PS3 Shortage?

[Scott45]

Ok,
got my tax refund and decided to get another PS3 so I don't have to drag it back home 5 hours away every 2 weeks (long story) and visit GameStop to pick up a used one to save 50 bucks........ Starting in Summerville, SC and heading north up the eastern seaboard with stops at Monks Corner, Myrtle Beach SC, then into NC with stops at Wilmington NC plus a TRU there, no PS3's used or otherwise.


What's going on?, 360's and Wii's to be had at all stops but no PS3's.

[megasdkirby]

Over here, both PS3's and Wii's are very limited. Sears has not had one in a very long time last time I worked.

I'm guessing both Sony and Nintendo are trying to increase demand.

[phreakindee]

Same here, no PS3's. I bought the very last Slim from Best Buy at the end of January and they, or anywhere else I've checked, have not gotten any more since. It's quite odd. They said they just hadn't received any more from Sony, not sure why.

I know there was a story on Kotaku this past week regarding this. It was word from Sony saying that there would be a shortage and to hang tight, especially with Heavy Rain and stuff coming out which is expected to sell even more systems.

[PapaStu]

The Target across the street from my work just had 8 or 9 in their case a few days ago. Those were fresh additions, they had 2-3 before that. Wii's are getting hard to get, but thats because Nintendo's sales had finally started to slump so they slowed manufacturing and are working off back stock.

[incubus421]

The GameStop I work at and the ones in my area (and I believe most/all other ones) are taking reserves on 120GB PS3s and Wiis. All reserves are supposed to be filled by the end of February...so the soonest GameStop will have any for walk-ins would be sometime in March.
As far as getting these systems in. I haven't seen very many PS3 come through. But we receieved in probably around 15 Wii's in just this last week for reserves...so...

[megasdkirby]

Wii's are getting hard to get, but thats because Nintendo's sales had finally started to slump so they slowed manufacturing and are working off back stock.

It's a wonderful strategy actually.

Reduce production, forcing people to wait, creating high demands, so when the consoles are shipped and sold, people will go nuts purchasing them.

And the cycle will continue once more.

[Dr. Dib]

I was just going to post a link to Amazon to disprove your theory, when I noticed that underneath both models was a notice saying: shipping in 1-2 months. Honestly I haven't really looked for either a Wii or a PS3 recently, but I wouldn't be surprised if their is a shortage, real or fake.

What am I saying, of course I am. Aren't people supposed to be unable to spend money during this recession? Best bet is to try Gamestop again sometime this week. They are having a 50%+ trade-in sale on games, so it is possible someone will be trading in their PS3.

[duffmanth]

Sony is just doing this to create more demand. They probably have a few million of them sitting in their warehouses right now.

[DuckTalesNES]

Sony is just doing this to create more demand. They probably have a few million of them sitting in their warehouses right now.

You don't create demand by cutting off supply. Demand exists. All you do is create shortages and piss people off.

[Flashback2012]

Sony is just doing this to create more demand. They probably have a few million of them sitting in their warehouses right now.

I'd have to disagree. Tactics like what you're talking about aren't effective and don't work the way you're thinking. Sony's stockholders aren't going to be too keen on there being sellable inventory just sitting around in a warehouse when it could be sold and make the earnings report look nicer for the fiscal quarter. Plus, if there were "millions" just sitting around collecting dust to build demand for them, you'd have heard about it given our internet age where everyone and their brother has a cell phone with a camera on it.

What I'm betting the reality of the situation is, the redesign coupled with the lower price point has finally made the PS3 desirable and attractive to the gaming masses. It's basically the PS2 all over again, people get a cutting edge game system and a decent Blu-Ray player all in one box for a price that won't break the bank. Now that the whole HD-DVD/Blu-Ray mess is behind us and Blu-Ray has had a little bit to become entrenched, people are looking to get the most for their money and rather than buy 2 separate units, they're opting for the PS3.

I'm sure there's tons of people like the OP who have their tax money from the guv'ment and it's burning a hole in their pockets. Wii wins out because it's the cheapest of the 3 and people still seem to have some sort of fixation on the thing. I haven't checked with my buds at GS to see what their 360 stock/sales have been like but I know most of the stores in my area are all out of stock on the PS3 and Wii. I know if I had some guv'ment cheese in my pocket, the first thing on my mind would be snapping up a PS3 (though sadly I owe this year :puppydogeyes: ).

[Oobgarm]

We got like 18 of them in last week...and they sold in a day or two.

Here's an article from earlier in the month detailing what's going on:

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/sony-ps3-supply-to-be-tight-over-coming-months/

[megasdkirby]

I'd have to disagree. Tactics like what you're talking about aren't effective and don't work the way you're thinking. Sony's stockholders aren't going to be too keen on there being sellable inventory just sitting around in a warehouse when it could be sold and make the earnings report look nicer for the fiscal quarter. Plus, if there were "millions" just sitting around collecting dust to build demand for them, you'd have heard about it given our internet age where everyone and their brother has a cell phone with a camera on it.

One would think, however I do believe it's done on purpose, just like Nintendo with the Wii.

I'm willing to bet that Sony is holding off shipments purposely in order to attract more sales, and thus, higher demand. While it is true that holding a product can cause disaster, the other way around is also true if done just "slightly". In other words, Sony may be holding off just a little bit, enough to cause massive interest and little to no profit loss. That way, when the console is at the highest in demand, they ship a bunch of consoles at once, maximizing profits since they will sell. However, if they hold of too much, it can turn against them. I'm pretty sure Sony knows this.


What I'm betting the reality of the situation is, the redesign coupled with the lower price point has finally made the PS3 desirable and attractive to the gaming masses. It's basically the PS2 all over again, people get a cutting edge game system and a decent Blu-Ray player all in one box for a price that won't break the bank. Now that the whole HD-DVD/Blu-Ray mess is behind us and Blu-Ray has had a little bit to become entrenched, people are looking to get the most for their money and rather than buy 2 separate units, they're opting for the PS3.

This is part of the strategy listed above. Since their is high demand as it is, maybe Sony is trying to max it out the best as possible in order to create even more demand. I'm sure Sony is shipping out consoles, just no in the same quantity as before. In played right, a slow, steady stream can increase demand over having all the consoles shipped at once.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

When I picked up my PS3 a month or so ago, I went through the same thing. My local GS said that Sony had been slower in shipping them out. Wound up having to go online to find a TRU near me that had one.

JY

[Compute]

Yeah, even the used game stores here are trying to create shortages by not buying any more to put on the shelves. What the hell.. OH WAIT

People are getting their tax returns back. This happens EVERY year with whatever is the desirable console. Stores which had rows and rows of used ps3, wii, and 360 are sold out or close to it. Clearly it's just sony, microsoft, nintendo, gamestop, megamedia exchange, gb games, videogamestar, etc ALL just trying to mess with you. They hate you that much. "They should have known" is not a good argument, either. Gauging demand is still a roll of the dice. They could build huge stockpiles and sell none, then what? Quit whining and hold onto your money for a few months, there will be more.

[Icarus Moonsight]

You don't create demand by cutting off supply. Demand exists. All you do is create shortages and piss people off.

Aye. You don't increase sales by not having product to sell. I'm going to reduce my fatigue now, by not sleeping. :p

[Archimboldi]

Sony is just doing this to create more demand. They probably have a few million of them sitting in their warehouses right now.

very brilliant business move-- cut off supply completely right around tax return time when people are likely to make an impulse buy on something moderately expensive.

[crazyjackcsa]

Really, what you would want to do is create the idea of a shortage, to get media attention and buzz, without really having a shortage at all.

[Diatribal Deity]

Better to have more supply through the holiday season or first quarter? Typical manufacturing cycle occuring. Also throw in costs, quality control, etc... Always a good idea to warn the consumer and create a little panic/hype. But in the end their ultimate goal is to increase/maintain their market share especially from a shareholder perspective.

As far as the timing coinciding with the release of some big name titles...I would question Sony originally looking at Heavy Rain as being a system seller. Is it not just a glorified albeit intriguing adventure game?. No doubt it may draw some interest, but probably not to the extent of God of War III. Sony knows God of War III is money in the bank based on its already installed base-beyond that is just gravy. A question mark probably still surrounds Heavy Rain as it is more of a gamble (i.e. new property, unproven studio from a sales standpoint, etc...).

Don't get me wrong, as I remember the impact titles like Myst had in the PC gaming market, but I think if you believe this shortage is made up you are giving a big corporate entity way too much credit.

[DuckTalesNES]

Really, what you would want to do is create the idea of a shortage, to get media attention and buzz, without really having a shortage at all.

Exactly. It is a perceived demand increase, but demand stayed constant while supply was cut back, and we see a shortage.

[The 1 2 P]

I haven't noticed any shortages over here, except for brief ones during the holidays, but that was for all three systems. We haven't had massive PS3 shortages since the slim launched. Just give it a few days and they should be stocked up again. Otherwise call the stores daily to find out when they will be getting in new shipments.

[j_factor]

One would think, however I do believe it's done on purpose, just like Nintendo with the Wii.

I'm willing to bet that Sony is holding off shipments purposely in order to attract more sales, and thus, higher demand. While it is true that holding a product can cause disaster, the other way around is also true if done just "slightly". In other words, Sony may be holding off just a little bit, enough to cause massive interest and little to no profit loss. That way, when the console is at the highest in demand, they ship a bunch of consoles at once, maximizing profits since they will sell. However, if they hold of too much, it can turn against them. I'm pretty sure Sony knows this.



This is part of the strategy listed above. Since their is high demand as it is, maybe Sony is trying to max it out the best as possible in order to create even more demand. I'm sure Sony is shipping out consoles, just no in the same quantity as before. In played right, a slow, steady stream can increase demand over having all the consoles shipped at once.

That would make sense when the system was new, but not now that the PS3 is old hat. At this point, PS3 not being readily available and kept in stock at stores does nothing but hurt sales.

[megasdkirby]

That would make sense when the system was new, but not now that the PS3 is old hat. At this point, PS3 not being readily available and kept in stock at stores does nothing but hurt sales.

Yes, but "system seller" games are going to be released soon, mainly "God of War III". I would not be surprised if they (Sony) are purposely holding shipment until a few weeks prior to the release of GOW3. That way, systems will sell like crazy as well as plenty of game units.

Also, I believe that as long as there is plenty of demand, either it be at system launch or after the system has already established itself years later, a carefully planned system shortage can increase that demand. Psychologically, customers may think that if it's sold out, it's of high demand, and they want it even more. And once it reaches it's peak, demand will be at an all time high. However, if Sony does not seeze that opportunity, customers can tire of waiting and simply go to the competition.

It's all about manipulation, supply and demand. I'm pretty sure Nintendo has been doing this with the Wii.

[DeputyMoniker]

Sony is just doing this to create more demand. They probably have a few million of them sitting in their warehouses right now.

how the hell would you know that?? please explain why that guess was worth presenting as fact.

[j_factor]

Yes, but "system seller" games are going to be released soon, mainly "God of War III". I would not be surprised if they (Sony) are purposely holding shipment until a few weeks prior to the release of GOW3. That way, systems will sell like crazy as well as plenty of game units.

It is plausible that they're holding some back to stockpile in anticipation of a bump in demand with the release of God of War III, so that they'll have extra. But I really don't buy the "psychological shortage" theory, it's just flimsy. If Sony were that meticulous, they would've done a lot of other things differently.

[Shadow Kisuragi]

*puts on his conspiracy cap*
Sony's holding back until they release God of War III. The system will come as a bundle with a Blu-Ray movie of 300 for $300. It will be the only way to get God of War III.
*removes conspiracy cap*

*puts on smooth talking seller cap*
There are a ton of PS3's where I live. Anyone want to pony up that money burning a hole in their pocket for $50 above retail?
*removes cap*

...yeah, didn't think so on either account. The units will be back after the fiscal year ends, so don't think about it too much. There's a reason why God of War III is coming out at a specific date, just like there's a reason why there's a shortage of units.

[megasdkirby]

But I really don't buy the "psychological shortage" theory, it's just flimsy. If Sony were that meticulous, they would've done a lot of other things differently.

Working retail for a few years...it made me see some really "interesting" things. LOL

[gamedude45]

Sony is just doing this to create more demand. They probably have a few million of them sitting in their warehouses right now.

that dosen't make any sense to me. Why would Sony artificially create a shortage when the PS3 is starting to sell well and they have one of their biggest games (God of War III) set to release. I would think causing a shortage would frustrate alot of people looking to get a PS3 maybe even to the point of not wanting one anymore.

I'm not saying your scenario isn't possible but to me it doesn't make sense. I think a much more likely scenario would be that Sony didn't expect to have quite as much demand for the PS3 after the holidays as there is and their having problems keeping up with the current demand in some areas. But this is all just speculation on my part ofcourse.

[Scott45]

Well, after checking out all 3 Gamestops here I found one lone refurbished 80 gig system for 250. So it went home with me.

[badinsults]

Can you say "new SKU coming soon"? They have done this every time they were about to bring out an new PS3 model. It is just that this time people actually want a PS3.

[incubus421]

Can you say "new SKU coming soon"? They have done this every time they were about to bring out an new PS3 model. It is just that this time people actually want a PS3.


Actually on Kotaku the other day this posted something saying there were 2 new SKUs filed under Sony's system list....so I wouldn't be surprised.

[j_factor]

Can you say "new SKU coming soon"? They have done this every time they were about to bring out an new PS3 model. It is just that this time people actually want a PS3.

That sounds plausible, except the current SKU is relatively new so it wouldn't make sense for them to--

Oh wait.

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

the kotaku article (http://kotaku.com/5476981/two-new-ps3-console-filings-appear-online)incubus421 mentioned said that it appeared that it was just a slight hardware update (new wireless vendor), but one that required a new sku/fcc id.

[chrisbid]

i cant see a company battling hard for (distant) second place intentionally limiting their production

[duffmanth]

You don't create demand by cutting off supply. Demand exists. All you do is create shortages and piss people off.

Yeah I know demand exists and I hope Sony isn't hoarding PS3's in their warehouses for whatever reasons. They better have stores stocked with them by the time God of War III is released though.

[s1lence]

http://kotaku.com/5476981/two-new-ps3-console-filings-appear-online

So I'm guessing the "old" ones have been cleared out.

[DeputyMoniker]

http://kotaku.com/5476981/two-new-ps3-console-filings-appear-online

So I'm guessing the "old" ones have been cleared out.

And we will still have this same conversation the next time Sony "fakes demand."

[swlovinist]

I noticed something recently around in my area...all the Wii systems at most chain and gamestores are not being restocked or very little stock is on hand. PS3 slims in my area are very hard to find. Is there any rumors of a new remodel coming out for either one? Any news on this?

[PapaStu]

I noticed something recently around in my area...all the Wii systems at most chain and gamestores are not being restocked or very little stock is on hand. PS3 slims in my area are very hard to find. Is there any rumors of a new remodel coming out for either one? Any news on this?

Merged with a thread thats on this subject and is only a few weeks old.

That said my local Target up until 3 days ago had at least 3/4 PS3's. They are all gone right now. The Wii's were the same.

[RPG_Fanatic]

My local Target up until 3 days ago had at least 3/4 PS3's. They are all gone right now. The Wii's were the same.

I was at Target last night and they had at least 10 Wii's, I didn't look at the PS3's. Final Fantasy XIII was sold out for the PS3 but they had a shit load for the 360.

[Zoltor]

It's as if Sony wants to be forced out of the industry, good way to waste money Sony.

The damn PS3 should've been recalled, and discontinued over 2 years ago(should've been written off as a overly expensive Paper Weight, while they use the money to build a new machine from the ground up, um PS4) that perhaps doesn't suck to no end, doesn't have the most bugged software in the history of computer technology, and that actually uses its damn proccessors(it only uses 1, out of the 4 proc it has from what I have heard, kind've explains the insane loading times, doesn't it, yet I bet all 4 of those proc are accounted for in the price).

If you have to come out with 4+ remakes/redesigns, clearly It's not worth the trouble to try to fix the flaws, just scrap the POS, and move on(at this rate, they wont even beable to afford to start development on the PS4, because all the money they are burning, trying to get the PS3 right).

Imagine if Nintendo tried to fix the issues with the Virtual Boy by releasing a ton of models, and wouldn't accept it was a failure. I highly doubt Nintendo would be making consols today.

Sony, if you can't fix it through Firmware, just let it die, you're gonna need every dollar you can get, to develop the PS4, which better be nothing less then the be all end all system(oh yea, better be focused on actual gaming as well)

[Jisho23]

I was at Target last night and they had at least 10 Wii's, I didn't look at the PS3's. Final Fantasy XIII was sold out for the PS3 but they had a shit load for the 360.

I think the comparison videos and word of mouth has scarred most 360 owners away from the 360 version of FFXIII. At the very least it did for me. Not that I won't ever play the game, but I'll just wait till I can afford/find the opportunity to buy a PS3.