Where/When to buy a new Xbox?

December 4, 2008 1:06 PM

DealFilter: When should I buy my new XBOX-360? Now or after the Holidays? Also, where will I get the best deal.

I am going to buy a new Xbox. Probably the Elite for the HD space but possibly just the Pro if there is a really good deal.

I am tempted to buy from Best Buy due to a scaling cash-back coupon I have (it is a flat $ amount that effectively is 10% off for the $400 Xbox) And the holiday deal with the 2 bundled games. The the panda game will be a drink coaster but I'd probably buy the lego Indiana Jones anyway and that bundle will not be available after x-mas.

But I have this feeling that prices will drop significantly after the holidays or that there is somewhere on the internet that has a great deal on a NEW Xbox (not interested in refurbished). What should I do?

If it matters for bundle deals my other certain purchases are NCAA and MADDEN 09 and a second controller.

posted by DetonatedManiac to shopping (10 comments total)

BTW, in case it was not clear: the coupon is NOT date specific to before the holidays, but it IS specific to Best Buy.
posted by DetonatedManiac at 1:08 PM on December 4, 2008

If you have a significant $ or % off coupon that's probably going to be your best bet. However, check sites like:

fatwallet.com (+forums)
slickdeals.net (+forums)
dealhack.com
gottadeal.com

to find the best deals at any given time for any given product. I could give some specific deals but there appear to be lots of stores (online/B&M) to buy from, lots of different bundles, etc, and I'm not sure exactly which one you'd prefer.
posted by jckll at 1:16 PM on December 4, 2008

I found great deals on both a Blu-ray player and an HDTV using the DealAlerts at SlickDeals by using the model numbers as keywords to look for. Had to wade through a lot of emails, but it was worth it. Might be harder with an Xbox, though, because it might catch Xbox games as well.
posted by DakotaPaul at 1:41 PM on December 4, 2008

Here's another variable: the Jasper-equipped 360s are trickling into stores. This hardware revision uses less power, generates less heat, makes less noise, and should further reduce the 360's hardware problems. Right now, the stores have mixed inventory of the old and the new, and it might be hard to determine which is which. This is a slight recommendation for after the holidays.
posted by meowzilla at 1:51 PM on December 4, 2008

Don't necessarily expect prices to drop post-holiday.

Console price drops are usually sniffed out by the gaming community well in advance and are generally publicized before it happens The 360 just had a price drop a few months ago, so I wouldn't expect another one for some time. Besides, doesn't it make more sense to drop prices before the holidays (to entice people that are spending $$ and buying gifts?) It's not like Microsoft is going to be rushing to unload unsold 360s for a reduced price in January 09.
posted by gnutron at 2:08 PM on December 4, 2008

Buy it before Christmas so you can get some good gaming time in over the holidays. Prices won't drop significantly after Xmas.
posted by Frasermoo at 4:43 PM on December 4, 2008

Buy it before - I don't think you'll see better deals or a further price cut until much later in 2009. Check out cheapassgamers for some good deals. You can get an Elite bundle at Dell for $322.
posted by longdaysjourney at 4:56 PM on December 4, 2008

I'm with meowzilla. My third Xbox is on its way out and I'm just waiting for the Jaspers to come out so I can upgrade to an Elite that might not up and die on me.
posted by slimepuppy at 9:26 AM on December 5, 2008

Here's the thread on how to identify a Jasper model, if you want to hit Best Buy and see what they have right now.
posted by hades at 2:13 AM on December 7, 2008

UPDATE: So I was content to wait it out till after xmas, but then I discovered my coupon actually DOES expire on Dec 15, so IF I go with best buy I need to make a decision in the next few days.
posted by DetonatedManiac at 9:40 AM on December 7, 2008