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 ).

[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/so...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.

[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.