With Amazon already offering discounts on it's recently released Kindle Fire HD 8.9", experts raise questions on how well the device is doing in the market.
Recently Amazon stated that they've that it had sold more Kindles than ever over Black Friday. However, as always, the giant retailers refused to provide sales figures. And now, with the recent $50 discount, experts speculate on whether the device is actually doing as well as it says it is.
It's not very often that companies offer discounts on products that are usually doing pretty well in the market. This usually happens when it's trying to clear out its inventory. And considering this discount comes less than three weeks after the launch of the device, there seems to be something amiss.
Tech website Gizmodo reported, "All versions of the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD-there are eight SKUs, if you count With and Without Special Offers-are on sale. That sale is being heavily promoted on the Amazon home page and on sites like this one. Despite that, only the very cheapest model has cracked Amazon's Top 20 in sales for Electronics. That's not promising. By contrast, seven of the top 10 products on that list are other types of Kindles."
Consumers have responded with mixed reactions. While some vouch for Amazon saying the discount is only because it's the festive season, others are glad they cancelled their preorder and would be disappointed if they had seen this discount so early after receiving their order.
"I did think it was odd that they were already discounting it. The tablet, hardware specification wise, is amazing. I had preordered one when it was announced, but cancelled my preorder in October, because I honestly didn't really need it. My motivation for preordering was initially due to ooh-ahhing of the hardware, and because I disliked that my original Kindle Fire didn't have Bluetooth, which I use (with my smartphone) in conjunction with my home audio setup. I essentially wanted the Fire HD 8.9" so I can have a giant home theater remote control that did a few other things (I get by on my phone but it's a bit small to use effortlessly). I'm glad I cancelled me preorder, with the discount happening so soon after release. I'd be pissed if I preordered and saw this discount so soon. There are some positive looking advances with CyanogenMod 10 compatibility that are making it look like a great bargain again," writes a commenter on the website.
"Ohh no, they are not reducing overstocked inventory, they are selling more, to sell more. The more that are sold, the faster the turn around, and more upsells, and faster word gets around for people to buy with their excess xmas money or received gift money. After xmas sales are still high. Remember, they are selling at cost and plan to make money after the sale. They want to sell as many as they can, so they enjoy the after sales. Also, they are not shipping today, there is a 7 day wait...take a look, ships Dec 17th (at current time 8pm EST)," says another commenter defending the company.