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[HUELEN10]

By now, most of you should know about the refurb thread. For those not in the know, here's the 411. NOA has, for quite some time, been selling refurb systems to the public through their online store. The Wii U seems to be the star of the show though; 200 USD will get you a refurb deluxe SKU, the same one you'd find on shelves in holiday 2012. NOA has done a fantastic job quality-wise, as the condition of this hardware is pristine, easily on par with Apple Factory Refurbs. Seems that for a lot of people, 200 USD is a good entry point for a value-packed 8th gen experience, or a addition to their current 8th library. Nintendo has kept this on the down low, but more and more people are learning about the deal every day.

That being said, do you think NOA should put these at retail? First of all, look at the box.

These systems have actual dedicated retail-style packages with all the bells and whistles. Second of all, it would not be the first time a company does this. A few years back, Microsoft sold refurb 360s in premium packaging at retail for a damned low price too! I saw these things get emptied out within a short period of time being on the shelves at Best Buy, so I'd say there's definitely a market for this stuff. Based on the fact that this happened last gen with MS, and the fact that these Wii Us all come in these premium boxes, I just have a feeling they are ready to hit retail at a moments notice with no warning.

Do you think this is something likely to happen? Do you think it should happen? I think it only could help them; didn't seem to hurt MS any when they did it.

 

[Carl2282]

I think people read too much into the wiiu, even at this point nintendo should just make a damn sku that leaves the gamepat in and drives the cost down, keep releasing compelling first and second party games.

I really do think they need to really rush for the $200 price point at retail, it puts the wiiu in impulse buy territory.

 

[Diggeh]

If so, they'd end up at Fry's Electronics. They sell a lot of refurb PS3s and the like.

 

[Effigenius]

How many systems could they realistically have? Probably not enough to make this worthwhile.

 

[wsippel]

The funny thing is that those "refurbished" units actually seem to be returned, written off stock from retailers.

 

[Trojan]

Proves that Nintendo can move Wii-U consoles at a more reasonable price point. They may not drop the price soon since they're still hemmoraging cash, but they need at least a $50 price drop for that SKU in order to get some mainstream momentum.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

No? How many of them could there possibly be? The brand new units aren't selling, meaning the broken down/traded in/whatever units can't be plentiful. What kind of quality control issues do you think Nintendo has?

 

[7DollarHagane]

Yeah they probably only really have stock enough for their own store. Plus its all their Money from those sales.

$200 and the wiiu would turn things around in this holiday. Its time to get real and double down on it.

They are already sitting on lots of unsold inventory anyway.

 

[James Scott]

I think people read too much into the wiiu, even at this point nintendo should just make a damn sku that leaves the gamepat in and drives the cost down, keep releasing compelling first and second party games.

I really do think they need to really rush for the $200 price point at retail, it puts the wiiu in impulse buy territory.

They don't seem to be abandoning the gamepad anytime soon, especially not with Amiibo.
Also, 200 doesn't make any business sense for them at this point. Losing almost 100 bucks per system just to sell some more units doesn't make any sense. Increasing the perceived value would be the smartest bet
(also I don't know about a retail version of the refurbished system. I don't think they have enough of these lying around to make it worth it and might just drop the value of the system further)

 

[GrotesqueBeauty]

Bad idea. First of all, it could create confusion and cannibalize the sales of new units if they're stocking new looking refurbs as brick and mortar locations. Secondly, it seems like they've got their hands full meeting online demand already, and given the modest installed user base and general reliability of Nintendo hardware I'm skeptical about whether they'd have enough legit refurbs to distribute widely.

The seeming popularity of this deal is instructive though. Hopefully Nintendo starts moving units at a pace where they can reduce their costs more quickly. A $250 Smash Bros. bundle could absolutely slay at retail this holiday, or alternately dropping the MK8 bundle to $250 and timing it around when Smash Bros. hits.

 

[BeforeU]

I think people read too much into the wiiu, even at this point nintendo should just make a damn sku that leaves the gamepat in and drives the cost down, keep releasing compelling first and second party games.

I really do think they need to really rush for the $200 price point at retail, it puts the wiiu in impulse buy territory.

Gamepad doesnt cost that much, its not like Kinect for Microsoft where they spent billions in research and specific custom components to make one. So taking it off, wouldn't make Wii U significantly cheaper to drive sale. I think it would make it even less compelling device.

 

[HUELEN10]

I think people read too much into the wiiu, even at this point nintendo should just make a damn sku that leaves the gamepat in and drives the cost down, keep releasing compelling first and second party games.

I really do think they need to really rush for the $200 price point at retail, it puts the wiiu in impulse buy territory.

They will NEVER drop the GamePad, especially not going forward with GamePad required content and Amiibo. Personally, the Wii U pricing is strange....

NSMBU Bundle is 220 USD once you subtract the MSRP of the games, and the Mario Kart 8 bundle is 210 after subtracting the games, assuming one of your free ones is max value.

They are essentially hitting the 200 USD point already, but with bundles. Personally, I think that this is something that might need reassessing.

 

[Freezie KO]

Is there any evidence that "so many people" are buying in? Let's say 20 people in a NeoGAF thread say they're buying a refurb unit. That's a whole lot for a thread on GAF, but it's peanuts in the larger scheme of things. A little perspective is needed.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

NSMBU Bundle is 220 USD once you subtract the MSRP of the games, and the Mario Kart 8 bundle is 210 after subtracting the games, assuming one of your free ones is max value.

They are essentially hitting the 200 USD point already, but with bundles. Personally, I think that this is something that might need reassessing.

That's flawed analysis. They're not exactly packing in third party games with no markup or retailer margin. Giving away their own content is practically "free."

 

[majik13]

yeah I have a feeling that they are likely actually new consoles, possibly retailer returned like mentioned earlier.
But Nintendo makes a little more back because they are selling them directly. Maybe they call them refurb as not to piss off retailers.

 

[GrotesqueBeauty]

Is there any evidence that "so many people" are buying in? Let's say 20 people in a NeoGAF thread say they're buying a refurb unit. That's a whole lot for a thread on GAF, but it's peanuts in the larger scheme of things. A little perspective is needed.

The effect might be magnified on message boards for obvious reasons, but there seems like a noticeable uptick in interest in the deal after Nintendo's showing at E3.

 

[grimlock442]

I'd pay $199 for a new Wii U as long as X and Zelda were both available to buy, today, and actually considered good games, and I'd have to know for a fact that Metroid was in development.

Otherwise, I wouldn't pay more than $99 for a Wii U. I think ps3 and 360 are currently overpriced as well.

 

[tokkun]

They will NEVER drop the GamePad, especially not going forward with GamePad required content and Amiibo. Personally, the Wii U pricing is strange....

I don't get why people say Amiibo requires a GamePad in the box. Couldn't Nintendo just manufacture an NFC stand for like a couple bucks and throw it in the box? I mean, the Skylanders things don't seem to be all that expensive.

 

[Sylverstone14]

I think people read too much into the wiiu, even at this point nintendo should just make a damn sku that leaves the gamepat in and drives the cost down, keep releasing compelling first and second party games.

For the billionth time, the GamePad is here to stay.

 

[IrishNinja]

wait, did blue eyes Huelen get unbanned or am i fucking shit up here

if so, welcome back!

 

[James Scott]

I don't get why people say Amiibo requires a GamePad in the box. Couldn't Nintendo just manufacture an NFC stand for like a couple bucks and throw it in the box? I mean, the Skylanders things don't seem to be all that expensive.

If they pack in an NFC stand with every new Wii U+a Pro controller they wouldn't be saving all that much money while losing out on being able to develop gamepad focused games.

 

[Uncle Rupee]

I don't get why people say Amiibo requires a GamePad in the box. Couldn't Nintendo just manufacture an NFC stand for like a couple bucks and throw it in the box? I mean, the Skylanders things don't seem to be all that expensive.

THEY'RE NOT DROPPING THE GAMEPAD

 

[Guamu]

That being said, do you think NOA should put these at retail? First of all, look at the box.

I've seen them here in mexico at the "gamers" chain, also there are lots of refurbished 3DS'

 

[Mauricio_Magus]

I think people read too much into the wiiu, even at this point nintendo should just make a damn sku that leaves the gamepat in and drives the cost down, keep releasing compelling first and second party games.

I really do think they need to really rush for the $200 price point at retail, it puts the wiiu in impulse buy territory.

Gamepad is staying, forever.

 

[HUELEN10]

Bad idea. First of all, it could create confusion and cannibalize the sales of new units if they're stocking new looking refurbs as brick and mortar locations. Secondly, it seems like they've got their hands full meeting online demand already, and given the modest installed user base and general reliability of Nintendo hardware I'm skeptical about whether they'd have enough legit refurbs to distribute widely.

The seeming popularity of this deal is instructive though. Hopefully Nintendo starts moving units at a pace where they can reduce their costs more quickly. A $250 Smash Bros. bundle could absolutely slay at retail this holiday, or alternately dropping the MK8 bundle to $250 and timing it around when Smash Bros. hits.

They should absolutely drop the Kart bundle down soon after the free bonus game promo ends. Imagine a Smash bundle with GCN pad and adapter for 300 USD though, that would be insane!

That's flawed analysis. They're not exactly packing in third party games with no markup or retailer margin. Giving away their own content is practically "free."

Not quite the point I was trying to raise, but you're not wrong. I was more taking about what the consumer sees, price vs value and whatnot, and what is more attractive to get more sales, cheap entry or bundles.

I don't get why people say Amiibo requires a GamePad in the box. Couldn't Nintendo just manufacture an NFC stand for like a couple bucks and throw it in the box? I mean, the Skylanders things don't seem to be all that expensive.

Selling a desperate device raises a barrier and Nintendo knows this, the GamePad needs to stay for Amiibo to work as effectively as it can.

 

[outunderthestars]

How about they just drop the price of the Wii U?

 

[Carl2282]

For the billionth time, the GamePad is here to stay.

I must have phrased my first post wrong, I want the pad to stay. I really think they still need to drive the cost down. As the price of a wii u deluxe sku decreases and the software out for it are more and more compelling they will get sales. They will never be number one, but it might get to a health sales point. If they had a vanilla wii u deluxe system in wallmart for 200 or 250 I think the sales would just be a lot more healthy

 

[HUELEN10]

I've seen them here in mexico at the "gamers" chain, also there are lots of refurbished 3DS'

Really? Seem this I didn't know! What does the 3DS packaging look like?

 

[Mauricio_Magus]

How about they just drop the price of the Wii U?

and bleed even more money? nah.

 

[Mariolee]

How about they just drop the price of the Wii U?

Because they're already selling at a loss.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

Not quite the point I was trying to raise, but you're not wrong. I was more taking about what the consumer sees, price vs value and whatnot, and what is more attractive to get more sales, cheap entry or bundles.

Cheap entry, every time. A $300 box with 1 or 2 games I do not want is still a $300 box and I still have to spend money to buy games I'd like to play.

Every game doesn't appeal to every person. An extremely popular game might draw in 30% of an audience, and that's quite an achievement. Giving that game away with your console is going to draw attention, but having a lower price will draw more.

I suppose I'll note one very notable exception in Wii Sports. Giving that game away was probably the best bundle ever.

 

[James Scott]

How about they just drop the price of the Wii U?

They just did that and a ton of bundles. I've seen a ton of people suggest that they should straight up abandon the system, making it more expensive for them isn't really ideal.

Spoiler

Especially since they just now broke even, or they are close to breaking even and losing 50-100 isn't something they could realistically do

Best use of that money (IMO) would be actual marketing and/or funding more games

 

[outunderthestars]

Because they're already selling at a loss.

The. They need to redesign it or just kill off te platform because it is dead in the water at $300.

 

[GrotesqueBeauty]

The. They need to redesign it or just kill off te platform because it is dead in the water at $300.

Or, you know, games.

 

[outunderthestars]

Or, you know, games.

But third party developers won't green light games until the install base gets healthier.

 

[RM8]

They're sold at retail here in Mexico, I bought mine at a local store :3

 

[Richie]

I've actually seen them in retail stores here in Mexico (Gamers). No idea of how well they sell, though.

Really? Seem this I didn't know! What does the 3DS packaging look like?

I know ya didn't ask me, but the ones I saw are exactly the same as the image you posted!

 

[Anteo]

They're sold at retail here in Mexico, I bought mine at a local store :3

But was it cheaper than a non-refub unit?

Here in my country refub untis are at the same price. They just bank on people not undestanding what it really means.

 

[Hawaii Jeff]

The bad thing about the refurbs is Nintendo can't count them as sell-through sales for the monthly NPD reports, right?

 

[darkside31337]

I just bought mine. Excited for it!

Price cut to $200 is a pretty big psychological barrier to clear. I kind of expect it later this year because they're going to need it.

 

[StevieP]

Many of them are unsold stock bought back from the retail channel. I don't think retail would be excited to take them back.

And no, they don't count for NPD

 

[Richie]

While on the topic, I've stumbled across these in Wal Mart Mexico's website...I had no idea this SKU existed anywhere!

 

[Iorv3th]

By selling it directly through their own store they get all the profit and don't have to put anything in for mark up for the retail chain. If they are selling well through their online store there probably isn't much reason to put this out in retail stores.

 

[erawsd]

If the Nintendo store can't keep them in stock then why would they want to give Retail a percentage of that? @$200 I can't imagine they are making much, if any, profit.

 

[GrotesqueBeauty]

But third party developers won't green light games until the install base gets healthier.

Looking at the Wii's meteoric success and the collective shrug and/or half assed "tests" from 3rd parties I doubt Wii U will get anything other than the occasional watered down port or a handful of no-brainer franchises that traditionally sell better on Nintendo consoles (see: more Sonic games). But it looks like Nintendo has ratcheted up production on Wii U games and is actively courting outside developers more aggressively than in the past with publishing deals or to work on spin-offs. I also think this E3 was the first real glimpse we've had of the fruits of their restructuring, increase in staff, and shift in focus from rescuing the 3DS from oblivion to rescuing the Wii U instead.

A lot of people wrote off the Wii U entirely a long time ago. Even currently there are a lot of people making the (imo poor) argument that Nintendo should just cut its loses and shift all resources towards a successor. Even so, there is a shift in narrative after their surprisingly on point showing at E3, and things I was uniformly ridiculed for, like thinking the Wii U will eventually surpass Gamecube LTD numbers, are not seen as a complete and total absurdities anymore. Even most ardent detractors have sort of softened from "impossibility" to "long shot".

The reason why I can't but the dead in the water theory as a certainty is because it's really predicated on the idea that Nintendo remains static, and always will. And while I get the narrative due to their often conservative corporate culture, I think it overlooks a lot of obvious facts, like how Nintendo has actually managed to by and large stay profitable and culturally relevant while tons of their competitors have come and gone. And unlike Sony or Microsoft they can't rely on other divisions to take up the slack when their games business falters, which means when their back is against the wall you better believe they'll act.

Or you know, maybe they really are doomed, just like they've been the past 20 years.

 

[Sectorseven]

How are the refurb sales counted? Are they reported to NPD?

 

[Persona7]

I thought all or most of those refurbs were returned unsold stock?

 

[HUELEN10]

Looking at the Wii's meteoric success and the collective shrug and/or half assed "tests" from 3rd parties I doubt Wii U will get anything other than the occasional watered down port or a handful of no-brainer franchises that traditionally sell better on Nintendo consoles (see: more Sonic games). But it looks like Nintendo has ratcheted up production on Wii U games and is actively courting outside developers more aggressively that in the past with publishing deals or to work on spin-offs. I also think this E3 was the first real glimpse we've had of the fruits of their restructuring, increase in staff, and shift in focus from rescuing the 3DS from oblivion to rescuing the Wii U instead.

A lot of people wrote off the Wii U entirely a long time ago. Even currently there are a lot of people making the (imo poor) argument that Nintendo should just cut its loses and shift all resources towards a successor. Even so, there is a shift in narrative after their surprisingly on point showing at E3, and things I was uniformly ridiculed for, like thinking the Wii U will eventually surpass Gamecube LTD numbers, are not seen as a complete and total absurdities anymore. Even most ardent detractors have sort of softened from "impossibility" to "long shot".

The reason why I can't but the dead in the water theory as a certainty is because it's really predicated on the idea that Nintendo remains static, and always will. And while I get the narrative due to their often conservative corporate culture, I think it overlooks a lot of obvious facts, like how Nintendo has actually managed to by and large stay profitable and culturally relevant while tons of their competitors have come and gone. And unlike Sony or Microsoft they can't rely on other divisions to take up the slack when their games business falters, which means when their back is against the wall you better believe they'll act.

Or you know, maybe they really are doomed, just like they've been the past 20 years.

Just wanted to say that this is a damned solid post; too true, too true.

 

[cw_sasuke]

The. They need to redesign it or just kill off te platform because it is dead in the water at $300.

Have you guys been living under the rock for the past 6 months? The console isn't going anywhere as us the gamepad. Stop acting us they just need to a switch an could laugh a redesign console that costs 30 percent less.

 

[notworksafe]

How are the refurb sales counted? Are they reported to NPD?

NPD only tracks brick & mortar retail sales (but not wal-mart iirc).