Sony shortages show signs of slowing?
by Kyle Orland 
{ Jan 4th 2007 at 12:05PM }
ABC News takes a good hard look at the anecdotal reports of plentiful PS3s lining store shelves in the new year after massive supply shortages over the holidays. ABC's determination is a little hard to parse, but it seems that while the system is increasingly findable, demand is still matching pretty close to supply.
Indeed, online product tracker iTrackr lists the PS3 at 52 percent availability, way above the 12 percent seen just last week, but still well below full availability. Compared to the current seven percent iTrackr availability for the Wii, it would seem the PS3 shortage is indeed slowing more quickly than that of its chief holiday rival. Whether this is because of increased production or decreased customer demand is anyone's guess.
While mainstream media and online tracking reports are nice, they pale in comparison to the massive collective power of the Joystiq readership. Are you noticing more new generation systems in the retail wild? How many PS3s and Wiis are sitting on the shelf of your local game store? Feed the anecdotal fires in the comments thread below.
[Thanks Antonio]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
cubbiechris @ Jan 4th 2007 12:12PM
I picked up a PS3 in Phoenix, AZ when I was visiting my parents and the local BB had about 25 PS3 sitting on shelves.
BB @ Jan 4th 2007 12:14PM
I just returned mine today and I"m trading in my 3 games for some more Wii goodness. Nothing really wrong with teh PS3. I don't have time for all three consoles, and the PS3 doesn't have much out that I don't already have for the 360 (minus RFoM of course). I'll wait until Sony gets their act together with the whole BluRay/720p fiasco and see what games come out. I'm going to hold on to my extra controller and BD remote since I anticipate buying one again once the price comes down a bit and I get a larger 1080p television (40"+) first.
Fernando Rocker @ Jan 4th 2007 12:14PM
I saw yesterday 7 PS3 (Best Buy in Laredo, TX) in front of the store, with the price writen with big numbers on a notebook paper with black marker... I guess there are no more people who wants a PS3.
Ah, and the Wii was sold out, by the way.
TheScantronman @ Jan 4th 2007 12:57PM
I've probably seen about 20 PS3's in the last week and a half. I saw 10 of em in one Wal-Mart.
Greg @ Jan 4th 2007 12:17PM
Unbundled PS3s have been available to order from BestBuy.com for 36 hours now and bundles are available at a discount. This is a huge contrast to Wii bundles that go OOS within minutes everywhere.
SpottedNigel @ Jan 4th 2007 12:28PM
I have not seen a Wii in-store since I picked mine up on launch day. I've seen PS3's in groups of 2 or 4 for the last week or so
LMAO @ Jan 4th 2007 12:14PM
Best Buy was selling it online when I checked this morning.
Fireci @ Jan 4th 2007 4:28PM
Our local Futureshop / WalMart / EBGames have had 6+ units in stock since xmas. Talking to the clerks, they've been in stock for a while now. Said they sell on average like 1 ever 3 or 4 days. However, they still can't keep Wiis in stock. They sell out as soon as they hit the shelves.
Belcho @ Jan 4th 2007 12:15PM
Every time I go to Circuit City there's a sign outside that says, "Wii is temporarily sold out." There was a similiar sign for the PS3 right after it launched, but I haven't seen it for about a month.
matthew @ Jan 4th 2007 4:24PM
In working for Best Buy I have noticed that we have had a hell of a lot more PS3s in the last few days. We had a huge bulk stack in the middle of the video games that sat there for a day or two. As far as is it higher supply or lower demand, I believe it is the former. In the last month I have seen an unprecidented amount of returns of unopened PS3s. Definitely a far larger amount then I saw of the 360 last year and I don't think I have seen a single Wii brought back. Most people I have talked to who have bought it and returned it had buyers remorse. They just didn't think it was worth the $600 they paid for it.
Hoffy @ Jan 4th 2007 12:16PM
The Best Buy in Plymouth Meeting (outside of Philly) had 10 60GB PS3s when I was in there on the 1st - don't know if they're still there.
Haven't been able to find a Wii anywhere. Or Arrested Development Season Two. What's up with that?
Plenty Here! @ Jan 4th 2007 12:21PM
well, there's 12 at my local EB Games, and like 30 or more at the Best Buy in my area, and i know the eb games people, and they've called previous customers who wanted the PS3s and still can't sell them, not looking good right now for Sony, i thought those things would fly off the shelves! but Wiis are unavailable in both places and DS's are back-ordered till February!!
dvdguy @ Jan 4th 2007 12:18PM
I look for Wii stuff everyday and all I see on shelves are PS3s. I see them in every store I go to.
Kimosabae @ Jan 4th 2007 12:20PM
How many times a week could you possibly bring up such a hackneyed topic of discussion? Do a multitude of fanboyish fits of fury amuse you?
Yeah, they amuse me too. Keep up the good work!
-SynikaL
droptop GP @ Jan 4th 2007 12:24PM
I was at EB & Walmart yesterday here in Vancouver.
I saw 2 PS3s in EB and 3 in Walmart.
No shortages here.
I mean, who would buy a $600+ unit for 1 game???
-
Ordeith @ Jan 4th 2007 12:32PM
Owning a PS3 has become a badge of shame.
It has sucker written all over it.
Ben Friesen @ Jan 4th 2007 12:32PM
"It's virtually impossible to know what PlayStation 3 units were sold to real gamers, their friends and families, and which ones went to middlemen looking to make a couple of quick bucks off the fervor surrounding it.
According to Gartenberg, who cares?
'It's a little bit hard to tell if we're seeing opportunists or purists here,' he said. 'But at the end of the day, the units are being sold to someone, whether there's a middleman or not.'"
Except that Sony is taking a loss on each console, and the only way they're going to make that back is if people buy games for the console (they make $5 profit per third-party game sold). So if people are buying the system, but not the games, this is very bad for Sony. That's why it's important.
Paul @ Jan 4th 2007 12:21PM
Hoffy - they were still there as of yesterday
Fernando Rocker @ Jan 4th 2007 12:25PM
Check www.bestbuy.com
They are selling PS3's right now...
The Wii is already sold out.
Brendan @ Jan 4th 2007 12:27PM
At the store I work at, we've got two PS3s that have been sitting here for the last week, just warming the shelves. Any Wii we get in is sold within hours.
vidGuy @ Jan 4th 2007 12:25PM
Eastern Iowa:
Best Buy had 2 60GB PS3s.
GameStop had 8 60GB PS3s.
EBGames had 15 PS3s - 9 at 60GB and 6 at 20GB.
Within 10 miles, there were 25 PlayStation3's available on Saturday afternoon.
I did see a line of about 4 people to play the in-store PS3 demo of Madden at EBGames. The two that were playing it at the time had brought 2L bottles of Mountain Dew with them. Apparently they had been there awhile. Maybe they couldn't afford to take the system home?
I haven't seen a single Wii on the shelf, but between my family and housemates, we own 4!
BG @ Jan 4th 2007 12:32PM
I spent some time shopping on Saturday and it seemed like every gaming/electronics store in the Portland, OR area had a couple of each model.
The only evidence of demand I've seen was at the nearest Fred Meyer where, on Tuesday, they had 8 in their display with "Sold" stickers on them. Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, and other local stores all seem to have 2 or 3 in stock though.
PeteL @ Jan 4th 2007 12:28PM
As #4 said Bestbuy.com has the 60GB PS3 in stock (still) since yesterday evening. You never saw that with the xbox 360 last January.
The Kid @ Jan 4th 2007 1:11PM
Sony has a real choice for it's gamers; it has a 129.00 PS2 with free online play and with identical 3rd party games that are on the Wii and Xbox 360. They have Gran Turismo which no other console company can match as far as sales with racing games or most games for that matter.
Put a game like Tekken 5 on the last gen PS2 against Dead or Alive on the Xbox 360 and there isn't that much of a difference graphically; Tekken 5 on the PS2 outplays dead or alive hands down.
Virtua Fighter 4 on the PS2 also looks incredible (graphically) compared to Dead or Alive on the Xbox 360. The PS2 is a better deal over the Xbox 360 and has a bigger game library.
The PS3 is the Emperor/Overlord of the Next Gen consoles. Not only does it have superior technology over the 360; but it also has backward compatibility with the PS2 and the PS One; It's the best of the Past, Present and Future of Gaming. No expensive Add-on Gimmicks that end up costing close to 1000.00 like the Xbox 360.
By the way; I saw at least 40 - 60 units of the xbox 360 stocked at Gamestop and about 7 used behind the counter. This was the case throughout the holiday season as well.
Have things improved for the 360 in Japan? Or do they remain outsold by the PS3 in only two weeks time?
willyjsimmons @ Jan 4th 2007 1:15PM
One time, at band camp, I saw a PS3...and not a single Wii.
Cobvious @ Jan 4th 2007 12:35PM
In the last I've walked into two different stores and seen plenty of PS3's sitting around doing nothing, and the first store was BEFORE New Years, so I'd say demand is definitely slowing, at least were I was.
untitled @ Jan 4th 2007 12:40PM
Correction: iTrackr is a RETAIL brick and motor store, product tracker.. not online ;)
nodnetni @ Jan 4th 2007 12:33PM
Game stop here, has a sign up Saying "PS3's in stock, take one please"
Tom @ Jan 4th 2007 12:33PM
There is nothing fanboyish about this article. It's simply about what do see when you go to a store, and the truth is there. Wii are sold out everywhere and the ps3 are in low demand, there is nothing "fanboyish" about a fact. I went to best buy in nyc on christmas eve and at 6'o clock pm they still had ps3s, if you can't sell a next gen console a month after it launched on chirstmas eve, then you have a problem. Drop the whole fanboy excuses, I'm a gamer, not a nintendo gamer or a sony gamer, I appreciate games on whatever console they are released for, and so I can say through my observation and research that the ps3, is having a hard time selling itself. I like halo, I like a good sony game, and I like 1st party nintendo games, why does one person have to say wii sucks or ps3 sucks, no console sucks, if you are a gamer then you play games, and do care about who the game is made under, twilight princess is a phenominal game, and if you enjoy playing games, then play it, but if you are a person that is a victim of being a slave for a certain company and will not touch anything that is not playstaion, you are not a gamer.
Jared @ Jan 4th 2007 12:43PM
Sighted:
6 PS3's, 0 Wii's (Cheyenne, WY Walmart, Dec 31)
2 PS3's, 0 Wii's (Casper, WY Walmart, Jan 2)
Roy @ Jan 4th 2007 12:35PM
I walked into Best Buy in Cedar Rapids, IA on Tuesday and there was a stack of about 15-20 of them right out on the floor. I thought at first they were preorder boxes or something or it was some kind of trick. I might have expected one or two, but 20?? This wasn't at opening time, either - I think it was about 11:30 when I was there. A lot of people were standing around, I think, in wonderment that they were actually available to buy. They all appeared to be the 60GB units, so I picked one up, along with Resistance and T2 on Blu-ray. No Wiis, though - bummer!
The strangest thing was the reaction of people while I walked around the store with the thing before I headed to checkout. They were all whispering things like, "Is that a PS3?" I was starting to get paranoid by about the 4th comment.
nick @ Jan 4th 2007 12:55PM
There was also an article today about how PS3s are available in quantity in Japan too, and aren't flying off the shelves there either.
I think Sony over estimated peoples willingness to spend that much money.
Flit @ Jan 4th 2007 12:42PM
"I walked around the store with the thing before I headed to checkout. They were all whispering things like, "Is that a PS3?""
They were pointing and laughing. "what's he gonna do with it? Download PS1 games?"
tack @ Jan 4th 2007 12:57PM
I've seen ps3's at my local best buy the last 3 times I've been in there. There just arent any reasons to warrant a purchase right now, especially over the 360 for a gamer and wii for the gaming challenged.
xno @ Jan 4th 2007 12:43PM
there is more ps3 because people are returning them..... I know cuz my last visit to best buy i saw 3 dudes returning a ps3 1 when i had just arrived, the second one while i was in line and the third one while I was walking out the store....yeah i was like what the heck I heard that it was bad(Ps3) but is it that bad to return it 2 days after crismas I live in LA in this is no joke
Rick @ Jan 4th 2007 1:11PM
My Local GameStop(Phoenix AZ) had 5 PS3's in stock and the Target Next door had 26 on hand.6 on display and 20 in the back. The CSR at Target did make it a point to tell me the PS3 wasn't selling well in their store and then tried to sell me a Xbox 360.
Thought @ Jan 4th 2007 12:51PM
Has anyone thought that maybe the reason we havent saw any wiis is because nintendo is directing their supply to other regions, I know of stores that have literally not gotten them in for weeks. And what I have seen of the Ps3s are that they are saling just a bit slower though, I went to target on sunday and saw 2 60gbs and one monday when I returned they were gone and my best buy was alos sold out even after sundays advertisement.
Luis Chamorro @ Jan 4th 2007 12:58PM
"I did see a line of about 4 people to play the in-store PS3 demo of Madden at EBGames. The two that were playing it at the time had brought 2L bottles of Mountain Dew with them. Apparently they had been there awhile. Maybe they couldn't afford to take the system home?" -vidGuy
...Wow...that is sad...
...In my area, there are still shortages of the PS3 and Wii. Not surprising, being as it is one of the OC's richest areas (*cough* Irvine *cough* spoiled kids *cough*). I was actually taken aback that I couldn't find a DS Lite! Managed to find one yesterday!
Flit @ Jan 4th 2007 1:00PM
"Has anyone thought that maybe the reason we havent saw any wiis is because nintendo is directing their supply to other regions, I know of stores that have literally not gotten them in for weeks."
The 3 stores i was checking were getting them every week, between 15-20 at each store. and every store would be sold out when they opened (people lined up). And what, PS3 isn't supplying other regions? What stores haven't "gotten them in for weeks", the local Safeway?
Blazur @ Jan 4th 2007 1:06PM
At the local best buy here in Syracuse NY, there were at least 6 PS3s sitting on the shelf, one of which was the 20gb version. As I walked by there was a group of adults standing around murmuring about the availability of the PS3.
On the other hand, the Wii section had a large vacant spot on the shelves. Most of my friends are aware of times when Wii supplies will be replenished at BB and have waited outside to grab them. There's always a long line (almost comparable to opening night), and they're gone in less than an hour.
In regards to the PS3, I don't think it's an issue of greater production or lack of marketing. I think consumers are getting wiser about the value of their dollar.
BIGGEN @ Jan 4th 2007 1:20PM
i think the ps3 and 360 fall under the "investment" category and just will not sell as fast as the wii. if you had a choice to pay $250-$400-$600, which would you pick? the wii is an impulse buy, just as the DS is. i'm glad the 360 came out before the wii because otherwise, i probably would have bought the wii and missed out on what a great system the 360 is. i have a ps3 too and i never play it.
Thought @ Jan 4th 2007 1:07PM
"What stores haven't "gotten them in for weeks", the local Safeway?"
Im obviously not talking about the local quickie mart, major chains as Best Buy, eb games, and target. But as Luis was saying this could vary from location to location.
Todd @ Jan 4th 2007 1:08PM
For anyone thinking that the reason the Wii is hard to find is that they are not shipping any to the US, just call your local Gamestop/EB Games and ask how many calls they get a day about the PS3 (1 or 2) and how many calls they get from people trying to buy a Wii (20-40). They are here, just selling much faster than anything that cost $500-$600.
v1cious @ Jan 4th 2007 3:01PM
"There was also an article today about how PS3s are available in quantity in Japan too, and aren't flying off the shelves there either."
they sold 70,000 just last week, so i'd love to know where you're getting your information from.
justin @ Jan 4th 2007 1:12PM
Where are there not PS3s for sale on the shelves?
Mal F4cti0n @ Jan 4th 2007 1:13PM
I live in Arlington, VA. I saw PS3s about two weeks before christmas in Walmart (one store), Targets (two stores) and Best Buy one store). I hadn't been back in any retail stores since, so I don't know the current state of things.
However, PS3s sitting in stores two weeks before christmas probably means there are some sitting there now.
My girlfriend, after playing some of the arcade games on my 360, wanted one for herself. I showed her the Wii at Best Buy and explained that there would probably be more for her in that system (plus I wanted to be able to play it too, I don't know anyone that has one). We looked at some of the games, and surprise, surprise she was all psyched on Wii Sports and Elebits. She wanted to buy a Wii then and there when I told her it was $249. I had to explain to her that she would have to wait about six months before we could just walk in and pick one up. She was like, "what, but they have PS3s!" I almost cried I was laughing so hard. She was pissed because she thought I was laughing at here, but I was laughing at Sony.
BklynKid @ Jan 4th 2007 1:25PM
#22, breathe! Now, start using some periods from time to time.
WC Sarge @ Jan 4th 2007 1:16PM
@30 -- I did a quick poll of my clan and asked "what price point would you buy a PS3 at?" -- the premium pack was implied.
The bell curve was centered around the US$300 mark.
Victoria, BC has some available, if you look hard enough, but supply is still weak -- EB seems to be getting the most shipped (~10) but other stores are seemingly 1-3 unit shipments.
copa @ Jan 4th 2007 1:17PM
Interesting that the 20 Gig units are actually very scarce. Sony's biggest albatross is price, but they don't seem very motivated to put the cheaper units into the supply chain.
Compare this with last year, when the 360 Premium units were in high demand, and the core units were much easier to obtain.
Jason @ Jan 4th 2007 3:09PM
When does the Wii return to instock position? I mean, there's already 2M+ out in the wild and they're still selling like hotcakes. That, my friends, is a bona fide hit.