I was currently looking to get an N810, but I've noticed that the N810 WiMax is going to be out soon (2 to 3 months maybe?) and a new OS2009/Diablo, so I was curious if perhaps there would be a price-drop in the "original"/"non-WiMax" N810.

Does anyone feel that the price will drop off somewhat? I'm the kind of person, that even if it drops off $25-$50, I feel it's worth waiting.

What's with the current fairly big price difference? I mean Nokia wants $479 + shipping (without the coupon code), yet Walmart.com only wants $400 and Circuit City only wants $449. So if the unit is originally $479, how is Walmart/Circuit City making any money on the units, it seems like they would lose. Does Nokia sell them in bulk to stores for less and they can then sell them cheaper?

When manufacturers offer their own wares up for sale, they run the risk of offending retailers (who are direct customers). They typically sell at list to avoid that. Of course retailers get products below list... and are then free to markup as they please.

History suggests the N810 could indeed drop, but it's anybody's guess if and when. I have no idea. Balance your patience against potential cost savings.

If you're looking for savings, the N800 is still a great deal. Buy a keyboard separately and a GPS and still be way ahead. Plus, the N800 comes with a FREE onboard FM radio!

Thanks for the enlightenment, never thought of that. I was really wondering why Nokia shop has the highest price. The next question is why they are selling it directly at all? Perhaps the high profit pays the expenses of keeping the (intentionally low volume because of high price) direct sales channel alive so it evens out and makes sense somehow.

[QUOTE=Texrat;174201]When manufacturers offer their own wares up for sale, they run the risk of offending retailers (who are direct customers). They typically sell at list to avoid that. Of course retailers get products below list... and are then free to markup as they please.
I have a feeling that is what happened when the n810 dropped to $375 for a day (with the scinezine discount) on the nokia direct site. How can Best Buy sell it for $479 when nokia under cut them!!! Somebody must of screamed.

Sometimes it's to make sure that more people can get the product. Not everyone is covered by the approved retail channels.

I see, now it all makes sense.

What's strange is, I just mentioned Walmart.com and now it suddenly disappeared from their site, but I found a direct link, now it says "Not Sold Online", even though it was just sold online a week ago.

Interestingly enough though, it's available in my one local store even though it claimed a week ago also that it wasn't.