Z3 is $2900 in Taiwan

Dammit. The same Z3 that costs $1949 at the Sony Store costs $2893 in Taiwan. The extra $950 also buys the case and PMD (BR burner), and there's no option to buy without the PMD. I tried really hard to negotiate buying without the PMD, but they tell me that, for the Taiwan supply, the PMDs' serial numbers are matched to the computers'. Even including the PMD, the price is still $450 more than the U.S.--and I just don't see any need for the PMD: my HD movies are all computer files and I have no BD's; I certainly don't need to pay $1000 extra for a burner that I hardly ever use these days anyway. I could take the $1000 and buy a roundtrip ticket to the U.S., buy one there, bring it back--and get a "free" visit out of the deal. But can you walk into a store and buy a Z3, or are they all special order, like in Taiwan? And then I have to pay tax if I do that, by the way. Any suggestions or theories why Taiwan should get such an inflexible deal on the Z3?

Also, the store clerks said they've been told that the Z3 will be the last Z, that Sony doesn't consider them good enough business anymore. It's probably hype, but now here I am ready to shell out $3000 for what everyone else only has to pay $2000 for.

 

Taiwan is a smaller market, so the price tends to be slightly higher. As for the last Z, I would not be surprised if it is true or half true (meaning there will still be a Z, just doesn't look like this generation of Z), but I think it's more likely just trying to sell you stuff.

I am flying back to Taiwan in three weeks, I can carry one Z3 for a small price if you want. PM me for details.