Myvu.com undercuts its retailers on iPod video goggles

If you’re looking for Myvu Shades or Solo Plus video goggles for your portable music player, the cheapest place to get them is from Myvu.com — not from retailers like Amazon.com or Best Buy.

That’s unusual, since manufacturers typically hold the line on “manufacturer’s suggested retail price,” and leave the discounting to their retailers. When a manufacturer wants to discount, it creates an “outlet store” for refurbished, old stock or second-quality goods (whether really refurb or merely marked as such varies from company to company).

I’ve been considering the purchase of iPod goggles so I can more easily watch movies on the treadmill or on an airplane. During my research, I encountered Myvu’s products, including the 640×480 Myvu Crystal and the 320×240 Myvu Shades and Myvu Solo Plus.

I was surprised, however, to see that Shades and Solo Plus each sell for $99.95 on Myvu.com. By comparison, Shades costs $199.99 from BestBuy and $173.37 from Amazon.com.

Note: I haven’t purchased the goggles, or even tried them yet. I’m still in the “research” phase. Comments regarding your experience with the Myvu goggles or other similar products are welcome.