PS3 Shortage?

[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.

[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 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-ps...-appear-online

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

[DeputyMoniker]

http://kotaku.com/5476981/two-new-ps...-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)