Office Depot Dumping Zunes

Retailers may be resorting to major incentives to sell the Zune, an Office Depot flyer has revealed. An insert in Thursday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution has listed the 30GB Microsoft player as selling for $200 after a mail-in rebate, dropping the price by 20 percent versus its normal $250 price tag. The discount comes only five months into the Zune's short history and points to frustration with sales for the relatively new device.

While discounts are common for music players sold at these stores as they are replaced or fall out of favor, few are as large or come as early in the player's life cycle. The cut is also unexpected given the apparent success for the Zune in January and a lack of definite plans for new Zune models until late this year. Apple is an exception in frequently refusing to discount its iPods before they are replaced with new editions.

By Electronista Staff