a PSP have only mentioned dead pixels, and most have said that it's not a big deal.
Click to expand...

I hear what you're saying. Let me be clear, I can deal with a few dead pixels, but the other problems are disturbing (assuming that they are widespread). We all know that Sony will correct these problems, if they are widespread. That's not the question, the question is more "when will they correct them, and how long will it take?". If there's really a shortage, as they would have us believe there is, how can they correct the problem anytime soon? In all seriousness, if Play-Asia lowers the price anytime soon, I will make sure to tell them to test my system thoroughly before they ship it out, because I can't afford to eat a $350-$400 lemon.

Also, I don't want to give people the impression that I'm some sort of viral marketer for Nintendo, because I'm neither a viral marketer (for any company) or a Junior Member (at least not in the truest form). I've been a member at GA for damn near 5 years, I just don't post as often as I browse, for obvious reasons.
 
I think it goes without saying that the PSP has the potential for more problems than previous portable systems (not just game players) given the complexity of the hardware and it's functions. It could be hardware issues like dead pixels or the lid to the UMD drive that won't close or software related (something that plagues a lot of Sony products). If you're really concerned about these things importing obviously isn't the best idea.
 
Cybamerc, I agree 100%. It is a far more advanced and complex piece of machinery. However, I really hope that certain problems that were listed, only affect a small minority. I'm still going to import one, but only after Play-Asia subtantially drops the price, and after we can confirm the % of problems. By this I mean, how many people are affected by the said problems. From what I hear, John TV is happy with his purchase, and his unit really has none of the aforementioned problems. I consider him a trustworthy poster. So there's still hope that these problems (although bad) are rare.


Aside from all this, the PSP as damn sexy. The PSP is like one of those girls with a lot of flaws that you're willing to ignore, only because she's damn fine, and you love to get your hands on her.
 
Miburou said:
1. Ridge Racers does not cost as much as a typical console game.
2. The production values on Ridge Racer are on par wit any of the console RR games.

Get your facts straight, please.
Click to expand...

If you are saying in conusmer price get your facts straight its $60 bucks from all the import sites, the same as a consdole game.

You have some might crazy fanboy glasses on if you REALLY think the production values are as high, the models have maybe 1/8 of the polys that were in the cars of RRV.
 
JackFrost2012 said:
What's with all the new Junior Members working as Nintendo viral marketers?
Click to expand...


Shut the F#$# up dude. Get over the fact that the PSP is NOT the second coming. You must be one for Sony, right?
 
I'm sorry? Jr, you are telling someone else to get their facts straight!?

And if you were then to point out that the PSP games are retailing for an average of 4800 yen ($50), instead of the usual 6800 yen($66) for PS2 games, you'd have had a point. Except you then chose to manipulate the facts yourself in order to *yet again* troll the PSP.

Twat.
 
Jr. said:
If you are saying in conusmer price get your facts straight its $60 bucks from all the import sites, the same as a consdole game.
Click to expand...

Uh, they are price gouging because it was just released, just as they did with the PS2. RR is 4,800 Yen, which is 2,000 less than most PS2 games. You can find PS2 games for $75 from those same sites.

You have some might crazy fanboy glasses on if you REALLY think the production values are as high, the models have maybe 1/8 of the polys that were in the cars of RRV.
Click to expand...

My god, you really are a retard. First of all, at worst, the models have 25% less poly. But that doesn't matter, unless you think they charging by the poly. :lol

Ridge Racers has twice as many tracks as any RR before it, and twice as many music tracks. It also has an FMV intro that's at least on par with that of R4.
 
:lol at the music bug video. Especially when he fucked up when the music stopped, as if it was in relief...

...THEN IT STARTED AGAIN
 
Jr. said:
Shut the F#$# up dude. Get over the fact that the PSP is NOT the second coming. You must be one for Sony, right?
Click to expand...

At least his posts are meaningful, and contribute to the forum. Yours just suck.
 
I didn't pay much attention to any of the previous Sony launches, but did any hardware problems get fixed by the time they hit US shores? I don't think I could handle such problems regardless of how rare they are. I have *really* bad luck with certain things. :lol I really want one at launch though, so if they're going to get fixed.. I'm a happy man.
 
and then there are those of us who can afford a $500 psp but won't consent to being bilked in that manner. if i was going to spend that much money on a psp, i might as well have flown to tokyo and picked one up myself.
 
Dark Dragon said:
There are three types of people in this world: Those you can and those you can't afford a $500 PSP.
Click to expand...

And I'm the third type, the admittedly broken record who said this would happen like clockwork. Everything else has been said in the thread so I'll do a post count +1 dealie and bounce.

$500+.... damn.

EDIT: No, seriously, $500 on a 1st-run Sony product? That's not being hardcore, that's being something that doesn't exist in any facet of the human language yet!
 
Miburou said:
the 5 or 6 people who've bought a PSP have only mentioned dead pixels, and most have said that it's not a big deal.
Click to expand...

Thats fantastic. If only the rest of the world was happy with having faults in their products. These are the people we should all strive to be :)

Sony has come out and said that they will NOT replace PSPs with dead pixels. And even if they could, how long do you think it'd take to get a replacement?
Click to expand...

Even better. Thats the epitome of fantastic customer relations. Nice one Sony.
 
Comes in the pack with "buying games that you don´t understand" and "buying systems and games nobody has heard of".

I have seen people doing much more stupid and expensive things with its money.

However, it´s stupid? yes it is, I don´t deny that. (but it is fun in an odd way)

I am still waiting for Lik Sang. I would happily buy one for 300$. 500$ plus eurpean taxes, absolutely not (without taxes, I would doubt about it)

The nice thing is that dollar is so low, my euros give me some chance of thinking about it. Last months are being a bless for import (hope it remains this way forever).
 
Timbuktu said:
Buying at launch definitely isn't that wise, given the price, especially if the problems I heard some launch units are having, from a Chinese site:

1.UMD won't eject
http://v.isp.2ch.net/up/4f110e6a10b2.jpg

2.Dead Pixels (common)
http://up.haiiro.info/file/626.jpg
http://up.haiiro.info/file/614.jpg
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/sanchan/20041211#c
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/images/diary/.../2004-12-11.png
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/ayapu22/20041212
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/nakashi/20041212
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/umaino/20041213
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/hajime_ninomae/20041212???????

3.Air bubbles/ dust in the LCD
http://www.imgup.org/file/iup2658.jpg
http://www.imgup.org/file/iup2659.jpg

4.BIts falling off
http://v.isp.2ch.net/up/3c2417a24e9c.jpg

5.The power's on but the system's not booting[/URL]
http://amanoudume.s41.xrea.com/
http://blog.livedoor.jp/od3/archives/10595825.html
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/fukutake/20041212
Pictures
http://amanoudume.s41.xrea.com/images/oioi1.jpg
http://amanoudume.s41.xrea.com/images/oioi2.jpg
http://www.imgup.org/file/iup2653.jpg
http://www.imgup.org/file/iup2654.jpg
Video
http://up4.upload-ch.net/src/up2372.mpg.html

6.Failure to read UMD
http://www.geocities.jp/mmrinside/SN310027.JPG

7.UMD flies out by itself if you twist the PSP slightly
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~cf6y-oot/auto.amc
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~cf6y-oot/auto.avi

8.UMD slot can't be closed properly
http://up.haiiro.info/file/627.jpg

9.Bug in Ridge Racer (the music from the mini-game Rally X won't stop when you enter the main game)
http://home.megapass.co.kr/~ttf1513/a.avi


It this actually true/ common?
Click to expand...


HOLY CRAP!

Looks like I will skip the US launch as well.
 
wow, the dead pixels were my primary reason for not caring about an import, but some of those other problems are ... pretty fucked up
Sho Nuff said:
Yeah, but with DS you can send it back to Nintendo and they will happily fix it for you. They're a toymaker, they don't fuck around with customer support.

AFAIK, Sony has come out and said that they will NOT replace PSPs with dead pixels. And even if they could, how long do you think it'd take to get a replacement?
Click to expand...
from what i heard from a friend of a friend who is a major retailer, they will only replace it if it has 5 or more dead pixels
 
radioheadrule83 said:
Current bid: GBP 720.00 (1,377.43 USD)

"Please Note you are buying information on where you can buy a Sony PSP for just twenty pound."

...what?
Click to expand...


:lol :lol :lol

And from a seller with just 1 feedback too.

I shouldn't laugh too hard..I think I've been scammed on ebay over the weekend :(

I feel like messaging some of these bidders and asking them if they actually know what they're bidding on.
 
More power to the people buying the PSP at such a high price.

I would, but dang, that would severely limit my financials. I'll just wait for launch, and if something goes haywire I always have waranty.
 
sounds like Sony are grading their LCD screens. probably 5 dead pixels around the edges, or one smack bang in the middle.

Nothing strange about it, annoying as it might be.

Do Sony have worldwide warranties? If not, and I get a dodgy import, I'll wait for Euro launch, buy one and swap them over.
 
DarthWufei said:
I didn't pay much attention to any of the previous Sony launches, but did any hardware problems get fixed by the time they hit US shores? I don't think I could handle such problems regardless of how rare they are. I have *really* bad luck with certain things. :lol I really want one at launch though, so if they're going to get fixed.. I'm a happy man.
Click to expand...

There are problems with every launch system. It doesn't matter what system, Nintendo, Microsoft or otherwise. They ALL have people reporting various problems. So you might as well not get any system with that attitude.
 
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