if you were planning to camp for a PS3, START EARLY!

[Anthony1]

Well, it appears that the doom and gloom for Sony just continues and continues. Man, these guys are having some extreme bad luck lately. Due to a shortage in blue diodes that are needed in the manufacturing of PS3 systems, Sony has been forced to cancel their Worldwide launch, and instead they are going to focus on the US market and Japan. Japan will supposedly only get 100,000 PS3's for launch, and the U.S. will get 400,000.


Only 400,000 PS3's at launch for North America, will translate into extreme shortages and outrageous Ebay prices. Imagine trying to divide up 400,000 systems among Canada and the U.S. and all the various retailers. You have Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, Circuit City, Sears, Electronics Boutique, GameStop, etc, etc, etc. Imagine all the various stores that carry Playstation products, all around Canada and the U.S. All of these retail outlets are going to be fighting for their allotment of the 400,000. Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target and Costco will likely get the lions share of systems. Electronics Boutique and GameStop will get a decent amount, but they have thousands and thousands of stores they have to share their allotment with. I'm 10th on the list at my local GameCrazy, and with this information, I'll be lucky to get a call from them in late February 2007, telling me they finally have my pre-ordered PS3 in stock.

Pre-Ordering from GameStop or EB would be a good idea, but only if I was lucky enough to find out the exact date that they are going to start taking preorders. So far, there hasn't been any word as to when that day is going to be. All one can do is simply call EB and GameStop every morning and ask if they are going to start taking preorders today. And then on the day that they are going to take preorders, there could easily be a long line in front of every GameStop just to get a freaking pre-order. If you aren't in the first 10 people, your chances of getting a launch unit are virtually nill.


So, that leaves the camping strategy. Normally, with camping, if you are willing to spend the night in front of a Target or Costco or BestBuy, you will be assured of a system, but you will have to spend a blistery night in the cold and windy and rainy conditions. I know, first hand. When the PS2 came out, I forgot to get a pre-order early, and I spent the night in front of a Target to get one. It was cold, windy and raining. It was absolutely miserable, but I did get my hands on one. However, this time it's going to be much more difficult than that. This is the year 2006. That was back in 2000. Nowadays, we aren't only going to have to fight other gamers to try to get our hands on a PS3, we are going to have to fight Ebay Profiteers that don't get a rats ass about gaming.


With only 400,000 units in all of North America at launch, and no PS3's for all of Europe and Australia, the resale market on Ebay is going to be out of this world. With the PS3 costing $600, I can easily see people getting triple that on Ebay, if not more. It will not be suprising in the least to see PS3 systems selling for 2 grand on Ebay. There are enough super rich people Worldwide, that will want to get their hands on a unit, just so they can have one the day it's available somewhere in the world. Plus you have all the super rich people in the USA that won't be able to find one at any store, and will be willing to deal with the ridiculous Ebay mark up. Of course, it's all supply and demand, so what are you going to do?

Sorry to digress on that, but the fact of the matter is that every Ebay reseller worth their salt is going to find out about the PS3 (I'm talking non video game Ebay resellers), and the extreme shortages, and a lightbulb is going to go off above their heads. They are going to think..."I just have to spend the night in front of a Target, use my $600 to buy a PS3 and then sell it on Ebay for 2 grand! It will be the easiest $1400 I've ever made in my life!!!". So not only are you going to have tons of Sony fanboys camping in front of Best Buys and Targets, but you are going to have tons of non-gamer Ebay and Craiglslist profiteers camping as well. What does this all mean? This means that you aren't simply going to be able to camp the night before like normal. You might actually have to camp "MULTIPLE" days in advance if you really want to guarantee yourself a PS3.



It's going to be fucking bonkers. @_@

[LiquidPolicenaut]

This is just ridiculous. Now the PS3 launch numbers are closer to that of the Xbox 360 launch numbers and we all remember how that launch went! I was kinda thinking about getting a PS3, but now forget it for now. I think for the first few months I can wait to get a PS3. There arent really any must-haves for me in the launch line-up, so I guess I'm gonna wait now till sometime early next year...

[Darren870]

I can garuntee that you probably wont get one by pre-ordering at an EB or Gamestop.

I can see big stores getting max 10, which will go to employees and loyal customers. Not to mention they will make you buy games and shit.

Don't count on getting it unless you camp. Even so a line of 10 would be a sign to go to the next store.

This is going to be pretty funny to see actually. Kinda wished i still worked for EB

[Anthony1]

Yeah, in all honesty, I shouldn't really want a PS3, considering the launch lineup is weak, I'll be playing Gears of War and Crackdown and hopefully some Wii games, so it's not like I'll be starving for some next-gen gaming. But for whatever reason, I want one. I always want to get home consoles on the day that they come out. I got both the PS1 and PS2 on their respective launch days, and I just feel like I'm missing something huge, if I don't experience the launch of a home console.

Part of me is saying that I can also rent Blu Ray movies to watch on it as well, even though I don't have a HDTV that would really show it off.


The other factor is actually keeping my personal PS3, when they will be selling for 2 grand on Ebay. It's pretty hard to fight the temptation to just sell it, and buy it back later in March.

[jasonlotp]

I want one exclusively to resell on Ebay. Or several. I'm going to feed off the silly people who actually wan't a system at launch with all of the exploding harddrives, disk read errors, dead pixels etc. you might get. I'm then going to use that money to buy a Wii and every game available for it. Wii is where its at. 8-)

[Anthony1]

Don't count on getting it unless you camp. Even so a line of 10 would be a sign to go to the next store.




Well, one of the keys to camping, is finding out exactly how many units the store got in. Normally, you can go to the store the night before, talk to the deparment manager for the electronics department, and they will tell, "We got a total of 18 systems". Or, "We got a pallet with 32 systems" or whatever. Then you know exactly how many systems that Target or Wal-Mart is going to have available to sell the next morning, and if 18 people or 32 people are already in line, then yeah, it would make no sense to be the 19th guy or 33rd guy.


Last year with the Xbox 360, I got really lucky by going to a Costco the night before. I asked to speak to the store manager and I asked her, "How many 360 systems did you guys get to sell tomorrow?" She said, "look up there" and she pointed to three pallets covered with a dark plastic that said "hold till November 23rd" or whatever. She said, "We got a total of 135 units on those 3 pallets." So the next day, I drove to Costco, and there was actually 75 people already standing in line, but I knew they had 135, so I jumped right in line and waited.

The key is, you really need to know how many units the store has, so that if the line has more people than units, you don't end up spending the night in the rain for nothing. Man that would really suck. Sometimes the managers can be kinda coy with the numbers and they will refuse to tell you, which I think is kinda silly. If you got 16 units in, why not let people know. So that if 16 people are already in line, you don't have people waiting around for nothing.

[le geek]

It's official, the PS3 with be the 3rd system I get years down the road, like the Xbox was this gen.

Cheers,
Ben

[heybtbm]

The whole "camping" strategy won't work this time. Most stores (BB, Walmart, Target, etc.) will be getting how many on launch day...5 - 10? The 360 launch should be a good indicator that you will wait all day and all night only to receive nothing.

Anyone who "camps" out for a PS3 is an idiot...plain and simple. If you want to get one and make $1000 on eBay or whatever...fine. As for the regular gamer, the odds are stacked too much against them. You may "camp", but you won't be getting a PS3 the next day. Regardless, people will wait (and wait and wait) in line for one...common sense and logical thought be damned.

[Darren870]

Well yes, but i doubt stores will be getting more then 10 if you don't get a chance to ask.

[Neo Rasa]

This will be the easiest Christmas I've ever worked in retail.

"Do you have any PS3s in?"

"No."

End.

[Darren870]

This will be the easiest Christmas I've ever worked in retail.

"Do you have any PS3s in?"

"No."

End.

No its deff easier when you have the systems. Because after that NO about 20 more questions follow about when you might be getting them. You get day after day after day after hour after minute after second....

[gepeto]

Well I don't buy it. Why is it that there is always a so called manufacture shortage of chip every time?

I think there is no shortage at all I think this is just a ploy to save them the embarassment of having ps3 sitting on the shelfs unsold due to being overpriced.

It will make good press. Ps3 sells out in a matter of minutes. As for eb and gamestop how long before the mega bundle?

Years to plan and still got problems? Maybe they are right. A companies consoles reign at the top is capped at 2 cycles max.

[Mayhem]

Well I don't buy it. Why is it that there is always a so called manufacture shortage of chip every time?

It isn't this time. It's a component of the blu-ray drive that's in shortage.

[jajaja]

I want one exclusively to resell on Ebay. Or several. I'm going to feed off the silly people who actually wan't a system at launch with all of the exploding harddrives, disk read errors, dead pixels etc. you might get. I'm then going to use that money to buy a Wii and every game available for it. Wii is where its at. 8-)

U cant have dead pixel on a console. Dead pixels only accure on screens. I have never heard of a harddrive that have exploded. Stopped working yes, but not physicaly exploded. But its always possible that something goes wrong with some units, like what happend with the 360.

Kinda sux that they delayed the EU launch. This means i will have to wait like 1 more year to get one (i wont buy it at launch, waiting a few month for price drop). Only 100000 units in Japan also suprises me. Im really wondering if the PS3 will be a success or not. Nevertheless, im getting one :)

[Anthony1]

The whole "camping" strategy won't work this time. Most stores (BB, Walmart, Target, etc.) will be getting how many on launch day...5 - 10? The 360 launch should be a good indicator that you will wait all day and all night only to receive nothing.

Anyone who "camps" out for a PS3 is an idiot...plain and simple. If you want to get one and make $1000 on eBay or whatever...fine. As for the regular gamer, the odds are stacked too much against them. You may "camp", but you won't be getting a PS3 the next day. Regardless, people will wait (and wait and wait) in line for one...common sense and logical thought be damned.



I beg to differ. Although it will be extremely difficult to get a PS3, camping is a great way to go. Yes there are only 400,000 units for all of North America, to be available on November 17th. But the funny thing is, the 360 had about the exact same amount for it's launch day. Right around 400,000 units. The 400,000 units will be allocated in a way where certain retailers get "sweetheart" allocations and other retailers will get "red headed stepchild" allocations. Also, breaking it down even further among specific retailers, the highest performing stores in terms of volume sales, will get the largest allotments.


Sweetheart retail partners = Best Buy, Costco, Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R US, Electronics Boutique, GameStop

Red Headed Stephchild retail partners = GameCrazy, FYI, Sears, K-Mart, Circuit City, Kay B Toys, etc, etc


So certain places will be lucky to get 2 or 3 units, while other places will get 14 or 19 units, and a few very high performing Best Buys or Costco's or Targets, will get 40 to 70 units. The bottom line is you simply need to know "exactly" how many units a retailer got, and just make sure that many more people aren't in front of you in the camping line. Simple as that. Of course, it's easier said than done, and with the PS3, it's going to be even more crazy, and there will be many more people willing to camp multiple days in advance and that's really going to alter the landscape quite a bit.

[jajaja]

The whole "camping" strategy won't work this time. Most stores (BB, Walmart, Target, etc.) will be getting how many on launch day...5 - 10? The 360 launch should be a good indicator that you will wait all day and all night only to receive nothing.

Anyone who "camps" out for a PS3 is an idiot...plain and simple. If you want to get one and make $1000 on eBay or whatever...fine. As for the regular gamer, the odds are stacked too much against them. You may "camp", but you won't be getting a PS3 the next day. Regardless, people will wait (and wait and wait) in line for one...common sense and logical thought be damned.

Why wont it work? If a store have 10 units and your first in line (or within the 10 first), why shouldnt you be able to buy one then?

Id rather say your an idiot if you pay $1000 for a PS3 if i have to choose between "camping" and "ebay buying for $1000". I never camped for anything myself, but i know ppl who have. Camping is not just about getting the item first, usualy alot of social activity are going on while you camp.

[Anthony1]

Camping is usually really fun till about 2pm. From 2pm to 8pm it's pretty damn boring and cold, and boring and did I say Cold? Oh, and windy. And rainy. And stinky. This year if I'm camping, I'm going to camp with a bud and we are going to share a real tent. Last time I camped, I didn't have a tent, and I got shitted on by the rain and wind.

I also plan on having an Atari Lynx with brand new batteries, and a backup set of batteries, as well as my PSP with a full charge, and a GBA SP with a full charge. That will get me through the boring parts of the day and evening. I would bring a laptop or something, but I don't want to get robbed while in line.

[heybtbm]

...with the PS3, it's going to be even more crazy, and there will be many more people willing to camp multiple days in advance and that's really going to alter the landscape quite a bit.

I agree completely. I think you're going to see people lining up 2-3 days in advance. The "night before" just isn't going to cut it this time.




Why wont it work? If a store have 10 units and your first in line (or within the 10 first), why shouldnt you be able to buy one then?

If you're in the front of the line, you will be able to buy one in theory. My main point was that the people who wait in line and actually are able to buy a PS3 on launch day are going to be about 0.01% of the total amount of people in each line.

The initial batch of launch systems are going to predominately bought by:

1.) store employees
2.) friends and relatives of said employees
3.) eBay "I don't have a real job" losers.

Cynical but true.

[jajaja]

Might be. Kinda stupid tho to advertice for a new console and when the first customer comes they dont have it because employees etc. have bought all hehe.

[Daniel Thomas]

Well, kids, I wouldn't recommend standing out in line overnight in hopes of stealing a PS3. I'm just thinking of the safety issue. A pile of kids sitting around with $600 in their pockets? Someone is going to get it in their heads to hit up a small mugging spree.

Besides, there simply won't be any consoles on the shelves. All the units will have been reserved and spoken for. The practical fact is that you won't be able to score a console until well into next year. Spring, perhaps?

The main culprit for Sony has been that damned Blu-Ray drive. As I understand it, PS3 would already be available if not for that. But the company has been bleeding money for some time, and the suits are desperate for BR to succeed in the market. Unfortunately, it just isn't ready for market yet, and the public is not going to throw away its DVD collections and start all over again with the next-gen version.

Also, it should be said, if not for BR, the price wouldn't be so damned obscene. Sony would have been successful if they just kept their wits and stayed the course. But that didn't happen, and now they're going to pay the price. I'm wondering if the number of units available in 2006 won't drop futher between now and November.

[Trebuken]

How many 360's were available at launch? That launch did not go too bad for me personally, and if this is a similar quantity, I think the higher price might make the launch go the same way...

My biggest concern is that the limited number of units will irritate the game developers into delaying games or porting them to the 360 instead (assassin's Creed not exclusive anymore I see).

Anyways, Wii is gonna be there, and will see us through the the twilight even if the PS3 is not...

Later,
Trebuken

[7th lutz]

I think Sony screwed up with using Blu-ray, and using the cell as its processor. I am saying the cell due to the difficult the manufacter making the cell is having with it.

I wonder how many of the ps 3's will be returned or need to repaired within weeks after they are bought after having a good amount of use? It seems like sony is rushing the ps 3 overall.

I don't like sony's track record on Launch products with the psp being their latest.

Anyone who buys a sony videogame system or handheld should know there are taking a chance.

[7th lutz]

I think Sony screwed up with using Blu-ray, and using the cell as its processor. I am saying the cell due to the difficult the manufacter making the cell is having with it.

I wonder how many of the ps 3's will be returned or need to repaired within weeks after they are bought after having a good amount of use? It seems like sony is rushing the ps 3 overall.

I don't like sony's track record on Launch products with the psp being their latest.

Anyone who buys a sony videogame system or handheld should know they are taking a chance.

[DonMarco]

The main culprit for Sony has been that damned Blu-Ray drive. As I understand it, PS3 would already be available if not for that. But the company has been bleeding money for some time, and the suits are desperate for BR to succeed in the market. Unfortunately, it just isn't ready for market yet, and the public is not going to throw away its DVD collections and start all over again with the next-gen version.
BR won't replace anthing. Hell, there are still VHS tapes being sold all over the place. BR/HD will be for a smaller and more precise audience. Sure, DVD players are cheap and everywhere, but lok 5 years down the road. No VHS tapes and DVDs are a dime a dozen. BR/HD DVDs should be roughly as cheap and available as $40 DVD players at Wal-Mart are right now. Any new technology rarely is sucessful at first, but they are shooting for the long run, man.

Also, the idea isn't to replace the DVD libraries but compliment them. And since my HDTV doesnt have HDMI cables, I will be leaning more to DVDs maybe HD DVDs in the next few years. I don't know if the 360 player will use some fancy video doohickey. I really don't.

[slip81]

I plan to get one for resale on ebay. My strategy is to take two days off work, and start camping at the local best buy (only 3 miles from where I live :) ), around 28 hours before they go on sale.

I figure that while I may loose about $200 for missing two days work, I'll make at least $400 in profit off my resold PS3. So it should be worth it.

[NEOFREAK9189]

I plan to go the stored on nov 16 4.00pm bringing my nintendo ds lite my game boy sp my laptop

[NEOFREAK9189]

I plan to go the stored on nov 16 4.00pm my nintendo ds lite my game boy sp my laptop

[NEOFREAK9189]

ds

[NEOFREAK9189]

I have a question How many xbox 360 s were available at launch?

[jajaja]

Well, kids, I wouldn't recommend standing out in line overnight in hopes of stealing a PS3. I'm just thinking of the safety issue. A pile of kids sitting around with $600 in their pockets? Someone is going to get it in their heads to hit up a small mugging spree.

You have to be pretty stupid or heavily drugged up to start mugging people when there are so many people around that can stop you. Doesnt most people use a creditcard today anyway? And its not kids who will camp out. They arent allowed by their parents to say out alone all night.

[slip81]

Well, kids, I wouldn't recommend standing out in line overnight in hopes of stealing a PS3. I'm just thinking of the safety issue. A pile of kids sitting around with $600 in their pockets? Someone is going to get it in their heads to hit up a small mugging spree.

You have to be pretty stupid or heavily drugged up to start mugging people when there are so many people around that can stop you. Doesnt most people use a creditcard today anyway? And its not kids who will camp out. They arent allowed by their parents to say out alone all night.

Yeah, I doubt I'm gonna see any "kids" standing around to buy the thing. It will probably be mostly people like me, guys in their mid 20's with credit cards.

[Imstarryeyed]

I was working in Silicon Valley during the PS2 launch and I was working for Sony Electronics at the time, and it was a madhouse.

Internally when the Sony store in our building would get a PS2 unit, the company had lotteries to see who can buy a system. I just dont understand why companies would not do that and forgo the agony of making people live like street urchins.

People were camping outside of the Metrion for at least 2 weeks ahead of time.. it was silly.

Then again tons of people were waiting for the PS2 and were willing to move heaven and earth to get one.. this time I am not so sure except for the PS2 otaku that is.

So I guess if you want one, I would recommend you:

1) Finish reading this thread

2) Grab your sleeping bag

3) Pick up a copy of "Living on the streets for Dummies"

4) Leave now!

Good luck and remember refrigerator boxes are considered premium real estate in San Francisco! LOL

[kainemaxwell]

Crap, the PS3 launch is gonna be as bad as the 360 then. We're still accepting pre-orders but not guaranteeing people getting them till sometime next year. This just makes it worse.

Plus side, only 4 Wii pre-orders, that'll be easy.

[gepeto]

I think Sony screwed up with using Blu-ray, and using the cell as its processor. I am saying the cell due to the difficult the manufacter making the cell is having with it.

I wonder how many of the ps 3's will be returned or need to repaired within weeks after they are bought after having a good amount of use? It seems like sony is rushing the ps 3 overall.

I don't like sony's track record on Launch products with the psp being their latest.

Anyone who buys a sony videogame system or handheld should know they are taking a chance.

If the cell is that difficult. Does that mean that the ones that do pass go and go into the machines mean they are more subject to flaws?

[lendelin]

In all this confusion, speculations, hopes, silliness, and dumb waiting to get a new console I have a relaxed approach: I wait six months, and then I get one without any probs, just walking into a store, pick it up, and pay for it. That's how I got the 360. I survived six months without it very well, playing games like always.

In the case of the PS3 I won't get one until it drops in price, no matter which games are offered and when it finally happens. I'm not a cash cow for companies.

I'm an avid gamer, I love new consoles, but I'm also level-headed and hardly loose common sense. I got only one console at launch day, that was the N64. A clerk I knew well called me up, said they had one, I drove there 10 minutes, picked it up, and paid.

No console is it worth to get cold feet for an hour or even 5. BRRRR...just the thought makes me shiver.

[swlovinist]

I hope that people make money, count me out. I am sure there is money to be made, but I see ALOT of people trying to make money on this one, when in truth only a fraction of people will. You bettter list your item early so that you can maximize your profit. The ebay craze is going to be crazy on this item.

[s1lence]

I have a question How many xbox 360 s were available at launch?


Around 400,000 were avalible.


I'm not camping out for this system. There is no game coming out around launch that I could give a shit about that isn't also coming out on the 360.

[Muscelli]

appearently some high guy working at gs said he had an email today saying there most likely wont be any preorders for the ps3

[Anthony1]

appearently some high guy working at gs said he had an email today saying there most likely wont be any preorders for the ps3


That would be a smart idea. Pre-ordering is going to piss off 10 times as many people as it's going to help. If they just sell it at midnight on the 17th, the big downside is that every Gamestop will have campers lined up outside them all during the 15th and 16th, but it will only be two days of madness, instead of many, many, many days of headaches. I know that GameStop went through hell last year by pre-ordering way too many 360 systems, and the people had their pre-orders tied into games that they traded in, and when they were told that they wouldn't get a 360 until Spring of the next year, they went ballistic, and then the managers had to figure out how the hell to rectify the situation. By not pre-ordering, you don't get into all that drama. You have a certain number to sell on launch day, and that's all there is to it.

One problem that might arise though, is the fact that many GameStops are located in mini strip malls, and those malls have security issues, and they also have other stores very close to the GameStops, and I don't think there is going to be room for people camping out front. The Cingular store on one side, and the Quiznos on the other side, is going to be pissed as hell with all the Campers lined up in front of their stores.

Another option that I think would work for them, is to only sell it in a bundle. Require the purchase of 4 individual PS3 games, one extra PS3 wireless controller and one other PS3 accessory priced $29.99 or more. That would eliminate all the profiteers. Sure it would piss alot of gamers off that want to just get the system with one game, but money talks and bullshit walks.

[Sothy]

Im gonna scalp low numbered tickets for the sony customer service repair line.

[7th lutz]

I think Sony screwed up with using Blu-ray, and using the cell as its processor. I am saying the cell due to the difficult the manufacter making the cell is having with it.

I wonder how many of the ps 3's will be returned or need to repaired within weeks after they are bought after having a good amount of use? It seems like sony is rushing the ps 3 overall.

I don't like sony's track record on Launch products with the psp being their latest.

Anyone who buys a sony videogame system or handheld should know they are taking a chance.

If the cell is that difficult. Does that mean that the ones that do pass go and go into the machines mean they are more subject to flaws?
It is possible to be more subject to flaws with the cells that passed.

[Joker T]

I'm not camping out for this system. There is no game coming out around launch that I could give a shit about that isn't also coming out on the 360.

I agree 100%.

[Garry Silljo]

One problem that might arise though, is the fact that many GameStops are located in mini strip malls, and those malls have security issues, and they also have other stores very close to the GameStops, and I don't think there is going to be room for people camping out front. The Cingular store on one side, and the Quiznos on the other side, is going to be pissed as hell with all the Campers lined up in front of their stores.


If I were Quiznos I'd stay open and try to get that "hungry camper" business.

[Griking]

In all this confusion, speculations, hopes, silliness, and dumb waiting to get a new console I have a relaxed approach: I wait six months, and then I get one without any probs, just walking into a store, pick it up, and pay for it. That's how I got the 360. I survived six months without it very well, playing games like always.

In the case of the PS3 I won't get one until it drops in price, no matter which games are offered and when it finally happens. I'm not a cash cow for companies.

I'm an avid gamer, I love new consoles, but I'm also level-headed and hardly loose common sense. I got only one console at launch day, that was the N64. A clerk I knew well called me up, said they had one, I drove there 10 minutes, picked it up, and paid.

No console is it worth to get cold feet for an hour or even 5. BRRRR...just the thought makes me shiver.


I agree 100%. In fact, I still haven't purchased a 360 yet and don't plan on it until the first price reduction which I'm hoping comes around some time around when the PS3 is launched. I figure by then there will be a nice selection of games out and even a few who's used prices will have dropped to a reasonable level. In the mean time there are still plenty of games that I already own for current and previous console that I have yet to play.

[Richter Belmount]

mmmm quiznos

[kainemaxwell]

One problem that might arise though, is the fact that many GameStops are located in mini strip malls, and those malls have security issues, and they also have other stores very close to the GameStops, and I don't think there is going to be room for people camping out front. The Cingular store on one side, and the Quiznos on the other side, is going to be pissed as hell with all the Campers lined up in front of their stores.
True. My mall has a EBX, EB and Gamestop (all one entity now but still). During really big releases (Halo 2 and Madden) the stores were open for a hour, I think, at midnight for people to buy. Dunno how security went for it or if they'll do it for the PS3. My store opened normally for the 360, I dunno what the game stores did.

[Mr Mort]

I really don't think it's going to be as spaztic and crazy as some of you think.

I think the Ebay profeteering is not going to do that well. At $600.00, I don't think nearly as many people are going to go out of their way to get it on day one. Personally, I think that the majority of Ebay profiteers aren't going to make much at all.

I have a feeling the price point is just going to turn off too many people, and as a result, there won't be as much of a frenzy/demand for it, although I could certainly be wrong.

Additionally, I'm sure Sony is having trouble getting enough units built in time, but it' still Sony's M.O. to announce huge availability at first, and then scale down the initial shipment numbers if only to try to create a demand/frenzy for it.

That being said, I will eventually get one, presumably after the first price cut, only to play Virtua Fighter 5. If VF5 was not a PS3 exclusive, I honestly think I would have zero interest in buying one.

[bangtango]

I really don't think it's going to be as spaztic and crazy as some of you think.

I think the Ebay profeteering is not going to do that well. At $600.00, I don't think nearly as many people are going to go out of their way to get it on day one. Personally, I think that the majority of Ebay profiteers aren't going to make much at all.

I have a feeling the price point is just going to turn off too many people, and as a result, there won't be as much of a frenzy/demand for it, although I could certainly be wrong.

Additionally, I'm sure Sony is having trouble getting enough units built in time, but it' still Sony's M.O. to announce huge availability at first, and then scale down the initial shipment numbers if only to try to create a demand/frenzy for it.

That being said, I will eventually get one, presumably after the first price cut, only to play Virtua Fighter 5. If VF5 was not a PS3 exclusive, I honestly think I would have zero interest in buying one.

You do have a point there. Even if you triple your money, spending over $600 to do so and camping out all night is still an aggravation. There are always ways to resell, with success, without wasting an entire night or having to give up $600+ dollars.

Then you get into
-the headache of how many days to list it for (to meet demands of people who want it shipped the same day or next day versus the money to be made from people who flock to your listing after it has been up for a couple days)
-what your starting bid is (damned if I am paying the insertion fees of starting at $400-500)
-when to actually list it (tough to list it if you THINK you might get one, expect to see a few people listing PS3's they will "be getting later tonight or tomorrow" assuming they get to buy one launch day in a store).

A lot more thought has to go into it than the run-of-the-mill Ebay listing.

I prefer the savings involved with being a very late adopter. I can even live without the small list of games for each system I adopt late that end up becoming "rare" in the time it was out.

What will I be doing when the PS3 comes out? Finally picking up a new or used PS2 and/or an X-Box. LOL I'm sure a few will be "dumped" to free up funds for PS3 or X-Box 360. I shall check the stores for price drops and keep on scouring Ebay. Something cheap will come up, I hope.

[vincewy]

I really don't think it's going to be as spaztic and crazy as some of you think.

I think the Ebay profeteering is not going to do that well. At $600.00, I don't think nearly as many people are going to go out of their way to get it on day one.

It's not the retail price affecting how much it'll fetch on eBay, but % of launch units resold on eBay, I bet it'll be as high as 95%. I wonder if Sony should just forget about selling to retail stores, but putting on their own online auctions sites, with message like, to get PS3, please visit http://www.sony.com

Stores will still carry games and accessories, in the end, everyone is happy. Another option during the holiday season, is for every retail store to reinforce bundles, ie, buy 2-3 games with an accessory.

[Anthony1]

Even if you triple your money, spending over $600 to do so and camping out all night is still an aggravation.




I don't know....Tripling your money would seem to be worth the aggravation to me. Let's see, a PS3 is $599.99 plus tax, let's assume 8 percent sales tax, that's a grand total of $647.99. Triple that would be $1943.97. But you would still have to pay listing fees, reserve fees and final value fee. And you might have to pay cost overruns for shipping, as well as potential PayPal fees when people pay with credit cards. It would be interesting to know the exact amount you would need to sell it at, to cover every single cost and still triple your investment. Basically, you would need to sell it for like $2100 to really, really, really make it all worth it.


Also, it certainly depends on how much camping you have to do. If you can start camping at 5pm the night before, and you camp at a place like Target, which hands out tickets at 6am in the morning, then you are basically waiting a total of 13 hours. You can almost look at it like you're making $100 an hour to wait in line to get a PS3. Of course, that's assuming you can show up at 5pm the night before and there aren't more people already in line than there are systems to be sold.


I personally really want a system for myself, just because if I don't get one right away, it could easily be another 6 months before I track one down. My personal strategy would be to play the hell out of it for about 36 days, and then sell it a few nights before Xmas for like $1400 at least. I will just rent some PS3 games like Resistance: Fall of Man and Warhawk and Fatal Inertia and Motorstorm, etc, etc. I'm not sure of what actual PS3 games will release prior to Xmas, so it will depend on that. But I would try to rent a ton of PS3 games (the ones that don't have a Xbox 360 version as well), and get a good feel for what the PS3 is all about. I might as well rent a few Blu Ray movies as well. I can tell you one thing, I sure as hell won't be buying any Blu Ray movies, or HD-DVD movies for the matter, either, not with their ridiculous pricing. It's all about rental baby!!! I'm more than willing to rent a ton of games and movies (with a monthly rental service of course), but I'm not going to be paying top dollar for any of this media. Only time I'm going to buying stuff, is if it's priced $29.99 or less, and even then I really prefer $19.99. Sorry to digress there, but the prices of the games and these high def movies are a little bit out of control.

The thing is, if people are still giving around $1400 for one, a couple of days prior to Xmas, then I might just have to take somebodies money and walk. I'll list it on craigslist, so there won't be any listing fee's or reserve fee's or final value fee's or paypal fee's or any extra shipping fee's or anything like that. Just sell it to somebody locally for cashola. And if I can't get $1400 or $1300 for it, then I might just hold onto it. It will depend on how attatched I am to renting PS3 games and Blu Ray movies, and whether or not I think I'll be able to find a PS3 via some method in the not too distant future, like my GameCrazy pre-order, coming thru for me in mid February or something like that.

I really hate to miss out on the actual launch day experience of opening up a PS3 box for the first time, being amazed at how massive the PS3 is in terms of size, and smelling all that molded plastic and silicon for the first time. Nothing like opening up those little plastic bags for the first time to see the PS3 controller that doesn't feature rumble. Putting Resistance: Fall of Man into the PS3 on that Friday night in November, will be a pretty enjoyable and once in a lifetime experiences I'm imagining. Nothing like experiencing something for the very first time, something totally state of the art, and something a little bit different than what I'm getting with my Xbox 360. Sure, I'll have gotten Gears of War one week earlier, and I'll also likely be playing Splinter Cell and NBA 2K7, and I might not be that desperate to play Fall of Man or Motorstorm, but it's a new system, with it's own unique flavor to it, and experiencing it on the actual launch day is something that will always be considered a special moment in my gaming history. I can distinctively remember the first day that I got my PS2. I spent the whole night camping to get it, I got home with it, and I was totally exhausted, because I really didn't sleep a lick, but I had my PS2, and I had Madden and SSX, and before I decided to go to bed for a few hours and get some actual sleep, I hooked up the PS2 and played some Madden and some SSX, and for those few hours in a totally exhausted state, everything was worth it. All the drama was worth it. And it was even more worth it considering the fact that had I not gotten a PS2 at launch, it would have haunted my thoughts at all times. All I would be thinking about, is what it would be like to be playing SSX and Smugglers Run and Madden, etc, etc. Of course, little did I know that the launch lineup would ultimately be as sucky as it was. I didn't completely realize that until January 2001. By that time, it was too late to sell my PS2 for a fortune, so I just kept it. But I had some very good friends that wanted to get a PS2 too, and they didn't find one until late April. And they were looking every day for one. So sometimes having one early, even though it's anti-climatic, is nice just because you don't have to dream of what it would have been like, and you can just relax and enjoy it now, while we are still alive, and while the Earth hasn't been hit by an Asteroid. You never know when your number is going to be called, so there is something to be said for early adopters.

[Audigy]

Why even camp out in front of a store?

Just pre-order online as soon as you're able to. My friend at work pre-ordered an XBox 360 bundle, had it shipped overnight, and got it on launch day. No hassle, no camping.

Sure, you may be forced to order it in a bundle, but if you're going to be making double your money back on the system, what's the big deal about spending a few extra hundred bucks on a few games?

[NinjaJoey23]

Ok, so something some of you folks might be interested in. Today, I stopped by EB to ask about reserving a PS3. As you may have guessed, of couse they are not doing so yet.

BUT...

They are allowing reserves on PS3 games. I also found out that those customers who reserve games will be getting calls the morning that EB starts taking PS3 preorders. Sort of like a precedence over the "rabble." So, I reserved a game, with the assurance that I will get a call when they start taking reserves on consoles. Seeing as I live in a small, sleepy town, I'm betting on being first on the list. Anyway, thought that might be helpful to some of you wanting a PS3 on launch day.

[Anthony1]

Ok, so something some of you folks might be interested in. Today, I stopped by EB to ask about reserving a PS3. As you may have guessed, of couse they are not doing so yet.

BUT...

They are allowing reserves on PS3 games. I also found out that those customers who reserve games will be getting calls the morning that EB starts taking PS3 preorders. Sort of like a precedence over the "rabble." So, I reserved a game, with the assurance that I will get a call when they start taking reserves on consoles. Seeing as I live in a small, sleepy town, I'm betting on being first on the list. Anyway, thought that might be helpful to some of you wanting a PS3 on launch day.



Interesting news. I think the best method to take is to check with a GameStop and EB every single morning from now till October 10th. They are bound to start at somepoint during that time frame. Is it a pain in the ass to have to call every single morning when they first open? Hell yes, but I'm totally convinced that if you aren't at a GameStop or EB during the first 30 minutes of them accepting pre-orders on the PS3, you are going to be S.O.L. So the only way to be sure is to call every morning and check in. It must really suck for the employees to have to answer that question over and over and over, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. One day soon, they are going to say, "Yes, we just got a memo from corporate that we can start today".

[staxx]

Camping out in the cold weather overnight and loosing sleep for a console, is it really worth it? Well according to some, yes. I feel it is not worth camping out because missing a few month of playing the PS3, oh well... In the end you will get one, that is what counts. But if you really insist on getting one at launch well here are a few tips:

1. Call the place every morning (though it may piss the employees off and they may say "not yet" even though they know when to pre-order)
2. Make friends with a employee or manager (much better way)
3. Camping out (well I hope you enjoy the cold weather and a high chance of rain during those months)
4. Camp out in groups but take turns (i.e. a few sleep in the car, but all stand in line initially; therefore, less strain)
5. Don't go to the major chains, the smaller shops like a toys store (i.e. KB Toys that's how I got my PS2 at launch with no line or Virgin Records that's another example) that sells consoles.
6. Preorder but state you will perorder tons of games and accessories and will get the entire lot if you are 100% gonna get one on launch day, managers may pull a few strings to meet your needs since you will be doing a large multiple at the store and they will have a better quota/stats.
7. Good Luck to all the people attempting to buy the PS3 at launch day.

[Iron Draggon]

Well I don't buy it. Why is it that there is always a so called manufacture shortage of chip every time?

It isn't this time. It's a component of the blu-ray drive that's in shortage.

I have to agree... I don't buy it... it's just Sony's usual strategy of faking a chip shortage to inflate demand...

[NEOFREAK9189]

my friend told me the is rumor the each stored get 20 system only
12 system 60gb version
8 system 20 gb version

[NinjaJoey23]

Well, 400,000/20 = 20,000. Is this realistic, even as an average?

[NEOFREAK9189]

I have a friend she planning to camp for a PS3 16th 10.00 am @_@ @_@ @_@

[Kejoriv]

I have a friend she planning to camp for a PS3 16th 10.00 am @_@ @_@ @_@

Why and Where?

Possibly Best Buy. -Answered my own question

[NEOFREAK9189]

no is a store do no take Preorder so she planning go 10:00 am
I remember last yeah she do the same thing got a x 360

[NEOFREAK9189]

no is a store do no take Preorder so she planning go 10:00 am
I remember last year she do the same thing got a x 360

[carlcarlson]

ok I've never camped out, but to me this is an obvious question. What do you do about going to the bathroom? I don't think there is anybody that will be willing to come with me and take turns, so I'm thinking I'll have to sit there the whole time. what do i do?

[Gamereviewgod]

Toys R Us will begin pre-orders on Sunday. Our store is only getting FOUR. It's a long shot, but if you're desperate, it's worth a shot. They're advertised in the big book.

[NEOFREAK9189]

the store I go to buy the Playstation 3 only get 10 system that is suck :angry:
now I have to go with my friends they planning to camp for a PS3 16th 10.00 am

[jajaja]

ok I've never camped out, but to me this is an obvious question. What do you do about going to the bathroom? I don't think there is anybody that will be willing to come with me and take turns, so I'm thinking I'll have to sit there the whole time. what do i do?

Bring a potty LOL Seriously, it depends on how long you are camping. If you plan to camp for some hours you might be fine, but if your going to camp for a long time you "must" be 2 persons or more. I never camped myself tho, but this is the only way you can save your spot.

[Anthony1]

ok I've never camped out, but to me this is an obvious question. What do you do about going to the bathroom? I don't think there is anybody that will be willing to come with me and take turns, so I'm thinking I'll have to sit there the whole time. what do i do?


If you are camping overnite, you will of course meet the people in front of you, and in back of you, in the line. You will get to know them pretty good, because you will be standing around and sitting around for hours with nothing better to do. Well, at a certain point, if you have to take a piss or whatever, you tell the guy in front, and the guy behind, that you have to take a piss real quick, and you'll be right back. They would have to be uber dicks to not let you back to your spot in line, if you are only gone for a few minutes.

[TahoeMax]

waiting for PS3 and Wii preorders was okay. I got to know the folks around me pretty well. One of us would go get coffee or croissants for the group and come back with no trouble. It was only a 4-hour wait, though. I imagine after 20+ hours people would be a little more cutthroat and willing to bump anyone out of line for a nickel. Should be an interesting couple of days leading up to these releases.

Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for Amazon PS3 preorders if you guys want them. Amazon.ca did theirs this morning and they lasted a little under 30 minutes. I'd expect Amazon's main site to put their preorders up in a day or two.

[jajaja]

Sony has to cut back on numbers of consoles in Japan. Instead of 100,000 units they will release 80,000. Problem is due to production difficulties, again :\