It looks like HTC is working on a new strategy to get more people to buy their Vive HMD. The company is introducing a financing option in the United Kingdom to make the price seem slightly more affordable. Financing options could become the new norm in the world of VR hardware, assuming there is enough interest. A similar method exists in the US as well.
VR Headset Financing Is Interesting
As one would come to expect from financing options, the total amount paid in monthly installments is higher compared to buying the headset outright. Over in the United Kingdom, an HTC Vive costs 759 GBP as of right now. However, it is possible to choose the finance option for just 34.84 GBP per month. These installments have to be paid over the course of 24 months.
It does not take a math genius to figure out this is not the best deal by any means, In the end, UK customers pay over 830 GBP for their HTC Vive, which is around a 10% markup over the retail price. Then again, that is the price one pays for this added convenience. The US option results in similar numbers, with customers ultimately paying a premium price for their VR headset.
Although it is good to see finance options become available for VR headsets, it remains to be seen if this option is a popular one. While it is true the HTC Vive is the best VR headset on the market, it is also one of the most expensive ones. Even monthly installments eat up a lot of money every month. Then again, it is paid off at a rate nearly everyone should be able to afford. That is, if they are absolutely passionate about getting an HTC Vive in the first place.
Even if people were to choose the finance option for the Vive, they will still need a beastly computer as well. Getting involved in virtual reality is not a cheap venture by any means. Moreover, with the HTC Vive 2 coming out soon, it is doubtful there will be a lot of interest in the first generation of this hardware. It is an interesting take on things, but it may not be widely successful in the end.
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