HDD prices rise by Rs 250 to Rs 600

HDD prices across the country have shot up by five to 14 percent over the

past one month. Bangalore and Delhi have been the hardest hit with prices rising

by almost 14 percent, while in Mumbai and Pune prices are up about five percent.

In Delhi prices have gone up by Rs 600. "A HDD selling at Rs 3,700 in

August is now selling at Rs 4,300," says Ramesh Jain of Marks Marketing. He

recently lost out on an order for 100 drives when a distributor refused to

deliver on an agreed price because market had seen a hike in the prices.

"However the same distributor is delivering to dealers who are ready to pay

the inflated price," he fumes.

Rajeev Sood, Director-India Operations, CyberStar Infocom too admits that the

prevailing price for the 30 GB drive is



Rs 3,700 and the 40 GB is Rs 4,250. He points out that there has been a spurt in
sales, especially for the 30 GB model. "This could be because a number of

40 GB buyers are ready to settle for 30 GB because of the Rs 500 - 550

difference in cost," he adds.

In Bangalore too, prices are up by about 14 percent says Sanath Babu, MD, Sri

Durga Enterprises, a distributor for Seagate. "The prevailing price for

Seagate 40 GB HDD is Rs 4,300," he adds. Agrees Sunil Kukreja, Kukreja

Electronics, when he says, "HDDs have seen a price hike of 12 to 15 percent

in the past one month."

Sathya Prasad, MD, VanPac Systems says that though there is a lot of demand,

orders cannot be met due to the HDD shortage in the market.

Prices in Mumbai and Pune have gone up by only five to six percent. States

Deepak Oswal of Pune-based Blue Point Powerlines, "In the last one month,

prices have gone up from Rs 4000 to Rs 4200, which is a five percent hike."

Partners say that prices in Mumbai and Pune have risen marginally probably

because the supply situation is better in these cities than other metros.

VINITA BHATIA



With inputs from MOHIT CHABBRA and SUNILA PAUL