Prices of HDDs have come down to the level of what they were a week ago,
indicating the artifical nature of price hike that created a flutter in the
market. The prices have stabilized at Rs 4,500 level for a 40 GB HDD. On January
9th, however, the price had touched to Rs 5,000, disturbing the regular business
of SIs and assemblers.
Many resellers had alleged that HDD vendors were in connivance with their
leading partners to create an artificial shortage and subsequently hike prices.
But, the ones involved were not in a position to hold it for long
"because of the tight supply of money and poor stock holding capacities.
Market dynamics cannot let vendors dictate prices," asserts a reseller.
"There are more current-date buyers who buy in large quantities, to whom
offering lower prices becomes essential," he adds. However, some other
dealers observed that the supply situation had improved and hence the drop in
prices.
NELSON JOHNY