Bad news for consumers in West

[Maximus]

Link

Looks like I was right, again.

Sony and other unnamed Japanese/Corean companies are going to raise their prices in the west by 20-50%.

While in this article only Sony are mentioned to raise prices in the UK, privately, a number of people in many Japanese CE and car companies are talking about raising prices in the UK, US and EU by up to 50% do combat the rise in price of the Yen.

Panasonic, Pioneer, Sharp, Samsung, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, LG, Toshiba and other smaller companies will all be following Sony's lead on this.

[xtop]

ouchhhhh. but hey..gas is 1.75 here

[jw]

Originally Posted by xtop

ouchhhhh. but hey..gas is 1.75 here

Thats because the Japanese arent gas exporters

[quexos]

And when the Yen gets back to interesting levels for the Japanese you can bet they'll "magically" forget to lower prices ...

Note that I'm curious to see a 50% price rise. Like the PS3 going from 400 to 600 Euros overnight ? I'd like to see that cause then they can say bye bye to the hope of ever passing the 360 in sales numbers.

[Musashi]

I was thinking about getting a new TV next year..does this mean I should get it now on a financing deal instead? I hate counting money before it hatches, but if it's the only way...

I can't see this helping anyone.

[Nerdkiller likes BD]

Well butter my rump and call me toast. I was gonna get a 50' Sammy once I got a job, but with the economy and what Max just mentioned, Its gonna be even harder to reach.

[Jon Bon]

Originally Posted by Nerdkiller likes BD

Well butter my rump and call me toast.

What an awesome expression. Haven't heard that before.

[Maximus]

People don't seem to remember that this is good for domestic producers. The US auto makers, for example, will benefit from this as they will be able to compete with Japanese carmakers without selling their cars at a loss like they do now.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Nerdkiller likes BD

Well butter my rump and call me toast. I was gonna get a 50' Sammy once I got a job, but with the economy and what Max just mentioned, Its gonna be even harder to reach.

My advice would be to get a smaller TV or not bother altogether until you can afford it.

Seriously, do you need and I really mean need a new TV? I'm betting the answer is no, so why bother spending the money now when everything is bad for the consumer...

[cflames89]

Well, as I work in electronics, and have not heard anything about this at all, I call shenanigans, LOL!!!!!!

[Bigdog]

Originally Posted by Musashi

I was thinking about getting a new TV next year..does this mean I should get it now on a financing deal instead? I hate counting money before it hatches, but if it's the only way...

I can't see this helping anyone.

I wouldnt worry about it, these comapnys use these scare tactics to just drum up sales, and oh gee look a month before x-mas. Anyone that thinks they will raise prices by 50% is nuts because i can already predict the new sales numbers, lets see 0 units sold across the board! A 1,500 dollar lcd will not jump up to 2,250 without any justifacation, these companys will simply not sell anything if this was to be true.

[SellmeyourDVD]

so this would mean that the 55 inch xbr8 would be around 10k msrp

[Maximus]

Please, this is not just one company beating one drum. This is going to happen.

All you need to look at is the JPY-USD or JPY-GBP graphs for the last year. From 120 to 95 and 240 to 140.

Japanese companies are hurting big time over this, it is better for them to sell less stuff for a bit of profit that loads of stuff at a loss.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

I wouldnt worry about it, these comapnys use these scare tactics to just drum up sales, and oh gee look a month before x-mas. Anyone that thinks they will raise prices by 50% is nuts because i can already predict the new sales numbers, lets see 0 units sold across the board! A 1,500 dollar lcd will not jump up to 2,250 without any justifacation, these companys will simply not sell anything if this was to be true.

You don't seem to get it. At $1500 Japanese manufacturers are taking a loss on each one sold, it is better to sell none at that state, especially when there is no aftermarket revenue like Blu-ray or gaming where you can make money from software. A $200 loss on a TV is $200 you will never get back.

So it comes down to this, would you, as a company, rather sell 1m units at $200 loss per unit, or 600k units at $200 profit. Pretty simple equation, no?

The justification is all there for everyone to witness...

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by quexos

And when the Yen gets back to interesting levels for the Japanese you can bet they'll "magically" forget to lower prices ...

And be crushed in the marketplace by the Koreans, Chinese and Japanese companies that don't forget?

Without a cartel, that kind of price fixing is not possible.

Gary