Amazon prices creeping up
Is it me or has Amazon increased their prices for CD's and Blu-ray's by quite a bit in recent weeks.
I noticed this particularly for new releases. As an example The Hobbit Blu-ray pre order price is listed at over £20.
Call me a cynical old so and so if you will (I won't deny it) but could this be profiteering due to reduced competition?
Would be interested to hear your views.
Thanks BB will check out your thread. Consider this one to be closed.
Thanks BB will check out your thread. Consider this one to be closed.
Bear in mind the pound has dropped quite a bit on the Euro since Xmas...
Amazon have a clever algorithm that scan the websites of key competitors for cheaper prices and then sells the relevant disc for a penny cheaper - so if anything is ever cheaper on play, amazon undercuts them. Even if Amazon have to sell at a loss. The flaw is that it only searches a specific list of retailers (which excludes, for example, Sainsbury's Entertainment). A lack of competition will probably result in higher amazon prices, but not because Amazon are pumping up prices, but because they're no longer doing their JohnLewis-esque never knowing undersold routine against the same number of retailers.
And, of course, they can no longer ship from Jersey and take advantage of LVCR, so CDs and DVDs now have VAT charged, cutting into their margins.
That said, I don't think they're much more expensive than they used to be, if at all. Their prices fluctuate all the time, on many things. I just use the wish list to keep an eye on things and buy when they're at a price I like.
Amazon have a clever algorithm ...
Which I assume is also programmed to grossly inflate the price of any item I happen to have placed in Save For Later 
I have just ordered a DVD boxset from the BBC Shop for £15.99 - with free delivery - that is currently on Amazon for £28 (in stock on both sites).
TBH I have barely used Amazon in the last few months except for a couple items where there was absolutely no chance of getting it anywhere else locally or online.
Yes, there have been some discussions in separate threads about it. I think it's a cyclical process. When Amazon's prices go up, people will start looking elsewhere. I often look at Sainsburys / Tesco / Asda / Zavvi (The Hut) for betrter deals.
I started this thread a few months ago:
www.whathifi.com/forum/theres-this-shop-near-me/is-amazon-facing-stiff-c...
Maybe Amazon has now started paying taxes!
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