Wikipedia current Atari 7800 launch page price appears to be wrong

[8th lutz]

I checked the Atari 7800 Wikipedia page recently and the launch price was changed from $140.00 to $79.95.

 

The Launch section of the 7800 Wiki page mentioned the $79.95 price. Here is proof: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_7800

I read the $79.95 price from this statement from the launch section of the Atari 7800 Wikipedia page: "The console was released nationwide in May 1986 for $79.95."

 

My problem is in the past, the launch price was $140.00 for the Atari 7800. I also grew up in the 1980s using Christmas Catalog's for making out my Christmas Lists. The prices for the 7800 were more expensive than Wikipedia claimed of it being $79.95. as a launch price based on the 1987 and 1988 Christmas Catalogs. The Christmas catalogs online refreshed my memory on the prices.

 

There are 2 Christmas Catalogs that have the proof that the currently Wikipedia's claim of Atari 7800 Launch price of $79.95 is wrong.

 

1987 Jcpenny's Christmas Catalog. The 1987 Jcpenny's Christmas Catalog lower the price of the 7800 from $99.99 to $79.99. That points to JCPenny was selling the system for $99.99 earlier in 1987.

 

Here is the link the Jcpenny Catalog 7800 page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wishbook/4590570452/in/album-72157623800858939/

 

The 1988 Christmas Sears Catalog has the Atari 7800 for $89.99. Here is proof: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wishbook/2098601521/in/album-72157603419794725/

 

What I am getting at is the two Cristmas Catalog's prices are higher than the "claimed" launch price Wikipedia is currently giving despite the two Catalogs were from 1987 and 1988.

Edited May 14, 2018 by 8th lutz

[fiddlepaddle]

Holy crap! Are you saying someone put wrong data into wikipedia!?!

Better spread the news on facebook!

[spacecadet]

If you have evidence, go change the page and link to the source. That's how Wikipedia works.

 

If you can't provide evidence of an actual price but what's there now also doesn't cite a source, then add a "citation needed" to the $79.99 info.

Edited May 14, 2018 by spacecadet

[high voltage]

If you have evidence, go change the page and link to the source. That's how Wikipedia works.

 

 

 

Nah, I've done that many times concerning 'Console Generations', Wikipedia just puts it back to the wrong info, they are just too stupid to accept it.

Edited May 14, 2018 by high voltage

[DJ Clae]

"Console generations" get stupid when you start trying to justify where mid generation consoles like Jaguar and 3DO belong in the progression. Better leave that nonsense to Adam Koralik videos.

[Atarifever]

"Console generations" get stupid when you start trying to justify where mid generation consoles like Jaguar and 3DO belong in the progression. Better leave that nonsense to Adam Koralik videos.

 

Jaguar and 3D0 are from the same generation as the PS1, as clearly indicated by coverage in magazines of the time. Atari was very clearly talking about how they would compete with the Saturn and Playstation in interviews and all of them were being lumped in together as next generation systems. I think the Switch will be difficult to place, but that's because Nitnendo has moved off the mainline path in both launch dates AND technology now, and have been on their new timeline across 3 generations in a row now, so their times are all screwed up.

[John Stamos Mullet]

Wasn't the 7800 originally launched earlier in a test market in New York and LA for $149?

[+save2600]

When I sold 7800's for $79.99 at Montgomery Ward in 1989-1990, was under the assumption/impression that was its discontinued clearance price. Never saw them sell for less than that, but can imagine they sold for more when first released.

[ubersaurus]

Wasn't the 7800 originally launched earlier in a test market in New York and LA for $149?

No solid indication that ever happened in 1984 other than rumors online, if that's what you're referring to. Atari announced the system in May 1984 for a July launch date. No advertisements or paperwork from the era has popped up that I'm aware of to suggest it was ever sold at a test market anywhere before July... and Tramiel took over the home consumer division on July 3 or thereabouts, so if anything got to store shelves it had a whopping two days to do it. I would just as soon wager that anything with Atari Inc. branding that has turned up since was just stock Atari sat on for two years before they were able to finally launch the system in 1986.

 

It *did* come out in "select markets" in May 1986 before expanding nationally by the fall, which is what you might be thinking of. I'm not sure what those select markets were, but LA and New York are good bets.

Edited May 17, 2018 by ubersaurus

[DracIsBack]

Holy crap! Are you saying someone put wrong data into wikipedia!?!

 

Better spread the news on facebook!

 

What value does a comment like this add to the discussion about pricing online?

[fiddlepaddle]

 

What value does a comment like this add to the discussion about pricing online?

 

Well, because it's silly to expect Wikipedia to be factual when it's opinion based and fluid. If you know it's incorrect as the OPer did, and don't like that, go participate in their process for correction.

[DracIsBack]

 

Well, because it's silly to expect Wikipedia to be factual when it's opinion based and fluid. If you know it's incorrect as the OPer did, and don't like that, go participate in their process for correction.

 

The thread also brings up an interesting discussion about the system's pricing history and about its launch roll out.

 

Your little snipe added absolutely nothing to this discussion

Edited May 20, 2018 by DracIsBack

[fiddlepaddle]

I disagree...the title and post refer specifically to inaccuracy and inconsistency on wikipedia, and I stated my opinion about that.

[spacecadet]

 

Nah, I've done that many times concerning 'Console Generations', Wikipedia just puts it back to the wrong info, they are just too stupid to accept it.

 

You've done it with citations? Or just based on your opinion?

 

If you did it with citations, just change it back if somebody reverts it. You're basically just saying you weren't persistent enough in that case. If you didn't have citations, then whoever reverted it was right to do so. Wikipedia info is supposed to be based on sources, and your own opinions are not a source.

[Lynxpro]

No solid indication that ever happened in 1984 other than rumors online, if that's what you're referring to. Atari announced the system in May 1984 for a July launch date. No advertisements or paperwork from the era has popped up that I'm aware of to suggest it was ever sold at a test market anywhere before July... and Tramiel took over the home consumer division on July 3 or thereabouts, so if anything got to store shelves it had a whopping two days to do it. I would just as soon wager that anything with Atari Inc. branding that has turned up since was just stock Atari sat on for two years before they were able to finally launch the system in 1986.

 

It *did* come out in "select markets" in May 1986 before expanding nationally by the fall, which is what you might be thinking of. I'm not sure what those select markets were, but LA and New York are good bets.

 

 

Atari Inc was going to sell the 7800 nationally for $149.99 at Christmas 1984. That was the plan before Warner sold Atari Inc's Consumer Division to Jack Tramiel's TTL in July 1984.

 

Jack Tramiel's new Atari Corp wanted to sell the 7800 for $59.99 for Christmas 1984 but GCC balked at the royalties they perceived they'd lose and they wouldn't agree to an MSRP of that.

 

Now I can't remember what the price was for the 7800 in Spring 1986 when it was finally released nationally... Somewhere between $89.99 and $149.99.

[phattyboombatty]

Surely there must be someone out there with a receipt or a price tag from a 1984 retail sale of an Atari 7800 or accessory. Great video here, but the producer did not use citations.

 

No Swear Gamer did an excellent video showcasing some 1984 retail items.

 

Atarimania has archived original Warner-owned 1984 promo material for the Atari 7800.

 

Then there's this thread which has lots of great information.

 

There's this post where Michael Rideout was given an Atari 7800 in 1984. Pretty cool, but still doesn't confirm the retail price.