Nine months after the official launch of the PlayStation 2 in Brazil, Sony brings the high-definition magic of the PlayStation 3 to the South American country, with a launch price of roughly $US1130, $US500 less than originally planned.
Video games are expensive in Brazil. When the PlayStation 2 launched there last November, the asking price for the then nine-year-old system was around $US461.
So it makes sense that the PlayStation 3 carry a higher price tag. Today the 120GB PlayStation 3 Slim goes on sale at Sony Style stores around the country for 1999 Brazil Reais, which at current exchange rates equals approximately $US1,130. Pretty steep, but it could have been worse.
According to Anderson Gracias, division manager of Sony PlayStation Brazil, the original price was to be 2499 Brazil Reais, or $US1408. In order to stay competitive with the Xbox 360, which sells for $US999 to $US1599 in the country, Sony is subsidising part of the cost.
Brazil with get the PlayStation Network in three phases, beginning in 2011 with a Portuguese translation. Then Brazilian content will be added, and finally the service will be tweaked to work with the services available in the country.
For $US1,999, Sony Style starts selling PS3 in Brazil on Wednesday [Vol Juegos (translated from Portuguese) - Thanks Claudio!]
Peter Richards
Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 10:54 AMWhat is the reasoning behind the Brazilian prices? Is there a real added cost of business there, or do companies just do it because they can?
Peter Richards
Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 11:00 AMAhh, 60% import duty, +18% tax is probably partially to blame…
Jeremy
Friday, August 13, 2010 at 9:54 AMNo, 60% import duty and 18% sales tax doesn’t explain it. $US 300 plus 60% plus 18% = $US534. Not $US1130.
How are they transporting each unit there? In gold-laced blankets on seats in first class?
Strand0410
Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 12:50 PM$1500 USD. Jesus Christ. If this is the state of official outlets, why wouldn’t anyone simply import from North America.
Adam Redsell
Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 2:34 PMUhhh…because of the aforemented 60% import duty?
I dunno, you could probably still fly to the states and pick one up for cheaper…
Joe Mama
Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 2:44 PMThis is the reason why Sony can still make PS3s for a profit. They sell cheaper than they make in America, but Brazil and Australia settles the difference.
David Wildgoose
Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 2:57 PMWhat incredible business sense you have.
Will Higgins
Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 6:18 PMOuch, Burny.
Techa
Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 6:40 PMYour sarcasm is probably lost on him.
Adrian Milano
Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 8:19 PMlol, thanks Dave for providing the sarcasm, cause I would of been a bit more harsh.
(p.s. your the same Dave I know from PCPP right?)
Allen
Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 7:47 PMCost of shipping, staffing and after sales services play a big role in the difference how each country price their products. Furthermore, currency exchange rates in terms of strong/weak dollar ratio and risk control for currency fluctuations also play a part. Lastly, market demand also play a role in determining the cost of goods.
It’s important to note that multi-national companies don’t run their entire empire out from a single country. In most situations, they establish a local division which employs local staff that comes with localised operating costs.
If you’re still not convinced, Sony Australia Limited is a publicly trading company so obtaining financial reports from them would not be difficult.
Adrian Milano
Friday, August 13, 2010 at 9:10 PMFinally an intelligent human being rather than a know it all slagging a corporation on facts plucked from sky.
I take my hat off to you!
Can you please fix ign.com many angry kids their.