Beware the bundle: Part 2

I've written before about being cautious when you buy video game console bundles, but I saw one that was so deceitful I needed to post about it.

Don't buy bundles at Tweeter.com. They're advertising things like this bundle, advertised as:

Original Price: $699.99
You Save: -$150.00
You Pay: $549.99

The bundle comes with an Xbox 360 Premium console ($399.99), an extra wireless controller ($49.99), a Play and Charge kit ($19.99), and the Project Gotham Racing 3 game ($29.99).

This puts the grand total if bought separately at $499.96 -- Fifty dollars under the "sale" price, and two hundred dollars under the "original price".

Oh, and their circular for Day After Thanksgiving shopping added a $40 Xbox 360 Sling Bag -- and tacked fifty bucks more to the bundle price.

UPDATE: Here's the response from Tweeter.com's customer service department:

Thank you for contacting Customer Support at www.tweeter.com.

We make every effort to keep abreast the latest pricing trends and we offer unique promotions that add value to your order. We apologize if our pricing does not meet your criteria.

Please let us know if there is anything else we can do for you, and thank you again for contacting Customer Support at www.tweeter.com.

Now if you want a good bundle, look at Wal-Mart.com.

They've got things like a bundle for $449.65, which would cost $529.96 if purchase separately, and includes the Xbox 360 Premium SKU ($399.99), extra wireless controller ($49.99), Burnout Revenge game ($29.99), and an Xbox 360 messenger bag ($49.99). But realize that's a good deal just if you want the free messenger bag, since (at least right now), you can get a $50 Wal-Mart gift card when you buy an Xbox 360 Premium SKU in stores, and the Premium SKU with a Burnout Revenge pack-in qualifies.

Less of a good deal is their $569.29 "Customer's Choice Bundle", which has the console, an extra wireless controller, a faceplate, and your choice of two games (in addition to the Burnout Revenge pack-in). You only save $20 over buying those things separately, so you might as well buy the Premium console with the Burnout Revenge pack-in, and get the $50 gift card, and go nuts. And, faceplates? I mean, really ...

Other bundles and options are out there, so check your Sunday circular. A few places are giving you a free game of your choice (excluding Limited Editions) with the Premium SKU, bundling a couple of games and knocking off $50, etc.

And you're welcome ...