External Hard Drives

[cowslip]

I've been looking at the international news about the shortages in Hard drives.It seems that many manufacturers are already increasing production in their other factories to compensate.But the general consensus is that price rises will kick in early next year.not so with Banana and other retailers who already have increased their prices from 50 to 100%.e.g. - Acer 500 GB ext HDD 1790 to 2999.Check out your local stores

[Langsuan Man]

Yes, it's called supply and demand and they are raising the price of external drives because people are buying them to get at the enclosed Hard Drive

I just built a new computer and no one (including Banana IT) would sell me a bare hard drive unless I had them build me a complete system

Finally found one at Watana (sic) across the street from Foodland on Klang in Patts

2990THB for a 500 GB Seagate bare drive

I predict that this shortage will be just the boost that SSD (solid state drives) need to become mainstream

[lomatopo]

I think it's probably more about supply and demand? With 40% of the supply gone it's hardly surprising that prices are up?

It is an issue everywhere. At Newegg, a large U.S. retailer, a Samsung Spinpoint 1 TB internal HDD was $90 one year ago, now it is $157.

I am fortunate as I purchased a WD Passport 1 TB USB Ext. HDD (made in Thailand) in the U.S. on my most recent trip (end-Sep.), $90 USD.

It may be time for an SSD.

[impulse]

Just bought an Acer 2 TB (3.5") external drive at Fortune last night for 3,990 Baht. Seagate 2TB externals were 4,500 Baht. I didn't shop around much, but Banana IT was asking over 7,000 Baht for the same spec.

Last month, bought the same spec (Western Digital) on sale at Office Depot for 2,990 Baht. It's not as bad as I had expected.

[lopburi3]

As said there is now a world wide shortage and price is up in the 300% range all over the world (if you can even buy). There are no drives available and supply will be some time catching up. There is no ability to compensate as about 30% of the worlds supply came from the factories in Thailand (and those made elsewhere depend on parts made here so likely more than half the worlds production is dead) - this is especially true of 2.5 models it seems.

[BKKdreaming]

I got a 3TB external HD today on THanksgiving sale for $100 , 3000 baht,

but there are very few cheap HD sales this year because of the floods I guess,,,,,,

but then you would think that big stores would have bought months ago anyway,

Any idea how long before production is back to normal ?

Bk

[bangkokburning]

Prices on Amazon.com seem to still be reasonable, even cheap. I was looking at a tiny 2.5 portable 650 or 750GB US99 shipped free.

FYI - had a brand new Seagate 3.5 external die on me. Had about 300 hours spin time on it max. So much for Seagate being the best...

The RMA process is a nightmare. Left the US before I could deal with all the BS. Ill just drill a hole in it and trash it.

Buy cheap and back up.

[lopburi3]

Do not believe any estimates available yet as factories are just starting to be dry enough to enter and start the check of damage - then they will have to re-install equipment that may be damaged from removal or that could not be removed and get parts inventory and find employees (who may have moved on) and decide if it all worth the effort. I would not look for cheap HD as before as suspect only a portion will re-open production to prior levels. But this is from someone with no knowledge of the business so may not be worth the stang the electrons cost to read this.

[ETatBKK]

NOT ONLY harddisk price up, I also spot that some other computer components are also pricing up slightly, 5 to 10%.

we all think about Solid State Drive ( SSD ), it is about 10% up :-( this is already from a very reliable shop with open price list in Pantip.

[RedNIvar]

Yes, it's called supply and demand and they are raising the price of external drives because people are buying them to get at the enclosed Hard Drive

I just built a new computer and no one (including Banana IT) would sell me a bare hard drive unless I had them build me a complete system

Finally found one at Watana (sic) across the street from Foodland on Klang in Patts

2990THB for a 500 GB Seagate bare drive

I predict that this shortage will be just the boost that SSD (solid state drives) need to become mainstream

To everyone who predicts the rise of SSD, you should know that the average cost of SSD/GB is about USD$1. You bought a 500GB for 2990THB, an equivalent SSD will cost you15000THB. The cost is not reducing it is actually increasing as there is a higher demand. The available Wafer Fab capacity for SSD worldwide can only cover less than 10% of the available HDD TAM. Nobody in their right mind is going to invest in more WF capacity when the market is predicting a 2 quarter turn around in the HDD industry.

Unless you find someone who can squat in a corner and produce wafers to support SSD, SSD is never going to be main stream. They can just not compete in price, the price decline of the HDD is far steeper than the SSD. It is a nice dream, but that is all it is.....a dream.

[bangkokburning]

3TB for B3000 expensive? What am I missing? I recall when the cost was more than US1 for MB on a quality drive.

Sure prices will go up but not much and sorry - I was just checking drives on Amazon and saw zero evidence of this -but I am sure there will be impact.

World is in recession, IT buying presumably is not exactly in high gear. Paying an extra 30kTHB for a 3m baht server - who cares...

World has too much hdd capacity anyway

There is always the cloud

Most gadgets are not using hard drives these days

Fall back is optical, you can get 10GB on a disk

Consumers can dig out all their old crappy drives and use them for a backup. Sure its a bit cluttered but will do fine for the economically retarded until mfg gets up to speed. Use the new stuff live and back up to the old crap.

Consumers are saving a lot of crap they simply do not need. They can cull out all their old crappy ripped movies and porn. Mp3 files - Even 30,000 Mp3s come in at 125GB +/-.

Larger question is how long will mfg'ing be offline. I doubt mfg's will rebuild in Thailand personally. Further, the equipment is both trashed and old and on both counts will need replacement.

PS: For whatever reason (as drives and many electronics are made IN Thailand) - I have always found Thailand in general to be higher priced than the US. Then you have the VAT. Not that you can't find some real bargains in Pantip in the smaller shops. I find Pantip a bit of a scam on prices and Fortune even worse. You really have to shop Thailand hard for a bargain, even Hardware House is no longer a go-to shop.

Edited November 26, 2011 by bangkokburning

[Spoonman]

I purchased 10 2tb HDD's just before the floods, talk about good timing !!!

[Gary A]

I just ordered a 750 Gig portable hard drive from invadeIT but had to settle for a 500 Gig. It is a Western Digital USB 3 which will only be used for backups. Cost was 2,540 baht.

[cowslip]

Yes, it's called supply and demand and they are raising the price of external drives because people are buying them to get at the enclosed Hard Drive

I just built a new computer and no one (including Banana IT) would sell me a bare hard drive unless I had them build me a complete system

Finally found one at Watana (sic) across the street from Foodland on Klang in Patts

2990THB for a 500 GB Seagate bare drive

I predict that this shortage will be just the boost that SSD (solid state drives) need to become mainstream

If you look carefully you will see there is no supply shortage...and demand if anything is down

[cowslip]

Yes, it's called supply and demand and they are raising the price of external drives because people are buying them to get at the enclosed Hard Drive

I just built a new computer and no one (including Banana IT) would sell me a bare hard drive unless I had them build me a complete system

Finally found one at Watana (sic) across the street from Foodland on Klang in Patts

2990THB for a 500 GB Seagate bare drive

I predict that this shortage will be just the boost that SSD (solid state drives) need to become mainstream

good point

[cowslip]

I think it's probably more about supply and demand? With 40% of the supply gone it's hardly surprising that prices are up?

It is an issue everywhere. At Newegg, a large U.S. retailer, a Samsung Spinpoint 1 TB internal HDD was $90 one year ago, now it is $157.

I am fortunate as I purchased a WD Passport 1 TB USB Ext. HDD (made in Thailand) in the U.S. on my most recent trip (end-Sep.), $90 USD.

It may be time for an SSD.

40% of PRODUCTION - (maybe) but supplies are OK at present

[cowslip]

There seems to be the mistaken brief that this is supply and demand - as supplies are said to be fine at present and shortages may only kick in in the new year it cannot be the case.

Demand may have reduced through expectations arising form erroneous press and media reports but basically the companies can get as many as they want of most items.

Thiese price rises have not occurred throughout the world - only where retailers or wholesalers)can get away with it. And judging by the responses here the media has done a great job in persuading a lot of people they need to pay ore.

Of course it will also dramatically reduce demand until the production has caught up.

Edited November 26, 2011 by cowslip

[cowslip]

3TB for B3000 expensive? What am I missing? I recall when the cost was more than US1 for MB on a quality drive.

Sure prices will go up but not much and sorry - I was just checking drives on Amazon and saw zero evidence of this -but I am sure there will be impact.

World is in recession, IT buying presumably is not exactly in high gear. Paying an extra 30kTHB for a 3m baht server - who cares...

World has too much hdd capacity anyway

There is always the cloud

Most gadgets are not using hard drives these days

Fall back is optical, you can get 10GB on a disk

Consumers can dig out all their old crappy drives and use them for a backup. Sure its a bit cluttered but will do fine for the economically retarded until mfg gets up to speed. Use the new stuff live and back up to the old crap.

Consumers are saving a lot of crap they simply do not need. They can cull out all their old crappy ripped movies and porn. Mp3 files - Even 30,000 Mp3s come in at 125GB +/-.

Larger question is how long will mfg'ing be offline. I doubt mfg's will rebuild in Thailand personally. Further, the equipment is both trashed and old and on both counts will need replacement.

PS: For whatever reason (as drives and many electronics are made IN Thailand) - I have always found Thailand in general to be higher priced than the US. Then you have the VAT. Not that you can't find some real bargains in Pantip in the smaller shops. I find Pantip a bit of a scam on prices and Fortune even worse. You really have to shop Thailand hard for a bargain, even Hardware House is no longer a go-to shop.

when did you purchase?

the MAJORITY of manufacture is NOT offline - only a some Thai factories are "offline"

Edited November 26, 2011 by cowslip

[RedNIvar]

I think it's probably more about supply and demand? With 40% of the supply gone it's hardly surprising that prices are up?

It is an issue everywhere. At Newegg, a large U.S. retailer, a Samsung Spinpoint 1 TB internal HDD was $90 one year ago, now it is $157.

I am fortunate as I purchased a WD Passport 1 TB USB Ext. HDD (made in Thailand) in the U.S. on my most recent trip (end-Sep.), $90 USD.

It may be time for an SSD.

40% of PRODUCTION - (maybe) but supplies are OK at present

Not sure where you getting your information from. I work for a Hard drive company and believe me there is a serious supply shortage, ask any HDD OEM customer. You are probably only looking at the distribution market (which is relatively small). Distribution market is like Thai pork balls (made up of all the spare parts of the animal). Get the hint?

[cowslip]

I think it's probably more about supply and demand? With 40% of the supply gone it's hardly surprising that prices are up?

It is an issue everywhere. At Newegg, a large U.S. retailer, a Samsung Spinpoint 1 TB internal HDD was $90 one year ago, now it is $157.

I am fortunate as I purchased a WD Passport 1 TB USB Ext. HDD (made in Thailand) in the U.S. on my most recent trip (end-Sep.), $90 USD.

It may be time for an SSD.

40% of PRODUCTION - (maybe) but supplies are OK at present

Not sure where you getting your information from. I work for a Hard drive company and believe me there is a serious supply shortage, ask any HDD OEM customer. You are probably only looking at the distribution market (which is relatively small). Distribution market is like Thai pork balls (made up of all the spare parts of the animal). Get the hint?

I'm listening to the international press/media - I think the manufacturers or rather the distributors are bullshitting...........the international press makes mistakes but they are far more reliable than the Thai media or the manufacturers etc who have seen an opportunity to turn a crisis to their advantage.

Edited November 26, 2011 by cowslip

[cowslip]

Hard drive companies supply wholesalers and retailers - they want more as the profits they can make now are huge.

In fact they already have enough to last into the new year.

this is price gouging and in Europe it is illegal.

[cowslip]

ABC have just said on their news that the world lack of supply of hard-drives is likely to "kick in" in the new year and customers should expect price rises of up to 10%.

...so how sees that settle with the Banana IT price rises of 100% that are already in their stores???

Supply and demand my A*** - that is price gouging.

Edited November 26, 2011 by cowslip

[steve187]

i bought for a friend a 2tb external yesterday in tuk com pattaya, 3590baht, 3tb were 5000baht something, in the same shop the 2tb internals were 7000baht, there were a few shops at 3500baht for 2tb external, hardware house wanted 8000baht for a W/D my book 2tb external. not many shops had 3.5inch internal h/d on display. one repair shop was asking 2000baht for a 250gb and 3000baht for a 500gb second hand 3.5inch internal.across the isle they wanted 3500baht for a 2tb external. that could be called taking the p**s.

[cowslip]

Western HD live 2TB

Was 6000 baht....................................................now 10270 baht

WD 1TB Passport - about 5200..........................now 8510 baht

Edited November 26, 2011 by cowslip

[bangkokburning]

If you want to state that there is potentially a shortage in Thailand or that Thailand has cranked its prices up due to ensuing drama - OK whatever. BUT....I am seeing via Froogle that a 2TB drive can be had for as little as US54-80 at this very moment.

World demand is now at a peak with buying season upon us so whatever the price, it's only down after the NY.

[cowslip]

If you want to state that there is potentially a shortage in Thailand or that Thailand has cranked its prices up due to ensuing drama - OK whatever. BUT....I am seeing via Froogle that a 2TB drive can be had for as little as US54-80 at this very moment.

World demand is now at a peak with buying season upon us so whatever the price, it's only down after the NY.

Ensuing? - what is "ensuing"??? your post is a little hard to decipher - however what I'm suggesting is I would have thought quite clear.

I am suggesting on the evidence of retail price increases that Banana IT and other companies in Thailand are engaging in price gouging.

[lopburi3]

If you want to state that there is potentially a shortage in Thailand or that Thailand has cranked its prices up due to ensuing drama - OK whatever. BUT....I am seeing via Froogle that a 2TB drive can be had for as little as US54-80 at this very moment.

World demand is now at a peak with buying season upon us so whatever the price, it's only down after the NY.

Order and see if you can get. Advertising is often way behind the curve and in this case I suspect does not even come close to reflecting the current situation. There is a real and current shortage.

[cowslip]

so you agree - the current prices in Thailand are the results of gouging and not shortages?

[steve187]

I just looked on the forum sponsers website and call for price is shown against all hard drives, i checked for uk prices and the cheapest 2tb internal i could see was £70.00, they were £50.00 a few weeks ago, most component stores are showing at £100.00 plus

Edited November 27, 2011 by steve187

[RedNIvar]

so you agree - the current prices in Thailand are the results of gouging and not shortages?

I do not know what to tell you. There is a shortage in drives through the supply chain, that has driven PC makers to cut down their Motherboard and other component production between 10% to 20%. Hard drive prices through the OEM market has risen about 10% on average.

I now understand your question is specifically to the distribution market segment ONLY and not industry wide. Distribution market segment is small to a HDD manufacturer (less than 10%), and they do not set the pricing. Pricing and inventory control is left to the retailer. Companies like Seagate, WD, HGST do not set the price of the HDD you buy at Pantip or any other IT mall. I would assume that most of these retailers are sitting on a chunk of inventory preflood impact, prior to the 10% price hike. They see an opportunity to make money. So you're asking if a Thai businessman is trying to rip you off, I think that question answers itself and I do not think it is the first time that has happened.

Please also bear in mind that HDD manufactured today will not hit the market until January. Everything goes out by Sea freight. Yes, computer sales will be impacted during the new year time frame. That is coming from HDD manufacturing impact in November. And this market segment is seeing a big shortage. Dell, HP, Acer do not get their drives from Pantip.