Topic: Analyst: Wii Shortage to End Soon

[Les Thomas]

The weak U.S. dollar may have been the culprit of the Wii shortage.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15677

 Game industry analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan believes the shortage of Wii systems in the United States should soon be a thing of the past.    

Speaking to the Dallas Morning News, Pachter said he believes the Wii shortage was caused by the weak U.S. dollar.  By selling excess product in European countries with a strong Euro, Nintendo makes more profit when the money is exchanged to their native Yen.    

Nintendo has stressed their desire to have a global community with the Wii.  However,  Pachter  said diverting product for profit is definitely what happened.  The good news for Americans, he declared, is that demand in Europe is dwindling and Wii shortages in the United States will soon be a thing of the past.    

Nintendo's response to Wii shortages has been cryptic and usually blamed on production,  but diverting Wii systems to Europe might also explain the company's ambivalence to addressing the issue.    

The Dallas Morning News' Victor Godinez, who spoke with Pachter, summed up his thoughts on the matter. "No one wants to hear that they're second-class customers, but that's exactly what we American gamers are right now," he said.

[Enner]

Ah, good 'ol Pachter. Always pleasure for me to see him on Bonus Round.

Anyway, whatever the cause and reason, here's to hoping the prediction comes true. I've yet to get my Wii

[ShyGuy]

Well, it was good run. About 23 million and that's all she wrote. Sadly 360 and PS3 will only hit about the same amount. Video Game market crash CONFIRMED.

I am analyst too!

[DAaaMan64]

If we do enter a depression/recession, I hope the video game market doesn't crash...

[Shift Key]

The Dallas Morning News' Victor Godinez, who spoke with Patcher, summed up his thoughts on the matter. "No one wants to hear that they're second-class customers, but that's exactly what we American gamers are right now," he said. <P>

This just in: the world does not revolve around America. News at 11.

[KDR_11k]

I don't think the falling dollar did that much, the Euro has been worth more for a pretty long time now and Europe has paid more for games this whole time. NoE is still treating us like crap.

[Plugabugz]

As much as KDR and i bash NOE it's still true.

$140 for Wii Fit is a favourite of mine. The lower prices in the states probably balance the books against the far higher ones in europe and oz.

[oohhboy]

Here is New Zealand the retailers must be making an absolute killing. At the rate things are going, I wouldn't be surprised if the NZD did reach parity with the USD eventually. We are only 20 cents short now. Buying games online is a must since you can get a lot of stuff for less than half retail.

My DS is so well fed right now.

[UltimatePartyBear]

Speaking to the Dallas Morning News, Pachter said he believes the Wii shortage was caused by the weak U.S. dollar.  By selling excess product in European countries with a strong Euro, Nintendo makes more profit when the money is exchanged to their native Yen.

I seem to recall reading that Nintendo keeps all its monies in U.S. Dollars, so the Euro/Yen exchange rate shouldn't be an issue.  The Euro/Dollar exchange rate might be, I suppose.

I don't know where to look for confirmation on what I just wrote.  Does anyone know for sure?

[animecyberrat]

Speaking to the Dallas Morning News, Pachter said he believes the Wii shortage was caused by the weak U.S. dollar.  By selling excess product in European countries with a strong Euro, Nintendo makes more profit when the money is exchanged to their native Yen.

I seem to recall reading that Nintendo keeps all its monies in U.S. Dollars, so the Euro/Yen exchange rate shouldn't be an issue.  The Euro/Dollar exchange rate might be, I suppose.

I don't know where to look for confirmation on what I just wrote.  Does anyone know for sure?

I read that in their stock report, they blame the exchange between US and Yen for their stock prices going down.

[UncleBob]

The lower prices in the states probably balance the books against the far higher ones in europe and oz.

As a US gamer, I'd like to thank European gamers for this.

[DAaaMan64]

I don't think the falling dollar did that much, the Euro has been worth more for a pretty long time now and Europe has paid more for games this whole time. NoE is still treating us like crap.

You maybe right, I guess it matters how much it takes NoA to care.



^ Dollar to Euro, last five years.

[Ian Sane]

But if the Wii shortage ends then I won't be able to impress anyone by owning one.  It is seriously a status symbol.  It's the first time in my life where mentioning that I own a videogame system gets people more interested in talking to me.

[DAaaMan64]

But if the Wii shortage ends then I won't be able to impress anyone by owning one.  It is seriously a status symbol.  It's the first time in my life where mentioning that I own a videogame system gets people more interested in talking to me.

LOL Too true. I get the wide eyes when I tell my launch story haha.

[Ceric]

I only get a reaction for a little bit.  Then people forget I have a Wii and get the reaction all over again.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I'll believe the end of the Wii shortage when I see it. Analysts have been making false predictions about the Wii for over a year now.

[DAaaMan64]

I'll believe the end of the Wii shortage when I see it. Analysts have been making false predictions about the Wii for over a year now.

I of course agree. But analysts suck anyway. haha

[darknight06]

People are STILL listening to Sideshow Patcher?  Wheres the announcement for the HD Wii?  It's about time for it ain't it?  WoW isn't going to stay big?  Could've fooled me...

[animecyberrat]

I don't have a very interesting launch day story. I went to K-Mart and bought mine when they opened up. Turns out I was the only person smart enough to goto K-Mart cuz nobody else in Twin Falls shopped there, they all waited in line for days over at all the big stores and I just walked in, grabbed my Wii and went home.

[KDR_11k]

I just noticed the HUGE pile of Wii one store here has. Like two pallettes full. The XBox and PS3 piles were much smaller. Well, I presume since I didn't even see the PS3 pile.