Ireland’s 360 price difference due to VAT rate - Microsoft

- ‘Game’ stores still quoting lower price, but with caution

On Wednesday, when the European and US price points for the Xbox 360 were confirmed, the Irish media received price points for the two versions of the console 10 euro more then the price announced for other areas of the euro zone. With the retail price for the Republic of Ireland hitting 309.99 and 409.99 euro, for bare minimum ‘Core’ console, and hard drive included package, respectively. In contrast to 299 and 399 euro elsewhere.

When Games Toaster asked the local Xbox PR office about the difference, we were simply told, “Ireland has a higher VAT rate than other European countries”.

Retailers stories are also differing, with four Xtra-vision stores, three in Dublin and one in Galway, not knowing the console’s price, saying that they were not informed of the price and it was not in their system. Only one location was taking preorders with a 20 euro deposit, another Dublin store told us that they are only taking orders for the PSP, while the store who was taking preorders boldly stated that the Xbox 360’s price – which was revealed on Wednesday - would not be announced until two weeks before the launch.   

Smyths, GameStop, and World of Wonders, all quoted the official recommended prices for the Republic. While one ‘Game’ shop told us that they have been given the lower prices of 299 and 399 euro from their head office, but warned that this may change. In addition, the ‘Game’ store said that they had taken 15 pre-orders on Saturday alone, and that they expect to fill their quota within a week, possible two.